Kuala Lumpur: Ramadan provides Muslims with an opportunity to perform more charitable acts as the rewards gain throughout this month are more special and abundant compared to other months.
One of the common practices is to give alms including food for the breaking of fast, through which the giver will reap a great reward.
Therefore, many organisations in the government and private sectors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals took the opportunity to organise breaking-of-fast events for the underprivileged such as orphans, the poor and the needy.
However, this practice is not possible this Ramadan because of the Movement Control Order (MCO). Nonetheless, those who wish to do charity can still fulfill their deeds in other ways.
For instance, Arba Foundation has taken an initiative to help the needy by channelling cash donation through the Infaq Berbuka Puasa (Keluarga Susah Di Malaysia) programme.
Its founder and chief executive officer Azlan Shah Nabees Khan said the pioneer programme aims to help families who are suffering from the loss of employment during the MCO by transferring money into their accounts.
“This special project was launched on April 28 to cater to those in a desperate situation.
“Statistics from the Department of Statistics show that over 50 per cent of Malaysians are self-employed and living on daily wage. So, the MCO has caused them to lose their source of income.
“Most of them are petty traders and the urban poor and to make things worse, they don’t have much saving,” he told Bernama.
He said through this programme, a donor could offer between RM15 and RM450 a day, a week or a month to one family and the money will be used to buy groceries for breaking fast.
“To date, we have received applications from over 100 families nationwide. They have been verified as among the most needy families for the time being. We want this Infaq Berbuka Puasa Fund to benefit as many families as possible throughout the country,” he said.
Meanwhile, a travel and umrah agency, Emraz Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd, has changed its mode of operations because of Covid-19 to do business with charity in mind.
Emraz chief operating officer Shahrul Izuan Shafie said they are taking the opportunity to distribute over 22.5 tonnes or 7,500 boxes of Sukkari dates, the preferred dates in Mecca and Madinah, throughout the country.
“We are not just selling the dates but also opening an opportunity for those who want to give alms. Praise be to Allah, we have managed to gather over 300 donors in a month through this programme,” he said.
Preacher Ustaz Syed Mohd Norhisyam Tuan Padang said Infaq (the giving of alms) during Ramadan could still be carried out in different ways despite the threat of the pandemic.
“We used to sponsor a breaking-of-fast programme at the mosque, house or hotel, but this time, perhaps it’s best to do it in different ways. For instance, donating through food delivery services, fresh groceries or cash is good because it is not suitable to organise any gathering in the present situation,” he said.
There will still be rewards in doing the charity this way, he said, adding that Muslims should not break any rules which could endanger others while looking for pahala (reward).
Another preacher, Datuk Dr Mohd Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim, explained that giving alms during the month of Ramadan is in line with the Sunnah (teaching) of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who encouraged people to sponsor food for breaking-of-fast of others as it provides a great reward.
“Thus, go forward with the intention to donate, aiding and giving people food to break fast because this act will lead to forgiveness, blessing and easiness in everyday matters from Allah. As the country is currently battling the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to comply with the MCO,” he said.
