Trials & Divine Tests

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ‌[1] عَ

“Once with a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. A discussion on Intelligence and Ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon, Imam abu ‘Abd Allah said, ‘First, you must recognize Intelligence and its army as well as Ignorance and its army,

قَالَ: الْكَمَالُ كُلُّ الْكَمَالِ التَّفَقُّهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَ الصَّبْرُ عَلَى النَّائِبَةِ[4] وَ تَقْدِيرُ الْمَعِيشَةِ.

'The most perfect of all perfection is a good understanding of religion, exercising patience during affliction and setting up of means of living.'

إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فِيهِ قَبْضٌ أَوْ بَسْطٌ مِمَّا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَوْ نَهَى عَنْهُ إِلَّا وَ فِيهِ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ابْتِلَاءٌ وَ قَضَاءٌ[1].

“ There is nothing in which there is expansion or reduction of the matters that Allah has commanded or has prohibited except that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, therein has a decree and a testing.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ بَيْنَا أَبِي ع يَطُوفُ بِالْكَعْبَةِ إِذَا رَجُلٌ مُعْتَجِرٌ[3] قَدْ قُيِّضَ لَهُ‌ فَقَطَعَ عَلَيْهِ أُسْبُوعَهُ‌[1] حَتَّى أَدْخَلَهُ إِلَى دَارٍ جَنْبَ الصَّفَا فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ فَكُنَّا ثَلَاثَةً فَقَالَ مَرْحَباً يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِي وَ قَالَ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ يَا أَمِينَ اللَّهِ بَعْدَ آبَائِهِ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ[2] إِنْ شِئْتَ فَأَخْبِر

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once while my father was walking around the Ka‘ba for Tawaf a man who had covered his face partially with his turban suddenly came by. He caused discontinuation in the Tawaf of the Imam (a.s.) and took him (a.s.) to a house adjacent to al-Safa. He sent for me also and then we were there

إِذَا فُقِدَ الْخَامِسُ مِنْ وُلْدِ السَّابِعِ فَاللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِي أَدْيَانِكُمْ‌[1]- لَا يُزِيلُكُمْ عَنْهَا أَحَدٌ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ مِنْ غَيْبَةٍ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ عَنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ مَنْ كَانَ يَقُولُ بِهِ إِنَّمَا هِيَ مِحْنَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ امْتَحَنَ بِهَا خَلْقَهُ لَوْ عَلِمَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَ أَجْدَادُكُمْ دِيناً أَصَحَّ مِنْ هَذَا لَاتَّبَعُوهُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ

“When the fifth descendant of the seventh (Imam) will disappear from the public sight at that time for the sake of Allah, for the sake of Allah protect your religion so no one can strip off of it. My son, it is necessary that the in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) must disappear from the public s

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ مَعَهُ كُتُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ يَدْعُونَهُ فِيهَا إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْبِرُونَهُ بِاجْتِمَاعِهِمْ وَ يَأْمُرُونَهُ بِالْخُرُوجِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ الْكُتُبُ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنْهُمْ أَوْ جَوَابُ مَا كَتَبْتَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ دَعَوْتَهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلِ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ لِمَعْرِف

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Husayn ibn al-Jarud from Musa ibn Bakr ibn Dab from the one who narrated to him from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn went to see abu Ja’far, Muhammad ibn Ali. He carried with him l

فِيهَا أَلَا إِنَّ بَلِيَّتَكُمْ قَدْ عَادَتْ كَهَيْئَتِهَا يَوْمَ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص وَ الَّذِي بَعَثَهُ بِالْحَقِّ لَتُبَلْبَلُنَّ بَلْبَلَةً وَ لَتُغَرْبَلُنَّ غَرْبَلَةً حَتَّى يَعُودَ أَسْفَلُكُمْ أَعْلَاكُمْ وَ أَعْلَاكُمْ أَسْفَلَكُمْ وَ لَيَسْبِقَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا قَصَّرُوا وَ لَيُقَصِّرَنَّ سَبَّاقُونَ كَانُوا سَبَقُوا وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَتَمْتُ وَسِمَةً وَ لَا كَذَبْتُ كَذِبَةً وَ لَقَدْ نُبِّئْت

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ya‘qub al-Sarraj and Ali ibn Ri’ab from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “When people pledged allegiance to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) after the assassination of ‘Uthman he addressed the people from the pulpit and delivered a se

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَيْلٌ لِطُغَاةِ الْعَرَبِ مِنْ أَمْرٍ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَمْ مَعَ الْقَائِمِ مِنَ الْعَرَبِ قَالَ نَفَرٌ يَسِيرٌ قُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ مَنْ يَصِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ مِنْهُمْ لَكَثِيرٌ قَالَ لَا بُدَّ لِلنَّاسِ مِنْ أَنْ يُمَحَّصُوا وَ يُمَيَّزُوا وَ يُغَرْبَلُوا وَ يُسْتَخْرَجُ فِي الْغِرْبَالِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say as herein below, ‘Woe to the rebellious Arabs from the matter that is coming closer.’0” I then asked, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “How many people will be there with Al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority)?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “just a very few pe

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مَنْصُورُ إِنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمْ إِلَّا بَعْدَ إِيَاسٍ وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى تُمَيَّزُوا وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَشْقَى مَنْ يَشْقَى وَ يَسْعَدَ مَنْ يَسْعَدُ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me, “O Mansur, this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will not come to you before despair, and not, by Allah, before (your good ones are) distinguished (from evil ones) and not, by Allah, before you are refined and not, by Allah, before tuning to misfortune of those who a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الم أَ حَسِبَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يُتْرَكُوا أَنْ يَقُولُوا آمَنَّا وَ هُمْ لا يُفْتَنُونَ‌[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي مَا الْفِتْنَةُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الَّذِي عِنْدَنَا الْفِتْنَةُ فِي الدِّينِ فَقَالَ يُفْتَنُونَ كَمَا يُفْتَنُ الذَّهَبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ يُخْلَصُونَ كَمَا يُخْلَصُ الذَّهَبُ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) say, “Alif, Lam, Mim. Do people think they will not be tested because they say, “We have faith?” (29:1-2). Then he (a.s.) asked me, “What is al-Fitna (the Test)?” I said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, in our opinion it is the test in religion.“ He (a.s.) replied, “They

قَالَ إِنَّ حَدِيثَكُمْ هَذَا لَتَشْمَئِزُّ مِنْهُ قُلُوبُ الرِّجَالِ فَمَنْ أَقَرَّ بِهِ فَزِيدُوهُ وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ فَذَرُوهُ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ يَسْقُطُ فِيهَا- كُلُّ بِطَانَةٍ وَ وَلِيجَةٍ[3] حَتَّى يَسْقُطَ فِيهَا مَنْ يَشُقُّ الشَّعْرَ بِشَعْرَتَيْنِ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى إِلَّا نَحْنُ وَ شِيعَتُنَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Your story (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) causes apprehension in the hearts of people. Those who acknowledge it (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) you should enlighten him further and those who would deny it you should leave them alone. There m

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا جُلُوساً وَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَسْمَعُ كَلَامَنَا فَقَالَ لَنَا فِي أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنْتُمْ هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُغَرْبَلُوا لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُ

“Once I, al-Harith ibn al-Mughira and a group of our people were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who could hear our conversations. He asked ask us, “What is the issue in your dialogue? It will not happen and it will never happen. By Allah, what you are looking to will not take place before you are sifted, by Al

النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع.

In the Praise of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All praise belongs to Allah Who is praised for His bounties, worshipped for His Might, obeyed in His rule and feared for His Majesty. He possesses all that is attractive; His commands pervade in all of His creation. He is High, the Most High. He is near in His Highne

لَمَّا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بَاتَ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ ع بِأَطْوَلِ لَيْلَةٍ حَتَّى ظَنُّوا أَنْ لَا سَمَاءَ تُظِلُّهُمْ وَ لَا أَرْضَ تُقِلُّهُمْ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَتَرَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ وَ الْأَبْعَدِينَ فِي اللَّهِ فَبَيْنَا هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ أَتَاهُمْ آتٍ لَا يَرَوْنَهُ وَ يَسْمَعُونَ كَلَامَهُ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ إِنَّ فِي اللَّهِ عَزَاءً مِنْ كُ

19.Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Mansur ibn al-‘Abbas from Ali ibn Asbat from Ya’qub ibn Salim from a man from Abu Ja‘far (AS) who has said the following: “When the Messenger of Allah passed away the family of Muhammad (SAW) experienced the longest night. They had a feel

