a garden upon a hillside; should a downpour strike it, it yields double its produce, and even if no downpour falls upon it, a gentle drizzle is enough.1

He also says, “They give food—despite their own desire for it—to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, saying, ‘We feed you only for the sake of Allah; we desire from you neither recompense nor gratitude.’”2

The Exalted One has likewise spoken a concise, all-embracing word: “The People of the Scripture did not split into factions until after clear evidence had come to them. They were commanded only to worship Allah, dedicating the religion exclusively to Him, as upright monotheists, to establish the prayer, and to give zakah—that is the true religion.”3

His worship includes the prayer in all that it comprises of supplication and remembrance, and it includes charity and zakah in every form—whether given as food, clothing, money, or anything else.

May Allah make us and all our believing brothers and sisters sincerely devoted to Him in our religion, worshipping Him without associating anything with Him, clinging to His rope, holding fast to His Book, and learning what He has sent down of the Book and wisdom. May He turn away from us the devils of jinn and humankind, protect us from being scattered away from His path, and guide us to the straight path—the path of those upon whom He has bestowed His favor: the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. How excellent are those as companions!

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah send abundant blessings and peace upon Muhammad and his family.