Children of Adam

Category: News

  • What we are doing to help families in Pakistan survive a harsh Winter

    What we are doing to help families in Pakistan survive a harsh Winter

    Winter in Pakistan

    In the winter, there is often heavy snow, cold winds and dropping temperatures, and as a result of this, many families require provisions like food and heating resources to help them to get through the harsh and dangerously cold winter weather. Without these resources, they often struggle to get through winter in full health, or struggle to overcome the effects of living through a winter there, and many end up with the flu, a cold, or even pneumonia, which can be extremely detrimental to a person’s health.

    How We Are Helping Families in Pakistan

    Children of Adam are working to provide these provisions for the impoverished and vulnerable in Pakistan to give them the best chance of getting through the winter months, and with your help, this will be achievable, Insha’Allah.

    We are working to provide families in Pakistan with resources during the winter months, including food like rice, flour, pasta and oil, as well as other dry foods that will keep them well fed and that will strengthen their immune systems to fight off any winter-illnesses.

    We also provide thick blankets and clothes like gloves, scarfs, socks and hats, and heating resources like gas, wood and electricity to help families stay warm during the bitterly cold winter. These items are essential in supporting our brothers and sisters in Pakistan to combat the winter months with the best possible chances of survival and health.

    How You Can Help Those in Pakistan

    Please donate what you can to our winter appeal, as your donations will allow us to provide families in Pakistan with basic necessities including food, clothing, thick blankets, heating resources and shelter, all of which have immense and positive impacts on the recipients, as well as rewards for the giver.

    The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, ‘The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.’ (Tirmidhi)

    For £20, an individual will be provided with a hat, scarf, gloves, socks and blanket, which greatly supports them during the harsh winter. Donate £20 here.

    £30 will provide a family of 4-6 members with food, including pasta, oil, rice and flour, as well as other dry foods. Donate £30 here.

    £50 will provide a family with heating in the form of gas, wood or electricity, which allows a household to get through the winter and stay warm. Donate £50 here.

    £100 willprovide all the above provisions; food, clothes and heating to support a family in need. Donate £100 here.

    Please donate to our winter appeal to provide those in Pakistan with the resources they need to make it through this winter. With your help, we will help our brothers and sisters in Pakistan to get through many winters to come, Insha’Allah.

  • Why Muslims Give Qurbani

    Why Muslims Give Qurbani

    As only licenced slaughterhouses are permitted to carry out the sacrifice in most countries, such as the United Kingdom, Muslims will, instead, donate equating the value of a share of meat to a charity that would then ensure the sacrifice and distribution of meat takes places in accordance with Islamic protocol.

    Sharing With Those Most Vulnerable

    It has been very much enshrined in Islamic culture to make sure that we do not indulge ourselves while our brothers and sisters go without. Thus, the Qurbani sacrifice is shared in three equal ways, with those who fall into the poor and needy category receiving the same sized share as the person making the sacrifice, and their friends and family.

    Why Do We Do Qurbani?

    Qurbani derives from the sacrifice that Ibrahim (AS) was willing to make as a sign of his unwavering devotion to Allah (SWT). Following God’s word, Ibrahim (AS) agreed to sacrifice what he loved more than anything else, which was his son, Ismail (AS). Ibrahim (AS) walked his son to the top of Mount Arafat and explained to his son the message that was shared in his dream.

    Ismail (AS) agreed on two conditions. Firstly, that he was bound by rope so that he could not struggle and, secondly, that his father be blindfolded during the sacrifice so that he would not have to witness his pain and suffering. Ibrahim (AS), then, set about conducting the sacrifice by binding his son in rope, blindfolding himself, and taking a knife to Ismail (AS).

    Ibrahim (AS) carried out the sacrifice and removed the blindfold, but what he witnessed was not what he had prepared himself for. Ismail (AS) stood before him unbound and unharmed as a divine miracle had taken place and Allah (SWT) spared the life of Ibrahim’s (AS) son. In his lap lay the body of a ram that had been switched with Ismail (AS). It was bound in the same rope that Ibrahim (AS) had tied his son in.

    Giving Qurbani Rules

    Traditionally, it’s expected that every qualifying Muslim will sacrifice a livestock animal in the name of Allah (SWT). The meat from this animal will be distributed in three equal ways between the donor, the donor’s family and friends, and someone in need. Giving Qurbani in the UK tends to be slightly different, meaning that qualifying individuals will make a donation in place of a sacrifice.

    When Do You Give Qurbani?

    All sacrifices must be made during the three days of Eid al-Adha, which, in 2022, falls between Saturday 9 July and Tuesday 12 July. Any sacrifices made before or after this timeframe will not count towards Qurbani. Donations should be made as early as possible to ensure the sacrifice can take place in the allotted timeframe and count as Qurbani.

    Who Gives Qurbani?

    If you’re wondering “Who is Qurbani compulsory on?”, it refers to all eligible Muslims. This eligibility is determined by a person being over the age of puberty, being of sound mind, and having a disposable income that meets the Nisab threshold.

    The Benefits of Qurbani

    The biggest benefit of Qurbani is that it pleases Allah (SWT) and is an act of worship; however, its benefits are plentiful. It’s also a reminder of Ibrahim’s (AS) sacrifice, is an indication of true faith, results in reward and protection, and is also an expression of gratitude to Allah (SWT).

