MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com Magnanimity and Generosity During Ramaḍān In our religion, there are many comprehensive directives that have been prescribed in order for people to have harmony with one another and care for each other. These directives inculcate within people the desire to perform righteous deeds and extend kindness to others. There is a promise of immense reward for such deeds. One of those deeds is magnanimity and generosity. When discussing the topic of generosity during the month of generosity, there is no shortage of remarkable points that can be mentioned. How can there be when the big-heartedness of our magnanimous Prophet () was like the fair wind which continually blew with mercy that extended far and wide, and the peak of his generosity was during the month of Ramaḍān! Ibn ʿAbbas () states: ،‫ َ َوكا َن ِحب ِري ُل ـ َع ََّل َّن ِه ال َّسل َا ُم ـ َيلْ ََقّا ُه ِفي ُك ِل َلَّنَّ َل ٍة ِمن َرَمَ َضا َن‬،‫ ْل َقَّا ُه ِحب ِري ُل‬.‫ر َ ِسحَليِة َن» َي‬،‫لا َ ىوَلاص َاجْ َوجَُْدوَُدم ِاياَيلخَُكُب ِور ُ ِنم َِفنيا َل ِرَرمَِيحَضاالَّ َُمن‬،‫َف ُ«نََّكَاداَِنرُاسل ُنَّه ِباُّلْيَُّقهللراا َىلنص ََفاََّل َجْرَُوُسَدوُاللنَّاالَِّل ِهسهل‬ )‫(رواه النَّخاري‬ “The Messenger of Allāh () was the most generous of people, and he was more generous than ever in Ramaḍān when Jibrāʾīl () used to meet him. Every night in Ramaḍān, Jibrāʾīl () used to come to him and the Messenger of Allāh would read the Qur’ān to him. When he (Jibrāʾīl ()) came to him, the Messenger of Allāh () was more generous in giving charity than the blowing (nourishing) wind.” (Bukhārī) Commenting on the above-mentioned narration, Imām al-Nawawī () states: ‫َش ِرْيف‬ ‫َش َهّر‬ ‫َ ِول َأي ُه‬ ‫هللا ىلص َ ِويال َّس َلْ ِف‬ ‫الَّل ِه‬ ‫ِب َر ُ ُسو ِل‬ ‫اف ِ َنّ َداء‬ ‫َافْ َض ُل‬ ‫ال َأ َوا ِح ِر‬ ‫الَّ َعَّش ِر‬ ‫َوِفي‬ ‫َرَمَ َضا َن‬ ‫َش َّه ِر‬ ‫ِفي‬ ‫ُمس َت َحب‬ ‫« َفا َل َاصَحا ُب َنَّا َوال ُجْوُد َوال َأفْ َضا ُل‬ .»‫َفال َح َسَّ ََنّ ُة ِف َّن ِه َافْ َض ُل ِمن َعب ِرِه‬ 1

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com )‫(المج ُموع شرح المهَّدب‬ “Our scholars say that being generous and performing favours are highly recommended during the month of Ramaḍān, specifically during the last ten nights. By doing so, we emulate the example of the Prophet () as well as our predecessors. This month is honoured, and good deeds performed in this month are more blessed than they are at any other time.” (Al-Majmūʿ Sharḥ al- Muhaddhab) Imām al-Baghawī () in his renowned work Tafsīr al-Baghawī has mentioned the following in highlighting the magnanimity and generosity of the Prophet (): ،‫َقِ َّم َن ُض ُه‬ ‫ِالا‬ ‫هللا ىلص‬ ‫الَّل ِه‬ ‫َر ُ ُسو ِل‬ ‫ِعِ ّنَ َد‬ ‫َي ُكن‬ ‫َ َوَّلم‬ ‫ِدرعا‬ ‫تَسَّ َنَّك ِ َّس َّن َك‬ ُ ‫ِان‬ ‫الَّل ِه‬ ‫ َيا َر ُ ُسوَل‬:‫َفَ َ َّقا َل‬ ‫َص ِبي‬ ‫« َيي ََّنا َر ُ ُسوُل الَّل ِه هللا ىلص َفا ِعدا ِفنَّ َما َيي َن َاصَحا ِي ِه َا َيا ُه‬ ‫ا ِمي‬ ‫ َفِ َعَّا َد‬،‫َوف َنّا ا َح َر‬ ‫ِاَّلَنَّ َنَّا‬ ‫ َفِ ُعَّد‬.،»‫ا ِىملص َنداََسرُاه َعَ ٍبوَة َِرا َلَعي َقِ ّمََنَسا َ َعض ٍُةه َيََوَاْظ َ َّهعْ ُرَظاَكُهَدا‬:‫ََفَرَقَُّاُسَوُل ِلللَالََّّلض ِِهب ِهيلل‬ ‫َف َد َح َل‬ ُ ‫َفَ َقَّاَلب‬ ُ ،‫َع َلَّ َنّ َك‬ ‫ال ِذي‬ ‫ا ْل َقَّ ِمنَ َص‬ ‫تَ َّس َنَّك ِ َسّنَّ َك‬ ‫ا ِمي‬ :‫َل ُه‬ ‫ُفل‬ ،‫ا ِم ِه‬ ‫ِا َلي‬ )‫(يْ َّقسبرال َّنعوي‬ “One time while the Prophet () was seated with his companions, a boy came to the Prophet () and said: ‘O Messenger of Allāh, my mother asks of you a shirt.’ At that time, the Prophet of Allāh () had no shirt except for the one that was on his blessed body. He told the boy: ‘Come some other time when we have enough means to respond to what your mother is asking for.’ The boy went back home, and returned and said: ‘My mother says that you kindly give her the very shirt that you have on your blessed body.’ Hearing this, the Prophet () took the shirt off and gave it to him.” (Tafsīr al-Baghawī) Some of the definitions of generosity are: • The quality or fact of being plentiful or large. • The quality of being noble and kind. • The quality of being willing to share more than is usual or expected. • The freedom from pettiness in character and mind. From these definitions, we can conclude that generosity and magnanimity are not limited to giving money only. Rather, it is a much more comprehensive concept. Generosity, kindness, and magnanimity all go together and complement one another. They are noble words that apply to all that is praiseworthy, and to every kind of goodness, giving, and honorable conduct. It is for this very reason that some scholars have said: .»‫ وْلقْظ حامع ل َّم َعّاني السماح ِة وال َّند ِل وال ُنواِي ِل‬،‫«الكرُم اسم وافِع علي كل ايوا ِع الْقْضايل‬ )‫(مكارم الأحلاق‬ “Magnanimity is a term that covers every type of virtuous conduct, and it is a comprehensive word which includes all meanings of tolerance and giving.” (Makārim al-Akhlāq) 2

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com Nobility and magnanimity are comprehensive concepts. A person should be benevolent when dealing with one’s Lord. That comes about by having the correct beliefs, worshipping Allāh () in the best way, and being sincerely devoted to Him. A person should be magnanimous in dealing with Prophet Muḥammad (). That comes about by emulating, loving, and respecting him. A person should be considerate when dealing with oneself as well. That comes about by doing what preserves one’s dignity and brings one honour, and by keeping away from all that which can lead a person to disgrace, humiliation and embarrassment. Allāh () says about such people: ‫ﵸ ﵝال ُف ۡر َقان الآية ﵒﵗﵜ‬٧٢ ‫ﵹ َوِإ َذا َم ُّروا بِٱل َّل ۡغوِ َم ُّروا كِ َرا ٗما‬ “And, when they pass by frivolous (useless) acts, they pass by gracefully (they walk away with dignity without unnecessarily arguing with the participants, and they do not partake in such things).” (Furqān 25:72) A person should be magnanimous in dealing with his family, relatives, and people in general. That comes about by treating them with fairness, kindness, generosity, and tolerance. When a person sacrifices one’s own personal comforts and tires oneself in order to benefit others, that is the utmost form of nobility and magnanimity which anyone can offer. Our honoured Messenger () set the best example of magnanimity and generosity - he gave all that he had, and all kinds of different things. He devoted himself and all that he had to other people. Anas () narrates: .»‫ َفخَا َء ُه َر ُحل َف َاعْظَا ُه َعِ َنَّما َيي َن َح َ ّنَ َلي ِن‬:‫ َفا َل‬،‫« َما ُسَّ ِ ّنَ َل َر ُ ُسوُل الل ِه هللا ىلص َسينَّا ِالا َاعْ َظا ُه‬ )‫(رواه مسلم‬ “There was nothing that the Messenger () was asked for but he gave it away. A man once asked him for a herd of sheep that were grazing between two mountains, and he gave it to him.” (Muslim) Those who experienced the kindness and generosity of the Prophet () first hand would say: .»‫« َف ِان ُم َحمدا ُيَّعْ ِطي َعْظَاء ل َأ َيح َشي الْ َقَّا َف َة‬ )‫(رواه مسلم‬ “Muḥammad gives so much as if he has no fear of poverty.” (Muslim) A truly noble and generous person spends his time to serve others. They also utilize the prominence that they have for good causes, such as interceding to help others, assisting the downtrodden, and helping the weak fulfill their needs. The Prophet’s () companions () also followed his example in magnanimity and generosity until they reached the heights of benevolence. ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb () used to go every night to the house of a blind and disabled old woman who had no one to help her, in order to attend to her needs and take the garbage out of her house. Imām al-Awzāʿī reports: 3

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com ‫َد َ َهّ َب‬ ‫طَلَّ َخ ُة‬ ‫َاص َب َح‬ ‫َف َلما‬ ،‫ا َح َر‬ ‫َيينَّا‬ ‫َد َح َل‬ ُ ‫َيي َّنا‬ ‫َف َد َح َل‬ ‫ُع ََّم ُر‬ ‫َف َد َهَّ َب‬ ،‫طَلَّ َخ ُة‬ ‫َف َرَا ُه‬ ‫اللَّ َّن ِل‬ ‫اللَّ َّن ِل‬ ‫َسُ َوا ِد‬ ‫ِفي‬ ‫َح َر َح‬ ‫هللا يضر‬ ،‫الخََظَا ِب‬ ‫ُع َمَّ َرب َن‬ َ ‫ثم‬ ‫«ان‬ ،‫ َيا ِيي ِبي ِب ََّما ُيَض ِ َّل ُخ ِبي‬،‫ ِاي ُه َب َنَ َعَّا َهَّ ُد ِني ُمنَّ ُد َك َدا َوَك َدا‬:‫ َنّ ِك؟ َفالَب‬.‫خ َُةم َاا ََعي َبا َُرال ِ َهَّب َدُعاََّماَلر َيريُ َنَّح ُِعل؟ َيا»ِب‬:َ ‫ُّم َفََ َقَّكا ََيال َلَ َطَهَّ ّلَا‬،‫ َءَي ُِكمََّْل َقَّّنَ ّعَ ََدك ٍةُا‬:‫داَفَ َِّقََّي َاعََ ُلخُوٍطَرَلّ ََعخ َّم َُنَّةا‬،َ ‫َِا َلوُييج ِ َرد ِلُحَ َكعِ ِابلَّ َيَنّيال َِأ َبد َف ِاي‬ )‫(حلنَّة الأول َّناء لأني ّيَ َّعيم‬ “ʿUmar () used to walk out of his house secretly at night. One night Ṭalḥa saw this and so he followed him. Ṭalḥa saw ʿUmar going to one house, and after some time he came out and proceeded to another house before he returned to his own home. In the morning, Ṭalḥa went to the house which he saw ʿUmar entering at night. He knocked on the door to find a blind old woman who was handicapped and disabled. He asked her: ‘Who is the man that visited you last night?’ She replied: ‘He has been taking care of me for such a long time now. He brings me whatever I need, and then he removes the garbage.’ Ṭalḥa excused himself and left, then he admonished himself and said: ‘May your mother mourn for you and be bereaved over you. O Ṭalḥa, you are spying on ʿUmar and questioning his deeds?’” (Ḥilyat al-Awliyā’ of Ibn Nuʿaym) Therefore, there has to be big-heartedness in magnanimity and generosity by giving from one’s own self through personifying distinguished conduct, smiling, remaining patient, being gentle, tolerating and overlooking the wrong which others might do, and staying far away from malice, jealousy, and hatred. Both inwardly and outwardly, a person should love for others what one loves for oneself. An individual should feel happy when others are happy, sad when they are sad, and one should not seek to take away what others have. Imām al-Nawawī () defining envy writes: َ ‫دب ٍن‬ ‫َّي َّعمة‬ ‫َكانَب‬ ‫سُواء‬ :‫صاحبها‬ ‫عِن‬ ‫ال َّنعَّمة‬ ‫روا ُل‬ ‫بمبي‬ ‫« َو ُ ُه َو‬ .»‫اودب َّنا‬ )‫(رياض ا َلضالحين‬ “Envy is the desire for someone who has a blessing to be deprived of it, whether it is a religious or worldly blessing.” (Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn) People of magnanimity and generosity know no miserliness, stinginess, or hatred, because they know that if they give something, they will gain multiples of what they gave. Allāh () says in the Qur’ān: ‫ﵐﵖﵑﵜ‬ ‫الآية‬ ‫ﵝال َأ ۡن َعام‬ ‫ﲟﵸ‬ ‫ِم ۡثلَ َها‬ َّ ‫ُيجۡ َزى‬ ‫َفلَا‬ ‫بِٱل َّسيِ َئ ِة‬ ‫َجآ َء‬ ‫َو َمن‬ ‫أَ ۡم َثالِ َها‬ ‫َع ۡش ُر‬ ‫َفلَ ُهۥ‬ ِ‫بِٱلۡحَ َس َنة‬ ‫َجآ َء‬ ‫ﵹ َمن‬ ‫إِلا‬ “Whoever brings a good deed (carries out an accepted act) will receive ten times as much (in reward, and even more).” (Anʿām 6:160) The door is open for plentiful forms of magnanimity and kindness, such as pardoning those who did wrong to you, overlooking those who offended you, visiting those who cut off ties with you, extending invitations to both Muslims and non-Muslims, accepting people’s apologies, and forgiving their mistakes. Nobility and generosity may also be realized by a useful idea that you offer to your workplace or to your society. It could include giving money, knowledge, and providing information and experience. You can help others by contributing your time and efforts as well. 4

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com Magnanimity and charity can be realized by removing harmful objects from the roads or sidewalks, and acting in the best interests of people. Unselfishness and generosity should be ordained for all categories and classes of people, and it is not hard to achieve this: smiling at others, visiting relatives, uttering a good word, praying for someone else, spending some of your own money on others, etc. are all acts of magnanimity and selflessness. Each one of us is capable of such etiquettes and we can serve Allāh’s () creation with our deeds and words. It has been narrated that: .»‫ َوالَّل ِه َل ُأ َيِح َين َهَّ َدا َعِ ِن ا َلّ ُمس ِلِمي َن َلا ُيوِديَِهّم َف ُاد ِح َل ال َج َّن َة‬: ‫ َفَ ََّقا َل‬،‫« َمر َر ُحل َِّي ُعْض ِن َشَج َرٍة َعلَي َظ ّهَ ِر َط ِري ٍق‬ )‫(رواه مسلم‬ “A man passed by a branch of a tree leaning over a road and decided to remove it, saying to himself: ‘By Allāh! I will remove this from the path of the Muslims so that it would not harm them.’ (On account of this) he was admitted to Paradise.” (Muslim) Another narration mentions: .»‫َفِ ُعُ ِ َّق َر َلَ ََّها‬ ‫ِب ُمُوِقَّهَا‬ ‫َل ُه‬ ‫َف َب َر َعِب‬ ،‫ا َّل َعْ َظ ِش‬ ‫ِمن‬ ‫ِلَّ َسا َي ُه‬ ‫َادََّل َع‬ ‫َفد‬ ،‫ِب ِنَّب ٍر‬ ‫َحا ٍر ُيَ ِ َظ ْن ُف‬ ‫َيوٍم‬ ‫ِفي‬ ‫َك َّل َّنا‬ ‫َرَاب‬ ‫َيَّ ِعَّ َّنا‬ ‫ام َرَاة‬ َ ‫«ان‬ )‫(رواه مسلم‬ “A prostitute saw a dog circling around a well on a hot day and hanging out its tongue because of thirst. She drew water for it in her shoe and as a result, she was pardoned (for this act of hers).” (Muslim) It has also been mentioned that the Prophet () said: ‫َُيظَ َرُد‬ َ ،‫ِدب َنّا‬ ‫َعِ َّن ُه‬ ‫َيْقْ ِضي‬ َ ،‫ُكرَية‬ ‫َعِنَّ ُه‬ ‫ َاَيَّعَّو َِيبيك َ ِم ْس ُِسح َفد‬،،‫م َّس ِس ِخل ٍِمد‬.