Assalaamu alaykum,
Sadly, we assume that by living in the West there is no poverty. We can assume that because there is a benefit system in place then everyone's fine.
Yes, to a certain extent we are, and in many ways a lot better off than so many other countries.
But still, even with this system in place, many families are facing hardships now that were only really prevalent in the 50's, 60's etc.
Times are now changing and this is putting a strain on many peoples pockets, working or otherwise.
Food prices are rising daily, portions are shrinking daily and many children are without a proper cooked meal Subhan'Allah.
I was approached by a sister I know recently who is facing hardships. She had little food and was resorting to using the food banks that are gradually appearing around us.
She has been struggling for sometime and felt the need to ask for help from her own community as things were too difficult.
We gathered some cash and food donations and bought plenty of meat, chicken, rice, and essentials plus gas and electric for them to be able to eat a healthy meal and have gas and electric without worrying.
This, I know is only a temporary measure but we did it as a gift to give them some relief.
This was the remainder of the food and the sr also got Electric, Gas and Water Rates top ups Alhamdulillah
Jazakum'Allahu Khairan to all that gave, be it food, toiletries or money. Please know that she is very grateful that her own community gave something to alleviate some of her hardships.
by Dr. `Umar Al-Ashqar
One of the greatest things that will relieve a person's distress on the Day of Resurrection is his efforts in this world to relieve the distress of those who are in distress, and to help those who are in need, and to make things easy for those who are in difficulty, and to overlook the mistakes of those who err. In Muslim it is narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever relieves a believer of distress in this world, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever makes things easy for those who are in difficulty, Allah will make things easy for him in this world and in the next. Whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim in this world, Allah will conceal him (his faults) in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah will help the slave so long as the slave helps his brother." [Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh, 1/71, hadith no. 204.]
Bukhari narrated from 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The Muslim is the brother of his fellow-Muslim; he should not mistreat him or let him down. Whoever meets the needs of his brother, Allah will meet his needs, and whoever relieves a Muslim of some distress, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever conceals (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will conceal him (his faults) in this world and the next." [Bukhari: Kitaab al-Mazaalim, Baab laa Yazlim al-Muslim al-Muslim, Fath al-Baari, 5/97.]
Ad-Deenoori narrated in Al-Mujaalisah, Al-Bayhaqi narrated in Al-Shu'ab and Ad-Diyaa' narrated in Al-Mukhtaarah from Anas that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever helps his brother in secret, Allah will help him in this world and the next." [Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth as-Saheehah, 3/218, hadith no. 1217.]