Poverty & Hardship

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يُعْطِي هَؤُلَاءِ جَمِيعاً لِأَنَّهُمْ يُقِرُّونَ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ لَوْ كَانَ يُعْطِي مَنْ يَعْرِفُ دُونَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهَا مَوْضِعٌ وَ إِنَّمَا يُعْطِي مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لِيَرْغَبَ فِي الدِّينِ فَيَثْبُتَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَّا الْيَوْمَ فَلَا تُعْطِهَا أَنْتَ وَ أَصْحَابُكَ إِلَّا مَنْ يَعْرِفُ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَ مِنْ هَؤ

“Once we both asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Charity funds (zakat) are only for the poor, the destitute, and the tax collectors. (It is also for the) people whose hearts are inclined (toward Islam), the slaves, those who ca

إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ جَعَلَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ مَا يَكْفِيهِمْ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَزَادَهُمْ وَ إِنَّمَا يُؤْتَوْنَ مِنْ مَنْعِ مَنْ مَنَعَهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has assigned in properties of affluent people a share for the needy that is sufficient to meet their need; otherwise, He would have increased such share. Shortages come from non-payment of those who do not pay.”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَضَعَ الزَّكَاةَ قُوتاً لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ تَوْفِيراً لِأَمْوَالِكُمْ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made zakat as means of living for the needy and to increase your properties.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ الزَّكَاةَ كَمَا فَرَضَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا حَمَلَ الزَّكَاةَ فَأَعْطَاهَا عَلَانِيَةً لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْهِ فِي ذَلِكَ عَيْبٌ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ مَا يَكْتَفُونَ بِهِ الْفُقَرَاءُ وَ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ لَهُمْ لَا يَكْفِيهِمْ لَزَادَهُمْ وَ إِنَّمَا يُؤْتَى الْفُقَرَاءُ فِيمَا أُتُوا[1] م

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made paying zakat compulsory as He has made performing of Salah (prayer) obligatory. If a man pays zakat publicly, it is not a blamable thing to do. It is because Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has assigned a share in t

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ فَرِيضَةً لَا يُحْمَدُونَ إِلَّا بِأَدَائِهَا وَ هِيَ الزَّكَاةُ بِهَا حَقَنُوا دِمَاءَهُمْ وَ بِهَا سُمُّوا مُسْلِمِينَ وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ حُقُوقاً غَيْرَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ‌[2] فَالْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made it compulsory on affluent people to pay the share of the needy people from their properties and the affluent people will not be praised unless they pay the share of needy people. This share is zakat. Paying zakat protects their

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

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ. لِلسَّائِلِ وَ الْمَحْرُومِ‌ أَ هُوَ سِوَى الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يُؤْتِيهِ اللَّهُ الثَّرْوَةَ مِنَ الْمَالِ فَيُخْرِجُ مِنْهُ الْأَلْفَ وَ الْأَلْفَيْنِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْآلَافِ وَ الْأَقَلَّ وَ الْأَكْثَرَ فَيَصِلُ بِهِ رَحِمَهُ وَ يَحْمِلُ بِهِ الْكَلَّ عَنْ قَوْمِهِ.

“In the following words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, there is the expression, ‘certain share’: ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (70:25) Whether ’certain share’ stands for zakat or something else, the Imam said, ‘It is the property t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا جَاءَ إِلَى أَبِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ. لِلسَّائِلِ وَ الْمَحْرُومِ‌ مَا هَذَا الْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ الشَّيْ‌ءُ يُخْرِجُهُ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ مَالِهِ لَيْسَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ لَا مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ الْم

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Once a man came to my father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), and said, “Please tell me about the expression ‘certain share’. The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, say, ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (

الْمَحْرُومُ الْمُحَارَفُ الَّذِي قَدْ حُرِمَ كَدَّ يَدِهِ فِي الشِّرَاءِ وَ الْبَيْعِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُمَا قَالا الْمَحْرُومُ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ بِعَقْلِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ لَمْ يُبْسَطْ لَهُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ هُوَ مُحَارَفٌ‌[4].

