One of the characteristics of human nature that Islam promotes in humans is generosity. The need to be generous to family, friends, neighbors, strangers and even enemies is mentioned repeatedly in the Quran and in the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad (God’s blessings and peace be upon him). There is no better time to talk about generosity than in the Islamic month of Ramadhan.
The final days of Ramadhan 2009 are coming for Muslims around the world. Accordingly, the Muslims examine their lives and ask themselves whether their everyday actions please their creator. The intense devotion to Ramadhan has made believers question their hearts and minds.
Well known as the month of fasting, those new to Islam discover that Ramadhan is also a month of almsgiving and affection. The days of fasting and the prayerful nights have softened hearts and created waves of affection and generosity. This month of devotion has come quickly, has settled gently, and God’s blessings, grace, and forgiveness have descended. Ramadhan’s blessings swelled into a flow of generosity.
“The Prophet, may God praise him, was the most generous of men, and he used to be even more so in Ramadhan when Gabriel (the angel) visited him, and Gabriel used to visit him every night in Ramadhan until the end of 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 distributes rain and other blessings). ” (Sahieh Al-Bukhari)
During the 29 or 30 days of fasting, Muslims donate generously. They reach deep into their pockets and give alms to the needy or hidden. But alms in Islam is not just about donating money. It includes every act of kindness or generosity that is performed with an open heart and a desire to please God. Charity is something as simple as smiling or building a generous act like a school or a hospital; Alms are every kind or generous deed.
Muslims are encouraged to always be generous, but Ramadhan serves as a reminder. When the worries of the world and the trials of life overwhelm them, frail human beings tend to forget that God has given them countless blessings. Ramadhan reminds us that these blessings are not there to cling to or hoard them. God expects us to be generous and to donate what He has given us.
God is Al Kariem, the most generous. Everything comes from Him and everything will eventually return to Him, so it makes sense to see our property and property as something entrusted to us. We are committed to protecting, preserving and sharing what we have been provided with.
„Say:“ Truly, my Lord extends and limits the means of maintenance of His servants to whom He wants. And whatever you donate, He will replace it; and He is the best provider. “ (Quran 34:39)
In Ramadhan, Muslims consider the example of Prophet Muhammad that God’s blessings and peace be upon him and his companions, and consider the true meaning of generosity, and it does not mean giving away something that is no longer needed It means giving some of the things that you love and wish for.
Aisha (the Prophet’s wife) said: „A woman with her two daughters came to me and asked for alms, but she found nothing but one with me Date I gave her and she shared it between herself and her two daughters. ” (Sahieh Al-Bukhari)
The men and women around the Prophet Muhammad understood the true value of generosity. They realized that kind and generous actions are an investment for the future. Our good deeds, thoughtful words and deeds of random goodness will be richly rewarded in the hereafter. Whatever money we donate to God will return to us in many ways. What we voluntarily give in wealth is not replaced in this life, but in the hereafter.
While generosity is a virtuous quality at any time of the year, in Ramadhan our good deeds and our kind and generous actions are rewarded many times over. It is a month of grace in which God allows us to reap rewards that far exceed our sins that we have accumulated throughout the year. Ramadhan is a month full of memories of God’s generosity, kindness and forgiveness. God forgives mankind’s mistakes and sins, even though there are as many as the foam of the sea [1], and His forgiveness and mercy are not limited to Ramadhan.
In addition, this month includes Ramadhan a day that is better than 1000 months spent in worship (Quran 97: 1-5), which is a sign of God’s love. Ramadhan is a time in which the faithful reserve 30 days for special dedication and generosity. Fasting in Ramadhan reminds believers that this world is full of people who are unable to find enough food or water to meet their needs. Ramadhan is an opportunity for believers to be generous with their time, possessions and wealth.
Generosity and random acts of kindness really make the heart happy. Anyone who donates their property or wealth with a pure heart just to please God knows how joyful these deeds can be. But what about those who don’t even have a dollar to donate? God’s generosity knows no boundaries, so people can be generous in the most terrible circumstances.
People came to the Prophet Muhammad, God’s blessings and peace be upon him, and asked: “If there is nothing to give, what should you do?” He replied: “He should work with his hands and use himself and also give alms (from what he deserves). „People asked further:“ If he doesn’t even find that? „He replied:“ He should help the needy who ask for his help. „Then the people asked:“ If he does can’t do? ” He replied, „Then he should do good deeds and stay away from bad deeds and that is considered alms.“ (Sahieh Al-Bukhari)
Ramadhan is known as the month of Lent, Ramadhan is a gift from God, a manifestation of His grace and a reminder of the goodness inherent in man. Ramadhan is the month of almsgiving and generosity.
Footnotes:
[1] Sahieh Bukhari
Source: https://www.islamland.com/deu/articles/ein-monat-des-segens