The Excellence of the Poor Muslims

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-‘Ala’ from ibn abu Ya’fur from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The poor Muslims will stroll in the gardens of paradise forty years before the wealthy Muslims. An example of this is the case of two ships arriving at the tax collector’s post. The tax collector searches one of the ships and finds it empty. He withdraws and the ship is free to go. But he finds the other ship fill of goods. He then orders his people to follow the accounting procedure.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

107. Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, and Ali Bin Ibrahiim, from his father, altogether from Ibn Mahboub, from Haroun Bin Mansour Al-Abady, from Abu Al-Ward, who has narrated the following: Abu Ja’far (asws) said: ‘The Rasool Allah (saww) said Fatima (sa) regarding her (asws) dream which she (asws) saw, to say: ‘I (asws) seek Refuge by what the Angels of Proximity of Allah (azwj), and His (azwj) Rasool Prophets (as), and His (azwj) righteous servants seek Refuge with, from the evil of what I (asws) have seen during my (asws) night, this one, from affecting me (asws) of its evil or anything that I (asws) dislike’. Then turn towards your (asws) left three times’.

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Sa’dan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Misfortunes are gifts from Allah and poverty is in His treasure.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) in a marfu’ manner from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O Ali, Allah has made poverty a trust in His creatures. Whoever hides it, Allah grants him a reward equal to the reward for a fasting person who stands at night to worship Allah. One who reveals it to a person, who is able to help but does not help, it is then as if he has killed him. Although he has not killed him with a sword, or with a spear, but has done so by breaking his heart.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from Dawud al-Hadhdha’ from Muhammad ibn Saghir from his grandfather, Shu’ayb from Mufaddal who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘As the belief of a person increases in strength, his poverty intensifies.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

5. Through his chain of narrators (Ali ibn Ibrahim) has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Had it not been due to the believers’ pleading before Allah to increase their sustenance, He would have moved them to a poorer condition.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from certain individuals of his people in a marfu’ manner from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Whatever a servant is given of worldly things is to make him learn a lesson and whatever is withheld from him is to place him under the trial.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Nuh ibn Shu’ayb and abu Ishaq al-Khaffaf from a man from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “For our pure Shi’a (followers) there is nothing under the rule of the unjust power more than bare necessities. Westernize or Easternize, you will never gain more than bare necessities.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan al-Ash’ari from certain individuals of his teachers from Edris ibn ‘Abd Allah from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘O Ali, the need (poverty) is Allah’s trust with His creatures. Whoever keeps it secret Allah grants him a reward equal to that for one who prays, but if he reveals it to one who is able to help and does not help he has killed him, not with a sword or spears, but has killed him by breaking his heart.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

10. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ibrahim ibn ‘Aqabah from Isma’il ibn Sahl and Isma’il ibn ‘Abbad all in a marfu’ manner from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “There was no one of the children of Adam who was a believer but that was poor and there was no one of the children of Adam who was an unbeliever but that was rich until Ibrahim came. He said, ‘O Lord, save us from the evil intentions of the unbelievers. . . .’ (60:5) Thereafter Allah made these (believing people) rich as well as needy and those (unbelievers) wealthy as well as poor and needy.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

11. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from those he has mentioned (in his book) from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a wealthy man in clean clothes came to the Messenger of Allah and sat down near the Messenger of Allah. Thereafter a poor man in not so clean clothes came and sat next to the wealthy man who then pulled his clothes away from underneath the thighs of the poor man. The Messenger of Allah then asked the wealthy man, ‘Did you fear his poverty might stick to you?’ The wealthy man said, ‘No, that was not the reason.’ The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘Did you fear that something from your wealth might go to him?’ He said, ‘No, that was not the reason.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Did you fear that your clothes may get dirty?’ He said, ‘No, that was not the reason.’ The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘What then was the reason?’ He said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have an associate who makes every evil thing attractive to me and vice versa in every good thing. I have decided to give half of my wealth to him (the poor man).’ The Messenger of Allah asked the poor man, ‘Do you accept it?’ He said, ‘No, I do not accept it.’ The wealthy man asked the poor man, ‘Why do you not accept my offer?’ The poor man said, ‘I am afraid, I will began to feel the way your associate makes you feel.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Sulayman ibn Dawud al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “It is in the conversation of Moses, ‘O Moses, when you see poverty coming say, “Welcome to the way of life of the virtuous people. When, you see wealth coming, say, ‘It is a sin. I wanted to experience its punishment early (before the Day of Judgment).”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

13. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Tuba (a tree in paradise) is for the destitutes who bear patience and they are the ones who observe the kingdom of heavens and earth.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

14. Through the same chain of narrators he has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘O destitute people, rejoice and be happy wholeheartedly with Allah. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will reward you because of your poverty, if you did not do so, you will not receive any rewards.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

15. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from ‘Isa al-Farra’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “When it will be the Day of Judgment, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, will command an announcer to announce and call before Him, ‘Where are the poor people?’ certain heads will rise and they will be many. Allah will say, ‘My servants.’ They will say, ‘Yes, our Lord.’ Allah will say, ‘I did not make you poor considering you as insignificant. I chose you for this day. Search among the people those who helped you for My sake and compensate them on My behalf with paradise.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim al-Hadhdha’ from Muhammad ibn Saghir from his grandfather, Shu’ayb from Mufaddal who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Had it not been for this Shi’a’s (followers) insistence on receiving more sustenance from Allah He would have moved them from their present condition to a more severe poverty.”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

17. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from ibn Faddal from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn ibn Kathir al-Khazzaz who has said the following: “Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked me, ‘Do you want to go to the market where fruits and things that you desire are sold?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 like to go.’ The Imam said, ‘However, for everything that you like to buy but cannot buy there is a reward of one good deed for you.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

18. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Ali ibn ‘Affan from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Exalted of praise, will apologize to His believing servants who are poor in this world just as a brother apologizes to a brother and He will say, ‘I swear by my Majesty and Glory that I did not make you poor in the world considering you insignificant. Remove this curtain and look what I have given you in exchange for your poverty in the world. ’ The Imam said, ‘He will then raise the curtain and say, ‘(O Lord,) your withholding the wealth of the world from me in exchange for what You have kept in reserve for me has not harmed me at all.”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

19. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn al-Hakam from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When it will be the Day of Judgment certain necks of people will rise, approach the door of paradise and knock on it. They will be asked, ‘Who are you?’ They will say, ‘We are the poor people.’ They will be told, ‘Show your accounts.’ They will say, ‘You did not give us anything. Why do you ask us for accounts?’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say they have spoken the truth admit them into paradise.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

20. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Mubarak slave of Shu’ayb who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, “I have not made certain people rich because they are important to Me and I have not made certain people poor because they are insignificant to Me. It is because I wanted to try the rich through the poor. Had there been no poor, the rich ones would not have deserved paradise.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

21. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Ishaq ibn ‘Isa from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar and al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Our wealthy Shi’a (followers) are our trustees for our poor Shi’a. Protect us by protecting them (the poor Shi’a).”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

22. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Poverty is more beautifying for the believers than the best decorated harness with ornament is for the head of a horse.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

23. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ghalib from his father from Sa’id ibn al-Musayyib who has said the following: “Once I asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Were it not that all people would become one nation, . . .’ - and the Imam said, ‘It (all people) stands for the followers of Muhammad (a.s.) all of whom might turn to disbelief, - ‘ ... We would have made for the unbelievers in the Beneficent, ceilings out of silver. . . (43:33) Had Allah done so to the followers of Muhammad (a.s.) the believers might feel very depressed and they would not establish any marital relations with and inheritance for those turning to disbelief (thus, they might become extinct).’” Note: To understand better, read the whole verse: ‘Were it not that all people would become one nation, We would have made for the unbelievers in the Beneficent, ceilings out of silver. . . (43:33 Had all unbelievers been given so much wealth, the common Muslims might have abandoned their religion considering the prosperity of the unbelievers as a sign of Allah’s happiness with them. In fact, according to Allah, worldly things are of no significance at all.

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.

9. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sa’dan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will turn to the poor believing people, similar to an apologetic one, and will say, “I swear by My Majesty and Glory that I did not make you suffer poverty in the world, considering you insignificant. You will find out how I treat you today. Hold the hands of those who helped you in the worldly life and take them to paradise.” The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘A man from among them will say, ‘O Lord, people competed in their world to marry, dress up in fine garments, to have fine food, nice houses, and riding best animals, thus, give me what you had given to them.’ Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, will say, ‘You and every one of you will have what I had given to the people of the world from its beginning to its end, seventy times as much.’”

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.