Sin & Temptation

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ رَبَطَ فَرَساً عَتِيقاً مُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثُ سَيِّئَاتٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ كُتِبَ لَهُ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ حَسَنَةً وَ مَنِ ارْتَبَطَ هَجِيناً- مُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَيِّئَتَانِ وَ كُتِبَ لَهُ سَبْعُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ مَنِ ارْتَبَطَ بِرْذَوْناً يُرِيدُ بِهِ جَمَالًا أَوْ قَضَاءَ حَوَائِجَ أَوْ دَفْعَ عَدُوٍّ عَنْهُ مُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ سَيِّئَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ وَ كُ

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘If one maintains a horse of pure breed, three of his sins will be deleted every day and ten good deeds will be written in his favor. If one maintains a horse of mixed breed, two of his bad deeds will be deleted every day and seven good deeds will be written in his favor. If one m

مَنِ اعْتُدِيَ عَلَيْهِ فِي صَدَقَةِ مَالِهِ فَقَاتَلَ فَقُتِلَ فَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ.

“If one is subjected to transgression over the charity of his property and he fights back and is murdered he is a martyr.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ قُتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَمْ يُعَرِّفْهُ اللَّهُ شَيْئاً مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِهِ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one is killed for the cause of Allah, Allah will not show him any of his sins.”

يَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ قَوْمٌ يُتَّبَعُ فِيهِمْ قَوْمٌ مُرَاءُونَ يَتَقَرَّءُونَ وَ يَتَنَسَّكُونَ حُدَثَاءُ سُفَهَاءُ[2] لَا يُوجِبُونَ أَمْراً بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَ لَا نَهْياً عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ إِلَّا إِذَا أَمِنُوا الضَّرَرَ[3] يَطْلُبُونَ لِأَنْفُسِهِمُ الرُّخَصَ وَ الْمَعَاذِيرَ يَتَّبِعُونَ زَلَّاتِ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَ فَسَادَ عَمَلِهِمْ يُقْبِلُونَ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ وَ مَا لَا يَكْلِمُهُمْ‌[4] فِي نَفْسٍ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from certain persons of our people from Bashir ibn ‘Abd Allah from abu ‘Ismah Qadiy of Marve from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘During the last era of time there will be a people who are followe

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْحَى إِلَى دَاوُدَ ع أَنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ ذَنْبَكَ وَ جَعَلْتُ عَارَ ذَنْبِكَ عَلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ يَا رَبِّ وَ أَنْتَ لَا تَظْلِمُ قَالَ إِنَّهُمْ لَمْ يُعَاجِلُوكَ بِالنَّكَرَةِ[1].

“He (the Imam) has said, ‘Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, sent revelation to Dawud (David) (a.s.), that said, ‘I forgave your sins and placed the blame thereof on the Israelites.’ He (Dawud) asked, ‘How can that be, O Lord? You do not do injustice. He (the Lord) replied, ‘Because they did not express disap

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَنْ نَلْقَى أَهْلَ الْمَعَاصِي بِوُجُوهٍ مُكْفَهِرَّةٍ[1].

‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, had commanded us to meet sinful people with a frowning face . 555

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص كَيْفَ بِكُمْ إِذَا فَسَدَتْ نِسَاؤُكُمْ وَ فَسَقَ شَبَابُكُمْ وَ لَمْ تَأْمُرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ لَمْ تَنْهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَ يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ شَرٌّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ بِكُمْ إِذَا أَمَرْتُمْ بِالْمُنْكَرِ وَ نَهَيْتُمْ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ شَرٌّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ بِكُمْ إِذَا

‘The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “What will you do when your women will become corrupt, your young people sinful and you will not ask others to do good and prohibit them to commit evil?” They asked, “Will such things happen, O Me

لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَ أَهْلِيكُمْ ناراً[2] جَلَسَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ يَبْكِي وَ قَالَ أَنَا عَجَزْتُ عَنْ نَفْسِي كُلِّفْتُ أَهْلِي فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حَسْبُكَ أَنْ تَأْمُرَهُمْ بِمَا تَأْمُرُ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ وَ تَنْهَاهُمْ عَمَّا تَنْهَى عَنْهُ نَفْسَكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed: ‘O believers save yourselves and your family from a fire. . . (66:6) one man from the Muslims sat straight and began to weep, saying, ‘I have failed in saving myself and now I am commanded to save my family also.’ The Messeng

