Charity & Zakat

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سُقْتُ فِي الْعُمْرَةِ بَدَنَةً أَيْنَ أَنْحَرُهَا قَالَ بِمَكَّةَ قُلْتُ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أُعْطِي مِنْهَا قَالَ كُلْ ثُلُثاً وَ أَهْدِ ثُلُثاً وَ تَصَدَّقْ بِثُلُثٍ‌[4].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about my driving badanah for al-‘Umrah and about where I should slaughter it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Slaughter it in Makkah.’ I then asked, ‘What should I give from it?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Eat one-third, gift one third and give as charity one-third.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ صَدَقَةُ رَغِيفٍ خَيْرٌ مِنْ نُسُكٍ مَهْزُولَةٍ.

‘Giving as charity one loaf is better than an emaciated offering.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْهَدْيِ الْوَاجِبِ إِذَا أَصَابَهُ كَسْرٌ أَوْ عَطَبٌ أَ يَبِيعُهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَ يَسْتَعِينُ بِثَمَنِهِ عَلَى هَدْيٍ آخَرَ قَالَ يَبِيعُهُ وَ يَتَصَدَّقُ بِثَمَنِهِ وَ يُهْدِي هَدْياً آخَرَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man whose obligatory offering animal suffers damage or is destroyed; if he can sell it and get help from its sale to buy its replacement. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can sell it, give the proceeds as charity and offer another offering.’”

أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حِينَ نَحَرَ أَنْ تُؤْخَذَ مِنْ كُلِّ بَدَنَةٍ حُذْوَةٌ مِنْ لَحْمِهَا ثُمَّ تُطْرَحَ فِي بُرْمَةٍ ثُمَّ تُطْبَخَ وَ أَكَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع مِنْهَا وَ حَسَوَا مِنْ مَرَقِهَا[1].

“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, commanded to take a share from the meat of each badanah, then cook it in a pot. The Messenger of Allah and Ali ‘Alayhim al-Salam, ate from the meat and sipped the

إِذَا وَقَعَتْ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ‌ فَكُلُوا مِنْها وَ أَطْعِمُوا الْقانِعَ وَ الْمُعْتَرَّ[2] قَالَ الْقَانِعُ الَّذِي يَرْضَى بِمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ وَ لَا يَسْخَطُ وَ لَا يَكْلَحُ‌[3] وَ لَا يَلْوِي شِدْقَهُ غَضَباً وَ الْمُعْتَرُّ الْمَارُّ بِكَ لِتُطْعِمَهُ.

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘When their sides reach the ground.’ (22:36) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that it means when they fall on the ground. ‘. . . use it for food and feed thereof to those contented and those who ask.’ (22:36) He (the Imam) said that al-Qani‘ are those who

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ لُحُومِ الْأَضَاحِيِّ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَتَصَدَّقَانِ بِثُلُثٍ عَلَى جِيرَانِهِمْ وَ ثُلُثٍ عَلَى السُّؤَّالِ وَ ثُلُثٌ يُمْسِكُونَهُ لِأَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meat of offering animals. He (the Imam) said, ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn and abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, would give one-third as charity to their neighbors, one-third to those who ask and beg and kept one-third for their household.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْهَدْيِ مَا يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ الَّذِي يُهْدِيهِ فِي مُتْعَتِهِ وَ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ كَمَا يَأْكُلُ مِنْ هَدْيِهِ‌[1]

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meat of the offering animals and what is used thereof for food which is offered for al-Tamattu‘ (advantageous) and so on. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is just as one uses his offering for food.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ فِدَاءِ الصَّيْدِ يَأْكُلُ صَاحِبُهُ مِنْ لَحْمِهِ فَقَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ أُضْحِيَّتِهِ وَ يَتَصَدَّقُ بِالْفِدَاءِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the expiation because of hunting; if one paying the expiation can eat thereof. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can eat from his offerings and he must give the expiation as charity.’”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَإِذا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُها فَكُلُوا مِنْها وَ أَطْعِمُوا الْقانِعَ وَ الْمُعْتَرَّ قَالَ الْقَانِعُ الَّذِي يَقْنَعُ بِمَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ وَ الْمُعْتَرُّ الَّذِي يَعْتَرِيكَ وَ السَّائِلُ الَّذِي يَسْأَلُكَ فِي يَدَيْهِ وَ الْبَائِسُ هُوَ الْفَقِيرُ.

“This is about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘When their sides reach the ground then eat thereof and feed to those contented and those who ask.’ (22:36) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said al-Qani‘ is one who becomes satisfied with what you give them. Al-Mu‘tar are those who find you, al-Sa’il are those

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ إِخْرَاجِ لُحُومِ الْأَضَاحِيِّ مِنْ مِنًى فَقَالَ كُنَّا نَقُولُ لَا يُخْرَجْ مِنْهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ لِحَاجَةِ النَّاسِ إِلَيْهِ فَأَمَّا الْيَوْمَ فَقَدْ كَثُرَ النَّاسُ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِإِخْرَاجِهِ‌[2].

“I once asked abu ‘ Abdillah (a.s.), about taking out from Mina the meat of the offering animals. He (the Imam) said, ‘We would say that it must not be taken out of Mina because people needed. Today, however, the number of people has increased, thus it is not harmful to take out of Mina.”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَهْدَى هَدْياً فَانْكَسَرَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ مَضْمُوناً وَ الْمَضْمُونُ مَا كَانَ فِي يَمِينٍ يَعْنِي نَذْراً أَوْ جَزَاءً فَعَلَيْهِ فِدَاؤُهُ قُلْتُ أَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ‌[4] فَقَالَ لَا إِنَّمَا هُوَ لِلْمَسَاكِينِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَضْمُوناً فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قُلْتُ أَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ قَالَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ وَ رُوِيَ أَيْضاً أَنَّهُ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ مَضْمُوناً كَانَ أَوْ غَيْرَ م

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who offers an offering but it sustains damage. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is binding and obligatory such as because of swearing, or vow or as penalty, he owes ransom.’ I then asked, ‘Can he eat thereof?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, because it is for the destitute, if it is

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلَ ع دَعَا بِبَدَنَةٍ فَنَحَرَهَا فَلَمَّا ضَرَبَ الْجَزَّارُونَ عَرَاقِيبَهَا فَوَقَعَتْ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ‌[1] وَ كَشَفُوا شَيْئاً عَنْ سَنَامِهَا قَالَ اقْطَعُوا وَ كُلُوا مِنْهَا وَ أَطْعِمُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- فَإِذا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُها فَكُلُوا مِنْها وَ أَطْعِمُوا[2].

‘When their sides reach the ground eat and feed thereof.’”

كُلُوا مِنْ لُحُومِ الْأَضَاحِيِّ بَعْدَ ثَلَاثٍ وَ ادَّخِرُوا.

“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, prohibited us from the meat of offering after three days then he granted permission, saying ‘Eat of the meat of offerings after three days and preserve.’”

يُنْتَفَعُ بِجِلْدِ الْأُضْحِيَّةِ وَ يُشْتَرَى بِهِ الْمَتَاعُ وَ إِنْ تُصُدِّقَ بِهِ فَهُوَ أَفْضَلُ وَ قَالَ نَحَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بَدَنَةً وَ لَمْ يُعْطِ الْجَزَّارِينَ جُلُودَهَا وَ لَا قَلَائِدَهَا وَ لَا جِلَالَهَا وَ لَكِنْ تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَ لَا تُعْطِ السَّلَّاخَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً وَ لَكِنْ أَعْطِهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ.

2. In the narration of Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, it is said that the hide of animal for offering can be used for beneficial purposes or purchase thereby goods, but to give them as charity is better. He (the Imam) said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّكَ لَتُدْمِنُ الْحَجَّ قُلْتُ أَجَلْ- قَالَ فَلْيَكُنْ آخِرُ عَهْدِكَ بِالْبَيْتِ أَنْ تَضَعَ يَدَكَ عَلَى الْبَابِ وَ تَقُولَ الْمِسْكِينُ عَلَى بَابِكَ فَتَصَدَّقْ عَلَيْهِ بِالْجَنَّةِ.

Do you perform al-Hajj very often?’ I replied, £ Yes, I do so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘During your last farewell of the House, you should place your hand at the door and say, “The destitute is standing at Your door. Give him paradise as charity.’””

يَنْبَغِي لِلْحَاجِّ إِذَا قَضَى نُسُكَهُ وَ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ أَنْ يَبْتَاعَ بِدِرْهَمٍ تَمْراً يَتَصَدَّقُ بِهِ فَيَكُونُ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا لَعَلَّهُ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ فِي حَجِّهِ مِنْ حَكٍّ أَوْ قَمْلَةٍ سَقَطَتْ أَوْ نَحْوِ ذَلِكَ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that after completing al-Hajj when about to leave, one should buy a dirham worth of dates and give as charity; as expiation for, one, perhaps, during his al- Hajj, one may have scratched his body or may have caused some insect to fall off his body or so.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ فَاشْتَرِ بِدِرْهَمٍ تَمْراً فَتَصَدَّقْ بِهِ قَبْضَةً قَبْضَةً فَيَكُونَ لِكُلِّ مَا كَانَ مِنْكَ فِي إِحْرَامِكَ وَ مَا كَانَ مِنْكَ بِمَكَّةَ.

‘When you want to leave Makkah, buy one dirham of dates. Give it as charity, a handful and a handful and it will be (as ransom) for you because of what may have happened during the time you were in the state of Ihram and when you were in Makkah.’” (Fatwa best explains Hadith 2 of this Chapter)

كُنَّا بِمَكَّةَ فَأَصَابَنَا غَلَاءٌ مِنَ الْأَضَاحِيِّ فَاشْتَرَيْنَا بِدِينَارٍ ثُمَّ بِدِينَارَيْنِ ثُمَّ لَمْ نَجِدْ بِقَلِيلٍ وَ لَا كَثِيرٍ فَرَقَّعَ هِشَامٌ الْمُكَارِي رُقْعَةً إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ أَخْبَرَهُ بِمَا اشْتَرَيْنَا ثُمَّ لَمْ نَجِدْ بِقَلِيلٍ وَ لَا كَثِيرٍ فَوَقَّعَ انْظُرُوا الثَّمَنَ الْأَوَّلَ وَ الثَّانِيَ وَ الثَّالِثَ ثُمَّ تَصَدَّقُوا بِمِثْلِ ثُلُثِهِ.

“Once we were in Makkah and animal for offering became very expensive. We bought for one dinar then, two dinar and then we could not find anything for less or more. Hisham al-Mukariy then wrote a note to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), and informed him (the Imam) of what we had bought and then could not find anything for less or

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَسْجِدَ الْفَضِيخِ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ تَرَى هَذِهِ الْوَهْدَةَ[1] قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ كَانَتِ امْرَأَةُ جَعْفَرٍ الَّتِي خَلَفَ‌[2] عَلَيْهَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَاعِدَةً فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ وَ مَعَهَا ابْنَاهَا مِنْ جَعْفَرٍ فَبَكَتْ فَقَالَ لَهَا ابْنَاهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ يَا أُمَّهْ قَالَتْ بَكَيْتُ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالا لَهَا تَبْكِينَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Musa ibn Ja’far from ‘Umar ibn Sa‘id from al-Hassan ibn Sadaqah from ‘Ammar ibn Musa who has said the following: “I once visited abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and I entered Masjid of al-Fadikh. He (the Imam) asked, ‘O ‘Ammar, do you see this depressio

تَقُولُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا خَلِيفَةَ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عَمُودَ الدِّينِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَارِثَ النَّبِيِّينَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا قَسِيمَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ النَّارِ وَ صَاحِبَ الْعَصَا وَ الْمِيسَمِ‌[1] السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ كَلِمَةُ التَّقْوَى وَ بَابُ الْهُدَى وَ الْعُ

You say: "Peace be upon you, O vicegerent of Allah, peace be upon you, O proof of Allah, peace be upon you, O successor of Allah, peace be upon you, O pillar of the religion, peace be upon you, O inheritor of the prophets, peace be upon you, O divider of paradise and hell, and the bearer of the staff and the seal, peac

