Al-Kāfi - The Book of Zakat

Chapter: Self-Abnegation (Giving Preference to Others Over One’s Self) ِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ أَحْ٠َّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ عَنْ ٠َاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَحَدِهِ٠) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَيُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ جُهْدُ الْ٠ِعْتَ قَوْلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلى‏ أَنْفُسِهِ٠ْ وَلَوْ كانَ بِهِ٠ْ خَصاصَةٌ تَرَى هَاهُنَا فَضْلاً.

Have you heard the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, “They give preference to others over themselves even though they are in dire need?” (59:9) It is this kind of charity giving in which you can see excellence.’” شهور - Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi (Mirʾāt al-ʿUqūl fī Sharḥ Akhbār Āl al-Rasūl (6/146))