Food & Eating

لَمَّا قُتِلَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَاطِمَةَ ع أَنْ تَتَّخِذَ طَعَاماً- لِأَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ تَأْتِيَهَا وَ نِسَاءَهَا فَتُقِيمَ عِنْدَهَا ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَجَرَتْ بِذَلِكَ السُّنَّةُ أَنْ يُصْنَعَ لِأَهْلِ الْمُصِيبَةِ طَعَامٌ ثَلَاثاً.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when Ja‘far ibn abu Talib was martyred, the Messenger of Allah instructed Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, to prepare food for Asma’ bint ‘Umays for three days and visit her with a group of her women everyday for three days. This formed the tradition to prepare food for the people of the

يَنْبَغِي لِجِيرَانِ صَاحِبِ الْمُصِيبَةِ أَنْ يُطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that neighbors of the people of a deceased should prepare food for them (people of the deceased) for three days.”

أَوْصَى أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بِثَمَانِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ لِمَأْتَمِهِ وَ كَانَ يَرَى ذَلِكَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ اتَّخِذُوا لآِلِ جَعْفَرٍ طَعَاماً فَقَدْ شُغِلُوا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), said in his will that eight hundred dirhams should be spent to organize a memorial service for his death. He considered it as part of the tradition; the Messenger of Allah had said, ‘Prepare food for the family of Ja‘far; they are preoccupied (with the death of Ja‘far).’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ أَرْوَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَفِي شَجَرَةٍ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ يَأْكُلُونَ مِنْ طَعَامِهَا وَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِنْ شَرَابِهَا وَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَقِمِ السَّاعَةَ لَنَا وَ أَنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ أَلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The souls of the believing people are in a tree of paradise. They eat and drink of fruits and water thereof, and say, “O Lord, make the Day of Judgment to come for us, make what You had promised to come true and allow the last of us to join our first.’””

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ فِي حُجُرَاتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ يَأْكُلُونَ مِنْ طَعَامِهَا وَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِنْ شَرَابِهَا وَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَقِمِ السَّاعَةَ لَنَا وَ أَنْجِزْ لَنَا مَا وَعَدْتَنَا وَ أَلْحِقْ آخِرَنَا بِأَوَّلِنَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the souls (spirits) of believing people. He said, ‘They are in chambers in paradise, they eat and drink thereof and say, “O Lord, make it the Day of Judgment, allow what You had promised us to come true and join the last of us with those who were first.’””

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ مَا يَقُولُ النَّاسُ فِي أَرْوَاحِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقُلْتُ يَقُولُونَ تَكُونُ فِي حَوَاصِلِ طُيُورٍ خُضْرٍ فِي قَنَادِيلَ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ رُوحَهُ فِي حَوْصَلَةِ طَيْرٍ يَا يُونُسُ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ أَتَاهُ مُحَمَّدٌ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ وَ فَاطِمَةُ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ

’Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he asked, ‘What do people say about the spirits of the believers?’ I then replied, ‘They say that they live in the craws of green birds in chandlers in paradise under the Throne.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Allah is free of all defects. A believer is highly respected

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَنَّ النَّاسَ يَذْكُرُونَ أَنَّ فُرَاتَنَا يَخْرُجُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَكَيْفَ هُوَ وَ هُوَ يُقْبِلُ مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ تُصَبُّ فِيهِ الْعُيُونُ وَ الْأَوْدِيَةُ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ- إِنَّ لِلَّهِ جَنَّةً خَلَقَهَا اللَّهُ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ وَ مَاءَ فُرَاتِكُمْ يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَ إِلَيْهَا تَخْرُجُ أَرْوَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ حُفَرِهِمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسَاءٍ فَتَ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad as well as Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, all from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from Durays al-Kunasiy who has said the following: “I said to abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘People say that our Euphrates gushes forth from