إِذَا أَتَيْتَ قَبْرَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَائْتِ الْفُرَاتَ وَ اغْتَسِلْ بِحِيَالِ قَبْرِهِ وَ تَوَجَّهْ إِلَيْهِ وَ عَلَيْكَ السَّكِينَةَ وَ الْوَقَارَ حَتَّى تَدْخُلَ إِلَى الْقَبْرِ مِنَ الْجَانِبِ الشَّرْقِيِّ وَ قُلْ حِينَ تَدْخُلُهُ- السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَلَائِكَةِ اللَّهِ الْمُنْزَلِينَ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَلَائِكَةِ اللَّهِ الْمُرْدِفِينَ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَلَائِكَةِ اللَّهِ الْمُسَوِّمِينَ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَلَائِكَةِ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Nu’aym ibn al-Walid from Yunus al-Kunasiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when you decide to visit the gravesite of al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, go to al-Fur

تَقُولُ عِنْدَ رَأْسِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع- السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ‌ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ وَ شَاهِدَهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ عَلِيٍّ الْمُرْتَضَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ فَاطِمَةَ الزَّهْرَاءِ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ قَدْ أَقَمْتَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ آتَيْتَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ أَمَرْتَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ نَهَيْتَ عَن

“Abu al-Hassan Sahib al- ‘Askar (a.s.), has said, near the head of al-Husayn (a.s.), you should say this. ‘(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and my) submission to (your commandments), O abu ‘Abd Allah. (I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are a ‘Alayhi al-Salam and

مَكَّةُ حَرَمُ اللَّهِ وَ حَرَمُ رَسُولِهِ وَ حَرَمُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع الصَّلَاةُ فِيهَا بِمِائَةِ أَلْفِ صَلَاةٍ وَ الدِّرْهَمُ فِيهَا بِمِائَةِ أَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ الْمَدِينَةُ حَرَمُ اللَّهِ وَ حَرَمُ رَسُولِهِ وَ حَرَمُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا الصَّلَاةُ فِيهَا بِعَشَرَةِ آلَافِ صَلَاةٍ وَ الدِّرْهَمُ فِيهَا بِعَشَرَةِ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ الْكُوفَةُ حَرَمُ اللَّهِ وَ حَرَمُ رَسُو

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim and others have narrated from his father from Khalfad af-Qalanisiy who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Makkah is the sacred place of Allah, His messenger and ’Amir al-Mu’minin. Performing salat (prayer) therein is equal to performing one hundred thousand sala

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبِي ص عَنْ حُرُوبِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ كَانَ السَّائِلُ مِنْ مُحِبِّينَا فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص بِخَمْسَةِ أَسْيَافٍ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْهَا شَاهِرَةٌ فَلَا تُغْمَدُ حَتَّى تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزارَها وَ لَنْ‌ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزارَها حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا[2] فَإِذَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا آمَنَ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ الْ

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man asked my father (a.s.), about the wars in which Amir al-Mu’minin, had taken part. The man asking the question was of our followers. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), replied, ‘Allah sent Muhammad (a.s.), with five swords. Three of them are taken out of their sheath and they are not shea

تَعَاهَدُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَ حَافِظُوا عَلَيْهَا وَ اسْتَكْثِرُوا مِنْهَا وَ تَقَرَّبُوا بِهَا فَإِنَّهَا كانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتاباً مَوْقُوتاً وَ قَدْ عَلِمَ ذَلِكَ الْكُفَّارُ حِينَ سُئِلُوا ما سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ قالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ‌ الْمُصَلِّينَ‌[1] وَ قَدْ عَرَفَ حَقَّهَا مَنْ طَرَقَهَا[2] وَ أُكْرِمَ بِهَا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَشْغَلُهُمْ عَنْهَا زَيْنُ مَتَاعٍ وَ لَا قُرَّةُ عَيْنٍ مِن

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain individuals of his people from abu Hamzah from ‘Aqil al-Khuza’iy who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, during a war recommended the Muslims with these words: ‘You must perform your Salat (prayer) regularly, preserve it, perform it v

مَنِ اعْتُدِيَ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَدَقَةِ مَالِهِ فَقَاتَلَ فَقُتِلَ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ.

“If one is subjected to transgression over the charity of his property and he fights back and is murdered he is a martyr.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ عَوْنُكَ الضَّعِيفَ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ الصَّدَقَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Your helping a weak person is the best charity.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْأَمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ النَّهْيِ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ أَ وَاجِبٌ هُوَ عَلَى الْأُمَّةِ جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ لَا فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَ لِمَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْقَوِيِّ الْمُطَاعِ الْعَالِمِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مِنَ الْمُنْكَرِ لَا عَلَى الضَّعِيفِ الَّذِي لَا يَهْتَدِي سَبِيلًا إِلَى‌ أَيٍّ مِنْ أَيٍّ يَقُولُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ إِلَى الْبَاطِلِ‌[1] وَ الدَّلِيلُ عَلَى ذَلِ

16. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when asked about commanding others to do what is obligatory and prohibiting them from committing what is evil, whether this is obligatory upon the whole nation, saying, ‘No, it is

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَطْلُبُ الدُّنْيَا وَ نُحِبُّ أَنْ نُؤْتَاهَا فَقَالَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ تَصْنَعَ بِهَا مَا ذَا قَالَ أَعُودُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِي وَ عِيَالِي وَ أَصِلُ بِهَا وَ أَتَصَدَّقُ بِهَا وَ أَحُجُّ وَ أَعْتَمِرُ فَقَالَ ع لَيْسَ هَذَا طَلَبَ الدُّنْيَا هَذَا طَلَبُ الْآخِرَةِ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Abd Allah ibn abu Ya’fur who has said the following: “A man once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘We, by Allah, ask for the worldly things and we love to receive worldly gains.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘What do you

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع مَنْ طَلَبَ هَذَا الرِّزْقَ مِنْ حِلِّهِ لِيَعُودَ بِهِ‌[2] عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ عِيَالِهِ كَانَ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَإِنْ غُلِبَ عَلَيْهِ‌[3] فَلْيَسْتَدِنْ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مَا يَقُوتُ بِهِ عِيَالَهُ فَإِنْ مَاتَ وَ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ قَضَاؤُهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ وِزْرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ-

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said to me, ‘Whoever works to provide sustenance for himself and his family is considered a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. If poverty over-powers him, he then should borrow upon the responsibility of Allah and His Messenger for his sustenance and his famil

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ مِنَّا يَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ الشَّيْ‌ءُ يَتَبَلَّغُ‌[2] بِهِ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ أَ يُطْعِمُهُ عِيَالَهُ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِمَيْسَرَةٍ فَيَقْضِيَ دَيْنَهُ أَوْ يَسْتَقْرِضُ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فِي خُبْثِ الزَّمَانِ‌[3] وَ شِدَّةِ الْمَكَاسِبِ أَوْ يَقْبَلُ الصَّدَقَةَ قَالَ يَقْضِي بِمَا عِنْدَهُ دَيْنَهُ وَ لَا يَأْكُلْ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ إِلَّا وَ عِنْدَهُ مَا يُ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if one of us has a few things in his possession with which he meets his expenses and he also is indebted. Should he feed his family with that which he owns and wait until Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, grants him ease then pay his debts, or should he borrow on his back in di

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ أُتِيَ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ‌[2] مِنْ غَيْرِ فَسَادٍ لَمْ يُؤَاخِذْهُ اللَّهُ [عَلَيْهِ‌] إِذَا عَلِمَ بِنِيَّتِهِ [الْأَدَاءَ] إِلَّا مَنْ كَانَ لَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَ عَنْ أَمَانَتِهِ فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّارِقِ وَ كَذَلِكَ الزَّكَاةُ أَيْضاً وَ كَذَلِكَ مَنِ اسْتَحَلَّ أَنْ يَذْهَبَ بِمُهُورِ النِّسَاءِ.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who dies owing debts. He (the Imam) said, ‘If such debts have become due upon him and it is free of his involvement in corruption, Allah will not hold him responsible if He will find in him the intention to pay back. However, if he di

