SERMON 142
Against misplaced generosity
He who shows generosity to
those who have no claim to it or who are not fit for it would not earn
anything except the praise of the ignoble and appreciation of bad persons,
although as long s he continues giving, the ignorant will say how generous
his hand is, even though in the affairs of Allah he is a miser.
Therefore, to whosoever
Allah gives wealth he should use it in extending good behaviour to his
kinsmen, in entertaining, in releasing prisoners and the afflicted; in
giving to the poor and to debtors, and he should endure (the troubles
arising out of) the fulfilment of rights (of others) and hardships in
expectation of reward.
Certainly, the achievement
of these qualities is the height of greatness in this world and
achievement of the distinctions of the next world; if Allah so wills.
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