Wealth & Money

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

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ قَرْضُ الْمَالِ حِمَى الزَّكَاةِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.), would say, ’Lending a loan is protection for Zakat.’”

مَنْ أَقْرَضَ رَجُلًا قَرْضاً إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ كَانَ مَالُهُ فِي زَكَاةٍ وَ كَانَ هُوَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ مَعَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ حَتَّى يَقْضِيَهُ.

“If one lends a loan to a man until he becomes able to pay back, his (lender’s) money is in Zakat and he is in Salah (prayer) with the angels until the loan is paid back.’”

نَعَمْ إِنَّ الدَّارَ وَ الْخَادِمَ لَيْسَتَا بِمَالٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, were asked if a man who has a house and servant can receive Zakat. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, he can receive Zakat, because house and servant are not wealth.’”

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 عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَرْوُونَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص أَنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ لَا تَحِلُّ لِغَنِيٍّ وَ لَا لِذِي مِرَّةٍ سَوِيٍ‌[1] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا تَصْلُحُ لِغَنِيٍّ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘They narrate from the Holy prophet, “Charity (Zakat) is not lawful for the rich people, or resourceful strong ones.’” Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘It is not proper for the rich people.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ مَمْلُوكٌ وَ مَوْلَاهُ رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ وَ لَهُ مَالٌ يُزَكِّيهِ وَ لِلْمَمْلُوكِ وَلَدٌ صَغِيرٌ حُرٌّ أَ يُجْزِئُ مَوْلَاهُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَ ابْنَ عَبْدِهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ.

The slave has a small child who is free. Can the master pay Zakat to the child of his slave? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

إِنَّ أَرْضَ الْجِزْيَةِ لَا تُرْفَعُ عَنْهَا الْجِزْيَةُ وَ إِنَّمَا الْجِزْيَةُ عَطَاءُ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ لِأَهْلِهَا الَّذِينَ سَمَّى اللَّهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْجِزْيَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا أَوْسَعَ اللَّهُ الْعَدْلَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَسْتَغْنُونَ إِذَا عُدِلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ تُنْزِلُ السَّمَاءُ رِزْقَهَا وَ تُخْرِجُ الْأَرْضُ بَرَكَتَهَا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى.

‘al-Jizyah is not terminated (abolished) from lands subject to al-Jizyah. Al-Jizyah is a gift for the immigrants and charity (Zakat) is for its deserving beneficiaries whom Allah has named in His book. They do not have any share in al-Jizyah.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘How vast is Allah’s justice!’ He (the Imam) then s

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَصَدَّقُوا وَ لَوْ بِصَاعٍ مِنْ تَمْرٍ وَ لَوْ بِبَعْضِ صَاعٍ وَ لَوْ بِقَبْضَةٍ وَ لَوْ بِبَعْضِ قَبْضَةٍ وَ لَوْ بِتَمْرَةٍ وَ لَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ لَيِّنَةٍ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَاقٍ اللَّهَ فَقَائِلٌ لَهُ أَ لَمْ أَفْعَلْ بِكَ أَ لَمْ أَجْعَلْكَ سَمِيعاً بَصِيراً أَ لَمْ أَجْعَلْ لَكَ مَالًا وَ وَلَداً فَيَقُولُ بَلَى فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَ

“This is a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) has said, ‘You must give charity even if it is one Sa‘ (a certain unit of measurement) of dates or less, or a handful or

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

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, ‘

إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ تَقْضِي الدَّيْنَ وَ تَخْلُفُ بِالْبَرَكَةِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Giving charity pays off debts and leaves behind blessings.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَصَدَّقُوا فَإِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ تَزِيدُ فِي الْمَالِ كَثْرَةً وَ تَصَدَّقُوا رَحِمَكُمُ اللَّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Give charity; charity increases wealth a great deal. Give charity, may Allah grant you favors.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِمُحَمَّدٍ ابْنِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ كَمْ فَضَلَ مَعَكَ مِنْ تِلْكَ النَّفَقَةِ قَالَ أَرْبَعُونَ دِينَاراً قَالَ اخْرُجْ فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهَا قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَبْقَ مَعِي غَيْرُهَا قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ بِهَا فَإِنَ‌ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُخْلِفُهَا أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِفْتَاحاً وَ مِفْتَاحَ الرِّزْقِ الصَّدَقَةُ فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهَا فَفَعَلَ فَمَا لَبِثَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to his son, Muhammad, ‘Son, how much is left with you of that (money) for expenses?’ He replied, ‘Forty dinars are left.’ He said, ‘You should go out and give it away as charity.’ The son said, ‘No more money is left with me besides this.’ The Imam said, ‘You should give it as charity,

اسْتَنْزِلُوا الرِّزْقَ بِالصَّدَقَةِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Make the means of sustenance descend to you by giving charity.’”

