Hadith.1574 - Abdullah ibn Sinan reported from Abu Abdullah Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) who said: "Indeed, Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, has ordained Zakat just as He has ordained prayer. If a man were to carry the Zakat and give it openly, there would be no fault upon him in that, because Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, has decreed for the poor in the wealth of the rich that which suffices them. And if He knew that what He has ordained for them would not suffice them, He would have increased it. The deprivation faced by the poor in what they are given stems from the refusal of those who withhold their rightful dues, not from the insufficiency of the obligation."

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

Hadith.1575 - Mubarak Al-Aqrqoufi narrated from Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) who said: "Zakat was established as sustenance for the poor and a means of increasing their wealth."

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

Hadith.1576 - Musa ibn Bakr reported from Abu al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (as) who said: "Protect your wealth through Zakat."

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

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.

Hadith.1579 - In a narration from Abu al-Husayn Muhammad ibn Ja'far al-Asadi, may Allah (swt) be pleased with him, from Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Barmaki, from Abdullah ibn Ahmad, from al-Fadl ibn Isma'il, from Mu'attib, the servant of Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as): Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (as) said: "Zakat was ordained as a test for the wealthy and as support for the poor. If people paid the Zakat on their wealth, no Muslim would remain poor or in need. They would find sufficiency through what Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, has prescribed for them. People only become impoverished, needy, hungry, or unclothed because of the sins of the wealthy. It is a truth upon Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, that He withholds His mercy from those who withhold Allah’s (swt) right in their wealth. I swear by the One who created creation and spread sustenance that no wealth is lost on land or sea except due to the neglect of Zakat. And no prey is hunted on land or sea except due to the neglect of glorification (of Allah (swt)) on that day. Indeed, the most beloved of people to Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, are the most generous in giving, and the most generous of people is the one who pays the Zakat of his wealth and does not withhold from the believers what Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, has ordained for them in his wealth."

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

Hadith.1580 - Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (as) wrote to Muhammad ibn Sinan in response to his questions: "The reason for the obligation of Zakat is to provide sustenance for the poor and to protect the wealth of the rich. Allah (swt), the Almighty and Majestic, has tasked the healthy with caring for those who are afflicted and tested, as Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, says: 'You will surely be tested in your wealth and your souls' (Surah Ali ’Imran 3:186). In your wealth, it refers to the giving of Zakat, and in your souls, it refers to preparing yourselves for patience. This also serves as an expression of gratitude for Allah’s (swt) blessings, an aspiration for an increase in provision, and a means of fostering compassion and mercy for the weak, sympathy for the impoverished, and encouragement for mutual assistance and solidarity. It strengthens the poor and aids them in their religious duties. It also serves as a reminder and a lesson for the wealthy to reflect on the poor of the Hereafter through the poor of this world. It inspires them to thank Allah (swt), Blessed and Exalted, for what He has bestowed upon them, and to make supplications, humble themselves, and fear becoming like the impoverished in many matters. These include fulfilling Zakat, giving in charity, maintaining ties of kinship, and performing acts of kindness."

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