“They believe in Allah and the Last Day, encourage good and forbid evil, and race with one another in doing good. They are [truly] among the righteous.” — Quran 3:114
“They believe in Allah and the Last Day, encourage good and forbid evil, and race with one another in doing good. They are [truly] among the righteous.” — Quran 3:114
We come across causes to donate to throughout the year, and there are two best times to give.
The best time to give is in the moment
Acting on the impulse to donate to a charitable cause softens the heart and benefits the soul in a way that inclines us toward increased generosity.
When we give for the sake of giving, we tip our divine scales toward goodness. We create a habit of charity, and we detach slightly from our natural attachment toward money.
Sometimes, like when a friend or relative has died, it doesn’t make sense to delay in giving charity. We support fundraising campaigns immediately to ensure we successfully implement water projects or a mosque for our beloved.
Abu Huraira reported the Prophet Muhammad, peace upon him, said:
“Hasten to do good deeds before six things happen: the rising of the sun from the west, the smoke, the Dajjal, the beast and (the death) of one of you or the general turmoil.”
The next best time to give is in Ramadan
The month when the blessings for each good deed we do are multiplied many times over. Ramadan 2023 provides us an opportunity to enhance our blessings through donations.
Ibn Abbas said that when the month of Ramadan began, God’s messenger set every prisoner free and gave charity to every beggar.
The Prophet, peace on him, showed us by example that we must give as much as we can in Ramadan.
In Ramadan 2023, Zakat Foundation of America is working to continue relief for its tent village in Turkey. The village was made for victims who survived the devastating earthquakes in February 2023 that killed more than 50,000 people.
With over 900 tents available — each one capable of providing shelter for a family of up to seven people — this Tent Village is crucial for those who have lost everything to the earthquakes. It is equipped with water facilities, irrigation, and electricity.
Furthermore, the organization’s Health and Mental Health Clinic also provides much-needed medical and psychological care to those who have lived through the most traumatic experience of their lives.
The best of the best times to give
Logically, if the best times to give are in the moment, and during Ramadan, it follows that the best time to give is when the impulse reaches us during Islam’s holiest month.
That could be during taraweeh breaks at a local mosque — to nonprofit humanitarian organizations like Zakat Foundation of America — in our free time at home, or when encountering someone in need.
The Quran defines the best people:
“They believe in Allah and the Last Day, encourage good and forbid evil, and race with one another in doing good. They are [truly] among the righteous.” — Quran 3:114
And naturally, the best people hasten toward good deeds before the opportunity disappears.
Don’t miss the opportunity to donate in Ramadan 2023. Give now.
