Prophethood

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ لَيْلَتَهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لِمَ تُتْعِبُ نَفْسَكَ وَ قَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ فَقَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَ لَا أَكُونُ عَبْداً شَكُوراً قَالَ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُومُ عَلَى أَطْرَافِ أَصَابِعِ رِجْلَيْهِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى- طه‌ ما أَنْزَلْنا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقى‌[1].

One night when the Messenger of Allah stayed in ‘A’isha’s chamber she asked, “O Messenger of Allah, why do you tire yourself when Allah has already forgiven all of your past and future sins (that the pagans thought you had committed against them)?” He replied, ‘O ‘A’isha, should not I be a grateful servant?’ “The Imam

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرٌ يَسُرُّهُ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى هَذِهِ النِّعْمَةِ وَ إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرٌ يَغْتَمُّ بِهِ قَالَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If the Messenger of Allah were to receive happy news he would say, “All praise belongs to Allah, for His granting this favor.” Whenever he was to receive a sad news he would say, “All praise belongs to Allah in all conditions.’””

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَلَاءِ فَاحْمَدُوا اللَّهَ وَ لَا تُسْمِعُوهُمْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يَحْزُنُهُمْ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When you see people who are in affliction, express the praise of Allah but do not make them hear it; it may cause them to feel sad.’”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ فِي سَفَرٍ يَسِيرُ عَلَى نَاقَةٍ لَهُ إِذَا نَزَلَ فَسَجَدَ خَمْسَ سَجَدَاتٍ فَلَمَّا أَنْ رَكِبَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا رَأَيْنَاكَ صَنَعْتَ شَيْئاً لَمْ تَصْنَعْهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ اسْتَقْبَلَنِي- جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَبَشَّرَنِي بِبِشَارَاتٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَسَجَدْتُ لِلَّهِ شُكْراً لِكُلِّ بُشْرَى سَجْدَةً.

“The Messenger of Allah once was on a small journey on his camel. He dismounted and prostrated five times. When he mounted the camel they said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we saw you do what we had not seen you do before.’ He said, ‘Yes, it is true, but Jibril came to me with much good news from Allah, the Most Majestic, th

كَانَ نُوحٌ ع يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ‌[1] إِذَا أَصْبَحَ فَسُمِّيَ بِذَلِكَ عَبْداً شَكُوراً وَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ صَدَقَ اللَّهَ نَجَا.

29. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Noah would say the prayer in the previous Hadith every morning and for that reason he is called a thankful person.’ The Imam said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever a

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا يُوضَعُ فِي مِيزَانِ امْرِئٍ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “On the Day of Judgment, in the balance of a man, no other things will be as meritorious as excellence in moral behavior.”’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الْخُلُقِ الْحَسَنِ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ الْقَائِمِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The reward for one who possesses excellent moral behavior is equal to the reward for one who worships all nights and fasts all days.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَكْثَرُ مَا تَلِجُ بِهِ أُمَّتِيَ الْجَنَّةَ تَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The fact for which most people from my followers will go to paradise are piety before Allah and excellence in moral behavior.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِلَى بَعْضِ أَنْبِيَائِهِ ع الْخُلُقُ الْحَسَنُ يَمِيثُ الْخَطِيئَةَ كَمَا تَمِيثُ الشَّمْسُ الْجَلِيدَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, revealed to one of His prophets this: “Excellent moral behavior melts down sins just as the sun melts down hoarfrost.’””

هَلَكَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَأَتَى الْحَفَّارِينَ فَإِذَا بِهِمْ لَمْ يَحْفِرُوا شَيْئاً وَ شَكَوْا ذَلِكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا يَعْمَلُ حَدِيدُنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا نَضْرِبُ بِهِ فِي الصَّفَا[1] فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ إِنْ كَانَ صَاحِبُكُمْ لَحَسَنَ الْخُلُقِ ائْتُونِي بِقَدَحٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَأَتَوْهُ بِهِ فَأَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فِيهِ ثُمَّ رَشَّهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ رَشّاً

“During the time of the Holy Prophet a man died. The gravediggers could not dig a grave for him. They complained to the Messenger of Allah saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our picks do not work. It is as if we hit a rock.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Why it would be as such had your man been excellent in moral behavior

