Imam al-Sadiq (a.s) has reported: A man passed by `Uthman ibn `Affan who was sitting in the mosque asking for money. `Uthman ordered five Dirhams to be given to him. The man said to `Uthman, “Guide me to one who can relieve my pain.” `Uthman asked him to go to those generous youths, indicating with his hand a place in mosque where Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn and `Abdullah ibn Ja`far were sitting. The man saluted them and asked for money. “Begging is not permissible save for three cases; blood money with compassion; debt with a broken heart and poverty which is intolerable. Which is your case?” The man said, “I am afflicted with one of them.” Imam Hasan ordered fifty Dinars to be given to him. Imam Husayn too ordered forty nine Dinars to be given to him, and `Abdullah ibn Ja`far too ordered forty eight Dinars to be given to him.
After having received these Dinars, the man passed by `Uthman once again. `Uthman asked, “What did you do?” The man said, “I passed by you asking for money. You helped me only with five Dinars and did not ask me any question either; but that generous young man having thick hair asked me something while giving me fifty Dinars. The second one gave me forty nine Dinars and the third forty eight Dinars.” `Uthman said, “Who can relieve your pain like these generous young men? They have appropriated knowledge and insight for themselves and have gathered wisdom and benevolence in them.” ( al-Khisal: 135/1, H 149. )