Hadith record

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd Allah ibn Yahya al-Kahily who has said the following: “Once it was said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We visit a brother in belief in the house of orphans with their servant. We sit on their furnishings, drink from their water and their servant serves us and perhaps eat of the food of our friend in which there is the orphans’ food also. What do you say about it? He (the Imam) said, ‘If your visit is beneficial for them, it is not harmful and if it is harmful it is not permissible.’ He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘Man is well aware of his own-self. It is not hidden from you that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “If you mix with them they are your brothers in belief and Allah knows who is corrupt and who is improving and a peacemaker.’””

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — attributed by Thaqalayn·The Arabic above is the original.