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا بَحْرُ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ يُسْرٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِحَدِيثٍ مَا هُوَ فِي يَدَيْ أَحَدٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ إِذْ جَاءَتْ جَارِيَةٌ لِبَعْضِ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ فَأَخَذَتْ بِطَرَفِ ثَوْبِهِ فَقَامَ لَهَا النَّبِيُّ ص فَلَمْ تَقُلْ شَيْئاً وَ لَمْ يَقُلْ لَهَا النَّبِيُّ ص شَيْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Bahr, excellent moral behavior is prosperity. Would you like me to teach you a Hadith which is not found in the hands of any of the people of Madina?’ I said, ‘Yes, please do so.’ The Imam said, ‘Once the Messenger of Allah was in the Mosque when a girl from the people of Ansar cam

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَفَاضِلُكُمْ أَحْسَنُكُمْ أَخْلَاقاً الْمُوَطَّئُونَ أَكْنَافاً الَّذِينَ يَأْلَفُونَ وَ يُؤْلَفُونَ وَ تُوَطَّأُ رِحَالُهُمْ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The meritorious ones among you are those who possess excellent moral behavior, who are easy to associate with, associate others with ease and comfort others.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا بَنِي عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ إِنَّكُمْ لَنْ تَسَعُوا النَّاسَ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ فَالْقَوْهُمْ بِطَلَاقَةِ الْوَجْهِ وَ حُسْنِ الْبِشْرِ. وَ رَوَاهُ عَنِ‌- الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ جَدِّهِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِلَّا أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا بَنِي هَاشِمٍ.

‘The Messenger of Allah said, “O children of ‘Abd al- Muttalib, you cannot reach the level of people with your wealth. but you should meet them with openness and a delightful face.””’ He has narrated also from al-Qasim ibn Yahya from his grandfather al-Hassan ibn Rashid from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a similar Hadith except

أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي فَكَانَ فِيمَا أَوْصَاهُ أَنْ قَالَ الْقَ أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ مُنْبَسِطٍ.

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah, saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah, confer upon me good advice.’ Of the advice given to him was this: ‘Meet your brethren (fellow human beings) with open and delightful face.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حُسْنُ الْبِشْرِ يَذْهَبُ بِالسَّخِيمَةِ[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Delightful appearance removes ill will.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَبْعَثْ نَبِيّاً إِلَّا بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Husayn ibn abu al-‘Ala’ from abu ‘Abd Allah recipient of divine supreme covenant who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has not sent any prophet who would not be truthful in their words and t

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فِي أَوَّلِ دَخْلَةٍ دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ تَعَلَّمُوا الصِّدْقَ قَبْلَ الْحَدِيثِ.

“The first time I met abu Ja’far (a.s.) he said to me, ‘Learn to speak the truth before narrating al-Hadith (statements of the Holy prophet and ‘ A’immah ).’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ إِذَا أَتَيْتَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ فَأَقْرِئْهُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُلْ لَهُ إِنَّ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ يَقُولُ لَكَ انْظُرْ مَا بَلَغَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ ع عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَالْزَمْهُ فَإِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع إِنَّمَا بَلَغَ مَا بَلَغَ بِهِ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) “Abd Allah ibn abu Ya’fur has sent you ( salam ) greetings.’ The Imam said, ‘May salam (peace) be with you and with him. If you meet ‘Abd Allah convey salam to him and say, ‘Ja’far, son of Muhammad, says to you, “Consider to what level Ali (Amir al-Mu’minin ibn abu Talib) had reache

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْحَيَاءُ حَيَاءَانِ حَيَاءُ عَقْلٍ وَ حَيَاءُ حُمْقٍ فَحَيَاءُ الْعَقْلِ هُوَ الْعِلْمُ وَ حَيَاءُ الْحُمْقِ هُوَ الْجَهْلُ.

“There are two kinds of bashfulness: A bashfulness that comes from one’s reason and the bashfulness that comes from one’s foolishness. The bashfulness that comes from one’s reason is knowledge and the bashfulness that comes from one’s foolishness is ignorance.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ وَ كَانَ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ ذُنُوباً بَدَّلَهَا اللَّهُ حَسَنَاتٍ‌[1] الصِّدْقُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَ الشُّكْرُ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Bukayr ibn Salih from al-Hassan ibn Ali from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ibrahim from Ali ibn abu Ali al-Lahabi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If four things are found in a person, even though he may be full of

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ خَلَائِقِ‌[2] الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ الْعَفْوُ عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ وَ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ الْإِحْسَانُ إِلَى مَنْ أَسَاءَ إِلَيْكَ وَ إِعْطَاءُ مَنْ حَرَمَكَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah said in a sermon, ‘Should I tell you what is the best faculty of creatures of this world and of the next world? It is forgiveness for those who do

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى خَيْرِ أَخْلَاقِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ تُعْطِي مَنْ حَرَمَكَ وَ تَعْفُو عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ.

