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The beloveds of Allah, Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and Hajar (may Allah be pleased with her) sacrificed what they loved most for Him, and our religious traditions were shaped by their trials.
Hajar’s lonely struggle became a ritual of the Hajj Pilgrimage practiced for centuries, which we honour every Dhul Hijjah. But what of our sisters who share a similar fate to her today?
British charity HHUGS (Helping Households Under Great Stress) supports single mothers impacted by national security measures and detention. With their husbands in prison, these women struggle with social isolation and financial hardships, as they try desperately to provide for their children. They may not be running the distance between Safa and Marwah, but they too face obstacles as unmovable as mountains. With no one to rely on but Allah, they are the Hajars living in our midst.
This Dhul Hijjah, your Qurbani and Sadaqah need not travel too far to lift a single mother out of destitution. In the best 10 days of the year – greater in virtue than even the last 10 days of Ramadhan – HHUGS encourage the community to honour our mother Hajar by supporting our sisters who walk in her footsteps.
The only charity of its kind, HHUGS are providing an unique opportunity for Muslims to perform Qurbani right here in Britain to support mothers who are closer than we think, in need of help and healing.
With their husbands in detention, bereft wives become single mothers. They are left to pick up the pieces of a life devastated overnight. With bank accounts closed or frozen and benefits withheld or delayed, often they haven’t even the means to feed their children.
“They took all the money I had saved, not even leaving behind enough to buy bread…we had no clothes with us apart from what we were wearing. We had no clothes with us apart from what we were wearing. Whatever I could sell, I sold to be able to eat, to be able to live my life.”
Following the Footsteps of Ibrahim (as)
As with our mother Hajar, today, we continue to reap the blessing of Ibrahim’s (as) sacrifice, through the Qurbani we offer. But are we willing to follow in his footsteps and give the best of what we can to earn Allah’s love, just as he did?
Qurbani with HHUGS gives us the opportunity for greater rewards in the akhirah, by offering the biggest animal, under the best conditions, and ensuring HMC approved meat for those most in need. Donating for Qurbani overseas may be the cheaper option, but performing Qurbani right here in the UK, and giving it to the needy that are nearest to us, is closer to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, as agreed by all four schools in Islam.
Give to the Door That is Closest
British charity HHUGS provides financial, emotional, and practical support and advice to households in the UK impacted by national security detention and measures in the UK and abroad.
For every arrest and detention, a home has been raided and ravaged and a family has suffered the loss of a loved one, a bread winner, a dear husband, a much loved son.
Give the Best You Can
The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ was to offer the very best animals for sacrifice.
The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘The finest Qurbani is that which is expensive in price, and very fat.’ (Ahmad)
Performing your Qurbani with HHUGS means offering the highest quality sheep, raised in the best conditions on British pastures, and slaughtered by Euro Quality Lambs, according to HMC Halal regulations.
A Qurbani with HHUGS costs £160. All of the meat will go towards families in need.
The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘There is no money more cherished than that money which is spent for Qurbani on the day of Eid.” (at-Tabarani)
Sharia Compliance & Transparency
HHUGS Qurbanis are facilitated by Euro Quality Lambs in abattoirs that operate on a riba (interest) free model. Their in-house Sharia advisor, Imam SohyabPeerbhai, is present during the sacrifice, to ensure Sharia compliance and offer assurance and peace of mind to donors. The UK has the highest standards in meat production ensuring animal and environmental welfare and hygiene. This is in keeping with the Muslim ethos of excellence and goodness –tayyib.
