Faith & Belief

إِنَّ رَحِمَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع- لَمُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي ثُمَّ هِيَ جَارِيَةٌ بَعْدَهَا فِي أَرْحَامِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ وَ الْأَرْحامَ‌.

“The kindred relation of the family of Muhammad, the A ’immah (people who possess Divine Authority), recipients of divine supreme covenant, holds to the Throne (of the Lord) and says, ‘O Lord establish good relations with those who establish good relations with me and cut off with those who cut off with me. ’ Thereafte

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ‌[1] فَقَالَ قَرَابَتُكَ.

The Imam said, “It refers to your relatives.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ‌ قَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي رَحِمِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ السَّلَامُ وَ قَدْ تَكُونُ فِي قَرَابَتِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِمَّنْ يَقُولُ لِلشَّيْ‌ءِ إِنَّهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ وَاحِدٍ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, ‘. . . who maintain all the proper relations that Allah has commanded them to maintain, who have fear of their Lord and the hardships of the Day of Judgment.’ (13:21) The Imam said, ‘It was revealed about the family of Muhammad (a.s.) and can also apply to yo

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَمُدَّ اللَّهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ أَنْ يَبْسُطَ لَهُ فِي رِزْقِهِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّحِمَ لَهَا لِسَانٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ذَلْقٌ‌[2] تَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي فَالرَّجُلُ لَيُرَى بِسَبِيلِ خَيْرٍ إِذَا أَتَتْهُ الرَّحِمُ الَّتِي قَطَعَهَا فَتَهْوِي بِهِ إِلَى أَسْفَلِ قَعْرٍ فِي النَّارِ[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever loves Allah’s giving him a long life and increasing his means of sustenance, he should maintain good relations with relatives; kindred relation, will have a sharp tongue on the Day of Judgment and it will say, “O Lord, establish good relations with those who maintained me prop

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَكُونُ لِيَ الْقَرَابَةُ عَلَى غَيْرِ أَمْرِي أَ لَهُمْ عَلَيَّ حَقٌّ قَالَ نَعَمْ حَقُّ الرَّحِمِ لَا يَقْطَعُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِذَا كَانُوا عَلَى أَمْرِكَ كَانَ لَهُمْ حَقَّانِ حَقُّ الرَّحِمِ وَ حَقُّ الْإِسْلَامِ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I have certain relatives who are not in my way (my belief). Do they have any rights on me?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it is the right of maintaining good relations with relatives that is not cut off by any means. Had they been in the same way as your way they would have had two rights: The rig

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ وَ الْبِرَّ لَيُهَوِّنَانِ الْحِسَابَ وَ يَعْصِمَانِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَصِلُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ وَ بَرُّوا بِإِخْوَانِكُمْ وَ لَوْ بِحُسْنِ السَّلَامِ وَ رَدِّ الْجَوَابِ.

31. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) say, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives and virtuous deeds ease off the giving of accounts on the Day of Judgment and safeguard against sins. Maintain goo

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ تُهَوِّنُ الْحِسَابَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ هِيَ مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الْعُمُرِ وَ تَقِي مَصَارِعَ السُّوءِ[1] وَ صَدَقَةُ اللَّيْلِ تُطْفِئُ غَضَبَ الرَّبِّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives eases off the giving of accounts on the Day of Judgment, delays the coming of death and safeguards against misfortunes. Giving charity at night extinguishes the wrath of the Lord.’”

إِنَّ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ تُزَكِّي الْأَعْمَالَ وَ تُنْمِي الْأَمْوَالَ وَ تُيَسِّرُ الْحِسَابَ وَ تَدْفَعُ الْبَلْوَى وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ.

“Maintaining good relations with relatives cleanses the deeds, increases wealth, eases off the giving of accounts on the Day of Judgment, repels misfortunes and increases one’s means of sustenance.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً[2] مَا هَذَا الْإِحْسَانُ فَقَالَ الْإِحْسَانُ أَنْ تُحْسِنَ صُحْبَتَهُمَا وَ أَنْ لَا تُكَلِّفَهُمَا أَنْ يَسْأَلَاكَ شَيْئاً مِمَّا يَحْتَاجَانِ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَا مُسْتَغْنِيَيْنِ‌[3] أَ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَنْ تَنالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ‌[4] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the meaning of ‘kindness’ in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . and that you must be kind to your parents. . . .’ (17:23) The Imam said, ‘It means to behave with them in a good manner, not to make them ask you for help, even though they are self-sufficient.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ‌ لا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ‌ شَيْئاً وَ إِنْ حُرِّقْتَ بِالنَّارِ وَ عُذِّبْتَ إِلَّا وَ قَلْبُكَ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيمَانِ وَ وَالِدَيْكَ فَأَطِعْهُمَا[3] وَ بَرَّهُمَا حَيَّيْنِ كَانَا أَوْ مَيِّتَيْنِ وَ إِنْ أَمَرَاكَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ وَ مَالِكَ فَافْعَلْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, give me a good advice.” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Do not consider anything as partner of Allah even if you are tortured with fire except when your heart is confident with belief. You must obey your parents an

يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِثْلُ الْكُبَّةِ[4] فَيَدْفَعُ فِي ظَهْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ فَيُقَالُ هَذَا الْبِرُّ.

“On the Day of Judgment something will suddenly come behind the believer, rush him forward and admit him in paradise. It will be said, ‘This is kindness.’”

قُلْتُ أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ الصَّلَاةُ لِوَقْتِهَا وَ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which deed is the best?’ The Imam said, ‘Prayer in its proper time, kindness to parents and hard work to strive for the cause of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّه ص- مَا حَقُّ الْوَالِدِ عَلَى وَلَدِهِ قَالَ لَا يُسَمِّيهِ بِاسْمِهِ وَ لَا يَمْشِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ لَا يَجْلِسُ قَبْلَهُ وَ لَا يَسْتَسِبُّ لَهُ‌[1].

“Once, a man asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘What is the right of the father on the son?’ The messenger of Allah said, ‘The son must not address his father by his name (first name), must not walk in front of him, must not take a seat before him, and must not cause people to abuse him.’”

قَالَ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ لِعَبْدِ الْوَاحِدِ الْأَنْصَارِيِ‌ فِي بِرِّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً فَظَنَنَّا أَنَّهَا الْآيَةُ الَّتِي فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ- وَ قَضى‌ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً فَلَمَّا كَانَ بَعْدُ سَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ هِيَ الَّتِي فِي لُقْمَانَ- وَ وَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسانَ بِوالِدَيْهِ‌ حُسْناً وَ إِنْ جاهَد

“Once the Imam spoke to ‘Abd al- Wahid al-Ansari, while I was present, about kindness to parents mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Be kind to parents.’ We thought it was the verse in Chapter Seventeen that says, ‘. . . the Lord has ordained that you must not worship anyone other than H

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا يَمْنَعُ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَبَرَّ وَالِدَيْهِ حَيَّيْنِ وَ مَيِّتَيْنِ يُصَلِّيَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَحُجَّ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَصُومَ عَنْهُمَا فَيَكُونَ الَّذِي صَنَعَ لَهُمَا وَ لَهُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ فَيَزِيدَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِبِرِّهِ وَ صِلَتِهِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً.

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hakam ibn Miskin from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Nothing prevents any of you from doing kindness to your parents, who are living or dead, in the form of prayer for them, giving

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَدْعُو لِوَالِدَيَّ إِذَا كَانَا لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ قَالَ ادْعُ لَهُمَا وَ تَصَدَّقْ عَنْهُمَا وَ إِنْ كَانَا حَيَّيْنِ لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ فَدَارِهِمَا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَنِي بِالرَّحْمَةِ لَا بِالْعُقُوقِ.

‘Pray for them and give charity on their behalf. If they are living and do not know the truth, be kind to them; the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah has sent me with (message of) kindness and not to punish.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ أَبَرُّ قَالَ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ‌ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ أَبَاكَ.

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be kind?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Be kind to your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then whom?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then whom?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who

أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي رَاغِبٌ فِي الْجِهَادِ نَشِيطٌ[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص فَجَاهِدْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ تُقْتَلْ تَكُنْ حَيّاً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تُرْزَقْ وَ إِنْ تَمُتْ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ رَجَعْتَ رَجَعْتَ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ كَمَا وُلِدْتَ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لِي وَالِدَيْنِ كَبِيرَيْنِ يَزْعُمَانِ أَنَّهُمَا يَأْ

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘I am interested in Jihad (joining the army) O Messenger of Allah. I am active and light.’ The Imam said, ‘The Holy Prophet said, “Do Jihad (join the army) in the way of Allah, if you will be killed you will be living with Allah and will receive sustenance. If you di

