Is It Permissible to Give Charity with the Intention of Healing? The Ruling on Charity for Removing Affliction and Fulfilling Needs
Learn the Islamic ruling on giving charity with the intention of seeking healing or removing affliction, and whether it is permissible to sacrifice a sheep or give charity for a specific need, along with the virtues of charity in Islam.
Many people ask: Is it permissible to give charity with the intention of seeking healing or relief from affliction? This question often arises during times of illness, hardship, or crisis, when Muslims turn to righteous deeds in the hope of receiving Allah’s mercy and relief.
Scholars from Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta have affirmed that giving charity with the intention that Allah grants healing or relieves distress is permissible. Charity is among the righteous deeds through which a servant draws closer to Allah, hoping for His mercy and blessings.
The Ruling on Giving Charity with the Intention of Healing
Shaykh Ahmed Wassam, Secretary of Fatwa at Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta, explained that it is permissible for a person to give charity on behalf of a needy individual with the intention that Allah removes illness or grants healing. He noted that this concept has a basis in the Prophetic Sunnah.
He referred to the story of the man who came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) because he was unable to fulfill the required expiation due to extreme poverty. The Prophet provided him with enough food to feed the poor, but when he learned that the man was poorer than anyone else, he instructed him to use it for himself and his family.
From this narration, scholars understand that charity may be a means of relieving hardship, removing affliction, and attaining Allah’s mercy.
Can Charity Be a Means of Healing?
Dr. Magdy Ashour, former advisor to the Grand Mufti of Egypt, stated that giving charity with the intention of fulfilling a specific need is permissible and carries no objection in Islamic law. Charity has immense virtue and may be a means of easing hardship and obtaining forgiveness for sins.
He cited the Prophet’s saying:
“Treat your sick through charity.”
He explained that a Muslim may give charity as a means of drawing closer to Allah during illness, hardship, or when seeking ease in personal affairs, while maintaining trust in Allah and taking the appropriate practical and medical means.
Is It Permissible to Sacrifice a Sheep with the Intention of Healing?
Dr. Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt and member of the Council of Senior Scholars, stated that there is no objection to sacrificing a sheep or another animal with the intention of seeking healing. He clarified that this is not considered a vow (nadhr); rather, it falls under the category of voluntary charity and seeking closeness to Allah.
He added that Allah accepts righteous deeds and may make them a cause of removing affliction and bringing goodness to His servants, provided the intention is sincere for His sake alone.
Types of Charity in Islam
Regular Charity
Shaykh Ahmed Mamdouh, Secretary of Fatwa at Dar Al-Ifta, explained that regular charity includes giving money, food, or any beneficial assistance directly to a poor or needy person.
Ongoing Charity (Sadaqah Jariyah)
Ongoing charity refers to charitable acts whose benefits continue long after they are given, such as:
- Building mosques.
- Contributing to the construction of hospitals.
- Endowing property and using its proceeds to support the poor and students of knowledge.
- Providing copies of the Qur’an in mosques.
The reward for ongoing charity continues even after a person's death, as mentioned in the authentic hadith that a person's deeds cease upon death except for three things, one of which is ongoing charity.
The Virtues of Charity in Relieving Hardship
Charity holds great significance in the life of a Muslim because it:
- Draws a person closer to Allah.
- Opens the doors of goodness and mercy.
- Helps relieve worries and hardships.
- Serves as a means of expiating sins, by Allah’s permission.
- Cultivates generosity and compassion toward those in need.
Conditions for Charity Given with the Intention of Healing
For charity to become a source of blessing and goodness, the following should be observed:
Sincerity to Allah
The intention should be purely for Allah’s sake, without seeking praise or recognition from others.
Having Good Expectations of Allah
A Muslim should firmly believe that healing and relief come only from Allah Almighty.
Helping Those in Need
The charity should be directed toward legitimate charitable causes, especially the poor and needy.
Is it permissible to give charity with the intention of seeking healing?
Yes. It is permissible to give charity with the hope that Allah grants healing or removes affliction.
Is sacrificing a sheep with the intention of healing considered a vow?
No. If the intention is voluntary charity and drawing closer to Allah, it is not considered a vow.
Does charity cure illness?
Charity is one of the means through which Allah may grant healing and goodness, but it does not replace medical treatment or taking the appropriate practical means.
What is the best type of charity?
Every act of charity is virtuous, but ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), whose benefits continue over time, is among the greatest forms.
Is it permissible to give charity for the fulfillment of a specific need?
Yes. A Muslim may give charity with the intention of seeking relief from hardship, the fulfillment of a need, or asking Allah for something, while maintaining sincerity and trust in Him.
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