Family & Kinship

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع أَنَّ لِي وُلْداً رِجَالًا وَ نِسَاءً أَ فَيَجُوزُ لِي أَنْ أُعْطِيَهُمْ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ شَيْئاً فَكَتَبَ ع أَنَّ ذَلِكَ جَائِزٌ لَكُمْ.

‘It is permissible for you.’”

سَأَلْتُ الصَّادِقَ ع أَدْفَعُ عُشْرَ مَالِي إِلَى وُلْدِ ابْنَتِي قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked al-Sadiq, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can I give one out of ten of my asset to the children of my daughter? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ أَخٌ‌ لَهُ زَكَاتَهُ لِيَقْسِمَهَا فَضَاعَتْ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى الرَّسُولِ وَ لَا عَلَى الْمُؤَدِّي ضَمَانٌ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَجِدْ لَهَا أَهْلًا فَفَسَدَتْ وَ تَغَيَّرَتْ أَ يَضْمَنُهَا قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ إِنْ عَرَفَ لَهَا أَهْلًا فَعَطِبَتْ أَوْ فَسَدَتْ فَهُوَ لَهَا ضَامِنٌ حَتَّى يُخْرِجَهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose brother sends his Zakat to distribute among beneficiaries but it is lost. He (the Imam) said, ‘The messenger is not responsible as well as the payer.’ I then asked, ‘If he does not find the beneficiary and it is spoiled or changed, is he responsible?’ He (the Imam)

كُنَّا مَعَ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ فَأَتَاهُ عَمْرُو بْنُ إِلْيَاسَ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ أَخِي بِحَلَبَ بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ بِمَالٍ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقْسِمُهُ بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقُطِعَ عَلَيْهِ الطَّرِيقُ فَهَلْ عِنْدَكَ فِيهِ رِوَايَةٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ وَ لَمْ أَظُنَّ أَنَّ أَحَداً يَسْأَلُنِي عَنْهَا أَبَداً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الرَّجُلُ يَب

“Once we were with abu Basir when ‘Amr ibn ’Ilyas came to him and said, ‘O abu Muhammad, my brother from Halab has sent to me a certain amount of goods of Zakat so I distribute in al-Kufah, but it was looted on the way. Do you have any Hadith about it?’ He said, ‘Yes, I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about this issue an

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا لَهُ ثَمَانُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ هُوَ رَجُلٌ خَفَّافٌ وَ لَهُ عِيَالٌ كَثِيرَةٌ أَ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَ يَرْبَحُ فِي دَرَاهِمِهِ مَا يَقُوتُ بِهِ عِيَالَهُ وَ يَفْضُلُ قَالَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ كَمْ يَفْضُلُ قُلْتُ لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ يَفْضُلُ عَنِ الْقُوتِ مِقْدَارُ نِصْفِ الْقُوتِ فَلَا يَأْخُذِ الزَّك

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a certain person of our people who has eight hundred dirham, works with pumice, and has a large family to feed, if he can receive Zakat. He (the Imam) asked, ‘O abu Muhammad, can he earn with his dirham the expenses of his family with a certain amount of saving?’ I

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الزَّكَاةِ هَلْ تَصْلُحُ لِصَاحِبِ الدَّارِ وَ الْخَادِمِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ دَارُهُ دَارَ غَلَّةٍ فَيَخْرُجَ لَهُ مِنْ غَلَّتِهَا دَرَاهِمُ مَا يَكْفِيهِ لِنَفْسِهِ وَ عِيَالِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنِ الْغَلَّةُ- تَكْفِيهِ لِنَفْسِهِ وَ عِيَالِهِ فِي طَعَامِهِمْ وَ كِسْوَتِهِمْ وَ حَاجَتِهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ إِسْرَافٍ فَقَدْ حَلَّتْ لَهُ الزَّكَاةُ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ غَلَّتُه

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about Zakat if it can be paid to one who has a house and servants. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, unless his house is income-producing from which he earns dirham which is enough for his expenses and the expenses of his family. If such income is not enough for his expenses and the expense

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ أَبُوهُ أَوْ عَمُّهُ أَوْ أَخُوهُ يَكْفِيهِ مَئُونَتَهُ أَ يَأْخُذُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَيَتَوَسَّعَ بِهِ إِنْ كَانُوا لَا يُوَسِّعُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِي كُلِّ مَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

about a man whose father or uncle or brother provides his expenses, if he can receive Zakat to facilitate himself further, in case they do not provide enough facilities in all the things that he needs? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ ثَلَاثُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ أَوْ أَرْبَعُمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ لَهُ عِيَالٌ وَ هُوَ يَحْتَرِفُ فَلَا يُصِيبُ نَفَقَتَهُ فِيهَا أَ يُكِبُّ فَيَأْكُلَهَا وَ لَا يَأْخُذَ الزَّكَاةَ أَوْ يَأْخُذُ الزَّكَاةَ قَالَ لَا بَلْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى فَضْلِهَا فَيَقُوتُ بِهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ مَنْ وَسِعَهُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ عِيَالِهِ وَ يَأْخُذُ الْبَقِيَّةَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ يَتَصَرَّفُ بِ

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has three hundred or four hundred dirham. He has a family to feed and has a profession that he practices but he cannot earn his expenses. Is he required to restrict himself within what he earns, and not to receive Zakat, or that he can receive Zakat also. He (the Ima

قَدْ تَحِلُّ الزَّكَاةُ لِصَاحِبِ السَّبْعِمِائَةِ وَ تَحْرُمُ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْخَمْسِينَ دِرْهَماً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ هَذَا فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ صَاحِبُ السَّبْعِمِائَةِ لَهُ عِيَالٌ كَثِيرٌ فَلَوْ قَسَمَهَا بَيْنَهُمْ لَمْ تَكْفِهِ فَلْيُعِفَّ عَنْهَا نَفْسُهُ وَ لْيَأْخُذْهَا لِعِيَالِهِ وَ أَمَّا صَاحِبُ الْخَمْسِينَ فَإِنَّهُ يَحْرُمُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كَانَ وَحْدَهُ وَ هُوَ مُحْتَرِفٌ يَعْمَلُ بِهَا وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Sometimes it is lawful for one who has seven hundred dirham to receive Zakat but it is unlawful for one who has fifty dirham.’ I then asked, ‘How can that happen?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Sometimes the owner of seven hundred may have a large family to feed and it is not enough for them,

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ إِنَّ لَنَا صَدِيقاً وَ هُوَ رَجُلٌ صَدُوقٌ يَدِينُ اللَّهَ بِمَا نَدِينُ بِهِ فَقَالَ مَنْ هَذَا يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ الَّذِي تُزَكِّيهِ فَقَالَ الْعَبَّاسُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ بْنِ صَبِيحٍ فَقَالَ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ الْوَلِيدَ بْنَ صَبِيحٍ مَا لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَهُ دَارٌ تَسْوَى أَرْبَعَةَ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ و

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Isma‘il ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz from his father who has said the following: “Once, abu Basir and I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and abu Basir said to him (the Imam), ‘We have a friend and he is a truthful person. He follows Allah’s religion as we do.’ He (the Imam) ask

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ لَهُ الدَّرَاهِمُ يَعْمَلُ بِهَا وَ قَدْ وَجَبَ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا الزَّكَاةُ وَ يَكُونُ فَضْلُهُ الَّذِي يَكْسِبُ بِمَالِهِ كَفَافَ عِيَالِهِ لِطَعَامِهِمْ وَ كِسْوَتِهِمْ لَا يَسَعُهُ لِأُدُمِهِمْ وَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ مَا يَقُوتُهُمْ فِي الطَّعَامِ وَ الْكِسْوَةِ قَالَ فَلْيَنْظُرْ إِلَى زَكَاةِ مَالِهِ ذَلِكَ فَلْيُخْرِجْ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً قَلَّ أَوْ كَثُرَ فَيُعْطِيهِ بَعْضَ مَنْ تَحِلُّ

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has a certain number of dirham which he uses in business, Zakat has become obligatory on him and his savings are enough for the expenses of his family, like food and clothes but not for cooking curry. It is only for their food and clothes. He (the Imam) said, ‘He wai

لَأَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى عَشَرَةٍ وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى سَبْعِينَ وَ لَأَنْ أَعُولَ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أُشْبِعَ جَوْعَتَهُمْ وَ أَكْسُوَ عَوْرَتَهُمْ وَ أَكُفَّ وُجُوهَهُمْ عَنِ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى عَشْرٍ وَ عَشْرٍ وَ عَشْرٍ وَ

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu ‘Abd Allah from his father from Khalaf ibn Hammad from Isma‘il al-Jawhariy from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘I like performing Hajj more than setting free a slave, another slave and another slave . . .’ He w

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ النَّبِيِّ ص- لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ وَ سَلَامُهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَمَّا الصَّدَقَةُ فَجُهْدَكَ جُهْدَكَ‌[3] حَتَّى يُقَالَ قَدْ أَسْرَفْتَ وَ لَمْ تُسْرِفْ.

‘It is in the will of the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, which is addressed to ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). “As far as charity is concerned, strive to do your best until it is said that you have exceeded the limit, but in fact you have not excee

حِينَ حَضَرَ قِيَامِي مُرِ الصَّبِيَّ فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ بِيَدِهِ بِالْكِسْرَةِ وَ الْقَبْضَةِ وَ الشَّيْ‌ءِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُرَادُ بِهِ اللَّهُ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ بَعْدَ أَنْ تَصْدُقَ النِّيَّةُ فِيهِ عَظِيمٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ وَ مَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ وَ ما أَدْراكَ مَا ال

“I informed abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), about the passing away of my two sons and that only one small son is living. The Imam said, ‘You should give charity for his safety.’ When I was about to leave, he said, ‘Ask your son to give charity with his own hands; it can be a piece, a handful or even something very small.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَصَدَّقُوا وَ لَوْ بِصَاعٍ مِنْ تَمْرٍ وَ لَوْ بِبَعْضِ صَاعٍ وَ لَوْ بِقَبْضَةٍ وَ لَوْ بِبَعْضِ قَبْضَةٍ وَ لَوْ بِتَمْرَةٍ وَ لَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ لَيِّنَةٍ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَاقٍ اللَّهَ فَقَائِلٌ لَهُ أَ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ بِكَ أَ لَمْ أَجْعَلْكَ سَمِيعاً بَصِيراً أَ لَمْ أَجْعَلْ لَكَ مَالًا وَ وَلَداً فَيَقُولُ بَلَى فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَ

“This is a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) has said, ‘You must give charity even if it is one Sa‘ (a certain unit of measurement) of dates or less, or a handful or

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَيَدْفَعُ بِالصَّدَقَةِ الدَّاءَ وَ الدُّبَيْلَةَ[1] وَ الْحَرَقَ وَ الْغَرَقَ وَ الْهَدْمَ وَ الْجُنُونَ وَ عَدَّ ص سَبْعِينَ بَاباً مِنَ السُّوءِ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “This is a narration of abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, from his ancestors. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Allah,

مَرَّ يَهُودِيٌّ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ السَّامُ عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ أَصْحَابُهُ إِنَّمَا سَلَّمَ عَلَيْكَ بِالْمَوْتِ قَالَ الْمَوْتُ عَلَيْكَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ كَذَلِكَ رَدَدْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص إِنَّ هَذَا الْيَهُودِيَّ يَعَضُّهُ أَسْوَدُ فِي قَفَاهُ فَيَقْتُلُهُ قَالَ فَذَهَبَ الْيَهُودِيُّ فَاحْتَطَبَ حَطَباً كَثِيراً فَاحْتَمَلَهُ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَلْبَثْ أَنِ انْصَرَفَ فَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One day a Jewish man passed by the Holy Prophet, who said, “Assam Alaykum,” and the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, “Wa ‘Alayka” (the same to you). His companions said, ‘What the Jewish person sai

كَانَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ رَجُلٍ قِسْمَةُ أَرْضٍ وَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ صَاحِبَ نُجُومٍ وَ كَانَ يَتَوَخَّى‌[2] سَاعَةَ السُّعُودِ فَيَخْرُجُ فِيهَا وَ أَخْرُجُ أَنَا فِي سَاعَةِ النُّحُوسِ فَاقْتَسَمْنَا فَخَرَجَ لِي خَيْرُ الْقِسْمَيْنِ فَضَرَبَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ كَالْيَوْمِ قَطُّ قُلْتُ وَيْلَ الْآخَرِ وَ مَا ذَاكَ‌[1] قَالَ إِنِّي صَاحِبُ نُجُومٍ أَخْرَجْتُكَ فِي سَاع

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said a man and I shared a piece of land. The man was an astrologer. He would find the lucky hour for his coming out of his home and an unlucky hour for me to come out of my home. We divided it, and my share was the better one. The man struck his hand against the other and said, ‘I have never

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ص فَسَقَطَ شُرْفَةٌ مِنْ شُرَفِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَوَقَعَتْ عَلَى رَجُلٍ فَلَمْ تَضُرَّهُ وَ أَصَابَتْ رِجْلَهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع سَلُوهُ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ عَمِلَ الْيَوْمَ فَسَأَلُوهُ فَقَالَ خَرَجْتُ وَ فِي كُمِّي تَمْرٌ فَمَرَرْتُ بِسَائِلٍ فَتَصَدَّقْتُ عَلَيْهِ بِتَمْرَةٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بِهَا دَفَعَ اللَّهُ عَنْكَ.

“I was in the presence of abu Ja‘far (a.s.), in the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. At that time, one of the extended over-hangings of the Masjid fell on a man and injured his leg. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), told us to ask him abou

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ صَدَقَةُ السِّرِّ تُطْفِئُ غَضَبَ الرَّبِّ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ’Giving charity out of public sight extinguishes the anger of the Lord.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ صَدَقَةُ السِّرِّ تُطْفِئُ غَضَبَ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ’Giving charity out of public sight extinguishes the anger of the Lord, Allah, the most Blessed, the most High.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا طَرَقَكُمْ سَائِلٌ ذَكَرٌ بِلَيْلٍ فَلَا تَرُدُّوهُ.

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘If a needy person comes to you during the night asking for help, you must not turn him away (without giving any charity).’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَصَدَّقُوا فَإِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ تَزِيدُ فِي الْمَالِ كَثْرَةً وَ تَصَدَّقُوا رَحِمَكُمُ اللَّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Give charity; charity increases wealth a great deal. Give charity, may Allah grant you favors.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ وَصَلَ قَرِيباً بِحَجَّةٍ أَوْ عُمْرَةٍ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَجَّتَيْنِ وَ عُمْرَتَيْنِ وَ كَذَلِكَ مَنْ حَمَلَ عَنْ حَمِيمٍ‌[1] يُضَاعِفُ اللَّهُ لَهُ الْأَجْرَ ضِعْفَيْنِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “For one who helps a relative to perform Hajj or ‘Umrah, Allah writes it as though it was two Hajj and two ‘Umrah. Likewise is the case when a friend helps his friend, that is, Allah doubles

سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَيُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ عَلَى ذِي الرَّحِمِ الْكَاشِحِ‌[2].

‘It is charity to a hostile relative.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الصَّدَقَةُ بِعَشَرَةٍ وَ الْقَرْضُ بِثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ[3] وَ صِلَةُ الْإِخْوَانِ بِعِشْرِينَ وَ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ بِأَرْبَعَةٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has stated the following Hadith. ‘The Messenger of Allah has, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, said, ‘The reward

أَرْضَاكُمْ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ أَسْبَغُكُمْ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ’Of the people among you with whom Allah is most happy, is the one who improves the quality of life of his family the most.”

