We are  excited to announce the launch of our Ramadan 2020 campaign ‘Everyone is welcome’.  With the holy month of  Ramadan  around the corner,  we take this opportunity to remind you that there is no better time to not only nurture and strengthen our relationship with our Creator, Allah (swt), but also those around us.  

We know that Ramadan is one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar; a month in which Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset each day.  

This holy month is a time for spiritual reflection, charity and solidarity. It is an opportunity to reap great spiritual rewards, but it also serves as a reminder to nurture connections with our communities and to reach out to those in need.   

This Ramadan, everyone is welcome 

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. [Qur’an 49:13] 

As we work on improving our relationship with God during this blessed month, we are also encouraged to strengthen our relationships with our family, friends, neighbours and communities. There are lots of ways we can do this – including sharing food, volunteering, giving charity and connecting with people of all faiths and none.  

Inspired by the verse above, this year our Ramadan campaign is about welcoming the holy month of Ramadan, but also about welcoming people from all faiths, backgrounds, and walks of life to embrace the spirit of Ramadan by giving charity, practicing tolerance, spending time with loved ones and being kind.  

How you can help those in need:

Your Zakat  

Zakat means ‘growth’ and ‘purification’. We purify our wealth by giving a portion of it to those who need it. As with the pruning of plants, when we cut back we create balance and encourage new growth.  

Many people choose to pay their zakat during this holy month, a blessed month in which the reward for good deeds is multiplied.  

Donate a food pack  

During the holy month, you can purchase a $70  food pack, and provide immediate relief to a family struggling to put meals on the table. 

When is it?

This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on the evening of Thursday 23 April. It is expected to end at sunset on Saturday 23 May 2020. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is marked by the sighting of the new moon.

During this holy month, Muslims are obligated to fast from before dawn through to sunset every day for 29 or 30 days. Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam and is an important time for Muslims to reflect, pray and practice compassion and humility.

A little background on Ramadan

The word ‘Ramadan’ comes from the Arabic word ‘Ramad,’ which means to be intensely heated by the sun.  Scholars have said during the blessed month, the sins of the believers are being burnt.

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” 

Following the Sunnah

The Prophet (pbuh) epitomised virtuous character and exemplified the Islamic values of mercy, kindness, tolerance and equality. Muslims try to follow his example – or sunnah – in drawing closer to God. In Ramadan, this includes  making du’a for others, feeding people and giving charity.

Our Ramadan message

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. [Qur’an 49:13] 

To welcome this holy month, we’re asking you to practice compassion and to celebrate diversity – to come together as a community and learn from and help each other.

Furthermore, charity is held in high regard in Islam, therefore, it is made an obligation for Muslims in the form of Zakat. Zakat is one of the major five pillars of Islam. It is a necessity to give Zakat to those who are wealthy enough.

Be prepared this holy month and calculate your Zakat now.

With the holiest month of the Islamic calendar drawing to a close, Muslims around the world will await the sight of the new moon to signify the start of Eid al Fitr 2019.

When is Eid al Fitr 2019?

Eid al Fitr 2019 is predicted to begin on the evening of Tuesday the 4th of June, indicating that the Eid al Fitr prayer will occur on the morning of Wednesday the 5th of June.

Eid al Fitr can be translated to as, ‘the celebration of breaking the fast’, and comes after Muslims fast the Islamic month of Ramadan. Eid al Fitr takes places on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawaal.

Before the Eid al Fitr prayer takes place, Muslims are advised to donate Zakat al Fitr.

What is Zakat al Fitr?

Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar said that the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) ordered the people to pay Zakat al Fitr before going to the Eid prayer. (al-Bukhari)

Before the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the end of Ramadan, every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of their needs must pay zakat al-fitr (fitrana). The head of household can also pay zakat al-fitr for their dependants such as children, servants and any dependent relatives.

Zakat al-Fitr can be paid during Ramadan, before Eid al-Fitr prayers at the latest, so that the poor can enjoy the day of Eid.

The minimum amount due is the equivalent of about 2 kg of wheat flour, rice or other staple foodstuff, per member of the household, including dependants, even if they do not live in the same house.

Eid Celebrations ( Gaza) 

Eid with Islamic Relief

As communities come together to celebrate the end of Ramadan with prayer, feasts and charity, for Islamic Relief Worldwide, Eid al Fitr marks the end of a successful distribution campaign delivering 311,000 food-packs in 34 countries, benefiting 1.7 million people.

We pray that our Muslim brothers and sisters all around the world  experience a joyful and loving Eid among their families, neighbours and communities.

Eid Ul Fitr clothes and school package distribution in Niger

What Are The Last Ten Days of Ramadan and When do They Take Place 

The Last Ten Days of Ramadan are recognised as the most virtuous and blessed ten nights in Islam. The Last Ten Days take place from the beginning of the 20th night in Ramadan until Eid al-Fitr. A great reward is given to those who performed acts of goodness and worship on that night.  

“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn”  

[Qur’an: 97:3-5]

(Sahih International Translation) 

There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.  

(Hadith Bukhari) 

The Best Dua to Recite on The Last Ten Days  

للَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي 

Allahumma innaka `Afuwwun TuHibbul `Afwa Fa`fu `Annii. 

O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me 

Here’s some context, Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) reported,  

I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).” [At-Tirmidhi].

During this time, men and women can do I’tikaf, in which they spend their last ten nights in their mosques and worship Allah (swt).

The last ten days of Ramadan are upon us.

Around the world we’re creating positive changes in the lives of the most vulnerable.

This Ramadan we’re calling on you to help us create positive change in the lives of the most vulnerable ?

It’s that time of year again – yes it’s Ramadan! It’s the holiest month of the year in which the Holy Qur’an was revealed and when Muslims across the globe commit to fasting from sunrise to sunset in remembrance of the poor and needy and in worship to Allah Almighty. Yes, this sacred month has arrived and with that comes the hunger pangs, nights at the mosque, dedicated reading of the Qur’an and of course – the little quirks! The questions, the jokes, yep we’ve heard them all before. Ramadan wouldn’t be the same without them!

Here’s our ten quirks which sum up the blessed month!

1.  Non-Muslims asking if you go without food and drink for a whole month

We can almost guarantee that unless your non-Muslim friends, neighbours and colleagues are familiar with your faith and fasting, you’ve been asked this question at least once. Yep, we may fast for many hours at a time but alhamdulillah, we enjoy a good meal at the end of each day! We can’t even begin to imagine what state we’d be in if we stopped eating and drinking completely – in fact, even thinking about it makes daily fasting sound a bit of a breeze. Astaghfirullah!

2.  All the date jokes making their regular appearance

3.  Becoming a seasoned siesta-aficionado

Well, well, well – we never knew we were so Mediterranean, did we? During Ramadan, a siesta is a must! From adapting the medical room at work or popping home for a nap, we make that afternoon nap a must. Don’t ask us to go without it or we may just struggle to function or keep our eyes open. Well, what else is our lunch break going to be used for (other than prayer of course!)? Yep, bring on the siesta for that mini energy boost!

4.  Bringing a new meaning to the word “hangry”!

Allah loves to test us and Ramadan is definitely a test in itself! If the struggle to remain calm and collected when you’ve not had your lunch wasn’t difficult enough, we’ve got to fight those nafs (urges, desires and bouts of irritability)! There’s no point in fasting if we’re rude, unpleasant and unbearable towards others. So on with the fight against “hanger”!

5.  Finding everyone’s fixated on the moon

Is it Ramadan yet? Is it Eid? Has the moon been sighted? No that’s Saudi, I follow X, Y Z. Yes, never before does the appearance of the moon become so exciting, yet also so contentious. From disagreements on which country/location to follow (home or abroad) and the need to explain to your non-Muslim boss that you’d like time off work but aren’t really sure what day(s) you need off, it’s all about the moon!

6.  Eating in the office becoming a secret activity

For anyone unable to fast (menstruating and breastfeeding women, diabetics, our non-Muslim colleagues etc.), there’s always that niggling feeling of guilt and well-meaning questions: should I eat in the office? Can I eat here? From congregations of women gathering to eat in the prayer room to the office exodus at lunch-time, eating becomes the elephant in the room quietly trying to remain inconspicuous. Hey, guys, it’s fine! As long as you’re not salivating with a gigantic beef burger before our eyes, licking your lips and telling us how mouth-wateringly scrumptious it is, then go for it!

7.  “What, not even water?!”

A bit like #1, the other BIG question of the month and the draw-dropping answer is around water. Yep, it’s no food or drink during daylight hours for the full month. Yes, that’s no water, no tea, no coffee, no juice, no fizzy drinks; nothing except toothpaste, or lip balm can touch our lips – definitely not anything edible or refreshing!

8.  Forgetting what a full-night’s sleep feels like

With suhur, fajr prayers, iftar, late night maghreb, ishah and taraweeh prayers* – not to mention the urge to go to the toilet whilst you’re in bed after drinking all that water – sleep becomes somewhat of a distant memory during Ramadan. So, when we’re at work blurry-eyed and not feeling our freshest, it’s not often the lack of food or drink, it’s the fact that we’re lacking a full night’s sleep due to our new eating, drinking and additional worship habits (as well as all the social iftars!) that makes us a little slower than usual. Unless you’re one of those insane people who can get by on four hours sleep each night, we’re definitely not going to be our usual spritely selves!

9.  The mistrust of the clock!

So you’ve got your alarm clock, your watch, your phone – in fact, so many ways of telling the time but when it comes to suhur and iftar, which one can you really trust?! And so that feeling of panic sets in. Shall I wait longer to break my fast? How much longer? Has the time passed? Yes, you’re hungry, you’re starving….ahh! We’ve all been there. With so much technology nowadays and no public athan (call to prayer) as we’re living in a non-Muslim country, you’d think we’d have worked out a way to know what time it is.  But we’re never quite sure which device to trust…

10.  Discovering you’ve put on weight…

“You must lose so much weight!” gasps our non-Muslim neighbour, friend, colleague etc. Well… You’d think that eating significantly less food than usual for a whole month would mean we’d get rid of quite a few extra kilos wouldn’t you? But no… many of us even put on weight! How, you may ask? Well it’s those darn samosas, cakes, baklawa and all. Don’t blame us – we were invited to the iftar. It’s rude to turn down food, don’t you know!

Jokes aside, Ramadan is a special time for us all. As the holiest period of the year, we’re able to give thanks to Allah Almighty for all we’ve been blessed with and remember those in need across the globe. As we break our fast or tuck into our suhur, let’s remember the millions of people across the world who are struggling to survive due to poverty, famine, disasters, climate change and conflict. Let’s be their support.

Allah (SWT) tells us: “Whosoever saves a life, saves the whole of mankind.” (Qur’an 5: 32)

The original article was posted by Islamic Relief UK and written by Junaid Ahmed

“All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, which is for Me and I shall reward for it.”’ (Hadith Qudsi, Bukhari) 

Ramadan is our divine and holy period in which we are instructed to fast from dawn to sunset. Fasting Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month all Muslims, regardless of age, gender, race and ethnicity are invited to ‘Change’.  

Yes, we want to change this month. We want to be the better versions of ourselves in spirituality, emotionally and physically. 

The wisdom, power, and impact of Ramadan is beyond our understanding. We are blessed with a time to reflect, renew and improve ourselves. We are blessed with a time to be self-disciplined, caring, compassionate and visionary. 

Here are some sweet tips you can perform this Ramadan to reap easy rewards.

1. Performing Consistent Tasbeeh 

“Allah, the Most High said: ‘I am as My slave of Me, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me to himself, I remember him to Myself, and if he remembers Me in a gathering, I remember him in a gathering better than that. And if he seeks to draw nearer to Me by a hand span, I draw nearer to him by a forearm’s length, and if he comes to Me by a forearm’s length, I draw nearer to him by an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I come to him quickly.’” (Al-Bukhari 7405).