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ طَلَبَ مَرْضَاةَ النَّاسِ بِمَا يُسْخِطُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَانَ حَامِدُهُ مِنَ النَّاسُ ذَامّاً وَ مَنْ آثَرَ طَاعَةَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِمَا يُغْضِبُ النَّاسَ كَفَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَدَاوَةَ كُلِّ عَدُوٍّ وَ حَسَدَ كُلِّ حَاسِدٍ وَ بَغْيَ كُلِّ بَاغٍ وَ كَانَ اللَّهُ لَهُ نَاصِراً وَ ظَهِيراً.

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, Those who seek to please people by means of things that displease Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, people who praise them turn to blame them. Those who prefer to obey Allah, the

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ غِنًى يَحْجُزُكَ عَنِ الظُّلْمِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ فَقْرٍ يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى الْإِثْمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once said, ‘A wealth that keeps you away from injustice is better than poverty which leads you to commit sins.’”

إِنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْمُنْكَدِرِ كَانَ يَقُولُ مَا كُنْتُ أَرَى أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَدَعُ خَلَفاً أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ ابْنَهُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَعِظَهُ فَوَعَظَنِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَعَظَكَ قَالَ خَرَجْتُ إِلَى بَعْضِ نَوَاحِي الْمَدِينَةِ فِي سَاعَةٍ حَارَّةٍ فَلَقِيَنِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ كَانَ رَجُلًا بَادِناً ثَقِيلً

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Muhammad ibn al-Munkadir has said, ‘I did not think Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), might leave behind a successor better than his own-self. Time passed and I one day saw his son, Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.). I decided to give him certain words of good advice but I, instead, learned a lesson

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ أَلَا إِنَّ الرُّوحَ الْأَمِينَ نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي أَنَّهُ لَا تَمُوتُ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقَهَا فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَبِ وَ لَا يَحْمِلَنَّكُمُ اسْتِبْطَاءُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ أَنْ تَطْلُبُوهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَسَمَ الْأَرْزَاقَ بَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ حَلَالًا وَ لَمْ يَ

‘The Messenger of Allah during his farewell Hajj said, ‘The trustworthy spirit has inspired my understanding that no soul dies before its sustenance is complete (depleted). You must maintain piety before Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, be meticulous in your work to make a living. You must not allow procrastination

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ أَنَّهُ لَنْ تَمُوتَ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَوْفِيَ رِزْقَهَا وَ إِنْ أَبْطَأَ عَلَيْهَا فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَبِ وَ لَا يَحْمِلَنَّكُمُ اسْتِبْطَاءُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ تُصِيبُوهُ بِمَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يُنَالُ مَا عِنْدَهُ إِلَّ

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘O people, the trustworthy spirit has inspired my understanding that a soul never dies until it completes (depleting of) its sustenance even if it takes place with a certain degree of delays

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَثِيراً مَا يَقُولُ‌ اعْلَمُوا عِلْماً يَقِيناً أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لِلْعَبْدِ وَ إِنِ اشْتَدَّ جَهْدُهُ وَ عَظُمَتْ حِيلَتُهُ وَ كَثُرَتْ مُكَابَدَتُهُ أَنْ يَسْبِقَ مَا سُمِّيَ لَهُ فِي الذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ وَ لَمْ يَحُلْ‌ مِنَ الْعَبْدِ فِي ضَعْفِهِ وَ قِلَّةِ حِيلَتِهِ‌[1] أَنْ يَبْلُغَ مَا سُمِّيَ لَهُ فِي الذِّكْرِ الْحَكِيمِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّهُ لَنْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), very often would say, ‘You must take notice with absolute certainty that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, does not allow a servant, no matter how intensely he strives, how great the kind of means he prepares, and no matter how numerously he suffers fati

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنِّي لَمْ أَدَعْ شَيْئاً يُقَرِّبُكُمْ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ يُبَاعِدُكُمْ مِنَ النَّارِ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ نَبَّأْتُكُمْ بِهِ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ [قَدْ] نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي وَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَنْ لَا تَمُوتُ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقَهَا فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَجْمِلُوا فِي الطَّلَبِ وَ لَا يَحْمِلَنَّكُمُ اسْتِبْطَاءُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ أَنْ تَط

