Virtue of Charity

Giving Charity Repels Misfortune

The Virtue of Giving Charity Out of Public Sight

Giving Charity During the Night

Giving Charity Increases One’s Wealth

Giving Charity to Relatives

Providing for the Family to Improve the Quality of Their Lives

One’s Dependents

Giving Charity to Those Whom One Does Not Know

Giving Charity to Bedouins and People Who Live in Desolate Areas

Undesirability of Turning Away One Asking for Help

The Amount of Charity for One Asking for Help

The Prayer of the Recipient of Charity

One Who Distributes Charity Has a Share in Rewards with the Donor of Charity

Self-Abnegation (Giving Preference to Others Over One’s Self)

One Who Asks for Help Without Actually Needing Help

Unpleasantness of Begging

Embarrassing the Recipient of a Favor

Giving Charity After an Appeal From a Recipient

Benevolent Assistance (Optional Charity as Opposed to Compulsory Ones)

The Virtue of Benevolent Assistance

Another Chapter about the Subject of the Previous Chapter

Providing Benevolent Assistance Repels Wicked Encounters

Providers of Benevolent Assistance Will be Identified as Such on the Day of Judgment

Completion of Benevolent Assistance

Finding a Proper Recipient of Benevolent Assistance

Disciplines for Providing Benevolent Assistance

Refusing to Appreciate a Benevolent Assistance

Providing a Loan

Extending Due Date of Payment in Favor of the Borrower

Waiving a Loan in Favor of a Dead Person

The Cost of Maintenance of Wealth

Appreciation of Bounties

Understanding Generosity and Munificence

Spending on Deserving Causes

Stinginess and Greed

Rare Ahadith about Charity

Virtue of Serving Food

The Excellence of Moderation

Detestability of Over-Spending and Living in Austerity

Providing Water for Drinking

Charity for Descendents of al-Hashim and the People of Their Household (Servants) and Compensation to Them

The Rare Ahadith

The Excellence of Fast and Fasting

The Excellence of the Month of Ramadan

About the One Who Serves Food to a Fasting Person

Prohibition of Saying ‘Ramadan’ Instead of the ‘Month of Ramadan’

The Words to Say When the Month of Ramadan is About to Begin

Verifying the Rise of the New Moon and Finding Witnesses for It

Another Chapter about the Previous Subject

The Day That Is Doubtful About Its Being of the Month of Sha‘ban or the Month of Ramadan

Kinds of Fasts

Disciplines During Fasting

The Fasting of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause

Excellence of Fasting in the Month of Shaman, Continuing Such Fast to Connect it with the Month of Ramadan, and Three Days of Fasting Every Month

Breakfast before Dawn

The Prayer to Say During Breakfast after Sunset

Fasting Continuously and All the Time

The Case of One Who Eats or Drinks but Has Doubts About Its Taking Place before or after Dawn

What Is Dawn, When Does It Come and When Is It Unlawful to Eat?

The Case of One Who Eats, Thinking it to Be after Sunset, when It Is Not yet Sunset

The Time of Breaking Fast after Sunset

The Case of One who Eats or Drinks out of Forgetfulness During the Month of Ramadan

The Case of One Who Knowingly Eats or Is Involved in Carnal Relation During the Month of Ramadan

The Case of a Person Involved in Carnal Relations in the Form of Kissing or Foreplay

The Case of One Who Experiences a Wet-Dream During the Night in the Month of Ramadan or at Other Times and Does Not Shower before Dawn or It Occurs During the Night or Day

The Undesirability of Immersing One’s Head in Water while Fasting

Rinsing One’s Mouth and Nostrils while Fasting

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Vomiting, Nauseating or Burping

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Use of Bath Room and Apply Cupping

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Sniffling or Use of Eardrops or Enema

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Use of Kohl (Eye Drops or powder)

A Fasting Person’s Use of Tooth Brush

A Fasting Person’s Use of Perfumes

A Fasting Person’s Use of Chewing Gum

The Case of a Fasting Person Tasting the Salt in Cooking Pot and Chews for the Fledgling

The Case of a Fly or Mucus Entering the Throat of a Fasting Person

The Case of a Fasting Person’s Keeping a Ring, a Pebble or a Date Stone in His Mouth while Fasting

The Case of Seniors Who Feel Weak when Fasting

The Case of a Pregnant or Breastfeeding Woman Who Feels Weak when Fasting

The Limit of Illness That Exempts One from Fasting

The Case of One Who Remains Ill for Two Consecutive Months of Ramadan

Remedy and Compensatory Fast for the Missed Fasting During the Month of Ramadan

The Case of One Who Wakes up in the Morning with an Intention to Fast, but Who Does Not Do So or Vice Versa when Fasting Is a Compensatory Fast for the Missed Fast in the Month of Ramadan or Other Days

The Case of One Who Fasts Optionally while He Is Obligated to Make Up for Fasting of the Month of Ramadan He Has Missed

The Case of a Person Who Passes Away Owing Fasting of the Month of Ramadan or Other Times

Children’s Fasting and When They Owe Fasting

The Case of One Who Becomes a Muslim during the Month of Ramadan

Undesirability of Traveling in the Month of Ramadan

Undesirability (unlawfulness) of Fast on a Journey

The Case of One Who Fasts on a Journey out of Ignorance

Those Who Do or Do Not Have to Break Their Fast on a Journey 

Optional Fasting on a Journey and Qada’ (compensatory fast) of Fasting Missed on a Journey

The Case of One Who Begins a Journey or Returns from a Journey in the Month of Ramadan

The Case of a Traveler Who Enters His Town or a Place where He Wants to Stay for Ten Days

The Case of One Who Involves Himself in Carnal Relations with His Wife on a Journey or Returns from a Journey in the Month of Ramadan

The Case of Fasting during Menses: Major or Minor One

The Case of One Who Owes Fasting of Two Consecutive Months but an Obstacle Prevents Him 

Fasting As Expiation for Swearing

1ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ سُفْيَانَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ مَنْ سَأَلَ النَّاسَ عَاش�� وَمَنْ سَكَتَ مَاتَ قُلْتُ فَمَا أَصْنَعُ إِنْ أَدْرَكْتُ ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانَ قَالَ تُعِينُهُمْ بِمَا عِنْدَكَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ فَتُجَاهِدُ.

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla’ ibn Muhammad from Sulayman ibn Sufyan from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “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.’” 

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ وَهْبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab from ‘Abd al-‘A’la’ who has said the following: “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).’” 

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ صَدَقَةٌ تَكُونُ عَنْ فَضْلِ الْكَفِّ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “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.’” 

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَأَطْعِمُوا الْبائِسَ الْفَقِيرَ قَالَ هُوَ الزَّمِنُ الَّذِي لا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ لِزَمَانَتِهِ.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “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.’” 

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ مِهْرَانَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ طَرِيفٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطى‏ وَاتَّقى‏ وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنى‏ بِأَنَّ الله تَعَالَى يُعْطِي بِالْوَاحِدَةِ عَشَرَةً إِلَى مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ فَمَا زَادَ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرى‏ قَالَ لا يُرِيدُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ إِلاَّ يَسَّرَهُ الله لَهُ وَأَمَّا مَنْ بَخِلَ وَاسْتَغْنى‏ قَالَ بَخِلَ بِمَا آتَاهُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَكَذَّبَ بِالْحُسْنى‏ بِأَنَّ الله يُعْطِي بِالْوَاحِدَةِ عَشَرَةً إِلَى مِائَةِ أَلْفٍ فَمَا زَادَ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْعُسْرى‏ قَالَ لا يُرِيدُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الشَّرِّ إِلاَّ يَسَّرَهُ لَهُ وَما يُغْنِي عَنْهُ مالُهُ إِذا تَرَدَّى قَالَ أَمَا وَالله مَا هُوَ تَرَدَّى فِي بِئْرٍ وَلا مِنْ جَبَلٍ وَلا مِنْ حَائِطٍ وَلَكِنْ تَرَدَّى فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Mehran ibn Muhammad from Sa‘d ibn Tarif who has said the following: “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.’ ‘. . . We make it easy for his comfort . . .’ the Imam said, ‘He does not do anything but that Allah makes it easy for him to achieve.’ ‘. . . As far the one who is stingy and rich . . .’ the Imam said, ‘He is stingy in what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has granted him.’ ‘. . . and rejects the good words (receiving rewards from Allah) . . . ’ the Imam said, ‘It is Allah’s promise of tenfold reward for giving charity up to one hundred thousand or even more.’ ‘. . . We will soon make it difficult for him . . .’ the Imam said, ‘Whatever evil things he wants is made easy for him.’ ‘. . . His wealth does not help him when he falls . . .’ (92:4-11), the Imam said, ‘This is not a fall into a well, from the top of a mountain, or from a wall. It is a fall into hellfire.”” 

6ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَقُولُ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ إِلاَّ وَقَدْ وَكَّلْتُ بِهِ مَنْ يَقْبِضَهُ غَيْرِي إِلاَّ الصَّدَقَةَ فَإِنِّي أَتَلَقَّفُهَا بِيَدِي تَلَقُّفاً حَتَّى إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَتَصَدَّقُ بِالتَّمْرَةِ أَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَأُرَبِّيهَا لَهُ كَمَا يُرَبِّي الرَّجُلُ فَلُوَّهُ وَفَصِيلَهُ فَيَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَهُوَ مِثْلُ أُحُدٍ وَأَعْظَمُ مِنْ أُحُدٍ.

6. It is narrated from the narrator of previous Hadith from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from Zurarah from Salim ibn abu Hafsah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, has said, 

7ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْعَزْرَمِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَالْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيْهِما السَّلاَم) وَهُمَا جَالِسَانِ عَلَى الصَّفَا فَسَأَلَهُمَا فَقَالا إِنَّ الصَّدَقَةَ لا تَحِلُّ إِلاَّ فِي دَيْنٍ مُوجِعٍ أَوْ غُرْمٍ مُفْظِعٍ أَوْ فَقْرٍ مُدْقِعٍ فَفِيكَ شَيْ‏ءٌ مِنْ هَذَا قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَعْطَيَاهُ وَقَدْ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ سَأَلَ عَبْدَ الله بْنَ عُمَرَ وَعَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَعْطَيَاهُ وَلَمْ يَسْأَلاهُ عَنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ فَرَجَعَ إِلَيْهِمَا فَقَالَ لَهُمَا مَا لَكُمَا لَمْ تَسْأَلانِي عَمَّا سَأَلَنِي عَنْهُ الْحَسَنُ وَالْحُسَيْنُ (عَلَيْهِما السَّلاَم) وَأَخْبَرَهُمَا بِمَا قَالا فَقَالا إِنَّهُمَا غُذِّيَا بِالْعِلْمِ غِذَاءً.

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 al-Safa’ (the small hill in Makkah). He asked them for charity and they said, ‘Charity can only be paid to one who suffers from a troubling debt, a disgracing loss or severe poverty. Do you have any one of such conditions?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I do.’ They then gave him something. He had asked ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar and ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Bakr for charity, and they had given him something without asking him any questions. He then went back to them and asked, ‘Why did you not ask me any questions as al-Hassan and al-Husayn, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have done?’ He informed them about what al-Hassan and al-Husayn had asked. They replied, ‘They (al-Hassan and al-Husayn) are being fed with a great deal of knowledge.’” 

8ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ مِسْمَعٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) لا تَسْأَلُوا أُمَّتِي فِي مَجَالِسِهَا فَتُبَخِّلُوهَا.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from those who narrated to him from Misma’ who has said the following: “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, ‘Do not ask my followers for charity in their gatherings, because you may make them seem stingy.’” 

9ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَيِّباتِ ما كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّا أَخْرَجْنا لَكُمْ مِنَ الأَرْضِ وَلا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنْفِقُونَ قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِذَا أَمَرَ بِالنَّخْلِ أَنْ يُزَكَّى يَجِي‏ءُ قَوْمٌ بِأَلْوَانٍ مِنْ تَمْرٍ وَهُوَ مِنْ أَرْدَى التَّمْرِ يُؤَدُّونَهُ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِمْ تَمْراً يُقَالُ لَهُ الْجُعْرُورُ وَالْمِعَى‏فَأْرَةُ قَلِيلَةَ اللِّحَاءِ عَظِيمَةَ النَّوَى وَكَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ يَجِي‏ءُ بِهَا عَنِ التَّمْرِ الْجَيِّدِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) لا تَخْرُصُوا هَاتَيْنِ التَّمْرَتَيْنِ وَلا تَجِيئُوا مِنْهَا بِشَيْ‏ءٍ وَفِي ذَلِكَ نَزَلَ وَلا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنْفِقُونَ وَلَسْتُمْ بِآخِذِيهِ إِلاَّ أَنْ تُغْمِضُوا فِيهِ وَالإِغْمَاضُ أَنْ تَأْخُذَ هَاتَيْنِ التَّمْرَتَيْنِ.

9. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla’ ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ from Aban from abu Basir who has said the following: “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 Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, wanted people to pay zakat of dates, they would bring all kinds of dates, including undesirable quality dates to pay for zakat. Of such dates was a kind called al-Ju‘rur and al-Mi‘afarah, which has very little fruit, but has a large stone inside. Certain people would bring this kind of date to give for zakat instead of a good quality date. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, asked them not to bring such dates to give for zakat, and the above-mentioned verse of the Holy Quran was revealed about this case. “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 which even you do not accept, unless you overlook to give for charity.” (2:264) “Overlook” means giving in charity of very inferior quality goods like the two kinds of dates just mentioned.’” 

10ـ وَفِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَيِّباتِ ما كَسَبْتُمْ فَقَالَ كَانَ الْقَوْمُ قَدْ كَسَبُوا مَكَاسِبَ سَوْءٍ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَلَمَّا أَسْلَمُوا أَرَادُوا أَنْ يُخْرِجُوهَا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ لِيَتَصَدَّقُوا بِهَا فَأَبَى الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى إِلاَّ أَنْ يُخْرِجُوا مِنْ أَطْيَبِ مَا كَسَبُوا.

10. In another Hadith, it is narrated from abu Basir who has said the following: “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, the most High, refused to accept such payments instead of payment out of their good quality earnings.’” 

11ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ إِنِّي شَيْخٌ كَثِيرُ الْعِيَالِ ضَعِيفُ الرُّكْنِ قَلِيلُ الشَّيْ‏ءِ فَهَلْ مِنْ مَعُونَةٍ عَلَى زَمَانِي فَنَظَرَ رَسُولُ الله (صلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِلَى أَصْحَابِهِ وَنَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ أَصْحَابُهُ وَقَالَ قَدْ أَسْمَعَنَا الْقَوْلَ وَأَسْمَعَكُمْ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ كُنْتُ مِثْلَكَ بِالأَمْسِ فَذَهَبَ بِهِ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ فَأَعْطَاهُ مِرْوَداً مِنْ تِبْرٍ وَكَانُوا يَتَبَايَعُونَ بِالتِّبْرِ وَهُوَ الذَّهَبُ وَالْفِضَّةُ فَقَالَ الشَّيْخُ هَذَا كُلُّهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ الشَّيْخُ أَقْبَلُ تِبْرَكَ فَإِنِّي لَسْتُ بِجِنِّيٍّ وَلا إِنْسِيٍّ وَلَكِنِّي رَسُولٌ مِنَ الله لأَبْلُوَكَ فَوَجَدْتُكَ شَاكِراً فَجَزَاكَ الله خَيْراً.

11. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from a man who has said the following: “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, ‘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 and you to hear his words.’ A man then stood up and said, ‘Yesterday I was like you.’ He then took him to his house and gave him a bar of gold that they used instead of currency for buying and selling. The old man then asked, ‘Is all this for me?’ He said, ‘Yes, all of it is for you.’ The old man said, ‘I accept your bar of gold, but I am not a Jinny or a human being. I am a messenger of Allah to test you. I have found you a thankful person. May Allah grant you good reward.’” 

12ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مِسْمَعِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) بِمِنًى وَبَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا عِنَبٌ نَأْكُلُهُ فَجَاءَ سَائِلٌ فَسَأَلَهُ فَأَمَرَ بِعُنْقُودٍ فَأَعْطَاهُ فَقَالَ السَّائِلُ لا حَاجَةَ لِي فِي هَذَا إِنْ كَانَ دِرْهَمٌ قَالَ يَسَعُ الله عَلَيْكَ فَذَهَبَ ثُمَّ رَجَعَ فَقَالَ رُدُّوا الْعُنْقُودَ فَقَالَ يَسَعُ الله لَكَ وَلَمْ يُعْطِهِ شَيْئاً ثُمَّ جَاءَ سَائِلٌ آخَرُ فَأَخَذَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) ثَلاثَ حَبَّاتِ عِنَبٍ فَنَاوَلَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَأَخَذَ السَّائِلُ مِنْ يَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لله رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الَّذِي رَزَقَنِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) مَكَانَكَ فَحَشَا مِلْ‏ءَ كَفَّيْهِ عِنَباً فَنَاوَلَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَأَخَذَهَا السَّائِلُ مِنْ يَدِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لله رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) مَكَانَكَ يَا غُلامُ أَيُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ مَعَكَ مِنَ الدَّرَاهِمِ فَإِذَا مَعَهُ نَحْوٌ مِنْ عِشْرِينَ دِرْهَماً فِيمَا حَزَرْنَاهُ أَوْ نَحْوِهَا فَنَاوَلَهَا إِيَّاهُ فَأَخَذَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لله هَذَا مِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لا شَرِيكَ لَكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) مَكَانَكَ فَخَلَعَ قَمِيصاً كَانَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ الْبَسْ هَذَا فَلَبِسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لله الَّذِي كَسَانِي وَسَتَرَنِي يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الله أَوْ قَالَ جَزَاكَ الله خَيْراً لَمْ يَدْعُ لأَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) إِلاَّ بِذَا ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ فَذَهَبَ قَالَ فَظَنَنَّا أَنَّهُ لَوْ لَمْ يَدْعُ لَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ يُعْطِيهِ لأَنَّهُ كُلَّمَا كَانَ يُعْطِيهِ حَمِدَ الله أَعْطَاهُ.

12. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Misma’ ibn ‘Abd al-Malik who has said the following: “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 saying, ‘Give me that bunch of grapes.’ The Imam said, ‘May Allah give you a great deal and did not give him anything.’ Soon, another man came and asked for help. The Imam offered him just three pieces of grape that he accepted and said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds who has granted me sustenance.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Wait,’ filled up both of his hands with grapes and gave it to him. The man took the grapes from the Imam and said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.’ He (the Imam) then said, ‘Wait,’ and he (the Imam) asked his servant, saying, ‘How many dirhams do you have with you?’ We estimated there were about twenty dirhams with the servant. He gave them to the man, who took them and said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah. This is from You alone and You have no partners.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Wait,’ and he (the Imam) took off his shirt and said, ‘Wear this.’ The man took the shirt and said, ‘O abu ‘Abd Allah, all praise belongs to Allah who has granted me clothes and covering.’ Or he said, ‘O abu ‘Abd Allah, may Allah grant you good rewards. Nothing except this is left with abu ‘Abd Allah.’ He then left. We thought had he not prayed for ‘Abd Allah, he would keep giving him something as long as he kept praising Allah.’” 

13ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قَالَ إِذَا ضَاقَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُعْلِمْ أَخَاهُ وَلا يُعِينُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ.

13. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz who has said the following: “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.” 

14ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ الله 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.’” 

15ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ جَمِيلِ بْنِ دَرَّاجٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) يَقُولُ ثَلاثَةٌ إِنْ يَعْلَمْهُنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُ كَانَتْ زِيَادَةً فِي عُمُرِهِ وَبَقَاءَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَمَا هُنَّ قَالَ تَطْوِيلُهُ فِي رُكُوعِهِ وَسُجُودِهِ فِي صَلاتِهِ وَتَطْوِيلُهُ لِجُلُوسِهِ عَلَى طَعَامِهِ إِذَا أَطْعَمَ عَلَى مَائِدَتِهِ وَاصْطِنَاعُهُ الْمَعْرُوفَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ.

15. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj from Zurarah who has said the following: “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 (Salat), his sitting for a long time on the table when feeding people, and those providing Benevolent Assistance to properly deserving people.’” 

16ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَم) قُلْتُ قَوْمٌ عِنْدَهُمْ فُضُولٌ وَبِإِخْوَانِهِمْ حَاجَةٌ شَدِيدَةٌ وَلَيْسَ تَسَعُهُمُ الزَّكَاةُ أَ يَسَعُهُمْ أَنْ يَشْبَعُوا وَيَجُوعَ إِخْوَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّ الزَّمَانَ شَدِيدٌ فَقَالَ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لا يَظْلِمُهُ وَلا يَخْذُلُهُ وَلا يَحْرِمُهُ فَيَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الاجْتِهَادُ فِيهِ وَالتَّوَاصُلُ وَالتَّعَاوُنُ عَلَيْهِ وَالْمُوَاسَاةُ لأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَالْعَطْفُ مِنْكُمْ يَكُونُونَ عَلَى مَا أَمَرَ الله فِيهِمْ رُحَماءُ بَيْنَهُمْ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ. 

16. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “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 brothers (in belief). It is not permissible for them to do injustice to each other, betray or deprive one another. It is necessary for a Muslim to strive hard and maintain good relations, cooperation and sympathy with the needy ones. It is showing kindness to each other about which Allah has issued His commanded on you to follow, ‘. . . They are kind to each other. . . ( 48 : 29 )’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 4

Book 1, Chapter 37