The nature of Imam Hassan Mujtaba (PBUH) was such that he would not allow a needy person to return empty handed. He was so generous, giving large sums in aid, which was cause for the people’s astonishment. Imam Hassan (PBUH) wanted to provide the means of a needy person’s entire living, rather than one day alone, for the fear that he asks another person’s help.
One day, a person visited Imam Mujtaba (PBUH) and asked him about munificence. The Imam responded, “Giving prior to being asked, and feeding in difficulty (and drought).”1 “It was said: What is generosity? He said: starting with a gift before asking and giving food in the place.” Tuhaf al-Uqul narrated from the family of the Messenger (may God bless him and his family and grant them peace), page 225[/note]
There is great value in a person’s generous giving, one in which as said by the Imam, gives prior to being asked. People, who work to solve people’s financial problems are blessed by the Almighty Allah.2 (In this context, it is possible to refer to verse 261 of Surah Al-Baqarah: “The story of those who spend their wealth in the way of God is like the story of a seed that grows seven clusters, each cluster containing a hundred seeds. And God gives to whom He wills two It also equals that God is all-giving and all-knowing.) Allah blesses them with worldly respect and ease in their works. It is therefore, best to begin the process of giving before being asked, and to listen to the problems of close ones and friends.
As part two of his generosity, he worked to solve people’s problems and shortcomings. Many people whom we know may face financial difficulties when it comes to obtaining food. We should especially remember them in the blessed month of Ramadan. If they are relatives, we should provide them with food to the best of our ability, and offer it to them respectfully. Practicing these methods, especially by the younger ones is worthy of praise. How wonderful it is for the young to show such gracious attitudes, which will bring good unto themselves as well.
On the other side of a gracious person there is the greedy and stingy person, for whom the traditions of the Holy Prophet have greatly warned about carrying out transactions with such people. Imam Hassan (PBUH) was asked about the meaning of stinginess. He responded, “Stinginess and baseness is giving little and having a foul and insulting tongue.”3 Tuhaf al-Uqul narrated from the family of the Messenger (may God bless him and his family and grant them peace), page 225[
What is meant by the word “nadi” in the above narration is the palms of a hand. A stingy person has a small hand, one who does not have a generous hand.
Allah blesses a hand that gives and is generous. The more we hold our hands, the more we restrict the blessings of Allah unto us. It is not the amount of wealth that we have, rather how we spend it. A greedy person is a person whom in addition to not having a giving hand has a foul mouth, and no one is at ease from his tongue.
How wonderful it is to learn from this generous example, and by practicing it according to the words of the oppressed leader, to attain and reserve the high stature and magnanimity.
Selection taken from the book The Goodness of Hassan by Sayyed Hussein Husseini, with minor changes
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