I want to give charity, but my mother prevents me in one way or another. Sometimes she tells me to give her the money I want to spend in charity, even though she does not really need it. Should I obey her in this matter?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Charity is a general term that applies to the obligatory charity, like Zakah, and voluntary charity. When it comes to obligatory charity, your mother has no right to prevent you from paying it, and you should disobey her in this regard. Indeed, Zakah is one of the pillars of Islam, and it must be fulfilled and there is no obedience to the contrary. Yet, if the charity is voluntary and your mother wants to prevent you from giving it, you should obey her, since obedience to one's parents is mandatory, whereas giving charity is commendable; if an obligation conflicts with a recommended act, the obligation should be given precedence, as unanimously agreed by the scholars. However, if you give the charity secretly, not letting her know about it, this is good.

Allaah Knows best.