Chapter on Endowments, Charity, and Gifts

Al-Abbas ibn Ma'ruf narrated from Ali ibn Mahziyar, who said: "I wrote to Abu Jafar Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, informing him that a man had purchased a piece of land and endowed it, assigning one-fifth of the endowment to you عليه السلام. He seeks your opinion on whether he should sell your share of the land or appraise its value for himself at the price he bought it for, or leave it as an endowment." Imam عليه السلام wrote back to me: "Inform him that I command him to sell my share of the estate and deliver the proceeds to me. This is my opinion, Allah سبحانه وتعالى willing, or he may appraise it for himself if that is easier for him." Ali ibn Mahziyar continued: I also wrote to Imam عليه السلام that the man mentioned there was severe disagreement among those for whom the estate was endowed, and he feared that this conflict might escalate. If you see it fit for him to sell the endowment and distribute to each their designated share, then please command him to do so. Imam عليه السلام wrote back in his own handwriting: "Inform him that my opinion is, if he knows of the conflict among the beneficiaries of the endowment and that selling the endowment is a better solution, then let him sell it. For sometimes conflicts can lead to the destruction of wealth and even lives."