Hadith #4727

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 noble companions.

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

على قَدْرِ المُرُوءَةِ تَكُونُ السَّخاوَةُ۔

This can be translated as,

One's generosity is proportionate to one's magnanimity.

Let us delve into the meanings of the important words in this Hadith. (al-muroo'ah) "المُرُوءَةِ" refers to the quality of being noble, honorable, and possessing high moral character. It encompasses traits such as courage, integrity, and righteousness. (as-sakhawah) "السَّخاوَةُ" refers to generosity, liberality, and the act of giving freely without expecting anything in return.

To understand the beautiful message of this Hadith, we can turn to the Quran for guidance. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:13),

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

This verse emphasizes that true nobility and honor lie in righteousness and piety. It is not based on wealth, lineage, or worldly possessions. Therefore, when Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) states that one's generosity is proportionate to one's magnanimity, he is highlighting the correlation between a person's moral character and their willingness to give selflessly.

Furthermore, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) encourages generosity in numerous verses of the Quran. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261), He says,

The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.

This verse illustrates the concept of the more you give, the more you receive. It emphasizes that generosity is not only a virtuous act but also a means of attaining blessings and multiplied rewards from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ). Therefore, when Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) speaks of the proportionality between magnanimity and generosity, he is reminding us of the spiritual benefits that come with selflessly giving to others.

Imam Ali's (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) enlightening saying holds significant implications for our lives as Muslims. It serves as a reminder that our generosity is not solely measured by the material possessions we give, but rather by the depth of our moral character and the sincerity of our intentions.

When we possess the qualities of honor, righteousness, and magnanimity, our acts of generosity become a reflection of our inner selves. Our giving becomes a means of expressing our gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) for the blessings He has bestowed upon us. It becomes a way to emulate the noble example set by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his noble companions.

Moreover, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) reminds us of the transformative power of generosity. When we give selflessly, we not only benefit the recipient but also elevate our own souls. Generosity purifies our hearts, strengthens our bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, and fosters a sense of compassion and empathy within us.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Imam Ali (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) teaches us that true generosity is not merely an act of giving, but a reflection of our inner nobility and moral character. It reminds us that our willingness to give selflessly is directly proportional to the depth of our magnanimity. Let us strive to cultivate these qualities within ourselves and emulate the example of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), his pure progeny, and his noble companions. May Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ) bless us with the ability to be generous and magnanimous in all aspects of our lives.