Being Good and Generous

Commenteray of Hadith

Being Good and Generous

1. Text and Translation

On the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Messenger of Allah (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

Let Him who believes in Allah and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his neighbour, and let him who believes in Allah and the Last Day be generous to his guest.

It was related by al Bukhari and Muslim.

2. Value

The hadith contains the values of Islamic culture and civilization with its noble ethics and high morals. A true believer guards his speech, maintain good relations with neighbours and friends, honouring them according to one’s means.

3. Speak Good or Keep Silent

This is a characteristic of a good believer.

Imam Shafie explains that this is a reminder so that one speaks only after thinking. If there is no harm, then speak. On the other hand, if it bears harm, then refrain from saying anything.

Al Qushairi says that to keep silent at the appropriate times are people of high character, and to speak out at the right moments is nobleness.

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. teaches so that we safeguard and control what we say and to get used to keeping silent. But being silent not at the proper situations is not accepted. We should not be silent from upholding truth, enjoining good and forbidding evil.

Being silent in these circumstances is compared to becoming a mute devil, according to al Duqaq.

Speech is not generally forbidden and keeping silent is not absolutely demanded. What is important is that in both matters it must be for good and beneficial.

The reminder is important for everyone to bear in mind because every word is accountable. We have to be wary and be more careful in order to avoid regret and the possibilities of sin.

A wise saying: A person is asked why he is always quiet. The answer: I always regret whenever I say something but I never regret being silent.

A proverb says: The injury caused by the tongue is the same as the wound caused by the hand.

Ali Abi Talib (r.a.) is quoted:

Because of a loose tongue, a young man dies

A wound in the leg is not fatal

Because of the tongue, a head is lost

A wound in the leg heals fast

A hadith mentions: Nine tenths of peace is in silence except in dhikrullah, remembrance of Allah.

4. Being Generous to Neighbours and Guests

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. goes on to relate the connection between iman and relations with neighbours and guests. Faith requires generosity be shown to neighbours and guests according to each of their rights.

Al Nisa: 36

Serve God, and join not any partners with Him;

And do good – To parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need,

neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers,

the companion by your side, the wayfarer (ye meet), and what your right hands possess:

For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious;

The neighbour is the one

• Living with us
• Living close to us
• Living in the vicinity of 40 houses
• Living in the community/ nation

The neighbour has three basic rights:

• The one with who is non Muslim and a neighbour
• The one who is Muslim and a neighbour
• The one who is a Muslim, a relative/ has family ties and a neighbour

The person who is kind and generous towards his neighbours is of noble and high moral character.

A hadith of the Messenger of Allah s.a.w says: The Angel Jibril always reminds me of the rights of the neighbour until I almost thought the neighbour has also rights to inheritance.

Another famous hadith says: It is not a believer who eats his fill while his neighbour goes hungry beside him.

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. once told Abu Dhar al Ghifari: When you cook, add more water/ make more gravy so that you can give some to your neighbours.

Being generous to neighbours are not only to Muslim but also towards non Muslims.

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. once said to Amr al ‘As who was slaughtering a lamb: Are you not serving some to our neighbours, the Jews.

This is the way of good relations between neighbours, people who are close to us in terms of proximity and interaction. Breaking off relations with or bringing harm to one’s neighbours is most despised in Islam.

A famous hadith says: The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. was asked of a lady who prays into the night and fasts in the days but unfortunately, her words always hurt her neighbours. The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. said: There is no good in her. She will be in Hell.

Being considerate to neighbours also includes refraining from using or building something which brings harm or discomfort to them.

Pride and arrogance is not the way for a good Muslim. People should never be ridiculed because of differences. Mockery hurts feelings of others and is displeased by Allah s.w.t. There should never be an attempt to make people feel small or insignificant.

Suspicion and spying into other people’s affairs are sneaky and abhorrent and are to be avoided. Everyone has a right to privacy and we should not trespass this moral and ethical boundary.

Being Kind to Guests

Being kind and generous to guests means being good to people who visit, attending to them politely according to the situation and providing meals with whatever is affordable to the host.

Based on hadith, the ulama explain that receiving guests is a good deed and a noble custom. Provisions for guests include providing meals and lodgings from one to three days. Beyond the three days is considered sadaqah or charity on the part of the host.

The host receives his guest happily, willingly and wholeheartedly because his reception and attendance is his moral obligation. Whereas the guest thinks of his host and acts considerately on his host and will try not to become a burden for his host.

The host carries out his responsibilities according to his means which should not be overbearing on him and his family.

Adab or proper etiquette in greetings:

The Messenger of Allah s.a.w. advised us when visiting a Muslim’s house, the visitor should greet the people of the house from outside by saying the Salam. If the visitor receives a reply and is invited in, he may then enter. Nowadays, there are means and ways of communicating to make visits easier to arrange.

Islam teaches us courtesy and friendly relations with all human beings. Our neighbours, the non Muslims have special rights over us. Each society has a form of greeting which various members of the community greet each other. We must greet our non Muslim friends with greetings which are most courteous and most understandable.

5. Conclusion

These reminders or actions enjoined are parts of iman to be perfected which when really practiced will elevate the believer and raise his level of belief. If not, the level of iman will diminish according to its parts as if it is left unnurtured.

All Muslims, rich or poor, are urged to treat others with kindness and generosity. If everyone takes responsibility for his brothers and sisters in Islam and in humanity, there will be no people deprived of food to eat and no cause for hardship.

The hadith highlights some of the integral personal and social elements of Islamic civilization. It is suitable and important for everyone in every age, time or place. These noble customs should not be disregarded or considered unimportant due to changes in society or modernity. It is essential because it relates to directly to Iman, the belief in Allah and the Last Day.

Reference:

An Nawawi’s Forty Hadith, translated by Izzedin Ibrahim & Denys Johnson-Davies

Hadith 40 Terjemahan & Syarahannya, Mustafa ‘Abd Rahman

Islam Tahdhib and Akhlaq, Theory and Practice, B Aisha Lemu.