Paradise

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى مُنَادِياً يُنَادِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ‌[3] أَيْنَ الْفُقَرَاءُ فَيَقُومُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ كَثِيرٌ فَيَقُولُ عِبَادِي فَيَقُولُونَ لَبَّيْكَ‌ رَبَّنَا فَيَقُولُ إِنِّي لَمْ أُفْقِرْكُمْ لِهَوَانٍ بِكُمْ عَلَيَّ وَ لَكِنِّي إِنَّمَا اخْتَرْتُكُمْ‌[1] لِمِثْلِ هَذَا الْيَوْمِ تَصَفَّحُوا وُجُوهَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ صَنَعَ إِلَيْكُمْ مَعْرُوفاً لَمْ يَصْنَ

“When it will be the Day of Judgment, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, will command an announcer to announce and call before Him, ‘Where are the poor people?’ certain heads will rise and they will be many. Allah will say, ‘My servants.’ They will say, ‘Yes, our Lord.’ Allah will say, ‘I did not make you poor con

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قَامَ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ حَتَّى يَأْتُوا بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيَضْرِبُوا بَابَ الْجَنَّةِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ مَنْ أَنْتُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ نَحْنُ الْفُقَرَاءُ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ أَ قَبْلَ‌ الْحِسَابِ- فَيَقُولُونَ مَا أَعْطَيْتُمُونَا شَيْئاً تُحَاسِبُونَّا عَلَيْهِ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ صَدَقُوا ادْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ.

“When it will be the Day of Judgment certain necks of people will rise, approach the door of paradise and knock on it. They will be asked, ‘Who are you?’ They will say, ‘We are the poor people.’ They will be told, ‘Show your accounts.’ They will say, ‘You did not give us anything. Why do you ask us for accounts?’ Allah

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ إِنِّي لَمْ أُغْنِ الْغَنِيَّ لِكَرَامَةٍ بِهِ عَلَيَّ وَ لَمْ أُفْقِرِ الْفَقِيرَ لِهَوَانٍ بِهِ عَلَيَّ وَ هُوَ مِمَّا ابْتَلَيْتُ بِهِ الْأَغْنِيَاءَ بِالْفُقَرَاءِ وَ لَوْ لَا الْفُقَرَاءُ لَمْ يَسْتَوْجِبِ الْأَغْنِيَاءُ الْجَنَّةَ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, “I have not made certain people rich because they are important to Me and I have not made certain people poor because they are insignificant to Me. It is because I wanted to try the rich through the poor. Had there been no poor,

الذُّنُوبُ كُلُّهَا شَدِيدَةٌ وَ أَشَدُّهَا مَا نَبَتَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّحْمُ وَ الدَّمُ لِأَنَّهُ إِمَّا مَرْحُومٌ وَ إِمَّا مُعَذَّبٌ وَ الْجَنَّةُ لَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا طَيِّبٌ‌[1]

“All sins are intense and severe. The most severe is that which increases flesh and blood (consumption of unlawful foods). Sins are either forgiven or one is punished for and paradise is only for the clean ones to enter.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيُحْبَسُ عَلَى ذَنْبٍ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ مِائَةَ عَامٍ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَنْظُرُ إِلَى أَزْوَاجِهِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ يَتَنَعَّمْنَ.[5]

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A servant (of Allah) may become imprisoned for a hundred years because of one of his sins. He will see his spouses enjoy blessings in paradise.’”

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

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.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَنْ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِنَّ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أَيِّ بَابٍ شَاءَ مَنْ حَسُنَ خُلُقُهُ وَ خَشِيَ اللَّهَ فِي الْمَغِيبِ وَ الْمَحْضَرِ وَ تَرَكَ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُحِقّاً.

2. Through the same chain of narrators he has narrated the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Whoever will find himself in the presence of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with three things will enter paradise through whichever gate he will like: one’s proper moral discipline, one’s worries and concern abo

لَمْ يُدْخِلِ الْجَنَّةَ حَمِيَّةٌ[1] غَيْرُ حَمِيَّةِ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَ ذَلِكَ حِينَ أَسْلَمَ غَضَباً لِلنَّبِيِّ ص فِي حَدِيثِ السَّلَى‌[2] الَّذِي أُلْقِيَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص.

