Category: News

In addition to these endless tragedies, thousands of Nepalese people are unable to afford food and shelter, leaving them hungry and homeless.

Our Nepal charity appeal helps to prevent the residents of Nepal from suffering, providing them with the chance of a better life; however, we can’t make these changes without your contribution.

Orphans 

Though many of us associate childhood with security and freedom, this is sadly not the case for the children of Nepal. From as young as six years old, Nepalese children are in danger of being sold into slavery. If they do manage to escape this cruel fate, they often find themselves orphaned, deserted, neglected, and exploited.

Amongst Nepal’s population of 31 million, 11.5 million are children. Of these, one million are orphans, meaning roughly 9% of Nepalese children are orphans. Tragically, these children have no choice but to go without essentials such as clean water, food, shelter, healthcare, education, and clothing. These basic necessities are the fundamentals of survival, and in their absence a good life is impossible.

Without parents, children are either forced to live on the streets or find shelter in an orphans’ home. The orphans’ homes of Nepal are struggling to accommodate the large number of parentless children in the country. As a result, the care that children receive in these facilities is not up to scratch due to overwhelmed staff that physically can’t cater to the needs of every child.

Earthquakes

Since Nepal sits on the Asian and Indo-Australian tectonic plates, it’s extremely vulnerable to earthquakes. In fact, a collision of these plates is what initially formed the Himalaya mountains. Despite this, these plates are also responsible for countless earthquakes that bring devastating destruction to Nepal.

In 2015, the Gorkha earthquake occurred. It was the largest in the history of Nepal. On 25 April 2015, over 9,000 people were killed by the earthquake and 23,000 others were severely injured. As well as this, upwards of 600,000 buildings in the region of Kathmandu were completely destroyed, in addition to a further 285,000 that incurred damage.

One third of the Nepalese people were impacted by this catastrophe; this equates to around eight million inhabitants. A huge chunk of these victims were children, with 30,000 classrooms in 8,304 schools incurring terrible damage. Not only was the already struggling education system affected, but also the overwhelmed medical sector, with 1,000 medical centres being severely damaged.

Communities in Nepal have repeatedly been completely devastated by terrible earthquakes, and it’s likely more tremors will happen in the future.

Poverty

Nepal is extremely dependent on the agricultural sector, but such an unpredictable industry presents problems for the Nepalese people. Recurring natural disasters mean that the farming sector is constantly at risk, resulting in people’s livelihoods being destroyed and leaving inhabitants hungry. The lack of industrialisation in the area means that money-earning opportunities are meagre, whilst the constant inflation results in money consistently losing value.

Additionally, the lack of educational opportunities available to Nepal’s youth means that generation after generation is forced to work on the land. Nepal is a very laborious country as people are forced to prioritise income over education. It’s not uncommon for children of primary school age to be pulled out of school to contribute to their household income. Even with several incomes, families of Nepal are unable to make ends meet due to measly wages and expensive living costs.

Water Crisis

Nepal is a landlocked nation, making it difficult to access water. Though it’s estimated that 80% of the population have access to drinking water, it’s not safe and is often polluted. Despite this, poor inhabitants of rural areas are often unable to readily access water at all, traipsing for hours on end to locate it. Nepal’s water is unsanitary due to the anthropogenic and natural contaminations of the Kathmandu Valley. In addition to this, the water is often polluted by domestic, industry, and sewage waste.

Only 27% of Nepal’s population is able to access basic sanitation, leaving the rest to rely on rivers and other natural water sources for bathing. Since most of this water can’t be safely consumed, Nepal is rife with waterborne diseases such as cholera, gastroenteritis, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhoea. These diseases are responsible for killing 44,000 children each year in Nepal.

Help Children in Nepal

In order to aid the struggling Nepalese families, you can donate to help Nepal. Our help Nepal organisation ensures that those who fall victim to the country’s issues are given ample support.

Don’t let these people suffer this winter. Donate today.

This is extremely important in the Islamic faith as these obligations provide the framework of a Muslim’s life, influencing their everyday activities. In Islam, it’s considered pointless to live a life without putting faith into practice, meaning Muslims must prioritise their faith rather than trying to slot it amongst their secular lives. So, what are the Five Pillars of Islam that every Muslim bases their existence on?

Shahadah 

Shahadah refers to the sincere recital of the Muslim profession of faith. Quite simply, this is the belief that “There is no God but Allah (SWT), and Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger.” Anyone who is unable to wholeheartedly recite this statement can’t be regarded as a true Muslim. As a Muslim recites this, they must too proclaim that:

• Allah (SWT) is the sole God, and Muhammad (PBUH) is his prophet
• They personally accept this as true
• They will obey all commitments to Islam throughout their life

In order to become a Muslim, one must recite this statement three times in front of witnesses. It’s expected that the individual is completely sincere and has a whole understanding of what the statement means. The Shahadah is written in Arabic on the flag of Saudi Arabia, as this is the state that contains Islam’s holiest places.

Salat

Salat (Salah) is the performing of ritual prayers in the correct way five times a day. Muslims are instructed by Allah (SWT) to pray at the set times each day:

• Salat al-Fajr: before sunrise
• Salat al-Zuhr: after the sun passes its highest
• Salat al-‘Asr: the late part of the afternoon
• Salat al-Maghrib: just after sunset
• Salat al-‘Isha: between sunset and midnight

Muslims are encouraged to do this from as young as seven years old, and this prayer timetable establishes the rhythm of their day. This prayer ritual is over 1,400 years old and connects each Muslim to one another across the globe.

These prayers aren’t simply spoken; instead, every Muslim should unite their mind, body, and soul during worship. As a result, a set of movements will often be executed alongside the words of the prayer. It’s imperative that a Muslim engages in prayer in the correct mindset by putting aside all everyday concerns. Praying in the wrong frame of mind is equal to not praying at all.

Similarly, every Muslim must recognise that they don’t pray for the benefit of Allah (SWT), as he has zero needs. Instead, a Muslim must pray because they’ve been instructed to by Allah (SWT), and they will receive great benefit in doing so. Prayers should always be spoken directly to Allah (SWT), regardless of where you are. Although it’s particularly beneficial to pray with others in the mosque, Muslims are able to pray anywhere. Despite this, they must always be clean before they pray and perform ritual washing ahead of prayer times.

Zakat

Zakat refers to paying an alms tax to aid the needy. This is a compulsory donation of a set proportion of one’s wealth. As a result, voluntary donations such as Sadaqah Jariyah don’t count as Zakat. Muslims are required to donate Zakat in order to purify their wealth; this is done by donating 2.5% of one’s wealth on a yearly basis to the poor.

As well as aiding the poor, paying Zakat allows you to:

• Obey Allah (SWT)
• Acknowledge that you don’t own anything yourself and that everything is on loan from Allah (SWT)
• Recognise that you can’t take anything with you when you die and there’s no need to cling to it
• Acknowledge that Allah (SWT) decides on your wealth status, and you should help those who have been made poor
• Learn self-discipline
• Free yourself from the love of possessions, greed, and money
• Free yourself from the love of yourself
• Behave honestly

You can donate your Zakat with Children of Adam using our handy Zakat calculator.

Sawm

Sawm is the act of fasting during Ramadan. This is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and, during this time, all capable Muslims must abstain from food, drink, smoking (including passive smoking), and sexual activity during daylight hours.

Anyone who is unwell, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, menstruating, or travelling is exempt from fasting during this time. Instead, they must pay Fidya or make up for their fasting days at a later date. In addition to these physical restrictions, Muslims must also refrain from engaging in sinful thoughts.

The fast is carried out for many reasons, such as:

• Obeying Allah (SWT)
• Connecting with other Muslims
• Displaying gratitude for the Holy Qur’an that was initially revealed during this month
• Experiencing the sufferings of the poor and displaying empathy
• Appreciating Allah’s (SWT) gifts to us
• Growing spiritually stronger
• Learning self-discipline

Before dawn, Muslims will eat Suhoor to prepare them for the day’s fast. Once the sun has set, many Muslims will break their fast with dates and water as this is how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) broke the first fast. Following this, they will eat their Iftar meal.

Ramadan is closed with Eid ul-Fitr, which is a festival that is marked by dressing up, engaging in prayer at the mosque, and enjoying celebratory meals with family and friends. Since the Islamic calendar follows the lunar position, the dates of Ramadan will vary from year to year.

Hajj

On a yearly basis, all Muslims are expected to gather together in Mecca, stand before the Kaaba, and praise Allah (SWT) together. This ritual was designed to encourage the bonds of Islamic unity by showing that Allah (SWT) views everyone as equal. The Hajj strips away all indications of social status, emphasising the importance of life on earth and in the afterlife alike. Everyone is truly equal in the Hajj.

