Faith & Belief

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْكَبَائِرِ فَقَالَ هُنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع سَبْعٌ الْكُفْرُ بِاللَّهِ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَهَذَا أَكْبَرُ الْمَعَاصِي قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَأَكْلُ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً أَكْبَرُ أَ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the major sins. The Imam said, ‘They according to the book of Ali (a.s.) are seven: Disbelief in Allah, Murdering a soul, Disregard of good relations with parents, Consuming unlawful interest from trade with evidence, Consuming the properties of orphans unjustly, Running away fr

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلَّا وَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعُونَ جُنَّةً[2] حَتَّى يَعْمَلَ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً فَإِذَا عَمِلَ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً انْكَشَفَتْ عَنْهُ الْجُنَنُ فَيُوحِي اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اسْتُرُوا عَبْدِي بِأَجْنِحَتِكُمْ فَتَسْتُرُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا قَالَ فَمَا يَدَعُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْقَبِيحِ إِلَّا قَارَفَهُ‌[3] حَتَّى‌ يَمْتَدِحَ إِلَى النَّاسِ بِفِعْلِهِ الْقَ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘There is no believer without forty shields on him until he commits forty major sins. When he commits forty major sins, the shields are removed. Allah then sends revelations to them (angels), “Cover My servant with your wings,” and the angels cover him with their wi

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ الْقُنُوطُ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ الْيَأْسُ‌[2] مِنْ رَوْحِ اللَّهِ وَ الْأَمْنُ مِنْ مَكْرِ اللَّهِ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ‌ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ‌ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ الْم

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqa who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the major sins is to Despair from the mercy of Allah and Losing hope of receiving happiness from Allah, to feel secure of the punishment of Allah, murdering a soul that

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي قَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا زَنَى الرَّجُلُ فَارَقَهُ رُوحُ الْإِيمَانِ قَالَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ‌ وَ أَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوحٍ مِنْهُ‌ ذَاكَ الَّذِي يُفَارِقُهُ.

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of the Messenger of Allah, ‘When a person commits fornication the spirit of belief departs him,’ the Imam said, ‘It is mentioned in His (Allah) words, ‘He has supported them with a spirit from Him,’ that is the spirit that departs him.’”

يُسْلَبُ مِنْهُ رُوحُ الْإِيمَانِ مَا دَامَ عَلَى بَطْنِهَا فَإِذَا نَزَلَ عَادَ الْإِيمَانُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ هَمَ‌[1] قَالَ لَا أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ هَمَّ أَنْ يَسْرِقَ أَ تُقْطَعُ يَدُهُ.

“The spirit of belief is moved away from him as long as he is on her belly and when he comes down the spirit returns.’ The narrator has said that he then asked, ‘What if one intends to commit fornication?’ The Imam said, ‘No, consider, if one intends to steal, will his hand be cut?”’

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ يَزْنِي الزَّانِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ لَا إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى بَطْنِهَا سُلِبَ الْإِيمَانُ مِنْهُ فَإِذَا قَامَ رُدَّ عَلَيْهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَعُودَ قَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا يَهُمُّ أَنْ يَعُودَ ثُمَّ لَا يَعُودُ.

“Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and Muhammad ibn ‘Abdahu said, ‘A fornicator fornicates. Is he still a believer?’ The Imam said, ‘As long as he is on her belly he is not a believer and when he stands up, belief is returned to him.’ I then asked, ‘What if one intends to repeat?’ The Imam said, ‘How m

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ سَبْعَةٌ[2] مِنْهَا قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ مُتَعَمِّداً وَ الشِّرْكُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً قَالَ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ وَ الشِّرْكُ وَاحِدٌ[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The major sins are seven: One of them is murdering a soul intentionally, considering things as a partner of Allah the Most Great, accusing a married women of committing an indecent act, consuming unlawful interest in trade with evidence, mnning away from the battlefield during an

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ الَّذِي إِذَا دَعَاهُ أَبُوهُ لَعَنَ أَبَاهُ وَ الَّذِي إِذَا أَجَابَهُ ابْنُهُ يَضْرِبُهُ‌[5].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A son who condemns his father when he calls him and the father who beats up his son who responds to the father’s call are the same.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَقَالَ‌ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّ نَاساً زَعَمُوا أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَا يَزْنِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَشْرَبُ الْخَمْرَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَأْكُلُ الرِّبَا وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْفِكُ الدَّمَ الْحَرَامَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَدْ ثَقُلَ عَلَيَّ هَذَا وَ حَرِجَ مِنْهُ صَدْرِي حِينَ أَزْعُمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْعَبْدَ يُصَلِّي صَلَ

16. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu’ manner from Muhammad ibn Dawud al-Ghanawi from Asbagh ibn Nubatah who has said the following: “Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, certain people think a serv

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا زَنَى الرَّجُلُ فَارَقَهُ رُوحُ الْإِيمَانِ قَالَ فَقَالَ هُوَ مِثْلُ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ‌ مِنْهُ‌ تُنْفِقُونَ‌[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ غَيْرُ هَذَا أَبْيَنُ مِنْهُ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ أَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوحٍ مِنْهُ‌ هُوَ الَّذِي فَارَقَهُ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of the Messenger of Allah, ‘When a man fornicates, the spirit of belief departs him. ’ The narrator has said that the Imam said, ‘It is like the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, [“. . . do not even think of spending for the cause of Allah worthless thi

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ‌ وَ يَغْفِرُ ما دُونَ ذلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشاءُ[3] الْكَبَائِرَ فَمَا سِوَاهَا قَالَ قُلْتُ دَخَلَتِ الْكَبَائِرُ فِي الِاسْتِثْنَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[4].

“The Imam said that Allah has said, ‘Allah does not forgive the sin of considering others equal to Him, however. He may grant exceptions in other forms of sins that He may choose to forgive, . . .’ (4:48) It is a reference to the major sins and the lesser sins.” I (the narrator) asked the Imam, ‘Does the above exceptio

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْكَبَائِرُ فِيهَا اسْتِثْنَاءُ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Does the exception apply to the major sins and Allah may chose to forgive (whichever He may so choose)?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it does apply.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ وَ مَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ- فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْراً كَثِيراً[5] قَالَ مَعْرِفَةُ الْإِمَامِ وَ اجْتِنَابُ الْكَبَائِرِ الَّتِي أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا النَّارَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying about, ‘Whoever is given wisdom, certainly, has received much good. . . .,’ (2:269) it (such wisdom) means (having the ability to) recognize the Imam and avoid committing major sins for which Allah has made it necessary to send the perpetrators to fire.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الْكَبَائِرُ تُخْرِجُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ مَا دُونَ الْكَبَائِرِ- قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا يَزْنِي الزَّانِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ السَّارِقُ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ.

“I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.) ‘Does committing a major sin remove one away from belief?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, even less than major sins do. The Messenger of Allah has said, “A fornicator does not commit such a thing while he is a believer and a thief does not steal while he is a believer.’””

دَخَلَ ابْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ وَ عَمْرُو بْنُ ذَرٍّ وَ أَظُنُّ مَعَهُمَا أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَتَكَلَّمَ ابْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّا لَا نُخْرِجُ أَهْلَ دَعْوَتِنَا وَ أَهْلَ مِلَّتِنَا مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ فِي الْمَعَاصِي وَ الذُّنُوبِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا ابْنَ قَيْسٍ أَمَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَدْ قَالَ لَا يَزْنِي الزَّانِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ السَّارِقُ

“Once ibn Qays al-Masir and ‘Amr ibn Dharr - 1 think also abu Hanifah - came to see abu Ja’far (a.s.). Ibn Qays al-Masir spoke and said, ‘We do not expel people of our own mission and people of our own nation from belief just because of disobedience and sin.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘O ibn Qays, the Messenger of Allah