لَمَّا كَانَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ- أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع ارْتَجَ‌[2] الْمَوْضِعُ بِالْبُكَاءِ وَ دَهِشَ النَّاسُ كَيَوْمَ قُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ بَاكِياً وَ هُوَ مُسْرِعٌ مُسْتَرْجِعٌ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ الْيَوْمَ انْقَطَعَتْ خِلَافَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ حَتَّى وَقَفَ عَلَى بَابِ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي فِيهِ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ كُنْتَ أَوَّلَ الْقَوْمِ إِسْ

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Barqi from Ahmad ibn Zayd al-Naysaburi who has said that narrated to me ‘Umar ibn Ibrahim al-Hashimi from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn ‘Umar from ’Asid ibn Safwan the companion of the Messenger of Allah who has said the following. “On the day that Ami

أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ يَا ابْنَ الْخَطَّابِ لَوْ لَا أَنِّي أَكْرَهُ أَنْ يُصِيبَ الْبَلَاءُ مَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ لَعَلِمْتَ أَنِّي سَأُقْسِمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ ثُمَّ أَجِدُهُ سَرِيعَ الْإِجَابَةِ.

“During the time of their doing (setting the door on fire) what they did Fatima held ‘Umar by his collar and pulled (down) saying, “By Allah, O son of al-Khattab, had I not disliked to inflicting calamity up on the innocent people, you would have learned how quickly my swearing up on Allah would have brought the swift

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ نَجْرَانَ الْيَمَنِ مِنَ الرُّهْبَانِ وَ مَعَهُ رَاهِبَةٌ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ لَهُمَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ سَوَّارٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِذَا كَانَ غَداً فَأْتِ بِهِمَا عِنْدَ بِئْرِ أُمِّ خَيْرٍ قَالَ فَوَافَيْنَا مِنَ الْغَدِ فَوَجَدْنَا الْقَوْمَ قَدْ وَافَوْا فَأَمَرَ بِخَصَفَةِ بَوَارِيَّ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَ جَلَسُوا فَبَدَأَتِ الرَّاهِبَةُ بِالْمَسَائِلِ فَسَأَلَتْ عَنْ

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ibrahim (a.s.) that a monk and a nun from the people of Najran, Yemen came to see him. al-Fadl ibn Sawwar sought permission for them and the Imam (a.s.) said, “Tomorrow bring them to the well of ’Umm Khaayr.” The narrator has said that on the next day we went to see him and we found t

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَمَانِي خِصَالٍ وَقُوراً عِنْدَ الْهَزَاهِزِ[1] صَبُوراً عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ شَكُوراً عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ قَانِعاً بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ- لَا يَظْلِمُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ لَا يَتَحَامَلُ لِلْأَصْدِقَاءِ بَدَنُهُ مِنْهُ فِي تَعَبٍ وَ النَّاسُ مِنْهُ فِي رَاحَةٍ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ خَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَزِيرُهُ وَ الْعَقْلَ أَمِيرُ جُنُودِهِ وَ الرِّفْقَ أَخُوهُ وَ الْبِرَّ

“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 peo

رَفَعَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص‌[4] قَوْمٌ فِي بَعْضِ غَزَوَاتِهِ فَقَالَ مَنِ الْقَوْمُ‌[5] فَقَالُوا مُؤْمِنُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ مَا بَلَغَ مِنْ إِيمَانِكُمْ قَالُوا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ وَ الشُّكْرُ عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ وَ الرِّضَا بِالْقَضَاءِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حُلَمَاءُ[6] عُلَمَاءُ كَادُوا مِنَ الْفِقْهِ أَنْ يَكُونُوا أَنْبِيَاءَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ كَمَا تَصِفُونَ فَلَا تَبْنُوا مَا لَا تَسْ

“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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ الصِّحَّةِ فِي الْبَدَنِ فَأَبْلُوهُمْ بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ صِحَّةِ الْبَدَنِ فَيَصْلُحُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَعِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْفَاقَةِ وَ الْمَسْكَنَةِ وَ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Dawud al-Riqqiy from ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Among My believing servants there are those whose

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَا أَصْرِفُهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا جَعَلْتُهُ خَيْراً لَهُ فَلْيَرْضَ بِقَضَائِي وَ لْيَصْبِرْ عَلَى بَلَائِي وَ لْيَشْكُرْ نَعْمَائِي أَكْتُبْهُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ مِنَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ عِنْدِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Whatever conditions I may turn My believing servant to are for his good. He then must agree with My decisions, be patient in My trial and appreciate My favors. I will then, O Muhammad, count him among the truthful ones.”’”

