February 28, 2026
I just learned that the United States and Israel outrageously and stupidly attacked Tehran. Who is going to stop the carnage that Trump is causing all over the world? What is the matter with the American Congress and the entire American populace. Mass demonstrations need to take place – he must be impeached or assassinated. Probably the later would be quicker, as long as whomever it is gets Vance at the same time. Then the Speaker of the House would assume control. No idea who that might be, and there is nothing I can do about it from here. Except be thankful I live in Malaysia. Talk about living in the right place, at the right time. That was not the original topic of this blog which was begun a couple of days ago and sent in its preliminary form to a man who has not bothered to read it as yet. I sure know how to pick ‘em
When I began titling this blog about charity, the words of this song came to mind. Faith, Hope and Charity. It must be a Christian song. How do I know? I remember the words.
You’ve got to have faith, hope, and charity. That is the way to live successfully .
How do I know? The Bible tells me so.
This blog will address charity in the Islamic Faith. I suppose we could change the words to” The Quran tells me so” – because the Quran essentially says the same thing. I am writing about charity because I am had a text argument with a Muslim former friend. He said he was a charity. I said he was not. He tried to prove it with verses from the Quran. However, when I looked them up found he was absolutely wrong. He asked me for my definition. I said I would do research and send him an email. I did. But decided to additionally put this on my blog because it is relevant to these Ramadan times of obligatory charity. Here goes the discussion. .
There are two main categories of in Islam. “Charity” isn’t just one thing. It is split into two distinctive ‘versions’: Zakat (The Obligatory) which is one of the Five Pillars.. It is a mandatory “purification” of wealth (usually 2.5% of surplus wealth held for a year). It isn’t seen as a “gift” from the rich, but as a right of the poor. It is a divine tax, in a way.
Then there is Sadaqah (the voluntary) .This is what most people mean by “charity.” It is given out of the goodness of one’s heart to seek God’s pleasure. There is no limit or fixed percentage.
Charity is not only about money The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) famously said:
“Every good deed is a charity.” (Sahih Muslim) According to the Hadith it could include
- Removing a harmful object (like a stone or branch) from the road.
- Helping someone with their luggage.
- Smiling at your brother. (Yes, a smile is officially charity in Islam!)
- Speaking a kind word.
- Guiding someone who is lost.
Then there is a specific type of “Everlasting Charity” called Sadaqah Jariyah (The Gift that Keeps Giving)“ It refers to an investment in something that continues to benefit people after you are gone. Some examples are:
- Digging a well.
- Building a school or hospital.
- Planting a tree that provides shade or fruit.
- Passing on beneficial knowledge (which is sort of what I am doing by researching this and then ‘publishing’ it. .
In Islam, charity isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a system. We have Zakat (the right of the poor over our wealth) and Sadaqah (the voluntary expression of faith). More importantly, the Prophet (PBUH) taught that charity isn’t just about Ringgits—it’s about character. Even a smile or a kind word counts. Regarding the verses that many mentioned, when looked at in context (Tafsir), they actually encourage the ‘hand that gives’ over the ‘hand that takes,’ reinforcing the importance of being charitable whenever possible.”
This is an important discussion to have at this time of year when charity is being so ‘promoted’ Remembering that the Prophet said that charity is a smile and during Ramadan we should be smiling and not just giving money to some online specious so-called charity. And hey when one is fasting – a smile can be SO important. I have “Ramadan fatigue” it sets in when my inbox and social feed are flooded with polished ads for massive, faceless charities. While big NGOs do important work, it often feels transactional—like you’re just clicking a button to “clear” your religious obligation. The Prophet’s (PBUH) definition of a smile is a perfect counter-argument to “specious” online campaigns.
This smile argument is powerful right now because human connection is much more important that digital transitions.: Ramadan is meant to build Taqwa (God-consciousness) and Akhlaq (character). Giving RM50 to a random website is easy; being patient, kind, and smiling at a frustrated delivery driver or a tired cashier while you are both hungry and dehydrated is difficult. Authenticity is valued over promotion. Some organizations “promote” charity in a way that feels almost commercial. Islam actually emphasizes discreet charity. The famous saying is that the left hand should not know what the right hand gives. A smile is the ultimate “quiet” charity—it costs nothing, it isn’t tax-deductible, and it leaves the world better in that exact second.
