to do it. The same applies to the verse concerning private consultation: before it was abrogated, no one except Ali privately consulted the Messenger, yet those who did not seek a private consultation incurred no sin. Such an act is therefore neither an exclusive distinction of the Imams nor one peculiar to Ali—may Allah be pleased with him. Nor can it be said that everyone other than Ali refrained from private consultation because they begrudged giving charity, for this is not known, and the period did not last long. During that brief period, a person might not have needed(1) a private consultation. Even if it were assumed that this was true of some people, it would not follow that Abū Bakr and Umar—may Allah be pleased with them both—were among them. How could that be(2), when Abū Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—had(3) given away all his wealth on the day the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—encouraged charity, while Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—brought(4) half his wealth without any need for a private consultation? How, then, could either of them(5) begrudge two or three dirhams to give before privately consulting him?

Zayd ibn Aslam narrated from his father, who said:

I heard Umar say, “The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—commanded us to give charity, and it so happened that I had some wealth at the time. I said, ‘Today I shall surpass Abū Bakr, if ever I am to surpass him.’ So I brought half of my wealth. The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—asked, ‘What have you left for your family, Umar?’ I replied, ‘An equal amount.’ Then Abū Bakr came with all the wealth he possessed. He asked, ‘Abū Bakr, what have you left for your family?’ He replied, ‘I have left them Allah and His Messenger.’ I then said, ‘I shall never try to surpass you in anything again.’”(6)