Seeking Knowledge

أَحَدُهُمَا فِي حَدِيثِهِ- وَ بِحَمْدِهِ فِي الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ سَوَاءً هَذَا لِأَنَّهُ عَلِمَ ع احْتِمَالَ الْقَوْمِ لِطُولِ رُكُوعِهِ وَ سُجُودِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ رُوِيَ أَنَّ الْفَضْلَ لِلْإِمَامِ أَنْ يُخَفِّفَ وَ يُصَلِّيَ بِأَضْعَفِ الْقَوْمِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Fiamzah ibn Humran and al-Hassan ibn Ziyad who have said the following: “Once we went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when there a group of people was with him. He (the Imam) performed al-’Asr Salah (prayer) with

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ أَمَّ قَوْماً فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَقْعُدَ بَعْدَ التَّسْلِيمِ وَ لَا يَخْرُجَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعِ حَتَّى يُتِمَّ الَّذِينَ خَلْفَهُ الَّذِينَ سُبِقُوا صَلَاتَهُمْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى كُلِّ إِمَامٍ وَاجِبٌ إِذَا عَلِمَ أَنَّ فِيهِمْ مَسْبُوقاً وَ إِنْ عَلِمَ أَنْ لَيْسَ فِيهِمْ مَسْبُوقٌ بِالصَّلَاةِ فَلْيَذْهَبْ حَيْثُ شَاءَ.

“Whoever leads a people in Salah (prayer) must sit down after the phrase of offering greeting of peace and must not leave that place until those behind him complete (their Salah (prayer)) which is completed after (the Salah (prayer) of the Imam). It is obligatory for every Imam if they know that there are people who ha

أَقَلُّ مَا يُجْزِئُكَ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ أَنْ تَقُولَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ كُلِّ خَيْرٍ أَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْمُكَ وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ أَحَاطَ بِهِ عِلْمُكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ عَافِيَتَكَ فِي أُمُورِي كُلِّهَا وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ خِزْيِ الدُّنْيَا وَ عَذَابِ الْآخِرَةِ.

‘The least that you should say after an obligatory Salah (prayer) is to say, ‘O Lord, I ask from You of all good which Your knowledge has encompassed, and seek refuge with You against every evil thing that Your knowledge has encompassed. O Lord, I ask from You good health in all of my affairs and I seek refuge with You

تَمْسَحُ بِيَدِكَ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى جَبْهَتِكَ وَ وَجْهِكَ فِي دُبُرِ الْمَغْرِبِ وَ الصَّلَوَاتِ وَ تَقُولُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَ الشَّهَادَةِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَ الْحَزَنِ وَ السُّقْمِ وَ الْعُدْمِ‌[2] وَ الصَّغَارِ وَ الذُّلِّ وَ الْفَوَاحِشِ‌ ما ظَهَرَ مِنْها وَ ما بَطَنَ*.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Wipe with your right hand your forehead after Maghrib Salah (prayer) after sunset and other Salawat (prayers) and say, “In the name of Allah besides whom no one deserves to be worshipped. He has the knowledge of the unseen and seen, the Beneficent, the Merciful. O Lord, I seek refuge

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع أَ سَلَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأَوَّلَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ حَالُهُ حَالُهُ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يُفَقِّهَهُمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Awwal (a.s.), ‘Did the Messenger of Allah say Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) in the first two Rak‘at while his status was as it was? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes; Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, willed to give them (people) proper understanding?”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ السَّهْوِ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْثُرُ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ أَدْرِجْ صَلَاتَكَ إِدْرَاجاً قُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الْإِدْرَاجُ قَالَ ثَلَاثُ تَسْبِيحَاتٍ فِي الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ وَ رَوَى أَنَّهُ إِذَا سَهَا فِي النَّافِلَةِ بَنَى عَلَى الْأَقَلِّ. فَجَمِيعُ مَوَاضِعِ السَّهْوِ الَّتِي قَدْ ذَكَرْنَا فِيهَا الْأَثَرَ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ مَوْضِعاً سَبْعَةٌ مِنْهَا يَجِبُ عَلَى السَّاهِي فِيهَا إِع