ُ ‫ا َل َوََافح ٍََةدح ََام ُّ َُهحب َع ُّالَلبَيأ ِااعَلَلَماِي ِصَِملرِاانَِل َاطي َيانلََّولاَ ِمهعِبََنَُِّرش ُُِِّكلر َ ِفوٍ َّنرف ُِيِهف اديل ِ ََأحهَّفُلََُدهداا َُعالمَ ّلَ َي»م‬،‫ِلِلَلعِيّنَ ِراف َِيو َسَحح‬ ‫« َا َح ُّب ال َّنا ِس ِا َلي الَّل ِه َايْ َقَّ َع ُّهَم‬ ‫او‬ ‫او‬ ‫ي ََاِويل َيَأ َب ََّهناَا َلمُه ِ َاشيَ َيي ََم َبعاَلاَّلٍ ُهح‬،‫ََعِحنَّا ُ َهح ٍُةجْ َوحعاب‬ ‫ا ِحنَّ ِه ِفي‬َ ‫ َوَمن َم َشي َم َع‬،‫ َش ّهَرا‬، ‫الَّ َم ِدب ََّن ِة‬ )‫(ال َّمعَخم الأو َسظ ل َل َظبراني‬ “The most beloved people to Allāh are those who are most beneficial to the people. The most beloved deed to Allāh is to make a Muslim happy, or to remove one of his troubles, or to forgive his debt, or to feed his hunger. If I walk with a brother regarding a need (go with him in order to try and fulfill his difficulty), it is more beloved to me than if I was to seclude myself in this masjid in Madīnah for a month. Whoever walks with his brother regarding a need until he secures it for him, Allāh will make his footing firm across the bridge on the day when the footings will shake.” (Al-Muʿjam al-Awsaṭ of al-Ṭabarānī) Generosity, nobility, and magnanimity are all qualities that prompt people to extend good to others without reminding them, taunting them, or making them feel as if they have done them a favour. Allāh () says: 5

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com ‫ﵔﵖﵒﵜ‬ ‫الآية‬ ‫ﵝال َب َق َرة‬ ‫َوٱل ۡ َأ َذ َٰىﵸ‬ ‫بِٱلۡ َم ِن‬ ‫َص َد َقَٰتِ ُكم‬ ‫ُت ۡب ِط ُلوا‬ َ ‫َءا َم ُنوا‬ ‫ٱلَّ ِذي َن‬ ‫ﵹيَـ َأ ُّي َها‬ ‫لا‬ “O you who believe! Do not make your charities fruitless (invalidated) by reproachfully reminding the recipient about your favour or making them feel insulted.” (Baqarah 2:264) Furthermore, the best form of nobility and munificence is to personify admirable conduct. Jaʿfar ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣādiq () states: َ ‫َم َكا ِ َرم‬ ‫ُيِح ُّب‬ ‫َوالَّل ُه‬ ،‫َمحدا‬ ‫ال ُجْوَد‬ ‫َ َوَّي ُعَّ ُّدو َن‬ َ ‫ِفي‬ ‫بَر َعِ ُ ُنو َن‬ ‫ال َنّا ِس‬ ‫ِل َجْ َوا ِ ِيح‬ ‫َح َلْ َق ُهَّم‬ ‫ُو ُجْو َّها‬ ‫َح ْل ِقَّ ِه‬ ‫ِمن‬ ‫لَّل ِه‬ ‫« ِان‬ .»‫الأحلا ِق‬ ،‫الأح ِر‬ )‫(ربنَّع الأبراروَي ُصوض الأح َّنارللرمحشري‬ “Indeed, Allāh has placed among people certain individuals who are prominent and influential. He created them in order to fulfill the needs of His servants. They see generosity as an honour, and they see extending goodness as a profit. Allāh truly loves noble conduct.” (Rabīʿ al-Abrār wa Nuṣūṣ al-Akhyār of al-Zamakhsharī) Part of being big-hearted is to pray for others. Some righteous people have wisely stated: .»!‫ افايح ُل علب َّهم في ِصلاني؟‬،‫«ايبي اسا ُل الجنَّ َة لأجْواِني في صلا ِني‬ )‫( ُمو ُسوعة َيصرة ال َّن َعّيم‬ “When I pray, I certainly ask Allāh to grant my brothers Paradise. How can I be miserly towards them even in my prayer?” (Mawsūʿah Naḍrat al-Naʿīm) Part of magnanimity is to do good to others. ʿAbdullāh ibn Jaʿfar () states: َ ‫َل ُه‬ ‫ُكُ َّن َب‬ ‫ال َِلّ َنَّا َم‬ ‫َا َصا َب‬ ‫َ ِوان‬ َ ‫َل ُه‬ ‫َكا ُيوا‬ ‫ال ِك َرا َم‬ ‫َا َصا َب‬ ‫َف ِان‬ ‫َمَظَرا‬ ‫« َامَ ِ َظ ِرالَّ َمعَّ ُرو َف‬ .»‫ا َّهلا‬ ،‫ا َهّلا‬ )‫(مُو ُسوعة َيصرة ال ّنَ َّعيم‬ “Strive to do good to others as abundantly and inclusively as the rainfall. If it reaches noble people, then that will befit them because they deserve it. If it reaches ignoble people, then that will still befit your generosity.” (Mawsūʿah Naḍrat al-Naʿīm) Part of magnanimity and kindness is to honour and respect other people. .»