Charity & Zakat

جَاءَتْ فَخِذٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ[1] إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَسَلَّمُوا عَلَيْهِ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامَ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَنَا إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةٌ فَقَالَ هَاتُوا حَاجَتَكُمْ قَالُوا إِنَّهَا حَاجَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ فَقَالَ هَاتُوهَا مَا هِيَ قَالُوا تَضْمَنُ لَنَا عَلَى رَبِّكَ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ فَنَكَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَأْسَهُ ثُمَّ نَكَتَ فِي الْأَرْضِ‌[2] ثُمَّ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ أَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once, members of a tribe of al-Ansar (people of al- Madinah) came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. They offered greetings of peace and he responded likewise. They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, w

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

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

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى كَرِهَ لِي سِتَّ خِصَالٍ وَ كَرِهْتُهَا لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ وُلْدِي وَ أَتْبَاعِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي مِنْهَا الْمَنُّ بَعْدَ الصَّدَقَةِ.

The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, dislikes to find six characteristics within me, and I dislike finding them with the executors of my wills from my descendents and their followers. Of

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْمَنُّ يَهْدِمُ الصَّنِيعَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Embarrassing a recipient, after giving charity destroys the virtue of this benevolent deed.’”

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

الْمَعْرُوفُ ابْتِدَاءٌ وَ أَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَيْتَهُ بَعْدَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِنَّمَا كَافَيْتَهُ بِمَا بَذَلَ لَكَ مِنْ وَجْهِهِ يَبِيتُ لَيْلَتَهُ أَرِقاً مُتَمَلْمِلًا يَمْثُلُ بَيْنَ الرَّجَاءِ وَ الْيَأْسِ‌[2] لَا يَدْرِي أَيْنَ يَتَوَجَّهُ لِحَاجَتِهِ ثُمَّ يَعْزِمُ بِالْقَصْدِ لَهَا فَيَأْتِيكَ وَ قَلْبُهُ يَرْجُفُ وَ فَرَائِصُهُ تُرْعَدُ قَدْ تَرَى دَمَهُ فِي وَجْهِهِ لَا يَدْرِي أَ يَرْجِعُ بِكَأْبَةٍ أَمْ بِف

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that charity is that which is given before an appeal by the recipient. Giving charity after an appeal by the recipient is compensation for using the dignity of his face when he appealed and his passing the night worried and anxious in hope and despair without knowing which direction to

كُنْتُ فِي مَجْلِسِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أُحَدِّثُهُ وَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَ إِلَيْهِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ طُوَالٌ آدَمُ‌[4] فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ- رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحِبِّيكَ وَ مُحِبِّي آبَائِكَ وَ أَجْدَادِكَ ع مَصْدَرِي مِنَ الْحَجِّ وَ قَدِ افْتَقَدْتُ نَفَقَتِي وَ مَا مَعِي مَا أَبْلُغُ مَرْحَلَةً فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ ت

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sandal from Yasir from al-Yasa’ ibn Hamzah who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and I was speaking to him before a large gathering that wanted to ask him about lawful and unlawful matters. At such time, a tall man o

سَامَرْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌[2] فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَرَضَتْ لِي حَاجَةٌ قَالَ فَرَأَيْتَنِي لَهَا أَهْلًا قُلْتُ نَعَمْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي خَيْراً ثُمَّ قَامَ إِلَى السِّرَاجِ فَأَغْشَاهَا وَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَغْشَيْتُ السِّرَاجَ لِئَلَّا أَرَى ذُلَّ حَاجَتِكَ فِي وَجْهِكِ فَتَكَلَّمْ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص

‘I turned the lantern off so I cannot see the effect of humiliation due to your appeal for help on your face as you speak. I have heard the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, say, “Needs are trust of Allah in His servants’ chests. For those

قَالَ: مَا تَوَسَّلَ إِلَيَّ أَحَدٌ بِوَسِيلَةٍ وَ لَا تَذَرَّعَ بِذَرِيعَةٍ أَقْرَبَ لَهُ إِلَى مَا يُرِيدُهُ مِنِّي مِنْ رَجُلٍ سَلَفَ إِلَيْهِ مِنِّي يَدٌ أَتْبَعْتُهَا أُخْتَهَا وَ أَحْسَنْتُ رَبَّهَا[4]- فَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ مَنْعَ الْأَوَاخِرِ يَقْطَعُ لِسَانَ شُكْرِ الْأَوَائِلِ وَ لَا سَخَتْ نَفْسِي بِرَدِّ بِكْرِ الْحَوَائِجِ وَ قَدْ قَالَ الشَّاعِرُ-[1] وَ إِذَا بُلِيتَ بِبَذْلِ وَجْهِكَ سَائِلًا فَابْذُلْهُ ل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the best means and recourse of approaching me for help is the appeal of a man who has received help from me once, then asks for help again. My hands have done a good deed for him before the Lord. I have found denying a later appeal for help cuts off the appreciation for the favor a

