Charity is Charity

Reports of tsunami orphans being converted by aid groups violate the fundamental Islamic principle that charity must come with no strings attached, writes Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin.

This column was written for Impact International magazine in April 2005

Hundreds of orphans in the Tsunami, were reported to have been spirited away by some religious groups engaged in humanitarian work. It is sad that they were preying on vulnerable, unsuspecting victims. For such acts not only devalue the truly sincere humanitarian work but also bring the good name of their own religion such people claim to follow into disrepute. Charity should be for charity's sake.
How refreshing and strikingly different is the Islamic approach to humanitarian service that requires Muslims scrupulously to refrain from such 'food for faith' activities. Muslims are enjoined by Islam to adhere to the principle of seeking no return in exchange for charitable work.

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