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about mistakes which befall on me a great deal. He (the Imam) said, ‘Incorporate your Salah (prayer) properly.’ I then asked, ‘What is incorporating?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is saying three Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) in Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) and in Sujud (pr

قُلْتُ لَهُ الصَّلَاةُ خَلْفَ الْعَبْدِ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ إِذَا كَانَ فَقِيهاً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ هُنَاكَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أُصَلِّي خَلْفَ الْأَعْمَى قَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ لَهُ مَنْ يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ كَانَ‌ أَفْضَلَهُمْ قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَا يُصَلِّيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ خَلْفَ الْمَجْذُومِ وَ الْأَبْرَصِ وَ الْمَجْنُونِ وَ الْمَحْدُودِ وَ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا وَ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ لَا يَؤُمُّ ا

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about performing Salah (prayer) behind a slave. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not an offense if he has good understanding of fiqh (Islamic laws) and there is no one ex

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنِّي أَحْضُرُ الْمَسَاجِدَ مَعَ جِيرَتِي وَ غَيْرِهِمْ فَيَأْمُرُونِّي بِالصَّلَاةِ بِهِمْ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ قَبْلَ أَنْ آتِيَهُمْ وَ رُبَّمَا صَلَّى خَلْفِي مَنْ يَقْتَدِي بِصَلَاتِي وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ وَ الْجَاهِلُ وَ أَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَتَقَدَّمَ وَ قَدْ صَلَّيْتُ بِحَالِ مَنْ يُصَلِّي‌[2] بِصَلَاتِي مِمَّنْ سَمَّيْتُ لَكَ فَمُرْنِي فِي ذَلِكَ بِأَمْرِكَ أَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ وَ أَعْمَل

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn ’Isma’il who has said the following: “I once wrote to abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I go to Masjid with my neighbors and others and they ask me to lead Salah (prayer) with them, when I have already performed Salah (prayer) before coming to

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[1] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ صَلَّى مَعَ قَوْمٍ وَ هُوَ يَرَى أَنَّهَا الْأُولَى وَ كَانَتِ الْعَصْرَ قَالَ فَلْيَجْعَلْهَا الْأُولَى وَ لْيُصَلِّ الْعَصْرَ[2]. - وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ فَإِنْ عَلِمَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي صَلَاةِ الْعَصْرِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ صَلَّى الْأُولَى فَلَا يَدْخُلْ مَعَهُمْ‌

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) with a people and he thinks it is the first (al-Dhuhr) but it is al-‘Asr. He (the Imam) said, ‘He considers it the first and perform al-‘Asr.’” In another Hadith it is said, ‘If he knows that it is al-‘Asr and has not performed the one before,

ذَكَرَ الْحُسَيْنُ‌ أَنَّهُ أَمَرَ مَنْ يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى إِلَى جَانِبِ رَجُلٍ فَقَامَ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ ثُمَّ عَلِمَ وَ هُوَ فِي صَلَاتِهِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ يُحَوِّلُهُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ‌[2].

Al-Husayn has mentioned that he (the Imam), ’Alayhi al-Salam, commanded a man, who was asking him (the Imam) about a man who was performing Salah (prayer) on the side of a man standing on his left. He did not know (that he is to stand on the right side of the Imam) and then he learned in his Salah (prayer) how he is to

عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَبْتَدِئَ الصَّلَاةَ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى وَ فِي ثَوْبِهِ جَنَابَةٌ أَوْ دَمٌ حَتَّى فَرَغَ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ ثُمَّ عَلِمَ قَالَ قَدْ مَضَتْ صَلَاتُهُ وَ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who performs two Rak‘at Salah (prayer) wearing clothes in which one has experienced sexual relation, then he comes to know it. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to perform it from the beginning.’ He (the narrator) has said that he then asked him (the Imam) about one wh

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَصَابَ ثَوْبَهُ جَنَابَةٌ أَوْ دَمٌ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ أَصَابَ ثَوْبَهُ جَنَابَةٌ قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ ثُمَّ صَلَّى فِيهِ وَ لَمْ يَغْسِلْهُ فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُعِيدَ مَا صَلَّى وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ إِعَادَةٌ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يَرَى أَنَّهُ أَصَابَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَنَظَرَ فَلَمْ يَرَ شَيْئاً أَجْزَأَهُ أَنْ يَنْضِحَهُ بِالْمَاءِ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who finds semen or blood in his clothes. He (the Imam) said, ‘If he learns before performing Salah (prayer) that there is semen in his clothes, then performs Salah (prayer) in it without washing; he is required to perform his Salah (prayer) again, but if he did not know,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ سَيِّدُ الْأَيَّامِ يُضَاعِفُ اللَّهَ فِيهِ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يَمْحُو فِيهِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَ يَرْفَعُ فِيهِ الدَّرَجَاتِ وَ يَسْتَجِيبُ فِيهِ الدَّعَوَاتِ وَ يَكْشِفُ فِيهِ الْكُرُبَاتِ وَ يَقْضِي فِيهِ الْحَوَائِجَ الْعِظَامَ وَ هُوَ يَوْمُ الْمَزِيدِ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ عُتَقَاءُ وَ طُلَقَاءُ مِنَ النَّارِ مَا دَعَا بِهِ أَحَدٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ قَدْ عَرَفَ حَقَّهُ وَ حُرْمَ

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn abu Nasr who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan al-Rida, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Friday is the master of days. On this day Allah increases good deeds and obliterates bad deeds, raises the degrees, answers prayer

بَيْنَا نَحْنُ جُلُوسٌ وَ أَبِي عِنْدَ وَالٍ لِبَنِي أُمَيَّةَ عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ إِذْ جَاءَ أَبِي فَجَلَسَ فَقَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ هَذَا قُبَيْلُ فَسَأَلَهُمْ عَنِ التَّقْصِيرِ فَقَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ فِي ثَلَاثٍ‌[1] وَ قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ وَ قَالَ قَائِلٌ مِنْهُمْ رَوْحَةٍ فَسَأَلَنِي‌[2] فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِالتَّقْصِيرِ قَالَ لَهُ النَّب

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Khazzaz from certain persons of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once we were sitting and my father was with the governor of banu ‘Umayyah over the people of al-Madinah. My father came back

إِذَا قُمْتَ بِاللَّيْلِ مِنْ مَنَامِكَ فَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي رَدَّ عَلَيَّ رُوحِي لِأَحْمَدَهُ وَ أَعْبُدَهُ فَإِذَا سَمِعْتَ صَوْتَ الدُّيُوكِ فَقُلْ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ سَبَقَتْ رَحْمَتُكَ غَضَبَكَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ عَمِلْتُ سُوءاً وَ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي‌ وَ ارْحَمْنِي إِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ فَإِذَا قُمْتَ

“Abu la’ far (a.s.), has said, ‘At the time you wake up, at night for prayer (Tahajjud) then say, “All praise belongs to Allah who has returned my spirit so I can praise and worship Him.” When you hear the rooster crow say, “He is free of all defects. He is most holy. He is the Lord of angels and the spirit. His mercy

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَغِلُ عَنِ الزَّوَالِ أَ يُعَجِّلُ مِنْ أَوَّلِ النَّهَارِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ يَشْتَغِلُ فَيُعَجِّلُهَا فِي صَدْرِ النَّهَارِ كُلَّهَا.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who becomes busy at noontime; can he perform in the beginning of the day? He (the Imam) said, ’Yes, he can do so if he knows that he becomes busy, thus he can do them all early on.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ صَلَاةِ النَّوَافِلِ مَا لَا يَدْرِي مَا هُوَ مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَلْيُصَلِّ حَتَّى لَا يَدْرِيَ كَمْ صَلَّى مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ فَيَكُونَ قَدْ قَضَى بِقَدْرِ عِلْمِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْقَضَاءِ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ شُغُلِهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ شُغُلُهُ فِي طَلَبِ مَعِيشَةٍ لَا بُدَّ مِنْهَا أَوْ حَاجَةٍ لِأَخٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man on whom there is Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) optional Salah (prayer), so much that he does not know how many because of its great number. What is he required to do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs so many that cannot say how many is performed. In this way he has pe

إِذَا انْكَسَفَتِ الشَّمْسُ كُلُّهَا وَ احْتَرَقَتْ وَ لَمْ تَعْلَمْ ثُمَّ عَلِمْتَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَعَلَيْكَ الْقَضَاءُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَحْتَرِقْ كُلُّهَا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ قَضَاءٌ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ إِذَا عَلِمَ بِالْكُسُوفِ وَ نَسِيَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ فَعَلَيْهِ الْقَضَاءُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ بِهِ فَلَا قَضَاءَ عَلَيْهِ هَذَا إِذَا لَمْ يَحْتَرِقْ كُلُّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When a total sun eclipse takes place but you do not notice it and come to know about it later, you must perform Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) such Salah (prayer), but if it is not a total eclipse, you are not required to perform anything.’”

قَالَ: تَقُولُ فِي‌ آخِرِ رَكْعَةٍ[1] مِنْ صَلَاةِ جَعْفَرٍ ع- يَا مَنْ لَبِسَ الْعِزَّ وَ الْوَقَارَ يَا مَنْ تَعَطَّفَ بِالْمَجْدِ[2] وَ تَكَرَّمَ بِهِ يَا مَنْ لَا يَنْبَغِي التَّسْبِيحُ إِلَّا لَهُ يَا مَنْ أَحْصَى كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ عِلْمُهُ يَا ذَا النِّعْمَةِ وَ الطَّوْلِ يَا ذَا الْمَنِّ وَ الْفَضْلِ يَا ذَا الْقُدْرَةِ وَ الْكَرَمِ أَسْأَلُكَ بِمَعَاقِدِ الْعِزِّ مِنْ عَرْشِكَ‌[3] وَ بِمُنْتَهَى الرَّحْمَةِ مِنْ

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from certain individuals of our people from ibn Mahbub in a marfu‘ manner that the Imam said: “In the last Rak‘at (sajdah of last Rak‘at), in Salah (prayer) of Ja’far, you should say this. ‘O the One, Who has dressed up in majesty and dignity, who is kind with glory and is gracious with

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ لَا أُعَلِّمُكَ شَيْئاً تَقُولُهُ فِي صَلَاةِ جَعْفَرٍ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى فَقَالَ إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي آخِرِ سَجْدَةٍ مِنَ الْأَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ فَقُلْ إِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنْ تَسْبِيحِكَ- سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَبِسَ الْعِزَّ وَ الْوَقَارَ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ تَعَطَّفَ بِالْمَجْدِ وَ تَكَرَّمَ بِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لَا يَنْبَغِي التَّسْبِيحُ إِلَّا لَهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ أَحْصَى كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ عِلْمُهُ سُبْحَ

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Abd Allah ibn abu al-Qasim who has narrated from those who narrated to him from abu Sa‘id al-Mada’iniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, said, ‘Should I teach you something to say after Salah (prayer) of Ja‘far?’ I replied, ‘Y

شَكَا رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْفَاقَةَ وَ الْحُرْفَةَ[1] فِي التِّجَارَةِ بَعْدَ يَسَارٍ قَدْ كَانَ فِيهِ مَا يَتَوَجَّهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ إِلَّا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَعِيشَةُ فَأَمَرَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنْ يَأْتِيَ مَقَامَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بَيْنَ الْقَبْرِ وَ الْمِنْبَرِ فَيُصَلِّيَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ يَقُولَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِقُوَّتِكَ وَ قُدْرَتِكَ وَ بِعِزَّتِكَ وَ مَا

“A man complained before abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), against his poverty and deprivation in business after being affluent and that in whatever way he moves to make a living, he faces difficulties. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), commanded him to go to the special place of the Messenger of Allah which is between his grave and pulpit.

