UAE | Heritage and Culture

Time to help the less fortunate

Muslims share their blessings with the less fortunate through the year, especially during Ramadan.

  • By Manuel Almario, Community Journalist
  • Published: 23:35 September 25, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Amyn Jaffer Ali Gulam Ali with his fiancee Farzana Fazal at the Jumeirah Mosque.
  • Image Credit: Manuel Almario/Gulf News

Muslims share their blessings with the less fortunate through the year, especially during Ramadan.

Are they obliged to do so? Or is it voluntary? Who should be the recipient?

Amyn Jaffer Ali Gulam Ali, 20, from Tanzania, said: "Charity is encouraged through the year, but you tend to give more during Ramadan. I believe that the head of the family should provide for his wife and dependents and then give to the community."

Every Muslim gives 'zakat', which means a percentage of their savings each year, to the poor and needy.

Ali said: "I understand that two-and-a-half per cent is taken from the monthly salary after deducting expenses for basic necessities such as food, housing and education. Muslims can offer 'zakat' to the mosque or to the poor.

"If you know somebody personally who needs financial assistance, then, for me, it is best to give it to him or her directly. I used to accumulate money for six months and send it to my dad in Tanzania for him to hand it over to the poor. Now I stopped sending money as I have found someone in Dubai who badly needs financial assistance."

Ali, who works in a bank, firmly believes that Muslims can also give to non-Muslims who are in need.
He said: "It is debatable, as some say Muslims should only give to fellow Muslims. But based on what I have learnt, we should extend a helping hand to the poor, regardless of religion and race. And it is our belief that every single human being is a child of God. We are taught that all human beings should be treated with equality and given equal opportunity."

Ali explained that the significance of fasting was that it made one feel what the poor feel. We would then realise there are less fortunate people out there who need us.

Then you would feel obliged to give 'zakat', which is required. Fasting in a way tests the strength of one's willpower and self-discipline.
Ali said: "Imams told me a story, that has been passed on from generation to generation, that during Ramadan, God locks up Satan so that we are free from temptations. And thus you alone control your actions. This tests your willpower and ability to follow and worship Him.

"I don't have any resolutions because I tend to break them. But my smoking habit has reduced. It is a sort of miracle that I find no craving for smoking from sunrise to sundown.
"Moreover, I have a short temper, but during Ramadan I become more tolerant, instinctively."

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