The first generation of Muslims, the pious Salaf, were undoubtedly the best of generations. Their character and way of life stand witness to this fact and is further confirmed by the statement of Allaah’s Messenger, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,: “The best of generations are my generation, then those which follow them, then those which follow them.” [Muslim]

They were indeed, the best amongst those who implemented the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. So naturally it is their example that one must follow in all matters and Ramadhaan is no exception. The Salaf were frugal with their own iftar meals but generous hosts towards others.

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar, for example, would prefer to eat his iftar meal with the poor. Whenever he broke his fast at home, he never ate his fill, so that if a needy person visited, ‘Abdullah could give him his iftar meal. Thus he would end up virtually “fasting” that whole night too! He used to give away sweets in charity saying, ‘I am aware of Allaah’s saying (what means): “You shall not attain piety until you spend out of that which is beloved to you” [Quran 2: 92] and Allaah knows that I love sweets.’

Once when Imam Ahmad had prepared some bread for iftar, a needy person called on him. Without hesitating he gave away all his bread, and went hungry. Ibn Al-Mubaarak used to prepare sweets for his brothers, despite the fact that he was fasting.

Imam Ash-Shafi’ee, once said, “It is beloved to me to see one increasing his acts of generosity during the month of Ramadhaan, following the example of Allaah’s Messenger, and for one’s own good. There are many who become over-occupied with fasting and Prayers, forgetting the other benefits of the month of Ramadhaan [i.e. forgetting about the benefits and rewards for being generous towards others].”

The Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam,, said, “The best of deeds is that of keeping your believing brother happy, or that of paying off a debt of his, or that of feeding him.” [Ad-daylami]

“The most beloved of people to Allaah are those who are of most benefit [to others]. The most of beloved actions to Allaah is when you make another Muslim happy, removing a hardship that has befallen him, paying off a debt of his or rid him of hunger. It is more beloved to me indeed that I walk with my Muslim brother to see to a need of his than performing i’tikaf (secluding oneself) in a Masjid for a month” [At-Tabaranee]

“The likeness [i.e. in terms of rewards] of the one who comes to [the aid of] a widow and [the aid of] a destitute is like that of a mujahid (striver) in the cause of Allaah or that of someone who spends the night in prayers and the day in fasting.” (Al-Mishkaat)