Poverty & Hardship

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

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

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

يَعْنِي بِالْمَعْرُوفِ الْقَرْضَ.

“This is about the words of Allah, ‘There is not much good in many of their secret talks except that which commands to give charity or Benevolent Assistance.’ (4:114) Abu ‘Abd Allah, has said, “Benevolent Assistance is a reference to providing loans for needy people.’””

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ خِيَارُكُمْ سُمَحَاؤُكُمْ وَ شِرَارُكُمْ بُخَلَاؤُكُمْ وَ مِنْ خَالِصِ الْإِيمَانِ الْبِرُّ بِالْإِخْوَانِ وَ السَّعْيُ فِي حَوَائِجِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ الْبَارَّ بِالْإِخْوَانِ لَيُحِبُّهُ الرَّحْمَنُ وَ فِي ذَلِكَ مَرْغَمَةٌ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَ تَزَحْزُحٌ عَنِ النِّيرَانِ‌[2] وَ دُخُولُ الْجِنَانِ يَا جَمِيلُ أَخْبِرْ بِهَذَا غُرَرَ أَصْحَابِكَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَنْ غُرَرُ أَص

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The virtuous ones among you are the generous ones, and the wicked ones among you are the stingy ones. You must do good to your brothers (in belief) and striving to help them comes from pure belief. The Beneficent loves those who do good to their brothers (in belief), and such manne

قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ الْمَوَالِيَ إِذَا رَكِبْتَ أَخْرَجُوكَ مِنَ الْبَابِ الصَّغِيرِ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِنْ بُخْلٍ مِنْهُمْ لِئَلَّا يَنَالَ مِنْكَ أَحَدٌ خَيْراً وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّي عَلَيْكَ لَا يَكُنْ مَدْخَلُكَ وَ مَخْرَجُكَ إِلَّا مِنَ الْبَابِ الْكَبِيرِ فَإِذَا رَكِبْتَ فَلْيَكُنْ مَعَكَ ذَهَبٌ وَ فِضَّةٌ ثُمَّ لَا يَسْأَلُكَ

‘O abu Ja’far, I am told that the servants lead you out of the house through the small door so that no one receives any assistance from you and it is due to their stinginess. I ask you through my rights upon you; you must not use any other door for your exit or entrance besides the main door. When you want to ride, you

مَنْ يَضْمَنُ أَرْبَعَةً بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَبْيَاتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَنْفِقْ وَ لَا تَخَفْ فَقْراً وَ أَنْصِفِ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ وَ أَفْشِ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ اتْرُكِ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ مُحِقّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who is ready to guarantee to do four things will get four guaranteed homes in Paradise. They are: spending (for deserving causes) without fear from poverty, yielding to justice for people even against one’s own-self, offering greetings of peace loud and clearly in the world, an

هُوَ الزَّمِنُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ لِزَمَانَتِهِ‌[4].

“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘feed the despondent poor one . . .’ (22:29) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Such a time is when he is unable to go out for help due to his illness.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ هُمَا جَالِسَانِ عَلَى الصَّفَا فَسَأَلَهُمَا فَقَالا إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ إِلَّا فِي دَيْنٍ مُوجِعٍ أَوْ غُرْمٍ مُفْظِعٍ أَوْ فَقْرٍ مُدْقِعٍ‌[4] فَفِيكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ هَذَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَعْطَيَاهُ وَ قَدْ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ سَأَلَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عُمَرَ وَ عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَعْطَيَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْأَلَاهُ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْه

7. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those who narrated to him from ‘Abd al-Rahman al-‘Arzamiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a man once came to al-Hassan and al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, when the two of them were sitting on

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

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

كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع إِذَا أَكَلَ أُتِيَ بِصَحْفَةٍ[1] فَتُوضَعُ بِقُرْبِ مَائِدَتِهِ فَيَعْمِدُ إِلَى أَطْيَبِ الطَّعَامِ مِمَّا يُؤْتَى بِهِ فَيَأْخُذُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ شَيْئاً فَيَضَعُ فِي تِلْكَ الصَّحْفَةِ ثُمَّ يَأْمُرُ بِهَا لِلْمَسَاكِينِ ثُمَّ يَتْلُو هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى عِتْقِ رَق

