Another Chapter about Measurement and that there is no Accounting for Food

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), would feed us milk with sugar or a mixture of dates and bread, then give us bread and oil. It was then said to him (the Imam), ’We wish you organize and plan your affairs to balance them out.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘We do so by the command of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. When He expands sustenance for us, we also expand spending; and when He gives us in measures, we also spend in measures.”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘There are three things for which Allah does not ask a believing person for accounting. One of such item is the food that he eats, the clothes that he wears and a virtuous wife who cooperates and with her he protects his chastity.’”

“Once we were in a group with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). He (the Imam) ordered such a food the like of which in good taste and elegance we had never seen. Thereafter dates were brought, in which we could see the reflection of our faces because of their clarity and goodness. A man then said, ‘We will be held accountable for these bounties that we have received in the house of the child of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, is honorable and glorious. Once He gives you food and makes it delicious, He then does not hold you accountable for it. However, He will ask you about what He has granted through Muhammad and Ale (of) Muhammad (SAW).’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Extragance (overspending) is not applicable in food.’”

“I once visited abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He (the Imam) ordered food. I ate a food with him the like of which I never before had seen in cleanness and elegance. When we finished our food he (the Imam) asked, ‘O abu Khalid, how was your food’ or that he (the Imam) said, ‘Our food?’ I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I had never seen such a food in delicacy and cleanness ever before; but I remembered the verse which is in the book of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . on that day you will be asked about the bounties.’ (108:8) Abu Ja’far (a.s.), said, ‘No, you will be asked only about the truth in which you are, (belief in the divine authority of ‘A’immah).”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Prepare food and make it unique; then invite your friends for it.’”