The Night I Understood True Sincerity – Under the Lancaster Ramadan Tent

Lancaster Muslim Community gathered at the Ramadan Tent | Photo: Shella Fatima

Under the Ramadan Tent: A Night of Prayer, Reflection, and Peace

It was one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan in the Lancaster Ramadan Tent. The tent stood firm against the cool night breeze, its fabric swaying ever so slightly under the open sky. There were no grand chandeliers, no towering minarets—just this humble space, set up by hands that longed for a place of worship, a place of community. The Lancaster Ramadan Tent wasn’t just a shelter; it was a heartbeat in the middle of an open field, a sanctuary for those seeking the warmth of faith.

The air was filled with quiet murmurs of dhikr as we waited for Taraweeh to begin. The glow from scattered lanterns flickered against the tent’s canvas, casting soft shadows over the rows of worshippers. The scent of dates and chai from iftar still lingered, blending with the earthiness of the night.

Before the prayer, the Imam spoke. His voice, steady and full of wisdom, carried through the tent like a gentle wind. He shared a story—one that felt like it was meant for me.

It was about a man—a man no one really noticed, yet after his death, his presence was everywhere.

This man spent the last ten nights of Ramadan searching for those in need. Silently, without a word, he would leave sadaqah in the hands of strangers. No one knew his name. Not his family, not his friends. Only Allah knew.

And when he passed away, his secret unfolded—not through his own words, but through the voices of those he had touched. They spoke of his kindness, their voices trembling, their hearts heavy with gratitude.

I sat there, my fingers gripping the edge of the prayer mat, feeling something deep shift within me.

How often do we crave acknowledgment for our good deeds? How often do we look around, waiting for someone to notice?

But this man—he lived in the shadows of sincerity. His charity was a secret between him and Allah.

As we stood for prayer, the Imam recited:

ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مَنًّۭا وَلَآ أَذًۭى لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ ۖ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Alladhīna yunfiqūna amwālahum fī sabīlillāhi thumma lā yutbiʿūna mā anfaqū mannan walā adhan, lahum ajruhum ʿinda rabbihim, walā khawfun ʿalayhim walā hum yaḥzanūn.
"Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow up their charity with reminders or injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve." (Quran 2:262)

The words wrapped around me like a quiet call to change.

I thought about my own deeds. My own intentions.

What if the best things I ever did were the ones no one knew about? What if I stopped seeking recognition and started seeking only Allah?

As I pressed my forehead into the ground in sujood, I made a silent dua:

"Ya Allah, let me be like that man. Let my hands give without my heart seeking praise. Let my deeds be known only to You."

Because in the end, when my name fades from this world, let it be remembered by You (Allah).

Why It's Best to Give Charity as Ibadah on the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan

The last ten nights hold Laylatul Qadr—the Night of Decree, the night that is "better than a thousand months." A single good deed on this night is multiplied beyond imagination. If there's ever a time to increase our charity, prayers, and worship, it is now.

Sadaqah in these nights is like planting seeds in the most fertile soil. Every coin given, every meal shared, every act of kindness—if done sincerely—could be written as a reward that lasts a lifetime.

The man in the Imam’s story lived this reality. He didn’t wait for recognition. He didn’t announce his giving. He gave for Allah alone. And that is the kind of giving that leaves a mark, not on the world, but on the scales of Akhirah (the Hereafter).

As I sit under the Ramadan tent, beneath the open sky, I remind myself: Give now. Give in silence. And trust that Allah sees every hidden deed. Subhanallah! 

I hope you got lessons from this story. In shaa Allah. Follow Muslim Hakawati on Facebook for more.

Jazzakumullahu khairan! Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu!🌹