Charity through donation boxes | Mufti Rafiq Purkar | TEDxMaharashtraCollege

Education and Early Life

• The speaker received his initial education at a Madrasa.
• He then pursued further studies in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where he obtained the degrees of Alim and Fazilat.
• Subsequently, he continued his education at Jamia Islamia Madina Munawwara, where he spent five years.
• During his final year at Jamia Islamia Madina Munawwara, he achieved a high level of success in his studies.
• Despite his academic achievements, the speaker faced financial difficulties and his father urged him to seek employment.
• The speaker received guidance from their teachers and mentors, including Mufti Muhammad Sahab and Mufti Shaukat Sahab, the Imam of Jama Masjid Mumbai.
• Following their guidance, the speaker was able to convince Lee Sahab to support the initiative.
• The speaker was granted the opportunity to study in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
• The speaker's experience in Medina, where they interacted with students from over 125 countries, inspired them to pursue social and charitable work.

The Anjuman Dar-ul-Mane Talim Tarakki Trust

• The Anjuman Dar-ul-Mane Talim Tarakki Trust was established in 1998 by Ahmadullah Kidara.
• The trust provides education and has been doing so since its inception.

The Need for Charity

• The speaker observed the needs of the poor, orphans, widows, and the needy, which led to the idea of creating a method to help them.
• The speaker faced challenges in providing financial assistance due to a lack of connections and resources after spending 17 years away from home.
• The speaker found guidance and support from their community, which helped them to continue their work.
• The speaker suggests that education and health are essential for everyone.
• The speaker encourages people to associate with good people, as it can inspire them to do good deeds.
• The speaker mentions a Hadith (saying) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that encourages people to avoid hellfire by giving charity.
• The speaker suggests that giving charity, even in small amounts like the price of a date, can help people avoid hellfire.
• The speaker argues that giving charity is a reality and not just a suggestion.
• The speaker questions why people spend money on things like cigarettes, gutka, and paan, suggesting that they could instead donate that money to charity.

The One Rupee Donation Initiative

• The speaker and their community started a charity initiative by asking people to donate one rupee instead of buying a cigarette or a betel leaf.
• They provided donation boxes to be placed in homes and shops.
• The initiative has been ongoing for 25 years, and the request for donation remains at one rupee.
• The speaker encourages people to donate one rupee for blessings on their journeys.
• The speaker suggests that people donate one rupee to a charity box.
• The speaker explains that this donation will help provide breakfast for children who are going to school.
• The speaker shares a story about a friend whose child asked for money to donate to a charity box.
• The friend gave the child one rupee and explained that the donation would help other children.
• The child was in the second or third grade.
• The speaker describes a practice where people donate one rupee daily for charity.
• This practice started with a school giving two days of leave and then asking for one rupee from students on the third day.
• The speaker emphasizes that the children developed a habit of giving charity.
• The speaker mentions that the practice expanded from ten donation boxes to a larger scale.
• The speaker states that the money collected from the donation boxes is used to help widows and orphans.
• The speaker emphasizes that the money is not kept by the organizers but is directly used to help the needy.
• The speaker highlights the community's involvement in this charitable initiative.

Expansion and Impact of the Initiative

• The speaker discusses the expansion of a charity initiative, mentioning that it has established 22 branches and involves 300 to 400 religious scholars.
• The speaker highlights the impact of the initiative, stating that monthly donations of 4,000 rupees are being provided through the collection of one rupee donations.
• The speaker emphasizes the transparency of the initiative, mentioning that an annual audit is conducted.
• The speaker reveals that the audit for the previous year showed a total collection of 48 million rupees from one rupee donations.
• The speaker emphasizes the significance of even small donations, stating that approximately 35,000 donation boxes have been distributed across the region.
• Donation boxes are distributed and collected from every household monthly.
• The collected funds are used for pensions, education of orphans, and medical treatment of patients.
• The speaker expresses gratitude to Allah for this charitable work.
• The speaker also expresses gratitude to Maharashtra College for their support during times of need, such as medical emergencies and floods.
• The speaker describes a charitable initiative that has spread to various regions, including Gujarat.
• People have adopted this initiative and implemented it in their own communities.
• Some individuals have incorporated this scheme into their schools, using it to support education.
• The speaker emphasizes that this initiative does not involve any pressure or solicitation for donations.
• The speaker suggests that contributing a small amount daily is manageable and encourages participation beyond just using the donation box.

