Prophethood

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ طَلْحَةَ فَقَالَ ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سِتُّ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِ اللَّهِ‌[2] فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ مَا هُنَّ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ يُحِبُّ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِأَعَزِّ أَهْلِهِ وَ يَ

“Once ibn abu Ya’fur, ‘Abd Allah ibn Talha and I were in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who on his own initiation said, ‘O ibn abu Ya’fur, the Messenger of Allah has said, “There are six things that if found in a person, he will be before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to the right of Allah (to the righ

الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ‌[3] وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رُحَمَاءَ بَيْنَكُمْ‌[4] مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى

“The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim (in belief). He does not do injustice to him, does not betray him, and does not violate his trust. It is worthwhile for the Muslims to be assiduous in maintaining good relations with each other, be kind to each other, assist the needy ones financially and be compassionate toward

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حَقٌّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَراً أَنْ يُعْلِمَ إِخْوَانَهُ وَ حَقٌّ عَلَى إِخْوَانِهِ إِذَا قَدِمَ أَنْ يَأْتُوهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘It is a right upon a Muslim to inform his brothers (in belief) of his decision to go on a journey. It is a right upon his Muslim brothers to visit him when he returns from the journey.’”

يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ رُحَماءُ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى عَلَيْهِ مَعْشَرُ الْأَنْصَارِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“It is worthwhile for a Muslim to work assiduously to maintain good relations, to cooperate in kindness and assistance for the needy and to be compassionate to each other. Live out this so that you can be as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded you to be, ‘. . . compassionate to each other, . . .’ (48

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حَدَّثَنِي جَبْرَئِيلُ ع أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَهْبَطَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ مَلَكاً فَأَقْبَلَ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكُ يَمْشِي حَتَّى وَقَعَ‌[3] إِلَى بَابٍ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عَلَى رَبِّ الدَّارِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ مَا حَاجَتُكَ إِلَى رَبِّ هَذِهِ الدَّارِ قَالَ أَخٌ لِي مُسْلِمٌ زُرْتُهُ فِي اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَالَ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ مَا جَاءَ بِكَ إِلَّا ذَاكَ فَقَالَ مَا

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Jibril spoke to me that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent an angel to earth and the angel began walking until he came to a door where a man was asking for permission from the people of the house. The angel asked him, ‘What do you need from the owner of this house?’ He repl

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ أَنْتَ ضَيْفِي وَ زَائِرِي عَلَيَّ قِرَاكَ‌[1] وَ قَدْ أَوْجَبْتُ لَكَ الْجَنَّةَ بِحُبِّكَ إِيَّاهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one visits his brother (in belief) in his house, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘You are My guest and My visitor, your service is on Me and I, for your loving him, have made paradise obligatory for you.”’

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَخْرُجُ إِلَى أَخِيهِ يَزُورُهُ فَيُوَكِّلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَلَكاً فَيَضَعُ جَنَاحاً فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ جَنَاحاً فِي السَّمَاءِ يُظِلُّهُ فَإِذَا دَخَلَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ نَادَى الْجَبَّارُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيُّهَا الْعَبْدُ الْمُعَظِّمُ لِحَقِّي الْمُتَّبِعُ لآِثَارِ نَبِيِّي حَقٌّ عَلَيَّ إِعْظَامُكَ سَلْنِي أُعْطِكَ ادْعُنِي أُجِبْكَ اسْكُتْ أَبْتَدِئْكَ فَإِذَا انْصَرَفَ شَيَّ

“When the believer leaves home to visit his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, appoints an angel to place one wing on earth and one wing in the sky to provide him shadow. When he arrives at his house, the Almighty Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, will say, ‘O servant (of Allah) who has

