Faith & Belief

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ خَلْقاً ضَنَّ بِهِمْ عَنِ الْبَلَاءِ خَلَقَهُمْ فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ أَحْيَاهُمْ فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ أَمَاتَهُمْ فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ أَدْخَلَهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ فِي عَافِيَةٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created a creature that He is very acquisitively protective of. He has created them in peace and security, grants them life in peace and security, causes them to die in peace and security and will admit them in paradise in peace and sec

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ضَنَائِنَ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ يَغْذُوهُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ وَ يَحْبُوهُمْ بِعَافِيَتِهِ وَ يُدْخِلُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ بِرَحْمَتِهِ تَمُرُّ بِهِمُ الْبَلَايَا وَ الْفِتَنُ لَا تَضُرُّهُمْ شَيْئاً.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad all from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from ibn al-Qaddah from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is very protective of certain people in His creatures. He feeds the

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ رُفِعَ عَنْ أُمَّتِي أَرْبَعُ‌ خِصَالٍ خَطَأُهَا وَ نِسْيَانُهَا وَ مَا أُكْرِهُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا لَمْ يُطِيقُوا وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رَبَّنا لا تُؤاخِذْنا إِنْ نَسِينا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنا إِصْراً كَما حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تُحَمِّلْنا ما لا طاقَةَ لَنا بِهِ‌[1] وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَ قَلْبُهُ مُطْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “My followers are exempt from responsibility for four things: Acting mistakenly, forgetting, being coerced and compelled, and for failing to act. This has been mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Lord, do not hold us

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ وُضِعَ عَنْ أُمَّتِي تِسْعُ خِصَالٍ الْخَطَأُ وَ النِّسْيَانِ وَ مَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[3] وَ مَا لَا يُطِيقُونَ وَ مَا اضْطُرُّوا إِلَيْهِ وَ مَا اسْتُكْرِهُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ الطِّيَرَةُ وَ الْوَسْوَسَةُ فِي التَّفَكُّرِ فِي الْخَلْقِ وَ الْحَسَدُ مَا لَمْ يُظْهِرْ بِلِسَانٍ أَوْ يَدٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘My followers are exempt from responsibilities in nine kinds of acts and conditions: 1. Acting by mistake, 2. Out of forgetfulness, 3. Things they have no knowledge of, 4. Things they are not able to do, 5. Things they needed badly, 6. Things they are compelled to do, 7. Omens, 8. Temp

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ لِأَحَدٍ عَلَى مَا عَمِلَ ثَوَابٌ عَلَى اللَّهِ مُوجَبٌ إِلَّا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ لَا.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Does anyone, other than the believers, has any reward with Allah for his good deeds?’ The Imam said, ‘No, there is no one as such.’”

قَالَ مُوسَى لِلْخَضِرِ ع قَدْ تَحَرَّمْتُ بِصُحْبَتِكَ فَأَوْصِنِي قَالَ لَهُ الْزَمْ مَا لَا يَضُرُّكَ مَعَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ كَمَا لَا يَنْفَعُكَ مَعَ غَيْرِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“Moses said to Khidr, ‘I am honored to associate with you. Instruct me with good advice.’ Khidr said, ‘Hold fast to that with which nothing can harm you just as things without it will not benefit you.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ الْإِيمَانِ عَمَلٌ وَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَعَ الْكُفْرِ عَمَلٌ أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّهُ قَالَ- وَ ما مَنَعَهُمْ‌ أَنْ تُقْبَلَ مِنْهُمْ نَفَقاتُهُمْ إِلَّا أَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ بِرَسُولِهِ‌ وَ مَاتُوا وَ هُمْ كَافِرُونَ‌[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘With belief no deed can harm one and with disbelief no deed can benefit one. Consider how Allah has said it, ‘What prevents their offerings from acceptance is their disbelief in Allah and His Messenger, their lack of interest in prayer and spending for the cause of Allah reluctant

