Faith & Belief

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدِّثْنِي عَمَّا بُنِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ دَعَائِمُ الْإِسْلَامِ إِذَا أَنَا أَخَذْتُ بِهَا زَكَى عَمَلِي وَ لَمْ يَضُرَّنِي جَهْلُ مَا جَهِلْتُ بَعْدَهُ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ حَقٌّ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْوَلَايَةُ الَّتِي أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهَ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to teach me the principles of Islam in such a way that on holding to them my deeds can take pure and correct form and thereafter the ignorance of whatever I am ignorant of cannot harm me. The Imam said, ‘Of the principles of Islam are to testify and acknowledge that no one deserves to

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ هَلْ تَعْرِفُ مَوَدَّتِي لَكُمْ وَ انْقِطَاعِي إِلَيْكُمْ وَ مُوَالاتِي إِيَّاكُمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ- فَقُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مَسْأَلَةً تُجِيبُنِي فِيهَا فَإِنِّي مَكْفُوفُ الْبَصَرِ قَلِيلُ الْمَشْيِ وَ لَا أَسْتَطِيعُ زِيَارَتَكُمْ كُلَّ حِينٍ قَالَ هَاتِ حَاجَتَكَ قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي بِدِينِكَ الَّذِي تَدِينُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ أَنْتَ وَ أَ

10. It is narrated from him (Ali ibn Ibrahim) from abu al-Jarud who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Do you know, O child of the Messenger of Allah that I love you ( Ahl al-Bayt). that 1 have disassociated myself from other people to associate with you only and that I support you ( Ahl al-Bayt )

سَمِعْتُهُ يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ مَا لَا يَسَعُهُمْ جَهْلُهُ وَ لَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهُمْ غَيْرُهُ مَا هُوَ فَقَالَ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ فَأَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ إِقَامُ الصَّلَاةِ وَ إِيتَاءُ الزَّكَاةِ وَ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ

“Once I heard abu Basir asking Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, teach me the religion that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made obligatory for people to follow. Teach me the religion of which they must not remain ignorant and besides which no other religion is accepte

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ خَمْساً فَرَخَّصَ فِي أَرْبَعٍ وَ لَمْ يُرَخِّصْ فِي وَاحِدَةٍ.

12. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’ alia ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from abu Zayd al-Hallal from ‘Abd al-Hamid ibn abu al-‘Ala’ al-Azdi who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made five things obligato

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ مَعَهُ صَحِيفَةٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ صَحِيفَةُ مُخَاصِمٍ يَسْأَلُ‌[1] عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي يُقْبَلُ فِيهِ الْعَمَلُ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ هَذَا الَّذِي أُرِيدُ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ تُقِرَّ بِمَا جَاءَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ الْوَلَايَةُ لَنَ

13. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Aban from Isma’il al-Ja’fi who has said the following: “Once a man came to abu Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant. He had a book with him. Abu Ja’far said, ‘This is the book of a polemicist who wants to

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَخِيهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا حَوَّلَكَ إِلَى هَذَا الْمَنْزِلِ قَالَ طَلَبُ النُّزْهَةِ[2] فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ لَا أَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ دِينِي فَقَالَ بَلَى قُلْتُ أَدِينُ اللَّهَ بِشَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ أَنَّ السَّاعَةَ

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he was in the house of his brother, ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad, and I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has brought you to this house?’ ‘Seeking privacy,’ said the Imam. I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I state before yo

أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِالْإِسْلَامِ أَصْلِهِ وَ فَرْعِهِ- وَ ذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ‌[1] قُلْتُ بَلَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ أَمَّا أَصْلُهُ فَالصَّلَاةُ وَ فَرْعُهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ ذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ أَخْبَرْتُكَ بِأَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ تَذْهَبُ بِالْخَطِيئَةِ وَ قِيَامُ الرَّجُلِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ بِذِكْ

“Do you want me to teach you the root of Islam, its branch and its peak? I said, ‘Yes, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam said, ‘Its root is prayer, its branch is al-Zakat (charity) and its peak is Jihad (the hard work in defense and preaching of the belief).’ The Imam then said, ‘If you want 1

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْإِسْلَامُ يُحْقَنُ بِهِ الدَّمُ وَ تُؤَدَّى بِهِ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ تُسْتَحَلُّ بِهِ الْفُرُوجُ وَ الثَّوَابُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Islam is to spare lives, protect the trust and make the marriage lawful, but reward comes from faith and belief.’”

الْإِيمَانُ إِقْرَارٌ وَ عَمَلٌ وَ الْإِسْلَامُ إِقْرَارٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ.

“Faith or belief is to affirm and act accordingly. Islam is just an affirmation.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- قالَتِ الْأَعْرابُ آمَنَّا قُلْ لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَ لكِنْ قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنا وَ لَمَّا يَدْخُلِ الْإِيمانُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ‌[3]- فَقَالَ لِي أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّ الْإِيمَانَ غَيْرُ الْإِسْلَامِ.

‘You must note that belief is something other than Islam’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَهُمَا فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ ثُمَّ الْتَقَيَا فِي الطَّرِيقِ وَ قَدْ أَزِفَ‌[4] مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الرَّحِيلُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَأَنَّهُ قَدْ أَزِفَ مِنْكَ رَحِيلٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ فَالْقَنِي فِي الْبَيْتِ فَلَقِيَهُ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَهُمَ

“Once a man asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What is the difference between Islam and belief?’ The Imam then did not answer. Again he asked and the Imam did not answer. They then met each other on the road while the man was about to leave. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘It seems as if you are about to leave.’ He said, ‘Yes, I

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ قالَتِ الْأَعْرابُ آمَنَّا قُلْ لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَ لكِنْ قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنا[1] فَمَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا فَقَدْ كَذَبَ وَ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يُسْلِمُوا فَقَدْ كَذَبَ.

“I heard Abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘The Arabs have said, “We have established belief.” Say, “You have not established belief but say, ‘We have accepted Islam.’ Belief has not yet entered your hearts.” (49:14) Whoever thinks that they (Arabs) had belief, his thoughts are false and whoever thinks that they had not accept

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْإِسْلَامُ يُحْقَنُ بِهِ الدَّمُ وَ تُؤَدَّى بِهِ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ تُسْتَحَلُّ بِهِ الْفُرُوجُ وَ الثَّوَابُ عَلَى الْإِيمَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is to protect life, return the trust and make marriages lawful. Reward, however, comes from belief.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ أَ هُمَا مُخْتَلِفَانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ يُشَارِكُ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ الْإِسْلَامَ لَا يُشَارِكُ الْإِيمَانَ فَقُلْتُ فَصِفْهُمَا لِي فَقَالَ- الْإِسْلَامُ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ التَّصْدِيقُ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِهِ حُقِنَتِ الدِّمَاءُ وَ عَلَيْهِ جَرَتِ الْمَنَاكِحُ وَ الْمَوَارِيثُ وَ عَلَى ظَاهِرِهِ جَمَاعَةُ ال

“I requested Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Teach me about Islam and belief. Are they different?’ He said, ‘Belief is inclusive of Islam but Islam is not inclusive of belief.’ I then asked, ‘Please describe them to me.’ He said, ‘Islam is to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and to affirm the truthfulne

الْإِيمَانُ يُشَارِكُ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ الْإِسْلَامُ لَا يُشَارِكُ الْإِيمَانَ.

“Belief is inclusive of Islam but Islam is not inclusive of belief.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ يُشَارِكُ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ لَا يُشَارِكُهُ الْإِسْلَامُ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ مَا وَقَرَ فِي الْقُلُوبِ‌[1] وَ الْإِسْلَامَ مَا عَلَيْهِ الْمَنَاكِحُ وَ الْمَوَارِيثُ وَ حَقْنُ الدِّمَاءِ وَ الْإِيمَانَ يَشْرَكُ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ الْإِسْلَامَ لَا يَشْرَكُ الْإِيمَانَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Belief is inclusive of Islam but Islam is not inclusive of it. Belief is what sits in the heart and Islam is that which legalizes marriages and inheritance and protects lives. Belief is inclusive of Islam but Islam is not inclusive of belief.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ الْإِيمَانُ أَوِ الْإِسْلَامُ فَإِنَّ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ أَرْفَعُ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ قُلْتُ فَأَوْجِدْنِي ذَلِكَ‌[2] قَالَ مَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ مُتَعَمِّداً قَالَ قُلْتُ يُضْرَبُ ضَرْباً شَدِيداً قَالَ أَصَبْتَ قَالَ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي الْكَعْبَة

