Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praises is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompose. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path - the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those
who are astray. Ameen.
Nelly Marhayati, a student of State Islamic Institute of Bengkulu, has conducted a study to examine one's dynamic to give out Infaq and Sadaqah according to the social facilitation theory.
Social facilitation theory is defined as improvement in individual performance when working or doing something with other people rather than alone.
Infaq and Sadaqah is referred to as charity and is considered as having a vertical relationship between Allah s.w.t. and human being, and the act of doing it is Sunnah for both terms.
Some Muslims find difficulties in giving out Infaq and Sadaqah and often they do it without sincerity. This does not only apply to Infaq and Sadaqah but also to other type of worshipping.
According to the social facilitation theory, individual performance will enhance as another individual gets involved together. Phenomenology approach and analysis of interview data employed in this study revealed that social dynamics in individual behavior increased when performing Infaq and Sadaqah when they encounter with people with same intention.
However, individuals who considered Infaq and Sadaqah as a form of worship, the presence of others did not affect to individual’s decision in performing Infaq and Sadaqah.
As Muslims, this should not be the case. We must always have the mindset that what ever we do for the sake Allah s.w.t. is always a step closer to getting Jannah. We are not doing good because others are doing good. But we are doing good because it is an obligation for as a true Muslim.
Let's us all sit and reflect on what we have already done so far. May Allah s.w.t. gives you the guidance to be a better person. Ameen.
