Poverty & Hardship

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الشِّيعَةَ عِنْدَنَا كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ فَهَلْ يَعْطِفُ الْغَنِيُّ عَلَى الْفَقِيرِ وَ هَلْ يَتَجَاوَزُ الْمُحْسِنُ عَنِ الْمُسِي‌ءِ وَ يَتَوَاسَوْنَ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَؤُلَاءِ شِيعَةً- الشِّيعَةُ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ هَذَا.

“Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, there is a great number of Shi’a in our area. The Imam asked, ‘Are their rich ones kind to their poor ones? Do their virtuous ones forgive their sinful ones? Do they assist each other financially?’ I said, ‘No, they do not do so.’ The

الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ‌[3] وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رُحَمَاءَ بَيْنَكُمْ‌[4] مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى

“The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim (in belief). He does not do injustice to him, does not betray him, and does not violate his trust. It is worthwhile for the Muslims to be assiduous in maintaining good relations with each other, be kind to each other, assist the needy ones financially and be compassionate toward

يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ رُحَماءُ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى عَلَيْهِ مَعْشَرُ الْأَنْصَارِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“It is worthwhile for a Muslim to work assiduously to maintain good relations, to cooperate in kindness and assistance for the needy and to be compassionate to each other. Live out this so that you can be as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded you to be, ‘. . . compassionate to each other, . . .’ (48

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُوَدِّعُهُ فَقَالَ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ أَبْلِغْ مَنْ تَرَى مِنْ مَوَالِينَا السَّلَامَ وَ أَوْصِهِمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ أَنْ يَعُودَ غَنِيُّهُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِهِمْ وَ قَوِيُّهُمْ عَلَى ضَعِيفِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ حَيُّهُمْ جِنَازَةَ مَيِّتِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَتَلَاقَوْا فِي بُيُوتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ لُقِيَّا[1] بَعْضِهِمْ بَعْضاً حَيَاةٌ لِأَمْرِنَا رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً أَحْيَا أَمْرَن

“Once I went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) to say farewell. He said, ‘O Khaythamah, convey our greeting of peace to whoever of our followers you may see and advise them to be pious before Allah, the Most Great, that their rich ones look after their poor ones, the stronger ones look after their weaker ones, that the living a

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ بِوَجْهٍ قَاطِبٍ‌[5] فَقُلْتُ مَا الَّذِي غَيَّرَكَ لِي قَالَ الَّذِي غَيَّرَكَ لِإِخْوَانِكَ بَلَغَنِي يَا إِسْحَاقُ أَنَّكَ أَقْعَدْتَ بِبَابِكَ‌ بَوَّاباً يَرُدُّ عَنْكَ فُقَرَاءَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي خِفْتُ الشُّهْرَةَ فَقَالَ أَ فَلَا خِفْتَ الْبَلِيَّةَ أَ وَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَنْزَلَ ال

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he looked at me frowning. I asked, ‘May I know how I have disappointed you?’ The Imam said, ‘It is that which has changed you toward your brothers (in belief). It has come to my notice, O Ishaq, that you have appointed someone at your door to drive away the poor people of th

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ‌ شَبْعَةُ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is bringing joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger or paying off his debt.’”

مِنْ أَحَبِّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ إِشْبَاعُ جَوْعَتِهِ أَوْ تَنْفِيسُ كُرْبَتِهِ أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.

“Of the most beloved deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is sending joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger, relief for his suffering or paying off his debt.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ خَلْقاً مِنْ خَلْقِهِ انْتَجَبَهُمْ لِقَضَاءِ حَوَائِجِ فُقَرَاءِ شِيعَتِنَا لِيُثِيبَهُمْ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْجَنَّةَ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ فَكُنْ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا وَ اللَّهِ رَبٌّ نَعْبُدُهُ لَا نُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئاً[2].

2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ziyad who has that Khalid ibn Yazid narrated to him from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created a creature among His creatures. He has chosen to make the

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ رَحْمَةٌ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ قَالَ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَتَى أَخَاهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ وَ سَبَّبَهَا لَهُ فَإِنْ قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ كَانَ قَدْ قَبِلَ الرَّحْمَةَ بِقَبُولِهَا وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا فَإِنَّمَا رَدَّ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ رَحْمَة

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, is a believer a blessing for believers?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, he is.’ I then asked, ‘How is he as such?’ The Imam said, ‘A believer who may come to his brother (in belief) for help, in fact, is a blessing from Allah whom He has lead t

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ تَنَافَسُوا فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ‌[3] لِإِخْوَانِكُمْ وَ كُونُوا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَإِنَّ لِلْجَنَّةِ بَاباً يُقَالُ لَهُ- الْمَعْرُوفُ لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا مَنِ اصْطَنَعَ الْمَعْرُوفَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَمْشِي فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُوَكِّلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَلَكَيْنِ وَاحِداً عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ آخَرَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ يَسْتَغْفِرَانِ لَهُ رَبَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Compete in al-Ma’ruf doing good to your brothers (in belief) and be of such people; in paradise there is a door called al-Ma’ruf through which no one can enter except those who have performed al-Ma’ruf (a virtuous deed) in the worldly life. If a servant (of Allah) walks to help his bel

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ قَبِلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَصَلَهُ بِوَلَايَتِنَا[2] وَ هُوَ مَوْصُولٌ بِوَلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً مِنْ نَارٍ يَنْهَشُهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغْفُور

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘To whomever his believing brother (in belief) comes for help, in fact, it is a blessing from Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, that He has lead to him. If he accepts that blessing he has connected his guardianship with our guardianship ( al - Walayah ) that is connected to t

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَتَرِدُ عَلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةُ لِأَخِيهِ فَلَا تَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ فَيَهْتَمُّ بِهَا قَلْبُهُ فَيُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بِهَمِّهِ الْجَنَّةَ.

“A believer may find his brother (in belief) needy in a certain matter that is not available to him and he intends in his heart to meet such need, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, admits him in paradise just because of his intention.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَعَانَ مُؤْمِناً نَفَّسَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثاً وَ سَبْعِينَ كُرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ سَبْعِينَ كُرْبَةً عِنْدَ كُرَبِهِ الْعُظْمَى قَالَ حَيْثُ يَتَشَاغَلُ النَّاسُ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One who provides financial help for his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, provides for him relief in seventy-three grievous conditions. One is for the worldly life and the other seventy-two in times of great grief and hardship (Day of Judgment), when people

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً نَفَّسَ‌ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُرَبَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ وَ هُوَ ثَلِجُ الْفُؤَادِ[1] وَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَهُ مِنْ جُوعٍ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثِمَارِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ سَقَاهُ شَرْبَةً سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ‌[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘For one who provides relief for his brother (in belief), Allah provides him relief in hardship in the life hereafter. He will come out of his grave with a comfortable heart. Whoever satisfies his (a believers’s) hunger Allah will feed him from the fruits of paradise. One who provi

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يُشْبِعَهُ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَحَدٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ مَا لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ الْمَغْفِرَةِ إِطْعَامُ الْمُسْلِمِ السَّغْبَانِ‌[3] ثُمَّ تَلَا قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَوْ إِطْعامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ يَتِيماً ذا مَقْرَبَةٍ أَوْ مِسْكِيناً ذا مَتْرَبَةٍ[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If one serves food to a believer to satisfy his hunger, no one of the creatures of Allah will be able to find out how much reward he will have in the hereafter for such service, not even the angels close to Allah or a prophet Divinely commissioned to preach can find out except Allah, L

