Giving to the poor while they themselves were in need was among the beautiful life conducts of the Ahl al-Bayt (s). Here, we mention one of such beautiful acts by the mother of mercy, Lady Fatima al-Zahra (s).
A poor old man went to the Prophet (s) and asked for help. The Prophet (s) said, “I do not have anything with me right now, but you may go to the house of my daughter, Fatima (s) [for it].
The old man went to the house of Lady Fatima (s) and said,
“I am a poor man. I went to your father (s), and he (s) guided me toward you. O Daughter of the Prophet (s)! I am hungry, give me food. I do not have good clothes; give me some clothes. I am poor, give me something.”
Lady Fatima (s) had no food in the house. She (s) gave her necklace to the man and said,
“Sell this necklace and correct your life with it.”
The old man returned to the Prophet (s) and told the story. ‘Ammar Yasir, who was among the good companions of the noble Prophet (s), told the old man, “I buy the necklace for 20 dinars, a pack animal and some food which satiates your hunger.” The old man sold the necklace to ‘Ammar.
‘Ammar wrapped the necklace in a piece of cloth and told his servant,
“Take this necklace to Fatima (s). I gift you to her as well.”
Lady Fatima (s) took the necklace and released the servant.
When the slave gained his freedom, laughed. They asked him about the reason of his laugh and he answered,
“My laugh is for the blessing of this necklace! It satiated a hungry man, covered one without clothes, made a poor one needless and released a slave, and even with all that returned to its owner!”
And this way, through her mercy and charity, the mother of mercy, Lady Fatima al-Zahra (s) made the necklace to be blessed by Allah(God).
Source :
Bihar al-anwar, vol. 43, p. 56.