مَا أَحْسَنَ عَبْدٌ الصَّدَقَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ الْخِلَافَةَ عَلَى وُلْدِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ وَ قَالَ حُسْنُ الصَّدَقَةِ يَقْضِي الدَّيْنَ وَ يَخْلُفُ عَلَى الْبَرَكَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whenever a man gives charity of the best quality, Allah replaces it for him with children in the same way (of best quality children) after his passing away.” The Imam has also said, ‘Giving charity of best quality pays off debts and leaves behind blessings.’”

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ لِي ضَيْعَةً بِالْجَبَلِ أَسْتَغِلُّهَا فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ ثَلَاثَ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأُنْفِقُ عَلَى عِيَالِي مِنْهَا أَلْفَيْ دِرْهَمٍ وَ أَتَصَدَّقُ مِنْهَا بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنْ كَانَتِ الْأَلْفَانِ تَكْفِيهِمْ فِي جَمِيعِ مَا يَحْتَاجُونَ إِلَيْهِ لِسَنَتِهِمْ فَقَدْ نَظَرْتَ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ وُفِّقْتَ لِرُشْدِكَ وَ أَجْرَيْتَ نَفْسَكَ فِي

“Once a man said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘I have a certain amount of property in the mountains from which I receive three thousand dirham profit every year. I spend two thousand dirham for my family and one thousand dirham for charity every year.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.), then said, ‘If the two thousand is enough for all of th

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَجَاءَهُ سَائِلٌ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَهُ آخَرُ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَهُ آخَرُ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَهُ آخَرُ فَقَالَ يَسَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا لَوْ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ يَبْلُغُ ثَلَاثِينَ أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ ثُمَّ شَاءَ أَنْ لَا يَبْقَى مِنْهَا إِلَّا وَضَعَهَا فِي حَقٍّ لَفَعَلَ فَيَبْقَى لَا مَالَ لَهُ فَيَكُونُ مِنَ الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when someone came asking for help. He gave him charity, then another one came, he gave him charity, yet another came for help, and he gave him charity. Then one more came for help and he said, ‘Allah will provide you.’ The Imam then said, ‘One may possess thirty or

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

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَذَكَرْتُ لَهُ بَعْضَ حَالِي فَقَالَ يَا جَارِيَةُ هَاتِ ذَلِكَ الْكِيسَ هَذِهِ أَرْبَعُمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَصَلَنِي بِهَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ[4] فَخُذْهَا وَ تَفَرَّجْ بِهَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا هَذَا دَهْرِي‌[5] وَ لَكِنْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ تَدْعُوَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِي قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَأَفْعَلُ وَ لَكِنْ‌ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُخْبِرَ النَّاسَ بِكُلِّ

“Once I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and mentioned to him certain matters about my conditions. The Imam asked the housemaid to bring to him a certain bag, then he said, ‘This is the four hundred dinar that abu Ja’far (the Abbaside rule) has sent to me as a gift. Take it to ease your difficulties.’ I then said, ‘I pra

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ مِنْ بَقَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ بَقَاءِ الْإِسْلَامِ أَنْ تَصِيرَ الْأَمْوَالُ عِنْدَ مَنْ يَعْرِفُ فِيهَا الْحَقَّ وَ يَصْنَعُ فِيهَا الْمَعْرُوفَ فَإِنَّ مِنْ فَنَاءِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ فَنَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَنْ تَصِيرَ الْأَمْوَالُ فِي أَيْدِي مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ فِيهَا الْحَقَّ وَ لَا يَصْنَعُ فِيهَا الْمَعْرُوفَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Isma‘il ibn ‘Abdul Khaliq al-Ju’fiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one of the elements that preserve the Muslims and Islam is when wealth goes to those who understand that there are payable dues on w

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

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Providing all Benevolent Assistance is charity, and the best charity is a charity provided from an affluent condition. You must begin with your dependen

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

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

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

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّمَا أَعْطَاكُمُ اللَّهُ هَذِهِ الْفُضُولَ مِنَ الْأَمْوَالِ لِتُوَجِّهُوهَا حَيْثُ وَجَّهَهَا اللَّهُ وَ لَمْ يُعْطِكُمُوهَا لِتَكْنِزُوهَا.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Allah has granted you the extra wealth so that you spend it the way Allah wants you to spend. He has not given you this to keep for safe keeping.’”