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which is better, belief or Islam? Certain people say Islam is better than belief.’ The Imam said, ‘Belief is higher than Islam.’ I then said, ‘Help me understand it.’ He said, ‘What do you say if one commits, purposely, an act of heresy in Masjid al-Haram (Sacred Mosque)?’ I said, ‘He sho

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْإِيمَانُ مَا اسْتَقَرَّ فِي الْقَلْبِ وَ أَفْضَى بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ صَدَّقَهُ الْعَمَلُ بِالطَّاعَةِ لِلَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمِ لِأَمْرِهِ وَ الْإِسْلَامُ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ فِعْلٍ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ جَمَاعَةُ النَّاسِ مِنَ الْفِرَقِ كُلِّهَا وَ بِهِ حُقِنَتِ الدِّمَاءُ وَ عَلَيْهِ جَرَتِ الْمَوَارِيثُ وَ جَازَ النِّكَاحُ وَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَا

“I heard from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Belief is what settles down in the heart and takes it to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. One’s deeds testify to (its existence), (deeds) that come in the form of obedience to Allah and submission to His command. Islam is what appears through one’s words or deeds and tha

كَتَبْتُ مَعَ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ مَا هُوَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مَعَ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ سَأَلْتَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ هُوَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِاللِّسَانِ وَ عَقْدٌ فِي الْقَلْبِ وَ عَمَلٌ بِالْأَرْكَانِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ بَعْضُهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ هُوَ دَارٌ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْإِسْلَامُ دَارٌ وَ الْكُفْرُ دَارٌ فَقَدْ يَكُونُ الْ

“Abd al-Malik ibn A’yan and I wrote to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking him, ‘What is belief?’ He then wrote to us. ‘You, may Allah grant you favors, have asked about belief. Belief is affirmation, with the tongue, that is established in the heart and by the deeds of the body. Beliefs are from each other. Belief is a house.

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ فَرْقٌ بَيْنَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ قَالَ فَأَضْرِبُ لَكَ مَثَلَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَوْرِدْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ مَثَلُ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ مَثَلُ الْكَعْبَةِ الْحَرَامِ مِنَ الْحَرَمِ قَدْ يَكُونُ فِي الْحَرَمِ وَ لَا يَكُونُ فِي الْكَعْبَةِ وَ لَا يَكُونُ فِي الْكَعْبَةِ حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِي الْحَرَمِ وَ قَدْ يَكُونُ مُسْلِماً وَ لَا يَكُونُ مُؤْمِناً وَ ل

“I asked the Imam about belief and Islam, inquiring, ‘Is there a difference between Islam and belief?’ The Imam said, ‘I can give an example.’ I said, ‘Please do so.’ He said, ‘The case of belief and Islam is like the Holy Ka’ba and the Sacred precinct. One may have entered the Sacred precinct but not the Holy Ka’ba. O

إِنَّ [أُ] نَاساً تَكَلَّمُوا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتابَ مِنْهُ آياتٌ مُحْكَماتٌ‌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتابِ‌ وَ أُخَرُ مُتَشابِهاتٌ‌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ ما تَشابَهَ مِنْهُ‌ ابْتِغاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ ابْتِغاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ‌ وَ ما يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ‌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌[2]- الْآيَةَ فَ

Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Certain people have spoken from this Holy Quran without knowledge. It is because Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “It is Allah Who has revealed the Book to you in which certain verses are clear statements (that accept no interpretation), and these are the fundamental ideas of

قِيلَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ مُؤْمِناً قَالَ فَأَيْنَ فَرَائِضُ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ لَوْ كَانَ الْإِيمَانُ كَلَاماً لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فِيهِ صَوْمٌ وَ لَا صَلَاةٌ وَ لَا حَلَالٌ وَ لَا حَرَامٌ قَالَ وَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا قَوْماً يَقُولُونَ إِذَا شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) was asked, ‘Is one who testifies that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, a believer?’ The Imam said, ‘Wherefore, then, are the obligations toward Allah?’ “I (the narrator) heard the Imam saying, ‘Ali (a.s.) would say, “Had bel

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ أَنْ يُطَاعَ اللَّهُ فَلَا يُعْصَى.

“Once I asked abu ‘Aabd Allah (a.s.) about belief. He said, ‘Belief is whereby Allah is obeyed and (with it) one does not commit sins.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا بِهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ- الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ هُوَ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Qasim ibn Burayd who has said that narrated to us abu ‘Amr al-Zubayri who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَ الْبَصَرَ وَ الْفُؤادَ كُلُّ أُولئِكَ كانَ عَنْهُ مَسْؤُلًا قَالَ يُسْأَلُ السَّمْعُ عَمَّا سَمِعَ وَ الْبَصَرُ عَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهِ وَ الْفُؤَادُ عَمَّا عَقَدَ عَلَيْهِ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘It is of certainty that the ears, eyes and heart will all be questioned. ’(17:36) He said, ‘The ears will be questioned about what they have heard, the eyes will be questioned about what they have looked upon and the heart will be questioned about what it has established as belie

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ [وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ‌] وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ مَا اسْتَقَرَّ فِي الْقُلُوبِ مِنَ التَّصْدِيقِ بِذَلِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ الشَّهَادَةُ أَ لَيْسَتْ عَمَلًا قَالَ بَلَى قُلْتُ الْعَمَلُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ قَالَ نَعَمْ الْإِيمَانُ لَا يَكُونُ إِلَّا بِعَمَلٍ وَ الْعَمَلُ مِنْهُ وَ لَا يَثْبُتُ الْإِيمَانُ إِل

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about belief. He said, ‘It is to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, Muhammad (a.s.) is the Messenger of Allah and to affirm that whatever he (Muhammad) brought is from Allah. That which is established in the hearts through acknowledgement of such facts is beli

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا الْإِسْلَامُ فَقَالَ دِينُ اللَّهِ اسْمُهُ الْإِسْلَامُ- وَ هُوَ دِينُ اللَّهِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَكُونُوا حَيْثُ كُنْتُمْ‌[1] وَ بَعْدَ أَنْ تَكُونُوا فَمَنْ أَقَرَّ بِدِينِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ مُسْلِمٌ وَ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِمَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ فَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What is Islam?’ He said, ‘It is the name of the religion of Allah. It was the religion of Allah before you were as you are now and after you it will be there. Whoever professes the religion of Allah, is a Muslim. Whoever does what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded, is

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلَّامٌ‌[2] إِنَّ خَيْثَمَةَ ابْنَ أَبِي خَيْثَمَةَ يُحَدِّثُنَا عَنْكَ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَقُلْتَ لَهُ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ قِبْلَتَنَا وَ شَهِدَ شَهَادَتَنَا وَ نَسَكَ نُسُكَنَا وَ وَالَى وَلِيَّنَا وَ عَادَى عَدُوَّنَا فَهُوَ مُسْلِمٌ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ خَيْثَمَةُ قُلْتُ وَ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقُلْتَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَ التَّصْدِ

“I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Salam said, ‘Khaythamah ibn abu Khaythamah narrates to us from you that you were asked about Islam and you said, ‘Islam is this: Whoever faces our Qibla (direction of Makka), testifies to our testiment of belief, practices our practice, is a friend of our friend and an e

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ لَيْسَ هَذَا عَمَلٌ قَالَ بَلَى قُلْتُ فَالْعَمَلُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ قَالَ لَا يَثْبُتُ لَهُ‌[3] الْإِيمَانُ إِلَّا بِالْعَمَلِ وَ الْعَمَلُ مِنْهُ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about belief. He said, ‘It is to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad (a.s.) is the Messenger of Allah.’ I asked, ‘Is it not a deed?’ He said, ‘Yes, it is a deed.’ 1 then asked, ‘Is deed of belief?’ He said, ‘One’s belief does not take any root witho

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ الْعَالِمَ ع فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ‌ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يُقْبَلُ عَمَلٌ إِلَّا بِهِ فَقَالَ وَ مَا ذَلِكَ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً[1] وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ كُلُّهُ وَ الْقَوْ

