Generosity

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 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

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.’ ‘.

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.’”

إِذَا جَادَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَيْكُمْ فَجُودُوا وَ إِذَا أَمْسَكَ عَنْكُمْ فَأَمْسِكُوا وَ لَا تُجَاوِدُوا اللَّهَ فَهُوَ الْأَجْوَدُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, gives to you generously, be generous to yourselves; when He withholds, you should also do so, but do not try to surpass Him; He is more generous than you are.”

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدْعُو بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي بِكَ أَتَوَسَّلُ وَ مِنْكَ أَطْلُبُ حَاجَتِي مَنْ طَلَبَ حَاجَةً إِلَى النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي لَا أَطْلُبُ حَاجَتِي إِلَّا مِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِفَضْلِكَ وَ رِضْوَانِكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لِي فِي عَامِي هَذَا إِلَى بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ سَبِيلًا حَجّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would say this prayer during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, I seek help from You and ask You for my needs. There are those who ask people for their needs, but I ask only You for my needs. You are (the only Lord). You have no partners. I ask You through Your generosity and Your pleasure to grant

نَعَمْ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ وَ هِيَ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ فَلَمْ يُنْزَلِ الْقُرْآنُ إِلَّا فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فِيها يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ‌[4] قَالَ يُقَدَّرُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَكُونُ فِي تِلْكَ السَّنَةِ إِلَى مِثْلِهَا مِنْ قَابِلٍ خَيْرٍ وَ شَرٍّ- وَ طَاعَةٍ وَ مَعْصِيَةٍ وَ مَوْلُودٍ وَ أَجَلٍ أَوْ رِزْقٍ فَمَا

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the following words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious: ‘We have revealed it during the blessed night.’ (44:3) He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is the night of destiny. Every year this night is during the last ten days in the month of Ramadan. It was the night of destiny a

تُكَرِّرُ فِي لَيْلَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ سَاجِداً وَ قَائِماً وَ قَاعِداً وَ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ وَ فِي الشَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ وَ كَيْفَ أَمْكَنَكَ وَ مَتَى حَضَرَكَ مِنْ دَهْرِكَ تَقُولُ بَعْدَ تَحْمِيدِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص- اللَّهُمَّ كُنْ لِوَلِيِّكَ فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ فِي هَذِهِ السَّاعَةِ وَ فِي كُلِّ سَاعَةٍ وَلِيّاً وَ حَافِظاً وَ

4. Muhammad ibn ‘Isa has narrated through the chain of his narrators who has narrated the following:: “The virtuous ones, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said the following that you should repeat this prayer during the twenty-third night of the month of Ramadan, while in prostration, standing, sitting and in all conditions and

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الْمَغْفِرَةَ تَنْزِلُ عَلَى مَنْ صَامَ- شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فَقَالَ يَا حَسَنُ إِنَّ الْقَارِيجَارَ[3] إِنَّمَا يُعْطَى أُجْرَتَهُ عِنْدَ فَرَاغِهِ ذَلِكَ لَيْلَةَ الْعِيدِ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَمَا يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَعْمَلَ فِيهَا فَقَالَ إِذَا غَرَبَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَاغْتَسِلْ وَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ الثَّلَاثَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَارْفَعْ يَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘People say that forgiveness descends upon the fasting people during the month of Ramadan in the night of destiny.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘O al- Hassan, al-Qarijar (a worker) receives his wages upon completion of his task on the night of ‘Id (first of Shawwal).’ I then said, ‘I pray

تَقُولُ وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ خَيْرُ الْأَسْمَاءِ لِلَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ السَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص السَّلَامُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَنْبِيَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى

2. Abu Basir has narrated who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that you should say this when you are at the door of Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Masjid). ‘(I begin) with the help of the name of Allah, with Allah, from Allah, with whatever Allah wishes and according to the religion of t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لَمَّا انْتَهَى إِلَى ظَهْرِ الْكَعْبَةِ حِينَ يَجُوزُ الْحِجْرَ- يَا ذَا الْمَنِّ وَ الطَّوْلِ وَ الْجُودِ وَ الْكَرَمِ إِنَّ عَمَلِي ضَعِيفٌ فَضَاعِفْهُ لِي وَ تَقَبَّلْهُ مِنِّي‌ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ*.

“I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when reaching at the backside of al-Ka‘bah after passing the Black Stone, say, ‘O Possessor of munificence, generosity and kindness, my deeds are weak, so increase them and accept them from me; You are all-Hearing and all-Knowing/”

انْحَدِرْ مِنَ الصَّفَا مَاشِياً إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ وَ عَلَيْكَ السَّكِينَةَ وَ الْوَقَارَ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَ الْمَنَارَةَ وَ هِيَ عَلَى طَرَفِ الْمَسْعَى فَاسْعَ مِلْأَ فُرُوجِكَ‌[1] وَ قُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ وَ ارْحَمْ وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَمَّا تَعْلَمُ وَ أَنْتَ الْأَعَزُّ الْأَكْرَمُ حَتَّى تَبْلُغَ الْمَنَارَةَ الْأُخْرَى فَإِذ

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that climb down from al-Safa’, walking to al-Marwah in a calm and dignified manner up to the sign; then walk faster and say, ‘I begin by the help

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَقَفَ بِعَرَفَاتٍ فَلَمَّا هَمَّتِ الشَّمْسُ أَنْ تَغِيبَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَنْدَفِعَ‌[3] قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْفَقْرِ وَ مِنْ تَشَتُّتِ الْأَمْرِ وَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا يَحْدُثُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ أَمْسَى ظُلْمِي مُسْتَجِيراً بِعَفْوِكَ وَ أَمْسَى خَوْفِي مُسْتَجِيراً بِأَمَانِكَ وَ أَمْسَى ذُلِّي مُسْتَجِيراً بِعِزِّكَ وَ أَمْسَى

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, stayed in ‘Arafat. At about sunset before moving fast said, “O Allah, I seek protection with You against poverty, chaotic affairs and the mischief that takes place during the night and day. It is even

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ دُخُولَ الْكَعْبَةِ فَاغْتَسِلْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَدْخُلَهَا وَ لَا تَدْخُلْهَا بِحِذَاءٍ[1] وَ تَقُولُ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ‌ وَ مَنْ دَخَلَهُ كانَ آمِناً فَآمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَيْنَ الْأُسْطُوَانَتَيْنِ عَلَى الرُّخَامَةِ[2] الْحَمْرَاءِ تَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُولَى حم السَّجْدَةَ وَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ عَدَدَ آيَاتِهَا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَ تُصَل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you decide to enter al-Ka‘bah, take a shower before entering and do not enter with shoes. When you are inside say, ‘O Allah, You have said, “Those who enter it have immunity,” thus, grant me protection against the torment of the fire.’ Thereafter perform two Rak‘at salat (pray

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ ائْتِ مَقَامَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع وَ هُوَ تَحْتَ الْمِيزَابِ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ مَقَامَهُ إِذَا اسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ قُلْ أَيْ جَوَادُ أَيْ كَرِيمُ أَيْ قَرِيبُ أَيْ بَعِيدُ أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَرُدَّ عَلَيَّ نِعْمَتَكَ قَالَ وَ ذَلِكَ مَقَامٌ لَا تَدْعُو فِيهِ حَائِضٌ تَسْتَقْبِلُ الْقِبْلَةَ ثُمَّ تَدْعُو بِدُعَاءِ ا

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You should go to the Station of Jibril (a.s.), and it is under al-Mizab. This place was his station wherefrom he asked permission from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. You should say at this place,

إِذَا أَتَيْتَ الْقَبْرَ الَّذِي بِالْبَقِيعِ فَاجْعَلْهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ- السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَئِمَّةَ الْهُدَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ التَّقْوَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقُوَّامَ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ بِالْقِسْطِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الصَّفْوَةِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ النَّجْوَى أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُمْ وَ نَصَحْتُمْ

1. The following is narrated in a mawquf and mursal manner who has narrated the following: (It seems as if it is part of Hadith 5 of previous Chapter narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar). “When you go to the grave in al-Baqi‘ keep it in front of you and say, ‘(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are ‘Alayh

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ الْجِهَادَ بَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ فَتَحَهُ اللَّهُ لِخَاصَّةِ أَوْلِيَائِهِ وَ سَوَّغَهُمْ كَرَامَةً مِنْهُ لَهُمْ وَ نِعْمَةٌ ذَخَرَهَا وَ الْجِهَادُ هُوَ لِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى وَ دِرْعُ اللَّهِ الْحَصِينَةُ وَ جُنَّتُهُ الْوَثِيقَةُ[2] فَمَنْ تَرَكَهُ رَغْبَةً عَنْهُ أَلْبَسَهُ اللَّهُ ثَوْبَ الذُّلِّ وَ شَمِلَهُ الْبَلَاءُ[3] وَ ف

“Thereafter, you must take notice that Jihad (serving in the army) is one of the doors to paradise. Allah has opened it for His special friends whom He has made to deserve it through His generosity toward them and a bounty, which He has stored. Jihad is the garment of piety and it is Allah’s invincible gown and strong

الَّذِي يَطْلُبُ مِنْ فَضْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا يَكُفُّ بِهِ عِيَالَهُ أَعْظَمُ أَجْراً مِنَ الْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), has said, ‘One who works to find sustenance of the extra- generosity of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, to provide for his family is granted a reward greater than a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- لِمُصَادِفٍ مَوْلَاهُ اتَّخِذْ عُقْدَةً أَوْ ضَيْعَةً فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ بِهِ النَّازِلَةُ أَوِ الْمُصِيبَةُ فَذَكَرَ أَنَّ وَرَاءَ ظَهْرِهِ مَا يُقِيمُ عِيَالَهُ كَانَ أَسْخَى لِنَفْسِهِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, once said to his Mawla’, Musadif, ‘Find some real property or goods; when man faces hardship or misfortune, and then finds out that behind him there is something for support of his family, he feels more generous to allow his soul to depart (his body).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ السَّمَاحَةُ مِنَ الرَّبَاحِ قَالَ ذَلِكَ لِرَجُلٍ يُوصِيهِ وَ مَعَهُ سِلْعَةٌ يَبِيعُهَا.

‘Generosity is of profits.’ The Messenger of Allah said it to a man who had asked for good advice and who had certain merchandise that he wanted to sell.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ شِرَاءِ النَّخْلِ وَ الْكَرْمِ وَ الثِّمَارِ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ أَوْ أَرْبَعَ سِنِينَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ يَقُولُ إِنْ لَمْ يُخْرِجْ فِي هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ أَخْرَجَ فِي قَابِلٍ وَ إِنِ اشْتَرَيْتَهُ فِي سَنَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ فَلَا تَشْتَرِهِ حَتَّى يَبْلُغَ فَإِنِ اشْتَرَيْتَهُ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَبْلُغَ فَلَا بَأْسَ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَشْتَرِي الثَّمَرَةَ الْمُسَمَّاةَ مِن

“Someone once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about buying dates, grapes and fruits of three or four years. He (the Imam) said, ‘There is no offense in it. He (the buyer) can say, “If fruits will not grow this year they will do so next year.” If you buy the fruits of one year only then you must not do so until they are ri

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْكَرْمِ مَتَى يَحِلُّ بَيْعُهُ قَالَ إِذَا عَقَدَ وَ صَارَ عُرُوقاً[1].

Tt is permissible when they form into vines.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ لَهُ كَرْمٌ أَ يَبِيعُ الْعِنَبَ وَ التَّمْرَ مِمَّنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ يَجْعَلُهُ خَمْراً أَوْ سَكَراً فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا بَاعَهُ حَلَالًا فِي الْإِبَّانِ الَّذِي يَحِلُّ شُرْبُهُ أَوْ أَكْلُهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ بِبَيْعِهِ‌[3].

“I once wrote to ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and asked about the case of a man who had a vineyard; if he could sell grapes and dates to someone who made wine or sugar out of them. He (the Imam) said, ‘He has sold it as lawful when drinking, eating was lawful, thus it is not unlawful.’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْعَصِيرِ فَقَالَ لِي كَرْمٌ وَ أَنَا أَعْصِرُهُ كُلَّ سَنَةٍ وَ أَجْعَلُهُ فِي الدِّنَانِ وَ أَبِيعُهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَغْلِيَ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ فَإِنْ غَلَى فَلَا يَحِلُّ بَيْعُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ هُوَ ذَا نَحْنُ نَبِيعُ تَمْرَنَا مِمَّنْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ يَصْنَعُهُ خَمْراً.

“A man once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about juice saying, ‘I have a vineyard. ‘Every year I squeeze juice and keep it in a large container, then sell it before it boils. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful but if it boils then selling is not lawful.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘We sell our dates knowing that they m

كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص خَلِيطٌ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلَمَّا بُعِثَ ع لَقِيَهُ خَلِيطُهُ فَقَالَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ مِنْ خَلِيطٍ خَيْراً فَقَدْ كُنْتَ تُوَاتِي وَ لَا تُمَارِي فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَنْتَ فَجَزَاكَ اللَّهُ مِنْ خَلِيطٍ خَيْراً فَإِنَّكَ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرُدُّ رِبْحاً وَ لَا تُمْسِكُ ضِرْساً[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, had an occasional companion from the time of ignorance. When he (the Messenger of Allah) was commissioned as the Holy Prophet, he met him and said to the Holy Prophet, O

يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ عَضُوضٌ‌[3] يَعَضُّ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ عَلَى مَا فِي يَدَيْهِ وَ يَنْسَى الْفَضْلَ وَ قَدْ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لا تَنْسَوُا الْفَضْلَ بَيْنَكُمْ‌[4] يَنْبَرِي فِي ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانِ قَوْمٌ يُعَامِلُونَ الْمُضْطَرِّينَ هُمْ شِرَارُ الْخَلْقِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There will come a biting time upon people. Everyone will keep tight with whatever is in his hand and forget about generosity. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, ‘You must not forget generosity among yourselves.’ (2:239) At that time a people appears who deals (unjustly) w

كَانَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ عِنْدَنَا رَجُلٌ يُكَنَّى أَبَا الْقَمْقَامِ وَ كَانَ مُحَارَفاً[1] فَأَتَى أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ حِرْفَتَهُ وَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ لَا يَتَوَجَّهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَيُقْضَى لَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع قُلْ فِي آخِرِ دُعَائِكَ مِنْ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَ أَسْأَلُهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ قَالَ أَبُو الْقَمْقَامِ فَلَزِمْتُ ذَل

“In al-Madinah there was a man with us, called abu al-Qamqa’m who was unfortunate. He went to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), and complained before him against his condition and informed him (the Imam) that wherever he goes for something he fails. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said, ‘In your last prayer in the morning, say, ‘Free of all

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ تَرَكَ التَّزْوِيجَ مَخَافَةَ الْعَيْلَةِ فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ ظَنَّهُ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- إِنْ يَكُونُوا فُقَراءَ يُغْنِهِمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[1].

“He (the Imam) (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 neglects marriage because of his fear to feed his dependents has become cynical about Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, who has said, “If they

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ فَأَمَرَهُ بِالتَّزْوِيجِ قَالَ فَاشْتَدَّتْ بِهِ الْحَاجَةُ فَأَتَى أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ حَالِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ اشْتَدَّتْ بِيَ الْحَاجَةُ فَقَالَ فَفَارِقْ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ حَالِهِ فَقَالَ أَثْرَيْتُ وَ حَسُنَ حَالِي‌[2] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَمَرْتُكَ بِأَمْرَيْنِ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِمَا ق

“Once I was with abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came and complained before him (the Imam) about his financial conditions. He (the Imam) commanded him to get married but his needs became more pressing and he came back again to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who asked about his conditions. He replied that it has worsened. He

يَتَزَوَّجُوا حَتَّى يُغْنِيَهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌[5].

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Those who cannot find marriage must remain chaste until Allah through His generosity makes them self-sufficient,’ (24:33) he (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘They must become married so that (when) Allah makes them self- sufficient through His generosity.’”

كَانَ لِعَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ عَيْنٌ بِالْمَدِينَةِ يَكْتُبُ إِلَيْهِ بِأَخْبَارِ مَا يَحْدُثُ فِيهَا وَ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَعْتَقَ جَارِيَةً ثُمَّ تَزَوَّجَهَا فَكَتَبَ الْعَيْنُ‌ إِلَى عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ فَكَتَبَ عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَقَدْ بَلَغَنِي تَزْوِيجُكَ مَوْلَاتَكَ وَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ فِي أَكْفَائِكَ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ مَنْ تَمَجَّدُ ب

“‘Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan had a spy in al-Madinah who reported to him from time to time about things that happened there. Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), set free one of his slave-girls and then married with her. The spy reported this to ‘Abd al-Malik who wrote to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), in a letter that said, ‘Thereafter,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا نَظَرَ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرْأَةِ الْحَسْنَاءِ فَلْيَأْتِ أَهْلَهُ فَإِنَّ الَّذِي مَعَهَا مِثْلُ الَّذِي مَعَ تِلْكَ فَقَامَ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ أَهْلٌ فَمَا يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَلْيَرْفَعْ نَظَرَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ لْيُرَاقِبْهُ وَ لْيَسْأَلْهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ.