قَالَ: الْإِيمَانُ لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَهُ عَمَلٌ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْكُفْرُ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَعَهُ عَمَلٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘With belief no deed can harm one and with disbelief no deed can benefit one.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدِيثٌ رُوِيَ لَنَا أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ فَاعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَقَالَ قَدْ قُلْتُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ زَنَوْا أَوْ سَرَقُوا أَوْ شَرِبُوا الْخَمْرَ فَقَالَ لِي‌ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ‌ وَ إِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ‌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَنْصَفُونَا أَنْ نَكُونَ أُخِذْنَا بِالْعَمَلِ وَ وُضِعَ عَنْهُمْ إِنَّمَا قُلْتُ إِذَا عَرَفْتَ فَاعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ قَلِيلِ الْخَيْرِ وَ كَث

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘There is a Hadith narrated to us that you have told us: ‘When you recognize, do whatever you want.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, I have said it.’ I then asked, ‘Can they even fornicate, steal and drink wine?’ The Imam then said to me, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we return, by Allah they

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَثِيراً مَا يَقُولُ فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ دِينَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ‌[3] فَإِنَّ السَّيِّئَةَ فِيهِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْحَسَنَةِ فِي غَيْرِهِ وَ السَّيِّئَةُ فِيهِ تُغْفَرُ وَ الْحَسَنَةُ فِي غَيْرِهِ لَا تُقْبَلُ. هَذَا آخِرُ كِتَابِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الطَّاعَاتِ وَ الْمَعَاصِي مِنْ كِتَابِ الْكَافِي وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِه

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt in a marfu’ manner from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would very often say about sin, ‘O people, pay attention to your religion, pay attention to your religion. An evil

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ ادْعُ وَ لَا تَقُلْ قَدْ فُرِغَ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَإِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ داخِرِينَ‌ وَ قَالَ‌ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ‌[2].

‘Pray and do not say that it (belief in predetermination) is already determined and the matter is settled; prayer is worshipping. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Those who consider themselves above the need to worship Me will soon go to hell in disgrace,’ (40:60) ‘Pray to Me, I will accept your pray

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الدُّعَاءُ هُوَ الْعِبَادَةُ الَّتِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبادَتِي‌ الْآيَة ادْعُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَا تَقُلْ إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ قَدْ فُرِغَ مِنْهُ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي لَا يَمْنَعْكَ إِيمَانُكَ بِالْقَضَاءِ وَ الْقَدَرِ أَنْ تُبَالِغَ بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ تَجْتَهِدَ فِيهِ أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, pleading before Allah for help is the form of worship about which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Those who consider themselves above the need to worship Me will soon go to hell in disgrace,’ (40:60) pray to Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, and do not say that thin

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الدُّعَاءُ سِلَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ عَمُودُ الدِّينِ وَ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Pleading before Allah for help is believing people’s weapons, the pillar of religion and the light of the heavens and earth.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى سِلَاحٍ يُنْجِيكُمْ مِنْ أَعْدَائِكُمْ وَ يُدِرُّ أَرْزَاقَكُمْ‌[2] قَالُوا بَلَى قَالَ تَدْعُونَ رَبَّكُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنَّ سِلَاحَ الْمُؤْمِنِ الدُّعَاءُ.

“The Holy Prophet (a.s.) once said, ‘Should I guide you to a weapon that will save you from your enemies and increase your means of living?’ They said, ‘Yes, (O Messenger of Allah).’ The Holy Prophet said, ‘Pray and plead before Allah for help night and day; prayer is the weapon of believing people.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الدُّعَاءُ تُرْسُ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[3] وَ مَتَى تُكْثِرْ قَرْعَ الْبَابِ يُفْتَحْ لَكَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Prayer is a shield for a believing person. When a door is knocked often it will sooner or later open up.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع‌ مَا مِنْ بَلَاءٍ يَنْزِلُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَيُلْهِمُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الدُّعَاءَ إِلَّا كَانَ كَشْفُ ذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءِ وَشِيكاً[1] وَ مَا مِنْ بَلَاءٍ يَنْزِلُ عَلَى عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَيُمْسِكُ عَنِ الدُّعَاءِ إِلَّا كَانَ ذَلِكَ الْبَلَاءُ طَوِيلًا فَإِذَا نَزَلَ الْبَلَاءُ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالدُّعَاءِ وَ التَّضَرُّعِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Once abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) said, ‘Whenever a misfortune is about to arrive upon a believing servant (of Allah), if Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inspires him to pray and plead before Allah for help, the diversion of misfortune from him will take place very shortly. Whenever a misfortune is to arrive upo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ اللَّهِ لَا يُلِحُّ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي حَاجَتِهِ إِلَّا قَضَاهَا لَهُ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘By Allah, if a believing servant (of Allah) insists before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, on praying and pleading before Allah for help. He will fulfill his needs.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اطْلُبُوا الدُّعَاءَ فِي‌ أَرْبَعِ سَاعَاتٍ عِنْدَ هُبُوبِ الرِّيَاحِ وَ زَوَالِ الْأَفْيَاءِ[1] وَ نُزُولِ الْقَطْرِ وَ أَوَّلِ قَطْرَةٍ مِنْ دَمِ الْقَتِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّ أَبْوَابَ السَّمَاءِ تُفَتَّحُ عِنْدَ هَذِهِ الْأَشْيَاءِ.