“No zeal has entered Paradise except the zeal of Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, and that was when he accepted Islam out of anger for the Prophet (sw) during the incident of the entrails that were thrown upon the Prophet (sw).”

قَالا لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ كِبْرٍ

“Whoever in his heart may have an amount of arrogance of the size of an atom he will not be able to enter paradise.”

لَا يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ مِنَ الْكِبْرِ قَالَ فَاسْتَرْجَعْتُ‌[1] فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ تَسْتَرْجِعُ قُلْتُ لِمَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ إِنَّمَا أَعْنِي الْجُحُودَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ الْجُحُودُ.

“Whoever has an amount of arrogance in his heart of the size of a mustard seed, he will not be able to enter paradise.” 1 then expressed astonishment saying, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we return!’ The Imam asked, ‘What has made you astonish?’ I said, ‘I have not heard such Hadith from you.’ The Imam said, ‘It is no

أَتَى عَالِمٌ عَابِداً فَقَالَ لَهُ كَيْفَ صَلَاتُكَ فَقَالَ مِثْلِي يُسْأَلُ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِ وَ أَنَا أَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ فَكَيْفَ بُكَاؤُكَ قَالَ أَبْكِي حَتَّى تَجْرِيَ دُمُوعِي فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَالِمُ فَإِنَّ ضَحِكَكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَائِفٌ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ بُكَائِكَ وَ أَنْتَ مُدِلٌّ إِنَّ الْمُدِلَّ لَا يَصْعَدُ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[2].

“Once a scholar went to see a worshipper and asked, ‘How are your prayers?’ He (the worshipper) replied, ‘Is a person like me questioned about his prayers? I have been worshipping Allah from such and such times.’ The scholar then asked, ‘How is your weeping?’ He (the worshipper) said, ‘I weep until my tears flow.’ The

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى كُلِّ فَحَّاشٍ بَذِي‌ءٍ قَلِيلِ الْحَيَاءِ- لَا يُبَالِي مَا قَالَ وَ لَا مَا قِيلَ لَهُ‌[4] فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ فَتَّشْتَهُ لَمْ تَجِدْهُ إِلَّا لِغَيَّةٍ أَوْ شِرْكِ شَيْطَانٍ‌[5] فَقِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ- وَ فِي النَّاسِ شِرْكُ شَيْطَانٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ شارِكْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْوالِ وَ الْأَوْلادِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah has made paradise unlawful for every abusive, immoral, and (persons) lacking bashfulness who is not concerned about what he says or what is said to him. If (investigated) you find him to be an straying person or a partner of Satan.’ It was asked, O Messenger of Allah, ‘Does Sata

قَنْطَرَةٌ عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ لَا يَجُوزُهَا عَبْدٌ بِمَظْلِمَةٍ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . your Lord keeps an eye on ( al-Mirsad) (all evil-doing people),’ (89:14) the Imam said, ‘ Al-Mirsad in this verse refers to a bridge on the way (to paradise) that is not passable for a servant who has committed injustice to others.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ آيَةَ الْكَذَّابِ بِأَنْ يُخْبِرَكَ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ وَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَإِذَا سَأَلْتَهُ عَنْ حَرَامِ اللَّهِ وَ حَلَالِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ[1].

‘Of the signs of lies in a liar is his telling you news of heaven, earth. East and West, but when you ask him about what Allah has made unlawful and what He has made lawful, you will find nothing with him (devoid of the knowledge of Shari’a).”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ أَبِي ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ تَهَاجَرَا فَمَكَثَا ثَلَاثاً لَا يَصْطَلِحَانِ إِلَّا كَانَا خَارِجَيْنِ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ‌[3] وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ بَيْنَهُمَا وَلَايَةٌ فَأَيُّهُمَا سَبَقَ إِلَى كَلَامِ أَخِيهِ كَانَ السَّابِقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ- يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ.

‘Whoever of two Muslims forsake the other and do not make peace within three days they both will be considered out of Islam and there will be no Divine Guardianship relations among them. Whoever of the two speaks first to the other, he, on the Day of Judgment, will be the first one to enter paradise.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُنْ بَارّاً وَ اقْتَصِرْ عَلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ عَاقّاً فَظّاً فَاقْتَصِرْ عَلَى النَّارِ[2].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Be good (to parents), you will have paradise, if you cause suffering (to parents) and are hardheaded, then be prepared to suffer in the fire.”’

إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ كُشِفَ غِطَاءٌ مِنْ أَغْطِيَةِ الْجَنَّةِ فَوَجَدَ رِيحَهَا مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ رُوحٌ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ خَمْسِمِائَةِ عَامٍ إِلَّا صِنْفٌ وَاحِدٌ قُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ الْعَاقُّ لِوَالِدَيْهِ.

“When it will be the Day of Judgment a curtain of the curtains of paradise will rise and everything with a spirit will sense its fragrance from a distance of a five hundred years journey except one group of people.’ I (the narrator) has said that then asked, ‘Who is that group?’ The Imam said, ‘It is those who cause su

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ عُقُوقَ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فَإِنَّ رِيحَ الْجَنَّةِ تُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ أَلْفِ عَامٍ وَ لَا يَجِدُهَا عَاقٌّ وَ لَا قَاطِعُ رَحِمٍ وَ لَا شَيْخٌ زَانٍ وَ لَا جَارُّ إِزَارِهِ خُيَلَاءَ إِنَّمَا الْكِبْرِيَاءُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said in one of his speeches, ‘Beware of causing suffering and disappointment to parents. The fragrance of paradise can be sensed from a distance of a one thousand year journey, but those causing suffering and disappointments to parents, those failing to maintain good relations with relatives

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ كَانَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ مُؤْمِنٍ حِجَابٌ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ سُورٍ مَا بَيْنَ السُّورِ إِلَى السُّورِ مَسِيرَةُ أَلْفِ عَامٍ.

“Once I was in the presence of al-Rida (a.s.) and he stated to me as follows: ‘O Muhammad, in the time of the children of Israel there were four believing people. One of them once went to the house where the other three had gathered together for a meeting on a certain issue among them. He knocked the door and a slave c

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا ص فَقَالَ لِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي زَمَنِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَرْبَعَةُ نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَأَتَى وَاحِدٌ مِنْهُمُ الثَّلَاثَةَ وَ هُمْ مُجْتَمِعُونَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَحَدِهِمْ فِي مُنَاظَرَةٍ بَيْنَهُمْ فَقَرَعَ الْبَابَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِ الْغُلَامُ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ مَوْلَاكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُوَ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ وَ دَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ إِلَى مَوْلَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ م

“If a believer creates a barrier between himself and another believer, Allah creates between him and paradise seventy thousand walls each of which will be as thick as the distance of a one thousand year journey, and of the same length will be the distance from one wall to the other wall.”

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ كَانَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ مُؤْمِنٍ حِجَابٌ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ سُورٍ غِلَظُ كُلِّ سُورٍ مَسِيرَةُ أَلْفِ عَامٍ مَا بَيْنَ السُّورِ إِلَى السُّورِ مَسِيرَةُ أَلْفِ عَامٍ.

“Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about a Muslim who comes to the door of a Muslim as a visitor, or for help when he is home, and is asked permission for a meeting but does not give permission, nor does he come out to see his visitor?’ The Imam said, ‘O

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ دَارٌ فَاحْتَاجَ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَى سُكْنَاهَا فَمَنَعَهُ إِيَّاهَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَا مَلَائِكَتِي أَ بَخِلَ عَبْدِي عَلَى عَبْدِي بِسُكْنَى الدَّارِ الدُّنْيَا وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا يَسْكُنُ جِنَانِي أَبَداً.

‘If one has a home and a believer needs a place to live and is denied to use the house, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, ‘O My angels. My servant has denied My other servant a living place in the worldly home, by My Majesty and Glory, he will never live in My paradise.’”

مُحَرَّمَةٌ الْجَنَّةُ عَلَى الْقَتَّاتِينَ الْمَشَّاءِينَ بِالنَّمِيمَةِ[3].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Entering paradise is prohibited to spies and gossip mongers.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ أَصْنَافٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ تَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَكْتُبَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا أَكْتُبُ قَالَ اكْتُبْ أَهْلَ الْوَعِيدِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَهْلِ النَّارِ[1] وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ اعْتَرَفُوا بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلًا صالِحاً وَ آخَرَ سَيِّئاً[2] قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ وَحْشِيٌّ مِنْهُمْ‌[3] قَالَ وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لِأ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘People are of six categories.’ I then asked, ‘Can I write them down?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ I then asked, ‘What should I write?’ The Imam said, ‘Write down: the people promised paradise and those warned against the fire (but ignored it). Write down, “. . . others o

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتِّ فِرَقٍ يَئُولُونَ‌[6] كُلُّهُمْ إِلَى ثَلَاثِ فِرَقٍ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الضَّلَالِ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الْوَعْدَيْنِ‌[7] الَّذِينَ وَعَدَهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ الْجَنَّةَ وَ النَّارَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ الْكَافِرُونَ وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُونَ وَ الْمُرْجَوْنَ‌ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ‌ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَ إِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ‌ وَ الْمُعْتَرِفُونَ‌ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلً

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Ubayd from Yunus from Hammad from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “People are of six categories. All of them come from three groups: people of belief, disbelief and straying. All three are the people of two promises.

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ حُمْرَانُ أَوْ أَنَا وَ بُكَيْرٌ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّا نَمُدُّ الْمِطْمَارَ قَالَ وَ مَا الْمِطْمَارُ قُلْتُ التُّرُّ[2] فَمَنْ وَافَقَنَا مِنْ عَلَوِيٍّ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ تَوَلَّيْنَاهُ وَ مَنْ خَالَفَنَا مِنْ عَلَوِيٍّ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ بَرِئْنَا مِنْهُ فَقَالَ لِي يَا زُرَارَةُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ‌ أَصْدَقُ مِنْ قَوْلِكَ فَأَيْنَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِلَّا الْمُسْ

“Once Humran and I or Bukayr and I went in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) and I said, ‘We use the Mitmar.’ The Imam said, ‘What is the Mitmar?’ I said, ‘It is a measuring device. Whoever of ‘Alawi or none ‘Alawi agrees with us we love them and whoever, ‘Alawi or none ‘Alawi opposes us, we disavow them.’ The Imam sai

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ نَصَبَ عَلِيّاً ع عَلَماً بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَهُ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ كَانَ كَافِراً وَ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ كَانَ ضَالًّا وَ مَنْ نَصَبَ مَعَهُ شَيْئاً كَانَ‌ مُشْرِكاً وَ مَنْ جَاءَ بِوَلَايَتِهِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَ مَنْ جَاءَ بِعَدَاوَتِهِ دَخَلَ النَّارَ.

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has appointed Ali (a.s.) as a sign between Him and His creation. Whoever recognizes him is a believer, whoever denies him is a disbeliever, whoever is ignorant of him is misguided, and whoever sets up something alongside him is a polytheist. Whoever comes with his allegiance wi

إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع بَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ فَمَنْ دَخَلَ بَابَهُ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ بَابِهِ كَانَ كَافِراً وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَدْخُلْ فِيهِ وَ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ مِنْهُ كَانَ فِي الطَّبَقَةِ الَّتِي لِلَّهِ فِيهِمُ الْمَشِيئَةُ.

