قُلْتُ لَهُ مَنِ الَّذِي أَحْتَنُّ عَلَيْهِ[1] وَ تَلْزَمُنِي نَفَقَتُهُ قَالَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَ الْوَلَدُ وَ الزَّوْجَةُ.
“Once I asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Who should I sympathize with and who are my dependents?’ He replied, ‘Such people are your parents, your children, and your wife.’”
أُتِيَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ بِيَتِيمٍ فَقَالَ خُذُوا بِنَفَقَتِهِ أَقْرَبَ النَّاسِ مِنْهُ مِنَ الْعَشِيرَةِ كَمَا يَأْكُلُ مِيرَاثَهُ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that an orphan was brought before ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), who said, ‘Make his closest relative pay for his expenses; such people are the ones who claim his legacy.’”
قُلْتُ لَهُ مَنْ يَلْزَمُ الرَّجُلَ مِنْ قَرَابَتِهِ مِمَّنْ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ الْوَالِدَانِ وَ الْوَلَدُ وَ الزَّوْجَةُ.
“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Who are one’s dependents for whom providing sustenance is obligatory on him?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Such people are one’s parents, children and wife.’”
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أُطْعِمُ سَائِلًا لَا أَعْرِفُهُ مُسْلِماً فَقَالَ نَعَمْ أَعْطِ مَنْ لَا تَعْرِفُهُ بِوَلَايَةٍ وَ لَا عَدَاوَةٍ لِلْحَقِّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ قُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً[2] وَ لَا تُطْعِمْ مَنْ نَصَبَ لِشَيْءٍ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَوْ دَعَا إِلَى شَيْءٍ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ.
“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I know someone is asking for help, but I do not know if he is a Muslim or not.’ The Imam said, ‘You can give charity to one whom you do not know is a friend or enemy of the truth. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “Say good words to people.” (2:83) Do not giv
أَعْطِ مَنْ وَقَعَتْ لَهُ الرَّحْمَةُ فِي قَلْبِكَ وَ قَالَ أَعْطِ دُونَ الدِّرْهَمِ قُلْتُ أَكْثَرُ مَا يُعْطَى قَالَ أَرْبَعَةُ دَوَانِيقَ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about giving charity to an unidentified person. He replied, ‘You can give charity to one for whom you feel sympathy in your heart.’ He said, ‘Give him less than a dirham.’ I asked, ‘What is the maximum I can give?’ He replied, ‘It is four Dawaniq (a certain measurement of things).”’
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الصَّدَقَةِ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْبَوَادِي وَ السَّوَادِ فَقَالَ تَصَدَّقْ عَلَى الصِّبْيَانِ وَ النِّسَاءِ وَ الزَّمْنَى[1] وَ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ الشُّيُوخِ وَ كَانَ يَنْهَى عَنْ أُولَئِكَ الْجُمَّانِينَ[2] يَعْنِي أَصْحَابَ الشُّعُورِ.
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il ibn Bazi’ or someone other than him from Muhammad ibn ‘Adhafir from ‘Umar ibn Yazid who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about giving charity to the Bedouins and people who live in remote areas.
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَعْطِ الْكَبِيرَ وَ الْكَبِيرَةَ وَ الصَّغِيرَ وَ الصَّغِيرَةَ وَ مَنْ وَقَعَتْ لَهُ فِي قَلْبِكَ رَحْمَةٌ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ كُلَّ وَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ وَ هَزَّهَا[3].
2. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Salt from Zur‘ah, from Minhal al-Qassab who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Give charity to old men and women, small boys and girls, and to whomever you sympathize with; never give charity to those . . he moved his hand as if shaki
قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَهْلَ السَّوَادِ يَقْتَحِمُونَ عَلَيْنَا وَ فِيهِمُ الْيَهُودُ وَ النَّصَارَى وَ الْمَجُوسُ فَنَتَصَدَّقُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.
“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘People who live in wilderness come to us. Among them are Jews, Christian and Zoroastrians. Can we give them charity?’ The Imam replied, ‘Yes.'
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَقْطَعُوا عَلَى السَّائِلِ مَسْأَلَتَهُ فَلَوْلَا أَنَّ الْمَسَاكِينَ يَكْذِبُونَ مَا أَفْلَحَ مَنْ رَدَّهُمْ.
“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, ’You must not cutoff one asking for help; even if such people lie, the person turning them away (empty handed) does not prosper.”’
قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع أَعْطِ السَّائِلَ وَ لَوْ كَانَ عَلَى ظَهْرِ فَرَسٍ.
“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ’You must give charity to one asking for help even if he is riding a horse.’”
كَانَ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مُوسَى ع قَالَ يَا مُوسَى أَكْرِمِ السَّائِلَ بِبَذْلٍ يَسِيرٍ أَوْ بِرَدٍّ جَمِيلٍ لِأَنَّهُ يَأْتِيكَ مَنْ لَيْسَ بِإِنْسٍ وَ لَا جَانٍّ مَلَائِكَةٌ مِنْ مَلَائِكَةِ الرَّحْمَنِ يَبْلُونَك فِيمَا خَوَّلْتُكَ وَ يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَمَّا نَوَّلْتُكَ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ أَنْتَ صَانِعٌ يَا ابْنَ عِمْرَانَ.
“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, spoke to Moses about certain matters. Of such matters, one was this: ‘O Musa (Moses), treat one asking for help graciously, with a little charity or send him away with kind words; one who is not of man or Jinn may come to you who, in fact, is an angel of the angels of the B
حَضَرْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَوْماً حِينَ صَلَّى الْغَدَاةَ فَإِذَا سَائِلٌ بِالْبَابِ فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَعْطُوا السَّائِلَ وَ لَا تَرُدُّوا سَائِلًا.
“I visited Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), one day after he had performed the Morning Prayer. At that time, someone asking for help appeared at the door and Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), said, ‘Give something as charity to one who asks for help and do not turn away such people empty- handed.’”
قَالَ: مَا مَنَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سَائِلًا قَطُّ إِنْ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ أَعْطَى وَ إِلَّا قَالَ يَأْتِي اللَّهُ بِهِ.
“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, never denied someone asking for help. If he had something with him, he gave charity; if not, he would say, ‘May Allah give you (charity).”’
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَرُدُّوا السَّائِلَ وَ لَوْ بِظِلْفٍ مُحْتَرِقٍ.
“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, ‘You must not turn away one asking for help. Give him something, even if it is a burned cloven hoof (even if it is something of very little value).”’
كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَجَاءَهُ سَائِلٌ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَهُ آخَرُ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَهُ آخَرُ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ جَاءَهُ آخَرُ فَقَالَ يَسَعُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا لَوْ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ يَبْلُغُ ثَلَاثِينَ أَوْ أَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ ثُمَّ شَاءَ أَنْ لَا يَبْقَى مِنْهَا إِلَّا وَضَعَهَا فِي حَقٍّ لَفَعَلَ فَيَبْقَى لَا مَالَ لَهُ فَيَكُونُ مِنَ الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ
“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when someone came asking for help. He gave him charity, then another one came, he gave him charity, yet another came for help, and he gave him charity. Then one more came for help and he said, ‘Allah will provide you.’ The Imam then said, ‘One may possess thirty or
سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ فِي السُّؤَّالِ أَطْعِمُوا ثَلَاثَةً إِنْ شِئْتُمْ أَنْ تَزْدَادُوا فَازْدَادُوا وَ إِلَّا فَقَدْ أَدَّيْتُمْ حَقَّ يَوْمِكُمْ.
“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say in answer to a question, ‘Feed three people or more if you like; however, you have already fulfilled what you should have done for the day.’”
إِذَا أَعْطَيْتُمُوهُمْ فَلَقِّنُوهُمُ الدُّعَاءَ فَإِنَّهُ يُسْتَجَابُ الدُّعَاءُ لَهُمْ فِيكُمْ وَ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ.
