Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه and his altruistic nature

O devotees of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan! Another of his great characteristics, was that he would give what was beloved to him to others. Here is a notable incident from his life.

Giving an Umbrella to the Needy

During the rainy season, people would go to the Masjid and travel in the rain. Haji Kifayatullah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه felt the difficulty of this and purchased an umbrella and gave it as a gift, but kept it with himself. When Haji Kifayatullah would see Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, he would take the Imam with him to the Masjid under the umbrella. A few days passed and someone who needed an umbrella requested for one. The Imam رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه immediately took the umbrella from Haji Kifayatullah رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه and gave it to the one in need.^[1]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                                                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

O devotees of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan! You have heard of the generosity and sacrifice of the great Imam. Despite needing things for himself, he would give them to others in need without any hesitation. He knew how Islam taught us to be compassionate, caring and generous to others. He knew how Islam taught us to increase the love between people by giving gifts to others, in a permissible manner. This is why he would be elated when given the opportunity to give preference to his Muslim brothers over himself. It is stated in a Hadith: “Someone who desires something, then withholds that desire and gives preference (to someone else) over himself, shall be forgiven by Allah”^[2]

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                                                 صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد