Children & Parenting

لَوْ عَلِمَ النَّاسُ كَيْفَ ابْتِدَاءُ الْخَلْقِ مَا اخْتَلَفَ اثْنَانِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْخَلْقَ قَالَ كُنْ مَاءً عَذْباً أَخْلُقْ مِنْكَ جَنَّتِي وَ أَهْلَ طَاعَتِي وَ كُنْ مِلْحاً أُجَاجاً أَخْلُقْ مِنْكَ نَارِي وَ أَهْلَ مَعْصِيَتِي ثُمَّ أَمَرَهُمَا فَامْتَزَجَا فَمِنْ ذَلِكَ صَارَ يَلِدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْكَافِرَ وَ الْكَافِرُ الْمُؤْمِنَ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ طِيناً مِنْ أَدِيمِ الْأَرْضِ

“Had people known how the beginning of the creation was, no one would have disagreed with another person. Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, before creating the creatures said, ‘Be a sweet water so I create from you My paradise and people who obey My commands. Be very salty water; from you I create My fire and those wh

وَ أَبُوهُ يَسْمَعُ ع حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً مِنْ تُرَابِ التُّرْبَةِ الَّتِي خَلَقَ مِنْهَا آدَمَ ع فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ الْعَذْبَ الْفُرَاتَ ثُمَّ تَرَكَهَا أَرْبَعِينَ صَبَاحاً ثُمَّ صَبَّ عَلَيْهَا الْمَاءَ الْمَالِحَ الْأُجَاجَ فَتَرَكَهَا أَرْبَعِينَ صَبَاحاً فَلَمَّا اخْتَمَرَتِ الطِّينَةُ أَخَذَهَا فَعَرَكَهَا عَرْكاً شَدِيداً فَخَرَجُوا كَالذَّرِّ مِنْ يَمِينِهِ و

“Once a man asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Majestic the Glorious, ‘When your Lord took from the back of the children of Adam their offspring and told them to bear testimony to the words of Allah, “Am I not your Lord,” they all said, “Yes, You are our Lord. . . .”’ (7:172) “He (the Imam), while hi

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع أَرْسَلَ الْمَاءَ عَلَى الطِّينِ ثُمَّ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً فَعَرَكَهَا ثُمَّ فَرَّقَهَا فِرْقَتَيْنِ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ ذَرَأَهُمْ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَدِبُّونَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ لَهُمْ نَاراً فَأَمَرَ أَهْلَ الشِّمَالِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا إِلَيْهَا فَهَابُوهَا فَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَهْلَ الْيَمِينِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا فَدَخَلُوهَا فَأَمَرَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent water on the clay. He then took a handful and kneaded it and then divided it in two parts with His hands then scattered them and they began to move. He then started a fire for them and commanded the people of the left hand to enter therein. They wen

سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَبَقْتَ وُلْدَ آدَمَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَوَّلُ مَنْ أَقَرَّ بِرَبِّي إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِيثاقَ النَّبِيِّينَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قالُوا بَلى‌ فَكُنْتُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَجَابَ.

“The messenger of Allah was asked, ‘By what means have you surpassed other descendents of Adam?’ He said, ‘I was the first one to affirm my faith in my Lord. Allah established a covenant with the prophets and made them to bear testimony against their own souls when the Lord asked, “Am I not your Lord.” They all said, “

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ أَجَابُوا وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ قَالَ جَعَلَ فِيهِمْ مَا إِذَا سَأَلَهُمْ أَجَابُوهُ يَعْنِي فِي الْمِيثَاقِ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘How did they answer when they (offspring of Adam) were small particles?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah placed in them the ability to answer Him when He questioned them at the time of establishing a covenant with them.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- حُنَفاءَ لِلَّهِ‌ غَيْرَ مُشْرِكِينَ بِهِ‌[3] قَالَ الْحَنِيفِيَّةُ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ اللَّهُ‌ النَّاسَ عَلَيْها لا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ‌- قَالَ فَطَرَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَعْرِفَةِ بِهِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ

“I asked him (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘They are humble before Allah and they do not consider anything as partners of Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘Humbleness comes from the nature with which Allah has created all people and there is no change in the creation of Allah.’ The Imam also said,

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ نُطْفَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ لَتَكُونُ فِي صُلْبِ الْمُشْرِكِ فَلَا يُصِيبُهُ مِنَ الشَّرِّ شَيْ‌ءٌ[3] حَتَّى إِذَا صَارَ فِي رَحِمِ الْمُشْرِكَةِ لَمْ يُصِبْهَا مِنَ الشَّرِّ شَيْ‌ءٌ حَتَّى تَضَعَهُ فَإِذَا وَضَعَتْهُ لَمْ يُصِبْهُ مِنَ الشَّرِّ شَيْ‌ءٌ حَتَّى يَجْرِيَ عَلَيْهِ الْقَلَمُ.