“I must teach you what is the best moral behavior in this world and in the next world. You must establish relations with those who disassociate with you, give to those who deprive you and forgive those who do injustice to you.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْعَفْوِ فَإِنَّ الْعَفْوَ لَا يَزِيدُ الْعَبْدَ إِلَّا عِزّاً فَتَعَافَوْا يُعِزَّكُمُ اللَّهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘You must forgive. Forgiving increases one’s respect, therefore, forgive so Allah may respect you.’”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أُتِيَ بِالْيَهُودِيَّةِ الَّتِي سَمَّتِ الشَّاةَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا حَمَلَكِ عَلَى مَا صَنَعْتِ فَقَالَتْ قُلْتُ إِنْ كَانَ نَبِيّاً لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَلِكاً أَرَحْتُ النَّاسَ مِنْهُ قَالَ فَعَفَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْهَا.

“The Jewish woman who had poisoned the sheep to also poison the Holy Prophet was brought before him. He asked her, ‘What made you do this?’ She said, ‘I thought that if he is a prophet it will not harm him and if he is a king people will be relieved of his troubles.’ The Messenger of Allah forgave her.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ أَحَبِّ السَّبِيلِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جُرْعَتَانِ جُرْعَةُ غَيْظٍ تَرُدُّهَا بِحِلْمٍ وَ جُرْعَةُ مُصِيبَةٍ تَرُدُّهَا بِصَبْرٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the most beloved path to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, there are two drops: The drop of anger that one brushes aside and repels with tolerance and the drop of suffering that one wipes off with patience.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا أَعَزَّ اللَّهُ بِجَهْلٍ قَطُّ وَ لَا أَذَلَّ بِحِلْمٍ قَطُّ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah has never given respect to anyone because of ignorance and He has never humiliated anyone who possessed forbearance.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْحَيِيَّ الْحَلِيمَ الْعَفِيفَ الْمُتَعَفِّفَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah certainly loves the living person who is forbearing, maintains chastity and restrains from worldly matters (sins).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِرَجُلٍ أَتَاهُ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى أَمْرٍ يُدْخِلُكَ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ قَالَ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ أَنِلْ مِمَّا أَنَالَكَ اللَّهُ‌[4] قَالَ فَإِنْ كُنْتُ أَحْوَجَ مِمَّنْ أُنِيلُهُ قَالَ فَانْصُرِ الْمَظْلُومَ قَالَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتُ أَضْعَفَ مِمَّنْ أَنْصُرُهُ قَالَ فَاصْنَعْ لِلْأَخْرَقِ‌[5] يَعْنِي أَشِرْ عَلَيْهِ‌[6]- قَالَ فَإِنْ كُنْتُ أَخْرَقَ مِمَّنْ أَصْنَعُ لَهُ قَ

“The Messenger of Allah said to a man who had come to see him, ‘Should I guide you to a matter with which Allah will enter you in paradise?’ The man said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Give of what Allah has given you.’ The man asked, ‘What if I were more needy than the recipient?’ The Mess

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَمْسِكْ لِسَانَكَ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ تَصَدَّقُ بِهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ لَا يَعْرِفُ عَبْدٌ حَقِيقَةَ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَخْزُنَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ.

“Control your tongue; it is a charity that you give to yourself. He then said, ‘A servant (of Allah) will not know the reality of his belief until he reserves (controls) his tongue.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ نَجَاةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي حِفْظِ لِسَانِهِ.

“The salvation of a believer is in his controlling his tongue.”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ احْفَظْ لِسَانَكَ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي قَالَ احْفَظْ لِسَانَكَ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي قَالَ احْفَظْ لِسَانَكَ وَيْحَكَ وَ هَلْ يَكُبُّ النَّاسَ عَلَى مَنَاخِرِهِمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا حَصَائِدُ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ‌[2].

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, advise me.’ The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) said, ‘Control your tongue.’ He then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, advise me.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Control your tongue.’ He again said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, advise me.’ The Messenger of Allah said,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ لَمْ يَحْسُبْ كَلَامَهُ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ كَثُرَتْ خَطَايَاهُ وَ حَضَرَ عَذَابُهُ‌[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who does not count his words as his deeds, his sins increase and his punishment approaches.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يُعَذِّبُ اللَّهُ اللِّسَانَ بِعَذَابٍ لَا يُعَذِّبُ بِهِ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْجَوَارِحِ فَيَقُولُ أَيْ رَبِّ عَذَّبْتَنِي بِعَذَابٍ لَمْ تُعَذِّبْ بِهِ شَيْئاً فَيُقَالُ لَهُ خَرَجَتْ مِنْكَ كَلِمَةٌ فَبَلَغَتْ مَشَارِقَ الْأَرْضِ وَ مَغَارِبَهَا فَسُفِكَ بِهَا الدَّمُ الْحَرَامُ وَ انْتُهِبَ بِهَا الْمَالُ الْحَرَامُ وَ انْتُهِكَ بِهَا الْفَرْجُ الْحَرَامُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَأُعَذِّبَنَّك

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah will punish the tongue with a punishment that no other part will suffer thereby. And the tongue will say, “O Lord, You have punished me with a punishment that no one has suffered thereby.” It then will be said to the tongue, “From you came out a word that reached the East and We

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنْ كَانَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ شُؤْمٌ فَفِي اللِّسَانِ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If there is any wickedness, it is in the tongue.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ رَأَى مَوْضِعَ كَلَامِهِ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ قَلَّ كَلَامُهُ إِلَّا فِيمَا يَعْنِيهِ‌[2].

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “If one can realize the effect of his words on his deeds, his words will decrease except for what he needs.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنَّ فِيهِ لَمْ يَتِمَّ لَهُ عَمَلٌ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ خُلُقٌ يُدَارِي بِهِ النَّاسَ وَ حِلْمٌ يَرُدُّ بِهِ جَهْلَ الْجَاهِلِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things for the absence of which none of one’s deeds is complete: restraint from the worldly things to keep him from disobeying Allah, moral behavior with which one can gently deal with people and forbearance with which one can repel the ignorance of ignorant people.’”

سَمِعْتُ جَعْفَراً ع يَقُولُ‌ جَاءَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ- يَا مُحَمَّدُ رَبُّكَ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ دَارِ خَلْقِي.

‘Jibril (the Archangel) once came to the Holy Prophet and said, “O Muhammad, your Lord sends you greetings of peace and says to you, ‘Be gentle and kind to My creatures.’””

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَمَرَنِي رَبِّي بِمُدَارَاةِ النَّاسِ كَمَا أَمَرَنِي بِأَدَاءِ الْفَرَائِضِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘My Lord (Allah) has commanded me to be gentle to people just as He has commanded me to fulfill my obligations.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مُدَارَاةُ النَّاسِ نِصْفُ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الرِّفْقُ بِهِمْ نِصْفُ الْعَيْشِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع خَالِطُوا الْأَبْرَارَ سِرّاً وَ خَالِطُوا الْفُجَّارَ جِهَاراً وَ لَا تَمِيلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَظْلِمُوكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ سَيَأْتِي عَلَيْكُمْ زَمَانٌ لَا يَنْجُو فِيهِ مِنْ ذَوِي الدِّينِ إِلَّا مَنْ ظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ أَبْلَهُ وَ صَبَّرَ نَفْسَهُ عَلَى أَنْ يُقَالَ [لَهُ‌] إِنَّهُ أَبْلَه

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Dealing kindly with people is half of belief and leniency to them is half of livelihood.’ The Imam then said, ‘Meet the virtuous people privately. Meet the criminals in public and do not be attracted to them; they will do injustice to you. There will come a time when, from the religio

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الرِّفْقُ يُمْنٌ وَ الْخُرْقُ شُؤْمٌ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Friendliness is a blessing and detachment is evil.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الرِّفْقَ لَمْ يُوضَعْ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا زَانَهُ‌[2] وَ لَا نُزِعَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا شَانَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There is nothing in which friendliness is placed but that such thing is beautified. There is nothing from which friendliness is removed but that such thing is shunned.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَ يُعِينُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَكِبْتُمُ الدَّوَابَّ الْعُجْفَ‌[2] فَأَنْزِلُوهَا مَنَازِلَهَا- فَإِنْ كَانَتِ الْأَرْضُ مُجْدِبَةً فَانْجُوا عَنْهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مُخْصِبَةً فَأَنْزِلُوهَا مَنَازِلَهَا.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, certainly, loves kindheartedness and He supports one to achieve it. If you ride a weak animal allow it to rest whenever needed. If it is a barren land pass it quickly, and if it is a fertile land, allow them to rest as they need.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَوْ كَانَ الرِّفْقُ خَلْقاً يُرَى مَا كَانَ مِمَّا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If kindheartedness were to be seen like a creature, nothing of the creatures of Allah could have been as good as kindheartedness.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا اصْطَحَبَ اثْنَانِ إِلَّا كَانَ أَعْظَمُهُمَا أَجْراً وَ أَحَبُّهُمَا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَرْفَقَهُمَا بِصَاحِبِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever two things accompany each other the recipient of greater reward and the most beloved of the two before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is the kindhearted one to its companion.’”

