Why Ramadan Giving Feels Overwhelming
As-salamu alaykum.
As we prepare for another beautiful Ramadan, we are faced with many choices. How do we fast? What foods do we eat, and who do we choose to share iftar with? Do we attend nightly Taraweeh prayers, and if so, how often or for how long? Do we read the Qur’an each night? What other things do we give up so we can connect more deeply to our faith during this holy month?
But one big question many Muslims face is how much to give.
As Muslims, we know we are required to fulfill our 2.5% of Zakat each year. While Zakat does not need to be paid during Ramadan, many of us find that this is the time when we give the most. There are several reasons for this. We want our charitable donations to reach those in need. Giving during Ramadan feels amplified, almost like a spiritual “turbo boost” compared to other times of the year.
With all of these choices and opportunities being presented to us, especially while we are fasting, it can create stress and uncertainty around giving.
Why the Pressure Builds During Ramadan
A month of Ramadan sounds like a long time, but we celebrate this month knowing how quickly it can pass. During this beautiful time, we also spend more time at our local mosques. As Muslims, we are often asked to donate to different causes and foundations connected to the mosque. We can feel a sense of duty to give back to the places where we worship. We should support our places of faith.
Alhamdulillah, Ramadan also gives us time to pause our busy lives and grow closer to our family members. When we spend more time together, we are exposed to more opportunities to hear about where others are giving. It can be common to hear recommendations for a fund, foundation, or specific cause shared by an immediate or extended family member.
All of this is taking place while we are also trying to organize and calculate our Zakat. We look back over our giving throughout the entire year to make sure we are fulfilling one of our essential duties as Muslims. At the same time, we may be listening to advice from different scholars and speaking with our imam to better understand the best way to give and properly meet our Zakat obligations.
What Giving Should Feel Like
Having a plan and clarity around giving removes unnecessary stress and uncertainty. Giving should feel effortless and organized, making your life easier rather than more complicated.
It should be trackable and visually organized in one place so you are not constantly second-guessing your decisions.
When we are confident and clear about our charitable actions, it allows us to give from the bottom of our hearts, with sincerity and peace.
A More Intentional Way to Think About Giving
This is where Halafi comes in. Where faith meets finance. Halafi is built to take the guesswork out of giving and allow our brothers and sisters to focus on what matters most: their faith.
