Ramadan brings countless blessings for all the Muslims. Feeding hungry and thirsty during Ramadan invites great reward from Allah (swt). Ramadan also provide us opportunity to feel thirst and hunger of those people who are already living hungry and thirsty on daily basis.
This month allows us to scarify our own food and water for those less fortunate and enables them to have equal blessed sahur and iftar. Ramadan is the month in which one can easily understand the feelings of a hungry and thirsty people living in conflict areas, poor and developing countries with less resources.
On an occasion Holy Prophet (saw) said, “People, a great blessed month has come upon you, which contains Night of power, which in its virtues is better than a thousand months. Allah (swt) has made fasting during it an obligation, and steadfastly observing its nights in worship a voluntary act. … It is the month of patience, and the reward for patience is Paradise. It is the month of goodwill, during which provisions are multiplied. Whoever feed hungry and a fasting person will be compensated with forgiveness of sins and salvation of his soul from Hell. He will also receive a reward equal to that of the person he feeds, without causing him any reduction.”
Hallmark of Ramadan
Sharing is hallmark of Ramadan. People all over the world during this month tend to share food and water either in communities or to the neighbours. This giving spirit is beautiful aspect of Ramadan when everybody feels equal and blessed.
In sura Al-Insaan Allah (swt) described those people who feed hungry, needy and orphans purely in His (swt) love, “They give food to the needy, orphan and the captive”, and offers them a big reward.
“We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We don’t want from you either reward or gratitude. Indeed, we fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful”’. (The Noble Qur’an, 76:8-10)
Reward for Feeding Hungry
Reward of feeding hungry people has been explained many times in holy Quran and Books of Hadith. Hazrat Abdullah bin Salam (ra) reported:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (swt) saying, “O people, exchange greetings of peace (As-Salamu ‘Alaikum to one another), feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are asleep, you will enter Jannah in peace.” [At- Tirmidhi].
On the same lines Hazrat Abu Dharr (ra) says:
“When you make some soup, make a good amount by adding plenty of liquid, and give some to your neighbors.” Related by Muslim. [Bulugh al-Maram]
The Prophet (saw) also showed us that what is given in charity and what is being fed to the poor is what actually remains (eternally in terms of reward with Allah (swt)), as opposed to the food we consume.
Hazrat Aishah (ra) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (saw) had slaughtered a sheep and distributed major portions of its meat. Then he (saw) asked, “Is there anything left?” She replied, “Nothing, except the shoulder.” Thereupon he said, “All of it is left except its shoulder.” [At-Tirmidhi].
Feeding Hungry is Serving Allah
Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (ra) said that Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “Allah (swt) will say on the day of resurrection,
“…O son of Adam, I asked you for food and you fed Me not. He will say: O Lord, and how should I feed You when You are the Lord of the worlds? He will say: Did you not know that My servant So-and-so asked you for food and you fed him not? Did you not know that had you fed him you would surely have found that (the reward for doing so) with Me?” [Muslim]
The More You Give, The More You Gain
This Ramadan 2021 don’t forget to share out of what you blessed with among those who are less fortunate. Remember this is month of great reward more you give in this month, more you gain. Charity is your investment for akhirah, do not hold back from which Allah (swt) has given you, as mentioned above in Hadith shoulder of the sheep.
Minhaj Welfare Foundation is distributing one million meals among poor and needy in developing countries to provide them warm suhoor and iftaar meals. Support our campaign with your donations and make Ramadan blessed for those already living hungry and thirsty.
Read more: Benefits of fasting during Ramadan 2021