"Seek supplication at four times: during the blowing of the winds, the fading of the shadows, the descent of rain, and when the first drop of blood from a martyred believer has spilled, for indeed the gates of heaven open at these times."

الدَّاعِي وَ الْمُؤَمِّنُ فِي الْأَجْرِ شَرِيكَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A person praying and one saying ‘Amin’ share the reward equally.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[1] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ حَاجَةً مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً وَ قَدْ دَخَلَ قَلْبِي مِنْ إِبْطَائِهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ يَا أَحْمَدُ إِيَّاكَ وَ الشَّيْطَانَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ عَلَيْكَ سَبِيلٌ حَتَّى يُقَنِّطَكَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ص‌[2] كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَاجَةً فَيُؤَخِّرُ عَنْهُ تَعْجِيلَ إِجَابَتِهِ حُبّاً لِصَوْتِهِ

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been praying to Allah for help in something from the year so and so and because of delay something is happing in my heart.’ The Imam said, ‘O Ahmad, beware of Satan! Do not allow him to find a way in you to despair

سَمِعْتُ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَدْعُو فَيُؤَخَّرُ إِجَابَتُهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believing person prays and its (the prayer’s) acceptance may be delayed up to the next Friday [Day of Judgment].”’

لَا يَزَالُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِخَيْرٍ وَ رَجَاءٍ رَحْمَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا لَمْ يَسْتَعْجِلْ فَيَقْنَطَ وَ يَتْرُكَ الدُّعَاءَ قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ يَسْتَعْجِلُ قَالَ يَقُولُ قَدْ دَعَوْتُ مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ مَا أَرَى الْإِجَابَةَ[4].

“A believing person is fine and hopeful through the favors of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as long as he does not rush to despair and give up prayer.’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam (a.s.) ‘How can he rush?’ The Imam said, ‘He may say, “I have been praying for such and such period of time and I do not

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي حَاجَتِهِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَخِّرُوا إِجَابَتَهُ شَوْقاً إِلَى صَوْتِهِ وَ دُعَائِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَبْدِي دَعَوْتَنِي فَأَخَّرْتُ إِجَابَتَكَ وَ ثَوَابُكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ دَعَوْتَنِي‌ فِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَأَخَّرْتُ إِجَابَتَكَ وَ ثَوَابُكَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ فَيَتَمَنَّى الْمُؤْمِنُ أَنَّهُ لَم

“A believing person may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘Hold back the answer to his prayer for the desire in his voice and prayer.’ When it will be the Day of Judgment Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘My servant, you pr

يَمُوتُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِكُلِّ مِيتَةٍ إِلَّا الصَّاعِقَةَ- لَا تَأْخُذُهُ وَ هُوَ يَذْكُرُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“A believing person may die by any form of death except lightning that will not hit him when he is speaking of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious,.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ مِيتَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ يَمُوتُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِكُلِّ مِيتَةٍ- يَمُوتُ غَرَقاً وَ يَمُوتُ بِالْهَدْمِ وَ يُبْتَلَى بِالسَّبُعِ وَ يَمُوتُ بِالصَّاعِقَةِ وَ لَا تُصِيبُ ذَاكِرَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the death of the believing persons. The Imam said, ‘A believing person may die in any form of death, drowning, by the debris of falling buildings, or beasts may cause his death. He may die because of lightning except when speaking of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

أَوْشَكُ دَعْوَةٍ وَ أَسْرَعُ إِجَابَةٍ دُعَاءُ الْمَرْءِ لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ.

