Islam-Being generous
By-AHMED NOOR
Generosity is a common virtue of all religions as it is human trait. Human development can not take place without sharing, caring and giving. It is a virtue, a habit that shapes and governs a way of life.
Generosity is considered is the best quality among good Muslims. Prophet Muhammad saying: “The believer is simple and generous, but the wicked person is deceitful and ignoble.” Islam encourages this concept of generosity so much so that it is embedded in one of the five pillars of Islam as Zakat. In Arabic, the term zakat literally means purification of the heart however; it is also the payment, from surplus money, of an obligatory charity designed by God to provide for all the needy and the poor. The Quranic word Zakah not only includes charity, alms, tithe, kindness, and spiritual as well as moral motives. There is also another form of generosity in Islam called sadaqah (optional charity).
Muhammad Yonus, banker to the Poor of Bangladesh, says generosity means that you give only when you have lot or after fulfilling all your needs, but in fact you can still give when you yourself is struggling. A generous man will share what he has with others, thinking about other people as he thinks of himself. He benefits by helping others and solving their problems. He makes people happy and prevents them from doing wrong, which is often a direct result of poverty. The true measure of persons is not what they own or have consumed, but rather what they have given to others- in time, treasure and talent.
Generosity is the opposite of stinginess, as stinginess is a disease of the heart. A stingy is never happy and he can not relax, he never enjoy because enjoyment is in sharing and caring. Giving is a beautiful experience. The more we give the more we receive. It can bring you more meaning , fulfillment , and happiness. The Holy Quran says ‘ And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.”