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَرْتَكِبُ الْكَبِيرَةَ مِنَ الْكَبَائِرِ فَيَمُوتُ هَلْ يُخْرِجُهُ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنْ عُذِّبَ كَانَ عَذَابُهُ كَعَذَابِ الْمُشْرِكِينَ أَمْ لَهُ مُدَّةٌ وَ انْقِطَاعٌ فَقَالَ مَنِ ارْتَكَبَ كَبِيرَةً مِنَ الْكَبَائِرِ فَزَعَمَ أَنَّهَا حَلَالٌ أَخْرَجَهُ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ عُذِّبَ أَشَدَّ الْعَذَابِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُعْتَرِفاً أَنَّهُ أَذْنَبَ وَ مَ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about a man who commits a major sin and then dies whether it takes him away from Islam and if he will be punished, will it be like that for the pagans or will it finish on a certain time? The Imam said, ‘One who commits any of the major sins considering it to be lawful it will take hi

دَخَلَ عَمْرُو بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ[1] عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ‌[2] ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَسْكَتَكَ قَالَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَعْرِفَ الْكَبَائِرَ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا عَمْرُو أَكْبَرُ الْكَبَائِرِ الْإِشْرَاكُ بِاللَّهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ

24. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Abd al-‘Azim ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Hassani who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) narrated to me saying, ‘I heard my father saying, “I heard my father, Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Once ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd came to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اتَّقُوا الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تُغْفَرُ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْمُحَقَّرَاتُ قَالَ الرَّجُلُ يُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيَقُولُ طُوبَى لِي لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِي غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ.

“Guard against al-Muhaqqarat (sins); they will not be forgiven.’ I then asked the Imam, ‘What is al-Muhaqqarat ?’ The Imam said, ‘A man commits a sin and says, “I will have Tuba (a tree in paradise) if I did not have any other sins.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَسْتَكْثِرُوا كَثِيرَ الْخَيْرِ وَ لَا تَسْتَقِلُّوا قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّ قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ يَجْتَمِعُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ كَثِيراً وَ خَافُوا اللَّهَ فِي السِّرِّ حَتَّى‌ تُعْطُوا مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمُ النَّصَفَ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Do not consider a great deal of good a great deal, and do not consider a little sin very little; little sins accumulate and become a great deal. Have fear of Allah in private so you can yield to justice against yourselves.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَزَلَ بِأَرْضٍ قَرْعَاءَ[1] فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ ائْتُوا بِحَطَبٍ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نَحْنُ بِأَرْضٍ قَرْعَاءَ مَا بِهَا مِنْ حَطَبٍ قَالَ فَلْيَأْتِ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ بِمَا قَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَجَاءُوا بِهِ حَتَّى رَمَوْا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بَعْضَهُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص هَكَذَا تَجْتَمِعُ الذُّنُوبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once the Messenger of Allah stopped, during a journey on a barren land, for rest and asked his companions to collect firewood. The companions said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we are in a barren land and there is no firewood around here. ’ He said, ‘Let everyone bring whatever he can.’ They

لَا صَغِيرَةَ مَعَ الْإِصْرَارِ وَ لَا كَبِيرَةَ مَعَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ.

“Minor sins are not minor if one persists committing such sins and major sins are not major if followed by plea for forgiveness.”

