Karam
Definition
Karam — generosity — is the primary virtue that al-Ghazali prescribes as the cure for bukhl, and he presents it as one of the most valued and most comprehensive virtues in Islamic character. The generous person is not merely someone who gives money freely but someone whose entire orientation is one of abundance rather than scarcity — who approaches every relationship, every encounter, and every opportunity with an orientation of giving rather than taking. Al-Ghazali traces the connection between generosity and other virtues: the generous person tends toward humility (they do not hold what they have as their own), toward tawakkul (they trust Allah's provision enough to release what they hold), and toward love of others.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Karam.
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"generosity is giving without expectation of return. This is the reality, and such generosity is only conceivable from Allah the Exalted. For as for humans, the term generosity is metaphorical since they give only for a purpose. However, if their purpose is solely reward in the hereafter or acquiring the virtue of generosity and purifying the soul from the vileness of miserliness, they are considered generous. But if driven by fear of censure, blame, or anticipated benefits from the beneficiaries, it is not true generosity, because the person is compelled by these motivations, which are immediate compensations, making him recompensed,"
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 27: Condemnation of Miserliness and Love of Wealth
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"It commanded them to be miserly, and they were miserly. It commanded them to sever ties, and they severed them." The miser responds to the call of stinginess, while the altruist answers the call of generosity. True generosity is being generous with what belongs to others, and it surpasses the generosity of giving one's own possessions. عَبْدُ اللّٰه بْن المُبَارَك said: "Generosity of the soul with what is in the hands of others is better than the generosity of the soul in giving.""
— Ibn al-Qayyim, Volume Two
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"know that it is for a good that is intended for you. And اللّٰه, glorified and exalted, knows best. §§U0007§§ Chapter: The Ranks of Generosity Generosity has ten ranks. The first rank of generosity is giving one's own life, which is considered the highest form. As the poet beautifully expressed: "He gives his life when the miser holds it dear, and generosity with life is the utmost limit of generosity.""
— Ibn al-Qayyim, Volume Two
Appears in
1 book in the library
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