Generosity (2/2)

Kinds of Generosity:
Since Generosity describes many praised qualities, it has many kinds such as:
1- Generosity towards Allah:
The Muslim is generous towards Allah by being obedient and devoted to His worship. It means to know Allah by seeking knowledge and educating himself about teachings of Islam and the Qur’an. It is to know the commands of Allah to follow them, and prohibitions to avoid them.

2- Generosity towards the Prophet (Peace be upon him):
Generosity towards the character of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) comes through following the Sunnah (Prophetic Teachings) pursuing his path, learning about his life (Peace be upon him), his guidance and respecting him.

3- Generosity towards Yourself:
Generosity towards the self is never to insult yourself and never to utter a bad word, nonsense or aimless talking. In Surat Al-Furqan, Almighty Allah describes the true believers as Ibad ur-Rahman the servants of the All-Merciful:
“And the bondmen of The All-Merciful are the ones who walk on the earth gently, and when the ignorant address them, they say, “Peace!” (Surat Al-Furqan: 63)

Reading further the verses that describe such honorable servants of Allah, we find out that they are the ones who:
“when they pass by idle talk, they pass by honorably.” (Surat Al-Furqn: 72)

4- Generosity towards Family and Relatives:
The Muslim is generous towards his spouse, children and relatives by treating them well and giving expenditure, in other words not to be miser. Abu Huraira reported that Allah’s Apostle (Peace Be upon Him) said: “Of the dinar (unit of currency) that you spend as a contribution in God’s path, or to set free a slave, or as charity given to a needy, or to support your family, the one yielding the greatest reward is that which you spent on your family.” (Reported by Sahih Muslim, Book 005, Chapter 12, Number 2181)

5- Generosity towards Guests:
Being generous towards guests is a very high manner and praised quality in any human. The Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) taught us about the importance of being generous and benevolent towards guests. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Apostle 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)

Fruits of Generosity:
1- Generosity brings the Muslim closer to Paradise and protects him from Hell. Indeed, Islam highly encourages generosity and condemns misery. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said, “A generous person is close to Allah, close to Paradise, close to people, and far from Hell. However, a miserly person is far from Allah, far from Paradise, far from people but close to Hell. Allah loves more an ignorant man who is generous than a worshiper who is miserly.” (Reported by Tirmidhi)

2- Generosity and giving charity does not decrease wealth. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) said: “Sadaqah (charity) does not decrease wealth.” (Reported by Muslim) In fact, it increases wealth and causes abundance and richness in health, happiness, family and every blessing in our lives. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, “Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your cause’, and the other (angel) says, “O Allah! Destroy every miser.’” (Reported by Bukhari)

3- Generosity is nobility in the present life and honor in the hereafter. It gives a good reputation to the generous person and a positive image among people.

4- Generosity makes the person lovable by his family, neighbors, relatives and everybody.

Motivations of Generosity:
1- To realize that the wealth is Allah’s, as everybody and everything are owned to Almighty Allah, for He is the Creator of Heavens and Earth.

2- To trust Allah, be faithful and never fear of poverty if we spend in charity and Allah’s path.

3- To follow the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be upon Him) and the great Companions in spending their money to spread religion, feed the poor and build the Ummah (Islamic Nation).

4- To train ourselves on generosity and munificence at all times of the year, especially in the month of Ramadan, the two Eids (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha), and all occasions that require us to spend and help the poor, needy and afflicted.

5- To remember the great reward from Allah in the present life and the hereafter. Indeed, the consequences of generosity and expenditure are success and winning.

May Allah bless us all! May Allah make us of the generous people in word and deed! May Allah bless us with getting his mercy, satisfaction and forgiveness! Ameen.