Lesson video

Hello.

My name is Mr. Womack, and I am delighted to be learning with you today.

I've just got one of those feelings that we're going to do a brilliant job.

So let's get started, shall we? Today's lesson is called Charity and Generosity, and it comes from the unit Muslims. What are the joys and challenges of being Muslim in Britain? By the end of the lesson, you'll be able to understand the importance of charity and generosity for Muslims today in the UK and worldwide.

These are the key words that we're going to be using.

We're going to have a look at them now and what they mean.

So our first word is generosity.

Generosity means being kind and giving to others without expecting anything back.

The next word is zakat.

This means one of the requirements for Muslims: giving money or help to people who are poor or in need.

The next one is ummah, the word Muslims use to describe the worldwide community of all Muslims, like one big family that shares the same faith.

And finally, community, a group of people who have things in common; a community can be a neighbourhood, a city, or joined people around the world.

Keep your eyes peeled because we're going to be referring back to these keywords throughout the lesson.

This is the lesson outline.

In the first part of the lesson, we're going to look at, why does charity matter in Islam? And in the second part, we're going to look at, how does charity connect Muslims to the ummah? We're going to start with, why does charity matter in Islam? Here's Sam and Andeep.

Sam and Andeep are talking about religious education.

Sam says, "Religious education often seems to be about people and the things they do.

I wonder why?" Andeep responds, "We can understand different worldviews by looking at the things people do, like giving to charity, because these actions show their values." In this lesson, we will learn about charity in Islam and how it helps Muslims connect with the ummah, both in the UK and worldwide.

Here's Jacob and Sofia.

Jacob and Sofia are curious about what charity means in Islam.

Jacob says, "What exactly is charity, Sofia?" Sofia says, "Charity is helping others by giving money, food, or even your time to those in need." They are talking with Nadia, who is a British Sunni Muslim from London.

Jacob says, "What does charity mean to you, Nadia?" Nadia says, "To me, charity is all about generosity, helping others without expecting anything in return." Nadia talks about how she helps her community.

Nadia says, "I volunteer at the food bank in my mosque because it's a way to show generosity and help people in my community.

Helping others is an important part of caring for the ummah, which means our whole Muslim community.

I take time to work at the food bank because, as a Muslim, it is my duty to be kind and generous." It's time to check our understanding with a quick question.

So why does Nadia volunteer at the food bank in her mosque? Is the answer a, to show generosity and help her community? Is it b, to meet new people and make friends? Or is it c, to become famous in her community? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which one of these is the right answer.

The right answer is a.

Nadia volunteers at the food bank to show generosity and help her community.

Really well done if you got that one right.

Jacob and Sofia also interview Mustafa, a Sunni Muslim from Birmingham.

It's important to ask more than one person to get different views.

Jacob says, "Why do you think charity is important in Islam?" Mustafa says, "Charity is important in Islam because it helps me get closer to Allah, God, and support the ummah." Mustafa explains, "I believe that when we help others, we grow closer to Allah and make our community stronger.

During special occasions like Eid, I always try to give money to those in need.

It's my way of connecting to the ummah and showing kindness." So let's pause there for a moment and try another quick question.

Why does Mustafa believe helping others is important? Is the answer a, it allows people to earn money? Is it b, it makes people more popular? Or is it c, it brings people closer to God? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is c.

Mustafa believes helping others is important because it brings people closer to God.

Really well done if you got that one right.

Let's try a quick true or false.

Interviewing one Muslim will mean we completely understand views on charity.

Is the answer true or false, and why? Again, you're going to want to pause the video here now while you think.

which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is false.

Muslims are different.

Interviewing more than one person means we can better understand different Muslim worldviews.

Well done for completing that question.

Here's Jacob and Sofia again.

Jacob and Sofia want to know more about charity in Islam.

Jacob says, "So from interviewing two Muslims, we can see charity is important in Islam." Sofia says, "I wonder if charity is mentioned in the Qur'an." Tareeq is a Sunni Imam known for his thoughtful and caring talks.

Jacob and Sofia are interested in what he has to say.

Imam Tareeq says, "Here is a verse from the Qur'an.

I think this will help you understand the importance of charity in Islam." He says, "You will not attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love.

And whatever you spend, indeed, Allah is knowing of it." And this comes from Surah Al-Imran.

Imam Tareeq explains, "Qur'an teaches Muslims that real goodness comes from giving what we love, not just what we don't need.

When we show generosity from our hearts, whether it's our money, time, or help, we get closer to Allah.

Every act of kindness, big or small, makes the community stronger." So let's take a moment to check our understanding with a true-or-false question.

Qur'an says that real goodness comes from giving only what we don't need.

Is the answer true or false, and why? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is false.

The Qur'an teaches that real goodness comes from giving what we love, not just what we don't need.

Really well done if you got that answer right.

Well, it's time for a task now.

Can you help Izzy answer this question? Why is charity important in Islam? Give two examples of how Muslims show generosity and help others in their community.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you write down your answer or talk it out.

I look forward to seeing what you put.

I wonder what you put.

Maybe you said something like this.

Charity is important in Islam because it helps Muslims get closer to Allah and support the ummah.

Maybe you said, "One way many Muslims show generosity is by volunteering at places like food banks, as Nadia does at her mosque, to help the community." Maybe you said, "Another way many Muslims show generosity is by donating money during special occasions, like Mustafa does during Eid, to support the ummah." Well done for working really hard to complete that task.

