In this article we will continue our discussion regarding The Treatise of Rights by Imam Zayn Al-Abidin (AS). We will discuss the Right of Him Who Asks from You. Regarding this, the Imam (AS) has said:

And the right of him who asks from you is that you should grant him (his request) if you are certain that he is honest and you are able to fulfill his need. You should also pray to God to relieve him from what has befallen upon him, and help fulfill his needs.

But if you doubt his honesty and he has already been accused of dishonesty, but you are not convinced about this, you will not be sure whether this is one of the plots of Satan who is trying to deprive you of your fortune and cause a blockage between you and your approach to your Lord.

Then you should leave him and overlook and should turn him down gently. But if you can overcome yourself in this respect and grant him what he has asked for despite what is presented to you regarding him, then this is due to your resolution in the conduct of affairs.

Islamic teachings greatly emphasize on giving a helping hand to the needy. In the Quran Allah says: “Believe in Allah and His messenger, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity),- for them is a great Reward.”

Charity is one of those actions that both ends are benefitting, the giving and receiving end. We understand how the receiving end is benefitted, but how is the one giving benefitting.  When a person gives, unconsciously the feeling of content and happiness will arise. In research conducted by the National Institutes of Health, participants who chose to donate a portion of $100 they were provided enjoyed activated pleasure centers in the brain.

When giving to others you’re adding more meaning to your life, you’re inspiring your friends and family to also help the needy. And most importantly if you have children you’re teaching them an extremely valuable lesson.

In the Holy Quran Allah says: “and spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before Death should come to any of you and he should say, "O my Lord! why didst Thou not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good".”

Imam Ali (AS) says “The fuel of Hell in the day of judgment is every person who is ungenerous with the poor and every religious scholar who sold his religion for worldly pleasure.”

Islam stresses that giving charity increases sustenance. The Holy Prophet (S) says: “Attract sustenance by giving charity”. Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS) says that: “Everything has a key, and the key to sustenance is charity”.

In the Holy Quran Allah says “The person who lends to Allah, a good lending will receive many times more.”

Sheikh Kulaini in his book Al Kaafi relates the following tradition from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS): “Cure your sick by giving Sadaqah or charity, and remove troubles and mishaps by giving charity, and increase sustenance with charity. Charity banishes seventy shaitans from what is within one’s beard, and charity goes unto the hand of Allah before it goes unto the hand of the needy”.

Once Abu Abdillah (AS) asked his son how much money he had. His son replied that he only had forty dinaars. Abu Abdillah (AS) asked his son to give it all away in the way of Allah. His son was hesitant and said that it was the only meager amount he possessed.

His father replied that: “Charity was the key to sustenance”.

Shortly after having given the amount in charity the Imam’s son got four thousand dirhams. The Imam (AS) said to his son: “O son, we gave Allah forty dirhams and he gave us four thousand.”

Through this we can evidently conclude that charity is greatly recommended by Allah. It helps the person giving more than the person receiving.

Us as Muslims should always strive to help those in need. This is something that is greatly presented and demonstrated through the actions of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Ahlul-Bayt (AS).

The Holy Prophet (S) said: "Ask (questions from) the learned, speak with the wise, and associate with the poor."

Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen ‘Ali (‘a) said: "The cause of the cessation of (one's) wealth is leaving the needy heedless."

Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen ‘Ali (‘a) said: "The Holy Prophet (S) narrated from Allah, the Exalted, on the night of ascent, Who said: 'O' Ahmad, My love is the loving of the poor. Bring the poor nearer to yourself and situate them close to yourself in order that I approach you..."

Imam as-Sadiq (‘a) said: "Whoever satiates a hungry believer so that the one is satisfied fully, neither a human being among people nor a near-stationed angel nor a divine Messenger knows how great his reward is in the Hereafter except Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." Then, he added: "Feeding a hungry Muslim is from among the means of forgiveness." After that he recited the word of Allah, Almighty and Glorious: "Or the feeding on a day of hunger, of an orphan near of kin, or to the indigent (down) in the dust." (Sura Balad, No. 90, verses 14 to 16).

Now if you know the person does not deserve, you gently reject them, without causing any hurt or hard feelings.

Individuals should feel humble when someone asks from them. Humbleness is the opposite of arrogance, and is an attitude and behavior that Allah and His Messenger Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) have commanded us to have. Through the Holy Quran and through the actions of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Imams, one can certainty conclude that they were the true embodiment of humbleness. 

The cordiality and humility of Imam Zainul Abideen (AS) was well known among the residents of Medina. He used to deal with his slaves and maids also in the most cordial and gentle way. His behavior with his slaves was such that strangers failed to recognize which of them were the Master and which one the slave. One day a father-son duo from Khorasan came to meet the Imam. When it was the time for dinner the Imam moved forward to wash the hands of the guest but he said, “O son of the Messenger of Allah (S)! I will not allow this!” The Imam said, “It is my duty. Why do you want me to be deprived of its rewards?” Thus, the Imam did not agree and at last washed his hands. After that he ordered Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS) to wash the son's hands.

Here the Imam (AS) didn’t see himself above anyone just because he was an Imam, on the contrary he saw himself just like everyone else, even to the point where people didn’t even recognize him.

It is not only from the life of Zainul Abideen (AS) that humbleness is portrayed but also through the actions of all the other Imams.

All his life, Imam Musa Kadhim (AS) never spoke with anyone in a harsh and caustic manner. He never hurt the feelings of others. He used to meet every high and low person in a humble way, and he fulfilled the needs of people with utmost sincerity. Pride and arrogance was never seen in his behavior.

In the Holy Quran Allah says “Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you must be humble towards one another, so that no one wrongs another or boasts to another.”

Through this it’s quite evident that humbleness is of great magnitude. It is through humbleness that we get closer to Allah spiritually.

Also one should have Humility when coming across any circumstance in that nature. Humility is to respect people according to their value, and to not see themselves above them.

It is to be considered as a great manner, and is of great gravitation, and truly deserves admiration. Allah (SWT) has ordered the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) with humility, in the Holy Quran Allah has said

“And lower your wing to those who follow you of the believers.” 

The Ahlul-Bayt (AS) have also greatly emphasized on the importance of humility, and one can realize this through their actions, what they say, and their daily life.

Imam Al-Sadiq (AS) has said “On the day of Judgement, there are two groups of people, whoever has humility towards Allah, Allah will raise them, and whoever is arrogant towards Allah, Allah will lower them.” The Prophet (PBUH) has said “Indeed, the most beloved of you to me and the nearest of you to my position on the Day of Judgement are the best of you in nature and in humility; and the furthest of you from me are the vainglorious, that is the arrogant.” Imam Ali (AS) has said “It is good for the rich to show humility before the poor to seek reward from Allah, but better than that is the haughtiness of the poor towards the rich with trust in Allah.”