The Importance of Education

• The speaker discusses the importance of education and its connection to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
• The speaker emphasizes that Prophet Muhammad was not limited to one field of work but engaged in various aspects of life, including education, character development, and helping the poor.
• The speaker highlights the need to follow Prophet Muhammad's example by engaging in all fields of work, including education.
• The speaker observes a need for improvement in the educational environment for children.
• The speaker discusses the establishment of a school and the subsequent demand for boarding facilities.
• The school provides boarding facilities at Darul Ikaama.
• Students at the school have achieved the status of Hafiz Quran, which is the memorization of the entire Quran.
• The school currently offers Urdu and English medium education, including high school and college levels.
• The school also provides classes for NEET and CET examinations.
• Currently, there are 400 students enrolled in the high school and college programs at Darul Ikaama.

The Importance of Seeking Knowledge

• The speaker asserts that the distinction between this world and the hereafter is not a concept emphasized in Islamic teachings.
• The speaker argues that this distinction is a human construct, not a divinely ordained one.
• The speaker cites the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as an example, stating that he did not separate this world from the hereafter.
• The speaker emphasizes that the companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) were knowledgeable in various fields, including the Quran, Hadith, and medicine.
• The speaker points out that even in the time of the companions, people needed medical treatment, and it was provided by them, not by angels descending from heaven.
• The speaker further notes that construction and other worldly activities were also undertaken during the time of the companions.
• The speaker discusses the importance of seeking knowledge from Allah, the creator and owner.
• The speaker emphasizes that education should be pursued with the intention of gaining knowledge of Allah.
• The speaker encourages individuals to seek knowledge in a way that leads them closer to Allah.
• The Prophet Muhammad came to the world to teach and to reform.
• It is important to reform one's actions along with receiving knowledge.
• In this age of social media, it is crucial to cultivate fear of Allah in one's heart.
• Otherwise, one will fall behind in this world.
• When the Angel Gabriel came to the Prophet Muhammad to explain the religion, he asked three questions: What is faith? What is Islam?

The Concept of "Ehsaan" (Favor)

• The speaker discusses the concept of "ehsaan" (favor) and its importance in worshiping Allah.
• The speaker emphasizes the need to believe that Allah is always watching, even if we cannot see him.

The Importance of Education and Charity in Today's World

• The speaker highlights the importance of education and charity in today's world.
• The speaker acknowledges the challenges of managing multiple tasks and uses the example of Mufti Shafi Sahab and his son Mufti Taki Sahab to illustrate this point.
• Mufti Taki Sahab once asked his father how to manage two tasks that had come their way.
• Mufti Rafiq Purkar was advised by Mufti Shafi to combine a third task with two existing tasks.
• Mufti Rafiq Purkar implemented this advice and found that the third task facilitated the completion of the other two tasks.
• Mufti Rafiq Purkar emphasizes the importance of seeking Allah's help and focusing on education.
• He acknowledges the diverse nature of society, including the presence of wealthy, poor, and needy individuals.
• He encourages individuals to contribute to the well-being of others through various means, including charitable schemes.

The Donation Box Scheme

• The speaker discusses a donation box scheme that is being implemented.
• The scheme is described as easy and accessible, even for those who receive monthly assistance.
• The speaker highlights that the scheme encourages people to become givers instead of just receivers.
• The speaker emphasizes that giving brings peace and contentment in this life and benefits in the afterlife.

The Benefits of Good Deeds

• The speaker discusses the concept of good deeds that continue to benefit a person even after death.
• The speaker mentions a hadith (prophetic tradition) that states that three things continue to benefit a person after death: a charity, a knowledge that is shared, and a righteous child who prays for them.
• The speaker shares an anecdote about a tower being built in Medina during their pilgrimage.
• The speaker notes that the tower's construction sign listed the owner as Usman ibn Affan, a prominent figure in Islamic history.
• The speaker describes a situation where a towel was donated to a mosque and the name of the donor remained the same even after a year.
• The speaker mentions a story from the Islamic text "Inkilab" about Hazrat Usman (RA) who established a charitable foundation during his time.
• The foundation generated income and used it to help the poor, orphans, and widows.
• The remaining funds were used to build a tower, which generated further income that was distributed to mosques and other charitable causes.
• The speaker emphasizes that the good deeds of Hazrat Usman (RA) continue to benefit people even after 1400 years.
• The speaker believes that the rewards for such acts of charity will continue to be received even after death.
• The speaker mentions that the city of Mecca and Medina will remain inhabited until the Day of Judgement.
• The speaker suggests that certain acts of charity, like the one performed by Hazrat Usman (RA), will continue to provide benefits even after the death of the donor.

Using Knowledge for Good

• The speaker emphasizes that knowledge can be used to benefit others.
• The speaker suggests that the knowledge being acquired can be used to earn a halal living.
• The speaker states that earning a halal living through knowledge is a form of worship.
• The speaker encourages the audience to use their knowledge to do good deeds.
• The speaker mentions that the good deeds of individuals can elevate the status of their ancestors.
• The speaker concludes by praising the audience.