Faith & Belief

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ صَلَاةِ النَّوَافِلِ مَا لَا يَدْرِي مَا هُوَ مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَلْيُصَلِّ حَتَّى لَا يَدْرِيَ كَمْ صَلَّى مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ فَيَكُونَ قَدْ قَضَى بِقَدْرِ عِلْمِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْقَضَاءِ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ شُغُلِهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ شُغُلُهُ فِي طَلَبِ مَعِيشَةٍ لَا بُدَّ مِنْهَا أَوْ حَاجَةٍ لِأَخٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man on whom there is Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) optional Salah (prayer), so much that he does not know how many because of its great number. What is he required to do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs so many that cannot say how many is performed. In this way he has pe

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْخَوْفِ قَالَ يَقُومُ الْإِمَامُ وَ تَجِي‌ءُ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فَيَقُومُونَ خَلْفَهُ وَ طَائِفَةٌ بِإِزَاءِ الْعَدُوِّ فَيُصَلِّي بِهِمُ الْإِمَامُ رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ يَقُومُ وَ يَقُومُونَ مَعَهُ‌ فَيَمْثُلُ قَائِماً[1] وَ يُصَلُّونَ هُمُ الرَّكْعَةَ الثَّانِيَةَ ثُمَّ يُسَلِّمُ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ ثُمَّ يَنْصَرِفُونَ فَيَقُومُونَ فِي مَقَامِ أَصْحَابِهِمْ وَ يَ

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about performing Salah (prayer) in fearful conditions. He (the Imam) said, ‘The Imam stands up and one group of his people comes and stands up behind him. The other group faces the enemy. The Imam performs one Rak‘at, then stands up and they also stand up. He remains standing but th

صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِأَصْحَابِهِ فِي غَزْوَةِ ذَاتِ الرِّقَاعِ‌[2] صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ فَفَرَّقَ أَصْحَابَهُ فِرْقَتَيْنِ أَقَامَ فِرْقَةً بِإِزَاءِ الْعَدُوِّ وَ فِرْقَةً خَلْفَهُ فَكَبَّرَ وَ كَبَّرُوا فَقَرَأَ وَ أَنْصَتُوا وَ رَكَعَ فَرَكَعُوا وَ سَجَدَ فَسَجَدُوا ثُمَّ اسْتَتَمَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَائِماً[3] وَ صَلَّوْا لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ رَكْعَةً ثُمَّ سَلَّمَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ ثُمَّ خَرَجُوا إِلَى أَصْح

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah performed Salah (prayer) with his followers during the armed expedition at Dhat al-Riqa‘ in a fearful condition. The Messenger of Allah divided his companions in two groups. One group was made to stand up facing the enemy and the other group behind him for Sa

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْعِيدَيْنِ فَقَالَ رَكْعَتَانِ لَيْسَ قَبْلَهُمَا وَ لَا بَعْدَهُمَا شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَيْسَ فِيهِمَا أَذَانٌ وَ لَا إِقَامَةٌ يُكَبِّرُ فِيهِمَا اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ تَكْبِيرَةً يَبْدَأُ فَيُكَبِّرُ وَ يَفْتَتِحُ الصَّلَاةَ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ ثُمَّ يَقْرَأُ وَ الشَّمْسِ‌ وَ ضُحاها ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ خَمْسَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ ثُمَّ يُكَبِّرُ وَ يَرْكَعُ فَيَكُونُ يَرْكَعُ بِالسَّابِعَةِ

3. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Mu‘awiyah who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about Salah (prayer) of both ‘Id. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a two Rak‘at and there is not anything before or after them. Adhan or ‘Iqamah is not required. There

شَرَفُ الْمُؤْمِنِ صَلَاتُهُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ عِزُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَفُّهُ عَنْ أَعْرَاضِ النَّاسِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that nobility of a man is in his Salah (prayer) during the night and his honor is in his keeping away from unsettling people’s confidentiality.”

