In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. May His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions.
Dear brothers and sisters, Ramadan stands out as the most esteemed month in Islam, endowed by Allah with a special significance as a period for forgiveness and mercy. A Hadeeth states that our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." [Bukhari].
The month of Ramadan is divinely honored as the time when the noble Qur'an was revealed, with the first revelation occurring on the Night of Decree, one of the last ten odd nights of Ramadan. This night is described in the Qur'an as being superior to a thousand months. Ramadan is also a month where acts of charity yield exponentially greater rewards. Recognizing its virtues, Muslims strive diligently to perform righteous deeds throughout this sacred period.
Zakat, an obligatory act of worship and the third pillar of Islam, signifies growth, blessing, cleansing, and purification in its Arabic meaning. It involves worshipping Allah by obeying His commands and disbursing a prescribed portion of one's wealth to eligible recipients, as outlined in the Qur'an. Zakat is governed by specific rules, including a 2.5% rate on wealth that has been held for one Islamic lunar year, applicable to assets like gold, silver, crops, fruits, livestock, and monetary savings above the 'nisab' threshold. Zakat cannot be given to one's dependents, the wealthy, or non-Muslims.
Sadaqah, on the other hand, originates from the Arabic word 'sidq,' meaning sincerity. It serves as a testament to a Muslim believer's sincerity of faith, representing a voluntary act of devotion to Allah through the donation of wealth without compulsion. There are no rigid guidelines for Sadaqah; it is not restricted to specific types of wealth and can be given to anyone, at any time, and in any amount. It can be extended to dependents, non-Muslims, and even the affluent under certain conditions.
Despite being voluntary, Islam places immense value on Sadaqah. Allah the Almighty declares in the Qur'an: "O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the wrongdoers." [Qur'an, 2:254].
Allah also condemns those who fail to support the needy and orphans, equating a lack of encouragement for feeding the poor with disbelief in Allah. The Qur'an states: "Indeed, he did not believe in Allah, the Almighty, and did not persuade (others) to feed the needy." [Qur'an, 69:33-34].
In Ramadan, Sadaqah takes on heightened significance, with believers actively engaging in charitable deeds to earn amplified rewards and blessings. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was exceptionally generous during Ramadan, with his increased charity being likened to "racing winds" in narrations.
Beyond abundant reward, Sadaqah during Ramadan offers numerous benefits. It acts as a shield against calamities and dangers, increases wealth, and elevates the status of a believer. Allah says: "Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." [Qur'an, 2:262].
Sadaqah given in Ramadan carries these benefits with enhanced blessings and acceptance from Allah. Charitable acts performed during this month are multiplied due to its special virtues and mercy.
Furthermore, many Muslims face challenges in finding nutritious meals to break their fast. Charity during this time provides essential iftar and suhur meals to needy individuals and families. Feeding a fasting person carries immense reward; Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: "Whoever gives iftar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest." [Tirmidhi].
Donations during Ramadan support Muslim communities, assisting mosques in organizing Tarawih prayers and providing daily iftar and suhur meals. Contributions also aid those observing I'tikaf in the last ten days, easing the burden on mosque management and enabling a more meaningful celebration of Ramadan.
While Zakat is obligatory irrespective of the month, scholars advise against delaying its payment solely to give it during Ramadan. However, Zakat can be paid in advance if it becomes due shortly after Ramadan, allowing individuals to capture the month's blessings without compromising the payment's timeliness.
You are invited to fulfill your Sadaqah and Zakat obligations during Ramadan with us. By increasing your generosity, you can earn abundant rewards, In Shaa Allah.
Respected brothers and sisters, Zakat during Ramadan serves as a powerful purifier of wealth and soul, amplifying rewards and strengthening community bonds. This mandatory 2.5% obligation on qualifying wealth shields against misfortune, fosters compassion, and promotes social justice, thereby elevating one's status and attracting blessings.
By contributing a portion of your wealth, you do not diminish it; rather, you purify the remainder and invite Allah's blessings, leading to growth that surpasses material calculations.
Zakat is a test of Iman (faith), redirecting focus from material possessions to spiritual purpose and demonstrating that a believer's heart is devoted to Allah's pleasure rather than worldly gains.
While Zakat can be paid annually, aligning its payment with Ramadan amplifies its virtues. The needy deserve to experience the joy of Eid, making your contribution a source of hope and solace.
It is narrated that: "Whoever pays the zakat on his wealth will have its evil removed from him."
View Zakat not as a loss, but as a protective shield against misfortune and financial hardship.
