(Bandar Seri Begawan, 26th) The theme of next year’s Knowledge Convention 2025 is 'Nourishing the Nation through Charity', which carries a profound meaning: charity is not just an act of individual contribution, but also the cornerstone of national development.
His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei delivered a titah at the opening ceremony of the Knowledge Convention yesterday and emphasized that, just as fertile soil nurtures abundant crops, a nation nurtured by charity will also flourish, bringing prosperity, peace, and harmony to its people.
His Majesty noted that charity can cultivate a caring society and reduce selfishness, as those who give in the name of Almighty Allah are, in fact, investing in the nation’s wellbeing.
His Majesty cited Chapter 2, Verse 261 of the Quran, stating that those who spend their wealth in the cause of Almighty Allah are like a grain of corn that grows seven ears, each ear having a hundred grains. Allah will give manifold increase to whom He wills. Allah is all-encompassing, all-knowing.
His Majesty reminded that the Prophet Muhammad once stated that giving charity does not decrease wealth; rather, it increases it. Besides economic support, charity can protect people from calamities and even help cure illnesses, as the Prophet Muhammad said: "Cure your sick with charity."
His Majesty also stressed that charity is not limited to wealth, but also includes knowledge, time, energy, and even prayers. Simple acts such as removing obstacles from the road or offering a smile are also considered acts of charity.
Charitable contributions are divided into voluntary (sunat) and obligatory (wajib) donations, with zakat being the typical example of the latter.
The Sultan reiterated the importance of proper management of zakat and called for honesty, transparency, and fairness to ensure that legitimate recipients are not neglected.
The Sultan stated that waqaf is a form of permanent charity (sadaqah jariah), and pointed out that in today’s digital age, donations have become more convenient through online transfers, mobile apps, and digital platforms. To facilitate donations, various charitable funds, including mosque construction funds, orphan funds, and the Palestine Humanitarian Fund, have been established.
Recently, the Ministry of Health launched the 'Patient Relief Charity Fund' via SMS and the MyDST application to encourage public generosity.
His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei delivered a titah at the opening ceremony of the Knowledge Convention yesterday and emphasized that, just as fertile soil nurtures abundant crops, a nation nurtured by charity will also flourish, bringing prosperity, peace, and harmony to its people.
His Majesty noted that charity can cultivate a caring society and reduce selfishness, as those who give in the name of Almighty Allah are, in fact, investing in the nation’s wellbeing.
His Majesty cited Chapter 2, Verse 261 of the Quran, stating that those who spend their wealth in the cause of Almighty Allah are like a grain of corn that grows seven ears, each ear having a hundred grains. Allah will give manifold increase to whom He wills. Allah is all-encompassing, all-knowing.
His Majesty reminded that the Prophet Muhammad once stated that giving charity does not decrease wealth; rather, it increases it. Besides economic support, charity can protect people from calamities and even help cure illnesses, as the Prophet Muhammad said: "Cure your sick with charity."
His Majesty also stressed that charity is not limited to wealth, but also includes knowledge, time, energy, and even prayers. Simple acts such as removing obstacles from the road or offering a smile are also considered acts of charity.
Charitable contributions are divided into voluntary (sunat) and obligatory (wajib) donations, with zakat being the typical example of the latter.
The Sultan reiterated the importance of proper management of zakat and called for honesty, transparency, and fairness to ensure that legitimate recipients are not neglected.
The Sultan stated that waqaf is a form of permanent charity (sadaqah jariah), and pointed out that in today’s digital age, donations have become more convenient through online transfers, mobile apps, and digital platforms. To facilitate donations, various charitable funds, including mosque construction funds, orphan funds, and the Palestine Humanitarian Fund, have been established.
Recently, the Ministry of Health launched the 'Patient Relief Charity Fund' via SMS and the MyDST application to encourage public generosity.