إِنَّ بِالْكُوفَةِ مَسَاجِدَ مَلْعُونَةً وَ مَسَاجِدَ مُبَارَكَةً فَأَمَّا الْمُبَارَكَةُ فَمَسْجِدُ غَنِيٍ‌[2] وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ قِبْلَتَهُ لَقَاسِطَةٌ وَ إِنَّ طِينَتَهُ لَطَيِّبَةٌ وَ لَقَدْ وَضَعَهُ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا تَذْهَبُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى تَفَجَّرَ مِنْهُ عَيْنَانِ وَ تَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ جَنَّتَانِ وَ أَهْلُهُ مَلْعُونُونَ وَ هُوَ مَسْلُوبٌ مِنْهُمْ وَ مَسْجِدُ بَنِي ظَفَرٍ وَ هُوَ مَسْجِدُ السَّهْلَةِ وَ م

“In Kufa there are condemned Masjids and blessed Masjids. One of the blessed Masjids is the Masjid of Ghany. By Allah, the direction of Qiblah thereof is balanced and just and its soil is blessed. A believing man established it and before the end of the world, two fountains will gush forth there-from with two gardens n

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا هَارُونَ بْنَ خَارِجَةَ كَمْ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ يَكُونُ مِيلًا قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَتُصَلِّي فِيهِ الصَّلَوَاتِ كُلَّهَا قُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ أَمَا لَوْ كُنْتُ بِحَضْرَتِهِ لَرَجَوْتُ أَلَّا تَفُوتَنِي فِيهِ صَلَاةٌ وَ تَدْرِي مَا فَضْلُ ذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعِ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ صَالِحٍ وَ لَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ صَلَّى فِي مَسْجِدِ كُوفَانَ حَتَّى إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا أَسْرَى الل

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘O Harun ibn Kharijah, how far away do you live from the Masjid of Kufah? Is it one mile?’ I replied, ‘No, it is less than a mile.’ He then asked, ‘Do you perform all Salah (prayers) there?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not perform all Salah (prayers) there.’ He then said, ‘If I were near

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يُعْطِي هَؤُلَاءِ جَمِيعاً لِأَنَّهُمْ يُقِرُّونَ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَ فَقَالَ يَا زُرَارَةُ لَوْ كَانَ يُعْطِي مَنْ يَعْرِفُ دُونَ مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لَمْ يُوجَدْ لَهَا مَوْضِعٌ وَ إِنَّمَا يُعْطِي مَنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ لِيَرْغَبَ فِي الدِّينِ فَيَثْبُتَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَّا الْيَوْمَ فَلَا تُعْطِهَا أَنْتَ وَ أَصْحَابُكَ إِلَّا مَنْ يَعْرِفُ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَ مِنْ هَؤ

“Once we both asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. ‘Charity funds (zakat) are only for the poor, the destitute, and the tax collectors. (It is also for the) people whose hearts are inclined (toward Islam), the slaves, those who ca

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا جَاءَ إِلَى أَبِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ فِي أَمْوالِهِمْ حَقٌّ مَعْلُومٌ. لِلسَّائِلِ وَ الْمَحْرُومِ‌ مَا هَذَا الْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْحَقُّ الْمَعْلُومُ الشَّيْ‌ءُ يُخْرِجُهُ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ مَالِهِ لَيْسَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ لَا مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ الْم

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Once a man came to my father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), and said, “Please tell me about the expression ‘certain share’. The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, say, ‘They are those who assign a certain share of their property (70:24) for the needy and the deprived.’ (

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِعَمَّارٍ السَّابَاطِيِ‌ يَا عَمَّارُ أَنْتَ رَبُّ مَالٍ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَتُؤَدِّي مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتُخْرِجُ الْحَقَّ الْمَعْلُومَ مِنْ مَالِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتَصِلُ قَرَابَتَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ وَ تَصِلُ إِخْوَانَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ يَفْنَى وَ الْبَدَنَ يَبْلَى وَ ال

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to ‘Ammar al-Sabatiy, ‘O ‘Ammar, do you own a great wealth?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you pay what Allah has made compulsory in the form of zakat?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pay.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you pay “

ذَكَرْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع شَيْئاً فَقَالَ اصْبِرْ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ يَصْنَعَ اللَّهُ لَكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا أَخَّرَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِمَّا عَجَّلَ لَهُ فِيهَا ثُمَّ صَغَّرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَالَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هِيَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَى خَطَرٍ إِنَّهُ يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ حُقُوقُ اللَّهِ فِيهَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَتَكُونُ عَلَيَّ

“I mentioned something before al-Rida (a.s.), and he said, ’Exercise patience. I hope Allah will do something good for you if He so wills.’ He then said, ’By Allah, He does not delay anything from a believer of the worldly things unless it is better for him than to do it for him quickly.’ He then belittled worldly thin

مَنْ مَنَعَ قِيرَاطاً مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَلَيْسَ بِمُؤْمِنٍ وَ لَا مُسْلِمٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رَبِّ ارْجِعُونِ. لَعَلِّي أَعْمَلُ صالِحاً فِيما تَرَكْتُ‌[1]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ وَ لَا تُقْبَلُ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if one refuses to pay even a Qirat of zakat, he is not a believer or a Muslim and this is mentioned in the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, as follows: ’. . . Lord, allow me to go back so I can do good deeds in what I have left. . . .’(23:99-100)” In another Hadith it

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَمُوتُ وَ يَتْرُكُ الْعِيَالَ أَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ‌ نَعَمْ حَتَّى يَنْشَوْا وَ يَبْلُغُوا وَ يَسْأَلُوا مِنْ أَيْنَ كَانُوا يَعِيشُونَ إِذَا قُطِعَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُمْ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ إِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ يُحْفَظُ فِيهِمْ مَيِّتُهُمْ وَ يُحَبَّبُ إِلَيْهِمْ دِينُ أَبِيهِمْ‌[2] فَلَا يَلْبَثُوا أَنْ يَهْتَمُّوا بِدِينِ أَبِيهِمْ فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا وَ عَدَلُوا

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who dies and leaves behind dependents. Can Zakat be given to them? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, until they grow up, become adults and ask (themselves) by what means could they live and survive if that Zakat was cut off from them. I then said, ‘They do not know. He (the Imam

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ عَارِفٍ فَاضِلٍ تُوُفِّيَ وَ تَرَكَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْناً قَدِ ابْتُلِيَ بِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِمُفْسِدٍ وَ لَا بِمُسْرِفٍ وَ لَا مَعْرُوفٍ بِالْمَسْأَلَةِ هَلْ يُقْضَى عَنْهُ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ الْأَلْفُ وَ الْأَلْفَانِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man of knowledge and excellence who dies owing a certain amount of debts. He was not corrupt, a spendthrift, or a known beggar; can his debts be paid from Zakat like one or two thousand? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it can be paid.”

ذُرِّيَّةُ الرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا مَاتَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْفِطْرَةِ كَمَا كَانَ يُعْطَى أَبُوهُمْ حَتَّى يَبْلُغُوا فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا وَ عَرَفُوا مَا كَانَ أَبُوهُمْ يَعْرِفُ أُعْطُوا وَ إِنْ نَصَبُوا لَمْ يُعْطَوْا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Children of a Muslim man who dies can receive Zakat and al-Fitrah just as their father would receive, until they become adults and become knowledgeable of what their father was knowledgeable (believed in); they still can receive Zakat but if they become hostile, then Zakat is not give

سَأَلَهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ قَالَ أُعْطِي قَرَابَتِي زَكَاةَ مَالِي وَ هُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا تُعْطِ الزَّكَاةَ إِلَّا مُسْلِماً وَ أَعْطِهِمْ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ تَرَوْنَ أَنَّمَا فِي الْمَالِ الزَّكَاةُ وَحْدَهَا مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ فِي الْمَالِ مِنْ غَيْرِ الزَّكَاةِ أَكْثَرُ تُعْطِي‌[3] مِنْهُ الْقَرَابَةَ وَ الْمُعْتَرِضَ لَكَ مِمَّنْ يَسْأَلُكَ فَتُع

“Once someone asked him (the Imam) ‘Alayhi al-Salam, when I was hearing, saying, ‘Can I pay Zakat to my relatives and they do not know (this belief)? He (the Imam) said, ‘Do not pay Zakat to anyone who is not a Muslim, but give them from other things.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘Do you think that Allah has made

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَرْضُ الْمُؤْمِنِ غَنِيمَةٌ وَ تَعْجِيلُ أَجْرٍ إِنْ أَيْسَرَ قَضَاكَ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ احْتَسَبْتَ بِهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ.

