In Islam, almsgiving is a good deed loved by Allah SWT. This is proved by many verses in the Quran that mention almsgiving. Due to the very good deeds of almsgiving, Allah also promises to wash away the sins of Muslims who give alms in the cause of Allah.
This is in accordance with the Quran surah al-Baqarah verse 271. In addition, in the same verse, Allah also says that the best alms is the alms that is given secretly or not shown off. Allah’s statement in this surah apparently also relates to things that can make the reward of almsgiving disappear.
Things that Wash away the Reward of Almsgiving
Some verses in the Quran explicitly mention that there are things that can cancel or deprive the reward of almsgiving. These verses include:
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“Those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah and do not follow their charity with reminders of their generosity or hurtful words—they will get their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 262)
“O believers! Do not waste your charity with reminders (of your generosity) or hurtful words, like those who donate their wealth just to show off and do not believe in Allah or the Last Day. Their example is that of a hard barren rock covered with a thin layer of soil hit by a strong rain—leaving it just a bare stone. Such people are unable to preserve the reward of their charity. Allah does not guide (such) disbelieving people.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 264)
Based on the two verses above, the things that can deprive the reward of almsgiving are broken down into the following five things:
Al-Mann or Bringing Up
Al-Mann comes from Arabic which means to bring up (something). In almsgiving, if a person continues to bring up and mention his/her almsgiving deeds in front of others, then his/her reward can disappear completely. This is because the person wants others to know the almsgiving deeds he/she has done.
Al-adhâ or to Hurt
Al-adhâ means ‘to hurt’. Hurting the heart of the person who is given alms is something that Allah dislikes. It is as mentioned in QS. Al-Baqarah verses 262 and 264. For this reason, if a person deliberately hurts the heart of the person who receives his/her alms with words or actions, then the alms he/she gives are not worth the reward.
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Riya or Bragging
Riya’ has the meaning of showing. Good deeds that are deliberately shown to many people so that they know it, are certainly not necessarily bad. There are a variety of intentions stored behind it, such as for others to do the same or to spread kindness. However, the word riya has a specific meaning, which is to show good deeds in order to get praise from others.
Sum’ah or Exaggerating
Sum’ah derives from the word sami’a which means to hear. In terms of the word, the word sum’ah is to do charity with the aim of being heard by others until the donor gets praise and becomes famous. Besides, sum’ah can also mean telling and exaggerating charity that have been done to others so that the donors get attention and are considered as special people.
Ujub/Takabur or Showing Superiority
Ujub or takabur is an attitude of showing the superiority and greatness that exist in a person. This is done so that a person gets praise from others. Besides, ujub and takabur can also mean a person who boasts of the strength and uniqueness that exist in him/her, he/she considers himself/herself the greatest, no one can rival his/her greatness and superiority, and he/she considers others inferior or more despicable in levels.
The five things above are mentioned by Allah as deeds that can cancel, damage, or deprive almsgiving. Whoever gives alms and accompanies his/her alms with the above five things, then he/she will not get even the slightest reward from their practice of almsgiving.