“Calm down, it’s for a good cause”

I have four siblings. I also have not a lot of secrets. Because they’re everywhere. Literally. I’ve hidden diary keys in socks only to have them casually break the lock. Eventually, you reach the ‘resigned’ stage. 
The resigned stage is when you give up having secrets. It’s all well and good if you keep trying but it’s simply better to spill the beans. Why hide the key? Why have a password? Why do anything that you can’t keep a secret? 
I’m not saying siblings are evil but the method of dealing with siblings and the method of dealing with Sadaqah is directly contrasting. It’s all well and good if you spill the beans but it’s simply better to keep trying. 
“If you disclose your Sadaqah, it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, that is better for you. (Allah) will expiate you some of your sins. And Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.” [Al-Baraqah 2:271]
‘What your right hand gives, your left hand shouldn’t know’. That’s to save us from being egotistical. From blowing up anything other than what the media expects from us (JOKE. LAUGH IT OFF). It’s also to preserve the dignity of the person you’re giving the Sadaqah to. Give for the sake of Allah. 
Abu Hurairah (رضى الله عنه) reports that Nabi (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Spend Oh son of Adam, it will be spent on you.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
I have nothing against fundraisers for a cause. Okay, I do have something against fundraisers for a cause. Why can’t we give without the promise of immediate return? We feel great about ourselves for contributing. We gave money. No, we bought cupcakes. 
We’re … How do I put this gently. We’re selfish. 
I’m going to give you some advice. Don’t buy the cupcakes. Send the amount you’d planned on spending. Eat butter bread with your tea. And then, accordingly, feel great about yourself. Because you spent in charity without an added agenda. 
Islam teaches us that the more we give, the more we get. The more we give, the stronger our Iman gets. 
Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) has reported, “Be quick in giving sadaqah, as a calamity cannot overtake sadaqah.” [Mishkaat]
Just a little side note: Nabi (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “To smile in the company of your brother is sadaqah. To command to do good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is sadaqah. To guide a person to the right path is sadaqah. To remove troublesome things like thorns and stones from the street is sadaqah. To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is sadaqah. To guide a person with defective vision is sadaqah for you.” [Bukhari]
Abu Darr (رضى الله عنه) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed, it will wipe it out.” [Tirmidhi, 1987]
Sadaqah is voluntary. Sadaqah is Sadaqah. There aren’t any minimum amount conditions. As long as your intention is pure, you’re in the game. 
Ka’b in Ajrah (رضى الله عنه) report that Nabi (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” [Tirmidhi, 614]

May Allah protect us all and grant us the ability to overcome our Nafs.

Love and Duas,

TWS ❤