Why do Muslims give more charity in Ramadan?

Following the Prophet's example

Ibn Abbas described the Prophet ﷺ as the most generous of people, and most generous of all in Ramadan when Jibril met him to review the Quran. In that month he was "more generous than the blowing wind" (Sahih al-Bukhari 6). Muslims try to copy that: giving more often, more freely and without waiting to be asked.

Reward feels multiplied

Every act of charity is already multiplied by Allah, and Ramadan is the month when believers chase reward the hardest. It also holds Laylat al-Qadr, a night better than a thousand months, so many people give something every night of the last ten to be sure they catch it. See What is Laylat al-Qadr and how do I find it?

Fasting softens the heart

After a long day without food, you understand a little of what hungry people feel every day. That empathy naturally turns into giving. Feeding others is especially loved in this month: the Prophet ﷺ said whoever gives a fasting person food to break their fast gets the same reward as them, without the fasting person's reward being reduced at all (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 807). That's why mosques fill with free iftars and families invite neighbours.

Zakat al-fitr and zakat timing

• Zakat al-fitr: a small, compulsory payment for every Muslim in the household, given before the Eid prayer. The Prophet ﷺ made it a purification for the fasting person and food for the poor (Sunan Abi Dawud 1609). See What is zakat al-fitr?
• Yearly zakat: it isn't required in Ramadan, but many Muslims choose Ramadan as their zakat date so the reward is in a blessed month and the poor are helped before Eid.
• Sadaqah: extra, voluntary giving of any size, from a few coins to a big donation.

This is also why charities run their biggest appeals in Ramadan. Ramadan 2027 is expected to start around 8 February 2027.