“In the following words of Allah there is the expression ‘deprived’: ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (70:25) Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘“Deprived” is a professional who no longer is able to benefit from the labor of his hands in busi

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌[5] قَالَ الْفَقِيرُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ وَ الْمِسْكِينُ أَجْهَدُ مِنْهُ وَ الْبَائِسُ أَجْهَدُهُمْ فَكُلُّ مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْكَ فَإِعْلَانُهُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ إِسْرَارِهِ وَ كُلُّ مَا كَانَ تَطَوُّعاً فَإِسْرَارُهُ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ إِعْلَانِهِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا يَحْمِلُ زَكَاة

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Charities are for the poor and the destitute. . .’ (9:60) The Imam said, ‘Poor is one who does not ask people for help, destitute is one of a worse condition, and hopeless is even of a worse condition. Paying, what Allah, t

هِيَ سِوَى الزَّكَاةِ إِنَّ الزَّكَاةَ عَلَانِيَةٌ غَيْرُ سِرٍّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘. . . If you pay it privately to the needy, it is better for you. . . .’ (2:273), has said, ‘This payment is a payment other than compulsory zakat which is paid publicly and not privately.’”

الْفَقِيرُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْأَلُ وَ الْمِسْكِينُ الَّذِي هُوَ أَجْهَدُ مِنْهُ الَّذِي يَسْأَلُ.

“Someone asked the Imam (a.s.), about poor and destitute. He replied, ‘Poor is one who does not ask for help. Destitute is of a worse condition and he asks for help.’”

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ الزَّكَاةَ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ فِي كُلِّ أَلْفٍ وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْهَا ثَلَاثِينَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَهَا خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ أَخْرَجَ مِنْ أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ بِقَدْرِ مَا يَكْتَفِي بِهِ الْفُقَرَاءُ وَ لَوْ أَخْرَجَ النَّاسُ زَكَاةَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ مَا احْتَاجَ أَحَدٌ.

“Once, a person asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘The amount of zakat Allah has levied is twenty- five for every one thousand. Why it is not thirty?’ The Imam replied, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made it twenty- five to be paid from the wealth of affluent people. This much is enough to meet the needs

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الزَّكَاةِ كَيْفَ صَارَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ لَمْ تَكُنْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مَا وَجْهُهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ كُلَّهُمْ فَعَلِمَ صَغِيرَهُمْ وَ كَبِيرَهُمْ وَ غَنِيَّهُمْ وَ فَقِيرَهُمْ‌ فَجَعَلَ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفِ إِنْسَانٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ مِسْكِيناً وَ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يَسَعُهُمْ لَزَادَهُمْ لِأَ

3. Ahmad ibn Idris and others have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Hafs from Sabah al-Hadhdha’ from Quthama who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why the amount of zakat on every one tho

سَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ مِنَ الزَّنَادِقَةِ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ صَارَتِ الزَّكَاةُ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِثْلُ الصَّلَاةِ ثَلَاثٌ وَ ثِنْتَانِ وَ أَرْبَعٌ قَالَ فَقَبِلَ مِنِّي ثُمَّ لَقِيتُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَسَبَ الْأَمْوَالَ وَ الْمَسَاكِينَ فَوَجَدَ مَا يَكْفِيهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَم

“Once an atheist asked me, ‘Why is the amount of zakat twenty- five on every one thousand?’ I replied, ‘It is because Salah (prayer) is of two, three and four Rak‘at.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘He agreed with me. I then visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked him about it.’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Allah, the Most M

لَيْسَ فِي مَالِ الْمَمْلُوكِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَوْ كَانَ لَهُ أَلْفُ أَلْفٍ وَ لَوِ احْتَاجَ لَمْ يُعْطَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ شَيْئاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat is not due on the asset of slaves even if it amounts to a million; but they cannot receive Zakat if they become needy.”’

