The Book of Zakat

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

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع أَنْ لَا تَقْتُلِ السَّامِرِيَّ فَإِنَّهُ سَخِيٌّ.

“He (the Imam) has said, ‘Allah the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, sent revelation to Moses and told him not to kill the Samiriy because he was a generous person.”

شَابٌّ سَخِيٌّ مُرَهَّقٌ فِي الذُّنُوبِ‌[1] أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ شَيْخٍ عَابِدٍ بَخِيلٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a young generous man excessively involved in sins is more beloved to Allah than an old worshipping man who is stingy.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ خِيَارُكُمْ سُمَحَاؤُكُمْ وَ شِرَارُكُمْ بُخَلَاؤُكُمْ وَ مِنْ خَالِصِ الْإِيمَانِ الْبِرُّ بِالْإِخْوَانِ وَ السَّعْيُ فِي حَوَائِجِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ الْبَارَّ بِالْإِخْوَانِ لَيُحِبُّهُ الرَّحْمَنُ وَ فِي ذَلِكَ مَرْغَمَةٌ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَ تَزَحْزُحٌ عَنِ النِّيرَانِ‌[2] وَ دُخُولُ الْجِنَانِ يَا جَمِيلُ أَخْبِرْ بِهَذَا غُرَرَ أَصْحَابِكَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَنْ غُرَرُ أَص

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The virtuous ones among you are the generous ones, and the wicked ones among you are the stingy ones. You must do good to your brothers (in belief) and striving to help them comes from pure belief. The Beneficent loves those who do good to their brothers (in belief), and such manne

إِنَّ الشَّمْسَ لَتَطْلُعُ وَ مَعَهَا أَرْبَعَةُ أَمْلَاكٍ مَلَكٌ يُنَادِي يَا صَاحِبَ الْخَيْرِ أَتِمَّ وَ أَبْشِرْ وَ مَلَكٌ يُنَادِي يَا صَاحِبَ الشَّرِّ انْزِعْ وَ أَقْصِرْ وَ مَلَكٌ يُنَادِي أَعْطِ مُنْفِقاً خَلَفاً وَ آتِ مُمْسِكاً تَلَفاً وَ مَلَكٌ يَنْضِحُهَا بِالْمَاءِ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ اشْتَعَلَتِ الْأَرْضُ‌[2].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that when the sun rises, there are four angels with it. One angel calls, ‘O people of good deeds, complete your good deeds and for you there is glad news.’ Another angel calls, ‘O people of evil deeds, you must stop and stay away from evil deeds.’ The other angel says, To spend for deservin

هُوَ الرَّجُلُ يَدَعُ مَالَهُ لَا يُنْفِقُهُ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ بُخْلًا ثُمَّ يَمُوتُ فَيَدَعُهُ لِمَنْ يَعْمَلُ فِيهِ بِطَاعَةِ اللَّهِ أَوْ فِي‌ مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ عَمِلَ بِهِ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ رَآهُ فِي مِيزَانِ غَيْرِهِ فَرَآهُ حَسْرَةً وَ قَدْ كَانَ الْمَالُ لَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَمِلَ بِهِ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ قَوَّاهُ بِذَلِكَ الْمَالِ حَتَّى عَمِلَ بِهِ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

This is about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, Thus Allah shows them their deeds that will make them regretful. (2:162)’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, This is a man who keeps his property without spending in obedience to Allah due to his stinginess. He then dies and leaves it

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْخَلَفِ سَخَتْ نَفْسُهُ بِالنَّفَقَةِ.

The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “When one who believes with certainty in receiving reward (from Allah), his soul allows him to spend generously.’””

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ وَ مَنْ يَبْسُطْ يَدَهُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ إِذَا وَجَدَهُ يُخْلِفِ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا أَنْفَقَ فِي دُنْيَاهُ وَ يُضَاعِفْ لَهُ فِي آخِرَتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, in one of his speeches, ‘If one extends his hand to provide Benevolent Assistance when he is able to do so, Allah replaces, in this world, what he has spent and will grant them double reward in the next life.’”

قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ بَلَغَنِي أَنَّ الْمَوَالِيَ إِذَا رَكِبْتَ أَخْرَجُوكَ مِنَ الْبَابِ الصَّغِيرِ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مِنْ بُخْلٍ مِنْهُمْ لِئَلَّا يَنَالَ مِنْكَ أَحَدٌ خَيْراً وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّي عَلَيْكَ لَا يَكُنْ مَدْخَلُكَ وَ مَخْرَجُكَ إِلَّا مِنَ الْبَابِ الْكَبِيرِ فَإِذَا رَكِبْتَ فَلْيَكُنْ مَعَكَ ذَهَبٌ وَ فِضَّةٌ ثُمَّ لَا يَسْأَلُكَ

‘O abu Ja’far, I am told that the servants lead you out of the house through the small door so that no one receives any assistance from you and it is due to their stinginess. I ask you through my rights upon you; you must not use any other door for your exit or entrance besides the main door. When you want to ride, you

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْأَيْدِي ثَلَاثَةٌ سَائِلَةٌ وَ مُنْفِقَةٌ وَ مُمْسِكَةٌ وَ خَيْرُ الْأَيْدِي الْمُنْفِقَةُ.

There are three kinds of hands: the asking hand, the withholding hand, and the spending hand, of which the best hand is the spending hand.’”

قَالَ: يَا حُسَيْنُ أَنْفِقْ وَ أَيْقِنْ بِالْخَلَفِ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَبْخَلْ عَبْدٌ وَ لَا أَمَةٌ بِنَفَقَةٍ فِيمَا يُرْضِي اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا أَنْفَقَ أَضْعَافَهَا فِيمَا يُسْخِطُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘O Husayn, you must spend (for deserving causes) and be certain about Allah’s replacing what you have spent. Any male or female servant (of Allah) who withholds spending for deserving causes that please Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ends up spending a double amount on such t

يُنْزِلُ اللَّهُ الْمَعُونَةَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْعَبْدِ بِقَدْرِ الْمَئُونَةِ فَمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْخَلَفِ سَخَتْ نَفْسُهُ بِالنَّفَقَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah or abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah sends help from Heaven equal to the amount of expenditure. When one is certain about (Allah’s) replacing what is spent, his soul allows him to spend generously.”

دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مَوْلًى لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ هَلْ أَنْفَقْتَ الْيَوْمَ شَيْئاً قَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع فَمِنْ أَيْنَ يُخْلِفُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا أَنْفِقْ وَ لَوْ دِرْهَماً وَاحِداً.

“The narrator has said, ‘Once, one of the servants of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), came in and the Imam asked, “Have you spent (for deserving causes) anything today?” He (the servant) replied, “No, I have not done so.” Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), then said, “Wherefrom will Allah then grant us replacement? You must spend (fo

مَنْ يَضْمَنُ أَرْبَعَةً بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَبْيَاتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ أَنْفِقْ وَ لَا تَخَفْ فَقْراً وَ أَنْصِفِ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ وَ أَفْشِ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ اتْرُكِ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ مُحِقّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who is ready to guarantee to do four things will get four guaranteed homes in Paradise. They are: spending (for deserving causes) without fear from poverty, yielding to justice for people even against one’s own-self, offering greetings of peace loud and clearly in the world, an

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ سَمِعَ رَجُلًا يَقُولُ إِنَّ الشَّحِيحَ أَغْدَرُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ كَذَبْتَ إِنَّ الظَّالِمَ قَدْ يَتُوبُ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ وَ يَرُدُّ الظُّلَامَةَ عَلَى أَهْلِهَا وَ الشَّحِيحُ إِذَا شَحَّ مَنَعَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّدَقَةَ وَ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ وَ قِرَى الضَّيْفِ وَ النَّفَقَةَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ أَبْوَابَ الْبِرِّ وَ حَرَامٌ عَلَى الْجَنَّةِ أَنْ