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي دَفَعْتُ إِلَى أَخِي جَعْفَرٍ مَالًا فَهُوَ يُعْطِينِي مَا أُنْفِقُهُ وَ أَحُجُّ مِنْهُ وَ أَتَصَدَّقُ وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا فَذَكَرُوا أَنَّ ذَلِكَ فَاسِدٌ لَا يَحِلُّ وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَنْتَهِيَ إِلَى قَوْلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ كَانَ يَصِلُكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَدْفَعَ إِلَيْهِ مَالَكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَخُذْ مِنْهُ مَا يُعْطِيكَ فَكُلْ مِنْهُ وَ اشْرَبْ وَ حُجَّ وَ ت

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from Hudhayl ibn Hayyan, brother of Ja’far ibn Hayyan al-Sayrafiy who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I have given a certain amount of assets to my brother Ja’far and he gives me

كَانَ لِي صَدِيقٌ مِنْ كُتَّابِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ فَقَالَ لِي اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا أَنْ دَخَلَ سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ فِي دِيوَانِ هَؤُلَاءِ الْقَوْمِ فَأَصَبْتُ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ مَالًا كَثِيراً وَ أَغْمَضْتُ فِي مَطَالِبِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَوْ لَا أَنَّ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَجَدُوا مَنْ يَكْتُب

“I had a young friend who worked as clerk for Amawide rulers. He asked me to ask permission for a meeting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), I asked for permission and it was granted. He came for the meeting, offered greeting of peace and sat down. He then said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I wo

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعَنَا فَرْقَدٌ الْحَجَّامُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَعْمَلُ عَمَلًا وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُ عَنْهُ غَيْرَ وَاحِدٍ وَ لَا اثْنَيْنِ فَزَعَمُوا أَنَّهُ عَمَلٌ مَكْرُوهٌ وَ أَنَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ مَكْرُوهاً انْتَهَيْتُ عَنْهُ وَ عَمِلْتُ غَيْرَهُ مِنَ الْأَعْمَالِ فَإِنِّي مُنْتَهٍ فِي ذَلِكَ إِلَى قَوْلِكَ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ حَجَّامٌ قَال

“Once we visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when Farqad al-Hajjam was also with us. He (Farqad) asked him (the Imam) saying, ’May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, I perform a certain kind of work and I have asked more than one person about the legal status of what I do and they think it is a detestable work

أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا يَجُزْنَ‌[3] فِي أَرْبَعٍ الْخِيَانَةُ وَ الْغُلُولُ وَ السَّرِقَةُ وَ الرِّبَا لَا يَجُزْنَ‌[4] فِي حَجٍّ وَ لَا عُمْرَةٍ وَ لَا جِهَادٍ وَ لَا صَدَقَةٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Four things are not lawful in four issues: treachery, excessiveness, theft and unlawful interest are not lawful in al-Hajj, al-‘Umrah, Jihad and charity.’”

أَتَى رَجُلٌ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي كَسَبْتُ مَالًا أَغْمَضْتُ فِي مَطَالِبِهِ حَلَالًا وَ حَرَاماً وَ قَدْ أَرَدْتُ التَّوْبَةَ وَ لَا أَدْرِي الْحَلَالَ مِنْهُ وَ الْحَرَامَ وَ قَدِ اخْتَلَطَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع تَصَدَّقْ بِخُمُسِ مَالِكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ اسْمُهُ رَضِيَ مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ بِالْخُمُسِ وَ سَائِرُ الْأَمْوَالِ لَكَ حَلَالٌ‌[2].

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin saying, ‘In my earnings I have been neglectful about lawful and unlawful matters, and I want to repent, but I do not know which item in

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَصَابَ مَالًا مِنْ عَمَلِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَ هُوَ يَتَصَدَّقُ مِنْهُ وَ يَصِلُ مِنْهُ قَرَابَتَهُ وَ يَحُجُّ لِيُغْفَرَ لَهُ مَا اكْتَسَبَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ- إِنَّ الْحَسَناتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئاتِ‌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الْخَطِيئَةَ لَا تُكَفِّرُ الْخَطِيئَةَ وَ لَكِنَّ الْحَسَنَةَ تَحُطُّ الْخَطِيئَةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ خَلَطَ الْحَلَالَ بِالْحَرَامِ ف