فِي رَجُلٍ يُعْطِي زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ رَجُلًا وَ هُوَ يَرَى أَنَّهُ مُعْسِرٌ فَوَجَدَهُ مُوسِراً قَالَ لَا يُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who pays Zakat to a person whom as he sees is a needy person, but later finds out to be affluent. He (the Imam) said, ‘Such payment is not sufficient for Zakat.’”

فِي رَجُلٍ عَجَّلَ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ ثُمَّ أَيْسَرَ الْمُعْطَى قَبْلَ رَأْسِ السَّنَةِ قَالَ يُعِيدُ الْمُعْطِي الزَّكَاةَ.

“About a man who pays his Zakat before due time then the recipient becomes affluent before due time (end of the year), abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Zakat payer must pay again.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَشْرَكَ بَيْنَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ وَ الْفُقَرَاءِ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ فَلَيْسَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَصْرِفُوا إِلَى غَيْرِ شُرَكَائِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Blessed, most High, has made the affluent to share their wealth with the needy people; thus, they must not share it with others (affluent ones).”’

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَكُونُ فِي بَعْضِ هَذِهِ الْأَهْوَاءِ الْحَرُورِيَّةِ وَ الْمُرْجِئَةِ وَ الْعُثْمَانِيَّةِ وَ الْقَدَرِيَّةِ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُ وَ يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ وَ يُحْسِنُ رَأْيَهُ أَ يُعِيدُ كُلَّ صَلَاةٍ صَلَّاهَا أَوْ صَوْمٍ أَوْ زَكَاةٍ أَوْ حَجٍّ أَوْ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِعَادَةُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِعَادَةُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ لَا بُدَّ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَهَا لِأَنَّهُ وَ

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ’Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, were asked about the case of one who follows such opinions as al-Harawriyah, al-Murji’ah, al-‘Uthmaniyah and al-Qadriyah. He then repents and recognizes this issue (the Divine Authority of ’A’immah) and corrects his opinion, is he required to perform the Qada’ (compen

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ يَمُوتُ وَ عَلَيْهِ خَمْسُ مِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ عَلَيْهِ حَجَّةُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ تَرَكَ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَوْصَى بِحَجَّةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ أَنْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ دَيْنُ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ يُحَجُّ عَنْهُ مِنْ أَقْرَبِ مَا يَكُونُ وَ يُخْرَجُ الْبَقِيَّةُ فِي الزَّكَاةِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who at death owed five hundred dirham of Zakat and one Hajjatu al-Islam. His legacy is three hundred dirham. He has made a will about performing Hajjatu al-Islam for him as well as to pay his debt of Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘Hajj must be performed for him from the clo

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع رَجُلٌ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ زَكَاةٌ وَ أَوْصَى أَنْ تُقْضَى عَنْهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ وُلْدُهُ‌ مَحَاوِيجُ إِنْ دَفَعُوهَا أَضَرَّ ذَلِكَ بِهِمْ ضَرَراً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ يُخْرِجُونَهَا فَيَعُودُونَ بِهَا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْرِجُونَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Awwal (a.s.), about a man who has died and he owes Zakat. He has made a will about payment of Zakat and his children are needy. If such payment is made it will harm them a great deal. He (the Imam) said, ‘They take the amount of Zakat out of the legacy and pay it to themselves, except so

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لَا يُعْطَى أَحَدٌ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ هُوَ أَقَلُّ مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَا يُعْطُوا أَحَداً مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقَلَّ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ دَرَاهِمَ فَصَاعِداً.

’Less than five dirham of Zakat must not be given to anyone. This is the minimum that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made obligatory on the assets of the Muslims. Do not give anyone less than five dirham but give more and so on.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ ثَمَانِينَ دِرْهَماً قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ زِدْهُ قُلْتُ أُعْطِيهِ مِائَةً قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أَغْنِهِ إِنْ قَدَرْتَ أَنْ تُغْنِيَهُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ’Can eighty dirham be given as Zakat to someone? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, and increase it.’ I then asked, ‘Can one hundred dirham be given as Zakat to someone?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can make him rich if you can do so.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا أَعْطَيْتَ فَأَغْنِهِ.

that abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you pay make him rich.’”

تُعْطِيهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ حَتَّى تُغْنِيَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Pay from Zakat until you make him rich (sufficient for his one year’s expenses).”’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ لَهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ لَهُ قَرَابَةٌ مُحْتَاجُونَ غَيْرُ عَارِفِينَ أَ يُعْطِيهِمْ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَا كَرَامَةَ لَا يَجْعَلُ الزَّكَاةَ وِقَايَةً لِمَالِهِ يُعْطِيهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ إِنْ أَرَادَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who owes Zakat and has needy relatives who do not know (one who possesses Divine Authority). ‘Can he give Zakat to them?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot give them and it is not an honor. He must not make Zakat to guard his assets. He can give them from his other asse

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يُعْطَى الزَّكَاةَ يَقْسِمُهَا فِي أَصْحَابِهِ أَ يَأْخُذُ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man to whom Zakat is given for distribution, if he can take a certain amount for himself. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, can do so.’”

يَأْخُذُ مِنْهُ لِنَفْسِهِ مِثْلَ مَا يُعْطِي غَيْرَهُ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about a man to whom Zakat is given for distribution among deserving beneficiaries, if he can take a certain amount for himself even though not anything is assigned for him. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can take for himself like what he gives to another person.”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ الدَّرَاهِمَ يَقْسِمُهَا وَ يَضَعُهَا فِي مَوَاضِعِهَا وَ هُوَ مِمَّنْ يَحِلُّ لَهُ الصَّدَقَةُ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ لِنَفْسِهِ كَمَا يُعْطِي غَيْرَهُ قَالَ وَ لَا يَجُوزُ لَهُ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ إِذَا أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَضَعَهَا فِي مَوَاضِعَ مُسَمَّاةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man to whom dirhams are given for distribution among deserving people and himself is a deserving person, if he can take a certain amount for himself. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful to take like what he gives to the other persons. However, it is not permissible for him

إِذَا أَخَذَ الرَّجُلُ الزَّكَاةَ فَهِيَ كَمَالِهِ يَصْنَعُ بِهَا مَا يَشَاءُ قَالَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ فَرِيضَةً لَا يُحْمَدُونَ إِلَّا بِأَدَائِهَا وَ هِيَ الزَّكَاةُ فَإِذَا هِيَ وَصَلَتْ إِلَى الْفَقِيرِ فَهِيَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَالِهِ يَصْنَعُ بِهَا مَا يَشَاءُ فَقُلْتُ يَتَزَوَّجُ بِهَا وَ يَحُجُّ مِنْهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ هِيَ مَالُهُ قُلْتُ فَهَلْ يُؤ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a person receives Zakat it is like his own property and one can use it as one likes.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made a share in the wealth of the wealthy people obligatory for the needy. The affluent people are not appreciated until they p

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 لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ يُعْطِي الرَّجُلَ مِنْ زَكَاةِ مَالِهِ يَحُجُّ بِهَا قَالَ مَالُ الزَّكَاةِ يُحَجُّ بِهِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّهُ رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ أَعْطَى رَجُلًا مُسْلِماً فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مُحْتَاجاً فَلْيُعْطِهِ لِحَاجَتِهِ وَ فَقْرِهِ وَ لَا يَقُولُ لَهُ حُجَّ بِهَا يَصْنَعُ بِهَا بَعْدُ مَا يَشَاءُ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who gives Zakat to a man to perform Hajj. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is Zakat money and he performs Hajj!’ I then said, ‘It is a Muslim man who gives Zakat to a Muslim man.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If he is needy, Zakat must be given to him for his needs and poverty, and one m

