Hadith record

Hadith.1577 - Hariz narrated from Zurara and Muhammad ibn Muslim that they both said to Abu Abdullah (as): "What do you say about the verse of Allah (swt) Almighty: ‘Indeed, alms are only for the poor, the needy, those employed to collect them, those whose hearts are to be reconciled, for freeing captives, for those in debt, in the way of Allah (swt), and for the stranded traveller — an obligation imposed by Allah (swt)’ (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60)? Should all these categories be given, even if they do not recognize (the Imam)?" Imam (as) replied: "The Imam distributes to all of them because they acknowledge his authority." Zurara asked: "What if they do not recognize (the Imam)?" Imam (as) replied: "O Zurara, if he were to give to those who recognize and withhold from those who do not, there would be no recipients left for these funds. He gives to those who do not recognize in order to attract them to the religion and stabilize them in it. However, today, neither you nor your companions should give it except to those who recognize (the Imam). If you find among these Muslims someone who is aware, give it to him rather than others." Imam then added: "The share of ‘those whose hearts are to be reconciled’ and the share of ‘freeing captives’ is general, while the rest are specific." Zurara asked: "What if there are no eligible recipients?" Imam (as) replied: "A duty that Allah (swt) Almighty has prescribed will never lack recipients." Zurara further asked: "What if the alms are not sufficient to meet their needs?" Imam responded: " Allah (swt) Almighty has prescribed for the poor in the wealth of the rich what suffices them. Had He known that this would not suffice them, He would have increased it. The shortage is not due to Allah’s (swt) decree, but due to those who withhold their due rights. Had people fulfilled their obligations, everyone would be living in ease."

Translation: Bab Ul Qaim Publications — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.