Generosity
is defined as "all praiseworthy acts of goodness, honor, munificence,
giving, and spending," and it is a common value in many cultures.
A generous
person is characterized by kindness, tolerance, compassionate behavior, and
concern for others. The benefits of generosity are not limited to the generous
person alone but extend to those who receive it. Generosity leads to the
release of neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of tranquility and
relaxation in those who practice it.
The
Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, was asked, “Who is the
most honorable of people?” He said, “The one who is most God-fearing.” They
said, “We are not asking you about this.” He said, “Then the most honorable of
people is Joseph, the Prophet of God, the son of the Prophet of God, the son of
the Prophet of God, and the son of the Friend of God.” They said, “We are not
asking you about this.” He said, “Are you asking me about the origins of the
Arabs? People are like mines; the best of them in pre-Islamic times are the
best of them in Islam, if they understand the religion.” (Narrated by Abu
Hurairah; Source: Sahih al-Bukhari).
Generosity
has several forms, including: Generosity towards God: A Muslim is generous
towards God by performing acts of worship and obedience, knowing God truly,
doing all that He has commanded, and refraining from all that He has forbidden.
Generosity towards the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): This is
achieved by emulating his Sunnah, following his path, adhering to his guidance,
and showing him reverence. Generosity towards oneself: A person does not demean
or humiliate themselves or expose themselves to slander or idle talk.
In the
Quran, God describes the servants of the Most Merciful as generous in His
words, "And those who do not witness falsehood, and if they pass by some
evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity." (Surat Al-Furqan:
72). He praises generosity and its people in the words: “Has the story reached
you of the honored guests [three angels; Jibrael (Gabriel) along with another
two] of Ibrahim (Abraham)? 24 When they came in to him and said,
"Salam (peace be upon you)!" He answered, "Salam (peace be upon
you)," and said, "You are a people unknown to me." Then he
turned to his household and brought out a roasted calf [as the property of
Ibrahim (Abraham) was mainly cows]. (Surat Adh-Dhariyat: 24-26) The example is
given to multiply the reward for those who spend in His cause and seek His
pleasure at all times, whether night or day, and in all circumstances, secretly
or openly, in the Almighty’s saying: “The likeness of those who spend their
wealth in the Way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows
seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to
whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs,
All-Knower.” (Surat Al-Baqarah: 261). And in His saying: “Those who spend their
wealth (in Allah's Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall
have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they
grieve.” (Surat Al-Baqarah: 274).
The
Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) urged Muslims to honor
their wives and children by treating them well and by spending on them, as he
said, “A dinar you spend in the cause of Allah, a dinar you spend to free a
slave, a dinar you give in charity to a poor person, and a dinar you spend on
your family—the one that brings the greatest reward is the one you spend on
your family.” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah; Source: Sahih Muslim). The Messenger
of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also said, “If a Muslim spends on
his family while intending it as an act of worship (i.e., intending it purely
for the sake of Allah), it will be considered charity for him.” (Narrated by
Abu Masoud Al-Ansari; Source: Agreed upon). Likewise, the Messenger of God
encouraged generosity towards relatives in his saying: “Charity given to a poor
person is one act of charity, but charity given to a relative is two acts of
charity and maintaining kinship ties” (Narrated by Salman bin Amer Al-Dhabi;
Source: Ibn Majah); and generosity towards guests: The Prophet, may God bless
him and grant him peace, said, “Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should
speak good or remain silent. Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should
honor his neighbor. Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should honor his
guest” (Narrated by Abu Hurairah; Source: Sahih Muslim). Generosity towards
people is emphasized in the hadith: “Do not belittle any good deed, even if it
is just greeting your brother with a cheerful face” (Narrated by Abu Dharr
al-Ghifari; Source: Sahih al-Jami’). This hadith clarifies that a Muslim’s
smile towards his fellow Muslim is an act of charity. Frowning and scowling are
not characteristics of a Muslim, and they are ways to avoid receiving charity.
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