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ تُحِبُّ إِخْوَانَكَ يَا حُسَيْنُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَنْفَعُ فُقَرَاءَهُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَحِقُّ عَلَيْكَ‌[5] أَنْ تُحِبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُ‌ اللَّهُ‌[1] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَنْفَعُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً حَتَّى تُحِبَّهُ‌[2] أَ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى مَنْزِلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ مَا آكُلُ إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الرَّجُلَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ الْأَقَلُّ وَ الْأَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked, ‘Do you love your brothers (in belief) O Husayn?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 love them.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you provide any benefit for their poor?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘It is obligatory for you to love whoever loves Allah. By Allah you will not provide any benefit to any of t

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تُعْتِقَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ نَسَمَةً قُلْتُ‌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُ مَالِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ تُطْعِمُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ مُسْلِماً فَقُلْتُ مُوسِراً أَوْ مُعْسِراً قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْمُوسِرَ قَدْ يَشْتَهِي الطَّعَامَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has asked, ‘What prevents you from setting free a soul every day?’ I said, ‘My property is not enough to bear it.’ The Imam said, ‘Feed a Muslim every day.’ I asked, ‘Is it so, regardless, of his being affluent or poor?’ The Imam said, ‘Affluent people also desire food.’”

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَزُورَهُ وَ لَأَنْ أَزُورَهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ.

“Feeding a needy believer is more beloved to me than visiting him, and to visit him is more beloved to me than setting free of ten slaves.”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُوسِراً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ رَقَبَةً مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهُ مِنَ الذَّبْحِ وَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ مِائَةَ رَقَبَةٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهَا مِنَ الذَّبْحِ.

“Whoever feeds an affluent believer it is equal to setting free a slave from the descendents of Isma’il and rescuing him from slaughter. Whoever feeds a needy believer, it is equal in reward for him to set free one hundred slaves from the descendents of Isma’il and rescue them from being slaughtered.”

مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ‌ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ‌[1] أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ‌[2] مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعَةَ آلَافِ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as a reward assigns seven thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness for him up to the time of sounding off of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin that he may have committe

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, as reward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, assigns seventy thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness up to the time of the sounding of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لِأَصْحَابِهِ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ هُدَى اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ وَ نُورُ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنْ جَهْدٍ وَ فَاقَةٍ فَإِذَا حَضَرَتْ بَلِيَّةٌ فَاجْعَلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ دُونَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ نَازِلَةٌ فَاجْعَلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ دُونَ دِينِكُمْ وَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْهَالِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ دِينُهُ وَ الْحَرِيبَ

“Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) has said, ‘It was in the will of Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to his companions, “You must know that this Quran is guidance day and night and it is the light in the dark night that is due to hardships and destitution. When misfortune befalls, protect yourselves with your properties.

دَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ جَمَاعَةً- فَقُلْنَا يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنَّا نُرِيدُ الْعِرَاقَ فَأَوْصِنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لِيُقَوِّ شَدِيدُكُمْ ضَعِيفَكُمْ وَ لْيَعُدْ غَنِيُّكُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِكُمْ وَ لَا تَبُثُّوا سِرَّنَا[3] وَ لَا تُذِيعُوا أَمْرَنَا وَ إِذَا جَاءَكُمْ عَنَّا حَدِيثٌ فَوَجَدْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ شَاهِداً أَوْ شَاهِدَيْنِ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَخُذُوا بِهِ وَ إِلَّا فَقِفُوا عِنْدَهُ ثُمَّ رُدُّوهُ

“Once we in a group went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) and said to him, ‘O descendent of the Messenger of Allah, we intend to travel to Iraq, and request your recommendations.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘The stronger ones among you must support the weak ones, the well to do among you must reach out to the poor ones among you,

