One of the beautiful things about Ramadan (among many) is how motivated we all are to not only increase our ibadah (worship) of Allah (S), but also to engage in more acts of charity.

While fasting and ibadah are representative of becoming closer to Allah (S) and a practice of self-discipline and sacrifice, increasing our charitable activities helps us think beyond our own lives to the those of our neighbors, community members and others far away who may be in need and how we can help them. 

Charity can come in many forms – from the hands-on work we do to help others to material goods or money we donate. There are so many worthy causes and individuals and entire communities in need, as well as organizations and groups working to better our communities through scholarship, empowerment and social services. Below we've gathered nine charities for your consideration as we head into the last ten days of Ramadan.

1. Your local masjid: With COVID-19 keeping most of us home, our masajid are missing out on prime donation time (tarawih and Jumu'ah prayers), which helps keep many of them afloat for the rest of the year. Please consider donating to your local masjid to help them continue on throughout the year.

2. LaunchGood Ramadan challenge: Choose where you want your money to go (there are a plethora of options), how much you want to donate daily, and leave the rest to them! LaunchGood's Ramadan Challenge is perfect for the last ten nights of Ramadan, ensuring that you are donating each day and thus a guarantee that you give charity on Laylatul Qadr, whenever that falls! LaunchGood also has a vast variety of campaigns always happening that you can support.

3. Islamic Relief USA: IRUSA has been on the ground in countries around the world, as well as involved in numerous domestic charitable projects, for years. Whenever there is a disaster or crisis, IRUSA is one of the first charities raising money to help and sending volunteers to work on food distribution, clean water projects and more. You can also pay zakat and do Qurbani/Udhiya through this organization. IRUSA also has a "last ten nights of Ramadan" donation challenge that makes charitable giving and reaping the rewards easy for you. 

4. Penny Appeal USA: This is another wonderful charitable organization operating domestically and all over the world in response to a variety of needs and crises. Their coronavirus emergency response offers you three ways to help with your donation: by supporting hygiene kits, food parcels and protective medical equipment. Penny Appeal, like LaunchGood and IRUSA, also has an automated donation feature going on through the last ten days/nights of Ramadan.  

5. Muhsen (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs):Muhsen has worked tirelessly the past five years and counting in chapters around the U.S. to make Muslim spaces – especially our masajid – more inclusive for people with disabilities and their families. They provide a masjid certification program, a Muhsen Umrah, and a variety of support groups, respite services and weekend Islamic schools with curriculum catering to those with special needs and disabilities.

6. Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD): Through programs that empower and uplift women and girls, often in marginalized societies, HHRD provides life-changing opportunities around the world. Through its Skills Development, Education Support, Water for Life and Healthcare programs, women are empowered to focus on their dreams and aspirations despite obstacles of poverty, displacement or civil unrest. With more than a decade of service, HHRD has responded to disasters and human sufferings in crisis situations all over the world. To help a sister stand on her own two feet and pave her path to success donate here.

One of the homes that is part of ICNA Relief USA's Women's Transitional Housing program.

7. ICNA Relief USA Women's Transitional Housing: This particular program from ICNA Relief USA, which we've supported over the years here at Haute Hijab through various charitable initiatives (including our HH Tote Bags), offers "an alternative for homeless women in need of temporary housing. ICNA Relief maintains the dignity of residents while affording them the opportunity to heal and develop themselves within a nurturing environment. Women are provided with one-on-one support while they transition to permanent stable housing." Read more about the program here! 

8. Rabata: Rabata is dedicated to "building spiritual ties between women, the spiritual upbringing of women by women, and the establishment of the female voice in scholarship. As noted in its mission statement, the Arabic verb rabata "is the root form of many words, which are semantic variations of connectedness ... " It is in this vein that the classes and retreats offered by Rabata serve to connect women with each other and with Allah (S). 

9. Yaqeen Institute: This is one of the foremost Islamic research institutes in the U.S. working to address relevant and current topics with the help of experts and scholars. According to its mission, "In addition to translating and analyzing classical works on the subject matter, we also aim to actively participate in the current-day discourse touching on all topics that are related to establishing conviction in the hearts and minds of Muslims and battling the false notions that underlie Islamophobia and extremism" Yaqeen Institute offers its content free in the form of journals, papers, surveys, videos, articles, curriculum, and conferences. As their website says, "We believe that telling our own story is the only way to counter the narrative that has been forced upon our community.

Whichever (or however many) charities you decide to donate to, renew and purify your intentions. May Allah (S) increase in your blessings and make your generosity a means of relief for others! Ameen!