Rebuking Misers

ومن كلام له (عليه السلام)

يوبخ البخلاء بالمال والنفس

You spend no wealth in the cause of Him Who gave it, nor do you risk your lives for the sake of Him Who created them. You enjoy honour through Allah among His creatures, but you do not honour Allah among His creatures. You should derive lessons from your occupying the places of those who were before you and from the departure of your nearest brothers.

فَلاَ أَمْوَالَ بَذَلْتموهَا لِلَّذِي رَزَقَهَا، وَلاَ أَنْفُسَ خَاطَرْتُمْ بِهَا لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهَا، تَكْرُمُونَ بِاللهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ، وَلاَ تُكْرِمُونَ اللهَ فِي عِبَادِهِ! فَاعْتَبِرُوا بِنُزُولِكُمْ مَنَازِلَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ، وَانْقِطَاعِكُمْ عَنْ أَصْلِ إِخْوَانِكُمْ!

Alternative Sources for Sermon 117

See ‘Abd al-Zahra', II, 260.