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Mosque Foundation | Bridgeview, Illinois

Mosque Foundation

Multiple Options For Women’s Saturday Quran Classes

First Friday Prayer is at 12:30 PM . Second Friday Prayer is at 2:00PM

Multiple Options For Women’s Saturday Quran Classes

Every Saturday, women ages 18 and up have three opportunities to study the Quran beginning with learning Juz Amma, moving on to advanced tajweed, and finally, memorization of the Quran. Sister Seida Khater oversees these three classes on the second level of the Mosque Foundation.

Schedule:

  • Memorization Class: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
  • Advanced Tajweed Class: 11:15 am – 11:45 am
  • Juz Amma Beginner Class: 11:45 – 1:00 pm

The objective of the beginner class is to build the ability and confidence in reading Arabic and learning the basic rules of tajweed. For the next level, advanced tajweed, students are adept in reading Arabic and have moved on to perfecting their pronunciation by following the ahkam, or rules of tajweed. Finally, students may enroll in the hifz, or Quran memorization class. Each class has a monthly fee of $25.

The main participants are women ages 18 and above, who are non-native-Arabic speakers. They range from college students, working professionals, mothers with young children, to respected elders. Despite the varying ages, backgrounds, and stages in life, all the women share a connection through the bond of Islamic sisterhood. 

These Quran classes began in 2012 when Sister Seida Khater saw a lack of classes geared specifically for English native-speakers to learn and benefit from the Quran. Each class provides women the opportunity to feel connected to the Quran and thus strengthen their faith.

Sister Seida Khater is a highly qualified educator with many years of teaching experience as well as accomplishments in the study and understanding of the Quran including recitation, memorization, tafsir, and tajweed. Her students are grateful for these classes which cater to the busy lifestyle of our modern times. During each class, students engage in a welcoming and intellectual environment of learning and enlightenment.

For updates, announcements, changes in schedule, and to join the WhatsApp discussion group, please contact Sana Jaber at sanajaber3@gmail.com

Be Among the Few: Express Gratitude

Many of us frequently exclaim: “Alhamdulillah!” (praise and thanks to Allah) when we are happy or receive good news, but Allah says, “Only a few of My servants are truly grateful” (Quran 34:13). Even though verbal gratitude is one way to express thanks, this basic form has lost its punch in our daily life. For this reason, as a reminder to myself and to you, here are seven habits to maintain a grateful heart with mindfulness.

  • First, thank Allah by counting the blessings He’s given you. 

Make a list of the good things in your life and thank Him consciously. Saeed al-Jurayri used to say: “Counting Allah’s favors is one of the ways to express gratitude.” If you do not realize the blessings in your life, remember what the Prophet ﷺ advised, as reported by al-Tirmizi: “Whoever wakes up feeling safe with their household, staying healthy and having the food for their day is like a person who is given life in its entirety.” 

  • Second, speak of Allah’s favors on you. 

Share the good things you are grateful for in your life with the people who love you. This is not arrogance or showing off or being preachy! When you give thanks, you are praising Allah and attributing everything to Him. The Quran reads: “As for the favors of your Lord, report [them]” (Quran 93:11). Sharing gratitude can be a source of inspiration for others and holding ourselves more accountable.

  • Third, wake up early and start your day with gratitude affirmations. 

Every morning the Prophet ﷺ used to say: 

اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَ بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ فَمِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَلَكَ الشُّكْرُ

“My Lord, All the blessings that reach me this morning are from You alone. You have no partner. To You is all praise. To You is all gratitude” (Authentic Hadith as judged by Imam al-Nawawi).  

  • Fourth, end your day with gratitude. 

The Prophet ﷺ used to offer the following prayer before sleeping:

 الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَكَفَانَا وَآوَانَا، فَكَمْ مِمَّنْ لَا كَافِيَ لَهُ وَلَا مُؤْوِيَ

“Thanks are due to Allah who gave us food and drinks, sustained us and gave us shelter. There are many who are not sufficiently sustained or have a place to live in.” The Prophet ﷺ used to remember the favors of food and drinking water every night before he slept, even though he had less than what most of us have today.  