كُنْتُ زَمِيلَ‌[2] أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ كُنْتُ أَبْدَأُ بِالرُّكُوبِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَبُ هُوَ فَإِذَا اسْتَوَيْنَا سَلَّمَ وَ سَاءَلَ مُسَاءَلَةَ رَجُلٍ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ بِصَاحِبِهِ وَ صَافَحَ قَالَ وَ كَانَ إِذَا نَزَلَ نَزَلَ قَبْلِي فَإِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُ أَنَا وَ هُوَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ سَلَّمَ وَ سَاءَلَ مُسَاءَلَةَ مَنْ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ بِصَاحِبِهِ- فَقُلْتُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَتَفْعَلُ شَيْئاً مَا يَفْعَلُهُ

“’Ubaydah has said, ‘Once I was a partner of abu Ja’far (a.s.) on a journey. During the journey, first I would take my seat in the carriage set up on the back of the carry animal and then he would take his seat. He after settling down on his place properly would offer me the greeting of peace and ask a question like a

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا لَقِيَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخَاهُ فَلْيُسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ لْيُصَافِحْهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَكْرَمَ بِذَلِكَ الْمَلَائِكَةَ فَاصْنَعُوا صُنْعَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever any of you meets his Muslim brother (in belief) he should offer him the greeting of peace and shake his hand; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has honored the angels with it and you should also do what the angels do.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا الْتَقَيْتُمْ فَتَلَاقَوْا بِالتَّسْلِيمِ وَ التَّصَافُحِ وَ إِذَا تَفَرَّقْتُمْ فَتَفَرَّقُوا بِالاسْتِغْفَارِ[4].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever you meet, you should do so by offering the greeting of peace and shaking hands and depart each other with a plea to Allah for forgiveness.’”

كَانَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ إِذَا غَزَوْا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَرُّوا بِمَكَانٍ كَثِيرِ الشَّجَرِ ثُمَّ خَرَجُوا إِلَى الْفَضَاءِ نَظَرَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ فَتَصَافَحُوا.

“During an armed expedition the Muslims, along with the Messenger of Allah, each time after passing through a wooded area on reaching the open would look at each other and shake hands.”

مَا صَافَحَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلًا قَطُّ فَنَزَعَ يَدَهُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ هُوَ الَّذِي يَنْزِعُ يَدَهُ مِنْهُ‌[4].

“When shaking hands with people, the Messenger of Allah had never been the first to discontinue the handshake.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يُوصَفُ وَ كَيْفَ يُوصَفُ وَ قَالَ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ ما قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ‌[5] فَلَا يُوصَفُ بِقَدْرٍ إِلَّا كَانَ أَعْظَمَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص لَا يُوصَفُ وَ كَيْفَ يُوصَفُ عَبْدٌ احْتَجَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِسَبْعٍ‌[6] وَ جَعَلَ طَاعَتَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَطَاعَتِهِ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, cannot be described and how can He be described when He says in His book, “They have not revered (honored and respected) Allah properly. . . .” (22:74) He cannot be described through measurement. He is greater than such measures of respect. Th

لَقِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص حُذَيْفَةَ فَمَدَّ النَّبِيُّ ص يَدَهُ فَكَفَّ حُذَيْفَةُ يَدَهُ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص يَا حُذَيْفَةُ بَسَطْتُ يَدِي إِلَيْكَ فَكَفَفْتَ يَدَكَ عَنِّي فَقَالَ حُذَيْفَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بِيَدِكَ الرَّغْبَةُ[2] وَ لَكِنِّي كُنْتُ جُنُباً فَلَمْ أُحِبَّ أَنْ تَمَسَّ يَدِي يَدَكَ وَ أَنَا جُنُبٌ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَ مَا تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الْمُسْلِمَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا تَحَاتَّتْ ذُن

“The Holy Prophet once met Hudhayfah and he extended his hand, but Hudhayfah held his hand back. The Holy Prophet asked, ‘How is it, O Hudhayfah, that I extended my hand to you and you held your hand back?’ Hudhayfah then said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, your hand is attractive but I am in a state of ritual impurity (Janab

