❝Ramadan has come to you. (It is) a month of blessing, in which Allah (SWT) covers you with blessing, for He sends down Mercy, decreases sins and answers prayers… In it, Allah looks at your competition (in good deeds) and boasts about you to His angels. So show Allah goodness from yourselves.❞
SaveSmile
In environments that are highly susceptible to pollution, poor nutrition and prenatal care, birth defects such as physical abnormalities are an unfortunately common reality.
Such was the case for Amal, a two-year-old Sudanese infant born with a cleft palate, as well as extra digits in both hands and feet. For most children in her circumstances, these defects often guarantee one a life of ostracization and difficulty finding suitors for marriage as an adult. With IMANA’s care, however, Amal received a new smile and a renewed chance at life.
Brought to IMANA’s SaveSmile project in Sudan, Amal joined among 150 other patients who often travel from far distances just to seek the cleft procedure. Open for one week annually, the project serves to provide as many surgeries to the community as possible, with each procedure taking as little as 30 minutes to complete. In this environment, every second matters.
As a result of her treatment, little Amal is now able to live a life where she won’t have to be defined by her physical ailments when confronting the world. A life that includes being able to overcome her circumstances, free of shame and ignominy
ServeHaiti
In areas that don’t just lack access to specialized procedures, but access to healthcare and medicine in general, it is no understatement to say that every little bit helps. As one staff member recalled, over 1000 patients would gather each week, both locally and from other towns, simply to receive the most basic of medical care.
“Many walked a day or more to get to the clinic. Once they got there, many had to wait in line for hours. The lines started forming at 3am and the clinic wasn’t able to open until 8 that morning,” the staff member told us.
“Everyone was extremely interested to learn new things to protect their health, including how to properly wash their hands and promote personal hygiene. It was very impactful.”
ServeYemen
When 11 year-old Nadda walked into IMANA’s Yemeni clinic with her family of internally displaced refugees, physicians were desperately notified that one of the members was suffering from complications of diabetes. Instinctively, our volunteers began checking the mother for overt symptoms, all before the family clarified that it was in fact little Nadda who had developed the illness and was feeling increasingly weak as a result.
In a country suffering from unending conflicts, including humanitarian and health crises, it is unfortunately extremely common that many internally displaced residents lack access to basic healthcare. With IMAN’s ServeYemen mission, many of those living in refugee camps—who would otherwise go untreated—are given a chance at a healthy future.
Since 2019, IMANA has reached over 800 vulnerable patients, all conducted within week-long missions. None of this, of course, could be possible without your help
The reward of any deed in Ramadan is multiplied by 700. Now imagine Laylatul Qadr.
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months,” (Qur’an, 97:3)
So you can focus on yourself in the last ten days, let us handle your giving. Schedule your donations now, so you don’t have to worry about missing Laylatul Qadr.
What is Ramadan About?
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. They are also supposed to avoid drinking, smoking, as well as unkind or impure thoughts and words, and immoral behavior.
Muslims break their daily fasts by sharing meals with family and friends. At the end of Ramadan, there is a three-day “festival” known as Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam’s major holidays. This holiday is celebrated as a reward for the past month, and also serves as a reminder of being grateful for all that we have been blessed with.
Note: This nisab is based off Gold
What is Zakat?
Offering zakat is a religious obligation for Muslims, and is the third of the five pillars of Islam (right after prayer). In Arabic, zakat means purification, growth and blessing. Paying zakat is meant to remind Muslims to be appreciative of the blessings that Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) has bestowed upon them, and to help empower those who have less. There are two primary forms of zakat: zakat al-mal and zakat al-fitr. Zakat al-mal is not required to be given in the month of Ramadan, but many people prefer it due to the increased reward during this holy month.
Who is Eligible for Zakat?
IMANA collects and distributes zakat to those who are most in need, in accordance with Islamic guidelines. Giving your zakat through IMANA means you can help support our global IMANA Medical Relief missions which have provided healthcare and treatment to over 2.5M + patients in 34 countries, as well as educational services and medical advocacy initiatives regarding the treatment of Muslims across the world. According to the Holy Qur’an (9:60), there are eight categories of people who qualify to be beneficiaries of zakat:
- The poor
- The needy
- The collectors of zakat
- Those whose hearts are to be won over
- Captives
- Those burdened with debt
- In the cause of Allah (swt)
- Travelers
Most scholars agree that the poor and needy are the most important categories of people to receive zakat. Given that, it is acceptable to give your entire zakat allotment to individuals who are in those groups.