To Please the Believers

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is bringing joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger or paying off his debt.’”

“Al-Najashiy, is a man of the landlords (community) and an agent in al-Ahwaz and Fars. Certain persons of his workers once said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘In the office of al-Najashiy taxes are recorded as due by me. He is a believer and believes in obedience to you. If you consider it proper, write for me a letter to him (to relieve me of the taxes).’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) wrote him, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah, the Beneficent the Merciful. Send joy to the heart of your brother, Allah will send joy to your heart.’ ‘‘When the letter came he took it to him in his office. When it was private he gave him the letter and said, ‘This is a letter from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.).’ He kissed the letter and placed it on his eyes and asked, ‘What do you want?’ He said, ‘Certain taxes are recorded in your office as due by me.’ He then asked, ‘How much are they?’ He said, ‘Ten thousand dirham.’ He then called his secretary and told him to write off all the taxes due by him, and he said not to levy any taxes on him in future. Then he asked, ‘Did I make you happy now?’ He replied, ‘Yes, may I be your servant.’ He then ordered to give him an animal so he could ride, a maid servant, a male servant and a set of dress and for each item he would ask, ‘Did I make you happy?’ He would say, ‘Yes, may I be your servant.’ As long as he said, ‘Yes, he increased his gifts until the last gift. He then said, ‘Take the floor covering of this house wherein you gave me the letter of my master and asked me to help you in your needs. ’ “I (the narrator) did so as I was told and then went to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and informed him of his story the way it had happened. The Imam enjoyed what he had done. 1 then said, ‘O descendent of the Messenger of Allah, it seems he has made you happy by means of his favors to me. ’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, by Allah, he certainly has made Allah and the Messenger of Allah happy.’”

“Of the most beloved deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is sending joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger, relief for his suffering or paying off his debt.”