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَقْدِرُ[3] أَحَدٌ قَدْرَهُ وَ كَذَلِكَ لَا يَقْدِرُ قَدْرَ نَبِيِّهِ وَ كَذَلِكَ لَا يَقْدِرُ قَدْرَ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّهُ لَيَلْقَى أَخَاهُ فَيُصَافِحُهُ فَيَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمَا وَ الذُّنُوبُ تَتَحَاتُّ عَنْ وُجُوهِهِمَا حَتَّى يَفْتَرِقَا كَمَا تَتَحَاتُّ الرِّيحَ الشَّدِيدَةَ الْوَرَقُ عَنِ الشَّجَرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘No one is able to describe Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as He should be described. In the same way His Holy Prophet cannot be described. Also, the importance of the believing people cannot be described. When he meets his brother (in belief) and shakes hands, Allah looks tow

لَا يُقَبَّلُ رَأْسُ أَحَدٍ وَ لَا يَدُهُ إِلَّا يَدُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص أَوْ مَنْ أُرِيدَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص.

“No one’s head or hand is kissed except those of the Messenger of Allah or one who is intended to be for the Messenger of Allah.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَتَنَاوَلْتُ يَدَهُ فَقَبَّلْتُهَا فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهَا لَا تَصْلُحُ إِلَّا لِنَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ.

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and I held and kissed his hand and the Imam said, ‘This is only for the Holy Prophet or his successor.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّ مُؤْمِناً فَقَدْ سَرَّنِي وَ مَنْ سَرَّنِي فَقَدْ سَرَّ اللَّهَ.

‘The messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever pleases a believer has pleased me, and whoever, pleases me has pleased Allah.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the most beloved deed to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is bringing joy to the heart of the believer.’”

لَا يَرَى أَحَدُكُمْ إِذَا أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً أَنَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَدْخَلَهُ فَقَطْ بَلْ وَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْنَا بَلْ وَ اللَّهِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“One of you must not think that when he brings joy to the heart of a believer he has brought joy to his heart only. I swear by Allah, in fact, he has done so to our hearts and also, I swear by Allah, he has done so to (the heart of) the Messenger of Allah.”

كَانَ النَّجَاشِيُ‌[3] وَ هُوَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الدَّهَاقِينِ عَامِلًا عَلَى الْأَهْوَازِ وَ فَارِسَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ عَمَلِهِ- لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ فِي دِيوَانِ النَّجَاشِيِّ عَلَيَّ خَرَاجاً وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ يَدِينُ بِطَاعَتِكَ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ تَكْتُبَ لِي إِلَيْهِ كِتَاباً قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* سُرَّ أَخَاكَ يَسُرَّكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَلَ

“Al-Najashiy, is a man of the landlords (community) and an agent in al-Ahwaz and Fars. Certain persons of his workers once said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘In the office of al-Najashiy taxes are recorded as due by me. He is a believer and believes in obedience to you. If you consider it proper, write for me a letter to hi

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ سُرُورٌ [الَّذِي‌] تُدْخِلُهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ تَطْرُدُ عَنْهُ‌[3] جَوْعَتَهُ أَوْ تَكْشِفُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ.

‘The most beloved deed to Allah is the joy that you send to the heart of a believer by means of removing his hunger or relieving him of his suffering.’”

مَنْ أَدْخَلَ السُّرُورَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ فَقَدْ أَدْخَلَهُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَهُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَدْ وَصَلَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ كَذَلِكَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِ كَرْباً.

“Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believer he certainly has sent joy to the heart of the Messenger of Allah. If one sends joy to the heart of the Messenger of Allah such joy reaches Allah. The same is true of causing pain to the heart of a believer.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ تَنَافَسُوا فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ‌[3] لِإِخْوَانِكُمْ وَ كُونُوا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَإِنَّ لِلْجَنَّةِ بَاباً يُقَالُ لَهُ- الْمَعْرُوفُ لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا مَنِ اصْطَنَعَ الْمَعْرُوفَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَمْشِي فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُوَكِّلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَلَكَيْنِ وَاحِداً عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ آخَرَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ يَسْتَغْفِرَانِ لَهُ رَبَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Compete in al-Ma’ruf doing good to your brothers (in belief) and be of such people; in paradise there is a door called al-Ma’ruf through which no one can enter except those who have performed al-Ma’ruf (a virtuous deed) in the worldly life. If a servant (of Allah) walks to help his bel

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَعَانَ مُؤْمِناً نَفَّسَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثاً وَ سَبْعِينَ كُرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ سَبْعِينَ كُرْبَةً عِنْدَ كُرَبِهِ الْعُظْمَى قَالَ حَيْثُ يَتَشَاغَلُ النَّاسُ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One who provides financial help for his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, provides for him relief in seventy-three grievous conditions. One is for the worldly life and the other seventy-two in times of great grief and hardship (Day of Judgment), when people

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ ثَلَاثَةَ نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثَلَاثِ جِنَانٍ- فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ الْفِرْدَوْسِ وَ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ وَ طُوبَى [وَ] شَجَرَةٍ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ غَرَسَهَا رَبُّنَا بِيَدِهِ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever, feeds three Muslims, Allah will feed him from three gardens in the Kingdom of the heaven, the garden of al-Firdaws, (paradise), the garden of Eden and Tuba’, the tree that comes out of the garden of Eden is planted by our Lord with His own hands.’”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يُشْبِعَهُ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَحَدٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ مَا لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ الْمَغْفِرَةِ إِطْعَامُ الْمُسْلِمِ السَّغْبَانِ‌[3] ثُمَّ تَلَا قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَوْ إِطْعامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ يَتِيماً ذا مَقْرَبَةٍ أَوْ مِسْكِيناً ذا مَتْرَبَةٍ[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If one serves food to a believer to satisfy his hunger, no one of the creatures of Allah will be able to find out how much reward he will have in the hereafter for such service, not even the angels close to Allah or a prophet Divinely commissioned to preach can find out except Allah, L

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَقَى مُؤْمِناً شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ مِنْ حَيْثُ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَرْبَةٍ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ وَ إِنْ سَقَاهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَعْتَقَ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever serves a drink of water to a believer who (himself) also can find water, Allah will give him seventy thousand good deeds for each drink and if he provides a drink of water when he (himself) is not able to find one it will be like setting free ten persons from the descendents o

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, as reward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, assigns seventy thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness up to the time of the sounding of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا فِي أُمَّتِي عَبْدٌ أَلْطَفَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ لُطْفٍ إِلَّا أَخْدَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ خَدَمِ الْجَنَّةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever of my followers treats his brother (in belief) with gentleness for the sake of Allah, He will provide for him servants of paradise.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَكْرَمَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ بِكَلِمَةٍ يُلْطِفُهُ بِهَا وَ فَرَّجَ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي ظِلِّ اللَّهِ الْمَمْدُودِ عَلَيْهِ الرَّحْمَةُ مَا كَانَ فِي ذَلِكَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever receives his Muslim brother (in belief) with honor and value and relieves his suffering continues living under the extended shadow of Allah with blessings as long as he is in there.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُتْحِفُ أَخَاهُ التُّحْفَةَ قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ التُّحْفَةُ قَالَ مِنْ مَجْلِسٍ وَ مُتَّكَإٍ وَ طَعَامٍ وَ كِسْوَةٍ وَ سَلَامٍ فَتَطَاوَلُ الْجَنَّةُ[1] مُكَافَأَةً لَهُ وَ يُوحِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهَا أَنِّي قَدْ حَرَّمْتُ طَعَامَكِ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا عَلَى نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهَا أَنْ كَاف

