Exposition of the Hadith on Divine Generosity

This noble tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reveals profound aspects of Allah's divine attributes and His relationship with His servants.

The Divine Attributes

"Your Lord is munificent and generous" - The Arabic terms used are 'Hayy' and 'Karīm', indicating Allah's perfect living essence and boundless generosity. His munificence encompasses both material and spiritual provisions.

This divine generosity is not compelled by need but flows from Allah's essential nature as the Most Generous (al-Karīm), who gives without measure and without expectation of return.

The Concept of Divine "Shame"

"Is ashamed to turn away empty the hands of a servant" - This anthropomorphic expression must be understood according to Islamic theology: Allah is beyond human attributes, yet He describes Himself in terms we can comprehend.

This "shame" (hayā') signifies Allah's perfect honor and dignity that necessitates responding to His servants' supplications, not from deficiency but from perfect bounty and mercy.

The Act of Raising Hands

The physical gesture of raising hands in supplication symbolizes the servant's utter dependence, humility, and expectation from the Divine. It represents the connection between human need and divine sufficiency.

Scholars note that this hadith encourages persistence in supplication and firm belief in Allah's response, whether through granting what was asked, averting greater harm, or storing reward for the Hereafter.

Practical Implications

This teaching inspires confidence in divine response and encourages frequent, sincere supplication. It reminds believers that Allah's generosity exceeds human expectations and His wisdom determines the form and timing of the response.

The hadith also emphasizes the importance of proper etiquette (adab) in supplication: facing the qibla, raising hands, beginning with praise of Allah and blessings upon the Prophet, and maintaining certainty of response.