Beneficence

Introduction.

The Almighty Allah excelled in creating the universe. He, in so many verses, affirmed His outstanding creation of all creatures. This is, in fact, a call to human being to perfect all his deeds. He said:

« And we created the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, in six days, and no weariness touched us». [Surat Qâf, 38].

«Indeed we have fashioned mankind according to the best organizational plan» «We created man of the best stature». [Surat At-Teen /The Fig, 04].

« And the most sublime Attributes of God are to Him alone, so call Him by them, and ignore those who distort them in apostasy, they shall be requited for what they have done». [Surat Al Araf /The Heights, 180].

« God, there is no god but He, to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names». [Surat Tâ-Hâ, 08].

I. The definition of beneficence.

Beneficence is a word that is commonly used for all that is good. It refers to beauty, innovation and perfection.

II. Its domains.

Ibnu El Qaim said: “The position of beneficence is what comprehend all the position”. The prophet-may peace be upon him- said: « Verily. Allah the Great ordered beneficence in every thing. So when you kill, kill in a kind manner and when you slaughter, slaughter kindly…».

1- The domain of intentions.

Beneficence implies loyalty and faithfulness to Allah. Allah the Great said:

«Say, “surly my prayer and my devotion, my life and my death are all for God, the Lord of the Worlds». [Surat Al Anâm /The Cattle, 162].

«No partner with He, and this is what I have been commanded, and I the first of those who are Muslim». [Suart Al Anâm /The Cattle, 163].

Faithfulness is the starting point of every thing, and a good end is due to a good start.

2- The domain of worships.

Omar Ibnu El-Khatab said: The prophet-may peace be upon him said: «…Beneficence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you do not see Him know that He sees you». [Reported by Muslim].

The prophet also said: «O Muâd! By God I certainly love you, so do not forget to say at the end of each prayer: O my Lord! I implore your help to utter your name, to praise you and to better worship you». [Reported by Muslim].

3- In the domain of behaviours and morals.

a) The manner of behaving.

- With the others: Allah the Great said: «And good deeds and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is best, then he with whom you had enmity shall become as a loyal friend!». [Surat Fussilat /The Expounded, 34].

- With the neighbors: The prophet-may peace be upon him-said: «Gabriel is always advising me to take care of the neighbours until I thought that he is going to make of him a heir». [Agreed on].

He also said: « The one who really believes in Allah and the Last Day should be kind to his neighbour».

b) To be a model.

Allah the Great said: «You have a good example in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people: "We are free of you and that you worship other than God. We disbelieve in you, and between us and you enmity has risen, and hatred forever, until you believe in God alone". But Abraham said to his father: “I shall ask for forgiveness for you, but I have no sway over that which God may do to you”. “Our Lord, in You we trust, to You we turn, to You is our return». [Surat Al-Mumtahina /The Examined one, 04].

The prophet-may peace be upon him- said: «Man follows the religion of his companion». [Reported by Muslim].

c) The good morals.

Anas bnu Mâlik-may God be pleased with him-said: «The prophet-may peace be upon him was the best mannered human being». [Agreed on].

Abi Hurayra said: The prophet-may peace be upon him- was asked about the major things that lead to paradise. He said: «The fear of Allah and the good morals». [Reported by Et-Termidi and he said it is a sound Hadith].

Abi Hurayra also reported that the prophet-may peace be upon him- said: «The most perfect of the believers in faith are those who have the best morals…». [Reported by Et-Termidi and he said it is a sound Hadith].

Abi Adardâ’-may God be pleased with him- reported that the prophet- may peace be upon him- said: «Nothing will be heavier in the Day of Resurrection than good morals». [Reported by Et-Termidi and he said it is a sound Hadith].

Muâd bnu Djabal reported that the prophet- may peace be upon him- said: «Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up the evil deed with a good deed for it rubs it out, and treat people with good morals». [Reported by El-Boukhari and Muslim].

d) Greeting.

Allah the Great said: «And when you are greeted with a greeting, greet with one better than it, or return it, surely God keeps a watchful count over everything». [Surat An-Nissâ’ /The Women, 86].

e) A good saying.

The prophet-may peace be upon him said: «He who believes in Allah and the Day of Resurrection must say good or keep silent». [Reported by El-Boukhari and Muslim].

f) Smile.

The prophet-may peace be upon him-said: «…And smiling at your brother is a charity». [Reported by El-Boukhari and Muslim].

4- The way of behaving with the parents.

Allah the Great said: «And your Lord has commanded that you shall not worship any but Him, and that you should be kind to your parents, whether one or both of them reach old age, say not to them any word of contempt, nor rebuke them, but address them in honourable terms». [Surat Al-Isrâ’/ The Nocturnal trip, 23].

A man came to the prophet -may peace be upon him- and said: who deserves more my good companionship? The prophet said: your mother. The man said: who then? He answered: your mother. The man said: and who then? The prophet said: your mother. The man asked him for the fourth time, then the prophet said: your father. [Agreed on].

5- In the domain of Dawa (the call to Allah).

The Almighty Allah said: «Call all mankind to the way of your Lord with wisdom and sound advice, and reason with them in a well mannered way. Indeed your Lord is well aware of those who have gone astray from His Way, and He is well aware of those who are guided». [Surat En Nahl /The Bee, 125].

6- In the domain of justice.

The Almighty Allah said:

«…And weight with a just balance, this is better and fairer for you». [Surat Al-Isrâ’ /The Nocturnal trip, from the verse 35].

«Most surely God enjoins justice, the doing of good deeds and generosity to near of kin, and He forbids indecency, abomination and tyranny. He admonishes you that you may remember». [Surat En Nahl /The Bee, 90].

7- In the domain of working.

The Almighty Allah said: «Surely those who believe and do righteous deeds, we do not waste the reward of one who does good deeds». [Surat Al-Kahf /The Cave, 125].

The prophet-may peace be upon him- said: «Allah likes you if you do a work to perfect it». [Reported by Ibnu Madja].

III. Conclusions:

Among the fruits of beneficence we mention:

1- The merit of Allah’s company. The Almighty Allah said: «Indeed God is with those who are pious, and those who are doers of good». [Surat En Nahl /The Bee, 128].

Ibnu Atâ’ Es-Skandarani said: «what he has lost the one who found Allah (the right way)».

2- The merit of Allah’s love. Allah the Great said: «…And then be God fearing and do good, and God loves those who do good». [Surat Al-Mâ’ida /The Table spread, from the verse 93].

3- The merit of the great reward. Allah the Great said: «…To those among them who do good and fear God, there shall be a great reward». [Surat Al-Imran/The family of Imran, from the verse 172].

4- Winning over people’s hearts. One poet said:

Be kind to people you win their hearts;

Beneficence most frequently enthral mankind.

5- Reaching high degrees in worships, sciences and knowledge.

6- The acquittal.

7- Achieving peace of the mind and tranquillity of the self.

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