Charity is one of the best ways to bring ourselves closer to God and increase our faith. The Prophet Muhammad said: "The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity." Al-Tirmidhi
There are several different ways to give charity and fulfill this important duty as a Muslim.
Give Charity: Money
Islam commands Muslims to give charity to the poor. Whether you give charity directly to a family in need, the homeless, the hungry, or through organizations like Zakat Foundation, the important thing is that we are sharing what Allah has blessed us with. Monetary charity is one of the most important types because it helps in a tangible and immediate way. The money will go to food which will help feed the hungry or may buy clothes or school supplies for disadvantaged children.
Some donations can be considered a continuous charity (Sadaqah Jaariyah), or reward from charity that is ongoing even after you die. Sadaqah Jaariyah is not just limited to schools and Mosques. The Prophet said:
“The good deeds that will reach a believer after his death are: knowledge which he learned and then spread; a righteous son whom he leaves behind; a copy of the Quran that he leaves as a legacy; a mosque that he built; a house that he built for wayfarers; a canal that he dug; or charity that he gave during his lifetime when he was in good health. These deeds will reach him after his death.”
Give Charity: Volunteering your time
Some might not have the means to give charity through monetary contributions, but we have all been blessed with time. Donating time is a great way to give charity. Going out to your local masjid, community center, non-profit organization, homeless shelter or school and giving a few hours of our time is not only a way to give charity and help out, but also increases our faith in Allah.
Give Charity: A Smile
The Prophet said "Your smile for your brother is charity." The simple act of moving 17 muscles is a chance to bring ourselves that much closer to the doors of Paradise. To give charity is to pass on a blessing you have been given from Allah to others. So give charity by sharing some of your happiness — just a simple, bright smile — and brighten a fellow brother or sister’s day.
Give Charity: Picking something up out of the road
The Prophet Muhammad said: "The doors of goodness are many...enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one's legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one's arms--all of these are charity prescribed for you."
Give Charity: Give Advice
Allah tests each one of us in different ways and at different times — and everyone who is tested needs advice. Giving a brother or sister advice is sharing with them knowledge which Allah has blessed you to have and a way to give charity.
The Prophet PBUH said: "Every act of goodness is charity." With good intentions, a small piece of advice, be it to a sister about her hijab, a brother about the volume of their voice, or to a friend about their prayer, is a way to give charity and spread knowledge.
Give Charity: Tasbeeha
You probably might not have realized it, but a simple act which many of us do after every prayer and before we go to sleep is considered charity. The Prophet said: “Has not Allah made things for you to give away in charity? Truly every tasbiha is a charity, every takbira is a charity, every tahmida is a charity, and every tahlila is a charity; to enjoin a good action is a charity, to forbid an evil action is a charity…”
With all the different ways to give charity, Islam makes it extremely easy for a person to increase their faith and give charity.