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Background
Background
Muhammad’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teachings were not received well in Mecca since he was preaching a monotheistic religion (with one God) and this upset the Quraysh who were polytheistic. As a result, Muhammad (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and his followers were initially forced to leave Mecca. They built a new society in nearby Medina. Muhammad’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teachings revolutionised Arabic society and enabled the Arabs to transition from the nomadic-tribal way of life to city living. With no tribes and strong family ties to ensure that everyone was looked after, one particular issue was who should care for the vulnerable members of society.
Muhammad (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) introduced a religious tax which obliged everyone to give a proportion of their wealth to ensure that everyone in society was cared for. This is called Zakat.
Righteousness is not in turning your faces towards the east or the west. Rather, the righteous are those who believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the prophets; who give charity out of their cherished wealth to relatives, orphans, the poor, ˹needy˺ travellers, beggars, and for freeing captives; who establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and keep the pledges they make; and who are patient in times of suffering, adversity, and in ˹the heat of˺ battle. It is they who are true ˹in faith˺, and it is they who are mindful ˹of Allah˺.
—2:177
How much should they give? What should they spend their money on?
They ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about intoxicants and gambling. Say, “There is great evil in both, as well as some benefit for people—but the evil outweighs the benefit.” They ˹also˺ ask you ˹O Prophet˺ what they should donate. Say, “Whatever you can spare.” This is how Allah makes His revelations clear to you ˹believers˺, so perhaps you may reflect.
—2:219
This relates to another important (and often misunderstood) aspect of Muhammad’s (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaching was Jihad. This literally means struggle. This normally refers to two kinds of struggle: the Lesser Jihad is the physical struggle for a better world. The Greater Jihad is the psychological and spiritual struggle to be a better person.
Tasks
Tasks
Explain the teachings from the Quran about giving to the poor.
What does the word Jihad mean? What are its two meanings?
What do you think about giving to the poor? How much should you give? Are there things that you should not be allowed to spend your money on? What are they? Explain your answers.
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