“He (the Imam) has said, ‘When you give charity, ask them to pray; their prayer for you is answered, but it is not heard for themselves.”’
لَا تُحَقِّرُوا دَعْوَةَ أَحَدٍ فَإِنَّهُ يُسْتَجَابُ لِلْيَهُودِيِّ وَ النَّصْرَانِيِّ فِيكُمْ وَ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ.
“You must not ignore anyone’s prayers; the prayers of Jews and Christians for you are answered, but they are not answered for themselves.”
دَفَعَ إِلَيَّ شِهَابُ بْنُ عَبْدِ رَبِّهِ دَرَاهِمَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقْسِمُهَا فَأَتَيْتُهُ يَوْماً فَسَأَلَنِي هَلْ قَسَمْتَهَا فَقُلْتُ لَا فَأَسْمَعَنِي كَلَاماً فِيهِ بَعْضُ الْغِلْظَةِ فَطَرَحْتُ مَا كَانَ بَقِيَ مَعِي مِنَ الدَّرَاهِمِ وَ قُمْتُ مُغْضَباً فَقَالَ لِيَ ارْجِعْ حَتَّى أُحَدِّثَكَ بِشَيْءٍ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَرَجَعْتُ فَقَالَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي إِذَا
“Shihab ibn ‘ Abd Rabbihi gave to me a certain amount of dirhams of zakat to distribute among the needy. One day I visited him, and he asked, ‘Did you distribute them?’ I said, ‘No, I have not done so.’ He said something that I did not like. I then threw to him what still was not distributed and got up to leave. He sai
لَوْ جَرَى الْمَعْرُوفُ عَلَى ثَمَانِينَ كَفّاً لَأُجِرُوا كُلُّهُمْ فِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يُنْقَصَ صَاحِبُهُ مِنْ أَجْرِهِ شَيْئاً.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that even if a virtuous matter passes through eighty hands, all of them earn a reward without any reduction in the reward of the initiator of such a virtuous matter.”
يَجْرِي لَهُ مَا يَجْرِي لِلْمُعْطِي وَ لَا يُنْقَصُ الْمُعْطِي مِنْ أَجْرِهِ شَيْئاً.
“About a man who gives a certain amount of dirhams to someone to distribute among the needy, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘What applies to the donor also applies to him without any reduction in the reward of the donor.’”
سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ أَ يَعْطِفُ مَنْ عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ عَلَى مَنْ لَيْسَ عِنْدَهُ شَيْءٌ وَ يَعْطِفُ مَنْ عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ شَهْرٍ عَلَى مَنْ دُونَهُ وَ السَّنَةُ عَلَى نَحْوِ ذَلِكَ أَمْ ذَلِكَ كُلُّهُ الْكَفَافُ الَّذِي لَا يُلَامُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ هُوَ أَمْرٌ إِنَّ أَفْضَلَكُمْ فِيهِ أَحْرَصُكُمْ عَلَى الرَّغْبَةِ وَ الْأَثَرَةِ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ ف
“I once asked abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), this question: ‘There is one who has sustenance for only one day, or for only one month or one year. Should he give preference to another person who does not have sustenance even for one day, or one month or one year, or in all cases, is there no blame in not giving preference beca
قُلْتُ لَهُ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ آمُرُكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ قِلَّةَ ذَاتِ يَدِي وَ قُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَرِيتُ حَتَّى بَلَغَ مِنْ عُرْيَتِي أَنَّ أَبَا فُلَانٍ نَزَعَ ثَوْبَيْنِ كَانَا عَلَيْهِ وَ كَسَانِيهِمَا فَقَالَ صُمْ وَ تَصَدَّقْ قُلْتُ أَتَصَدَّقُ مِمَّا وَصَلَنِي بِهِ إِخْوَانِي وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَلِيلًا قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ بِمَا رَزَقَكَ اللَّهُ وَ لَوْ آثَرْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ.