أَرْسَلَ النَّجَاشِيُّ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‌[1] وَ أَصْحَابِهِ فَدَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ فِي بَيْتٍ لَهُ جَالِسٌ عَلَى التُّرَابِ وَ عَلَيْهِ خُلْقَانُ الثِّيَابِ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ جَعْفَرٌ ع فَأَشْفَقْنَا مِنْهُ حِينَ رَأَيْنَاهُ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَلَمَّا رَأَى مَا بِنَا وَ تَغَيُّرَ وُجُوهِنَا قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي نَصَرَ مُحَمَّداً وَ أَقَرَّ عَيْنَهُ أَ لَا أُبَشِّرُكُمْ فَقُلْتُ بَل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once al-Najashi (a king of Abyssinia) called to his presence Ja’far ibn abu Talib and his companions. When they came in, they found the king sitting on the ground wearing two old pieces of cloth.’ The Imam said that Ja’far has said, ‘We felt compassion for him in our hearts when we saw

أَفْطَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- عَشِيَّةَ خَمِيسٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَا فَقَالَ هَلْ مِنْ شَرَابٍ فَأَتَاهُ أَوْسُ بْنُ خَوَلِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِعُسِّ مَخِيضٍ بِعَسَلٍ‌[1] فَلَمَّا وَضَعَهُ عَلَى فِيهِ نَحَّاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ شَرَابَانِ يُكْتَفَى بِأَحَدِهِمَا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ لَا أَشْرَبُهُ وَ لَا أُحَرِّمُهُ وَ لَكِنْ أَتَوَاضَعُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنَّ مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ خَفَضَهُ اللَّهُ وَ م

‘‘In a Thursday evening the Messenger of Allah had completed his day’s fasting and dinner was served in the Mosque of Quba. He asked, ‘Is there any drink?’ Aws ibn Khuli brought him a bowl of milk mixed with honey. When he touched it with his lips he moved it away saying, ‘There are two drinks each of which is enough d

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَذْكُرُ أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص مَلَكٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُخَيِّرُكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ عَبْداً رَسُولًا مُتَوَاضِعاً أَوْ مَلِكاً رَسُولًا قَالَ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ‌[4] أَنْ تَوَاضَعْ فَقَالَ عَبْداً مُتَوَاضِعاً رَسُولًا فَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ‌[5] مَعَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْقُصُكَ مِمَّا عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ شَيْئاً قَالَ وَ مَعَهُ مَفَاتِيحُ خَزَائِنِ الْ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Once an angel came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, gives you the choice to be a servant and a humble messenger, or to be an angel and a messenger.” He looked to Jibril who made a gesture with his hand to be humble. He (the Messenger of A

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع أَنْ يَا مُوسَى أَ تَدْرِي لِمَ اصْطَفَيْتُكَ بِكَلَامِي دُونَ خَلْقِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَ لِمَ ذَاكَ قَالَ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَا مُوسَى إِنِّي قَلَّبْتُ عِبَادِي ظَهْراً لِبَطْنٍ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ فِيهِمْ أَحَداً أَذَلَّ لِي نَفْساً مِنْكَ يَا مُوسَى إِنَّكَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ وَضَعْتَ خَدَّكَ عَلَى التُّرَابِ أَوْ قَالَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ.

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelation to Moses asking, ‘Moses, do you know why I chose you to speak to instead of My other creatures?’ He asked, ‘My Lord, why did You do so?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, revealed to Moses, “Moses, I turned My creatures upside down and I di

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ وُدُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[2] لِلْمُؤْمِنِ فِي اللَّهِ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ أَلَا وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ أَبْغَضَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ أَعْطَى فِي اللَّهِ وَ مَنَعَ فِي اللَّهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَصْفِيَاءِ اللَّهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Love of a believer for another believer only for the sake of Allah is of the greatest branches of belief. It is certain that whoever loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah and denies for the sake of Allah is of the chosen people of Allah.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَيُّ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ أَوْثَقُ فَقَالُوا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الصَّلَاةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الصِّيَامُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الْحَجُ‌ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الْجِهَادُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِكُلِّ مَا قُلْتُمْ فَضْلٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِهِ‌[1] وَ لَكِنْ أَوْثَقُ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ الْحُبُّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ الْبُغْ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Yahya (as far as I know) from ‘Amr ibn Mudrik al-Ta’i from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah once asked his companions, ‘Which ring of belief is stronger to hol