Allah The Almighty has praised those who fulfill the needs of the poor and the needy in different places in His Noble Book. He, The Exalted, also gave great rewards for those who spend in charity. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And those within whose wealth is a known right. For the petitioner and the deprived.} [Quran 70:24-25] The Lord The Almighty has explained that the reward for such generosity and spending is great; He The Almighty Says (what means): {Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.} [Quran 57:7]

As a reward for the greatness of spending in charity, Allah The Almighty has made a special gate to Paradise, and no one can pass through it other than them. In this regard the Prophet said in the authentic Hadeeth (narration): “Whoever is one of the people of charity will be called from the gate of charity.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The reward of charity is multiplied if it is given during the blessed time which Allah The Almighty has endowed with special advantages and virtues. Ramadan is one of such great seasons in which the Muslim should strive to spend in the different ways and avenues of good deeds and righteous acts as much as he can, following the example of the Messenger of Allah . He used to spend more in charity in the month of Ramadan than in any other month. It was proved in the two Saheehs (books of authentic narrations) that he was the most generous of people, and he would be even more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel (Gabriel) met him to study the Quran with him. The Messenger of Allah would be more generous than the blowing wind, in doing good. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This proves the virtues of spending in Ramadan. These virtues may take a higher noble rank and a more sublime position if one gives charity to his kin and those closely related to him if they are among the needy and poor – it is considered even better than spending on strangers. This can be substantiated by the Saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives.} [Quran 2:215]

The most deserving and those who should be given preference are the people who have greater right over you such as parents to whom one has to be very dutiful. Amongst the greatest forms of dutifulness towards them is to spend on them, then other relatives according to the degree of closeness and need. Spending on them is a charity and a way of upholding the ties of kinship. [Tafseer As-Sa‘di]

The advice of your Messenger : Abu Talhah had more property than any other amongst the Ansaar (Helpers) in Al-Madeenah and the most beloved of his property to him was a garden called Bayruhaa’, which was in front of the Mosque of the Prophet . The Messenger of Allah used to go there and drink from its fresh water. Anas said, "When this verse was revealed: {Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love.} [Quran 3:92]

Abu Talhah said to the Messenger of Allah

"‘O Messenger of Allah! Allah The Almighty Says: {Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love} and no doubt, the garden of Bayruhaa’ is the most beloved of all my property to me. So I want to give it in charity in the cause of Allah. I expect its reward from Allah The Almighty. O Messenger of Allah! Spend it wherever Allah The Almighty instructs you.’ On that, the Messenger of Allah said: 'That is a good deal! That is a good deal! I heard what you have said (O Abu Talhah), and I recommend that you distribute it among your relatives.' Abu Talhah said, ‘I will do so, O Messenger of Allah.' Then Abu Talhah distributed that garden amongst his relatives and cousins." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Relatives Are More Deserving of Your Kindness – II