Who is Generous
Aisha (radi Allahu anha), the wife of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) narrated: “A lady, along with her two daughters, came to me asking me (for some alms), but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters, and then she got up and went away. Then the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) came in and I informed him about this story. He said, “Whoever is in charge of these daughters and treats them generously, then they will act as a shield for him from the Fire.” [Sahih Bukhari]
There are several lessons to be learnt from this hadith:
1. Look at the house of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). The person who has the best and highest place in Jannah, has a house in this world which has nothing that can be given away except a single date! When the most beloved to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) died, there was not enough money to buy oil for a lamp. Aisha (radi Allahu anha) mortgaged his battle shield to buy oil. There was nothing of value in the house save the shield and nine swords that hung on the wall of his house.
Our houses are chock full of possessions. Cupboards full of clothes, shoes, and cosmetics. Expensive curtains, carpets and sofa sets. Decorative frames on the walls. Kitchens with multiple dinner sets, stuffed pantries and fridges. If we are asked to give in the name of Allah, how much do we give? If we are asked to defend someone in the name of Allah can we defend them?
2. Since Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) loves His creation intensely, He loves those who treat them kindly; especially those who are weak and unable to fend for themselves. Thus, he promises mountains of reward to those who take care of His loved ones.
3. Since Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has saved women from having to fend for themselves, making it obligatory on their male relatives to provide for them, He promises those who are generous in discharging this responsibility with safety from the worst Fire.
4. We see that a person’s generosity and sacrifice is judged by what they give compared to what they have. We see the generosity of Aisha (radi Allahu anha) in this hadith who gave all she had. This would be equivalent to a billionaire giving all of his wealth in the path of Allah. We have the example of billionaire Sahabah such as Abdur Rahman bin Auf (radi Allahu anhu) donating in this manner.
We also see the generosity of the mother in this hadith. All she was given was a date. But she didn’t eat it herself. She could have thought that since she was an adult her metabolic needs were greater, so she deserved the date more than her daughters. But, instead, she divided it in half and gave each of her daughters one half.
There are several lessons to be learnt from this hadith:
1. Look at the house of the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam). The person who has the best and highest place in Jannah, has a house in this world which has nothing that can be given away except a single date! When the most beloved to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) died, there was not enough money to buy oil for a lamp. Aisha (radi Allahu anha) mortgaged his battle shield to buy oil. There was nothing of value in the house save the shield and nine swords that hung on the wall of his house.
Our houses are chock full of possessions. Cupboards full of clothes, shoes, and cosmetics. Expensive curtains, carpets and sofa sets. Decorative frames on the walls. Kitchens with multiple dinner sets, stuffed pantries and fridges. If we are asked to give in the name of Allah, how much do we give? If we are asked to defend someone in the name of Allah can we defend them?
2. Since Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) loves His creation intensely, He loves those who treat them kindly; especially those who are weak and unable to fend for themselves. Thus, he promises mountains of reward to those who take care of His loved ones.
3. Since Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has saved women from having to fend for themselves, making it obligatory on their male relatives to provide for them, He promises those who are generous in discharging this responsibility with safety from the worst Fire.
4. We see that a person’s generosity and sacrifice is judged by what they give compared to what they have. We see the generosity of Aisha (radi Allahu anha) in this hadith who gave all she had. This would be equivalent to a billionaire giving all of his wealth in the path of Allah. We have the example of billionaire Sahabah such as Abdur Rahman bin Auf (radi Allahu anhu) donating in this manner.
We also see the generosity of the mother in this hadith. All she was given was a date. But she didn’t eat it herself. She could have thought that since she was an adult her metabolic needs were greater, so she deserved the date more than her daughters. But, instead, she divided it in half and gave each of her daughters one half.
Comments
Post a Comment