Charity as Worship: An Islamic Reflection on the International Day of Charity

Background

The United Nations established the International Day of Charity to honor the legacy of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997), a woman who devoted her life to serving the poor and the needy. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in India and spent more than 45 years caring for the destitute. In 1979, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to combat poverty and suffering, which are also threats to peace. Mother Teresa passed away on September 5, 1997, but her legacy continues to inspire charitable work across the world.

A World in Need

Despite unprecedented global wealth, inequality and human suffering persist. According to the Global Peace Index 2025, published in August 2025 by the Institute for Economics and Peace (Sydney), the global peace score declined for the 13th time in 17 years. With 59 active armed conflicts—the highest number since World War II—global military spending in 2024 reached a record $2.7 trillion. The economic impact of violence now amounts to nearly $20 trillion, equivalent to 11.6% of global GDP.

These numbers reflect real human hardship. In Gaza, Sudan, Afghanistan, and beyond, millions struggle to secure basic needs such as food, shelter, and medicine. In parts of the Middle East, inflation has reached 20–30%, pushing countless families into poverty. In such times of crisis, charity is not a choice but a moral, humanitarian, and spiritual duty for us all.

What Makes Modern Charity Effective?

• Technology-Driven Giving: Crowdfunding platforms, mobile donations, and AI tools make giving more accessible and transparent.
• Youth Leadership: Young people worldwide are leading social ventures, climate action, and community innovation. Supporting them ensures lasting change.
• Equity and Inclusion: Poverty is shaped by race, gender, disability, and geography. Inclusive charity invests in community-led solutions.
• Ethical and Accountable Giving: True charity is transparent, collaborative, and preserves the dignity of those it serves.
• Climate and Poverty: Climate change intensifies poverty. Addressing both together builds resilience and sustainability.

Charity in Islam: A Broader Vision

Islam places charity at the heart of faith. In the Quran, prayer—the bond between human beings and God—is almost always mentioned alongside zakat, the duty of supporting the needy and contributing to the public good:

 “Establish prayer and give zakāt, and bow with those who bow [in worship]” (2:43).

“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, establish prayer and give zakāt…” ( 9:71).

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp) said, “All of creation are God’s dependents; the most beloved of creation to God is the one who benefits His dependents and brings joy to their households.”

When asked, “Who are the most beloved people to God?” the Prophet (pbuh&hp) replied, “The most beloved people to God are those who are most beneficial to other.”

(Sharḥ Usul al-Kafi, Mulla Muhammad Ṣāliḥ al-Māzandarānī, vol. 9, p. 30).

The Quran also warns that charity must never come with reproach or injury to the dignity of its recipient,  “O you who believe, do not nullify your charities with reminders [of generosity] or [by] hurting [recipients]…” (2:264).

And beyond financial contributions, Islam broadens the meaning of charity to include even simple acts of kindness, “A kind word and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury” (2:263).

This depth ensures that even the poor are not excluded from its blessings; they, too, can participate by offering advice, encouragement, and uplifting words.

Ahl al-Bayt (p) as Models of Charity

The family of the Prophet, the Ahl al-Bayt (p), serve as timeless examples of how charity is deeply rooted in faith, sacrifice, and service to humanity.

• Lady Khadijah (p) devoted her entire wealth to support the Prophet’s mission, enabling it to stand firm against poverty, injustice, and oppression.
• Imam Ali (p), Lady Fatimah (p), Imam Ḥasan (p), and Imam Ḥussain (p) gave away their food for three consecutive days, while fasting themselves, to an orphan, a poor person, and a captive. This act of devotion and selflessness is immortalized in the Quran:
  “And they give food, despite their love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], ‘We feed you only for the sake of God. We desire neither reward nor thanks from you’” (76:8–9).
• Imam Ali (p) also worked the lands around Madina, digging wells and cultivating farms, then endowing them as waqf (charitable endowments) for public benefit.

These examples illustrate that for theAhl al-Bayt (p), charity was not limited to almsgiving; it was an act of sacrifice, social justice, and devotion to God. Their legacy continues to inspire Muslims to view charity as both worship and service to humanity.

A Call to Action

On this International Day of Charity, let us remember that serving humanity is inseparable from serving God. Charity, rooted in Islamic tradition and shared across faiths, is more than generosity—it is a responsibility to empower communities, confront injustice, and restore dignity to the vulnerable. Together, through acts small and great, we can reduce suffering, support peace, and help build a more just and compassionate world.

IMAM’s Commitment

IMAM is honored to have, with the support of believers and compassionate individuals, designed and implemented projects such as assistance for orphans and families in need, as well as emergency relief for victims of natural disasters like floods. We strongly hope that with the broader cooperation of generous supporters, these humanitarian initiatives will continue to expand and reduce the suffering of more individuals and families. 

Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity, and [they who] loan God a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.” (57:18)