The Role of Charity in Islam and Christianity: A Comparative Analysis
Keywords:
Charity, Interfaith Dialogue, Islam, Christianity, Social Justice
Abstract
This research examines the role of charity in Islam and Christianity, highlighting both the theological underpinnings and practical applications of charitable practices within each tradition. By employing a comparative analysis methodology, the study draws upon primary religious texts, including the Qur'an and the Bible, as well as secondary scholarly sources to explore the definitions, types, and ethical principles associated with charity in both faiths. Key themes such as compassion, social justice, and community responsibility are analysed to uncover commonalities and differences between Islamic and Christian charitable practices. Additionally, the research includes case studies of contemporary charity initiatives in Muslim and Christian communities, illustrating how these traditions address social issues such as poverty, inequality, and crisis response. Through interviews and surveys conducted with religious leaders and practitioners, the study also investigates the impact of interfaith collaborations on charitable efforts. The findings reveal that while both faiths emphasise the importance of charity as a moral obligation, the expressions and institutional frameworks differ significantly. This research contributes to the broader discourse on interfaith dialogue by demonstrating how shared values in charity can foster mutual understanding and cooperation between Muslims and Christians, ultimately suggesting pathways for collaborative efforts to address pressing societal challenges.
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References
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Wuthnow, R. (2012). Acts of compassion: Caring for others and helping ourselves. Princeton University Press.
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Yusuf, N., Wuryandini, A. R., & Amaliah, T. H. (2023). Sadaqah Financial Management and Accounting Practices in a Community. Atestasi: Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 6(1), 67-82.
Abdullah, H. M. F., & Akhtar, J. (2023). Religious Freedom: A way to promote Inter-and Intra-faith Harmony for establishing a Just Society. Tanazur, 4(2), 70-93.
Abdul-Rahman, M. S. (2003). Islam: Questions and answers-Basis for jurisprudence and Islamic rulings. MSA Publication Limited.
Ahmed, H. (2004). Role of zakah and awqaf in poverty alleviation. Jeddah: Islamic Development Bank, Islamic Research and Training Institute.
Al-Bawwab, R. A. (2023). Zakat: changing the framework of giving. Islamic Economic Studies, 30(2), 86-103.
Ali, Z., Anjum, G. M., Iqbal, J., & Ahmad, I. (2024). The Role of Islamic Values in Promoting Social Justice and Community Welfare. International Research Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 5(1), 575-585.
Amanuel, R. (2022). Assessing Challenges, Practices of Monitoring, and Evaluation in Projects: Case Study of Catholic Relief Services (Doctoral Dissertation, St. Mary’s University).
Anderson, G. A. (2013). Charity: The place of the poor in the biblical tradition. Yale University Press.
Arif, M., Aziz, M. K. N. A., & Abdurakhmonovich, Y. A. (2024). Trend strategy to prevent bullying in islamic boarding schools (pesantren). Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun, 12(2), 639-670.
Arif, M., Kartiko, A., Rusydi, I., Zamroni, M. A., & Hasan, M. S. (2024). The Existence of Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Based on Pesantren: Challenges and Opportunities in The Digital Era. Munaddhomah: Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 5(4), 367–382. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i4.1401
Awang, S. A. (2017). An investigation on the patterns and antecedents of charitable giving behaviour among Muslims in Malaysia (Doctoral dissertation, University of Malaya (Malaysia)).
Boaheng, I. (2024). John Wesley’s Pneumatology and its application to the contemporary Ghanaian public space. Social Sciences, Humanities and Education Journal (SHE Journal), 5(2), 322-339.
Borthwick, P. (2015). Great commission, great compassion: Following Jesus and loving the world. InterVarsity Press.
Brodman, J. (2009). Charity and religion in medieval Europe. CUA Press.
Cheung, S. W. L., & Kuah, K. E. (2019). Being Christian through external giving. Religions, 10(9), 529.
Chevalier-Watts, J. (2019). Faith, hope and charity–a critical review of charity law's socio-legal reconciliation of the advancement of religion as a recognised head of charity (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Waikato).
Chittick, W. (2014). Love in Islamic thought. Religion Compass, 8(7), 229-238.
Clinger Jr, M. J. (2016). A Church Built on Charity: Augustine's Ecclesiology.
Dey, H. W. (2008). Diaconiae, xenodochia, hospitalia and monasteries:‘social security’ and the meaning of monasticism in early medieval Rome. Early Medieval Europe, 16(4), 398-422.
Dhifallah, A. (2024). Navigating Dual Commitments: Adherence of Muslim NGOs to Islamic Principles While Integrating Humanitarian Principles-A Case Study on Islamic Relief Worldwide (Master's thesis, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (Qatar)).
Dworkin, R. (2018). What is equality? Part 2: Equality of resources. In The notion of equality (pp. 143-205). Routledge.
Faber, D., McCarthy, D., & Auriffeille, D. M. (Eds.). (2005). Foundations for social change: Critical perspectives on philanthropy and popular movements. Rowman & Littlefield.