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِمَجْلِسٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِقَوْمٍ بِيضٍ ثِيَابُهُمْ‌[1] صَافِيَةٍ أَلْوَانُهُمْ كَثِيرٍ ضِحْكُهُمْ يُشِيرُونَ بِأَصَابِعِهِمْ إِلَى مَنْ يَمُرُّ بِهِمْ‌[2] ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِمَجْلِسٍ لِلْأَوْسِ وَ الْخَزْرَجِ فَإِذَا قَوْمٌ بُلِيَتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ دَقَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الرِّقَابُ وَ اصْفَرَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَلْوَانُ وَ قَدْ تَوَاضَعُوا بِالْكَلَامِ فَتَعَجَّبَ عَلِيٌّ ع مِن

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once passed by a gathering of Quraysh where he found the people in white clothes, of clear complexion, frequently laughing and who pointed out their fingers to whoever passed (near) by. Then he passed by a gathering of al- Aws and Khazraj where he found people of worn out bo

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ إِنَّ خِيَارَكُمْ أُولُو النُّهَى قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ أُولُو النُّهَى قَالَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَخْلَاقِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَ الْأَحْلَامِ الرَّزِينَةِ[2] وَ صِلَةِ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ الْبَرَرَةُ بِالْأُمَّهَاتِ وَ الْآبَاءِ وَ الْمُتَعَاهِدِينَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ الْجِيرَانِ وَ الْيَتَامَى‌ وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعامَ‌ وَ يُفْشُونَ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ يُصَلُّونَ وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ غَافِلُون

32. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The best among you are those who possess al-Nuha’.’ He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are possessors of al-Nuha’?’ He then said, ‘They are those who possess excellent moral disci

إِنَّ فُقَرَاءَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[1] يَتَقَلَّبُونَ فِي رِيَاضِ الْجَنَّةِ قَبْلَ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ بِأَرْبَعِينَ خَرِيفاً[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ سَأَضْرِبُ لَكَ مَثَلَ ذَلِكَ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ ذَلِكَ مَثَلُ سَفِينَتَيْنِ مُرَّ بِهِمَا عَلَى عَاشِرٍ[3] فَنَظَرَ فِي إِحْدَاهُمَا فَلَمْ يَرَ فِيهَا شَيْئاً فَقَالَ أَسْرِبُوهَا[4] وَ نَظَرَ فِي الْأُخْرَى فَإِذَا هِيَ مَوْقُورَةٌ[5] فَقَالَ احْبِسُوهَا.

“The poor Muslims will stroll in the gardens of paradise forty years before the wealthy Muslims. An example of this is the case of two ships arriving at the tax collector’s post. The tax collector searches one of the ships and finds it empty. He withdraws and the ship is free to go. But he finds the other ship fill of

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْمَصَائِبُ مِنَحٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ‌[6] وَ الْفَقْرُ مَخْزُونٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Misfortunes are gifts from Allah and poverty is in His treasure.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَ الْفَقْرَ أَمَانَةً عِنْدَ خَلْقِهِ فَمَنْ سَتَرَهُ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ مِثْلَ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ الْقَائِمِ وَ مَنْ أَفْشَاهُ إِلَى مَنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَاءِ حَاجَتِهِ فَلَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَقَدْ قَتَلَهُ أَمَا إِنَّهُ مَا قَتَلَهُ بِسَيْفٍ وَ لَا رُمْحٍ وَ لَكِنَّهُ قَتَلَهُ بِمَا نَكَى‌[1] مِنْ قَلْبِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O Ali, Allah has made poverty a trust in His creatures. Whoever hides it, Allah grants him a reward equal to the reward for a fasting person who stands at night to worship Allah. One who reveals it to a person, who is able to help but does not help, it is then as if he has killed him.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كُلَّمَا ازْدَادَ الْعَبْدُ إِيمَاناً ازْدَادَ ضِيقاً فِي مَعِيشَتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘As the belief of a person increases in strength, his poverty intensifies.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ لَا إِلْحَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ لَنَقَلَهُمْ مِنَ الْحَالِ الَّتِي هُمْ فِيهَا إِلَى حَالٍ أَضْيَقَ مِنْهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Had it not been due to the believers’ pleading before Allah to increase their sustenance, He would have moved them to a poorer condition.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا أُعْطِيَ عَبْدٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا اعْتِبَاراً وَ مَا زُوِيَ عَنْهُ إِلَّا اخْتِبَاراً.

“Whatever a servant is given of worldly things is to make him learn a lesson and whatever is withheld from him is to place him under the trial.’”

لَيْسَ لِمُصَاصِ شِيعَتِنَا[2] فِي دَوْلَةِ الْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا الْقُوتُ شَرِّقُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ أَوْ غَرِّبُوا لَنْ تُرْزَقُوا إِلَّا الْقُوتَ.

“For our pure Shi’a (followers) there is nothing under the rule of the unjust power more than bare necessities. Westernize or Easternize, you will never gain more than bare necessities.”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ يَا عَلِيُّ الْحَاجَةُ أَمَانَةُ اللَّهِ عِنْدَ خَلْقِهِ فَمَنْ كَتَمَهَا عَلَى نَفْسِهِ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ ثَوَابَ مَنْ صَلَّى وَ مَنْ كَشَفَهَا إِلَى مَنْ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ وَ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَقَدْ قَتَلَهُ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَقْتُلْهُ بِسَيْفٍ وَ لَا سِنَانٍ وَ لَا سَهْمٍ وَ لَكِنْ قَتَلَهُ بِمَا نَكَى مِنْ قَلْبِهِ.

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘O Ali, the need (poverty) is Allah’s trust with His creatures. Whoever keeps it secret Allah grants him a reward equal to that for one who prays, but if he reveals it to one who is able to help and does not help he has killed him, not with a sword or spears, but has killed him by breaking h

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَلْتَفِتُ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَى فُقَرَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ شَبِيهاً بِالْمُعْتَذِرِ إِلَيْهِمْ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي مَا أَفْقَرْتُكُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ هَوَانٍ بِكُمْ عَلَيَّ وَ لَتَرَوُنَّ مَا أَصْنَعُ بِكُمُ الْيَوْمَ فَمَنْ زَوَّدَ أَحَداً مِنْكُمْ فِي دَارِ الدُّنْيَا مَعْرُوفاً فَخُذُوا بِيَدِهِ فَأَدْخِلُوهُ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ فَيَقُول

9. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sa’dan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will turn to the poor believing people, similar to an apologetic one, and will say, “I swear by M

مَا كَانَ مِنْ وُلْدِ آدَمَ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا فَقِيراً وَ لَا كَافِرٌ إِلَّا غَنِيّاً حَتَّى جَاءَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع فَقَالَ- رَبَّنا لا تَجْعَلْنا فِتْنَةً لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا[2] فَصَيَّرَ اللَّهُ فِي هَؤُلَاءِ أَمْوَالًا وَ حَاجَةً وَ فِي هَؤُلَاءِ أَمْوَالًا وَ حَاجَةً.

“There was no one of the children of Adam who was a believer but that was poor and there was no one of the children of Adam who was an unbeliever but that was rich until Ibrahim came. He said, ‘O Lord, save us from the evil intentions of the unbelievers. . . .’ (60:5) Thereafter Allah made these (believing people) rich

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مُوسِرٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص نَقِيُّ الثَّوْبِ فَجَلَسَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص‌[3] فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ مُعْسِرٌ دَرِنُ الثَّوْبِ فَجَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِ الْمُوسِرِ فَقَبَضَ الْمُوسِرُ ثِيَابَهُ مِنْ تَحْتِ فَخِذَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَ خِفْتَ‌ أَنْ يَمَسَّكَ مِنْ فَقْرِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَخِفْتَ أَنْ يُصِيبَهُ مِنْ غِنَاكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَخِفْتَ أَنْ يُوَسِّخَ ثِيَابَكَ قَا

“Once a wealthy man in clean clothes came to the Messenger of Allah and sat down near the Messenger of Allah. Thereafter a poor man in not so clean clothes came and sat next to the wealthy man who then pulled his clothes away from underneath the thighs of the poor man. The Messenger of Allah then asked the wealthy man,

فِي مُنَاجَاةِ مُوسَى ع يَا مُوسَى إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْفَقْرَ مُقْبِلًا فَقُلْ مَرْحَباً بِشِعَارِ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْغِنَى مُقْبِلًا فَقُلْ ذَنْبٌ عَجِلَتْ عُقُوبَتُهُ‌[2].