Well, that completes the first part of our lesson on, why does charity matter in Islam? We're now going to move on to look at, how does charity connect Muslims to the ummah? Let's go.

Jacob and Sofia want to explore what connects Muslim communities, or the ummah, both locally and globally.

They think of some questions to ask different Muslims about this.

Jacob says, "How are Muslims connected to the ummah?" Sofia says, "What things help connect Muslims to both, the local and global ummah?" Sofia says, "How are Muslims connected to the ummah?" And Mustafa responds, "The ummah is a community of Muslims all around the world.

Muslims are part of the ummah no matter where they live." Here is a map of the world.

Muslims all over the world are connected like one big family and community.

This special connection is called the ummah.

As you can see from the map, it shows where large Muslim populations can be found.

If you look at the green, this is where Muslim populations are above 50% of those in that country.

Where it's yellow, this is 10 to 50%.

And where it's grey, this is where it's less than 10%.

Feel free to pause the video now as you study that map and consider where are the larger and smaller populations of Muslims. So let's take a moment to try a quick question.

What is the ummah? Is the answer a, a type of food in Islam? Is it b, the community of Muslims around the world? Or c, the special prayer in Islam? You are going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is b.

The ummah is the community of Muslims all around the world.

Well done if you got that answer right.

Well, here are Jacob and Sofia again.

Jacob and Sofia interview Jamila, who is a Sunni Muslim from Birmingham.

Jacob says, "What things help connect Muslims to the local ummah?" Jamila says, "Supporting the ummah is very important for Muslims. One way Muslims support the local ummah is through zakat." Jacob says, "What is zakat?" And Jamila says, "Zakat is a kind way of giving, showing generosity to people.

Zakat means giving some of your money to help people who need it.

This helps make the connection between Muslims stronger, both in their local community and around the world." So let's pause for a moment and check our understanding of that definition.

What is zakat? Is it a, money given to people in need? Is it b, a special kind of food during Ramadan? Or is it c, special food eaten on Eid? You are going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is a.

Zakat is money given to help people in need.

Really well done if you got that one right.

Jamila believes in giving zakat to help others in her local community, especially during the special month of Ramadan.

She can't pay it all at once due to her financial commitments, so she gives small amounts throughout the year.

Jamila says, "I believe that generosity is a great way to help our ummah, or community.

Giving zakat is really important to me.

I can't give it all at once because of my financial commitments, so I try to give small amounts throughout the year.

It makes me feel happy and thankful to help others through giving to the local food bank." So let's take a moment to check our understanding with a true-or-false question.

Zakat must always be given in full and all at once.

Is the answer true or false, and why? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is false.

Zakat is one of the five pillars for Sunni Muslims. Muslims can give it all at once or in smaller amounts, as long as they give it within the year.

Well done if you got that answer right.

Jacob says, "Do all Muslims give zakat to their local community?" Mustafa responds, "Not all Muslims give zakat to their local community.

Some give it to people in other countries who need help more, but the important thing is that it goes to those in need." Mustafa continues, "The Prophet Muhammad said: 'The best of people are those who are most helpful to others.

' My family gives zakat to an orphanage in Tanzania 'cause the children there don't have parents to take care of them.

Zakat is all about caring, sharing, and making sure no one is left behind.

That's what being part of the ummah, our big Muslim family, is all about!" Zakat, given by people like Jamila and Mustafa, shows generosity.

It helps charities like Muslim Aid and UK Islamic Mission provide food, education, and healthcare to those in need.

This generosity helps the ummah grow stronger, making a big difference in communities everywhere.

Well, look there.

Here's Meryem, who works with Muslim Aid to help people in need around the world.

She says, "Thanks to many Muslims, we can support our ummah in the UK and around the world.

We provide food, clean water, healthcare, and education to those in need.

When we help each other, our ummah becomes like one big family, growing stronger and helping more people." So let's take a moment to check out our understanding with a quick true-or-false question.

Zakat can be given to help anyone in need, no matter where they are, whether in your local community or in another country.

Is the answer true or false, and why? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is true.

Muslims are connected as one ummah, a global family.

When one part of the ummah is in need, all Muslims are encouraged to help, no matter where they live.

Really well done if you got that answer right.

Well, it's time for another task.

Use the following sentence stems to explain how charity connects Muslims to the ummah.

Use the case studies that we've already studied through those interviews of different Muslims in order to help you.

The sentence starters are: The ummah is.

Muslims are connected to the ummah because.

And when Muslims help each other through charity, it makes the ummah.

Now, you're going to want to the video whilst you complete this task.

I look forward to seeing what you put.

Well, I wonder what you had to say.

Perhaps you said something like this.

The ummah is like a big family because everyone looks out for each other and supports those in need.

Muslims are connected to the ummah because they give zakat to help people in their own community and around the world like donating money to a local charity or sending money to an orphanage in another country.

Or when Muslims help each other through charity, it makes the ummah stronger and more united, especially through acts of generosity.

Really well done for putting lots of effort into completing that task.

So we've come to the end of our lesson.

That means it's time to summarise all the things that we've learned and found out together.

We've learned that charity is important in Islam because it helps Muslims get closer to God and support the ummah.

Muslims are connected through the ummah, which is a worldwide community.

We found out that giving zakat is one way Muslims support each other and stay connected to the ummah, and that there are different ways Muslims show generosity to help the community.

And finally, interviewing different Muslims will help us better understand different Muslim worldviews.

Well, it's been an absolute pleasure working with you today.

You've worked really hard and done a fantastic job.

And so I look forward to seeing you again next time.

Bye for now.