‫ ومن استج َّف يك فاك ِرم ْيقَّ َسك يالكِ ِف عِنَّه‬،‫«من اكرم َك فاك ِرمه‬ )‫(روصة ا َلّعُقَّلاء‬ “When someone honours you, then honour him in return. When someone belittles you, then honour yourself by leaving him alone.” (Rawḍat al-ʿUqalā’) Magnanimity and generosity have positive effects on the benefactor, community, and the whole society at large. 6

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com These noble etiquettes have no limits and are not subject to any conditions, and should be extended to those whom we love, and even to those whom we may not love. ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib () says: .»‫ َف ِاي ََّها لا َبنُ َقي‬، ‫ َف َا ْي ِقُق‬،‫ َ ِوا َدا َادبَ َرب َعِ َّن َك‬،‫ َف ِاي َّهَا لا َْي َقّ َبي‬،‫ َف َايْ ِقُق‬،‫«ِا َدا َاف َ ّنَ َلب َع ََّل َنّ َك ال ُّذب َنَّا‬ )‫(مُو ُسوعة يَصرة ال َّن َّعيم‬ “If you are blessed with affluence in this world, then give of what you have (to others) because it will not finish. If you are not blessed with affluence, then still give because the life of this world is temporary.” (Mawsūʿah Naḍrat al-Naʿīm) .»‫ وال ُجْوُد حا ِرُس الأعِراض‬،‫ ومن حا َد سا َد‬،‫ وُيح ُله ُب َنّ ِعْ ُضه الي اولا ِده‬،‫«وك ُرم الرح ِل ُيج ِ ّنَ ُ َّنه الي ُعِ َّناده‬ )‫( ُمو ُسوعة يَصرة ال َّن َّعيم‬ “When a man is noble and generous, that will make him beloved even to his opponents, but when he is miserly, even his own children will despise him. When a person is generous, that is when he will have true prominence. Generosity will guard a person’s integrity.” (Mawsūʿah Naḍrat al- Naʿīm) Ibn al-Sammāk () says: .»‫ ولا تسب ِري الأحرا َربمَّ َّعروِفه‬،‫« ِعحي ُب لمن تسبري المما ِلَّنَّ َك بما ِله‬ )‫(مُو ُسوعة يَصرة النَّ َعّيم‬ “I am astonished that someone will purchase slaves with his wealth, but will not purchase free people by winning them over with his kind treatment.” (Mawsūʿah Naḍrat al-Naʿīm) This is why the Prophet () has alluded to the fact that: .»‫ َوَل ِكن تَ َ َسّ ُع ُهَّم ِم َّن ُكَّم تَسَ ُظ الُ َوح ِه َو ُحس ُن الخُ ُُل ِق‬،‫«ِاي ُكَّم ََّلن تَ َ ّسَ ُعوا النَّا َس ِي َا ُم َواِل ُكَّم‬ )‫(مَصَّ ْنف ابن اني سي َّنة‬ “You can never gain people’s love and admiration by your money, rather let your smiling faces and noble character gain their love and admiration.” (Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah) Therefore, the scholars say that in a comprehensive sense, magnanimity and generosity is: .»‫ وعما في ي ِد عب ِرك ُمنُوِرعا‬،‫«ال َّسخا ُء ان يكُون بما ِلك ُم َّنب ِرعا‬ )‫(ا ُلوايل ا َلضيب‬ “To give from what you own, and refrain from taking what other people own.” (Al-Wābil al- Ṣayyib) At the same time, a noble and generous person must be aware of never letting fear of embarrassment be the factor that motivates one to give. 7