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا هَارُونَ بْنَ خَارِجَةَ كَمْ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ يَكُونُ مِيلًا قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَتُصَلِّي فِيهِ الصَّلَوَاتِ كُلَّهَا قُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ أَمَا لَوْ كُنْتُ بِحَضْرَتِهِ لَرَجَوْتُ أَلَّا تَفُوتَنِي فِيهِ صَلَاةٌ وَ تَدْرِي مَا فَضْلُ ذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعِ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ صَالِحٍ وَ لَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ صَلَّى فِي مَسْجِدِ كُوفَانَ حَتَّى إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا أَسْرَى الل

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘O Harun ibn Kharijah, how far away do you live from the Masjid of Kufah? Is it one mile?’ I replied, ‘No, it is less than a mile.’ He then asked, ‘Do you perform all Salah (prayers) there?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not perform all Salah (prayers) there.’ He then said, ‘If I were near

دَخَلْنَا عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَنَا أَ فِيكُمْ أَحَدٌ عِنْدَهُ عِلْمُ عَمِّي زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ أَنَا عِنْدِي عِلْمٌ مِنْ عِلْمِ عَمِّكَ كُنَّا عِنْدَهُ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فِي دَارِ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ إِذْ قَالَ انْطَلِقُوا بِنَا نُصَلِّي فِي مَسْجِدِ السَّهْلَةِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ فَعَلَ فَقَالَ لَا جَاءَهُ أَمْرٌ فَشَغَلَهُ عَنِ الذَّه

“Once, we visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and he asked us, ‘Does anyone of you have anything of the knowledge of my uncle, Zayd ibn Ali?’ A man from the group said, ‘I have something of the knowledge of your uncle. Once, we were in the presence of Imam one night in the house of Mu‘awiyah ibn Ishaq al-Ansariy when he sai

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يُعْطِي هَؤُلَاءِ جَمِيعاً لِأَنَّهُمْ يُقِرُّونَ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ لَوْ كَانَ يُعْطِي مَنْ يَعْرِفُ دُونَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهَا مَوْضِعٌ وَ إِنَّمَا يُعْطِي مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لِيَرْغَبَ فِي الدِّينِ فَيَثْبُتَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَّا الْيَوْمَ فَلَا تُعْطِهَا أَنْتَ وَ أَصْحَابُكَ إِلَّا مَنْ يَعْرِفُ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَ مِنْ هَؤ

“Once we both asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Charity funds (zakat) are only for the poor, the destitute, and the tax collectors. (It is also for the) people whose hearts are inclined (toward Islam), the slaves, those who ca

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ الزَّكَاةَ كَمَا فَرَضَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا حَمَلَ الزَّكَاةَ فَأَعْطَاهَا عَلَانِيَةً لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْهِ فِي ذَلِكَ عَيْبٌ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فِي أَمْوَالِ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ مَا يَكْتَفُونَ بِهِ الْفُقَرَاءُ وَ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ الَّذِي فَرَضَ لَهُمْ لَا يَكْفِيهِمْ لَزَادَهُمْ وَ إِنَّمَا يُؤْتَى الْفُقَرَاءُ فِيمَا أُتُوا[1] م

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has made paying zakat compulsory as He has made performing of Salah (prayer) obligatory. If a man pays zakat publicly, it is not a blamable thing to do. It is because Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has assigned a share in t

الْمَحْرُومُ الْمُحَارَفُ الَّذِي قَدْ حُرِمَ كَدَّ يَدِهِ فِي الشِّرَاءِ وَ الْبَيْعِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُمَا قَالا الْمَحْرُومُ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ بِعَقْلِهِ بَأْسٌ وَ لَمْ يُبْسَطْ لَهُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ هُوَ مُحَارَفٌ‌[4].

