By Ishola Haroon Balogun

This aspect of giving that we discussed yesterday is important in getting the full reward of the month.  Since it is the month of mercy where Allah has promised His mercy on us, we are duty bound to also show mercy to our fellow human being.

Like we said earlier, no amount of words can describe how important Ramadan is or the blessings and benefits Muslims take from it. No words can describe how good it feels to complete a day’s fast or the joy and the feeling of festivity when each day’s fasting is over with gifts exchanging hands.  The exchange of gifts particularly food items for the have nots and the fasting Muslims are very important.

According to a hadith the Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever in Ramadan provide a fasting Muslim a means for breaking his fast, this act will become a source of forgiveness for his (the provider) sins and safety from Hell Fire and he will get as much reward as will the keeper of fast gets without any reduction in the recompense of the latter”.

Muslims should be more generous and magnanimous to all people especially during this month. The Prophet (SAW) who was a symbol of meekness, generosity and magnanimity used to show more favours to the poor and spend more for them. This will translate into a great way of showing the world how much Muslims care for others, a great way of dispelling all those misconceptions and myths that people have about Islam.

Allah says, “And whatever you spend of anything (in Allah’s cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” (Saba’: 39). The Prophet used to pray “O Allah make this blessed month a deponent for us, not a deponent against us. May Allah accept our deeds and honour us by admitting us into al-janah He had prepared for His selected people. Here special concentration on Ramadan is given for two purposes.

Prayer of the Day
“O Allah, on this day, beautify me with covering and chastity, cover me with the clothes of contentment and chastity, let me adhere to justice and fairness, and keep me safe from all that I fear, by Your protection, O the protector of the frightened.” Amin.

Ramadan Kareem!