“Charity and fasting are stronger and more effective barriers that will keep the person away from hell fire,” said the prophet”

In line with its objective, Direct Aid charitable organization has started donating food items to needy families and households in connection with this year’s Ramadan fast. In all, the organization will donate food items worth hundreds of thousand Ghana cedis to 720 families throughout the country. As part of the program 150 families, made up of men and women, were presented with quantities of rice, cooking oil, sugar and other items, at the headquarters of Direct Aid-Ghana in Medina. The National Imam of Ahlulsunna Wal Jamma Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam who graced the occasion commended Direct Aid and the donors of the items in Kuwait for their kind gesture and prayed for Allah’s guidance for them, their families and households. However he urged Ghanaians to desist from relying on donations at all times saying “we must learn to work hard to earn money to feed ourselves and be able to help others”

The country director of Direct Aid in Ghana Ahmed Sheikh Abdirahman Omar said that Direct Aid formerly Africa Muslim Agency, was set up in Kuwait with the primary aim of assisting the needy in the areas of education, health and support during Ramadan “Eid Ul Adha” festival celebrations and Ramadan fast. The donation of food to people during the Ramadan is meant to provide the poor and less endowed with the needed support to be able to take part in fasting.

Sheikh said “Ramadan is the month of giving and mercy and in it Allah blesses the believers with forgiveness who are saved from hellfire. Therefore, whoever is merciful and giving in Ramadan, Allah will be even more merciful and giving and will bestow upon him or her countless bounties and blessings. Combining fasting and charity will lead to one-entering paradise said the Prophet Mohammed PBH

The practice of Ramadan fast is intended to help teach Muslims self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity. The practice is also a way of giving the body rest, cleansing both physically and spiritually, sharpening our collective sense of self-restraint. Generosity and giving are attributes that Allah likes for Muslims to have. Also Allah is the most generous and giving of all.

“According to the prophet the best charity is the one given in the month of Ramadan because this time the rewards are multiplied. He who feeds a fasting man or woman will gain the same reward as he will without a reduction in the reward of the fasting person. The fasting person abandons food and drink in Ramadan. Thus when he gives others what he is craving for this sacrifice will generate greater rewards from Allah willingly.”

The recipients of the food items from far and near were full of praise for the rather large quantity of food they received, which might last until the end of the month-long Ramadan fast period.

By Alhaji Alhasan Abdulai

EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT