I wrote to Imam (as) - may I be your sacrifice - saying, "I have no children, and I possess estates that I inherited from my father and some that I acquired myself. I do not feel secure from unforeseen events. If I remain childless and something happens to me, what do you advise - may I be your sacrifice - should I dedicate some of these properties as endowments for my poor brothers and the weak, or should I sell them and give the proceeds in charity to them during my lifetime? I fear that the endowment might not be carried out after my death. If I establish the endowment during my lifetime, am I allowed to benefit from it for my living expenses or not?" Imam (as) replied: "I have understood your letter concerning your estates. You are not permitted to consume from them or from the charity. If you consume from them, the endowment will not be executed, especially if you have heirs. Therefore, sell and give some of its proceeds in charity during your lifetime. If you choose to give in charity, keep for yourself what suffices for your needs, just as the Commander of the Faithful (as), peace be upon him, did."