١٠٢ - وعنه (ع) قال: سألناه عن الرجل لا يكون عنده إلا قوت يومه، ومنهم من عنده قوت شهر ومنهم من عنده قوت سنة، أيعطف من عنده قوت يوم على من ليس عنده شئ، ومن عنده قوت شهر على من دونه ومن عنده قوت سنة على من دونه على نحو ذلك، وذلك كله الكفاف الذي لا يلام عليه فقال (ع) هُما أمرانِ، أفضلُكم فيه أحرصُكم على الرّغبَة فيه والأثَرة على نفسه. إنّ الله (جلّ جلاله) يقولُ: ﴿ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ ﴾ وإلاّ لا يُلام عليه، واليدُ العليا خير من اليد السفلى، ويبدأ بمن يعول.
102. It has been narrated that the Imam [a.s] was asked, 'There are some among us who have only one day's food with them while some others have one month's food with them. But some of us have one year's food with them. Now, should those men who have one day's food give their food to those who have none or those who have one month's food to those who have only one day's food and so on?' The Imam [a.s] said, 'There is no obligation; but those who are benevolent are superior. Allah says about His chosen creatures: 'They prefer others to their own selves even if they themselves need it. [Holy Quran 59/9]' If someone does not like to be benevolent, he will be condemned. But the hand which gives is superior to that which takes. Charity should begin with the nearest one.'