Excellence of generosity

Excellence of generosity

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Whatever We have given you, spend from it before death overtakes any of you and then that person says (regretfully and longingly):  O my Lord!  Why didn’t You give me a reprieve of a few days that I gave some charity and got included among those who do good deeds.  Surah Mu'minoon (23:10)

Exhortation to be generous

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  Even if I had gold as much as the mountain of Uhud, it would not be to my liking 3 nights pass and something from it still remains with me.  I would leave just enough to repay a loan. 

Bukhari has related this Hadith.

An incident of Hadhrat Abu Dhar as exhortation of generosity

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Dharr (May Allah be well pleased with him) that he sought an audience from Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) and he granted him it.  Hadhrat Abu Dharr (May Allah be well pleased with him) had a staff in his hand (at that moment).  Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) asked Ka’ab al Ahbaar (who was present there): ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin ‘Auf passed away and left great wealth behind him.  What is your opinion about this (that will he face any trouble in the hereafter because of this wealth that he has left behind)?  (On this) Ka’ab (May Allah be well pleased with him) replied:  (In my opinion) If he gave the right of Almighty Allah from this wealth, i.e. the Zakaat, then he will not face anything untoward.  (On hearing this) Hadhrat Abu Dharr (May Allah be well pleased with him) (who was present there got angry and) started hitting Ka’ab (May Allah be well pleased with him) with his staff and said:  I myself have heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) say:  Even if this mountain (Uhud) turns into gold for me and I spend it all in the path of Allah and it is accepted as well, even then I would not like that I leave 6 Oqiyya of gold behind me.  (Saying this) Hadhrat Abu Dharr (May Allah be well pleased with him) told Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him):  O ‘Uthman!  I ask you to state on oath.  Did you too not hear the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) say these words (and he repeated this question thrice).  Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:  Yes.  I have also heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) say this.

Imam Ahmad has related this Hadith.

[Excerpted from Noor ul Masabeeh, Vol. 4, Kitaab uz Zakaat]