أَنَّ فِيمَا أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ ع يَا مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ مَا خَلَقْتُ خَلْقاً أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ عَبْدِيَ‌ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنِّي إِنَّمَا أَبْتَلِيهِ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أُعَافِيهِ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أَزْوِي‌[1] عَنْهُ مَا هُوَ شَرٌّ لَهُ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصْلُحُ عَلَيْهِ عَبْدِي فَلْيَصْبِرْ عَلَى بَلَائِي وَ لْيَشْكُرْ نَعْمَائِ

"Of the revelations that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent to Musa ibn ‘Imran was as follows: ‘O Musa ibn ‘Imran, I have not created anything more beloved to Me than My believing servant. I try him only because it is for his good. I give him good health just for his good. I hold back what is evil for him in

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ الصَّبْرُ صَبْرَانِ صَبْرٌ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ حَسَنٌ جَمِيلٌ وَ أَحْسَنُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْكَ وَ الذِّكْرُ ذِكْرَانِ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ وَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عِنْدَ مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكَ فَيَكُونُ حَاجِزاً.

that Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: "There are two kinds of patience. There is patience during a calamity which is good and beautiful, but what is better than that is patience against committing what Allah (swt) has forbidden for you. There are also two types of dhikr. There is dhikr of Allah (swt) during a time of calami

الصَّبْرُ صَبْرَانِ صَبْرٌ عَلَى الْبَلَاءِ حَسَنٌ جَمِيلٌ وَ أَفْضَلُ الصَّبْرَيْنِ الْوَرَعُ عَنِ الْمَحَارِمِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is of two kinds: to exercise patience in hardship, which is good and graceful, yet, the best of patience is that which is exercised to stop one from committing what Allah has prohibited.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الصَّبْرُ ثَلَاثَةٌ صَبْرٌ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ وَ صَبْرٌ عَلَى الطَّاعَةِ وَ صَبْرٌ عَنِ الْمَعْصِيَةِ[4] فَمَنْ صَبَرَ عَلَى الْمُصِيبَةِ حَتَّى يَرُدَّهَا بِحُسْنِ عَزَائِهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دَرَجَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَجَةِ إِلَى الدَّرَجَةِ كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ وَ مَنْ صَبَرَ عَلَى الطَّاعَةِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ سِتَّمِائَةِ دَرَجَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَج

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Patience is of three kinds: patience at the time of suffering hardship, patience in performing acts of obedience (worship) and patience to stop one from committing what Allah has prohibited. For one who exercises patience at the time of suffering hardship until one passes it by with g

لَوْ لَا أَنَّ الصَّبْرَ خُلِقَ قَبْلَ الْبَلَاءِ لَتَفَطَّرَ الْمُؤْمِنُ كَمَا تَتَفَطَّرُ الْبَيْضَةُ عَلَى الصَّفَا[4].

“The Imam said, ‘Had patience not been created before misfortune, it would have torn the believer into pieces like an egg hit against a rock.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ الدُّنْيَا بَيْنَ عِبَادِي قَرْضاً فَمَنْ أَقْرَضَنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً أَعْطَيْتُهُ‌ بِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ عَشْراً إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ وَ مَا شِئْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُقْرِضْنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً فَأَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً قَسْراً فَصَبَرَ أَعْطَيْتُهُ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَيْتُ وَاحِدَةً مِنْهُنَّ مَلَائِكَتِي لَرَضُوا بِهَا مِنِّي قَا

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I have made the world a borrowing (place) for My servants. Whoever gives Me a loan I will return it ten times over up to seven hundred times over, and more if I so wish. Those who do not lend Me a loan I will take something forcib

تَقُولُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ إِذَا نَظَرْتَ إِلَى الْمُبْتَلَى مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تُسْمِعَهُ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِمَّا ابْتَلَاكَ بِهِ وَ لَوْ شَاءَ فَعَلَ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ ذَلِكَ لَمْ يُصِبْهُ ذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءُ أَبَداً.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Say three times when you see an ailing person without making him hear it, “All praise belongs to Allah for his keeping me safe from that with which you are afflicted. Had You (the Lord) wanted You could have made me suffer from this also.’” The Imam said, ‘Whoever says this he will never b

إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الرَّجُلَ وَ قَدِ ابْتُلِيَ وَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي لَا أَسْخَرُ وَ لَا أَفْخَرُ[1] وَ لَكِنْ أَحْمَدُكَ عَلَى عَظِيمِ نَعْمَائِكَ عَلَيَّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When you see a man who is in affliction and Allah has granted you a favor, say, “O Allah, I do not ridicule him or boast, but I express Your praise for the great favors that You have done for me.”’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَلَاءِ فَاحْمَدُوا اللَّهَ وَ لَا تُسْمِعُوهُمْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يَحْزُنُهُمْ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When you see people who are in affliction, express the praise of Allah but do not make them hear it; it may cause them to feel sad.’”

نِعْمَ الْجُرْعَةُ الْغَيْظُ لِمَنْ صَبَرَ عَلَيْهَا فَإِنَّ عَظِيمَ الْأَجْرِ لَمِنْ عَظِيمِ الْبَلَاءِ[2] وَ مَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ قَوْماً إِلَّا ابْتَلَاهُمْ.

“How wonderful indeed is the drop of anger for one who curbs it with exercising patience! Great rewards are for those who go through great trials and tribulations. Allah has not loved any people without exposing them to trials and tribulations.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ أَحَبِّ السَّبِيلِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جُرْعَتَانِ جُرْعَةُ غَيْظٍ تَرُدُّهَا بِحِلْمٍ وَ جُرْعَةُ مُصِيبَةٍ تَرُدُّهَا بِصَبْرٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the most beloved path to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, there are two drops: The drop of anger that one brushes aside and repels with tolerance and the drop of suffering that one wipes off with patience.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَنْ يَرْغَبَ الْمَرْءُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ‌[3] وَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَ وَلَدٍ وَ عَنْ مَوَدَّتِهِمْ وَ كَرَامَتِهِمْ وَ دِفَاعِهِمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ هُمْ أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ حِيطَةً[4] مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَ أَعْطَفُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَلَمُّهُمْ لِشَعَثِهِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ مُصِيبَةٌ أَوْ نَزَلَ بِهِ بَعْضُ مَكَارِهِ الْأُمُورِ وَ مَنْ يَقْبِضْ يَدَهُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ فَإِنَّمَا

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A man must never turn away from his relatives, even if he is wealthy and has many children. He must not fail to love them, must not ignore their honor, their defense with his hands and tongue. They are the strongest defending power behind him and the most kind to

تَقَبَّضْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رُبَّمَا حَزِنْتُ مِنْ غَيْرِ مُصِيبَةٍ تُصِيبُنِي أَوْ أَمْرٍ يَنْزِلُ بِي حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ ذَلِكَ أَهْلِي فِي وَجْهِي وَ صَدِيقِي فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجِنَانِ وَ أَجْرَى فِيهِمْ مِنْ رِيحِ رُوحِهِ فَلِذَلِكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ لِأَبِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ فَإِذَا أَصَابَ رُ

“Once I became depressed in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) and asked him, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, why is it that sometimes I feel depressed without any apparent cause or incident? Even my family and friends notice it on my face.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes O Jabir, Allah, the Most Majestic, the M

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ خَرَجَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ يَزُورُهُ‌[1] عَارِفاً بِحَقِّهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَسَنَةً وَ مُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ رُفِعَتْ لَهُ دَرَجَةٌ وَ إِذَا طَرَقَ الْبَابَ فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا الْتَقَيَا وَ تَصَافَحَا وَ تَعَانَقَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ ثُمَّ بَاهَى بِهِمَا الْمَلَائِكَةَ فَيَقُولُ انْظُرُوا إِلَى عَبْدَيَّ تَزَاوَرَا وَ تَحَابَّا فِيّ

“Any believer who leaves (his home) to visit his brother (in belief) because of his knowledge of the importance of such person, Allah writes for him, for every step, one good deed, deletes one evil deed, and raises him one degree in meritorious status. When he knocks at his door, the doors to heaven open to him. When t

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ طُوبَى لِعَبْدٍ نُوَمَةٍ[2] عَرَفَهُ اللَّهُ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ النَّاسُ أُولَئِكَ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى- وَ يَنَابِيعُ الْعِلْمِ يَنْجَلِي عَنْهُمْ كُلُّ فِتْنَةٍ مُظْلِمَةٍ لَيْسُوا بِالْمَذَايِيعِ الْبُذُرِ[3] وَ لَا بِالْجُفَاةِ الْمُرَاءِينَ.

