Is it permissible for a person with great financial ability to benefit from charity? I do not mean money but such types of charitable deeds as putting water coolers in streets or mosques or distributing dried dates at Iftaar meals, in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam for example. Is a rich person allowed to benefit from such types of charity?

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 ‘alayhiwasallam, is His slave and messenger.

The only type of charity that may not be given to the rich is Zakah. But, voluntary charity may be given to the poor and rich alike. In Sharh Al-Muwatta', Al-Baaji said: “Voluntary charity may be given to anyone, rich or poor.”

In SharhSunan Abu Dawood, Al-‘AzeemAbadi said: “Voluntary charity is like a gift; it may be consumed by both the poor and rich.” He said: “Az-Zarqaani mentioned this in Sharh Al-Muwatta'.”

In the Fiqh Encyclopedia (it says): “Charity may be given to the rich as it is to the poor. The rich refers tothe onewho is not allowed to receive Zakah on account of his wealth. He may take voluntary charity. Yet, it is recommended for him to refrain and abstain from taking such money.

Accordingly, a rich person may drink from water coolers in streets or beside mosques or eat from the dried dates given at the time of Iftaar. Charity of this kind is mostly presented to all people. But, if anysuch charitable deeds are specifically directed to the poor, he should not benefit from it knowingly.

Allaah Knows best.