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ لِي ضَيْعَةً بِالْجَبَلِ أَسْتَغِلُّهَا فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ ثَلَاثَ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأُنْفِقُ عَلَى عِيَالِي مِنْهَا أَلْفَيْ دِرْهَمٍ وَ أَتَصَدَّقُ مِنْهَا بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنْ كَانَتِ الْأَلْفَانِ تَكْفِيهِمْ فِي جَمِيعِ مَا يَحْتَاجُونَ إِلَيْهِ لِسَنَتِهِمْ فَقَدْ نَظَرْتَ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ وُفِّقْتَ لِرُشْدِكَ وَ أَجْرَيْتَ نَفْسَكَ فِي

“Once a man said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘I have a certain amount of property in the mountains from which I receive three thousand dirham profit every year. I spend two thousand dirham for my family and one thousand dirham for charity every year.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.), then said, ‘If the two thousand is enough for all of th

يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ كَيْلَا يَتَمَنَّوْا مَوْتَهُ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعامَ عَلى‌ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَ يَتِيماً وَ أَسِيراً[2] قَالَ الْأَسِيرُ عِيَالُ الرَّجُلِ يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ إِذَا زِيدَ فِي النِّعْمَةِ أَنْ يَزِيدَ أُسَرَاءَهُ فِي السَّعَةِ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ فُلَاناً أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِنِعْمَةٍ فَمَنَعَهَا أُسَرَاءَهُ وَ جَعَلَهَا

‘A man should better the quality of life of his family so that they may not wish for his death.’ He then recited this from the Holy Quran, “They give food, because of their love for Him, to a destitute, orphan and captive.” (76:8) Captive (in this verse) is a reference to one’s family; thus, he should improve the quali

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَ ابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ‌[3].

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘A providing hand is better than an asking hand, and you should begin providing for your family.’”

قَالَ: صَاحِبُ النِّعْمَةِ يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ التَّوْسِعَةُ عَنْ عِيَالِهِ.

“Al-Rida (a.s.), has said, ‘A wealthy person should improve the quality of life of his family.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ يَأْكُلُ بِشَهْوَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَ الْمُنَافِقُ يَأْكُلُ أَهْلُهُ بِشَهْوَتِهِ.

The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, "The believer eats according to the desires of his family, while the hypocrite eats according to his own desires."

نَعَمْ إِنَّ النَّفْسَ إِذَا عَرَفَتْ قُوتَهَا قَنِعَتْ بِهِ وَ نَبَتَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّحْمُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, ‘Did the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, provide proper sustenance for his family?’ The Imam replied, ‘Yes, when a soul knows how much it needs, it then becomes satisfied with that much and flesh grows

كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ إِثْماً أَنْ يُضَيِّعَ مَنْ يَعُولُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘It is enough sin for one not to provide for his family and lose them.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَلْعُونٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ أَلْقَى كَلَّهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ مَلْعُونٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ ضَيَّعَ مَنْ يَعُولُ.

‘Condemned is one, indeed condemned is one who shifts his burden upon the people, and so also is one who loses his family and does not provide sustenance for them.’”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ لَأَنْ أَدْخُلَ السُّوقَ وَ مَعِي دَرَاهِمُ أَبْتَاعُ بِهِ لِعِيَالِي لَحْماً وَ قَدْ قَرِمُوا[2] أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ نَسَمَةً.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘I love going to the market to buy meat for my family who strongly desire it, more than setting free an enslaved soul.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا أَصْبَحَ خَرَجَ غَادِياً فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَيْنَ تَذْهَبُ فَقَالَ أَتَصَدَّقُ لِعِيَالِي قِيلَ لَهُ أَ تَتَصَدَّقُ قَالَ مَنْ طَلَبَ الْحَلَالَ فَهُوَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ صَدَقَةٌ عَلَيْهِ.

‘I want to give charity to my family.’ People then asked, ‘Is it charity?’ He then replied, ‘One who earns in lawful way; his earnings are Allah’s charity for him.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَأْخُذُ بِأَدَبِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا وَسَّعَ عَلَيْهِ اتَّسَعَ وَ إِذَا أَمْسَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسَكَ.[3]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The believing person follows the discipline of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious. When Allah grants him extended favors, he becomes generous;

مِنْ سَعَادَةِ الرَّجُلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ الْقَيِّمَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it is of the prosperity of man to support and provide for his family.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَنْقُصَ مِنْ قُوتِ عِيَالِهِ فِي الشِّتَاءِ وَ يَزِيدَ فِي وَقُودِهِمْ.

‘A man should spare from the means of his sustenance to provide fuel for his family during winter.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَنِ الَّذِي أَحْتَنُّ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ تَلْزَمُنِي نَفَقَتُهُ قَالَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَ الْوَلَدُ وَ الزَّوْجَةُ.