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), would ask for an empty plate before having food. He would keep it on one side at the table, then pick up the best of food from each kind brought for him, place them on the empty plate, and ask his people to give it to destitute people. He then would read this, ‘. . . they have not entere

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.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ ضَمِنْتُ لِمَنِ اقْتَصَدَ أَنْ لَا يَفْتَقِرَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘I guarantee safety from poverty in favor of one who observes moderation (in spending).”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا عُبَيْدُ إِنَّ السَّرَفَ يُورِثُ الْفَقْرَ وَ إِنَّ الْقَصْدَ يُورِثُ الْغِنَى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘O ‘Ubayd, excessive spending causes poverty but moderation leads to wealth.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع‌ مَا عَالَ امْرُؤٌ فِي اقْتِصَادٍ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), once said, ‘With moderation, one does not suffer poverty.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ الرِّفْقُ نِصْفُ الْعَيْشِ وَ مَا عَالَ امْرُؤٌ فِي اقْتِصَادِهِ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), say, ‘Easing off in spending is half of one’s sustenance, and with observance of moderation, one does not become poor.’”

رُبَّ فَقِيرٍ هُوَ أَسْرَفُ مِنَ الْغَنِيِّ إِنَّ الْغَنِيَّ يُنْفِقُ مِمَّا أُوتِيَ وَ الْفَقِيرَ يُنْفِقُ مِنْ غَيْرِ مَا أُوتِيَ.

“Sometimes poor people may spend more excessively than a wealthy one. A wealthy person spends from what he has received, but a poor person spends from that which does not belong to him.’”

الْقَوَامُ هُوَ الْمَعْرُوفُ- عَلَى الْمُوسِعِ قَدَرُهُ وَ عَلَى الْمُقْتِرِ قَدَرُهُ مَتاعاً بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَقًّا عَلَى الْمُحْسِنِينَ‌[2] عَلَى قَدْرِ عِيَالِهِ وَ مَئُونَتِهِمُ الَّتِي هِيَ صَلَاحٌ لَهُ وَ لَهُمْ وَ لا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْساً إِلَّا ما آتاها.

“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘It (moderation) was in between . . .’ (25:67), the Imam said, ‘Al-Qawam (moderation) is a Benevolent Assistance,’ ‘. . . proportionate to the abilities of a wealthy and poor person is a right upon the people of good deeds.’

مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يَصِلَنَا فَلْيَصِلْ فُقَرَاءَ شِيعَتِنَا وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يَزُورَ قُبُورَنَا فَلْيَزُرْ قُبُورَ صُلَحَاءِ إِخْوَانِنَا.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Awwal, the 1st (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever is unable to keep good relations with us (by presenting gifts) should maintain good relations with poor people of our followers, and those who cannot visit our graves should visit the graves of our virtuous brothers (in belief).”’

يَعْنِي الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ- وَ إِنْ تُخْفُوها وَ تُؤْتُوهَا الْفُقَراءَ قَالَ يَعْنِي النَّافِلَةَ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا يَسْتَحِبُّونَ إِظْهَارَ الْفَرَائِضِ وَ كِتْمَانَ النَّوَافِلِ.

“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘If you pay charity in public, it still is fine. . (2:270) Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, It is about obligatory zakat.’ I (the narrator) then mentioned Allah’s words that say, ‘If they hide it and give to the poor. . . .’ (2:270) The Imam said, ‘Th

يُعْتِقُ نَسَمَةً أَوْ يَصُومُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ أَوْ يُطْعِمُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً- فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ تَصَدَّقَ بِمَا يُطِيقُ.

“This is about a man who knowingly eats without good reason in the month of Ramadan one day. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘He for one day (of destroying his fast) is required to either set free a slave, fast for two consecutive months, or feed sixty destitute people. If he cannot do any of the above, he must give c

يَتَصَدَّقُ بِقَدْرِ مَا يُطِيقُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who falls upon his wife (performs sexual relation) and does not find anything to give as charity to sixty destitute people. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to give charity as much as he can.’”

الشَّيْخُ الْكَبِيرُ وَ الَّذِي يَأْخُذُهُ الْعُطَاشُ وَ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً[2] قَالَ مِنْ مَرَضٍ أَوْ عُطَاشٍ.

“This is about the words of Allah, the most Majestic and Glorious, ‘Those who can afford pay ransom by feeding a destitute.’ (2:184) Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is a reference to the old man who becomes thirsty. The words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “So those who cannot afford to feed sixty destitute p

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَبِيرٍ ضَعُفَ عَنْ صَوْمِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ يَتَصَدَّقُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ بِمَا يُجْزِئُ مِنْ طَعَامِ مِسْكِينٍ.

‘He pays a ransom of one meal to a destitute person for every day.’”

الَّذِينَ كَانُوا يُطِيقُونَ الصَّوْمَ فَأَصَابَهُمْ كِبَرٌ أَوْ عُطَاشٌ أَوْ شِبْهُ ذَلِكَ فَعَلَيْهِمْ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ مُدٌّ.

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Those who cannot afford, feed sixty destitute persons.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Those who were able to fast but now because of old age or thirst and so on (cannot fast), must pay one mud of food for every day of fast.’”

سَأَلْتُهُمَا عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَرِضَ فَلَمْ يَصُمْ حَتَّى أَدْرَكَهُ رَمَضَانٌ آخَرُ فَقَالا إِنْ كَانَ بَرَأَ ثُمَّ تَوَانَى قَبْلَ أَنْ يُدْرِكَهُ رَمَضَانُ الْآخَرِ صَامَ الَّذِي أَدْرَكَهُ وَ تَصَدَّقَ عَنْ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ مِنْ طَعَامٍ عَلَى مِسْكِينٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَضَاؤُهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يَزَلْ مَرِيضاً حَتَّى أَدْرَكَهُ رَمَضَانٌ آخَرُ صَامَ الَّذِي أَدْرَكَهُ وَ تَصَدَّقَ عَنِ الْأَوَّلِ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ مُد

“I once asked one of the two Imam, abu Ja‘far, or abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about a patient who does not fast until the next month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he became well but due to laziness did not fast before the next month of Ramadan, he must fast that (month of Ramadan) in which he is and pay a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ طَائِفَةٌ ثُمَّ أَدْرَكَهُ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانٍ قَابِلٌ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَصُومَ وَ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ مِسْكِيناً فَإِنْ كَانَ مَرِيضاً فِيمَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى أَدْرَكَهُ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانٍ قَابِلٌ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا الصِّيَامُ إِنْ صَحَّ وَ إِنْ تَتَابَعَ الْمَرَضُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمْ يَصِحَّ فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ لِكُلِّ يَوْمٍ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who owes several days of fasting of the month of Ramadan and the next month of Ramadan comes. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to fast and feed one destitute for every day. If he had remained ill in between until the next month of Ramadan, he only owes fasting if he b

إِنْ كَانَ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ قَبْلَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا يَوْمٌ مَكَانَ يَوْمٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ أَتَى أَهْلَهُ بَعْدَ زَوَالِ الشَّمْسِ فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّقَ عَلَى عَشَرَةِ مَسَاكِينَ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ صَامَ يَوْماً مَكَانَ يَوْمٍ وَ صَامَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا صَنَعَ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man who when fasting as Qada’ (compensatory fast) for the fast of the month of Ramadan goes to his wife for sexual relation. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it takes place before Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime), he is not obligated for anything. It is only one d

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ امْرَأَتِي جَعَلَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا صَوْمَ شَهْرَيْنِ فَوَضَعَتْ وَلَدَهَا وَ أَدْرَكَهَا الْحَبَلُ فَلَمْ تَقْوَ عَلَى الصَّوْمِ قَالَ فَلْتَتَصَدَّقْ مَكَانَ كُلِّ يَوْمٍ بِمُدٍّ عَلَى مِسْكِينٍ.[4]

