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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Zakat_and_Charity, page : 14
the viper at the scorpion‟s expense; as the scorpion gets weaker so does the
snake get stronger. Things would have been better left as they were. The way to
reinforce those attributes to act in accordance with their demands, while the way
to reduce their power is to combat and oppose them and to act counter to their
demands. So what is the use of going against miserly impulses only to yield to
hypocritical motives, weakening the lesser only to reinforce the more powerful?
Give Openly
The fourth duty, when one knows that such conduct will tend to encourage others
to follow suit, is to let one‟s giving be seen. In doing so, however, one must be
inwardly on guard against hypocritical motives. Allah, the Almighty has said:
“If you reveal your charity it is good,…” (Koran Ch. 2 verse 271)
That is, in cases where display is called for, either to set a good example or
because a beggar has made his request in public. In the latter instance it is not
proper to withhold charity for fear of publicity; rather should one give while
making every effort to be inwardly on guard against hypocrisy. This is because,
snake get stronger. Things would have been better left as they were. The way to
reinforce those attributes to act in accordance with their demands, while the way
to reduce their power is to combat and oppose them and to act counter to their
demands. So what is the use of going against miserly impulses only to yield to
hypocritical motives, weakening the lesser only to reinforce the more powerful?
Give Openly
The fourth duty, when one knows that such conduct will tend to encourage others
to follow suit, is to let one‟s giving be seen. In doing so, however, one must be
inwardly on guard against hypocritical motives. Allah, the Almighty has said:
“If you reveal your charity it is good,…” (Koran Ch. 2 verse 271)
That is, in cases where display is called for, either to set a good example or
because a beggar has made his request in public. In the latter instance it is not
proper to withhold charity for fear of publicity; rather should one give while
making every effort to be inwardly on guard against hypocrisy. This is because,