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 أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ لِلْمَعْرُوفِ أَهْلًا مِنْ خَلْقِهِ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَعَالَهُ وَ وَجَّهَ لِطُلَّابِ الْمَعْرُوفِ الطَّلَبَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ يَسَّرَ لَهُمْ قَضَاءَهُ كَمَا يَسَّرَ الْغَيْثَ لِلْأَرْضِ الْمُجْدِبَةِ[2] لِيُحْيِيَهَا وَ يُحْيِيَ بِهِ أَهْلَهَا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَ لِلْمَعْرُوفِ أَعْدَاءً مِنْ خَلْقِهِ بَغَّضَ إِلَيْهِمُ الْمَعْرُوفَ وَ بَغَّضَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has created a people to actuate Benevolent Assistance. He has made the doing of Benevolent Assistance beloved to them and has directed the recipients of Benevolent Assistance toward them to seek help. He has made the doing of Benevolent Assista

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِنْ أَحَبِّ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ لَمَنْ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَعْرُوفَ وَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْهِ فَعَالَهُ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ دَاوُدَ الرَّقِّيِّ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

‘The most beloved servant of Allah in His sight is a servant to whom providing Benevolent Assistance is most beloved and who loves to perform such act.’” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Dawud al-Riqqiy from abu Hamzah from abu Ja’far (a.s.), a similar Hadith

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 رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ.

“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, ‘All Benevolent Assistance is charity.’”

رَأَيْتُ الْمَعْرُوفَ كَاسْمِهِ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْمَعْرُوفِ إِلَّا ثَوَابُهُ وَ ذَلِكَ يُرَادُ مِنْهُ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَصْنَعَ الْمَعْرُوفَ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَصْنَعُهُ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ يَرْغَبُ فِيهِ يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا كُلُّ مَنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ يُؤْذَنُ لَهُ فِيهِ فَإِذَا اجْتَمَعَتِ الرَّغْبَةُ وَ الْقُدْرَةُ وَ الْإِذْنُ فَهُنَالِكَ تَمَّتِ السَّعَادَةُ لِلطَّالِبِ وَ ا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I see Benevolent Assistance is as good as its name. No other thing is better than providing Benevolent Assistance except the reward for it, which one has in one’s intention thereby. Not everyone who loves Benevolent Assistance provides such charity. Not everyone who loves to provide B

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَ الدَّالُّ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ كَفَاعِلِهِ وَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِغَاثَةَ اللَّهْفَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who has said, ‘Providing Benevolent Assistance is charity. One who shows the way to good is just like a doer of good. Allah, the Most Majest

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْمَعْرُوفُ شَيْ‌ءٌ سِوَى الزَّكَاةِ فَتَقَرَّبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِالْبِرِّ وَ صِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said , ‘Providing Benevolent Assistance is something other than compulsory charity (zakat). You must seek nearness to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, through virtuous deeds and good relations with relatives.’”

اصْنَعِ الْمَعْرُوفَ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَهْلُهُ وَ إِلَى مَنْ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ هُوَ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَكُنْ أَنْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you should provide Benevolent Assistance to those who deserve and to those who (in reality) are un-deserving; if the recipient does not deserve it, you are considered a provider of Benevolent Assistance.”

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَوْصَلَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَعْرُوفاً فَقَدْ أَوْصَلَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a believing person maintains good relations with his brother in belief, he is considered as maintaining such relations with the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اصْنَعُوا الْمَعْرُوفَ إِلَى كُلِّ أَحَدٍ فَإِنْ كَانَ أَهْلَهُ وَ إِلَّا فَأَنْتَ أَهْلُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Provide Benevolent Assistance to everyone; if the recipient is not deserving, you are a deserving provider.” (This and Hadith 6 above are considered to apply when the provider has no knowledge of the condition of the recipient. Thus, what will come later does not contradict.)

إِنَّ أَعْرَابِيّاً مِنْ بَنِي تَمِيمٍ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ أَوْصِنِي فَكَانَ فِيمَا أَوْصَاهُ بِهِ أَنْ قَالَ يَا فُلَانُ لَا تَزْهَدَنَّ فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once an Arab man from the tribe of banu al-Tamim came to see the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘Please grant me good advice.’ The good advice the Holy Prophet provided was this, ‘O so and so, do not w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ الْمَعْرُوفُ وَ أَهْلُهُ وَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَرِدُ عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ.

“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 first ones entering Paradise are those who actuate Benevolent Assistance and come to me at the pond in Paradise.’”