  • Fifth, when you say alhamdulillah, mean what you say. 

We begin each daily prayer with the Fatihahalhamdulillah…,’ and after finishing prayer, we say alhamdulillah 33 times. But, do we really mean what we say? Now say alhamdulillah mindfully and let the meaning sink slowly into your heart.

  • Sixth, thank people who do favors for you. 

Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and Ibn Hibban reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said:

 لا يشكر الله من لا يشكر الناس 

“Those who do not thank people are not grateful to Allah.” Call a friend, teacher, neighbor, or someone who did something nice to you and tell them that you are thanking them for being in your life. Your spouse looks out for your needs on a daily basis. Leave them a thank-you note for something good they did, no matter how small it is. Acknowledge the service provided to you by the postal worker, garbage collector, or your child’s bus driver by giving them a gift in appreciation of their work. A handwritten card is a heartfelt way of expressing gratitude as it illustrates your care and thoughtfulness. Make it your habit to give a compliment daily. By doing so, you will have more positive emotions, feel more alive, become more resilient, and develop better relations.

  • Seventh, practice present-moment gratitude. 

Here is one way to apply this habit: As you are doing a daily activity, as simple as drinking a cup of water, take a moment to pause, be mindful and feel grateful as you are drinking, and then say alhamdulillah with focus and awareness. Another way is when you receive good news, say alhamdulillah and fall down in prostration to Allah. This is a forgotten Sunnah known as Sujud al-Shukr (Gratitude Prostration) and is meant to protect us from any potential pride or arrogance. Whereas gratitude is expected every day, Sujud al-Shukr is for noticing and tracking any new blessing in our life. Many scholars see that it is not required to be in the state of taharah (ritual purity), facing the Qiblah or even for a woman to be wearing Hijab, as this sujud is a quick reaction to something that may have suddenly happened. 

I pray that Allah makes us among the few who are truly grateful for His blessings so He may increase His mercy upon us.

19 Years of Giving at the Community Food Pantry

The Mosque Foundation Community Food Pantry has been humbly serving low-income neighbors for nearly two decades. Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity, or do you know someone who would benefit from this service? Read more to find out.

At the Mosque Foundation, part of our mission is to address the needs of every component of an American Muslim’s life. This includes taking a proactive, comprehensive approach to community service. The Mosque Foundation Community Food Pantry offers sustenance to lines of people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, place of residence, or religious background.

Unlike other local food pantries that open once a month, the Mosque Foundation Community Food Pantry is open every Monday from 10 am to 1 pm. It is located at 7210 W 90th Place in Bridgeview. Jeanean Othman, the director and one of the founders, has been working at the food pantry since its inception over 18 years ago. When the food pantry first opened its doors, she recalls how no more than a handful of people would show up. Today, people line up before the doors are open. We serve between 150-200 families per week.

The food pantry is supported by generous individual community members who call in to ask how they can help or drop off food items. Additionally, the Greater Chicago Food Depository and local businesses donate 9 pallets of food twice a month.

In addition to financial and in-kind donations, volunteers devote their time and energy to keep the food pantry running smoothly. Jeanean and the volunteers experience first-hand the level of dedication that goes into running a food pantry. Volunteers handle each situation by delegating roles based on talent and experience. Volunteers take their job seriously but also find time to have fun and enjoy the experience.

Jeanean has a staff of about 10 loyal volunteers who come in every week regardless of what life throws at them. These volunteers are mainly mothers who are local community members and know the value of giving back. Jeanean also mentions a few volunteers, males and females, who are not even part of the Muslim community but contribute with their time and energy to help those who are less fortunate. Also, high school and college-aged students fulfill their community service hours by volunteering at the food pantry. Students are grateful for the opportunity to serve in a Muslim-run organization.

The Mosque Foundation Community Food Pantry takes pride in the fact that no one is ever turned away. Whether you are an individual who recently lost your job and need something to eat for the day, a single parent trying to make ends meet, elderly grandparents with custody of grandchildren, a new immigrant or refugee who needs help adjusting to the unfamiliar country and customs, or a widow—when you come into the food pantry, you will not only receive a variety of fruits and vegetables, a couple of pounds of meat or poultry, and a few boxes and cans of non-perishables, you will also be welcomed with a smile and treated with respect. We believe that everyone deserves to feel like part of the community.

