Generosity

أَمْلَى عَلَيَّ هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ- أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ جَامِعٌ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ تَقُولُ بَعْدَ حَمْدِ اللَّهِ وَ الثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ- اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ‌ الْحَلِيمُ الْكَرِيمُ وَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ* وَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ‌ الْواحِدُ الْقَهَّارُ* وَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ الْجَبَّ

18. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Khalaf ibn Hammad from ‘Amr ibn abu al-Miqdam who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) dictated this supplication to me and it is of universal benefit for this and the hereafter. Say after thanking and praising Al

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ لَا تَخُصُّنِي بِدُعَاءٍ قَالَ بَلَى قَالَ قُلْ- يَا وَاحِدُ يَا مَاجِدُ يَا أَحَدُ يَا صَمَدُ يَا مَنْ‌ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ يَا عَزِيزُ يَا كَرِيمُ يَا حَنَّانُ يَا مَنَّانُ يَا سَامِعَ الدَّعَوَاتِ يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ سُئِلَ وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ أَعْطَى يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ قُلْتُ‌ وَ لَقَدْ نادانا نُوحٌ فَلَنِعْمَ الْمُجِيبُون

19. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Will you instruct me with a special supplication?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, I will do so, say, “O the One, the Glori

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً أَدْعُو بِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْ يَا مَنْ أَرْجُوهُ لِكُلِ‌ خَيْرٍ- وَ يَا مَنْ آمَنُ سَخَطَهُ‌[1] عِنْدَ كُلِّ عَثْرَةٍ وَ يَا مَنْ يُعْطِي بِالْقَلِيلِ الْكَثِيرَ يَا مَنْ أَعْطَى مَنْ سَأَلَهُ تَحَنُّناً مِنْهُ وَ رَحْمَةً يَا مَنْ أَعْطَى مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلْهُ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَعْطِنِي بِمَسْأَلَتِي مِنْ جَمِيعِ خَيْرِ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to instruct me with a supplication with which I can pray to Allah. The Imam agreed and told me to say, ‘O the One who is my hope in all that is good, O the One whose anger is not feared (in certain cases) in every mistake, O the One who grants a great deal for very little, O the One w

اللَّهُمَّ امْلَأْ قَلْبِي حُبّاً لَكَ وَ خَشْيَةً مِنْكَ وَ تَصْدِيقاً وَ إِيمَاناً بِكَ وَ فَرَقاً مِنْكَ‌[1] وَ شَوْقاً إِلَيْكَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَ الْإِكْرَامِ اللَّهُمَّ حَبِّبْ إِلَيَّ لِقَاءَكَ وَ اجْعَلْ لِي فِي لِقَائِكَ خَيْرَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ الْبَرَكَةِ وَ أَلْحِقْنِي بِالصَّالِحِينَ* وَ لَا تُؤَخِّرْنِي‌[2] مَعَ الْأَشْرَارِ وَ أَلْحِقْنِي بِصَالِحِ مَنْ مَضَى وَ اجْعَلْنِي مَعَ صَالِحِ مَنْ بَقِيَ وَ خ

24. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Karram from ibn abu Ya’fur from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “O Lord, fill my heart with love for You, concern about You, affirmation of and belief in Your existence, fear from You and longing toward You, O Glorious, O Mag

أَعْطَانِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلِيِّ الْحَمْدِ وَ أَهْلِهِ وَ مُنْتَهَاهُ وَ مَحَلِّهِ أَخْلَصَ مَنْ وَحَّدَهُ وَ اهْتَدَى مَنْ عَبَدَهُ وَ فَازَ مَنْ أَطَاعَهُ وَ أَمِنَ الْمُعْتَصِمُ بِهِ اللَّهُمَّ يَا ذَا الْجُودِ وَ الْمَجْدِ وَ الثَّنَاءِ الْجَمِيلِ وَ الْحَمْدِ أَسْأَلُكَ مَسْأَلَةَ مَنْ خَضَعَ لَكَ بِرَقَبَتِهِ وَ رَغِمَ لَكَ أَنْفُهُ وَ عَفَّرَ لَكَ وَجْهَهُ وَ ذَلَّلَ

31. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Sayabah who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) gave me this supplication: ‘All praise belongs to Allah, the Owner, and worthy of praise, the end and the location of all praise. Those who bel

يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَانَ لِي مَالٌ وَرِثْتُهُ وَ لَمْ أُنْفِقْ مِنْهُ دِرْهَماً فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ اكْتَسَبْتُ مِنْهُ مَالًا فَلَمْ أُنْفِقْ مِنْهُ دِرْهَماً فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ فَعَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً يُخْلِفُ عَلَيَّ مَا مَضَى وَ يَغْفِرُ لِي مَا عَمِلْتُ أَوْ عَمَلًا أَعْمَلُهُ قَالَ قُلْ قَالَ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَقُولُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ قُلْ كَمَا أَقُولُ- يَا نُورِي فِي ك

35. Ali ibn abu Hamza has narrated from certain individuals of his people from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, I inherited a property but did not give even one dirham in obedience to Allah, the Most Majestic

مَنْ قَرَأَ آيَةً مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي صَلَاتِهِ قَائِماً يُكْتَبُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ حَرْفٍ مِائَةُ حَسَنَةٍ فَإِذَا قَرَأَهَا فِي غَيْرِ صَلَاةٍ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ حَرْفٍ- عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ إِنِ اسْتَمَعَ الْقُرْآنَ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ حَرْفٍ حَسَنَةً وَ إِنْ خَتَمَ الْقُرْآنَ لَيْلًا صَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ حَتَّى يُصْبِحَ وَ إِنْ خَتَمَهُ نَهَاراً صَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْحَفَظَ

“Al-Husayn ibn Ali (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever reads from the Holy Quran in his prayer in a standing position, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes down for him the reward for one hundred good deeds for each letter and if one reads from the Holy Quran without being in prayer, Allah writes down for him the rewa

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَظِّمُوا أَصْحَابَكُمْ وَ وَقِّرُوهُمْ وَ لَا يَتَهَجَّمْ بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَ لَا تَضَارُّوا وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْبُخْلَ كُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ الصَّالِحِينَ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Ala’ ibn al-Fudayl from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, ‘Show respect for your friends and dignify them. Do not be aggressive to each other, do not harm or envy each other. Beware of

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَصْحَبَ ذَا الْعَقْلِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَحْمَدْ كَرَمَهُ‌[1] وَ لَكِنِ انْتَفِعْ بِعَقْلِهِ وَ احْتَرِسْ مِنْ سَيِّئِ أَخْلَاقِهِ وَ لَا تَدَعَنَّ صُحْبَةَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَنْتَفِعْ بِعَقْلِهِ- وَ لَكِنِ انْتَفِعْ بِكَرَمِهِ بِعَقْلِكَ وَ افْرِرْ كُلَّ الْفِرَارِ مِنَ اللَّئِيمِ الْأَحْمَقِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘It is not against you to associate with a person of reason even though you may not appreciate his generosity but you can benefit from his reason. However, you must avoid his immoral manners. Do not ignore the association of a magnanimous person, even though you may

قَالَ لِي أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا يَا بُنَيَّ انْظُرْ خَمْسَةً فَلَا تُصَاحِبْهُمْ وَ لَا تُحَادِثْهُمْ وَ لَا تُرَافِقْهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَتِ مَنْ هُمْ عَرِّفْنِيهِمْ قَالَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّرَابِ يُقَرِّبُ لَكَ الْبَعِيدَ وَ يُبَعِّدُ لَكَ الْقَرِيبَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْفَاسِقِ فَإِنَّهُ بَائِعُكَ بِأُكْلَةٍ أ

“My father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) once said to me, ‘My son, look for five kinds of people. Do not befriend them, speak to or accompany them on a road.’ 1 then asked, ‘O father, who are they? Define them for me.’ He said, ‘Never befriend a liar; he is like a mirage. He shows what is far very near and what is near, in

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْبَخِيلَ مَنْ يَبْخَلُ بِالسَّلَامِ.

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Faddal from Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Really stingy is one who is stingy in offering the greeting of peace.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِي جَارٌ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ ارْحَمْهُ فَقُلْتُ لَا رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ فَصَرَفَ وَجْهَهُ عَنِّي قَالَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَفْعَلُ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ يَفْعَلُ بِي وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَاشَفْتَهُ انْتَصَفْتَ مِنْهُ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ بَلَى أُرْبِي عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ذَا مِمَّنْ يَحْسُدُ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said to him, ‘My neighbor causes me suffering.’ The Imam said, ‘Be kind to him.’ I said, ‘I wish Allah will not grant him any kindness.’ The Imam turned away from me and I did not like to leave him and I said, ‘He does this and that to me and keeps causing me to

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَوْ أَنَّ مُؤْمِناً أَقْسَمَ عَلَى رَبِّهِ أَنْ لَا يُمِيتَهُ مَا أَمَاتَهُ أَبَداً وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ أَوْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَجَلُهُ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ رِيحَيْنِ رِيحاً يُقَالُ لَهَا الْمُنْسِيَةُ وَ رِيحاً يُقَالُ لَهَا الْمُسْخِيَةُ فَأَمَّا الْمُنْسِيَةُ فَإِنَّهَا تُنْسِيهِ أَهْلَهُ وَ مَالَهُ وَ أَمَّا الْمُسْخِيَةُ فَإِنَّهَا تُسْخِي نَفْسَهُ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If a believing person appeals before his Lord for a guarantee not to cause him to die He will never cause him to die. However, when it is the time for him to die Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, sends two fragrances; one is called causing forgetf

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَلَى خَدِيجَةَ حِينَ مَاتَ الْقَاسِمُ ابْنُهَا وَ هِيَ تَبْكِي فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ فَقَالَتْ دَرَّتْ دُرَيْرَةٌ فَبَكَيْتُ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا خَدِيجَةُ أَ مَا تَرْضَيْنَ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ تَجِي‌ءَ إِلَى بَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ فَيَأْخُذَ بِيَدِكِ فَيُدْخِلَكِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ يُنْزِلَكِ أَفْضَلَهَا وَ ذَلِكِ لِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَحْكَمُ

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) entered upon Khadījah when her son Qāsim had died, and she was weeping. He asked her, 'What makes you weep?' She replied, 'My milk flowed, and so I wept.' He said, 'O Khadījah, would you not be pleased if on the Day of Resurrection, you come to the gate of Paradise and Qāsim is standing the

لَمَّا مَاتَ ذَرُّ بْنُ أَبِي ذَرٍّ مَسَحَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ الْقَبْرَ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا ذَرُّ وَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ بِي بَارّاً وَ لَقَدْ قُبِضْتَ وَ إِنِّي عَنْكَ لَرَاضٍ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا بِي فَقْدُكَ وَ مَا عَلَيَّ مِنْ غَضَاضَةٍ[3] وَ مَا لِي إِلَى أَحَدٍ سِوَى اللَّهِ مِنْ حَاجَةٍ وَ لَوْ لَا هَوْلُ الْمُطَّلَعِ‌[4] لَسَرَّنِي أَنْ أَكُونَ مَكَانَكَ وَ لَقَدْ شَغَلَنِي الْحُزْنُ لَكَ عَنِ

“When Dharr, son of abu Dharr passed away, abu Dharr wiped his grave with his hand and said, ‘May Allah grant you mercy, O Dharr, by Allah, you were kind to me and I am satisfied with you. By Allah, I am not disappointed due to your death and I do not need anyone beside Allah. Had it not been for fear from the next lif

أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ إِذَا دَعَا رَبَّهُ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ فَأَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَقُولُ إِذَا سَجَدْتَ قُلْتُ عَلِّمْنِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَقُولُ قَالَ قُلْ يَا رَبَّ الْأَرْبَابِ وَ يَا مَلِكَ الْمُلُوكِ وَ يَا سَيِّدَ السَّادَاتِ وَ يَا جَبَّارَ الْجَبَابِرَةِ وَ يَا إِلَهَ الْآلِهَةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ افْعَلْ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا ثُمَّ قُلْ فَإِنِّي عَبْدُكَ نَاصِيَتِي فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said that a position nearest to Allah during one’s prayer is the position of prostration. ‘What do you say during your prostration?’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause; teach me what I should say.’ The Imam told me to say, ‘O Lord of lords, O King of kings, O Master o

كَانَ يَقُولُ فِي سُجُودِهِ- سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ الْبَالِي لِوَجْهِكَ الْبَاقِي الدَّائِمِ الْعَظِيمِ سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ الذَّلِيلُ لِوَجْهِكَ الْعَزِيزِ سَجَدَ وَجْهِيَ الْفَقِيرُ لِوَجْهِ رَبِّيَ الْغَنِيِّ الْكَرِيمِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ رَبِّ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِمَّا كَانَ وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ مِمَّا يَكُونُ رَبِّ لَا تُجْهِدْ بَلَائِي رَبِّ لَا تُشْمِتْ بِي أَعْدَائِي رَبِّ لَا تُسِئْ قَضَائِي رَبِّ إِنَّهُ لَا دَافِعَ وَ ل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), in prostration would say the following: ‘(O Lord), my aging face has prostrated before Your ever remaining, eternal and great face. My submissive face has prostrated before Your majestic face. My poor face has prostrated before the self-sufficient, gracious, most High and great face of my Lord.

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً فَإِنِّي قَدْ بُلِيتُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ وَ كَانَ قَدْ حُبِسَ بِبَغْدَادَ حَيْثُ اتُّهِمَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ فَأَطِلِ السُّجُودَ ثُمَّ قُلْ يَا أَحَدَ مَنْ لَا أَحَدَ لَهُ حَتَّى تَنْقَطِعَ النَّفَسُ ثُمَّ قُلْ يَا مَنْ لَا يَزِيدُهُ كَثْرَةُ الدُّعَاءِ إِلَّا جُوداً وَ كَرَماً حَتَّى تَنْقَطِعَ نَفَسُكَ ثُمَّ قُلْ يَا رَبَّ الْأَرْب

25. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from certain individuals of our people from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Ziyad al-Qandiy who has said the following: “I wrote to abu al-Hassan the first (a.s.), to teach me a supplication. I am suffering from a situation - he was imprisoned in Baghdad. They had accused him in matters of their p

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي يَدِي شَيْ‌ءٌ تَفَرَّقَ وَ ضِقْتُ ضَيْقاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ لِي أَ لَكَ حَانُوتٌ فِي السُّوقِ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ وَ قَدْ تَرَكْتُهُ فَقَالَ إِذَا رَجَعْتَ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ فَاقْعُدْ فِي حَانُوتِكَ وَ اكْنُسْهُ‌[3] فَإِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ إِلَى سُوقِكَ فَصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ أَوْ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ قُلْ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَاتِكَ- تَوَجَّهْتُ بِلَا حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَ لَا

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu Najran from Sabah al-Hadhdha’ from ibn al- Tayyar who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘I had some property which now has scattered away and I am under severe constraint.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you have a shop in the market pla

أَنْ تَأْتِيَ حَانُوتَكَ فَابْدَأْ بِالْمَسْجِدِ فَصَلِّ فِيهِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ أَوْ أَرْبَعاً ثُمَّ قُلْ غَدَوْتُ بِحَوْلِ اللَّهِ وَ قُوَّتِهِ وَ غَدَوْتُ بِلَا حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَ لَا قُوَّةٍ بَلْ بِحَوْلِكَ وَ قُوَّتِكَ يَا رَبِّ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ أَلْتَمِسُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ كَمَا أَمَرْتَنِي فَيَسِّرْ لِي ذَلِكَ وَ أَنَا خَافِضٌ فِي عَافِيَتِكَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘Where is your shop in relation to the Masjid?’ I replied, ‘It is near the door of the Masjid.’ He then said, ‘When you want to go to your shop, first go to the Masjid, perform two or four Rak‘at Salah (prayer) and at the end say, “I have attended this morning by the means and power of

قَالَ لِي يَا فُلَانُ أَ مَا تَغْدُو فِي الْحَاجَةِ أَ مَا تَمُرُّ بِالْمَسْجِدِ الْأَعْظَمِ عِنْدَكُمْ بِالْكُوفَةِ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ فَصَلِّ فِيهِ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ قُلْ‌[3] فِيهِنَّ غَدَوْتُ بِحَوْلِ اللَّهِ وَ قُوَّتِهِ غَدَوْتُ بِغَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَ لَا قُوَّةٍ وَ لَكِنْ بِحَوْلِكَ يَا رَبِّ وَ قُوَّتِكَ أَسْأَلُكَ بَرَكَةَ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ بَرَكَةَ أَهْلِهِ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَرْزُقَنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ح

