272- IT IS NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH, FOR ALLAH GUIDES WHOM HE WILLS.  WHATEVER GOOD AND PURE YOU SPEND IS FOR YOUR OWN SELVES.  YOU SPEND ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF ALLAH.  WHATEVER GOOD AND PURE YOU SPEND, YOU WILL BE RECOMPENSED FOR IN FULL, AND YOU WILL NEVER BE UNJUSTLY TREATED.

The Medina had three Jewish tribes, and some of them were poor.  Also many of the Muslims had relatives who did not believe, yet were in need.  The Muslims did not feel it right to give them charity, most of the Muslims feel the same now.  This Ayah in the Quran is Allah’s answer and decree about this. 

It is not the responsibility of the prophets and messengers to guide people’s heart.  Their responsibility, and the responsibility of their followers after them, is to deliver the message.  Allah the Highest is the one who guides the hearts. 

However, Allah the Highest does forbid us from helping those who fight us or fight us in our faith, we may give charity to the non-Muslim otherwise.  Allah the Highest said: “ALLAH DOES NOT FORBID FROM BEING KIND AND JUST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT FIGHT YOU IN YOUR FAITH OR TURN YOU OUT OF YOUR HOMES * BUT ALLAH FORBIDS YOU REGARDING THOSE WHO FOUGHT YOU IN YOUR FAITH AND TURNED YOU OUT OF YOUR HOME OR HELPED TO TURN YOU OUT FROM TURNING TO THEM IN FRIENDSHIP AND ALLIANCE, THOSE WHO DO ARE THE EVIL-DOERS”  (S:60 A:8-9)

Indeed, Muslims have a particular responsibility towards their blood relations and neighbours even if they are not Muslims.  Asmaa, the daughter of Abu Bakr reported: “My mother came to visit me (in Medina from Makah) while she was still disbeliever, and during the time of the treaty with Qurish (the peace treaty of Hudaibya).  I asked Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him: “Allah’s messenger, my mother came to me and she is a disbeliever.  Should I be kind and generous to her?”  He said: “Yes, be kind and generous to your mother”.  (B: Heba; 29 & M: Zakah; 50 & D: Zakah; 34 & A: 6; 344)

The main conditions for the charity to be accepted are:

1-    It should be made for the sake of Allah the Highest and aiming to please Him and for Allah’s reward only.

2-    It should be from what is good and pure (Halal) earning.

Allah the Highest is aware of that for He sees and knows all things, and will recompense us in full accordingly, and according to His generosity.

B: Bukhari   M: Muslim    Mal: Malek   A: Ahmed   D: Abu Dawood     

Da: Daremy   Ma: Ibn Magah                   N: Nesae      T: Termezi