‘‘Believers present al-Tuhaf (gifts) to each other.’ I then asked, ‘What is al-Tuhaf!’ The Imam said, ‘It can be a seat, a pillow, food, clothes or greetings of peace. Paradise then tries to reach out to serve them food for their good deed. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inspires it: ‘I have made your food un

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُسْلِمٍ خَدَمَ قَوْماً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ‌[4] مِثْلَ عَدَدِهِمْ خُدَّاماً فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Any Muslim who serves a group of Muslims, Allah in paradise will grant him servants equal to the number of Muslims he had served.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لِيَنْصَحِ الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَخَاهُ كَنَصِيحَتِهِ لِنَفْسِهِ‌[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Every man among you must provide advice to his brother (in belief) just like the advice for his own self.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ مَنْزِلَةً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَمْشَاهُمْ فِي أَرْضِهِ‌[4] بِالنَّصِيحَةِ لِخَلْقِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the people of the greatest position before Allah on the Day of Judgment will be he who is a person walking on earth the most to provide good advice to His creatures.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ هَذَا لِلَّهِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوهُ لِلنَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَصْعَدُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ لَا تُخَاصِمُوا بِدِينِكُمُ النَّاسَ فَإِنَّ الْمُخَاصَمَةَ مَمْرَضَةٌ لِلْقَلْبِ‌[3] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص- إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشاءُ[4] وَ قَالَ‌ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Keep your cause (belief), for the sake of Allah and do not make it for people; what is for Allah is for Allah and what is for people cannot ascend to heaven. Do not argue with people about your religion; argumentation causes sickness to the heart. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Hol

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ التَّقِيَّةُ مِنْ دِينِ اللَّهِ- قُلْتُ مِنْ دِينِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ مِنْ دِينِ اللَّهِ وَ لَقَدْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ ع- أَيَّتُهَا الْعِيرُ إِنَّكُمْ لَسارِقُونَ‌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَانُوا سَرَقُوا شَيْئاً وَ لَقَدْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع‌ إِنِّي سَقِيمٌ‌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَانَ سَقِيماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Al-Taqiyyah is of the religion of Allah.’ I asked, ‘Is it of the religion of Allah?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, by Allah, it is of the religion of Allah. Yusuf (the prophet) had said, ‘O people of the caravan of camels, you are thieves.’ By Allah, they had not stolen anything and Ibrahim had

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع قَالَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِ الْكُوفَةِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّكُمْ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى سَبِّي فَسُبُّونِي ثُمَّ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنِّي فَلَا تَبَرَّءُوا مِنِّي فَقَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا يَكْذِبُ النَّاسُ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى سَبِّي فَسُبُّونِي ثُمَّ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنِّي وَ

“It was said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘People narrate that Ali (a.s.) once said from the pulpit in al-Kufah, “O people, one day you will be told to abuse me. You then will do so, then you will be told to denounce me but you will not denounce me.” The Imam said, ‘How often has this falsehood (lie) been told about Ali (a.

دَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ جَمَاعَةً- فَقُلْنَا يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنَّا نُرِيدُ الْعِرَاقَ فَأَوْصِنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لِيُقَوِّ شَدِيدُكُمْ ضَعِيفَكُمْ وَ لْيَعُدْ غَنِيُّكُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِكُمْ وَ لَا تَبُثُّوا سِرَّنَا[3] وَ لَا تُذِيعُوا أَمْرَنَا وَ إِذَا جَاءَكُمْ عَنَّا حَدِيثٌ فَوَجَدْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ شَاهِداً أَوْ شَاهِدَيْنِ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَخُذُوا بِهِ وَ إِلَّا فَقِفُوا عِنْدَهُ ثُمَّ رُدُّوهُ

“Once we in a group went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) and said to him, ‘O descendent of the Messenger of Allah, we intend to travel to Iraq, and request your recommendations.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘The stronger ones among you must support the weak ones, the well to do among you must reach out to the poor ones among you,

