Promoting peace and harmony from an Abrahamic perspective

What is 'Charity?'

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The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need, as a humanitarian act.

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From an Abrahamic Scripture perspective, acts of charity can be anything that is 'kind' and 'selfless' and helps someone in need- and involves giving of that which we have more of, to help those who have less of it or are in need. This can be in the form of wealth, time, knowledge, wisdom, voluntary physical efforts in a good cause (e.g. visiting the sick, volunteering for a charitable cause). For those who cannot give in the physical sense, then kind words, prayer for others and forgiveness can also be considered acts of 'giving' and charity. Even a 'smile' - a small act of kindness is an act of charity if it helps another individual. ( See Kindness section) 

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Why is 'Charity' important?

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Charity is important because it often comes from 'love,' and compassion for our Creator, and for others, and confirms our 'faith' in our hearts through our speech and behaviour. By confirming our faith it also helps to 'purify' our souls and hearts and eases the path of righteousness for us all. Those who truly love and have empathy for others, will want to help them and share their blessings with them in times of need and hardship. 

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The act of charity is a great way to show our 'gratitude' to Our Creator through sharing the blessings that we have with those who need it. It is an act of 'sacrifice' which increases the piety in our hearts while helping others and helping to give them hope.

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Some deeds of charity are better than others, but we learn from Scripture that it is the intention in our hearts that is the driving force and most important from a spiritual perspective although the act itself is also very good. 

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Charity can help ourselves to feel less 'shameful' about our sins and by increasing our faith it helps us to be more likely to turn directly to our Creator for help without feeling the need to associate others with Him in Worship. It enables our souls to 'see' and 'hear' and respond to His call for forgiveness and repentance. This way we draw closer to Him and build a trusting and strong relationship directly with our Creator- The Most Compassionate, The Most Forgiving. 

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How can 'Charity' help us?

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Some deeds of charity are better than others, but we learn from Scripture that it is the intention in our hearts that is the driving force and most important from a spiritual perspective although the act itself is also very good. 

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According to Abrahamic Scripture- Acts of charity are essential if we desire spiritual development. The more we give, beyond our own needs, the better it is for our souls and for humanity. The more we have of worldly blessings from God, the more able we are to share and help others. So with worldly provision comes a responsibility to prove our gratitude through helping those less fortunate in this worldly life- if it is spiritual peace and happiness we seek. 

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Pure altruistic charity is when we give, without expecting to receive anything from the recipient. According to Scripture however, God will reward those who are charitable- whether they expect it or not. Therefore sacrificing of our blessings in the way of God ( to help the needy, the orphans, the oppressed, the wayfarer, our families and friends- anyone who needs our help) according to Scripture is the best investment that anyone can make in this world life. 

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When we give without receiving even a thanks or anything from the recipient, it can help to keep down our levels of 'ego' and save us from falling into a false sense of 'self-praise' and belief that we are 'self-sufficient' for the blessings that we have. It therefore helps us to be more aware ourselves that nothing we have truly belongs to us, and unless we share with others we are not worthy of it. 

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Charity can help ourselves to feel less 'shameful' about our sins and by increasing our faith it helps us to be more likely to turn directly to our Creator for help without feeling the need to associate others with Him in Worship. It enables our souls to 'see' and 'hear' and respond to His call for forgiveness and repentance. This way we draw closer to Him and build a trusting and strong relationship directly with our Creator- The Most Compassionate, The Most Forgiving. 

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So we learn from Scripture that acts of charity help us to:

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1) Prove our gratitude to our Creator- The One who Provides for us, to Whom we Belong and to Whom we return

2) Confirm our love for our Creator and for humanity and for others of His Creation

2) Purify us from sin and evil and draw closer to Him

3) Ease the way of righteousness for us

4) Help us to achieve inner 'Peace.'

5) Help inspire others to establish a better relationship with their Creator, and with each other.

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How can 'Charity' help others?

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There is enough provision in this world for every human being and living creature to have their basic needs. Unless we 'share' our provisions with one another and help one another in loving kindness- physical poverty and suffering will always be a global issue. For each individual that suffers in the physical sense, those who have more and have been greedy and uncaring and ungrateful will suffer in the spiritual sense. So while there is physical poverty and suffering and need in this world, how can we as 'humanity' on a global level ever truly reach 'peace' and harmony with our Creator and with one another? 

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Scripture reminds us that 'saving one life is like saving humanity' so let us not be put off helping one individual if we find ourselves in a situation where we are able to, just because of the extent and scale of human poverty and need. If we all just helped one person, in any way that we can- world poverty would end. If each person helped his or her neighbour who needed it- from beyond their own needs- Each of us would have enough provision to feed ourselves and our children, clothe ourselves and our children, have warm shelter and clean water to drink for ourselves and our families. 

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Charity is an act of 'humanity' when we help those in need despite our differences in opinion or beliefs, or race, or background.

