There is the benefit of financial or material improvement for millions who would be beneficiaries of Muslims’ generosity during this month through Sadaqah, Zakatul-Fitr and the obligatory Zakaah. This is a direct benefit for their purse/wallet. In organised communities, the institution of Zakaah is used to elevate people from poverty. The Zakaah is given generously to some to set them up for life (enabling them “to learn and catch” the proverbial fish themselves and not just “giving the fish” to them just to survive), thus becoming self-sufficient and who themselves are in a position to give Zakaah.
This benefit also takes account of gifts and provision of food for the fasting person with which to fast or break their fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without nothing being reduced from the fasting person’s reward.” (Tirmidhi) The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself was regarded as “the most charitable amongst the people and he used to give even more in the month of Ramadan…” (Bukhari) What we give in Ramadan is multiplied in folds. Allah says in a hadith qudsi, “The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.” (Bukhari)
The companions understood this perfectly well. Abdullah Ibn Umar used to prefer breaking his fast with the poor of Madinah and whenever he broke his fast in his home, he would never ate his fill anticipating a poor person coming around to share his iftar meal. Then he would give sweet snacks as charity. When asked why he gives so much, he said, “I am aware of the words of Allah which says: ‘never shall you attain to true piety unless you spend on others out of what you cherish yourselves; and whatever you spend - verily, God has full knowledge thereof.’ And Allah knows that I love these sweets snacks.”
Imam Shaafi’i once said, “It is beloved to me to see one increasing his acts of generosity during the month of Ramadan, following the footstep of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) and for his/her own good. There are many people who are preoccupied with their fasting and prayers, forgetting the other benefits (of generosity) of the month of Ramadan.”
Moreover, the feeding of others is actually firmly instituted in Ramadan. Some category of Muslims who are unable to fast (like those who have terminal/long term illness, due to old age etc.) must feed others in lieu of their fast. “(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will, - it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.” Qur'an 2 v 184
Many people count their benefits from Ramadan in terms of savings on spending, loss of weight, ability to meditate, improved health etc. These are genuine benefits as long as they are not the aims of Ramadan.
Whatever you do, let Ramadan benefit you. State the goal and benefits you wish to derive from Ramadan and strive to achieve them. A companion of the Prophet once said “Let it not be that the day that you fast and the day that you did not fast are the same.” This amounts to a complete loss. May Allah reward us immensely and give us the benefits of Ramadan in this world and in the Hereafter.
- Contributed by Shamsideen AbuSuad, UK. ©RamadanMessage 2007.
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