“I once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘Please instruct me with good advice.’ He said, ‘I advise you to observe piety before Allah.’ He was silent for a while. I then complained to him about my poverty, saying, ‘By Allah, I do not have any clothes, and it is so much that abu so and so took off two pieces of his clothes
قُلْتُ لَهُ أَيُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ- قَالَ جُهْدُ الْمُقِلِ[1] أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ يُؤْثِرُونَ عَلى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ لَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ[2] تَرَى هَاهُنَا فَضْلًا.
‘It is the kind of charity that one provides after doing his utmost. Have you heard the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, “They give preference to others over themselves even though they are in dire need?” (59:9) It is this kind of charity giving in which you can see excellence.’”
قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع ضَمِنْتُ عَلَى رَبِّي أَنَّهُ لَا يَسْأَلُ أَحَدٌ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَاجَةٍ إِلَّا اضْطَرَّتْهُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ يَوْماً إِلَى أَنْ يَسْأَلَ مِنْ حَاجَةٍ.
“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ’I guarantee from my Lord that whoever asks for help without actually being in need, a pressing need will force him one day (sooner or later) to ask help for an actual need.’”
قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اتَّبِعُوا قَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنَّهُ قَالَ مَنْ فَتَحَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بَابَ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بَابَ فَقْرٍ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘You should follow the words of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who has said, “Whoever opens to himself the door of asking for help (begging), Allah
قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَسْأَلُ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَاجَةٍ فَيَمُوتُ حَتَّى يُحْوِجَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهَا وَ يُثَبِّتَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهَا النَّارَ[4].
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a servant asks for help without actually needing help, after his death Allah makes him need that same thing and the only reward he then receives from Allah is fire.’”
إِيَّاكُمْ وَ سُؤَالَ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ ذُلٌّ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ فَقْرٌ تُعَجِّلُونَهُ وَ حِسَابٌ طَوِيلٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.
“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Never beg people for financial help; it is humiliation in this world, a poverty that you make it to approach you quickly and on the Day of Judgment presentation of accounts for it will keep you much longer.’”
قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا مُحَمَّدُ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ السَّائِلُ مَا فِي الْمَسْأَلَةِ مَا سَأَلَ أَحَدٌ أَحَداً وَ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ الْمُعْطِي مَا فِي الْعَطِيَّةِ مَا رَدَّ أَحَدٌ أَحَداً.
“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.), said to me, ‘O Muhammad, had people known how despicable begging is, they would never become beggars. Had people known how great the reward for helping a beggar is, no one appealing for financial help would ever have been turned away empty-handed.’”
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْأَيْدِي ثَلَاثٌ يَدُ اللَّهِ الْعُلْيَا وَ يَدُ الْمُعْطِي الَّتِي تَلِيهَا وَ يَدُ الْمُعْطَى أَسْفَلُ الْأَيْدِي فَاسْتَعِفُّوا عَنِ السُّؤَالِ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ إِنَّ الْأَرْزَاقَ دُونَهَا حُجُبٌ فَمَنْ شَاءَ قَنِيَ حَيَاءَهُ[1] وَ أَخَذَ رِزْقَهُ وَ مَنْ شَاءَ هَتَكَ الْحِجَابَ وَ أَخَذَ رِزْقَهُ وَ الَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَأَنْ يَأْخُذَ أَحَدُكُمْ حَبْلًا ثُمَّ يَدْخُلَ عَرْضَ هَذَ
“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Hands are of three kinds: The hands of Allah are the upper hands, the hands of a benevolent person are next in rank, and the hands of recipient of a favor are the lowest in rank. You should
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَحَبَّ شَيْئاً لِنَفْسِهِ وَ أَبْغَضَهُ لِخَلْقِهِ أَبْغَضَ لِخَلْقِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ[3] وَ أَحَبَ لِنَفْسِهِ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ فَلَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَ لَوْ بِشِسْعِ نَعْلٍ.
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Dawud ibn al-Nu’man from Ibrahim ibn ‘Uthman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services
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.’”