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

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

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

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِعَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَيَابَةَ دَيْناً عَلَى رَجُلٍ قَدْ مَاتَ وَ قَدْ كَلَّمْنَاهُ أَنْ يُحَلِّلَهُ فَأَبَى فَقَالَ وَيْحَهُ أَ مَا يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ لَهُ بِكُلِّ دِرْهَمٍ عَشَرَةً إِذَا حَلَّلَهُ فَإِذَا لَمْ يُحَلِّلْهُ فَإِنَّمَا لَهُ دِرْهَمٌ بَدَلَ دِرْهَمٍ.

“Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man who died had borrowed (money) from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Sayabah, whom we asked to waive the loan in favor of the dead person, but he refused. He (the Imam) said, “Woe is upon him! Why does he not realize that for every dirham, he can receive the reward for ten dirhams, were h

مَنْ عَظُمَتْ نِعْمَةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اشْتَدَّتْ مَئُونَةُ النَّاسِ عَلَيْهِ فَاسْتَدِيمُوا النِّعْمَةَ بِاحْتِمَالِ الْمَئُونَةِ وَ لَا تُعَرِّضُوهَا لِلزَّوَالِ فَقَلَّ مَنْ زَالَتْ عَنْهُ النِّعْمَةُ فَكَادَتْ أَنْ تَعُودَ إِلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when one’s realization of the bounties of Allah becomes intense, it increases his spending for people. You should continue preserving bounties by means of bearing the cost of maintenance. Do not expose bounties to losses. Once bounties are lost, very rarely do they return.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ تَظَاهَرَتْ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ اللَّهِ نِعْمَةٌ إِلَّا اشْتَدَّتْ مَئُونَةُ النَّاسِ عَلَيْهِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَقُمْ لِلنَّاسِ بِحَوَائِجِهِمْ فَقَدْ عَرَضَ النِّعْمَةَ لِلزَّوَالِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَنْ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يَقُومَ لِهَذَا الْخَلْقِ بِحَوَائِجِهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا النَّاسُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ وَ اللَّهِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever finds himself with an abundance of Allah’s bounties, increases his spending for people. One who does not help people exposes the bounties to losses.’ I (the narrator) said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause. Who can spend to help all these creatures?’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِحُسَيْنٍ الصَّحَّافِ‌ يَا حُسَيْنُ مَا ظَاهَرَ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ النِّعَمَ حَتَّى ظَاهَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَئُونَةَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ صَبَرَ لَهُمْ وَ قَامَ بِشَأْنِهِمْ زَادَهُ اللَّهُ‌ فِي نِعَمِهِ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَهُمْ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَصْبِرْ لَهُمْ وَ لَمْ يَقُمْ بِشَأْنِهِمْ أَزَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهُ تِلْكَ النِّعْمَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to Husayn al-Sahhaf, ‘O Husayn, whenever Allah grants abundant bounties to a person, his spending for people also increases. If one remains patient for spending on people, Allah increases the bounties for him before people. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, removes the bount

مَنْ عَظُمَتْ عَلَيْهِ النِّعْمَةُ اشْتَدَّتْ مَئُونَةُ النَّاسِ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ هُوَ قَامَ بِمَئُونَتِهِمْ اجْتَلَبَ زِيَادَةَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَقَدْ عَرَضَ النِّعْمَةَ لِزَوَالِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who finds himself with abundant bounties, he increases his spending to help people also. If he continues spending for them, the bounties increase by the will of Allah, but if he does not, he exposes the bounties to loss.’”