“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), that my woman had placed upon herself fasting for two months. She gave birth; then became pregnant. She is not able to fast. He (the Imam) said, ‘She is required to pay charity of one mud (certain measurement) for everyday to a destitute person.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلٌ قَتَلَ رَجُلًا فِي الْحَرَمِ قَالَ عَلَيْهِ دِيَةٌ وَ ثُلُثٌ وَ يَصُومُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِنْ أَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ وَ يُعْتِقُ رَقَبَةً وَ يُطْعِمُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً قَالَ قُلْتُ يَدْخُلُ فِي هَذَا شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ وَ مَا يَدْخُلُ قُلْتُ الْعِيدَانِ وَ أَيَّامُ التَّشْرِيقِ قَالَ يَصُومُهُ فَإِنَّهُ حَقٌّ لَزِمَهُ.[2]

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Aban ibn Taghlib from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who kills a man in the sacred area. He (the Imam) said, ‘He owes one full and a half blood money, wergild. He fasts for two consecuti

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ لَا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ إِلَّا مَا يُؤَدِّي عَنْ نَفْسِهِ وَحْدَهَا يُعْطِيهِ غَرِيباً أَوْ يَأْكُلُ هُوَ وَ عِيَالُهُ قَالَ يُعْطِي بَعْضَ عِيَالِهِ ثُمَّ يُعْطِي الْآخَرُ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ يُرَدِّدُونَهَا فَيَكُونُ عَنْهُمْ جَمِيعاً فِطْرَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who has an amount which is only sufficient for him if he can give it to an outsider destitute or himself and (his) family use it. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can give to one of his dependents who then gives to another and so on, one person gives to other one and it will be o

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ صَدَقَةِ الْفِطْرَةِ أُعْطِيهَا غَيْرَ أَهْلِ وَلَايَتِي مِنْ فُقَرَاءِ جِيرَانِي قَالَ نَعَمْ الْجِيرَانُ أَحَقُّ بِهَا لِمَكَانِ الشُّهْرَةِ.

“I once asked abu Ibrahim (a.s.), about al-Fitrah; if I can pay it to poor neighboring people who are not of the people of my Wilayah (people who believe in the Divine Authority of ’A’immah). He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, neighbors are more deserving because of the popularity (of fatwa about the privileges of neighbors).”’

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع لِمَ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ الصَّوْمَ فَوَرَدَ الْجَوَابُ لِيَجِدَ الْغَنِيُّ مَضَضَ الْجُوعِ فَيَحِنَّ عَلَى الْفَقِيرِ.

The answer was, ‘It is made obligatory so that affluent people can feel the taste of hunger and become compassionate to the poor.’”

بَيْنَا أَبِي ع وَ أَنَا فِي الطَّوَافِ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ رَجُلٌ شَرْجَبٌ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا الشَّرْجَبُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ الطَّوِيلُ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ أَدْخَلَ رَأْسَهُ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ أَبِي قَالَ فَالْتَفَتَ إِلَيْهِ أَبِي وَ أَنَا فَرَدَدْنَا عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَسْأَلُكَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي نَقْضِي طَوَافَنَا ثُمَّ تَسْأَلُنِي فَلَمَّا قَضَى أَبِيَ الط

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once when my father and I were performing Tawaf, a man, Sharjab, among men came forward. I asked, ’May Allah keep you well, what is al-Sharjab?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It means ‘taller’ than others.’ The man said, ‘Al-Salamu ‘Alaykum’ and he brought his head between my father and

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ نَتَفَ حَمَامَةً مِنْ حَمَامِ الْحَرَمِ‌[1] قَالَ يَتَصَدَّقُ بِصَدَقَةٍ عَلَى مِسْكِينٍ وَ يُعْطِي بِالْيَدِ الَّتِي نَتَفَ بِهَا فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ أَوْجَعَهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who pulled out the feathers of a pigeon of the pigeon of al-Haram (the sacred area). He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to pay charity to a destitute with the hand with which he pulled out the feathers because it caused pain.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الطَّيِّبِ ع‌[3] أَنِّي كُنْتُ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ فَرَأَيْتُ دِينَاراً فَأَهْوَيْتُ إِلَيْهِ لآِخُذَهُ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِآخَرَ ثُمَّ بَحَثْتُ الْحَصَى فَإِذَا أَنَا بِثَالِثٍ فَأَخَذْتُهَا فَعَرَّفْتُهَا فَلَمْ يَعْرِفْهَا أَحَدٌ فَمَا تَرَى فِي ذَلِكَ فَكَتَبَ فَهِمْتُ مَا ذَكَرْتَ مِنْ أَمْرِ الدَّنَانِيرِ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ مُحْتَاجاً فَتَصَدَّقْ بِثُلُثِهَا وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ غَنِيّاً فَتَصَدَّقْ بِال

