ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Trusts and the Projects For People’s Welfare It is the demand of brotherhood and friendship that one does not keep only his personal interest in mind but he makes efforts to contribute to the welfare of humanity in general. Islam, with this in view, stressed on the one hand that the Muslims must observe the rites and prayers regularly, and on the other also exhorted people to do works of common welfare.

Therefore, from the zakat it encouraged a head of expenses for the works of general welfare. This amount has to be spent on excavating wells, constructing lakes, constructing rest houses for travelers and constructing mosques. It encourages people to take up such constructive activities that benefit all men irrespective of their religious denomination.

Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), during his short period, despite being engrossed with rebels and traitors, did not close his eyes to the works of general welfare of the people and took up reform activities. Ibn Shahrashūb writes in his al-Manaqib that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) built for the Hajjis seven water cisterns in Yanbu`. He got wells excavated in al-Madinah, al-Kūfah and al-Basrah and constructed a road between Makkah and al-Kūfah and affixed milestones enroute.

On this road, many wells were excavated for the benefit of the travelers. He built a place for impounding stray animals that used to spoil the crops of the farmers. These animals were given feed at the expense of the bayt al-mal . When any owner came and gave evidence of his ownership, the animal was given to him. The Imam (a.s) dug several cisterns with his own hands, planted gardens and gave them to the poor Muslims.

Therefore, a freed slave of the Imam (a.s), Abū-Nayzar says that once the Imam (a.s) came to his place. He served to him his frugal fare. Then the Imam (a.s) started digging a pit until he was drenched in sweat. When the spring flowed out of the cistern, he said that it was Perpetual Charity and wrote the following document with his own hand: “This is what Allah’s creature, `Ali Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) has given in charity.

Both the fiefs `Ayn Abi-Nayzer and al-Bughaybughah have been given as sadaqah for the poor of al- Madinah and for the travelers, so that, through them he will save his face from the hellfire. Both these fiefs cannot be sold nor gifted until they return to Allah and He is the better Successor.