You can say tahmeed, tahleel and tasbeeh as a form of dhikr.

Tahmeed: Al-hamdu Lillah (All praises be to God).
Tahleel: Laa ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but Allah).
Tasbeeh: Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to God). 

 2. Nutrition 

Eating a nutritious suhoor and a light Iftar. Ramadan should be our opportunity to enhance our eating habits and enable us to see positive changes in our spirituality as well as our body. Intermittent fasting has been making a global impact encompassing major similarities to Muslims fasting in Ramadan. 

The benefits of fasting has proven to initiate positive changes in cellular processes and hormone levels in the body. Alongside healthy eating, fasting can cause weight loss of 3-8% over 3-24 weeks. Fasting has been shown to have major benefits for insulin resistance and lead to an impressive reduction in blood sugar levels.

3. Praying In Congregation 

 “Salat in congregation is twenty-seven times more meritorious than a Salat performed individually.” (Bukhari & Muslim) 

4. Tarawih 

“Whoever prays at night in Ramadan out of faith and the hope of reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

5. Reading Qur’an  

[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded. (Quran 38:29) 

The reward for reading Suratul Ikhlaas three times is the same as the reward for reading the entire Qur’an! 

 6. Sharing your Iftaar with other fasting Muslims!

When you share your plate or table with someone else who is fasting, Allah (swt) rewards you with the reward of fasting!

7. Share This Article With Someone You Know! 

“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a similar reward.” (Muslim) 

On the behalf of the Islamic Relief Team, we pray that your Ramadan will be full of prayers, prosperity and blessings. May Allah (swt) forgive your sins, fill up your banks with good deeds and accept your prayers to be among the residents of Paradise.

Islamic Relief Australia (IRAUS) launches the 2019/1441 Ramadan Campaign 

We are excited to announce the launch of our Ramadan 2019 Campaign ‘Change begins with you’. With the holy month of Ramadan about to visit us in the next few weeks in sha Allah, We take this opportunity to thank all our ongoing supporters and welcome our new supporters to the Islamic Relief Family. 

Ramadan 2019

We know that Ramadan is a divine and holy period in which Muslims are instructed to fast from dawn to sunset. Fasting Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. During this month all Muslims, regardless of age, gender, race and ethnicity are invited to ‘Change’.  

Yes, we want to change this month. We want to be the better versions of ourselves in spirituality, emotionally and physically. 

The wisdom, power, and impact of Ramadan is beyond our understanding. We are blessed with a time to reflect, renew and improve ourselves. We are blessed with a time to be self-disciplined, caring, compassionate and visionary. 

 “Change, It Begins With You”  

You’re in control of the words you say, the people you meet, the things that you do. You don’t realize the impact your words and actions have on those around you, and most importantly, yourself. 

Change begins with you. Run directly at change. 

Change begins with Bismillah. It Begins with a simple intention.  

Change begins with Ramadan.  Ramadan is your opportunity to create positive change in your life, and the lives of the world’s most vulnerable. 

The Islamic Relief Family this Ramadan  

Your Zakat 

Zakat means ‘growth’ and ‘purification’. We purify our wealth by giving a proportion of it to those that need it. As with the pruning of plants, when we cut back we create balance and encourage new growth. 

Many people choose to pay their zakat during Ramadan, a blessed month in which the reward for good deeds is multiplied. 

Find out more on Zakat here. 

Learn More About How Our Zakat Projects Creates Long Term Positive Change Here

We’re distributing food packs to 100,000 more people this Ramadan 

IRAUS in partnership with Islamic Relief Worldwide aims to distribute 311,000 food packs in 34 countries to benefit over 1.7 million people this Ramadan. This is an additional 100,000 people we are reaching in comparison to last year.  

When is Ramadan 2019?  

Ramadan 2019 is due to begin on either Sunday the 5th of May or Monday the 6th of May. 

 Ramadan 2019 will be officially determined by the sighting of the new moon. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic year and encompasses significant religious reverence. 