“It is in the conversation of Moses, ‘O Moses, when you see poverty coming say, “Welcome to the way of life of the virtuous people. When, you see wealth coming, say, ‘It is a sin. I wanted to experience its punishment early (before the Day of Judgment).”’

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ طُوبَى لِلْمَسَاكِينِ بِالصَّبْرِ وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ يَرَوْنَ‌ مَلَكُوتَ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌.

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Tuba (a tree in paradise) is for the destitutes who bear patience and they are the ones who observe the kingdom of heavens and earth.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمَسَاكِينِ طِيبُوا نَفْساً وَ أَعْطُوا اللَّهَ الرِّضَا مِنْ قُلُوبِكُمْ يُثِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى فَقْرِكِمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَلَا ثَوَابَ لَكُمْ.

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

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى مُنَادِياً يُنَادِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ‌[3] أَيْنَ الْفُقَرَاءُ فَيَقُومُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ كَثِيرٌ فَيَقُولُ عِبَادِي فَيَقُولُونَ لَبَّيْكَ‌ رَبَّنَا فَيَقُولُ إِنِّي لَمْ أُفْقِرْكُمْ لِهَوَانٍ بِكُمْ عَلَيَّ وَ لَكِنِّي إِنَّمَا اخْتَرْتُكُمْ‌[1] لِمِثْلِ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ تَصَفَّحُوا وُجُوهَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ صَنَعَ إِلَيْكُمْ مَعْرُوفاً لَمْ يَصْنَ

“When it will be the Day of Judgment, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, will command an announcer to announce and call before Him, ‘Where are the poor people?’ certain heads will rise and they will be many. Allah will say, ‘My servants.’ They will say, ‘Yes, our Lord.’ Allah will say, ‘I did not make you poor con

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ لَا إِلْحَاحُ هَذِهِ الشِّيعَةِ عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ لَنَقَلَهُمْ مِنَ الْحَالِ الَّتِي هُمْ فِيهَا إِلَى مَا هُوَ أَضْيَقُ مِنْهَا[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Had it not been for this Shi’a’s (followers) insistence on receiving more sustenance from Allah He would have moved them from their present condition to a more severe poverty.”

قَالَ لِي أَ مَا تَدْخُلُ السُّوقَ أَ مَا تَرَى الْفَاكِهَةَ تُبَاعُ وَ الشَّيْ‌ءَ مِمَّا تَشْتَهِيهِ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّ لَكَ بِكُلِّ مَا تَرَاهُ فَلَا تَقْدِرُ عَلَى شِرَائِهِ حَسَنَةً.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked me, ‘Do you want to go to the market where fruits and things that you desire are sold?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 like to go.’ The Imam said, ‘However, for everything that you like to buy but cannot buy there is a reward of one good deed for you.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ لَيَعْتَذِرُ إِلَى عَبْدِهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ الْمُحْوِجِ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَمَا يَعْتَذِرُ الْأَخُ إِلَى أَخِيهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي مَا أَحْوَجْتُكَ فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ هَوَانٍ كَانَ بِكَ عَلَيَّ فَارْفَعْ هَذَا السَّجْفَ‌[4] فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَا عَوَّضْتُكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ فَيَرْفَعُ فَيَقُولُ مَا ضَرَّنِي مَا مَنَعْتَنِي مَعَ مَا عَوَّضْتَنِي.

