No person could ever equal the Prophet (pbuh) in generosity.Whatever he received he
gave away to others and felt more pleasure than those who received the gift. He never turned anyone away empty-handed from his house and always gave preference to the needy
over his own needs. His charity was of various kinds. Sometimes he gave a gift; sometimes he borrowed something and repaid it generously; sometimes he bought a thing and paid more than the price to the seller; and sometimes he gave charity. He accepted gifts from
other people but always gave more gifts in return for them.
The Prophet (pbuh) never said no to any request from anyone in his life. He used to say that he was only a distributor and a treasurer and that Allah(God) was the Bestower of everything. Once a man came to him and saw his herd of goats stretching over a vast area. He
requested help and the Prophet (pbuh) gave him the whole herd of goats. The man went
back to his people and told them to accept Islam.
Another man asked him for help when he had nothing to give, so he told the man to borrow on his behalf and he would repay the loan. Umar, who was present, asked the Prophet(pbuh) whether Allah(God) had not burdened him more than he could bear. The Prophet(pbuh) kept quiet. However, a man was present there who offered to help. The Prophet(pbuh) smiled with great joy at his offer. The Prophet(pbuh) was so generous that he always gave something to anyone who asked him for help, but if he had nothing, he promised help later
on.
Sometimes it so happened that The Prophet(pbuh) purchased an article for himself, then gave it as a gift to the seller. Once he bought a camel from Umar and straightaway gave it as a gift to Umar's son Abdullah. Once he bought something from Jabir and gave it back to him as a gift. Sometimes Allah(God) blessed the food that the Prophet(pbuh) shared so that it multiplied to feed many. During one battle, there were 130 companions with the Prophet (pbuh). He bought one goat, slaughtered it and ordered its liver to be roasted.When it was ready, he distributed it among all the companions and kept a share for those who were not
present.
Whenever he received anything, he did not sit in peace until it was finished. Umm Salmah, the Prophet's wife, reported that one day the Prophet came home looking disturbed. She asked him what the matter was. He replied that the seven
dinars he had received the day before
had remained on the bed until
evening and had not been distributed.
He did not rest until they were given
away.
Abu Dharr reported that one
evening he was walking with the Prophet when he said, "If
the mountain of Uhud were turned into
gold for me, I would not like three nights
to pass and one dinar still be left with
me, excepting what I would leave for
paying my debts." (Hadith)
He would never rest until all the cash in
the house was completely finished. Once
the Prophet went home in a hurry after
the prayer and then immediately came
out again. The people were surprised,
but he told them that he had
remembered during the prayer that there
was some gold in his house. He thought
that he might forget and the gold might
remain there all night. He went back
home to ask that it might immediately be
given in charity.
He always paid the debts
of the dead and issued instructions to the
effect that if anyone died leaving any
debt, he should be informed of it so that
he could pay it off.
In short, the Prophet (pbuh) was so
generous and charitable that he never
kept anything surplus for himself but
gave all to those who came to him for
help .
"O son, burst the chains and be free!
How long will you be a bondsman to silver and gold?
If you pour the sea into a pitcher,
how much will it hold? The pittance of a day!
New plans for wealth your fancies would invent;
Yet shells, to nourish pearls, must lie content.
Whose garment is rent by a (mighty) love
is purged entirely of covetousness and defect.
Hail, heavenly love! true source of endless gains!
The balm restores me, and the skill sustains."
(Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi, Masnavi, Book 1 , 19-23 )
( pbuh = peace be upon him )