During the pilgrimage, everyone wears plain white clothing called Ihram, performs acts of worship, and renews their sense of purpose in the world. Mecca is regarded as such a holy place that no non-Muslim is permitted to enter. The Hajj occurs during Dhul Hijjah, which is the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. Every able Muslim must embark on this journey at least once in their life.

Fulfil Your Islamic Duties with Children of Adam

A donation to Children of Adam will strengthen your relationship with Allah (SWT) and bring you closer to righteousness. Donate today.

The pillars of Islam are the fundamentals of the religion and were set out by Allah (SWT) to guide Muslims to live a good, honest, and responsible life in line with His teachings outlined in the Qur’an. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived his life by these pillars, and Muslims should strive to do as he did so that they too can please Allah (SWT) in the name of Islam. 

All Muslims must abide by the five basic principles, including Sawm. That being said, there are instances in which a Muslim may be unable to observe Sawm during Ramadan. Depending on the reason behind their inability to observe Sawm, there are two provisions that must be made: Fidya or Kaffarah.

There is often much confusion surrounding Fidya and Kaffarah, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide explaining exactly what they are and what role they play in Ramadan and Islam as a whole.

What is Fidya?

Firstly, let’s explore Fidya. This is a compensation that Muslims who are unable to fast during Ramadan, but only if they have a valid reason not to complete the fast. Whilst Sawm is a core principle of Islam, some people are unable to observe the fast during Ramadan, and for these people, Fidya is the permissible compensation. Under Ramadan rules, there is a select group of people who may postpone their fast and give Fidya. They are as follows:

• Elderly and frail Muslims
• Muslims with health conditions that are incompatible with fasting
• Muslims who are travelling
• Muslim women who begin menstruating

If you fit into any of the above categories, you may be liable to pay Fidya.

How is Fidya Paid?

Those who have a valid excuse to not fast must make up the missed days of fasting later in the year. The days are equally matched, so if you miss four days of fasting, you must fast for four days later in the year. If you have a terminal health condition or won’t be able to fast before the next Ramadan, you must make a monetary donation to a Fidya charity like Children of Adam. This donation will go towards feeding someone hungry.

How Much is Fidya? 

The rate of Fidya can change year on year, but it is typically priced in the region of £4 per day of missed fasting. This means if you miss four days of fasting and you can’t make them back up, you must pay £16. It’s always preferred to make up the fast, but if you’re terminally ill or unable to do so because you’ll be breastfeeding for the next year for example, then you may make the monetary donation.

When to Pay Fidya Ramadan

It is recommended that if you know you won’t be able to fast during Ramadan and won’t be able to make the days up, then you pay your Fidya early so the money can be used to feed the fasting during Ramadan.

Alternatively, if you will be making up the fast later on, you can do so at any point in the year except during Eid celebrations as it is forbidden to fast during these times.

What is Kaffarah? 

Kaffarah is payable by Muslims who intentionally break their Ramadan fast without a valid reason. This means anyone who isn’t exempt as listed above should pay Kaffarah. An example might be a male Muslim who is in good health feeling hungry during the day in Ramadan and intentionally choosing to eat.

If you accidentally eat during Ramadan and genuinely forget that you’re fasting, for example taking a sip of water then realising it’s Ramadan, you are not liable to pay Kaffarah as your fast isn’t broken.

How to Pay Kaffarah

Kaffarah is to be paid in the same way as Fidya, with making up the missed fast later in the year being preferable, but if this isn’t possible, a charitable donation can be made.

How Much is Kaffarah?

Kaffarah is much harsher than Fidya, with every day of broken fasting requiring 60 days of fasting or 60 lots of Fidya to be paid.

When to Pay Kaffarah 

Like Fidya, Kaffarah fasts can be made up at any time of the year except during Eid celebrations. If you cannot fast to make up your Kaffarah, you should make your donation before the end of Ramadan.

What is the Difference Between Fidya and Kaffarah?

The main difference between Fidya and Kaffarah is the intention behind them. Those who pay Fidya have a genuine and acceptable reason to miss their fast, meaning they are not sinning. In contrast, those who pay Kaffarah are sinning by intentionally going against Allah’s (SWT) command without a good reason to do so. This is why the Kaffarah amount is so much higher – to reflect the severity of the sin.

How to Pay Fidya and Kaffarah 

If you are liable to pay Fidya or Kaffarah and cannot make up the fast, you can make your donation through Children of Adam. We will use your donations to feed those who are hungry, ensuring your money is used to save lives and nourish those who need it the most.