“In the following words of Allah there is the expression ‘deprived’: ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (70:25) Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘“Deprived” is a professional who no longer is able to benefit from the labor of his hands in busi

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الزَّكَاةِ كَيْفَ صَارَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ لَمْ تَكُنْ أَقَلَّ أَوْ أَكْثَرَ مَا وَجْهُهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ كُلَّهُمْ فَعَلِمَ صَغِيرَهُمْ وَ كَبِيرَهُمْ وَ غَنِيَّهُمْ وَ فَقِيرَهُمْ‌ فَجَعَلَ مِنْ كُلِّ أَلْفِ إِنْسَانٍ خَمْسَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ مِسْكِيناً وَ لَوْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لَا يَسَعُهُمْ لَزَادَهُمْ لِأَ

3. Ahmad ibn Idris and others have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Hafs from Sabah al-Hadhdha’ from Quthama who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, why the amount of zakat on every one tho

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَعَثَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص مُصَدِّقاً مِنَ الْكُوفَةِ إِلَى بَادِيَتِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ انْطَلِقْ وَ عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ لَا تُؤْثِرَنَّ دُنْيَاكَ عَلَى آخِرَتِكَ وَ كُنْ حَافِظاً لِمَا ائْتَمَنْتُكَ عَلَيْهِ رَاعِياً لِحَقِّ اللَّهِ فِيهِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ نَادِيَ بَنِي فُلَانٍ‌[2] فَإِذَا قَدِمْتَ فَانْزِلْ بِمَائِهِمْ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Burayd ibn Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, gave the following disciplinary instructions to a zakat collector. He (the Imam) then sent him to th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يَمْنَعُ دِرْهَماً مِنْ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَنْفَقَ اثْنَيْنِ فِي غَيْرِ حَقِّهِ وَ مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ مَنَعَ حَقّاً فِي مَالِهِ إِلَّا طَوَّقَهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَيَّةً مِنْ نَارٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ عَارِفٌ أَدَّى زَكَاتَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهَا زَمَاناً هَلْ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُؤَدِّيَهَا ثَانِياً إِلَى أَهْلِهَا إِذَا عَلِمَهُمْ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Whoever withholds one dirham of right, he ends up spending two dirhams for the cause of falsehood. If one denies payment of one dirham of right on his wealth, Allah makes a snake of fire to curl around him on the Day of Judgment.’ He (the narrator) has said that he asked about

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَارِفٍ فَاضِلٍ تُوُفِّيَ وَ تَرَكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً قَدِ ابْتُلِيَ بِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِمُفْسِدٍ وَ لَا بِمُسْرِفٍ وَ لَا مَعْرُوفٍ بِالْمَسْأَلَةِ هَلْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ الْأَلْفُ وَ الْأَلْفَانِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man of knowledge and excellence who dies owing a certain amount of debts. He was not corrupt, a spendthrift, or a known beggar; can his debts be paid from Zakat like one or two thousand? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it can be paid.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي رُبَّمَا قَسَمْتُ الشَّيْ‌ءَ بَيْنَ أَصْحَابِي أَصِلُهُمْ بِهِ فَكَيْفَ أُعْطِيهِمْ فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِمْ عَلَى الْهِجْرَةِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفِقْهِ.

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about the case of my gifts, for keeping good relations, to my friends and how I should do it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Give it to them on the basis of their migration to religion, intelligence and fiqh (proper understanding of Shari ‘ah).’”

سَأَلَهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ قَالَ أُعْطِي قَرَابَتِي زَكَاةَ مَالِي وَ هُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا تُعْطِ الزَّكَاةَ إِلَّا مُسْلِماً وَ أَعْطِهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّمَا فِي الْمَالِ الزَّكَاةُ وَحْدَهَا مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ فِي الْمَالِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ أَكْثَرُ تُعْطِي‌[3] مِنْهُ الْقَرَابَةَ وَ الْمُعْتَرِضَ لَكَ مِمَّنْ يَسْأَلُكَ فَتُع