أَجِيزُوا لِأَهْلِ الْمَعْرُوفِ عَثَرَاتِهِمْ‌[1] وَ اغْفِرُوهَا لَهُمْ فَإِنَّ كَفَّ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى عَلَيْهِمْ هَكَذَا وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ كَأَنَّهُ يُظِلُّ بِهَا شَيْئاً.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must consider slips possible by providers of Benevolent Assistance and forgive them for such slips; Allah’s protection for them is like this;’ using his hand as shielding something, the Imam explained.”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ صَنَعَ بِمِثْلِ مَا صُنِعَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّمَا كَافَأَهُ وَ مَنْ أَضْعَفَهُ كَانَ شَكُوراً وَ مَنْ شَكَرَ كَانَ كَرِيماً وَ مَنْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ مَا صَنَعَ إِنَّمَا صَنَعَ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ لَمْ يَسْتَبْطِ النَّاسَ فِي شُكْرِهِمْ‌[3] وَ لَمْ يَسْتَزِدْهُمْ فِي مَوَدَّتِهِمْ فَلَا تَلْتَمِسْ مِنْ غَيْرِكَ شُكْرَ مَا أَتَيْتَ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ وَ وَقَيْتَ بِه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would say, ‘One who does a favor for someone just as it is done for him has only returned a favor. One who does twice as much favor is an appreciating person, and an appreciating person is a gracious one. One who knows that the favor he has done is for his

صَنَائِعُ الْمَعْرُوفِ تَقِي مَصَارِعَ السُّوءِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, has narrated this Hadith from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, ‘Providing, Benevolent Assistance protects one against wicked encounters.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الْبَرَكَةَ أَسْرَعُ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي يُمْتَارُ مِنْهُ الْمَعْرُوفُ مِنَ الشَّفْرَةِ فِي سَنَامِ الْبَعِيرِ[1] أَوْ مِنَ السَّيْلِ إِلَى مُنْتَهَاهُ.

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Blessings cut through obstacles faster than a knife’s cutting through the hump of a camel or a flood’s moving toward its destination, to reach the house from which Benevolent Assistance is

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ صَنَائِعَ الْمَعْرُوفِ تَدْفَعُ مَصَارِعَ السُّوءِ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Providing Benevolent Assistance repels wicked encounters.’”

قَالَ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فِدَاكَ آبَاؤُنَا وَ أُمَّهَاتُنَا إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الدُّنْيَا عُرِفُوا بِمَعْرُوفِهِمْ فَبِمَ يُعْرَفُونَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِذَا أَدْخَلَ أَهْلَ الْجَنَّةِ الْجَنَّةَ أَمَرَ رِيحاً عَبِقَةً طَيِّبَةً[2] فَلَزِقَتْ بِأَهْلِ الْمَعْرُوفِ فَلَا يَمُرُّ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ بِمَلَإٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ إِلَّا وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated this Hadith. ‘Once, companions of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, asked a question. “O Messenger of Allah, we pray to Allah to keep our souls and the souls of ancestors in service for your cause;

أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الدُّنْيَا هُمْ أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ يُقَالُ لَهُمْ إِنَّ ذُنُوبَكُمْ قَدْ غُفِرَتْ لَكُمْ فَهِبُوا حَسَنَاتِكُمْ لِمَنْ شِئْتُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that providers of Benevolent Assistance will be as such on the Day of Judgment also. They will receive the news, ‘Your sins are all forgiven. You may give away your good deeds as gifts to whomever you like.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الدُّنْيَا هُمْ‌ أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَ أَهْلُ الْمُنْكَرِ فِي الدُّنْيَا هُمْ أَهْلُ الْمُنْكَرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Providers of Benevolent Assistance will be as such on the Day of Judgment also. People of wickedness will be as such on the Day of Judgment as well.’””

إِنَّ لِلْجَنَّةِ بَاباً يُقَالُ لَهُ الْمَعْرُوفُ لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الدُّنْيَا هُمْ أَهْلُ الْمَعْرُوفِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that in paradise there is a gate called the Gate of Benevolent Assistance. No one can enter through this gate except providers of Benevolent Assistance. Providers of Benevolent Assistance will also be as such on the Day of Judgment.”

رَأَيْتُ الْمَعْرُوفَ لَا يَصْلُحُ إِلَّا بِثَلَاثِ خِصَالٍ تَصْغِيرِهِ وَ تَسْتِيرِهِ وَ تَعْجِيلِهِ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا صَغَّرْتَهُ عَظَّمْتَهُ عِنْدَ مَنْ تَصْنَعُهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِذَا سَتَّرْتَهُ تَمَّمْتَهُ وَ إِذَا عَجَّلْتَهُ هَنَّأْتَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ سَخَّفْتَهُ وَ نَكَّدْتَهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a complete Benevolent Assistance materializes only when the provider considers it insignificant and provides it out of public sight without delay. When you consider it insignificant, it then seems great to the recipient; providing it out of public sight completes it, and without d

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ ثَمَرَةٌ وَ ثَمَرَةُ الْمَعْرُوفِ تَعْجِيلُ السَّرَاحِ‌[1].

