The Prophet's Almsgiving

The Apostle of God said: 'Verily, the One God, besides whom there is no god but He, because of almsgiving repels disease and disaster and fire and drowning and the collapse of buildings and insanity . . . (and he went on to mention seventy types of evil.)' 290 The Prophet was asked: 'What is the best kind of almsgiving?'

He said: 'To give alms when you are in good health and covet your wealth and hope to live on and you fear poverty. Do not wait until your soul reaches your throat.' 291

The Apostle of God was asked: 'What is the best kind of almsgiving?'

He said: 'To give to one of your relatives who has enmity for you.' 292

He also said: 'The best kind of alms is the alms of the tongue.'

He was asked: 'O Apostle of God, and what is the alms of the tongue?' He said: 'To intercede to free a prisoner or to prevent bloodshed or to bring something desirable to your brother or repel something detestable from him.' 293

Notes:

290. bihar al-anwar; vol.59, chap.88, p.269, 9adith 61.

291. al-am"l: of al-?Ys:; vol.2, p.12, Najaf edition.

292. bihar al-anwar; vol.71, chap.3, p.103, 9ad:th 61.

293. !uddah al-d"!:; p.71.

Adopted from the book : "The Prophet Muhammad; a Mercy to the World" by : "Ayatullah Muhammad Sadiq al-Shirazi"