Charity means to love one's fellow men and to give assistance to those in need.

Charity is an act, which has a VITAL role in Islam. To help those in need is important to the concept of community life, and Islamic morals.

WHY SHOULD WE HELP THOSE IN NEED?

Allah has assisted us in our difficulties, we hardly even find time to thank Him. What right have we to refuse help to our own fellow human beings, when Allah has never refused us?

Allah spoke these words to Prophet Musa (A) in Hadith e Qudsi,

"Oh Musa, when you deal well with My creation (people), I am so pleased, it is as if you have dealt well with Me."

This shows that besides fulfilling an obligation by being charitable, you are also gaining the pleasure of Allah.

To be charitable, you do not have to have money. On the contrary, one of the best and most appreciated forms of charity is the giving of one's TIME for a good cause.

When a person donates anything, time or money, he feels as if he has lost it. However, Allah promises in Qur'an Surah 2 ayat 261:

"The parable of those who spend their property in the way of Allah is as the parable of a grain growing seven ears with a hundred grain in every ear; and Allah multiplies for whom He pleases; and Allah is Ample giving, Knowing."

This means that Allah will increase your own sustenance when you give to others from your earnings.

Allah also tells that we should give BOTH secretly and openly. We should give secretly so that our niyyat is pure, for the love of Allah. This is so that pride does not enter our actions by giving in front of others.

However, if we feel that by giving openly, that others will see us and follow our example then we should do so. Without charity, the society we live in will become selfish, and cold hearted.

Always remember, Allah has given you wealth as a test. On the day of Judgement, Allah will ask you, "What did you do with the wealth that I gave you ? Did you spend it on yourself or did you share it amongst the rest of my creation ?"

WITH WEALTH COMES MORE RESPONSIBILITY, because a wealthy person has more chance to be charitable than a poor person. On the day of Qiyamat, Allah will ask who was responsible for the suffering of the poor. Don't let your actions plead guilty for you on that day.

Hoarding:

Hoarding means to collect things and pile them up on the side without ever really using them. This is very bad since you are denying others by keeping things for yourself.

A person who hoards things is both greedy and is a miser. He is greedy because he collects everything he can get his hands on. He is a miser because he does NOT USE the things he has, but just keeps them for the sake of keeping.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH HOARDING THINGS THAT YOU LIKE?

If you like things, then it is OK for you to keep them AND USE them. If you do not use them, then you are thinking of yourself more than others since others may require what you have, but may be unable to obtain it.

There is a difference between collecting things and hoarding them.

If you collect stamps or books, and you have a keen interest, then that is an acceptable hobby. If you collect items because you do not want others to use them, and you wish to keep them all to yourself, then that is hoarding.

WHAT IS THE WORST THING TO HOARD?

The worse thing to hoard are those things which are necessities of life. If for example I have a well of fresh water in my garden, while others around me are thirsty. If I drink only a bit of the water, but do not give any to my neighbours then that is an example of hoarding a necessity.

A miser may think the money and wealth he is hoarding is very valuable, but this is not the case, since in Allah's eyes they are worth nothing.

Imam Ali (A) has said: "The coin of a miser is as worthless as a pebble."

Allah explains to us in the Holy Qur'an:

 (10:57): "O mankind! there has come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.

(10:58): "Say: "In the Bounty of God, and in His Mercy in that let them rejoice": that is better than the (WEALTH) THEY HOARD."

This shows us that Allah has sent His mercy and His guidance in the form of Islam as a way to cure the diseases in our hearts, and we should be happy and rejoice. All these favours of Allah are much more important, and much more valuable then the worldly things that we hoard.

This world does exist and is for real. No one is denying that fact, but the next world also exists in it we shall dwell forever. It is better to put aside some of the luxuries in this world so that you can save up for the second life.

If you were working and you wanted to buy a house to live in, you would have to save up from your earnings, and put some aside until you had enough. You know that you will be living in the house for a long time and it will be worth the hardship now to enjoy the house in the future.

Similarly, you are saving up in this life so that you can live comfortably in the next life. You do not need to save up money and wealth, like the hoarder, but you need to save up thawaab and good deeds, and that is by using your wealth to help others.