Humanitarianism is one of the fundamental principles of the Muslim religion. The act of giving money or helping someone in distress is not left to the free choice of the Believer, but is instead an obligation in the same way as is prayer, fasting during the month of Ramadhan and the pilgrimage to Makkah.

Acts of humanitarianism, whether limited to a donation in money or in kind, or of a more practical nature, such as distributing aid, are an essential element of religious practice for the Muslim. This religious dimension motivates, channels and intensifies the emotional and obligatory aspects of charity.

The Quranic texts and the Prophet ﷺ’s sayings calling for humanitarian action, defining and regulating it are numerous. They are either of an obligatory nature or a call for such work. To undertake a humanitarian act is a way of receiving help from Allah, of erasing sins, escaping punishment, thanking Allah for his mercies and earning Paradise.

Obligatory character

The Muslim religion considers both humanitarian actions and the duty to help as religious obligations by which all Muslims, rich and poor, are bound. Quranic texts and hadiths sometimes have an exhortatory tone encouraging charity works.

“The first to enter Paradise are those who do charitable works…”

At other times the texts are formulated as a clear order:

عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الْأَشْعَرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ أَطْعِمُوا الْجَائِعَ وَعُودُوا الْمَرِيضَ وَفُكُّوا الْعَانِيَ

Abu Musa Al-Ashari RA reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and set the captives free.” [al-Bukhari – 5373]

But there are also numerous texts which are severe in regard to those who do not help the poor, the orphans and the slaves. The obligatory nature of charity does not end with the wording of texts; Islam has also put practical mechanisms in place to manage humanitarian aid. These arrangements are very precise, as in the case of Zakaat.

Governments in the Muslim empire of the Caliphate organized humanitarian aid, sometimes using State power following advice from the religious scholars (ulema) to intervene in critical situations either by collecting Zakaat or by distributing aid to the needy. After interpreting several Quranic texts, religious scholars, such as Ibn Hazm, decreed that if Zakaat does not fulfil the needs of the poor, the Muslim government has the prerogative to mobilize available resources (State, local authorities, collectives, businesses, individuals…).

During the time of the second Caliph, Umar RA, there was dreadful famine throughout Arabia. He ordered governors from other provinces to make food collections and organize humanitarian convoys. Umar RA himself was involved in the distribution and said, “If the famine was to continue, I would put one hungry person in each Muslim household because people would not disappear if they share…”

On the basis of a hadith reported by Al Hakim, “If a person dies of hunger in a community, then all the residents of that community have put themselves outside Allah’s and the Prophet’s protection…” [Mustadrak], the Ulema have decreed that in such a case all the residents of the said community would be condemned and should be judged because they failed to give assistance.