Sin & Temptation

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُقَارِفُ‌[3] فِي يَوْمِهِ وَ لَيْلَتِهِ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً فَيَقُولُ وَ هُوَ نَادِمٌ- أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ* بَدِيعُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ* ذُو الْجَلالِ وَ الْإِكْرامِ‌ وَ أَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ‌ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَنْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيَّ إِلَّا غَفَرَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ يُقَارِفُ فِي يَوْمٍ

“If a believer commits forty major sins within one day and night and then regretfully says, ‘I plead before Allah, besides Whom no one deserves to be worshipped, the living, the controlling power (over creation) the inventor of the heavens and earth, possessor of glory, and honor. I ask Him to grant favors upon Muhamma

لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ دَوَاءٌ وَ دَوَاءُ الذُّنُوبِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ[2].

“For everything there is a medicine and the medicine for sins is pleading (before Allah) for forgiveness.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْباً إِلَّا أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ هُوَ تَابَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةً فَأَتَاهُ عَبَّادٌ الْبَصْرِيُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْباً إِلَّا أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِن

‘If any believer commits a sin Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, gives him seven hours of a day’s respite; if he repents, nothing will be written against him but if he did not repent Allah will write only one sin against him.’ Thereafter ‘Abbad al-Basri came to him (abu ‘Abd Allah) and said, ‘We have heard that

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ سَبْعَمِائَةِ ذَنْبٍ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِي عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعَمِائَةِ ذَنْبٍ‌[4].

“I plead for forgiveness before Allah” one hundred times every day, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will forgive his seven hundred sins, but there is nothing good in a servant (of Allah) who commits seven hundred sins a day.’”

إِنَّ آدَمَ ع قَالَ يَا رَبِّ سَلَّطْتَ عَلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانَ وَ أَجْرَيْتَهُ مِنِّي مَجْرَى الدَّمِ فَاجْعَلْ لِي شَيْئاً فَقَالَ يَا آدَمُ جَعَلْتُ لَكَ أَنَّ مَنْ هَمَّ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِكَ بِسَيِّئَةٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ مَنْ هَمَّ مِنْهُمْ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ فَإِنْ هُوَ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ عَشْراً قَالَ يَا رَبِّ زِدْنِي قَ

“Adam said, ‘O Lord, you have made Satan dominate me and made him flow in me like blood, so make something for me also.’ The Lord said, ‘O Adam, for your benefit I have given your offspring the advantage of not writing down against them any sin if they only intend to commit an evil deed. If they actually commit an evil

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌[2] قَالَ هُوَ الذَّنْبُ يُلِمُّ بِهِ الرَّجُلُ فَيَمْكُثُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ يُلِمُّ بِهِ بَعْدُ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘How do you consider the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “. . . those who avoid major sins and indecent acts except al-Lamam (sins committed from time to time). . . .” (53:33) The Imam said, ‘It is the sin that one may commit then stops it, as Allah wills, and then

قُلْتُ لَهُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ قَالَ الْهَنَةُ بَعْدَ الْهَنَةِ[3] أَيِ الذَّنْبُ بَعْدَ الذَّنْبِ يُلِمُّ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ.

“Once I read the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, before one of the two Imam (a.s.) . . those who avoid the major sins and indecent acts except the al-Lamam ones . . (53:33) The Imam said, ‘It is a thing after a thing, that is, a sin after a sin that a servant (of Allah) commits.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ يَهْجُرُهُ زَمَاناً[1] ثُمَّ يُلِمُّ بِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ قَالَ الْفَوَاحِشُ الزِّنَى وَ السَّرِقَةُ وَ اللَّمَمُ الرَّجُلُ يُلِمُّ بِالذَّنْبِ فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Every believer may have a sin and he shuns it for a period of time, then he commits it again and this is that which is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ جَاءَنَا يَلْتَمِسُ الْفِقْهَ وَ الْقُرْآنَ وَ تَفْسِيرَهُ فَدَعُوهُ وَ مَنْ جَاءَنَا يُبْدِي عَوْرَةً قَدْ سَتَرَهَا اللَّهُ فَنَحُّوهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّنِي لَمُقِيمٌ عَلَى ذَنْبٍ مُنْذُ دَهْرٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَحَوَّلَ عَنْهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ فَمَا أَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّكَ وَ مَا ي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever comes to us seeking to learn Fiqh (laws of Shari’a) and the Holy Quran, allow him to come in. Whoever comes to us to make public what Allah has covered, you must move him away.’ A man from the people then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been invo

مَا مِنْ ذَنْبٍ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ طُبِعَ عَلَيْهِ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ يَهْجُرُهُ الزَّمَانَ ثُمَّ يُلِمُّ بِهِ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ قَالَ اللَّمَّامُ‌[3] الْعَبْدُ الَّذِي يُلِمُّ الذَّنْبَ بَعْدَ الذَّنْبِ لَيْسَ مِنْ سَلِيقَتِهِ أَيْ مِنْ طَبِيعَتِهِ.

“Any sin that may become imprinted in a believing servant (of Allah) he shuns it for a period of time then commits it again as it is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘ . . . those who avoid the major sins and the indecent acts except the al-Lamam . . .’ (53:33) The Imam said, ‘One comm

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَا يَكُونُ سَجِيَّتُهُ الْكَذِبَ وَ الْبُخْلَ وَ الْفُجُورَ وَ رُبَّمَا أَلَمَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً لَا يَدُومُ عَلَيْهِ قِيلَ فَيَزْنِي قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يُولَدُ لَهُ مِنْ تِلْكَ النُّطْفَةِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer does not have lying, stinginess or indecent acts as part of his nature and normal behavior, perhaps he may commit certain sins in which he does not continue.’ It was asked, ‘Does he commit fornication?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, but no child is beggotten from that seed.’”

صَعِدَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالْكُوفَةِ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ حَبَّةُ الْعُرَنِيُّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قُلْتَ الذُّنُوبُ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكْتَ فَقَالَ مَا ذَكَرْتُهَا إِلَّا وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُفَسِّرَهَا وَ لَكِنْ عَرَضَ لِي بُهْرٌ حَالَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ الْكَلَامِ‌[1] نَعَمْ الذُّنُو

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) climbed the Minbar (pulpit) in al-Kufah, praised Allah and spoke of His glory and then said, ‘O people sins are of three kinds’ and he remained quiet. Habbah al-‘Arani, said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, you just said, “Sins are of three kinds, and then remained silent.’ The Ima

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أُقِيمَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَدُّ فِي الرَّجْمِ أَ يُعَاقَبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ‌[5].

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about a man who is convicted and punished by stoning to death whether he will be punished in the next life for that sin again, and the Imam said, ‘Allah is by far more Honorable, He will not do such a thing (punish again).”’

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ‌[1] أَنْ يُكْرِمَ عَبْداً وَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ ابْتَلَاهُ بِالسُّقْمِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ ابْتَلَاهُ بِالْحَاجَةِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ بِهِ ذَلِكَ شَدَّدَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ لِيُكَافِيَهُ بِذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ قَالَ وَ إِذَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ يُهِينَ عَبْداً وَ لَهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةٌ صَحَّحَ بَدَنَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ بِهِ ذَلِكَ وَسَّعَ عَلَيْهِ فِ

“Of the decision of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in the affairs of a servant whom He honors and who has a sin, is that Allah causes him to suffer certain illnesses. If He does not do this He causes him to become needy, if He does not do this He causes death to become very difficult for him to compensate fro

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا كَثُرَتْ ذُنُوبُهُ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا يُكَفِّرُهَا ابْتَلَاهُ بِالْحُزْنِ لِيُكَفِّرَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When the sins of a servant (of Allah) increase and he does not have enough good deeds to expiate them, Allah causes him to suffer sadness and depression.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُخْرِجُ عَبْداً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَرْحَمَهُ حَتَّى أَسْتَوْفِيَ مِنْهُ كُلَّ خَطِيئَةٍ عَمِلَهَا إِمَّا بِسُقْمٍ فِي جَسَدِهِ وَ إِمَّا بِضِيقٍ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ إِمَّا بِخَوْفٍ فِي دُنْيَاهُ فَإِنْ بَقِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَقِيَّةٌ شَدَّدْتُ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُخْرِجُ عَبْداً مِنَ الدُّ

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I swear by My Majesty and Glory, I will not take out of this world a servant whom I want to receive mercy until I will compensate from him for all the sins that he has committed. (I will do so) by causing illness in his body, cons

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُهَوَّلُ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فِي نَوْمِهِ فَيُغْفَرُ لَهُ ذُنُوبُهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيُمْتَهَنُ‌[2] فِي بَدَنِهِ فَيُغْفَرُ لَهُ ذُنُوبُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A believer may suffer a nightmare so his sins are forgiven or is bodily humiliated so his sins are forgiven.’”

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً عَجَّلَ لَهُ عُقُوبَتَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ سُوءاً أَمْسَكَ عَلَيْهِ ذُنُوبَهُ حَتَّى يُوَافِيَ بِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wants good for a servant He hastens his punishment in this world. When He wants evil for a servant He preserves his sins for him to find their consequences on the Day of Judgment.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] لَيْسَ مِنِ الْتِوَاءِ عِرْقٍ وَ لَا نَكْبَةِ حَجَرٍ[4] وَ لَا عَثْرَةِ قَدَمٍ وَ لَا خَدْشِ عُودٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ لَمَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ[5] فَمَنْ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ عُقُوبَةَ ذَنْبِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ وَ أ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) about 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) has said, ‘The spraining of one’s muscles, bumping over a stone, the slip of foot or being bruised by a piece

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا يَزَالُ الْهَمُّ وَ الْغَمُّ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ حَتَّى مَا يَدَعُ لَهُ ذَنْباً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Anxiety and sadness continue to trouble a believer until no sin is left in him.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَهْتَمُّ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ مِنْهَا وَ لَا ذَنْبَ عَلَيْهِ‌[6].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer continues facing anxiety and sadness in this world until he leaves it with no sins in him.’”

لَا يَزَالُ الْهَمُّ وَ الْغَمُّ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ حَتَّى مَا يَدَعُ لَهُ مِنْ ذَنْبٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘A believer continues facing anxiety and sadness until no sin is left in him.’”

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

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

مَرَّ نَبِيٌّ مِنْ أَنْبِيَاءِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ بِرَجُلٍ بَعْضُهُ تَحْتَ حَائِطٍ وَ بَعْضُهُ خَارِجٌ مِنْهُ قَدْ شَعَّثَتْهُ الطَّيْرُ[1] وَ مَزَّقَتْهُ الْكِلَابُ ثُمَّ مَضَى فَرُفِعَتْ لَهُ مَدِينَةٌ فَدَخَلَهَا فَإِذَا هُوَ بِعَظِيمٍ مِنْ عُظَمَائِهَا مَيِّتٍ عَلَى سَرِيرٍ مُسَجًّى بِالدِّيبَاجِ حَوْلَهُ الْمِجْمَرُ[2] فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ حَكَمٌ عَدْلٌ لَا تَجُورُ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ لَمْ يُشْرِكْ بِكَ

“A prophet of the prophets among the descendents of Israel once passed by a man. Half of the body of the man was under the wall and the other half out of the wall. The birds had scattered it and dogs had chewed it up. Then he came to a city where the chief had passed away. His body laid in state covered with the most b

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ شَيْخٌ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَشْكُو إِلَيْكَ وُلْدِي وَ عُقُوقَهُمْ وَ إِخْوَانِي وَ جَفَاهُمْ عِنْدَ كِبَرِ سِنِّي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا هَذَا إِنَّ لِلْحَقِّ دَوْلَةً وَ لِلْبَاطِلِ دَوْلَةً وَ كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا فِي دَوْلَةِ صَاحِبِهِ ذَلِيلٌ وَ إِنَّ أَدْنَى مَا يُصِيبُ الْمُؤْمِنَ فِي دَوْلَةِ الْبَاطِلِ الْعُقُوقُ مِنْ وُلْدِهِ

“Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) that an old man came and said, ‘O Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) I complain to you against my sons for their failing to maintain good relations with parents and against my brothers for their injustice to me during my old age.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘O you, for truth there

الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ الْبَغْيُ‌[1]- وَ الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُورِثُ النَّدَمَ الْقَتْلُ وَ الَّتِي تُنْزِلُ النِّقَمَ الظُّلْمُ وَ الَّتِي تَهْتِكُ السِّتْرَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ وَ الَّتِي تَحْبِسُ الرِّزْقَ الزِّنَا وَ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الَّتِي تَرُدُّ الدُّعَاءَ وَ تُظْلِمُ الْهَوَاءَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ.

“The sins that change the bounties (of Allah) are transgressions, the sins that bring regret are murder, the one that brings hatred is injustice, that which brings disgrace is drinking wine, the sin which holds back the means of living is fornication, the one that hastens one’s perishing is failing to maintain good rel

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ وَ تُقَرِّبُ الْآجَالَ وَ تُخْلِي الدِّيَارَ وَ هِيَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الْعُقُوقُ وَ تَرْكُ الْبِرِّ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘My father would say, “We seek refuge in Allah against the sin that hastens one’s perishing, draws death closer, and vacates the towns. Such sins are failing to maint

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا فَشَا أَرْبَعَةٌ ظَهَرَتْ أَرْبَعَةٌ إِذَا فَشَا الزِّنَا ظَهَرَتِ الزَّلْزَلَةُ وَ إِذَا فَشَا الْجَوْرُ فِي الْحُكْمِ احْتَبَسَ الْقَطْرُ وَ إِذَا خُفِرَتِ الذِّمَّةُ أُدِيلَ لِأَهْلِ الشِّرْكِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِسْلَامِ‌[1] وَ إِذَا مُنِعَتِ الزَّكَاةُ ظَهَرَتِ الْحَاجَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When four things spread four other things appear: When fornication spreads all over, earthquakes turn out to be apparent. When injustice in governing is widespread, drops (of rain are) held back, when the rights of al-Dhimmah taxpayers are ignored, the pagans dominate the followers of

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ مِنْ عَبِيدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ الْعَظِيمَ مِمَّا يَسْتَوْجِبُ بِهِ عُقُوبَتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ[2] فَأَنْظُرُ لَهُ فِيمَا فِيهِ صَلَاحُهُ فِي آخِرَتِهِ فَأُعَجِّلُ لَهُ الْعُقُوبَةَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا لِأُجَازِيَهُ بِذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ وَ أُقَدِّرُ عُقُوبَةَ ذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ وَ أَقْضِيهِ وَ أَتْرُكُ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-‘Abdi from ibn abu Ya’fur who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “A servant among My believing servants commits a great sin

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[3]- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ فَقَالَ هُوَ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ لَيْسَ هَذَا أَرَدْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَا أَصَابَ عَلِيّاً وَ أَشْبَاهَهُ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ ع مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَنْبٍ‌[2].

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever affliction befalls you is because of what your hands have obtained. ’(42:30) The Imam said, ‘. . . He forgives a great deal,’ (42:30) I (the narrator) then said, ‘I did not mean in that sense. Consider what befell A

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَا أَصَابَ عَلِيّاً وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ع مِنْ بَعْدِهِ هُوَ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ بَيْتِ طَهَارَةٍ مَعْصُومُونَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَنْبٍ إِنّ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever afflictions befall you is because of what your hands have obtained,’ (42:29) do you consider whatever befell Ali and his family (a.s.) after him was because of their deeds and acquisition of their hands despite the

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ تَرْكُ الْخَطِيئَةِ أَيْسَرُ مِنْ طَلَبِ التَّوْبَةِ وَ كَمْ مِنْ شَهْوَةِ سَاعَةٍ أَوْرَثَتْ حُزْناً طَوِيلًا وَ الْمَوْتُ فَضَحَ الدُّنْيَا فَلَمْ يَتْرُكْ لِذِي لُبٍّ فَرَحاً[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, “Avoiding sin is easier than pleading for forgiveness. How many are the cases of very short period of lustful activities that cause prolonged sadness. Death disgraces the world (uncovers its worthlessness) and it has not left any hap

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً فَأَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أَتْبَعَهُ بِنَقِمَةٍ وَ يُذَكِّرُهُ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ وَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ شَرّاً فَأَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أَتْبَعَهُ بِنِعْمَةٍ لِيُنْسِيَهُ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ وَ يَتَمَادَى بِهَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ‌ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[2] بِالنِّعَمِ عِنْدَ الْمَعَاصِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When Allah wills good for a servant upon his committing a sin He causes it to be followed by a misfortune to remind him of the need to plead for forgiveness. When Allah wills evil for a servant upon his committing a sin He causes it to be followed by his gaining bounties that make him

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الِاسْتِدْرَاجِ فَقَالَ هُوَ الْعَبْدُ يُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيُمْلَى لَهُ‌[3] وَ تُجَدَّدُ لَهُ عِنْدَهَا النِّعَمُ فَتُلْهِيهِ عَنِ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَهُوَ مُسْتَدْرَجٌ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) was asked about al-‘Istidraj, (gradual steps). The Imam said, ‘It happens when a servant (of Allah) commits a sin he is given respite, new bounties come to him and he overlooks beseeching forgiveness for sins, thus, he is taken in gradual steps but he has not taken any notice of it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[4] قَالَ هُوَ الْعَبْدُ يُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَتُجَدَّدُ لَهُ النِّعْمَةُ مَعَهُ تُلْهِيهِ تِلْكَ النِّعْمَةُ عَنِ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We gradually lead those who have called Our revelations mere lies to destruction. Their destruction will be such that they will not even notice how it seized them.’ (7:182) The Imam said, ‘It happens when a servant (of Allah

كَمْ مِنْ مَغْرُورٍ بِمَا قَدْ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ كَمْ مِنْ مُسْتَدْرَجٍ بِسَتْرِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌[5] وَ كَمْ مِنْ مَفْتُونٍ بِثَنَاءِ النَّاسِ عَلَيْهِ.

“How many are those who suffer losses due to the bounties that Allah grant them! How many are those who gradually move to destruction due to Allah’s covering their sins! How many are of the people misled due to other’s prais and applause for them!”’

يَا أَبَا النُّعْمَانِ لَا يَغُرَّنَّكَ النَّاسُ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ فَإِنَّ الْأَمْرَ يَصِلُ إِلَيْكَ دُونَهُمْ وَ لَا تَقْطَعْ نَهَارَكَ بِكَذَا وَ كَذَا فَإِنَّ مَعَكَ مَنْ يَحْفَظُ عَلَيْكَ عَمَلَكَ وَ أَحْسِنْ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَرَ شَيْئاً أَحْسَنَ دَرَكاً وَ لَا أَسْرَعَ طَلَباً مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ مُحْدَثَةٍ لِذَنْبٍ قَدِيمٍ.[1] - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى

“O abu al-Nu’man, do not allow people to deceive you about yourself; the matter will come to you and not to them. Do not spend your day in this and that; with you there is one who preserves your deeds for you. Do good deeds; I do not see anything of better result and remedy for the old sins then new good deeds.’” A num

قَالَ: اصْبِرُوا عَلَى الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ سَاعَةٌ فَمَا مَضَى مِنْهُ فَلَا تَجِدُ لَهُ أَلَماً وَ لَا سُرُوراً وَ مَا لَمْ يَجِئْ فَلَا تَدْرِي مَا هُوَ وَ إِنَّمَا هِيَ سَاعَتُكَ الَّتِي أَنْتَ فِيهَا فَاصْبِرْ فِيهَا عَلَى طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ اصْبِرْ فِيهَا عَنْ مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ.

“Exercise patience in worldly matters; it is only an hour. You do not find any pain or happiness in whatever has passed. The hour that has not yet arrived is unknown to you in matters of its contents. The only time is the hour in which you live. Exercise patience in it to obey Allah and exercise patience in such time i

قَالَ: إِذَا أَتَتْ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ أَرْبَعُونَ سَنَةً قِيلَ لَهُ خُذْ حِذْرَكَ فَإِنَّكَ غَيْرُ مَعْذُورٍ وَ لَيْسَ ابْنُ الْأَرْبَعِينَ بِأَحَقَّ بِالْحِذْرِ مِنِ ابْنِ الْعِشْرِينَ فَإِنَّ الَّذِي يَطْلُبُهُمَا وَاحِدٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِرَاقِدٍ فَاعْمَلْ لِمَا أَمَامَكَ مِنَ الْهَوْلِ وَ دَعْ عَنْكَ فُضُولَ الْقَوْلِ.

“When a man reaches the age of forty it is said to him, ‘Beware, you have no excuses!’ In fact, a person at the age of forty is not obliged to exercise caution against sins more than the person at the age of twenty. What is after both of them is the same (that is death) and it is not sleeping. Perform good deeds for wh

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَسْتَكْثِرُوا كَثِيرَ الْخَيْرِ وَ تَسْتَقِلُّوا قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّ قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ يَجْتَمِعُ حَتَّى يَصِيرَ كَثِيراً وَ خَافُوا اللَّهَ فِي السِّرِّ حَتَّى تُعْطُوا مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمُ النَّصَفَ وَ سَارِعُوا إِلَى طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ اصْدُقُوا الْحَدِيثَ وَ أَدُّوا الْأَمَانَةَ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ لَكُمْ وَ لَا تَدْخُلُوا فِيمَا لَا يَحِلُّ لَكُمْ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ عَل

‘Do not consider a great deal of good deeds a great deal. Do not consider a little sin little; the little sins accumulate to become a great deal. Have fear of Allah in private so you can yield to justice against yourselves. Hurry up in obedience to Allah, be truthful in your words, keep the trust; it is for you. Do not

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ اصْبِرُوا عَلَى طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ تَصَبَّرُوا عَنْ مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّمَا الدُّنْيَا سَاعَةٌ فَمَا مَضَى فَلَيْسَ تَجِدُ لَهُ سُرُوراً وَ لَا حُزْناً وَ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِ فَلَيْسَ تَعْرِفُهُ فَاصْبِرْ عَلَى تِلْكَ السَّاعَةِ الَّتِي أَنْتَ فِيهَا فَكَأَنَّكَ قَدِ اغْتَبَطْتَ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Exercise patience in the act of obedience to Allah and dictate yourselves with patience in the matters of disobeying Allah. The world is one hour. What is passed its joys and sadness do not renew. What has not yet arrived, you do not know it. Bear patience in the hour in which you

قِيلَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عِظْنَا وَ أَوْجِزْ فَقَالَ الدُّنْيَا حَلَالُهَا حِسَابٌ وَ حَرَامُهَا عِقَابٌ وَ أَنَّى لَكُمْ بِالرَّوْحِ وَ لَمَّا تَأَسَّوْا بِسُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكُمْ‌[3] تَطْلُبُونَ مَا يُطْغِيكُمْ وَ لَا تَرْضَوْنَ مَا يَكْفِيكُمْ.[4]

23. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from those whom has mentioned (in his book) from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “It was said to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) ‘Instinct us briefly with good advice.’ He then said, ‘For the lawful things of

إِنَّ أَسْرَعَ الْخَيْرِ ثَوَاباً الْبِرُّ وَ إِنَّ أَسْرَعَ الشَّرِّ عُقُوبَةً الْبَغْيُ وَ كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ عَيْباً أَنْ يُبْصِرَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَا يَعْمَى عَنْهُ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ‌[1] أَوْ يُعَيِّرَ النَّاسَ بِمَا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ تَرْكَهُ أَوْ يُؤْذِيَ جَلِيسَهُ بِمَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ‌[2].

