Hadith record

12. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from his father from Mu’ammar ibn Khallad who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), would ask for an empty plate before having food. He would keep it on one side at the table, then pick up the best of food from each kind brought for him, place them on the empty plate, and ask his people to give it to destitute people. He then would read this, ‘. . . they have not entered the stage. . . .’ (90:11), and say, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, knows that everyone is not able to set free slaves, thus He has made a way to reach paradise, which is serving food.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar·Thaqalayn link·The Arabic above is the original.