Children and charity
Mr. Muhammad Ghannam tries in the following story to explain a high value for children and a good manner that the righteous always do, which is (Giving charity in secret).
It is a a proof on the truthfulness of the one who tries to draw nearer to Allah and drives its doer away from hypocrisy; following the example of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in the Hadith of the seven types of people whom Allah shall cover with His shade on a day where there will be not shade but His: “A person who practices charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given (i.e., Nobody knows how much he has given in charity).”
In Islamic upbringing, an instructor has to note that there are some situations during which a person should pay charity publicly, that is when he intends to make his children and students follow his example and compete in goodness.
He has to explain to his children and students the worldly and Hereafter benefits which are advantageous to the charity giver such as: A charity cures some diseases, a charity prolongs ages and increases good deeds, Allah accepts charity and takes it with His Right Hand to grow it as someone breeds his colt.
Charity does not decrease money but rather increases it, the nearest kinship are more entitled to take charity as it contains a bigger reward, and charity has certain times during which the reward will be doubled.
Let us read an example:
Whoever gives in charity should give it in secret.
Hazim and Mundhir entered the house quickly.
- Hazim shouted: O mother, where are you?
- Mundhir shouted: O mother, I want to tell you something.
- The mother came in a hurry and said:What is wrong with you two? What happened to you?
- Hazim said: O mother, Allah will love me very much.
- Mundhir said: I am too, O mother.
- The mother said: Calm down,what is it all about?
- Hazim said: Few minutes ago, I have seen our neighbor Himdan in the street, he is poor and blind.
He wanted to cross the street but there were many cars which prevented him from crossing the street.
- Of course, you helped him, asked the mother?!
- Mundhir said: I helped him too, mother, and I gave him the Riyal which was in my pocket because he is poor and has many children.
- Hazim said: Yes, mother, what he has said was true, he gave him one Riyal and I also gave him another Riyal.
- The mother laughed and said: Both of you deserve the pleasure of Allah and his love but you have made a mistake.
- Hazim and Mundhir said quickly: What is that?
- The mother said: You should have helped that man without telling anyone about it because one of the proprieties of Islam is to give charity in secret and to conceal all goodness because that brings the pleasure and reward of Allah.
Both children got ashamed because of what they have done.
They both decided to do righteous deeds, endeavor to do anything that brings benefits to Muslims provided that everything should be done secretly.
