Giving and God

I am sharing a letter I wrote to my daughters two years ago about the connection between Charity, Giving, Sharing and God. This year due to recent events I witnessed I felt compelled to share this with you all. 

My sweethearts. Just thought of sharing my views on charity. Right or wrong? I don’t know. But as a mother I ought to tell you how I look at this subject.

Most people give and share when they have been told that there is an inherent benefit for themselves. It could be the promise of heaven or for the fear of hell or for abundance in wealth or a better social image. But if all these factors were taken away how many people would still share what they have with the less fortunate.

I hear some people say if you give 1 penny, God will give you 10 pennies. Its like being bribed to share with the promise of more. Instead a better approach would be to understand that happiness can be found in half of what we have and the other half can be shared with someone who has not. This will bring happiness to more people. The reason for giving should not be driven by the promise of more but the fact that it generates and spreads happiness and well being.

In certain faiths charity is considered a loan to the Lord. In others the concept of charity is sold as a ticket to heaven. Some faiths call it a tool to build positive karma and wash away bad deeds from past life. So it’s not a zero sum game. Charity is expected to be repaid back by the divine in some fashion.  In our own faith people do their cumulative charity for the year in Ramadan, as the reward for for doing it in this month is considered to be 70 times more. What happens to the people who need help during the rest of the year. People who concentrate their charity during Ramadan, completely disregard the year round requirement of the needy and only focus on magnifying their own reward 70 folds.

Generosity is sign of a God-fearing person. But why not be People Loving instead of God Fearing. I have seen people who truly love others are inherently better people that those that fear God.

Food for thought would people still do charity if the fear of hell fire or the promise of the bounties of heaven were taken away. If yes then it’s done in the true spirit. Otherwise charity is not sharing it’s a business deal with God.

Love,

Mumma.

Bekhabar gurbat se, 
kar rahe hai Khuda se tijaarat

Kya yahi hai aadmiyat?

(unmoved by poverty, 
charity is done like a business with God)

(Is this humanity?)

Dene ka maksad hai, 
sirf aas e daulat aur barkat

Kya yahi hai aadmiyat?

(the reason for charity is 
hope for abundance and wealth)

(Is this humanity?)

Dusro ki majboori mein, 
dhoonde hai apna makaam e jannat

Kya yahi hai aadmiyat?

(Seeking opportunity to get a place in heaven in someone else'e misery)

(Is this humanity?)