Freeburg, D. (2016). Trust and tithing: The relationships between religious social capital and church financial giving. Journal of Contemporary Ministry, (2), 39-55.
Gilani, S. I. M. (2006). Zakat in Pakistan.
Gutiérrez, G. (2012). Preferential option for the poor. An Immigration of Theology: Theology of Context as the Theological Method of Virgilio Elizondo and Gustavo Gutierrez, 99.
Hamdi, W. B., Aderibigbe, S. A., Idriz, M., & Alghfeli, M. M. (2024). Faith in Humanity: Religious Charitable Organizations Solidarity towards Migrants in the United Arab Emirates. Religions, 15(3), 266.
Harvey, S. (2022). Disrupting the Shard Perspective: Leading a Culture of Justice for the Reimagined Church. Doctoral Dissertation, George Fox University
Ioannidou, F., & Konstantikaki, V. (2008). Empathy and emotional intelligence: What is it really about? International Journal of Caring Sciences, 1(3), 118.
Isgandarovaa, N. (2010). The Contribution of Muslim Charities in the West to International Development. OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, 1(01), 39-44.
Kammer, F. (2004). Doing faith justice: An introduction to Catholic social thought. Paulist Press.
Kunhibava, S., Muneeza, A., Khalid, M. B., Mustapha, Z., & Sen, T. M. (2024). Islamic Social Finance. Springer Nature Singapore.
Malik, S. U. (2018). A Culture of Charity: American Imams from Cairo to California. University of California, Riverside.
Marshall, K., Roy, S., Seiple, C., & Slim, H. (2021). Religious Engagement in Development: What Impact Does it Have? The Review of Faith & International Affairs, 19(sup1), 42-62.
Martin, M. W. (1994). Virtuous giving: Philanthropy, voluntary service, and caring. Indiana University Press.
Meguid, C. A. (2024). The 40 Divine Values of Well-Being and Success in Islam. CYNTHIA AISHA MEGUID.
Nickerson, D. B. (2011). Interfaith Dialogue: Charity (Doctoral dissertation, Acadia University).
Nouwen, H. J., & Mogabgab, J. S. (2010). A spirituality of fundraising. Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books.
Oyer, J. S. (2001). Lutheran Reformers Against Anabaptists (Vol. 13). The Baptist Standard Bearer, Inc..
Pembroke, N. (2019). Empathic and compassionate healthcare as a Christian spiritual practice. Practical Theology, 12(2), 133-146.
SanPietro, I. (2014). Money, Power, Respect: Charity and the Creation of the Church. Columbia University.
Santhosh, A. (2023). Zakat and Social Welfare: The Role of Islamic Charitable Practices in Contemporary Societies. Jus Corpus LJ, 4, 590.
Shapiro, R. R., & Shapiro, R. M. (2012). Amazing chesed: Living a grace-filled Judaism. Jewish Lights Publishing.
Smith, D. H., Eng, S., & Albertson, K. (2016). The darker side of philanthropy: How self-interest and incompetence can overcome a love of mankind and serve the public interest. In The Routledge Companion to Philanthropy (pp. 273-286). Routledge.
Strauss, C., Taylor, B. L., Gu, J., Kuyken, W., Baer, R., Jones, F., & Cavanagh, K. (2016). What is compassion and how can we measure it? A review of definitions and measures. Clinical psychology review, 47, 15-27.
Torchon, M. (2020). A Methodist Perspective on Aid-Dependency in Haitian Protestantism. The University of Manchester, United Kingdom.
Tück, J. H. (2018). A gift of presence: the theology and poetry of the Eucharist in Thomas Aquinas. CUA Press.
Ujházi, L. (2020). The Significance of Charity (Caritas) in the Governing, Sanctifying, and Teaching Mission of the Church.
US Catholic Church. (2012). Catechism of the Catholic Church. Image.
Wadell, P. J. (2009). The primacy of love: An introduction to the ethics of Thomas Aquinas. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Wadud, A. (2021). Reflections on Islamic Feminist Exegesis of the Qur’an. Religions 12: 497.
West, C. (2008). Hope is on a tightrope. Hay House, Inc.
Wuthnow, R. (2012). Acts of compassion: Caring for others and helping ourselves. Princeton University Press.
Yanklowitz, S. (2023). Pearls of Jewish Wisdom on Living with Kindness. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Yusuf, N., Wuryandini, A. R., & Amaliah, T. H. (2023). Sadaqah Financial Management and Accounting Practices in a Community. Atestasi: Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 6(1), 67-82.
Published
2025-04-24
How to Cite
Adeoye, M. A., & Pristiwiyanto, P. (2025). The Role of Charity in Islam and Christianity: A Comparative Analysis. Jurnal Paradigma, 17(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.53961/paradigma.v17i1.307
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Moses Adeleke Adeoye, Pristiwiyanto Pristiwiyanto
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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