Hadith #1792

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. May peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his righteous companions.

The Arabic Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states:

جُودُ الفَقيرِ أفْضَلُ الجُودِ۔

This can be translated as:

The generosity of the poor is the best generosity.

This beautiful saying of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the significance and superiority of the act of generosity when it is displayed by those who are less fortunate.

To delve deeper into the meaning of this Hadith, let us first analyze the key words. (jood) "جُودُ" refers to generosity, which encompasses acts of kindness, benevolence, and selflessness. (al-faqeer) "الفَقيرِ" refers to the poor or the needy, those who lack material wealth or resources.

The Quran emphasizes the importance of generosity and caring for the less fortunate in numerous verses. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177):

Righteousness is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves.

This verse highlights that true righteousness lies not in mere outward rituals, but in sincere belief in Allah and the willingness to give from one's wealth to those in need. It encompasses the act of generosity towards various categories of individuals, including the needy.

Furthermore, in Surah Al-Insan (76:8-9), Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) describes the righteous individuals who feed the poor, the orphan, and the captive, saying:

And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [Saying], 'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.'

These verses emphasize the selflessness and sincerity of those who give to the needy, seeking only the pleasure of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) without expecting any reward or gratitude from the recipients. This aligns with the concept of the best form of generosity mentioned in the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).

Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) highlights the superiority of the generosity of the poor because it is often accompanied by a greater sense of empathy and understanding of the struggles faced by those in similar circumstances. The poor, despite their own hardships, are often more inclined to share what little they have with others in need. Their generosity is a testament to their faith and their recognition of the blessings bestowed upon them by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ).

This Hadith serves as a reminder to all Muslims of the importance of generosity and caring for the less fortunate. It encourages us to look beyond our own circumstances and extend a helping hand to those in need, regardless of our own material wealth. It teaches us that true generosity is not measured by the quantity of what is given, but by the sincerity and selflessness with which it is given.

May we all strive to embody the spirit of generosity and follow the example set by the poor in their acts of kindness and compassion. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us with the ability to be generous and may He accept our acts of charity and make them a means of purification for our souls.