Blood donation is considered an extremely commendable and rewarding act of charity in Islam. In some cases, donation could mean the difference between life and death, following an accident or as a result of serious illness. By donating blood, you can give the gift of life, the ultimate gift that any person can give.

Rubina Salim from London wants to say `Thank You’ to the people who are helping to keep her alive. Ruby has thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder, and requires monthly blood transfusions for the rest of her life.

“I owe my life to blood donors. You would never know just by looking at me that I have this condition and that I need three blood donations every month to survive.

“Most people think blood is only used for accidents and emergencies but there are lots of people out there like me who constantly need blood to help them lead a normal life.’’

Miranda Lacaze, spokesperson for the National Blood Service, said more Muslims and people from Asian, Black and African- Caribbean backgrounds are required to give blood so that the right type of blood is available for people like Ruby.

“Certain blood groups are more common among people from these ethnic backgrounds but the majority of blood donors are white. We really need to make people from the wider community aware that giving blood is quick, safe and easy and it saves lives every day.’’

Shaykh Abdul-Hafeez Rasool who teaches Quran to students in Manchester says: "Donating blood is an act of charity. It might save the life of a person who is in desperate need of it. Referring to this, Allah, the Almighty says: “…and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.” (Al Quran: Surah Al-Ma'dah: 32)

For more information about becoming a blood donor, please call 0845 7 711 711 or visit the National Blood Service website, www.blood.co.uk.