A series of moral, doctrinal, and social statements from the esteemed religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, may his shadow remain (Words of Wisdom, episode number 24)
"Familiarity with the Broad Dimensions of Benevolence in Islam"
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The Accompaniment of the Almighty
The Blessed and Exalted God says in the Noble Qur'an:
"Indeed, Allah is with those who are mindful of Him and those who are doers of good." (Qur'an 16:128)
Becoming acquainted with a physician can be beneficial for a person in matters of health and treatment, offering guidance according to the physician's level of knowledge.
Similarly, knowing a religious scholar can bring abundant benefits; companionship and interaction with a scholar surely yield many valuable insights — again, according to the scholar's ability and level of learning.
In the same way, having a friendship with a wealthy person might prove useful at times of need. Generally, being close to any individual can benefit a person in proportion to that individual's means and capacity.
In the above verse, the Almighty — whose power and resources are limitless — promises His companionship to the pious and to those who practice ihsan (benevolence) toward others.
The companionship of the Almighty is a tremendous support, and nothing brings peace to the human heart like it. This divine support and companionship are reserved for the pious and those who are benevolent.
The Vast Scope of Benevolence in Islamic Culture
Benevolence in Islam covers an extremely broad scope.
At a general level, acts of benevolence can be divided into two categories: obligatory and recommended.
Among the obligatory acts of benevolence are zakat (the prescribed alms) and khums (the one-fifth tax), which the Sacred Law mandates under certain conditions.
Zakat becomes obligatory on specific types of wealth once they reach a determined threshold.
Khums applies when a person’s wealth exceeds their needs and standard of living.
These obligatory acts of benevolence have been commanded by Islam, and immense rewards have been promised for fulfilling them.
The second category consists of recommended (but non-obligatory) benevolence, which, though not mandatory, carries great reward.
This category encompasses a wide range of actions.
For example, feeding others and providing for the poor are acts of recommended benevolence.
The reward for such acts varies depending on the magnitude of the assistance provided — for instance, offering someone a meal for one night is a significant and highly rewarded act of kindness.
Providing a place of shelter for a homeless person, even if just for a night, is another valuable deed of recommended benevolence.
If someone repeatedly engages in such acts, their reward increases manifold.
How great, then, is the reward for one who provides a permanent home for someone who is unable to secure shelter for himself and his family!
The Story of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari may Allah have mercy on him
Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, may Allah have mercy on him, the loyal companion of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, received an extraordinary act of kindness from the Messenger of God during his lifetime.
Historical accounts mention that Abu Dharr was originally a polytheist and his profession was that of a qatta' al-tariq — a highwayman or bandit.
Of course, theft itself has different levels and types. Some thieves would break into people's homes at any time, stealing whatever they could find.
Another group, especially in earlier times, would ambush caravans on the roads, attacking the travelers and seizing their goods and merchandise. Abu Dharr belonged to this second group.
Such individuals were often famous for their bravery and skilled swordsmanship.
Highway robbery, naturally, was accompanied by other forms of sin — they would confront men, women, and children, and if anyone resisted, it was not uncommon for them to kill with the sword.
Yet, this fearless and audacious man was guided in a single meeting with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
No act of kindness can match the tremendous favor that the Prophet extended to Abu Dharr.
Not only was Abu Dharr himself guided, but he later became a source of guidance for thousands, perhaps even millions.
As recorded in history, Abu Dharr belonged to the Banu Ghifar tribe.
During the early days of the Prophet’s mission, news of his public preaching rapidly spread among the tribes, including Banu Ghifar.
Abu Dharr and his tribesmen were idol worshippers and deeply entrenched in their ancestral beliefs.
The Prophet’s message, centered around the rejection of idol worship and the call to worship the One True God, greatly disturbed them.
Thus, Abu Dharr — being a brave and daring man — took up his sword one day and told his tribesmen,
"I am going to meet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). If what he says is right, I will follow him; if not, I will kill him with this sword."
Abu Dharr set out and came before the Prophet.
The Prophet recited some verses of the Qur'an for him, perhaps along with some words of advice.
In that very session, Abu Dharr was so captivated by the Prophet and his words that he immediately accepted Islam and remained steadfast in his faith until the end of his life.