الْإِصْرَارُ هُوَ أَنْ يُذْنِبَ الذَّنْبَ فَلَا يَسْتَغْفِرَ اللَّهَ وَ لَا يُحَدِّثَ نَفْسَهُ بِتَوْبَةٍ فَذَلِكَ الْإِصْرَارُ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, . . and who do not knowingly persist in their mistakes,’ (3:135) the Imam said, ‘Persistence is when one commits and does not ask forgiveness from Allah nor say anything to himself about repentance. Such attitude is persistence in sin.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ شَيْئاً مِنْ طَاعَتِهِ عَلَى الْإِصْرَارِ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَعَاصِيهِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘No, I swear by Allah, Allah does not accept any act of one’s obedience to Him when one is persisting in disobedience to Him.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أُصُولُ الْكُفْرِ ثَلَاثَةٌ الْحِرْصُ وَ الِاسْتِكْبَارُ وَ الْحَسَدُ فَأَمَّا الْحِرْصُ فَإِنَّ آدَمَ ع حِينَ نُهِيَ عَنِ الشَّجَرَةِ حَمَلَهُ الْحِرْصُ عَلَى أَنْ أَكَلَ مِنْهَا وَ أَمَّا الِاسْتِكْبَارُ فَإِبْلِيسُ حَيْثُ أُمِرَ بِالسُّجُودِ لآِدَمَ فَأَبَى وَ أَمَّا الْحَسَدُ فَابْنَا آدَمَ حَيْثُ قَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The roots of disbelief are three: Greed, Self- aggrandizement and Envy. It was greed that led Adam to eat from the prohibited tree. It was Self-aggrandizement that led Satan to refuse prostration before Adam. Envy led one of the sons of Adam to murder his own brother.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَرْكَانُ الْكُفْرِ أَرْبَعَةٌ الرَّغْبَةُ وَ الرَّهْبَةُ[2] وَ السَّخَطُ وَ الْغَضَبُ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The pillars of disbelief are four: Greed, Fear, Resentment and Anger.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سِتٌّ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُبُّ الرِّئَاسَةِ وَ حُبُّ الطَّعَامِ وَ حُبُّ النَّوْمِ وَ حُبُّ الرَّاحَةِ وَ حُبُّ النِّسَاءِ[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The things with which Allah was disobeyed first were six: Love of the worldly things, Love to be the leader, Love for food, Love to sleep, Love for comfort and Love of women (to such extremes that may lead one to sins).”’

أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَبْغَضُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ الشِّرْكُ بِاللَّهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ الْأَمْرُ بِالْمُنْكَرِ وَ النَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ.

“Once a man from Khath’am (a tribe) came to the Holy Prophet and asked, ‘Which of the acts is more resented in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Considering things as partners of Allah.’ The man asked, then what is more resented?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Disregar

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ عَلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ[2] إِنْ حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَ إِنْ وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ وَ إِنِ ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ هِيَ أَدْنَى الْمَنَازِلِ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَ لَيْسَ بِكَافِرٍ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘A man who is in this cause (belief of Shi’a Muslims), but the words he speaks are lies, disregards his promise, and violates his trust. What is his value?’ The Imam said, ‘It is very close to disbelief but he is not an unbeliever.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الشَّقَاءِ جُمُودُ الْعَيْنِ وَ قَسْوَةُ الْقَلْبِ وَ شِدَّةُ الْحِرْصِ فِي طَلَبِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْإِصْرَارُ عَلَى الذَّنْبِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Among the signs of wickedness is piercing eyes (devoid of bashfulness), hardheartedness, intense greed for worldly gains and persistence in sins.’”

خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّاسَ فَقَالَ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِشِرَارِكُمْ قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الَّذِي يَمْنَعُ رِفْدَهُ‌[3] وَ يَضْرِبُ عَبْدَهُ وَ يَتَزَوَّدُ وَحْدَهُ فَظَنُّوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَخْلُقْ خَلْقاً هُوَ شَرٌّ مِنْ هَذَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِمَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الَّذِي لَا يُرْجَى خَيْرُهُ وَ لَا يُؤْمَنُ شَرُّهُ فَظَنّ

“Once the Messenger of Allah addressed the people and asked, ‘Should I tell you about the wicked ones among you?’ They said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah, please do so.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘They are those of you who refuse to make any gifts (to anyone), beat up their slaves and supplies just his own self. ’ The

