How to Spend & Whom to Spend On
The way to become closer to Allah is to be of service to fellow human beings- Do your share and do Ahsan to others as Allah has done to you. Service to Allah is best done by serving mankind.
[Al-Qasas 28:77-77] (77) But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and do not forget your share of the world. And do Ahsaan-best as Allah has done Ahsaan – best to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.”
There are many a verse that stress helping Yateem and Miskeen. But it’s important we understand these words.
The word Yateem as per Quran is not just an orphan I.e. someone who doesn’t have father/parents but someone who is not able to take care of him/her self for a temporary period, may be because of illness or temporary disability or a jobless situation or until reaches the age of maturity in case of orphans etc.
The word Miskeen as per Quran is someone who is unable, I.e. doesn’t have any ability to take care of him/her self, is poor in a permeant poverty situation, or old age person or someone with permanent disability, or someone whose responsibilities such as those towards his/her family is beyond the means that he/she can afford etc.
Also please notice the use of the word Sabr in these ayahs which does not mean being patient as is normally understood. Its actuall meanings is in the terms of to strive, to make physical efforts, to spend out of one’s wealth in spite of love for it, to help others- all this exertion and efforts are termed as Sabr by Quran.
Lastly please notice the use of the word “Twouaam” normally translated as food but it means all the basic necessities of life such as food shelter clothing etc. Notice the word Rizq is not used here but the use of the word Tawwam includes all the physical needs of and the necessities for life here on earth.
In Quran those who have been given Allah’s bounties are stressed times and times again to spend out of their wealth and physical efforts to benefit others especially Miskeen, Yateem and captives. Keeping these definitions in mind these, ayahs are very insightful and are the true hidayah from the Most Wise and a way to get the true blessings from the Rab.
Al-Insan 76:8-12 (8) وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا (9) إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءً وَلَا شُكُورًا (10) إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا (11) فَوَقَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّىٰهُمْ نَضْرَةً وَسُرُورًا (12) وَجَزَىٰهُم بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ جَنَّةً وَحَرِيرًا
(8) And they give food in spite of love for it to the yateem and miskeen and the captives, (9) “We feed you only for the countenance of Allah . We wish not from you reward or gratitude. (10) Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful.” (11) So Allah will protect them from the evil of that Day and give them radiance and happiness (12) And will reward them for what they do Sabr/strive/struggle endured a garden and silk.