A Continuous Charity
Interest is highly disliked and prohibited in Islam with the stern warning in the Qur’an to the people who still indulge in it after the Quranic prohibition. Interest is one of a major crime; this is the only crime for which Quran warns of a war from Allah and His Messenger. O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up (what) remains (due to you) of usury if you believe. And if you do not then be warned of a war from Allah and His messenger. 2:278:279
In an earlier verse it is said,‘Allah destroys usury and increase charities.’ 2:276
But in the absence of Islamic financing, an economically weak person is not left with any alternative and falls in pit of interest. Muslim Students seeking higher education and looking for bright careers are no exception to this, with hardly any viable option and easy availability of interest based loan, student go for this highly disliked option willingly or unwillingly.
Al Hamdulillah, Allah (SWT) has guided a small group of individuals in Missouri with a vision and courage to strive for solution to this dire problem. This group formed a non-profit organization called A Continuous Charity. Their mission is to provide interest free loans to Muslim students for higher education. As per their reckoning there are 1.4 million Muslim students in US, and the increase in income of an average parent does not keep pace with escalating cost of education, which has increased multi fold over the years. Here we present their mission and vision in their own words.
‘Our Mission: To promote the Islamic and intellectual development of Muslims in America by providing non-interest based loans for higher education.
Vision: A Continuous Charity hopes to nurture a generation of Muslim professionals who will be well-versed in the traditional and Western sciences, using them for the benefit of mankind.
(1) Education, both Islamic and Western, is one of greatest keys to success in this life and the next. Allah says, “It is only those who have knowledge from among His slaves that fear Allah” (Fatir: 28).
(2) Muslim Communities equipped with both types of knowledge are necessary for our development in the 21st century. It was narrated by Anas ibn Maalik that he Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The seeking of knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.” (Ibn Majah, Sahih)
(3) Muslims should search for alternatives to interest-based loans to fund their education. Allah says, “O you who believe, do not consume interest, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful” (Aal-Imran: 130).
(4) It is the responsibility of the Muslim Community to support their Muslim students in attaining their education by providing non-interest based loans and scholarships. It was narrated by Abu Musa that the Prophet (peace be upon) said, “The relationship of the believers is like the bricks of a building, each strengthens the other” (Bukhari). On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, he (peace be upon him) also said that Allah said, “Spend, O son of Adam, and you will be spent on.” (Bukhari)
(5) This effort will not only benefit the future of Muslims but will benefit us individually when we meet Allah. On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet (s) said, “When a man dies, all his deeds come to an end except for three: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge and a righteous child who will pray for him” (Muslim).’
They provided interest free loan to students to the tune of $ 40,000 in 2013 and they aim to give $ 50,000 in 2014.
What can be more pleasing to Allah (SWT) than the act of charity to save some one from indulging in interest, an act most displeasing to Allah (SWT) and His messenger!
Here is the link to their website. http://acontinuouscharity.org/
