Al-Kāfi 8, narration 28

Translation

28. Ali Bin Ibrahim, from Muhammad Bin Isa, from Yunus, from one of his companions, who has said: Abu Abdullah (asws) has reported that ‘A slave of Amir-ul-Momineen (asws) asked him (asws) for some wealth, so he (asws) said: ‘When my (asws) share comes to me (asws) I (asws) will distribute it to you’. He said, ‘I am not content’, and he went to Muawiya who gave it to him. So he wrote to Amir-ul-Momineen (asws) informing him (asws) of what he had received from the wealth. So Amir-ul-Momineen (asws) wrote to him: ‘Thereafter, that which is in your hand from the wealth, there used to be an owner for it before you, and it will get transferred to its (next) owner after you, but what is for you from it is what you pave the way for yourself (for the Hereafter). So prefer yourself over the correction of your children, for what you have gathered is for one of the two men - for a man who works in it by the obedience to Allah (azwj) so he is fortunate with what he receives from you, and as for a man who works in it by the disobedience to Allah (azwj) so he is unfortunate by what you have gathered for him, and there is none from these two who is deserving of being preferred over yourself, and do not place a burden upon your back. So be hopeful of the Mercy of Allah (azwj) for what has past, and place your trust in the sustenance from Allah (azwj) for what remains (of your life)’.

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.