    Please donate your Qurbani to Children of Adam, allowing us to distribute shares of meat to all those who are most deserving.

  • The Fifth Pillar of Islam

    The Fifth Pillar of Islam

    In Islam, there are Five Pillars that signify the five key principles that Muslims base their life around. These are Shahadah, Salat, Sawm, Zakat, and Hajj, which Allah (SWT) has made compulsory for all able Muslims. Hajj is the fifth pillar, and it refers to the pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims must embark on at least once in their lives. This pilgrimage takes place during the month of Dhul Hijjah, which is the last month of the Islamic calendar that is rounded off by Eid ul-Adha prayers.

    The Hajj is intended to foster the connections of Muslims through recognition of the fact that Allah (SWT) regards every individual as equal. Ultimately, the Hajj removes all indicators of pride, wealth, and social status, which encourages Muslims to accept life’s true meaning. These markers are removed by the pilgrims wearing basic white garments, otherwise known as Ihram, whilst they worship and revive their life’s true purpose.

    What is Qurbani?

    Qurbani, otherwise known as Hajj Qurbani, is the act of sacrificing an animal in the name of Allah (SWT). The importance of Qurbani in Islam is one and the same as the significance of Hajj, as it is a means of reminding ourselves that it’s our duty to make any sacrifice that Allah (SWT) wishes us to make. Although it’s traditional to make your Qurbani sacrifice during the Hajj, doing Qurbani in the UK often refers to making a Qurbani donation to a UK Qurbani charity, such as Children of Adam. Despite this, the Qurbani meaning must not be lost, and we must always understand our duty to Allah (SWT).

    History of the Hajj

    It’s widely believed that Allah (SWT) instructed the Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to take his wife, Hajira (AS), and their son, Ismail (AS) to Arabia from Palestine to defend them from Ibrahim’s (AS) first wife, Sarah’s jealousy.

    Following this, Allah (SWT) also instructed that Ibrahim (AS) leave the two alone, to which he obliged and left a handful of supplies. These supplies soon wore thin, causing Hajira (AS) and Ismail (AS) to suffer from dehydration and hunger. As a result, Hajira (AS) desperately roamed the two hills called Marwa and Safa in search of help; however, the exertion caused her to collapse and pray for deliverance.

    Upon Hajira’s (AS) collapse and prayer, Ismail (AS) stomped on the floor and water began to gush from the earth; Allah (SWT) had saved them. Ibrahim (AS) returned to find his family running a successful well.

    Allah (SWT) then instructed Ibrahim (AS) to construct a shrine devoted to Him, to which Ibrahim (AS) and Ismail (AS) crafted a modest rock formation. This soon became the place of gathering of those who wanted to bolster their connection with Allah (SWT) and was called the Kaaba.

    Over the years, Ismail (AS) obtained prophethood and spread the teachings of Allah (SWT) throughout Mecca, which soon became a flourishing city due to the well of Zam Zam. Despite this, it soon became a space of polytheistic ideas, which goes against the teachings of the Qur’an.

    In order to amend this, Allah (SWT) sent the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on a voyage alongside 1400 of his followers to restore Islamic teachings. This was the initial pilgrimage to Mecca.

    Guide to Going to Mecca

    Upon reaching Mecca, it’s expected that Muslims will undertake two pilgrimages: the small pilgrimage of Umra and the main Hajj. Despite this, the Umra is optional and won’t be regarded as Hajj in the eyes of Allah (SWT).

    Being Pure

    Hajj is all about purity and must be conducted in a complete state of Ihram. This Ihram is achieved via a statement of intention, the wearing of white clothes, and observing the Hajj regulations. These regulations include the refrainment from:

    • Marital relations
    • Shaving or cutting of nails
    • The use of scented oils or colognes
    • Arguing or fighting

    Similarly, women aren’t permitted to cover their faces, and men aren’t allowed to wear clothes with stitching. Finally, bathing is permitted, but perfumed soaps aren’t appreciated.

    Umra

    In order to begin the Umra, you start at the Miqat, which is a location on the outskirts of Mecca. Here, you wear the Ihram and recite the Talbiya Du’a, as this is the declaration of your intention for Umra.

    Following this, you will repeat prayers and Du’as whilst you circle the Ka’ba seven times. This is called the Tawaf; after the Tawaf, you’re required to drink some Zam Zam water. After this, you make your way to the corridor between the hills of Marwa and Safa and walk between them seven times.

    Hajj

    Upon completing the Umra, you can declare your intention for the Hajj and wear the Ihram again. Next, you make way to Mina on the 8th Dhul Hijjah and stay there until Fajr (dawn) the following morning. After this, you make way to the valley of Arafat and praise Allah (SWT) in the open. As the day comes to a close, you make way to Muzdalifa and collect 49 or 70 small rocks for the following day.

    These stones will be thrown at pillars (Jamraat) the following morning in Mina and Qurbani will be made. Following this, men’s heads are shaved, whilst women cut a lock of their hair before returning to Mecca and making a Tawaf.

    Once Tawaf has been made, you return to Mina for three or four days in which the pillars will once again be stoned. Lastly, a farewell Tawaf will take place on the 12th Dhul Hijjah in Masjid-al Haram before Allah (SWT) is asked for forgiveness and Du’a is made.

    Donate Qurbani to Children of Adam

    If this isn’t your year to embark on the Hajj, fulfil your Islamic duty by donating your Qurbani to Children of Adam.