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع اشْتَكَى عَيْنَهُ فَعَادَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص فَإِذَا هُوَ يَصِيحُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَ جَزَعاً أَمْ وَجَعاً[4] فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا وَجِعْتُ وَجَعاً قَطُّ أَشَدَّ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ مَلَكَ الْمَوْتِ إِذَا نَزَلَ لِقَبْضِ رُوحِ الْكَافِرِ نَزَلَ مَعَهُ سَفُّودٌ[5] مِنْ نَارٍ فَيَنْزِعُ رُوحَهُ بِهِ فَتَصِيحُ جَهَنَّمُ فَاسْتَوَى عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِساً فَقَالَ يَا رَسُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), was suffering from a severe eye illness and the Holy Prophet visited him for this reason. He groaned loudly because of severe pain. The Holy Prophet said, ‘Is it impatience or severe pain?’ He replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have never experienced such a severe pain.’ He said, ‘O Ali, when t

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْوَسْوَاسَ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ اذْكُرْ تَقَطُّعَ أَوْصَالِكَ فِي قَبْرِكَ وَ رُجُوعَ أَحْبَابِكَ عَنْكَ إِذَا دَفَنُوكَ فِي حُفْرَتِكَ وَ خُرُوجَ بَنَاتِ الْمَاءِ[3] مِنْ مَنْخِرَيْكَ وَ أَكْلَ الدُّودِ لَحْمَكَ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يُسَلِّي عَنْكَ مَا أَنْتَ فِيهِ قَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا ذَكَرْتُهُ إِلَّا سَلَّى عَنِّي مَا أَنَا فِيهِ مِنْ هَمِّ الدُّنْيَا.

“Once I complained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the disturbance of temptation in my mind. He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu Muhammad, speak (think) of your joints coming apart in your grave, and of your relatives abandoning you after your burial, worms coming out from your nose and other worms consuming your flesh; thi

دَعَا نَبِيٌّ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ عَلَى قَوْمِهِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أُسَلِّطُ عَلَيْهِمْ عَدُوَّهُمْ فَقَالَ لَا فَقِيلَ لَهُ فَالْجُوعَ فَقَالَ لَا فَقِيلَ‌ لَهُ مَا تُرِيدُ فَقَالَ مَوْتٌ دَفِيقٌ يَحْزُنُ الْقَلْبَ‌[1] وَ يُقِلُّ الْعَدَدَ فَأُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِمُ الطَّاعُونُ.

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘A prophet of the prophets prayed against his followers. It was said to him, “I will make their enemy to dominate them.” He said, “No, I do not want this.” It was told to him that hunger would dominate them. He said, “No.” He then was asked, “What do you want?” He replied, “I want f

قَالَ: لَا تَتَهَاوَنْ بِصَلَاتِكَ فَإِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص قَالَ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ لَيْسَ مِنِّي مَنِ اسْتَخَفَّ بِصَلَاتِهِ لَيْسَ مِنِّي مَنْ شَرِبَ مُسْكِراً لَا يَرِدُ عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not consider your Salah (prayer) insignificant; the Holy Prophet said when he was about to pass away, “Those who consider their Salah (prayer) insignificant are not of my people, as well as those who drink intoxicating liquor. They will not be able to come to me at the pond of al

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ وَقْتُ الْمَغْرِبِ إِذَا غَابَ الْقُرْصُ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتَ فَأَعِدِ الصَّلَاةَ[4] وَ مَضَى صَوْمُكَ وَ تَكُفُّ عَنِ الطَّعَامِ إِنْ كُنْتَ أَصَبْتَ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً.

"The time for Maghrib is when the disc (of the sun) has disappeared. If you see (the sun) after that and you have prayed, then repeat the prayer, and your fast remains valid. You should refrain from food if you have eaten anything."

كَتَبَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ بْنُ الْحُصَيْنِ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع‌ مَعِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدِ اخْتَلَفَتْ مُوَالُوكَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يُصَلِّي إِذَا طَلَعَ الْفَجْرُ الْأَوَّلُ الْمُسْتَطِيلُ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يُصَلِّي إِذَا اعْتَرَضَ فِي أَسْفَلِ الْأُفُقِ وَ اسْتَبَانَ وَ لَسْتُ أَعْرِفُ أَفْضَلَ الْوَقْتَيْنِ فَأُصَلِّيَ فِيهِ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ تُعَلِّمَنِي أَفْضَلَ ال

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Mahziyar from who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn once wrote to Abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘With me, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, people of your followers disagree on timing of dawn Salah (

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَسْجُدُ عَلَى الزِّفْتِ يَعْنِي الْقِيرَ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَا عَلَى الثَّوْبِ الْكُرْسُفِ وَ لَا عَلَى الصُّوفِ وَ لَا عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْحَيَوَانِ وَ لَا عَلَى طَعَامٍ وَ لَا عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ثِمَارِ الْأَرْضِ وَ لَا عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الرِّيَاشِ‌[3].

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Can I perform Sajdah (prostration) on asphalt? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, also not on cotton, wool, anything from animals, food, fruits of earth and not on anything of clothing.’”

سَأَلَ زُرَارَةُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي الثَّعَالِبِ وَ الْفَنَكِ‌[1] وَ السِّنْجَابِ وَ غَيْرِهِ مِنَ الْوَبَرِ فَأَخْرَجَ كِتَاباً زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ إِمْلَاءُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَنَّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي وَبَرِ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ حَرَامٍ أَكْلُهُ فَالصَّلَاةُ فِي وَبَرِهِ وَ شَعْرِهِ وَ جِلْدِهِ وَ بَوْلِهِ وَ رَوْثِهِ وَ أَلْبَانِهِ وَ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ فَاسِدَةٌ لَا تُقْبَلُ تِلْكَ الصَّلَاةُ حَتَّى تُصَ

“Zurarah once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about foxes, fennec and squirrel and so on of hair. He (the Imam) then took out a book that he (the Imam) thought was of the dictations of the Messenger of Allah and it said, ’Salah (prayer) performed with hair of everything of inedible flesh is unlawful. Thus, Salah (prayer)

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ وَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ لِبَاسِ الْفِرَاءِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ فِيهَا فَقَالَ لَا تُصَلِّ فِيهَا إِلَّا فِيمَا كَانَ مِنْهُ ذَكِيّاً قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ وَ لَيْسَ الذَّكِيُّ مِمَّا ذُكِّيَ بِالْحَدِيدِ فَقَالَ بَلَى إِذَا كَانَ مِمَّا يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهُ قُلْتُ وَ مَا يُؤْكَلُ لَحْمُهُ‌[1] مِنْ غَيْرِ الْغَنَمِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِالسِّنْجَابِ فَإِنَّهُ دَابَّةٌ لَا تَأْكُلُ اللَّحْمَ وَ لَيْسَ هُ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, and abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about clothes of fur in Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not perform Salah (prayer) with it unless it is made clean, by properly slaughtering.’ I then asked, ’Is proper slaughtering done with iron? He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, if it is of edible flesh.’ I then

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي السَّمُّورِ وَ السِّنْجَابِ وَ الثَّعْلَبِ فَقَالَ لَا خَيْرَ فِي ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ مَا خَلَا السِّنْجَابَ فَإِنَّهُ دَابَّةٌ لَا تَأْكُلُ اللَّحْمَ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) with sable, squirrel and fox. He (the Imam) said, ‘There is nothing good with all of it except squirrel which is an animal that does not eat meat.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرَّجُلِ ص أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الثَّوْبِ يُصِيبُهُ الْخَمْرُ وَ لَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ أَ يُصَلَّى فِيهِ أَمْ لَا فَإِنَّ أَصْحَابَنَا قَدِ اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ صَلِّ فِيهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ شُرْبَهَا وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا تُصَلِّ فِيهِ‌[3] فَكَتَبَ ع لَا تُصَلِّ فِيهِ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الَّذِي يُعِيرُ ثَوْبَهُ لِمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنّ

“I once wrote to the man (a.s.), asking him about clothes which come in contact with wine and flesh of pig, if I can perform Salah (prayer) wearing such cloth or not. Our people have differences on the issue. Certain ones say, ‘You can perform Salah (prayer) with it because only drinking is unlawful.’ Certain others sa

قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَوَى زُرَارَةُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ص فِي الْخَمْرِ يُصِيبُ ثَوْبَ الرَّجُلِ أَنَّهُمَا قَالا لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ يُصَلَّى فِيهِ إِنَّمَا حُرِّمَ شُرْبُهَا وَ رَوَى غَيْرُ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِذَا أَصَابَ ثَوْبَكَ خَمْرٌ أَوْ نَبِيذٌ يَعْنِي الْمُسْكِرَ فَاغْسِلْهُ إِنْ عَ

“I read in the letter of ’Abd Allah ibn Muhammad to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), in which he has said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. Zurarah has narrated for abu Ja’far, and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about wine which pollutes one’s clothes that the two Imam had said, “It is not an offens

كُنْتُ مَعَ يُونُسَ بِبَغْدَادَ وَ أَنَا أَمْشِي مَعَهُ فِي السُّوقِ فَفَتَحَ صَاحِبُ الْفُقَّاعِ فُقَّاعَهُ فَقَفَزَ[1] فَأَصَابَ ثَوْبَ يُونُسَ فَرَأَيْتُهُ قَدِ اغْتَمَّ بِذَلِكَ حَتَّى زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَ لَا تُصَلِّي قَالَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ حَتَّى أَرْجِعَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ وَ أَغْسِلَ هَذَا الْخَمْرَ مِنْ ثَوْبِي فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هَذَا رَأْيٌ رَأَيْتَهُ أَوْ شَي

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from certain persons of our people from abu Jamil al-Basriy who have said the following: “Yunus and I were in Baghdad. I walked with him in the market. An owner of beer opened the container of his beer and drops from it came in contact with clothes of Yunus and I saw him depressed until

إِنَّا نَأْمُرُ صِبْيَانَنَا بِالصَّلَاةِ إِذَا كَانُوا بَنِي خَمْسِ سِنِينَ فَمُرُوا صِبْيَانَكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ إِذَا كَانُوا بَنِي سَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَ نَحْنُ نَأْمُرُ صِبْيَانَنَا بِالصَّوْمِ إِذَا كَانُوا بَنِي سَبْعِ سِنِينَ بِمَا أَطَاقُوا مِنْ صِيَامِ الْيَوْمِ إِنْ كَانَ إِلَى نِصْفِ النَّهَارِ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوْ أَقَلَّ فَإِذَا غَلَبَهُمُ الْعَطَشُ وَ الْغَرَثُ‌[3] أَفْطَرُوا حَتَّى يَتَعَوَّدُوا ال

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘We instruct our children to perform Salah (prayer) when they are five years old. Instruct your children to perform Salah (prayer) when they are seven years old. We instruct our children to fast when they are seven years old if they can endure fasting even up to midday, or more than th

الْبَاغِي بَاغِي الصَّيْدِ وَ الْعَادِي السَّارِقُ لَيْسَ لَهُمَا أَنْ يَأْكُلَا الْمَيْتَةَ إِذَا اضْطُرَّا إِلَيْهَا هِيَ حَرَامٌ عَلَيْهِمَا لَيْسَ هِيَ عَلَيْهِمَا كَمَا هِيَ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُمَا أَنْ يُقَصِّرَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . one who is compelled and who is not a rebel or transgressor. . .’(2:168) abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, This rebel is a rebel to hunt. The transgressor is a thief and they do have permission to eat dead animals when they are compelled; it is unlawful for

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ صَلَاةِ النَّوَافِلِ مَا لَا يَدْرِي مَا هُوَ مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَلْيُصَلِّ حَتَّى لَا يَدْرِيَ كَمْ صَلَّى مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ فَيَكُونَ قَدْ قَضَى بِقَدْرِ عِلْمِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْقَضَاءِ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ شُغُلِهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ شُغُلُهُ فِي طَلَبِ مَعِيشَةٍ لَا بُدَّ مِنْهَا أَوْ حَاجَةٍ لِأَخٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man on whom there is Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) optional Salah (prayer), so much that he does not know how many because of its great number. What is he required to do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs so many that cannot say how many is performed. In this way he has pe

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ جَاعَ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ وَ لْيُصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنِّي جَائِعٌ فَأَطْعِمْنِي فَإِنَّهُ يُطْعَمُ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘If one feels hungry he should take Wudu’ and perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer), then say, “O my Lord, I am hungry. Please feed me.” He will be fed within the same hour.’”

مَرِضْتُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مَرَضاً شَدِيداً حَتَّى ثَقُلْتُ وَ اجْتَمَعَتْ بَنُو هَاشِمٍ لَيْلًا لِلْجَنَازَةِ وَ هُمْ يَرَوْنَ أَنِّي مَيِّتٌ فَجَزِعَتْ أُمِّي عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ لَهَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع خَالِي اصْعَدِي إِلَى فَوْقِ الْبَيْتِ فَابْرُزِي إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ صَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا سَلَّمْتِ فَقُولِي اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ وَهَبْتَهُ لِي وَ لَمْ يَكُ شَيْئاً اللَّهُمَّ وَ إِنِّي أَسْتَوْهِبُكَهُ م

“I became seriously ill in the month of Ramadan. I was not able to get up. Banu Hashim gathered at night for burial, seeing me about to die. My mother was restless. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), told her, ‘My aunt, climb on the house, expose your head under the sky, perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and after Salam say, “O Al

فِي الْأَمْرِ يَطْلُبُهُ الطَّالِبُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ فِي يَوْمِكَ عَلَى سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً عَلَى كُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ صَاعٌ بِصَاعِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَإِذَا كَانَ اللَّيْلُ اغْتَسَلْتَ فِي الثُّلُثِ الْبَاقِي وَ لَبِسْتَ أَدْنَى مَا يَلْبَسُ مَنْ تَعُولُ مِنَ الثِّيَابِ إِلَّا أَنَّ عَلَيْكَ فِي تِلْكَ الثِّيَابِ إِزَاراً ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَ جَبْهَتَكَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأَخِيرِ لِلسُّجُو

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who wishes that his Lord make his wish come true should feed sixty destitute people as an act of charity, one sa‘ (three kilograms), by the sa‘ of the Holy Prophet, of food per person. At night during the last third of the night, take a shower and dress in minimum form, except

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص وَ هُوَ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَرَدْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ الْأَقْصَى فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْكَ وَ أُوَدِّعَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَرَدْتَ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ الْفَضْلَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَبِعْ رَاحِلَتَكَ وَ كُلْ زَادَكَ

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Yusuf ibn Ya’qub ibn ‘Abd Allah from the sons of abu Fatimah from Isma’il ibn Zayd, Mawla ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Kahiliy who has said the following: “Once, a man came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin, when he was in the Masjid of Kufah. He said, ‘You are a ‘Alayhi al-

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعَنَا بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِ الْأَمْوَالِ فَذَكَرُوا الزَّكَاةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الزَّكَاةَ لَيْسَ يُحْمَدُ بِهَا صَاحِبُهَا وَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ ظَاهِرٌ إِنَّمَا حَقَنَ بِهَا دَمَهُ وَ سُمِّيَ بِهَا مُسْلِماً وَ لَوْ لَمْ يُؤَدِّهَا لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ وَ إِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ غَيْرَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ وَ مَا عَلَيْنَ

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from abu af-Maghra’ from abu Basir who has said the following: “Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. With us, there were certain wealthier persons. People spoke about zakat. Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alay

