Children & Parenting

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّه ص- مَا حَقُّ الْوَالِدِ عَلَى وَلَدِهِ قَالَ لَا يُسَمِّيهِ بِاسْمِهِ وَ لَا يَمْشِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ لَا يَجْلِسُ قَبْلَهُ وَ لَا يَسْتَسِبُّ لَهُ‌[1].

“Once, a man asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘What is the right of the father on the son?’ The messenger of Allah said, ‘The son must not address his father by his name (first name), must not walk in front of him, must not take a seat before him, and must not cause people to abuse him.’”

كُنْتُ نَصْرَانِيّاً فَأَسْلَمْتُ وَ حَجَجْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَلَى النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ وَ إِنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ فَقَالَ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ رَأَيْتَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ‌[2] قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌ وَ لكِنْ جَعَلْناهُ نُوراً نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشاءُ[3] فَقَالَ لَقَدْ هَدَاكَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِهِ ثَلَا

“I was a Christian, then I became a Muslim. I went for Hajj, where I met Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and I said to him, ‘I was a Christian and I have become a Muslim.’ The Imam asked, ‘What have you seen in Islam?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “. . . before, you did not even know wha

خَبَّرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِبِرِّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ابْنِي بِي فَقَالَ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّهُ وَ قَدِ ازْدَدْتُ لَهُ حُبّاً إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَتَتْهُ أُخْتٌ لَهُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ[5] فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا سُرَّ بِهَا وَ بَسَطَ مِلْحَفَتَهُ‌[6] لَهَا فَأَجْلَسَهَا عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ يُحَدِّثُهَا وَ يَضْحَكُ فِي وَجْهِهَا ثُمَّ قَامَتْ وَ ذَهَبَتْ وَ جَاءَ أَخُوهَا فَلَمْ يَصْنَعْ بِهِ مَا صَنَعَ بِ

“Once I explained to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) how kind my son Isma’il was to me. The Imam said, ‘I loved him before and this has increased my love for him. Once, the sister of the Messenger of Allah (through breast-feeding) visited him. When he saw her he became very happy to see her, prepared a seat for her, began to talk

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ وَلَدْتُ بِنْتاً وَ رَبَّيْتُهَا حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَتْ فَأَلْبَسْتُهَا وَ حَلَّيْتُهَا ثُمَّ جِئْتُ بِهَا إِلَى قَلِيبٍ فَدَفَعْتُهَا فِي جَوْفِهِ وَ كَانَ آخِرُ مَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهَا وَ هِيَ تَقُولُ يَا أَبَتَاهْ‌[3]- فَمَا كَفَّارَةُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ أَ لَكَ أُمٌّ حَيَّةٌ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَلَكَ خَالَةٌ حَيَّةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَابْرَرْهَا فَإِنَّهَا بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْ

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘I had a daughter and I brought her up until she became an adult. I then dressed her up in beautiful clothes, took her to the well and threw her therein to her death and the last thing I heard from her was; O father! What is the expiation for it?’ The Messenger of Allah as

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع هَلْ يَجْزِي الْوَلَدُ وَالِدَهُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلَّا فِي خَصْلَتَيْنِ يَكُونُ الْوَالِدُ مَمْلُوكاً فَيَشْتَرِيهِ ابْنُهُ فَيُعْتِقُهُ أَوْ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَيَقْضِيهِ عَنْهُ.

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Can a son pay back (for the favors of) a father?’ The Imam said, ‘There is no payment for him except two things: if the father is a slave and the son buys him and sets him free, or the father is in debt and the son pays it off.’”

مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يُشْبِعَ جَوْعَتَهُ وَ يُوَارِيَ عَوْرَتَهُ وَ يُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ وَ يَقْضِيَ دَيْنَهُ فَإِذَا مَاتَ خَلَفَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ وُلْدِهِ.

“Of the rights of the believer on his believing brother (in belief) is to satisfy his hunger, provide covering for his privacy, facilitate his hardships and pay off his debts. When he dies, look after his family and children.”

لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا لَقِيَهُ وَ يَعُودَهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ وَ يَنْصَحَ لَهُ‌[2] إِذَا غَابَ وَ يُسَمِّتَهُ إِذَا عَطَسَ‌[3] وَ يُجِيبَهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ يَتْبَعَهُ إِذَا مَاتَ. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ مِثْلَهُ.

“Of the rights of Muslin on a Muslim is to offer him the greeting of peace upon meeting him, visit him when he is ill, protect his interest when he is absent, say, ‘May Allah bless you’ when he sneezes, accept his invitation and take part in the procession for his funeral.” A number of our people have narrated from Ahm

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

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

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

لَيْسَ الْقُبْلَةُ عَلَى الْفَمِ إِلَّا لِلزَّوْجَةِ أَوِ الْوَلَدِ الصَّغِيرِ.

