Spending in the Way of Allah (SWT): A Superior Act of Good Deed in Islam

Abstract

Spending in the way of Allah (SWT), other than Zakat, is usually considered a voluntary act of good deed in Islam. Also, there is a common understanding among Muslims that this spending is just an optional act of worship and is less important in terms of significance and rank as compared to the mandatory acts of worship. However, the statements of Allah (SWT), sayings of the Prophet (PBUH), and the opinions of scholars highlight the importance of “spending in the way of Allah (SWT)” in Islam. This research aims to demonstrate the superiority of spending (other than Zakat) in the way of Allah (SWT). Many Qur’anic verses and Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH) assert the great significance and ranks of spending in the way of Allah (SWT), even above those of some mandatory acts of worship. Also, according to the opinions of some scholars, there are occasions when spending in addition to Zakat becomes obligatory and necessary. The rewards of spending and the consequences of not spending in the way of Allah (SWT) are also stated in some Quranic verses. Allah (SWT) has referred a believer in Al-Qur’an by various distinct qualities & names having specific attributes. “Spending in the way of Allah (SWT)” is the most used attribute of a believer mentioned in those distinct qualities & names. Supporting Qur’anic verses, Hadiths of the Prophet (PBUH), and the opinions of scholars have been identified and presented in this paper. This paper reveals that spending in the way of Allah (SWT) is a superior act of good deed in Islam.