The 25th of the holy month of Dhu Al-Hijjah is a blessed day, as it is the day in which Surat Al-Insan [Dahr n:76] was revealed about Ahl Al-Bayt (peace be upon them), after they have fasted three days and have given their Iftar to the needy, the orphan, and the captive.
It is narrated that Ibn Abbas has reported: “Both Al-Hassan and Al-Hussayn were sick when the Prophet, along with a group of his companions came to see how they were doing.
The Prophet said to Imam Ali: ‘O’ Abul Hassan! It would be good if you took an oath (to Allah) for your children to be cured from their sickness.’
Thus, Imam Ali and Fatima, and their female-servant, Fidhdhah, made an oath to Allah that if the children recovered, then they would fast for three days (according to some traditions, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussayn also took part in the oath that they too would fast for three days).
A short time elapsed and both of them were cured from their sickness. Even though they had very little food in the house, Imam Ali still divided the barely he had at home into three portions and his wife, Fatima took one-third of this and ground it into flour and baked bread with it.
At the time of breaking the fast, a beggar came to the door of their house and said: ‘Peace be upon you, O’ family of Mohammad! I am a poor person from among the poor Muslims. Please give me some food - may Allah bless you with food from paradise!’ All of the members of the house placed this poor person’s needs ahead of their own and each of them gave their portion of bread to the poor man and that evening, they all broke their fast with only water.
On the second day, they also kept a fast and at the time of breaking the fast with the food which had been prepared (barley bread), an orphan came to the door and just like the previous day, they gave the orphan whatever they had. Again, they broke their fast with only water and prepared to begin the third day of fasting. On the third day, a war-captive came to their house at sunset, asking for food and once again, this family gave away all of the food which they had!
When the morning of the fourth day rose, Imam Ali took Al-Hassan and Al-Hussayn by the hand and went to see the Prophet. When the Prophet set eyes upon them, he saw them trembling due to their intense hunger! He immediately said to them: ‘It is very troubling for me to see you in such a state!’
The Prophet got up and accompanied them to the house of Fatima and saw her standing in the prayer niche. She too was suffering the pangs of hunger which were evident from her frail body and the heavy inset of her eyes. Witnessing this heart-breaking sight, the Prophet became extremely grieved.
Immediately at this point, the Angel Gabriel came down and said: ‘O Mohammad! Take this chapter (of the Qur’an) Allah sends his salutations upon such a family.’ The Prophet then recited the chapter which was revealed to him, “chapter Hal Ata” (according to some scholars the Prophet recited from “…surely the righteous…” until “…surely your endeavors shall be thanked…” which makes up eighteen verses which were revealed to him.
Thus, It is desirable for the followers of Ahl Al-Bayt (peace be upon them) in such a blessed day, to give alms or charity to the poors and orphans.