Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
 

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praises is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompose. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path - the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those who are astray. Ameen.

Salam Ramadhan!! While we are in the midst of Ramadhan spirit, we are also in the midst of combatting the COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has given the whole world a terrible shock. To date, the coronavirus has infected more than 20K people in Singapore.

The government and our frontliners have been working tirelessly day and night to overcome the COVID-19 cases. We too are playing our part by abiding to the Circuit Breaker rules.

Hospitals and clinics require all kinds of equipment and gadgets to screen patients for COVID-19, isolate them and provide treatment. When a shortage occurs, the prices will go up. Among the items needed by the healthcare sector are face masks, sanitisers, thermometers, personal protective equipment (PPE), beds, isolation rooms, laboratories, vehicles, fans and air-conditioners.

The government is bearing the cost of providing the necessary equipment to monitor and break the chain of COVID-19 infection. This requires a hefty financial outlay which can be burdensome.

Additionally, the government also has to relieve the financial burden of the people, especially the low-income groups, who are affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Hence, there is a great need for donations in cash and kind (equipment and food).

Philanthropy has been in practice for centuries and it has contributed to the welfare and well-being of humanity on this earth. In this context, wakaf (an endowment made by a Muslim to a religious, educational or charitable cause) can be considered a saviour capable of providing various facilities to people who need them.

Wakaf can also be regarded as a powerful weapon that can shield people from social and economic woes. Money collected under a wakaf fund can be used judiciously to build hospitals and buy medical equipment, which can be maintained using proceeds from the endowment fund.

Thus, the entire Muslim community will get to enjoy the benefits of wakaf while the benefactors will continue to reap rewards until Judgement Day.