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَخْرَجَ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ فَلَمْ يَجِدْ مَوْضِعاً يَدْفَعُ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْهِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى مَمْلُوكٍ يُبَاعُ فِيمَنْ يُرِيدُهُ فَاشْتَرَاهُ بِتِلْكَ الْأَلْفِ الدِّرْهَمِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ زَكَاتِهِ فَأَعْتَقَهُ هَلْ يَجُوزُ لَهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ لَا بَأْسَ بِذَلِكَ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَمَّا أَنْ أُعْتِقَ وَ صَارَ حُرّاً اتَّجَرَ وَ احْتَرَفَ وَ أَصَاب

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who wants to pay Zakat of his asset which is one thousand dirham but cannot find a deserving beneficiary. He then sees a slave for sale, buys him with those thousand dirhams, and sets him free. Was his act permissible? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is permissible and it i

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ- يَكُونُ لَهُ الدَّيْنُ عَلَى رَجُلٍ فَقِيرٍ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ الْفَقِيرُ عِنْدَهُ وَفَاءٌ بِمَا كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ دَيْنٍ مِنْ عَرْضٍ مِنْ دَارٍ أَوْ مَتَاعٍ مِنْ مَتَاعِ الْبَيْتِ أَوْ يُعَالِجُ عَمَلًا يَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهَا بِوَجْهِهِ فَهُوَ يَرْجُو أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنْهُ مَالَهُ عِنْدَهُ مِنْ دَيْنِهِ فَلَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يُقَاصَّهُ بِمَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يُ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man to whom another man owes a certain amount of loan who is poor to whom he wants to pay Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘The poor may have something in his possession or potentials, which is equal in value to the amount of loan, such as certain effects like a house, household e

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 لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ مُحْتَاجاً فَيُبْعَثُ إِلَيْهِ بِالصَّدَقَةِ فَلَا يَقْبَلُهَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الصَّدَقَةِ يَأْخُذُهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ذِمَامٌ وَ اسْتِحْيَاءٌ وَ انْقِبَاضٌ أَ فَيُعْطِيهَا إِيَّاهُ عَلَى غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ الْوَجْهِ وَ هِيَ مِنَّا صَدَقَةٌ فَقَالَ لَا إِذَا كَانَتْ زَكَاةً فَلَهُ أَنْ يَقْبَلَهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْبَلْهَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الزَّكَاةِ فَلَا تُعْطِهَا إِيَّاهُ وَ مَا يَنْبَغِي

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who is needy and I send him charity (Zakat) but he does not accept as charity (Zakat); it causes him to be protective, shy and depressed. Can I give without the aspect of charity (Zakat) when it is charity (Zakat) from us?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is Zakat he must accept

أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذَا مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ يُعْطِي الْمِسْكِينَ الْقَبْضَةَ بَعْدَ الْقَبْضَةِ وَ مِنَ الْجَدَادِ الْحَفْنَةَ بَعْدَ الْحَفْنَةِ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ وَ يُعْطِي الْحَارِسَ أَجْراً مَعْلُوماً وَ يَتْرُكُ مِنَ النَّخْلِ مِعَافَأْرَةٍ وَ أُمَّ جُعْرُورٍ وَ يُتْرَكُ لِلْحَارِسِ يَكُونُ فِي الْحَائِطِ الْعَذْقُ وَ الْعَذْقَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ لِحِفْظِهِ إِيَّاهُ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurarah, Muhammad ibn Muslim and abu Basir who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Give His right on the day of its harvest . . .,’ [6:142] all of them have said that abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al

الْبِرُّ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ يَنْفِيَانِ الْفَقْرَ وَ يَزِيدَانِ فِي الْعُمُرِ وَ يَدْفَعَانِ تِسْعِينَ‌[1] مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ. - وَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ وَ يَدْفَعَانِ عَنْ شِيعَتِي مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Benevolence and charity remove poverty, increase longevity of life and dispel seventy kinds of wicked forms of death.” Another Hadith has said that it ‘dispels wicked forms of death from our Shi`a.’”

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.

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 أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا أَعْتَمَ‌[1] وَ ذَهَبَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ شَطْرُهُ أَخَذَ جِرَاباً فِيهِ خُبْزٌ وَ لَحْمٌ وَ الدَّرَاهِمُ فَحَمَلَهُ عَلَى عُنُقِهِ ثُمَّ ذَهَبَ بِهِ إِلَى أَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَسَمَهُ فِيهِمْ وَ لَا يَعْرِفُونَهُ فَلَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَدُوا ذَلِكَ فَعَلِمُوا أَنَّهُ كَانَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع.

“When it became dark and a part of the night had passed, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), would pick up on his shoulder a sack of bread, meat and money and go to the needy people of al-Madinah, distribute it among them, and no one knew who he was. When abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), passed away, they missed him and realized that he (th

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).’”

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

دَفَعَ إِلَيَّ شِهَابُ بْنُ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ دَرَاهِمَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقْسِمُهَا فَأَتَيْتُهُ يَوْماً فَسَأَلَنِي هَلْ قَسَمْتَهَا فَقُلْتُ لَا فَأَسْمَعَنِي كَلَاماً فِيهِ بَعْضُ الْغِلْظَةِ فَطَرَحْتُ مَا كَانَ بَقِيَ مَعِي مِنَ الدَّرَاهِمِ وَ قُمْتُ مُغْضَباً فَقَالَ لِيَ ارْجِعْ حَتَّى أُحَدِّثَكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَرَجَعْتُ فَقَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي إِذَا

“Shihab ibn ‘ Abd Rabbihi gave to me a certain amount of dirhams of zakat to distribute among the needy. One day I visited him, and he asked, ‘Did you distribute them?’ I said, ‘No, I have not done so.’ He said something that I did not like. I then threw to him what still was not distributed and got up to leave. He sai

يَجْرِي لَهُ مَا يَجْرِي لِلْمُعْطِي وَ لَا يُنْقَصُ الْمُعْطِي مِنْ أَجْرِهِ شَيْئاً.

“About a man who gives a certain amount of dirhams to someone to distribute among the needy, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘What applies to the donor also applies to him without any reduction in the reward of the donor.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ آمُرُكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ قِلَّةَ ذَاتِ يَدِي وَ قُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَرِيتُ حَتَّى بَلَغَ مِنْ عُرْيَتِي أَنَّ أَبَا فُلَانٍ نَزَعَ ثَوْبَيْنِ كَانَا عَلَيْهِ وَ كَسَانِيهِمَا فَقَالَ صُمْ وَ تَصَدَّقْ قُلْتُ أَتَصَدَّقُ مِمَّا وَصَلَنِي بِهِ إِخْوَانِي وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَلِيلًا قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ بِمَا رَزَقَكَ اللَّهُ وَ لَوْ آثَرْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ.

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘Please instruct me with good advice.’ He said, ‘I advise you to observe piety before Allah.’ He was silent for a while. I then complained to him about my poverty, saying, ‘By Allah, I do not have any clothes, and it is so much that abu so and so took off two pieces of his clothes

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

إِيَّاكُمْ وَ سُؤَالَ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ ذُلٌّ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ فَقْرٌ تُعَجِّلُونَهُ وَ حِسَابٌ طَوِيلٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Never beg people for financial help; it is humiliation in this world, a poverty that you make it to approach you quickly and on the Day of Judgment presentation of accounts for it will keep you much longer.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً عَفَّ وَ تَعَفَّفَ وَ كَفَّ عَنِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِنَّهُ يَتَعَجَّلُ الدَّنِيَّةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا يُغْنِي النَّاسُ عَنْهُ شَيْئاً[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ تَمَثَّلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِبَيْتِ حَاتِمٍ- إِذَا مَا عَرَفْتُ الْيَأْسَ أَلْفَيْتُهُ الْغِنَى‌ إِذَا عَرَفَتْهُ النَّفْسُ وَ الطَّمَعُ الْفَقْرُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah grants mercy to one of His servants who has maintained chastity, continues to do so, and abstains from asking (people) for a favor; doing so brings lowliness for one in this world quickly, and people cannot make him self-sufficient.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then mentioned a line