The Tragic Stampede at a Ramadan Charity Event in Yemen: An Islamic Perspective on the Importance of Proper Aid Distribution and Crowd Control
In Islam, providing charity or Zakat is considered one of the fundamental pillars of the faith. The act of giving is highly encouraged and praised, especially during the month of Ramadan. However, the way charity is distributed should be done in an organized and safe manner to avoid any harm to people's lives.
The tragic incident in Yemen, where at least 78 people lost their lives and hundreds injured during a stampede at a charitable event, is a devastating and unfortunate example of what can happen when charity distribution is not well-planned and coordinated.
A hadith of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) related to this tragedy is:
" لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ "
"None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself" (Bukhari and Muslim).
This hadith highlights the importance of caring for others and putting their well-being on par with our own.
Islam places great emphasis on providing assistance and aid to those in need, especially during the month of Ramadan, which is a time of increased charity and generosity. In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 177, Allah says:
لَّیۡسَ ٱلۡبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ ٱلۡمَشۡرِقِ وَٱلۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلۡبِرَّ مَنۡ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡیَوۡمِ ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰۤىِٕكَةِ وَٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِیِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلۡمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِی ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَٱلۡیَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِینَ وَٱبۡنَ ٱلسَّبِیلِ وَٱلسَّاۤىِٕلِینَ وَفِی ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلۡمُوفُونَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ۖ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ فِی ٱلۡبَأۡسَاۤءِ وَٱلضَّرَّاۤءِ وَحِینَ ٱلۡبَأۡسِۗ أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ ٱلَّذِینَ صَدَقُوا۟ۖ وَأُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ هُمُ ٱلۡمُتَّقُونَ
"Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah , the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves."
Therefore, it is commendable that the people of Yemen were seeking aid during the holy month of Ramadan. However, the stampede that occurred resulting in the loss of life is a tragic event that goes against the teachings of Islam. Islam prohibits any action that leads to the loss of innocent lives, as stated in Surah Al-Ma'ida, verse 32:
مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
"Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely."
In conclusion, the tragedy that occurred in Yemen is a painful reminder of the importance of adhering to the teachings of Islam, which emphasize compassion, cooperation, and respect for human life. It is incumbent upon all Muslims to work towards creating a society that is based on these principles, and to strive towards building a world that is free from violence and oppression.