وسئل عليه السلام
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, was asked:
أَيّما أَفضل:
Which of the two is better;
العدل، أَو الجود؟
justice or generosity?
فقال:
Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, replied:
الْعَدْلُ يَضَعُ الاْمُورَ مَوَاضِعَهَا،
Justice puts things in their places
والْجُودُ يُخْرِجُهَا عَنْ جِهَتِهَا،
while generosity takes them out from their directions;
وَالْعَدْلُ سَائِسٌ عَامٌّ،
justice is the general caretaker
وَالْجُودُ عَارضٌ خَاصٌّ،
while generosity is a particular benefit.
فَالْعَدْلُ أَشْرَفُهُمَا وَأَفْضَلُهُمَا.
Consequently, justice is superior and more distinguished of the two.
