يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
"O who believe, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you; perchance you will guard yourselves. (2:183)
Ramadan - Month of Generosity
Generosity and giving are attributes that Allah likes for Muslims to have for Allah is the most-Generous and Giving of all. Indeed, Allah's Generosity multiplies in Ramadan. Similarly, the Prophet's generosity increased in Ramadan, and he is the Perfect Man whose personality encompasses all attributes humankind seeks and vies for.
Ramadan is the month of the Book of Allah and of generosity to the poor, to whom zakat is traditionally conveyed in that month. Every good deed in Ramadan carries more weight that at any other time, particularly giving. When Anas asked "What is the best charity for the sake of Allah (sadaqa)?" the Prophet (s) replied: "A gift in Ramadan (sadaqatun fi ramadan)." [Tirmidhi]
From Ibn `Abbas (r) that he said: “Allah's Messenger (s) was the most bounteous (ajwad) of people. He was at his most bounteous in Ramadan, when Gibril would meet him, and he used to meet him every night of Ramadan and study the Qur'an with him. Allah's Messenger (s) was more bounteous at that time than the wind sent forth from heaven.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Charity is a source of support for the ones who are fasting. To encourage this, the Prophet (s) said,
"He who feeds a fasting person will gain the same reward as he will, without decreasing from the fasting person's rewards." [Ahmad].
The fasting person abandons food and drink in Ramadan. Thus, when he gives others what he is craving for, this sacrifice would generate greater rewards, Allah willing.
Joining fasting and charity leads to entering Paradise, by Allah's leave and blessing. The Prophet (s) said: "In Paradise there are rooms that their inside can be seen from outside and outside can be seen from inside." He was asked, "For whom are these rooms, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "They are for he who soften his speech, feeds the people, continues to fast, and prays at night while the people are asleep. [Ahmad].
All these acts take place in Ramadan, for in it there are fasting, prayer at night, and charity. Also, the fasting person is sternly prohibited from evil and useless speech. Thus, performing all these deeds and attaining such unique bounties can be easily attained during Ramadan by the fasting person.
The Prophet (s) also said regarding charity, "Charity extinguishes the sin just as water extinguishes the fire. The man's prayer late at night has the same effect."
Al-Hamdulillah, praise and peace be upon His Prophet Muhammad and on
Companions and his Followers, inwardly and outwardly.