Chapter on the Virtue of Charity
Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 2|Book 1|Chapter 20
وَ سُئِلَ اَلصَّادِقُ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: أَيُّ اَلصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ «جُهْدُ اَلْمُقِلِّ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ «وَ يُؤْثِرُونَ عَلىٰ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ لَوْ كٰانَ بِهِمْ خَصٰاصَةٌ» هَلْ تَرَى هَاهُنَا فَضْلاً ».
Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked, "Which charity is the best?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "The charity given by one in hardship. Have you not heard the words of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Glorious: 'And they give preference over themselves, even though they are in need.' Do you see any surplus here?"
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Faqīh