Introduction
When we talk about generosity it is a virtuous trait that every Human should try to attain especially as Muslims. Because generosity was among the countless good qualities of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Generosity is showing kindness and giving out or reaching out to others with what Allah has blessed you with. Once people hear of the word generosity they automatically think it about giving out money, but the truth is generosity encompasses much more than that and it comes in different forms.
Generosity is not a one-time act, it should be a part of your lifestyle, a daily habit, a way of life. And the ways to achieve and enjoying the sweetness of generosity are just so limitless! It could be with your wealth, time, advice, expertise, or even your smile. It is just about sharing what we have with others with a big heart!
Generosity With Wealth
When we look at the first type of generosity which is the generosity we do with our wealth. It includes Zakah and Sadaqah (charity). Giving out from your wealth is immensely encouraged in our beautiful religion, so much that zakaah is one of the five pillars of Islam. And sadaqah is also encouraged even though it is not obligatory.
Sadaqa is more of what you can give without any specific limits or guidelines. When you look at the concept of charity alone in Islam it is so beautiful, motivating, and encouraging.
Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi wasallam said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.”
[Sahih Muslim]
This is one of the benefits of generosity when you do it with your wealth. Whatever you give out for the sake of Allah will never decrease your wealth in the slightest. Rather, it will bless your wealth, purify it, and increase it because it is a lifetime investment.
“The example of those who spend in the way of Allah is just like a grain that produced seven spikes, each spike having a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (the reward) for whom He wills. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.”
[Surah al-Baqara : Verse 261]
This verse portrays the infinite reward from Allah Azza Wa Jal for those who spend for His sake. And in this ayah lies another benefit of generosity which is the immerse reward it comes with. The reward is so much that our brain cannot process, so how could we carelessly deprive ourselves of such a reward by putting a limit to our generosity?
Genorosity Without wealth
Abu dharr RA narrated that Rasulullulah Sallallahu Alaihi wasallam said: “Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.”
[Jami at-tirmidhi]
Subhanallah when you look at this hadith you will realize these are really simple deeds. They are only deeds that just require you to be mindful and be in the present. This also shows us that even the smallest of actions when performed with a pure intention is considered a form of charity, and it is very vital we make good use of this opportunity.
Generosity with Time
Many times we get caught up with things in life that keep us really busy. It could be due to our school, deadlines or our demanding jobs and careers. And this causes us to isolate ourselves from others in order for us to ‘focus’ on finishing the tasks on hand. In the process, we give our loved ones or those in need less attention.
Being generous with your time is a fundamental aspect of having healthy relationships. If we don’t even have the time to ask others “how was your day”, then how could we expect our relationships to remain prosperous?
Simple Example:
Being generous with your time could be something as simple as just walking into the mall saying well done to the cashier or the security man. It takes nothing from you. These individuals have had a long stressful day but that word from you could ease part of their stress. I don’t know how that works but I am saying it out of the experience. Because we went to a counter and the cashier looked so stressed out we were like Well-done ma, how is the work today? She let out a huge sigh of relief and smiled. She then said she has attended to more than 100 people none has said well-done so she is grateful.
All I am stressing here is that It is not always about money. Yes, it’s their job to attend to you but a kind word from you can go a long way for them. And remember putting a smile on the face of a human is a charity.
Generosity with Advice
It is narrated on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “None amongst you truly believes (truly) until he loves for his brother” – or he said “for his neighbor” – “that which he loves for himself.”
[Sahih Muslim]
So, if a friend or someone you meet is going through certain difficulties, your main concern should be to see the smile on their faces by relieving them from their stress or worries. Give them hope and guide them through their difficulty. Just giving them a listening ear could go along way for them. Because most of the time they just need a listening ear, not your judgment. If you have free time also volunteer for community development or start your own movement.
More Benefits of Generosity
- You feel the Nur(light) and barakah(blessing) in your life and dealing.
- It removes obstacles in your life.
- Allah SWT also promises Jannah for generous people.
- It increases your provision and sustenance from Allah Azza Wa Jal.
- It can also be a protection for you from hellfire.
Generous people have specific places in Islam. And the more generous a person is, the closer he gets to Allah SWT.
Rasullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “protect yourself from hellfire even by giving a piece of a date as charity.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Conclusion
Never be afraid to go broke when being generous. No generous man will ever go broke or bankrupt because he helps other people. There are many other benefits and some you will discover only when you engage in the act of generosity. And without a doubt, the most generous of people to ever walk on earth is the Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam and the companions. They are our role models because they were generous even in times of hardship and never did they do it for publicity. It was solely for the sake of Allah. We have to revive this aspect of our Islamic identity. So, let’s get into the ‘art of giving’ and make it a habit to put a smile on a person’s face, every day!
If you need to find ease from your difficulty read this article I wrote about: Knowing and falling in love with Allah.