كُنْتُ نَصْرَانِيّاً فَأَسْلَمْتُ وَ حَجَجْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَلَى النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ وَ إِنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ فَقَالَ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ رَأَيْتَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ‌[2] قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌ وَ لكِنْ جَعَلْناهُ نُوراً نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشاءُ[3] فَقَالَ لَقَدْ هَدَاكَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِهِ ثَلَا

“I was a Christian, then I became a Muslim. I went for Hajj, where I met Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and I said to him, ‘I was a Christian and I have become a Muslim.’ The Imam asked, ‘What have you seen in Islam?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “. . . before, you did not even know wha

خَبَّرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِبِرِّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ابْنِي بِي فَقَالَ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّهُ وَ قَدِ ازْدَدْتُ لَهُ حُبّاً إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَتَتْهُ أُخْتٌ لَهُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ[5] فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا سُرَّ بِهَا وَ بَسَطَ مِلْحَفَتَهُ‌[6] لَهَا فَأَجْلَسَهَا عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ يُحَدِّثُهَا وَ يَضْحَكُ فِي وَجْهِهَا ثُمَّ قَامَتْ وَ ذَهَبَتْ وَ جَاءَ أَخُوهَا فَلَمْ يَصْنَعْ بِهِ مَا صَنَعَ بِ

“Once I explained to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) how kind my son Isma’il was to me. The Imam said, ‘I loved him before and this has increased my love for him. Once, the sister of the Messenger of Allah (through breast-feeding) visited him. When he saw her he became very happy to see her, prepared a seat for her, began to talk

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَبِي قَدْ كَبِرَ جِدّاً وَ ضَعُفَ فَنَحْنُ نَحْمِلُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ الْحَاجَةَ فَقَالَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَلِيَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ فَافْعَلْ وَ لَقِّمْهُ بِيَدِكَ فَإِنَّهُ جُنَّةٌ لَكَ غَداً.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘My father has become very old and weak. We pick him up and help him for the restrooms.’ The Imam said, ‘If you can, you should do all of this for him and feed him with your own hand; it is paradise for you tomorrow. ’”

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا يَقُولُ- لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي أَبَوَيْنِ مُخَالِفَيْنِ فَقَالَ بَرَّهُمَا كَمَا تَبَرُّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِمَّنْ يَتَوَلَّانَا[1].

‘My parents are against us (our belief).’ The Imam said, ‘Be kind to them just as Muslims who follow us are kind (to their parents).”’

ثَلَاثٌ لَمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِأَحَدٍ فِيهِنَّ رُخْصَةً أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ وَ الْوَفَاءُ بِالْعَهْدِ لِلْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ وَ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ بَرَّيْنِ كَانَا أَوْ فَاجِرَيْنِ.

‘‘There are three things in which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has not given any concession: safely returning of the trust to appropriate people, regardless of their being good or evil people, keeping the promise for good or evil people, and being kind to parents whether of good or of evil manners.”

مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ الْبِرِّ أَنْ يُكَنَّى الرَّجُلُ بِاسْمِ أَبِيهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is of tradition and virtue to adopt al-Kunyah (like abu’ meaning father of or ‘Ibn’) of the name of one’s father.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ وَ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ص عَنْ بِرِّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فَقَالَ ابْرَرْ أُمَّكَ ابْرَرْ أُمَّكَ ابْرَرْ أُمَّكَ ابْرَرْ أَبَاكَ ابْرَرْ أَبَاكَ ابْرَرْ أَبَاكَ وَ بَدَأَ بِالْأُمِّ قَبْلَ الْأَبِ.

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and asked about kindness to parents. The Holy Prophet said, ‘Be kind to your mother, be kind to your mother, be kind to your mother, be kind to your father, be kind to your father, and be kind to your father. He began with mother before the father.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ وَلَدْتُ بِنْتاً وَ رَبَّيْتُهَا حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَتْ فَأَلْبَسْتُهَا وَ حَلَّيْتُهَا ثُمَّ جِئْتُ بِهَا إِلَى قَلِيبٍ فَدَفَعْتُهَا فِي جَوْفِهِ وَ كَانَ آخِرُ مَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهَا وَ هِيَ تَقُولُ يَا أَبَتَاهْ‌[3]- فَمَا كَفَّارَةُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ أَ لَكَ أُمٌّ حَيَّةٌ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَلَكَ خَالَةٌ حَيَّةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَابْرَرْهَا فَإِنَّهَا بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْ

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘I had a daughter and I brought her up until she became an adult. I then dressed her up in beautiful clothes, took her to the well and threw her therein to her death and the last thing I heard from her was; O father! What is the expiation for it?’ The Messenger of Allah as

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع هَلْ يَجْزِي الْوَلَدُ وَالِدَهُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلَّا فِي خَصْلَتَيْنِ يَكُونُ الْوَالِدُ مَمْلُوكاً فَيَشْتَرِيهِ ابْنُهُ فَيُعْتِقُهُ أَوْ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَيَقْضِيهِ عَنْهُ.

