Mufti Menk – What does charity really mean?

			[REVIEWED]
On the other hand, you --tunas zakaah--, they develop the correct relationship with the human beings
around them. The poor, the downtrodden, the people who don't have as much as you, the people around
you, how do you treat them? Do you give them and notice a charity in Islam as much as zakaah (perform zakat) is
monetary and material. Without a doubt, but charity in Islam goes beyond material giving --Tabassumuka fii wajhi akhiika shadaqa--. The hadith says your smile at the face of your fellow brother is a charity,
Subhanallah. Your expression on your face, come in have bashaash bashaash.. you're happy you're smiling.
Salaam Alaikum, how are you my brother, etc, etc. And you're looking so good, Masya-Allah. And that is
		

			actually a charity. It is a huge charity. Sometimes it is priceless. Sometimes people don't need
your money. The people in your Masjid, for example, in your locality in your areas, they may not
need your money. They just need you to be a genuine sincere person who cares for them as much as
they care for themselves. Today, westernization is taking over. And one of the weaknesses is people
are becoming selfish. It's all about me, myself. And I, I must grow I must have the money. I must
have the business. I must have the goodness and everybody else nothing. I don't care and I'm not
bothered. But if I'm doing well, I'm okay. I'm sitting in my house. Me and my kids are doing well.
		

			And that's it. No, a true Mukmin --Alladzhi na yu'tunazzakaata--. Did you look for the poor? Did you find them?
Did you reach out to them? Did you give them with respect and dignity. That's what it is. Today we
have organizations ... Abdullah aid, whoever else it may be across the globe, genuine people
who are doing our work for us. So, we are lucky, by right we were supposed to look out for the poor,
search for them, hunt them, respect them, honor them, give them with dignity because my pillar of
Islam is being fulfilled by your presence in our community and society. If you were not here, how
would I have fulfilled Zakat, even if I have the millions and there is a sign of Qiamat (Apocalypse) that tells
		

			us there will come a time when nobody will be accepting Zakat, because everybody is going to be
loaded.