A Month of Blessings |
Description: Generosity in Ramadan. By Aisha Stacey (© 2009 IslamReligion.com)Published on 14 Sep 2009 - Last modified on 30 Jun 2013 Viewed: 7148 (daily average: 5) - Rating: Printed: 282 - Emailed: 16 - Commented on: 0 - Rated by: 12 Category: Articles > Worship and Practice > The Five Pillars of Islam and Other Acts of Worship |
One of
the qualities of human nature that Islam encourages people to uphold is
generosity. The need to be generous towards family, friends, neighbors,
strangers and even enemies, is mentioned repeatedly throughout the Quran and the
authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him. 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, may God
praise him, 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 spreads rain and other blessings).”
(Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
Throughout the 29/30 days of
fasting, Muslims give generously. They reach deep into their pockets and give
to charities, and those in need, both openly, and secretly. However, charity in
Islam is not only by 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 as
trusts. We are obligated to preserve, protect, and ultimately share whatever we
have been provided with.
“Say: “Truly, my Lord blesses 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, may God praise him, 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 Hereafter.
While generosity is a virtuous
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 froth of 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 spent in worship (Quran 97:1-5)
is sign of God’s love for humankind. Ramadan is a time when believers 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 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, may God praise him, 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.
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