Whenever we think of a worthwhile project...

Whenever we think of a worthwhile project, we immediately look at the sihmu 'l-Imam as the first and the main source for financing that project. This is not to deny that often the local resources are not sufficient. But it seems to me (and I pray to Allah that I be wrong) that we are gradually forgetting how to give from the remaining 80% of our excess wealth towards worthwhile causes, and are getting into the habit of depending on khums! D.

Those Who do not Pay Their Dues as Seen By Imam `Ali (A.S.) Some Shi`ahs take the issue of paying khums lightly; they think that giving some money in charity from time to time absolves them of their duty. Such Shi`ahs apparently do not realize that not paying khums, zakat or fitrah (which are obligatory dues) amounts to misappropriation of the money which rightfully belongs to the Imam (peace be upon him) and the needy, orphan and poor people.

To get the feeling of how Imam `Ali (peace be upon him) looks upon the misappropriation of such funds, I would like to quote some parts of a letter which he wrote to one of his officers about the latter's misappropriation of the public fund. While reading the letter, keep the fact in your mind that the officer addressed in this letter was apparently a cousin of Imam `Ali (a.s.). I would specially like to draw the attention of the respected wakils of the mujtahids of our time to this letter.

Imam `Ali bin Abi Talib wrote: "As soon as it was possible for you to misappropriate the ummah's trust, you hastened to turn around and attack (them), and made a swift leap to snatch away whatever you could from their property meant for their widows and their orphans as a wolf snatches a wounded and helpless goat.

Then, you happily loaded it off to Hijaz without feeling guilty for having misappropriated it...It was as though you were sending to your family what you had inherited from your father and mother! "Glory be to Allah! Do you not believe in the Day of Judgement, or do you not fear the exaction of account? O' you who were considered by us among the men possessed of mind, how can you enjoy food and drink when you know that you are eating the unlawful and drinking the unlawful.

You are...marrying women with the money of the orphans, the poor, the believers and the mujahidin to whom Allah has dedicated this money...Fear Allah and return to these people their properties.