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقاً- وَ إِنْ صَامَ وَ صَلَّى وَ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ مُسْلِمٌ مَنْ إِذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَ إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَ إِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ فِي كِتَابِهِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُحِبُّ الْخائِنِينَ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ أَنَّ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كانَ مِنَ الْكاذِبِينَ‌[2] وَ فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ اذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتابِ إِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things that on being found in a person prove him to be a hypocrite, even though he may fast, pray and think that he is a Muslim: Violation of trust when he is thought of as trustworthy, lying in one’s words and disregard of one’s promises. Allah, the Most Majestic, the

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَبْعَدِكُمْ مِنِّي شَبَهاً قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الْفَاحِشُ الْمُتَفَحِّشُ الْبَذِي‌ءُ[4] الْبَخِيلُ الْمُخْتَالُ الْحَقُودُ الْحَسُودُ الْقَاسِي الْقَلْبِ الْبَعِيدُ مِنْ كُلِّ خَيْرٍ يُرْجَى غَيْرُ الْمَأْمُونِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ يُتَّقَى.

“The Messenger of Allah once asked, ‘Should I tell you who is more dissimilar to me among you?’ They said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah, please do so.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘He is an indecent, scandalous one, foulmouthed, stingy, deceitful, hateful, envious, and hardhearted who is far from being expected to do an

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ هَلَاكَ عَبْدٍ نَزَعَ مِنْهُ الْحَيَاءَ[6] فَإِذَا نَزَعَ مِنْهُ الْحَيَاءَ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا خَائِناً مَخُوناً فَإِذَا كَانَ خَائِناً مَخُوناً نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَمَانَةُ فَإِذَا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَمَانَةُ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا فَظّاً غَلِيظاً فَإِذَا كَانَ فَظّاً غَلِيظاً نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ رِبْقَةُ الْإِيمَانِ‌[7] فَإِذَا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ رِبْقَةُ الْإِيمَانِ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِل

“When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wants to destroy a person He removes bashfulness from him. When bashfulness is removed, you will not find anything in him but deceit and causing deception. When one is deceitful and deceptive, no one trusts him and when he can no longer be trusted you will not find him any

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَلْعُونَاتٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ فَعَلَهُنَّ الْمُتَغَوِّطُ فِي ظِلِّ النُّزَّالِ وَ الْمَانِعُ الْمَاءَ الْمُنْتَابَ وَ السَّادُّ الطَّرِيقَ الْمُعْرَبَةَ[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Three things are condemned and condemned are those who perform them: Defecating in recreational places, blocking allocated water and blocking public roads.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ فَعَلَهُنَّ الْمُتَغَوِّطُ فِي ظِلِّ النُّزَّالِ وَ الْمَانِعُ الْمَاءَ الْمُنْتَابَ وَ السَّادُّ الطَّرِيقَ الْمَسْلُوكَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things whose performer is condemned: Defecating in recreational places, blocking allocated water and public roads.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِشِرَارِ رِجَالِكُمْ قُلْنَا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ شِرَارِ رِجَالِكُمُ الْبَهَّاتَ‌[2] الْجَرِي‌ءَ الْفَحَّاشَ الْآكِلَ وَحْدَهُ وَ الْمَانِعَ رِفْدَهُ- وَ الضَّارِبَ عَبْدَهُ وَ الْمُلْجِئَ عِيَالَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) once asked, ‘Should I tell you who is the most wicked among your men?’ They said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘Of the wicked ones among you is a man, accusing, boldly foulmouthed, eating all alone, refusing to give any gifts, beats up his slave and causes his family to seek refu

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَمْسَةٌ لَعَنْتُهُمْ وَ كُلُّ نَبِيٍّ مُجَابٍ‌[1] الزَّائِدُ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّارِكُ لِسُنَّتِي- وَ الْمُكَذِّبُ بِقَدَرِ اللَّهِ وَ الْمُسْتَحِلُّ مِنْ عِتْرَتِي مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَ الْمُسْتَأْثِرُ بِالْفَيْ‌ءِ وَ الْمُسْتَحِلُّ لَهُ‌[2].

