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It is well known that Allah The Almighty rewards people in abundance for giving Iftaar in Ramadan, besides granting them the virtue of the fasting person and the rank of those who observe it; hence, the reward for giving them Iftaar is very great. The Prophet, 
, informed us about the reward for that deed saying: “Whoever gives Iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without detracting from the reward of the fasting person anything.” [At-Tirmithi; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Our righteous predecessors were very keen on giving Iftaar to the fasting people. This habit is still ongoing, praise be to Allah, generation after another. Many of the righteous predecessors used to give a portion of their food to the poor, or even give it completely to them. The following are some narrations pertaining to this topic:
Ibn Rajab
said, ‘‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar 
used to break his fast only with the poor; and if his family kept them away from him, he would not break his fast that night. If a beggar came to him while eating, he would get up and give him his own share of the food, and return to find that his family had eaten what was left; so he would fast for another day, without eating anything.’
said, ‘‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar used to break his fast only with the poor; and if his family kept them away from him, he would not break his fast that night. If a beggar came to him while eating, he would get up and give him his own share of the food, and return to find that his family had eaten what was left; so he would fast for another day, without eating anything.’One of the righteous predecessors once craved a particular kind of food. It was put before him when he was about to break his fast. Suddenly he heard a beggar saying, ”Who will give a loan to the most Rich, the Almighty?” He replied, “His slave who is deprived of good deeds.” So he took the dish, gave it to the beggar, and slept without eating.
A beggar came to Imaam Ahmad 
so he gave him the two loaves he had prepared to break his fasting with, and then he slept without eating and woke up fasting.
so he gave him the two loaves he had prepared to break his fasting with, and then he slept without eating and woke up fasting.Al-Hasan Al-Basri used to feed his brothers while he was observing voluntary fasting, and he would serve them while they were eating.
used to feed his brothers while he was observing voluntary fasting, and he would serve them while they were eating.‘Abdullaah ibn Al-Mubaarak used to serve several kinds of desserts to his travel companions, while he was fasting. [Lataa’if Al-Ma‘aarif by Ibn Rajab]
used to serve several kinds of desserts to his travel companions, while he was fasting. [Lataa’if Al-Ma‘aarif by Ibn Rajab] It is not surprising that this was the case of the truthful people, those who adhere to the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet, , the most generous of people whose generosity multiplied in Ramadan. Ibn ‘Abbaas said, ‘The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of all people, and he used to reach the peak of generosity in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel 
met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Quran. The Messenger of Allah was the most generous person, even more generous than the blowing wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).” [Al-Bukhari]
, the most generous of people whose generosity multiplied in Ramadan. Ibn ‘Abbaas said, ‘The Messenger of Allah was the most generous of all people, and he used to reach the peak of generosity in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel met him. Jibreel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Quran. The Messenger of Allah was the most generous person, even more generous than the blowing wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).” [Al-Bukhari]Ibn Rajab said, “His generosity multiplied in the month of Ramadan more than any other month, just as the generosity of his Lord is multiplied in it, because Allah made inherent in him what He loves of noble morals.” [Lataa’if Al-Ma‘aarif]
said, “His generosity multiplied in the month of Ramadan more than any other month, just as the generosity of his Lord is multiplied in it, because Allah made inherent in him what He loves of noble morals.” [Lataa’if Al-Ma‘aarif] Ibn Rajab mentioned a number of the benefits of one’s act of generosity in Ramadan, including:
mentioned a number of the benefits of one’s act of generosity in Ramadan, including:1. The virtue of the month and the multiplied reward for the deeds during it.
2. Helping those who perform various acts of worship, so that one becomes deserving of a similar reward. An example is someone who receives the reward of fighting in the cause of Allah The Almighty because he replaced another who actually fought or took care of his family, in his absence.
3. The fasting person gives up his food and drink for the sake of Allah The Almighty so if he helps another fasting person gain strength through food and drink, it is as if he has given up his desire for the sake of Allah The Almighty. It is prescribed for him to give Iftaar to those who are fasting with him when he breaks the fast, because he likes the food yet gives it to the others so he will be among those whom Allah The Almighty likes: those who give food to the poor although they desire it. This is a means of thanking Allah The Almighty for the blessing of making food and drink lawful for him, and permitting him to consume it after he was deprived of it (during his fast), a grace that is more appreciated after one has been deprived of it. One of the righteous predecessors was asked, “Why was fasting prescribed?” He said, "So that the rich people taste hunger and thus, do not forget those who are hungry.”
May they rejoice, those whose hearts Allah The Almighty has filled with goodness, so they found the happiness of their hearts in pleasing the poor Muslims, because they realize the greatness of this month. How great is the reward of those who give charity during it, and fulfill the need of their poor brothers for charitable funds whether it is in the form of public Iftaar in the mosque, or some meals for distribution at homes, or provisions given to poor families.
Many widows, orphans, elderly and poor people do not find anything with which to break their fast. When they receive food, through the projects for the distribution of Iftaar, they raise their hands and shed tears of joy, supplicating Allah The Almighty in favor of this generous person.
How beautiful are these scenes of Ramadan: scenes of righteousness, charity, and kindness to the poor and needy, which signify sympathy, brotherhood, love and compassion among the members of a common religion.
Giving Iftaar is not confined to the poor and needy, but it is for all Muslims -- both the rich and the poor people -- however it is considered a gift for the rich ones.
Each one of us should realize the reward for giving Iftaar. It does not require a large sum of money, or luxurious types of food, but such a reward can be easily obtained, even by giving water, or one half of a date. All praise and gratitude be to Allah The Almighty, who accepts little deeds and reward them with manifold bounties. Keep this in mind, and do not belittle any good deed.
Take the initiative to contribute towards such projects in Ramadan and help those who carry them out, for it is one of the greatest acts of worship to Allah The Almighty.
