May Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ grant us the taufeeq to keep the fasts of Rajab as well alongside other Nafl fasts.

اٰمِيۡن بِجَاهِ النَّبِيِّ الۡاَمِيۡنصَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيۡهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Which wealth should be given as Sadaqah?

Dear Islamic sisters! We were listening about offering Sadaqah and charity. Verily, money spent in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ with sincerity never goes to waste. While spending in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, bear in mind that whichever thing you like the most, give that in Sadaqah and charity as it bares most reward.

Unfortunately, stinginess is observed when it comes to Sadaqah and charity, or such things are given in charity that are not capable of being used. For example:

   ٭When food (roti and curry) becomes stale or is close to becoming stale, we then send it to the poor people.

   ٭When we are unable to utilise meat of Qurbani, we then wrap it up and give it to the servants working in our house.

   ٭We give cheap ration (food and provisions) to those who have been affected by flood or stuck with a calamity.

   ٭We give clothes and shoes that no one wears in the house to poor and needy people as Sadaqah and charity.

Although giving Sadaqah in this way with good intention is also correct, but just think! How strange it is that when it comes to buying food, drink and things for ourselves, we select the best quality and when it comes to spending in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, then we give used or leftover things as Sadaqah and charity.

We buy the best quality things for our children, but when it comes to giving to the child of a poor person, then we give the least quality thing while boasting off the favour.

We prepare and eat our favourite dishes at home but if a beggar comes in the meanwhile, we send him away or give him the leftover or stale food that no one is going to eat thinking that at least the food did not get wasted and some poor person also benefitted from it.

Whereas, it should be that whoever Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has granted ability to, they should try to give best of the things in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ. Let’s now listen to the manners of the pious people of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ that how sincere those noble personalities were when it came to spending in the way of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

Give the bunch of grapes to him

Sayyiduna Naafi’ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ narrates: ‘Once, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar     رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ was poorly and desired to eat grapes, so I bought one bunch of grapes for him for 1 dirham. I had just about put the bunch of grapes in his hand when a beggar came to the door and called out. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah  رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ said to give the bunch of grapes to the beggar.

I said: ‘Eat some grapes at least. Taste some grapes at least.’

He said: ‘No. Give it to him.’ So I gave it to the beggar.

I then bought the bunch of grapes for 1 dirham from that beggar and presented it to Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ. I had just put the bunch of grapes in his hand when that beggar came again. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ said: ‘Give this to him.’

I said: ‘Taste a few grapes at least.’

He said: ‘No. Give it to him.’

I then gave that bunch of grapes to the beggar. That beggar kept coming back and Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ kept ordering me to give the bunch of grapes to him. Eventually, upon the 3^rd or 4^th time, I said to the beggar: ‘May you be ruined! Don’t you have any shame?’

I then bought the bunch of grapes in return for 1 dirham and gave it to Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ. Then he رَضِىَ اللهُ عَـنْهُ ate it.’

(Allah Walon ki Baatayn, vol. 1, pp. 523)