“The prayer closest to acceptance and the fastest to be heard is a man’s prayer for a brother (in belief) in his absence.”

دُعَاءُ الْمَرْءِ لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ يُدِرُّ الرِّزْقَ وَ يَدْفَعُ الْمَكْرُوهَ‌[1].

“A man’s prayer for his brother (in belief) in his absence increases his sustenance and repulses misfortune.”

هُوَ الْمُؤْمِنُ يَدْعُو لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ آمِينَ وَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ وَ لَكَ مِثْلَا مَا سَأَلْتَ وَ قَدْ أُعْطِيتَ مَا سَأَلْتَ بِحُبِّكَ إِيَّاهُ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘He answers the prayers of the righteously striving believers and grants them increasing favors . . . ,’ (42:26) the Imam said, ‘This is a reference to a believing person who prays for his brother (in belief) in his absence and the angel says, “Amin.” Allah, the

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ أَسْرَعُ الدُّعَاءِ نُجْحاً لِلْإِجَابَةِ[3] دُعَاءُ الْأَخِ لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ يَبْدَأُ بِالدُّعَاءِ لِأَخِيهِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مَلَكٌ مُوَكَّلٌ بِهِ آمِينَ وَ لَكَ مِثْلَاهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The prayer quickest to success and acceptance is one’s prayer for his brother (in belief) in his absence where one starts praying for him and the angels guarding say, ‘Amin’ You will have twice as much you asked for him.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ دَعَا لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ إِلَّا رَدَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ مِثْلَ الَّذِي دَعَا لَهُمْ بِهِ مِنْ كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ وَ مُؤْمِنَةٍ مَضَى مِنْ أَوَّلِ الدَّهْرِ أَوْ هُوَ آتٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيُؤْمَرُ بِهِ إِلَى النَّارِ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيُسْحَبُ‌[1] فَيَقُولُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يَا رَبِّ هَذَا الَّذِي كَانَ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Any believing person who prays for the believing people male and female, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, returns to such person a reward equal to the reward for a likewise prayer with which all believing people, male and female have been praying from the beginning of time and

رَأَيْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ جُنْدَبٍ فِي الْمَوْقِفِ فَلَمْ أَرَ مَوْقِفاً كَانَ أَحْسَنَ مِنْ مَوْقِفِهِ مَا زَالَ مَادّاً يَدَيْهِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ دُمُوعُهُ تَسِيلُ عَلَى خَدَّيْهِ حَتَّى تَبْلُغَ الْأَرْضَ فَلَمَّا صَدَرَ النَّاسُ قُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا رَأَيْتُ مَوْقِفاً قَطُّ أَحْسَنَ مِنْ مَوْقِفِكَ قَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا دَعَوْتُ إِلَّا لِإِخْوَانِي وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع- أَخ

“Once I saw ‘Abd Allah ibn Jundab in ‘Arafat but I had not seen any stay (spending the ninth day of Dulhajj) in ‘Arafat better than that. He continued stretching his hands to the sky and his tears flow on his both cheeks all the way to the ground. When people left I said to him, ‘O abu Muhammad, I have never seen a won

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِذَا سَمِعُوا الْمُؤْمِنَ يَدْعُو لِأَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ أَوْ يَذْكُرُهُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالُوا نِعْمَ الْأَخُ أَنْتَ لِأَخِيكَ تَدْعُو لَهُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَ هُوَ غَائِبٌ عَنْكَ وَ تَذْكُرُهُ بِخَيْرٍ قَدْ أَعْطَاكَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِثْلَيْ‌[2] مَا سَأَلْتَ لَهُ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْكَ مِثْلَيْ مَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَكَ الْفَضْلُ عَ

“I heard Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) saying, ‘When the angels hear the believing person praying for his brother (in belief) in his absence or speak of him good, they say, “You are a good brother (in belief). You pray for him in his absence and speak good of him. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has granted you dou

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ خَمْسُ دَعَوَاتٍ لَا يُحْجَبْنَ عَنِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى دَعْوَةُ الْإِمَامِ الْمُقْسِطِ وَ دَعْوَةُ الْمَظْلُومِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَأَنْتَقِمَنَّ لَكَ وَ لَوْ بَعْدَ حِينٍ وَ دَعْوَةُ الْوَلَدِ الصَّالِحِ لِوَالِدَيْهِ وَ دَعْوَةُ الْوَالِدِ الصَّالِحِ لِوَلَدِهِ وَ دَعْوَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ فَيَقُولُ وَ لَكَ مِثْلُهُ.

