Ramadan 1447 AH Asking Ar-Rahman Series Day 11: When Only Ar-Raḥmān Knows: The Legacy of Ṣadaqah in Ramadan11 Ramadan — Ibraheem Habeebah Adedoyinsola
All praise is for Allāh, Ar-Raḥmān, the Most Merciful, Ar-Raḥīm, the Especially Merciful; and may peace and blessings be upon…
All praise is for Allāh, Ar-Raḥmān, the Most Merciful, Ar-Raḥīm, the Especially Merciful; and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, and upon his family and all his companions.
There is charity.
And then there is charity in Ramadan.
The same coin.
The same transfer.
The same act.
But multiplied by a season of mercy.
Ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما said:
“The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 6; Sahih Muslim 2308)
Even more generous.
Not slightly.
Not occasionally.
Ramadan intensified his giving.
Because Ramadan is the month when Ar-Raḥmān intensifies His mercy.
Give More This Month
Allāh says:
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍۢ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allāh is like a seed that grows seven ears; in every ear is a hundred grains. And Allāh multiplies for whom He wills.”
[Al-Baqarah: 261]
Now imagine that multiplication in Ramadan.
This is the month of Laylat al-Qadr.
A night better than a thousand months.
If one night can outweigh 83 years — what about one sincere act of charity on that night?
Ramadan is not the month to calculate tightly.
It is the month to trust Al-Karīm.
Ṣadaqah Extinguishes Sin
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Charity extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 614)
Ramadan exposes our weaknesses.
We become aware of our impatience.
Our hidden sins.
Our shortcomings.
Ṣadaqah becomes water over those flames.
And when done repeatedly — it becomes a flowing stream.
Ṣadaqah Lifts Calamity and Supports Duʿā’
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 589 — ḥasan)
And the scholars mention giving charity before making duʿā’.
Why?
Because generosity humbles the heart.
And a humbled heart calls upon Ar-Raḥmān differently.
Allāh says:
وَمَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍۢ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُۥ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
“Whatever you spend of anything, He will replace it. And He is the best of providers.”
[Saba’: 39]
Replacement may come as:
Protection.
Answered duʿā’.
Unexpected openings.
Barakah in your time and health.
Because Ar-Razzāq replaces in ways you cannot predict.
Who Should We Prioritize?
Allāh clarifies:
إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلْفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينِ …
[At-Tawbah: 60]
The poor.
The needy.
Those in debt.
The stranded traveler.
Those striving in His path.
And:
وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ
[Al-Baqarah: 177]
Relatives.
Orphans.
The vulnerable.
And those who hide their need:
يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ
[Al-Baqarah: 273]
Look for them.
Give gently.
Preserve Dignity — Especially Now
Allāh warns:
لَا تُبْطِلُوا۟ صَدَقَـٰتِكُم بِٱلْمَنِّ وَٱلْأَذَىٰ
[Al-Baqarah: 264]
Do not erase your reward with reminders or injury.
Ramadan is not a charity photoshoot.
It is a purification.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A man who gives charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given…”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1423; Sahih Muslim 1031)
Secrecy protects sincerity.
And it protects the dignity of the receiver.
Today you give.
Tomorrow you may need.
Both positions are written by Ar-Razzāq.
Invest in What Outlives You
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity (ṣadaqah jāriyah), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
(Sahih Muslim 1631)
Ramadan is the best time to start something ongoing.
A well.
A Qur’an distribution.
Supporting education.
Sponsoring knowledge.
Let Ramadan not only increase your temporary giving — but your eternal investments.
This month, intensify.
Give more than usual.
Give more frequently.
Give more secretly.
Give more sincerely.
Even small amounts — consistently.
Because with Ar-Raḥmān, nothing sincere is small.
Tonight, give something.
Then raise your hands.
And say:
“Yā Ar-Raḥmān, accept this from me.
Let it extinguish my sins.
Let it protect me from harm.
Let it be light in my grave.
Let it open the doors of accepted duʿā’.”
We ask Ar-Raḥmān to make us generous in Ramadan, to purify our intentions, to allow our charity to extinguish our sins and lift calamities, and to make it a lasting legacy after we are gone. We ask Al-Karīm to multiply it, Ash-Shakūr to appreciate it, and Ar-Razzāq to replace what we give with something better.
May this Ramadan be remembered in the heavens for what we gave.
Āmīn.
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