seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Quran 2:263. Kind words and forgiveness are better than charity followed by insults. God is Rich and Clement.
264. O you who believe! Do not nullify your charitable deeds with reminders and hurtful words, like him who spends his wealth to be seen by the people, and does not believe in God and the Last Day. His likeness is that of a smooth rock covered with soil: a downpour strikes it, and leaves it bare—they gain nothing from their efforts. God does not guide the disbelieving people.
265. And the parable of those who spend their wealth seeking God’s approval, and to strengthen their souls, is that of a garden on a hillside. If heavy rain falls on it, its produce is doubled; and if no heavy rain falls, then dew is enough. God is seeing of everything you do.
266. Would anyone of you like to have a garden of palms and vines, under which rivers flow—with all kinds of fruit in it for him, and old age has stricken him, and he has weak children—then a tornado with fire batters it, and it burns down? Thus God makes clear the signs for you, so that you may reflect.
267. O you who believe! Give of the good things you have earned, and from what We have produced for you from the earth. And do not pick the inferior things to give away, when you yourselves would not accept it except with eyes closed. And know that God is Sufficient and Praiseworthy.
268. Satan promises you poverty, and urges you to immorality; but God promises you forgiveness from Himself, and grace. God is Embracing and Knowing.
269. He gives wisdom to whomever He wills. Whoever is given wisdom has been given much good. But none pays heed except those with insight.
270. Whatever charity you give, or a pledge you fulfill, God knows it. The wrongdoers have no helpers.
271. If you give charity openly, that is good. But if you keep it secret, and give it to the needy in private, that is better for you. It will atone for some of your misdeeds. God is cognizant of what you do.
272. Their guidance is not your responsibility, but God guides whom He wills. Any charity you give is for your own good. Any charity you give shall be for the sake of God. Any charity you give will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.
273. It is for the poor; those who are restrained in the way of God, and unable to travel in the land. The unaware would think them rich, due to their dignity. You will recognize them by their features. They do not ask from people insistently. Whatever charity you give, God is aware of it.
274. Those who spend their wealth by night and day, privately and publicly, will receive their reward from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor shall they grieve
I found two words that made me say "oh my". One was in the verses here.... and the other was in the commentary.
The first one is used to describe God in verse 263. "Clement" is the word. It means mild.... it also means merciful. So "Oh My Darling Clementine" was sent to a mild mannered girl?
Being merciful isn't in the giving.... a human can give without being merciful..... people don't like to have to get in the food line.... the "merciful" will not rub it in by telling the poor all the mistakes they made to get in the position their in. The "merciful" do not act like perfect humans by insisting that those who take charity must strive to be more like them in their own perfection. In other words.... when someone asks you for a couple of bucks.... you can be charitable and merciful... by handing them a couple bucks.... without restricting how they spend it.
God is Clement.... He gives the freedom of choice...not just life by instinct.... but life with freedom of choice... knowing full well that the human may just choose to ignore Him.
The second word is in the commentary. "Niggardliness" is the word. It means stingy..... not generous but stingy.... or something that is meager in manner.
The word is in the commentary on verse 268. It's not in the verse... rather in the commentary.... and figures.... verse 268 talks about Satan. Now Satan can get a real kick out of promising us the moon and giving us a desert rock too hot to handle. Satan would tell us that the poor should be happy with what they have.
It has a lot of shock value.... want to get someone to read your article on this forum.... why not name it "Don't promote Niggardliness"..... I wonder would they read the warning or would they run right to the "word" police?
This is about charity..... the commentary offers this concerning verse 273.
The opening words of the verse call attention to the special difficulties of Muslim society, which was required to repel its enemies in the interests of its existence. It shows that the Muslims did not fight to bring the disbelievers into the fold of Islåm; for that, the Prophet is told in plain words, was not his responsibility. It was for the good of their people, the defence of the Muslim community that the Muslims were required to raise subscriptions. Hence what they spent was for Allåh’s pleasure, because it was in the cause of truth. In the concluding words they are assured that for these deeds of sacrifice they will be fully rewarded.
As regards private charity, reports mentioned under this verse show that Muslim charity was exercised not only for the welfare of their own co-religionists but also for that of the disbelievers and that Islåm did not allow the difference of religion to be a hindrance to the bestowal of charity upon a deserving person.
The first qualification of those who deserve charity is that they are confined in the way of Allåh. Among these are included: (1) Those who had to fight in defence of Islåm, but had no means of livelihood; (2) those who could not go forth to trade because of the insecurity of the roads and the constant raids of the enemy; (3) those who were wounded in the fighting.
Charity is not a bill to be paid. Charity is not a hammer to clobber people into submission. Charity is not full of loopholes and requirements. Charity is not supposed to be tax deductible. Charity is one human being kind to another human being.
The food banks are closing..... Did COVID teach us how good real charity feels or did the "requirements" dull the charity to a hand out that grabs a soul and hangs on.... tenaciously sucking all the love and mercy out of the act?
Well here's a hint.... how often have we heard this verse? "It's better to give than to receive."
