عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ عُرِضَتْ عَلَيَّ أَعْمَالُ أُمَّتِي حَسَنُهَا وَسَيِّئُهَا فَوَجَدْتُ فِي مَحَاسِنِ أَعْمَالِهَا الْأَذَى يُمَاطُ عَنْ الطَّرِيقِ وَوَجَدْتُ فِي مَسَاوِي أَعْمَالِهَا النُّخَاعَةَ تَكُونُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ لَا تُدْفَنُ

Abu Dharr RA reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “I was shown the good and evil deeds of my nation. I found that among their good deeds was removing harmful things from the road, and I found that among their evil deeds was their spit in the mosque that they left uncleaned.” [Muslim]

This Hadith highlights the virtue of benefitting people and safeguarding them from harm.

Ibn Ruslan R said that he heard from scholars that it is appropriate to recite the testimony of faith ( لاَ إله إلا الله ) when removing a harmful object from the path. This is in order to unite the lowest branch of Imaan (removing a harmful object from the path) with the highest (the testimony of faith). Further, when the intention of the heart is joined to the speech of the tongue, actions reach perfection.

The Hadith also urges us to refrain from harmful forms of speech. One should therefore be wary of speaking lies, insulting, passing disparaging remarks, backbiting or sowing disunity between people.

We also learn that it is compulsory to honour the masjid and uphold its etiquette. One therefore, should not engage in improper behaviour such as spitting, shouting, belching and talking about worldly matters in the masjid.

Islam is all-encompassing and promises reward for any good deed that is done for the pleasure of Allah.

Easy good deed – Providing Iftar to a Fasting Person

Ramadan is a time when Allah showers us with his infinite mercy and blessings and many of us will be working hard to draw closer to Him to seek forgiveness and maximise our rewards.

One of the best ways to increase our Imaan and multiply our reward in the blessed month is by providing Iftar to someone less fortunate. This is a beautiful deed that the Prophet ﷺ practised and encouraged his ummah to perform.

Zayd ibn Khalid RA reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

مَنْ فَطَّرَ صَائِمًا كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ شَيْئًا

Whoever helps break the fast of a fasting person, he will have the same reward as him without decreasing anything from the reward of the fasting person. [Tirmidhi]

SubhanAllah! This is an amazing example of Allah’s mercy and generosity. Giving Iftar not only means another person can share in Ramadhan’s blessings – it also doubles the reward of your own fast.

This is also the perfect way to get young children involved even if they can’t fast themselves. Let your kids know that they gain the reward of fasting just by putting food and water on the table, or helping you prepare some of the Iftar. Alternatively, you can encourage them to donate some of their pocket money towards feeding a needy person in Ramadhan.

Some of us can’t afford to host big iftar dinners, donate iftar to the local masjid, or feed a poor family for the month. That doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the rewards of providing iftar.

عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ حَاتِمٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ

Adi ibn Hatim RA reported: The Prophet ﷺ said, “Guard yourself against the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity. If one cannot find it, then with a kind word.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Other acts of virtue with regards to Iftar, is even though our tables are laden with a wide variety of delicious delicacies and scrumptious savouries, we should try and break our fast with Khajoor or dates.

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَنْ وَجَدَ تَمْرًا فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ لاَ فَلْيُفْطِرْ عَلَى مَاءٍ فَإِنَّ الْمَاءَ طَهُورٌ

Anas bin Malik RA narrated that : the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever has dried dates, then let him break the fast with that, and whoever does not, then let him break the fast with water, for indeed water is purifying.” [Tirmidhi]

We should also not delay in breaking the fast when the right time has arrived.

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ‏ لاَ يَزَالُ النَّاسُ بِخَيْرٍ مَا عَجَّلُوا الْفِطْرَ

Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d RA: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.” [Bukhari]