Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to reach the peak in generosity in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel met him. Gabriel used to meet him every night of Ramadan to teach him the Qur'an. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was the most generous person, even more generous than the strong uncontrollable wind (in readiness and haste to do charitable deeds).
The Excellence of the Prophet's Generosity
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book: Revelation, Hadith: 6) establishes the unparalleled generosity of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), describing him as the most generous among all people. His generosity was not merely a character trait but reached its zenith during Ramadan, a period divinely designated for spiritual excellence and increased devotion.
The Connection Between Revelation and Generosity
The hadith profoundly links the Prophet's heightened generosity with his nightly spiritual encounters with the Angel Gabriel. During Ramadan, Gabriel would revise the Qur'an with him. This continuous immersion in Divine Revelation purified his soul, increased his God-consciousness (Taqwa), and manifested as an overwhelming desire to give, mirroring Allah's infinite generosity.
The Simile of the Uncontrollable Wind
The scholars explain that the comparison to the "strong, uncontrollable wind" is a masterful Arabic metaphor (ka al-rih al-mursalah). It signifies several meanings: the speed and immediacy with which he gave, the comprehensiveness of his charity that reached all like the wind, and the powerful, unstoppable nature of his innate desire to benefit others, leaving no good deed undone.
Legal and Spiritual Rulings (Ahkam)
From this hadith, scholars derive the recommendation (mustahabb) to increase in all forms of generosity—through wealth, knowledge, and good conduct—especially during Ramadan. It also establishes the virtue of studying and revising the Qur'an during Ramadan, as this act is a direct cause for spiritual and moral elevation, transforming the believer's character to be more like the Best of Creation (ﷺ).