Why Many Rich Muslims Sponsor RAMADAN Lectures

Have you  observed that a lot of Ramadan lectures have been taking place in this Holy month of Ramadan? Have you also noticed that a lot of rich Muslims spend a lot sponsoring these Islamic programmes in this blessed month than any other months of the year? The reasons are not far fetched.

Ramadan is considered a month characterised with lots of Islamic religious activities. It is the period when worship is at it’s peak. Every rich Muslim look forward to the blessed month as they had prepared for the financial, physical and spiritual requirements weeks ahead.

One of the most significant and rewarding activities rich Muslims don’t joke with during the blessed month are Ramadan lectures. This is usually done every where and being hosted and sponsored by the well to do Muslims in the community. You see them sponsoring Ramadan Lectures here and there. They pay a huge amount to air their Ramadan Programme on Radio and Television. Most of them host the entire community to special Ramadan lectures in their residence, inviting popular Sheikhs as their guests speakers.

Ramadan is generally known as the month of the Quran. It was in this month that the Quran was revealed to  Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). And one of the beloved act of worship enjoined on all Muslims during Ramadan is to read the Quranic text more often and take time to reflect on the meaning and messages passed. For those who could neither read the Quran nor translate it to understand it’s meaning are strongly encouraged to attend Tefsir Quran via Ramadan Lectures. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), has emphasized the importance of reciting the Quran in this holy month. In a famous narration, he said that reciting one verse of the Quran in this month is equal in rewards to reciting the entire Quran in other months. Therefore, reciting the Quran in the month of Ramadan brings great rewards.

Allah blesses the one who recites the Quran, infact there is a reward for every letter that is uttered out of the mouth of the believer of Islam and the Quran. The Holy Prophet  (PBUH) said, about the recitation of the Quran,  “Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887)

So, 70 times the reward per letter of the Quran, Alhamdullillah what a reward indeed! And for those who struggle to recite the Quran, the reward becomes doubled! This is because Allah, Subhanwatallah does not judge on the quality of the recitation rather His criteria of judging is very different for the criteria of humans. Allah , the Most Beneficent, looks at the level of effort of the believer and rewards them accordingly. So if a person is slow, stutters but is making his utmost effort to read the Quran correctly, Allah will reward him with greater.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said about the person who struggles: “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE that reward.”  [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

So we must imagine the month of Ramadan as a jackpot for Muslims because Allah has promised that the reward for doing good in this month is utmost, so much so that it gives the believer a completely clean slate, erases all his sins and gives him an opportunity to start over.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their rewards at all. Whoever calls to misguidance will have sin upon him similar to those who follow him, without detracting from their sins at all.” This is another important reason why many rich Muslims always sponsor Ramadan year in, year out. They look out for top Islamic scholars to educate the people about Islam. They also use the avenue to host fellow Muslims to an Iftar (breaking of fast) later in the day.

Providing Ifar for fasting Muslims is an an act which is highly commendable and rewarding. The rich key into this in a big way.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “If a person gives Iftar to a fasting person in this month, his sins will be forgiven.

The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT also said, “The best of you are those who feed the others.” [Ahmad]

Therefore, as Muslims, it is our duty to ensure that we provide the best quality of food (Iftar and Sehri) to those in need, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Also the prophet said, “Whoever feeds the person who is breaking his fast, he will have his reward (for his fasting) without decreasing anything from the reward of the fasting person.” [Al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah].

Do an estimate of the fasting Muslims that are catered to feed at every Ramadan lecture and you will realise the enormous rewards up for grab. So, those who have the ability are encouraged to strive to feed those who are fasting (when it’s time to break the fast) either in the masjid or in other places.

Islam is a religion which encourages the rich to embark on giving back to society. This is the essence of Zakat and Sadaqah (Alms Giving and Charity). Allah loves cheerful givers and always rewards them in bounties. Many rich Muslims use the period of Ramadan where any good deed with pour intention attracts multiples of rewards earned other months. They understand this principle and that is why you see them always spending big sponsoring programmes and providing food items for people.

– Jamiu Abubakar

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