Getting involved in Charity

There are so many different types of Charity. This Article highlights some interesting ways you can get involved.

Charity is defined as the voluntarily giving of help. It is when someone who is able and willing helps someone else, for no charge. As Muslims, Charity (Sadaqah) is a pillar of Islam. It is crucial that we help people in need in any way we can. A Hadith from the Prophet Mohammed, (SAW) says that “The best among you are those who bring greatest benefits to many others.”

In Islam, the importance of charity is ever prevalent.

The Prophet (S.A.W) said “A man’s true wealth is the good he does in this world.”

By helping others, we are given the opportunity to do good and build our imaan (faith).

Charity is multidimensional, with numerous different forms, it is easier than ever to help a worthy cause. Charity can be split into 4 main sections: Donating money, volunteering, donating items and acts of kindness. Whether you're short for money or don’t have much time, there is always something you can do to help someone else. This article mentions some of the ways you can get involved with an organisation, as well as explaining some of the personal benefits of doing so.

Donating Money

One option is to donate money. There are a number of ways you can do this:-

1. Find a Charity that you support and donate what you can there. If you don’t have much money to give away, fundraising is always an option. A lot of charities offer fundraising packs where they will provide you with the supplies that you need.

2. Support other peoples fundraisers. By helping someone else fundraiser, you are not only contributing to a charity, but encouraging other people to do good deeds.

3. Giving spare change to homeless people or leaving spare cash in Charity Boxes that are in shops.

4. Spend money on your family, The Prophet SAW said, “When a man spends on his family, seeking reward for that, that is an act of charity on his part”.

5. Give to someone who you know is struggling; for example your neighbour who you know is finding it difficult to buy food at the supermarket. It is often better to give anonymously in these situations, so they don’t feel dependent. An ayat in the Quran says, “if you do deeds of charity openly, it is well; But if you bestow it upon the needy in secretly, it will be even better for you.” [Quran 2:271]
   

Donating Time

One option is to volunteer. When you don’t have much money to give, donating your time is a perfect alternative. Here is what you need to do:-

1. Find an organisation that you support and are willing to dedicate time to

2. Check that it fits your skillset, or is in something you want to improve at. For example, if you want to go into a career in leadership, consider volunteering with a charity that allows you to manage a team. Muslim Aid offer a Volunteering Award that is brilliant for this.

3. Look at how much time you can actually commit, charities are non-profit organisations, so make sure you aren’t wasting their time.

4. Depending on where you’re volunteering, you may need to be DBS checked. For example, if you volunteer at a care home, ie Sanctuary Care Homes, you need to have one as you will be around vulnerable people.

“Don’t feel ashamed when giving little for charity; that is because there is always goodness in giving no matter how little.” Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA)

Donating Items

Donating Items can be the perfect way to declutter and help someone in need at the same time. Some useful ways to do this are:-

1. Clear out your wardrobe and donate your clothes to a charity shop.

2. You can also do this with books at your local library

3. Organisations like The Trussel Trust, are useful if you prefer to buy items for an organisation rather than donate money.

4. Food banks are useful for giving spare food to somewhere with people in need.

5. Donate a tree; planting a tree is long term charity. “When one of you plants a tree, the fruits of which all creatures enjoy, let it be written as charity.” Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)

6. A useful way of donating something regularly, is to always buy two of a necessity. For example, when you buy sanitary towels, buy two and donate one to a charity. Or when you buy a bottle of water, buy two and give one to somebody homeless.
   

“Give, even when you know you can get nothing back.” Yasmin Mogahed

Acts of kindness

It's always important to remember this simplest form of charity: Good deeds. In Islam small acts of kindness can go a long way.

Below are some quotes that show the importance of these acts:-

• “Every act of kindness is charity.” Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)

• “Forgiveness is the greatest gift of charity in Islam.” Abdul-Mumin Sombat Jitmoud

• “It is also charity to utter a good word.” Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W)

Hopefully this article highlighted some of the possibilities there are when it comes to charity. Please try and get involved as much as possible. After all, Allah loves those who try.