Heart-Warming Stories of Charity and Kindness during Ramzan

It was heart-warming to see so many incidents and acts of kindness happening during Ramzan that championed the cause of communal harmony and peace. 

In keeping with the true spirit of Ramzan, Muslim men chose humanity over religion and broke their Ramzan fasts in order to save someone's life.

Jawed Alam in Bihar decided to break his fast in order to donate blood to an eight-year-old thalassemia patient after a drastic drop in his hemoglobin level. The boy's family had got in touch with a blood donation agency and Jawed Alam was found to be an ideal match. However, after the hospital authorities refused to take his blood because of fasting, Alam decided to break the fast to help save the child.

Imarat Shariah’s general secretary Maulana Anisur Rahman Quasmi said, “Donating blood while fasting does not break one’s fast, as a substance is leaving your body. The fast is broken only when one consumes something. Although, people often break their fast when they donate blood as they are often given something to drink afterwards.”

“And whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved the life of all mankind.” 

~ Quran 5:32

Heart-Warming Stories of Charity and Kindness during Ramzan

In a similar incident, Arif Khan from Dehradun came across an urgent request for blood donation on a social media platform. Arif broke his Ramzan fast to save Ajay Bijlawan’s life whose blood platelets were dangerously falling.

Ramzan is not just about refraining from food. It is a month of solidarity when hearts soften and foster a sense of compassion and generosity towards the poor and needy. It is in the true spirit of Ramzan that Arif Khan rightly said, “Helping the needy is essential teachings of Ramzan. I believe if we keep fast and do not help the needy then Allah won't be happy, it is my honour that I could help someone.”

Rashid Ibn Sa’d reports the following hadith from the Holy Prophet (PBUH): “Give as much alms as possible in the month of Ramadan, because giving alms to people in that month is like giving away in the way of Allah.” ~ (Kanz al-Ummal, 8:464)

It is general practice for Muslims to indulge in charity in the ongoing month of Ramzan. What was beautiful to watch was to see people of different faiths stepping forward to contribute to Ramzan.

For instance, Prahlad, a 32-year-old auto-driver from South Delhi, has been offering free auto rides to ‘rozedaars’ (Muslims who are observing fast) in the month of Ramzan even at the cost of incurring losses. A small poster pasted in his auto says, “FREE AUTO SERVICE Only Rozadars Person". His selfless act of charity is truly praise-worthy.

A believer who is generous is dearer to Allah (SWT)!

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said: “Indeed, an ignorant man who is generous is dearer to Allah (SWT) than a worshipper who is miserly.”  ~ Al-Tirmidhi: Hadith 580

"The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was the most generous of people and he was most generous in Ramadan when Jibril (Gabriel) met him. Jibril used to meet him every night during the month of Ramadan to teach him the Holy Quran. Allah's Messenger then used to be more generous than the fast wind."
~ Narrated by Ṣaḥiḥ al-Bukhari 1803, Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 2308

Ramzan is a great opportunity to share its values of generosity, Sadaqah (giving charity/alms) and kindness with others. In Delhi, a bunch of caring individuals organized an Iftar for All event with a difference. A group comprising of Muslims as well as Hindus, distributed food packets to the hundreds of people (mostly patients and their families) who were waiting for medical care at the AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital.

Islam strongly advocates Sadaqah (charity) especially during the month of Ramzan. 

Islam strongly advocates charity especially during the month of Ramzan. The Holy Quran and Sunnah put great emphasis on charity by mentioning the virtues and benefits of Sadaqah multiple times.

Ibn Abbas narrated that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while the neighbour to his side goes hungry.”  ~ Al-Sunan al-Kubra 19049