Chapter on the Virtue of Charity
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 2|Book 1|Chapter 20
وَ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلسَّائِلِ يَسْأَلُ وَ لاَ يُدْرَى مَا هُوَ فَقَالَ «أَعْطِ مَنْ وَقَعَتْ فِي قَلْبِكَ اَلرَّحْمَةُ لَهُ» وَ قَالَ «أَعْطِهِ دُونَ اَلدِّرْهَمِ» قُلْتُ أَكْثَرُ مَا يُعْطَى قَالَ «أَرْبَعَةُ دَوَانِيقَ ».
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked about a beggar who asks without it being known what their true condition is. Imam عليه السلام said: "Give to the one for whom your heart feels mercy." Imam عليه السلام also said: "Give him less than a dirham." I asked, "What is the most that can be given?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Four daniqs."
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh