And Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, the men who give charity and the women who give charity, and who lend Allah a goodly loan—it will be multiplied for them, and theirs will be a noble reward.” [al-Hadid]

The sunnah likewise contains abundant reports encouraging charity. Among them is the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him: “No man gives charity from lawful earnings except that Allah Most High takes it with His right hand and nurtures it for one of you as one of you nurtures his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.” (1) He, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: “Every person will be under the shade of his charity on the Day of Resurrection.” (2) And he said: “Charity extinguishes sin just as water extinguishes fire.” (3) And he said: “It extinguishes the anger of the Lord and averts an evil death.” (4)

The rational evidence is that charity relieves the needs of the poor, cultivates the qualities of the virtuous and generous, and is among the means of expanding one’s heart. Try it, and you will see. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned ten benefits of it in Zad al-Ma'ad; whoever wishes to know them should refer to it.

However, it is especially emphasized at particular times and places, and in certain circumstances. Hence, the author said, clarifying this:

“In Ramadan and at times of need, it is more virtuous …”

His statement, “In Ramadan and at times of need, it is more virtuous”: Ramadan is among the times in which charity is especially emphasized. The evidence is that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, “was the most generous of people, and he was at his most generous in Ramadan.” (5) This indicates that he, peace and blessings be upon him,