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘I have not left anything that can take you closer to paradise or keep you away from hellfire but that I have informed you of all such matters. You must take

سَأَلَ الرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ إِنْ كانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلى‌ مَيْسَرَةٍ[5] أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ هَذِهِ النَّظِرَةِ الَّتِي ذَكَرَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ لَهَا حَدٌّ يُعْرَفُ إِذَا صَارَ هَذَا الْمُعْسِرُ إِلَيْهِ لَا بُدَّ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ‌ يُنْتَظَرَ وَ قَدْ أَخَذَ مَالَ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ وَ أَنْفَقَهُ عَلَى عِيَالِ

“A man asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), when I was listening, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “If one has difficulty to pay his debts, he should be given respite until he is able to pay.” (2:281) Explain to me the limits of this “respite” of which Allah, most

كُلُّ ذَنْبٍ يُكَفِّرُهُ الْقَتْلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا الدَّيْنَ لَا كَفَّارَةَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَدَاؤُهُ أَوْ يَقْضِيَ صَاحِبُهُ‌[3] أَوْ يَعْفُوَ الَّذِي لَهُ الْحَقُّ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Being killed for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, serves as expiation for all kinds of sins except debts, for which there is no expiation other than paying it back or those liable pay or the owner of the lending right waives it in favor of the borrower.’”

أَبْطَأْتُ عَنِ الْحَجِّ فَقَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَبْطَأَ بِكَ عَنِ الْحَجِّ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ تَكَفَّلْتُ بِرَجُلٍ فَخَفَرَ بِي‌[2] فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ وَ الْكَفَالاتِ‌ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّهَا أَهْلَكَتِ الْقُرُونَ الْأُولَى ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ قَوْماً أَذْنَبُوا ذُنُوباً كَثِيرَةً فَأَشْفَقُوا مِنْهَا وَ خَافُوا خَوْفاً شَدِيداً وَ جَاءَ آخَرُونَ فَقَالُوا ذُنُوبُكُمْ عَلَيْنَا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ

“I once remained behind from performing al-Hajj and abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ’What caused you to remain behind from performing al-Hajj ? 5 I replied, ’I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I bailed out a person but he violated his responsibility . 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘What do you have to do

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ صُونُوا دِينَكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ قَوُّوهُ بِالتَّقِيَّةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْنَاءِ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّهُ مَنْ خَضَعَ لِصَاحِبِ سُلْطَانٍ وَ لِمَنْ يُخَالِفُهُ عَلَى دِينِهِ طَلَباً لِمَا فِي يَدَيْهِ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ‌ أَخْمَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[1] وَ مَقَّتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ وَكَلَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ هُوَ غَلَبَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُ فَصَارَ إِل

3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from Hadid who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, saying, ‘You must maintain piety before Allah and protect your religion by means of restraint from sins and strengthen your religion by means of taqiyah (caution)

كُنْتُ بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقَدِمَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحِيرَةَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَوْ كَلَّمْتَ دَاوُدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ أَوْ بَعْضَ هَؤُلَاءِ فَأَدْخُلَ فِي بَعْضِ هَذِهِ الْوِلَايَاتِ فَقَالَ مَا كُنْتُ لِأَفْعَلَ قَالَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ إِلَى مَنْزِلِي فَتَفَكَّرْتُ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَحْسَبُهُ مَنَعَنِي إِلَّا مَخَافَةَ أَنْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أَجُورَ وَ اللَّهِ لآَتِيَنَّهُ وَ لَأُعْطِيَنَّهُ الطَّلَاقَ

“A Mawla’ (freed slave or tribal client) of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), told me, ‘I was in al-Kufah when Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), came to al-Hirah and I went to see him. I said to him (the Imam), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can you speak to Dawud ibn Ali or others of these people to admit me

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْمَكَاسِبِ فَنَهَانِي عَنْهَا فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ وَ اللَّهِ لَضَرَرُ هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ أَشَدُّ مِنْ ضَرَرِ التُّرْكِ وَ الدَّيْلَمِ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْوَرِعِ مِنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ الَّذِي يَتَوَرَّعُ عَنْ مَحَارِمِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَجْتَنِبُ هَؤُلَاءِ وَ إِذَا لَمْ يَتَّقِ الشُّبُهَاتِ وَقَعَ فِي الْحَرَامِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْرِفُهُ

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about several issues of earning. He (the Imam) prohibited and said, ‘O Fudayl, the losses these people cause to this nation are more severe than the losses that Turks and Daylam may cause.’ He (the narrator) has said, ‘I then asked him (the Imam) about absta

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَصَابَ مَالًا مِنْ عَمَلِ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ وَ هُوَ يَتَصَدَّقُ مِنْهُ وَ يَصِلُ مِنْهُ قَرَابَتَهُ وَ يَحُجُّ لِيُغْفَرَ لَهُ مَا اكْتَسَبَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ- إِنَّ الْحَسَناتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئاتِ‌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الْخَطِيئَةَ لَا تُكَفِّرُ الْخَطِيئَةَ وَ لَكِنَّ الْحَسَنَةَ تَحُطُّ الْخَطِيئَةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ خَلَطَ الْحَلَالَ بِالْحَرَامِ ف

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who had found a certain amount of property from banu ’Umayyah. He gives charity thereof, helps hi

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا عُذْرَ لِأَحَدٍ فِيهَا أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ وَ الْوَفَاءُ بِالْعَهْدِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ وَ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ بَرَّيْنِ كَانَا أَوْ فَاجِرَيْنِ.

“I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘There are three issues in which one has no choice: They are safe return of trust of a virtuous or sinful person, keeping one’s promise to a virtuous or sinful person, and kindness to parents, regardless, of their being virtuous or sinful ones.’”

كَانَتِ الْعَرَبُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ عَلَى فِرْقَتَيْنِ- الْحُلِّ وَ الْحُمْسِ فَكَانَتِ الْحُمْسُ قُرَيْشاً وَ كَانَتِ الْحُلُ‌[2] سَائِرَ الْعَرَبِ فَلَمْ يَكُنْ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْحُلِّ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ حَرَمِيٌّ مِنَ الْحُمْسِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ حَرَمِيٌّ مِنَ الْحُمْسِ لَمْ يُتْرَكْ أَنْ يَطُوفَ بِالْبَيْتِ إِلَّا عُرْيَاناً وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حَرَمِيّاً- لِعِيَاضِ بْنِ حِمَارٍ الْمُجَاشِعِيِ‌[3] وَ كَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Arabs during pre-Islamic age of ignorance were of two groups. One was al-Hull and the other al-Hums. Al-Hums were Quraysh and al-Hull was the rest of Arabs. Everyone of al-Hull group had to have a protector from al-Hums people; otherwise, they could not perform Tawaf except in a naked

دِرْهَمٌ رِبًا أَشَدُّ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ زَنْيَةً كُلُّهَا بِذَاتِ مَحْرَمٍ.

“The sin of receiving one dirham of [unlawful] interest is more serious than having seventy carnal relations with one’s mahrams."

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ آكِلُ الرِّبَا وَ مُؤْكِلُهُ وَ كَاتِبُهُ وَ شَاهِدُهُ فِيهِ سَوَاءٌ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu Najran from ‘Asim ibn Hamid from m h ibn Qays, who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘One who consumes Riba’, one who feeds Riba ’ and one who documents it, are all the same

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ يَا مَعْشَرَ التُّجَّارِ الْفِقْهَ ثُمَّ الْمَتْجَرَ الْفِقْهَ ثُمَّ الْمَتْجَرَ الْفِقْهَ ثُمَّ الْمَتْجَرَ وَ اللَّهِ لَلرِّبَا فِي هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ أَخْفَى مِنْ دَبِيبِ النَّمْلِ عَلَى الصَّفَا شُوبُوا أَيْمَانَكُمْ بِالصِّدْقِ التَّاجِرُ فَاجِرٌ وَ الْفَاجِرُ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مَنْ أَخَذَ الْحَقَّ وَ أَعْطَى الْحَقَّ.