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.), say, ’Everything has a fruit. The fruit of Benevolent Assistance is its quick release.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ أَ شَقِيٌّ الرَّجُلُ أَمْ سَعِيدٌ فَانْظُرْ سَيْبَهُ‌[2] وَ مَعْرُوفَهُ إِلَى مَنْ يَصْنَعُهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ يَصْنَعُهُ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَهْلُهُ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ إِلَى‌ خَيْرٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَصْنَعُهُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to Mufaddal ibn ’Umar, ’O Mufaddal, if you want to know whether a man is the most wicked or most fortunate, find out to whom he provides Benevolent Assistance. If he finds a properly deserving recipient, it is information for you that good consequences await him; if he provides Benevo

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مُفَضَّلُ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ إِلَى خَيْرٍ يَصِيرُ الرَّجُلُ أَمْ إِلَى شَرٍّ انْظُرْ أَيْنَ يَضَعُ مَعْرُوفَهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ يَضَعُ مَعْرُوفَهُ عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ يَصِيرُ إِلَى خَيْرٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَضَعُ مَعْرُوفَهُ عِنْدَ غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ‌ لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلاقٍ‌[2]*.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to me, ‘O Mufaddal, if you want to know whether a man ends up as good or wicked, consider where he places his Benevolent Assistance. If he provides such assistance for a properly deserving recipient, he is headed toward a good direction; if he provides it for an undeserving recipient,

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ أَخَذُوا مَا أَمَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ فَأَنْفَقُوهُ فِيمَا نَهَاهُمُ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ مَا قَبِلَهُ مِنْهُمْ وَ لَوْ أَخَذُوا مَا نَهَاهُمُ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ فَأَنْفَقُوهُ فِيمَا أَمَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِهِ مَا قَبِلَهُ مِنْهُمْ حَتَّى يَأْخُذُوهُ مِنْ حَقٍّ وَ يُنْفِقُوهُ فِي حَقٍّ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If people achieve what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has commanded them to achieve, but spend where Allah has prohibited such spending, it is not accepted. If people achieve what Allah has prohibited and spend on matters that Allah has commanded them to spend on, thi

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

يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَبْذُلْ لِإِخْوَانِكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ مَا ضَرُّهُ عَلَيْكَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ لَهُمْ

“Abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not provide the kind of Benevolent Assistance to your brothers (in belief), which is more harmful to you than its being beneficial to him.”

لَا تُوجِبْ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ الْحُقُوقَ وَ اصْبِرْ عَلَى النَّوَائِبِ وَ لَا تَدْخُلْ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مَضَرَّتُهُ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ لِأَخِيكَ.

‘You must not obligate your soul for others’ rights; you must exercise patience in difficulties; and you must not involve yourself in an affair where its harm to you is greater than its benefit for your brother (in belief).”

قَالَ: لَعَنَ اللَّهُ قَاطِعِي سُبُلِ الْمَعْرُوفِ قِيلَ وَ مَا قَاطِعُو سُبُلِ الْمَعْرُوفِ قَالَ الرَّجُلُ يُصْنَعُ إِلَيْهِ الْمَعْرُوفُ فَيَكْفُرُهُ فَيَمْتَنِعُ صَاحِبُهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَصْنَعَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah has condemned those who block the path to Benevolent Assistance, and it then was asked, ’Who are such people?’ The Imam replied, ’They are those who receive Benevolent Assistance but refuse to appreciate and thus stop the provider of Benevolent Assistance from providing such

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا أَقَلَّ مَنْ شَكَرَ الْمَعْرُوفَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘How few are those who appreciate Benevolent Assistance!”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أُتِيَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوفٌ فَلْيُكَافِئْ بِهِ فَإِنْ عَجَزَ فَلْيُثْنِ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَقَدْ كَفَرَ النِّعْمَةَ.

“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, ‘A recipient of Benevolent Assistance should compensate (the provider) for it. If he cannot do so, he should praise him at least; otherwise, he has refus

مَكْتُوبٌ عَلَى بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ الصَّدَقَةُ بِعَشَرَةٍ وَ الْقَرْضُ بِثَمَانِيَةَ عَشَرَ[1] وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى بِخَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There is a writing on the door of Paradise that says: ‘Charity for ten “rewards” and loan for eighteen “rewards.”’ In another Hadith it is said, ‘Loan for fifteen “rewards.””

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ أَقْرَضَ مُؤْمِناً يَلْتَمِسُ بِهِ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا حَسَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَجْرَهُ بِحِسَابِ الصَّدَقَةِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْهِ مَالُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘For every believing person who provides a loan for another believing person, for the sake of Allah, Allah counts its reward as that of giving charity until the time the loan is paid back.’”

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.’””