In Malaysia, the technology has been embraced by zakat collections centres and not-for-profit and charitable organisations. - Bernama pic
In Malaysia, the technology has been embraced by zakat collections centres and not-for-profit and charitable organisations. - Bernama pic

MUSLIMS usually give charity (sadaqah) to the deserving and needy during Ramadan.

According to prophetic traditions, charity is best performed during the holy month. However, this by no means implies that Muslims should refrain from giving donations outside the month of Ramadan.

As a commendable act, sadaqah by default, as promised by Allah, will generate massive rewards (thawab) for those who donate sincerely for the sake of Allah.

This is evident in verse 261 of Surah al-Baqarah: "The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed (of grain) which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies (His reward) for whom He wills. And Allah is all-encompassing and knowing."

When it is performed during Ramadan, Allah will multiply the rewards of sadaqah manifold. This is a sort of encouragement to Muslims to grab the opportunities available during Ramadan to increase their devotion and good deeds to improve their taqwa (being conscious of Allah). This was exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his life.

In a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas: "The prophet was the most generous of all people, and he used to be more generous during Ramadan when Gabriel met
him. Gabriel used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Quran with him. Allah's apostle then used to be more generous than the fast wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds)."

Owing to technological advances, there is an alternative and easier way to do charity: fintech (financial technology).

Propelled by the Internet and the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, fintech has given a new approach for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to help others either financially or materially, transcending geographical boundaries and time barriers.

Fintech helps non-financial institutions, such as charitable organisations, to facilitate their financial affairs. It becomes an enabler that plays a role in connecting donors with recipients.

In Malaysia, the technology has been embraced by zakat collections centres and not-for-profit and charitable organisations.

The technology empowers these institutions with efficiency and effectiveness in fund management and database upkeep, which indirectly improves collection and distribution channels of the respective bodies.

No doubt, the Movement Control Order (MCO) has disrupted the routines and schedules we have lived by. This is supported by a survey by the Department of Statistics, which reveals that almost 50 per cent of the self-employed are out of work after the government imposed the MCO due to the Covid-19 outbreak. About 95 per cent of those who are still working experienced a drop in income, with 35.5 per cent having had their income contracted by more than 90 per cent.

Stories shared by the mass media and social media about the sufferings they endured are enough for us to feel what they had to go through and be grateful for what Allah has given us. One of the ways to show gratitude to Allah is through sadaqah.

In Islam, it does not require a man to be rich to give sadaqah. In a hadith, the prophet was reported to have said: "Shield yourselves from hell fire even by giving half a date in charity."

Based on this hadith, it is not the quantity that matters in sadaqah , but quality i.e. sincerity of intention (ikhlas) in giving sadaqah for the sake of Allah. In Islam, sadaqah (or any other good deed) should be performed consistently. In a hadith, the prophet was reported to have said: "The most beloved deeds to Allah, The Exalted, are the most consistent, even if they are small."

With fintech, from faster streamlined transactions to increased transaction security, it is now easier than ever before for Muslims to do charitable deeds.

Thus, taking the merit of the ongoing month of Ramadan which thawab is multiplied manifold, Muslims should take this opportunity to increase their righteous deeds and this includes the act of giving charity.

The writer is a Fellow at the Centre for Economics and Social Studies, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM)