Ramadan – The Month of Kindness and Generosity

Generosity is a characteristic of the Muslim, and kindness is his disposition. The Muslim should not be miserly and stingy, for these are two bad traits whose presence spoils the soul and darkens the heart. The Muslim's faith and righteous deeds purify and radiate his heart, so being stingy and miserly negates the purity of the soul, and the light of the heart. So a Muslim is not miserly or stingy. Stinginess is a disease of the heart that no human being is safe from except for the Muslim, who has strong faith and does righteous deeds. For such a person, Allah protects his heart from this disease.

Allah says: "Verily man was created very impatient; irritable (discontented) when evil touches him. And stingy when good touches him. Except those who are devoted to prayers. Those who remain constant in their prayers; and those in whose wealth there is a recognized right. For the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth (and his means of living has been straitened) ." (70:19-25) Also: Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them ." (9:103) "And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful." (59:9)

Since noble characteristics are acquired through different types of exercise and training, the Muslim works to develop virtuous traits according to what Allah encourages and warns against. Allah tells us that nurturing generosity in your soul will keep your heart on the right track: "And spend (in charity) of that with which We have provided you before death comes to one of you, and he says: 'My Lord! If only You would give me respite for a little while (i.e. return to the worldly life), then I should give Zakah of my wealth, and be among the righteous.' " (63:10) "As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him. And testifies to the Best. We will make smooth for him the path of ease (bliss or goodness). But he who is a greedy miser, and thinks himself self- sufficient. And belies to the Best. We will make smooth for him the path for evil. And what will his wealth avail him when he goes down (in destruction)? "(92:5-11).

Also Allah says: "And what is the matter with you that you spend not in the cause of Allah? And to Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth."(57:10) "And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged." (2:272)

The Prophet said: "Verily Allah is Generous and loves generosity. He loves noble character and He hates disgraceful behavior." (Recorded by At-Tabarani, Al-Bayhaqi, and A!-Hakim. Az-Zayn Al-'Iraqi said its chain is Sahih, see Al-Ihya' 3:239) "There should be no envy except it the case of two: A man whom Allah gives wealth, so he is able to spend it on the truth, and a man whom Allah gives wisdom so he judges and teaches with it. " (Related by al-Bukhari) Allah's Messenger (SAW), said: "Which of you loves the wealth of his heir more than his own wealth" The Companions said: "O Allah's Messenger! There is none of us but loves his own wealth more." He (SAW) said: "His wealth is that which he has sent forward, but that which he retains, belongs to his heir" (Al-Bukhari)

Ramadan is the best time to work on being more generous in fact the Prophet himself was most generous during this month: "Protect yourself from Hell-fire even with a piece of a date." (Al-Bukhari) "There is no day that dawns upon the servants but two angels descend during it. One of them says, 'O Allah! Give to the person who gives (in charity)'; while the other one says, 'O Allah'. Destroy the one who withholds (charity, etc.)." (Al- Bukhari) "Beware of stinginess! It was being stingy that destroyed those before you. It incited them to shed blood and make lawful what was prohibited for them." (Muslim)

Once Allah's Messenger (SAW) slaughtered a sheep and distributed major portions of its meat. Then he asked: "Is there anything left?" 'A'ishah replied, "Nothing, except the shank." Thereupon he (SAW) said: "All of it is left except the shank." Allah's Messenger (SAW); said: "If a person gives in charity the value of even a date out of his honest earnings - Allah accepts only that which is pure - Allah accepts it with His Right Hand and fosters it for him, as one of you fosters the colt, till it becomes like a mountain." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

When being generous there are certain things we need to keep in mind: 1. A person giving charity should not render it vain by reminders of his generosity or by injury. 2. The giver should be cheerful when asked and when giving. 3. He should spend without being stingy nor irresponsible. 4. Whether giving an abundance from his riches, or a small amount of one's meager means, one should give with complete satisfaction, a cheerful face and nice speech.

Examples of how the companions were generous: It is narrated that Mu'awiyah sent 180,000 dirhams to 'A'ishah. She started distributing it among the people, while in the evening she told her female-servant to bring her food to break her fast. She (servant) brought her bread and olive oil. She said to her ('A'ishah): "Had you allocated one dirham out of the amount that you gave in charity today, we could have bought meat for our breakfast." Aisha replied: "If you had reminded me, I would have done it."

It is narrated that 'Abdullah bin 'Amir purchased a house from Khalid bin 'Uqbah bin Mu'it in the market of Makkah for 70,000 dirhams At night, he heard weeping from the household of Khalid. When he inquired about that, he learned that they were crying because of their house. He called his servant and instructed him to convey to them the message that both the house that they sold and the dirhams that he paid were theirs.

It is narrated that when Allah's Messenger (SAW) prepared for the battle against the Romans, the Muslims were facing hardships and difficulties in terms of finance and arms for war Even the army of the Prophet (SAW) became known as "The Army of Difficulty." Thereupon, 'Uthman began donating 10,000 dinars, 300 camels, including their saddles and saddle blankets, and 50 horses. From this charity, half of the army was fully equipped.