大象传媒

Good morning,
Years ago I thought that there was no need for charity in Britain. I was content with all the charity being given abroad. But now with increasing unemployment and loss of jobs in some places, there are those who I realise do genuinely deserve help. Homelessness and food banks have become a reality in many of our cities. Yet, I also want to be careful not to encourage a habit of begging and dependency.
The Qur鈥檃n says: 鈥淲oe be to the one who does not encourage or organise the feeding of the poor and needy and refuses even the smallest help.鈥� So this Ramadan I felt honoured to collect donations with a U.K. registered, Guinness World Record holding, Muslim charity that works in over 30 developing countries around the world. Its main goal is to empower poor communities and make them self-sufficient. When Muhammad (peace be upon him) saw a beggar he was not pleased so he encouraged him to sell his meagre possessions and instructed him to purchase an axe. Muhammad then sent him to the woods to collect firewood for sale. The man returned after a few days thanking him that he was now self-employed and was able to look after his family. Muhammad said, 鈥淚t is more honourable for you to work than to beg and depend on others.鈥�
Dear God, enable us to earn our daily bread by our hands in an honest way, feed the poor, clothe the naked, grant shelter to the homeless, secure people鈥檚 jobs and help the unemployed find work, amin.