During Ramazan, the spirit of giving transforms Kashmir’s streets into pathways of generosity. Volunteers distribute ration kits, iftar meals, and Zakat donations, upholding an age-old tradition of charity. All this is gradually getting virtual, reports Babra Wani
Wrapped in a brown phiran, a black stole draped over her shoulders, and worn plastic shoes barely holding together, Wahida moved from door to door, clutching a brown jute bag tightly in her right hand. With every doorbell she pressed, the bag grew heavier—some handed her rice, and others placed a few banknotes into her calloused palms.
For 55-year-old Wahida, this has been a daily ritual for three decades. Widowed young, with three children to feed, she has walked these streets for years, relying on the kindness of strangers to survive. But during Ramazan, generosity flows more freely. This is the month when hands open wider, and she gathers enough to sustain herself in the weeks ahead.
“In 2021, three girls visited me and brought a full month’s ration and other Ramazan essentials. It has not stopped since,” she said. “Andleeb and her friends come every year.” While their support provides some stability, Wahida continues to seek alms to sustain her family. She pointed toward a bridge leading to Barzulla. “Some people are very generous, especially in this area.”
A Mission of Giving
Andleeb, 25, has made it her mission to bring relief to those in need. Every year, especially during Ramazan, she and a small group of friends come together to support the underprivileged. Their efforts are coordinated through a dedicated WhatsApp group, Giving a Lil Smile, where they collect funds to sustain their charitable work.
Unlike large charities, Giving a Lil Smile does not ask for substantial donations. “Let us start with as little as Rs 10 or Rs 50,” the group conveys in its description. “Ten rupees is not a significant amount, considering how much we spend on non-essential items.”
Since 2020, Andleeb has worked tirelessly to raise funds, ensuring struggling families receive essential rations and supplies that last the entire month. Through her network, she identifies those most in need and offers direct assistance, transforming generosity into tangible relief.
“I have been doing this every Ramazan and every winter. It feels like my duty to ensure that while I have food, these families do not go hungry,” she said. “Ramazan is a sacred month, and we must care for those around us. That is the essence of Islam.”
Her team assembles ration kits containing rice, flour, oil, spices, tea, and toiletries. “We used to seek help from a wholesale shop owner to prepare these kits,” she explained. Identifying beneficiaries is a meticulous process. “We verify families through different sources before visiting them for distribution.”
Andleeb and her friends, all privately employed with modest incomes, realised they could not sustain their efforts alone. “That is why we formed the WhatsApp group and reached out for support,” she said. “This initiative has become a source of Sadaqah-e-Jariyah and Zakat. We have been able to help many families, making fasting easier for them.”
The amount collected varies from person to person, but the goal remains the same: to expand the initiative. “Our vision is to make it bigger,” she said. Currently, she leads a team of three young women, all in their mid-twenties, ensuring that their efforts continue. “Our aim is simple—to make this holy month a little easier for those who struggle,” she said.
The Spirit of Ramazan
Compassion manifests in both bustling cities and quiet villages. From home-cooked iftar meals shared with those in need to anonymous donations filling food banks, the charity has become as sacred as the month itself.
Saadat, a resident of Srinagar’s old city, has also taken it upon himself to help others. Preferring to remain anonymous, he has been collecting funds to distribute iftar meals to those who break their fasts on the road. “People have such hectic schedules that they often do not reach home in time for iftar,” he said. “A few friends and I distribute iftar packets to commuters. My grandmother says this, too, is a form of charity.”
Helping people break their fast at iftar is an old tradition in Kashmir. Young boys, in particular, are often seen offering Babri Byoul Treash—a drink made from milk, water, and basil seeds—along with dates to those travelling at iftar time. In Srinagar, groups of youth stop buses to hand out food to passengers. In some areas, the iftar packets include fruits and phirni, a traditional Kashmiri dessert.
The Pillars of Charity and Fasting
Ramazan is the only month in the Islamic calendar that upholds three of Islam’s five pillars—fasting (roza, Salah (prayers) and Zakat al-Fitr, a form of compulsory almsgiving. Unlike sadaqah, which is voluntary, Sadqat al-Fitr is an obligatory contribution that must be paid before the Eid prayers are offered on day one of Shawal.
The religious significance of the month apart, this charity strengthens the local economy and helps some capital to move to the vulnerable. By increasing the circulation of funds and providing direct assistance, it fosters a sense of collective responsibility. In Kashmir, as elsewhere, it ensures that no one is left behind in the holiest month of the year.
