GENEROSITY

       GENEROSITY

Generosity is the opposite of stinginess. It stands for offering money, food, or any other lawful gaining out of one’s free will. It is in fact the worthiest nature. As a sign of the unprecedented virtue of generosity is that you see every precious and appreciable thing is described as generous. For example, God says:

“This is a generous Quran (56:77).”

“A generous messenger came to them (44:17).”

“…And corn-fields and generous mansions (44:26).”

The The Ahl ul-Bayt (a) therefore praised generosity laudably:

Imam as-Sadiq related that the Prophet (s) said: “The best men in view of faith is the most openhanded.”^[i]

“The generous is close to Allah, close to people, and close to Paradise. The stingy is remote from Allah, remote from people, and close to Hell.”^[ii]

Imam al-Baqir (a) said: “A generous young man who is plunging in sins is favorable, in the sight of Allah, to a niggardly old man who plunges in worship.”^[iii]

“Spend and be sure that Allah will recompense you. Any male or female servant –of Allah—who behaves stingily in a field that pleases Allah will surely spend many folds in a field that displeases Him.”^[iv]

Advantages of Generosity

A society cannot feel happy or tranquil unless its individuals feel the spirit of mutual sympathy and harmonize with each other in feelings and senses. Such being the case, the society will be just like a compact building. Mutual sympathy has a bright picture that shines with beauty and brilliance. Undoubtedly, the noblest, most beautiful, and most everlasting picture of mutual sympathy is the feelings of the wealthy individuals for the poor. Such feelings will surely ease the pains of poverty.