“Once someone asked him (the Imam) ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when I was hearing, saying, ‘Can I pay Zakat to my relatives and they do not know (this belief)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not pay Zakat to anyone who is not a Muslim, but give them from other things.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Do you think that Allah has made

حِينَ حَضَرَ قِيَامِي مُرِ الصَّبِيَّ فَلْيَتَصَدَّقْ بِيَدِهِ بِالْكِسْرَةِ وَ الْقَبْضَةِ وَ الشَّيْ‌ءِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُرَادُ بِهِ اللَّهُ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ بَعْدَ أَنْ تَصْدُقَ النِّيَّةُ فِيهِ عَظِيمٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْراً يَرَهُ وَ مَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ فَلَا اقْتَحَمَ الْعَقَبَةَ وَ ما أَدْراكَ مَا ال

“I informed abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), about the passing away of my two sons and that only one small son is living. The Imam said, ‘You should give charity for his safety.’ When I was about to leave, he said, ‘Ask your son to give charity with his own hands; it can be a piece, a handful or even something very small.

كَانَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ رَجُلٍ قِسْمَةُ أَرْضٍ وَ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ صَاحِبَ نُجُومٍ وَ كَانَ يَتَوَخَّى‌[2] سَاعَةَ السُّعُودِ فَيَخْرُجُ فِيهَا وَ أَخْرُجُ أَنَا فِي سَاعَةِ النُّحُوسِ فَاقْتَسَمْنَا فَخَرَجَ لِي خَيْرُ الْقِسْمَيْنِ فَضَرَبَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى الْيُسْرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ كَالْيَوْمِ قَطُّ قُلْتُ وَيْلَ الْآخَرِ وَ مَا ذَاكَ‌[1] قَالَ إِنِّي صَاحِبُ نُجُومٍ أَخْرَجْتُكَ فِي سَاع

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said a man and I shared a piece of land. The man was an astrologer. He would find the lucky hour for his coming out of his home and an unlucky hour for me to come out of my home. We divided it, and my share was the better one. The man struck his hand against the other and said, ‘I have never

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.)

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

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,

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلَ ع وَ هُوَ فِي‌ الطَّوَافِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْجَوَادِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ لِكَلَامِكَ وَجْهَيْنِ فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَسْأَلُ عَنِ الْمَخْلُوقِ فَإِنَّ الْجَوَادَ الَّذِي يُؤَدِّي مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَسْأَلُ عَنِ الْخَالِقِ فَهُوَ الْجَوَادُ إِنْ أَعْطَى وَ هُوَ الْجَوَادُ إِنْ مَنَعَ لِأَنَّهُ إِنْ أَعْطَاكَ أَعْطَاكَ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ وَ إِنْ مَنَعَ

“A man once asked abu al-Hassan, the 1st (a.s.), when he was performing Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka‘bah), ‘Tell me about generosity.’ The Imam replied, ‘Your question has two sides. If you are asking about a generous creature, the answer is that a generous creature is one who pays what Allah has made oblig

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا حَدُّ السَّخَاءِ فَقَالَ تُخْرِجُ مِنْ مَالِكَ الْحَقَّ الَّذِي أَوْجَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ فَتَضَعُهُ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ.

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘What is the limit of generosity?’ The Imam replied, ‘It is to pay what Allah has made obligatory on you to pay to properly deserving recipients.’”

السَّخِيُّ مُحَبَّبٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ مُحَبَّبٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خُلِقَ مِنْ طِينَةٍ عَذْبَةٍ وَ خُلِقَ مَاءُ عَيْنَيْهِ مِنْ مَاءِ الْكَوْثَرِ وَ الْبَخِيلُ مُبَغَّضٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ مُبَغَّضٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خُلِقَ مِنْ طِينَةٍ سَبِخَةٍ وَ خُلِقَ مَاءُ عَيْنَيْهِ مِنْ مَاءِ الْعَوْسَجِ‌[1].