“Allah, the Most Exalted of praise, will apologize to His believing servants who are poor in this world just as a brother apologizes to a brother and He will say, ‘I swear by my Majesty and Glory that I did not make you poor in the world considering you insignificant. Remove this curtain and look what I have given you

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قَامَ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ حَتَّى يَأْتُوا بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَضْرِبُوا بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ مَنْ أَنْتُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ الْفُقَرَاءُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ أَ قَبْلَ‌ الْحِسَابِ- فَيَقُولُونَ مَا أَعْطَيْتُمُونَا شَيْئاً تُحَاسِبُونَّا عَلَيْهِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ صَدَقُوا ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ.

“When it will be the Day of Judgment certain necks of people will rise, approach the door of paradise and knock on it. They will be asked, ‘Who are you?’ They will say, ‘We are the poor people.’ They will be told, ‘Show your accounts.’ They will say, ‘You did not give us anything. Why do you ask us for accounts?’ Allah

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ إِنِّي لَمْ أُغْنِ الْغَنِيَّ لِكَرَامَةٍ بِهِ عَلَيَّ وَ لَمْ أُفْقِرِ الْفَقِيرَ لِهَوَانٍ بِهِ عَلَيَّ وَ هُوَ مِمَّا ابْتَلَيْتُ بِهِ الْأَغْنِيَاءَ بِالْفُقَرَاءِ وَ لَوْ لَا الْفُقَرَاءُ لَمْ يَسْتَوْجِبِ الْأَغْنِيَاءُ الْجَنَّةَ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, “I have not made certain people rich because they are important to Me and I have not made certain people poor because they are insignificant to Me. It is because I wanted to try the rich through the poor. Had there been no poor,

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَيَاسِيرُ شِيعَتِنَا أُمَنَاؤُنَا عَلَى مَحَاوِيجِهِمْ فَاحْفَظُونَا فِيهِمْ يَحْفَظْكُمُ اللَّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Our wealthy Shi’a (followers) are our trustees for our poor Shi’a. Protect us by protecting them (the poor Shi’a).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الْفَقْرُ أَزْيَنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ مِنَ الْعِذَارِ عَلَى خَدِّ الْفَرَسِ‌[1].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Poverty is more beautifying for the believers than the best decorated harness with ornament is for the head of a horse.’”

سَأَلْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لَوْ لا أَنْ يَكُونَ النَّاسُ‌ أُمَّةً واحِدَةً قَالَ عَنَى بِذَلِكَ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ ص أَنْ يَكُونُوا عَلَى دِينٍ وَاحِدٍ- كُفَّاراً كُلَّهُمْ‌ لَجَعَلْنا لِمَنْ يَكْفُرُ بِالرَّحْمنِ‌ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفاً مِنْ فِضَّةٍ[2] وَ لَوْ فَعَلَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ بِأُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص لَحَزِنَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ غَمَّهُمْ ذَلِكَ وَ لَمْ يُنَاكِحُوهُمْ و

“Once I asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Were it not that all people would become one nation, . . .’ - and the Imam said, ‘It (all people) stands for the followers of Muhammad (a.s.) all of whom might turn to disbelief, - ‘ ... We would have made for the unbeli

الْفَقْرُ الْمَوْتُ الْأَحْمَرُ[3] فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْفَقْرُ مِنَ الدِّينَارِ وَ الدِّرْهَمِ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ مِنَ الدِّينِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Poverty is a painful death.’ I (the narrator) then asked him, ‘Is it poverty due to deficiency of Dirham and Dinar (units of money)?’ The Imam said, ‘No, in fact, it is poverty due to deficiency in religion.’”

أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عِرْقٍ يَضْرِبُ وَ لَا نَكْبَةٍ وَ لَا صُدَاعٍ وَ لَا مَرَضٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ‌ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ مِمَّا يُؤَاخِذُ بِهِ.

“No vein is injured, no failure takes place, no headache or illness occurs but because of the sin. This is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever hardship befalls you is the result of your own deeds. Allah pardons many of your sins.’ (42:30) The Imam then said, ‘Allah forgives more