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When we do an act of charity for someone in need, with a pure intention to please our Creator, and as willing 'servants' of God and vessels of love, we don't expect gratitude from the recipient.- Instead we hope that they will turn to God and show Him Gratitude- As whatever His servants do, they do because of Him. We acknowledge that He is the ultimate provider for all of us, that nothing truly belongs to us, and anything that we have been given of blessings is from our Source of Life and Provision- from God. Therefore if the recipient does not even 'know' the one who helped them, it is more likely they will see the true altruistic nature of the deed and turn to Their Creator for thanks- and it is this which pleases His Servants as they too acknowledge that He is the Most Praiseworthy and all that praise and thanks belong to Him Alone. 

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By giving without expectation from a recipient we also help to remove a burden of feeling 'indebted' to us and therefore the quality of our charitable deed becomes more powerful and effective in helping them. 

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How can we be more charitable? 

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Before we offer an act of charity: let us ask ourselves- why are we doing it? Is it to please God? Is it because we love people and empathise with those less fortunate? Is it because we expect 'praise' or 'thanks' from the recipient? Is it a tool we use to 'control' others by making them feel 'indebted' to us? If our intention for an act of charity comes from 'love' for either our Creator, or love for others, or as an act of 'self-purification'- God will bless all those who spend in the way of their Lord. 

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By doing the act of charity as anonymously and discretely as possible helps to confirm our pure intentions. However it is still very good to give in public because what matters the most is that it helps those who need it more than we do and public acts of charity can help to inspire others to do the same.

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Scripture Quotes about 'Charity'

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‘They will question thee concerning what they should expend. Say: 'Whatsoever good you expend is for parents and kinsmen, orphans, the needy, and the traveller; and whatever good you may do, God has knowledge of it.' Quran 2:215

 

 

‘If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And God , with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.’ Quran 2:271

 

 

‘Serve God, and associate naught with Him. Be kind to parents, and the near kinsman, and to orphans, and to the needy, and to the neighbour who is of kin, and to the neighbour who is a stranger, and to the companion at your side, and to the traveller, and to that your right hands own. Surely God loves not the proud and boastful.’ Quran 4:36

 

 

‘And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship)’. Quran 2:43

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‘He is a merciful creditor, not keeping the items given as security by poor debtors. He does not rob the poor but instead gives food to the hungry and provides clothes for the needy.’ Ezekiel 18:7

 

 

‘Those who spend in charity will be richly rewarded.’ Quran 75:10

 

 

‘Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And God is free of need and forbearing.’ Quran, 2:263

 

‘They feed the destitute, orphans, and captives for the love of God, saying, We only feed you for the sake of God and we do not want any reward or thanks from you.’ Quran 76:8-9

 

 

‘It is well with the man who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment.

For he will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever.He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. His heart is upheld, he will not fear, Until he looks with satisfaction on his adversaries. He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honour.’ Psalm 112:5-9

 

 

‘Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry...And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?’ Isaiah 58:7

 

 

 

‘Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan And does not encourage the feeding of the poor. So woe to those who pray [But] who are heedless of their prayer - Those who make show [of their deeds] And withhold [simple] assistance.’ Quran 107

 

 

It is not for you to guide them; it is God who guides whoever He will. Whatever charity you give benefits your own soul, provided you do it for the sake of God: whatever you give will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged. Give to those needy who are wholly occupied in God’s way and cannot travel in the land [for trade]. The unknowing might think them rich because of their self-restraint, but you will recognize them by their characteristic of not begging persistently. God is well aware of any good you give. Quran 2:271-272

 

 

 

‘I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home.’ Mark 25:35

 

 

‘Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.’ Isaiah 58:10

 

 

‘Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.’ Isaiah 58:7

 

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He answered them, “Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who doesn’t have any. Whoever has food should share it too.’ Luke 3:11

 

 

‘I tell all of you with certainty, whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple will never lose his reward.’ Mathew 10:42

 

 

‘The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord, and the Lord will repay him for his good deed.’ Proverbs 19:17

 

 

‘A generous person will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.’ Proverbs 22:9

 

 

‘At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town.’ Deuteronomy 14:28

 

...’but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.’ Deuteronomy 15:8

 

 

“If I have kept the poor from their desire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, Or have eaten my morsel alone, And the orphan has not shared it (But from my youth he grew up with me as with a father,

And from infancy I guided her), If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or that the needy had no covering, If his loins have not thanked me, and if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep, If I have lifted up my hand against the orphan, -Because I saw I had support in the gate, let my shoulder fall from the socket, and my arm be broken off at the elbow. Job 31:16-22

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This page is currently under development. If you would like to contribute and share your thoughts, perspectives and ideas with us please email to and we will read and reflect upon your perspective: Peace and blessings.

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lale.tuncer@universalgodmessageofpeace.co.uk