Charity is considered one of the basic tenets of Islam year-round but is emphasized even further on the surrounding days of Eid. Last week Muslims celebrated the second in the series of Eid festivals, Eid-ul-Adha. In following this tradition, The Islamic Center of Suffolk County: Shah-E-Najaf Mosque is sponsoring a Thanksgiving meal at a local soup kitchen.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said, “God smiles at the person who stretches out his hand to give charity, and whoever God smiles at is forgiven.” On Wednesday, November 24, members of the Shah-E-Najaf Mosque will be honoring these words of the Prophet (peace be upon him) by sponsoring a meal and volunteering at the soup kitchen run by Bethany Hospitality INN, Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Central-Islip.

The Quran, Islam’s revealed text, urges those who reach physical and spiritual maturity to pray: “My Lord! Grant me the grace that I may thank you for the favors that You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do good deeds that will please You.” So this year, despite a weak but recovering economy and other domestic and international troubles, Shah-E-Najaf Mosque urges all to count their blessings and demonstrate true thankfulness by sharing whatever they have with those in need.