“’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once heard a man say, ‘A greedy person has more excuses than an unjust person has.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘What you said is false. An unjust person may repent, ask for forgiveness and return usurped property. A greedy person, upon exercising his greed, may withhold payment of zakat, charity, ke

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ فِي عَبْدٍ حَاجَةٌ ابْتَلَاهُ بِالْبُخْلِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘When Allah is not interested in a person, He allows greediness to dominate him.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِبَنِي سَلِمَةَ يَا بَنِي سَلِمَةَ مَنْ سَيِّدُكُمْ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ سَيِّدُنَا رَجُلٌ فِيهِ بُخْلٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَيُّ دَاءٍ أَدْوَى مِنَ الْبُخْلِ ثُمَ‌ قَالَ بَلْ سَيِّدُكُمْ الْأَبْيَضُ الْجَسَدِ- الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ.

“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, once asked banu Salmah, ‘O banu Salmah, who is your master and leader?’ They replied, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our chief is a stingy man.’ The Messenger of Allah the

الْبَخِيلُ مَنْ بَخِلَ بِمَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), has said, ‘A stingy person is one who exercises stinginess in paying what Allah has made obligatory upon him to pay.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا مَحَقَ الْإِسْلَامَ مَحْقَ الشُّحِّ شَيْ‌ءٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ لِهَذَا الشُّحِّ دَبِيباً كَدَبِيبِ النَّمْلِ وَ شُعَباً كَشُعَبِ الشِّرَكِ وَ فِي نُسْخَةٍ أُخْرَى الشَّوْكِ.

‘No other thing is more effacing to Islam than stinginess.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Greediness creeps like an ant and has branches (or thorns) like polytheism.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ بِالْبَخِيلِ الَّذِي يُؤَدِّي الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ فِي مَالِهِ وَ يُعْطِي الْبَائِنَةَ فِي قَوْمِهِ.

“Abu Ja’far (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, ‘One who pays zakat that is due on his property and presents gifts to his people is not a stingy person.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَدْرِي مَا الشَّحِيحُ قُلْتُ هُوَ الْبَخِيلُ قَالَ الشُّحُّ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ إِنَّ الْبَخِيلَ يَبْخَلُ بِمَا فِي يَدِهِ وَ الشَّحِيحُ يَشُحُّ عَلَى مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ وَ عَلَى مَا فِي يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى لَا يَرَى مِمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ شَيْئاً إِلَّا تَمَنَّى أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ بِالْحِلِّ وَ الْحَرَامِ وَ لَا يَقْنَعُ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ.[5]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘Do you know who a greedy person is?’ I replied, ‘He is a stingy person.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘A greedy person is worse than a stingy one. A stingy person is stingy about what is already in his hands. A greedy person is greedy about things that are in the hands of others, as well as ab

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَيْسَ الْبَخِيلُ مَنْ أَدَّى الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَعْطَى الْبَائِنَةَ[1] فِي قَوْمِهِ إِنَّمَا الْبَخِيلُ حَقُّ الْبَخِيلِ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤَدِّ الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ لَمْ يُعْطِ الْبَائِنَةَ فِي قَوْمِهِ وَ هُوَ يُبَذِّرُ فِيمَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ.

“Abu Ja’far (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, ’One who pays zakat that is due on his property and presents gifts to his people is not stingy. A real stingy person is one who does not pay zakat that is ob

يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ مَنْ سَأَلَ النَّاسَ عَاشَ وَ مَنْ سَكَتَ مَاتَ قُلْتُ فَمَا أَصْنَعُ إِنْ أَدْرَكْتُ ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانَ قَالَ تُعِينُهُمْ بِمَا عِنْدَكَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ فَتُجَاهِدُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a time will come when people who ask for help will survive, and those who do not ask for help will die. I then asked, ‘What shall I do if I find myself in such a time?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘Help people by means of what you have and strive hard if you do not have anything.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى‌[2].

“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 most virtuous charity is that which is given from someone without need (wealthy).’”

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.”