“I heard Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), saying from the pulpit, ‘O people who do business, you must learn fiqh (laws), then go in business, you must learn fiqh (laws) then go in business, you must learn fiqh (laws) then go in business. I swear by Allah, Riba ’ creeps in this nation more quietly than an ant’s moving on a hard

أَيُّمَا عَبْدٍ أَقَالَ مُسْلِماً فِي بَيْعٍ أَقَالَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى عَثْرَتَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one accepts a Muslim’s request to return a merchandise Allah, most High, on the Day of Judgment (returns) reduces his sins.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى النَّاسِ بَرِّهِمْ وَ فَاجِرِهِمْ بِالْكِتَابِ وَ الْحِسَابِ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَتَغَالَطُوا.

‘It is from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, upon people, virtuous and sinful ones to write down and keep proper accounting. Without this they, certainly, suffer confusion and mistakes.’”

إِذَا دَخَلْتَ سُوقَكَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهَا وَ خَيْرِ أَهْلِهَا وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَ شَرِّ أَهْلِهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ أَوْ أَبْغِيَ أَوْ يُبْغَى عَلَيَّ أَوْ أَعْتَدِيَ أَوْ يُعْتَدَى عَلَيَّ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ إِبْلِيسَ وَ جُنُودِهِ وَ شَرِّ فَسَقَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَ الْعَجَمِ وَ حَسْبِيَ اللَّهُ لا إِلهَ إِلّ

‘When you enter your market-place you should say this, ‘O Allah, I pray to You to grant me of its (market-place) good things and its good people. I seek protection with You against its evil and the evil of its people. O Allah, I seek protection with You against my own injustice and injustice done to me, against my own

مَنِ اشْتَرَى سَرِقَةً وَ هُوَ يَعْلَمُ فَقَدْ شَرِكَ فِي عَارِهَا وَ إِثْمِهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever buys stolen goods when he knows it, he shares its shame and sin.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ خَيْرُ الْأَعْمَالِ الْحَرْثُ تَزْرَعُهُ فَيَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ الْبَرُّ وَ الْفَاجِرُ أَمَّا الْبَرُّ فَمَا أَكَلَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَكَ وَ أَمَّا الْفَاجِرُ فَمَا أَكَلَ مِنْهُ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ لَعَنَهُ وَ يَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ الْبَهَائِمُ وَ الطَّيْرُ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘My father (a.s.), would say, “The best work is farming in which you plant, and the virtuous as well as sinful ones eat. The virtuous on eating asks forgiveness for you and the sinful one on eating it is condemned; and even animals and birds eat thereof.’”

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص أَيُّ الْمَالِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الزَّرْعُ زَرَعَهُ صَاحِبُهُ وَ أَصْلَحَهُ وَ أَدَّى حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الزَّرْعِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ رَجُلٌ فِي غَنَمٍ لَهُ قَدْ تَبِعَ بِهَا مَوَاضِعَ الْقَطْرِ يُقِيمُ‌ الصَّلَاةَ وَ يُؤْتِي الزَّكَاةَ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْغَنَمِ خَيْرٌ قَالَ الْبَقَرُ تَغْدُو بِخَيْرٍ وَ تَرُوحُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ فَأَيُّ الْمَالِ بَعْدَ الْبَقَر

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah (sw) was asked, ‘Which assets (belongings) are good?’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘A farm whose owner farms and maintains it, then pays the dues on it on the day of harvest.‘ He then asked, ‘What asset is better than farms?’ He (the Messenger of Allah)

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَكْتُبُ إِلَى عُمَّالِهِ لَا تُسَخِّرُوا الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ مَنْ سَأَلَكُمْ غَيْرَ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَقَدِ اعْتَدَى فَلَا تُعْطُوهُ وَ كَانَ يَكْتُبُ يُوصِي بِالْفَلَّاحِينَ خَيْراً وَ هُمُ الْأَكَّارُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, would write to his agents, ‘You must not make Muslims to perform free labor. Whoever of you asks for what is not obligatory, he has committed transgression and you must not give him anything.’ He (‘Amir al-Mu’minin) would write and recommend about farmers good ad

مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَسْتَعْمِلَنَّ أَجِيراً حَتَّى يُعْلِمَهُ مَا أَجْرُهُ‌[1] وَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرَ أَجِيراً ثُمَّ حَبَسَهُ عَنِ الْجُمُعَةِ يَبُوءُ بِإِثْمِهِ وَ إِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَحْبِسْهُ اشْتَرَكَا فِي الْأَجْرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and on Day of Judgment must not make a person work for him on hire until he knows how much his wages are, and if one hires a person and keeps him from Friday prayer, he is held responsible for his sin; and if he allows him to attend Friday prayer they will sh

إِنَّ الْجَارَ كَالنَّفْسِ غَيْرَ مُضَارٍّ وَ لَا آثِمٍ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A neighbor (in matters of immunity) is like a soul which is not harmed or has not committed sins.’”

شَهِدْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ يُحَاسِبُ وَكِيلًا لَهُ وَ الْوَكِيلُ يُكْثِرُ أَنْ يَقُولَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا خُنْتُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا خُنْتُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا هَذَا خِيَانَتُكَ وَ تَضْيِيعُكَ عَلَيَّ مَالِي سَوَاءٌ لِأَنَّ الْخِيَانَةَ شَرُّهَا عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ هَرَبَ مِنْ رِزْقِهِ لَتَبِعَهُ حَتَّى يُدْرِكَهُ كَمَا أَنَّهُ إِنْ هَرَبَ مِنْ أَ

“I once saw abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), examine an account with his agent who very often said, ‘By Allah, I have not committed treachery, by Allah I have not committed treachery.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘O you, wasting my assets and your committing treachery is the same; the wickedness of treachery is on you.’ He

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الرَّجُلَ يُخْرِجُ مِنْ مَالِهِ فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ أَصَابَهُ مِنْ حَلَالٍ وَ إِذَا أَخْرَجَهُ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ أَصَابَهُ مِنْ حَرَامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you see a man who takes out from his assets in obedience to Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, then you must be certain that he has earned it by lawful ways, and when he takes it in disobedience to Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, you must rest assured that he has earned it

قُلْتُ الرَّجُلُ يَخْرُجُ ثُمَّ يَقْدَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَ قَدْ أَفَادَ الْمَالَ الْكَثِيرَ فَلَا نَدْرِي اكْتَسَبَهُ مِنْ حَلَالٍ أَوْ حَرَامٍ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فَانْظُرْ فِي أَيِّ وَجْهٍ يُخْرِجُ نَفَقَاتِهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ يُنْفِقُ فِيمَا لَا يَنْبَغِي مِمَّا يَأْثَمُ عَلَيْهِ فَهُوَ حَرَامٌ.

“I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), a man traveled and then came back with a great deal of assets and we did not know if he had earned it in a lawful or unlawful ways. He (the Imam) said, ‘If such is the case, look how he spends it. If he spends in ways that he is not supposed to spend or is of the sinful ways it t

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِشِرَارِ نِسَائِكُمْ الذَّلِيلَةُ فِي أَهْلِهَا الْعَزِيزَةُ مَعَ بَعْلِهَا الْعَقِيمُ الْحَقُودُ الَّتِي لَا تَوَرَّعُ مِنْ قَبِيحٍ الْمُتَبَرِّجَةُ إِذَا غَابَ عَنْهَا بَعْلُهَا الْحَصَانُ مَعَهُ إِذَا حَضَرَ[3] لَا تَسْمَعُ قَوْلَهُ وَ لَا تُطِيعُ أَمْرَهُ وَ إِذَا خَلَا بِهَا بَعْلُهَا تَمَنَّعَتْ مِنْهُ كَمَا تَمَنَّعُ الصَّعْبَةُ عَنْ رُكُوبِهَا ل

‘If you like I can tell you who are of the worst kind of your women. She is the one who is undignified in her family, flattered by her husband, barren, spiteful, who does not abstain from indecency, roams around to show off in the absence of her husband and very reserved when her husband is present. She does not listen

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ كُلَّ ذَنْبٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِلَّا مَهْرَ امْرَأَةٍ وَ مَنِ اغْتَصَبَ أَجِيراً أَجْرَهُ وَ مَنْ بَاعَ حُرّاً.

‘Allah forgives every sin on the Day of Judgment except non-payment of mahr (dower), usurpation of wages and selling free people.’”

إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ قُبْلَةٍ أَوْ شِبْهِهَا فَلْيَتَزَوَّجِ ابْنَتَهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ جِمَاعاً فَلَا يَتَزَوَّجِ ابْنَتَهَا وَ لْيَتَزَوَّجْهَا هِيَ إِنْ شَاءَ.