“My father (a.s.) has said, ‘Five kinds of prayers are not barred from the Lord, the Most Blessed, the Most High: the prayer of an Imam who is just in his dealings, the prayer of an oppressed as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “I will revenge for you even if it may come after a long time,” the prayer

قُلْتُ إِنَّا نُكَلِّمُ النَّاسَ فَنَحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمْ بِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌ فَيَقُولُونَ نَزَلَتْ فِي أُمَرَاءِ السَّرَايَا فَنَحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمْ بِقَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ[4] فَيَقُولُونَ نَزَلَتْ فِي الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ نَحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمْ بِقَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلّ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘We speak to people and in support of our (Shi’a Muslim) belief refer them to the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘O believers, obey Allah, His Messenger, and your leaders (who possess Divine Authority)...’ (4:59) They say, ‘It applies to the commanders of the miss

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثَلَاثَ سَاعَاتٍ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَ ثَلَاثَ سَاعَاتٍ فِي النَّهَارِ يُمَجِّدُ فِيهِنَّ نَفْسَهُ فَأَوَّلُ سَاعَاتِ النَّهَارِ حِينَ تَكُونُ الشَّمْسُ هَذَا الْجَانِبَ يَعْنِي مِنَ الْمَشْرِقِ مِقْدَارَهَا مِنَ الْعَصْرِ يَعْنِي مِنَ الْمَغْرِبِ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ الْأُولَى وَ أَوَّلُ سَاعَاتِ اللَّيْلِ فِي الثُّلُثِ الْبَاقِي مِنَ اللَّيْلِ إِلَى أَنْ يَنْفَجِرَ الصُّبْحُ‌[2] يَقُولُ إِنِّي أ

“In three hours of the day and in three hours of the night Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, glorifies Himself. The first hours of the day begin when the distance of the sun from this side, the East, is equal to that between ‘Asr (the beginning of afternoon prayer), on the West, and the start of the time of the first

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يُمَجِّدُ نَفْسَهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَمَنْ مَجَّدَ اللَّهَ بِمَا مَجَّدَ بِهِ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ كَانَ فِي حَالِ شِقْوَةٍ حَوَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى سَعَادَةٍ يَقُولُ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ أَنْتَ اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْعَل

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from ‘Abd Allah ibn Bukayr from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘A’Yun from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, glorifies Himself three times every-day and night. Whoever glorifies Allah with the words w

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَعْظَمَ ثَوَاباً مِنْ شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَعْدِلُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا يَشْرَكُهُ فِي الْأُمُورِ أَحَدٌ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘There is nothing greater in rewards than testifying to the truth and believing in the meaning of the testimony of belief in Allah: ‘No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah’, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, Who has no equal and no one shares Him in any issue. ’”

مَنْ قَالَ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ- لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ حَقّاً حَقّاً لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ عُبُودِيَّةً وَ رِقّاً لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ إِيمَاناً وَ صِدْقاً أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِوَجْهِهِ وَ لَمْ يَصْرِفْ وَجْهَهُ عَنْهُ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ.

“Whoever says ten times a day, ‘No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, indeed and in all truth, no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, servitude and slavery is for Him, no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, in belief and affirmation, Allah will turn to him with His face and will not turn away f

يَا أَبَانُ إِذَا قَدِمْتَ الْكُوفَةَ فَارْوِ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مُخْلِصاً وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّهُ يَأْتِينِي مِنْ كُلِّ صِنْفٍ مِنَ الْأَصْنَافِ أَ فَأَرْوِي لَهُمْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ قَالَ نَعَمْ يَا أَبَانُ إِنَّهُ إِذَا كَانَ‌ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ الْآخِرِينَ فَتُسْلَبُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا مَن

“O Aban, when you will arrive in al-Kufah, narrate this Hadith : ‘Whoever testifies sincerely saying, “No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah,” paradise becomes necessary for him. I (the narrator) then said, ‘All kinds of people will come to me, shall I narrate it to them?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, O Aban, when it w

