During the golden ages of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), a remarkable incident took place. Three people had a discussion in the precincts of the Ka’bah as to who was the most generous man of the time.
One of them argued that Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) was the most charitable, the second one was of the opinion that Sayyiduna Qais bin Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) was the most generous, and the third person nominated Sayyiduna ‘Araabah Awsi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as his candidate.
Their debate continued until their voices created quite a din near the Ka’bah. Hence, a person came forward and offered a suggestion, “Each one of you should go to the person whom he claims to be the most generous one (and ask him for some assistance). He should then see what he offers him, and thereafter the decision (regarding who is the most generous one) can be made clearly.”
They all agreed to this idea. Thus the first person went to Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma). He reached him when he had mounted his conveyance, about to set out on a journey. When he met him, he said, “O cousin of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), (I am) a traveller and I do not have any provisions.” Spontaneously, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) dismounted his conveyance and said, “Place your foot (in the stirrup) and mount the conveyance, for the conveyance and whatever is on it belongs to you.” He further mentioned to him, “Do not be deceived by this sword (thinking it to be an ordinary one) as it is one of the swords of ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)!”.
This person thus returned to his friends with a huge camel. Upon inspecting the contents of the saddle bag, he found four thousand gold coins and silken shawls amongst other items. However, the most precious and valuable item by far was the sword of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
The second person went to Sayyiduna Qais bin Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) and found him asleep. When his slave girl enquired as to the reason for his visit, he explained that he was a traveller and did not have any provisions. She replied that his need was too insignificant to wake Sayyiduna Qais bin Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) up (i.e. she had the permission to fulfil his need without asking for permission from her master). She therefore gave him a bag which contained seven hundred gold coins and remarked; “There is no other wealth in the house of Qais (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) today.” Along with this wealth, she also asked him to go to the camel enclosure of Sayyiduna Qais (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and take a conveyance and a slave.
When Sayyiduna Qais bin Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) awoke, she informed him what had transpired. He was so pleased with her actions that he freed her out of appreciation to her for acting on his behalf in this generous manner. He then remarked, “Why did you not wake me up so that I could have given him an amount which will be sufficient for him, since the amount you gave him is perhaps not enough for his needs!”
The third person went to Sayyiduna ‘Araabah Awsi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and found him leaving his house, heading for salaah. He had lost his eyesight, and was therefore taking support on two slaves. The person went up to him and told him that he was a traveller who did not have any provisions. Without hesitation he separated himself from the two slaves. Thereafter, he clapped his hands together and said; “Oh! Oh! By Allah, (fulfilling) the rights (of people) have not left anything from the wealth of ‘Araabah! However, you may take these two (slaves!)”
Seeing his pitiful condition, this person declined the offer. However, Sayyiduna ‘Araabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied by saying, “If you do not take them then they are free. Therefore, if you wish you may free (them) and if you wish you may take (them).” Saying this, he continued walking (to the masjid), holding the walls (so that he could find his way). This third person took the slaves and returned to his companions.
When these three responses were presented before the people, they passed judgment that Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) had indeed generously offered a huge amount of wealth, the most valuable being the sword of Sayyiduna ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
They also concluded that Sayyiduna Qais bin Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) was definitely from among the very generous ones, since he had even granted his slave girl the authority to distribute his wealth (to the needy), and on learning of her actions, he became so happy that he set her free.
After acknowledging the generosity of these two great personalities, they all unanimously agreed that the most generous of the three was definitely Sayyiduna ‘Araabah Awsi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Despite having close to nothing, he was willing to offer whatever he had (for the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala).
(Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 8, pg. 272)
Lessons:
1. Allah Ta‘ala mentions in the Quraan Majeed, “You shall never attain righteousness unless you spend from that which you love.” (Surah Aal ‘Imraan v92) The reality of this verse was entrenched in the hearts of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), as is evidently clear from this incident. This prompted them to give away their most valued possessions without a second thought, even if they themselves were in need of it.
2. Assisting those in need is a means of earning great reward, as well as securing the help and mercy of Allah Ta‘ala. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentions, “Allah Ta‘ala helps his slave as long as that slave is engaged in helping his brother.” (Saheeh Muslim #6853) Therefore, if we wish to attain the mercy and help of Allah Ta‘ala, we should also fulfil the needs of the servants of Allah Ta‘ala.