‘The seed for a believer may exist in the loins of a pagan and it is not affected by any evil thing until it is transferred into the womb of a pagan woman wherein it is not affected by any evil thing also. Even until his birth it is not affected by any evil thing until the Pen begins writing about him. (He is responsib

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي قَدْ أَشْفَقْتُ مِنْ دَعْوَةِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى يَقْطِينٍ وَ مَا وَلَدَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي صُلْبِ الْكَافِرِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْحَصَاةِ فِي اللَّبِنَةِ يَجِي‌ءُ الْمَطَرُ فَيَغْسِلُ اللَّبِنَةَ وَ لَا يَضُرُّ الْحَصَاةَ شَيْئاً[4].

“Once I said to the Imam, ‘I am afraid of the prayer of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) against Yaqtin and his offspring.’ The Imam said, ‘O Abu al-Hasan, it is not as you think. A believer in the loins of an unbeliever is like a small piece of stone in a brick. Rain can wash away the brick but it never harms the solid piece of s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَخْبِرْنِي بِدَعَائِمِ الْإِسْلَامِ الَّتِي لَا يَسَعُ أَحَداً التَّقْصِيرُ عَنْ مَعْرِفَةِ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا الَّذِي مَنْ قَصَّرَ عَنْ مَعْرِفَةِ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَسَدَ دِينُهُ وَ لَمْ يَقْبَلِ [اللَّهُ‌] مِنْهُ عَمَلَهُ وَ مَنْ عَرَفَهَا وَ عَمِلَ بِهَا صَلَحَ لَهُ دِينُهُ وَ قَبِلَ مِنْهُ عَمَلَهُ‌ وَ لَمْ يَضِقْ‌[1] بِهِ مِمَّا هُوَ فِيهِ لِجَهْلِ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ جَهِلَهُ فَ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the basic principles of Islam that are necessary for everyone to know to his limits of understanding, and if he fails to learn them to the necessary levels his religion is destroyed and Allah does not accept his deeds. What is the limit of learning about the deeds

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ هَلْ تَعْرِفُ مَوَدَّتِي لَكُمْ وَ انْقِطَاعِي إِلَيْكُمْ وَ مُوَالاتِي إِيَّاكُمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ- فَقُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مَسْأَلَةً تُجِيبُنِي فِيهَا فَإِنِّي مَكْفُوفُ الْبَصَرِ قَلِيلُ الْمَشْيِ وَ لَا أَسْتَطِيعُ زِيَارَتَكُمْ كُلَّ حِينٍ قَالَ هَاتِ حَاجَتَكَ قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي بِدِينِكَ الَّذِي تَدِينُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ أَنْتَ وَ أَ

10. It is narrated from him (Ali ibn Ibrahim) from abu al-Jarud who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Do you know, O child of the Messenger of Allah that I love you ( Ahl al-Bayt). that 1 have disassociated myself from other people to associate with you only and that I support you ( Ahl al-Bayt )

إِنَّ [أُ] نَاساً تَكَلَّمُوا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتابَ مِنْهُ آياتٌ مُحْكَماتٌ‌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتابِ‌ وَ أُخَرُ مُتَشابِهاتٌ‌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ ما تَشابَهَ مِنْهُ‌ ابْتِغاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ ابْتِغاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ‌ وَ ما يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ‌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌[2]- الْآيَةَ فَ

Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Certain people have spoken from this Holy Quran without knowledge. It is because Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “It is Allah Who has revealed the Book to you in which certain verses are clear statements (that accept no interpretation), and these are the fundamental ideas of

