It’s time to water the plant
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In the name of Allah, the Most-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
"May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you"
Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah
As-Salaam Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakaatuh
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It’s time to water the plant
Billions of people use the world wide web today, and as the international outcry to recent atrocities by Israel have shown, the unrestricted dissemination of information and knowledge using the internet has had a massive impact on public discourse and perceptions. By the Grace of Allāh, Islam21c, a non-profit charity project, has been striving for 8 years to become a trusted alternative for narratives surrounding Islām in the west.
More Muslim scholars, leaders and activists than ever before from a wide spectrum of professions and expertise have been providing guidance, opinions and conversations on Islam21c that will shape tomorrow. Alhamdulillāh, Islam21c has quite literally grown at an exponential rate and continues to do so in size, exposure and impact; in 2013 over 500,000 unique visitors used the site from over 200 countries Alhamdulillāh. Already this year we have almost reached 500,000 visitors and are on track to achieve the 1 million unique visitors milestone inshā’Allāh, this is a huge audience but not big enough.
One problem, however, is that projects like Islam21c are notoriously difficult to raise funds for. We cannot show you pictures of starving children, conflict-stricken villages or masjids and schools under construction—these are all no doubt very important causes to give generously to. However, other work such as rewriting narratives, reactively and proactively countering ideological attacks, and providing guidance for Muslim minorities in a contemporary context, also require our urgent attention and generous support as an ummah but often we are too late in realising the importance and urgency in investing in this type of work and leave them neglected.
So we at Islam21c are reaching out to the ummah at large to invest in this project. First and foremost, we request that brothers and sisters make sincere du’ā to Allāh, especially in these blessed nights, for support, guidance and tawfīq. Du’ā being a means for reaching an end is one of the universal laws that Allāh has put in place in this creation, and it should not be taken lightly.
We also request that our readers and supporters invest in Islam21c with any financial contributions they can, whether it be regular giving or a one-off donations. Over the years Allāh chose specific individuals to support this project, and put barakah in their efforts and contributions so much so that we have all witnessed Islam21c grow from strength to strength, and we pray to Allah that this trend continues and Islam21c expands further and further, inshā’Allāh.
Not only are we still in the blessed month, on the eve of the last two blessed odd nights where rewards for general good deeds are multiplied, but remember that Allāh says:
“ The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allāh, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allāh gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allāh is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower. [1]”
We have an excellent opportunity before us to donate while we can. The wealth in our possession will either decay itself, be used to buy something which will eventually decay, be left behind in this dunya, or it can be used to really remain for us—when we will need it and appreciate it most. The Prophet (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) highlighted this in the famous, eye-opening hadīth:
‘Ā’isha (radiy Allāhu ‘anha) narrated that they slaughtered a goat and the Prophet (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) asked: ‘How much of its meat remains?’ They replied: ‘Nothing remains except the shoulder piece.’ The Prophet (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) said: ‘Everything remains except the shoulder piece.’ [2]
We encourage all of our readers to donate whatever they can, even if it is a penny; how many a small act has been magnified by a sincere intention? Tonight could be Laylat al-Qadr, a single night which is better than a thousand months! Do not miss this opportunity. If you cannot donate as much as you would like, and wish to support Islam21c, then you still have many other opportunities to help; please share this reminder with your contacts, social media networks and real-life friends!
Who knows, perhaps you will send this to those that will donate and you can receive a copy of their reward—there is no limit to Allāh’s generous bounty!
So for this let the competitors compete. [3]
Source: www.islam21c.com
Notes:
[1] Al-Qur’ān 2:261
[2] Al-Tirmidhi
[3] Al-Qur’ān 83:26