Another responsibility is to give gifts to the righteous Shi’a and friends of the Imam from one’s wealth and whatever else one has in this material world and this is something that has been mentioned in the traditions which we will shortly review.
Not only does this act earn the pleasure of other believers, rather it also has an impact on the society in general and as a result, the Shi’a and friends of the Imam, through the exchange of gifts, actually help to alleviate poverty amongst one another! This will, in turn, help them to lift themselves up from their abject state through which, their lives will improve and they will not fall victim to difficulties and tribulations!
Imam Musa b. Ja’far al-Kadhim (as) has said:
وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَقْدِرْ عَلـى صِلَتِنَا فَلْيَصِلْ صَالِحِي مَوَالِينَا يُكْتَبُ لَهُ ثَوَابُ صِلَتِنَا
“A person who is not able to present us with a gift should give it to the righteous ones from among our followers. It will be written for him as a reward for presenting a gift to us!”1
- 1.Kamil al-Ziyarat, pg. 319, no. 1