Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 218

The Excellence of Spending out Charity during Ramadan

باب الجود وفعل المعروف والإكثار من الخير في شهر رمضان والزيادة من ذلك في العشر الأواخر منه‏:‏

Ramadan is not only a month of holding back from food but a month of pouring out good. This short chapter shows the Prophet, peace be upon him, at his most generous in Ramadan, his giving compared to a wind that brings rain to everything it reaches. The nearness of the Qur'an, revealed and reviewed in this month, seems to open the heart wider toward people.

Notice that generosity here is paired with worship, not separated from it. As the last ten nights arrive, the Prophet's open hand is matched by nights spent awake in prayer and a household roused to share in it. The lesson is that the best response to Allah's mercy in Ramadan is to multiply good both upward to Him and outward to His creation.

Hadith 1222

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported:

وعن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما‏:‏ قال‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود الناس، وكان أجود ما يكون في رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل وكان جبريل يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن فَلَرَسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حين يلقاه جبريل أجود بالخير من الريح المرسلة‏"‏ ‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet was generous always, but most generous in Ramadan when the Qur'an was reviewed with him each night, his giving compared to a wind bringing rain to all. Nearness to the Qur'an opens the heart toward people.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1222 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 232

Hadith 1223

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا دخل العشر أحيا الليل وأيقظ أهله، وشد المئزر‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏

When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

As the last ten nights arrived, the Prophet stayed awake in worship, woke his family, and strove harder. Generosity of the night was matched by generosity in devotion.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1223 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 233