The Essence of Generosity
جود و سخاوت کی حقیقت
يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ، مَا كَسَبْتَ فَوْقَ قُوتِكَ، فَأَنْتَ فِيهِ خَازِنٌ لِغَيْرِكَ.
اے فرزندِ آدم! جو کچھ تو نے اپنی ضرورت سے زیادہ کمایا ہے، اس میں تو دوسروں کا خزانچی (محافظ) ہے۔
“O son of Adam! Whatever you earn beyond your basic needs, you are only a treasurer for it on behalf of others.”
Reflections: Imam Ali ؑ redefines the concept of ownership. He suggests that while we feel we “own” our wealth, anything beyond what we actually consume for survival is essentially meant for the benefit of others. We are merely trustees. If we hold onto it, we are guarding it for heirs or for the community; if we spend it in God’s way, we fulfill our true role as distributors of Divine Rizq (sustenance).