‘I was in Masjid al-Haram and I saw a dinar. I bent down to take it and there was another dinar. I searched in the pebbles and found a third one. I took them and publicized but no one knows them. What is your instruction? He (the Imam) wrote back to me, ‘I understood the case of dinars. If you are needy give one-third

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ لِي عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ فَغَابَ عَنِّي زَمَاناً فَرَأَيْتُهُ يَطُوفُ حَوْلَ الْكَعْبَةِ أَ فَأَتَقَاضَاهُ مَالِي قَالَ لَا لَا تُسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا تُرَوِّعْهُ حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْحَرَمِ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who owed to me a certain amount of goods and he was absent from me for a certain time. I saw him doing Tawaf around al-Ka‘bah. Can I ask him for payment? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, do not offer him greeting of peace and do not frighten him until he gets out of al-Haram (t

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَهْدَيْتُ جَارِيَةً إِلَى الْكَعْبَةِ فَأُعْطِيتُ بِهَا خَمْسَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَمَا تَرَى قَالَ بِعْهَا ثُمَّ خُذْ ثَمَنَهَا ثُمَّ قُمْ عَلَى حَائِطِ الْحِجْرِ ثُمَّ نَادِ وَ أَعْطِ كُلَّ مُنْقَطَعٍ بِهِ وَ كُلَّ مُحْتَاجٍ مِنَ الْحَاجِّ.

‘I have given a slave-girl as a gift to al- Ka‘bah and I had paid for her five hundred. What is your instruction? He (the Imam) said, ‘Sell the slave-girl, and with whatever amount you will receive from the sale go to the wall near the Black Stone, make an announcement and give to those looted on the way and to every n

أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ أَخِي بِجَارِيَةٍ كَانَتْ لَهُ مُغَنِّيَةٍ فَارِهَةٍ[3] وَ جَعَلَهَا هَدْياً لِبَيْتِ اللَّهِ‌ الْحَرَامِ فَقَدِمْتُ مَكَّةَ فَسَأَلْتُ فَقِيلَ ادْفَعْهَا إِلَى بَنِي شَيْبَةَ وَ قِيلَ لِي غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ فَاخْتُلِفَ عَلَيَّ فِيهِ فَقَالَ لِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَسْجِدِ أَ لَا أُرْشِدُكَ إِلَى مَنْ يُرْشِدُكَ فِي هَذَا إِلَى الْحَقِّ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى شَيْخٍ جَالِسٍ فِ

“My brother in his will made a beautiful singer slave-girl a gift to the Bayt of Allah al-Haram (the Sacred House of Allah). I then went to Makkah and asked about it. I was told to give her to banu Shaybah. In addition, other things were said to me. It became confusing to me. One man from the Masjid asked me, ‘Can I sh

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَقَامَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ- وَ أَذِّنْ‌ فِي النَّاسِ بِالْحَجِّ يَأْتُوكَ رِجالًا وَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ ضامِرٍ يَأْتِينَ‌ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ‌[2] فَأَمَرَ الْمُؤَذِّنِينَ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنُوا بِأَعْلَى أَصْوَاتِهِمْ بِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَحُجُّ فِي عَامِهِ هَذَا فَعَلِمَ بِهِ مَنْ حَضَرَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَ أَهْلُ الْعَوَالِي وَ

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family wor

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يُحَالِفُ الْفَقْرُ وَ الْحُمَّى مُدْمِنَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْعُمْرَةِ[4].

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Chronic poverty and fever cannot come with al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah.’””

سَمِعْتُ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَابِعُوا بَيْنَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْعُمْرَةِ فَإِنَّهُمَا يَنْفِيَانِ الْفَقْرَ وَ الذُّنُوبَ كَمَا يَنْفِي الْكِيرُ خَبَثَ الْحَدِيدِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Perform al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah consecutively; they remove poverty and sins just as al-Kir (a bellowing kiln) removes impurities from iron.’””

