Sermon 231: This money is neither for me nor for you…

Abdullah ibn Zamaah who was one of the followers of Amir al-muminin came to him during his Caliphate to ask for some money when Amir al-muminin said:

إِنَّ هذَا الْمَالَ لَيْسَ لِي وَلاَ لَكَ،

This money is neither for me nor for you,

وَإِنَّمَا هُوَ فَيْءٌ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ،

but it is the collective property of the Muslims

وَجَلْبُ أَسْيَافِهِمْ،

and the acquisition of their swords.

فَإِنْ شَرِكْتَهُمْ فِي حَرْبِهِمْ كَانَ لَكَ مِثْلُ حَظِّهِمْ،

If you had taken part with them in their fighting you would have a share equal to theirs,

وَإِلاَّ فَجَنَاةُ أَيْدِيهِمْ لاَ تَكُونُ لِغَيْرِ أَفْوَاهِهِمْ.

otherwise the earning of their hands cannot be for other than their mouths.

 

Alternative Sources for Sermon 231:  Al-'Amidi, Ghurar, 69.