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا بِهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ- الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ هُوَ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Qasim ibn Burayd who has said that narrated to us abu ‘Amr al-Zubayri who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلَّامٌ‌[2] إِنَّ خَيْثَمَةَ ابْنَ أَبِي خَيْثَمَةَ يُحَدِّثُنَا عَنْكَ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَقُلْتَ لَهُ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ قِبْلَتَنَا وَ شَهِدَ شَهَادَتَنَا وَ نَسَكَ نُسُكَنَا وَ وَالَى وَلِيَّنَا وَ عَادَى عَدُوَّنَا فَهُوَ مُسْلِمٌ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ خَيْثَمَةُ قُلْتُ وَ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقُلْتَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَ التَّصْدِ

“I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Salam said, ‘Khaythamah ibn abu Khaythamah narrates to us from you that you were asked about Islam and you said, ‘Islam is this: Whoever faces our Qibla (direction of Makka), testifies to our testiment of belief, practices our practice, is a friend of our friend and an e

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ الْعَالِمَ ع فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ‌ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يُقْبَلُ عَمَلٌ إِلَّا بِهِ فَقَالَ وَ مَا ذَلِكَ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً[1] وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ كُلُّهُ وَ الْقَوْ

7. Certain individuals of our people have narrated from Ali ibn ‘Abbas from Ali ibn Maysir from Hammad ibn al-Nusaybi who has said the following: “A man asked the scholar (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does not accept any deed.’ He aske

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَكُونُونَ صَالِحِينَ حَتَّى تَعْرِفُوا وَ لَا تَعْرِفُونَ حَتَّى تُصَدِّقُوا وَ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَ حَتَّى تُسَلِّمُوا أَبْوَاباً أَرْبَعَةً لَا يَصْلُحُ أَوَّلُهَا إِلَّا بِآخِرِهَا ضَلَّ أَصْحَابُ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ تَاهُوا تَيْهاً بَعِيداً إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ وَ لَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْوَفَاءِ بِالشُّرُوطِ وَ الْعُهُودِ وَ مَنْ وَفَى الل

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he has mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “You will not become virtuous until you learn, you will not learn until you af

خَطَبَنَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي دَارِهِ أَوْ قَالَ فِي الْقَصْرِ وَ نَحْنُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَكُتِبَ فِي كِتَابٍ وَ قُرِئَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ رَوَى غَيْرُهُ أَنَّ ابْنَ الْكَوَّاءِ[2] سَأَلَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنْ صِفَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ النِّفَاقِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- شَرَعَ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ سَهَّلَ شَ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and a number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid all from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) and through various chain of narrators from Asbagh ib

الْمَكَارِمُ عَشْرٌ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ فِيكَ فَلْتَكُنْ فَإِنَّهَا تَكُونُ فِي الرَّجُلِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي وَلَدِهِ وَ تَكُونُ فِي الْوَلَدِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي أَبِيهِ وَ تَكُونُ فِي الْعَبْدِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي الْحُرِّ قِيلَ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ صِدْقُ الْبَأْسِ‌[3] وَ صِدْقُ اللِّسَانِ وَ أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ إِقْرَاءُ الضَّيْفِ‌[4]- وَ إِطْعَامُ السَّائِلِ وَ الْمُكَافَأَةُ عَلَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Noble (human) qualities are ten. If you can establish all of them so be it. Such qualities may be found in a man but may not be found in his children. They may be found in the children but not in the father. At times they are found in a slave person but not in a free one.’ It was asked

خَرَجْتُ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى هَذَا الْحَائِطِ فَاتَّكَأْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ أَبْيَضَانِ‌[5] يَنْظُرُ فِي تُجَاهِ وَجْهِي‌[6] ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ كَئِيباً حَزِيناً أَ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا فَرِزْقُ اللَّهِ حَاضِرٌ لِلْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ قُلْتُ مَا عَلَى هَذَا أَحْزَنُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَكَمَا تَقُولُ قَالَ فَعَلَى الْآخِرَةِ فَوَعْدٌ صَادِقٌ يَحْكُمُ فِيهِ مَلِ

“Once I walked out unil I reached this wall and leaned against it. At that time a man wearing only two pieces of white cloth was looking toward my face. He then said, ‘O, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), why do I see you gloomy and depressed? Is it over the world? Surely the sustenance from Allah is available for both the goo

