سورة النحل

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): The best thing that a man provides in his home for his family is a sheep; whoever has one sheep in his house, the angels sanctify him once a day. And if he has two sheep, they sanctify him twice a day. And with three sheep, they say to him three times: "Blessings be upon you."

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) — Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) was asked, "Which wealth is best?" He said, "A crop that its owner has planted with his own hand and has paid its zakat at the time of harvest." It was said, "After farming, which wealth is best?" He said, "A shepherd who grazes his sheep in pastures where the rain falls, and who establishes the prayer and gives zakat." It was said, "After sheep, which wealth is best?" He said, "The cow, which brings good to its owner morning and evening [and gives milk]." It was said, "After cows, which property is best?" He said, "Trees that are firmly rooted in the mud and that provide people's food in times of drought; what an excellent thing is the date palm; whoever sells it [has suffered a loss, and] its price is like ashes on the summit of a high peak upon which a fierce wind blows on a stormy day — unless he plants another tree in its place." It was said, "O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family)! After the date palm, which wealth is best?" His eminence remained silent. A man said, "So why did you not say anything about the camel?" He said, "In keeping camels there is misery, ill temper, hardship and wandering far from home; morning and evening it intends to turn its back [and flee], and it gives no good except from the side that is more ill-omened. (Its good is itself an evil.)"

Ali ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him): دِفْء means the down and wool of the camel, or it is said [it means] anything by which people warm themselves, such as houses and clothing.

Ali ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him): دِفْء means whatever people warm themselves with, such as the wool and hair of the cattle.

Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) and Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): Zurara said: I asked Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) about the urine of horses, mules and donkeys. He said, "[Allah] has considered their urine disliked [and it is better to treat it as impure]." I asked, "Is their meat not lawful?" He said, "Has Allah not made this clear? Where He says: وَ الْأَنْعامَ خَلَقَها لَکُمْ فِیها دِفْءٌ وَ مَنافِعُ وَ مِنْها تَأْکُلُونَ [And He created the cattle for you; you have in them warm clothing and (many) advantages, and of them do you eat], and regarding horses He has said: وَ الْخَیْلَ وَ الْبِغالَ وَ الْحَمیرَ لِتَرْکَبُوها وَ زینَةً [And (He created) the horses and the mules and the donkeys for you to ride and as an ornament]. So He designated the cattle whose names He has mentioned in the Quran for eating, and He designated horses, mules and donkeys for riding. However, their meat is not forbidden, but the people themselves have set aside [eating] it."

Imam Ali (peace be upon him): Allah has explained in His Book the causes and requirements upon which the continuation of the life of created beings depends: the continuation of the life of created beings depends on four things: food and drink (nourishment), clothing, shelter, and marriage for the continuation of the progeny; all of these matters require divine commands and prohibitions [regarding the limits and manner of their use]. As for foods, the various kinds of plants and cattle whose meat is lawful are permitted to be eaten ... Allah says regarding the cattle: وَ الْأَنْعامَ خَلَقَها لَکُم ... [And He created the cattle for you ...].