Chapter 40

GENEROSITY

Howbenevolent,philanthropic,confidentofGod,great-spirited,hon-
orable, and noble are the openhanded individuals who adhere to the
codes of generosity and avoid misery and avarice!
TheIslamiceducationcaresforseedingthisqualityinthemindsforits
beingtheworthiestestimabletendencythatleadstosocialadhesionand
the harmony of the individuals’ reciprocal love and association. The
Prophet (s)calledtoheedthisquality. Hesaid, “Generosityissurelya
partoffaith.FaithwillbeintheParadise.”“GodthePraisedsaid:Ihave
accepted this religion. It will not be amended without generosity and
good manners. You should spareno efforts for honoring this religion
with thesetwo matters.”“The generous arecloseto God, andcloseto
people,andclosetotheParadiseandremotefromthehell-fire.”“Dothe
favortoitsdeserversandtothosewhodonotdeserve.Ifyougiveitto
itspeople,thenyouhavedonetheright.Ifyoudonotreachthem,then
you are its people.”
The Imamsalsospoke much about generosity.Imam Musabin Jafar
(a)said,“ThecourteousgenerousisbeinginGod’ssustenance.Godwill
notleavehimbeforeHesendshimtotheParadise.Goddidneverselect
forprophecyandthesuccessionoftheprophetsotherthanthegenerous.
My father kept on advising me of generosity till he passed away.”
TheImams adheredtogenerosity. Theydevaluatedthe richesexcept
incasesofmeetingtheneedsofthehungry,theneedy,ortheinsolvent.
Imam al-Hassan, the generous of the Prophet’s household, is reported
thathehadneversaid,“No”toanysuppliant.Peopleaskedhimabout
thisquality.Heanswered,“IaskGodandlongforHisbenevolence.Iam
toodiffidenttobesuppliantorrejectasuppliant.Godhasinuredmeto
receive His abundant graces and I accustomed to give His graces to
people.IamafraidHewillceaseHishabitifIceasemine.Asasuppliant
cometomeIsay:Welcometohimwhosefavorisanurgentobligation,