كُنْتُ مَعَ مُوسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3]- بِيَنْبُعَ وَ قَدْ نَفِدَتْ نَفَقَتِي فِي بَعْضِ الْأَسْفَارِ فَقَالَ لِي بَعْضُ وُلْدِ الْحُسَيْنِ مَنْ تُؤَمِّلُ لِمَا قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ فَقُلْتُ مُوسَى بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِذاً لَا تُقْضَى حَاجَتُكَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْجَحُ طَلِبَتُكَ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ ذَاكَ قَالَ لِأَنِّي قَدْ وَجَدْتُ فِي بَعْضِ كُتُبِ آبَائِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ ف

“I was at Yanbu’ with Musa ibn ‘Abd Allah. My supplies for my expenses were exhausted during certain journeys. A certain person of the children of al-Husayn asked me, ‘Whose assistence do you hope will help out overcome your difficult conditions?’ I said, ‘Musa ibn ‘Abd Allah will provide for my expenses.’ He then said

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ لُقْمَانَ قَالَ كَانَ فِيهَا الْأَعَاجِيبُ وَ كَانَ أَعْجَبَ مَا كَانَ فِيهَا أَنْ قَالَ لِابْنِهِ خَفِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خِيفَةً لَوْ جِئْتَهُ بِبِرِّ الثَّقَلَيْنِ لَعَذَّبَكَ وَ ارْجُ اللَّهَ رَجَاءً لَوْ جِئْتَهُ بِذُنُوبِ الثَّقَلَيْنِ لَرَحِمَكَ‌[4] ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا [وَ] فِي قَلْبِهِ نُورَان

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What did the will of Luqman (the person mentioned in Chapter 31 of the Holy Quran) contain?’ The Imam said, ‘It contained amazing things and the most amazing one was what he said to his son, “My son, be pious before Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, such that even if you come into H

قَالَ لِبَعْضِ وُلْدِهِ‌ يَا بُنَيَّ عَلَيْكَ بِالْجِدِّ لَا تُخْرِجَنَّ نَفْسَكَ مِنَ حَدِّ التَّقْصِيرِ فِي عِبَادَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ طَاعَتِهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُعْبَدُ حَقَّ عِبَادَتِهِ.

“My son, you must work hard and do not allow your soul to lead you out of a feeling of always falling short in worshipping Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and in obedience to Him; Allah is not worshipped as truly as He should be worshipped.”

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا جَابِرُ أَ يَكْتَفِي مَنِ انْتَحَلَ التَّشَيُّعَ‌[2] أَنْ يَقُولَ بِحُبِّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا شِيعَتُنَا إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ وَ أَطَاعَهُ وَ مَا كَانُوا يُعْرَفُونَ يَا جَابِرُ إِلَّا بِالتَّوَاضُعِ وَ التَّخَشُّعِ وَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ كَثْرَةِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الْبِرِّ بِالْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ التَّعَاهُدِ لِلْجِيرَانِ مِنَ الْفُقَرَاءِ وَ أَهْلِ الْمَسْكَ

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn Salim and Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father all from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “O Jabir, do people think just claiming to be our Shi’a and saying they love us ( Ahl al-Bayt) is enough f

قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ اجْتَنِبْ مَا حَرَّمْتُ عَلَيْكَ تَكُنْ مِنْ أَوْرَعِ النَّاسِ.

7. Hanan ibn Sadir has narrated from abu Sara al-Ghazzal from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) who said: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘O son of Adam, stay away from what I have made unlawful to you, you then will be of the people who restrain themselves from worldly matters the most.’”

‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اصْبِرُوا وَ صابِرُوا وَ رابِطُوا قَالَ‌ اصْبِرُوا عَلَى الْفَرَائِضِ‌ وَ صابِرُوا عَلَى الْمَصَائِبِ‌ وَ رابِطُوا عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ ع‌[4]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي السَّفَاتِجِ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ‌ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ فِيمَا افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, have patience, help each other with patience, establish good relations with one another. . . . (3:200) the Imam said, ‘Exercise patience in fulfilling your obligations, help each other with patience in tragedies and establish good relations with A