The Mosque Foundation Community Food Pantry follows the strict guidelines of the USDA and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. We are certified based on our high standards by taking classes, keeping up to date with regulations, and maintaining a clean and sanitary environment.
Contact us for more information: mc@mosquefoundation.org

IG-Night

High school students are specially invited to participate in Islamic Guidance Night (IG-Night) at the Mosque Foundation every second and fourth Saturday evening to for fun activities and to discuss relevant topics with guest speakers. Refreshments will be served!

9 Myths About Muslim Charities: Stories from the Zakat Foundation of America

The community is invited to listen to Mr. Halil Demir, one of the founders of Zakat Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the lives of the poor worldwide. Mr. Demir will discuss his book, 9 Myths About Muslim Charities in the US, followed by a book signing on Saturday, December 21, from 7 pm to 8 pm.

Asking for Allah’s Forgiveness

“And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for them is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and they will abide therein humiliated. Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. And those who repent and do righteousness do indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance” (Quran: 68-71).

The scholars of Islam have derived from these verses and others like them that sin is of three main categories:

    • Sin against the rights of Allah
    • Sin against the rights of another creature
    • Sin as a transgression against one’s soul

Al-Baz-zaar and others have collected that a number of the righteous predecessors have said: Oppression is of three categories on the day of resurrection: a transgression which Allah will not forgive, a transgression which Allah will forgive, and a transgression which Allah will not neglect. The type of sin Allah will not forgive is Shirk (associating another with Him in worship). The Quran states: ‘Verily Allah does not forgive that others be associated along with Him (i.e., in worship), and He forgives that which is less in severity for those whom He chooses’ (Quran 4:48). The transgression Allah will forgive is a transgression of someone against their soul in sinning between themself and the lord. The type of sin which Allah will not neglect is a transgression of His creatures between one another. Allah will overlook this type until total retribution is achieved.

  • Cease from the action of which one is repenting
  • Heartfelt regret over the sin in question
  • Sincere and solemn intention never to sin again
  • Timely repentance (any time before the sun rises from the west, and before a person’s soul leaves their body)
  • If the sin involves transgression against another, the rights of the victim should be restored. For example, if someone steals, the stolen item must be returned to its rightful owner as a valid condition of repentence

Provided these conditions are met, Allah guarantees forgiveness. As He says in the previous verses, “…for them, Allah will exchange their evil deeds for good deeds…” There are several dimensions to the meaning of this statement. However, most simply put, by repenting, one cannot change the past; what’s done is done and cannot be changed. However, one can change the way the past is looked upon and judged by Allah.

May Allah grant us all the most sincere of accepted repentance before we meet Him.

 

 

 

Special Needs

The Mosque Foundation is partnering with MUHSEN (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs) to help families with special needs.

If you have a family member with a special need, please click on this link  to fill out our Special Needs Program Interest Form. Feel free to forward this form to other families in our community who have someone with special needs. All responses are confidential and will only be shared with the MUHSEN team.

Special Needs Information Form: Click here
For more information about MUHSEN, watch this video with Sh. Omar Suleiman or visit www.muhsen.org.

Restore Hope Through Repentance

“And those who do not invoke with Allah another deity or kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed], except by right, and do not commit unlawful sexual intercourse. And whoever should do that will meet a penalty. Multiplied for them is the punishment on the Day of Resurrection, and they will abide therein humiliated. Except for those who repent, believe, and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. And those who repent and do righteousness do indeed turn to Allah with [accepted] repentance” (Quran 25:68-71).

In these verses, Allah, the Most High, articulates three types of transgressions representing three sin categories. He alludes to these three categories by mentioning the most heinous of each category of sin. To properly understand these verses, we need to understand the types of corruption apparent throughout the Quran.

  1. First, there is the gravest of all sins that Allah has deemed inexcusable and utterly most heinous; transgression in terms of Allah’s sole right to be worshipped alone without any partners. This is the worst of all sins. 
  2. Second is transgression in others’ rights through unlawfully taking the life of another human being. 
  3. The third transgression is against one’s soul that does not involve the direct infringement of another’s rights. The worst type of offense that wreaks the most havoc on the soul is fornication.

In a narration collected by both Bukhari and Muslim, Ibn Mas’ood narrates that he asked the Prophet ﷺ: “What is the gravest sin?” To which the Prophet ﷺ responded: “That you worship another along with Allah in spite that it is Allah (alone) who has created you.” Ibn Mas’ood then asked: “What is most grave after that?” The Messenger of Allah replied: “That you kill your own children for fear that they would infringe upon your sustenance.” Ibn Mas’ood finally asked: “What is most severe after that? The Prophet ﷺ said: “That you fornicate with your neighbor’s spouse.”

Through this narration, we see three categories of sin denoted by mentioning the worst of each. When we study the texts of the Quran and Sunnah, we see this pattern repeated often. For instance, Allah mainly says the people of paradise and their opposites: the people of hellfire. What about those in-between? Those who have mixed good and evil, righteousness and sinfulness? The Quran is a reference that is not only comprehensive but concise. Hence, Allah addresses and dwells mostly upon extreme examples: idolatry, murder, and adultery. We then are to deduce the ruling of the less severe.

When Allah speaks of those who disbelieve in their hearts, and consequently, their actions follow suit, we can deduce that their faith is contaminated, and their behavior is of the disbelievers. This is similar to a painter who starts with primary colors to make other colors and doesn’t have the color gray at their disposal. Instead, they need black and white from which to make any shade of gray for the intended task. Likewise, when Allah explains one extreme or primary condition to us, we can derive other shades from which apply to the present.

In the end, the verses remind us that Allah’s mercy always prevails and that we should never give up hope in receiving or restoring Allah’s favor. Those who sin but repent in good conscious, turn to Allah, and follow their renewed intentions with purposeful actions are promised forgiveness and acceptance.

 

By Sh. Ali Mashhour

 

 

Scholarships

Mosque Foundation Educational Center presents ” Scholarship Program” .

Click the Image for scholarship application

 

Rights for Those Who Repent by Sh. Ahmed Arafat

As humans, we are all susceptible to committing sins and yet, the best amongst sinners are those who repent. Even though to err is human, those who turn to Allah may hear insensitive comments, notice suspicious glances, or experience social rejection. In compassion with newcomers and to draw them closer to Allah, Imam al-Jilani (d. 561 AH/1166AD) explained four rights for those who repent:

1. Love
Those who seek Allah should not only be welcomed but loved as well. This right is Quranically grounded by Allah: “Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and those who purify themselves”(Quran 2:222). Failing to show love is a sign of spiritual pride. Furthermore, our hearts should be filled with joy as we see someone coming back to Allah. As the newcomers expect to receive Allah’s love, they deserve to sense our love as well.

2. Prayer
The second right is to pray sincerely for their istiqamah or steadfastness of those who repent, especially in the beginning of their repentance as they will feel the pain of separation from their old habits. Furthermore, the new lifestyle could come with challenges and obstacles; not all will be sunshine and roses. Sincere prayers emanate from a heart that has compassion for people and a pure desire for their transformation. Being kind hearted is a prerequisite for dealing with those who are seeking repentance. The Quran describes the Prophet as, “A Messenger has come to you from among yourselves. Your suffering distresses him: he is deeply concerned for you and full of kindness and mercy toward the believers” (Quran 9:128).

3. Forgiveness
We should always keep in mind that sin and forgiveness are between the sinner and Allah, alone. There are those who sin against Allah, but Allah promises them forgiveness when they turn to Him in repentance. So, we have no right to interfere in this relationship. Reminding people of their past transgressions could make them give up on their new life as they feel incapable of overcoming the new changes.

4. Friendship
Muslims with compassionate hearts will always seize each opportunity to uplift and strengthen each other. Newcomers deserve to take comfort in the ease of our smiles and the willingness of our hearts to help. Building a loving relationship with them and inviting them to the masjid’s classes will help them improve and strengthen their relationship with Allah.