This is funny, but look at it this way. ”If our charity is purely digital but our neighbor, our security guard, or the person next to us at Iftar only sees a frowning, grumpy person—then we’ve missed the spirit of the month.”
There are some powerful, non-monetary Hadiths.
1. There is one that could be called the charity of ‘not being a jerk” This is the ultimate “fasting mood” Hadith. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for the world is just stay out of the way and stay kind. “You should restrain yourself from doing wrong to people, for that is a charity (Sadaqah) bestowed upon yourself.” (Sahih Muslim)
2. Then there is the charity of the helping hand which shifts the focus from someone’s wallet to one’s physical presence.”Helping a man onto his mount or lifting up his luggage onto it is a charity.” (Sahih Bukhari)
3. Then there is the charity of environmental stewardship. “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift (Sadaqah) for him.” (Sahih Bukhari Charity isn’t just a human-to-human transaction. It’s about leaving a legacy that feeds life. It’s about being a “net positive” to the planet.
“This Ramadan, don’t just ‘click’ to give. Look up. The person across from you at the Iftar table, the tired guard at your lobby, or the driver navigating the 6 PM gridlock—they don’t need your receipt; they need your character. A smile is a currency that never loses its value, even when the Ringgit fluctuates.”
Another way to look at it – Zakat is the floor (the minimum legal requirement), but Sadaqah (the smile, the kind word, the planted tree) is the ceiling—and the ceiling is infinite.
In Nigeria, there is a very strong cultural emphasis on the “Hand that Gives” (the Oga or the Big Man). Sometimes, this can lead to a version of Islam that feels very transactional: “I give the money, God gives the blessing, the poor get the food.”
Please remember that the Prophet (PBUH) died with almost no money; yet he was the most charitable man to ever live. His charity was his presence.
I was told by an Inman that my “reach” (my blog reach) was my calling. I have been told that my blog is a digital waaf– an endowment of knowledge That is a powerful perspective, and it aligns perfectly with the concept of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity). When an Imam says that my “reach” is my calling, he apparently essentially said that my blog is a digital waqf—an endowment of knowledge. Beneficial knowledge is one of only three things that continues to earn rewards even after one passes way. I fund the hosting, the domain, the blog master, and the labor of writing out of my own money to share the faith, Look at it this way – I am not just running a website; I am maintaining a virtual mosque that never closes its doors. And I have zero middlemen unlike specious online charities and I do not have to hire a janitorial service to clean it. .
As we lawyers say, I rest my case. And, once a lawyer always a lawyer.
Came down to the lobby of Societe because I did not want to sit in my room alone contemplating the fate of this world. While I was here I cheered up several tired Muslims who were hard at work. I preformed charity without clicking to give. There are many non Muslims in the lobby of this building. I am covered, dressed in Malay batik – saying in my own way – “I am Muslim and I am proud!! “
March 2, 2026
So many catastrophes have occurred in the past few days. I have wisely decided to wait until the dust as settled before making any comments. I have spent too much time following the chaos – looking at Instagram, reading and contributing comments – going to reliable new sources and occasionally consulting Gemini. But I am waiting for the dust to settle Turned to Gemini, receiving kudos for this approach, for the following reasons.
Gemini. You avoid the ‘knee-jerk’ When you post in the heat of the moment, you risk your content becoming obsolete within hours. By waiting, your blog becomes a source of record rather than a source of speculation. It shows emotional intelligence because it allows you to process your own reactions. Given your time spent in different cultures, like the KSA, you likely know that how an event looks from the inside is often very different from how the world views it initially.It does enable you to establish authority. : Readers eventually tire of the “chaotic mess.” They will look for the person who waited, watched, and can now explain why it happened and what it means for the future.
The truism likely stems from literal travel or battle. Whether it’s a cavalry charge or a caravan moving through the desert, the movement kicks up a literal cloud of dust. If you try to make a decision while that cloud is up, you might walk off a cliff or miss your destination. You wait so you can see the tracks left behind.
Gemini then provided a Takeaway and later a final thought. The Takeaway: Perspective is a luxury that only the patient can afford. I n a world of “breaking news,” being the person who offers “informed reflection” makes your blog a destination for people who want to understand, not just react..
This was the final thought. Perspective isn’t just about seeing clearly; it’s about having the patience to wait for the world to stop spinning.
I am not sure what to include as photos. Perhaps photos of Alexis Alaa MicBride looking like a Muslim over the past five years.
