Generosity, benevolence and bountifulness are considered similar terms, rather synonyms, of each other. However, a deeper understanding differentiates these three human traits. Generosity is to spend happily on others without consideration of becoming poor or running out of resources. This can be practised only by a brave person. Its opposite is meanness. Benevolence, on the other hand, is an act of kindness done with kind-heartedness. It implies parting with something useful thing a person possesses for the use of another person, giving that beneficiary preference over self. Its antonym is miserliness. Bountifulness is to spend at ease and be liberal in providing benefits, and avoiding sources of income which are considered wrong. Niggardliness is its opposite.
Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless and grant him peace, was the epitome of all these qualities – generosity, benevolence and bountifulness – and the best example of human history. No one has ever surpassed him in these attributes and no one else would ever be so. All the testimonies of the persons who were in his contact describe these qualities.
His companion Jabir, son of Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them, said, “The Prophet was not asked for anything to which he said ‘No’.” Other companions also reported the same.
Abdullah, son of Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, reported, “The Prophet was most generous of people in giving gifts.” This generosity would increase multiple of times in the month of Ramadhan.” When he met with Jibreel, may Allah bestow peace to him, his generosity would be ‘more than the flowing wind.’
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, described about a man who asked the Prophet for something. He gave that man the herd of all the sheep which were grazing at that time between two mountains. That man went back to his tribe and invited them to accept the message of the Prophet whom he described as a person who, ‘gives gifts like a person who does not fear poverty.’
The Prophet gave more than hundred camels to several persons. He gave Safwan a hundred camels first and then gave him additional two hundred camels. Waraqa, son of Nofil, said to him, “You bear all and accomplish what others are denied.”
He returned six thousand captives of Hawazin. He gave so much gold to Abdullah, son of Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, that he was not able to carry them. Once 90,000 silver coins (dirhams) were brought to him and he sat on a mat and distributed the whole lot.
He never denied any request of help from any person. Once, when the Prophet had noting worth giving, a man asked for help. He suggested that seeker of help to buy his necessities from any shop on his (the Prophet’s) account which he would pay off after getting resources for that. Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, commented that it was not the obligation of the Prophet to do something which he was not able to do. The Prophet did not like this suggestion. Another companion of the Prophet said, “O Messenger of Allah! Spend and do not fear decrease from the Master of the Throne.” This reply pleased the Prophet and his face glowed with delight. He said, “It is what I have been commanded.”
The Prophet preferred giving gifts in reply to persons giving him gifts and he gave back gifts in higher quantity and value. Mu’awwidh, son of Afra, reported, I brought a plate full of dates and cucumber, and he gave me many gold and jewellery.”
Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, informed that the Prophet never kept any wealth stored up for the next day.
Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that once a man came to reclaim his debt of half a wasq provided earlier to the Prophet who gave him one wasq, saying that half of that was the repayment and the other half was a gift. [wasq was a unit of measurement which today would be about 13 kilograms]