The Generosity and Humility of Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) – Fazaail Sadaqaat – Taleem Series – Part Twenty Nine

A man once visited Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and recited two verses of poetry which meant:

When you do a favour or behave generously

See that you are doing so to those who deserve your favour

For only then is a favour worth its name

Do not favour a man who does not deserve the favour

And when you do a favour to someone, then do it for the pleasure of Allah alone (for then, you can do favours to the non-Muslims and the animals alike, without giving thought to whether they deserve it or not)

Or let your favours be showered upon your relatives (as their family ties with you makes them worthy of your favours)

Apart from these two (i.e. doing a favour for the pleasure of Allah or doing a favour for your family relatives), do not let your favours be wasted upon those who are not deserving.

(This poem was meant for Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) himself who was famous for his generosity, as his generosity and favours were so general and unrestricted that it would be showered upon one and all, just like the rain which falls upon all people.)

Hearing these couplets, Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “Such poetry makes a person stingy and miserly. I would rather shower my favours upon everyone like rain. If my favours reach the noble and the deserving, then well and good for they are undoubtedly worthy of it, and if it reaches those who are not deserving of it, then I shall blame myself for being unworthy, on account of which my money reaches those who are not deserving and are ungrateful.”

These words were spoken by Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja’far (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in complete humility. He humbly felt that he was unworthy, and due to this, his wealth was worthless and was only fit for unworthy people.

(Fazaa’il-e-Sadaqaat [Urdu] pg. 703-704)