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنِ احْتِمَالِ أَمْرِنَا التَّصْدِيقُ لَهُ وَ الْقَبُولُ فَقَطْ مِنِ احْتِمَالِ‌ أَمْرِنَا سَتْرُهُ وَ صِيَانَتُهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَقْرِئْهُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُلْ لَهُمْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً اجْتَرَّ مَوَدَّةَ النَّاسِ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ‌[1] حَدِّثُوهُمْ بِمَا يَعْرِفُونَ وَ اسْتُرُوا عَنْهُمْ مَا يُنْكِرُونَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا النَّاصِبُ لَنَا حَر

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Just to affirm our cause is not enough to carry it. To bear our cause is to keep it concealed and protect it from those who do not support it. Convey the greeting of peace to them and tell them, “May Allah grant blessings to those who attract people’s love to himself, speak to the

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ طُوبَى لِعَبْدٍ نُوَمَةٍ[2] عَرَفَهُ اللَّهُ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ النَّاسُ أُولَئِكَ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى- وَ يَنَابِيعُ الْعِلْمِ يَنْجَلِي عَنْهُمْ كُلُّ فِتْنَةٍ مُظْلِمَةٍ لَيْسُوا بِالْمَذَايِيعِ الْبُذُرِ[3] وَ لَا بِالْجُفَاةِ الْمُرَاءِينَ.

“Tuba’ (a tree in paradise) is for a servant who is unknown to people but Allah knows him. Such people are the torches of guidance and the fountains of knowledge. Through them every darkening calamity brightens. They do not publicize undisclosed facts and they are not quarrelsome braggarts.’”

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِمَجْلِسٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِقَوْمٍ بِيضٍ ثِيَابُهُمْ‌[1] صَافِيَةٍ أَلْوَانُهُمْ كَثِيرٍ ضِحْكُهُمْ يُشِيرُونَ بِأَصَابِعِهِمْ إِلَى مَنْ يَمُرُّ بِهِمْ‌[2] ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِمَجْلِسٍ لِلْأَوْسِ وَ الْخَزْرَجِ فَإِذَا قَوْمٌ بُلِيَتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ دَقَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الرِّقَابُ وَ اصْفَرَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَلْوَانُ وَ قَدْ تَوَاضَعُوا بِالْكَلَامِ فَتَعَجَّبَ عَلِيٌّ ع مِن

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once passed by a gathering of Quraysh where he found the people in white clothes, of clear complexion, frequently laughing and who pointed out their fingers to whoever passed (near) by. Then he passed by a gathering of al- Aws and Khazraj where he found people of worn out bo

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ كَمِثْلِ شَجَرَةٍ لَا يَتَحَاتُّ وَرَقُهَا فِي شِتَاءٍ وَ لَا صَيْفٍ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ النَّخْلَةُ[2].

“A believer is like the tree whose leaves do not fall off in summer or in winter. They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what tree is it?’ He said, ‘It is the palm-tree.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ مَنِ ائْتَمَنَهُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ أَمْوَالِهِمْ أَ لَا أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِالْمُسْلِمِ مَنْ سَلِمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَ يَدِهِ وَ الْمُهَاجِرُ مَنْ هَجَرَ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَ تَرَكَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُ حَرَامٌ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَظْلِمَهُ أَوْ يَخْذُلَهُ أَوْ يَغْتَابَهُ أَوْ يَدْفَعَهُ دَفْعَةً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Do you want me to tell you about believers? He is one whose trustworthiness believers trust in matters of their lives and properties. Do you want me to tell you who a Muslim is? He is one from whose tongue and hands Muslims are safe. An immigrant is one who migrates from evils and des

