Authored by: Shaykh Hafiz Abdul Sattar Al-Hammad (Hafizahullah)
"The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous of all people."
– [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Revelation, Hadith 6]
Scholars differentiate between these two terms:
Allah knows best.
Hadith on the Generosity of the Prophet (ﷺ):
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was described as:"The Prophet (ﷺ) was the most generous of all people."
– [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Revelation, Hadith 6]
Complete Translation of the Hadith:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was the most generous among people. His generosity increased particularly during the month of Ramadan when Angel Jibreel (علیہ السلام) would meet him. During Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) would engage in reciting the Qur'an with Jibreel (علیہ السلام) every night. The generosity of the Prophet (ﷺ) in giving charity and helping others was faster than the swiftest wind."What is Generosity?
Generosity (Sakhawat) refers to the act of giving something out of a soft-hearted response to someone's request. However, Jood (a higher level of generosity) means giving something appropriate to someone even without them asking for it.Scholars differentiate between these two terms:
- Sakhawat: Giving something and keeping some for oneself.
- Jood: Giving abundantly while keeping very little for oneself.
Examples of the Generosity of the Prophet (ﷺ):
- Never Refusing a Request:
Jabir ibn Abdullah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never refused anyone who asked him for something."
– [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Manners, Hadith 6034] - A Woman's Gift of a Garment:
Once, a woman gave the Prophet (ﷺ) a beautiful garment, which he needed. The Prophet (ﷺ) wore it, and seeing this, a Companion asked for the same garment. The Prophet (ﷺ) went home, removed it, and gave it to him. The Companion intended to use the garment as his burial shroud, and it was eventually used for that purpose.
– [Sahih Bukhari, Book of Manners, Hadith 6034]
Conclusion:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was the epitome of generosity, never turning away anyone in need. Even if it required borrowing, he ensured that acts of charity and generosity continued without interruption. His actions demonstrate that true generosity is selfless and unrestricted, whether by personal needs or social status.Allah knows best.