Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

[Quran 16:128] GOD is with those who lead a righteous life, and those who are charitable.

[Quran 3:17] They are steadfast, truthful, submitting, charitable, and meditators at dawn.


God loves the charitable (Quran 2:195, 3:134). One of the earliest commands in the Quran is to give to charity (Quran 2:3). As much as it may help others in this world, charity is for our own soul's good (Quran 2:272, 64:16) and recorded in our "post-retirement account" (PRA) with God (Quran 2:110). All of us need the biggest possible PRA. And while we don't want to give excessively (Quran 17:26), we don't want to hold back and fall prey to our natural stinginess either (Quran 64:16).


[Quran 2:177] ... Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves ...

     The Best Investment
[Quran 2:261-263] The example of those who spend their monies in the cause of GOD is that of a grain that produces seven spikes, with a hundred grains in each spike. GOD multiplies this manifold for whomever He wills. GOD is Bounteous, Knower.
 Those who spend their money in the cause of GOD, then do not follow their charity with insult or harm, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
 Kind words and compassion are better than a charity that is followed by insult. GOD is Rich, Clement.


God willing our hearts are reverent as we give to charity (Quran 23:60) and we do it to please God alone (Quran 2:272, 76:9).


References:
Religious Duties: A Gift From God, http://www.masjidtucson.org/quran/appendices/appendix15.html#charity
Charity, http://www.masjidtucson.org/submission/practices/zakat/

Peace.