Spending Money on Others

Spending money on others is in one respect is a human service and in another respect it is divine worship.

Chapter 2 of the Quran states: “They will ask you what they should spend on others. Say, ‘Whatever you give should be for parents, close relatives, orphans, the needy, and travellers. God is well aware of whatever good you do.” (2:215)

This verse of the Quran tells us what the items of expenditure on others should be. The truth is that all those people with whom you came into contact, whether temporarily or on a permanent basis, all deserve having money spent on them when in need.

In this connection the natural order of things is that if anyone’s relatives are in need, the money should be spent on them first of all. The reward is equal for fulfilling the needs of relatives and those who are unrelated. The closeness or distance of the relationship does not make any difference in this matter.

Next in order of importance come the neighbours. Fulfilling their needs is a great human act. These neighbours could fall into different category, for example, a permanent neighbour and others who become temporary neighbours as on a journey. There are yet others like travellers, who also deserve to have needs fulfilled.

In society it often happens that certain people become orphans. Sometimes people meet with accidents and so become needy. Such people are especially deserving of support. Every society is duty bound to help them. Help for such people can be done individually, as well as through social institutions which can provide help in an organized way.

Spending money in one respect is a human service and in another respect it is divine worship.