Donations and Grudges: Islamic Guidance on Charity and Relationships

A reader sought guidance on the permissibility of donating to individuals or organizations whose use of the funds is uncertain, expressing concern about potential misuse of their charitable contributions. The query highlights a common dilemma faced by potential donors who wish to ensure their donations serve their intended purpose.

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You can donate to someone as long as you do not believe they will use it for a wrongful purpose.

In response, religious scholar Ustaz Fauwaz Fadzil stated that donating is permissible as long as the donor does not have firm belief that the recipient will employ the funds for an improper or sinful path. This ruling emphasizes the importance of intention and the absence of confirmed knowledge of wrongdoing on the part of the recipient.

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It is best for you to attend because it strengthens the ties of kinship, unless there is a religious obstacle.

The article also addresses another reader's question regarding the Islamic injunction against maintaining animosity towards another Muslim for more than three days. The reader, Junaidi from Kajang, described a situation where he declined a wedding invitation from someone with whom he frequently disagrees, questioning if this refusal violates the Islamic principle. Ustaz Fauwaz advised that attending such an event is preferable as it helps to maintain and strengthen ties of kinship and goodwill, unless there is a valid religious impediment. The scholar reiterated that Muslims are generally forbidden from harboring ill feelings towards each other beyond the stipulated three-day period.

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We are not allowed to hold grudges against others for more than three days.