Bountiful generosity of the Holy Prophet ﷺ

Sayyidina Jabir bin Abdullah � relates that, “The Messenger of Allah was never

asked anything whatsoever, to which he said no.” (Bukhari, hadith 6034).

A grammatical analysis of this hadith lets one see the depth of the message as

“anything” is in the indefinite case (shay’an), to indicate the inclusion both, of major

requests and minor ones. It would also imply that if the Prophet ﷺ had what was

being sought, he would give; or he would respond with good words – such as

promising to give later or making supplication for the seeker. Thus, if he had, he

would give generously. And if he didn’t, he would make a promise and would fulfil that.

Once, ninety thousand dirhams from Bahrain were presented to the Holy Prophet

ﷺ. He asked to heap them up on a mat and then started giving them away. He did

not turn away anyone who asked until he gave away all the money, when suddenly

another man presented himself. The Prophet ﷺ said, “I don’t have anything but take a loan in my name and when I receive something I will pay it off.” Sayyidina Umar Farooq � then said, “O Messenger of Allah, why are you taking such an

extraordinary step of fulfilling someone’s demand when Allah does not hold you to account for what is beyond your means!” He disliked the words of Umar �. Another

man from the ansar said, “O Messenger of Allah, spend without constraint and do not be concerned about any dearth or shortage from the Possessor of the Throne,

Allah!” This delighted the Holy Prophet ﷺ with his blessed face appearing like a

blossoming flower. He then said, “This is what I have been commanded!”

Imam Muslim reported, on the authority of Rabi’ah bin Ka’b al-Aslam � that the

latter said: “I used to stay with the Prophet ﷺ at night to bring hm the water for

wudu (ablution) and serve him for anything that he might need. Once the Prophet

ﷺ (when he was very pleased with me) asked me: “Make a wish!” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I seek from you, your company in heaven.” To this the Prophet ﷺ replied “anything else?” I said, “That is [all that I need].” Then the Prophet ﷺ said: “Assist me in that by your frequent sujood (prostrations).” These ahadith elaborate two facts: firstly, that if anyone asked the Holy Prophet ﷺ of Allah for anything, he never left the seeker empty-handed; and secondly, that his

sphere of grace extended beyond this globe – to the blissful world of heaven! That the Holy Prophet ﷺ of Allah told Rabia bin Ka’b � to assist him with sujood

was to dispel any impression about the companions of the Prophet ﷺ displaying

any laxity in observing ibada (prayers).