Some friends asked me, “Why do you attack charitable organisations that send money and goods abroad instead of helping the poor and the needy in this country, while you encourage sending relief to nations affected by floods, like Sudan, and Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries? Don’t you think that’s a contradiction?”
There is an enormous difference between the two cases, I answered. We can consider Islam a religion of relations. In fact, Islam is so. Man’s relation with his Lord comes at the top, followed by relations with his parents and so on.
As for human relations, Islam has divided them into circles as God, the Exalted and Glorious, said: “Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him in worship, and show fairest (companionship) to parents, kinsman, orphans, the indigent, the neighbour who is near of kinsman, the neighbour who is a stranger (i.e. not of the family or creed or nationality), the companion at your side, the wayfarer, and what your right hands possess. Verily, Allah does not like such as are proud and boastful.” Verse 36, Surah An-Nisa’ (The Women).
These circles, according to my understanding of this verse and other verses and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), are divided into 1. Family, 2. Relatives, 3. Neighbourhood he is living in, 4. His town, 5. Neighbouring villages and towns, 6. His country, 7. Neighbouring Muslim countries, 8. Other Muslim nations, 9. Friendly nations, and 10. Other countries.
Charities and alms should be earmarked for the first circle, according to my understanding of Islam. The second circle becomes eligible only after the first is completely satisfied. Therefore, fulfilling the needs of these circles in their respective order is a necessity, and in my viewpoint, the reward (from God) is greater than that from building a mosque.
Nevertheless, in times of war, catastrophes and turmoil, the order of circles is suspended and helping the most afflicted is a must. Calming down Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) following the commencement of the Divine Revelation, the mother of the faithful believers, Khadeja, told the prophet, “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.”
In a saying by the prophet, “help the most afflicted and the lost”, he prioritised assisting the most afflicted people and then showing the way to the lost. Those seeking help may be oppressed, disable or afflicted. In all cases, helping them would be relieving their agony. In return, God will ease man’s agony on Judgment Day.
Moses is another example of this, as God said: “And when he arrived at the water of Madyan (Midian) he found there a group of men watering (their flock), and he found, apart from them, two women keeping away (their flock). He said: “What is the matter with you?” They said: “We cannot water (our flock) until the shepherds take away (their flock). And our father is a very old man.” Verse 23, Surah Al Qasas (The Narration).
So what did Moses do in that situation? “He watered (their flock) for them, then he returned to the shade and said: “My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!” Verse 23, Surah Al Qasas (The Narration).
Moses helped the women first, then he prayed to God. The so-called charitable societies and the wealthy send alms and abundant funds outside the country to build mosques, shutting their eyes to people with afflictions and the needy here.
Prophet Muhammad (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be Upon Him) said: “All the earth is a masjid (place of worship) except graveyards and toilets.” In another saying, he said: “The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for offering prayer and a thing for purification.” Therefore, prayers may be performed anywhere. So if these funds were allocated to dig a well or build a hospital, it would be, undoubtedly, a way of helping the most afflicted people.
What good is a mosque for people and their cattle who are dying of thirst? What good is it for people crippled by disease? The vast holy city of Makkah was founded over just one well of water.
Helping the afflicted and the needy is a way to thank God for His numerous blessings. As it is well known, by praising God blessings last. I criticise charitable societies for wasting money on building mosques and reconstruction of homes demolished by owners and other similar projects while there are poor people in Qatar who don’t have food daily and are humiliated by the social welfare given by the government. There are others who cannot afford to rebuild dilapidated ceilings that may fall on them.
Many people like those were described by the Lord of mankind in the Holy Quran: “(Charity is) for fuqara (the poor), who in Allah’s cause are restricted (from travel) and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever you spend on doing good, surely Allah knows it well.” Verse 273, Surah Al Baqarah (The Cow).
O charitable societies, assistance must be directed to these people instead of being squandered abroad.
Finally, I tell charitable societies and the wealthy to fear God by looking after dwellers of this good land. In this regard, I thank and show gratitude to the Emir of the nation, who ordered, when he was Heir Apparent, repairs to the homes of young people and the disabled in the northern areas at the expense of the state.
“And for this let (all) those strive who want to strive (i.e. hasten earnestly to the obedience of Allah).” Verse 26, Surah Al Mutaffifin (Those Who Deal in Fraud).