فِي التَّوْرَاةِ مَكْتُوبٌ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ تَفَرَّغْ لِعِبَادَتِي أَمْلَأْ قَلْبَكَ غِنًى وَ لَا أَكِلْكَ إِلَى طَلَبِكَ وَ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أَسُدَّ فَاقَتَكَ وَ أَمْلَأَ قَلْبَكَ خَوْفاً مِنِّي وَ إِنْ لَا تَفَرَّغْ لِعِبَادَتِي أَمْلَأْ قَلْبَكَ شُغُلًا بِالدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ لَا أَسُدَّ فَاقَتَكَ وَ أَكِلْكَ إِلَى طَلَبِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is written in the Torah, “O son of Adam, devote yourself to my worship and I will fill your heart with riches and will not leave you to your own quest. It is upon Me to meet your needs and fill your heart with fear from Me. If you do not devote yourself to My worship I will fill you

مَرَّ بِي أَبِي وَ أَنَا بِالطَّوَافِ وَ أَنَا حَدَثٌ‌[4] وَ قَدِ اجْتَهَدْتُ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ فَرَآنِي وَ أَنَا أَتَصَابُّ عَرَقاً فَقَالَ لِي يَا جَعْفَرُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً أَدْخَلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ رَضِيَ عَنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once my father passed by during my Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba). I was young and very seriously striving to worship. He saw me sweating and said to me, “O Ja’far, my son, if Allah loves any (of His) servants, He admits him in paradise and becomes happy with him even wit

اجْتَهَدْتُ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ وَ أَنَا شَابٌّ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي ع يَا بُنَيَّ دُونَ مَا أَرَاكَ تَصْنَعُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً رَضِيَ عَنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘I strived hard in worshipping and I was young. My father said to me, “My son, I want to see you also do things other than what you are doing. Were Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to love a servant He would become happy with him even with a very little deed.’””

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا حَفْصُ إِنَّ مَنْ صَبَرَ صَبَرَ قَلِيلًا وَ إِنَّ مَنْ جَزِعَ جَزِعَ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ بِالصَّبْرِ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص فَأَمَرَهُ بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الرِّفْقِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ اصْبِرْ عَلى‌ ما يَقُولُونَ‌ وَ اهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْراً جَمِيلًا وَ ذَرْنِي وَ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ‌ أُولِي النَّعْمَةِ[1] وَ قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ ادْفَعْ‌

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Asbahani from Sulayman ibn Dawud al- Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘O Hafs, whoever exercises patience does so only for a short time, and whoeve

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لَمَّا حَضَرَتْ أَبِي عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْوَفَاةُ ضَمَّنِي إِلَى صَدْرِهِ وَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أُوصِيكَ بِمَا أَوْصَانِي بِهِ أَبِي حِينَ حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ وَ بِمَا ذَكَرَ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ أَوْصَاهُ بِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ اصْبِرْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُرّاً.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘When my father Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was about to leave this world he held me against his chest and said, “My son, I recommend you with the same recommendation with which he (my father) advised me at the time that he was about to leave this world and with the recommendation that his fat

أَمَرَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنْ آتِيَ الْمُفَضَّلَ وَ أُعَزِّيَهُ بِإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَ قَالَ أَقْرِئِ الْمُفَضَّلَ السَّلَامَ‌[1] وَ قُلْ لَهُ إِنَّا قَدْ أُصِبْنَا بِإِسْمَاعِيلَ فَصَبَرْنَا فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرْنَا إِنَّا أَرَدْنَا أَمْراً وَ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَمْراً فَسَلَّمْنَا لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ordered me to meet al-Muffadal and offer him condolences for Isma’il (son of the Imam), ‘Convey my greetings of peace to him and tell him that we have suffered the death of Isma’il but have exercised patience. You must also exercise patience as we have done. We wanted one thing but Allah, the Mos

اصْبِرُوا عَلَى الْمَصَائِبِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: صَابِرُوا عَلَى الْمَصَائِبِ‌

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, have patience, help each other with patience. . . .,’ (3:200) the Imam has said, ‘It means to exercise patience in suffering hardship.’” In the narration of ibn abu Ya’fur from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) it says, “Exercise patience in suffering afflicti

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي مَالًا فَرَزَقَنِي وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي وَلَداً فَرَزَقَنِي وَلَداً وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي دَاراً فَرَزَقَنِي وَ قَدْ خِفْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجاً[1] فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَعَ الْحَمْدِ فَلَا.

