Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu
All praise is due to Allah who has blessed us with much goodness at our masjid. We find ourselves in Ramadhaan – the blessed month, full of goodness and reward.
Ibn Abbaas [may Allaah be pleased with him and his father] reported that the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadaan when Jibreel visited him, and Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadaan till the end of the month. The Prophet [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] used to recite the Noble Qur’aan to Jibreel, and when Jibreel met him, he used to be more generous than the fair wind [sent by Allaah with glad tidings (rain) in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds]. (1)
Zain Ibnul Muneer [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The intent behind the comparison between the Prophet’s generosity and the fair wind is that the wind is mercy which Allaah [The Exalted] sends and sends down rain that falls everywhere – both on a dead land as well as the land that is not dead; (likewise) the Prophet’s good conduct and benevolence benefits everyone – the poor, the wealthy and the one who has enough – more than the rain that falls (after the arrival of that) fair wind”. (2)
Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] was the most generous amongst the people with regards to wealth and not that he was generous only when asked. And in the final year of his life, Jibreel met him twice and he finished the recitation of the Qur’aan twice. And from the benefits of this hadeeth is that it is more virtuous to study and recite the Qur’aan at night, studying it with the righteous people and the scholars. The Prophet recited the Qur’aan to Jibreel to receive Allaah’s reward.
Generosity in times when people are in need and in Ramadaan is something sought after in the religion of Islaam. (3)
Abdullah Bin Habshi al-Khath’ami [may Allaah be pleased with him] said that the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, “Which of the actions is better?” He replied, “Standing for long time (in prayer)”. He was again asked, “Which alms is better?” He replied, “The alms given by a man possessing small property acquired by his labour”. (4)
Last year we raised money for the restoration and renovation of the cabins. Alhamdu lil laah, they are now in use for the Taraweeh prayer and opened up for Jumu’ah also. But the blessings do not end there, as narrated from Uthmaan [may Allah be pleased with him] that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it”. (5)
Every week there are at least 35 children attending Qur’ān school 3 times a week. There’s around 60 who attend and learn Islam, Arabic and Quran every Saturday. In addition, around 70 children are taught via the tuition centre every week, club activities for girls and women who use them for Quran classes – including free lessons taught during ramadhan and more. We must always do our utmost and never underestimate reward from Allah, and we ask Allaah to grant us foresight in knowing what brings about greater rewards.
Many parents have their children on our school waiting lists and without these extra rooms, which you helped fund, 100’s throughout the last 6 years would have missed out on Quran, sound Creed, sound methodology and the Arabic. So, we ask Allah to grant abundant reward to those who donated and bless their wealth, and likewise reward those who are always making du’aa for the Masjid to be protected from all harm.
We are asking you again this year to donate in this blessed month of Ramadhaan- a time in which one can maximise that reward by helping us cover our rent for the year, and imagine the reward for all the prayers of the performers of the prayer that you would help facilitate. Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] was asked, “Is it permissible to give charity to mosques?” He replied, “Yes, giving charity to the mosques is good. Maintaining mosques is one of the most virtuous acts of worship if the charity is an optional extra act of worship and not the obligatory Zakat. If one builds mosques, repairs or completes what is missing from them, or furnishes them, this is a righteous deed and an act by way of which one draws close to Allaah, but this should be other than the obligatory Zakat. As for the Zakat, it should be for the eight types of people (mentioned) in Allaah’s statement:
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَالْغَارِمِينَ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَاِبْنِ السَّبِيلِ
As-Sadaqat (here it means Zakat) are only for the Fuqara’ (poor), and Al-Masakin (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and for to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujahidun – those fighting in the holy wars), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything). [Surah At-Tawbah. Aayah 60] (6)
May Allaah grant us and you all a blessed Ramadhaan, accept our acts of worship and overlook our shortcomings Aameen.
Salafi Centre of Manchester
[Ref 1: Saheeh al-Bukhaari 1902]
[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Fat-hul Baari Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Vol 4. Page 150. Hadeeth 1902. Publisher- Daarus Salaam 1421 (Year 2000). 1st Edition). Slightly paraphrased]
[Ref 3: An Excerpt from Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min Ta’liqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaariy. 2/121. Footnotes numbers: 1, 2 &3]
[Ref 4: Sunan Abi Dawud 1449]
[Ref 5: Sahih al-Bukhari 5027]
[Ref 6: paraphrased: https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/11253/%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D8%AF%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AF ]
