the salaf in ramadan by al manar

The first generation of Muslims, the pious Salaf, were undoubtedly thebest of generations. Their character and way of life stand witness tothis fact and is further confirmed by the statement of Allaah'sMessenger, :'The best of generations are my generation, then those which followthem, then those which follow them.' (Reported by Muslim)They were indeed, the best amongst those who implemented the teachingsof our beloved Prophet Muhammad. So naturally it is their example thatone must follow in all matters and Ramadaan is no exception. The Salafwere frugal with their own iftaar meals but generous hosts towardsothers.'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar, for example, would prefer to eat his iftaar mealwith the poor. Whenever he broke his fast at home, he never ate hisfill, so that if a needy person visited, 'Abdullaah could give him hisiftaar meal. Thus he would end up virtually "fasting" that whole nighttoo! He used to give away sweets in charity saying, 'I am aware ofAllaah's saying; "you shall not attain piety until you spend out ofthat which is beloved to you" [Ali 'Imraan: 92] and Allaah knows that Ilove sweets.'Once when Al-Imaam Ahmad had prepared some bread for iftaar, a needyperson called on him. Without hesitating he gave away all his bread,and went hungry.Ibn-ul Mubaarak used to prepare sweets for hisbrothers, despite the fact that he was fasting.Al-Imaam Ash-Shaafi'ee, once said, 'It is beloved to me to see oneincreasing 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. forgettingabout 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 believingbrother happy, or that of paying off a debt of his, or that of feedinghim.' (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, iswhen you make another Muslim happy, removing a hardship that hasbefallen him, paying off a debt of his or rid him of hunger. It is morebeloved to me indeed that I walk with my Muslim brother to see to aneed of his than performing i'tikaaf (secluding oneself) in a Masjidfor a monthâ?¦' (At-Tabaraanee/Al-kabeer, 3/209/2, As-SilsilahAs-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] adestitute is like that of a mujaahid (striver) in the cause of Allaahor that of someone who spends the night in prayers and the day infasting. (Al-Mishkaat, 4951)'Abdullaah ibn 'Amro ibn Al 'Aas, narrated that a man once askedAllaah's Messenger, , 'Which is the best [of actions] in Islaam?' He []replied, 'Feeding [others] and extending the Salaam to those who youknow and those you do not.' (At-Targeeb - Saheeh)The Prophet, also said, 'Once there was a dog wondering around, dying ofthirst, when a prostitute saw it. She then took off her shoe and used itto 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 rewardsfor kindness to an obedient, fasting Muslim?! Our Prophet, told us,'Allaah, ta'aala, has singled out certain people with abundance for thebenefit of His other servants and He shall let it run [i.e. theirwealth] 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 andredirect it to others.' (At-Tabaraanee/Al-Awsat, 5295,As-SilsilahAs-Saheehah, 1692)We should be most active in spending our wealth to help those lessfortunate.This Ramadaan, let us remember too, the saying of 'Ubaid Ibn'Umair, rahimahu Allaah, 'On the Day of Judgement people will begathered as hungry as they have ever been and as thirsty as they haveever 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 himtill he is full. He who has given to water to others, for the sake ofAllaah, 'azza wajalla, Allaah will give him water and he who hasclothed others for the sake of Allaah, 'azza wajalla, Allaah willclothe him.'Ash-Sha'bee, once said, 'He who does not consider himself in greaterneed of the reward for giving sadaqah,as compared to the need of thedestitute for that sadaqah, will have corrupted his act of charity andhave it flung in his face [on the Day of Judgement].'Brothers and sisters! We shouldn't shy away from performing even thesmallest of good deeds, for Allaah the Most Merciful's rewards can begreater than Mount Uhud in size! Let us not forget that, 'The Messengerof Allaah, was the most generous of people and he used to be mostgenerous 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 onethrough which Allaah bestows His pardon and everlasting bliss!