Charity—whether through money, food, clothing, or toys—is a vital practice that we should make a regular part of our lives. In Islam, even a simple smile is considered an act of charity. It’s inspiring to see people dedicate their time and effort to something spiritually enriching while supporting those in need. Here are some key takeaways about charity and its significance in Islam. Charity helps alleviate poverty, reduce inequality, and strengthen bonds within the community, fostering a sense of mutual care and responsibility. Islam emphasizes that acts of charity, big or small, are significant in the eyes of Allah, as I said above even a smile can count as charity. In fact , Zakat(charity) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, requiring Muslims to give a fixed percentage (usually 2.5%) of their wealth annually to help the needy, support social welfare, and promote economic balance. Charity is considered a way to purify one’s wealth and soul, reduce greed, and earn Allah’s blessings and forgiveness. The Qur’an and Hadith frequently promise immense rewards for those who give generously. Ultimately, charity benefits both the giver and the receiver, serving as a powerful means to foster a more just, fair, and compassionate society.
With Christmas fast approaching, I felt inspired to give back to the community in a meaningful way. I therefore personally took the lead in organising Christmas pamper boxes for women and children in refuge at Pennine Domestic Abuse Partnership (PDAP). This involved planning, coordinating donations, and working closely with Deborah from PDAP to ensure we could make a real impact for their clients in need. Our Family Department already work very closely with PDAP who are a key provider of domestic abuse services in Kirklees so it was incredibly rewarding to hear how much this will mean to the families at the refuge. Also, many thanks to the two offices that donated, we successfully gathered enough donations to fill four boxes!