Giving in the holy days and nights

One of our interns, Yasmeen Hassan, has decided to write about her personal reflection on giving during the last ten days of the Holy month of Ramadan.
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The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Protect yourself from the hell-fire by giving a piece of date as charity”. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

I feel as though the Prophet (PBUH) used the example of a date to portray the ease of which we can all give and help others in need which, in return, makes it easier for us to enter Paradise. It is the desire to give and to help which is the true act of kindness, and it is what binds us together as a global family.

We know that the rewards for being charitable and compassionate are immense, and during the last ten days of Ramadan, these are increased beyond our imagination…

I don’t know about you, but I sure feel a sense of comfort and joy when I put a smile on someone’s face by doing a selfless act of kindness (whether it’s giving charity or even saying kind words). It makes me feel that if I am there for people in their time of difficulty, Allah will ensure I am not left alone in mine…It is about empathy and love, and wanting to make the world better, regardless of how small or large your act of kindness is, because it may mean the world to someone.

The reward for doing good, is good itself, and we are promised by Allah (SWT) that if we give, He will in return increase our sustenance:

Allah (SWT) said: “Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?”

I’d like to think of Ramadan as an open gateway to a garden filled with good deeds that are easy to reach for and where rewards are endlessly given for every small good deed made. Of all the nights of Ramadan, the Night of Decree (Laylatul Qadr) is the most important, and all we know is that it is likely to be one of the odd nights of the final ten days.

Allah (SWT) said: “The importance of Laylatul Qadr, it is better than a thousand months”.

That means we have five nights to give, and potentially increase the power and reward of our charity and prayers for those struggling with poverty, conflict and oppression. It is an opportunity that should not be missed!

Invest your time in strengthening your relationship with Allah (SWT) through prayer, reading Quran, giving zakat/sadaqa, and through your good actions towards others. These last few days of Ramadan are crucial in strengthening our iman and ending the Holy month on a good note!