Giving charity in Islam is largely significant, especially in the month of Ramadan. Not only is it rewarding to help those in need, but it also welcomes the acts of kindness and gratitude, both of which are core lessons to be practised by Muslims.
“So, for those of you who have believed and spent (in Allah’s way), there is a big reward.”
[Al-Hadid 57:7]
The Benefits of Charity in Ramadan
Giving charity during Ramadan is a commendable act of worship. The month of Ramadan brings immense blessings for the believers, with a promise of forgiveness from Allah. Ramadan charity that is performed in the holy month contains great virtue over donations made at any other time in the year. By giving charity in Ramadan, Muslims are able to reap all these benefits along with increased blessings from Allah (SWT). This is the reason why many Muslims donate more Sadaqah in this month, with the hope of an increased reward.
“And spend (in charity) of that with which we have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Lord! If only you would delay me for a brief term (to the worldly life) so I would give Sadaqah (charity) of my wealth and be among the righteous”.[Quran 63:10]
Hadith About Charity in Ramadan
Muslims are encouraged to commit acts of charity in Ramadan, especially by following the examples of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). According to the following hadith, the Messenger of Allah donated significant charity during Ramadan. It has been narrated that his charity used to take on a special dimension in the fasting month and resembled ‘strong winds’.
“Allah’s Messenger was the most generous of all the people and he used to be more generous in the month of Ramadan when Angel Jibril would meet him to read Quran with him, the messenger of Allah would be most generous, even more generous than the fair winds.” [Al-Bukhari]
Any good deed during Ramadan goes a long way, and donating charity in Ramadan given with a sincere intention to help the needy for the sake of Allah (SWT) is what welcomes further reward. Another narration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) tells us that a believer’s Sadaqah will be a source of much-needed shade on the day of judgment. The Prophet (PBUH) said “There are seven whom Allah, may He be Exalted, will shade with His shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His … A man who gives charity and conceals it to the extent that his left hand does not know what his right hand is giving.”[Bukhari]
Types of Charity
There are many ways to perform charitable deeds during the month of Ramadan. Sadaqah is one form of charity that can be given in several ways, such as giving money to the needy, sharing a smile or saying a good word to another Muslim, feeding the hungry, extending good advice, looking after an animal, and helping someone in need of assistance.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) is reported to have said “Charity is due upon every joint of the people for every day upon which the sun rises. Justly reconciling two people is charity. Helping a man with his animal and lifting his luggage upon it is charity. A kind word is charity. Every step that you take towards the mosque is charity, and removing harmful things from the road is charity.” [Bukhari]
Every beneficial act that would help the community in any way is Sadaqah. You can give Sadaqah by supporting the establishment of education in a deprived area, donating towards the construction of a mosque, building a water well or sponsoring an orphan.
Many Muslims prefer to donate their charity in the last 10 days of Ramadan because of the magnitude of the promised reward. Though Sadaqah and Zakat can be paid any time of the year, giving charity in Ramadan has a special significance.
Giving Zakat in Islam
Zakat is the third Pillar of Islam and is Fardh (obligatory) upon a Muslim. The purpose of Zakat is to purify one’s earnings and help the deprived. A portion of a believer’s wealth must be donated annually to the poor through the means of Zakat.
“Of their goods, take Zakat, so that you might purify and sanctify them.” [Quran 9:103]
Many Muslims around the world prefer to donate their Zakat in Ramadan as not only is it a time for reward to be multiplied, but it is also a good time to remember that your annual payment is due.
There are eight categories for the one who is eligible for Zakat and so it’s vital for the one donating to give to someone who falls within this group:
The Poor – Those on a low income
The Needy – Someone who is in difficulty or extremely deprived.
Zakat Administrators – Those employed to collect and calculate Zakat
Those Whose Hearts are to be Reconciled – The ones who are inclined towards Islam
Those who are in Bondage - (referring to slaves)
Those who are in Debt
In the cause of Allah - (projects that are uplifting the Muslim community to widen Islamic growth)
The Wayfarer – this refers to those who are stranded or travelling with very few resources.
How to Give Charity in Ramadan
Ramadan charity can be given in ways that are exclusive to the holy month. It can be done by feeding the fasting through contributions to public Iftar meals at Mosques or other community venues. You can also donate food items to food banks near you, or support any charitable organisation by donating towards Iftar packs or food parcels.
It has been narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “Whoever gives iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest.”[Timithy]
Apart from giving Iftar, there are other kinds of donations specific to Ramadan. These include Fidya, Kaffarah and Zakat Ul Fitr. Payment for these Ramadan charities can be made to Charity Meals, where you can earn rewards in abundance for providing food to someone in need.
Our Ramadan Charity Appeal
Follow the example of the Prophet (PBUH) and increase your generosity during the holy month. Give your Ramadan charity by supporting Charity Meals and donating Iftar and Suhoor food packs for families in need. For £30, you can support a family of five for the whole month. Donate generously and help those suffering from hunger this Ramadan.
Respond to other Ramadan appeals by giving your Fidya and Kaffarah to Charity Meals. Fulfil your religious obligation by spending on those in need. Your donation in the month of Ramadan will raise your status as a believer, whilst also helping those in desperate need of substantial aid. Contribute to one of the vital campaigns of Charity Meals and help save lives.
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