Generosity (1/2)

All praise and thanks to Allah the Generous, the Superb Bestower and Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad, his family, his wives, his companions and followers until the Day of Judgment.

We will talk about a superb trait and a great manner. It is the most beautiful quality in the character of Prophets, Apostles and the righteous. They all called humans to follow such quality, namely the quality of Generosity.

The person who is characterized with generosity is of a high status and rank, and usually people listen and turn to him. Any person who was characterized with generosity had also leadership whether at the time of Jahiliyyah or Islam, he ruled because of being generous first and foremost.

What is Generosity?

Generosity is the quality of being noble and noble-mindedness. It is a candid estimation of other men’s virtues and good qualities. It is the summation of all praised qualities of goodness, honor, munificence, bestowal and liberality in giving and expenditure. Abu Hurayrah said:

 “The Messenger of Allah, Peace and Blessings of Allah Be upon Him, was asked, ‘Which people are the most generous?’ He replied, ‘The most generous of them in the sight of Allah are those with the most taqwa (piety).’ They said, ‘That is not what we are asking about.’ He said, ‘The most generous of people was Yusuf, the Prophet of Allah, son of the Prophet of Allah, who was the son of the Intimate Friend of Allah (Ibrahim).’ They said, ‘That is not what we are asking about.’ He said, ‘Are you asking about those of Arab origin?’ ‘Yes,’ they replied. He said, ‘The best of you in the Jahiliyah is the best of you in Islam when you have understanding from Allah).’ ” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

The Status of Generosity and Munificence:

Generosity is an attribute of Almighty Allah. He is the Generous, the Superb Bestower. He is the Gracious Giver whose bestowal is unlimited.

Generosity is a quality of Prophets (Peace Be upon Them). The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) was the most generous human in terms of honor and lineage. He was the most munificent giver with liberality in giving and expenditure.

The Mother of Believers, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that they once slaughtered a sheep, and then distributed all parts of the sheep as a charity except for the shoulder which she kept for them. When the Prophet (Peace be upon him) asked her about what remained from the sheep (after distributing it), she said ‘Nothing remained except for the shoulder’, so the prophet (Peace be upon him) commented ‘Everything remained except for the shoulder.’ (Reported by Sahih At- Tirmidhi)

Allah motivates us in several verses in the Qur’an to spend in charity and goodness:

“And whatever charity (benefit) you do expend, (then) it is for yourselves; and whatever you expend (should be) for nothing except for your seeking the Face of Allah; and whatever charity you do expend will be (paid) to you in full, and you will not be done an injustice.” (Surat Al Baqarah: 272)

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) encouraged Muslim to be generous. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him say what is righteous or keep silent. Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbor. And whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be generous to his guest.” (Reported by Sahih Muslim)

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