رَمَضَانُ: صَفَاءُ النَّفْسِ وَنَفْعُ النَّاسِ بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَالوَقْفِ؛ Ramadan: Purity of soul By Benefiting People through Charity and Endowments

Al Quran is the final Holy Book revealed upon the Last of Prophets Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The Quran & Sunnah is the only source of holy guidance as it entails detailed instructions for each and every walk of human life. Here guidance from Quran for the followers of Islam (رَمَضَانُ: صَفَاءُ النَّفْسِ وَنَفْعُ النَّاسِ بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَالوَقْفِ؛ Ramadan: Purity of soul By Benefiting People through Charity and Endowments) is discussed wrt Ramazan is a month of purification of soul by doling out charity and endowments for better living from Quran and Hadith of Prophet ﷺ. This is an approved Jumma Khutba from the Sultanate of Oman and translated in English.

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of ALLAH, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

رَمَضَانُ: صَفَاءُ النَّفْسِ وَنَفْعُ النَّاسِ بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَالوَقْفِ

Ramadan: Purity of soul and benefiting people through charity and endowments.

Praise be to Allah, Who made fasting a shield, and charity a proof, and opened for His servants through them the gates of Paradise. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His servant and Messenger, the best of worshippers, and the most excellent of those who fast and give charity. May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him, his family, and his companions until the Day of Judgment. This is the recited verse from Surah Al Tawba and translation:

أَمَّا بَعْدُ، فاعوذ باللہ من الشیطان الرجیم- بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

إِنَّمَا ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتُ لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ وَٱلۡمَسَـٰكِينِ وَٱلۡعَـٰمِلِينَ عَلَيۡہَا وَٱلۡمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُہُمۡ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَٱلۡغَـٰرِمِينَ وَفِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبۡنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ‌ۖ فَرِيضَةً۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَڪِيمٌ۬

As-Sadaqât (here it means Zakât) are only for the Fuqarâ'[] (poor), and Al-Masâkin[] (the poor) and those employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have been inclined (towards Islâm); and to free the captives; and for those in debt; and for Allâh's Cause (i.e. for Mujâhidûn - those fighting in the holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from everything); a duty imposed by Allâh. And Allâh is All-Knower, All-Wise.

Surah AL Tawba – 60

O servants of ALLAH: Fear ALLAH and Adopt piety and obey ALLAH. ALLAH says in Surah Al Hashr :

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَلۡتَنظُرۡ نَفۡسٌ۬ مَّا قَدَّمَتۡ لِغَدٍ۬‌ۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ

O you who believe! Fear Allâh and keep your duty to Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the tomorrow, and fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what you do[].

Surah Al Hashr – 18

O believers: We live through the days of Ramadan in an abundance of divine blessings. ALLAH Almighty has distinguished it with virtues He has not bestowed upon any other month. It is the month of generosity and patience, the month of prayer and striving, the month of multiplied rewards, and the month of giving, charity, reciting the Quran, and guidance. ALLAH Almighty says in Surah Al Baqra:

شَہۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدً۬ى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِ‌ۚ

The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).

Surah Al Baqara – 185-Part

And among the greatest blessings of these days is that we have reached the last ten days of Ramadan, which are the peak and essence of the month. Our noble Prophet, peace be upon him devoted himself to them with great effort, through prayer, seclusion, and studying the Book of ALLAH. And the Messenger of ALLAH concluded these acts of devotion with a great virtue: giving and spending in the way of ALLAH. For the blessings of charity are multiplied during these nights, and souls are elevated by it, and hearts are purified by it. Seyyedina Ibn Abbas, may ALLAH be pleased with them both, said: “The Messenger of ALLAH was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous during the month of Ramadan until it ended. Then Seyyedina Gabriel (AA) would come to him and recite the Qur’an to him. When Seyyedina Gabriel used to met him, the Messenger of ALLAH had been more generous than a blowing wind.” So whoever wants to follow this blessed example should make this a part of his life. The nights are a field for giving, and let him take himself to the means of closeness; for ALLAH Almighty has says in Surah Al Ahzab:

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬

Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow

Surah Al Ahzab – 21-Part

O Muslims: Now that these doors of goodness have been opened, and the paths of closeness to ALLAH have been made available, seek the means of approach to ALLAH, and increase your acts of worship, as He, the Exalted, says in Surah Al Maeda:

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ ٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱبۡتَغُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ ٱلۡوَسِيلَةَ

O you who believe! Do your duty to Allâh and fear Him. Seek the means of approach to Him,

Surah Al Maeda – 35-Part

The Prophet, peace be upon him, encouraged spending in charity and gave glad tidings of blessings and abundance to those who give, saying, “Charity does not decrease wealth.” The greatness of spending in the way of ALLAH and the beauty of its impact in this world and the Hereafter are not hidden from the discerning mind. It is an act of worship that purifies wealth, cleanses the heart, and opens the doors of blessings. God has praised those who do good and spend in charity, saying, “Glory be to Him”, says in Surah Al Raad

وَٱلَّذِينَ صَبَرُواْ ٱبۡتِغَآءَ وَجۡهِ رَبِّہِمۡ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ سِرًّ۬ا وَعَلَانِيَةً۬ وَيَدۡرَءُونَ بِٱلۡحَسَنَةِ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ عُقۡبَى ٱلدَّارِ (٢٢) جَنَّـٰتُ عَدۡنٍ۬ يَدۡخُلُونَہَا وَمَن صَلَحَ مِنۡ ءَابَآٮِٕہِمۡ وَأَزۡوَٲجِهِمۡ وَذُرِّيَّـٰتِہِمۡ‌ۖ وَٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ يَدۡخُلُونَ عَلَيۡہِم مِّن كُلِّ بَابٍ۬

