Coming of a Muslim
Many places in the Holy Quran, feeding an orphan or an indigent, serving humanity is mentioned before belief in God. In other places, belief in God is followed by service to humanity. A person who shares his wealth and possessions with his needy relatives and others has a beautiful character. He does so only for the love of God without seeking a reward from people. God makes it easy for such a person to become a Muslim.
On the other hand, a person may already be a Muslim and also serving humanity. Such a Muslim is true in word and deeds. There are also many verses in the Holy Quran which speak about severe punishment and being placed in the Hellfire for those people who do not give a portion of their wealth to the needy.
Below are some references from the Holy Quran:
In these verses, giving is mentioned before belief in God.
"So he who gives (in charity) and fears
(God), And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best,-We will indeed make
smooth for him the path to Bliss. But he who is a greedy miser and
thinks himself self-sufficient, And gives the lie to the best,- We will
indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery;" (92:5-10)
"And what will explain to thee the path
that is steep?- (It is:) freeing the bondman; Or the giving of food in a
day of privation To the orphan with claims of relationship, Or to the
indigent (down) in the dust. Then will he be of those who believe, and
enjoin patience, (constancy, and self-restraint), and enjoin deeds of
kindness and compassion. Such are the Companions of the Right Hand. But
those who reject Our Signs, they are the (unhappy) Companions of the
Left Hand. On them will be Fire vaulted over (all round)." (90:12-20)
The following verse, which gives out real meanings of virtue
or righteousness first mentions belief in God and then service to
humanity:
"It is not righteousness that ye turn
your faces towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in
God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers;
to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for
orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the
ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular
charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and
patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all
periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing."(2.177)
The following is one of many places where severe punishment is mentioned for those who hoard wealth:
"Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger
and-backbiter, Who piles up wealth and lays it by, Thinking that his
wealth would make him last for ever! By no means! He will be sure to be
thrown into That which Breaks to Pieces, And what will explain to thee
That which Breaks to Pieces? (It is) the Fire of (the Wrath of) God
kindled (to a blaze), The which does mount (Right) to the Hearts: It
shall be made into a vault over them, In columns outstretched." (THE
TRADUCER, THE GOSSIPMONGER, CHAPTER NO. 104)
In fact, materialism appears to be the number one aspect of
"Shirk" (Polytheism) prevalent in today's world, among Muslims and
non-Muslims alike. Coupled with scandal-mongering and backbiting, the
other top ranking diseases among people, the end result is the worst
place in Hellfire unless a person repents and mends his ways.
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