Charity is not a favour but an obligation in Islam: Prof Anis

Islamabad

A two-day International Conference on 'Islamic Charity and Social Development in Pakistan' organised by the Department of Anthropology, Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), was inaugurated here on Wednesday. The conference was an integral activity of a project which is focused on ethnographic study of dynamics of charity in Pakistan supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC). 

While addressing the opening session, Dr. Javed Ashraf, vice chancellor of the Quaid-i-Azam University, lauded the organisers for the academic effort and scholarship in dealing with an important topic. He said that like many other social phenomenon, the relationship of Islamic charity with social development is also embroiled by several myths and hearsay which needs to be scientifically examined. He was of the view that other than financial support or spending charity encompasses various actions of good deeds including respecting all human beings, their faith and equal treatment. 

Senator Dr. Muhammad Ali Khan Saif, barrister-at-law, said that charity and charitable deeds form the core of Islamic precepts. “Since Islam emphasises the importance and cardinal status of 'Zakat', 'Sadaqa' and 'Khairat' and provision of facilities for fulfillment of basic human needs of people, therefore, charity has always enjoyed a pivotal status in Islamic teachings,” he added. 

Dr. Waheed Chaudhry, chairman of the Department of Anthropology and principal investigator of the project said that the relationship between Islamic charity and social development needs to be thoroughly investigated so the potential of charity can be streamlined towards the welfare of a common man. He also thanked the participants for their determined support to make the conference a success. 

Earlier, Professor Dr. Hafeez-ur-Rehman, co-principal investigator of the project and conference coordinator, briefed the audience regarding the project and objectives of the conference. 

Professor Dr. Anis Ahmad, vice chancellor of the Riphah International University, in his keynote address, said that 'charity' in Islam is not a favour while it is ‘ibadah' and an obligation. “Islamic state and society both have an obligation to relive difficulty and make life easy for people.