Giving Charity to Those Whom One Does Not Know

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I know someone is asking for help, but I do not know if he is a Muslim or not.’ The Imam said, ‘You can give charity to one whom you do not know is a friend or enemy of the truth.…

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about giving charity to an unidentified person. He replied, ‘You can give charity to one for whom you feel sympathy in your heart.’ He said, ‘Give him less than a dirham.’ I asked, ‘What…