I was having a conversation the other day with a young lady who comes from a somewhat affluent background. She was relaying to me that she had visited a country that was not so flourishing and how someone had helped put her luggage into a taxi and was waiting as though they were expecting a tip for assisting her with her luggage. On this she scoffed at them and shooed them off.

I immediately felt sick; sick because of her attitude which I considered totally pompous and condescending, not to mention disgusting.

I felt compelled to give her my view of the situation, a view that was instilled in me by my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and fortified by my religion.

Being kind, compassionate and giving in charity was and still is paramount throughout my family. I was instilled with the belief that we should process a Samaritan mentality and spirit.

We should never look down on anyone or put them in a position were they have to ask or beg for our help. Usually it is evident when help is needed, therefore we should without hesitation, especially if we are in a position to do so, help where needed. To enjoy making one beg and grovel is indeed mean and inhumane.

Begging is not encouraged in Islam, especially if one is able to earn a living. However, we should not scold the beggar.

The advice is to choose to give, or refuse politely and move on. However we are encouraged to give before we are asked thereby eliminating one to resort to begging, especially if it is obvious that help is needed. By the same token, we are taught not to scoff at one in need.

Repulsing or chiding the beggar is not allowed because Allah, may He be exalted, says: “and do not chide the one who asks for help”. (Ad-Duha 93:10).

One of the principles of Islam is to give in charity. In fact it is one of the five pillars of Islam.

What is the meaning of charity? The dictionary defines charity as “the act of giving help to those in need. It is a humanitarian act. It involves giving money, goods or time and effort to those who need it. It is done without expecting something in return.”

Being charitable is a humanitarian act and a wonderful characteristic to have. Some may say they have nothing to give but in Islam, even a smile is considered a charity. Therefore everyone has some form of charity to give.

It is narrated that a woman who was a prostitute was forgiven her sins because she gave a thirsty dog a drink of water. This was narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah’s messenger (pbuh) said, “A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that.”

It is easy to gain God’s favour by being kind and charitable just as He is kind and charitable to us.

May we never lose sight of being humble and never think ourselves above others because of what we may have in material possessions.

Bermuda, continue to speak up and stand up for justice at home and abroad. Call for peace and ceasefire wherever bombs are blasting. It’s the humanitarian thing to do.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam