Chapter on Additions Regarding Zakat

Sa’ad ibn Abdullah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from al-Husayn ibn Said, from al-Mukhtar ibn Ziyad, from Hammad ibn Isa, from Hariz ibn Abdullah, from Zurarah, who said: I (narrator) said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “A man has one hundred dirhams, and ninety-nine dirhams, and thirty-nine dinars; does he pay Zakat on them?” Imam عليه السلام said: “No, there is nothing of Zakat upon him in the dirhams nor in the dinars until forty dinars are completed, and the dirhams are two hundred dirhams.” He (narrator) said: “I asked: ‘Then a man has four she-camels (aynuq), thirty-nine sheep, and twenty-nine cows; does he pay Zakat on them?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “He does not pay Zakat on anything from them, because nothing from them has been completed, so Zakat is not obligatory in it.”

Ali ibn Mahziyar, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Zurarah, who said: I (narrator) said to Abu Ja’far عليه السلام and to his son عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “A man has abundant produce from various kinds, or wealth in which there is no single kind in which Zakat becomes obligatory; is there upon him, in all of it, one Zakat?” So the both Imams عليه السلام said: “No, it only becomes obligatory upon him when it is completed, so Zakat becomes obligatory in each kind of it. So if his land brings forth something in the amount in which charity is not obligatory, of various kinds, one Zakat is not obligatory in it.” Zurarah said: “I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, ‘A man has one hundred dirhams, and ninety-nine dirhams, and thirty-nine dinars; does he pay Zakat on them?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “No, there is nothing of Zakat upon him in the dirhams nor in the dinars until he completes forty dinars and two hundred dirhams.” Zurarah said: “And likewise it is in all things.” He (narrator) said: “And I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: ‘A man had four she-camels (aynuq), thirty-nine sheep, and twenty-nine cows; does he pay Zakat on them?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “He does not pay Zakat on anything from them, because nothing from them has been completed, so Zakat is not obligatory in it.”

As for what Muhammad ibn Yaqub narrated from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ismail ibn Marrar, from Yunus, from Ishaq ibn Ammar, from Abu Ibrahim عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) said to Imam عليه السلام: “One hundred and ninety dirhams and nineteen dinars, is there anything upon them in Zakat?” Imam عليه السلام said: “When gold and silver are gathered together and that reaches two hundred dirhams, then Zakat is due in them, because the substance of wealth is dirhams, and everything besides dirhams, whether gold or goods, is merchandise (arad) returned to dirhams in Zakat and blood-money.”

Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Safwan ibn Yahya, from Ishaq ibn Ammar, who said: I (narrator) asked Abu Ibrahim عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about ‘a man who has one hundred dirhams and ten dinars, Is Zakat upon him?’ Imam عليه السلام said: “If he fled with them from Zakat, then Zakat is upon him.” I (narrator) asked: “He did not flee with them; he inherited one hundred dirhams and ten dinars.” Imam عليه السلام said: “There is no Zakat upon him.” I (narrator) asked: “Then he does not break the dirhams against the dinars, nor the dinars against the dirhams?” Imam عليه السلام said: “No.”

This is indicated by what Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from al-Barqi, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام the Second عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) wrote to Imam عليه السلام: “Is it permissible, may I be made your ransom, that what is obligatory from cultivation, from wheat and barley. And what is obligatory upon gold, be taken out as dirhams according to the value of what it is worth, or is it not permissible except that from each thing, what is in it be taken out?” So the Imam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, answered: “Whichever is easier may be taken out.”

And from him, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Musa ibn al-Qasim, from Ali ibn Jafar, from his brother Imam Musa ibn Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon them both, who said: I (narrator) asked Imam عليه السلام about ‘a man who gives from his Zakat, for dirhams, dinars, and for dinars, dirhams, according to the value. Is that lawful for him?’ Imam عليه السلام said: “There is no harm.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub narrated from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Muhammad ibn Isa, from Yunus, from Muhammad ibn Muqarrin ibn Abdullah ibn Zamah, from his father, from the grandfather of his father: The Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, wrote for him in his letter, which he wrote for him in his own handwriting when he sent him over the charities: “Whoever has reached, among the camels with him, the charity of a four-year-old she-camel (jadhaah), but he does not have a four-year-old she-camel, and he has a three-year-old she-camel (hiqqah), then the three-year-old she-camel is accepted from him, and he places with it two sheep or twenty dirhams. And whoever has reached, with him, the charity of a three-year-old she-camel, but he does not have a three-year-old she-camel, and he has a four-year-old she-camel, then the four-year-old she-camel is accepted from him, and the charity collector (musaddiq) gives him two sheep or twenty dirhams. And whoever has his charity reach a three-year-old she-camel, but he does not have a three-year-old she-camel, and he has a two-year-old she-camel (bint labun), then it is accepted from him, and he gives with it two sheep or twenty dirhams. And whoever has his charity reach a two-year-old she-camel, but he does not have a two-year-old she-camel, and he has a three-year-old she-camel, then the three-year-old she-camel is accepted from him, and the charity collector gives him two sheep or twenty dirhams. And whoever has his charity reach a two-year-old she-camel, but he does not have a two-year-old she-camel, and he has a one-year-old she-camel (bint makhad), then the one-year-old she-camel is accepted from him, and he gives with it two sheep or twenty dirhams. And whoever has his charity reach a one-year-old she-camel, but he does not have a one-year-old she-camel, and he has a two-year-old she-camel, then the two-year-old she-camel is accepted from him, and the charity collector gives him two sheep or twenty dirhams. And whoever does not have a one-year-old she-camel in its proper form, and he has a two-year-old male camel (ibn labun), then the two-year-old male camel is accepted from him, and there is nothing with it. And whoever has with him only four camels, and has no wealth besides them, then there is nothing due on them unless their owner wishes. Then when his wealth reaches five camels, then in it is one sheep.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad ibn Isa, from Hariz, from Burayd ibn Muawiyah, who said: I heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, saying: “Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, sent a collector of charity (musaddiq) from al-Kufah to its desert, so Imam عليه السلام said to him: ‘Go forth, O servant of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and upon you is the fear of Allah سبحانه وتعالى alone, who has no partner, and never prefer your world over your Hereafter. Be a guardian over what I have entrusted you with, observing the right of Allah سبحانه وتعالى in it, until you come to the assembly of the Banu ‘so-and-so’. When you arrive, then stop at their water without mixing with their houses, then proceed to them with calmness and dignity until you stand among them and greet them. Then say to them: ‘O servants of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the wali of Allah سبحانه وتعالى has sent me to you so that I may take from you the right of Allah سبحانه وتعالى in your wealth. Is there a right of Allah سبحانه وتعالى in your wealth, so that you may pay it to His سبحانه وتعالى wali?’ If someone says to you: ‘No’, then do not return to him. But if one of them responds affirmatively to you, then go with him without frightening him or promising him anything except good. When you come to his wealth, do not enter it except with his permission, for most of it belongs to him. So say to him: ‘O servant of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, do you permit me to enter your wealth?’ If he permits you, then do not enter with the entry of one who dominates him in it, nor one who is harsh with him. Divide the wealth into two divisions, then give him the choice of whichever of the two divisions he wishes. Whichever of them he chooses, do not object to him. Then divide the remaining into two divisions, then give him the choice, and whichever of them he chooses, do not object to him. Continue like that until there remains that in which there is fulfilment of the right of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, in his wealth. When that remains, then take the right of Allah سبحانه وتعالى from it. If he asks you to release him from the transaction, then release him; then mix them both together and do the like of what you did first, until you take the right of Allah سبحانه وتعالى in his wealth. When you have taken it, do not appoint over it except one who is sincere, compassionate, trustworthy, preserving, and not harsh with anything from it. Then bring down to us what has gathered with you from every assembly, so that we may place it where Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, has commanded. When your messenger brings them down, then instruct him not to separate a she-camel from her young one (fasil), and not to separate between them, and not to withhold her milk, lest that harm her young one. He should not exhaust her (she-camel) by riding, and he should be just among them in that. He should bring them (camels) to every water he passes by, and he should not turn them away from the plants of the earth to the middle of the roads at the hour in which they rest and are milked in the evening. He should be gentle with them (camels) to the utmost of his ability until they come to us, by the permission of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, healthy, fat, not tired and not exhausted. Then we shall divide them, by the permission of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, according to the Book of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and the Sunnah of His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, among the awliya of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Indeed, that is greater for your reward and nearer to your right guidance. Allah سبحانه وتعالى looks at them, and at you, and at your effort, and your sincerity toward the one who sent you and toward whose need you were sent. For indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, said: ‘Allah سبحانه وتعالى does not look at a wali of His سبحانه وتعالى who exerts himself in obedience and sincerity toward his Imam, except that he will be with us in the highest company.’” He (narrator) said: “Then Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, wept. Then Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “O Burayd, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, no sanctity of Allah سبحانه وتعالى has remained except that it has been violated, and neither the Book of Allah سبحانه وتعالى nor the Sunnah of His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم has been acted upon in this world, And no legal punishment has been established among this creation since Allah سبحانه وتعالى took Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and nothing of the truth has been acted upon until this day of the people.” Then Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: “Indeed, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the days and nights will not pass until Allah سبحانه وتعالى gives life to the dead, causes the living to die, returns the truth to its people, and establishes His سبحانه وتعالى religion which He سبحانه وتعالى approved for Himself سبحانه وتعالى and His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. So rejoice, then rejoice, for by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the truth is only in your hands.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from a number of our companions, from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Ali ibn Asbat, from Ahmad ibn Mammar, who said: Abu al-Hasan al-Urani informed me, who said: Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhajir narrated to me, from a man from Thaqif, who said: Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام, peace be upon him, appointed me (narrator) over Bab Baniqya (district in Baghdad) and a district from the districts of al-Kufah. Imam عليه السلام said to me while the people were present: “Look to your land tax (kharaj), and strive in it, and do not leave from it a single dirham. Then when you want to go to your work, pass by me.” He (narrator) said: “So I came to Imam عليه السلام, and Imam عليه السلام said to me: ‘Indeed, what you heard from me was a stratagem. Beware of striking a Muslim, or a Jew, or a Christian, for a dirham of land tax (kharaj), or selling a work animal for a dirham, for we have only been commanded to take from them the surplus.’”

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, from Muhammad ibn Khalid: He (Muhammad ibn Khalid) asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, about ‘charity.’ Imam عليه السلام said: “Indeed, that is not accepted from you.” So he (narrator) said: “I carry that from my own wealth.” So Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: “Command your collector of charity (musaddiq) not to gather from one water to another water, and not to join together what is separate, and not to separate what is joined together. So when he enters the wealth, let him divide the sheep into two halves and give their owner the choice of whichever of the two divisions he wishes. If he chooses, then let him hand it over to him. And if the soul of the owner of the sheep follows, from the other half of them, one sheep, or two sheep, or three, then let him hand them over to him. Then let him take his charity. When he has taken it out, let him value it among those whom he wishes. When it stands at a price, then if its owner wants it, he is more entitled to it, and if he does not want it, then let him sell it.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Rifaah, who said: I heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, and one of them asked Imam عليه السلام about ‘jewellery, Is there Zakat in it?’ Imam عليه السلام said: “No, even if it reaches one hundred thousand.”

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad, from Umar ibn Udhaynah, from Zurarah and Bukayr, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “There is no Zakat in jewels and the like of them, even if they are abundant.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ahmad ibn Idris, from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Jabbar, from Safwan, from Ishaq ibn Ammar, from Abu al-Hasan al-Madi عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) said to Imam عليه السلام: “A man left with his family maintenance of two thousand for years; is there Zakat upon it?” Imam عليه السلام said: “If he is present, then Zakat is upon him, and if he is absent, then there is no Zakat upon him.”

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ismail ibn Marrar, from Yunus, from Samaah, from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) said to Imam عليه السلام: “A man leaves for his family maintenance of three thousand dirhams, maintenance for years; ‘Is Zakat upon it?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “If he is present, then Zakat is upon it, and if he is absent, then there is nothing in it.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Faddal, from Marwan ibn Muslim, from Ibn Bukayr, from Ubayd ibn Zurarah, who said: I (narrator) asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about ‘a man who took out the Zakat of his wealth, one thousand dirhams, but did not find a place for it to which he could pay that, so he looked at an owned slave who was being sold among those who bid higher, and he bought him with those one thousand dirhams which he had taken out from his Zakat, then freed him. Is that permissible?’ Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes, there is no harm in that.” I (narrator) said to Imam عليه السلام: “Then when he (the former slave) was freed and became free, he traded and worked, and acquired wealth, then died while having no heir; who inherits him when he has no heir?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The poor believers who are entitled to Zakat inherit him, because he was only bought with their wealth.”

And from him, from Ahmad, from Ali ibn al-Hakam, from Amr, from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) asked Imam عليه السلام about ‘a man with whom five hundred and six hundred from Zakat gather, and he buys from it a soul (nasamah) whom he frees.’ Imam عليه السلام said: “Then he would wrong other people of their rights.” Then Imam عليه السلام remained silent for a while. Then Imam عليه السلام said: “Except if he is a Muslim slave in necessity, then let him buy him and free him.”

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from a number of our companions, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from Ali ibn al-Hakam, from Abd al-Malik ibn Utbah, from Ishaq ibn Ammar, from Abu al-Hasan Musa عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) said to Imam عليه السلام: “I have relatives upon whom I spend, and I give more to some of them than to others. Then the time of zakat comes to me; ‘May I give them from it?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “Are they entitled to it?” I (narrator) said: “Yes.” Imam عليه السلام said: “They are better than others; give it to them.” He (narrator) said: “I asked: ‘Then who among my relatives is obligatory upon me, so that I may not count zakat for him?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “Your father and your mother.” I (narrator) asked: “My father and my mother?” Imam عليه السلام said: “The two parents and the child.”

Sa'd ibn Abdullah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from al-Husayn ibn Sa'id, from Safwan ibn Yahya, from Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, who said: I (narrator) asked Abu al-Hasan al-Awwal عليه السلام (the First), peace be upon him, about ‘zakat, may some of those who are given, from among those who do not ask, be preferred over others?’ Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes, the one who does not ask is preferred over the one who asks."

Sa'd ibn Abdullah, from Ibrahim ibn Hashim, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, from Utbah, from Abdullah ibn Ajlan al-Sakuni, who said: I (narrator) said to Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “I sometimes divide something among my companions, maintaining ties with them through it, so how should I give it to them?” Imam عليه السلام said, "Give to them according to migration (hijrah) in religion, understanding (fiqh), and intellect."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Muhammad, from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq, from Muhammad ibn Sulayman, from Abdullah ibn Sinan, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "The charity of the ‘khuff’ (cloven hooves like sheep, cows) and the ‘zilf’ (solid hooves like horses, mules) is given to the dignified needy among the Muslims. As for the charity of gold and silver, and what is measured by the qafiz, and what the earth brings forth, it is for the severely poor." Ibn Sinan said: “I asked: ‘And how did this become like this?’” Imam عليه السلام said: "Because these people are dignified needy and are shy before the people, so the more seemly of the two matters in the view of the people is given to them, and all of it is charity."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Abu Basir, who said: I (narrator) said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “A man dies and leaves dependants; ‘Are they to be given from the zakat?’” Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes, until they grow up and reach maturity, and they are asked from where they used to live when that is cut off from them." So I (narrator) said: “They do not know.” Imam عليه السلام said: "Their deceased one is preserved through them, and the religion of their father is made beloved to them, so it will not be long before they become concerned with their religion. Then, (if) when they reach maturity and turn away to other than the religion of their father, do not give to them."

And from him, from Muhammad ibn Ismail, from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan, and Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, all of them from Safwan ibn Yahya, from Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, who said: I asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about ‘a knowledgeable, virtuous man who died and left behind a debt upon him with which he had been afflicted, and he was not corrupt, nor extravagant, nor known for asking. May one thousand and two thousand be paid on his behalf from the zakat?’ Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes."

Muhammad ibn Yaqub, from a number of our companions, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from al-Husayn ibn Uthman, from one whom he mentioned: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, (was asked) concerning ‘a man who gives the zakat of his wealth to a man while he thinks that he is needy, then he finds him to be well-off.’ Imam عليه السلام said: “It does not suffice for him.”

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Ubayd ibn Zurarah: I (narrator) heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, saying: “There is no man who withholds a dirham from a rightful due except that he spends two dirhams in other than its rightful place, and there is no man who withholds a right from his wealth except that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, will encircle him with a serpent of fire on the Day of Resurrection.” He (narrator) said: “I said to Imam عليه السلام: ‘A man who had recognition paid the zakat to those who were not entitled to it for a period of time; is it upon him to pay it again to those entitled to it when he comes to know them?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes.” He (narrator) said: “I asked: ‘Then what if he does not know anyone entitled to it, so he does not pay it, or he does not know that it is obligatory upon him, then he comes to know after that?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “He pays it to those entitled to it for what has passed.” He (narrator) said: “I asked: ‘Then what if he did not know those entitled to it, so he gave it to one who was not worthy of it, while he had searched and exerted effort, then afterwards he came to know the wrongness of what he had done?’” Imam عليه السلام said: “It is not upon him to pay it again.”

And from Zurarah: the like of it, except that Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "If he exerted effort (seeking those entitled to zakat), then he has become free of liability; and if he fell short in exerting effort in seeking, then no."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Ibn Udhaynah, from Zurarah, from Abd al-Karim ibn Utbah al-Hashimi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, used to divide the charity of the people of the deserts among the people of the deserts, and the charity of the people of the towns among the people of the towns, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would not divide it among them equally. Rather, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would divide it according to the number of them who were present before him. And He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘There is nothing fixed in that.’"

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from al-Haytham ibn Abi Masruq, from al-Hasan ibn Ali, from Marwan ibn Muslim, from Abdullah ibn Hilal ibn Khaqan, said: I (narrator) heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, saying: "The one who leaves zakat, while it has become obligatory for him, is like the one who withholds it, while it has become obligatory upon him."

And from him, from a number of our companions, from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, from Asim ibn Humayd, from Abu Basir, who said: I (narrator) said to Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “A man from among our companions is shy to take from the zakat, so I give him from the zakat and do not name it to him that it is from the zakat.” Imam عليه السلام said: "Give it to him, and do not name it (as zakat) to him, and do not humiliate the believer."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from al-Husayn ibn Uthman, from Abu Ibrahim عليه السلام, peace be upon him: (Imam عليه السلام was asked) concerning ‘a man who is given wealth to distribute among those for whom it is lawful. Is it for him to take something from it for himself, while it was not specified for him?’ He (narrator) said: “Imam عليه السلام said, ‘He takes from it for himself the like of what he gives to others.’"

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from Muhammad ibn Isa, from Yunus, from Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, who said: I (narrator) asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about ‘a man who gives another man dirhams to divide them and place them in their proper places, while he is among those for whom charity is lawful.’ Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in him taking for himself just as he gives to others." Imam عليه السلام said: "And it is not permissible for him to take if he instructed him to place them in specified places, except with his permission."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ahmad ibn Khalid, from Abdullah ibn Yahya, from Abdullah ibn Muskan, from Abu Basir, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, ‘Charities are only for the poor and the needy.’ (Surah al-Tawbah 9:60) Imam عليه السلام said: "‘The poor person’ is the one who does not ask people, and ‘the needy person’ is more distressed than him, and ‘the wretched one’ is the most distressed of them. And everything that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, has made obligatory upon you, making it public is better than concealing it; and whatever is voluntary, concealing it is better than making it public. And if a man were to carry the zakat of his wealth upon his shoulder and divide it publicly, that would be good and beautiful."

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Ishaq ibn Ammar, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: (Imam عليه السلام was asked) regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, ‘To give charity publicly is good, but to give to the poor privately is better for you.’ (Surah al-Baqarah 2:271) Imam عليه السلام said: "It is other than zakat, for zakat is public, not secret."

And from him, from a number of our companions, from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Ja'far ibn Muhammad al-Ash'ari, from Ibn al-Qaddah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, said ‘Charity given in secret extinguishes the anger of the Lord عز وجل, Blessed and Exalted.’"

And from him, from a number of our companions, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Muhammad ibn Khalid, from Sa'dan ibn Muslim, from Mu'alla ibn Khunays, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, went out on a night when there had been a light rain, and Imam عليه السلام was intending the shelter of Banu Sa'idah. So I (narrator) followed the Imam عليه السلام, and behold, something had fallen from Imam عليه السلام. Imam عليه السلام said: "In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. O Allah سبحانه وتعالى, return it to us." So I (narrator) came to Imam عليه السلام and greeted him with peace. Imam عليه السلام said: "Mu'alla?" I (narrator) said: “Yes, may I be made your ransom.” Imam عليه السلام said to me: "Search around you, and whatever you find of anything, hand it to me." Then I (narrator) found much scattered bread, so I began handing to Imam عليه السلام what I found. Then I found a sack of bread which I was unable to carry. So I (narrator) said: “May I be made your ransom, shall I carry it on my shoulder?” Imam عليه السلام said: "No, I am more entitled to it than you, but go along with me." He (narrator) said: “So we came to the shelter of Banu Sa'idah, and behold, there were people sleeping. Imam عليه السلام began dividing a loaf and two loaves until he came to the last of them, then we departed.” I (narrator) asked: “May I be made your ransom, do these people know the truth?” Imam عليه السلام said: "If they knew it, we would have shared with them even the duqqah." And the duqqah is salt. (Imam عليه السلام said) "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has not created anything except that it has a keeper who stores it, except charity, for the Lord عز وجل takes charge of it Himself. And when my father عليه السلام gave something in charity, He عليه السلام would place it in the hand of the beggar, then take it back from him, kiss it and smell it, then return it into the hand of the beggar. Indeed, charity by night extinguishes the anger of the Lord عز وجل, Exalted is He سبحانه وتعالى, erases the great sin, and makes the reckoning easier; and charity by day causes wealth to bear fruit and increases the lifespan. Indeed, Isa ibn Maryam عليه السلام, peace be upon him, when he عليه السلام passed by the shore of the sea, threw a round loaf from his food into the water. Some of the disciples said: ‘O Spirit of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and His سبحانه وتعالى Word, why did you do this, when it is only something from your food?’ Imam عليه السلام said: “So he (Isa ibn Maryam عليه السلام) said: ‘I did this for a creature from among the creatures of the water to eat it, and its reward with Allah سبحانه وتعالى is great.’"

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from al-Nawfali, from al-Sakuni, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, was asked: ‘Which charity is best?’” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "To the hostile relative."

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from al-Nawfali, from al-Sakuni, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, said: ‘Charity is by ten, a loan is by eighteen, maintaining ties with brothers is by twenty, and maintaining ties of kinship is by twenty-four.’"

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Zurarah, Muhammad ibn Muslim, and Abu Basir, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: Imam عليه السلام was asked regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic: “And give its due on the day of its harvest.” (Surah al-An’am 6:141) They (narrators) all said: “Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: ‘This is from charity: he gives the needy person a handful after a handful, and at the cutting of the dates, a handful after a handful, until he finishes. He leaves for the guard a known wage, and he leaves from the palm-trees Mi'afar and Umm Ju'rur (types of palm/date); And he leaves for the guard who is in the orchard one date-cluster, two date-clusters, or three, for his guarding it.’"

And from him, from a number of our companions, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from al-Washsha, from Abdullah ibn Muskan, from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "Do not cut dates by night, do not harvest by night, do not offer sacrifice by night, and do not sow by night, for if you do that, the content one (qani) and the passer-by who asks (mu'tarr) will not come to you." I (narrator) asked: “And what are the ‘content one’ and the ‘passer-by who asks’?” Imam عليه السلام said: "The ‘content one’ is the one who is content with what you give him, and the ‘passer-by who asks’ is the one who passes by you and asks you. And if you harvest by night, the beggars will not come to you. And this is the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic: 'And give its due on the day of its harvest,' (Surah al-An’am 6:141) at the time of harvest, meaning a handful after a handful when you harvest it; and when it comes out, then a handful after a handful; And likewise at the time of cutting the dates; and likewise sowing: do not sow by night, because you give at the time of sowing just as you give at the time of harvest."

Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Muhammad ibn Ali, from Muhammad ibn Fudayl, from Musa ibn Bakr, from Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: Imam Ali عليه السلام, peace be upon him, used to say: "Lending wealth is the protected enclosure of zakat."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad ibn Isa, from Hariz, from Sudayr al-Sayrafi, who said: I (narrator) said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: “Shall I feed a beggar whom I do not know to be a Muslim?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes, give to one whom you do not know to have allegiance (wilayah) or enmity (nasb) toward the truth. Indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, says: 'And speak kindly to people.' (Surah al-Baqarah 2:83) And do not feed one who shows hostility to anything of the truth (nawasib), or calls to anything of falsehood."

And from him, from a number of our companions, from Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah, from his father, from Abdullah ibn al-Fadl, from al-Nawfali, from his father, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: Imam عليه السلام was asked about ‘a beggar who asks, while it is not known what he is.’ Imam عليه السلام said: "Give to the one for whom mercy has fallen into your heart." And Imam عليه السلام said: "Give less than a dirham." So I (narrator) asked: “What is the most that may be given?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Four daniqs (dawaniq)."

Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id, from his brother, from Zur'ah, from Sama'ah ibn Mihran, who said: I (narrator) asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, about ‘zakat, Is it proper for the owner of a house and a servant to receive it?’ Imam عليه السلام said: “Yes, unless his house is a house that produces income, from whose yield dirhams come out that suffice him and his dependants. If the yield does not suffice him and his dependants for their food, clothing, and needs, without extravagance, then zakat has become lawful for him. But if its yield suffices them, then no.”

