The number one reason of why we should strive hard to achieve our goals, should ultimately be our hereafter. My goals do not involve splurging only on myself, but rather on helping those who are less fortunate. My dream is to create some sort of change in this world, even if it’s through small steps.
This has not always been the case in my book, but slowly as time progress, I lean more into this path. Imagine yourself in a position where you receive an offer of a 1 billion dollar angel investment. Would you know how to manage and use this kind of wealth?
If you had asked me a few years ago whether I would accept an angel investment offer of 1 billion dollars, I would have said no. Not because I didn’t want it, but because I wouldn’t have known how to manage the money.
1 billion dollars can change the world—the world we live in here in the West, but also the developing countries. Of course, you always start locally and build up.
However, nowadays, there seems to be less focus among the younger generation when it comes to providing aid for developing countries unless it benefits their tax bracket.
Even if you earn less than average, giving to charity is optional yet beneficial—not only for those you assist but also for yourself in return.
How to Properly Give Charity
First of all, if you are someone who donates from time to time with pure intentions, may God bless you. Second, when you decide to give from what you earn, you become the reason someone else has a meal to eat, a safe shelter, or perhaps another chance at life.
Charity doesn’t only come in the form of money. It can be as simple as taking the time to call someone you care about and listen to their problems, helping them come up with a solution. Charity is about being good to your neighbor, welcoming, and generous.
Hospitality in the west
Growing up in Norway, hospitality was not common. I clearly remember my early days in this land. The kids were welcoming, but hospitality wasn’t practiced. My culture is very much Arabian mixed with African—warm, generous, and deeply rooted in hospitality, with no concept of “yours and mine.”
The Norwegian culture is quite different and, in comparison, a bit sad. Over the years, I’ve noticed how even a simple act of charity can light up someone’s day. I am lucky enough to have experienced this, and it has taught me to never be stingy with my charity.
Do you sometimes find strangers to be kinder than the people around you? We tend to treat those we don’t know better than our own family. It’s common.
But could it be that you’re so comfortable with the people around you that you no longer treat them as you should? No more charity, no more affection or closeness. It’s as if, since they already know you, there’s no need to prove anything.
If this sounds familiar, then maybe it’s time to start showing them the same love you once did or like you do with strangers. Too many good people forget about those closest to them.
It’s like being in a romantic relationship: after a while, you get so comfortable that you forget to nurture it, and the fire dies out. I’ve seen this kind of love where everything becomes routine, and eventually, you either fall out of love, break up, or maybe you try to make it work again.
Take care of those you love, show them love, and stop taking people for granted. One day, they might just not be there.
Reflecting on the Hereafter
Always try your best before walking away. Some people will never see your worth, even after years of trying, so don’t waste your time. You get one life. One shot. There’s no going back after death. If that doesn’t make it clear enough to take action, to treat people right, and to love yourself properly, then there may be no hope. No sugarcoating here—it all starts with you.
You are more special than you realize. Think about it: from the moment you were born, God gave you free will and endless opportunities. What path did you take?
He (SWT) provides options, but you make the decisions. Allah gave us humans intellect, this is one of the reasons why we are the most honorable creatures in the eyes of Allah. Don’t let arrogance take over once you realize the power you hold. That’s why we have an entire article dedicated to controlling arrogance. Because power in the wrong hands is dangerous.
Personal development is all about becoming better. So, check your arrogance. It’s from the devil. Your ego is normal—we all have one—but acting on egotistical impulses isn’t ideal. The best among us are those who have this figured out.
Give in Private
Give behind closed doors, and surround yourself with people who do the same. I remember the early days of social media when Vine was popular. There was a trend where creators filmed themselves doing charity in public.
I used to love these videos, but I knew from my upbringing how insensitive it was to the recipients, whose faces weren’t even blurred in cities like London and New York. These videos are good for encouraging others to do good, but there are countless other ways to promote charity without broadcasting your deeds.
The best form of charity is the one you don’t talk about, you don’t even recall it unless it’s brought up, and you do it for the sake of Allah with no need for human recognition. In Islam, if we want something from Allah, we should give to someone else.
It is said that by giving, you receive and will never become poor. The one who gives in private is the true winner. If you give to prove something to others or to look good among a group, with the intention of satisfying anyone but Allah, then you have indeed failed.
Allah gives us the opportunity through charity to do many good deeds in this life, so let’s embrace this blessing. We will be questioned about how we used the wealth He (SWT) gave us in this life.
You can give charity by donating clothes you no longer use, giving money to the poor, or volunteering at non-profit organizations during your spare time. There are endless ways to help. In today’s society, we are blessed with many opportunities to extend a helping hand to those in need.
Prepare a good record for that Day, because that Day will either be a real-life horror or a matter of just a few minutes filled with joy and true peace—the kind of peace we don’t experience in this life.
Good People do Have the Last Laugh
There’s a lot of untapped potential in the world. Many talented and brilliant people aren’t recognized in the modern technological world we share.
By giving aid and charity, we automatically become winners. When we give, we gain wealth. Allah says that no one who gives will be left empty-handed, even if they give their last.
Give with pure intentions, expecting nothing in return, and forget that you gave. The best form of charity is private and anonymous. The best charity is when the giver forgets they even gave.
Another form of charity is information—like this blog. It’s full of knowledge and wisdom about our beliefs, health and wellness, personal development and travel content. These types of charity are common today.
Anyone can open a social media account dedicated to the deen or spreading positivity. This is one of the best forms of charity we have today. I don’t make a single dollar from this website, but I feel fulfilled knowing that even one person might benefit from my words.
Earth: Our World, Our Space
Yes, I keep using the phrase “the world that we share.” Do you know why? A humble person doesn’t claim ownership over anything. Even if they own land, they don’t consider it truly theirs. These are rare people, but they do exist—and they are the most genuine, humble, and warm individuals you’ll ever meet.
In a world that is so self-centered, we forget who owns everything. It’s Allah. He gave us this world to share and live in peace with one another. So, walk the earth with humility. There is no such thing as “my land” or “yours”—it’s ours.
Look at Palestine. The Palestinians were willing to share their space with others of different ethnicities, without issue.
However, the other party didn’t bring hospitality or warmth, no charity, and their unchecked arrogance led to them taking more and more, until there was nothing left to take. They’ve been taking for over 75 years, never satisfied.
The brave Palestinians opened their homes when the others arrived with nothing. We share space, we don’t occupy it.
Let’s learn from this terrible situation that no one is better than anyone else. Arrogance can lead to the violence we see in the Middle East. Like mentioned, power in the wrong hands, is dangerous.
Giving space and sharing your place with others is also a form of charity that we don’t practice enough. Let’s learn from our brothers and sisters around the world, especially in developing countries, to always be good, even when we don’t want to.
However, never let anyone oppress you. As Muslims, we have the right to protect ourselves, our mental health, and anything that might disturb our peace. Allah has given us clear instructions on how to handle this.
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