“Ali (a.s.) is a door of the doors of paradise. Whoever approaches through him is a believer, those who depart him are unbelievers, and those who do not approach or leave are among the group about whom Allah has the will to decide.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ وُجُوهِ الْكُفْرِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ الْكُفْرُ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَلَى خَمْسَةِ أَوْجُهٍ فَمِنْهَا كُفْرُ الْجُحُودِ وَ الْجُحُودُ عَلَى وَجْهَيْنِ وَ الْكُفْرُ بِتَرْكِ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ وَ كُفْرُ الْبَرَاءَةِ وَ كُفْرُ النِّعَمِ فَأَمَّا كُفْرُ الْجُحُودِ فَهُوَ الْجُحُودُ بِالرُّبُوبِيَّةِ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ مَنْ يَقُولُ لَا رَبَّ وَ لَا جَنَّةَ وَ لَا نَارَ وَ هُو

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Instruct me about the kinds of disbelief (mentioned) in the book of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’ The Imam said, ‘Disbelief in the book of Allah is of five kinds: “(1) Of disbelief is denial, which is of two kinds. (2) There is disbelief for disregarding the commands of

قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِي مُنَاكَحَةِ النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي قَدْ بَلَغْتُ مَا تَرَاهُ وَ مَا تَزَوَّجْتُ قَطُّ فَقَالَ وَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُنِي إِلَّا أَنَّنِي أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا تَحِلَّ لِي مُنَاكَحَتُهُمْ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي فَقَالَ فَكَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ وَ أَنْتَ شَابٌّ أَ تَصْبِرُ قُلْتُ أَتَّخِذُ الْجَوَارِيَ قَالَ فَهَاتِ الْآنَ فَبِمَا تَسْتَحِلُّ الْجَوَارِيَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ الْأَمَةَ لَيْس

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from a man from Zurara who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘What do you say about marriage of the people. I have reached this age as you can see and I am not married yet.’ The Imam asked, ‘What prevents you from becoming married?’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي لَا يَسَعُ الْعِبَادَ جَهْلُهُ فَقَالَ الدِّينُ وَاسِعٌ‌[2] وَ لَكِنَّ الْخَوَارِجَ ضَيَّقُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ مِنْ جَهْلِهِمْ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأُحَدِّثُكَ بِدِينِيَ الَّذِي أَنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلَى فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْإِقْرَارَ بِمَا جَاءَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ أَتَوَل

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about how much religious knowledge people must have. The Imam said, ‘Religion is vast but the Khawarij (those who turned against Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.)) group has narrowed it down upon themselves due to their ignorance.’ I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي رُبَّمَا ذَكَرْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ الْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فَأَقُولُ نَحْنُ وَ هُمْ فِي مَنَازِلِ الْجَنَّةِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ بِكُمْ أَبَداً[1].

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I may have mentioned those feeble-minded people and I say that those people and we are in homes of paradise.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘Allah will never do that to you.’”

قَوْمٌ كَانُوا مُشْرِكِينَ فَقَتَلُوا مِثْلَ حَمْزَةَ وَ جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَشْبَاهَهُمَا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمْ دَخَلُوا فِي الْإِسْلَامِ فَوَحَّدُوا اللَّهَ وَ تَرَكُوا الشِّرْكَ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا الْإِيمَانَ بِقُلُوبِهِمْ فَيَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةُ وَ لَمْ يَكُونُوا عَلَى جُحُودِهِمْ فَيَكْفُرُوا فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ النَّارُ فَهُمْ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ‌ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَ

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . there are others who have no good deeds for which they may receive any reward or sins for which they may be punished. Their fate will be in the hands of Allah. Allah is All-knowing and All-wise,’ (9:106) the Imam said, ‘Certain people were pagans. They

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ الْمُرْجَوْنَ قَوْمٌ كَانُوا مُشْرِكِينَ فَقَتَلُوا مِثْلَ حَمْزَةَ وَ جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَشْبَاهَهُمَا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمْ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ دَخَلُوا فِي الْإِسْلَامِ فَوَحَّدُوا اللَّهَ وَ تَرَكُوا الشِّرْكَ وَ لَمْ يَكُونُوا يُؤْمِنُونَ فَيَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةُ وَ لَمْ يَكْفُرُوا فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ النَّارُ فَهُمْ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Al- Murjawn were a pagan people. They murdered people like Hamza and Ja’far and similar persons from the believers. Then they accepted Islam. They accepted Allah only. They gave up paganism, but did not believe to be among believing people. They did not believe to deserve paradise. They we

