This is part 11 of 11 of “The Book of Zakat”, book 14 of Al-Kafi — Hadith 6,190–6,217. The book is long enough that it is split across 11 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Muthanna who has said the following: “A man once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Give His right on the day of its harvest and do not spend excessively; He does not love excessive spenders.’ (6:141) He (the Imam) said, ‘So and so, he mentioned his name, Ansariy (people of al-Madinah) had a farm. After harvest, he would give all of it in charity. He and his dependents would remain without anything. Thus, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, called such spending excessive.’”
6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn Yazid who has said the following: “This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘You must not make your hands tied up to your neck nor open it excessively so you remain blame-worth and tied up.’ (17:29) Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ‘Mahsur (tied up) means severe austerity.’”
7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Musa ibn Bakr from ‘Ajlan who has said the following: “Once, I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when a man came asking for help. He (the Imam) gave him a handful of dates from a basket. Then another one came also asking for help. He (the Imam) also gave him a handful of dates. Then another one came asking for help, and he gave him a handful as well. Yet another one came asking for help. He (the Imam) stood up and gave him a handful. Thereafter another one came asking for help. He (the Imam) said, ’Allah is our provider as well as yours.’ He then said, ‘Whoever would come to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, asking for worldly help, he would give it to him. Once a women sent her son telling him, “Go and ask him for help and if he says, ‘I do not have anything to give,’ say, ‘give me your shirt.’” He (the Imam) said that he (the Messenger of Allah) took his shirt off and threw it to him. Another Hadith stated that the Messenger of Allah gave his shirt, but Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, instructed him with the discipline of moderation, saying, ‘Do not keep your hands tied up to your neck nor open them excessively to remain thereafter tied down and blame-worthy.’”
8. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu af-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, who has said the folio wing: “This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘It (moderation) was in between . . .’ (25:67), the Imam said, ‘Al-Qawam (moderation) is a Benevolent Assistance,’ ‘. . . proportionate to the abilities of a wealthy and poor person is a right upon the people of good deeds.’
9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “This is about the words of Allah, most High, ‘Those who, when spending, do not do it excessively or with severe austerity, but with moderation.’ He opened his palm and tilted it a little to one side. About the words of Allah, most High, ‘Do not open your hand excessively . . .’ (25:67) he opened up his palm all the way saying, ‘Like this.’ He said, ‘Al-Qawam is when something is left in your palm and something is allowed to leave your palm.’”
10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il ibn Bazi’ from Salih ibn ‘Uqbah from Sulayman ibn Salih who has said the following: “Once, I asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘What is the minimum limit of excessive spending?’ The Imam replied, ‘It is when you give away your clothes that you need for protection, burning the leftovers in your cooking utensils, and eating dates and scattering the stones inside them here and there.’”
11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Ammar abu ‘Asem who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Four people’s prayers are not accepted. One is he who destroys his wealth and appeals, “Lord, grant me sustenance.’” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, then says, “Did I not command you to observe moderation?””’
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Talhah ibn Zayd who has said the following: “ Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The first charity for which one will be rewarded in the next life is providing water for drinking. ‘“
2. Muhammad has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Misma’ who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the best charity is cooling off a thirsty liver.”
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that if one provides water for a thirsty person and there is water available, his reward is equal to the reward of setting free of a slave. If there is no other water available, its reward is then equal to the reward of saving a life, and the reward for one who saves a life is like saving all people’s lives.”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Murazim from Musadif who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and I were between Makkah and al-Madinah. We passed by a man who had thrown himself near the trunk of a tree. He (the Imam) said, ‘Allow us to see this man. I am afraid he is thirsty . 5 We went to him. He was a man from the Farasin (a certain people) and had long hairs. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Are you thirsty ? 5 He replied, ‘Yes, I am thirsty . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘O Musadif, dismount and give him water . 5 I went and gave him water. Then we left and I said, ‘He is a Christian man. Do you give charity to a Christian man ? 5 He (the Imam) replied, ‘Yes, I give them charity if they are found in that condition. ‘“
5. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Yahya ibn Ibrahim ibn abu al-Balad from his father from his grandfather who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that once an Arab man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘Teach me a good deed whereby I can go to Paradise . 5 He (the Holy Prophet) said, ‘Serve food and offer greetings of peace aloud . 5 He (the Imam) has said that the man then said, ‘I cannot afford this . 5 He (the Holy Prophet) asked, ‘Do you have a camel ? 5 The man replied, ‘Yes, I have a camel . 5 He (the Holy Prophet) then said, ‘Prepare your camel and provide water for a family who need water only every other day. This will not destroy your camel or damage your water container before your going to Paradise becomes necessary. ‘“
6. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Durays ibn ‘Abd al-Malik who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, loves cooling off a thirsty liver. Whoever cools off a thirsty liver of an animal or others, Allah on the Day of Judgment provides him a shadow when there is no shadow except His shadow.”
1. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar and Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan all from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Iys ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that once certain people of Banu Hashim came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked him to appoint them for collecting zakat on cattle. Therefore, the share of zakat collectors should be given to them. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘O children of ‘Abd al-Muttalib, receiving zakat is not lawful for me or for you. However, it is promised that I will have the privilege to intercede before the Lord to save from the fire whomever I will choose.’ -Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, then said that ‘by Allah, He (Allah) has promised His Messenger to have such a privilege,’- ‘What do you then think, children of ‘Abd al-Muttalib, when I have my hands on the doorknob of Paradise, will I give preference to others beside you?’ he (the Messenger of Allah) explained.”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father, from Hammad, from Hariz, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, abu Basir and Zurarah who have said the following: “Abu Ja’far and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Charity is filth of the hands of people. Allah has prohibited me to accept it and certain other things for my own use. Charity is not lawful for the children of ‘Abd al-Muttalib.’ He then said, ‘By Allah, when I will stand at the door of Paradise and get hold of its handle, you must know that I will not give preference to others before you. Thus, you should be happy with what Allah and His Messenger have decided for you.’ They (children of ‘Abd al-Muttalib) then said, ‘We are happy with your decision.’”
3. Muhammad ibn Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Safwan ibn Yahya from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj from Ja’far ibn Ibrahim al-FIashimiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘Is receiving charity lawful for the children of al- Hashim?’ He replied, ‘What is not lawful for us to receive of the people’s charity is obligatory charity. One is harmless when receiving charities other than obligatory. Had it been otherwise, they could not even go to Makkah; these waters are all charities.’”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from Sa‘id ibn ‘Abd Allah al-A‘raj who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘Is charity lawful for Mawali (servants) of children of al-Hashim?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it is lawful.’”
5. Hamid ibn Ziyad has narrated from (ibn) Sama‘ah, from more than one person from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Isma‘il ibn al-Fadl al- Hashimiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about charity which it is not lawful for children of al- Hashim to receive. The Imam replied, ‘It is zakat.’ I then asked, ‘Can they receive zakat from each other?’ He replied, ‘Yes, they can do so. ’’’(This Hadith is best explained by Fatwa).
6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla’ ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad aff from Afi ibn al-Washsha’ from Ahmad ibn ‘ A”Iddah (waiting period) from abu Khadijah who has narrated the foiiowing: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘You can pay Zakat to banu Hashim who want it because it is lawful for them. It is unlawful only for the Holy prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to your cause and for the Imam after him and to ’A’immah ‘Alayhim al-Salam.’”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from certain individuais of our people from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Aiiah from Muhammad ibn Yazid who has said the folio wing: “Abu al-Hassan al-Awwal, the 1st, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Whoever is unable to keep good relations with us (by presenting gifts) should maintain good relations with poor people of our followers, and those who cannot visit our graves should visit the graves of our virtuous brothers (in belief).”’
8. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from al-Nawfaliy from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, 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,
9. It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Hadith) from his father from certain individuals of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has narrated this Hadith. ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “On the Day of Judgment I will intercede on behalf of four kinds of people, even though they may come with the sins of the people of the world. Of such people is a man who has supported my children, one who has spent his property for my children in difficult times, a man who loves my children by his tongue and heart, and a man who strives hard to meet the needs of my children when they are driven away or expelled.’””
10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il from Tha’labah ibn Maymun who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would ask Shihab (ibn ‘Abd Rabbihi) to pay zakat due from him to his (Imam’s) servants. It is not permissible for them (’A’immah) to receive zakat, but it is permissible for their servants.”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from a man who has said the following: “This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘If you pay charity in public, it still is fine. . (2:270) Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, Tt is about obligatory zakat.’ I (the narrator) then mentioned Allah’s words that say, ‘If they hide it and give to the poor. . . .’ (2:270) The Imam said, ‘This is about optional charity. They liked to pay obligatory zakat publicly and the optional zakat out of public sight.’”
2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from those who narrated to him from Mu‘alla’ ibn ‘Ubayd, from Ali ibn abu Hamzah, from his father who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about an amount of zakat which has become obligatory for me to pay in a place where I cannot pay. He said, ‘Keep the amount on one side. If you do business with it, you are responsible for it and for its profit. If you die after keeping the amount on the side and without doing any business with it, you are not liable for anything. If you do business with it along with the rest of your other properties, then the profit is proportionately divided and there is no deduction (for expenses) from that amount (of zakat).”’
3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn Shu’ayb from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from ‘Asem from Yunus from those whom he has mentioned who has said the following: ”Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, was seen giving sugar for charity. Someone asked, ‘Do you give sugar for charity?’ He (Imam) replied, ‘Yes, there is not anything more beloved to me than sugar, so I love to give for charity what is most beloved to me.’”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Mu’adh ibn Kathir who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say, Tt is permissible for our followers to spend as Benevolent Assistance from whatever they possess. When the one with Divine Authority will rise, it will then become unlawful for all possessors of treasure not to bring it to him so he can use it to overcome his enemies. This is stated in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Those who treasure gold and silver and do not spend them for the cause of Allah, inform them of the painful torment that awaits them.’”
5. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Hassan from Musa ibn Bakr who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan, Musa, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Fortify your belongings by paying zakat.’”
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