السَّخِيُّ الْحَسَنُ الْخُلُقِ فِي كَنَفِ اللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَخْلِي اللَّهُ مِنْهُ حَتَّى يُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَبِيّاً وَ لَا وَصِيّاً إِلَّا سَخِيّاً وَ مَا كَانَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ إِلَّا سَخِيّاً وَ مَا زَالَ أَبِي يُوصِينِي بِالسَّخَاءِ حَتَّى مَضَى وَ قَالَ مَنْ أَخْرَجَ مِنْ مَالِهِ الزَّكَاةَ تَامَّةً فَوَضَعَهَا فِي مَوْضِعِهَا لَمْ يُسْأَلْ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبْتَ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.), has said, ‘A generous person who possesses good moral discipline is under Allah’s protection and Allah does not leave such a person alone until He admits him to Paradise. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has never sent a prophet or an executor of the will of the prophets who is n

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

هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَعُ مَالَهُ لَا يُنْفِقُهُ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ بُخْلًا ثُمَّ يَمُوتُ فَيَدَعُهُ لِمَنْ يَعْمَلُ فِيهِ بِطَاعَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ فِي‌ مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ عَمِلَ بِهِ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ رَآهُ فِي مِيزَانِ غَيْرِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسْرَةً وَ قَدْ كَانَ الْمَالُ لَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَمِلَ بِهِ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ قَوَّاهُ بِذَلِكَ الْمَالِ حَتَّى عَمِلَ بِهِ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

This is about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, Thus Allah shows them their deeds that will make them regretful. (2:162)’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, This is a man who keeps his property without spending in obedience to Allah due to his stinginess. He then dies and leaves it

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

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

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

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘One who pays zakat that is due on his property and presents gifts to his people is not a stingy person.’”

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

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ’One who pays zakat that is due on his property and presents gifts to his people is not stingy. A real stingy person is one who does not pay zakat that is ob

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

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The most virtuous charity is that which is given from someone without need (wealthy).’”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطى‌ وَ اتَّقى‌ وَ صَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنى‌ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يُعْطِي بِالْوَاحِدَةِ عَشَرَةً إِلَى مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ فَمَا زَادَ- فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرى‌ قَالَ لَا يُرِيدُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ إِلَّا يَسَّرَهُ اللَّهُ لَهُ- وَ أَمَّا مَنْ بَخِلَ وَ اسْتَغْنى‌ قَالَ بَخِلَ بِمَا آتَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كَذَّبَ بِالْحُسْنى‌ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ يُعْطِي بِا

“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘. . . As far as the one who gives (charity), observes piety and believes in good words (receiving good rewards from Allah). . . .’, Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘To such people Allah gives a tenfold reward or up to one hundred and even more.’ ‘.

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فِي بَعْضِ خُطَبِهِ‌ إِنَّ أَفْضَلَ الْفِعَالِ صِيَانَةُ الْعِرْضِ بِالْمَالِ.

14. Muhammad ibn Ali has narrated from Mu’ammar in a marfu‘ manner from ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), who has said the following: “In one of his speeches, ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘The best deed is protecting one’s dignity by means of wealth.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ إِنْ يَعْلَمْهُنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُ كَانَتْ زِيَادَةً فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ بَقَاءَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ تَطْوِيلُهُ فِي رُكُوعِهِ وَ سُجُودِهِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ وَ تَطْوِيلُهُ لِجُلُوسِهِ عَلَى طَعَامِهِ إِذَا أَطْعَمَ عَلَى مَائِدَتِهِ وَ اصْطِنَاعُهُ الْمَعْرُوفَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ.

“I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘There are three things which would help lengthen his life if a believing person comes to know them and make his wealth more durable.’ I then asked, ‘What are those things?’ The Imam replied, ‘They are remaining in Ruku’ for a long time, as well as in his Sajdah during prayer (Sala

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

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

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

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

قَالَ 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.’”

لَهُ إِنَّا نَكُونُ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ فَنُرِيدُ الْإِحْرَامَ فَنَطَّلِي وَ لَا تَكُونُ مَعَنَا نُخَالَةٌ نَتَدَلَّكُ بِهَا مِنَ النُّورَةِ فَنَتَدَلَّكُ بِالدَّقِيقِ وَ قَدْ دَخَلَنِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ فَقَالَ‌ أَ مَخَافَةَ الْإِسْرَافِ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ فِيمَا أَصْلَحَ الْبَدَنَ إِسْرَافٌ إِنِّي رُبَّمَا أَمَرْتُ بِالنَّقِيِّ فَيُلَتُ‌[1] بِالزَّيْتِ فَأَتَدَلَّكُ بِهِ إِنَّمَا الْإِ

“Once, I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘On our way to Makkah, we wanted to wear the special dress for Ihram (a certain act of Hajj), but we did not have proper material for shaving, and we did not have bran or flour to use in place of lime. We used flour for this purpose. Allah knows that I had a strange feeling about i