Nahj al-Balagha Hadith n. 425

Selections from The Sayings and Preaching of Amir al-Muminin Ali ibn Abi Talib (Peace Be Upon Him) Including His Replies to Questions and Maxims Expressed for Various Purposes.
Translated by Sayyid Ali Reza

وَقَالَ (عليه ‏السلام):

Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said:

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عِبَاداً يَخْتَصُّهُمْ بِالنِّعَمِ لِمَنَافِعِ الْعِبَادِ،

There are some creatures of Allah whom Allah particularizes with favours for the benefit of the people,

فَيُقِرُّهَا فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ مَا بَذَلُوهَا،

therefore He places them in their hands so long as they give them to others;

فَإِذَا مَنَعُوهَا نَزَعَهَا مِنْهُمْ،

but when they deny them to others He takes away the favours from them

ثُمَّ حَوَّلَهَا إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ.

and sends them to others.