“I once heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ’Lending a loan to a believer is a great gain which hastens reward. If he earns, he pays you back; but if he dies before paying, you can count it as payment of Zakat.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع الرَّجُلُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ يَأْخُذَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَأُعْطِيهِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ لَا أُسَمِّي لَهُ أَنَّهَا مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقَالَ أَعْطِهِ وَ لَا تُسَمِّ لَهُ وَ لَا تُذِلَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ.

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about a man of our people who is a deserving beneficiary of Zakat but feels shy to accept Zakat. Can I pay him Zakat without mentioning that it is Zakat?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Pay him and do not mention and you must not humiliate the believer.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ دَاوُوا مَرْضَاكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَ ادْفَعُوا الْبَلَاءَ بِالدُّعَاءِ[1] وَ اسْتَنْزِلُوا الرِّزْقَ بِالصَّدَقَةِ فَإِنَّهَا تُفَكُ‌[2] مِنْ بَيْنِ لُحِيِّ سَبْعِمِائَةِ شَيْطَانٍ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَثْقَلَ عَلَى الشَّيْطَانِ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ هِيَ تَقَعُ فِي يَدِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقَعَ فِي يَدِ الْعَبْدِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Cure your illnesses by giving charity, repel misfortunes with prayer, and allow means of sustenance to descend upon you by giving charity. Charity finds its way through the beards of seven hundred Satans. No other thing is heavier upon Satan than when you give charity to a believing p

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَرْضُ الْقِيَامَةِ نَارٌ مَا خَلَا ظِلَّ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنَّ صَدَقَتَهُ تُظِلُّهُ.

‘The land on the Day of Judgment is all fire except the shadow of a believing person. His charity provides him shadow.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ بَكِّرُوا بِالصَّدَقَةِ وَ ارْغَبُوا فِيهَا فَمَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يَتَصَدَّقُ بِصَدَقَةٍ يُرِيدُ بِهَا مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ لِيَدْفَعَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَنْهُ شَرَّ مَا يَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ إِلَّا وَقَاهُ اللَّهُ شَرَّ مَا يَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ.

“I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘You must not be late in giving charity, and be interested in it. Any believing person who just for the sake of Allah gives charity so that Allah may protect him against the evil of things that come down from the heaven to earth on that day, that person should know that Allah does

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ يَأْكُلُ بِشَهْوَةِ أَهْلِهِ وَ الْمُنَافِقُ يَأْكُلُ أَهْلُهُ بِشَهْوَتِهِ.

The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, "The believer eats according to the desires of his family, while the hypocrite eats according to his own desires."

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَأْخُذُ بِأَدَبِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا وَسَّعَ عَلَيْهِ اتَّسَعَ وَ إِذَا أَمْسَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْسَكَ.[3]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘The believing person follows the discipline of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious. When Allah grants him extended favors, he becomes generous;

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِعَمَّارٍ يَا عَمَّارُ أَنْتَ رَبُّ مَالٍ كَثِيرٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَتُؤَدِّي مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتُخْرِجُ الْمَعْلُومَ مِنْ مَالِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتَصِلُ قَرَابَتَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَتَصِلُ إِخْوَانَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ يَفْنَى وَ الْبَدَنَ يَبْلَى وَ الْعَمَلَ يَبْقَى وَ الدَّيَّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said to ‘Ammar, ‘O ‘Ammar, are you the owner of a great wealth?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do you pay all of the zakat Allah has made compulsory upon you to pay?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam then asked, ‘Do y

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَوْصَلَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَعْرُوفاً فَقَدْ أَوْصَلَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a believing person maintains good relations with his brother in belief, he is considered as maintaining such relations with the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause.’”

لَا تَدْخُلْ لِأَخِيكَ فِي أَمْرٍ مَضَرَّتُهُ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ لَهُ قَالَ ابْنُ سِنَانٍ يَكُونُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ دَيْنٌ كَثِيرٌ وَ لَكَ مَالٌ فَتُؤَدِّي عَنْهُ فَيَذْهَبُ مَالُكَ وَ لَا تَكُونُ قَضَيْتَ عَنْهُ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that you must not involve yourself in the affairs of your brother (in belief) where the harm of the involvement to you is greater than the benefit for him.” Ibn Sinan has said, ‘This can happen when a man is indebted heavenly and you pay all of your belongings to pay his debt, but his

يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَبْذُلْ لِإِخْوَانِكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ مَا ضَرُّهُ عَلَيْكَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ لَهُمْ

“Abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not provide the kind of Benevolent Assistance to your brothers (in belief), which is more harmful to you than its being beneficial to him.”

لَا تُوجِبْ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ الْحُقُوقَ وَ اصْبِرْ عَلَى النَّوَائِبِ وَ لَا تَدْخُلْ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مَضَرَّتُهُ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ مَنْفَعَتِهِ لِأَخِيكَ.

‘You must not obligate your soul for others’ rights; you must exercise patience in difficulties; and you must not involve yourself in an affair where its harm to you is greater than its benefit for your brother (in belief).”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ أَقْرَضَ مُؤْمِناً يَلْتَمِسُ بِهِ وَجْهَ اللَّهِ إِلَّا حَسَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ أَجْرَهُ بِحِسَابِ الصَّدَقَةِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَيْهِ مَالُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘For every believing person who provides a loan for another believing person, for the sake of Allah, Allah counts its reward as that of giving charity until the time the loan is paid back.’”

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ الْمُعَلَّى وَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا رَآنَا قَالَ مَرْحَباً مَرْحَباً بِكُمْ وُجُوهٌ تُحِبُّنَا وَ نُحِبُّهَا جَعَلَكُمُ اللَّهُ مَعَنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُثْمَانُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَعَمْ مَهْ‌[2] قَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ مُوسِرٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ فِي يَسَارِكَ قَالَ وَ يَجِي‌ءُ الرَّجُلُ

“I went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). Two other people, al-Mu‘alla’ and ‘Uthman ibn ‘Umar, also were present with me. On seeing us, he welcomed us and offered greetings of peace, saying, ‘I welcome the faces that love us and we love them. May Allah keep you with us in this world and in the next life.’ Uthman then sai

قَرْضُ الْمُؤْمِنِ غَنِيمَةٌ وَ تَعْجِيلُ خَيْرٍ إِنْ أَيْسَرَ أَدَّاهُ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ احْتُسِبَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that providing a loan for a believing person is an (important) gain and a good deed if done quickly. If he becomes financially capable, he repays, but if he dies, the provider of loan can count it as payment for zakat.”

دَخَلَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ الْوَشَّاءُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يُكَلِّمَ شِهَاباً أَنْ يُخَفِّفَ عَنْهُ حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ الْمَوْسِمُ وَ كَانَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ أَلْفُ دِينَارٍ فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِ فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ عَرَفْتَ حَالَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ انْقِطَاعَهُ إِلَيْنَا[1] وَ قَدْ ذَكَرَ أَنَّ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَلْفَ دِينَارٍ لَمْ تَذْهَبْ فِي بَطْنٍ وَ لَا فَرْجٍ وَ إِنَّمَا ذَهَبَتْ دَيْناً عَل

“Once Muhammad ibn Bishr al-Washsha’ came to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asking the Imam to speak to Shihab to relieve him of repayment of a loan until the end of the time for Hajj. He owed him one thousand dinars. The Imam sent someone to call him. He (Shihab) came and the Imam said to him, ‘As you know Muhammad’s co

أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيُّ النَّاسِ أَفْضَلُهُمْ إِيمَاناً قَالَ أَبْسَطُهُمْ كَفّاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and said, ‘O the Messenger of Allah, who among people is of more excellent belief?’ He replied, ‘He is one whose hands are more open than others.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ خِيَارُكُمْ سُمَحَاؤُكُمْ وَ شِرَارُكُمْ بُخَلَاؤُكُمْ وَ مِنْ خَالِصِ الْإِيمَانِ الْبِرُّ بِالْإِخْوَانِ وَ السَّعْيُ فِي حَوَائِجِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ الْبَارَّ بِالْإِخْوَانِ لَيُحِبُّهُ الرَّحْمَنُ وَ فِي ذَلِكَ مَرْغَمَةٌ لِلشَّيْطَانِ وَ تَزَحْزُحٌ عَنِ النِّيرَانِ‌[2] وَ دُخُولُ الْجِنَانِ يَا جَمِيلُ أَخْبِرْ بِهَذَا غُرَرَ أَصْحَابِكَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَنْ غُرَرُ أَص

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘The virtuous ones among you are the generous ones, and the wicked ones among you are the stingy ones. You must do good to your brothers (in belief) and striving to help them comes from pure belief. The Beneficent loves those who do good to their brothers (in belief), and such manne

إِذَا ضَاقَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيُعْلِمْ أَخَاهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if it becomes difficult for one of you, you should inform your brother (in belief) while you are unable to help yourself.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ إِنْ يَعْلَمْهُنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُ كَانَتْ زِيَادَةً فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ بَقَاءَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ تَطْوِيلُهُ فِي رُكُوعِهِ وَ سُجُودِهِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ وَ تَطْوِيلُهُ لِجُلُوسِهِ عَلَى طَعَامِهِ إِذَا أَطْعَمَ عَلَى مَائِدَتِهِ وَ اصْطِنَاعُهُ الْمَعْرُوفَ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ.

“I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘There are three things which would help lengthen his life if a believing person comes to know them and make his wealth more durable.’ I then asked, ‘What are those things?’ The Imam replied, ‘They are remaining in Ruku’ for a long time, as well as in his Sajdah during prayer (Sala

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قُلْتُ قَوْمٌ عِنْدَهُمْ فُضُولٌ وَ بِإِخْوَانِهِمْ حَاجَةٌ شَدِيدَةٌ وَ لَيْسَ تَسَعُهُمُ الزَّكَاةُ أَ يَسَعُهُمْ أَنْ يَشْبَعُوا وَ يَجُوعَ إِخْوَانُهُمْ فَإِنَّ الزَّمَانَ شَدِيدٌ فَقَالَ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَحْرِمُهُ فَيَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِيهِ وَ التَّوَاصُلُ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَيْهِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْ

“Once I explained before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a people who are affluent, but have certain ones among them who are extremely needy. Zakat is not enough for them. ‘Can these affluent people live satisfied while their people suffer from hunger in such a difficult time?’ The Imam said, ‘The Muslims are each other’s

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَ إِطْعَامُ الطَّعَامِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Having good moral behavior and serving food is part of belief.’”

مِنْ أَحَبِّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِشْبَاعُ جَوْعَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَوْ تَنْفِيسُ كُرْبَتِهِ أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that of the most beloved deeds in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is satisfying the hunger of a believer, relieving his suffering, or paying off his debts.”

مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يَصِلَنَا فَلْيَصِلْ فُقَرَاءَ شِيعَتِنَا وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ أَنْ يَزُورَ قُبُورَنَا فَلْيَزُرْ قُبُورَ صُلَحَاءِ إِخْوَانِنَا.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Awwal, the 1st (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever is unable to keep good relations with us (by presenting gifts) should maintain good relations with poor people of our followers, and those who cannot visit our graves should visit the graves of our virtuous brothers (in belief).”’

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ مِنَ النَّارِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Islam is founded on five isssues. It is founded on Salat (prayer), zakat, al-Hajj, Fasting and al-Wilayat (belief in Divine Authority of ’A’immah). The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Fasting is a shield against the fire of hell.”

خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص النَّاسَ فِي آخِرِ جُمُعَةٍ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ أَظَلَّكُمْ‌[1] شَهْرٌ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ وَ هُوَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ صِيَامَهُ وَ جَعَلَ قِيَامَ لَيْلَةٍ فِيهِ بِتَطَوُّعِ صَلَاةٍ كَتَطَوُّعِ صَلَاةِ سَبْعِينَ لَيْلَةً فِيمَا سِوَاهُ مِنَ الشُّهُورِ وَ جَعَلَ لِمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ فِيهِ بِ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya and people other than him have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub, from abu Ayyub from abu al-Ward, who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Once, the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their servi

فِطْرُكَ أَخَاكَ الصَّائِمَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صِيَامِكَ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Your serving food to your fasting brother (in belief) is better than your fasting.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا أَهَلَّ هِلَالَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ‌[3] فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ السَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْعَافِيَةِ الْمُجَلِّلَةِ[1] وَ الرِّزْقِ الْوَاسِعِ وَ دَفْعِ الْأَسْقَامِ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ قِيَامَهُ وَ تِلَاوَةَ الْقُرْآنِ فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا وَ سَلّ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamaniy from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, upon seeing the crescent of the month of Ramadan, would turn toward the Ka‘bah, raise his h

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ‌ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا أَهَلَّ هِلَالَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَقْبَلَ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ السَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْعَافِيَةِ الْمُجَلِّلَةِ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ قِيَامَهُ وَ تِلَاوَةَ الْقُرْآنِ فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا وَ سَلِّمْنَا فِيهِ.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Asbat from al-Hakam ibn Miskin who has said that narrated to us ‘Amr ibn Shimr who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say the following. ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), when seeing the crescent of the month of Ramadan facing the dire

اللَّهُمَّ أَدْخِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالسَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْبِرِّ وَ التَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَ تَرْضَى.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when looking at the crescent of the month of Ramadan would say, “0 Allah, bring it (the month of Ramadan) upon us with peace and submission (to Your will), certainty, belief, virtue and good opportunity for whatever You love and consent with.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْهِلَالَ فَلَا تَبْرَحْ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذَا الشَّهْرِ وَ فَتْحَهُ وَ نُورَهُ وَ نَصْرَهُ وَ بَرَكَتَهُ وَ طَهُورَهُ وَ رِزْقَهُ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا فِيهِ وَ خَيْرَ مَا بَعْدَهُ وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِيهِ وَ شَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهُ اللَّهُمَّ أَدْخِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ السَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْبَر

9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Nawfaliy from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar in a marfu‘ manner who has said the following: “’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you see the crescent of the month of Ramadan, say this without fail,

إِذَا صَامَ أَحَدُكُمُ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ فَلَا يُجَادِلَنَّ أَحَداً وَ لَا يَجْهَلْ وَ لَا يُسْرِعْ إِلَى الْحَلْفِ وَ الْأَيْمَانِ بِاللَّهِ فَإِنْ جَهِلَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ فَلْيَتَحَمَّلْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if anyone of you fasts for three days of a month, you should not quarrel with anyone or act ignorantly. He should not be hasty to swear or to swear by Allah, and if anyone else may act ignorantly, he should exercise forbearance.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الصِّيَامَ لَيْسَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ الشَّرَابِ وَحْدَهُ إِنَّ مَرْيَمَ ع قَالَتْ- إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمنِ صَوْماً أَيْ صَمْتاً فَاحْفَظُوا أَلْسِنَتَكُمْ وَ غُضُّوا أَبْصَارَكُمْ وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَ لَا تَنَازَعُوا فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ الْإِيمَانَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ النَّارُ الْحَطَبَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Fasting is not abstaining from food and drink only. Mary had said, “I have made a vow before the Beneficent to fast,” meaning thereby to remain silent. You must control your tongues and cast down your eyes. You must not be jealous and you must not quarrel. Jealousy consumes belief

إِفْطَارُكَ لِأَخِيكَ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صِيَامِكَ تَطَوُّعاً[1].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that your serving breakfasts to your brother (in belief) after sunset is more excellent than your fasting an optional fasting.”