Philanthropic Priorities and Purposes for Human Development in Islamic Perspective

Abstract

Philanthropy is mentioned in the holy Qur’ān and Hadīth repeatedly along with prayer as one of the basic tenets of faith. Spending wealth for charitable activities is the cause of social wellbeing. This research discusses about the various philanthropic modes of philanthropy in the light of Qur’ān and Hādith. The purpose of this research is to discuss about the Islamic philanthropic priorities and purposes for human development in Islamic perspective. Everything whether tangible, intangible and divine gifts are given from Allāh سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى for the wellbeing of humans so, it is essential to share these things to all humans on equal level, for human development purpose. The article discussed in detail various philanthropic approaches for the distribution of wealth among humans to create justice and equality, and for social development in society. There are two basic modes of charity obligatory and voluntarily. Obligatory mode of charity such as zakāt, zakāt ul-fitr and voluntarily modes like sadqāh, waqf, nadr, hadi, hibāh all these approaches are the backbone of the Islamic economic system for the progress of the society. It is concluded that Islām has obligated various philanthropic modes whose basic purpose is human development and social well-being by practicing all these charitable activities.