The Economy of Almsgiving
In Jammu and Kashmir, where over 68 per cent of an estimated 13.6 million people are Muslims, the practice of almsgiving is deeply embedded in the region’s social and economic fabric. Nearly 9.3 million individuals participate in this process, ensuring that the cycle of charity sustains those in need. Despite the widespread distribution of alms, Jammu and Kashmir has the lowest Below Poverty Line (BPL) population in India, standing at 10.38 per cent.
In 2024, the Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Nasir-ul Islam Farooqi, set the minimum Zakat al-Fitr amount at Rs 75 per person, a rise from Rs 65 in 2023. The previous year’s collection totalled approximately Rs 60 crore, a substantial transfer of wealth within a few days that significantly impacted the region’s economy. The Kashmir clergy, however, has been fixing the Sadqa al-Fitra at the lowest rates. For people who are better off, they can offer Sadqa equivalent to a Sa (2.6 to 3 kgs) of dried dates, barley, or raisins.
Zakat
Though Muslims are obliged to pay Zakaat, a compulsory 2.5 per cent tax on savings or gold, once in a calendar year, most donors prefer Ramazan over other months. The Quran, in Surah At-Tawbah, outlines the rightful recipients of Zakat—the compulsory annual charity amounting to 2.5 per cent of one’s wealth. It is designated for the poor (Al-Fuqara), who have little to no income, and the needy (Al-Masakeen), who struggle to meet their necessities. The fund also supports administrators responsible for collection and distribution, converts seeking to strengthen their faith, individuals burdened by debt (Gharimeen), those engaged in the cause of Allah (Fi Sabilillah), including students of Islamic knowledge and humanitarian workers, and travellers stranded without financial means (Ibn-us-Sabeel).
Over the years, management of the Zakat has emerged as a major activity. Several non-governmental organisations and charities are the first claimants of the fund. For many in Kashmir, Zakat is a lifeline. However, many donors prefer deserving individuals located in the community.
Hajra (name changed), a 60-year-old widow, has relied on Zakat for survival since the death of her husband, a labourer, two decades ago. “He left nothing behind for me and our two daughters,” she said. “I started working in people’s homes, doing whatever jobs I could find. During Ramazan, I go from place to place to collect alms.”
For Hajra, these donations mean survival. “We have lived on these contributions for twenty years. Without them, I do not know what would have become of us,” she admitted. “Apart from Zakat, I receive sadaqah as well, especially in Ramazan. Some generous people donate food, clothes, and shoes.”
The Women on the Streets
Zaina (name changed), 85, has also lived off donations for years. She rents a small apartment in Batamaloo, alone. “I either beg on the roadside or collect alms,” she said, dressed in a grey, worn-out phiran and a red daej, a traditional Kashmiri headscarf. “I sit near the footpath at Exchange Road or by the wall of Biscoe School.”
During Ramazan, her neighbours help by donating essentials—rice, tea, oil, fruits, bread, and medicine. Despite her frail frame, she sits for nearly five hours, three days a week, at Lal Chowk. “What else can an old woman like me do?” she asked, leaning on her walking stick. “I cannot work. I cannot take up a menial job. I cannot even do household work. So, I beg.”
Across Kashmir, women like Hajra and Zaina walk the streets or knock on doors, relying on alms for sustenance. Sadiqa (name changed), a member of the Gujjar community, lives with her disabled husband and children in a tattered tent under a Chinar tree in Bagh-e-Mehtab. Each year, she visits households in the area to collect Zakat. “The Wani family has given me Zakat for eight years,” she said. “I go to them during Ramazan, and they donate clothes for my children. They buy us bread, mutton, and chicken for Eid. Alhamdulillah, we manage, and this month passes in peace.”
For Sadiqa, Ramazan brings more than just sustenance. “This month feels like a blessing because I receive the most help,” she said, her voice breaking. “There are people who even donate for my husband’s medical treatment.”
The Season of Giving
During Ramazan, orphanages, religious institutions, and NGOs across Jammu and Kashmir actively seek donations. Many advertise their activities and financial needs through local media and social media platforms, while others rent vehicles equipped with public address systems to solicit contributions.
Ababeel, a youth-led group in the Chenab Valley, is among those who appeal for donations during Ramazan. However, unlike some organisations, they do not go door to door. “We receive the highest amount of aid and donations in this month,” a member of Ababeel said. “People mostly donate money, but some also contribute drinking water tanks or Iftaari kits containing parathas, keema, mutton, chicken, vegetables, dates, and fruits.”
The group expands its efforts during Ramazan by recruiting additional volunteers to visit hospitals and healthcare centres, where they provide Iftaari and Suhoor meals to the attendants of patients. “Every day, we serve Suhoor and Iftaari to nearly 200 people,” the member said.
Ababeel also distributes Ramazan kits to families who regularly receive food assistance from the organisation. Once the month ends, these families are provided with Eid kits, which include basic rations as well as bakery items and sweets for the festival. “During Ramazan, we receive enough donations to sustain our work for the entire year,” the member said. “On average, we collect more than Rs 20 lakh, though I do not have access to the exact amount of donations we receive. But we receive enough, Jazakallah u Khair.”
At Rahat Manzil (orphanage) in Srinagar, a representative noted that while donations of food and other essentials increase significantly during Ramazan, monetary contributions do not rise as much. “People donate money online, but the amount does not increase substantially,” the representative said. “However, donations of food items such as rice, spices, and dates see a noticeable rise.”
Obligation of Charity
An Islamic scholar, who requested anonymity, described charity as an act of devotion, undertaken to seek the pleasure of Allah. “Zakat, Ushr, and Sadaqat al-Fitr are all obligatory. Neglecting them is a serious sin. Beyond these mandatory forms of charity, voluntary giving in the path of Allah brings great rewards, both in this world and the Hereafter,” he said.
Mufti Shafeeq ur Rahman, a senior Islamic preacher, emphasised the significance of Zakat and other forms of Sadaqah in Islam. “Allah loves those who uphold His teachings and encourages kindness and charity,” he said. “The Quran repeatedly commands believers to establish prayer and fulfil their Zakat obligations. Both Zakat and Sadaqah are mentioned in the Quran, though they carry distinct meanings.”
Zakat is considered a separate category of charity, he explained. If a person donates something for a specific cause or personal reason, it is classified as Sadaqah. A Sadaqah, a general belief among Muslims is that it acts as a barrier against calamities and hardship.
A religious scholar explained that anyone possessing wealth equivalent to 52.5 tolas of silver, 7.5 tolas of gold, or its monetary value must pay Sadaqat al-Fitr. This obligation extends to their minor children. Additionally, individuals who own assets exceeding their basic needs, including cash or goods, must also fulfil this requirement.
Fidya
Another form of charity observed during Ramazan is Fidya, which serves as both recompense and assistance for those who are unable to fast. Fidya allows individuals to contribute to the spirit of Ramazan by supporting those in need.
For individuals who are elderly or chronically ill and unable to fast, Fidya—referred to as Rozay ka Fidya—must be paid as a substitute. The amount for each missed fast is equivalent to one Sadaqat al-Fitr donation.
A resident of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, whose daughter is unable to fast, said the family has been paying Fidya on her behalf for the past decade. “I am grateful that this form of charity exists as a means of compensation,” he said.
A Digital Shift
Unlike individual seekers, formal charities have elaborate plans to make the best of the month of giving. They would visit the villages and mosques and offer details of their requirements and the activity they are into.
As Ramazan unfolds in Jammu and Kashmir, appeals for donations resonate across streets, social media platforms, and community gatherings. Local organisations, WhatsApp groups, and grassroots initiatives actively seek Zakat, Sadaqat al-Fitr, and general donations to provide ration kits, warm meals, and financial assistance. Vans equipped with loudspeakers travel from one locality to another, urging people to contribute. Meanwhile, Facebook, Instagram, and other digital platforms are inundated with appeals.
The traditional methods of collecting donations have begun to evolve. While receipt books are still in use, collectors now also carry QR code scanners, allowing for instant digital transactions.
“Most of the formal groups working in the social sector have a consistent income but in the month of fasting the donations surge” an insider in the sector said. “Most of the donors inform banks to deduct a specific amount from their bank accounts and transfer it to particular charities monthly,” the volunteer said. “This gives these charities a consistent income even beyond Ramazan.”
Younger donors, particularly those from Generation Z, increasingly prefer digital methods of giving.
“I scroll through my social media to look for someone genuinely in need, and with a click, I can contribute,” said Saba, a 23-year-old resident of Baramulla. “Everything has become easier, and crowdfunding has surged. Now, we can donate to a range of causes effortlessly.”
What was once limited to announcements in mosques and word-of-mouth has now expanded to reach thousands instantly through WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, and Instagram campaigns. Young volunteers, grassroots organisations, and community groups have embraced these digital tools to share urgent appeals, track donations, and maintain transparency through real-time updates.
“Crowdfunding, digital payments, and viral videos have made giving faster, easier, and more effective than ever,” Saba said. She recalled a case in which a young boy managed to raise more than one crore rupees through crowdfunding for a girl suffering from a chronic illness. “That is the power of digital media,” she added.
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