قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ تَكُونُ عَنْ فَضْلِ الْكَفِّ.
“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 best charity is that which is out of surplus in (one’s) hands.’”
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.’”
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.’ ‘.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ وَكَّلْتُ بِهِ مَنْ يَقْبِضَهُ غَيْرِي إِلَّا الصَّدَقَةَ فَإِنِّي أَتَلَقَّفُهَا بِيَدِي تَلَقُّفاً[2] حَتَّى إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَتَصَدَّقُ بِالتَّمْرَةِ أَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَأُرَبِّيهَا لَهُ كَمَا يُرَبِّي الرَّجُلُ فَلُوَّهُ وَ فَصِيلَهُ[3] فَيَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ هُوَ مِثْلُ أُحُدٍ وَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ أُحُدٍ.
"Indeed, Allah, Blessed and Exalted, says: 'There is nothing for which I have not appointed someone to take it, except charity, for I personally receive it with My own hand. Even when a person gives a date or a piece of a date in charity, I nurture it for him as a man nurtures his foal or his young camel, until it come
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
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَسْأَلُوا أُمَّتِي فِي مَجَالِسِهَا فَتُبَخِّلُوهَا.
‘Do not ask my followers for charity in their gatherings, because you may make them seem stingy.’”
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَيِّباتِ ما كَسَبْتُمْ وَ مِمَّا أَخْرَجْنا لَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ وَ لا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنْفِقُونَ[2] قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا أَمَرَ بِالنَّخْلِ أَنْ يُزَكَّى يَجِيءُ قَوْمٌ بِأَلْوَانٍ مِنْ تَمْرٍ وَ هُوَ مِنْ أَرْدَى التَّمْرِ يُؤَدُّونَهُ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِمْ تَمْراً يُقَالُ لَهُ الْجُعْرُورُ وَ الْمِعَافَأْر
“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Believers, give charity of good quality things that you have earned and of what We make to grow for you from the land. You must not aim at less valuable things to give for charity. . . .’(2:267) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When the Messenge
كَانَ الْقَوْمُ قَدْ كَسَبُوا مَكَاسِبَ سَوْءٍ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمُوا أَرَادُوا أَنْ يُخْرِجُوهَا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ لِيَتَصَدَّقُوا بِهَا فَأَبَى اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِلَّا أَنْ يُخْرِجُوا مِنْ أَطْيَبِ مَا كَسَبُوا.
“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Pay charity out of good things you have earned. . . .’ (2:264) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘people before Islam had made loathsome earnings. After accepting Islam they wanted to pay such earnings for zakat, but Allah, the most Blessed, t
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
كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِمِنًى وَ بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا عِنَبٌ نَأْكُلُهُ فَجَاءَ سَائِلٌ فَسَأَلَهُ فَأَمَرَ بِعُنْقُودٍ[1] فَأَعْطَاهُ فَقَالَ السَّائِلُ لَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِي هَذَا إِنْ كَانَ دِرْهَمٌ قَالَ يَسَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ فَذَهَبَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ رُدُّوا الْعُنْقُودَ فَقَالَ يَسَعُ اللَّهُ لَكَ وَ لَمْ يُعْطِهِ شَيْئاً ثُمَّ جَاءَ سَائِلٌ آخَرُ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ثَلَاثَ حَبَّاتِ
“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in Mina (a place in Makkah). We were eating grapes when a man came asking for help. Imam told someone to give him a bunch. The man said, ‘I do not need this. I need dirhams.’ The Imam said, ‘May Allah grant you a great deal.’ The man went away and then came back s
إِذَا ضَاقَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُعْلِمْ أَخَاهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if it becomes difficult for one of you, you should inform your brother (in belief) while you are unable to help yourself.”
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
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
مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ مَغْفِرَةِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ.
“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Serving food is one of the reasons for which Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, grants forgiveness.”’
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَ إِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Having good moral behavior and serving food is part of belief.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص خَيْرُكُمْ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ الطَّعَامَ وَ أَفْشَى السَّلَامَ وَ صَلَّى وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ.
“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 best among you are those who serve food, offer greetings of peace aloud and perform Salat (prayer) when people are sleeping.’”
كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نُطْعِمَ الطَّعَامَ وَ نُؤَدِّيَ فِي النَّاسِ الْبَائِنَةَ[2] وَ نُصَلِّيَ إِذَا نَامَ النَّاسُ.
