30 Khawaatir in 30 Days- A Parent’s Guide | Day 3: The Importance of Charity

Yesterday we shared how we can make use of time.

 Today, let’s go around and everyone can say what their favorite food is.

Okay, I’m definitely hungry now!

Question: Do you know that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also had a favorite food? Can anyone guess what it is? 

It’s the lamb shoulder! It tastes so yummy, especially with yogurt and potatoes! One day the Prophet’s wife Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was in their home and they had a whole lamb that they gave away to the poor. The only piece of meat from the entire lamb that they kept to eat was the shoulder. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) what remained of the lamb. And she said, “Nothing remains except the shoulder piece.”

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ corrected her and said, “Everything remains except the shoulder piece.”  

Question: What do you think the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ meant by that?

Everything we give away for the sake of Allah ﷻ, that is ultimately what will be in our akhirah (after life) bank account. And, that doesn’t necessarily mean food or money. 

Question: What other things can we give away for the sake of Allah ﷻ?

Yes, we can share our toys and also share our time! What are some ways we can donate our time and talents? (Examples can include helping around the house, reading to a younger sibling, or calling a grandparent) 

Question: Can anyone tell me what are some of the benefits of charity?

1. Charity will give us shade on the Day of Judgment:

           The Prophet ﷺ  said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.”

1. Charity is a form of protection. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”
2. Allah ﷻ promises to multiply our reward. He says:  

مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّـهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَاعِفَهُ لَهُ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ

“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?” (Surat al-Baqara, aya 245)

We have the chance to relieve the distress of someone else! How does it feel when you help someone in need?

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّهُمْ ذَبَحُوا شَاةً فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْهَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَتْ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْهَا إِلاَّ كَتِفُهَا ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏”‏ بَقِيَ كُلُّهَا غَيْرَ كَتِفِهَا ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ وَأَبُو مَيْسَرَةَ هُوَ الْهَمْدَانِيُّ اسْمُهُ عَمْرُو بْنُ شُرَحْبِيلَ ‏

From ‘Aishah that they had slaughtered a sheep, so the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “What remains of it?” She said: “Nothing remains of it except its shoulder.” He said: “All of it remains except its shoulder,” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi).