Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 752 [Read full issue]
Burhan
"Charity is a proof" [Muslim]
Charity or sadaqa is the giving of one's wealth to others for the sake of Allah. The Prophet, peace be upon him, described charity as a burhan. Burhan are the rays that are emitted by the sun. Part of their significance is that they clearly and unequivocally point to the existence of their source, the sun. That is why a "proof" or "definitive argument" is called a burhan. It unequivocally points to the truth of what it is being used to prove.
The Prophet has befittingly called charity a burhan or demonstrative proof. This has been explained in more than one way. These explanations are not contradictory and they all could have been meant by the Prophet when he made the statement.
One explanation of this hadith is that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was alluding to the fact that sadaqa is a sign of one's true belief. By its nature, wealth is something beloved to a human being. Giving up part of one's wealth for the sake of Allah is a much greater sign of one's faith than mere lip service. In general, hypocrites are not willing to give in charity (unless to be seen) for they are not willing to part their wealth.
A second explanation is that a person's sadaqa will be a proof for him on the Day of Judgement when he is asked about his wealth and how he used it in this life. He will rush to his charity and seek refuge in it in the same way that one rushed to a proof for support and help.
Compiled From:
"Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi" - Jamaal al-Din M. Zarabozo, pp. 884, 885