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com Rather, a person must give voluntarily out of one’s own benevolence, not reluctantly or out of fear. A famous proverb says: .»‫ يل بُري ُد ْيقَّ َع يْقَّسه‬،‫«لا ي ُكن م َّن َل الَضاِيد ُيلْ ِقي ال َح َّب ل َلظَاِبرو ُهولا بُري ُد ْي َّق َعَّه‬ )‫(الَّعُقَّد الْقَّريد‬ “Do not be like a hunter who tosses seeds for birds, but he does not intend to do good for them. Rather, his goal is to achieve personal gain.” (Al-ʿIqd al-Farīd) This is why ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib () said: .»‫«ال َّسَّ َخا ُء َما َكا َن اب َِّن َداء َف َاما َما َكا َن َعِن َمس َا َل ٍة َفخَ َ َّناء َ َوي َد ُّمم‬ )‫(رب َنّع الأبراروَيصُوض الأح ّنَارللرمحشري‬ “True magnanimity is to give pre-emptively without being asked. As for giving after being asked, that is motivated by a person’s shyness or his fear of being blamed if he does not give anything.” (Rabīʿ al-Abrār wa Nuṣūṣ al-Akhyār of al-Zamakhsharī) At the same time, we must remove all of the obstacles in order to attain magnanimity and generosity, the most important of which is helplessness, which is often the main cause of disregard. The Prophet () would supplicate: .»‫«اللَ ُّهَم ِا ِني َا ُعُو ُد ِي َك ِم َن ا َّل َعَخ ِر‬ )‫(رواه مسلم‬ “O Allāh! I seek refuge in You from helplessness (to do good).” (Muslim) The Prophet () also encouraged us to seek the assistance of Allāh () and not feel helpless. The Prophet () stated: .»‫ َوَلا َّيَعَ َخر‬,‫« َواسَّ َنَّ ِ َعّن ِي َالَّل ِه‬ )‫(رواه مسلم‬ “Seek the help of Allāh, and do not give up (do not feel helpless).” (Muslim) The feeling of helplessness will weaken determination, kill ambition, and make one lose the desire to be noble and generous, which is an important part of a human’s personality and potential. A weak person will look for trivial reasons and excuses to justify one’s helplessness and inability. Scholars of ḥadīth explain that: “To seek the assistance of Allāh and not feel helpless” means: .»‫ويا ِص ُرك‬ ‫حا ِدي َك‬ ‫ِريك‬ ‫من‬ ‫وال ُنوفنُ َق‬ ،‫يبرا َيد‬ ‫والَّعو َن‬ ،‫الحب َربنَّدفق‬ ‫وس ِتح ُد‬ ،‫يالله‬ ‫ا ّسَ َّن ِعَّن‬ :‫وَّي َّعده‬ ‫ومعَّه‬ ‫دلك‬ ‫وفنَّل‬ ،‫ويا ِدروا َيظَ ِلُق‬ ‫واي َهَص‬ ُ ‫«قم‬ “Rise, take the initiative, and move forward, but in all cases seek the help of Allāh, and you will find that good, flowing assistance will increase, and your Lord will support you and grant you success.” 8

MAGNANIMITY AND GENEROSITY DURING RAMAḌĀN www.giftofjumuah.com Consequently, this noble month is one of benevolence, giving, and kindness. So, let us continue to be kind and considerate, however little it may be, because regular, small deeds are better than big, intermittent ones. The Prophet () said: .»‫« َا َح ُّب ال َأع َما ِل ِا َلي الَّل ِه َيَّ َعَّا َلي َاد َوُمَهَّا َ ِوان َفل‬ )‫(رواه مسلم‬ “The acts most pleasing of actions to Allāh, the Most-High are those which are done regularly, even if they are small.” (Muslim) A continuous drop of water can one day become a large stream. ‫َحا ِول َج ِسي َمــا ِب الأ ُ ُموِر َولا َْي َُقّل ۞ ان ا َّل َم َخامـــِـ َد َوالَّ ُ َعّلـَـى َارَرا ُق‬ ‫َوار َعِب ِب َنُقَّ ِس َك ان َي ُكُو َن ُ ْم َقْ ِصرا ۞ َعِن َعا َي ٍة ِفب َهَّا الَ ِظَلا ُب ِسَّ َ َنّا ُق‬ )‫(فنْص الْ َقّدبرشرح الحامع ا َل َّصعَّبر‬ Do not back out of important tasks. Rather, endeavor to accomplish them without saying that: “Great achievements have already been decreed by Allāh for people other than me.” Do not allow yourself to fall short in any objective which deserves to be striven for. (Fayḍ al-Qadīr Sharh al-Jāmīʿ al-Ṣaghīr) 9