The Essence of Compassion and Charity

Note: Please bear with me as this post will be a bit lengthy. I've drafted a rough version before writing, summarized it considerably, but it's still expected to be somewhat extensive.

This is NOT a plea for charity or funds. Instead, I'm sharing my perspective on charity within the context of my beliefs. I respect that everyone has their own values, and I'm not imposing mine on you.

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For those familiar with my posts or those who have come across a few, it may be known that I am a Muslim hailing from Pakistan. With the holy month of Ramadan (Islamic month) just around the corner, during which we fast for a whole lunar month from dawn to dusk, there is one more thing that many of us prioritize highly, and that is charity. In my religion, there are two types of charity:

• Zakat (obligatory/ compulsory)
• Sadaqah (voluntary/ highly encouraged)

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Zakat is a mandatory form of charity for people who have a minimum amount (nisab) of wealth saved up at the end of a year. The amount due is 2.5% of one's acquired wealth. The minimum amount (nisab) one must have before one becomes liable to do Zakat should be worth 3 ounces of Gold or 21 ounces of Silver or their equivalent in cash. Hence, the nisab of Zakat is a fundamental concept in Islamic law, determining the minimum wealth threshold subject to Zakat.

Similarly Agricultural produce is subject to Zakat when the yield surpasses a specified threshold, usually after deducting expenses. Zakat on livestock applies when you own a certain number of specific types of animals.

If one's wealth surpasses these thresholds, Zakat is obligatory. This ensures clarity on the minimum wealth required for Zakat obligations.

Sadaqah: Unlike Zakat, Sadaqah is a voluntary form of charity that anyone can be eligible for. Sadaqah is an intentional deed, which everyone must carry out no matter what their social status. It has no fixed limits, allowing individuals to give as much as they are willing to support those in need. It is considered a compassionate and virtuous practice in Islam.

Indeed, acts of giving can extend beyond the physical or monetary aspects and include generosity, love, compassion, or faith. Simple gestures like a smile or lending a helping hand are considered acts of Sadaqah. Even assisting someone in the kitchen when they are in need is viewed as a form of Sadaqah.

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My perspective towards this obligation:

I usually calculate Zakat at the beginning of Ramadan, considering all the money in my savings not allocated for expenses. I also include the value of any relevant jewelry or items in the house. After totaling everything, I multiply it by 0.025 to determine my Zakat baseline.

The jewellery, a gift from my parents on my wedding, is eligible for Zakat. I sold a portion of it a few years back when I couldn't afford the Zakat payable on it due to the increasing value of gold. However, I still have some where the nisab is applicable. After this morning's calculation, my Zakat amounts to around $300. Thankfully, I have already paid a significant portion of this amount.

The gold is in my possession, so I am required to pay Zakat on it. Since my husband is the primary earner, I pay Zakat from my savings, which is the amount he provides me for personal use. I save from it and pay Zakat, but occasionally, I may not have the full amount. In such cases, my husband covers it on my behalf.

You could say that our finances are not separate, and I agree. However, from day 1, my husband made it clear that I should feel a sense of responsibility towards this because, at the end of the day, it's my possession. Additionally, to instill a habit of giving charity, he firmly emphasized that calculating and prioritizing Zakat should be on my list of responsibilities.

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Let me share a personal fact: my husband works in a government facility, and the area where we currently reside is quite remote, far from the main cities. The population here mainly consists of underprivileged people. There are no industries whatsoever, and they primarily depend on the people living in our facility for their small businesses and labor. The level of poverty in the general population here is unimaginable. People are living below the poverty line, and every month, individuals who aren't beggars find themselves compelled to seek help. The reasons range from medical issues to weddings of their children, sisters, or brothers.

The majority, or you could say all, of my charity and Zakat goes to these people. Despite that, there are still many whom I can't help. In such cases, I reach out to my parents and my husband's parents, asking if they can assist. Occasionally, I have to approach other relatives as well, seeking their support in providing Zakat or charity for these deserving individuals.

These individuals are in our direct contact, and we are certain of their deserving situations. Believe it or not, there have been instances where someone came to our home in dire need because they had nowhere else to turn. One such case involved a man whose wife was in labor and urgently needed funds for a C-section. We couldn't turn down the request and provided him with every spare amount of money that we had. Although it was not "spare" money. But yes, it had to be given.

I'm not implying that we are the sole contributors to charity. Instead, I believe there are individuals in our community who undoubtedly do a lot more than us. Despite their efforts, there remains a significant number of people who are always in need.

Welcome to the challenges faced by populations like ours, where issues of poverty are pervasive! It's indeed disheartening whenever I have to acknowledge the state of affairs. Hopefully, one day, those in the upper tiers (people in power who misuse the assets of the state) will cease corruption and address the various factors contributing to such sad affairs in the lowest tiers. However, that's a debate for another day. I can only hope and pray, and meanwhile, continue doing whatever I can within my limited resources.

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It's heartwarming to see several projects and fundraising campaigns here on Steemit. They connect us with humanity and the concept of compassion. However, I may not be able to contribute to them at the moment because, for me, those whom I am directly in contact with are the most deserving of support. I am answerable for them first and foremost. Some of these individuals are gentlemen and ladies from the lowest middle class who can't even bring themselves to ask for help as it truly hurts their self-respect. It's really disheartening. We sometimes have to look out for these kinds of people. They would not readily accept help, so we have to devise a way to assist them without making them feel obliged to pay back.

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I penned down every word with the hope of inspiring someone and to share my beliefs with you. It's not meant to imply that my actions are superior to anyone else's, as honestly, they're not. I acknowledge that I fall short in fulfilling the level of goodness required. Perhaps, one day, I'll achieve that. I'm striving towards that path.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this. Wishing a profoundly blessed Ramadan to those embracing fasting and to everyone. May we all evolve into better, more compassionate human beings.

Yours,
@soulfuldreamer