5 Appeals to Support this Ramadan.
Ramadan is a month in which Almighty Allah showers His divine mercy upon His creation. It is also an opportunity to extend our generosity to the poor and needy across the globe. Giving charity in the month of Ramadan has ample rewards.
Ibn Abbas (ra) narrated, “The Prophet (saw) was the most generous person particularly in the month of Ramadan, more generous than the fast wind in doing good” [Bukari].
Here are 5 simple ways you can be generous during the holy month:
1. Give Iftar meals to the poor: This Ramadan, many people around the world will remain hungry beyond Iftar time, unable to feed their families due to extreme poverty. Many will have lost their jobs and livelihoods because of the global pandemic while others are trapped in an unending cycle of poverty.
The Prophet (saw) said, “He who gives food for a fasting person in it (Ramadan), then that shall be a forgiveness for his (the feeder’s) minor sins and freedom from the Fire. And for such a feeder shall be the same reward as the one who fasted (whom he fed) without that person’s reward decreasing in the least. [Ibn Khuzymah].
You can provide Iftar meals to a fasting person for the entire month, provide food parcels to a family for Iftar/Suhoor, or contribute any amount to our Iftar fund. Either way, you will share the joy of providing food to poor Muslims across the world this Ramadan!
The Prophet (saw) was asked, “Which charity is best?” He(saw) replied, “[Providing] water” [Abu Dawud]
From the above hadith, we can see that giving water is highly recommended in Islam, and the rewards of giving water as a charity in Ramadan are multiplied even further. Water is a blessing from Allah (swt) that we often take for granted during Ramadan, but across the world, nearly 800 million people lack access to clean water. This Ramadan, you can change that by building a well as part of your Zakat and Sadaqah and helping provide clean water to poor communities across the globe?
3. Illuminate the Dome of the Rock Masjid: Located at the centre of the blessed Masjid al Aqsa complex is the Dome of the Rock Masjid. This is the exact location from where our Prophet (saw) ascended into the heavens on his night journey of Mi’raj, and you can give your Sadaqah Jariyah towards illuminating this blessed mosque.
The Prophet (saw) was asked, “If one of us cannot visit it, what should we do?” He (saw) said, “Then he should make a gift of some oil to be lit therein [in its lamps]. For indeed, the one who gifts this to it will be like the one who has prayed therein [worth 1000 prayers]” [Ahmad].
Since 2008, you have helped build new wudhu areas, repaired paving stones, and illuminated various areas of Masjid Al Aqsa. The illumination of the Dome of Rock masjid is yet another chance for you to earn rewards- equal to 1000 prayers!
4. Give hope to widows: Many widows in poorer communities possess the right skills to earn a livelihood for themselves but lack the financial capital to do so.
The Prophet (saw) said, “The one who strives to help a widow, or the poor is like one who struggles in the cause of Allah” [Bukhari]
This Ramadan, you can use your Sadaqah or Zakat to provide small shops for widows in need. Your charity will provide these widows with the capital they need to start up their own business and get themselves out of the cycle of poverty.
5. Help the Rohingya: The huge fire that ripped through the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh has left more 45,000 Rohingyas homeless. During this holy month, extend your generosity and help provide food for Iftar/Suhoor to these refugees, as well as clean water, medicine, and shelter for those who have lost everything.
The Prophet (saw) said, “Whoever removes a worldly hardship from a believer, Allah will remove one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection from him” [Muslim].
Give today to help our Rohingya brothers and sisters and help earn the pleasure of Allah during the holy month of Ramadan!
May Allah (swt) grant us all good health during this month and give us the means to help the poor and needy across the globe, Inshallah Ameen!