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are obligated to fast from pre-dawn to sunset every single day for 29 or 30 days. The fasting of Ramadan makes up the fourth pillar of Islam. 

A Background to Ramadan 

The word ‘Ramadan’, comes from the Arabic word ‘Ramad’. This word means being burnt by the sun. Scholars have said this word is used because during this month, the sins of the believers are being burnt. 

The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said,  

Whoever draws nearer to Allah by performing any of the (optional) good deeds  shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time.

Following the sunnah 

The Prophet (pbuh), embodied the spirit of the Qur’an. Muslims try to follow his example – or sunnah – in drawing closer to God. In Ramadan, these include eating suhur, a pre-dawn meal – even if it is just water – and breaking the fast on time. Muslims usually break their fast with dates, choosing an odd number as the Prophet (pbuh) did, or water. 

What We Are Doing in Ramadan 2019 

Across the world, many families will struggle to put food on the table at iftar time. We work with people and communities to ensure that families have enough food for the month of Ramadan. Across the globe, we distribute family food packs with essentials such as flour, rice, and lentils to last the whole month. The food packs are dynamic and contents change according to the country and the preferred nutritious intake.  

Islamic Relief Australia (IRAUS) launches the 2018/1440 Ramadan Campaign

The campaign, ‘Give a Minute’, asks the reader to evaluate the quality of time. The message addresses the dynamic and different ways one can spend something as simple as a minute.

By giving a minute of our time to reflect, ponder and act, we can create meaningful and positive changes in the world we live in.

Take a minute to think of all that you cherish. Take a minute to think of those less fortunate than you. Take a minute to think of the difference you can make. Take a minute and change peoples’ lives. 

IRAUS in partnership with Islamic Relief Worldwide aims to distribute 300,000 food packs in 34 countries to benefit over 1.6 million people this Ramadan.

The message is accompanied by an image of a young boy whose facial expression represents happiness, gratitude and hope – the backbone emotions which characterise an individuals experience during the Holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is an opportunity for Islamic Relief and its stakeholders to combat the consequences of food insecurity. During this precious time, we also direct our energies into investing in long-term development projects that focus on empowering communities and narrowing the poverty gap.

O YOU who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God – Verse 183, al-Baqara

 

The civilian crisis in Mali clashed with the lack of rainfall and erosion of the Niger river is forcing millions into need of humanitarian aid.

The Cadre Harmonise, the current regional framework that assesses food insecurity situations in affected populations, has recently announced that “4.1 million people in Mali will be food insecure this year”

The Islamic Relief Ramadan Food Pack Distribution Program targets families affected by food insecurity, particularly orphans, households affected by conflict and female-headed households in which the women are widowed or divorced.

Due to the security situation, Islamic Relief Officers had to use alternative routes to deliver food packs to those in need in the previous Ramadan, particularly to beneficiaries living in North Mali. Some of the alternatives routes used to transport the food packs were use of boat passages.

After her husband passed away, Nana Taore came across Islamic Relief Mali. Nana’s situation was dire – she worked long hours selling pearl shells to support her family of seven. Despite working to the best of her ability, Nana Taore has faced many unjust nights to send her children to sleep with an empty stomach.

For single mothers facing food insecurity, Ramadan becomes an even more challenging time period.

“In terms of the challenges I face as the breadwinner of my family it was the most difficult when my kids were ill.  Ramadan is a holy month in which it is easy to reach Allah, the Creator of the Universe. I try doing my best to be closer to Allah by prayers and fasting. But in my area, it is a very difficult time due to the food prices on the market and the hunger we experience.”

Ramadan is an opportunity to address social issues such as food insecurity in places many do not know exist. It is also an opportunity to address the needs of orphans and families who live in poverty.

For people like Nana, she summarises the impact of how it feels in the face of food insecurity to receive a food pack,

“Thanks to this package I am not wondering about what to do in order to have food. I am now able to save some money. I am not spending money to buy rice or sugar.

Our plate is full and now there is absolutely no reason to worry about food in this month of Ramadan.”

Give a minute to think about the joy our donors have been able to share with developing communities around the globe.