Excellence of Generosity and Spending in a Good cause with Reliance on Allaah
Allaah, The Exalted says:
“And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allaah's Cause), He will replace it.” (34:39)
“And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allaah's Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.” (2:272)
“And whatever you spend in good, surely Allaah knows it well.”(2:273)
Ibn Mas′ud (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) asked, “Who of you loves the wealth of his heir more than his own wealth?” The Companions said: “O Messenger of Allaah! There is none of us but loves his own wealth more.” He (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “His wealth is that which he has sent forward, but that which he retains belongs to his heir.” [Al-Bukhaaree].
Commentary: This Hadeeth spotlights in a wise fashion the significance and perception of spending in the way of Allaah. The real wealth of man is that which he spends in His way and the channels He approves. Only this wealth will stand him in good stead on the Day of Resurrection. Otherwise, what apart from it, will be personally used up by him in the worldly life, and what he leaves behind will fall to the lot of his heirs. It implies that if Allaah has bestowed worldly riches upon a man, he should spend them to the maximum in the way to Allaah.
′Adi bin Hatim (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “Protect yourself from Hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.”[Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadeeth has already been mentioned previously. It tells us that, according to one's resource capacity, one can win the pleasure of Allaah even by spending a small quantity of wealth in His way.
Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “Everyday two angels descend and one of them says, ′O Allaah! Compensate (more) to the person who gives (in charity)'; while the other one says, ′O Allaah! Destroy the one who withholds (charity, etc)”.[Al-Bukhaaree]
Commentary: The spending for which there is good news of Divine blessing may be said as expenses on household and guests, etc., as well as voluntary and obligatory charity. And the miserliness which incurs imprecation is restraining from paying Zakaah, giving sadaqah (alms) and not spending on what is commendable. Destruction may imply the destruction of wealth or that of the miser himself. Only Allaah knows better!
Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “Allaah, the Exalted, says, ′Spend, O son of Adam, you will also be spent upon.”[Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Commentary: According to the Hadeeth, one who spends in the way of Allaah, will be duly paid. It means that Allaah will enhance the provision of such a man and grant him the best recompense.
′Abdullaah bin ′Amr bin Al-′Aas (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam), “Which act in Islam is the best?” He (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) replied, “To feed (the poor and the needy) and to greet those whom you know and those you do not know.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Commentary: The provision of food to somebody may signify almsgiving or offering or an act of hospitality. It may also be interpreted as meeting the want of a needy person: If he is hungry, he should be fed; if he lacks clothes, the same should be given to him; if he is sick, medicine should be provided to him; and if he is under debt, he should be helped to pay off his debt, and so on. As for greeting (saying ′As-Salaamu ′alaykum'), it is meant to be popularized because it brings hearts closer to each other and is an antidote to hatred and hostility.
Abu Umaamah (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “O son of Adam, if you spend the surplus, it will be better for you; and if you retain it, it will be bad for you. You will not be reprimanded for keeping what is enough for your need. Begin with those who are your dependents, and the upper hand (i.e., the one that spends in the way of Allaah) is better than the lower hand (i.e., the one that receives charity.)” [Muslim]
Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “Wealth is not diminished by giving (in charity). Allaah augments the honour of one who forgives; and one who displays humbleness towards another seeking the pleasure of Allaah, Allaah exalts him in ranks.” [Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadeeth has described three facts. First, Sadaqah does not diminish wealth because Allaah blesses the rest of it and thus recompenses it. Besides, the loss of wealth of the almsgiver will certainly be rewarded on the Day of Resurrection. Second, man thinks that a conciliatory or forgiving attitude will weaken his position in the eyes of others. He erroneously takes it as his disparagement and insult. However, this Hadeeth reveals the reality that by this way, Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta′aala) raises his image and he is not belittled at all, because a forgiving gesture will enhance his esteem in the hearts of people, and in the Hereafter, Divine reward for it will definitely lead to his elevation. Third, if somebody displays affability and humbleness in his behaviour, Allaah (Subhaanahu wa Ta′aala) will project his prestige and dignity into the hearts of others or bless him in the Hereafter.