7. Certain individuals of our people have narrated from Ali ibn ‘Abbas from Ali ibn Maysir from Hammad ibn al-Nusaybi who has said the following: “A man asked the scholar (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does not accept any deed.’ He aske

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ وَ سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنْ قَوْلِ الْمُرْجِئَةِ فِي الْكُفْرِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ قَالَ إِنَّهُمْ يَحْتَجُّونَ عَلَيْنَا وَ يَقُولُونَ كَمَا أَنَّ الْكَافِرَ عِنْدَنَا هُوَ الْكَافِرُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَكَذَلِكَ نَجِدُ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا أَقَرَّ بِإِيمَانِهِ أَنَّهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَالَ- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ كَيْفَ يَسْتَوِي هَذَانِ وَ الْكُفْرُ إِقْرَارٌ مِنَ الْعَبْدِ فَلَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying - when a man asked him about the words of al-Murji’a, a religious sect, about rejection (disbelief) and belief -, ‘They argue against us and say, “Just as to us one who disbelieves is a rejecter of belief, so also is he in the sight of Allah. The same applies to a believer. We find

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ لِلْإِيمَانِ دَرَجَاتٍ وَ مَنَازِلَ يَتَفَاضَلُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ فِيهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ صِفْهُ لِي رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ حَتَّى أَفْهَمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَبَّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَمَا يُسَبَّقُ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ يَوْمَ الرِّهَانِ‌[1] ثُمَّ فَضَّلَهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِي السَّبْقِ إِلَيْهِ فَجَعَلَ كُلَّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَةِ سَبْقِهِ لَا يَنْقُصُهُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Are there degrees and stages of belief in which the believers may excel in the sight of Allah?’ He said, ‘Yes, there are.’ 1 then said, ‘Explain to me, please, may Allah grant you favors, so I can understand.’ The Imam said, ‘Allah has set a contest among the believers like the contest se

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَضَعَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى سَبْعَةِ أَسْهُمٍ عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَ الصِّدْقِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الرِّضَا وَ الْوَفَاءِ وَ الْعِلْمِ وَ الْحِلْمِ ثُمَّ قَسَمَ ذَلِكَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِ هَذِهِ السَّبْعَةَ الْأَسْهُمِ فَهُوَ كَامِلٌ مُحْتَمِلٌ وَ قَسَمَ لِبَعْضِ النَّاسِ السَّهْمَ وَ لِبَعْضٍ السَّهْمَيْنِ وَ لِبَعْضٍ الثَّلَاثَةَ حَتَّى انْتَهَوْا إِلَى السَّبْعَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief in seven shares: virtue, truthfulness, certainty, compliance, loyalty, knowledge and forbearance. He then distributed it among the people. Whoever received all seven shares is perfect and heavy. He has given to certain people one sha

بَعَثَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَاجَةٍ وَ هُوَ بِالْحِيرَةِ أَنَا وَ جَمَاعَةً مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ قَالَ فَانْطَلَقْنَا فِيهَا ثُمَّ رَجَعْنَا مُغْتَمِّينَ‌[1] قَالَ وَ كَانَ فِرَاشِي فِي الْحَائِرِ الَّذِي كُنَّا فِيهِ نُزُولًا فَجِئْتُ وَ أَنَا بِحَالٍ‌[2] فَرَمَيْتُ بِنَفْسِي فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ إِذَا أَنَا بِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَدْ أَقْبَلَ قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ أَتَيْنَاكَ أَوْ قَالَ جِئْنَاكَ فَاسْتَوَي

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once sent me with a group of his followers for an errand and at that time he was in Hirah (a place near Kufa, Iraq). We left for it and returned depressed. My bed was in al-Ha’ir (a comfortable private quarter). I went there in an upset condition and threw myself thereat. At this time Abu ‘Abdilla

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ عَلِمَ النَّاسُ كَيْفَ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى هَذَا الْخَلْقَ لَمْ يَلُمْ أَحَدٌ أَحَداً[1]- فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ فَكَيْفَ ذَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ أَجْزَاءً بَلَغَ بِهَا تِسْعَةً وَ أَرْبَعِينَ جُزْءاً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ الْأَجْزَاءَ أَعْشَاراً فَجَعَلَ الْجُزْءَ عَشْرَةَ أَعْشَارٍ ثُمَّ قَسَمَهُ بَيْنَ الْخَلْقِ فَجَعَلَ فِ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Had the people known how Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has created this creation no one would blame others.’ 1 then said, ‘May Allah grant you well being, how is that?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, created parts numbering ninety-four parts. He

