One of the qualities of human
nature embedded in Islam is generosity. The need to be generous towards family,
friends, neighbours, strangers and even enemies, is mentioned repeatedly
throughout the Quran and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad. There is
no better time to talk about generosity then in the Islamic month of Ramadan.
These are the last days of Ramadan 2009 for Muslims across the globe.
Consequently, Muslims are examining their lives and asking themselves if their
day-to-day actions are pleasing to their Creator. The intense, devotion of
Ramadan has caused the believers to examine their hearts and minds.
Well known as a month of fasting, those new to Islam have discovered that
Ramadan is also a month of charity and kindness. The fasting days and
prayer-filled nights have softened hearts and created ripples of compassion and
generosity. This month of devotion arrived quickly, settled softly, and God’s
blessings, mercy, and forgiveness descended. Ramadan’s blessings have welled
into a river of generosity.
“The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so
in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel (angel) visited him, and Gabriel used to
meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used
to recite the Quran to Gabriel, and when Gabriel met him, he used to be more
generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
Throughout the 29/30 days of fasting, Muslims give generously. They reach into
their pockets and wallets to give to charities, and those in need, both openly,
and secretly. However, charity in Islam is not only giving money. It is any act
of kindness or generosity given with an open heart and a desire to please God.
Charity is something as simple as a smile or as grand a gesture as building a
school or a hospital; charity is also every kind or generous act in between.
Muslims are encouraged to be generous at all times, however Ramadan serves as a
reminder. When the worries of the world and the trials of life are overwhelming
frail human beings tend to forget that God has provided blessings too numerous
to count. Ramadan reminds us that these blessings are not meant to be clutched
to the chest or hoarded away. God expects us to be generous and spend out of
what He has provided.
God is Al Kareem, the most generous. Everything originates from Him and
everything will eventually return to Him, it therefore makes sense to consider
our possessions and wealth trusts. We are obligated to preserve, protect, and
ultimately share whatever we have been provided with.
“Say: “Truly, my Lord enlarges the provision for whom He wills of His slaves,
and also restricts it) for him, and whatsoever you spend of anything (in God’s
Cause), He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers.” (Quran 34:39)
Throughout Ramadan Muslims look to the examples of Prophet Muhammad and his
companions and contemplate the true meaning of generosity. It does not mean to
give away something that you no longer require. It means to give of those things
that you love and desire or in many cases even need.
Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) said, “A lady, along with her two daughters came
to me asking for some alms, but she found nothing with me except one date which
I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
The men and women around Prophet Muhammad understood the true value of
generosity. They recognized that kind and generous acts are an investment in the
future. Our good deeds, thoughtful words, and acts of random kindness will be
rewarded abundantly in the hereafter. Whatever money we spend for the sake of
pleasing God will be returned to us many times over. Whatever possessions we
give freely, will be replaced, if not in this life, in the paradise of the
hereafter.
While generosity is a rewardable act at any time of the year, during Ramadan our
good deeds and acts of kindness and generosity will be rewarded many times over.
It is a month of mercy, when God allows us to reap rewards that far outweigh any
sins we may have accumulated throughout the year. Ramadan is a month filled with
reminders of God’s generosity, kindness, and forgiveness. God forgives the
faults and sins of humankind even though they may be as numerous as the foam on
the sea,[1] and His forgiveness and mercy are not restricted to Ramadan.
However, this month, the month that contains a day better than 1000 months
(Quran 97:1-5) is sign of God’s love for humankind. Ramadan is chance to set
aside 30 days for special devotion and generosity. The fasting of Ramadan
reminds the believers that the world is filled with people who are unable to
find enough food or drink for their needs. Ramadan is a chance for the believers
to be generous with their time, their wealth, and their possessions.
Generosity and random acts of kindness truly make the heart happy. Any one, who
has given from their wealth or possessions with a clear pure heart, wanting only
to please God, knows just how joyful these acts can be. However, what of those
who have not even one dollar to spare? God’s generosity knows no bounds
therefore even in the direst circumstances human beings are able to be generous.
The people came to the Prophet Muhammad and asked, “If someone has nothing to
give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit
himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further
asked, “If he cannot find even that?” He replied, “He should help the needy who
appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied,
“Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will
be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
Ramadan is known as the month of fasting, Ramadan is a gift from God, a
manifestation of His mercy and reminder of human kind’s inherent goodness.
Ramadan is the month of charity and generosity.