EsinIslam
Ramadan
Ramadan Explorer
Description: Generosity in Ramadan
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]
«كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود الناس ، وكان أجود ما
يكون في رمضان حين يلقاه جبريل ، وكان يلقاه في كل ليلة من رمضان فيدارسه القرآن
، فلرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أجود بالخير من الريح المرسلة» البخاري
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]
{قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّي يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَقْدِرُ
لَهُ ۚ وَمَا أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ
الرَّازِقِينَ} [سبأ:٣٩]
Transliteration: Qul
'Inna Rabbī Yabsuţu Ar-Rizqa Liman Yashā'u Min Ibādihi Wa Yaqdiru Lahu Wa Mā 'Anfaqtum
Min Shay'in Fahuwa Yukhlifuhu Wa Huwa Khayru Ar-Rāziqīna
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]
«جاءتني امرأة معها ابنتان تسألني، فلم تجد عندي غير تمرة
واحدة، فأعطيتها فقسمتها بين ابنتيها» البخاري
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]
«على كل مسلم صدقة. فقالوا: يا نبي الله، فمن لم يجد؟ قال:
يعمل بيده، فينفع نفسه ويتصدق. قالوا: فإن لم يجد؟ قال: يعين ذا الحاجة الملهوف.
قالوا: فإن لم يجد؟ قال: فليعمل بالمعروف، وليمسك عن الشر، فإنها له صدقة»
البخاري
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.
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Footnotes:
[1] Saheeh Bukhari
By Aisha Stacey
IslamReligion.com
EsinIslam
Ramadan
Team
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EsinIslam.Com
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