Beneficial Ramadan Tips

Ramadan Overload Charity Plan Box

Ramadan Tip #26

Ramadan Overload Charity Plan Box

What happens a lot – at least to me – is that we have so many things we would like to study,so many ideas of what we want to do in Ramadan and we end up with a “full” head and might even find our eman decreasing because we can’t manage to do everything.

You’ll be amazed at how much you can actually achieve— Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala placed so much barakah in ourtime in Ramadan.

All you have to do is ask Him to help you to prepare in the best way and to pick the best goals. So start with a sincere dua’ to help you prepare mentally and physically.

Two Practical Tips

In the sea of Ramadan preparation tips– from getting into the habit of praying the sunnah prayers to forgiving others– one of the best tips I’ve found is focusing on charity before Ramadan.

1.Think about your charity.

What is sadaqah? Sadaqah (plural— sadaqaat) is a voluntary giving; you’re not obliged to give it, but you do so because you love Allah (swt) and you want to do good to His creation. Don’t be confused by the word “giving.” Sadaqah also means “doing,” as the Prophet said: Kullu ma’roofin sadaqah— Every good deed is sadaqah.[Muslim]

Do you know that you have the responsibility to think about your charity and to actively look for people in need? Charity is not just about money— it’s also thinking about how you, with your skills, position, and provisions can give and do charity in the way most pleasing to Allah.

Assignment: Make a charity list. Think now about which charities are best for you to support, and get a list ready so you can easily spend on them in Ramadan. Think creatively. Why not gift a course to a friend to help them learn the Quran?

You could even keep aside a certain amount to gift 10 friends with a Quran course.

Imagine the rewards of leading someone to good, being part of conveying ayaat of the Quran to others and insha’Allah getting rewards for each letter of the Quran they will read after that!

2.Personal Ramadan Project

Don’t only think about the money you’ll spend, but also about how you’ll give sadaqah by your time and skills  so that you can gain rewards in all areas.

Read up on sadaqah jariyah, the ongoing charity. As the Prophet said:When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things:

sadaqah jariyah (such as a well of clean water, planting a tree, masjid, hospital) knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased). [Muslim]

Planning in these acts– for example a tree-planting project with children, takes time, so you can plan it before Ramadan!

Assignment: Start a personal Ramadan project. This year I would love to inspire each one of you to have your own Ramadan project.

What is a Ramadan Project? You can compile your own booklet with simple but virtuous deeds, print it, and hand it out so others can practice these deeds in Ramadan. Imagine the rewards! You can even invest in printing the booklet and then selling it to others and giving all the proceeds to charity! In this way you can give away a big amount in charity, while you only started with a little.

Be creative. Involve the children. Make Eid cards and sell them for charity. Start a page online and bring people together to serve a charity cause, for example a Buy-and-Sell platform online on which you encourage people to upload items they don’t use or want anymore so others can buy them and have all the proceeds go to charity.

Imagine bringing all these people together to join in good deeds!