Feed a Fasting Person, for the sake of Allaah

The Messenger of Allaah ( صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, “Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of the fasting person, without any reduction in his reward.” [At-Tirmidhi, authenticated by Al-Albani.]

It has been explained that whoever gives a Muslim something to break his fast with, he will receive this reward that came in this hadith. "Breaks" is a general word and giving him dates is considered breaking. The sunnah is to break your fasting by dates, as has been narrated by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), who said, "The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) used to break his Saum (fasting) before performing Maghrib prayer with three fresh date-fruits; if there were no fresh date-fruits, he would eat three dry dates; and if there were no dry date-fruits; he would take three draughts of water." [At-Tirmidhi]

Suggestion: Buy a box [or boxes] of dates, and hand it [them] over to the masjid, for the sake of none but Allaah, to provide to the worshippers at the time of breaking the fast.

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet ( صلي الله عليه وسلم) came to visit Sa`d bin `Ubadah (may Allah be pleased with him) who presented bread and olive oil to him. The Prophet ( صلي الله عليه وسلم) ate it and said, "The observers of fast have broken their fast with you (this is the literal translation, but the meaning is: 'May Allah reward you for providing a fasting people with food to break their fast'); the pious people have eaten your food and the angels invoked blessings o­n you.'' [Abu Dawud].

The Commentary from Riyad-us-Saliheen reads: The word "Aftara'' is informative in nature, but it is used in the sense of a prayer. Thus, what it denotes is "May Allaah give you the reward of o­ne who arranges for the Iftar (breaking the Saum) of somebody." Thus, it induces o­ne to hospitality according to his means.

Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-'Uthaimeen said, "Those who have the ability should strive to feed those who are fasting (when its time to break the fast) either in the masaajid or in other places. This is since whoever feeds a fasting person, he will receive the same reward as the o­ne fasting. So if a person feeds his brothers who are fasting, he will receive the same reward as them. Therefore, those whom Allaah has granted wealth should take advantage of this opportunity to obtain a great reward." [48 Su'aalan fis-Siyaam]

Asked about holding banquets, inviting people, slaughtering, distributing meat in charity and other efforts with food, Shaykh Fawzaan answered: Yes, offering food in Ramadaan has extra virtue due to the nobility of the time and the need that the fasting people have for food. The Prophet ( صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of his reward (the fasting person)", so preparing food in this month for the needy is from the best of actions because (the reward for giving) charity in the month of Ramadaan is multiplied more than in the other months. [al Fataawa libni Fowzaan - Kitaab ad-Da'wah, Volume 1, Page 153-154]

Jazzakuallah khayr =]