Charity, Even with a Trifle is a very short but valuable booklet by Abdul Malik Al-Qasim, a renowned religious scholar. The actual translation of the Arabic title would be Even by a Part of a Date; The title takes its name from a saying of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam, in which he urged us to "avoid hellfire, even by a part of a date (that you give away in charity)."

The book not only exhorts the reader to give charity by recounting the numerous Quranic verses and ahadith in this regard, but also gives us inspiring examples of various prophets and companions of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam, men and women who were astounding in their generosity, and who feared the Standing before their Lord above all else; to give the example of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam himself, the author recounts a hadith in which a man came to the Prophet and received a herd of sheep from him (PBUH) that filled the area between two mountains. The man went back to his people declaring ‘O my people! Embrace Islam, for Muhammad gives away like the one who does not fear poverty!’

There is another example recounted by Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who said, "One of the companions of the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam was given a gift of a sheep’s head. He said, ‘My brother has more need of this than I,’ and sent the head to one of his brothers, who sent it to another; seven times this occurred until the sheep’s head came back to the first man!"

The book also lists all the reasons for giving generously, as well as all the benefits of doing so. It shows how even the poorest person on the planet can be charitable, as even "meeting your brother with a smiling face is charity." It warns of giving publicly or boasting about what you give, as showing off spoils a good act and renders it useless or worse, harmful for the giver. It also warns against reminding the receiver of your gift.

Charity, Even with a Trifle may be a small booklet, easily readable in an hour, but it is an absolute fountain of inspiration and information. In an age where materialism is the new religion, with everyone competing for the biggest house, the fastest car, the latest mobile phone, this book is absolutely essential to get us back on track and remind us of what is really important and what is not. It is truly a humbling experience to read about all those amazing people, and a must read to get us giving, especially in Ramadan.