Sin & Temptation

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَتَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ يَعِظُهُ أُوصِيكَ وَ نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى مَنْ لَا تَحِلُّ مَعْصِيَتُهُ وَ لَا يُرْجَى غَيْرُهُ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِهِ فَإِنَّ مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ قَوِيَ وَ شَبِعَ وَ رَوِيَ وَ رُفِعَ عَقْلُهُ عَنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا فَبَدَنُهُ مَعَ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَلْبُهُ وَ عَقْلُهُ مُعَايِنُ الْآخِرَةِ فَأَطْفَأَ بِضَوْ

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from abu Jamilah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) wrote to one of his companions to advise him. “I recommend that you and I be pious before the One whose disobedience is not lawful

مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ ابْنَ آدَمَ كُنْ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ الْيَسِيرَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ خَفَّتْ مَئُونَتُهُ وَ زَكَتْ مَكْسَبَتُهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ حَدِّ الْفُجُورِ.

“It is written in the Torah: ‘O sons of Adam, be as you like to be. You shall reap as you sow. Whoever becomes happy with Allah for a little amount of sustenance, Allah will accept his little good deeds. Whoever becomes happy with the little but lawful, his expenses become light, his earnings pure and he will be out of

إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَلَا تُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رُبَّمَا اطَّلَعَ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَ هُوَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُعَذِّبُكَ بَعْدَهَا أَبَداً وَ إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَا تَعْمَلْهَا فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا اطَّلَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَ هُوَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْمَعْصِيَةِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أَغْفِرُ لَك

“When you intend to perform a good deed, do not delay doing it; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, perhaps finds a servant (of Allah) during a good deed of obedience and He, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, may say, ‘I will never subject you to punishment hereafter.’ If you intend to do an evil deed, you must no

لَمَّا خَرَجَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُرِيدُ الْبَصْرَةَ نَزَلَ بِالرَّبَذَةِ[1] فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحَارِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنِّي تَحَمَّلْتُ فِي قَوْمِي حَمَالَةً[2] وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ فِي طَوَائِفَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُوَاسَاةَ وَ الْمَعُونَةَ فَسَبَقَتْ إِلَيَّ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ بِالنَّكَدِ[3] فَمُرْهُمْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَعُونَتِي وَ حُثَّهُمْ عَلَى مُوَاسَاتِي فَقَالَ أَيْنَ هُمْ فَق

“When Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) left Madina for Basra, on his way he stopped at al-Rabadhah (a place near Jaddah). A man from Muharib (a tribe) came and said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, I have been shouldering many responsibilities for my people and I have asked quite a few of them to help and cooperate wit

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ وَ الْبِرَّ لَيُهَوِّنَانِ الْحِسَابَ وَ يَعْصِمَانِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَصِلُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ وَ بَرُّوا بِإِخْوَانِكُمْ وَ لَوْ بِحُسْنِ السَّلَامِ وَ رَدِّ الْجَوَابِ.

31. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) say, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives and virtuous deeds ease off the giving of accounts on the Day of Judgment and safeguard against sins. Maintain goo

أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي رَاغِبٌ فِي الْجِهَادِ نَشِيطٌ[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص فَجَاهِدْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ تُقْتَلْ تَكُنْ حَيّاً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تُرْزَقْ وَ إِنْ تَمُتْ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ رَجَعْتَ رَجَعْتَ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ كَمَا وُلِدْتَ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لِي وَالِدَيْنِ كَبِيرَيْنِ يَزْعُمَانِ أَنَّهُمَا يَأْ

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘I am interested in Jihad (joining the army) O Messenger of Allah. I am active and light.’ The Imam said, ‘The Holy Prophet said, “Do Jihad (join the army) in the way of Allah, if you will be killed you will be living with Allah and will receive sustenance. If you di

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الشِّيعَةَ عِنْدَنَا كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ فَهَلْ يَعْطِفُ الْغَنِيُّ عَلَى الْفَقِيرِ وَ هَلْ يَتَجَاوَزُ الْمُحْسِنُ عَنِ الْمُسِي‌ءِ وَ يَتَوَاسَوْنَ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَؤُلَاءِ شِيعَةً- الشِّيعَةُ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ هَذَا.

“Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, there is a great number of Shi’a in our area. The Imam asked, ‘Are their rich ones kind to their poor ones? Do their virtuous ones forgive their sinful ones? Do they assist each other financially?’ I said, ‘No, they do not do so.’ The

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُوَدِّعُهُ فَقَالَ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ أَبْلِغْ مَنْ تَرَى مِنْ مَوَالِينَا السَّلَامَ وَ أَوْصِهِمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ أَنْ يَعُودَ غَنِيُّهُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِهِمْ وَ قَوِيُّهُمْ عَلَى ضَعِيفِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ حَيُّهُمْ جِنَازَةَ مَيِّتِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَتَلَاقَوْا فِي بُيُوتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ لُقِيَّا[1] بَعْضِهِمْ بَعْضاً حَيَاةٌ لِأَمْرِنَا رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً أَحْيَا أَمْرَن

“Once I went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) to say farewell. He said, ‘O Khaythamah, convey our greeting of peace to whoever of our followers you may see and advise them to be pious before Allah, the Most Great, that their rich ones look after their poor ones, the stronger ones look after their weaker ones, that the living a

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

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَدَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمَا وَ أَقْبَلَ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَى أَشَدِّهِمَا حُبّاً لِصَاحِبِهِ فَإِذَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَيْهِمَا تَحَاتَّتْ عَنْهُمَا الذُّنُوبُ كَمَا يَتَحَاتُّ الْوَرَقُ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ.

‘When two believing people meet and shake hands Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inserts His hand between their hands and faces the one whose love for his brother (in belief) is more intense. When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, turns His face to them their sins begin to fall like leaves from trees.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ وَ تَسَاقَطَتْ عَنْهُمَا الذُّنُوبُ كَمَا يَتَسَاقَطُ الْوَرَقُ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ.

‘‘When two believing people meet and shake hands Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, turns His face (direction, aspect) to them and sins began to fall from them like leaves fall from trees.’”

زَامَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي شِقِّ مَحْمِلٍ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَنَزَلَ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ وَ عَادَ قَالَ هَاتِ يَدَكَ يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ فَنَاوَلْتُهُ يَدِي فَغَمَزَهَا حَتَّى وَجَدْتُ الْأَذَى فِي أَصَابِعِي ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ لَقِيَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ فَصَافَحَهُ وَ شَبَّكَ أَصَابِعَهُ‌[1] فِي أَصَابِعِهِ إِلَّا تَنَاثَرَتْ عَنْهُمَا ذُن

“Once I was a partner of abu Ja’far (a.s.) on a journey on one side of the carriage on the camel from Madina to Makka. On the way he dismounted for rest and, when he returned, he asked me for a handshake. He squeezed my hand so hard that my fingers began to hurt. He then said, ‘O abu ‘Ubaydah, when two Muslims meet, sh

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا مَالِكُ أَنْتُمْ شِيعَتُنَا أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّكَ تُفْرِطُ فِي أَمْرِنَا إِنَّهُ لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَةِ اللَّهِ فَكَمَا لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَةِ اللَّهِ كَذَلِكَ لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَتِنَا وَ كَمَا لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَتِنَا كَذَلِكَ لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَلْقَى الْمُؤْمِنَ فَيُصَافِحُهُ فَلَا يَزَالُ اللَّهُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمَا وَ الذُّنُوبُ تَ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) once said to me, ‘O Malik, you are of our followers (Shi’a). Are you aware that you go to extremes in our cause? No one is able to describe Allah. Just as no one is able to describe Allah, no one is able to describe us. Just as no one is able to describe us, no one is able to describe the believer. W

زَامَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَحَطَطْنَا الرَّحْلَ‌[3] ثُمَّ مَشَى قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَغَمَزَهَا غَمْزَةً شَدِيدَةً فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ وَ مَا كُنْتُ مَعَكَ فِي الْمَحْمِلِ فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا جَالَ جَوْلَةً ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَخِيهِ نَظَرَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ مُقْبِلًا عَلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ وَ يَقُولُ لِلذُّنُوبِ تَحَاتَّ عَنْهُمَا فَ

“Once I was a partner of abu Ja’far (a.s.) on a journey. On the way we unloaded our luggage and he walked a little and came back, held my hand and squeezed it hard. I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, ‘Was I not with you in the carriage?’ The Imam asked, ‘Did you not know that when the believer

إِذَا صَافَحَ الرَّجُلُ صَاحِبَهُ فَالَّذِي يَلْزَمُ التَّصَافُحَ أَعْظَمُ أَجْراً مِنَ الَّذِي يَدَعُ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ لَتَتَحَاتُّ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُمْ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى ذَنْبٌ.

“When two people shake hands, the one who continues holding his hand will receive greater reward than the one who releases early. However, the sins fall off of them until no sins remain.”

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا الْتَقَى الْمُؤْمِنَانِ فَتَصَافَحَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَيْهِمَا وَ تَتَحَاتُّ الذُّنُوبُ عَنْ وُجُوهِهِمَا حَتَّى يَفْتَرِقَا.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘When two believing people meet and shake hands, Allah turns to them with His face and sins began to fall from their faces until they depart from each other.’”

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

قَالَ لِي أَ تَخْلُونَ وَ تَتَحَدَّثُونَ وَ تَقُولُونَ مَا شِئْتُمْ فَقُلْتُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَخْلُو وَ نَتَحَدَّثُ وَ نَقُولُ مَا شِئْنَا فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ تِلْكَ الْمَوَاطِنِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ رِيحَكُمْ وَ أَرْوَاحَكُمْ وَ إِنَّكُمْ عَلَى دِينِ اللَّهِ وَ دِينِ مَلَائِكَتِهِ فَأَعِينُوا بِوَرَعٍ وَ اجْتِهَادٍ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) asked me, ‘Do you hold private gatherings wherein you say whatever you want?’ I said, ‘Yes, I swear by Allah, we hold private gatherings and say whatever we like to say (in praise of Muhammad and his family).’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah, I wish I could be with you at such gatherings. I swe

كَانَ رَجُلٌ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِناتِ بِغَيْرِ مَا اكْتَسَبُوا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلُوا بُهْتاناً وَ إِثْماً مُبِيناً[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَمَا ثَوَابُ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِ السُّرُورَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ فَقَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ وَ أَلْفُ أَلْفِ حَسَنَةٍ.

“Once a man, in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) recited this verse of the Holy Quran: ‘Those who annoy the believing men and women without reason will bear the sin for a false accusation, a manifest offense.’ (33:58) The narrator has said that Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) then asked, ‘What then is the reward for sending j

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ طَافَ بِالْبَيْتِ أُسْبُوعاً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ حَسَنَةٍ وَ مَحَا عَنْهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ سَيِّئَةٍ وَ رَفَعَ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ دَرَجَةٍ قَالَ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ وَ قَضَى لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ حَاجَةٍ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ قَضَاءُ حَاجَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ طَوَافٍ وَ طَوَافٍ حَتَّى عَدَّ عَشْراً.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from al- Hakam ibn Ayman from Aban ibn Taghlib who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘One who performs Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba for worship) Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will write for him six

قَالَ: مَنْ طَافَ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ طَوَافاً وَاحِداً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ حَسَنَةٍ وَ مَحَا عَنْهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ سَيِّئَةٍ وَ رَفَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ دَرَجَةٍ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَ الْمُلْتَزَمِ‌[2] فَتَحَ اللَّهُ لَهُ سَبْعَةَ أَبْوَابٍ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الْفَضْلُ كُلُّهُ فِي الطَّوَافِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِأَفْضَلَ مِنْ

“Whoever performs a single Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba for worship) of this House Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes down for him six thousand good deeds, deletes his six thousand sins, and raises him six thousand degrees in meritorious status until he reaches al-Multazam (a part of Ka’ba)

