Gifts, Not Money, For Charity

Sadaqah (charity), like zakat (alms),  is something we must hasten and the fastest way to give charity after a paycheck is by giving it in a form of money. There's nothing wrong with giving money as charity, but I'm trying to avoid it under certain circumstances. So, here's a couple of reasons why I'm not giving money as charity.

1. Giving money directly to a person is a big no-no. Money is a piece of paper that has no value than what is declared by the government to be accepted as a form of payment or simply a medium of exchange. If we give money to a person as charity then what are we exactly exchanging it for? Someone comes and ask for help, don't give money, give something that is tangible and needed.

If money is given, then the person will make decisions with that money that might not help them and might seek more money to repeat those poor decisions (i.e. getting wasted).

And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness. 4. Surat An-Nisa (Women; 5)

2. Charitable organizations need money to operate, so they would take percentages of money given to them to cover wages or any operating costs. If we give money as charity to organizations, its distribution shouldn't be a portion, but whole. Every time I'm asked whether I would like to give my change to charity, I'm suspicious, how much of my change will actually go towards the cause?

A charitable organization needs a for-profit business backing. It should be a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing, where volunteers are employees of its company(ies) and those working on that wing are paid by the company. Any other arrangements are unsustainable and unecessarily robbing from the people's charity.

And test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach marriageable age. Then if you perceive in them sound judgement, release their property to them. And do not consume it excessively and quickly, [anticipating] that they will grow up. And whoever, [when acting as guardian], is self-sufficient should refrain [from taking a fee]; and whoever is poor - let him take according to what is acceptable. Then when you release their property to them, bring witnesses upon them. And sufficient is Allah as Accountant. 4. Surat An-Nisa (Women; 6)

This article was inspired by an ayat that I currently can't find....


but here's a sample of my doubt: http://m.csmonitor.com/Business/2015/0519/Cancer-charities-defrauded-donors-of-187-million-feds-say-video