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who had found a certain amount of property from banu ’Umayyah. He gives charity thereof, helps hi

لَمَّا هَلَكَ أَبِي سَيَابَةُ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ إِخْوَانِهِ إِلَيَّ فَضَرَبَ الْبَابَ عَلَيَّ فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَعَزَّانِي وَ قَالَ لِي هَلْ تَرَكَ أَبُوكَ شَيْئاً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لَا فَدَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كِيساً فِيهِ أَلْفُ دِرْهَمٍ وَ قَالَ لِي أَحْسِنْ حِفْظَهَا وَ كُلْ فَضْلَهَا فَدَخَلْتُ إِلَى أُمِّي وَ أَنَا فَرِحٌ فَأَخْبَرْتُهَا فَلَمَّا كَانَ بِالْعَشِيِّ أَتَيْتُ صَدِيقاً كَانَ لِأَبِي فَاشْتَرَى لِي بَضَائِع

“When my father, Sayabah, passed away, one of his brothers came to me and knocked at the door. I went out to meet him. He offered me condolence and asked, ‘Has your father left anything?’ I replied, ‘No, he has not left anything.’ He then gave to me a bag with a thousand dirham in it and said, ‘Keep it (the capital) sa

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَأْكُلُ الْهَدِيَّةَ وَ لَا يَأْكُلُ الصَّدَقَةَ وَ يَقُولُ تَهَادَوْا فَإِنَّ الْهَدِيَّةَ تَسُلُّ السَّخَائِمَ‌[3] وَ تُجْلِي ضَغَائِنَ الْعَدَاوَةِ وَ الْأَحْقَادِ.

“You must exchange gifts, it gently removes resentment and clears grudges due to animosity and malice.’””

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَأَنْ أُهْدِيَ لِأَخِي الْمُسْلِمِ هَدِيَّةً تَنْفَعُهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِمِثْلِهَا.

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Presenting a gift to my Muslim brother which can benefit him is more beloved to me than giving charity.’”

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ وَ مَعَهُ ابْنٌ لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تِجَارَةُ ابْنِكَ فَقَالَ التَّنَخُّسُ‌[2] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا تَشْتَرِيَنَّ شَيْناً وَ لَا عَيْباً[3] وَ إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ رَأْساً فَلَا تُرِيَنَّ ثَمَنَهُ فِي كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ فَمَا مِنْ رَأْسٍ رَأَى ثَمَنَهُ فِي كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ فَأَفْلَحَ وَ إِذَا اشْتَرَيْتَ رَأ

“Once I was sitting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came in with his son. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘What kind of business does your son do?’ He replied, ‘He sells slaves.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘You must not buy what is defective physically or morally. When you buy a head, you must not show its price

الْمَنْبُوذُ[4] حُرٌّ فَإِنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوَالِيَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي رَبَّاهُ وَالاهُ فَإِنْ طَلَبَ مِنْهُ الَّذِي رَبَّاهُ النَّفَقَةَ وَ كَانَ مُوسِراً رَدَّ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُعْسِراً كَانَ مَا أَنْفَقَ عَلَيْهِ صَدَقَةً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A discarded child who is found is free, if he likes to have a guardian other than the one who has brought him up, he can do so. If the one who has brought him up asks for his expenses, if he is affluent he must pay him back and if he is not affluent then whatever is spent is counted a

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ مِنَّا يَشْتَرِي مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ مِنْ إِبِلِ الصَّدَقَةِ وَ غَنَمِ الصَّدَقَةِ وَ هُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُمْ يَأْخُذُونَ مِنْهُمْ أَكْثَرَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ الَّذِي يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ مَا الْإِبِلُ وَ الْغَنَمُ إِلَّا مِثْلَ الْحِنْطَةِ وَ الشَّعِيرِ وَ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ حَتَّى تَعْرِفَ الْحَرَامَ بِعَيْنِهِ قِيلَ لَهُ فَمَا تَرَى فِي مُصَدِّقٍ يَجِيئُنَا فَيَأْخُذُ صَدَق

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of one of our men who bought from the sultan of the camels of charity and sheep of charity and he knew that they took more than what is rightly due on them. He (the Imam) said, ‘Camels and sheep are just like wheat and barley and other goods. It is not unlawful unless he

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي مِنَ الْعَامِلِ وَ هُوَ يَظْلِمُ قَالَ يَشْتَرِي مِنْهُ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ ظَلَمَ فِيهِ أَحَداً.