“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, ‘If anyone of you looks to a beautiful woman he must go to his wife because what she has is just like what she has.’ A man then stood up and asked, ‘O Me

كَانَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ رَجُلَانِ يُسَمَّى أَحَدُهُمَا هِيتَ وَ الْآخَرُ مَانِعٌ‌[2] فَقَالا لِرَجُلٍ وَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَسْمَعُ إِذَا افْتَتَحْتُمُ الطَّائِفَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَعَلَيْكَ بِابْنَةِ غَيْلَانَ الثَّقَفِيَّةِ فَإِنَّهَا شُمُوعٌ بَخْلَاءُ مُبَتَّلَةٌ هَيْفَاءُ شَنْبَاءُ[3] إِذَا جَلَسَتْ تَثَنَّتْ وَ إِذَا تَكَلَّمَتْ غَنَّتْ- تُقْبِلُ بِأَرْبَعٍ وَ تُدْبِرُ بِثَمَانٍ بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهَا مِثْلُ الْقَدَح

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors that there were two men in al- Madinah, one was called Hayt and the other was called Mani‘. They spoke to a man when the Messenger of Allah (saww) was hearing, ‘When you enter Taef, by the will of Allah, do not miss daughter of Ghaylan al-Thaqafiy because she is a

إِذَا ذَبَحْتَ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ إِيمَاناً بِاللَّهِ وَ ثَنَاءً عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْعِصْمَةَ لِأَمْرِهِ وَ الشُّكْرَ لِرِزْقِهِ وَ الْمَعْرِفَةَ بِفَضْلِهِ عَلَيْنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌[2] فَإِنْ كَانَ ذَكَراً فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ وَهَبْتَ لَنَا ذَكَراً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا وَهَبْتَ- وَ مِنْكَ مَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَ كُلُّ مَا صَنَعْنَا فَتَقَبَّل

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ’Ismahl ibn Marrar from Yunus from certain persons of his people who have said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you slaughter the animal for ‘Aqiqah, say, “In the name of Allah, with Allah, all praise belongs to Allah and Allah is greater than can b

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ مِنَ التَّضْعِيفِ‌[1] تَرْكَ الْمُكَافَأَةِ وَ مِنَ الْجَفَاءِ اسْتِخْدَامَ الضَّيْفِ فَإِذَا نَزَلَ بِكُمُ الضَّيْفُ فَأَعِينُوهُ وَ إِذَا ارْتَحَلَ فَلَا تُعِينُوهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنَ النَّذَالَةِ[2] وَ زَوِّدُوهُ وَ طَيِّبُوا زَادَهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنَ السَّخَاءِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Ignoring to counter-balance a favor that one receives is one of the reasons to weaken one; and it is of injustice to make a guest to work. When a guest comes to you help him. When he leaves do not help him to leave, it is of lowliness. You must provide him supplies and make his supplies g

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا وُضِعَ الطَّعَامُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا مِنْ مَنِّكَ وَ فَضْلِكَ وَ عَطَائِكَ فَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَ سَوِّغْنَاهُ وَ ارْزُقْنَا خَلَفاً إِذَا أَكَلْنَاهُ وَ رُبَّ مُحْتَاجٍ إِلَيْهِ رَزَقْتَ فَأَحْسَنْتَ اللَّهُمَّ وَ اجْعَلْنَا مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ فَإِذَا رُفِعَ الْخِوَانُ قَالَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي حَمَلَنَا فِي الْبَرِّ وَ الْبَحْرِ وَ رَزَقَنَا مِنَ

12. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah from ‘Amr al-Mutatabbib from abu Yahya al-San‘aniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, when finding food placed before him said, ‘O Lord, this is from Y

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَكْرِمُوا الْخُبْزَ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ عَمِلَ فِيهِ مَا بَيْنَ الْعَرْشِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ مَا فِيهَا مِنْ كَثِيرٍ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فِدَاكَ الْآبَاءُ وَ الْأُمَّهَاتُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ نَبِيٌّ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُ دَانِيَالُ وَ إِنَّهُ أَعْطَى صَاحِبَ مِعْبَرٍ رَغِيفاً لِكَيْ يَعْبُرَ بِهِ فَرَمَى صَا

“It is a narration of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) once said, ‘You must treat bread with reverence because from the throne to earth and what is in it, a large number of His c

تَعَشَّيْتُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بَعْدَ عَتَمَةٍ وَ كَانَ يَتَعَشَّى بَعْدَ عَتَمَةٍ فَأُتِيَ بِخَلٍّ وَ زَيْتٍ وَ لَحْمٍ بَارِدٍ فَجَعَلَ يَنْتِفُ اللَّحْمَ فَيُطْعِمُنِيهِ وَ يَأْكُلُ هُوَ الْخَلَّ وَ الزَّيْتَ وَ يَدَعُ اللَّحْمَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ هَذَا طَعَامُنَا وَ طَعَامُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع.

“I once had dinner with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), after Salat (prayer) of al-‘Isha’. He (the Imam) would take dinner after Salat (prayer) of al-‘Isha’. Vinegar, oil and cold meat were brought. He began to pull pieces of meat and give them to me but himself eat vinegar and oil and left the meat. He (the Imam) said, ‘This i

عَلَيْكَ بِخَلِّ الْخَمْرِ فَاغْمِسْ فِيهِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَبْقَى فِي جَوْفِكَ دَابَّةٌ إِلَّا قَتَلَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must eat vinegar of wine and immerse (the morsel or use it very often) in it, because it does not leave any dawab (insects) animal in your belly without killing them.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْخَمْرُ مِنْ خَمْسَةٍ الْعَصِيرُ مِنَ الْكَرْمِ وَ النَّقِيعُ مِنَ الزَّبِيبِ وَ الْبِتْعُ مِنَ الْعَسَلِ وَ الْمِزْرُ مِنَ الشَّعِيرِ[2] وَ النَّبِيذُ مِنَ التَّمْرِ.

“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, ‘Intoxicating liquors are made from five kinds of substances: grape juice, extracts of raisins, al-Bit’ (mead) from honey, al-Mizru (beer) from barley an

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْخَمْرُ مِنْ خَمْسَةٍ الْعَصِيرُ مِنَ الْكَرْمِ وَ النَّقِيعُ مِنَ الزَّبِيبِ وَ الْبِتْعُ مِنَ الْعَسَلِ وَ الْمِزْرُ مِنَ الشَّعِيرِ وَ النَّبِيذُ مِنَ التَّمْرِ.

3. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajj aj from Ali ibn Ja‘far ibn Ishaq al-Hashimiy 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 fam

إِنَّ إِبْلِيسَ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ نَازَعَ نُوحاً ع فِي الْكَرْمِ فَأَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَقَالَ إِنَّ لَهُ حَقّاً فَأَعْطِهِ فَأَعْطَاهُ الثُّلُثَ فَلَمْ يَرْضَ إِبْلِيسُ ثُمَّ أَعْطَاهُ النِّصْفَ فَلَمْ يَرْضَ فَطَرَحَ جَبْرَئِيلُ نَاراً فَأَحْرَقَتِ الثُّلُثَيْنِ وَ بَقِيَ الثُّلُثُ فَقَالَ مَا أَحْرَقَتِ النَّارُ فَهُوَ نَصِيبُهُ وَ مَا بَقِيَ فَهُوَ لَكَ يَا نُوحُ حَلَالٌ.

4. Abu Ali al-Ash‘ariy has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Kufiy from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sa‘id ibn Yasar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Iblis, may Allah condemned him, disputed with Noah (a.s.) about the grape vine and Jibril (a.s.), came and said, ‘He has a right, so give him? He

كُنْتُ مُبْتَلًى بِالنَّبِيذِ مُعْجَباً بِهِ فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَصِفُ لَكَ النَّبِيذَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي بَلْ أَنَا أَصِفُهُ لَكَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُلُّ مُسْكِرٍ حَرَامٌ وَ مَا أَسْكَرَ كَثِيرُهُ فَقَلِيلُهُ حَرَامٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هَذَا نَبِيذُ السِّقَايَةِ بِفِنَاءِ الْكَعْبَةِ فَقَالَ لِي لَيْسَ هَكَذَا كَانَتِ السِّقَايَةُ إِنَّمَا السِّقَايَةُ زَمْزَمُ أَ فَتَدْرِي مَنْ أَوَّ

“I liked al-Nabidh a great deal and I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I want to describe al-Nabidh before you.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, allow me to describe it for you. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of th

الشَّيْبُ فِي مُقَدَّمِ الرَّأْسِ يُمْنٌ‌[1] وَ فِي الْعَارِضَيْنِ سَخَاءٌ وَ فِي الذَّوَائِبِ شَجَاعَةٌ وَ فِي الْقَفَا شُؤْمٌ‌[2].

‘Gray in front of the head is good fortune, on the sides is generosity, on top of the head is courage, and at the back is misfortune.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَدْ أَرْمَضَنِي‌[1] اخْتِلَافُ الشِّيعَةِ فِي مَذَاهِبِهَا فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ أَ لَمْ أَقِفْكَ عَلَى مَعْنَى اخْتِلَافِهِمْ مِنْ أَيْنَ اخْتَلَفُوا وَ مِنْ أَيِّ جِهَةٍ تَفَرَّقُوا قُلْتُ بَلَى يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَلَا تَخْتَلِفْ إِذَا اخْتَلَفُوا يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ الْجَاحِدَ لِصَاحِبِ الزَّمَانِ كَالْجَاحِدِ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي أَي

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حَسَبُ الْمَرْءِ دِينُهُ وَ مُرُوءَتُهُ وَ عَقْلُهُ وَ شَرَفُهُ وَ جَمَالُهُ وَ كَرَمُهُ تَقْوَاهُ.

‘The Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj) said: ‘The status of the man is (in accordance to) his Religion, and his chivalry, and his intellect, and his nobility, and his beauty, and his generosity, and his piety.

فِي غَزْوَةِ ذَاتِ الرِّقَاعِ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ عَلَى شَفِيرِ وَادٍ فَأَقْبَلَ سَيْلٌ فَحَالَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ أَصْحَابِهِ فَرَآهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ قِيَامٌ عَلَى شَفِيرِ الْوَادِي يَنْتَظِرُونَ مَتَى يَنْقَطِعُ السَّيْلُ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ لِقَوْمِهِ أَنَا أَقْتُلُ مُحَمَّداً فَجَاءَ وَ شَدَّ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِالسَّيْفِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ يُنْجِيكَ مِنِّي يَا مُحَمَّد

Abu Abdullah (asws) has said that Rasulallah (saww) encamped under a tree on the edge of the valley during the (military) expedition of Dhaat Al-Raqa’a. A flooding came in between him and his companions. A man from the polytheists saw it, and the Muslims were standing upon the edge of the valley waiting for the flood t

إِنَّ أَحَقَّ النَّاسِ أَنْ يَتَمَنَّى الْغِنَى لِلنَّاسِ أَهْلُ الْبُخْلِ لِأَنَّ النَّاسَ إِذَا اسْتَغْنَوْا كَفُّوا عَنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ أَحَقَّ النَّاسِ أَنْ يَتَمَنَّى صَلَاحَ النَّاسِ أَهْلُ الْعُيُوبِ لِأَنَّ النَّاسَ إِذَا صَلَحُوا كَفُّوا عَنْ تَتَبُّعِ عُيُوبِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ أَحَقَّ النَّاسِ أَنْ يَتَمَنَّى حِلْمَ النَّاسِ أَهْلُ السَّفَهِ الَّذِينَ يَحْتَاجُونَ أَنْ يُعْفَى عَنْ سَفَهِهِمْ فَأَصْبَحَ

191. Al-Husayn Bin Muhammad Al-Ashary, from Moala Bin Muhammad, with a chain going up to some of the wise ones who said: ‘The most deserving of the people who wish to enrich the people are the niggardly ones, because if the people become rich they would refrain from their wealth. And the most deserving of the people wh