Al-Karīm - The Selflessly Generous One

Al-Karīm is the one who forgives when he has power (to exact retribution), the one who lives up to his promises when he promises and the one who exceeds the utmost one could desire when he gives. He is not concerned about the amount he gives and the one to whom he gives. If someone other than himself was sought, he is not pleased. When he is displeased (with a friend), he reproaches him but does not carry this to the limit. The one who seeks refuge and shelter with him is not lost and is spared the need of entreaties. The one who gathers to himself all of these descriptions and does this in a most natural way is the absolute Al-Karīm, and that one is God Most High alone.

Man may adorn himself by acquiring these characteristics, but (he may do this only) in respect of some things and (only) with a kind of affectation. For that reason he may be characterised by the term Al-Karīm, but he (still) remains deficient in comparison with the absolute Al-Karīm.