The Manners of Giving

Having spent so long upon the notion of spending, and upon how to make one's spending worth the while, beneficial and pure, Allah (swt) gives a number of further directions in the verses from 265 onwards.

The first: what is a man to do who has nothing to spend? Having heard all these virtues — I too wish to spend, but I have nothing to spend, being myself in need. What then? Allah (swt) says: at the least, speak a good word.

A good word, and forgiveness, are better than a charity followed by harm and oppression — I helped you out, and now you must do this for me — the calling in of favours afterwards.

Allah (swt) then gives another adab, another etiquette of charity: to give only what is good — only what is good and pure:

That is verse 267. And one more, which was passed over: do not obliterate and render void your charity by reminders — I gave to you — or by following it with some hardship. All of this guidance Allah (swt) provides.

Allah (swt) says that one may give charity openly, and there is a benefit in that; and one may give it silently, where none knows, and that is the better. For in the first a man must have a very pure intention: when he gives with everyone watching, Shayṭān comes at once, and the nafs comes, and the thought arises that they will call him generous, or righteous. Yet one may give openly, for one of the benefits of open giving is at times the encouragement of others to do likewise. If a man wishes to match all the donations gathered in a fundraising programme and declares it openly, that is well enough; it rests upon his intention, and that is what matters. So Allah says:

That is verse 271.