“About the case of a man and a woman who are involved in sinful activities; if he can marry her daughter, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If such activities are in the form of kissing or similar things he can marry her daughter; but if it is sexual intercourse then he must not marry her daughter, he can, however, mar

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ كَانَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ امْرَأَةٍ فُجُورٌ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ قُبْلَةً أَوْ شِبْهَهَا فَلْيَتَزَوَّجِ ابْنَتَهَا إِنْ شَاءَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ جِمَاعاً فَلَا يَتَزَوَّجِ ابْنَتَهَا وَ لْيَتَزَوَّجْهَا[1].

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man and a woman who are involved in sinful acts. He (the Imam) said, Tf such activities are in the form of kissing or similar things he can marry her daughter; but if it is sexual intercourse then he must not marry her daughter, he can,

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ فَجَرَ بِامْرَأَةٍ أَ يَتَزَوَّجُ أُمَّهَا مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ أَوِ ابْنَتَهَا قَالَ لَا. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الْعَلَاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam, (abu Ja’far or abu ‘Abd Allah), ‘Alayhim al-Salam, about the case of a man who had committed sinful acts with a woman if he could marry her breastfeeding mother or daughter. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot do so.’ Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mah

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ أَتَى غُلَاماً أَ تَحِلُّ لَهُ أُخْتُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ ثَقَبَ فَلَا.

"A man who commits a sinful act with a boy, is his sister lawful for him (to marry)?' He (the Imam) said, 'If he made a hole, then no."

إِذَا أَوْقَبَ‌[2] حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْهِ ابْنَتُهُ وَ أُخْتُهُ.

'If he makes a hole in him, his daughter and sister become unlawful for him.’

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَرَى فِي شَابَّيْنِ كَانَا مُضْطَجِعَيْنِ فَوُلِدَ لِهَذَا غُلَامٌ وَ لِلْآخَرِ جَارِيَةٌ أَ يَتَزَوَّجُ ابْنُ هَذَا ابْنَةَ هَذَا قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ لِمَ لَا يَحِلُّ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ صَدِيقاً لَهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَلَا بَأْسَ قَالَ فَقَالَ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَفْعَلُ بِهِ قَالَ فَأَعْرَضَ بِوَجْ

“Once I was with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when a man came and said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, if two young men slept together and one has a son and the other has a daughter; if his son could marry the other man’s daughter.’ He (the narrator) has said that he (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, Allah

إِذَا أَوْقَبَهُ فَقَدْ حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَرْأَةُ[2].

If he has made hole in him his wife becomes unlawful for him.’”

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ اشْتَرَى جَارِيَةً وَ لَمْ يَمَسَّهَا فَأَمَرَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ ابْنَهُ وَ هُوَ ابْنُ عَشْرِ سِنِينَ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَيْهَا فَوَقَعَ عَلَيْهَا فَمَا تَرَى فِيهِ فَقَالَ أَثِمَ الْغُلَامُ وَ أَثِمَتْ أُمُّهُ وَ لَا أَرَى لِلْأَبِ إِذَا قَرِبَهَا الِابْنُ أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَيْهَا قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَكُونُ لَهُ جَارِيَةٌ فَيَضَعُ أَبُوهُ يَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked, when I was with him (the Imam), about the case of a man who bought a slave-girl but did not touch her. His wife commanded his son, who was ten years old, to fall on her (for sexual intercourse) and he did it, now what do you say about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘The boy has sinned a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ امْرَأَةٍ أَمَرَتِ ابْنَهَا أَنْ يَقَعَ عَلَى جَارِيَةٍ لِأَبِيهِ فَوَقَعَ فَقَالَ أَثِمَتْ وَ أَثِمَ ابْنُهَا وَ قَدْ سَأَلَنِي بَعْضُ هَؤُلَاءِ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ‌ أَمْسِكْهَا إِنَّ الْحَلَالَ لَا يُفْسِدُهُ الْحَرَامُ‌[1].

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, when he (the Imam) was asked about the case of a woman who commanded her son to fall on the slave-girl of his father and he did, ‘She has sinned and so has her son and certain ones of these people asked me about it and I said, “You can keep her because unlawful does not make