Over 50,000 people have benefitted from the Ummah Charity International’s (UCI) life-changing projects that your Sadaqah makes possible.
What is Sadaqah?
Sadaqah, unlike Zakat, is a non-obligatory form of charity Muslims give to people in need. There is no set amount, occasion or reason for Sadaqah, however it is highly encouraged in Islam as it promotes goodwill and social justice. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) regularly gave Sadaqah and advised others to do so as well.
‘The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.’ (Al-Tirmidhi)
Can I Give Sadaqah?
Absolutely anyone can give Sadaqah. Unlike Zakat, there is no Nisaab (wealth threshold) that one must be at to give Sadaqah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
‘Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.’ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The word Sadaqah literally means righteousness or being truthful. We know the value Islam places on Muslims living righteous lives, and Sadaqah is a way to do so.
‘By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love. And whatever you spend; indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.’ (Quran, 3:92)
Why give Sadaqah in Ramadan
Although Muslims are encouraged to perform good deeds throughout the year, Ramadan is the time when people tend to increase their good deeds as the rewards of giving Sadaqah in Ramadan is multiplied up to 70 times! Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) always increased his charity during Ramadan.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most generous of people, and he was most generous during Ramadan.’ (Bukhari).
How UCI Uses your Sadaqah
With Sadaqah, there are no restrictions as with Zakat, both in terms of amount and also in terms of who you can give it to. Islam offers this flexibility so people can donate according to their financial situation and to help those who need it.
By giving your Sadaqah through UCI, you can help disenfranchised communities in Pakistan and the UK.
In Pakistan, your Sadaqah helps provide cooked meals and food packs to impoverished families and communities. Since 2014, our food projects have fed over 132,434 people.
UCI supports families living with food poverty in the UK as well. In response to the number of people who were struggling to feed themselves because of the pandemic, UCI launched its food projects in the UK in collaboration with London’s Community Kitchen. This partnership allowed us to feed impoverished individuals in our local communities.
Sadaqah e Jariyah
Sadaqah e Jariyah is a once-off charity the benefits of which are endless and ongoing. Examples of Sadaqah e Jariya are building a water well or mosque which would continuously earn rewards as long as it is being used and people are benefiting from it.
The rewards of Sadaqah e Jariyah outlive you and you will continue benefitting from it even after you have passed on.
‘Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.’ (Tirmidhi).
Sadaqah e Jariyah Programmes with UCI
Our programmes are created to make a positive and a long-term impact on the communities we support. One of our most successful Sadaqah e Jariyah projects is our Water initiative through which we have provided reliable sources of clean water to over 200,000 individuals.
Through our Women Empowerment and Rozgar Projects, we have given equipment that empowers people by giving them the means to earn their own income. We donate income-generating equipment and vehicles like sewing machines and rickshaws to people who need it most. So far, we’ve helped over 3,813 people through these two projects combined.
You can also help re-build a damaged mosque or build a new one through our Build a Masjid project. Otherwise, contribute to our Maktab Project which helps educate young children.
Your Sadaqah can also help people with poor vision and other serious eye conditions. UCI Eye Care initiative provides medical assistance through our Eye Camps, free surgeries and by giving prescription glasses that poor people cannot afford. Donate to this project and give people the gift of sight.
Your Sadaqah Transformed Moin’s Life
Moin, a resident of Orangi Town, is driven to make life better for himself and his family. A father of six, Moin is the sole breadwinner in the household. He used to work in a factory embroidering fabric before he lost his job four years ago. To help him rebuild his life, UCI donated a brand-new rickshaw to him, and now he earns a steady income. Moin can feed his family and can educate his children.
“I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity to work and to take care of myself and my family better. I hope to make the best of it and educate my children so they are freed from this cycle of poverty.”
We hope the same for Moin and we are confident he will turn his life around, Inshallah.
Note: You can donate Sadaqah, Lilah and Zakat towards our Ramadan projects. UCI has a 100% Zakat policy. This means your Zakat donation goes directly to those who need it the most.