قَالَ: مَشْيُ الرَّجُلِ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يُكْتَبُ‌[4] لَهُ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ يُمْحَى عَنْهُ عَشْرُ سَيِّئَاتٍ وَ يُرْفَعُ لَهُ عَشْرُ دَرَجَاتٍ قَالَ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُهُ‌[5] إِلَّا قَالَ وَ يَعْدِلُ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ وَ أَفْضَلُ مِنِ اعْتِكَافِ شَهْرٍ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘For a believer’s walking to help a believing brother (in belief) ten good deeds are written for him, ten of his sins are deleted and he is raised ten degrees in meritorious status.’ The narrator has said, ‘I do not know what else the Imam said, but (I do know) he (the Imam) said, ‘It i

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَنْ مَشَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَظَلَّهُ اللَّهُ بِخَمْسَةٍ وَ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ‌[2] وَ لَمْ يَرْفَعْ قَدَماً إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَسَنَةً وَ حَطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا سَيِّئَةً وَ يَرْفَعُ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً فَإِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ حَاجَتِهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ بِهَا أَجْرَ حَاجٍّ وَ مُعْتَمِرٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘One who walks to help his Muslim brother (in belief) Allah will make seventy-five thousand angels to provide him shadow and for each step that he walks Allah writes for him one good deed, deletes one of his sins and raises him by one degree in meritorious satus. When he completes the help,

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يَمْشِي لِأَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[5] فِي حَاجَةٍ إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَسَنَةً وَ حَطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا سَيِّئَةً وَ رَفَعَ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً وَ زِيدَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ شُفِّعَ فِي عَشْرِ حَاجَاتٍ.

“Whoever of the believing people walks to help his believing brother, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes one good deed for him for every step of his walking, deletes one sin and raises him one degree in meritorious status, adds ten good deeds thereafter and accepts his intercession in ten issues.”

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 أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ تُحِبُّ إِخْوَانَكَ يَا حُسَيْنُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَنْفَعُ فُقَرَاءَهُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَحِقُّ عَلَيْكَ‌[5] أَنْ تُحِبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُ‌ اللَّهُ‌[1] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَنْفَعُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً حَتَّى تُحِبَّهُ‌[2] أَ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى مَنْزِلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ مَا آكُلُ إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الرَّجُلَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ الْأَقَلُّ وَ الْأَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked, ‘Do you love your brothers (in belief) O Husayn?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 love them.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you provide any benefit for their poor?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘It is obligatory for you to love whoever loves Allah. By Allah you will not provide any benefit to any of t

مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ‌ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ‌[1] أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ‌[2] مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعَةَ آلَافِ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as a reward assigns seven thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness for him up to the time of sounding off of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin that he may have committe

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

يَجِبُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَسْتُرَ عَلَيْهِ سَبْعِينَ كَبِيرَةً.

“It is obligatory for a Muslim to cover for a Muslim seventy major sins.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْساً بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ‌ فَكَأَنَّما قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً وَ مَنْ أَحْياها فَكَأَنَّما أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً[4] قَالَ مَنْ أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ ضَلَالٍ إِلَى هُدًى فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَاهَا وَ مَنْ أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ هُدًى إِلَى ضَلَالٍ فَقَدْ قَتَلَهَا.

“I asked him about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . We made it a law for the children of Israel that the killing of a person for reasons other than legal retaliation or for stopping corruption in the land is as great a sin as murdering all of mankind. However, to save a life would be as grea

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ أَصْحَابِي إِلَيَّ أَوْرَعُهُمْ وَ أَفْقَهُهُمْ وَ أَكْتَمُهُمْ لِحَدِيثِنَا وَ إِنَّ أَسْوَأَهُمْ عِنْدِي حَالًا وَ أَمْقَتَهُمْ لَلَّذِي‌[4] إِذَا سَمِعَ الْحَدِيثَ يُنْسَبُ إِلَيْنَا وَ يُرْوَى عَنَّا فَلَمْ يَقْبَلْهُ اشْمَأَزَّ مِنْهُ وَ جَحَدَهُ وَ كَفَّرَ مَنْ دَانَ بِهِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَدْرِي لَعَلَّ الْحَدِيثَ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا خَرَجَ وَ إِلَيْنَا أُسْنِد

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from abu ‘Ubaydah al- Hadhdha’ who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘By Allah, the most beloved to me of my companions are most restraining from the worldly attractions (sins)

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ سَرَّتْهُ حَسَنَتُهُ وَ سَاءَتْهُ سَيِّئَتُهُ‌[7] فَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ.

“Whoever enjoys a virtuous deed and is disgusted with a sin is a believer.”

إِنَّ شِيعَةَ عَلِيٍّ كَانُوا خُمْصَ الْبُطُونِ ذُبُلَ الشِّفَاهِ‌[2] أَهْلَ رَأْفَةٍ وَ عِلْمٍ وَ حِلْمٍ يُعْرَفُونَ بِالرَّهْبَانِيَّةِ فَأَعِينُوا عَلَى مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ.

“The Shi’a (followers) of Ali (a.s.) were of slim and lean bellies, and withered lips. They were people of compassion, knowledge, and forbearance. They were known as of monkish practice. You should assist each other in your cause with restraint from worldly attractions (sins) and be very hard working.”

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي إِثْمٍ وَ لَا بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا سَخِطَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ سَخَطُهُ مِنْ قَوْلِ الْحَقِّ وَ الَّذِي إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ تُخْرِجْهُ قُدْرَتُهُ إِلَى التَّعَدِّي إِلَى مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ بِحَقٍّ.

“A believer is one whose agreement does not lead him into sin or falsehood. When he is angry it does not take him out of speaking the words of truth, when in power it does not lead him to cross over to where he has no right.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ أَصْحَابِي فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَنِ اشْتَدَّ وَرَعُهُ وَ خَافَ خَالِقَهُ وَ رَجَا ثَوَابَهُ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ هَؤُلَاءِ فَهَؤُلَاءِ أَصْحَابِي.

‘If you want to see my companions then look to those whose restraining from worldly attraction (sins) is intense, who fear their Creator in the hope for His rewards. If you find such people they are my companions.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَرْبَعٌ لَا يَخْلُو مِنْهُنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ مُؤْمِنٌ يَحْسُدُهُ وَ هُوَ أَشَدُّهُنَّ عَلَيْهِ وَ مُنَافِقٌ يَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ أَوْ عَدُوٌّ يُجَاهِدُهُ أَوْ شَيْطَانٌ يُغْوِيهِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer is not without four things or at least one of them at a time: he suffers from the envy of a believer and it is the most difficult one, stalking of a hypocrite, the struggle of an enemy against him or the temptation of Satan.’”

فِي مُنَاجَاةِ مُوسَى ع يَا مُوسَى إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْفَقْرَ مُقْبِلًا فَقُلْ مَرْحَباً بِشِعَارِ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْغِنَى مُقْبِلًا فَقُلْ ذَنْبٌ عَجِلَتْ عُقُوبَتُهُ‌[2].

“It is in the conversation of Moses, ‘O Moses, when you see poverty coming say, “Welcome to the way of life of the virtuous people. When, you see wealth coming, say, ‘It is a sin. I wanted to experience its punishment early (before the Day of Judgment).”’

مَا مِنْ قَلْبٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ أُذُنَانِ عَلَى إِحْدَاهُمَا مَلَكٌ مُرْشِدٌ وَ عَلَى الْأُخْرَى شَيْطَانٌ‌ مُفْتِنٌ هَذَا يَأْمُرُهُ وَ هَذَا يَزْجُرُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ يَأْمُرُهُ بِالْمَعَاصِي وَ الْمَلَكُ يَزْجُرُهُ عَنْهَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ عَنِ الْيَمِينِ وَ عَنِ الشِّمالِ قَعِيدٌ ما يَلْفِظُ مِنْ قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ[1].

“There is no heart without two ears. On one of them there is an angel who provides guidance and on the other there is a Satan (devil) who induces temptation. This one commands him and that one prohibits him. Satan commands him to disobey and the angel prohibits him from sins as it is mentioned in the words of Allah, th

إِنَّ لِلْقَلْبِ أُذُنَيْنِ‌[2] فَإِذَا هَمَّ الْعَبْدُ بِذَنْبٍ قَالَ لَهُ رُوحُ الْإِيمَانِ لَا تَفْعَلْ وَ قَالَ لَهُ الشَّيْطَانُ افْعَلْ وَ إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى بَطْنِهَا نُزِعَ مِنْهُ رُوحُ الْإِيمَانِ‌[3].

