The Holy Quran repeatedly emphasizes charity to the poor, teaching Muslims that this charity should be for the sake of God. Therefore, one should not make the recipient of the charity feel indebted, as doing so or harming the poor person would nullify the reward of the charity. For example, Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 264: “O you who have believed! Do not nullify your charity with reminders or injury, like the one who spends his wealth to show off to people and does not believe in Allah or the Last Day”[1].
But how should charity to the poor be given for it to be best? Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 271: “If you disclose your charity, it is good; but if you conceal it and give it to the poor, it is better for you”[2].
Ali ibn Isa narrates from Ibn Aisha who said: “I heard from the people of Medina that they said, ‘We lost the practice of secret charity when Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him) passed away.'”[3]
In Medina, there were several households that Imam Zain al-Abidin (peace be upon him) used to provide for, but they did not know where the assistance came from. When he passed away, this assistance ceased[4].
Ibn Sa’d (a prominent scholar of the Sunni tradition) writes: “When a beggar came to him, Imam would rise, fulfill his need, and say, ‘The charity reaches God before it reaches the hand of the beggar.'”[5]
Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him) had a poor cousin. At night, without him recognizing him, the Imam would visit him and give him several dinars. The man would say, “Ali ibn al-Husayn does not honor his kinship, may God punish him.” Imam would hear this and endure, without revealing his identity. When the Imam passed away, this assistance ceased, and at that time, the man realized that it was Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him) who had been helping him. He then went to his grave and wept[6].
Abu Nu’aym (an early Sunni scholar) writes: “When a beggar would come to Imam, he would say to him, ‘Welcome to the one who is taking my provisions to the Hereafter.'”[7][8]
When the Imam would fast, he would sacrifice a lamb. In the afternoon, he would go to the pot and say, “This dish is for such and such a house, and that dish is for such and such a house.” Then, he would break his fast with bread and dates.
Indeed! Imam (peace be upon him) would do all this for the sake of God and to seek His pleasure, and Allah would increase his honor and dignity in the eyes of His servants. His enemies wished that his virtue would remain hidden and that no one would recognize him, but despite their desires, his fame only grew. For the sun cannot be hidden by mud, and no matter how much perfume is sealed in a container, its fragrance will still reach the noses of others…
(Excerpt from the book “The Life of Ali ibn al-Husayn (peace be upon him)” by the late Dr. Seyyed Jafar Shahidi)
Footnotes:
[1] (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:264)
[2] (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:271)
[3] Kashf al-Ghama, vol. 2, p. 78 & 101 – Manaqib, vol. 4, p. 153 – Safwat al-Safwa, vol. 2, p. 54
[4] Irshad, vol. 2, p. 148 – Kashf al-Ghama, vol. 2, p. 77 & 92 – Manaqib, vol. 4, p. 153 – Khasa’il, p. 616 – Alam al-Wari, p. 262
[5] Tabaqat, vol. 5, p. 160
[6] Kashf al-Ghama, vol. 2, p. 107 – Hilyat al-Awliya, vol. 3, p. 140
[7] Safwat al-Safwa, vol. 2, p. 54 – Hilyat al-Awliya, vol. 3, p. 136 – Tabaqat, vol. 5, p. 164
[8] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 46, p. 72