5. Patience (I added this to the list)
Many of us tend to demand too much, too soon from newcomers and expect them to start with what we have developed over many years without realizing the patience this requires. If we insist that an infant must eat adult food, for example, we will certainly damage their growth. In the same sense, we must exercise an immense degree of patience and tolerance when dealing with new Muslims and those who repent so that they too, will find their way to faithfulness, insha’Allah. We ask Allah to fill our hearts with love, prayer, forgiveness, friendship, and patience.

Our Father’s Great Sacrifice: Why We Celebrate Eid ul Adha

And he said, “Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me. My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” So We gave him the good news of a forbearing boy. And when he reached [the age of] serious work with him, he said, “O my son, indeed I have seen in a vision that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what your opinion is.”He said, “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast.” And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called to him, “O Ibrahim, You have fulfilled the vision.” Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice, and We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations” Peace upon Ibrahim”  (Quran 37:99-109).

In these verses, Allah relates to us one of the most profound instances of total servitude to Him that has ever been exhibited in human history. We are told of Ibrahim migrating from his people and his home to find a place to worship Allah in safety. His people, his own family including his father attempted to kill him. When this failed, Ibrahim turned to Allah in hijrah (migration) with total conviction and trust that Allah would be his keeper on this journey. He left with only his dutiful wife, Sarah, saying to her at one point: “Sarah, there isn’t on the face of the earth a believer aside from you and me” (Sahih Bukhari: 3358/ Sahih Muslim: 2371).  Despite this profound loneliness and great fear of his legacy dying with him, he persevered, praying to Allah for a righteous offspring to carry his heritage. We do not know how many years passed between Ibrahim’s supplication and the gift of a son, but according to some historians, such as Ibn Katheer, it was at least twenty years. 

After much prayer, patience, and trust in Allah, at the age of 86, Ibrahim was finally granted a son of piety and righteousness. But with every blessing comes a test. That test is always fashioned to penetrate our deepest corners; to test the depths of our souls and push our buttons as it were, to increase the wicked with wickedness and the righteous with strength and resilience. After so much waiting, no sooner was he blessed with his son, Ismail, than he was to be taken away, and not just by anyone or anything, but Ibrahim was to take his son’s life with his own two hands, the same two hands he had raised so many times asking Allah, begging Allah for this invaluable gift. Ibrahim was commanded to slaughter his one and only son. Ibrahim never wavered, not even for a moment, saying: “I have seen in a vision that I am slaughtering you, so tell me then what your opinion is.” We notice how Ibrahim never lost his total trust in Allah not even for a moment, so much so that he did not ascribe the command to Allah as it may imply some sort of folly to Allah’s command in the mind of the listener. The command to slaughter such a righteous boy while the earth is filled with unworthy souls is not something the rational mind can easily understand. One may question, why? What good could possibly come from such a command? Yet this question never came up.

Neither Ibrahim nor Ismail ever questioned Allah’s command; they were in total submission and obedience to Allah and His will. As Ibrahim took his only son and laid him on his belly, so as not to look into his eyes as he drew his final breath, he takes the sharpened blade and runs it across his beloved’s throat. Suddenly, a piercing light came through the darkness bestowing Allah’s relief. Ibrahim fulfilled Allah’s command without shedding his son’s blood. “Indeed Allah does not judge you based on neither your outward images nor your wealth, rather He judges you based on your hearts and actions” (Sahih Muslim: 4779).  Ibrahim took every step with the intention to slaughter his son as commanded, yet Allah decided a different outcome. Ibrahim was given a ram in his son’s stead, to be slaughtered and the meat to be distributed to feed the poor and needy. Hence, Ibrahim fulfilled his destiny to become the Father of the Prophets as it were, one who was willing to slaughter his own flesh and blood to feed the needy amongst his followers. He became, as Allah said: “And mention, when Ibrahim was tried by his Lord with words [i.e., commands] and he fulfilled them. Allah said, “Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people” (2:124). 

This great sacrifice our Father Ibrahim made on our behalf, his ultimate reliance on Allah and his subsequent reward, is honored as Eid ul Adha. This is why we celebrate every year on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah. Ibrahim was tested with the most unfathomable test. We are to merely carry on this legacy. We do not slaughter our children nor are we commanded to; we are instead instructed to reap the fruits of our forefather’s sacrifice and continue this tradition for generations to follow. It is for this reason the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: “Whoever does not sacrifice whilst having the ability to do so, should not even come near our place of prayer” (Ibn Majah: 3123). In other words, it is as If to say, if you do not do your part to uphold the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim, so long as you are able to, then as a Muslim, you have missed the entire point of what we celebrate on this day.

By Sh. Ali Mashhour

The Blessed Journey of Your Generosity

There are many windows of opportunities in this life uniquely placed by Allah ﷻ, to purify our souls and gain forgiveness for our sins. These opportunities are open to every single believing individual, young or old, poor or wealthy, ill or healthy, educated or illiterate; it matters not. Some take advantage of windows, seeking them with every twist and turn in this worldly life, both in happiness and calamity. For these people called al-Mossaddiqeen, Allah has created a special manzilah or level in the heavens for those who give Sadaqah consistently. It is the quality for which they are most recognized and will be witnessed on the day when nothing can attest to them but their deeds.

This group of people finds the best bargains and offers, continually searching for the best deal. The deal granted by He who created us and assigned us provisions. Allah ﷻ says, “Who will loan Allah a lofty loan which Allah will double unto their credit and multiply many times?” (2:245). The Mossaddiqeen grasped this deal because they recognized it is like no other that can be granted in this worldly life. My brothers and sisters, Allah grants us provisions, and He asks that we give from what He has blessed us so that He may provide us with more; how generous is Our Creator ﷻ.

So, even when it is challenging to give Sadaqah, the Mossaddiqeen remember that it does not decrease their wealth. The Prophet ﷺ was reported to have stated, “Charity does not decrease wealth, and those who forgive, Allah makes them more respected; and the ones who show humility, Allah elevates them in the eyes of the people” (Muslim).

For this reason, the Mosque Foundation community’s perception of Sadaqah has gained high regard and esteem from other communities. Your sincere commitment to the House of Allah places great baraka (blessings) in your wealth and possessions and protects your families, and will continue to do so, bi’thinillah. To spend in Allah’s cause by propagating His religion is a charity with high merit and great reward. Those who spend in the cause of Allah will continue to be rewarded even after their death. They are providing a place to pray, to learn about their religion, and to seek counsel. What is spent on the house of Allah will be rewarded with a home in heaven, as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was reported to have stated, “Whoever builds a Masjid for Allah, Allah will build for them a similar house in Paradise” (Bukhari).

To ensure that our Sadaqat are accepted, we must consider several requirements. First of all, Sadaqah must be given from money that is earned lawfully. Allah ﷻ says, “O you who believe, spend from what you (lawfully) earned,” (2: 267). Second, when giving Sadaqah, the believers must purify their intention and make their purpose for the sake of gaining Allah’s pleasure and reward. The Prophet ﷺ said, “All deeds are based on intention, and everyone will be rewarded according to what he intended” (Bukhari).

Third, the believer should make haste in giving Sadaqah and not delay it without a valid reason. It is also better for Muslims to give Sadaqah when they need to wait until death. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was once asked about the best of all charities to which he replied, “The best charity is what you give during your life while you need it.”

Fourth, it is more befitting for Muslims to give Sadaqah from their best possessions, which they love most. Allah ﷻ says, “By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely as a charity) from that which you love, and whatever you spend Allah knows it well” (3:92). However, this does not mean that we should lessen the value of our Sadaqah if we have little to give. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once said to his companions, “One Dirham could be better in reward than one hundred thousand Dirhams.” A man asked, “And how is that O Messenger of Allah?” He ﷺ replied, “A wealthy man takes one hundred thousand Dirhams, which is one part of his wealth and gives it as a charity, while a poor man who only has two Dirhams pays one of them as a charity.”

By Sh. Jamal Said