The holy month of Ramadan with all its blessings and fruits is promoting a trend of philanthropy among people, impelling them to think of the needy and orphans, and providing assistance in terms of finance and food.
Disbursing charity in terms of cash, food or kind words is one of the main hallmarks of this holy month and a majority of philanthropists, civil society organizations and the affluent come forward to help the needy by giving alms and charity.
“It is in the month of Ramadan that we can earn a lot of blessings by giving charity to the less fortunate and doing other charitable deeds”, Anwar Siddiqui, a lecturer said.
“We can purify our souls by offering prayers during fasting and purify our wealth by sharing it with those who deserve it”, he said.
Giving charity and alms to the poor, orphans and widows has become part of a tradition for Muslims, especially on events of happiness, sadness and on other normal occasions. But the month of Ramadan strengthens this culture in particular and invokes the spirit of helping others in different ways to receive blessings from Allah.
During Ramadan, philanthropists, civil society organizations and common people, are observed arranging Iftars outside hospitals, in prisons, shrines and other places on a daily basis.
“Good deeds like feeding the hungry, financing the education of under-privileged people and helping orphan children, pays a great reward especially during this month, so we must inculcate values of sacrifice and charity among children from the very beginning”, Kamran Asghar, a philanthropist said. “Charity is deep-rooted in our religious teachings and compulsory charity (Zakat) is the third pillar of Islam that every Muslim ought to follow”, he said.
Amina, a house wife said, “Ramadan is the time for us to seek forgiveness of our wrong doings from Allah Almighty. We must take care of the poor and needy in our families and neighbours by sharing our food during Iftar and giving them alms”.
Ramadan is the best time to donate in the way of Allah and Islamic teachings encourage one to sow his farm only to reap harvest in the Hereafter.
The majority believes that official Zakat Managed Funds should be used to alleviate poverty. According to a survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan, nearly half of all Pakistanis (44%) say that the Zakat fund should be aimed at general alleviation of poverty, where as the remaining propose more specific targets such as health (19%), education (18%) and providing shelter (18%).
This survey was carried out among a sample of 2698 men and women in rural and urban areas from all provinces of the country, during May 2010.
As the spirit of Ramadan invokes a feeling of camaraderie, sacrifice and suffering; bringing people from all walks of life together in their human-ness, one hope that it permeates all levels of society and encourages peace and love among all Pakistanis.