Abu Kabshah ′Amr bin Sa′d (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “I swear by Allaah for three (qualities) which I am going to tell you about. Remember them well:
He (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) also said, “Remember well what I am going to tell you: The world is for four kinds of people. (1) One upon whom Allaah has bestowed wealth and knowledge and so he fears his Rabb in respect to them, joins the ties of blood relationship and acknowledges the Rights of Allaah on him (and fulfills them); this type will have the best position (in Jannah). (2) One upon whom Allaah has conferred knowledge but no wealth, and he is sincere in his intention and says: ′Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so.' If that is his intention, his reward is the same as that of the other. (3) One whom Allaah has given wealth but no knowledge and he squanders his wealth ignorantly, does not fear Allaah in respect to it, does not discharge the obligations of kinship and does not acknowledge the Rights of Allaah. Such a person will be in the worst position (in the Hereafter). (4) One upon whom Allaah has bestowed neither wealth nor knowledge and he says: ′Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so (i.e., he would squander his wealth).' If this is his intention, both will have equal sin.” [At-Tirmidhee]
Commentary: This Hadeeth highlights the following points:
- Those who forgive people and pardon them will be granted honour and elevation both in this life and in the Hereafter.
- Those who have sufficient means to live on and still beg of people out of greed, will be afflicted with poverty.
- The Hadeeth also urges us to acquire religious knowledge, and also the practise of this knowledge along with the intention to please Allaah Alone.
- The Hadeeth also criticizes ignorance of religious teachings and ignorant people, for ignorance can easily lead one to commit forbidden acts.
′Aaishah (radhiyaAllaahu anha) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) had slaughtered a sheep and distributed major portions of its meat. Then he (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) asked, “Is there anything left?” She replied, “Nothing, except the shoulder.” Thereupon he said, “All of it is left except its shoulder.” [At-Tirmidhee]
Commentary: This Hadeeth reveals a truth to man that he should not eat up anything and everything all alone, rather in this regard he is supposed to take the maximum care for the distribution of alms and charity so that it may stand him in good stead in the Hereafter. What one has given in charity will by no means be wasted, for he will doubtlessly find its reward with Allaah on the Day of Resurrection.
′Asmaa' bint Abee Bakr (radhiyallaahu ′anhum) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said to me, “Do not hoard; otherwise, Allaah will withhold from you.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
′Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: I heard Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) saying: “The case of a miserly man and a generous man who gives in charity is similar to that of two persons who are clad in armour from their breasts up to their collar bones. When the generous man gives in charity, his armour expands so much as to cover his fingertips and toes. When the miser intends to spend something the armour contracts and every ring of it sticks to the place where it is (sinks into his flesh). He tries to loosen it but it does not expand.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Commentary: The Hadeeth metaphorically highlights the significance of giving in charity, saying it covers up a man's sins in such way as a full coat of mail, reaching his feet, conceals his whole body. Aside from it, there is a good news for the almsgiver that his wealth will receive Divine blessing and he will be safe from trials and tribulations. Whereas a miser faces a warning that his sins and defects will be made known to people and not concealed from them, and he will remain the target of miseries. We are further told that when a generous man intends to give charity, his chest expands for it and he happily gives vent to his generosity. On the other hand, when a niggardly(miserly) man intends to spend money in charity, his chest contracts and he withholds his giving hand. To conclude, this Hadeeth brings good news to generous people, and a warning to misers.
Abu Hurayrah (radhiyallaahu ′anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ′alayhi wasallam) said, “He who gives in charity the value of a date which he legally earned, and Allaah accepts only that which is pure, Allaah accepts it with His Right Hand and fosters it for him, as one of you fosters his mare, until it becomes like a mountain.” [Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
Commentary: Here is an Attribute of Allaah, His Hand, has been mentioned. We are supposed to believe in it without interpretation or comparison; that is to say that Allaah has Hands as befit His Glory. We cannot compare his essential attributes to anything, nor can we describe them. It is evident from this Hadeeth that Allaah increases the reward of charity which is given from lawfully-earned money until it becomes like a mountain in greatness.
