1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Whoever you associate with, if you can maintain an upper hand (in your dealings with him) do so (be more beneficial).”

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

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Muhammad ibn Hafs from abu al-Rabi’ al-Shami who has said the following: “Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and the house was full of people. There were people from Khurasan, from al-Sham and from various horizons and I could not find a place to sit. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) sat in his place and he was leaning against a pillow. He said, ‘O Shi’a (followers) of the family of Muhammad (a.s.) bear in mind that one who is not able to control his soul when angry is not from us, and so also is one who does not better his association with his associates, show proper behavior with those who exercise proper behavior, befriend those who befriend him, provide protection to those who protect him, observe proper table manners with those who share with him the table. O Shi’a (followers) of the family of Muhammad (a.s.) be pious before Allah to the best of your abilities. There are no means and no power without Allah.’”

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

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We believe you to be a righteous person,’ (12:36) the Imam said, ‘He would make room for others in a gathering, lend money to the needy and assist the weak.’”

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

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Ala’ ibn al-Fudayl from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, ‘Show respect for your friends and dignify them. Do not be aggressive to each other, do not harm or envy each other. Beware of stinginess and be sincere and righteous servants of Allah.’”

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

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hajjal from Dawud ibn abu Yazid and Tha’Labah and Ali ibn ‘Aqabah from certain individuals who narrated to him from one of the two Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “Restraint from associating people brings in their animosity.”

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