Analysing Giving and Receiving Gifts from Imam Ali's Viewpoint

Subject Areas : Epistemological and methodological researcher of historical research

ali akbar abbasi ¹

1 - assistant professor

Received: 2017-03-08 Accepted : 2017-04-10 Published : 1921-10-23

Keywords: public treasury, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), simplicity, gifts,

Abstract :

Giving and receiving gifts in Imam Ali' era has involved the researcher for a while. Therefore, a study has been done to observe what the conditions of giving and receiving conditions are. Analysing literal, historical and document from the first centuries of Islamic era and the Nahj (written by Imam Ali), we aimed to find an answer to the question. The results showed that Imam Ali had criteria for giving and receiving gifts. One of these criteria was that the gift must not be from the public treasury. The gift must be simple and ingenuous. It must not be given in anticipation of getting a position. He was eager to receive gifts from the secluded poor or ex-wealthy societies. He was willing to give and receive gifts from neighbours. He severely criticized and responded to the brokers who provided gifts from the public treasury. Keywords: gifts, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), public treasury, simplicity