‘I prayed to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for property and He granted me. I prayed to Allah for a child and He granted me. I prayed to Him for a house and He granted me. I am afraid that it (coming true of my wishes) is a kind of leading me to my own destruction (gradually)’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah

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

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

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

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

قَالَ لِي أَبِي‌ يَا بُنَيَّ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَقَرَّ لِعَيْنِ أَبِيكَ مِنْ جُرْعَةِ غَيْظٍ عَاقِبَتُهَا صَبْرٌ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَسُرُّنِي أَنَّ لِي بِذُلِّ نَفْسِي حُمْرَ النَّعَمِ.

“The Imam said, ‘My father once said to me, “My son, there is nothing more delightful to the eyes of your father than the drop (feeling) of anger that precedes patience. My receiving the most noble of the bounties does not bring me any happiness if it may cuase humiliation to my soul.’””

قَالَ لُقْمَانُ لِابْنِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ زَعَمْتَ أَنَّ الْكَلَامَ مِنْ فِضَّةٍ فَإِنَّ السُّكُوتَ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ.

“Luqman (who is mentioned in Chapter 3 1 of the Holy Quran) said to his son, ‘My son, if you think speaking is silver, note it down that silence is gold.’”

إِنَّ لِسَانَ ابْنِ آدَمَ يُشْرِفُ عَلَى جَمِيعِ جَوَارِحِهِ- كُلَّ صَبَاحٍ فَيَقُولُ كَيْفَ أَصْبَحْتُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ بِخَيْرٍ إِنْ تَرَكْتَنَا وَ يَقُولُونَ اللَّهَ اللَّهَ فِينَا وَ يُنَاشِدُونَهُ وَ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّمَا نُثَابُ وَ نُعَاقَبُ بِكَ.

“The tongue of Adam’s children addresses all parts of his body and asks, ‘How is your morning?’ They reply, ‘We are fine, if only you leave us alone.’ They further say, ‘For the sake of Allah, for the sake of Allah, we plead before you to note because of only you we may find reward or face punishment.’”

سُئِلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ مَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَةِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ مَعْرِفَةِ رَسُولِهِ ص أَفْضَلَ مِنْ بُغْضِ الدُّنْيَا وَ إِنَّ لِذَلِكَ لَشُعَباً كَثِيرَةً[5] وَ لِلْمَعَاصِي شُعَباً فَأَوَّلُ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْكِبْرُ وَ هِيَ مَعْصِيَةُ إِبْلِيسَ حِينَ‌ أَبى‌ وَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَ كانَ مِنَ الْكافِرِينَ‌ وَ الْحِرْصُ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was asked, ‘Which deed is more meritorious in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy?’ The Imam said, ‘No deed, after knowing Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and the Messenger of Allah is more meritorious than to dislike (and hate) the world. It has many branches. Sins h

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَلَكٌ يُنَادِي كُلَّ يَوْمٍ ابْنَ آدَمَ لِدْ لِلْمَوْتِ وَ اجْمَعْ لِلْفَنَاءِ وَ ابْنِ لِلْخَرَابِ‌[6].

Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘There is an angel that announces every day, “O sons of Adam, reproduce for death, accumulate for annihilation and build for destruction.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَثَلُ الْحَرِيصِ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ دُودَةِ الْقَزِّ كُلَّمَا ازْدَادَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا لَفّاً كَانَ أَبْعَدَ لَهَا مِنَ الْخُرُوجِ حَتَّى تَمُوتَ غَمّاً قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ فِيمَا وَعَظَ بِهِ لُقْمَانُ ابْنَهُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا قَبْلَكَ لِأَوْلَادِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مَا جَمَعُوا وَ لَمْ يَبْقَ مَنْ جَمَعُوا لَهُ وَ إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ عَبْدٌ

20. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yahya ibn ‘Aqaba al-Azdi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The case of a person who is greedy in worldly matters is like the case of a silkworm. The more it wraps silk around itself the more difficult it beco

إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ص إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ الْحَيَّةِ مَا أَلْيَنَ مَسَّهَا وَ فِي جَوْفِهَا السَّمُّ النَّاقِعُ يَحْذَرُهَا الرَّجُلُ الْعَاقِلُ وَ يَهْوِي إِلَيْهَا الصَّبِيُّ الْجَاهِلُ.

“It is in the book of Ali (a.s.) ‘The example of the world is like a snake which is of soft touch and has deadly poison inside. People of reason stay away from it and ignorant children wish to feel it.’”

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

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ص- لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَى مَا فَاتَكُمْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا لَا يَأْسَى‌[1] أَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى مَا فَاتَهُمْ مِنْ دِينِهِمْ إِذَا أَصَابُوا دُنْيَاهُمْ. بَابٌ‌

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) say, ‘Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) said to his disciples, “O Israelites, do not regret for what you may miss of the world, just as the people of the world (who have no religion) do not regret for what they miss of religion when they find their worldly materials.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُطْمِحَ بَصَرَكَ‌[5] إِلَى مَنْ فَوْقَكَ فَكَفَى بِمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لِنَبِيِّهِ ص‌ فَلا تُعْجِبْكَ‌ أَمْوالُهُمْ‌ وَ لا أَوْلادُهُمْ‌[1] وَ قَالَ- وَ لا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ‌ إِلى‌ ما مَتَّعْنا بِهِ أَزْواجاً مِنْهُمْ‌ زَهْرَةَ الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا[2] فَإِنْ دَخَلَكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَاذْكُرْ عَيْشَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنَّمَا كَانَ قُوتُهُ الشَّعِيرَ وَ حَ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘You must never allow your eyes aim for one who is above you (in worldly matters that may tempt you wish for his opportunity). The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to His Messenger are enough evidence to support it. “Let not their property and children tempt you. . .

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

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تُرِيدُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ أَيْسَرَ مَا فِيهَا يَكْفِيكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا تُرِيدُ مَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مَا فِيهَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘O sons of Adam, if you want from the world that much that is sufficient for you, the little that is there will suffice you. However, if you are not satisfied with basic necessities but want more than the basic needs, then the whole thing that is there will not be

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَفَافَ وَ الْكَفَافَ وَ ارْزُقْ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمَالَ وَ الْوَلَدَ[4].

3. Al-Nawfali has narrated from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O Allah, grant Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and those who love Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, chastity in their personality, and sustenance enough for their exact necessities. Gi

مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِرَاعِي إِبِلٍ فَبَعَثَ يَسْتَسْقِيهِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا مَا فِي ضُرُوعِهَا فَصَبُوحُ الْحَيِ‌[5] وَ أَمَّا مَا فِي آنِيَتِنَا فَغَبُوقُهُمْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرْ مَالَهُ وَ وُلْدَهُ ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِرَاعِي غَنَمٍ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ يَسْتَسْقِيهِ فَحَلَبَ لَهُ مَا فِي ضُرُوعِهَا وَ أَكْفَأَ[1] مَا فِي إِنَائِهِ فِي إِنَاءِ- رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِشَاةٍ وَ قَال

“The Messenger of Allah once passed by a shepherd of camels and asked him for a drink and he said, ‘The milk in their udder is for the morning drink of the people of the village and the milk in the containers is for their evening drink.’ The Messenger of Allah then prayed, ‘O Lord, give him many children and much wealt

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَنْ يَرْغَبَ الْمَرْءُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ‌[3] وَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَ وَلَدٍ وَ عَنْ مَوَدَّتِهِمْ وَ كَرَامَتِهِمْ وَ دِفَاعِهِمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ هُمْ أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ حِيطَةً[4] مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَ أَعْطَفُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَلَمُّهُمْ لِشَعَثِهِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ مُصِيبَةٌ أَوْ نَزَلَ بِهِ بَعْضُ مَكَارِهِ الْأُمُورِ وَ مَنْ يَقْبِضْ يَدَهُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ فَإِنَّمَا

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A man must never turn away from his relatives, even if he is wealthy and has many children. He must not fail to love them, must not ignore their honor, their defense with his hands and tongue. They are the strongest defending power behind him and the most kind to

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ ع إِنَّ لِيَ ابْنَ عَمٍّ أَصِلُهُ فَيَقْطَعُنِي وَ أَصِلُهُ فَيَقْطَعُنِي حَتَّى لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ لِقَطِيعَتِهِ إِيَّايَ أَنْ أَقْطَعَهُ أَ تَأْذَنُ لِي قَطْعَهُ قَالَ إِنَّكَ إِذَا وَصَلْتَهُ وَ قَطَعَكَ وَصَلَكُمَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَمِيعاً وَ إِنْ قَطَعْتَهُ وَ قَطَعَكَ قَطَعَكُمَا اللَّهُ.

24. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Once, I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I have a cousin and with him I maintain the good relations that should be maintained with relatives, but he cuts it off. I establish it again and