1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn Ghalib from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “A believer should have eight qualities. He is dignified in turbulent times. He is patient in afflicting conditions. He is thankful in prosperous life. He is content with what Allah has granted him. He does not do injustice to the enemies. He does not overburden friends. His own body is tired due to his efforts and people are comfortable with him. Knowledge is a friend of the believer, forbearance is his secretary, reason is the commander-in-chief of his army, kindness is his brother and virtuous deed is his father.”

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

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali form al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah from his father (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Belief has four corner (stones): They are trust in Allah, having Allah as the person in charge of one’s affairs, to agree with the decision of Allah and to submit to the command of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

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

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he has mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “You will not become virtuous until you learn, you will not learn until you affirm and you will not affirm until you accept four Chapters, the first of which will be of no benefit without the last one. People of three Chapters have strayed far away. Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, does not accept anything but virtuous deeds and Allah does not accept (anything) without loyalty in keeping up with one’s stipulations and covenants. Whoever fulfils his stipulations toward Allah and completes whatever is in one’s covenant, he will find (the reward that is) with Him and He will fulfill His promise. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has informed the people of the ways of guidance and has established for it the lighthouse. He has informed them how to behave, saying, ‘I am All-forgiving to the righteously striving believers who repent and follow the right guidance.’ [20:82] Allah has also said, ‘Allah accepts only the offerings of the pious ones.’ [5:27] “Whoever maintains piety before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in the matter of His commands he will come in the presence of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as a believer in whatever Muhammad (a.s.) has brought from Him. How remote, far away and lost are the people who have died before achieving guidance, and had thought that they were believers. They had considered things as partners of Allah without knowing what they had done. Whoever comes to a house through its door finds proper guidance, and whoever looks for a way other than the door has chosen a condemned path. Allah has joined obedience to His Messenger with obedience to those who possess Divine Authority and the obedience to His Messenger with obedience to His own commands. Therefore, whoever does not obey the people who possess Divine Authority, they have not obeyed Allah and His Messenger and it (obedience to people who possess Divine Authority) is the affirmation of what has come from Allah. Dress up (in piety) before every Mosque. Find the houses through the doors to them, the houses for which Allah has granted permission to be raised high, wherein people speak of Him. He has informed you that in these houses there are men who do not become distracted because of trade and business from speaking of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, from prayer and paying al-Zakat (charity). These men fear the Day wherein the hearts and eyes undergo turbulent conditions. Allah chose and purified the messengers for His command, then He purified and chose them (people who possess Divine Authority) who are confirmed in His warnings. Allah has said, ‘No nation who lived before was left without a Warner. . . .’ [35:25] “Lost are those who remained ignorant and guided are those who thought and understood. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘It is not their seeing ability that is blind but it is their hearts which are in their chests.’ [22:46] “How can one who does not think find guidance? How can one who has not received warnings think? Follow the Messenger of Allah, affirm whatever has come from Allah, follow the marks of guidance; they are the signs of trust and piety. You must know that if a man rejects Jesus Christ and acknowledges all the other messengers of Allah, he is not a believer. Find the way through finding the lighthouse and look for the marks from behind the curtains. Strive to perfect the affairs of your religion and believe in Allah your Lord.’”

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

4. It is narrated from him from his father from Sulayman al-Ja’fary from abu al- Hassan al-Rida from his father (a.s.) who has said the following: “A people came to the Messenger of Allah during one of the armed expeditions and he asked who are these people? They said, ‘Believers, O Messenger of Allah.’ He then asked, ‘What is the degree of your belief?’ They replied, ‘It is patience in hardships, thankfulness in prosperous life and agreement with the decision of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah then said, ‘These are forbearing and knowledgeable people. Their understanding is almost to the degree of the prophets. If you really are what you say you are, do not build what you will not use for dwelling, do not accumulate what you will not eat and be pious before Allah to whom you will return.’”

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

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and a number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid all from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) and through various chain of narrators from Asbagh ibn Nubatah who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once addressed us at his home or - that he said - in the castle, and we were all gathered. He (may Allah’s favors be with him) issued a written order that was read to people. Others have narrated that ibn al-Kawwa asked Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to describe Islam, belief, rejection and hypocrisy. He then said, ‘(First I express my thanks to and praise of Allah), thereafter (I must say that) Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, established Islam and made its paths clear for the people coming in Islam. He gave strength to its corners against the enemies. He made it (to be a source of) dignity for those who love it, peace for those who enter therein, guidance for those who follow it, beauty for those who glorify it, protection for those who accept it, a stronghold for those who seek security, a rope for those who like to hold on to it, solid proof for those who speak from it, light for those who search for brightness, a rescuer for those who cry for help, a witness for those who fight for it, success for those who argue by the facts therein, knowledge for those who imbibe it, good report for those who narrate it, judgment for those who take it as the source of decrees, forbearance for those who experience it, a dress for those who contemplate on it, understanding for those who find good points in it, certainty for those who reason with it, insight for those who make a decision, a sign for those who take it as landmark, a good lesson for those who look for good lessons, salvation for those who affirm it, serenity for those who reform, success for those who come close to it, confidence for those who trust it, ease for those who make it the factor-in-charge of thier affairs, advancement for those who do it well, goodness for those who come to it fast, a shield for those who bear patience, dressing for those who observe piety, a supporter for those who take it as a guide, a cave of protection for those who seek safety, peace and comfort for those who accept it, hope for those who believe it and self-sufficiency for those who are content. That is the truth. Its path is guidance, its narratives are honorable and its description is goodness. Its system is clear, its lighthouse shines, its lamp is clean and bright, its aims are high, its training is easy and its advancing is a great deal. Its advancing is quick and its disciplining painful. Its assets are sufficient and its staff honorable. Belief is its system, virtuous deeds are its lighthouse, laws and understanding are the sources of its light, the world is its arena and death is its end, the hereafter its reward, paradise its finish line, hell its resentment, piety its supplies and people of good deeds its soldiers. Through belief good deeds are found, with good deeds good understanding is achieved and with good understanding fear for death is felt and with death the world ends. With the world one reaches the Day of Judgment. On the Day of Judgment paradise is bedecked. Paradise is (the cause of) regret for people of hell. Hell is a good lesson for the pious people and piety is the foundation of belief.”

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