You feel obligated to help everyone who asks for help because you're afraid of sinning. Someone asks for a loan, and you immediately transfer money even though your own savings are low. But by the end of the month, you struggle to pay your bills or sometimes even have to go into debt. Giving charity is noble, but it doesn't mean we should empty our wallets to the point of burdening ourselves or even others.
Be Wise in Giving Charity
Words of the Prophetﷺ
Spend your wealth in charity. Do not withhold it (by hoarding it and refusing to give). If you do, Allah will remove the blessings from that provision. Do not hold back Allah's bounty upon you, or else Allah will withhold His bounty and generosity from you.
Book24Ch.10No.1433
Al-Bukhari, M. (2020) Sahih Al-Bukhari. Compiled by M. Mohee Uddin.
Giving Charity is Good, But Don't Sacrifice Your Needs Narrated by Ka`b bin Malik: "O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! To show my sincere repentance, I want to give away all my wealth as charity for Allah's sake through you." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It would be better for you to keep some of your wealth." I replied, "Then I will keep my portion in Khaibar."
The companion wanted to give away all his wealth as part of his repentance, a truly noble intention. But the Prophet (ﷺ) actually told him to keep some of his wealth. Why? Because we have a responsibility to ourselves and our families. If we give away all our wealth in charity and then we and our families end up struggling, who will provide for us? Islam teaches balance in worship,we and our families also have rights over the wealth we possess.
Many people can't say "no" because they're afraid of being called stingy or heartless. Every time someone asks for a loan, donation, or financial help, they immediately give, even though their own bank account is running low.Then? They're the ones who end up struggling. Or Some give charity so generously or help others to the point of going into debt. "I'll borrow money to help them, I'll pay it back later." This is problematic because you're creating a new burden (debt) for yourself just to solve someone else's problem. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The best charity is that which is given by a wealthy person."
If you give charity until you're broke and suddenly you're the one who needs help, all you've done is create a pointless cycle of people needing each other. You could've been helping people for years, but now you can't because you're struggling too. It's way better to give in a way that's sustainable regular, manageable charity, than to give everything at once and end up bankrupt.
Charity is Not Only About Money Rasulullah (ﷺ) said: "Every Muslim is obligated to give charity." People asked, "O Prophet of Allah! What if someone has nothing to give?" He answered, "Let him work with his hands, benefit himself, and give from what he earns." They asked, "What if he can't even do that?" He said, "Then let him help those in need who ask for help." They asked again, "What if he's unable to do that?" He replied, "Then let him do good and avoid evil, that will count as charity."