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا تَقُولُ فِي أَصْحَابِ الْأَعْرَافِ فَقُلْتُ مَا هُمْ إِلَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ أَوْ كَافِرُونَ إِنْ دَخَلُوا الْجَنَّةَ فَهُمْ مُؤْمِنُونَ وَ إِنْ دَخَلُوا النَّارَ فَهُمْ كَافِرُونَ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَا كَافِرِينَ وَ لَوْ كَانُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ دَخَلُوا الْجَنَّةَ كَمَا دَخَلَهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ لَوْ كَانُوا كَافِرِينَ لَدَخَلُوا النَّارَ كَمَا دَخَلَهَا الْكَافِرُو

“Once, abu Ja’far (a.s.) asked me, ‘What do you say about the people of al-‘A’raf?’ I said, ‘They are either believing people or unbelievers. If they will enter paradise they will be believing people, and if they go in fire they will be unbelievers.’ The Imam then said, ‘By Allah, they are not believing people nor are

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيّاً ص يَقُولُ‌ وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ كَافِراً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ ضَالًّا فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ سَأَلْتَ فَافْهَمِ الْجَوَابَ أَمَّا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً أَنْ يُعَرِّفَهُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى نَفْسَهُ- فَيُقِرَّ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ وَ يُعَرِّفَهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص فَيُقِ

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and asked him, ‘What is the least of that with which a servant (of Allah) becomes a believer, or an unbeliever or a straying person?’ I heard the Imam say, ‘You asked the question, now try to understand the answer. The least of that with which one may be co

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ وَ سَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ فَلَمَّا هَمَّ حُمْرَانُ بِالْقِيَامِ قَالَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُخْبِرُكَ أَطَالَ اللَّهُ بَقَاءَكَ لَنَا وَ أَمْتَعَنَا بِكَ أَنَّا نَأْتِيكَ فَمَا نَخْرُجُ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ حَتَّى تَرِقَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَ تَسْلُوَ أَنْفُسُنَا[6] عَنِ‌ الدُّنْيَا وَ يَهُونَ عَلَيْنَا مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَمْوَالِ ثُمَّ ن

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Humran ibn ‘A’yan came in and asked him a few things. When Humran wanted to stand up and leave he said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘I like to tell you, may Allah grant you long life for us so we benefit from you more, whenever we come to you and then leave our hearts feel

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ قُلْتُ يُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ بِالذَّنْبِ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّهُ لَيُذْنِبُ فَلَا يَزَالُ مِنْهُ خَائِفاً مَاقِتاً لِنَفْسِهِ فَيَرْحَمُهُ اللَّهُ فَيُدْخِلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A man commits a sin and because of it Allah will admit him in paradise.’ I asked, ‘Will Allah admit him in paradise because of his sin?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, he commits a sin and continues living in fear, and angry on his own self. Allah then grants him mercy and admits him in par

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْطَى التَّائِبِينَ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَى خَصْلَةً مِنْهَا جَمِيعَ أَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ لَنَجَوْا بِهَا قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ‌[5] فَمَنْ أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَ مَنْ حَوْلَهُ‌ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ‌ ... وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِين

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from certain individuals of our people in a marfu ’ manner from the Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has given three things to the repenting people. Had any of it been given to all of those in the heaven

خَرَجْنَا إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ مَعَنَا شَيْخٌ مُتَأَلِّهٌ مُتَعَبِّدٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ يُتِمُّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي‌ الطَّرِيقِ‌[1] وَ مَعَهُ ابْنُ أَخٍ لَهُ مُسْلِمٌ فَمَرِضَ الشَّيْخُ فَقُلْتُ لِابْنِ أَخِيهِ لَوْ عَرَضْتَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ عَلَى عَمِّكَ لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُخَلِّصَهُ فَقَالَ كُلُّهُمْ دَعُوا الشَّيْخَ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى حَالِهِ فَإِنَّهُ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ فَلَمْ يَصْبِرْ ابْنُ أَخِيهِ حَتَّى