صَلَّى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالنَّاسِ الصُّبْحَ بِالْعِرَاقِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ وَعَظَهُمْ فَبَكَى وَ أَبْكَاهُمْ مِنْ خَوْفِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَهِدْتُ أَقْوَاماً عَلَى عَهْدِ خَلِيلِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ إِنَّهُمْ لَيُصْبِحُونَ وَ يُمْسُونَ شُعْثاً غُبْراً خُمْصاً[1] بَيْنَ أَعْيُنِهِمْ كَرُكَبِ الْمِعْزَى- يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ‌ سُجَّداً وَ قِياماً يُرَاوِحُونَ بَيْنَ أَقْدَامِهِمْ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) prayed the morning prayer with people in Iraq. After prayer he gave a speech on having fear of Allah. He wept and made people weep. He then said, ‘By Allah, I lived with a people, in the times of my beloved one, the Messenger of Allah, who were ragged, dusty and slim-be

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ وَ عَظَّمَهُ مَنَعَ فَاهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ وَ بَطْنَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ عَفَا نَفْسَهُ بِالصِّيَامِ وَ الْقِيَامِ قَالُوا بِآبَائِنَا وَ أُمَّهَاتِنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَؤُلَاءِ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ سَكَتُوا فَكَانَ سُكُوتُهُمْ ذِكْراً وَ نَظَرُوا فَكَانَ نَظَرُهُمْ عِبْرَةً وَ نَطَقُوا فَكَانَ نُطْقُهُمْ حِكْمَةً وَ مَشَوْا فَكَانَ مَشْي

25. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Isa al-Nahriri from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comes to know Allah and realizes His greatness does not allow his mouth to speak or his stomach

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مِهْزَمُ شِيعَتُنَا مَنْ لَا يَعْدُو صَوْتُهُ سَمْعَهُ‌[4] وَ لَا شَحْنَاؤُهُ بَدَنَهُ‌[5] وَ لَا يَمْتَدِحُ بِنَا مُعْلِناً وَ لَا يُجَالِسُ لَنَا عَائِباً وَ لَا يُخَاصِمُ لَنَا قَالِياً إِنْ لَقِيَ مُؤْمِناً أَكْرَمَهُ وَ إِنْ لَقِيَ جَاهِلًا هَجَرَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَشَيِّعَةِ[6] قَالَ فِيهِمُ التَّمْيِيزُ وَ فِيهِمُ التَّبْدِيلُ وَ فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the belie

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ اسْتَكْمَلَ خِصَالَ الْإِيمَانِ إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا غَضِبَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ الْغَضَبُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَ إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ يَتَعَاطَ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three qualities, the quality of his belief is complete: if he is happy it does not lead him to falsehood, his anger does not lead him out of the truth and when in power does not take hold of what is not rightfully his.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ لِأَهْلِ الدِّينِ عَلَامَاتٍ يُعْرَفُونَ بِهَا صِدْقَ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ وَفَاءً بِالْعَهْدِ وَ صِلَةَ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ رَحْمَةَ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ قِلَّةَ الْمُرَاقَبَةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ أَوْ قَالَ قِلَّةَ الْمُوَاتَاةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ[2] وَ بَذْلَ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ حُسْنَ الْخُلُقِ وَ سَعَةَ الْخُلُقِ وَ اتِّبَاعَ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَا يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ زُلْ

30. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Religious people have certain signs by means of which they are recognized. Of such signs a

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص عَنْ خِيَارِ الْعِبَادِ[1] فَقَالَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَحْسَنُوا اسْتَبْشَرُوا وَ إِذَا أَسَاءُوا اسْتَغْفَرُوا وَ إِذَا أُعْطُوا شَكَرُوا وَ إِذَا ابْتُلُوا صَبَرُوا وَ إِذَا غَضِبُوا غَفَرُوا.

“The Holy Prophet was asked about the best ones among the servants (of Allah). The Holy Prophet said, ‘They are those who enjoy doing good deeds, and ask forgiveness when they do bad deeds, thank when they are favored, exercise patience when they suffer and forgive when they are subjected to anger.’”