Imagine yourself when the adhan of Maghrib comes in and Ramadan has started. From day one your mind is set on this new daily routine of fasting, preparing for iftar, going to taraweeh, trying to pray your five prayers on time, and reading as much Quran as possible. You’re also trying very hard not to swear, gossip, or get angry. But there’s one major thing missing in this picture: your charity.
Ibn ‘Abbas narrated: The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was the most generous person, and he used to become more so (generous) particularly in the month of Ramadan . . . more generous than the fast wind in doing good. [Al-Bukharee]
Let’s discover how you can focus on your sadaqah before Ramadan and make a plan as to how to accelerate your giving during that month when our rewards are multiplied by the number that only Allah knows and wills!
And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord— [Quran, 23:60]
Ramadan Overload
What happens a lot – at least to me – is that we have so many things we would like to study, so many ideas of what we want to do in Ramadan and we end up with a “full” head and might even find our eman decreasing because we can’t manage to do everything.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can actually achieve— Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala placed so much barakah in our time in Ramadan. All you have to do is ask Him to help you to prepare in the best way and to pick the best goals. So start with a sincere dua’ to help you prepare mentally and physically.
Two Practical Tips
In the sea of Ramadan preparation tips– from getting into the habit of praying the sunnah prayers to forgiving others– one of the best tips I’ve found is focusing on charity before Ramadan.
1). Think about your charity.
What is sadaqah? Sadaqah (plural— sadaqaat) is a voluntary giving; you’re not obliged to give it, but you do so because you love Allah (swt) and you want to do good to His creation.
Don’t be confused by the word “giving.” Sadaqah also means “doing,” as the Prophet said: Kullu ma’roofin sadaqah— Every good deed is sadaqah. [Muslim]
Do you know that you have the responsibility to think about your charity and to actively look for people in need? Charity is not just about money— it’s also thinking about how you, with your skills, position, and provisions can give and do charity in the way most pleasing to Allah.
Assignment: Make a charity list. Think now about which charities are best for you to support, and get a list ready so you can easily spend on them in Ramadan. Think creatively. Why not gift a course to a friend to help them learn the Quran? You could even keep aside a certain amount to gift 10 friends with a Quran course. Imagine the rewards of leading someone to good, being part of conveying ayaat of the Quran to others and insha’Allah getting rewards for each letter of the Quran they will read after that!
2). Personal Ramadan Project
Don’t only think about the money you’ll spend but also about how you’ll give sadaqah by your time and skills so that you can gain rewards in all areas. Read up on sadaqah jariyah, the ongoing charity. As the Prophet said: When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: sadaqah jariyah (such as a well of clean water, planting a tree, masjid, hospital) knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased). [Muslim] Planning in these acts– for example a tree-planting project with children, takes time, so you can plan it before Ramadan!
Assignment: Start a personal Ramadan project. This year I would love to inspire each one of you to have your own Ramadan project. What is a Ramadan Project? You can compile your own booklet with simple but virtuous deeds, print it, and hand it out so others can practice these deeds in Ramadan. Imagine the rewards!
You can even invest in printing the booklet and then selling it to others and giving all the proceeds to charity! In this way you can give away a big amount in charity, while you only started with a little.
Be creative. Involve the children. Make Eid cards and sell them for charity. Start a page online and bring people together to serve a charity cause, for example a Buy-and-Sell platform online on which you encourage people to upload items they don’t use or want anymore so others can buy them and have all the proceeds go to charity. Imagine bringing all these people together to join in good deeds!
Giving From Your Heart
Back to the central ayah: . . . while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord— what is the state of your heart when you give? This Ramadan think about how your charity is supposed to transform you, not only the lives of those you give to by simply clicking a mouse and transferring your money abroad. Reconnect to Allah while thinking about your charity so you can really feel the effect on your heart when you increase your giving in Ramadan.
Your Journey to the Gates of Paradise
Did you know there’s a special gate in Jannah for those who give in charity? Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: Whoever spends two things in the way of Allah will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, ‘O slave of Allah, here is prosperity!’ So whoever was among the people who used to offer their prayers will be called from the gate of prayer; and whoever was among the people who used to participate in jihad will be called from the gate of jihad; and whoever was among those who used to observe fasts will be called from the gate of ar-Rayyaan; and whoever was among those who used to give in charity will be called from the gate of charity. [Al-Bukhaari]
Abu Bakr, radiyallahu ‘anhu, with his beautiful character and zeal, had a question: Let my parents be sacrificed for you, Oh Allah’s Apostle! No distress or need will befall him who will be called from those gates Will there by anyone who will be called from these gates? The Prophet replied, Yes. And I hope you will be one of them. [Al-Bukaree] May we be of those called from all the gates of Paradise, including the gate of charity, ameen!
PS: If anyone would like to inspire others with examples of Ramadan projects please feel free to post below. Imagine the rewards if others do these deeds of charity because they read your example insha’Allah!
Praying you will benefit,
Khawlah bint Yayha – United Kingdom
THE AYAH JOURNAL, Qur’an & Productivity is a global project with the exciting goal to inspire every Muslim worldwide to open the Qur’an every day, pick one ayah, and apply it to your own life by making acting on the ayah your mission for the day. Let’s bring back the message of the Qur’an to our daily lives! Check www.ayahjournal.com and follow us on www.facebook.com/ayahjournal for vibrant Qur’an and productivity tips.
List of Virtuous Deeds
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
By Sulaymaan ibn Saalih al-Kharaashi
How great will be the regret of those who waste the opportunity!
1. Preserving the ties of kinship: ” Whoever wishes that his provision be increased and his age lengthened, let him maintain the ties of kinship.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
2. Performing many prayers in the two noble Harams (in Makkah and Madinah): “Prayer in this masjid of mine is superior to a thousand prayers elsewhere, except for Masjid al-Haram, and prayer in Masjid al-Haram is superior to one hundred thousand prayers elsewhere.” [Ahmad and ibn Majah]
3. Performing prayers in congregation. “Prayer in congregation is superior to praying individually twenty-seven times.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
4. Praying `Isha and Fajr in congregation: “He who prays Isha’ in Jama’ah [congregation] is as if he has prayed for half the night. As to him who (also) prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he has prayed all night.” [narrated by Malik and the wording is that of Muslim who also reported it]
5. Performing voluntary prayers at home. “Superiority of a man’s prayer in his home over his prayer when people see him is like the superiority of an obligatory prayer over a voluntary one.” [al-Bayhaqi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani] “The most superior prayer of a person is in his home, except for obligatory prayers.” [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
6. Observing some manners of the day of Jumu`ah. “Whoever ghassala (washes his head, and it is said: has intercourse with his wife so that it be a means to lower the gaze from the haram that day) on the day of Jumuah, then comes in the earliest time and before the first khutbah, walks and doesn’t ride, stays near the Imam, listens and does not speak – for each step [he makes] he has actions of one year, the reward of fasting and standing in prayer in it.” [Ahl as-Sunan]
7. Salat ul-Ishraq. “Whoever prays al-ghadaa (i.e. al fajr) in congregation, then sits remembering Allah until sunrise, then prays two units of prayer, has a complete reward of Hajj and `Umrah [The Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, repeated ‘complete’ three times for emphasizing].” [at-Tirmidhi, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani]
8. Attending lectures in the mosque. “Whoever goes to the mosque not desiring except to learn or teach what is good has the reward of a pilgrim who completed his Hajj.” [at-Tabarani, classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani]
9. Performing `Umrah in the month of Ramadhan. “`Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to a Hajj with me.” [al-Bukhari]
10. Performing obligatory prayers in the Mosque. “Whoever leaves his home in a state of purity to perform obligatory prayer, his reward is like that of a pilgrim (while) in the state of ihram [i.e. he receives reward similar to that of spending time in ihram during Hajj].” [Abu Dawud, classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani] So one should be in a state of purity when leaving one’s home, rather than the place for ablution within the mosque, except due to necessity.
11. Being from the people of the first row in congregational prayers. `Irbad bin Saariyah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, used to seek forgiveness for [the people of] the first row three times, and for [the people of the] second row once.” [an-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah]. “Allah and His Angels make salawat upon [the people of] the first row.” [Ahmad, with a good isnad]
12. Prayer in Masjid Qubaa’ in Madinah: “Whoever purifies himself in his house then comes to Masjid Qubaa’ and prays in it has the reward like that of `Umrah.” [an-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah]
13. Saying what the caller to prayer says: “Say as they say [i.e. callers to prayer], and when you finish, ask and you will be given.” [Abu Dawud and An-Nasa’i] That is, supplicate when you finish repeating after the caller to prayer.
14. Fasting Ramadhan and following it with six days of Shawwal. “Whoever fasts Ramadhan, then follows it with six (days) of Shawwal, it is like fasting all the time.” [Muslim]
15. Fasting three days each month. “Whoever fasts three days each month, it s like fasting all the time.” [at-Tirmidhi]. This is supported by the verse, “Whoever comes with a good deed for him is a tenfold [reward].” One day being equal to ten days.
16. Providing food for breaking of the fast: “Whoever provides food for breaking of the fast of a fasting person receives the reward of the fasting person, without the reward of the fasting person being reduced in any way.” [at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
17. Standing in prayer on Laylatul-Qadr. “Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [Qur’an 97:3], that is, superior to approximately 83 years of worship.
18. Jihad. “Standing of a man in a row (saff) in the way of Allah is superior to 60 years of worship.” [al-Hakim, classed as Saheeh by al-Albani] This is the superiority of standing in a row, so what about one who fights in the way of Allah for days, or months, or years?
19. Ribaat. “Whoever takes a post (at borders of Muslim lands, where an enemy may be expected) for a day and night in the way of Allah has the reward of fasting and standing in prayer for a month, and whoever dies in such a state receives a continuous reward similar to it, and is [also] rewarded with provision and saved from al-Fattaan.” [Related by Muslim] Al-Fattaan is punishment of the grave.
20. Righteous actions in the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. “There are no days in which righteous deeds are dearer to Allah than these ten [days of Dhul Hijjah].” They said, “O Messenger, even jihad in the way of Allah?” He said, “Not even jihad in the way of Allah, except for the man who leaves with his wealth, and does not return with any of it (life or wealth).” [al-Bukhari]
21. Frequent recitation of Qur’anic soorahs. “Qul Huwa’Llahu Ahad” is equal to a third of the Qur’an and “Qul yaa ayyuha’l Kaafiroon” is equal to a fourth of the Qur’an.” [at-Tabarani, classed as Saheeh by Al-Albani]
22. Al-Istighfaar. “Whoever seeks forgiveness for believing men and believing women, Allah will write for him a good deed for each believing man ad believing woman.” [at-Tabarani, classed as Hasan by Al-Albani]
23. Fulfilling people’s needs. “That I walk with my Muslim brother in [fulfilling his] need is dearer to me than being in i`tikaf in the masjid for a month.” [Ibn Abi Dunya, classed as Hasan by al-Albani]
24. Dhikr. That I say ‘Subhaan Allah, wal-Hamdu li’Llah, wa laa ilaaha ill Allahu wa’Llahu Akbar’ is dearer to me than what the sun has risen upon.” [Muslim]
“Whoever enters a market and says: ‘Laa ilaaha ill Allah waHdahu laa shareeka lah, lahul mulku wa lahul Hamdu yuHyi wa yumeetu wa huwa Hayyun laa yamoot, bi yadihil khayr, wahuwa `alaa kulli shay’in qadeer’ [there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, He is alone without partner, to Him belongs dominion and praise, he causes life and death and He is the Living and does not die. In His Hand is all the good, and He is over all things competent.] Allah will write for him a million good deeds, erase a million of his bad deeds and raise him a million levels.”[at-Tirmidhi, classed as Hasan by al-Albani] There are many other words of rememberance which are rewarded abundandtly, as is well known.
“There are two blessings which many people lose: good health and free time.” [al-Bukhari]
Courtesy Of: Islaam.com
Jazakallah Khair.
A wonderful article! Jazak allah for your inspiration not only to do good and be better during Ramadan, but also to make preparations to do better. By doing this, in shaa Allah we will all keep Allah on our minds, in our hearts, and will give with the hands he has created for us. Alhamdulillah!
Maashaa Allah and alhamdulillah for the great reminder!!! I have got my plans of charity for Ramadhan, firstly i look out for blood relatives who are in dire need eg. widows and orphans, then the neighbours and then the ummah at large. Alhamdulillah, i am thrilled to welcome this blessed month, everything is so exciting, i love this month!!! My sons make fun of me, of course in a very loving tone, alhamdulillah. Jazakallah khair for always boosting our Imaan!
Jazakallah Khair. Keep on posting and these articles are very useful to boosting our Imaan.
Subhan Allah, very good imaan booster.
Jazakallah Khair. Keep on posting and these articles are very useful to boosting our Imaan.
Jazakallah khair, all such great articles are really helpful in making our plans and deeds more stronger and even they makes us focus on the question “why have we send on the earth”?. Inshallah many will try to enact on these things which have been so clearly stated and receive several rewards .May Allah (swt) reward you and your team with d best of the life here nd hereafter. “RAMADAN KAREEM”
Heres some of the things that i have been doing for several years, i hope and pray that some of you may benefit from this,
1. I collect all my one Riyal notes for charity. i neverever spend my one Riyal notes in buying anything. I make five riyal bundles and mashaa Allah i always make a bundle of 200 riyals (each bundle has 5 notes of one Riyals) and i give to the Janitors in the Haram when i go to do Umra, alhamdulillah, may Allah accept my deed.
2. In Ramadan on a daily basis i send via the mobile to the Charities approved by the KSA government a blank msg and 10 riyal is deducted, its so easy,, there is no need for a credit card. There are so many numbers to whcih you may send. Some of the numbers that i used to send are 5090, 5050, 5071 and 5072 . Outside Ramadan i make the mobile donation on Mondays and Thursdays. Please dont think that i am boasting. I am purely doing it for the sake of Allah and some of you may benefit, cos its so easy to do.