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الزَّكَاةِ فِي الزَّبِيبِ وَ التَّمْرِ فَقَالَ فِي كُلِّ خَمْسَةِ أَوْسَاقٍ وَسْقٌ وَ الْوَسْقُ سِتُّونَ صَاعاً وَ الزَّكَاةُ فِيهِمَا سَوَاءٌ فَأَمَّا الطَّعَامُ فَالْعُشُرُ فِيمَا سَقَتِ السَّمَاءُ وَ أَمَّا مَا سُقِيَ بِالْغَرْبِ‌[3] وَ الدَّوَالِي فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ نِصْفُ الْعُشْرِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about Zakat on raisins and dates. He (the Imam) said, ‘On every five awsaq (a certain measurement) there is one wasq. One wasq is sixty Sa‘. The amount of Zakat on both items is of the same amount. Of food items what is watered by rain from the sky Zakat is one out of ten, but if it

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ دَفَعَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ مَالًا قَرْضاً عَلَى مَنْ زَكَاتُهُ عَلَى الْمُقْرِضِ أَوْ عَلَى الْمُقْتَرِضِ قَالَ لَا بَلْ زَكَاتُهَا إِنْ كَانَتْ مَوْضُوعَةً عِنْدَهُ حَوْلًا عَلَى الْمُقْتَرِضِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَلَيْسَ عَلَى الْمُقْرِضِ زَكَاتُهَا قَالَ لَا يُزَكَّى الْمَالُ مِنْ وَجْهَيْنِ فِي عَامٍ وَاحِدٍ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَى الدَّافِعِ شَيْ‌ءٌ لِأَنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِي يَدِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّمَا ا

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who gives a certain amount of asset to another person as loan with the condition that Zakat is on lender or borrower. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, Zakat is due on borrower if it remains with him for one year.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Zakat is not paid twice for the same thing i

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَعَثَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص مُصَدِّقاً مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ إِلَى بَادِيَتِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ انْطَلِقْ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ لَا تُؤْثِرَنَّ دُنْيَاكَ عَلَى آخِرَتِكَ وَ كُنْ حَافِظاً لِمَا ائْتَمَنْتُكَ عَلَيْهِ رَاعِياً لِحَقِّ اللَّهِ فِيهِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ نَادِيَ بَنِي فُلَانٍ‌[2] فَإِذَا قَدِمْتَ فَانْزِلْ بِمَائِهِمْ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, gave the following disciplinary instructions to a zakat collector. He (the Imam) then sent him to th

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ شَيْخاً مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يُقَالُ لَهُ عُمَرُ سَأَلَ عِيسَى بْنَ أَعْيَنَ وَ هُوَ مُحْتَاجٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ عِيسَى بْنُ أَعْيَنَ أَمَا إِنَّ عِنْدِي مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ لَكِنْ لَا أُعْطِيكَ مِنْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ وَ لِمَ فَقَالَ لِأَنِّي رَأَيْتُكَ اشْتَرَيْتَ لَحْماً وَ تَمْراً فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا رَبِحْتُ دِرْهَماً فَاشْتَرَيْتُ بِدَانِقَيْنِ لَحْماً وَ بِدَانِقَيْنِ تَمْراً ثُمَّ وَ رَ

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from ‘Asem ibn Humayd from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, that among our people there is a shaykh, called ‘Umar. He asked ‘Isa ibn ’A‘yan for help bec

قُلْتُ لَهُ يَشْتَرِي الرَّجُلُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ الثِّيَابَ وَ السَّوِيقَ- وَ الدَّقِيقَ وَ الْبِطِّيخَ وَ الْعِنَبَ فَيَقْسِمُهُ قَالَ لَا يُعْطِيهِمْ إِلَّا الدَّرَاهِمَ كَمَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if a man with Zakat (that he owes) can buy clothes, al-Sawiq (prepared food), flour, melons and grapes and distribute it among the deserving people. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot pay except by dirham which Allah, most Blessed, most High, has commanded.’”

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 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

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّكَ كُنْتَ تَفْعَلُ فِي غَلَّةِ عَيْنِ زِيَادٍ[1] شَيْئاً وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَهُ مِنْكَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي نَعَمْ كُنْتُ آمُرُ إِذَا أَدْرَكَتِ الثَّمَرَةُ أَنْ يُثْلَمَ فِي حِيطَانِهَا الثُّلَمُ لِيَدْخُلَ النَّاسُ وَ يَأْكُلُوا وَ كُنْتُ آمُرُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ أَنْ يُوضَعَ عَشْرُ بُنَيَّاتٍ يَقْعُدُ عَلَى كُلِّ بُنَيَّةٍ[2] عَشَرَةٌ كُلَّمَا أَكَلَ عَشَرَةٌ جَاءَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I have heard that you had done certain things about the produce of the farm in ‘Ayn Ziyad (name of a certain oasis) and I like to hear it from you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, I would command at the time fruits ripened to

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

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 أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع لِإِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ ذَكَرَ لَهُ أَنَّ ابْنَهُ صَدَّقَ عَنْهُ قَالَ إِنَّهُ رَجُلٌ‌[1] قَالَ فَمُرْهُ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ وَ لَوْ بِالْكِسْرَةِ مِنَ الْخُبْزِ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَ لَهُ ابْنٌ وَ كَانَ لَهُ مُحِبّاً فَأُتِيَ فِي مَنَامِهِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ ابْنَكَ لَيْلَةَ يَدْخُلُ بِأَهْلِهِ يَمُوتُ قَالَ فَلَمَّا كَانَ تِلْكَ

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once in response to the words of Isma‘il ibn Muhammad that his son had given charity on his behalf and that he is a man, said this. ‘Ask him to give charity, even if it is only a small piece of bread.’ The Imam then said that abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A man in banu Israel had a son whom he lo

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلَدٌ فَوُلِدَ لَهُ غُلَامٌ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ يَمُوتُ لَيْلَةَ عُرْسِهِ فَمَكَثَ الْغُلَامُ فَلَمَّا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ عُرْسِهِ نَظَرَ إِلَى شَيْخٍ كَبِيرٍ ضَعِيفٍ فَرَحِمَهُ الْغُلَامُ فَدَعَاهُ فَأَطْعَمَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ السَّائِلُ أَحْيَيْتَنِي أَحْيَاكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَأَتَاهُ آتٍ فِي النَّوْمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلِ ابْنَكَ مَا صَنَعَ فَسَأ

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), say, ‘Among banu Israel there was a man who did not have a son. When he became the father of a son, he was told that his son would die on the night of his marriage. The boy waited until the night of his marriage, when he saw a frail, old man. He felt sympathy for him and invited him for f

خَرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي لَيْلَةٍ قَدْ رُشَّتْ‌[2] وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ ظُلَّةَ بَنِي سَاعِدَةَ فَاتَّبَعْتُهُ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ سَقَطَ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ رُدَّ عَلَيْنَا قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ مُعَلًّى قُلْتُ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لِي الْتَمِسْ بِيَدِكَ فَمَا وَجَدْتَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَادْفَعْهُ إِلَيَّ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِخُبْزٍ مُنْتَشِرٍ كَثِيرٍ

“One rainy night, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), went out to Zullah of banu Sa‘idah. I followed him and saw that some of his things fell down. He said, ‘Bismillah (by the name of Allah). O Lord, please return it back to us.’ I went to him and greeted him with the greetings of peace. He said, ‘Is it you, Mu‘alla’?’ I replied, ‘

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

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

لِابْنِهِ‌ يَا بُنَيَّ ذُقْتُ الصَّبِرَ وَ أَكَلْتُ لِحَاءَ الشَّجَرِ[1] فَلَمْ أَجِدْ شَيْئاً هُوَ أَمَرُّ مِنَ الْفَقْرِ فَإِنْ بُلِيتَ بِهِ يَوْماً وَ لَا تُظْهِرِ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهِ فَيَسْتَهِينُوكَ وَ لَا يَنْفَعُوكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ ارْجِعْ إِلَى الَّذِي ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ فَهُوَ أَقْدَرُ عَلَى فَرَجِكَ وَ سَلْهُ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي سَأَلَهُ فَلَمْ يُعْطِهِ أَوْ وَثِقَ بِهِ فَلَمْ يُنْجِهِ.