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا وَ رَبِّ هَذِهِ الْبَنِيَّةِ لَا يُخَالِفُ مُدْمِنَ الْحَجِّ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ حُمَّى وَ لَا فَقْرٌ أَبَداً[2].

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘I swear by the Lord of this House that one constantly visiting this House does not suffer from fever and poverty.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ حِجَجٌ تَتْرَى وَ عُمَرٌ تُسْعَى يَدْفَعْنَ عَيْلَةَ الْفَقْرِ وَ مِيتَةَ السَّوْءِ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Perform al-Hajj repeatedly and al-‘Umrah assiduously (or after every nine days). This expels the burden of poverty and death in wickedness.’”

إِذَا كَانَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ شَأْنِهِ الْحَجُّ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ ثُمَّ تَخَلَّفَ سَنَةً فَلَمْ يَخْرُجْ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ الَّذِينَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ لِلَّذِينَ عَلَى الْجِبَالِ لَقَدْ فَقَدْنَا صَوْتَ فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُونَ اطْلُبُوهُ فَيَطْلُبُونَهُ فَلَا يُصِيبُونَهُ فَيَقُولُونَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ حَبَسَهُ دَيْنٌ فَأَدِّ عَنْهُ أَوْ مَرَضٌ فَاشْفِهِ أَوْ فَقْرٌ فَأَغْنِهِ أَوْ حَبْسٌ فَفَرِّجْ عَنْهُ أَوْ فِعْلٌ فَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who normally attends al-Hajj every year, then he lags behind and does not go for al-Hajj one year, the angels on land say to those in the mountains, ‘We miss hearing the voice of so and so.’ They then say, ‘Allow us to search for him.’ They search but do not find him and they s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَجُّ عَلَى الْغَنِيِّ وَ الْفَقِيرِ فَقَالَ الْحَجُّ عَلَى النَّاسِ جَمِيعاً[5] كِبَارِهِمْ وَ صِغَارِهِمْ فَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ عُذْرٌ عَذَرَهُ اللَّهُ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if al-Hajj is obligatory on both rich and poor people. He (the Imam) said, ‘Al-Hajj is obligatory on all people, grown up ones and small ones, only those who have good reasons Allah accepts their excuse.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي شَيَّعْتُ أَصْحَابِي إِلَى الْقَادِسِيَّةِ فَقَالُوا لِي انْطَلِقْ مَعَنَا وَ نُقِيمُ عَلَيْكَ ثَلَاثاً فَرَجَعْتُ وَ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي نَفَقَةٌ فَيَسَّرَ اللَّهُ وَ لَحِقْتُهُمْ قَالَ إِنَّهُ مَنْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْوَفْدِ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ لَا يَحُجَّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَقِيراً وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يَحُجَّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَنِيّاً صَحِيحاً

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), that I escorted my people to al-Qadisiyah and they said to me, ‘Come with us, we shall wait for three days for you. I returned and I did not have anything for my expenses but Allah made it possible and I joined them. He (the Imam) said, ‘Whoever’ s name is written in the delegatio

مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ لَمْ يَمْنَعْهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حَاجَةٌ تُجْحِفُ بِهِ أَوْ مَرَضٌ لَا يُطِيقُ فِيهِ الْحَجَّ أَوْ سُلْطَانٌ يَمْنَعُهُ فَلْيَمُتْ- يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who dies without performing Hajjahta al-Islam when nothing such as poverty, illness with which he could not perform al-Hajj, or the ruling authorities prevent him from performing al-Hajj, he dies as a Jew or as a Christian.’”

مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَحُجَّ حَجَّةَ الْإِسْلَامِ لَمْ تَمْنَعْهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حَاجَةٌ تُجْحِفُ بِهِ أَوْ مَرَضٌ لَا يُطِيقُ فِيهِ الْحَجَّ أَوْ سُلْطَانٌ يَمْنَعُهُ فَلْيَمُتْ- يَهُودِيّاً أَوْ نَصْرَانِيّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who dies without performing Hajjata al-Islam and without any good excuse, such as poverty, an illness with which one cannot perform al-Hajj or any ruling authority’s preventing him from performing al-Hajj, he dies as a Jew or a Christian.”