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Muyassir from his father from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘I have condemned five things and so also has every prophet whose prayer would not miss acceptance: One who adds things to the book of A

لِعَبَّادِ بْنِ كَثِيرٍ الْبَصْرِيِّ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ وَيْلَكَ يَا عَبَّادُ إِيَّاكَ وَ الرِّيَاءَ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى مَنْ عَمِلَ لَهُ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to ‘Abbad ibn Kathir al-Basri in the Mosque, ‘Woe upon you, O ‘Abbad, you must never show off; whoever works for someone other than Allah, He will assign him to that for which he has worked.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ هَذَا لِلَّهِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوهُ لِلنَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَصْعَدُ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allow your cause (Shi’a belief) to be just for the sake of Allah and do not assign it to people; whatever is for the sake of Allah is for Allah, and what is for people is unable to rise to Allah (will not be accepted).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كُلُّ رِيَاءٍ شِرْكٌ إِنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِلنَّاسِ كَانَ ثَوَابُهُ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِلَّهِ كَانَ ثَوَابُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Showing off is considering things as partners of Allah. Whoever works for people, his rewards are upon the people and whoever works for Allah, his reward is before Allah.’”

الرَّجُلُ يَعْمَلُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الثَّوَابِ لَا يَطْلُبُ بِهِ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ إِنَّمَا يَطْلُبُ تَزْكِيَةَ النَّاسِ- يَشْتَهِي أَنْ يُسْمِعَ بِهِ النَّاسَ فَهَذَا الَّذِي أَشْرَكَ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ أَسَرَّ خَيْراً فَذَهَبَتِ الْأَيَّامُ أَبَداً حَتَّى يُظْهِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ خَيْراً وَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُسِرُّ شَرّاً فَذَهَبَتِ الْأَيَّامُ أَبَداً حَتَّى يُظْهِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ شَرّاً.

that he asked the Imam about the words of the Almighty that ‘whosoever is desirous of meeting his Creator, he should perform virtuous deeds and should not ascribe any partner to God in his worship,’ (18:110) seeking an explanation. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘A person who performs good deeds but not for the sake of being

قَالَ لِيَ الرِّضَا ع‌ وَيْحَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَرَفَةَ اعْمَلُوا لِغَيْرِ رِيَاءٍ وَ لَا سُمْعَةٍ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى مَا عَمِلَ‌[2] وَيْحَكَ مَا عَمِلَ أَحَدٌ عَمَلًا إِلَّا رَدَّاهُ اللَّهُ إِنْ خَيْراً فَخَيْرٌ وَ إِنْ شَرّاً فَشَرٌّ.

“Once al-Rida (a.s.) said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O ibn ‘Arafah, you must work without showing off and publicity; those who work for anyone other than Allah, He assigns him to whomever he has worked. Woe upon you, whatever one does, Allah returns it back, good (result) if it is good and evil (results) if it is bad.’”

إِنِّي لَأَتَعَشَّى مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- بَلِ الْإِنْسانُ عَلى‌ نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ وَ لَوْ أَلْقى‌ مَعاذِيرَهُ‌[3] يَا أَبَا حَفْصٍ مَا يَصْنَعُ الْإِنْسَانُ أَنْ يَتَقَرَّبَ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌[4] عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِخِلَافِ مَا يَعْلَمُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى- إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَقُولُ مَنْ أَسَرَّ سَرِيرَةً رَدَّاهُ اللَّهُ رِدَاءَهَا[5] إِنْ خَيْراً فَخَيْرٌ وَ إِنْ شَرّاً فَشَرٌّ