“Once we left for Makka and with us there was an old man, very religious and worshipping but did not know this cause (Shi’a Muslim belief). He would pray full (not in reduced form) on a journey and with him there was the son of his brother, also a Muslim. The old man became ill and I said to the son of his brother, ‘If

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ إِلَّا ابْتَلَيْتُهُ فِي جَسَدِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ كَفَّارَةً لِذُنُوبِهِ وَ إِلَّا شَدَّدْتُ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَنِي وَ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ ثُمَّ أُدْخِلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُدْخِلَهُ النَّارَ إِلَّا صَحَّحْتُ لَهُ جِسْمَهُ فَإِنْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ تَمَاماً لِطَلِبَتِهِ عِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Any servant whom I want to admit in paradise I cause bodily suffering to expiate for his sins, if this would not be enough I then cause dying to become a severe suffering until he comes before Me without any sins, then I admit him in

دَخَلَ قَوْمٌ فَوَعَظَهُمْ‌[3] ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ عَايَنَ الْجَنَّةَ وَ مَا فِيهَا وَ عَايَنَ النَّارَ وَ مَا فِيهَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُصَدِّقُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ‌[4].

“Once a people came to the Imam (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.)) who granted them good advice and then said, ‘If you really affirm the Holy book there is no one among you who have not observed paradise and all that it contains or the fire with all that is in it.’”

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ضَنَائِنَ يَضَنُّ بِهِمْ عَنِ الْبَلَاءِ[2] فَيُحْيِيهِمْ فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ يَرْزُقُهُمْ فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ يُمِيتُهُمْ فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ يَبْعَثُهُمْ فِي عَافِيَةٍ وَ يُسْكِنُهُمُ الْجَنَّةَ فِي عَافِيَةٍ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father all from ibn Mahbub and others from abu Hamza from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is protective of certain people against misfortunes. He gives them life

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

مَنْ تَقَدَّمَ فِي الدُّعَاءِ اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ إِذَا نَزَلَ بِهِ الْبَلَاءُ وَ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ صَوْتٌ مَعْرُوفٌ وَ لَمْ يُحْجَبْ عَنِ السَّمَاءِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَتَقَدَّمْ فِي الدُّعَاءِ لَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لَهُ إِذَا نَزَلَ بِهِ الْبَلَاءُ وَ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ إِنَّ ذَا الصَّوْتَ لَا نَعْرِفُهُ.

“Whoever prays and pleads before Allah for help before the fall of misfortune, his prayer is accepted when the misfortune arrives. The angels will say, ‘It is a known voice and it is not barred from heaven. ’ If one does not pray and plead before Allah for help before the fall of misfortune, his prayer will not be acce

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."

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كُلَّ عَبْدٍ دَعَّاءٍ فَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالدُّعَاءِ فِي السَّحَرِ إِلَى طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ فَإِنَّهَا سَاعَةٌ تُفَتَّحُ فِيهَا أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَ تُقَسَّمُ فِيهَا الْأَرْزَاقُ وَ تُقْضَى فِيهَا الْحَوَائِجُ الْعِظَامُ.

"Indeed, Allah (azwj) loves from His believing servants every servant who is persistent in supplication. Therefore, you should engage in supplication during the pre-dawn hours until sunrise, for it is a time when the gates of heaven are opened, provisions are distributed, and great needs are fulfilled."

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع أَنَّ عِبَادِي لَمْ يَتَقَرَّبُوا إِلَيَّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ ثَلَاثِ‌ خِصَالٍ قَالَ مُوسَى يَا رَبِّ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ يَا مُوسَى الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْوَرَعُ عَنِ الْمَعَاصِي وَ الْبُكَاءُ مِنْ خَشْيَتِي قَالَ مُوسَى يَا رَبِّ فَمَا لِمَنْ صَنَعَ ذَا فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ يَا مُوسَى أَمَّا الزَّاهِدُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to Moses that said, “the most beloved of things to Me with which My servants can seek nearness to Me are three things.” Moses then asked, ‘Lord, what are they?’ The Lord said, ‘One’s reduced interest in worldly matters, restrain