of severe hunger. ⦗Q. 90:14⦘

Giving charity to a blood relative is superior to giving it to others when their need is equal, for it is both charity and an act of maintaining kinship ties. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Charity to a relative counts twice: as charity and as an act of kinship.” ⦗Ahmad 15644⦘.

It is recommended to give from what exceeds one’s own needs and those of the dependants one is obliged to support. Should a person donate in a way that diminishes the provision of those whose maintenance is incumbent upon him, he incurs sin; the Prophet ﷺ said, “It is enough of a sin for a man to neglect those he is responsible to feed.” ⦗Muslim 996⦘.

Settling one’s debts takes precedence over voluntary charity, because paying debts is obligatory.

Voluntary charity may be given to a non-Muslim, a wealthy person, members of the Hashimite family, and others who are barred from receiving zakat, and they may accept it. Allah says, “They give food, despite their love for it, to the needy, the orphan, and the captive.” ⦗Q. 76:8⦘—and a captive can only be a non-Muslim.

No act of charity is too small; therefore it is commendable to give whatever one can. Allah says, “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it.” ⦗Q. 99:7⦘. Al-Bukhari 1351 and Muslim 1516 relate from ʿAdi ibn Hatim that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Guard yourselves against the Fire, even if only with half a date.”

Reminding the recipient of one’s favour or causing hurt invalidates the charity and wipes out its reward, for Allah says, “O you who believe, do not invalidate your charities with reminders of generosity or with harm.” ⦗Q. 2:264⦘.

Deliberately giving something inferior is disliked, as Allah says, “Do not aim for that which is bad to spend of it.” ⦗Q. 2:267⦘. Conversely, it is recommended to select the finest and dearest of one’s possessions, for Allah says, “You will never attain true righteousness until you spend out of what you love.” ⦗Q. 3:92⦘.