“Once I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Who should I sympathize with and who are my dependents?’ He replied, ‘Such people are your parents, your children, and your wife.’”

أُتِيَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ بِيَتِيمٍ فَقَالَ خُذُوا بِنَفَقَتِهِ أَقْرَبَ النَّاسِ مِنْهُ مِنَ الْعَشِيرَةِ كَمَا يَأْكُلُ مِيرَاثَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that an orphan was brought before ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), who said, ‘Make his closest relative pay for his expenses; such people are the ones who claim his legacy.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَقْطَعُوا عَلَى السَّائِلِ مَسْأَلَتَهُ فَلَوْلَا أَنَّ الْمَسَاكِينَ يَكْذِبُونَ مَا أَفْلَحَ مَنْ رَدَّهُمْ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ’You must not cutoff one asking for help; even if such people lie, the person turning them away (empty handed) does not prosper.”’

قَالَ: مَا مَنَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سَائِلًا قَطُّ إِنْ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ أَعْطَى وَ إِلَّا قَالَ يَأْتِي اللَّهُ بِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, never denied someone asking for help. If he had something with him, he gave charity; if not, he would say, ‘May Allah give you (charity).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَرُدُّوا السَّائِلَ وَ لَوْ بِظِلْفٍ مُحْتَرِقٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘You must not turn away one asking for help. Give him something, even if it is a burned cloven hoof (even if it is something of very little value).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ اتَّبِعُوا قَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنَّهُ قَالَ مَنْ فَتَحَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بَابَ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بَابَ فَقْرٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘You should follow the words of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who has said, “Whoever opens to himself the door of asking for help (begging), Allah

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْأَيْدِي ثَلَاثٌ يَدُ اللَّهِ الْعُلْيَا وَ يَدُ الْمُعْطِي الَّتِي تَلِيهَا وَ يَدُ الْمُعْطَى أَسْفَلُ الْأَيْدِي فَاسْتَعِفُّوا عَنِ السُّؤَالِ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ إِنَّ الْأَرْزَاقَ دُونَهَا حُجُبٌ فَمَنْ شَاءَ قَنِيَ حَيَاءَهُ‌[1] وَ أَخَذَ رِزْقَهُ وَ مَنْ شَاءَ هَتَكَ الْحِجَابَ وَ أَخَذَ رِزْقَهُ وَ الَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَأَنْ يَأْخُذَ أَحَدُكُمْ حَبْلًا ثُمَّ يَدْخُلَ عَرْضَ هَذَ

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Hands are of three kinds: The hands of Allah are the upper hands, the hands of a benevolent person are next in rank, and the hands of recipient of a favor are the lowest in rank. You should

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَحَبَّ شَيْئاً لِنَفْسِهِ وَ أَبْغَضَهُ لِخَلْقِهِ أَبْغَضَ لِخَلْقِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ[3] وَ أَحَبَ‌ لِنَفْسِهِ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ فَلَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَ لَوْ بِشِسْعِ نَعْلٍ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Dawud ibn al-Nu’man from Ibrahim ibn ‘Uthman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services

جَاءَتْ فَخِذٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ[1] إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَسَلَّمُوا عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامَ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَنَا إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةٌ فَقَالَ هَاتُوا حَاجَتَكُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّهَا حَاجَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ فَقَالَ هَاتُوهَا مَا هِيَ قَالُوا تَضْمَنُ لَنَا عَلَى رَبِّكَ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ فَنَكَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَأْسَهُ ثُمَّ نَكَتَ فِي الْأَرْضِ‌[2] ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ أَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once, members of a tribe of al-Ansar (people of al- Madinah) came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. They offered greetings of peace and he responded likewise. They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى كَرِهَ لِي سِتَّ خِصَالٍ وَ كَرِهْتُهَا لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ وُلْدِي وَ أَتْبَاعِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي مِنْهَا الْمَنُّ بَعْدَ الصَّدَقَةِ.

The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, dislikes to find six characteristics within me, and I dislike finding them with the executors of my wills from my descendents and their followers. Of