For the Muslims, Ramadan is the month of fasting and giving. They try to stand by the needy in several forms of charity including Zakat, Fitra and Sadqa. However, I want to draw the attention of the readers to an important issue of charity not reaching the deserving people or not being spent in a proper manner. Many of us get engaged in acts of charity, but do not make an effort to ensure that it reaches those who truly deserve it. If the charity does not reach the deserving people, its religious, ethical and social purpose is not served. Every year we can see how some Zakat payers distribute clothes of inferior quality to the poor. Sometimes, they fall victim to stampede while collecting those alms in the name of Zakat.
Another common mistake that we unintentionally make is that we keep giving charity to some particular person or family - something that makes them dependent on it and stop them from stepping out to work. It is even a greater charity to provide an opportunity for people to make a living instead of giving them cash. Another way is to provide training to people through short courses like on mobile repair, painting, driving, etc so as to equip them to earn a livelihood for themselves and their families in a decent way. We must remember that the true essence of charity is that it reaches the needy people.
Abu Bokkar Siddique,
Student of Department of Marketing,
University of Dhaka, Dhaka
abubokkar241@gmail.com