سورة آل عمران

Imam Rida (peace be upon him): The reason for the obligation of zakat and its secret is this: "Zakat is the sustenance and daily provision of the poor, and it preserves and safeguards the wealth of the rich, because Allah the Exalted has made the healthy and sound individuals responsible for looking after those who are incapacitated and afflicted and undertaking their affairs, as Allah the Mighty and Majestic has said: لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِی أَمْوالِکُمْ وَ أَنْفُسِکُمْ [You shall certainly be tried in your wealth and your souls]; Allah the Exalted tests you in your wealth and your souls. The meaning is that in your wealth, you must give out zakat, and the test in your souls is this: 'Prepare the soul for patience and render thanks for the blessings of Allah.'"

Imam Baqir (peace be upon him): Two angels were descending from the sky and met each other in the air. One of them said: "For what have you come down to the earth?" He said: "Allah has commanded me to go to the sea of Ayla and drive a fish toward the shore for one of the tyrants. One of the tyrants wants to eat a fish and has sent a fisherman to catch a fish for him; I am appointed to guide the fish he desires into the fisherman's net so that he may catch it and take it to that tyrant, and that rebellious tyrant may thus attain this desire of his and eat of that fish. That other angel asked his companion: "For what are you going to the earth?" He said: "My story is more astonishing than this. One of the believers, who always fasts and prays and recites supplication with the pleasant voice by which he is well known to all, has [caused me to be] sent so that I may spill onto the ground the pot of his food which is now being cooked and with which he intends to break his fast, so that the believer may emerge better from the trial."

Ibn Abbas (may Allah have mercy on him): وَ لَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ الَّذِینَ أُوتُوا الْکِتابَ مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ وَ مِنَ الَّذِینَ أَشْرَکُوا أَذیً کَثِیراً [And you shall certainly hear from those who have been given the Book before you and from those who are polytheists much annoying talk] was revealed exclusively concerning the Noble Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) and his Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him): If a believer were to take a tree from the earth or pick up a handful of dust, Allah the Exalted would send someone to him who would dispute with him over what he has done. And that is because Allah the Exalted has not appointed for the believer any share in the dominion of falsehood. Allah the Exalted has taken a covenant from the believer that his word will not be accepted, his statement will not be believed, his right will not be taken from his enemy, and his anger will not be quenched except through his own disgrace.

Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him): Kabuli said: Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him) said: "I wished that I would be permitted to speak with the people three times, and after that whatever Allah willed would come to pass," and at this point he pointed with his hand to his chest, and then he said: "No, it is better that we be patient here." Then he recited this noble verse: وَ لَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ الَّذِینَ أُوتُوا الْکِتابَ مِنْ قَبْلِکُمْ وَ مِنَ الَّذِینَ أَشْرَکُوا أَذیً کَثِیراً وَ إِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَ تَتَّقُوا فَإِنَّ ذلِکَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُور [And you shall certainly hear from those who were given the Book before you and from those who associate partners with Allah much hurtful talk; and if you are patient and guard against evil, indeed that is among the matters of firm resolve], and after this he raised his hand and placed it on his chest.

Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him): The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) was not stricken with any calamity except that on that day he would pray a thousand rak'ats, give charity to sixty needy people, and fast for three days. And he said to his children: "Whenever you are stricken with a calamity, do as I have done, for I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) do the same. So follow the legacy of your Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and do not oppose him, for then Allah will oppose you. Allah the Exalted has said: 'But whoever is patient and forgives — indeed that is among the matters of firm resolve.' (Shura/43)"

Imam Sajjad (peace be upon him): The right of the sa'il (petitioner) is that whenever you are certain of his truthfulness and are able to fulfil his need, you should give to him, pray for him regarding his affliction, and assist him in what he seeks. And if you doubt the truthfulness of his words and he is suspected of lying and you do not wish to give to him, yet you are not safe from it being a plot of Satan who wishes to prevent you from your share and to place a barrier between you and drawing near to your Lord — then by concealing that suspicion you leave him and turn him away in a beautiful manner. And if you overcome yourself in his matter and give to him contrary to what has arisen in your soul concerning him, then indeed that is among the matters of firm resolve.