People often ask me what it’s like to be a fundraiser as for some reason they only see me as someone, who is always asking for money.
Well let me tell you something, being a fundraiser is NOT just about asking for money, for me it’s about seeing the happiness we bring and the great impact we make to the less fortunate. This may sound cliche but genuinely when I go to bed, my heart feels content. When my alarm clock wakes me up, my heart feels alive knowing that I’m blessed in this field of work.
As Head of Fundraising at Islamic Help, and someone who has been in the fundraising world for a decade, I have seen the immense generosity of our communities giving to many causes. From travelling up and down the country to events, TV appeals, masjids, schools, universities, volunteering, shaking buckets – the list goes on. We all come together for a collective mission to make a BIG difference.
As Muslims, we are all aware of the countless virtues of giving charity however, have you ever wondered the instant and long-term benefits of giving charity in Islam? Is it just about helping others or is it a hidden opportunity to help ourselves?
“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” [Tirmidhi]
Let’s look deeper into how giving charity benefits ourselves.
Charity Purifies Our Wealth and Hearts
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “If you want to soften your heart, then feed the poor and caress the head of the orphan.” In January 2024, I was surprised to see the resilience of the Palestinian orphans, during my Umrah for Orphans visit. Despite the challenges in Palestine over the last year, we endured a tiresome thirty-hour coach journey to Makkah, but not once did I see or hear a young person complain. In fact, it was the opposite, listening to them sing nasheeds, praising and making dua for our donors, and seeing the smiles on their faces whilst I was shattered, really softened my own heart.
Protection From Calamities
When we give, it’s not just about helping others but also a way to protect ourselves from life’s trials. “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire” – [Tirmidhi]. Last year, when Morocco was hit by a devastating earthquake, I had the chance to visit the communities affected. I saw houses crumbled, loved ones lost and future dreams destroyed. It really made me think that our lives can change in seconds, and that we should be in a regular habit of giving sadaqah for the sake of Allah (SWT).
Giving Hope to Our Ummah
This creates unity amongst the Ummah as we see how charity transforms not just lives but hearts – bringing us closer to each other and to Allah (SWT). By giving to those in need, we are instantly boosting their self-esteem and confidence in living a fulfilling life. One of the reasons why I love working for Islamic Help is because they give great importance to sustainable futures. I learnt about a sister in Bangladesh who was receiving Zakat at the time. She enjoyed sewing and through our livelihood projects and thanks to one of our donors was given a sewing machine to become financially independent. Alhamdullillah, through the blessings of her hard work, she now gives Zakat to others which clearly shows that by reviving someone’s hope we can provide a long-term solution.
Rewards In the Hereafter
One of Islam’s most emphasised rewards for giving charity is the promise of entering Paradise. “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” – [Tirmidhi]. Being a fundraiser isn’t just a 9-5 job for me but an ongoing investment in the hereafter. The way I see myself is like a vehicle, I help those that give, deliver their Amanah, to where it belongs.
No matter how big or small the donation, we should always see ‘giving’ as an opportunity to help ourselves.
More about Yaseen Sheikh:
Yaseen began his volunteer work in the charity sector in 2012 and launched his professional career in this field in 2017, marking 8 years of experience. As Head of Fundraising & Donor Care at Islamic Help UK, Yaseen leads the fundraising team in generating income through a range of initiatives, while building strong relationships with generous donors to support our impactful projects
