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Friday 16 June 2017

SIGNIFICANCE OF CHARITY (SADAQAH) IN RAMADAN BY YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI



THE 123RD  KHUTBAH DELIVERED AT AREA 10 JUMA’AH MASJID ABUJA, BY  YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI, ON 9TH JUNE, 2017/ 14TH RAMADAN 1438 AH



TOPIC: SIGNIFICANCE OF CHARITY (SADAQAH) IN RAMADAN

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
Respected brothers and sisters in Islam, our last week’s Khutbah centered on: etiquettes of Ramadan fast in Islam and today’s sermon will discuss the topic: significance of giving out charity in Ramadan.

The term Sadaqah (Charity) simply means any voluntary act done or given for the sake of Allah (SWT). Sadaqah comprises an act of giving something out of kindness, religious duty or generosity. Sadaqah (giving out charity) helps to
strengthen love, understanding, mutual support and brotherhood between rich and poor within the Muslims community. The word sadaqah in the Qur’an usually means the two acts: giving out of charity (sadaqah) or annual alms giving (zakat).One of the doors opened by Allah to His servants to gain enormous rewards in the month of Ramadan are through sadaqa (giving charity/alms). Islam always encourages Muslim to give out plenty of sadaqah, especially during the month Ramadan “….  Allah’s Messenger was the most generous of all the people and he used to be more generous in the month of Ramadan”.

Allah (SWT) says: “And spend (in charity) of that with which we have provided you, before death comes to one of you and he says: “My Lord! If only you would delay me for a brief term (to the worldly life) so I would give Sadaqah (charity) of my wealth, and be among the righteous”. Q 63:10.

In Islam, Charity (Sadaqah) can be given or done in different forms and manners, such as Giving money to the needy; a smile or pleasant word to your brother, Feeding the needy, saying of azkar, giving good advice, taking care of an animal, helping someone in times of difficulties, Contributing in social community work; such as building a school, mosque, orphanage etc.

 Some of the verses and ahadithon significance of charity in Ramadan include:
1.      Sadaqah purifies souls and wealth of the giver: Allah [swt] says: “Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke (Allah’s blessings) upon them. Indeed, your invocations are comfort for them. And Allah is Hearing and knowing” Q9:103.
2.      Generosity of the Messenger of Allah in the month Ramadan:Ibn Abbas narrated that: “Allah’s Messenger was the most generous of all the people and he used to be more generous in the month of Ramadan when Angel Jibril will meet him to read Qur’ an with Him the messenger of Allah was the most generous person, even more generous than the blowing winds.” Imam Bukhari.

3. One who gives charity will be rewarded a shade in the day of Qiyamah: 
 “There are seven people who will enjoy Allah’s shade on the day when there is no shade except His shade; (1) A just leader; (2) a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah, the mighty and majestic; (3) a man whose heart is attached to the mosque; (4) two men who love each other for Allah’s sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; (5) a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position, but he says: ‘I fear Allah’; (6) a man who gives out charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; (7) and a man who remembered Allah in private, so his eyes shed tear”. Imam Bukhari
4.      Giving charity provides blessings to one’s wealth: The messenger of Allah (SAW) was reported to have said: “Wealth will not be decreased by giving [sadaqah]charity”. Imam tirmizi
 Imam anNawawi explained that: “The scholars mentioned that it means two things. First, the wealth will be blessed and protected from dangers. Therefore the decrease will be covered with this abstract bless. It can be felt by senses, and habits. Second, if in fact the wealth looks decreased, this decreasing will be covered by the rewards of giving charity, and the rewards indeed will be double-folded to many times.”

4. There is a door of Paradise that’ll only be entered by the charity givers:
“Whoever gives two kinds in charity for Allah’s cause, will be called from the gates of Paradise and will be addressed, ‘oh servant of Allah! Here is prosperity.’ So whoever is amongst the people, who used to offer their Salah (prayers), will be called from the gate of the salah; and whoever is amongst the people who used to participate in Jihad, will be called from the gate of Jihad; and whoever was amongst those who used to observe fasts, will be called from the gate of Ar-Rayyan; whoever was amongst those who used to give As-Sadaqa (Charity), will be called from the gate of As-Sadaqa. “Imam Bukhari Muslim.

5.Giving Charity is the proof of faith (imam) of the giver;
The messenger of Allah was reported to have said: “Charity is a proof.” Muslim. Imam anNawawi explained that: “It means the proof or evidence of the true iman the giver possesses. Hence, charity (sadaqa) is termed likewise, because it is the proof of the truth of his faith in Allah and the Hereafter.

6. Obtaining additional rewards from other people’s fasting:
 The messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “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. “Imam Ahmad

7. Sadaqah is not restricted only to giving out money  or material possessions:
Islam considers all forms of good deeds which increases iman as sadaqah.
 Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (SAW)  said, “Every Muslim has to givesadaqah (charity).” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (SAW)! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked, “If he cannot do even that?” He replied, “Then he should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform all that is good and keep away from all that is evil and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Bukhari Vol.  2, Hadith 524)

8. Sadaqah can be inform of azkar (words of remembrance of Allah)
Abu Hurairah  narrated that “Abu Dharr said to the Messenger of Allah, ‘The wealthy people have all the rewards; they pray as we pray; they fast as we fast; and they have surplus wealth which they give in charity; but we have no wealth which we may give in charity.’  Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘Abu Dharr, should I not teach you phrases by which you acquire the rank of those who excel you? No one can acquire your rank except one who acts like you.’  He said, Why not, Allah’s Messenger (SAW)?  He said:  ‘Exalt Allah say: “Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Most Great) after each prayer thirty-three times; and praise Him say: “Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times;  and glorify Him say: “Subhan Allah" (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times;  and end it by saying, “La ilâhaillallâhuwahdahu la shareekalahu, lahulmulkuwalahulhamduyuhyiwayomeetuwaHuwa ‘alakullishai’inQadeer.” ( There is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the Kingdom, to Him praise is due and He has power over everything.)   Your sins will be forgiven, even if they are like the foam of the sea.’”    (Abu Dawud 1499)  
9. The reward of sadaqah comes in multiples Allah says:
“The likeness of those who spend for Allah’s sake is as the likeness of a grain of corn, it grows seven branches every single ear has a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (increases the reward of) for whom He wills, and Allah is sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower).”  (Qur’an, 2:261)
10. Concealing what we give or do as sadaqah is highly encouraged:
 “And whatever you spend in charity or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all.  But the wrongdoers have no helpers.  If you disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if you conceal them and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you.  It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil.  And Allah is well acquainted with what you do.”  (Qur‘an, 2:270-271)
11. Not to delay giving of sadaqah nor show negligence in giving sadaqah:   And spend something (in charity) out  of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, “O my Rabb (only God and Sustainer)!  Why do you not give me respite for a little while?  I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the righteous.”  (Qur’an, 63:10)

Here, I will call to the generality of the Muslim ummah most especially the well to do among them to continue to give out charities to the poor and needy within their communitiesease their Ramadan tasks.

 We ask Allah the Most High, to continue to guide, protect our Iman and may He accept our fasting, charities and prayers  as an act of ibadah.  Ameen.

Contact: yahyalyolawi@gmail.com

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