“Of good deeds the quickest to bring rewards is benevolence. Of evil deeds the quickest to bring misfortune is transgression. It is enough defect for a man to find fault with others and turn a blind eye toward himself or blame people for what he himself is not able to avoid or cause suffering to one’s associates for no

قَالا إِنَّ أَسْرَعَ الْخَيْرِ ثَوَاباً الْبِرُّ وَ أَسْرَعَ الشَّرِّ عُقُوبَةً الْبَغْيُ وَ كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ عَيْباً أَنْ يَنْظُرَ فِي عُيُوبِ غَيْرِهِ مَا يَعْمَى عَلَيْهِ مِنْ عَيْبِ نَفْسِهِ أَوْ يُؤْذِيَ جَلِيسَهُ بِمَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ أَوْ يَنْهَى النَّاسَ عَمَّا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ تَرْكَهُ

“Of the good deeds the quickest to bring reward is benevolence and of the evil deeds the quickest to bring punishment is transgression. It is enough fault in a man to look into the faults of others and turn a blind eye to his own faults or cause pain to his associates without any good reason or forbid people from that

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ رُفِعَ عَنْ أُمَّتِي أَرْبَعُ‌ خِصَالٍ خَطَأُهَا وَ نِسْيَانُهَا وَ مَا أُكْرِهُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا لَمْ يُطِيقُوا وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رَبَّنا لا تُؤاخِذْنا إِنْ نَسِينا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنا إِصْراً كَما حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تُحَمِّلْنا ما لا طاقَةَ لَنا بِهِ‌[1] وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَ قَلْبُهُ مُطْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “My followers are exempt from responsibility for four things: Acting mistakenly, forgetting, being coerced and compelled, and for failing to act. This has been mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Lord, do not hold us

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَثِيراً مَا يَقُولُ فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ دِينَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ‌[3] فَإِنَّ السَّيِّئَةَ فِيهِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْحَسَنَةِ فِي غَيْرِهِ وَ السَّيِّئَةُ فِيهِ تُغْفَرُ وَ الْحَسَنَةُ فِي غَيْرِهِ لَا تُقْبَلُ. هَذَا آخِرُ كِتَابِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الطَّاعَاتِ وَ الْمَعَاصِي مِنْ كِتَابِ الْكَافِي وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِه

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt in a marfu’ manner from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would very often say about sin, ‘O people, pay attention to your religion, pay attention to your religion. An evil

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

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

إِنَّمَا هِيَ الْمِدْحَةُ ثُمَّ الثَّنَاءُ ثُمَّ الْإِقْرَارُ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ الْمَسْأَلَةُ إِنَّهُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا خَرَجَ عَبْدٌ مِنْ ذَنْبٍ إِلَّا بِالْإِقْرَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is thanking then praising, then confession of sins then pleading before Allah for help. By Allah, no servant (of Allah) can come out of sins without confession.’”

ثُمَّ الثَّنَاءُ ثُمَّ الِاعْتِرَافُ بِالذَّنْبِ.

“Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar has narrated from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a similar Hadith except that he said, ‘Then praising and confessing sins.’”

قُلْتُ آيَتَانِ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَطْلُبُهُمَا فَلَا أَجِدُهُمَا قَالَ وَ مَا هُمَا قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ‌[2] فَنَدْعُوهُ وَ لَا نَرَى إِجَابَةً قَالَ أَ فَتَرَى اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَخْلَفَ وَعْدَهُ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَمِمَّ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ لَا أَدْرِي قَالَ لَكِنِّي أُخْبِرُكَ مَنْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيمَا أَمَرَهُ ثُمَّ دَعَاهُ مِنْ جِهَةِ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘There are two verses in the book of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, that I search for but I do not find them, (their meaning).’ The Imam aked, ‘What are they?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “Call Me (for help) and I will answer you