The worst of guardians is a cruel ruler. Beware of becoming one of them.
MuhammadRead
If you disclose your alms, even then it is well done, but if you keep them secret, and give them to the poor, then that is better still for you;?and this wipes off from you some of your evil deeds.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Giving secretly is more virtuous than giving openly.
This quote emphasizes the importance of charity and the value of discretion when helping others. It suggests that while any act of giving is commendable, keeping such acts private enhances their significance and leads to greater spiritual rewards, as the humble nature of the act reflects a purer intention and deeper selflessness.
Themes
CharityAlmsSecrecyGood DeedsHelping Others
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about philanthropy, one might quote this to highlight the value of discreet donations.
More from Muhammad
All quotes →It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad, and it is better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent, but silence is better than idle words.
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In Paradise there are things which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human mind has thought of.
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It is not within the character of a believer to curse, to damn, to speak or act improperly.
MuhammadRead
There will be no hatred or resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify God, morning and evening.
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The best jihad is to speak a word of justice to an oppressive ruler.
MuhammadRead
Similar quotes
Be ever watchful for the opportunity to shelter little children with the umbrella of your charity; be generous to their schools, their hospitals, and their places of worship. For, as they must bear the burdens of our mistakes, so are they in their innocence the repositories of our hopes for the upward progress of humanity.
Conrad HiltonRead
It is our duty to prefer the service of the poor to everything else and to offer such service as quickly as possible. If a needy person requires medicine or other help during prayer time, do whatever has to be done with peace of mind. Offer the deed to God as your prayer.... Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover, all rules must lead to charity.
St. VincentRead
As for charity, it is a matter in which the immediate effect on the persons directly concerned, and the ultimate consequence to the general good, are apt to be at complete war with one another.
John Stuart MillRead
I could have waited years, now that I knew the end of the story. I was cold and wet and very happy. I could even look with charity towards the altar and the figure dangling there. She loves us both, I thought, but if there is to be a conflict between an image and a man, I know who will win. I could put my hand on her thigh or my mouth on her breast; he was imprisoned behind the altar and couldn't move to plead his cause.
Graham GreeneRead
Christ commands you to take up His cross and follow Him, not that He may humble you, or lay some penance upon you, but that you may surrender the low self-will and the feeble pride of your sin, and ascend into the sublime patience of heavenly charity.
Horace BushnellRead
To be poor does not mean you lack the means to extend charity to another. You may lack money or food, but you have the gift of friendship to overwhelm the loneliness that grips the lives of so many.
Stanley HauerwasRead