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Can a son pay back (for the favors of) a father?’ The Imam said, ‘There is no payment for him except two things: if the father is a slave and the son buys him and sets him free, or the father is in debt and the son pays it off.’”

أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ نَشِيطٌ وَ أُحِبُّ الْجِهَادَ وَ لِي وَالِدَةٌ تَكْرَهُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص ارْجِعْ فَكُنْ مَعَ وَالِدَتِكَ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَنِي بِالْحَقِّ نَبِيّاً لَأُنْسُهَا بِكَ لَيْلَةً خَيْرٌ مِنْ جِهَادِكَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ سَنَةً.

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘I am a young and active man and love Jihad (joining the army), but my mother does not like it.’ The Holy Prophet said, ‘Go back and stay with your mother. I swear by the One Who has sent me with the truth as a prophet that her feeling comfort because of your presenc

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَكُونُ بَارّاً بِوَالِدَيْهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا ثُمَّ يَمُوتَانِ فَلَا يَقْضِي عَنْهُمَا دُيُونَهُمَا وَ لَا يَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَاقّاً وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَكُونُ عَاقّاً لَهُمَا فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا غَيْرَ بَارٍّ بِهِمَا فَإِذَا مَاتَا قَضَى دَيْنَهُمَا وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَارّاً.

“A servant (of Allah) may have been kind to his parents during their lifetime but when they die he does not pay their debts, and does not ask forgiveness for them. Allah writes him as unkind (person) to parents. One may have been unkind to parents during their lifetime but after their death, when he pays off their debt

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ لَا يَهْتَمُّ بِأُمُورِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَيْسَ بِمُسْلِمٍ.

The Messenger of Allah has said, Whoever wakes up without caring about the affairs of the Muslims is not a Muslim."

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَنْسَكُ النَّاسِ نُسُكاً أَنْصَحُهُمْ جَيْباً[2]- وَ أَسْلَمُهُمْ قَلْباً لِجَمِيعِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The most assiduous worshipper among the people is the one whose inner center is most clean and whose heart is most peaceful toward Muslims.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكَ بِالنُّصْحِ لِلَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ فَلَنْ تَلْقَاهُ بِعَمَلٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘You must, for the sake of Allah, offer good advice to His creatures; you will not meet Him with any deed better than this.’”

مَنْ لَمْ يَهْتَمَّ بِأُمُورِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَيْسَ بِمُسْلِمٍ.

“Whoever does not feel any concern about the affairs of Muslims is not a Muslim any longer.”

مَنْ أَصْبَحَ لَا يَهْتَمُّ بِأُمُورِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَيْسَ مِنْهُمْ وَ مَنْ سَمِعَ رَجُلًا يُنَادِي يَا لَلْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ فَلَيْسَ بِمُسْلِمٍ.

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Whoever does not feel any concern for the affairs of Muslims is no longer one of them. Whoever hears a man calling, “O Muslims, help” and one does not respond, he is not a Muslim.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْخَلْقُ عِيَالُ اللَّهِ فَأَحَبُّ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَنْ نَفَعَ عِيَالَ اللَّهِ وَ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ سُرُوراً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The creatures are the dependents of Allah. The most beloved creature to Allah is the one who is most beneficial to Allah’s dependents (like family members) and who provides the utmost happiness to a family.’”

سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَى اللَّهِ قَالَ أَنْفَعُ النَّاسِ لِلنَّاسِ.

“The person who had heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) narrated to me the following: He had heard the Imam say, ‘The Messenger of Allah was asked, “Who was the most beloved of people to Allah?” The Messenger of Allah replied, ‘The most beneficial one to people is the most beloved to Allah.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ رَدَّ عَنْ قَوْمٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ عَادِيَةَ [مَاءٍ][1] أَوْ نَارٍ أُوجِبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who repulses a transgressor from Muslim’s (waters) or fire, will as a matter of necessity go to paradise.’”

قُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ حُسْناً وَ لَا تَقُولُوا إِلَّا خَيْراً حَتَّى تَعْلَمُوا مَا هُوَ[3].

“About the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘. . . speak righteous words to people. . . .’ (2:83), the Imam said it means, ‘Do not say anything about a people except good until you actually learn all about it.’”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ قُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ‌ حُسْناً قَالَ قُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ أَحْسَنَ مَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يُقَالَ فِيكُمْ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . speak righteous words to people, . . .’ (2:83) the Imam said, ‘It means say to people the best of that which you love to be said about you.’”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ جَعَلَنِي مُبارَكاً أَيْنَ ما كُنْتُ‌[1] قَالَ نَفَّاعاً.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy: ‘. . . He has blessed me no matter where I dwell, . . .’ (19:31) the Imam said, ‘“Blessed” means, the most beneficial to people.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ إِجْلَالِ اللَّهِ إِجْلَالُ ذِي الشَّيْبَةِ الْمُسْلِمِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of high regard toward Allah, is having high regard for a Muslim who has grown a beard.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يُوَقِّرْ كَبِيرَنَا وَ يَرْحَمْ صَغِيرَنَا.

“Whoever does not consider our elders as dignified and does not show kindness to our people who are yet to grow up, is not from our people.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَظِّمُوا كِبَارَكُمْ وَ صِلُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ وَ لَيْسَ تَصِلُونَهُمْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ كَفِّ الْأَذَى عَنْهُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Consider your grown up people as great and maintain good relations with relatives. No other way is better to maintain good relations with relatives than keeping all troubles away from them.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ بَنُو أَبٍ وَ أُمٍ‌[2] وَ إِذَا ضَرَبَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمْ عِرْقٌ سَهِرَ لَهُ الْآخَرُونَ.

‘The believers are but brothers, sons of one father and mother (in the original creation). If one of them may have an distressed vein, others will remain awake all night because of his pain.’”

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

الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ عَيْنُهُ وَ دَلِيلُهُ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَغُشُّهُ وَ لَا يَعِدُهُ عِدَةً فَيُخْلِفَهُ.

“The believer is a brother (in belief) of a believer, his eyes and his guide. He does not violate his trust, does not do injustice to him, or deceive him, and does not promise him only to ignore it later on.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْجَسَدِ الْوَاحِدِ إِنِ اشْتَكَى شَيْئاً مِنْهُ- وَجَدَ أَلَمَ ذَلِكَ فِي سَائِرِ جَسَدِهِ وَ أَرْوَاحُهُمَا مِنْ رُوحٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَ إِنَّ رُوحَ الْمُؤْمِنِ لَأَشَدُّ اتِّصَالًا بِرُوحِ اللَّهِ مِنِ اتِّصَالِ شُعَاعِ الشَّمْسِ بِهَا.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘The believer is the brother (in belief) of the believer. They are like the same body. If one part complains of pain the rest of the body also feels it. Their spirits are from one spirit. The spirit of the believer’s connection with the spirit of Allah is stronger than the connection

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ هُوَ عَيْنُهُ وَ مِرْآتُهُ وَ دَلِيلُهُ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ لَا يَخْدَعُهُ وَ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَكْذِبُهُ وَ لَا يَغْتَابُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A Muslim is the brother (in belief) of a Muslim, he is his eyes, his mirror and his guide. He does not violate his trust, does not deceive him, does not do injustice to him, does not call him a liar and does not speak ill behind his back.’”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لِي تُحِبُّهُ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لِي وَ لِمَ لَا تُحِبُّهُ وَ هُوَ أَخُوكَ وَ شَرِيكُكَ فِي دِينِكَ وَ عَوْنُكَ عَلَى عَدُوِّكَ وَ رِزْقُهُ عَلَى غَيْرِكَ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) when a man came in and the Imam asked me, ‘Do you love him?’ I said, ‘Yes, I love him.’ The Imam asked me, ‘How would you not love him when he is

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ لِأَبِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ‌ طِينَةِ الْجِنَانِ وَ أَجْرَى فِي صُوَرِهِمْ مِنْ رِيحِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلِذَلِكَ هُمْ إِخْوَةٌ لِأَبٍ وَ أُمٍّ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ‘The believer is the brother (in belief) of the believer from his father and mother; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created believers from the clay of paradise and has made the fragrance of paradise flow in their forms; thus, they are brothers from father and mother.’”