Generosity in Islam is a spiritual treasure
which our Creator – Allah – has placed as a light in the life of the believers.
It is not only a moral quality; it is an obligation which forms an integral
part of faith. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says concerning the Holy Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh): “And indeed, you (Muhammad) are
of a great moral character.” (Al-Qalam 68: 5).
This verse clearly shows that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was a perfect model of nobility, kindness and generosity. In a Hadith reported by Tirmidhi, he recommended people to always show beautiful qualities and good behaviour; and he himself embodied this in his daily life.
Generosity, that is, the act of giving
sincerely without expecting anything in return, was one of the greatest
qualities of our Beloved Prophet (pbuh). He was generous at every moment of his
life; but during the sacred month of Ramadan, his generosity was even more
visible and radiant.
In Sahih Al-Bukhari, it is mentioned that the
Holy Prophet (pbuh), after performing one of his prayers in the Mosque, went
out quickly to return home; he came back almost immediately. When a companion
asked him why he had hurried like that, he replied: “I had left with me a
piece of gold which I had received as charity; I did not like that it should
remain with me all night; so I brought it to the Mosque to give to the poor.”
This shows that his heart could not bear to
keep wealth – especially something given in charity – without using it to
relieve the suffering of those in need.
In Islam, all wealth belongs to Allah, Who
Himself is “Al-Karim” – the Most Generous. What a person possesses is in
truth a loan that Allah has given him; and he must use it with discernment,
protect it, and share a part of it with those in need.
Ibn Abbas (ra) reported that the Holy Prophet
(pbuh) said: “A believer is not one who eats to his fill while his neighbour
suffers from hunger.” (Al-Adab Al-Mufrad)
This shows that generosity is not just an
outward act, but a reflection of humility and sincerity in the heart. It shows
that Saying and Doing are two different things. When a person makes the
intention to spend in charity or to give in the way of Allah, then he must do
it with an open heart. And as a believer, he reassures himself that just as he
eats to his fill, his neighbour also eats and does not suffer any difficulty.
Generosity, or Sadaqa (charity or
spending for the pleasure of Allah), leaves a mark in the life of a believer
and shows the path to Paradise. Islam has placed charity as a fundamental
pillar; Zakat, which is not exactly charity but a tax to purify wealth and the
soul of a believer, is obligatory to pay every year. But there is also Sadaqa,
which is voluntary charity. Everything that a person gives with the sincere
intention to please Allah is considered Sadaqa. Even a smile, even
helping an old person to carry his/ her bags, even removing an obstacle from
the road so that people do not fall, all this counts as Sadaqa.
In a Hadith, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Every
good action is charity.” (Muslim). This shows that generosity is not
limited to money, but encompasses every act of kindness.
Hazrat Aisha (ra), our spiritual mother,
reported a touching scene: Once a woman, accompanied by her two little
daughters, came to ask for alms; she had nothing to give her except one single
date. That woman took the date, broke it in two, and gave each half to her two
daughters.
This anecdote shows that generosity does not
depend on quantity, but depends on the sincerity of the heart. Allah says in
the Holy Qur’an: “Whatever you give in charity
with sincerity, Allah will replace it; and He knows very well what is in the
heart of man.” (Saba 34: 40).
The companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
understood very well the value of generosity. Abdullah Ibn Umar (ra) once
received 4000 dirhams and a blanket; but before that day ended, he had
distributed all the money among the poor, and even that blanket he gave to
someone in need on the road.
This shows that the companions did not keep
wealth for themselves, but considered it as a means to draw closer to Allah.
Uthman Ibn Affan (ra), during a period of drought, refused to sell his caravan
full of goods to the merchants; he said that he preferred to give it all to the
poor in Madina, because he expected his reward from Allah, and that reward is
worth more than all the money and wealth of this world.
Even in difficult circumstances, a true believer
remains generous. In a Hadith reported by Abu Burda (ra) in Bukhari, he said
that his father heard from his father (Abu Burda’s grandfather) that Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) said: “All Muslims must give charity.” Then people asked
the Prophet (pbuh): “If a person has nothing to give, what should he do?”
He (pbuh) replied: “He should work with his hands, earn profit (and benefit
himself), and give in charity.” They asked: “And if he cannot?” He
(pbuh) said: “Then he should help the poor who ask for help.” They asked
again: “And if he cannot even do that?” He (pbuh) said: “Then he
should stay away from evil actions, and that will be considered charity.”
This shows that generosity is not only in
money, but in every sincere effort to do good.
Allah, in His infinite wisdom, provides for the
needs of all people; but He wishes that believers also develop generosity to
relieve the suffering of the poor. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says: “Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, it is
like a grain which produces seven ears; in each ear there are a hundred grains.
Allah multiplies for whom He wills; and Allah is vast and all-knowing.”
(Al-Baqara 2: 262)
This verse shows that every act of sincere
generosity is multiplied by Allah, and its reward is immense.
Verily, generosity is an investment for the
future, our eternal future. It not only relieves suffering in the world, but
opens the path to Paradise. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Charity
extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire.” (Tirmidhi)
This shows that generosity purifies the heart,
removes arrogance, and brings a person closer to Allah. But it is important to
understand that generosity does not mean giving only things without value, or
things you do not like, but it means also giving what has value, what you
yourself love, what is important in your life, even if it is difficult to part
with it.
In modern life, generosity remains a necessity.
Many people suffer from poverty, illness, and loneliness. Thus, a smile, a kind
word, a helping hand – all this counts as Sadaqa. Islam has taught that
even a small act of goodness has great value with Allah. Allah says: “They give food, despite their own need, to the poor, the
orphan and the prisoner, and they say: We give this for the pleasure of Allah;
we do not expect reward or thanks from you.” (Al-Insan, 76: 9-10)
This verse shows that true generosity is giving
without expecting anything in return, only for the pleasure of Allah.
Generosity is also a means to unite society.
When the rich help the poor, when the strong help the weak, when those who have
knowledge share it with those who do not, society gains stability, peace, and
harmony. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever relieves the suffering of a
believer in this world, Allah will relieve him in the Hereafter.” (Muslim)
This shows that generosity is not only a social
act, but a spiritual act with eternal consequences.
Therefore, I advise you all to be generous, and
I advise you to pay particular attention to increasing the funds of the Jamaat
so that the work which Allah has placed upon our shoulders can be accomplished.
Think well that every sacrifice you make in the way of Allah is not a sacrifice
in vain. Whether it is your spending for your families, the poor in your
neighbourhoods, but do not forget also your contributions in the way of Allah,
for the progress of Islam in the world. Remember well that generosity in Islam
is a light which illuminates the life of a believer; it is a key to gain the
pleasure of Allah; it is a means to purify your heart and gain access to
Paradise.
May Allah accept you as sincere and generous
people, who spend in His way with the hope that He is pleased with you and
grants you His love, His grace and His mercy. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 16 January 2026~ 26 Rajab 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.