Lillah and charity

Q: My family has recently started giving food parcels to the less fortunate. It has gradually grown by numbers and is now once a week that a little over 100 food takeaway containers are given at 1 venue (more kids) and on another day, at a different venue, around 400 food packets are distributed. Majority of the people are non-Muslim and it was our intention to distribute to this particular group in the hope that this act alone would encourage or display the deen to these people and any others who might see. We are not well known in the area so hopefully by us doing it in a visible spot, not in everyone’s eye, but still visible to passer by’s.

Our intention is that this act should be sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and seeking nothing more than the reward and hopefully, Insha Allah, the correct message will be portrayed in hope of it being a means of Allah giving any of them hidayat. Our fear is that we do not want to lose the reward because of it becoming known by people we know, or even our weak hearts looking for anything more then the pleasure of our Creator. We try our utmost to never speak about it so as not to transgress, what the right hand does, the left hand should not know!

We need help and advice and we don’t know who to ask but at the risk of it becoming a thing of show or more importantly at the risk of losing the reward, hopefully we can be assisted here. We sincerely believe that there is a grand opportunity for us to pass the message of Deen on to these people and make it more of an Islamic drive so that we can maximize the opportunity and spread the word of Islam through this opportunity. How do we do it without involving the local ulama?

What else can we do to use this opportunity for dawah? We considered including literature in the parcels but fear that if Allahs name is mentioned in the literature and they just discard it, then that would also be sinful.

Q: Sometimes beggars come and ask us for money when we are outside the office with colleagues. Sometimes, I don't have small currency to give them and neither can I say anything to them. Last time I went to the city and we were outside the office and one beggar was asking for money. He came to me but I didn't have small currency at that time to give to him, but he stood infront of me. After a few minutes a colleague who was with me gave him some money. I sometimes think what they might think of me. Genuniely if I had small currency I would have given it to him. Can we deny if we don't have small currency notes.

Q: Can one pay income tax to SARS with the intention of giving sadaqah?

Q: What is a Muslim’s duty towards beggars?

Is it absolutely obligatory to always give them money irrespective whether they are Muslims or not and irrespective whether they are genuine or habitual. Most appear to have made begging a living.

We constantly get lots of beggars (both Muslims and non-Muslims, young and old) that regularly come round and expecting money. If a nominal amount of money is given, it is often refused and, if food or anything else is given, it is simply also refused or thrown away.

We also get many Muslim youngsters that appear healthy and able to work; yet come around begging. In this instance, can one refer them to the nearest Jamiat Office who will no doubt screen them and ascertain if they are actually genuine and do qualify for assistance? Kindly advise.

Q: Spending on ones family is sadaqa. Even we cant intent of sadaka before spending on family. I have a habit every morning where I keep away some money with the niyyah of sadaqa and at that very time, after taking out the sadaqa money, I also make dua to Allah to make my certain works done or certain affairs easy. My question is, can I spend that sadaqa money on my family?

Q: We are 3 brothers. My parents are our employed. We are in joint family. I am also employed and married and have 2 children. My other brothers are in a business and one of them is married. I am a kind hearted man and spend my money to look after the poor.

I want to know whether the money I earn is mine or my parents? Do I have a right to spend for the sake of Allah without my parents will? As they are self-employed. 

Q: My friend is about to undergo surgery and prior to surgery, she wants to give sadaqah to her metarnal grandmother as she is needy too.

Whatever is spent on one's family is the best sadaqah but we never intend to count it as sadaqah before spending. We just simply fulfill their needs. Can we make the niyyat of sadaqah before spending on my children, husband or other family members?

Q: Can I give sadaqah to one of my poor sisters. I have one married sister, she is a heart patient and needs to get medicines every month. Her husband is alive and works but the financial situation is very bad. Her one son is in boarding school and they often find it hard to deposit fees for him.

I decided to give 10% of my earning every month as sadaqah to them, is it permissible?

Q: I want to know about sadaqah. My mother passed away and I want to give some sadaqah in her name. Is this allowed in Islam?

Which type of sadaqah good for her? Can I give some money to poor people or to a Masjid on behalf of my mother? 

Q: How long is it required for a person to donate to his poors relatives? Since he see's that they are not working? If I stop giving them they will not even work but their families will suffer more or continue donating will make them worst?