It is narrated that Abu Dharr also disclosed his original intention to the Prophet during that meeting — that he had come prepared to either believe or to kill, depending on what he found.
Guiding such a fierce and rebellious man — someone engaged in highway robbery — was undoubtedly a monumental act of kindness, performed by the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
Abu Dharr in Al-Rabadhah
The final chapter of the blessed life of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (may Allah have mercy on him) is a heart-wrenching story of his repeated exiles ordered by Caliph Uthman.
At first, he was banished from Medina to Jabal ‘Amil, a region in southern Lebanon.
After a period, he was summoned back to Medina, but soon Uthman and his entourage found his presence detrimental to their political interests.
Thus, he was exiled once more, this time to Al-Rabadhah — a barren desert situated between Medina and Mecca — where he ultimately passed away and was buried.
Today, that area is known as Wasit.
Many pilgrims traveling from Medina to Mecca pass by Al-Rabadhah roughly 100 to 150 kilometers along the way, where Abu Dharr’s grave stands as a site of visitation for Muslims.
Historical records mention the dire conditions of Abu Dharr’s life in Al-Rabadhah, noting that he died from hunger there.
However, during the short period he spent exiled in Jabal ‘Amil, he dedicated himself to preaching the true message of Islam and revealing its authentic teachings.
As a result, even today — nearly fourteen centuries after his death — millions of righteous and faithful individuals have arisen from that region.
Some biographical works state that about 20% of the Shi'a scholars throughout history trace their roots to Jabal ‘Amil, a region first exposed to Islam and Shi'ism by Abu Dharr al-Ghifari.
Undoubtedly, all the enlightenment, scholarly activities, and acts of charity carried out by the scholars of that area owe a great debt to Abu Dharr’s initial efforts there.
Indeed, only God knows the magnitude of the kindness involved in guiding even one person — let alone guiding thousands upon thousands!
Al-Ayyashi
Another story, among hundreds and thousands of examples, is that of Al-Ayyashi, dating back about 1,100 years.
He lived before the time of Shaykh al-Tusi, who also narrated from him.
Initially, Al-Ayyashi was a scholar aligned with schools of thought deviating from the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), and he even authored works supporting those views.
Later, through the efforts of some sincere Shi'a believers, he came to recognize the truth of the Shi'a school and wholeheartedly embraced it.
He became so firm in his belief that dozens of Shi'a scholars were trained under his supervision.
It is recorded that after his father's death, Al-Ayyashi inherited three hundred thousand gold dinars — equivalent to more than one ton of gold (over a thousand kilograms)!
He spent all of it in the cause of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
One of the prominent Shi'a scholars he trained was Muhammad ibn Umar al-Kashshi, whose biographical work on hadith transmitters (Rijāl al-Kashshi) remains a vital reference for Shi'a jurists even after more than a millennium.
The acts of charity and service Al-Ayyashi offered to the Shi'a community and its scholars cannot be overlooked.
Husayniyyahs: Key Religious Centers
Today, Husayniyyahs (centers dedicated to Imam Husayn) can be found almost everywhere in the world, serving many important purposes.
The establishment of prayer is of such great importance among the Infallibles (peace be upon them) that it is stated in the Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him):
"I bear witness that you established prayer."
Moreover, a hadith states:
"If prayer is accepted, all other deeds will be accepted; and if it is rejected, all other deeds will also be rejected."
Despite the immense importance of prayer, Husayniyyahs also serve other vital functions that should not be overlooked.
They stand as eternal reminders of the supreme sacrifice of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), which ensured the survival of the faith.
It is famously said:
"Islam's existence is due to Muhammad, and its survival is due to Husayn."
Thus, the educational and guiding role of these sacred centers must never be underestimated.
Husayniyyahs are beacons of light throughout the world and should be used to spread the teachings and culture of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) globally.
The greatest kindness one can offer to humanity is guiding them, whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims — and this task is often fulfilled by these sacred centers.
Leaders of Husayniyyahs and Husayni gatherings worldwide must dedicate more attention to efficiently managing these centers and maximizing their role in guiding people and spreading the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them).
Increasing the number of such centers should also be a top priority in their programs.
We pray that Allah, through the blessings of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), grants them — and all the faithful across the world — steadfastness against hardships and strength for even greater efforts.
May Allah's blessings be upon our master and prophet Muhammad and his pure family.
