On the Day of Resurrection...

On the Day of Resurrection, Allah shall not look at the inhabitants of a village one of whose individuals is hungry[^5].” Fields of Generosity Virtues of generosity vary according to its fields. The noblest virtue of generosity, however, is carrying out the obligations of the Sharia, such as the zakat[^6], khums[^7], and the like.

The Prophet (S) said: “The most generous is he who fulfills that which Allah has deemed obligatory upon him[^8].” Then comes the second criterion of generosity, which is the settlement of the dependents’ needs. In addition to its being obligatory in the sight of both the Sharia and traditions, this matter is very important because, naturally, a man’s family members are the worthiest of his charity and kindness. Some individuals may behave abnormally in this regard.

They may ignore this genuine natural principal and go on conferring generously on the strangers for seeking reputation, while they behave stingily with their family members who, such being the case, will live in neediness and suffer poverty. Such irregular behaviors are originated from meanness and foolishness. Imam al-Kadhim (a) said: “Man’s dependents are his prisoners. Anyone upon whom Allah confers with graces should be generous towards his prisoners.

If he does not, he will soon be deprived of these graces[^9].” Imam ar-Rida (a) said: “Man should save the requirements of his family members’ lives, so that they will not hope were he dead[^10].” It is a big mistake to deprive the relatives of such emotions and pour them on the foreigners, because such behavior is regarded as barefaced disgrace that arouses the relatives’ hatred and deprives of their sympathy.

The true generous should begin with the nearest and the most beneficiary in his endowments, such as friends, neighbors, and people of virtue, because such classes are worthier of being treated generously. Incentives of Generosity The incentives of generosity vary according to individuals and reasons of openhandedness. The noblest incentive in this regard is that which is offered for the sake of God.

The incentive may be the desire for gaining praise and glory and, in this case, the generous is regarded as the merchant who bargains with his generosity. The incentive may, also, be the desire for gaining something or being saved from a fearful harm. These two matters encourage generosity. Love plays the greatest role in the encouragement on openhandedness for attracting and drawing the emotions of the beloved.