“There are two traits that cannot coexist in a believer: stinginess and bad character.”1
One of the most important qualities of a believer, as described in the Qur’an and Sunnah, is that they are a hero of charity. Charity (infaq) encompasses all acts of giving, including Zakat, which is obligatory for the wealthy, as well as all voluntary alms.
Another hadith is as follows: “A stingy person is far from Allah, far from Paradise, and far from people; they are close to Hell. A generous person is close to God, close to Paradise, and close to people; they are far from Hell. An ignorant but generous person is more beloved to God than a stingy worshipper (someone devoted to worship).”2
God has given everything to humans generously. Giving is a divine attribute. As those who should embody the attributes of God, we should be able to give generously what God has given to us. Is it not the greatest disrespect to God, who gives everything, to fail to see Him and adopt stinginess as a way of life?
Bad character is a trait that should not exist in a believer. Good character is an essential quality of a believer and is equivalent to faith. As stated in the hadith, if these two traits—stinginess and bad character—are found in a believer, it is very dangerous for them. The body cannot carry these two viruses, each of which causes great destruction. If a believer has one of these traits, it alone can seriously harm them, but the believer can still continue to live. However, the body cannot carry both at the same time. Therefore, a believer should examine themselves, monitor their behavior, and protect themselves from these deadly viruses by seeking advice, making prayers, and taking other precautions.
Stinginess was one of the traits most despised by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). When someone asked him for something, if he had it, he would give it; if he didn’t, he would promise to give it later. Sometimes, people would even ask for the only garment he was wearing, and without hesitation, he would give it to them.
One day, a Bedouin came and asked him for something, and the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) gave him what he asked for. The man asked again, and the Prophet gave it to him once more. On the third request, however, the Prophet had nothing left to give, so he promised to give it later, as soon as he had something available. This situation deeply saddened the respected Umar, who was upset that the Prophet was being troubled to such an extent. Umar sat up and said, “They asked, and you gave. They asked again, and you gave. They asked once more, and you promised to give it later. Do not burden yourself so much, O Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him)!” However, these words displeased the Prophet. Seeing the slight furrowing of his eyebrows, Abdullah ibn Huzafah al-Sahmi stood up and said, “Give, O Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him), and do not think that God will leave you in poverty or withhold His blessings from you!” The Prophet remained silent for a while and then said, “This is what I have been commanded to do.” 3
Selcuk Camcı
Selçuk Camcı graduated from the Faculty of Theology in 1992. He completed his master’s degree in the field of Hadith and is currently a PhD student in Islamic Law. Camcı has worked as an editor for religious publications, including Yeni Ümit magazine. He also received Chaplaincy (spiritual guidance) training in the United States.
Footnotes:
1.Tirmidhi, Birr, 41.
2.Tirmidhi, Birr, 40.
3.Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidaya, 6/63