Family & Kinship

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ بَعَثَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ بِخَمْسَةِ أَوْسَاقٍ مِنْ تَمْرِ الْبُغَيْبِغَةِ[3] وَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ مِمَّنْ يَرْجُو نَوَافِلَهُ وَ يُؤَمِّلُ نَائِلَهُ وَ رِفْدَهُ‌[4] وَ كَانَ لَا يَسْأَلُ عَلِيّاً ع وَ لَا غَيْرَهُ‌ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ اللَّهِ مَا سَأَلَكَ فُلَانٌ وَ لَقَدْ كَانَ يُجْزِئُهُ مِنَ الْخَمْسَةِ الْأَوْسَاقِ وَسْقٌ وَاحِدٌ فَ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once, ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), decided to give five Awsaq (a certain amount of) dates from al-Bughaybighah (a place in al-Madinah) to a man who had hoped to benefit from the generosity of the Imam and his gifts. However, he would not appeal before the Imam or other people for any

كُنْتُ فِي مَجْلِسِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أُحَدِّثُهُ وَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَ إِلَيْهِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ طُوَالٌ آدَمُ‌[4] فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ- رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحِبِّيكَ وَ مُحِبِّي آبَائِكَ وَ أَجْدَادِكَ ع مَصْدَرِي مِنَ الْحَجِّ وَ قَدِ افْتَقَدْتُ نَفَقَتِي وَ مَا مَعِي مَا أَبْلُغُ مَرْحَلَةً فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ ت

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sandal from Yasir from al-Yasa’ ibn Hamzah who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and I was speaking to him before a large gathering that wanted to ask him about lawful and unlawful matters. At such time, a tall man o

سَامَرْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌[2] فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَرَضَتْ لِي حَاجَةٌ قَالَ فَرَأَيْتَنِي لَهَا أَهْلًا قُلْتُ نَعَمْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي خَيْراً ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى السِّرَاجِ فَأَغْشَاهَا وَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَغْشَيْتُ السِّرَاجَ لِئَلَّا أَرَى ذُلَّ حَاجَتِكَ فِي وَجْهِكِ فَتَكَلَّمْ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص

‘I turned the lantern off so I cannot see the effect of humiliation due to your appeal for help on your face as you speak. I have heard the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, say, “Needs are trust of Allah in His servants’ chests. For those

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَ أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى‌[1] وَ ابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ وَ الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَ لَا يَلُومُ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْكَفَافِ.

“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, ‘Providing all Benevolent Assistance is charity, and the best charity is a charity provided from an affluent condition. You must begin with your dependen

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ.

“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, ‘All Benevolent Assistance is charity.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَ الدَّالُّ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ كَفَاعِلِهِ وَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِغَاثَةَ اللَّهْفَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who has said, ‘Providing Benevolent Assistance is charity. One who shows the way to good is just like a doer of good. Allah, the Most Majest

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْمَعْرُوفُ شَيْ‌ءٌ سِوَى الزَّكَاةِ فَتَقَرَّبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِالْبِرِّ وَ صِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said , ‘Providing Benevolent Assistance is something other than compulsory charity (zakat). You must seek nearness to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, through virtuous deeds and good relations with relatives.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِعَمَّارٍ يَا عَمَّارُ أَنْتَ رَبُّ مَالٍ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَتُؤَدِّي مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتُخْرِجُ الْمَعْلُومَ مِنْ مَالِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتَصِلُ قَرَابَتَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتَصِلُ إِخْوَانَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ يَفْنَى وَ الْبَدَنَ يَبْلَى وَ الْعَمَلَ يَبْقَى وَ الدَّيَّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to ‘Ammar, ‘O ‘Ammar, are you the owner of a great wealth?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you pay all of the zakat Allah has made compulsory upon you to pay?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do y

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَوْصَلَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَعْرُوفاً فَقَدْ أَوْصَلَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a believing person maintains good relations with his brother in belief, he is considered as maintaining such relations with the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause.’”

إِنَّ أَعْرَابِيّاً مِنْ بَنِي تَمِيمٍ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ أَوْصِنِي فَكَانَ فِيمَا أَوْصَاهُ بِهِ أَنْ قَالَ يَا فُلَانُ لَا تَزْهَدَنَّ فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once an Arab man from the tribe of banu al-Tamim came to see the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘Please grant me good advice.’ The good advice the Holy Prophet provided was this, ‘O so and so, do not w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ الْمَعْرُوفُ وَ أَهْلُهُ وَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَرِدُ عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ.

“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 first ones entering Paradise are those who actuate Benevolent Assistance and come to me at the pond in Paradise.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الْبَرَكَةَ أَسْرَعُ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي يُمْتَارُ مِنْهُ الْمَعْرُوفُ مِنَ الشَّفْرَةِ فِي سَنَامِ الْبَعِيرِ[1] أَوْ مِنَ السَّيْلِ إِلَى مُنْتَهَاهُ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Blessings cut through obstacles faster than a knife’s cutting through the hump of a camel or a flood’s moving toward its destination, to reach the house from which Benevolent Assistance is

قَالَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فِدَاكَ آبَاؤُنَا وَ أُمَّهَاتُنَا إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الدُّنْيَا عُرِفُوا بِمَعْرُوفِهِمْ فَبِمَ يُعْرَفُونَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِذَا أَدْخَلَ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ الْجَنَّةَ أَمَرَ رِيحاً عَبِقَةً طَيِّبَةً[2] فَلَزِقَتْ بِأَهْلِ الْمَعْرُوفِ فَلَا يَمُرُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ بِمَلَإٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ إِلَّا وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated this Hadith. ‘Once, companions of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, asked a question. “O Messenger of Allah, we pray to Allah to keep our souls and the souls of ancestors in service for your cause;

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الدُّنْيَا هُمْ‌ أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَ أَهْلُ الْمُنْكَرِ فِي الدُّنْيَا هُمْ أَهْلُ الْمُنْكَرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Providers of Benevolent Assistance will be as such on the Day of Judgment also. People of wickedness will be as such on the Day of Judgment as well.’””

أَتَى أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ رَهْطٌ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالُوا يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَوْ أَخْرَجْتَ هَذِهِ الْأَمْوَالَ فَفَرَّقْتَهَا فِي هَؤُلَاءِ الرُّؤَسَاءِ وَ الْأَشْرَافِ وَ فَضَّلْتَهُمْ عَلَيْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوْسَقَتِ الْأُمُورُ[4] عُدْتَ إِلَى أَفْضَلِ مَا عَوَّدَكَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْقَسْمِ بِالسَّوِيَّةِ وَ الْعَدْلِ فِي الرَّعِيَّةِ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَ تَ

“Once a group of Shi`a people came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), with the following request: ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, we request you to distribute the wealth at your disposal (public treasury) among the chiefs and elite people. In so doing, they will receive preference, which will strengthen your affairs. Thereafter, you c

لَا تَدْخُلْ لِأَخِيكَ فِي أَمْرٍ مَضَرَّتُهُ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ لَهُ قَالَ ابْنُ سِنَانٍ يَكُونُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ دَيْنٌ كَثِيرٌ وَ لَكَ مَالٌ فَتُؤَدِّي عَنْهُ فَيَذْهَبُ مَالُكَ وَ لَا تَكُونُ قَضَيْتَ عَنْهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you must not involve yourself in the affairs of your brother (in belief) where the harm of the involvement to you is greater than the benefit for him.” Ibn Sinan has said, ‘This can happen when a man is indebted heavenly and you pay all of your belongings to pay his debt, but his

لَا تُوجِبْ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ الْحُقُوقَ وَ اصْبِرْ عَلَى النَّوَائِبِ وَ لَا تَدْخُلْ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مَضَرَّتُهُ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ لِأَخِيكَ.

‘You must not obligate your soul for others’ rights; you must exercise patience in difficulties; and you must not involve yourself in an affair where its harm to you is greater than its benefit for your brother (in belief).”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أُتِيَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوفٌ فَلْيُكَافِئْ بِهِ فَإِنْ عَجَزَ فَلْيُثْنِ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَقَدْ كَفَرَ النِّعْمَةَ.

“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, ‘A recipient of Benevolent Assistance should compensate (the provider) for it. If he cannot do so, he should praise him at least; otherwise, he has refus

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ الْمُعَلَّى وَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا رَآنَا قَالَ مَرْحَباً مَرْحَباً بِكُمْ وُجُوهٌ تُحِبُّنَا وَ نُحِبُّهَا جَعَلَكُمُ اللَّهُ مَعَنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُثْمَانُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَعَمْ مَهْ‌[2] قَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ مُوسِرٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ فِي يَسَارِكَ قَالَ وَ يَجِي‌ءُ الرَّجُلُ

“I went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). Two other people, al-Mu‘alla’ and ‘Uthman ibn ‘Umar, also were present with me. On seeing us, he welcomed us and offered greetings of peace, saying, ‘I welcome the faces that love us and we love them. May Allah keep you with us in this world and in the next life.’ Uthman then sai

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ فِي يَوْمٍ حَارٍّ وَ حَنَّى كَفَّهُ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَسْتَظِلَّ مِنْ فَوْرِ جَهَنَّمَ‌[2] قَالَهَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَقَالَ النَّاسُ فِي كُلِّ مَرَّةٍ نَحْنُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ مَنْ أَنْظَرَ غَرِيماً أَوْ تَرَكَ الْمُعْسِرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ لِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ إِنَّ أَبِي أَخْبَرَنِي أَنَّهُ لَزِمَ غَرِيماً لَهُ فِي الْمَسْجِ

“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, bending his palm on a hot day, said, ‘Who wants to provide a shadow for himself against the heat of the blaze of hell fire?’ He repeated the sentence three times,

صَعِدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمِنْبَرَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلَّى عَلَى أَنْبِيَائِهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ لِيُبَلِّغِ الشَّاهِدُ مِنْكُمُ الْغَائِبَ أَلَا وَ مَنْ أَنْظَرَ مُعْسِراً كَانَ لَهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ صَدَقَةٌ بِمِثْلِ مَالِهِ حَتَّى يَسْتَوْفِيَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- وَ إِنْ كانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَ

4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Yahya ibn ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hassan ibn al-Hassan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one day the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to

السَّخِيُّ مُحَبَّبٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ مُحَبَّبٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خُلِقَ مِنْ طِينَةٍ عَذْبَةٍ وَ خُلِقَ مَاءُ عَيْنَيْهِ مِنْ مَاءِ الْكَوْثَرِ وَ الْبَخِيلُ مُبَغَّضٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ مُبَغَّضٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خُلِقَ مِنْ طِينَةٍ سَبِخَةٍ وَ خُلِقَ مَاءُ عَيْنَيْهِ مِنْ مَاءِ الْعَوْسَجِ‌[1].

“Ja’far (a.s.), from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A generous person is beloved in the heavens and on earth. Such persons are created from sweet clay. The water of the eyes

أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَفْضَلُهُمْ إِيمَاناً قَالَ أَبْسَطُهُمْ كَفّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘O the Messenger of Allah, who among people is of more excellent belief?’ He replied, ‘He is one whose hands are more open than others.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْخَلَفِ سَخَتْ نَفْسُهُ بِالنَّفَقَةِ.

The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “When one who believes with certainty in receiving reward (from Allah), his soul allows him to spend generously.’””

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ سَمِعَ رَجُلًا يَقُولُ إِنَّ الشَّحِيحَ أَغْدَرُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ كَذَبْتَ إِنَّ الظَّالِمَ قَدْ يَتُوبُ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ وَ يَرُدُّ الظُّلَامَةَ عَلَى أَهْلِهَا وَ الشَّحِيحُ إِذَا شَحَّ مَنَعَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّدَقَةَ وَ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ وَ قِرَى الضَّيْفِ وَ النَّفَقَةَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ أَبْوَابَ الْبِرِّ وَ حَرَامٌ عَلَى الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once heard a man say, ‘A greedy person has more excuses than an unjust person has.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘What you said is false. An unjust person may repent, ask for forgiveness and return usurped property. A greedy person, upon exercising his greed, may withhold payment of zakat, charity, ke

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِبَنِي سَلِمَةَ يَا بَنِي سَلِمَةَ مَنْ سَيِّدُكُمْ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ سَيِّدُنَا رَجُلٌ فِيهِ بُخْلٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَيُّ دَاءٍ أَدْوَى مِنَ الْبُخْلِ ثُمَ‌ قَالَ بَلْ سَيِّدُكُمْ الْأَبْيَضُ الْجَسَدِ- الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ.

“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, once asked banu Salmah, ‘O banu Salmah, who is your master and leader?’ They replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our chief is a stingy man.’ The Messenger of Allah the

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ بِالْبَخِيلِ الَّذِي يُؤَدِّي الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ فِي مَالِهِ وَ يُعْطِي الْبَائِنَةَ فِي قَوْمِهِ.

“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, ‘One who pays zakat that is due on his property and presents gifts to his people is not a stingy person.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ الْبَخِيلُ مَنْ أَدَّى الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَعْطَى الْبَائِنَةَ[1] فِي قَوْمِهِ إِنَّمَا الْبَخِيلُ حَقُّ الْبَخِيلِ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤَدِّ الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ لَمْ يُعْطِ الْبَائِنَةَ فِي قَوْمِهِ وَ هُوَ يُبَذِّرُ فِيمَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ.

“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, ’One who pays zakat that is due on his property and presents gifts to his people is not stingy. A real stingy person is one who does not pay zakat that is ob

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى‌[2].

“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 most virtuous charity is that which is given from someone without need (wealthy).’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ تَكُونُ عَنْ فَضْلِ الْكَفِّ.

“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 best charity is that which is out of surplus in (one’s) hands.’”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَيِّباتِ ما كَسَبْتُمْ وَ مِمَّا أَخْرَجْنا لَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ وَ لا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنْفِقُونَ‌[2] قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا أَمَرَ بِالنَّخْلِ أَنْ يُزَكَّى يَجِي‌ءُ قَوْمٌ بِأَلْوَانٍ مِنْ تَمْرٍ وَ هُوَ مِنْ أَرْدَى التَّمْرِ يُؤَدُّونَهُ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِمْ تَمْراً يُقَالُ لَهُ الْجُعْرُورُ وَ الْمِعَافَأْر

“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Believers, give charity of good quality things that you have earned and of what We make to grow for you from the land. You must not aim at less valuable things to give for charity. . . .’(2:267) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When the Messenge

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي شَيْخٌ كَثِيرُ الْعِيَالِ ضَعِيفُ الرُّكْنِ قَلِيلُ الشَّيْ‌ءِ فَهَلْ مِنْ مَعُونَةٍ عَلَى زَمَانِي فَنَظَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى أَصْحَابِهِ وَ نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ أَصْحَابُهُ وَ قَالَ قَدْ أَسْمَعَنَا الْقَوْلَ وَ أَسْمَعَكُمْ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ كُنْتُ مِثْلَكَ بِالْأَمْسِ فَذَهَبَ بِهِ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ فَأَعْطَاهُ مِرْوَداً مِنْ تِبْرٍ وَ كَانُوا[4] يَتَبَ

‘I am an old man with a large family to feed, of weak health and poor. Is there any help to overcome my difficulties?’ The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, looked to his companions and his companions looked at him. He said, ‘He made us an

إِذَا ضَاقَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُعْلِمْ أَخَاهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if it becomes difficult for one of you, you should inform your brother (in belief) while you are unable to help yourself.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ وَ أَفْشَى السَّلَامَ وَ صَلَّى وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ.

“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 best among you are those who serve food, offer greetings of peace aloud and perform Salat (prayer) when people are sleeping.’”

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نُطْعِمَ الطَّعَامَ وَ نُؤَدِّيَ فِي النَّاسِ الْبَائِنَةَ[2] وَ نُصَلِّيَ إِذَا نَامَ النَّاسُ.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from ‘Umar ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Ali (a.s.), would say, “We are a family who are commanded (by Allah) to serve food, send gi

أُتِيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِأُسَارَى فَقُدِّمَ رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ لِيُضْرَبَ عُنُقُهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ أَخِّرْ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَرَدَّهُ وَ أَخْرَجَ غَيْرَهُ حَتَّى كَانَ هُوَ آخِرَهُمْ فَدَعَا بِهِ لِيُضْرَبَ عُنُقُهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ رَبُّكَ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنَّ أَسِيرَكَ هَذَا يُطْعِمُ الطَّعَامَ وَ يَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ وَ يَصْبِرُ عَلَى النَّائِبَةِ وَ ي

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam, from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from a man who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that certain prisoners of war were brought before the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his fa

الرِّزْقُ أَسْرَعُ إِلَى مَنْ يُطْعِمُ الطَّعَامَ مِنَ السِّكِّينِ فِي السَّنَامِ.

“Ja’far from his father (a.s.), has narrated that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Sustenance comes to a man, who serves food, faster than a knife goes into the hump on the back of a camel.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ‌ مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ مَغْفِرَةِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (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, would say, ‘Of the reasons for the Lord, the Most Blessed, the most High, to grant forgiveness is one’s serving food.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مُنْجِيَاتٌ فَذَكَرَ الثَّالِثُ الْقَصْدُ فِي الْغِنَى وَ الْفَقْرِ[2].

the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Three things work as means of salvation for a person and he described moderation, in both poverty and financial well-being, to be one of such means.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنِ اقْتَصَدَ فِي مَعِيشَتِهِ رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ بَذَّرَ حَرَمَهُ 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, ‘Whoever maintains moderation, Allah grants him sustenance, but He deprives one who spends excessively.’”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَجَاءَ سَائِلٌ فَقَامَ إِلَى مِكْتَلٍ‌[4] فِيهِ تَمْرٌ فَمَلَأَ يَدَهُ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَامَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَامَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَامَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ رَازِقُنَا وَ إِيَّاكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Musa ibn Bakr from ‘Ajlan who has said the following: “Once, I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came asking for help. He (the Imam) gave him a handful of dates from a basket. Then another

جَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ عَلِّمْنِي عَمَلًا أَدْخُلُ بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَالَ أَطْعِمِ الطَّعَامَ وَ أَفْشِ السَّلَامَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا أُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَهَلْ لَكَ إِبِلٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَانْظُرْ بَعِيراً وَ اسْقِ عَلَيْهِ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ لَا يَشْرَبُونَ الْمَاءَ إِلَّا غِبّاً فَلَعَلَّهُ لَا يَنْفُقُ‌[1] بَعِيرُكَ وَ لَا يَنْخَرِقُ سِقَاؤُكَ حَتَّى تَجِبَ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said that once an Arab man came to the Prophet (sw) and said, ‘Teach me a good deed whereby I can go to Paradise. He said, ‘Serve food and offer greetings of peace aloud.‘ He (the Imam) has said that the man then said, ‘I cannot afford this.‘ He (the Holy Prophet) asked, ‘Do you have a camel?‘ He

إِنَّ أُنَاساً مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ أَتَوْا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَسَأَلُوهُ أَنْ يَسْتَعْمِلَهُمْ عَلَى صَدَقَاتِ الْمَوَاشِي وَ قَالُوا يَكُونُ لَنَا هَذَا السَّهْمُ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا فَنَحْنُ أَوْلَى بِهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَا بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ لِي وَ لَا لَكُمْ وَ لَكِنِّي قَدْ وُعِدْتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ اللّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once certain people of Banu Hashim came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked him to appoint them for collecting zakat on cattle. Therefore, the share of zakat collectors should be given t

لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِنْ أَنْتُمْ فَعَلْتُمُوهُ تَبَاعَدَ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنْكُمْ كَمَا تَبَاعَدَ الْمَشْرِقُ مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ قَالُوا بَلَى قَالَ الصَّوْمُ يُسَوِّدُ وَجْهَهُ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ تَكْسِرُ ظَهْرَهُ وَ الْحُبُّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ الْمُوَازَرَةُ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ الصَّالِحِ يَقْطَعُ دَابِرَهُ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ يَقْطَعُ وَتِينَهُ‌[2] وَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ زَكَاةٌ وَ زَكَاةُ الْأَبْدَانِ الصِّيَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, has narrated from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, who have stated this Hadith. ‘Once, the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, asked his companions, ‘Should I tell you something which, if you do it, will keep Satan away from you

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الصَّائِمُ فِي عِبَادَةٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ مَا لَمْ يَغْتَبْ مُسْلِماً.

“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, ‘A fasting person, even when resting in bed, is in the state of worshipping as long as he does not backbite a Muslim.’”

خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّاسَ فِي آخِرِ جُمُعَةٍ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ أَظَلَّكُمْ‌[1] شَهْرٌ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ وَ هُوَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ صِيَامَهُ وَ جَعَلَ قِيَامَ لَيْلَةٍ فِيهِ بِتَطَوُّعِ صَلَاةٍ كَتَطَوُّعِ صَلَاةِ سَبْعِينَ لَيْلَةً فِيمَا سِوَاهُ مِنَ الشُّهُورِ وَ جَعَلَ لِمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ فِيهِ بِ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya and people other than him have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub, from abu Ayyub from abu al-Ward, who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their servi

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَمَّا حَضَرَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ ذَلِكَ فِي ثَلَاثٍ بَقِينَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ قَالَ لِبِلَالٍ نَادِ فِي النَّاسِ فَجَمَعَ النَّاسَ ثُمَّ صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ هَذَا الشَّهْرَ قَدْ خَصَّكُمُ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَ حَضَرَكُمْ وَ هُوَ سَيِّدُ الشُّهُورِ لَيْلَةٌ فِيهِ‌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ وَ تُفَ

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from, Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Sayf ibn ‘Ami rah from ‘ Abd Allah ibn ‘ Abd Allah from a man who has said the following: ”Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his famil

فِطْرُكَ أَخَاكَ الصَّائِمَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صِيَامِكَ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Your serving food to your fasting brother (in belief) is better than your fasting.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا كَانَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي يَصُومُ فِيهِ أَمَرَ بِشَاةٍ فَتُذْبَحُ وَ تُقْطَعُ أَعْضَاءً وَ تُطْبَخُ فَإِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَ الْمَسَاءِ أَكَبَّ عَلَى الْقُدُورِ حَتَّى يَجِدَ رِيحَ الْمَرَقِ وَ هُوَ صَائِمٌ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ هَاتُوا الْقِصَاعَ اغْرِفُوا لآِلِ فُلَانٍ وَ اغْرِفُوا لآِلِ فُلَانٍ ثُمَّ يُؤْتَى بِخُبْزٍ وَ تَمْرٍ فَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ عَشَاءَهُ‌[1] صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ عَلَى

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that on the first day of his fasting, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would ask his people to prepare a sheep for food. In the evening, the cooking pots gave out a fine fragrance while he was fasting, and he would then say, ‘Fill up this pot for the family of so and so and fill up this one fo

دَخَلَ سَدِيرٌ عَلَى أَبِي ع فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ هَلْ تَدْرِي أَيُّ اللَّيَالِي هَذِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فِدَاكَ أَبِي هَذِهِ لَيَالِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَمَا ذَاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ- أَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَى أَنْ تُعْتِقَ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ اللَّيَالِي عَشْرَ رَقَبَاتٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ سَدِيرٌ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي لَا يَبْلُغُ مَالِي ذَاكَ فَمَا زَالَ يَنْقُصُ حَتَّى بَلَغَ

“Once, during the month of Ramadan, Sadir went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). The Imam asked, ‘O Sadir, do you know which nights are these days?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul and the soul of my father in service for your cause, these are the nights of the month of Ramadan, but what do they signify