And those who remain patient, seeking their Lord's Countenance, perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and spend out of that which We have bestowed on them, secretly and openly, and defend evil with good, for such there is a good end; (22) 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), which they shall enter and (also) those who acted righteously from among their fathers, and their wives, and their offspring. And angels shall enter unto them from every gate (saying): (23)

Surah Al Ra’d – 22-23

And among the greatest and most lasting forms of charity, as long as its returns are continuous, its benefits are ongoing, and its reward is continuous and uninterrupted, is charity that transforms from a temporary act into a permanent impact, and from a momentary gift into the building of a nation. And for this reason came the explicit prophetic statement that raises the endowment to its proper place, as the Messenger of ALLAH said: “When the son of Adam dies, his deeds cease except for three: ongoing charity, knowledge that is benefited from, or a righteous child who prays for him.”

Indeed, the endowment – O servants of ALLAH – is one of the most evident forms of this ongoing charity, and one of its most honorable avenues; for it is the holding of money and the allocation of its benefits, and the freezing of the principal so that its fruits remain for the poor and needy, for mosques and schools, for orphans and the sick, and for general charitable purposes. How many endowments have remained for centuries, feeding the hungry, teaching the ignorant, sponsoring the orphan, and building the houses of ALLAH, while their owner is under the earth, and good deeds are written for him as if he were alive among the people working. Therefore, charitable endowment (waqf) is a gateway to lasting good deeds, opening a second life for the giver after death and ensuring its impact continues throughout the community, generation after generation. ALLAH has promised those who give in charity a replacement and an increase, as He, the Exalted, says in Surah Saba:

ۥۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقۡتُم مِّن شَىۡءٍ۬ فَهُوَ يُخۡلِفُهُۖ

and whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allâh's Cause), He will replace it.

Surah Saba – 39-Part

It is established in the sacred hadith that Almighty says: “O son of Adam: Spend, and I will spend on you.”

So fear ALLAH, O servants of ALLAH, and seize these blessed nights, and build for yourselves an endowment that will elevate you in the sight of ALLAH, and make for you a good reputation on earth, and a continuous reward in heaven, and seek out deeds whose effect is lasting, whose benefit is long-lasting, and whose blessing is enduring; for the Prophet, peace be upon him, was asked, “Which deeds are most beloved to ALLAH?” He said: “The most consistent of them is the one that is small.”

أقولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ، وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ العَظِيمَ لِي وَلَكُمْ، فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُالرَّحِيمُ، وَادْعُوهُ يَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ، إِنَّهُ هُوَ البَرُّ الكَرِيمُ

I say what you hear, and I ask forgiveness from ALLAH Almighty for me and for you, so ask forgiveness from Him and He will forgive you, for He is the Forgiving and Merciful, and pray to Him and He will answer you, for He is The noble righteousness.

الحَمْدُ للَّهِ عَلَى إِحْسَانِهِ، وَالشُّكْرُ لَهُ عَلَى تَوْفِيقِهِ وَامْتِنَانِهِ، وَنَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَنَشْهَدُ أَنَّ سَيِّدَنَا مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ الشَّاكِرُ لإِحْسَانِهِ، صَلاةً وَسَلامًا دَائِمَيْنِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ، وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ، وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

Praise be to ALLAH for His favor, and thanks be to Him for His guidance and grace. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and we bear witness that our master Muhammad, peace be upon him, is His servant, grateful for His favor. May ALLAH’s prayers and peace be upon him, upon his family and good companions, and whoever follows their path until the Day of Judgment.

Now then, O you who fast: Blessed days of Ramadan have passed, days in which souls raced towards the gates of mercy. And here we are today at the end of the month, at the height of its nights. So do not let its end be a time of lethargy after vigor, nor heedlessness after vigilance. Rather, roll up your sleeves and strive diligently, and draw ever closer to ALLAH, as was the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Your Prophet, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “When the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Prophet would tighten his waistcloth, stay up all night in prayer, and wake up his family.” So make your last act of worship and devotion in the month, and strive harder in good deeds, for the lesson is in the endings, the reward is for the competitors, and the blessing is for the doers of good. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “If ALLAH wants good for a servant, He employs him.” It was said, “How does He employ him?” He said, “He enables him to do a good deed before death.” And among the good deeds with which you conclude your month - O servants of ALLAH - is Zakat al-Fitr, a purification for the fasting person, and a means of enriching the poor on the day of Eid. The pure Sharia has made it obligatory for the able person to pay it on his own behalf and on behalf of those he supports.

Fear ALLAH, O servants of ALLAH, and make the end of your month a good one with obedience and charity. Ask ALLAH for acceptance and deliverance from Hellfire. Understand the rulings of Zakat al-Fitr, and give it on time, and perform it as the Messenger of ALLAH performed it. Seize your days in obedience to your Lord as He says in Surah Al Anfal

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ ۥ وَلَا تَوَلَّوۡاْ عَنۡهُ وَأَنتُمۡ تَسۡمَعُونَ

O you who believe! Obey Allâh and His Messenger, and turn not away from him (i.e. Messenger Muhammad SAW) while you are hearing.

Surah Al Anfal – 20