Sage Thiru-valluvar
"The Bard of Universal Man"
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Chapter - 23 : Giving
 

Introductory Note

The Sanskrit equivalent of “……………..” is “daan.”

What is the difference between beneficence and giving – that is previous chapter and this one?"...They ask thee how much they are to spend; say: 'What is beyond your needs.' Thus doth Allah make clear to you His Signs..." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Baqara 2.219, The Quran. [14]

Al religious emphasize charity as a virtue but in Islam it is at the highest pedestal amongst all the virtues.

There are two forms of charity in Islam – called Zakat (or Poor Due) and Sadaqat (Charity, as we understand normally). These are differentiated because Zakat is a statutory obligation of every Muslim under Islamic law whereas Sadaqat is discretionary – left to the will of the individual Muslim.

Zakat (Poor Due) has a very high importance in Islam. It is mentioned in 32 verses of The Holy Quran and it is also one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Every well off Muslim is obliged to contribute this under Islamic law and the Islamic state or community arrange for the collection. The amount contributed in 2.5% of gold, silver & cash – and varies for other items. The amount collected is spent for eight purposes: viz for the poor, the needy, the collectors of Zakat, prospective converts to Islam, freeing of captives, those in debt, Allah’s cause (mujahidin), the wayfarers.

The Concept of Zakat is similar to “Duty to Society” described in this chapter of Thirukural. Similarity between the two lies in the fact that both are duties towards the society as a whole – though one is statutory while the other is discretionary.

On the other hand, the concept of Sadaqat described in Islam is similar “Contribution / Charity” described next chapter of Thirukural – both of which are duties towards individuals. Click here to read more on Charity in Islam.Liberality is one of the seven Holy Virtues in Christianity. It is willingness to give, nobility in thought & action and is called “liberalis” in Latin. It is opposite of Greed, one of Seven Deadly sins [2].

Charity is one of the highest virtues in most religions. If unanimity between religions is the criteria, then charity is certainly a universal virtue and is amongst the top five, other contenders being – faith, love, non-violence, truth, the “golden” rule. Amongst major religions Islam places it on the highest pedestal by including it amongst the Five Pillars of Islam and this one of the unique features of Islam.

Translation(s)

Call that a gift which you dispense to needy men. All else seeking for recompense is void of good.

Explanation

The real nature of charity: it seeks no return.

Translation(s)

Though men declare it (that is to give is) heavenward path, yet to receive is ill. Though upper heaven were not, to give is virtue still.

Explanation

Even if there were no heaven to reward the act of giving, still giving is a virtue.We have already noted above that ‘Zakat’ – giving a fixed portion of one’s income to charity – is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Prophet Muhammad (saw) has also told specifically who the deserving and needy are, besides our immediate relatives:

"...(Show) kindness unto parents, and unto near kindred, and orphans, and the needy, and unto the neighbour who is of kin (unto you) and the neighbour who is not of kin, and the fellow-traveller and the wayfarer and (the slaves) whom your right hands possess...." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), An-Nisa 4.36, The Quran. [7]

"They ask thee, (O Muhammad), what they shall spend. Say: that which ye spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatsoever good ye do, lo! Allah is Aware of it." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Baqara 2.215, The Quran. [7]

"(Alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shalt know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it." - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Baqara 2.273, The Quran. [7]

Translation(s)

“I don’t have” is never the high born man’s reply; he gives to those who themselves raise that cry (of “I don’t have”).

 

Translation(s)

“The suppliants’ cry for aid yields scant delight,
Until you see his face with grateful gladness bright.”
 – Translation by Rev. G. U. Pope

 

Translation(s)

Amidst devotees they are great who sustain hunger’s pangs. Those who relieve hunger’s pangs gain higher merit.

Explanation

Devotees undertake penance, which can be eating only once a day or living only on milk or fasting. They thus bear hunger pangs. But men who give food to the hungry and relieve their hunger have merit than the above mentioned devotees.

Translation(s)

Let man relieve the wasting hunger men endure, for the treasure he gains thus he finds a secure treasure-house.

Explanation

His possessions are converted into another treasure of good deeds which he can securely carry with him in this life and to the next.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."
- Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Albanian born Indian Missionary and Founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity. Nobel Prize for Peace in 1979 (1910-1997)

Translation(s)

One whose soul delights to share his meal with hungry men, he shall never feel the sore sickness of hunger.

 

Translation(s)

Do they not know the delight of gladdening human hearts with gifts; the men of unpitying eye, who hoard their wealth and lose it so?

Explanation

Wealth is said to be unstable since it can be lost. It can be destroyed or taken away in a war or by thieves or lost in business. So hoarding it was not a good strategy.

Translation(s)

They keep their stores full and for self alone the board (for serving food) they spread; it is greater pain, be sure, than begging daily bread!

Explanation

Loneliness and insulation of not sharing is also a pain – it is more than that of begging.

Translation(s)

To die in bitter pain! For him who finds nothing to give it is worse (pain) to live.

 

Summary Note

Commentators say: “The last chapter refers to this world; this to next world. There charity is inculcated due to man’s position, here as necessary for obtaining of ‘Vidu”. “Vidu” refers to house above.There are more dimensions to charity than what is said in this chapter of Thirukural. Doing charity is fine, but it should be done without show-off. Here are the famous words of Jesus Christ:

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

– Jesus Christ, Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6.2-4, The Holy Bible [3].

Charity should be done in secret, but one should not expect even thanks in return. Here are the words of Prophet Muhammad (saw):

"Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent; their reward is with their Lord, and there shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve. ...O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen of men and believeth not in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is as the likeness of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk."- Al-Baqara 2.262-264, The Quran. [7]

"And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him, (8) (Saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you" - Prophet Muhammad (saw), Al-Insan 76.8-9, The Quran. [7] The Holy Quran has many many references to charity. Here is an outline:

Spend on others in the open or secret (verses 2.274, 13.22, 14.31, 35.29), in day light or might (verse 2.274) but make sure that you do not spend just to be seen or to show off (verses 2.267, 4.38). Spend or others from what is good and you like it for yourself (verse 2.267). Spend from things you love (verse 3.92). And spend from what you have earned with your own hard work (2.267). Do not reproach those whom you give, for what you confer upon them; do not remind them of your generosity; do not recount your gifts to them; and, do not hurt them with any annoying remarks (verses 2.262, 2.264). [10].

The concept of Sadaqat in Islam is similar to “contribution / charity” described in this chapter of Thirukural. On the other hand, the concept of Zakat in Islam is similar to “contribution to society” described in previous chapter of Thirukural. For more details please read commentary in previous chapter or Charity in Islam.

The Statue is located on a Rock 400 Metres from Mainland of India. This is Land's End.
It is mindboggling to think that there is only water from this point till Antartica.
Thiruvalluvar Memorial (133 Feet, 7000 Tonnes), Kanyakumari, India
Cr

References