The Salaf In Ramadaan

The first generation of Muslims, the pious Salaf, were undoubtedly the
best of generations. Their character and way of life stand witness to
this fact and is further confirmed by the statement of Allaah's
Messenger, :

'The best of generations are my generation, then those which follow
them, then those which follow them.' (Reported by Muslim)

They were indeed, the best amongst those who implemented the teachings
of our beloved Prophet Muhammad. So naturally it is their example that
one must follow in all matters and Ramadaan is no exception. The Salaf
were frugal with their own iftaar meals but generous hosts towards
others.

'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar, for example, would prefer to eat his iftaar meal
with the poor. Whenever he broke his fast at home, he never ate his
fill, so that if a needy person visited, 'Abdullaah could give him his
iftaar meal. Thus he would end up virtually "fasting" that whole night
too! He used to give away sweets in charity saying, 'I am aware of
Allaah's saying; "you shall not attain piety until you spend out of
that which is beloved to you" [Ali 'Imraan: 92] and Allaah knows that I
love sweets.'

Once when Al-Imaam Ahmad had prepared some bread for iftaar, a needy
person called on him. Without hesitating he gave away all his bread,
and went hungry.Ibn-ul Mubaarak used to prepare sweets for his
brothers, despite the fact that he was fasting.

Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee, once said, 'It is beloved to me to see one
increasing his acts of generosity during the month of Ramadaan,
following the example of Allaah's Messenger, and for one's own good.
There are many who become over-occupied with fasting and Prayers,
forgetting the other benefits of the month of Ramadaan [i.e. forgetting
about the benefits and rewards for being generous towards others].'
(Lataa'if-ul Maaarif)

The Prophet, said, 'The best of deeds is that of keeping your believing
brother happy, or that of paying off a debt of his, or that of feeding
him.' (Ad-daylamee, 1/1/123, AsSilsilah As-Saheehah/Al-Albaanee, 1494)

The most beloved of people to Allaah are those who are of most benefit
[to others]. The most of beloved actions to Allaah, 'azza wa jalla, is
when you make another Muslim happy, removing a hardship that has
befallen him, paying off a debt of his or rid him of hunger. It is more
beloved to me indeed that I walk with my Muslim brother to see to a
need of his than performing i'tikaaf (secluding oneself) in a Masjid
for a monthâ?¦' (At-Tabaraanee/Al-kabeer, 3/209/2, As-Silsilah
As-Saheehah, 906)

'The best of people is the one who is of most benefit to them'
(As-Silsilah As-Saheehah, 426) 'The likeness [i.e. in terms of rewards]
of the one who comes to [the aid of] a widow and [the aid of] a
destitute is like that of a mujaahid (striver) in the cause of Allaah
or that of someone who spends the night in prayers and the day in
fasting. (Al-Mishkaat, 4951)

'Abdullaah ibn 'Amro ibn Al 'Aas, narrated that a man once asked
Allaah's Messenger, , 'Which is the best [of actions] in Islaam?' He []
replied, 'Feeding [others] and extending the Salaam to those who you
know and those you do not.' (At-Targeeb - Saheeh)

The Prophet, also said, 'Once there was a dog wondering around, dying of
thirst, when a prostitute saw it. She then took off her shoe and used it
to give the dog water [out of a well]. She was granted forgiveness
[i.e. for her sins for being a prostitute, when she repented].'
(Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

If this huge reward was granted to a woman because of kindness to a dog,
even though she was involved in major sin, can we imagine the rewards
for kindness to an obedient, fasting Muslim?! Our Prophet, told us,
'Allaah, ta'aala, has singled out certain people with abundance for the
benefit of His other servants and He shall let it run [i.e. their
wealth] as long as they are persistent [in benefiting others with it].
If they cease to do so then He shall take it away from them and
redirect it to others.' (At-Tabaraanee/Al-Awsat, 5295,As-Silsilah
As-Saheehah, 1692)

We should be most active in spending our wealth to help those less
fortunate.This Ramadaan, let us remember too, the saying of 'Ubaid Ibn
'Umair, rahimahu Allaah, 'On the Day of Judgement people will be
gathered as hungry as they have ever been and as thirsty as they have
ever been and as naked as they have ever been. Then, he who has fed
[others] for the sake of Allaah, 'azza wajalla,Allaah will feed him
till he is full. He who has given to water to others, for the sake of
Allaah, 'azza wajalla, Allaah will give him water and he who has
clothed others for the sake of Allaah, 'azza wajalla, Allaah will
clothe him.'

Ash-Sha'bee, once said, 'He who does not consider himself in greater
need of the reward for giving sadaqah,as compared to the need of the
destitute for that sadaqah, will have corrupted his act of charity and
have it flung in his face [on the Day of Judgement].'

Brothers and sisters! We shouldn't shy away from performing even the
smallest of good deeds, for Allaah the Most Merciful's rewards can be
greater than Mount Uhud in size! Let us not forget that, 'The Messenger
of Allaah, was the most generous of people and he used to be most
generous in Ramadaan'(Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim)

The next time we come across a call to help our needy fellow Muslims,
let us respond with vigour and joy! Maybe this act could be the one
through which Allaah bestows His pardon and everlasting bliss!





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