“The heart has two ears. When a servant (of Allah) thinks to commit a sin the spirit of belief says to him, ‘Do not do it’ and Satan says, ‘Do it.’ When he is on her belly (for an indecent act) the spirit of belief is taken away from him.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيَّدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ‌ بِرُوحٍ‌ مِنْهُ‌ تَحْضُرُهُ فِي كُلِّ وَقْتٍ يُحْسِنُ فِيهِ وَ يَتَّقِي وَ تَغِيبُ عَنْهُ فِي كُلِّ وَقْتٍ يُذْنِبُ فِيهِ وَ يَعْتَدِي فَهِيَ مَعَهُ تَهْتَزُّ سُرُوراً عِنْدَ إِحْسَانِهِ وَ تَسِيخُ فِي الثَّرَى عِنْدَ إِسَاءَتِهِ فَتَعَاهَدُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ نِعَمَهُ بِإِصْلَاحِكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ تَزْدَادُوا يَقِيناً

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and he said to me, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, supports a believer with a spirit from His side who attends him in all times that he performs a good deed and observes piety. The spirit remains absent in all times that he commits sins and transgresses. The spirit vibr

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْسَدَ لِلْقَلْبِ مِنْ خَطِيئَةٍ إِنَّ الْقَلْبَ لَيُوَاقِعُ الْخَطِيئَةَ فَمَا تَزَالُ بِهِ حَتَّى تَغْلِبَ عَلَيْهِ فَيُصَيِّرَ أَعْلَاهُ أَسْفَلَهُ‌[4].

“My father would say, ‘There is nothing more destructive to the heart than sins. The heart falls on sins and remains that way until sins subdue it and then it turns upside down.’”

‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَما أَصْبَرَهُمْ‌ عَلَى النَّارِ[1] فَقَالَ مَا أَصْبَرَهُمْ عَلَى فِعْلِ مَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[2] أَنَّهُ يُصَيِّرُهُمْ إِلَى النَّارِ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘What has made them remain so patient in the fire?’ (2:175) The Imam said, ‘What has made them so patiently do something that they know will lead them to the fire?”’

أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عِرْقٍ يَضْرِبُ وَ لَا نَكْبَةٍ وَ لَا صُدَاعٍ وَ لَا مَرَضٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ‌ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ مِمَّا يُؤَاخِذُ بِهِ.

“No vein is injured, no failure takes place, no headache or illness occurs but because of the sin. This is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever hardship befalls you is the result of your own deeds. Allah pardons many of your sins.’ (42:30) The Imam then said, ‘Allah forgives more

مَا مِنْ نَكْبَةٍ تُصِيبُ الْعَبْدَ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ مَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَكْثَرُ.

“No failure ever takes place in the life of a servant (of Allah) except because of sin and that which Allah forgives him for is much more.”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تُبْدِيَنَّ عَنْ وَاضِحَةٍ[4] وَ قَدْ عَمِلْتَ الْأَعْمَالَ الْفَاضِحَةَ وَ لَا يَأْمَنِ الْبَيَاتَ مَنْ عَمِلَ السَّيِّئَاتِ‌[5].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘You must never show your teeth (smile) when you have committed disgraceful deeds and never feel safe from misfortune to strike you due to (your) sinful deeds.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ تَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْ سَطَوَاتِ اللَّهِ بِاللَّيْلِ‌[6] وَ النَّهَارِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَ مَا سَطَوَاتُ اللَّهِ قَالَ الْأَخْذُ عَلَى الْمَعَاصِي.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Seek refuge with Allah from His striking you at night or during the day.’ I (the narrator) asked him, ‘What is Allah’s striking?’ The Imam said, ‘It is Allah’s punishing for sins.’”

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.”

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيُزْوَى‌[2] عَنْهُ الرِّزْقُ.

“A servant (of Allah) commits a sin it causes a serious reduction in his means of living.”