“Ja’far (a.s.), from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A generous person is beloved in the heavens and on earth. Such persons are created from sweet clay. The water of the eyes

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

إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع كَانَ أَبَا أَضْيَافٍ فَكَانَ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا عِنْدَهُ خَرَجَ يَطْلُبُهُمْ وَ أَغْلَقَ بَابَهُ وَ أَخَذَ الْمَفَاتِيحَ يَطْلُبُ الْأَضْيَافَ وَ إِنَّهُ رَجَعَ إِلَى دَارِهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ أَوْ شِبْهِ رَجُلٍ فِي الدَّارِ فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بِإِذْنِ مَنْ دَخَلْتَ هَذِهِ الدَّارَ قَالَ دَخَلْتُهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا يُرَدِّدُ ذَلِكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَعَرَفَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع أَنَّهُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ibrahim (a.s.), was the father of guest- entertaining people. Whenever he did not have a guest, he would go out to search for a guest. He would close his door and take the keys with him when looking for guests. Once he returned home and found a person, or someone similar to a perso

أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَفْضَلُهُمْ إِيمَاناً قَالَ أَبْسَطُهُمْ كَفّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘O the Messenger of Allah, who among people is of more excellent belief?’ He replied, ‘He is one whose hands are more open than others.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يُؤْتَى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِرَجُلٍ فَيُقَالُ احْتَجَّ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ خَلَقْتَنِي وَ هَدَيْتَنِي فَأَوْسَعْتَ عَلَيَّ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أُوسِعُ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ وَ أُيَسِّرُ عَلَيْهِمْ لِكَيْ تَنْشُرَ عَلَيَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ رَحْمَتَكَ وَ تُيَسِّرَهُ فَيَقُولُ الرَّبُّ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ وَ تَعَالَى ذِكْرُهُ صَدَقَ عَبْدِي أَدْخِلُوهُ الْجَنَّةَ.

The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment a man will be brought and will be told to present his argument (to support his merits). He will say, "O Lord, You created me and guided me, You provided for me abundantly, and I have always extended Your provision to Your creation and made it easy for them,

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ السَّخِيُّ قَرِيبٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ قَرِيبٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ السَّخَاءُ شَجَرَةٌ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مَنْ تَعَلَّقَ بِغُصْنٍ مِنْ أَغْصَانِهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.

‘A generous person is close to Allah, close to Paradise and close to people.’ I also heard him say, ‘Generosity is a tree in Paradise. Whoever holds to one of its branches will enter Paradise.’”

السَّخِيُّ يَأْكُلُ طَعَامَ النَّاسِ لِيَأْكُلُوا مِنْ طَعَامِهِ وَ الْبَخِيلُ لَا يَأْكُلُ مِنْ طَعَامِ النَّاسِ لِئَلَّا يَأْكُلُوا مِنْ طَعَامِهِ.

‘A generous person eats people’s food so that they eat his food. A stingy person does not eat people’s food so that they will not eat his food.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لِابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ ع يَا بُنَيَّ مَا السَّمَاحَةُ قَالَ الْبَذْلُ فِي الْيُسْرِ وَ الْعُسْرِ.

‘It is providing assistance in both easy and difficult conditions.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِبَعْضِ جُلَسَائِهِ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ يُقَرِّبُ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ يُقَرِّبُ مِنَ الْجَنَّةَ وَ يُبَاعِدُ مِنَ النَّارِ فَقَالَ بَلَى فَقَالَ عَلَيْكَ بِالسَّخَاءِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ خَلْقاً بِرَحْمَتِهِ لِرَحْمَتِهِ فَجَعَلَهُمْ لِلْمَعْرُوفِ أَهْلًا وَ لِلْخَيْرِ مَوْضِعاً وَ لِلنَّاسِ وَجْهاً يُسْعَى إِلَيْهِمْ لِكَيْ يُحْيُوهُمْ كَمَا يُحْيِي الْمَطَرُ الْأَرْضَ الْمُجْدِب

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to a certain person in his presence, ‘Should I tell you about something that gets you close to Allah and to paradise and away from hell fire?’ He said, ‘Yes, please do so.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘You must maintain generosity. Allah has created a creature by His kindness for His kind