4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from ‘Umar ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Ali (a.s.), would say, “We are a family who are commanded (by Allah) to serve food, send gi
الْمُنْجِيَاتُ إِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ وَ إِفْشَاءُ السَّلَامِ وَ الصَّلَاةُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that serving food, offering greetings of peace aloud and performing Salat (prayer) when people are sleeping are reasons for which one may gain salvation.”
إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يُحِبُّ إِهْرَاقَ الدِّمَاءِ[2] وَ إِطْعَامَ الطَّعَامِ.
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, loves (shedding blood of edible animals) for serving meat and food.’”
مِنْ أَحَبِّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِشْبَاعُ جَوْعَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَوْ تَنْفِيسُ كُرْبَتِهِ أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that of the most beloved deeds in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is satisfying the hunger of a believer, relieving his suffering, or paying off his debts.”
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِطْعَامَ الطَّعَامِ وَ إِرَاقَةَ الدِّمَاءِ.
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, loves serving food and shedding blood (of edible animals for meat to serve for food).’”
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
الرِّزْقُ أَسْرَعُ إِلَى مَنْ يُطْعِمُ الطَّعَامَ مِنَ السِّكِّينِ فِي السَّنَامِ.
“Ja’far from his father (a.s.), has narrated that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Sustenance comes to a man, who serves food, faster than a knife goes into the hump on the back of a camel.’”
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ مَغْفِرَةِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ.
“Abu al-Hassan (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, would say, ‘Of the reasons for the Lord, the Most Blessed, the most High, to grant forgiveness is one’s serving food.’”
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 عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا لِيُنْفِقِ الرَّجُلُ بِالْقَصْدِ وَ بُلْغَةِ الْكَفَافِ وَ يُقَدِّمُ مِنْهُ فَضْلًا لآِخِرَتِهِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَبْقَى لِلنِّعْمَةِ وَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى الْمَزِيدِ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَنْفَعُ فِي الْعَافِيَةِ.
’One should spend moderately to a sufficient limit and send the extra for his next life. This is a better conservation of bounties, closer to its increase from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, and more beneficial for good health (or consequences).’”
إِنَّ الْقَصْدَ أَمْرٌ يُحِبُّهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ إِنَّ السَّرَفَ أَمْرٌ يُبْغِضُهُ اللَّهُ حَتَّى طَرْحَكَ النَّوَاةَ فَإِنَّهَا تَصْلُحُ لِلشَّيْءِ وَ حَتَّى صَبَّكَ فَضْلَ شَرَابِكَ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that moderation is a matter that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, loves, and extravagance is a thing that Allah hates. It applies even to one’s throwing the stone inside the piece of a date; it can be useful for something, and to throwing the leftover of what you drink.’”
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ يَسْئَلُونَكَ ما ذا يُنْفِقُونَ قُلِ الْعَفْوَ[4] قَالَ الْعَفْوُ الْوَسَطُ.
“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘They ask you about what should spend (for the sake of Allah). Say, “It is disregarding. . .’” (2: 219), Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The word “al-‘Afw (disregarding)” refers to spending moderately.’”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ الْقَصْدُ مَثْرَاةٌ وَ السَّرَفُ مَتْوَاةٌ[1].
“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Moderation leads to increase, and extravagance leads to destruction.’”
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).”
لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَنْفَقَ مَا فِي يَدَيْهِ فِي سَبِيلٍ مِنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ مَا كَانَ أَحْسَنَ وَ لَا وُفِّقَ أَ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى- وَ لا تُلْقُوا بِأَيْدِيكُمْ إِلَى التَّهْلُكَةِ وَ أَحْسِنُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ[3] يَعْنِي الْمُقْتَصِدِينَ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that all kinds of one’s spending for the sake of Allah, on any one of His causes, is not a good or successful spending. Allah, the most High says, ‘You must not throw yourselves in perdition. Do good; Allah loves those who do good.’ (2:195) “Doers of good” refers to those who observe mo
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.’”
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
إِذَا جَادَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَجُودُوا وَ إِذَا أَمْسَكَ عَنْكُمْ فَأَمْسِكُوا وَ لَا تُجَاوِدُوا اللَّهَ فَهُوَ الْأَجْوَدُ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, gives to you generously, be generous to yourselves; when He withholds, you should also do so, but do not try to surpass Him; He is more generous than you are.”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنِ اقْتَصَدَ فِي مَعِيشَتِهِ رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ بَذَّرَ حَرَمَهُ 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, ‘Whoever maintains moderation, Allah grants him sustenance, but He deprives one who spends excessively.’”
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.’”
تَلَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ الَّذِينَ إِذا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَ لَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَ كانَ بَيْنَ ذلِكَ قَواماً[3] قَالَ فَأَخَذَ قَبْضَةً مِنْ حَصًى وَ قَبَضَهَا بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْإِقْتَارُ الَّذِي ذَكَرَهُ اللَّهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ ثُمَّ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً أُخْرَى فَأَرْخَى كَفَّهُ كُلَّهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذَا الْإِسْرَافُ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ قَبْضَةً أُخْرَى[1] فَأَرْخَى بَعْضَهَا وَ أَمْسَكَ
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once, read this verse from the Holy Quran. . those who do not spend excessively or with severe austerity, but with moderation,’ (25: 67) he (the Imam) then picked up a handful of pebbles and kept them firmly in his hand, saying, ‘This is severe austerity that Allah has mentioned in His book.’ He
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلَ ع- عَنِ النَّفَقَةِ عَلَى الْعِيَالِ فَقَالَ مَا بَيْنَ الْمَكْرُوهَيْنِ الْإِسْرَافِ وَ الْإِقْتَارِ.
“Once I asked abu al-Hassan, the 1st (a.s.), about the expenses of one’s dependents. He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is between the two detestable limits: namely, excessive spending and severe austerity.’”
أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ مَعَ الْإِسْرَافِ قِلَّةَ الْبَرَكَةِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘There is very little blessing with excessive spending.’”
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.’”
سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ آتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصادِهِ وَ لا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ[2] فَقَالَ كَانَ فُلَانُ بْنُ فُلَانٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ سَمَّاهُ وَ كَانَ لَهُ حَرْثٌ وَ كَانَ إِذَا أَخَذَ يَتَصَدَّقُ بِهِ وَ يَبْقَى هُوَ وَ عِيَالُهُ بِغَيْرِ شَيْءٍ فَجَعَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ سَرَفاً.
“A man once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Give His right on the day of its harvest and do not spend excessively; He does not love excessive spenders.’ (6:141) He (the Imam) said, ‘So and so, he mentioned his name, Ansariy (people of al-Madinah) had a farm.
فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلى عُنُقِكَ وَ لا تَبْسُطْها كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُوماً مَحْسُوراً[3] قَالَ الْإِحْسَارُ الْفَاقَةُ.
“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘You must not make your hands tied up to your neck nor open it excessively so you remain blame-worth and tied up.’ (17:29) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ‘Mahsur (tied up) means severe austerity.’”
كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَجَاءَ سَائِلٌ فَقَامَ إِلَى مِكْتَلٍ[4] فِيهِ تَمْرٌ فَمَلَأَ يَدَهُ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَامَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَامَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَامَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَنَاوَلَهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ رَازِقُنَا وَ إِيَّاكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ
7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Musa ibn Bakr from ‘Ajlan who has said the following: “Once, I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came asking for help. He (the Imam) gave him a handful of dates from a basket. Then another
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.’
فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- وَ الَّذِينَ إِذا أَنْفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَ لَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَ كانَ بَيْنَ ذلِكَ قَواماً فَبَسَطَ كَفَّهُ وَ فَرَّقَ أَصَابِعَهُ وَ حَنَاهَا شَيْئاً[3] وَ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- وَ لا تَبْسُطْها كُلَّ الْبَسْطِ فَبَسَطَ رَاحَتَهُ وَ قَالَ هَكَذَا وَ قَالَ الْقَوَامُ مَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بَيْنِ الْأَصَابِعِ وَ يَبْقَى فِي الرَّاحَةِ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ.
“This is about the words of Allah, most High, ‘Those who, when spending, do not do it excessively or with severe austerity, but with moderation.’ He opened his palm and tilted it a little to one side. About the words of Allah, most High, ‘Do not open your hand excessively . . .’ (25:67) he opened up his palm all the wa
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَدْنَى مَا يَجِيءُ مِنْ حَدِّ الْإِسْرَافِ فَقَالَ ابْتِذَالُكَ ثَوْبَ صَوْنِكَ وَ إِهْرَاقُكَ فَضْلَ إِنَائِكَ وَ أَكْلُكَ التَّمْرَ وَ رَمْيَكَ النَّوَى هَاهُنَا وَ هَاهُنَا.
‘What is the minimum limit of excessive spending?’ The Imam replied, ‘It is when you give away your clothes that you need for protection, burning the leftovers in your cooking utensils, and eating dates and scattering the stones inside them here and there.’”
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ أَحَدُهُمْ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَأَفْسَدَهُ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ ارْزُقْنِي فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالاقْتِصَادِ[4].
‘Four people’s prayers are not accepted. One is he who destroys his wealth and appeals, “Lord, grant me sustenance.’” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, then says, “Did I not command you to observe moderation?””’