ثَلَاثٌ تَنَاسَخَهَا الْأَنْبِيَاءُ[1] مِنْ آدَمَ ع حَتَّى وَصَلْنَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ يَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ إِيمَاناً تُبَاشِرُ بِهِ قَلْبِي وَ يَقِيناً[2] حَتَّى أَعْلَمَ أَنَّهُ لَا يُصِيبُنِي إِلَّا مَا كَتَبْتَ لِي وَ رَضِّنِي بِمَا قَسَمْتَ لِي. - وَ رَوَاهُ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا وَ زَادَ فِيهِ‌ حَتَّى لَا أُحِبَّ تَعْجِيلَ مَا أَخَّرْتَ وَ لَا تَأْخِيرَ مَا عَجَّلْتَ يَا

“There are three things that the prophets inherited from Adam until they reached the Messenger of Allah. In the morning he would say, ‘O Lord, I request You to grant me a belief that accompany with my heart, a certainty in the fact that nothing can affect me except what You have written, make me happy with the share th

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَ إِلَيْكَ فَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي حِفْظِ الْإِيمَانِ‌[2] مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِي وَ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَ عَنْ شِمَالِي وَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وَ مِنْ تَحْتِي وَ مِنْ قِبَلِي

“My father (a.s.) in the morning would say, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah, with Allah, and to Allah, for the cause of Allah and on the religion of the Messenger of Allah, O Lord, to You I have submitted my soul, to You I have left my affairs, before You I have placed my trust, O Lord of the worlds. O Lord, protect me

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَحْمَدُكَ وَ أَسْتَعِينُكَ وَ أَنْتَ رَبِّي وَ أَنَا عَبْدُكَ أَصْبَحْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَ وَعْدِكَ وَ أُومِنُ بِوَعْدِكَ وَ أُوفِي بِعَهْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ وَ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَصْبَحْتُ عَلَى فِطْرَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ كَلِمَةِ الْإِخْلَاصِ وَ مِلَّةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ دِينِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَى

“O Lord, all praise belongs to You. I praise You, beg assistance from You. You are my Lord, and I am Your servant. This morning I am with Your covenant and promise. I believe in Your promise and I am truthful to Your covenant as much as I can. There are no means and no power without the help of Allah, alone. Who has no

مَهْمَا تَرَكْتَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَلَا تَتْرُكْ أَنْ تَقُولَ فِي كُلِّ صَبَاحٍ وَ مَسَاءٍ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ- أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ وَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ لِأَهْلِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ أَبْرَأُ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ لَعْنَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْرَأُ إِلَيْكَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ مِمَّنْ نَحْنُ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَ مِمَّا كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ‌

“You may give up whatever you give up but do not give up to say every morning and in the evening the following: “O Lord, this morning I seek forgiveness from You on this day for the people of kindness and disavow the people subject to Your condemnation. “O Lord, this morning and on this day I disavow the pagans around

إِذَا أَوَى أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى فِرَاشِهِ فَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي احْتَبَسْتُ نَفْسِي عِنْدَكَ فَاحْتَبِسْهَا فِي مَحَلِّ رِضْوَانِكَ وَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ وَ إِنْ رَدَدْتَهَا إِلَى بَدَنِي فَارْدُدْهَا مُؤْمِنَةً عَارِفَةً بِحَقِّ أَوْلِيَائِكَ حَتَّى تَتَوَفَّاهَا عَلَى ذَلِكَ.

“When any of you is about to go to your bed you should say, ‘O Lord, I have placed my soul in Your custody, keep it secure in a place that You like, and forgive, and if You return it to my body, return it with belief, and with knowledge of the rights of Your friends until it will die upon such belief.’”

إِذَا خَرَجْتَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِكَ فِي سَفَرٍ أَوْ حَضَرٍ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ آمَنْتُ بِاللَّهِ‌ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ‌ ما شاءَ اللَّهُ‌ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ فَتَلَقَّاهُ الشَّيَاطِينُ‌ فَتَنْصَرِفُ‌[1] وَ تَضْرِبُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ[2] وُجُوهَهَا وَ تَقُولُ مَا سَبِيلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ- وَ قَدْ سَمَّى اللَّهَ وَ آمَنَ بِهِ وَ تَوَكَّلَ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ‌ ما شاءَ اللَّهُ‌ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِ

“When you come out of your house for a journey or arrive home say, ‘In the name of Allah, I believe in Allah, I place my trust in Allah, as Allah wills. There are no means and no power without Allah. Devils are on his way but they move away; the angels strike their faces and say, “You have no way to him. He has spoken

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَالَ هَذَا الْقَوْلَ كَانَ مَعَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ إِذَا قَامَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَفْتِحَ الصَّلَاةَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَيْكَ- بِمُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أُقَدِّمُهُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ صَلَاتِي وَ أَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِمْ إِلَيْكَ‌[3] فَاجْعَلْنِي بِهِمْ‌ وَجِيهاً فِي الدُّنْيا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ مِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ‌ مَنَنْتَ عَلَيَّ بِمَعْرِفَتِهِمْ فَاخْ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Nu’Man from certain individuals of his people from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever just before beginning the prayer says the following will be with Muhamma

بَعْدَ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ وَ هُوَ آخِذٌ بِلِحْيَتِهِ بِيَدِهِ الْيُمْنَى- يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَ الْإِكْرَامِ ارْحَمْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَ يَدُهُ الْيُسْرَى مَرْفُوعَةٌ وَ بَطْنُهَا إِلَى مَا يَلِي السَّمَاءَ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ الْعَذَابِ الْأَلِيمِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ يُؤَخِّرُ يَدَهُ عَنْ لِحْيَتِهِ ثُمَّ يَرْفَعُ يَدَهُ وَ يَجْعَلُ بَطْنَهَا مِمَّا يَلِي السَّمَاءَ[2] ثُمَّ يَقُولُ يَا عَزِي

“Whoever after every prayer, holds his beard in his right hand and says, ‘O the Owner of glory and magnanimity, have mercy upon me against fire,’ three times, with the left hand raised and the palms up to the sky and says, ‘Grant me safety from the painful torment,’ three times, then removes his hand from his beard and

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ابْنُ الرِّضَا ع بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ وَ عَلَّمَنِيهِ‌[3] وَ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ لَمْ يَلْتَمِسْ حَاجَةً إِلَّا تَيَسَّرَتْ لَهُ وَ كَفَاهُ اللَّهُ مَا أَهَمَّهُ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ‌ وَ أُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبادِ فَوَقاهُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئاتِ ما مَكَرُوا لا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from certain individuals of his people from Muhammad ibn al-Faraj who has said the following: “Once abu Ja’far ibn al-Rida (a.s.) wrote to me and instructed me with this supplication saying, ‘Whoever recites it after the morning prayer, his wish will come true

كُنْتُ كَثِيراً مَا أَشْتَكِي عَيْنِي فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ ع فَقَالَ أَ لَا أُعَلِّمُكَ دُعَاءً لِدُنْيَاكَ وَ آخِرَتِكَ وَ بَلَاغاً لِوَجَعِ عَيْنَيْكَ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ تَقُولُ فِي دُبُرِ الْفَجْرِ وَ دُبُرِ الْمَغْرِبِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْكَ‌[1] صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اجْعَلِ النُّورَ فِي بَصَرِي وَ الْبَصِيرَةَ فِي دِي

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Muhammad al-Ju’Fi from his father who has said the following: “I often complained about my eyes and once I mentioned it to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) and he said, ‘Should I teach you a supplication that will be for the good of your worldly life and he

كَانَ مِنْ دُعَاءِ أَبِي ع فِي الْأَمْرِ يَحْدُثُ- اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ زَكِّ عَمَلِي وَ يَسِّرْ مُنْقَلَبِي وَ اهْدِ قَلْبِي وَ آمِنْ خَوْفِي وَ عَافِنِي فِي عُمُرِي كُلِّهِ وَ ثَبِّتْ حُجَّتِي وَ اغْفِرْ خَطَايَايَ وَ بَيِّضْ وَجْهِي وَ اعْصِمْنِي فِي دِينِي وَ سَهِّلْ مَطْلَبِي وَ وَسِّعْ عَلَيَّ فِي رِزْقِي فَإِنِّي ضَعِيفٌ وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنْ سَيِّئِ مَا

8. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from A number of our people have narrated in a marfu’ manner from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Of the supplications of my father (a.s.) in an event was this: ‘O Lord, grant al-Salat (favors) upon Muhammad and his family, forgive me, have me