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who bought from a charity collector who committed injustice. He (the Imam) said, ‘He can buy from him unless he learns that he has done injustice in collecting those goods.’”

لَا يَصْلُحُ ثَمَنُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ ثَقِيفٍ أَهْدَى إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص رَاوِيَتَيْنِ مِنْ خَمْرٍ فَأَمَرَ بِهِمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَأُهَرِيقَتَا وَ قَالَ إِنَّ الَّذِي حَرَّمَ شُرْبَهَا حَرَّمَ ثَمَنَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَفْضَلَ خِصَالِ هَذِهِ الَّتِي بَاعَهَا الْغُلَامُ أَنْ يُتَصَدَّقَ بِثَمَنِهَا[3].

“About the case of a man who has a slave whom he has left at a vineyard to sell grapes or juice, but the slave goes and squeezes wine and sells it, abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’The price received is not useable.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Once a man from Thaqif presented to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ أَمَرَ غُلَامَهُ أَنْ يَبِيعَ كَرْمَهُ عَصِيراً فَبَاعَهُ خَمْراً ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ بِثَمَنِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْأَشْيَاءِ إِلَيَّ أَنْ يُتَصَدَّقَ بِثَمَنِهِ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man asks his slave to sell his grapes as grape juice but he sells it as wine; then brings the price to him.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The most beloved thing to me in this case is to give it (price) as charity.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَمَّا يُكْنَسُ مِنَ التُّرَابِ فَأَبِيعُهُ فَمَا أَصْنَعُ بِهِ قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ بِهِ فَإِمَّا لَكَ وَ إِمَّا لِأَهْلِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ فِيهِ ذَهَباً وَ فِضَّةً وَ حَدِيداً فَبِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَبِيعُهُ قَالَ بِعْهُ بِطَعَامٍ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانَ لِي قَرَابَةٌ مُحْتَاجٌ أُعْطِيهِ مِنْهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[2].

“I (jewelry maker) once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about what was swept from the soil (in his shop) and I sold it and what to do about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Give it as charity; it is your thing or that of your family.’ I then said, ‘There is gold, silver and iron in it. How should I sell?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Sel

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَيُّ الْمَالِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الزَّرْعُ زَرَعَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَ أَصْلَحَهُ وَ أَدَّى حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الزَّرْعِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ رَجُلٌ فِي غَنَمٍ لَهُ قَدْ تَبِعَ بِهَا مَوَاضِعَ الْقَطْرِ يُقِيمُ‌ الصَّلَاةَ وَ يُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْغَنَمِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الْبَقَرُ تَغْدُو بِخَيْرٍ وَ تَرُوحُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْبَقَر

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (sw) was asked, ‘Which assets (belongings) are good?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘A farm whose owner farms and maintains it, then pays the dues on it on the day of harvest.‘ He then asked, ‘What asset is better than farms?’ He (the Messenger of Allah)

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ أَتَى خَرِبَةً بَائِرَةً فَاسْتَخْرَجَهَا وَ كَرَى أَنْهَارَهَا[1] وَ عَمَرَهَا فَإِنَّ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا الصَّدَقَةَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ أَرْضٌ لِرَجُلٍ قَبْلَهُ فَغَابَ عَنْهَا وَ تَرَكَهَا فَأَخْرَبَهَا ثُمَّ جَاءَ بَعْدُ يَطْلُبُهَا فَإِنَّ الْأَرْضَ لِلَّهِ وَ لِمَنْ عَمَرَهَا.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Whoever comes upon a ruined barren place, then finds out and digs its canals and builds it, he owes charity. If the land belonged to a man before him who has disappeared, abandoned it and ruined it, then came thereafter, he has to take notice that the land belongs to Allah