The Study of Prioritization of Charity (Infaq) in the ‎Holy Quran and Hadiths

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Associate professor in Quran and Hadith Science at the University of Isfahan

2 M.A. graduated Student in Quran and Hadith Science at the University of Isfahan

Abstract

One of the most honorable affairs is charity (Infaq). However, one of the research needs is to investigate the prioritization in charity. For example, which groups, namely the poor relatives or non-kin poorer individuals, are more prioritized in terms of charity? Is severity of needs or kinship considered as the criterion for charity prioritization? How should charity prioritization be conducted among the poor of the society? In the present study, the answers can be explained according to the Holy Quran that the first criterion for charity is kinship and then needs, unless the life of non-kin individuals is dependent on charity and there is no such an emergency for the relatives. Accordingly, prioritization of charity is as follows: parents, relatives, orphans, returnees, close neighbors, distant neighbors, companions, wayfarers, servants, and slaves.
In case of contradictions between charity to parents and children in cases of what is donated is enough only for one person, Jurisprudents believe that both groups are at the same priority; thus they fatwa on alteration or lottery, while according to verse 215 of Surtat al-Baqara, parents are prioritized. This verse shows the necessity of charity to parents, but it is not considered or investigated in significant Shiite jurisprudence books. Hadiths and narrations also confirm the interpretation of the mentioned quranic verse and consider charity priority to parents and relatives. According to hadiths, observance of charity prioritization for relatives will result in immense rewards and charity in the way of God is lower in terms of rewards.

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