The occasions of charity are always edifying. The adage Charity begins at home oils the axis of a balanced society. Philanthropy is an integral pillar of devotion in Islam. However, as recipients we must be grateful towards our benefactors and similarly as donors be selfless and not demand obligations on behalf our kindnesses.

Whether the upper hand or lower, independence is the blood that runs in the Muslim's river. Allama Iqbal of Pakistan wrote:

The bread that takes away the lustre of Ego,
For him who guards his Selfhood is poison,
Honorable alone is the bread for him,
Which keeps the head high.

Let's explore some teachings on this issue of how we can embellish ourselves with a charitable attitude, knowing that Canadian Muslims enjoy a covetable status of being the most generous of the lot.

Receive gratefully.

Beginning with needy recipients, gratitude is next to Iman. The happy smiles that usually accompany children receiving food and bursaries during certain donation campaigns are no airbrush face. Children cannot be insincere. As responsible adults imitate the kids' sincerity and acknowledge the grace of others upon us. The poor but proud Muslim will not be fortunate to have Allah's Mercy glaring on him/her on the Day of Judgment. In Tirmizi, we learn that to so say Jazakamullah Khair or May Allah reward you immensely, upon receiving some gift and being helped in anyway fulfills the obligation of repaying thanks to that benefactor. Sometimes, in our quiet moments we pray for such kindhearted souls. Islamic Schools would arrange special prayers on their behalf. This is the positive attitude of being poor but thankful.

As a matter of fact to openly express gratitude for such beneficence is an act appraised in the Quran as that that leads to increase. If you thank Me I will increase you. Q 14:7. Our exemplar Muhammad, on whom be peace, once said: He who doesn't thank man hasn't thanked God, so remember the Islamic courtesies and smile from the heart a Shukran or Thanks next time. But aren't rich donors sometimes guilty of lacking a warm attitude towards the less fortunate?

Give graciously.

In the Quranic injunction 2:264 we find evidence that one could easily lapse into a state of insensitive insincerity: Oh you who believe! Cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, - like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it a bare stone.

This verse aptly depicts the seriousness of maintaining a sincere attitude towards the recipients of our charities. An example to this is when donating to family members. Sometimes it's easy to smile while giving but during the crisis of bad relations we quickly resort to insulting and reckoning. Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, wished to stop spending on his relative who had slandered Aisha. But The Prophet, owbp, reprimanded him that he shouldn't stop doing good to his nephew just because of some other non related issue. It's hard but true. Just to rise above the tempting of Satan and maintain a cheerful disposition. Giving change to bums isn't the same as spending worthwhile amounts on needy relations. Yet the best charity is that which our kith and kin benefit as in that lies double rewards. One is for the charity itself and the other for upholding family ties. Also in this world such generous members are recompensed with immeasurable prosperity and are saved from unforetold calamities.

In Tabrani it is written that Zakat protects one's wealth. So careful of not destroying your good works by adding injury to your alms giving. Smile for that is charity. Say a nice word as positive speech is a form of sadaqa. It's the attitude that counts! Individuals need this advice as well as collective bodies. Isn't it?

Institutions fear nothing.

Once established, organizations have the enormous task of managing the affairs of hundreds of members in any given institution. It's a mounting task, especially with high paying bills and continuous competition for funds. But the good news is we cannot receive if we don't empty. The glass cannot take more milk if it is still full. In the last four decades Toronto Muslim dished out 76M in open generosity! Subhaanallah! Notwithstanding that, some institutions bend over to control their memberships' donation plan! But is it needed? I believe many members would find it redundant to donate to the same appeal on the same project every night. However, many will sympathize with new visitors requesting assistance on different programs. While we have to be diligent in ensuring our funding isn't outlawed yet there are still many outside avenues open and lawful.

Rather the world still believes in us. As a reminder the more we give the more we'll get, so much so that the Quranic example is every dollar is like a corn of seed we plant - we get 700 and more! Once the Prophet told Bilal, who was holding the key to the Public Treasury in those days: Spend and don't be afraid, by The Lord of the Throne! So this is the positive attitude even our model Communities should display. The willingness to cooperate and all praises are for Allah they are. The leading example of Umar, the Second Caliph comes to mind. He found a woman with crying children, hungry in the desert, during one of his nightly patrols. He went home, packed some food, placed it on his back and returned. Our responsibility is indeed heavy but still it doesn't end with a nice check or allowing a collection. Rather our willingness could elect us to be the real leaders of tomorrow. And just how much ambitious should an endowed Muslim be, anyways?

Spending freely.

While loads of wealth is a sign of richness, real prosperity lies in the contentment of the heart. The burden becomes easy on the Day of Judgment when we live humbly and instead send forth our deposits in the Hereafter by spending freely on worthy causes. Or the least is to ensure our earnings are insured, where no worm or fire could destroy it. And Sadaqa provides that facility. Surely paying the Zakat on our surplus savings is the way to be saved from having bald black snakes hanging around one's neck in the Hereafter and getting branded with burning iron rods. Bukhari.

Look at the Companions of the Prophet. Far from dilly dallying on the 2.5% Zakat, they would spend mostly one third of their money in the Path of Allah. Those like Umar spent half and Abu Bakr all! Until our necessities of life become necessary after the demands of the Deen are fulfilled, the Glory of Islam will remain a dream. Maybe spending in Ramadan is a good make up as we get more rewards for our charities and we emulate the Prophet, owbp, who was described as more generous in Ramadan than "freely blowing winds".

However, I think as Muslims we should aim to get a lifetime selection for doing good. In hadith literature it is mentioned that Allah has selected certain souls for the provision of the needy. I pray Allah selects us for such enviable positions and noble services. Such characteristic isn't occasional. It's selflessness on every occasion. Do you know of such secretive philanthropists?

Secrecy is admirable.

Khalid Khan, the martyr of Guyana, comes to my mind. Many a night he traveled for the widows, many a times he fed the orphans alone; so many times he left his family without but took care of the wayfarers. He gave and never looked back. On the Day of Judgment such secret caregivers of the needy will enjoy the Shade of the Divine Throne. What the right hand gives the left should never know. To give and ask back for a given gift is so horrible it has been described as to vomit and then lick it! But should our charitable activities be Muslim-based?

Charity without borders.

Our charities should be unrestrictive because all poor are God's family. In Fiqh, Muslims could give their SadaqatulFitr to Non Muslims. Oh Yes! Kind hearts of benevolence has no barriers or borders. Didn't the Prophet say: The creation is God's household; the best in His sight is the one who treats each other the best?

Look nothing distresses the poor more than when they feel the pangs of hunger and knowing the rich have not paid them their Zakat. Why can't Believers just come forward and honor their duty to these Causes. The Quran claims in 51:19 And in their wealth and possessions the right of him who asked, and him who was prevented from asking. And while this is a command no one wants to violate, the Gracious Allah will grant added favours for observing His Laws. In Abu Dawud is a sweet description of some of these rewards, including the one who feeds the hungry will eat of the everlasting fruits of Janna, the one who clothes the naked will wear green dresses of Paradise and the one who quenches the thirst of anyone will drink from the sealed non alcoholic wines of Heaven.

May our countenance always be pleasant, our charities always bring warmth and our words cheer to the givers and receivers alike. Ameen.