“Once I was having dinner with Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he read this verse of the Holy Quran: ‘In fact, people are well-aware of their own soul (75:14) even though they make excuses.’ (75:15) The Imam said, ‘O abu Hafs, why should a human being seek closeness (by the form of the deed) to Allah, the Most Majestic, the M

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ إِنَّ الْمَلَكَ لَيَصْعَدُ بِعَمَلِ الْعَبْدِ مُبْتَهِجاً بِهِ‌[1] فَإِذَا صَعِدَ بِحَسَنَاتِهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ اجْعَلُوهَا فِي سِجِّينٍ‌[2] إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ إِيَّايَ أَرَادَ بِهَا.

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The angel ascends with the good deeds of a servant (of Allah) with happiness and joy and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘Keep them along with the records of evil people; he has not done them for Me.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ ثَلَاثُ عَلَامَاتٍ لِلْمُرَائِي يَنْشَطُ[3] إِذَا رَأَى النَّاسَ وَ يَكْسَلُ إِذَا كَانَ وَحْدَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُحْمَدَ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِهِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘A showoff has three signs: he is very active when people are present, very lazy when he is alone and he loves to be praised in all matters.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنَا خَيْرُ شَرِيكٍ مَنْ أَشْرَكَ مَعِي غَيْرِي فِي عَمَلٍ عَمِلَهُ لَمْ أَقْبَلْهُ إِلَّا مَا كَانَ لِي خَالِصاً.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “I am the best associate (in a deal). Whoever associates others with Me in a deed that he has done, I will not accept it; I accept only what is purely for Me.’”

مَنْ أَظْهَرَ لِلنَّاسِ مَا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ وَ بَارَزَ اللَّهَ بِمَا كَرِهَهُ‌[4] لَقِيَ اللَّهَ وَ هُوَ مَاقِتٌ لَهُ.

“Whoever shows off to people an act that Allah loves and opposes Allah with what He dislikes (showoff), he will find Allah at war with him.”

مَا يَصْنَعُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يُظْهِرَ حَسَناً وَ يُسِرَّ سَيِّئاً أَ لَيْسَ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فَيَعْلَمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لَيْسَ كَذَلِكَ وَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- بَلِ الْإِنْسانُ عَلى‌ نَفْسِهِ بَصِيرَةٌ إِنَّ السَّرِيرَةَ إِذَا صَحَّتْ قَوِيَتِ الْعَلَانِيَةُ. - الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جُمْهُورٍ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَب

“Why should one of you publicize a good deed and hide an evil one? Can he not find in his own-self that it is not right? Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘In fact, human beings are well aware of their souls.’ (75:14) When the private side is correct, the public side becomes strong.’” Al-Husayn ibn Muh

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُسِرُّ خَيْراً إِلَّا لَمْ‌ تَذْهَبِ الْأَيَّامُ حَتَّى يُظْهِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ خَيْراً وَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُسِرُّ شَرّاً إِلَّا لَمْ تَذْهَبِ الْأَيَّامُ حَتَّى يُظْهِرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ شَرّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘Whenever a servant (of Allah) does a good deed secretly, not very long thereafter Allah uncovers for him good rewards. Whenever a servant (of Allah) does an evil deed secretly, very shortly thereafter Allah uncovers for him an evil return and misfortune.’”

مَنْ أَرَادَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ أَظْهَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ‌[1] أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا أَرَادَ وَ مَنْ أَرَادَ النَّاسَ بِالْكَثِيرِ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ فِي تَعَبٍ مِنْ بَدَنِهِ وَ سَهَرٍ مِنْ لَيْلِهِ أَبَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا أَنْ يُقَلِّلَهُ فِي عَيْنِ مَنْ سَمِعَهُ.

“Whoever wants Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, with a small deed Allah uncovers for him a reward bigger than what he wanted. Whoever wants people with a great deal of deeds, physical effort, and with, nightly vigil, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, deems it necessary to belittle it (his effort) in the eyes of thos