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ عَشْرُ دَرَجَاتٍ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السُّلَّمِ يُصْعَدُ مِنْهُ مِرْقَاةً بَعْدَ مِرْقَاةٍ فَلَا يَقُولَنَّ صَاحِبُ الِاثْنَيْنِ لِصَاحِبِ الْوَاحِدِ لَسْتَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ حَتَّى يَنْتَهِيَ إِلَى الْعَاشِرِ فَلَا تُسْقِطْ مَنْ هُوَ دُونَكَ فَيُسْقِطَكَ مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكَ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلُ مِنْكَ بِدَرَجَةٍ فَارْفَعْهُ إِلَيْكَ بِرِفْ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘O ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, belief is of ten stages like the steps of a ladder. To climb, one uses it one step after the other one by one. One who possesses two degrees of belief should never say to one who possesses only one degree that he does not have enough belief and so on up to the tenth de

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى مَنَازِلَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى وَاحِدَةٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى اثْنَتَيْنِ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى أَرْبَعٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى خَمْسٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى سِتٍّ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى سَبْعٍ فَلَوْ ذَهَبْتَ تَحْمِلُ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْوَاحِدَةِ ثِنْتَيْنِ لَمْ يَقْوَ وَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الثِّنْتَيْنِ ثَلَاثاً لَمْ يَقْوَ وَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الثَّلَاثِ أَرْبَعاً لَمْ يَق

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ’Believers are of various positions in connection with belief. There are those who have one degree of belief, others have two degrees, still others may have three or four, five, six or seven degrees of belief. If you expect two degrees of belief from one who has only one degree of belief

مَا أَنْتُمْ وَ الْبَرَاءَةَ يَبْرَأُ بَعْضُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَكْثَرُ صَلَاةً مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَنْفَذُ بَصَراً مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ هِيَ الدَّرَجَاتُ‌[3].

“What is this disavowing and disassociation of yours? There are those of you who renounce the others. Among the believers there are those who are better than others. Among them there are those who pray more, and others are of shaip insight. Such are the degrees of belief.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَأَنْسُبَنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ نِسْبَةً لَا يَنْسُبُهُ أَحَدٌ قَبْلِي وَ لَا يَنْسُبُهُ أَحَدٌ بَعْدِي إِلَّا بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ هُوَ التَّسْلِيمُ وَ التَّسْلِيمَ هُوَ الْيَقِينُ وَ الْيَقِينَ هُوَ التَّصْدِيقُ وَ التَّصْدِيقَ هُوَ الْإِقْرَارُ وَ الْإِقْرَارَ هُوَ الْعَمَلُ وَ الْعَمَلَ هُوَ الْأَدَاءُ- إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَمْ يَأْخُذْ دِينَهُ عَنْ رَأْيِهِ وَ لَكِنْ أَتَاه

“I will describe Islam in a way that no one could have done before or would do after me except just as my description: ‘Islam is submission and submission is certainty. Certainty is affirmation (and confirmation). Affirmation is professing. Professing is action. Action and deeds are completion and remittance. A believe

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْإِسْلَامُ عُرْيَانٌ فَلِبَاسُهُ الْحَيَاءُ وَ زِينَتُهُ الْوَقَارُ[1] وَ مُرُوءَتُهُ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ وَ عِمَادُهُ الْوَرَعُ وَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَسَاسٌ وَ أَسَاسُ الْإِسْلَامِ حُبُّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌[2]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنْ مُدْرِكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

2. It is narrated from him from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from Mudrik ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Islam is bare. Its dress is bashfulness, dignity is its ornament, virtuous deeds are its kindness and strict following of law i

