Charity

Assalam alaikum & peace to all

I saw this on Umm Ibrahim's blog and thought I would 'join' in.

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Poverty is a sad fact in all society's around the world.
Sadly I fear that it will not end any time soon, as pessimistic
as this sounds we all know that it is a reality.

I looked up some verses from the quran about poverty.

[17:31] You shall not kill your children due to fear of poverty.
We provide for them, as well as for you. Killing them is a gross offense.

[22:28]They may seek commercial benefits, and they shall
commemorate GOD's name during the specified days for
providing them with livestock.
"Eat therefrom and feed the despondent and the poor."

[2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat)
and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down
with those who bow down.

[2:270] Any charity you give, or a charitable pledge you fulfill,
GOD is fully aware thereof. As for the wicked, they will have no helpers.

Charity in the Quran is mentioned over and over again, it is in fact a
tenant of the faith. Islam is so many times mentioned in society
as an 'evil' religion and its adherents are terrorists and are only
after bombing something or someone. Sad really when religion is
blamed for the stupidity of individuals. I won't get into this subject
too much (because it just gets me too upset). I can't help but
wonder why Muslims are not known more for their charity?
There are several verses that command charity and alms giving,
as I said before it is a tenant of the faith, therefore mandatory!
So why is the focus on evil ways, or dishonesty, or trivial matters
like dress and not on the importance of charity in our society?
The media is to blame, yes, I agree but you know what? So are
we all! Yes, as hard as it is to swallow we are all to blame. Are
we as Muslims out there promoting charity or good will? Are
we out there in our own societies helping out ALL people (not
just 'believers') OK, there may be some who are - I am not lumping
in all Muslims in one, because I know that that is not true about all
Muslims. But think about it, when was the last time you saw a Muslim
helping out at a food bank, or at a donation center? When was the last
time you heard an Imam talking about poverty, and the importance of
charity to all people? I'm not looking to see this on TV or read about it
in the newspapers, because that won't happen. (Good news stories never
make the headlines, be it a Muslim or not who is doing it) I want
to see this with my own eyes in the community. I want to be a part
of something 'better', I want to make a difference in the lives of the
poor and unfortunate. I want to be a 'good Muslim', meaning I want
to live my life as God has intended it to with prayer, charity and
compassion.
With prayer and charity as my guide I cannot go wrong! Let us all
pray that we are given the opportunity to help each other.