The donations you generously give are spent on some of the neediest people in Pakistan. You have made their lives so much better. Here we are sharing some of their ‘Life Stories’ and the difference you have made to them in their words.
Emergency
However, there are still people who desperately need your help, so please donate Now.
Zakat
Zakat, the giving of alms to the poor and needy, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Emergency
Thankfully, there are currently no urgent emergencies that Ehsaas is dealing with.
However, there are still people who desperately need your help, so please donate towards some of our ongoing projects, your donation can really make a big difference in people’s lives.
Life Stories
You provide Muhammad Kaleem & his family monthly rations, vocational training & livelihood support
Muhammad Kaleem is 40 and worked as a welder. An accident at work resulted in serious burns to Muhammad’s body, and he is now unable to do any hard work. He lives in a rented house with his wife and two young children. Through your Zakat donations, Ehsass provides Muhammad and his family with a much needed monthly Ration Pack and has also provided a Sewing Machine along with Vocational Training for his wife, to enable them to earn living and get themselves out of poverty
Muhammad Kaleem said:
“I never thought people like this were out there, may Allah bless all the people that help us.”
You provide Nazia Nasir and her family with a monthly Ration Pack
Nazia Nasir lives in a rented house with her husband, four daughters and son. Her husband works on a very low wage, and she works in a shop. Her two daughters have chronic medical conditions, so they are on permanent treatment. This means they do not have enough money for food. Through your Zakat donations, Ehsaas provides her family with a monthly Ration Pack to give them some relief and allow them to concentrate on the treatment of their daughters.
Nazia Nasir said:
“Our daughters are not well, and we cannot put into words the relief this has given us – May Allah give our helpers, even more, Ameen.”
You let Ameen Khan get his daughter married with dignity
Ameen Khan is 55. Working 14 hours a day, he sells food items on a pushcart, but his earnings hardly meet his day-to-day expenses. He has a ten-year-old son and a 20-year-old daughter. Ameen requested Ehsaas for Marriage Assistance help for the marriage costs of his daughter. Through your Zakat donations, she is now happily married.
Ameen Khan said:
“May Allah (SWT) make the daughters and sons of those people that helped me, always healthy, happy and wealthy, Ameen.”
You provided Noor Jehan Zaman’s daughter with medical care
Noor Jehan Zaman is a widow who lives in rented house with her six daughters. They all work as maids on low wages hardly meeting their daily expenses. One of her daughter aged 18 fell from the roof and broke her leg. Not being able to afford treatment, Noor Jehan requested Ehsaas for medical help. Through your Zakat donations, Ehsaas was able to provide free Medical Treatment enabling Noor Jehan’s daughter to get back to good health.
Noor Jehan said:
“May Allah bless the people who have saved my daughter from a life of disability. I pray that they always remain healthy.”
You provide Gul Bibi and her family with daily meals
Gul Bibi lives in a slum-dwelling with her three daughters and one grand-daughter. She is one of the thousands of people served at one of Ehsaas’s Mobile Kitchens (Dastarkhuwan). Gul Bibi and her daughters work as maids and servants, and their wages hardly meet their day-to-day living expenses. They all use the Dastarkhuwan twice a day to receive a nutritious meal. Before the Dastarkhuwan was started, they wouldn’t eat for several days at a time.
Gul Bibi (on the right of the photo) said:
“May Allah bless the people who provide us with food. So many days we would go hungry not knowing where our next meal would come from and now this is such a blessing for my family and me. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!”
One of over 600 water pumps you have donated was installed in Daabri Village, Tharparkar, Sindh
The small village of Daabri had no clean water supply – they had to walk many miles to get filthy water which was affecting the health of both the children and the adults with constant life-threatening ailments including diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases – it was in desperate need of a water pump to provide clean drinking water.
With a single generous donation for the cost of one pump, we were able to install a Water Pump in Daabri providing clean drinking water to the villagers.
It is stated in Hadith that when a person passes away, his acts come to an end except for three things:
– recurring charity (providing a water pump is a type of sadaqah jariyah);
– knowledge (by which people) benefit, or
– a virtuous descendant who prays for them
To date, donors have provided hundreds of water pumps in their names or the names of their dearly departed and provided clean and safe drinking water to thousands of people in Pakistan.
A Daabri village elder describes what it means:
“After so many years of hardship, we now have our water pump. It has changed our lives, and we can see how healthy it is making our children. On the day of judgement, may Allah (SWT) quench the thirst of the people that gave us this pump.”
Zakat
What is Zakat?
We Ensure That 100% of Your Zakat is Spent on The Poor
Zakat, the giving of alms to the poor and needy, is one of the five pillars of Islam (the others are a declaration of faith, prayer, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj). It is obligatory upon every adult Muslim of sound mind and means.
The individual must own a specific amount of wealth or savings (after living costs, expenses, etc.). This is referred to as Nisaab and is the threshold at which Zakat becomes payable. The amount of Zakat to be paid is 2.5% of Nisaab.
“The alms are only for the Fuqara’ (the poor), and Al-Masakin (the needy) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allah’s Cause, and for the wayfarer (a traveler who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise.”
[Al-Quran 9:60]
“They ask you as to what they should spend. Say: Whatever wealth you spend, it is for the parents and the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, and whatever good you do, Allah surely knows it.”
[Al-Quran 2:215]
“(Alms are) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah– they cannot go about in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining (from begging); you can recognize them by their mark; they do not beg from men importunately; and whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah knows it.”
[Al-Quran 2:273]
Why do we give it?
Zakat is not charity; It is not voluntary charity, not a tax but an obligation. By giving it, a Muslim is acknowledging that everything we have is Allah’s and we do not own it, and we should use it to remember Allah and help those who are in need. It also acts to help free us from excessive desire and greed, learn self-discipline and honesty.
When should we give it?
You should record the Islamic date on which you first became the owner of Nisaab – if on the same date the following lunar year, you are still the owner of Nisaab, you will be obliged to pay Zakat. Many Muslims choose to give it during Ramadan as the rewards for good deeds performed in Ramadan are greater than in any other month.
Who can receive it?
Zakat can only be paid to specific beneficiaries and projects.
The Qur’an mentions eight groups of people on whom it should be spent:
- The Fuqara’ (the poor)
- Al-Maskin (the needy)
- Aamileen (Zakat collector)
- Muallafatul Quloob (poor and needy who recently converted to Islam)
- Ar-Riqaab (slaves; Zakat can be used to purchase their freedom)
- Ibnus-Sabeel: A stranded traveller in need of financial assistance.
- Al Ghaarimeen: A debtor
- Fi Sabeelillah: Those who are away from home in the path of Allah
How is it calculated?
Assets to include in your Zakat calculation are cash (in hand, in bank accounts or money lent to someone), shares, pensions, gold and silver. Personal items (your home, furniture, cars, food, clothing) are not included in Nisaab.
There are two measures to determine Nisaab – gold or silver.
- Gold: The Nisaab by the gold standard is 3 ounces of gold (87.48 grams) or its cash equivalent. The price will vary with the current market value of gold.
- Silver: The Nisaab by the silver standard is 21 ounces of silver (612.36 grams) or its equivalent in cash.
Zakat can only be paid to specific beneficiaries and projects.
Gold: For example, if the price of gold is £20 a gram, the Nisaab (£20 x 87.48) on which Zakat is due is £1,749. So anyone who has £1,749 or more in savings will have to pay 2.5% on that (minimum Zakat will be £43.73)
Silver: For example, if the price of silver is £1 a gram, the Nisaab (£1 x 612.36) on which Zakat is due is £612.36. So anyone who has £612.36 or more in savings will have to pay 2.5% on that (minimum Zakat will be £15.31).
PLEASE NOTE: These are examples. If you wish to calculate your Zakat, you must obtain up to date information on the price of gold and silver. Use our detailed Zakat Calculator or contact your local Mosque or Imam.
Gifts For Prophet’s ﷺ Family
Show your love for the Prophet’s ﷺ family
Please Give a Gift Today From as Little as £75/$121
There are thousands of members of the Prophet’s ﷺ family who are living below the poverty line but do not ask for charitable handouts (see Hadith below).
Giving and receiving gifts is an important part of the Islamic teaching as love for one’s fellow man is a foundation of the faith.
Show your love for the Prophet’s ﷺ family and give them a gift today.
The Prophet ﷺ gave and received gifts throughout his blessed life and instructed thus:
“Give gifts and you shall love one another.”
Abu Huraira narrated that Al-Hasan bin ‘Ali took a date from the dates given in charity and put it in his mouth. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Expel it from your mouth. Don’t you know that we do not eat a thing which is given in charity?”
After removing the date fruit from his grandson’s mouth, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Don’t you know that Muhammad’s family should not eat Zakat (Charity).”
Pearls of Wisdom from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
- Who is the most favored of God? He from whom the greatest good comes to His creatures
- You will not enter paradise until you have faith. And you will not complete your faith until you love one another
- God is kind and likes kindness in all things
- God is Compassionate and is fond of compassion, and He gives to the compassionate what He does not give to the harsh
- You will not attain righteousness till you spend in charity of the things you love
- The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best in manners and kindest to his wife
- None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself
- Strive always to excel in virtue and truth
- There is reward for kindness to every living thing
- They are the losers, those who make the religion hard and tough. They imperil themselves who enforce tough practices of Islam. They destroy themselves, those who are extremes
Marriage Assistance
Getting our daughters married with dignity & pride
Marriage Sponsorship £850/$1,316
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that:
“Marriage is my tradition whosoever keeps away from it is not from amongst us.”
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that:
“When one marries, they have fulfilled half of their religion, so let them fear God regarding the remaining half.”
Ehsaas realises the difficulty many poor families are in and provides marriage assistance funds and, with your generous help, to date £114,750 / $183,600 / A$208,250 has been spent on ‘Ijtimai Shaadi’ (Collective Wedding Ceremonies) of 306 couples.
‘Ijtimai Shaadi’ (Collective Wedding Ceremonies) of 306 couples as follows
- 131 couples in Umerkot
(from Hindu families & from Muslim families) - 25 couples in Pakpatan Sharif
(from Muslims families) - 110 couples in Tandoo Bhago
(17th Oct 2014 – from Muslim families) - 40 couples in Pakpatan Sharif
(24th Oct 2014 – from Muslim families)
Livelihood (Rozgar)
Rickshaw, Motorbike & Sewing Machine Assistance
Rikshaw £750/$1,165 Sewing Machine £75/$97
The increase in unemployment in Pakistan has meant that it is getting harder to sustain livelihoods among poorer families.
People don’t want charity; they need to be provided with opportunities to get themselves out of the vicious cycle of poverty. Ehsaas have launched three Livelihood projects, the ‘Rickshaw’, ‘Motorbike’ and the ‘Sewing Machine’ Assistance projects to help empower poor jobless people with a means to earn their daily livelihoods and get themselves and their families out of poverty.
With your support, we aim to expand all our Livelihood Assistance Projects to help even more deserving families get themselves out of poverty.
Ehsaas has already distributed
- 56 Rickshaws to deserving families
- 26 Rickshaws to deserving families on a ‘no profit no loss’ basis
- 50 Motorbikes to the most deserving applicants
- 100’s of Sewing Machines to the most deserving applicants
Education
Education beats poverty: one extra year of schooling increases a person’s earnings by up to 10%
Providing Vocational Training For One Lady Costs £200/$325
Ehsaas has donated over £75,000 / $125,000 / A$138,000 to the Memon Industrial & Technical Institute in Korangi, Karachi, for the construction of a women’s vocational wing.
Every year, over 12,000 ladies are trained in different trades which enables them to do work and earn a dignified living, taking themselves and their families out of poverty. Also, Ehsaas has also started a vocational tailoring course for ladies at its office. Ehsaas has also donated nearly £14,000 / $24,000 / A$25,800 for the construction of the Madrasa Peer Mahal Toba Tek Singh in Punjab where not only can the local community offer prayers but their children can also get a religious education.
Also, Ehsaas has donated over £1,200 / $2,000 / A$2,200 to Bahria University & Medical College for educational scholarships and nearly £20,000 / $34,000 / A$36,900 to some deserving students for educational purposes.
Why Education is important
- empowers children and adults alike to become active participants in the transformation of the society they live
- is a passport to human development
- open doors and expand opportunities and freedoms.
- fostering peace, democracy and economic growth as well as improving health and reducing poverty
- beats poverty: one extra year of schooling increases a person’s earnings by up to 10%
- reduces child mortality: a child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past age five
- contributes to improved maternal health: women with higher levels of education are more likely to seek health care and support
Medical Camps
There is a dire need for health services in some of the poorest regions of Pakistan
Cost of a Medical Camp is £1,800/$2,890
Over 1,000 people attended our last medical camp in Tharparkar where your donations provided free consultation, medicines, rations, blankets and a hot meal.
Ehsaas holds Free Medical Camps in some of the poorest areas of Pakistan. Previously, Ehsaas has held Medical Camps in Langoh Paro, Faqeer Colony, Diplo and recently in Tharparkar – just some of many such areas in Pakistan needing urgent help.
Pakistan is one of the highest ranking countries where people are still getting affected by preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, polio and malaria while non-communicable diseases are also increasing considerably.
Ehsaas knows the desperate need to provide these health services to those that can least afford them and, with your generous support, would like to undertake much freer medical camps in the most deprived areas, especially to deal with chest and lung problems such as TB.
Issues dealt with included
- intestinal infections
- tuberculosis
- bacterial diseases
- viral diseases
- diseases of the respiratory system
- diseases of the digestive system
- diseases of the urinary system