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْإِسْلَامَ فَجَعَلَ لَهُ عَرْصَةً[3] وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ نُوراً وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ حِصْناً وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ نَاصِراً فَأَمَّا عَرْصَتُهُ فَالْقُرْآنُ وَ أَمَّا نُورُهُ فَالْحِكْمَةُ وَ أَمَّا حِصْنُهُ فَالْمَعْرُوفُ وَ أَمَّا أَنْصَارُهُ فَأَنَا وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِي وَ شِيعَتُنَا فَأَحِبُّوا أَهْلَ بَيْتِي وَ شِيعَتَهُمْ وَ أَنْصَارَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُ لَمَّ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Allah created Islam and made for it a backyard and front-yard, a light, a fortress and supporter. Its backyard and front-yard are the Holy Quran. Wisdom is its light. Lawfulness is its fortress. My Ahl al-Bayt (my family), our Shi’

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

“A believer should have eight qualities. He is dignified in turbulent times. He is patient in afflicting conditions. He is thankful in prosperous life. He is content with what Allah has granted him. He does not do injustice to the enemies. He does not overburden friends. His own body is tired due to his efforts and peo

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ الْإِيمَانُ لَهُ أَرْكَانٌ أَرْبَعَةٌ التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ تَفْوِيضُ الْأَمْرِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ الرِّضَا بِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Belief has four corner (stones): They are trust in Allah, having Allah as the person in charge of one’s affairs, to agree with the decision of Allah and to submit to the command of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَكُونُونَ صَالِحِينَ حَتَّى تَعْرِفُوا وَ لَا تَعْرِفُونَ حَتَّى تُصَدِّقُوا وَ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَ حَتَّى تُسَلِّمُوا أَبْوَاباً أَرْبَعَةً لَا يَصْلُحُ أَوَّلُهَا إِلَّا بِآخِرِهَا ضَلَّ أَصْحَابُ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ تَاهُوا تَيْهاً بَعِيداً إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ وَ لَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْوَفَاءِ بِالشُّرُوطِ وَ الْعُهُودِ وَ مَنْ وَفَى الل

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he has mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “You will not become virtuous until you learn, you will not learn until you af

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

“A people came to the Messenger of Allah during one of the armed expeditions and he asked who are these people? They said, ‘Believers, O Messenger of Allah.’ He then asked, ‘What is the degree of your belief?’ They replied, ‘It is patience in hardships, thankfulness in prosperous life and agreement with the decision of

خَطَبَنَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي دَارِهِ أَوْ قَالَ فِي الْقَصْرِ وَ نَحْنُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَكُتِبَ فِي كِتَابٍ وَ قُرِئَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ رَوَى غَيْرُهُ أَنَّ ابْنَ الْكَوَّاءِ[2] سَأَلَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنْ صِفَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ النِّفَاقِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- شَرَعَ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ سَهَّلَ شَ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and a number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid all from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) and through various chain of narrators from Asbagh ib

سُئِلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الصَّبْرِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْجِهَادِ فَالصَّبْرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الشَّوْقِ وَ الْإِشْفَاقِ‌[8] وَ الزُّهْدِ وَ التَّرَقُّبِ فَمَنِ اشْتَاقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ سَلَا[9] عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ أَشْفَقَ مِنَ النَّارِ رَجَعَ عَنِ الْمُحَرَّمَاتِ‌[10

1. Through the same chain of narrators as the above Hadith it is narrated from ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) was asked about belief and he said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief upon four p

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَخَا جُعْفٍ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنَّ الْيَقِينَ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَعَزَّ مِنَ الْيَقِينِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O brother from Ju’f (name of his tribe) belief is superior to Islam and certainty is superior to belief. Nothing there is dearer than certainty.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْإِيمَانُ فَوْقَ الْإِسْلَامِ بِدَرَجَةٍ وَ التَّقْوَى فَوْقَ الْإِيمَانِ بِدَرَجَةٍ وَ الْيَقِينُ فَوْقَ التَّقْوَى بِدَرَجَةٍ وَ مَا قُسِمَ فِي النَّاسِ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَقَلُّ مِنَ الْيَقِينِ.

“I heard abu Al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Belief is above Islam by one degree. Piety is above belief by one degree. Certainty is above piety by one degree. Nothing is distributed so little among people as certainty is.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ فَضَّلَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ بِدَرَجَةٍ كَمَا فَضَّلَ الْكَعْبَةَ عَلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah has given superiority to belief over Islam by one degree just as He has given superiority to al-Ka’ba over the Sacred Mosque.’”