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Family Activities That Teach The Virtue Of Ramadan

Family Activities That Teach The Virtue Of Ramadan

Ramadan is an opportunity to improve ourselves, be thankful for what we’ve been given, and to show generosity and kindness to others. It’s like a month-long intensive boot camp to prepare you for the year ahead but with the goal being to take what you’ve learned or practiced during Ramadan and applying it throughout the […]

Think Strict Parenting is the Way to Go? Think Again— and Try This Instead

Think Strict Parenting is the Way to Go? Think Again— and Try This Instead

As parents, we want our children to grow up to be practicing Muslims with good character who please Allah (SWT). Many of us think that to achieve this, we have to be strict by hovering over them and punishing them when they don’t listen. Because of the emphasis placed on obeying parents in Islam, we […]

The Art of Working on Yourself— Tips for Ramadan and Beyond

The Art of Working on Yourself— Tips for Ramadan and Beyond

Ramadan is the month that inspires us to get back to what matters most – our relationship with Allah SWT. When we reflect on the changes we want to make and the goals we’d like to set, we may find ourselves discouraged, overwhelmed, or unsure what to prioritize. These tips will help you use Ramadan […]

Ideas For Ramadan Traditions With The Family

Ideas For Ramadan Traditions With The Family

Family togetherness during Ramadan is especially important for parents of young children and adolescents. Children’s early experiences of Ramadan informs the feeling and memories they associate with this blessed month throughout their lives. Creating family traditions to get children excited about and engaged with Islam during this month will help them grasp hold of the inexplicable aura of blessings […]

Check Out These Ideas For Cultivating Spirituality In Ramadan

Check Out These Ideas For Cultivating Spirituality In Ramadan

“One of the seven given shade on the Day of Judgment is the man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears” (Sahih Bukhari narrated by Abu Huraira). The central place of spiritual connection and growth has shifted from the masjid back to the home. So how can we motivate ourselves to […]

Tips To Support Those Struggling With A Mental Or Chronic Illness During Ramadan

Tips To Support Those Struggling With A Mental Or Chronic Illness During Ramadan

For most people, Ramadan is a joyous and unifying experience; a time of spiritual renewal and growth. But for Muslims living with depression and anxiety disorders, the onset of Ramadan can be terrifying. For those existing in the shadows because they’re combating an easily concealed chronic illness, it can also be a time of misunderstanding, […]

7 Ways Fathers Can Plan A Ramadan To Remember

7 Ways Fathers Can Plan A Ramadan To Remember

It’s often assumed that mothers are supposed to plan most of the wonderful activities for their children. So how are fathers supposed to make Ramadan special for their families? What does an engaged father look like in Ramadan? Take kids to Taraweeh prayers? Is that it? One important lesson learned from the first ‘Pandemic Ramadan’ is […]

Prepare For This Friday’s Khutba By Checking Out Our Khutba Guide

Prepare For This Friday's Khutba By Checking Out Our Khutba Guide

Given the tragic events that unfolded this week, please encourage your Friday khateebs to talk about suicide prevention.  The FYI Khutba Guide on Suicide Prevention can help them prepare for tomorrow’s khutba. Please share your local mosque, MSA’s, and youth groups. The khutba guide, provides guidance for those giving Friday Khutba’s to counter mental health […]

Resources For Suicide Prevention And Intervention

Resources For Suicide Prevention And Intervention

Not many Muslims know how to address the issue of suicide when they are faced with it. It is often hard to know where to turn for help. These resources can make it easier to know what to do and where to go for more resources and information. We hope that we can build more […]

19 Children’s Books About Ramadan, Eid And Everyday Life!

19 Children's Books About Ramadan, Eid And Everyday Life!

One of the best ways to bring Ramadan and Eid into your home for children is through books. We hope that the books in this list will become family fixtures for each Ramadan, Eids, and beyond. There are also a few extra books that are either Islamic or feature Muslim Characters that make lovely gifts […]

Haven’t Started Preparing For Ramadan? No Worries, We’ve Got You Covered.

Haven't Started Preparing For Ramadan? No Worries, We've Got You Covered.

Many of us are coming to this year’s Ramadan with varying situations–for some of us, mosques may be reopening to some extent, whereas for others, mosques will still be closed. Regardless, for all of us to some extent, this will be a physically distant and spiritually different Ramadan— but that doesn’t have to prevent us […]

Zakat eligibility of The FYI

The Family & Youth Institute, or The FYI, is a well-known Muslim organization in the United States. It works to promote mental health and wellness by strengthening and empowering individuals, families, and communities through research and education. It has been working for many years to bring Islamic perspectives to understanding and promoting mental health in our communities.

It is dedicated to serving and supporting Muslims – safeguarding our deen, our families, and our future generations. Therefore, the work of The FYI comes in the category of ‘fi sabeelillah’ or the Path of Allah, within the eight categories where Zakat money can be used.

Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed for it and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah, and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah, And Allah, is Knowing and Wise.”
(Al-Tawbah 9:60)

According to scholars who widen the meaning of fee sabeelillah to include any activities that promote Islamic growth, The FYI is indeed eligible to receive part of the Zakat funds for its programs and services. I urge Muslims in America to support this organization through their donations, general charity, and through their Zakat. I ask Allah swt to strengthen and guide The FYI to continue its good work in supporting Muslims.

Shaikh Ali Suleiman Ali, PhD

About Shaikh Ali

Sh. Ali Suleiman Ali was born in Ghana where he spent his childhood studying with various Muslim scholars. He then moved to Saudi Arabia and enrolled in the Islamic University of Madina.  He graduated with a degree in both Arabic and Islamic Studies. Dr. Ali went on to complete his Ph.D. in Islamic Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Sh. Ali serves on the Advisory Council of The Family & Youth Institute. He is the Senior Imam and Director of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs in Canton, Michigan. Additionally, he serves as the Director of Muslim Family Services in Detroit and is a council member of the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA). He is also a member of the North American Imams Federation (NAIF) and the Association of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA).