The state of mind while giving Sadaqah

Firstly, a person brings about benefits to himself when he helps others because by helping others, a person reaps a lot. The person whom he is helping is like the ground. By sowing something in the ground, a person accrues benefits for himself because the harvest comes back to him. Thus, a person benefits himself by giving Sadaqah because the reward of that Sadaqah will come back to him. He himself is the main beneficiary in all this. He already deserves the reward that has been promised to receive merely by giving Sadaqah. Thus, he must not expect any favour in return from the person whom he assisted. Even if he does not do him any favour or he acts badly to him, then too it does not affect the Sadaqah which he did. Helping a person who continues to act badly is a sign of the sincerity of the person who is giving the Sadaqah because this shows that he is doing it solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala; not for any worldly benefit or personal favour. He does not have any intention to show goodness or to receive some favour from anyone through his Sadaqah. 

People may ask: “does such a type of person exist?” But we must know that Islam is not only a religion of theory. It is a religion that has previously been practiced 100 percent by 100 percent of the Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) and nowadays also, it is being practiced 100 percent but not by 100 percent of the Muslims. The bottom line is that it is a religion adaptable to to all circumstances and it is applicable in all eras. Thus, we say that there are these type of people in today's times. It is true that before, there were many and nowadays, there are only a few. As an example, we can present the incident of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu). 

The incident of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) with Hazrat Mistah (Radiyallahu Anhu)

Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) was assisting a Sahabi. Due to his innocence and simplicity, he slipped on account of of the hypocrites and he uttered some negative words in regards to Hazrat Aishah (Radiyallahu Anha) who was the daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu). Thus, Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) was hurt and he stopped helping that Sahabi. On this, Allah Ta’ala revealed the following verse:

"The high ranking and wealthy ones among you should not take an oath not to spend on their relatives, the poor and on those who migrate in Allah Ta’ala’s path. They should forgive and pardon. Do you not like Allah Ta’ala to forgive you? Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (24:22)

When this verse was revealed, Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallahu Anhu) started to assist that Sahabi again!

This shows that we should not expect anyhing in return from a person whom we helped to such an extent that even if he does not act well also, then too, we should continue to help him. And this will be a guarantee and a sign that what we are doing, is solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. But if we see that helping the person can become a source of encouragement for him to continue with his evil ways, then in such a case, we must not help him in order to put a stop to the evil. 

[English version of " L'état d'esprit dans faire sadaqah" – Al Jamiat – Vol.4 No.11]