DAAN
Literally: to give (to gift away).
The term Daan has several shades of meaning: alms, charity, offerings etc. Charity is basic to almost all the religious beliefs.
In Hinduism, it is the duty of every Hindu to give charity to Brahmins and alms to the beggars and offerings to temples.
In Sikhism, Daan is altogether a different concept. Begging as well as giving alms is not in consonance with the Sikh philosophy; there is no Brahmin (priestly) class in Sikhism; and, offerings to Gurdwaras are not considered Daan in the Sikh terminology. In Sikhism, offerings made at Gurdwaras are Bhaint (presentation).
Similarly, the Sikh institution of Daswandh (tithe) is altogether different from the concept of Daan. Daswandh is based on the three Sikh concepts: Vand Chhakna (sharing with fellow beings), social cohesion and unity of brotherhood. Daswandh, in Sikhism, is not giving something; rather it is like “contributing one’s share to the fund of the community.”
A Sikh cannot be a Daani (giver). If a Sikh considers himself a giver, he/she is ignorant, idiot. The feeling of ‘claiming the credit of having giving something in charity’ is also a negative quality.
If some one poses to be giver,
The Giver (God) treats him as idiot. (Guru Granth Sahib, p. 282)
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)