8. “It is narrated that Luqman said to his son, ‘Son, I have tested patience and have consumed tree barks for food. I have not found anything as bitter as poverty. If you ever face poverty, do not tell people about it; you will seem insignificant in their sight and they will be of no benefit to you. You must turn to th

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ يَا ابْنَ عَرَفَةَ إِنَّ النِّعَمَ كَالْإِبِلِ الْمُعْتَقَلَةِ فِي عَطَنِهَا[1] عَلَى الْقَوْمِ مَا أَحْسَنُوا جِوَارَهَا فَإِذَا أَسَاءُوا مُعَامَلَتَهَا وَ إِنَالَتَهَا نَفَرَتْ عَنْهُمْ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), has said, ‘O ibn ‘Arafah, bounties are like guarded camels around drinking water. It is up to people to maintain good relations with the camel. If they fail to keep the good relations, the camel runs away from them.’”

أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَفْدٌ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ وَ فِيهِمْ رَجُلٌ كَانَ أَعْظَمَهُمْ كَلَاماً وَ أَشَدَّهُمْ اسْتِقْصَاءً فِي مُحَاجَّةِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَغَضِبَ النَّبِيُّ ص حَتَّى الْتَوَى عِرْقُ الْغَضَبِ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَ تَرَبَّدَ وَجْهُهُ وَ أَطْرَقَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ-[3] فَأَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَقَالَ رَبُّكَ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ هَذَا رَجُلٌ سَخِيٌّ يُطْعِمُ الطَّعَامَ فَسَكَنَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص

"A delegate from Yemen once came to the Messenger of Allah (sw). Among them, there was a man who was the greatest among them in speaking and most intense in arguing with the Prophet (sw). The Prophet (sw) became angry and the sweat of anger appeared between his eyes, his complexion changed, and he began to look down on

السَّخِيُّ يَأْكُلُ طَعَامَ النَّاسِ لِيَأْكُلُوا مِنْ طَعَامِهِ وَ الْبَخِيلُ لَا يَأْكُلُ مِنْ طَعَامِ النَّاسِ لِئَلَّا يَأْكُلُوا مِنْ طَعَامِهِ.

‘A generous person eats people’s food so that they eat his food. A stingy person does not eat people’s food so that they will not eat his food.’”

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِمِنًى وَ بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا عِنَبٌ نَأْكُلُهُ فَجَاءَ سَائِلٌ فَسَأَلَهُ فَأَمَرَ بِعُنْقُودٍ[1] فَأَعْطَاهُ فَقَالَ السَّائِلُ لَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِي هَذَا إِنْ كَانَ دِرْهَمٌ قَالَ يَسَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ فَذَهَبَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ رُدُّوا الْعُنْقُودَ فَقَالَ يَسَعُ اللَّهُ لَكَ وَ لَمْ يُعْطِهِ شَيْئاً ثُمَّ جَاءَ سَائِلٌ آخَرُ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ثَلَاثَ حَبَّاتِ

“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in Mina (a place in Makkah). We were eating grapes when a man came asking for help. Imam told someone to give him a bunch. The man said, ‘I do not need this. I need dirhams.’ The Imam said, ‘May Allah grant you a great deal.’ The man went away and then came back s

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قُلْتُ قَوْمٌ عِنْدَهُمْ فُضُولٌ وَ بِإِخْوَانِهِمْ حَاجَةٌ شَدِيدَةٌ وَ لَيْسَ تَسَعُهُمُ الزَّكَاةُ أَ يَسَعُهُمْ أَنْ يَشْبَعُوا وَ يَجُوعَ إِخْوَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّ الزَّمَانَ شَدِيدٌ فَقَالَ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَحْرِمُهُ فَيَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِيهِ وَ التَّوَاصُلُ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَيْهِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْ

“Once I explained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a people who are affluent, but have certain ones among them who are extremely needy. Zakat is not enough for them. ‘Can these affluent people live satisfied while their people suffer from hunger in such a difficult time?’ The Imam said, ‘The Muslims are each other’s