Our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most generous of all humankind. His generosity had no bounds and he would often give away even the last portion of the date (in his home) as sadaqah, and still fast himself. In fact, he was found to be the most generous giving sadaqah in Ramadan.
The Prophet's cousin, Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates:
"Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become even more generous in Ramadan when Jibrael (Gabriel) met him. Jibrael used to meet him every night during Ramadan to teach him the Quran. Allah’s Messenger then used to be more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds). "
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
Sheikh Abu Bakr Zoud sheds light on four reasons why the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was so generous during Ramadan.
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For the increased magnitude of rewards and blessings.
"Every deed of men will be rewarded as equals, until 700 hundred folds of it. Allah the Noble and Almighty decreed: ‘But fasting, because fasting is done for Me and I am the One Who will reward it.’"
(Muslim)
Owing to the increased stature of obligatory as well as non-obligatory worship during Ramadan, the Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, would strive to be more generous in order to seek Allah's pleasure and mercy. As mentioned in the above Hadith al Qudsi, it highlights the supreme virtue of giving in the way of Allah, during the blessed month of Ramadan, as observed by our beloved Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him.
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For the additional benefit of fasting.
"Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person’s), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person."
(Tirmidhi)
The rewards for fasting during the month of Ramadan are unimaginable, and best known to Allah only. Referring to the above Hadith, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would take advantage of the additional benefits tied to providing for the hungry during this blessed month, to magnify the extent of the rewards and blessings from the Almighty.
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As a means of showing gratitude.
Every night, during the month of Ramadan, Jibrael (Gabriel) would descend upon earth to teach the Quran to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. As a way of showing gratitude towards Allah, for sending Jibrael to him, the Prophet would become extra generous.
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In concern for life in the Hereafter.
As Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, spent more time studying and understanding the Quran during the blessed month of Ramadan, it increased his love and concern for the life in the Hereafter. This led him to become more detached from worldly things and give them away for the sake of obtaining Allah's mercy for the eternal life. Hence, as a result of being drawn closer to Allah through knowing the words of Allah (Quran) and wanting to detach himself from the worldly desires, the Prophet would extend his hands in the act of giving sadaqah.
How does sadaqah benefit a believer?
It is said that when a believer gives sadaqah with a pure intention, it reaches Allah before it reaches the hands of the needy. Meaning thereby that Allah accepts it from the believer and reserves the blessings and rewards from it for that person.
Here are 10 of the virtues associated with this noble act of generosity.
1. It is a cure for illness and prevention against sudden death.
2. It relieves one in the advent of calamity and hardship (trials).
3. It expiates the sins.
4. It strengthens the bond with Allah.
5. It is a source of increasing one's provision.
6. It provides for a shade on the Day of Judgment.
7. It is a means for having your duas accepted.
8. It is a source of investment for the Hereafter.
9. It is an entryway into Heaven and a shield against the Hellfire.
10. It supports the establishment of a harmonious society.
Let's aim to utilize this blessed month of Ramadan as a means to procure countless blessings and mercy from the Almighty, by following on the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and give sadaqah wholeheartedly by whatever means.
May Allah grant us the ability to carry out good deeds in continuity and accept them from us. Ameen.
For more information on the benefits of sadaqah, see another article by the author entitled Sadaqah: The Virtuous Act of Giving.
Umm Ahmed is an early childhood educator and mother of three boys. Always on the quest to learn, she is passionate about seeking knowledge and passing it on to others. A writer in the making, she draws inspiration through deep conversations, laws of nature, and her own children. She and her family are currently living in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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