One
of the ways to implement upright moral character is to perform acts of
generosity and kindness, even when facing difficulties ourselves.
Generosity is not limited to wealth as some people may think. Rather,
generosity includes extending personal help, or using one's ability to
help others, in addition to giving wealth.
When
we see a person taking care of the need of others, assisting them in
many matters, spreading knowledge amongst them, and spending money on
them, we describe them as having good character, since they are
performing acts of kindness.
Abu
Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Fear Allah wherever you are, follow up a bad deed with a good one, it will wipe it out, and behave well with the people." (Jaami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1987)
Furthermore Abu Dharr also narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you." (Jaami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1956)
Allah
has praised those who excuse the people who overlook acts of ill
treatment against them, describing the people who will attain His mercy:
"And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may obtain mercy. And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. Who spend [in the cause of Allah ] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people - and Allah loves the doers of good." (Quran, 3:132-134)
Allah
also says in another Surah the following:
"Good deeds and bad deeds cannot be equal. Respond with what is better, and suddenly, the one who had animosity for you will be like a close friend. And it is not granted except to those who have patience, and it is not granted except to those who have a great share." (Quran: 41:34-35)