Imagine providing a nourishing Iftar for a family that has gone hungry all day. Such acts strengthen the entire Muslim Ummah, fostering unity, brotherhood, and compassion.
Dear brothers and sisters, Allah has granted us an opportunity to multiply our deeds. Do not let Ramadan pass without fulfilling this essential pillar. The wealth you possess is a trust (Amanah) from Allah, the true owner.
Fear not for your sustenance; Allah promises that charity does not decrease wealth but rather enhances it with blessings and magnitude.
This comprises 2.5% of accumulated wealth (cash, gold, business assets) exceeding the 'nisab' threshold, with heightened rewards recommended during Ramadan. It supports orphans, the poor, the needy, and empowers the Ummah.
Respected brothers and sisters, let us feed the orphans, widows, and the needy this 1447 AH/2026 Ramadan.
Feeding the poor and needy is an act that brings us closer to Allah, earning His forgiveness, mercy, and blessings through charity and Sadaqah.
Our center, Nagazi-Uvete Islamic Center, offers the opportunity to feed orphans, the poor, and needy Muslims during this blessed month of Ramadan.
This initiative provides a chance to amplify our efforts in seeking Allah's pleasure and to receive His everlasting mercy and favor as sponsors and donors, while bringing smiles to the faces of beneficiaries.
For the past twenty-five years, we have provided food items and iftar to needy Muslim families and orphans during Ramadan. With the generous support of donors like you, we have aided thousands of families.
This year, 1447/2026, we aim to assist even more families, In Shaa Allah. Each food pack costs N2000. We hope you will continue to make this campaign successful and help feed orphans, the poor, and needy Muslims throughout the month.
Charity/Sadaqah is a vital component of Ramadan, obligatory for all able Muslims. Feeding orphans, the poor, and the needy is an act that draws us nearer to Allah, earning His forgiveness, mercy, and blessings through acts of charity and Sadaqah.
Nagazi-Uvete Islamic Center is a non-profit organization located in Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. It operates independently, without partisan or sectarian affiliations, dedicated to providing relief and humanitarian aid to the vulnerable. Our office is situated in Okene, Kogi State.
Through this Ramadan Feeding Program, we aim to provide iftar meals to orphans, the needy, widows, and struggling families, restoring dignity, spreading hope, and sharing the blessings of this sacred month.
Join us in feeding the fasting. Support this noble cause and let your Sadaqah become a source of light for you in Ramadan. Together, we can extend Ramadan's mercy to every heart in need.
Trust and Amanah are fundamental to all our activities, as the lives and well- being of millions of needy individuals depend on them.
You can send your donations to the following account details:
1\. Account number: 0048647196.
– Account name: Murtala Muhammed.
– Bank: GTBank
Or:
2\. Account number: 1779691620
– Account name: Murtala Muhammed.
– Bank: Access Bank.
Donate Fisabilillah!!!
Respected Servants of Allah! Success in Ramadan is not measured by enduring thirst, but by the transformation of the heart and the strengthening of Iman (faith) through consistent worship and good character. Those who truly succeed are those who, with sincere intention, utilize this great month to break bad habits, increase Qur'an recitation, and perform acts of charity.
The individual who enters Ramadan not merely out of routine but with a fervent desire to repent and reform, beginning with a pure heart, reaps the greatest benefits.
Success is not about undertaking immense deeds on a single night while neglecting the rest. It is about consistency—observing Tarawih prayers, reciting the Qur'an, and offering Du'a, even in small, consistent amounts, as these are beloved by Allah.
True success lies in embodying the month's spirit—generosity, kindness, and aiding orphans, the poor, and the needy—which invites Allah's mercy.
There was a man known for his harsh speech who resolved this Ramadan to refrain from speaking ill of anyone, fasting not only with his stomach but also with his tongue and heart. By the month's end, his character had undergone a permanent positive change, becoming a person of peace. He realized that fasting serves as a shield against sin, not merely a restraint from food.
Begin by renewing your intention solely for Allah's sake. Utilize the nights for special prayers (Tarawih) to draw closer to Allah. The gates of Paradise are open; implore Allah for ease in your struggles.
Oh Allah, bring it (Ramadan) over us with blessings and faith, safety and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah.
I ask Allah Almighty to accept from you, and from us, Ameen.
All praise is due only to The Almighty Allah, and may His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the final Messenger and the seal of Prophets.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques in Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.
This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Sha’aban 25, 1447 AH (February 13, 2026).
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