Question:
Assalamualaikum wbt. I have a question regarding the COVID-19 fund that was recently launched. I intend to donate to the fund but I’m unsure as to whether this is permissible in Islam. Is it considered as a charity for Allah SWT? Hope for an explanation. Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
On 11th March 2020, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government under the premiership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has launched a special fund to provide financial assistance for those in need and the account is managed by the Malaysian National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA). The fund is intended to provide financial assistance to patients whose work has been affected because they are placed under quarantine at home or in hospitals if they are tested positive with the COVID-19. [1]
COVID-19 cases incurred a huge cost to fund its recovery and management which includes medical costs, respiratory facilities and equipment costs, as well as the cost of special clothing for COVID-19 personnel (such as personal protective equipment, PPE) and other costs. Furthermore, it would also affect the financial of any individual who has been tested positive because he would be quarantined and this would prevent him from going to work throughout his quarantine period.
Thus, the COVID-19 fund is created as a fund to help ease the burden for all those who are affected. This is a commendable initiative and decision made by the government in an effort to solve this issue. Initiatives such as this have been practised from the time of the Prophet PBUH during the war of Tabuk [2]. In times of dire financial needs to prepare for battle in terms of preparing for armour and military requirements, the Prophet PBUH launched a military fund where the Companions and Muslims donated according to their capabilities and sincerity. They did not use money from zakat.
Thus, in our opinion, the step the government has taken to launch a COVID-19 fund is appropriate and proactive to ease the burden of those affected at the same time utilizing it to help cover other expenses.
Accordingly, the government encourages private sectors, volunteer organizations and individuals to donate to this fund as a sign of our concern about the welfare of those who are affected by the spread of COVID-19.
Hence, any donation or contribution channelled for the purpose of charity with sincere intention, hoping for the rewards of Allah SWT without hoping for any compensation is a form of infaq to Allah SWT (any deed performed to get closer to Allah SWT and goodness) [See al-Mausu’ah al-Fiqhiyyah al-Kuwaitiyyah; 24/166]. Furthermore, it is also considered as sadaqah (donation/charity) that is encouraged in Islam.
Syeikh Muhammad al-Zuhaili stated in his book, giving basically or generally is a change of ownership without trade which means it is an absolute donation whether it is for the rich or poor, with or without the intention to get the rewards from Allah SWT, whether there is a change of ownership or not. And if something is given to get closer to Allah SWT and hope to get the rewards in the hereafter, then it is considered as sadaqah (charity). (See al-Mu’tamad fi al-Fiqh al-Syafie; 3/175). Thus, from here, we can differentiate between an absolute gift and sadaqah. Both are commendable acts, but with the intention of sadaqah and for Allah SWT, then a person will get rewarded by Allah SWT, while just a contribution is considered to be just a gift.
There are numerous evidences from the Quran and hadith of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH which narrates the advantages of sadaqah and we will share some of them in this discussion:
First: Allah SWT will multiply the rewards of those who give sadaqah
Allah SWT states:
مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍۗ وَاللَّـهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُۗ وَاللَّـهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٢٦١﴾
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.”
Surah al-Baqarah (261)
Second: Rewards for himself
Allah SWT states:
وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِأَنفُسِكُمْۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّـهِۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٧٢﴾
“And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.”
Surah al-Baqarah (272)
Third: Sadaqah is recompensed with adequacy
Allah SWT states:
وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٦٠﴾
“And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.”
Surah al-Anfal (60)
Fourth: Elevation of status beside Allah SWT
Allah SWT states:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَهَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ أَعْظَمُ دَرَجَةً عِندَ اللَّـهِ ۚ وَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَائِزُونَ ﴿٢٠﴾
The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success].
Surah al-Taubah (20)
Fifth: Getting closer to Allah SWT
Allah SWT states:
وَمِنَ الْأَعْرَابِ مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّـهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَيَتَّخِذُ مَا يُنفِقُ قُرُبَاتٍ عِندَ اللَّـهِ وَصَلَوَاتِ الرَّسُولِۚ أَلَا إِنَّهَا قُرْبَةٌ لَّهُمْۚ سَيُدْخِلُهُمُ اللَّـهُ فِي رَحْمَتِهِۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ﴿٩٩﴾
“But among the bedouins are some who believe in Allah and the Last Day and consider what they spend as means of nearness to Allah and of [obtaining] invocations of the Messenger. Unquestionably, it is a means of nearness for them. Allah will admit them to His mercy. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Surah al-Taubah (99)
According to all the above verses of the Quran, it is clear that Islam encourages its ummah to give sadaqah or infaq their property for Allah SWT. Thus, in our opinion, the COVID-19 fund is a great effort by the government to help people who are in need. Hence, donating to this fund with good intention, a sincere heart, without feelings of riya’ or being boastful, just trying to get closer to Allah SWT is considered as sadaqah.
Thus, we advise the government to utilize and manage this fund the best way possible, protecting the purpose and interests of why the fund was launched. We encourage the public who are capable to help ease the burden of those in need in terms of financial help especially for those who are in critical condition by donating to this fund.
Donations can be made to Bank Muamalat account under the name TABUNG BANTUAN BENCANA NEGARA 1601-0001138-71-4
May Allah SWT multiply our deeds and bless us in our effort to ease the burden of others as well as grant us sincerity in worshipping Him.
Wallahua’lam.
Endnotes:
[1]https://www.pmo.gov.my/ms/2020/03/tabung-covid-19-dilancar-bantu-pihak-terjejas-pm-muhyiddin/ Accessed on 17 Mac 2020
[2] This battle took place in the month of Rejab in the 9th Hijrah (October 631 AD). During the battle of Tabuk, the Prophet PBUH offered the wealthy Companions an opportunity to donate in the cause of Allah SWT (fi sabilillah) for the military preparation. It is narrated that in the battle of Tabuk, Saidina Uthman donated 900 camels, 100 horses and 1000 dinars, Abdul Rahman bin Auf donated 200 silver uqiyah, Saidina Abu Bakar donated all of his property which are 4000 dirham and Saidina Umar donated half of his property. While others donated their properties including women who came and donated their adornments from necklaces, earrings, bracelets and others to be given for Allah SWT’s cause. (See al-Rahiq al-Makhtum by Sofiyur Rahman al-Mubarakfuri, pg. 512-513)