“Tuba’ (a tree in paradise) is for a servant who is unknown to people but Allah knows him. Such people are the torches of guidance and the fountains of knowledge. Through them every darkening calamity brightens. They do not publicize undisclosed facts and they are not quarrelsome braggarts.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ طُوبَى لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ نُوَمَةٍ لَا يُؤْبَهُ لَهُ يَعْرِفُ النَّاسَ وَ لَا يَعْرِفُهُ النَّاسُ يَعْرِفُهُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ‌[4] بِرِضْوَانٍ أُولَئِكَ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى يَنْجَلِي عَنْهُمْ كُلُّ فِتْنَةٍ مُظْلِمَةٍ وَ يُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ بَابُ كُلِّ رَحْمَةٍ لَيْسُوا بِالْبُذُرِ الْمَذَايِيعِ وَ لَا الْجُفَاةِ الْمُرَاءِينَ وَ قَالَ قُولُوا الْخَيْرَ تُعْرَفُوا بِهِ وَ اعْمَلُوا الْخَيْرَ تَكُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Tuba’ (a tree in paradise) is for every servant (of Allah) who is unnoticed among the people but knows people and they do not know him. Allah knows him from His side with happiness. They are the torches of guidance. Through them every darkening calamity is removed

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَمَانُ خِصَالٍ- وَقُورٌ عِنْدَ الْهَزَاهِزِ صَبُورٌ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ شَكُورٌ عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ قَانِعٌ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ لَا يَظْلِمُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ لَا يَتَحَامَلُ لِلْأَصْدِقَاءِ[1] بَدَنُهُ مِنْهُ فِي تَعَبٍ وَ النَّاسُ مِنْهُ فِي رَاحَةٍ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ خَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَزِيرُهُ وَ الصَّبْرَ أَمِيرُ جُنُودِهِ وَ الرِّفْقَ أَخُوهُ وَ اللِّينَ وَالِ

“It is worthwhile of a believer to have eight qualities: (a) Dignity in volatile conditions, (b) patience on facing a misfortune, (c) gratitude in comfortable conditions, (d) contentment with what Allah has given him for sustenance, (e) justice for enemies, (f) not to be a burden for the friends, (g) that his own body

إِنَّ أَشَدَّ النَّاسِ بَلَاءً[1] الْأَنْبِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الَّذِينَ يَلُونَهُمْ ثُمَّ الْأَمْثَلُ فَالْأَمْثَلُ‌[2].

“The trial (suffering hardships in life) of the prophets is the most difficult then is that for those next to the prophets in a (spiritual) position and thereafter those similar to the previous group and so forth.”

ذُكِرَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْبَلَاءُ وَ مَا يَخُصُّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ الْمُؤْمِنَ فَقَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ بَلَاءً فِي الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّونَ ثُمَّ الْأَمْثَلُ فَالْأَمْثَلُ وَ يُبْتَلَى الْمُؤْمِنُ بَعْدُ عَلَى قَدْرِ إِيمَانِهِ وَ حُسْنِ أَعْمَالِهِ فَمَنْ صَحَّ إِيمَانُهُ وَ حَسُنَ عَمَلُهُ اشْتَدَّ بَلَاؤُهُ وَ مَنْ سَخُفَ إِيمَانُهُ‌[3] وَ ضَعُفَ عَمَل

“Once, trials and misfortunes and things that Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, has specially set for the believers were mentioned in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and the qualities of the believer. The Imam said, ‘The Messenger of Allah was asked, ‘Who suffers the most in this world?’ The Messenger of Allah sa

إِنَّ عَظِيمَ الْأَجْرِ لَمَعَ عَظِيمِ الْبَلَاءِ وَ مَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ قَوْماً إِلَّا ابْتَلَاهُمْ.

‘The greatest reward comes from greatest trials and suffering. There have never been a people whom Allah loved but were not put to trial.”

أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ بَلَاءً الْأَنْبِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ ثُمَّ الْأَمَاثِلُ فَالْأَمَاثِلُ.

“People who are put to the most severe trials and sufferings are the prophets, then the successors of the prophets and then those similar to the last group in position and so forth.”

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِبَاداً فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْ خَالِصِ عِبَادِهِ مَا يُنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ- تُحْفَةً إِلَى الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا صَرَفَهَا عَنْهُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ وَ لَا بَلِيَّةً إِلَّا صَرَفَهَا إِلَيْهِمْ.

5. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab from abu Basir from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has His most sincere of all of His servants on earth. He does not send any gift from the heavens but that is diverted

وَ عِنْدَهُ سَدِيرٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً غَتَّهُ بِالْبَلَاءِ غَتّاً[1] وَ إِنَّا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ يَا سَدِيرُ لَنُصْبِحُ بِهِ وَ نُمْسِي.

“Sadir was present when the Imam said, ‘When Allah loves a servant He deeply immerses him in misfortunes. You and we, O Sadir, live in it mornings and evenings.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً غَتَّهُ بِالْبَلَاءِ غَتّاً وَ ثَجَّهُ بِالْبَلَاءِ ثَجّاً[2] فَإِذَا دَعَاهُ قَالَ لَبَّيْكَ عَبْدِي لَئِنْ عَجَّلْتُ لَكَ مَا سَأَلْتَ إِنِّي عَلَى ذَلِكَ لَقَادِرٌ وَ لَئِنِ ادَّخَرْتُ لَكَ فَمَا ادَّخَرْتُ لَكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ.

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, loves any of His servants He immerses him in misfortunes deeply and allows him bleed a bleeding (like sacrificial animals). When he prays to Him, He answers, ‘Yes, my servant, if I like to answer your prayer quickly I have the power to do so, but if I save for you what I may sav

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ عَظِيمَ الْبَلَاءِ يُكَافَأُ بِهِ عَظِيمُ الْجَزَاءِ فَإِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْداً ابْتَلَاهُ بِعَظِيمِ الْبَلَاءِ فَمَنْ رَضِيَ فَلَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الرِّضَا وَ مَنْ سَخِطَ الْبَلَاءَ فَلَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ السَّخَطُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The great misfortunes are matched with great rewards. When Allah loves a servant He tries him with great misfortunes. Whoever accepts it, Allah accepts him and whoever becomes angry with misfortunes, with Allah for him there is anger.”’

إِنَّمَا يُبْتَلَى الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي الدُّنْيَا عَلَى قَدْرِ دِينِهِ أَوْ قَالَ عَلَى حَسَبِ دِينِهِ‌[3].

“A believer is tried in this world proportionately to the perfection of his religion or degree of his excellence in religion (uncertainty is from the narrator).”

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ كِفَّةِ الْمِيزَانِ كُلَّمَا زِيدَ فِي إِيمَانِهِ زِيدَ فِي بَلَائِهِ‌[1].

“The believers are like the two sides of a balance, as his belief increases in strength, his trial also increases in intensity.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ لَا يَمْضِي عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعُونَ لَيْلَةً إِلَّا عَرَضَ لَهُ أَمْرٌ يَحْزُنُهُ يُذَكَّرُ بِهِ.

“Before forty days pass something causes sadness to a believer to remind him.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ الْمُغِيرَةَ[2] يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَا يُبْتَلَى بِالْجُذَامِ وَ لَا بِالْبَرَصِ وَ لَا بِكَذَا وَ لَا بِكَذَا فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَغَافِلًا عَنْ صَاحِبِ يَاسِينَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مُكَنَّعاً[3] ثُمَّ رُدَّ أَصَابِعُهُ‌[4] فَقَالَ كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى تَكْنِيعِهِ أَتَاهُمْ فَأَنْذَرَهُمْ ثُمَّ عَادَ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْغَدِ فَقَتَلُوهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يُبْتَلَى بِكُل

“Once I said to Abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Al-Mughirah says, ‘A believer does not suffer from leprosy, bars (a form of leprosy) or so and so.’” The Imam said, ‘He must be unaware of Sahib Yasin (the man mentioned in (36:20)) whose hand was paralyzed - the Imam let his fingers hanging - and said, “It is as if I look at his para