The Holy Prophet (sa) frequently directed his followers to embrace generosity, setting a personal example throughout his life. He taught that God is the Most Generous, and among mankind, he himself was the most generous. This commitment to giving was a constant theme, noted by his actions and teachings.
Hazrat Umm Salamah (ra) once noticed a change in the Holy Prophet’s (sa) complexion, leading her to believe he was feeling unwell. His disposition, however, was often connected to his deep reflections on divine attributes and his desire to embody them. The Holy Prophet (sa) continuously emphasized that believers should strive to emulate this generous spirit in their daily lives. His own conduct served as the primary model for this principle, showing the importance of giving.
Teachings on Generosity
The Holy Qur’an emphasizes the importance of giving, stating in chapter 2, verse 275, that "Those who spend their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord; on them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve.” Another verse, chapter 51, verse 20, notes a communal responsibility: “And in their wealth was a share for one who asked for help and for one who could not.” The Holy Prophet (sa) frequently prayed to be safeguarded from becoming miserly, lazy, experiencing the worst of life, and from the torment of the grave, as well as from the trials of this life and death.
The Holy Prophet (sa) advised believers to maintain an open approach to their finances, cautioning them never to keep their money pouch closed, implying that otherwise wealth would be withheld. He also recommended against meticulously counting every penny when giving in charity, suggesting that if they did, God would similarly be precise when bestowing wealth upon them. According to Islamic teachings, a generous person is considered close to Allah, close to heaven, close to people, and distant from the fire. Conversely, as His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba), has stated, "A person who is miserly is distant from Allah, distant from heaven, distant from the people and near the fire."
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba), further elaborated on this principle, saying, "An ignorant person who gives charity is dearer to Allah than a miserly person who worships." These teachings also indicate that an individual who deceives, a miserly person, and one who constantly reminds others of their favors will not enter paradise. A believer is characterized as simple in nature and generous, while a sinner is described as deceptive and impure. The best wealth one possesses is that which is spent and given as charity to others, as this is the wealth that is believed to be multiplied in the hereafter. It is permissible to envy only two types of people: those whom God has granted wealth and the ability to spend it openly in charity, and those who have been given wisdom and utilize it to make decisions and direct their actions.
Exemplary Acts of Giving
The Holy Prophet (sa) advised that individuals should utilize their wealth to fulfill their immediate needs, with any surplus being directed towards charity. He taught that one's personal wealth is not the ultimate measure of fortune; rather, the best wealth is that which is spent for the benefit of others. On one occasion, the Holy Prophet (sa) observed a heap of dates before Bilal (ra) and inquired whether he feared that the heat of hellfire might encompass such an accumulation of wealth. He subsequently advised Bilal (ra) to continue spending his wealth without apprehension of poverty or hunger, emphasizing that God is always present to provide.
Hazrat Khadijah (ra) attested to the Holy Prophet’s (sa) character, noting that even upon receiving his first revelation, he consistently aided the poor and those experiencing hardship. Islamic teachings state that a believer cannot possess both miserliness and immorality. Faith and miserliness are considered incompatible qualities that cannot coexist within a single individual. Daily, two angels are said to descend, with one praying for a reward to be granted to those who spend in charity, while the other prays for the wealth of a miserly person to be diminished.
The Holy Prophet’s (sa) generosity was particularly noted during the month of Ramadan, described as being like a swift wind, as he would spend in charity whatever he possessed. It is also related that if the Holy Prophet (sa) were to possess a mountain of gold, he would distribute it entirely in charity. He reportedly did not desire to retain a mountain of gold for himself, expressing a wish that, within three days of acquiring such an amount, not a single penny would remain that he had not spent in charity, apart from any outstanding loans he was obliged to repay. In one instance, an individual approached the Holy Prophet (sa) and requested all the sheep located between two mountains. The Holy Prophet (sa) promptly granted the man this request, demonstrating his readiness to give generously.
Impact and Spiritual Significance
The Holy Prophet (sa) was reportedly bothered when seven dinars came into his possession and a night passed without him spending them in charity, having forgotten about the wealth. On another occasion, after completing prayer, he rushed to one of his wives' homes because he had received some gold and wished to distribute it immediately, instructing for the wealth to be given as charity to prevent it from becoming a distraction.
The Holy Prophet (sa) received the most wealth he ever acquired from Bahrain. During its distribution, Hazrat Abbas (ra) began loading heaps of gold into his clothes, but was ultimately unable to carry it all. The Holy Prophet (sa) taught his companions the importance of being reasonable and balanced in such matters. He reportedly never refused anyone who requested something from him.
"A companion saw it and asked the Holy Prophet(sa) to grant it to him," His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) stated, referring to an instance when the Holy Prophet (sa) was gifted and wore a piece of cloth as a shirt. The Holy Prophet (sa) then went into his home, removed the cloak, folded it, and sent it to the companion. The companion later clarified that he had requested it so he might be shrouded in it at the time of his death.
In another instance, the Holy Prophet (sa) received seventy thousand dirhams, distributing it entirely to all who asked, leaving no dirhams for himself. He once bought a shirt for four dirhams, wore it, and then gave it to a companion who requested it. He then bought another shirt for four dirhams, retaining two dirhams. A female slave was reportedly crying after losing two dirhams given to her to buy flour for the home.
Transformative Encounters
The Holy Prophet (sa) gave the remaining two dirhams he had to the woman, then accompanied the female slave to her home. The ten dirhams the Holy Prophet (sa) had were considered extremely blessed, as they clothed the Messenger of Allah (sa), a companion, and freed a female slave.
Separately, a man approached the Holy Prophet (sa) to request assistance for a group of Muslims facing hardship due to drought. A nearby Jewish man then asked the Holy Prophet (sa) about a potential future transaction for dates. The Jewish man provided some gold as an initial payment, which the Holy Prophet (sa) immediately gave to the man seeking help, instructing him to distribute it evenly among the needy. The Jewish man angrily stated that the Banu Abdil Muttalib were known for not fulfilling business deals or paying loans. The Holy Prophet (sa) remained calm and smiled despite the Jewish man's anger. He instructed Hazrat Umar (ra) to give the man what was owed and an additional amount due to the anger displayed.
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba), stated, "The Jewish man said that when he initially met the Holy Prophet(sa), he recognised in him the various qualities of a prophet; however, there were two qualities he could not immediately discern, so he wished to put them to the test." The Jewish man sought to determine if the Holy Prophet’s (sa) kindness outweighed his anger and if he showed compassion even when met with ignorance. Upon witnessing these qualities, the Jewish man found them to be true and subsequently accepted Islam.
Lessons for Today
The moral standards demonstrated by the Holy Prophet (sa) led a Jewish scholar to accept Islam. This scholar, whose identity is not specified, subsequently donated half of his wealth for the sake of Islam.