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Abu Ali al-Ash'ari, from Muhammad ibn Abd al-Jabbar, from Safwan, from Ibn Muskan, from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "The charity of the emigrants is not lawful for the Bedouins, nor the charity of the Bedouins among the emigrants."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Safwan ibn Yahya, from Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, from Abu al-Hasan al-Awwal عليه السلام (the First), peace be upon him: I (narrator) asked Imam عليه السلام about ‘a man whose father, paternal uncle, or brother suffices him in his maintenance. May he take from the zakat and thereby expand for himself, if they do not expand upon him in everything that he needs?’ Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad, from al-Halabi, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: I (narrator) said to Imam عليه السلام: “What is given to the collector of charity (musaddiq)?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Whatever the Imam sees fit, and nothing is fixed for him."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Muhammad, from Ibn Faddal, from Safwan al-Jammal, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him: (Imam عليه السلام was asked) regarding Allah سبحانه وتعالى saying, Mighty and Majestic: ‘And in their wealth there was a rightful share (fulfilled) for the beggar and the deprived.’ (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:19) Imam عليه السلام said: "The ‘deprived’ is the unsuccessful one (muharaf), who has been deprived of the toil of his hand in buying and selling."

And in another narration, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام and Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon them both, said: The Imams عليه السلام said: "The ‘deprived one’ is the man whose intellect has no deficiency, yet provision is not expanded for him, and he is unsuccessful (muharaf)."

Ibn Abi Umayr, from Abu Basir, from Zurarah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, that he said: Imam عليه السلام said: "Part of the completion of fasting is giving zakat, just as sending blessings upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, is part of the completion of prayer. Whoever fasts and does not pay it, then there is no fast for him if he leaves it deliberately; and whoever prays and does not send blessings upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, and leaves that deliberately, then there is no prayer for him. Indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, began with it before prayer, so He سبحانه وتعالى said: ‘Successful indeed are those who purify themselves, and remember the Name of their Lord عز وجل, and prays.'" (Surah al-A’la 87:14-15)

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from a number of our companions, from Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah, from Uthman ibn Isa, from Muhammad ibn Ajlan, who said: I (narrator) heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, saying: "Keep good company with blessings." I (narrator) asked: “And what is keeping good company with blessings?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Gratitude to the One who bestowed them, and fulfilling their rights."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Mihran ibn Muhammad, from Sa'd ibn Tarif, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him: (Imam عليه السلام was asked) regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic: “As for the one who is charitable, mindful (of Allah سبحانه وتعالى), and (firmly) believes in the finest reward,” (Surah al-Layl 92:5-6) Imam عليه السلام said: “Indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى gives for one, ten, up to one hundred thousand, and whatever is more.” And (Imam عليه السلام was asked regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى), “We will facilitate for them the Way of Ease,” (Surah al-Layl 92:7) Imam عليه السلام said: “He does not intend anything of good except that Allah سبحانه وتعالى makes it easy for him.” And (Imam عليه السلام was asked regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى), “And as for the one who is stingy, indifferent (to Allah سبحانه وتعالى),” (Surah al-Layl 92:8) Imam عليه السلام said: “He was stingy with what Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, had given him.” And (Imam عليه السلام was asked regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى), “And (staunchly) denies the finest reward,” (Surah al-Layl 92:9) Imam عليه السلام said: “Indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Exalted is He سبحانه وتعالى, gives for one, ten, up to one hundred thousand, and whatever is more.” And (Imam عليه السلام was asked regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى), “We will facilitate for them the path of hardship,” (Surah al-Layl 92:10) Imam عليه السلام said: “He does not intend anything of evil except that it is made easy for him.” And (Imam عليه السلام was asked regarding the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى), “And their wealth will be of no benefit to them when they tumble (into Hell),” (Surah al-Layl 92:11) Imam عليه السلام said: “Indeed, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, it is not a fall into a well, nor from a mountain, nor from a wall, but rather a fall into the Fire of Hell.”

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hisham ibn Salim, from Zurarah, from Salim ibn Abi Hafsah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "Indeed Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Exalted is He سبحانه وتعالى, says: 'There is nothing except that I have entrusted to someone other than Me سبحانه وتعالى the one who receives it, except charity, for I take it with My سبحانه وتعالى hand, taking it directly, so much so that a man gives in charity a date or half a date, and I raise it as a man raises his foal and his young camel (fasil). Then he meets Me سبحانه وتعالى on the Day of Resurrection while it is like Mount Uhud, and greater than Uhud.'"

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, from Muhammad ibn Ismail, from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hisham ibn al-Hakam, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "Among the most beloved deeds to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, are satisfying the hunger of a believer, relieving his distress, and paying off his debt."

And from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, Ali ibn al-Hakam, Aban ibn Uthman, Misma', from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: Imam عليه السلام said: "The best charity is cooling a burning liver." (providing water to drink)

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from al-Husayn ibn Yazid al-Nawfali, from Ismail ibn Abi Ziyad al-Sakuni, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, said: ‘Do not cut off the beggar in his asking, for were it not that the needy lie, the one who turned them away would not succeed.’"

And from him, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hisham ibn Salim, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, who said: Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "Give to the beggar, even if he is on the back of a horse." (meaning, even if he outwardly appears to possess some means)

And from him, from a number of our companions, from Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah, from al-Nawfali, from Isa ibn Abdullah, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, said: ‘Whoever does a favor to any one of the people of my household (Ahlul Bayt عليه السلام), I shall recompense him on the Day of Resurrection."

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from some of our companions, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, said: ‘Indeed, I will be an intercessor on the Day of Resurrection for four categories, even if they come with the sins of the people of the world: A man who supports my progeny (Ahlul Bayt عليه السلام), A man who gives his wealth to my progeny (Ahlul Bayt عليه السلام) at the time of hardship, A man who loves my progeny (Ahlul Bayt عليه السلام) with the tongue and the heart, And a man who strives in the needs of my progeny (Ahlul Bayt عليه السلام) when they are driven away and scattered."

And from him, from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Muhammad ibn Ahmad, from some of our companions, from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, from Muhammad ibn Yazid, from Abu al-Hasan al-Awwal عليه السلام (the First): Imam عليه السلام said: "Whoever is not able to maintain ties with us (Ahlul Bayt عليه السلام), let him maintain ties with the poor of our Shia; and whoever is not able to visit our graves, let him visit the righteous among our brothers (Shia)."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, in mursal form, from Yunus ibn Abd al-Rahman, from Ali ibn Abi Hamzah, from Abu Basir, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "Whoever withholds a ‘qirat’ (a tiny fraction of wealth) from the zakat is neither a believer nor a Muslim, and this is His عز وجل saying, Mighty and Majestic: 'My Lord عز وجل, return me, so that I may do righteousness in what I left behind.'" (Surah al-Mu’minun 23:99-100)

And in another narration: (Regarding whoever withholds from the zakat), Imam عليه السلام said: "And no prayer is accepted from him."

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ismail ibn Marrar, from Yunus, from Ibn Muskan, from a man, from Abu Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “While the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah's سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, was in the mosque, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم suddenly said, "Stand, O ‘so-and-so’; stand, O ‘so-and-so’; stand, O ‘so-and-so’," until the blessed Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم expelled five individuals. Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Leave our mosque. Do not pray in it while you do not give zakat."

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Ubayd ibn Zurarah, who said: I heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, saying: “There is no man who withholds a dirham from where it is due except that he spends two dirhams where they are not due; And there is no man who withholds a due right from his wealth except that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, will encircle him with a serpent of fire on the Day of Resurrection."

And from him, from Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from al-Nawfali, from al-Sakuni, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, from his father عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: “The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى blessings be upon him and his family, said: ‘No servant has ever withheld zakat and had it increase in his wealth.’”

And from him, from a number of our companions, from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from Ali ibn Hassan, from some of our companions, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "One prescribed prayer is better than twenty pilgrimages, and one pilgrimage is better than a house full of gold which he spends in righteousness until it is exhausted." He (narrator) said: “Then Imam عليه السلام said: ‘And he has not succeeded who wastes twenty houses of gold for twenty-five dirhams.’" He (narrator) said: “So I asked: ‘And what is the meaning of twenty-five?’ Imam عليه السلام said: "Whoever withholds zakat, his prayer is suspended until he gives zakat."

And from him, from Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Abdullah, from Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Muhammad ibn Khalid, from Abdullah ibn al-Qasim, from Abdullah ibn Sinan, who said: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, peace be upon him, said: "Treat your sick through charity, repel calamity through supplication, and seek the descent of sustenance through charity, for it is released from between the jaws of seven hundred devils. And there is nothing heavier upon Satan than charity given to a believer, and it falls into the hand of the Lord عز وجل, Exalted is He سبحانه وتعالى, before it falls into the hand of the servant."