Charity has a strong connection with the holy month of Ramadan. It is a month of special blessings and mercy. Allah (SWT) chose this month to honour the revelation of the Quran. It also carries the blessing of fasting, which is the fourth pillar of Islam and a distinguished act of worship. There are particular times during the fasting month that are singled out for the acceptance of dua. The whole month is characterised by mercy. There is a promise of forgiveness for sins and reward in abundance throughout the month.
Ramadan comes with numerous opportunities to accumulate noble deeds. These range from feeding the fasting, prayers, supplication, reflection on the meaning of the Quran and solitude in Itikaf for connecting with the Lord. Every good deed carried out with sincerity is received highly and rewarded abundantly by Allah (SWT). During this month, when the environment is fertile for righteous deeds, the charity of the believers also increases considerably.
In a hadith, the Prophet (SAW) said:
“There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it, there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” [Nasai, 2106; Ahmad, 8769]
Muslim Aid is one of the Ramadan charities dedicated to delivering your contribution to deserving people. Give Muslim Aid your Ramadan donations and help those in need during the holy month.
The last 10 nights of the holy month hold special significance. These distinctive nights hold the night of power amongst them – the night on which Allah (SWT) revealed the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“We have sent it (this Quran) down in the Night of Qadr.
And what may let you know what the Night of Qadr is.
The Night of Qadr is much better than one thousand months.
The angels and the Spirit (Jibril) descend in it, with the leave of your Lord, along with every command.
Peace it is till the debut of dawn.” [Al-Qadr 1-5]
Also known as the Night of Power, this night is greatly venerated in Islam. Allah (SWT) declared it to be better than one thousand months. It means that the righteous deeds performed on this night carry greater reward and significance than those accomplished in a thousand months. The Prophet (SAW) advised us to find this night in the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
“Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The distinction of this night calls for increased Ramadan giving on the part of the believers. The distinguished Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW) also encourages Muslims to take part in charitable acts with exceptional enthusiasm during Ramadan.
Advantages of Giving on Laylat-al-Qadr
Ramadan offerings and giving in the last 10 days have immeasurable benefits.
Charity on Laylat-al-Qadr is a demonstration of one’s faith. It is a beautiful expression of the belief in Allah on the night divine guidance came down. In the words of the Quran:
“Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that (wealth) in which He has appointed you as deputies. So, for those of you who have believed and spent (in Allah’s way), there is a big reward.” [al-Hadeed 57:7]
Charitable deeds on the night of power are a great way of following the example of the Prophet (SAW). According to a hadith, during the blessed month, the Prophet (SAW) used to become “even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).” [Muslim 2308a]
“Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” [al-Baqarah 2:262]
On the most blessed night when the angels descend, and the supplications are answered, Sadaqah is a great source of obtaining Allah's (SWT) forgiveness.
“…..whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon)
Giving charity on this night brings the blessing of Laylat-al-Qadr to a believer. Allah (SWT) described this night as being blessed, as He said:
“We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night” [al-Dukhan 44:3]
Laylat-al-Qadr is the night when Allah (SWT) decrees important matters. Sadaqah, on this glorious night, has a great chance of bringing forth goodness in a believer’s life.
“Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments” [al-Dukhan 44:4]
In the light of the above verses and hadith, Sadaqah in Ramadan is a highly commendable act of worship. Remember to donate on the last 10 nights of Ramadan by responding to Muslim Aid’s appeals. Give generously this Ramadan and secure the multiplied reward of the blessed month.
We are a faith-based British international charity that provides help to people who are victims of natural disasters or conflict or suffering from poverty, hunger, disease, homelessness, injustice, deprivation or lack of skills and economic opportunities.
© Copyright 2024. Muslim AidMuslim Aid - Help Muslims Around the World in Need . All Rights Reserved.
Charity CIO No. 1176462
Serving humanity since 1985.
