Charity in Ramadan: Its virtues and Impact on the

Charity in Ramadan: Its virtues and Impact on the Society


5/30/2017 | Medad Alkhair


By: Alaa Mousrani


“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over?" (2:245). This verse tells of an excellent opportunity for those who seek the ultimate place in Paradise and a great reward from Allah Almighty for such a noble deed.     
As we are approaching Ramadan and the mercy and blessings of this month, let’s remind ourselves that Charity is of the best deeds one can perform during the month of fasting. Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was the most generous of men, and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan.”
Islam has devoted particular attention to charity and expanded the concept of charity to    be a cause of freedom from Fire (of Hell), the source of livelihood, the means to extinguish the wrath of Allah, and a reason for psychological comfort. Charity brings happiness to our hearts through our sense of taking part in alleviating pains of others, caring for them and sharing the blessings of Allah with them.      
In Islam Charity comes in many forms and ways. Providing relief to the needy, drilling water wells to irrigate lands and people, feeding them, building mosques, sponsoring schools, in addition to advocacy activities such as spreading the Islamic religion, memorizing and reading the Holy Quran and building houses for the widows and the needy are few of many examples of Charity. Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:              
“The rewards of the good deeds that will reach a believer after his death are: knowledge which he taught and spread; a righteous son whom he leaves behind; a copy of the Qur'an that he leaves as a legacy; a mosque that he built; a house that he built for wayfarers; a canal that he dug; or charity that he gave during his lifetime when he was in good health. These deeds will reach him after his death.'" 
Rewards for Charity in Ramadan 
“And Allah multiplies (further) for whom He pleases.” (2:261)

Are we aware of the rewards for charity in Ramadan, and the blessings of mercy and forgiveness the Allah bestows upon us as a result? Who will answer the call for doing good during the month of goodness, compassion, and giving?
 It is customary for a Muslim to have a regular share of prayer, remembrance of Allah or any virtuous deeds in Ramadan. Why not make Charity one of these usual activities during this great month? The rewards of Charity are many such as keeping us safe from calamities, as we learned from the Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): “Charity pushes away calamities."  
So why not allocate an amount of money, daily, to give to a family in need, or for adopting an orphan child, or paying it for a wayfarer, or in helping to educate a poor child. Part of Charity money can be used to travel to visit a poor Muslim community in Africa or Asia, collecting donations for them or contributing in drilling a water-wells or the establishment of a free food bank or building a school or mosque. Other forms of Charity can be for participating in government programs or private initiatives, or supporting the activities of institutions working to collect charity and distribute it to the deserving. 
Let us stress that one of the most significant results of charity is the prevention of cal  amity and protection from harm as we can learn from the Hadeeth of Al-Mustafa Al-Amin (ﷺ): “Charity prevents seventy kinds of scourges, the least of which is leprosy.” Is it possible then for a Muslim to know the source of lifting calamity and overlook it?  
So, my Muslim brothers, make your Charity in Ramadan, a fulfillment of our covenant with Allah Almighty that He would grant us Paradise. Let's seek Paradise and guardyou against the Fire (of Hell) even if it is only with half a date-fruit (given in charity). 

 

Note: The article expresses the opinion of the author solely and does not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of Qatar Charity.