Poverty Relief

In today's world, where so many wake up in poverty and go to sleep hungry, each of us must ask: "How can I help?" It is a sin to waste food while others do not have enough to eat. The food we waste in America every year can feed 49 million people per year.

Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow up their spending by stressing their benevolence and causing hurt, will find their reward secure with their Lord. They have no cause for fear and grief.

Imams definitely have a role to play in helping the poor and needy of their communities. If you're an Imam there are a number of things you can do on an educational and practical level to help. Here are some ideas.

Wouldn't it be great to give charity as a family? You can do this in a systematic way by setting up a family Sadaqa box in a particular spot of the house. Then, convince each person to put a portion of their allowance or salary in this box.

Catholic Charities online are raising $100,000 per hour after the disaster. A mosque in Chicago raised $80,000 in ten minutes. Humanity is showing its best colors. Several Muslim organizations with thousands of volunteer started helping victims and survivors immediately after the Indonesian earthquake.

The tragedy is huge and still unfolding. It is the mercy of God that so many human beings are opening their hearts to help. And almost everyone is willing to help. Here are some guidelines for donating to this cause which we offer based on researching various options.

She was known among the Muslims in Chicago as the mother of the homeless. I did not know how long she had been a Muslim. The first time I met her was when we were thinking of starting a soup kitchen to be run by Muslims in Chicago.