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘O so and so, do you sometimes need something? Do you visit the great Masjid near you in Kufah?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I do.’ He said, ‘Perform four Rak‘at Salah (prayer) there and say, “I have attended this morning by the means and power of Allah, not by my own means and power, but with Yo

إِذَا غَدَوْتَ فِي حَاجَتِكَ بَعْدَ أَنْ تَجِبَ الصَّلَاةُ[4] فَصَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنَ التَّشَهُّدِ قُلْتَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي غَدَوْتُ أَلْتَمِسُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ كَمَا أَمَرْتَنِي‌[5] فَارْزُقْنِي رِزْقاً حَلَالًا طَيِّباً وَ أَعْطِنِي فِيمَا رَزَقْتَنِي الْعَافِيَةَ تُعِيدُهَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ‌ أُخْرَاوَيْنِ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنَ التَّشَهُّدِ[1] قُلْتَ بِحَوْلِ اللَّهِ وَ ق

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you in the morning after Salah (prayer) want to go to work, perform two Rak‘at Salah (prayer). After saying the testimonies say, ‘O Lord, I have attended this morning and I seek favor through Your generosity, as You have commanded, in the form of lawful and fine sustenance wit

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا مِنْ ذِي زَكَاةِ مَالٍ نَخْلٍ أَوْ زَرْعٍ أَوْ كَرْمٍ يَمْنَعُ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ إِلَّا قَلَّدَهُ اللَّهُ تُرْبَةَ أَرْضِهِ يُطَوَّقُ بِهَا مِنْ سَبْعِ أَرَضِينَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

‘Whoever refuses to pay zakat due on any produce of his palm trees, plantations or vineyard, Allah makes that land up to seven levels to hang from his neck until the Day of Judgment.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ ذِي مَالٍ ذَهَبٍ أَوْ فِضَّةٍ يَمْنَعُ زَكَاةَ مَالِهِ إِلَّا حَبَسَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِقَاعٍ قَرْقَرٍ وَ سَلَّطَ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً أَقْرَعَ يُرِيدُهُ وَ هُوَ يَحِيدُ عَنْهُ فَإِذَا رَأَى أَنَّهُ لَا مَخْلَصَ لَهُ مِنْهُ أَمْكَنَهُ مِنْ يَدِهِ فَقَضِمَهَا كَمَا يُقْضَمُ الْفُجْلُ‌[1] ثُمَّ يَصِيرُ طَوْقاً فِي عُنُقِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Any wealthy person owning gold and silver who refuses to pay zakat, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, on the Day of Judgment will keep him in captivity in a flat land. He (Allah) will send a bald serpent who will chase him and he will flee until he finds it impossible to es

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَأْخُذُ بِأَدَبِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا وَسَّعَ عَلَيْهِ اتَّسَعَ وَ إِذَا أَمْسَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسَكَ.[3]

“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 believing person follows the discipline of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious. When Allah grants him extended favors, he becomes generous;

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

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

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

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

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

أَتَى أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ رَهْطٌ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالُوا يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَوْ أَخْرَجْتَ هَذِهِ الْأَمْوَالَ فَفَرَّقْتَهَا فِي هَؤُلَاءِ الرُّؤَسَاءِ وَ الْأَشْرَافِ وَ فَضَّلْتَهُمْ عَلَيْنَا حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوْسَقَتِ الْأُمُورُ[4] عُدْتَ إِلَى أَفْضَلِ مَا عَوَّدَكَ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْقَسْمِ بِالسَّوِيَّةِ وَ الْعَدْلِ فِي الرَّعِيَّةِ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَ تَ

“Once a group of Shi`a people came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), with the following request: ‘O ’Amir al-Mu’minin, we request you to distribute the wealth at your disposal (public treasury) among the chiefs and elite people. In so doing, they will receive preference, which will strengthen your affairs. Thereafter, you c

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

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

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 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