“Kissing on the mouth is only for the spouses and a small child.”

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

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ فَقَالَ حَقُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ لَوْ حَدَّثْتُكُمْ لَكَفَرْتُمْ‌[2] إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ مِثَالٌ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ يَقُولُ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ بِالْكَرَامَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ السُّرُورِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ بَشَّرَكَ اللَّهُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ ثُمَّ يَمْضِي مَعَهُ يُبَشِّرُهُ بِمِثْلِ مَا

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the rights of a believer on another believer. He has said that the Imam said, ‘The right of a believer on a believer is greater than that (description). If I tell you about it you will become unbelievers. When a believer comes out of his grave a form comes out with him and says,

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

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

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُوسِراً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ رَقَبَةً مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهُ مِنَ الذَّبْحِ وَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ مِائَةَ رَقَبَةٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهَا مِنَ الذَّبْحِ.

“Whoever feeds an affluent believer it is equal to setting free a slave from the descendents of Isma’il and rescuing him from slaughter. Whoever feeds a needy believer, it is equal in reward for him to set free one hundred slaves from the descendents of Isma’il and rescue them from being slaughtered.”

مَرَّ بِنَا الْمُفَضَّلُ وَ أَنَا وَ خَتَنِي‌[3] نَتَشَاجَرُ فِي مِيرَاثٍ فَوَقَفَ عَلَيْنَا سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا تَعَالَوْا إِلَى الْمَنْزِلِ فَأَتَيْنَاهُ فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَنَا بِأَرْبَعِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَدَفَعَهَا إِلَيْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوْثَقَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنَّا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ مِنْ مَالِي وَ لَكِنْ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَمَرَنِي إِذَا تَنَازَعَ رَجُلَانِ مِ

Al-Mufaddal once passed us nearby, while my daughter in-law and I were disputing about a legacy. He stood by for a while and then said to us, ‘Come to my house.’ We went there and he settled it between us for four hundred dirhams, which he paid from his own pocket until each of us was happy with the other. He then said

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

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ثَابِتُ مَا لَكُمْ وَ لِلنَّاسِ كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا تَدْعُوا أَحَداً إِلَى أَمْرِكُمْ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاءِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يُضِلُّوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ هُدَاهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعُوا كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا يَقُولُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخِي وَ ابْنُ عَمِّي وَ جَارِي فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً ط

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Thabit, what do you have to do with people? Leave the people alone and do not invite anyone to your cause (your belief). By Allah, if the inhabitants of heaven and the inhabitants of earth would come together to mislead a servant whom Allah wants to guide, they would not be abl

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ أَنْ تَعْمَلُوا عَمَلًا يُعَيِّرُونَّا بِهِ فَإِنَّ وَلَدَ السَّوْءِ يُعَيَّرُ وَالِدُهُ بِعَمَلِهِ كُونُوا لِمَنِ انْقَطَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ زَيْناً وَ لَا تَكُونُوا عَلَيْهِ شَيْناً صَلُّوا فِي عَشَائِرِهِمْ‌[2] وَ عُودُوا مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ اشْهَدُوا جَنَائِزَهُمْ وَ لَا يَسْبِقُونَكُمْ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَأَنْتُمْ أَوْلَى بِهِ مِنْهُمْ وَ اللَّهِ مَا عُبِدَ ا

‘You must never do anything that may embarrass us. A small boy causes embarrassment to his father because of his misdeeds. Be the beauty for those to whom you are devoted and do not be an embarrassment to them. Pray along with their tribes, visit their people in ill health, attend their funerals and do not allow anyone

التَّقِيَّةُ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُضْطَرُّ إِلَيْهِ ابْنُ آدَمَ فَقَدْ أَحَلَّهُ اللَّهُ لَهُ.

Al-Taqiyyah is whenever the son of Adam is compelled; Allah has made it lawful for him.’”

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

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

قَالَ لِي‌ مَا زَالَ سِرُّنَا مَكْتُوماً حَتَّى صَارَ فِي يَدَيْ وُلْدِ كَيْسَانَ‌[2] فَتَحَدَّثُوا بِهِ فِي الطَّرِيقِ وَ قُرَى السَّوَادِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘Our cause had still been hidden until the children of Kisan began to speak of it on the roads, villages and in large places.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَبْتَلِي الْمُؤْمِنَ بِكُلِّ بَلِيَّةٍ وَ يُمِيتُهُ بِكُلِّ مِيتَةٍ وَ لَا يَبْتَلِيهِ بِذَهَابِ عَقْلِهِ أَ مَا تَرَى أَيُّوبَ كَيْفَ سُلِّطَ إِبْلِيسُ عَلَى مَالِهِ وَ عَلَى وُلْدِهِ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُ وَ لَمْ يُسَلَّطْ عَلَى عَقْلِهِ تُرِكَ لَهُ‌ لِيُوَحِّدَ اللَّهَ بِهِ‌[1].

22. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Uthman al-Nawa’ from those he has mentioned (in his book) from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who said: “Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, sets the believers into trials of all kinds and causes them to die by all kinds of deaths but He does n

مَا كَانَ مِنْ وُلْدِ آدَمَ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا فَقِيراً وَ لَا كَافِرٌ إِلَّا غَنِيّاً حَتَّى جَاءَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع فَقَالَ- رَبَّنا لا تَجْعَلْنا فِتْنَةً لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا[2] فَصَيَّرَ اللَّهُ فِي هَؤُلَاءِ أَمْوَالًا وَ حَاجَةً وَ فِي هَؤُلَاءِ أَمْوَالًا وَ حَاجَةً.

“There was no one of the children of Adam who was a believer but that was poor and there was no one of the children of Adam who was an unbeliever but that was rich until Ibrahim came. He said, ‘O Lord, save us from the evil intentions of the unbelievers. . . .’ (60:5) Thereafter Allah made these (believing people) rich

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّ لَهَا طَالِباً يَقُولُ أَحَدُكُمْ أُذْنِبُ وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ نَكْتُبُ ما قَدَّمُوا وَ آثارَهُمْ‌ وَ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَحْصَيْناهُ فِي إِمامٍ مُبِينٍ‌[1] وَ قَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّها إِنْ تَكُ مِثْقالَ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ‌ فَتَكُنْ فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّماواتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ‌ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ‌ إِ

“I heard abu la’ far (a.s.) saying, ‘Stay away from insignificant sins because there is demand for them. One of you will say, ‘I sin and ask forgiveness.’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘It is We who bring the dead to life and record the deeds of human beings and their consequences (of continual eff

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ مُنَادِياً يُنَادِي مَهْلًا مَهْلًا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ عَنْ مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ فَلَوْ لَا بَهَائِمُ رُتَّعٌ وَ صِبْيَةٌ رُضَّعٌ وَ شُيُوخٌ رُكَّعٌ لَصُبَّ عَلَيْكُمُ الْعَذَابُ صَبّاً تُرَضُّونَ بِهِ رَضّاً[1].

31. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from ibn ‘Arafah from abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has an announcer who announces every day and night, ‘O servants of Allah, hold and stop committing sins and disobedience to All

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلَّا وَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعُونَ جُنَّةً[2] حَتَّى يَعْمَلَ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً فَإِذَا عَمِلَ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً انْكَشَفَتْ عَنْهُ الْجُنَنُ فَيُوحِي اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اسْتُرُوا عَبْدِي بِأَجْنِحَتِكُمْ فَتَسْتُرُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا قَالَ فَمَا يَدَعُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْقَبِيحِ إِلَّا قَارَفَهُ‌[3] حَتَّى‌ يَمْتَدِحَ إِلَى النَّاسِ بِفِعْلِهِ الْقَ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘There is no believer without forty shields on him until he commits forty major sins. When he commits forty major sins, the shields are removed. Allah then sends revelations to them (angels), “Cover My servant with your wings,” and the angels cover him with their wi

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ الَّذِي إِذَا دَعَاهُ أَبُوهُ لَعَنَ أَبَاهُ وَ الَّذِي إِذَا أَجَابَهُ ابْنُهُ يَضْرِبُهُ‌[5].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A son who condemns his father when he calls him and the father who beats up his son who responds to the father’s call are the same.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَقَالَ‌ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّ نَاساً زَعَمُوا أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَا يَزْنِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَشْرَبُ الْخَمْرَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَأْكُلُ الرِّبَا وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْفِكُ الدَّمَ الْحَرَامَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَدْ ثَقُلَ عَلَيَّ هَذَا وَ حَرِجَ مِنْهُ صَدْرِي حِينَ أَزْعُمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْعَبْدَ يُصَلِّي صَلَ

16. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu’ manner from Muhammad ibn Dawud al-Ghanawi from Asbagh ibn Nubatah who has said the following: “Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, certain people think a serv

دَخَلَ ابْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ وَ عَمْرُو بْنُ ذَرٍّ وَ أَظُنُّ مَعَهُمَا أَبُو حَنِيفَةَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَتَكَلَّمَ ابْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ فَقَالَ إِنَّا لَا نُخْرِجُ أَهْلَ دَعْوَتِنَا وَ أَهْلَ مِلَّتِنَا مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ فِي الْمَعَاصِي وَ الذُّنُوبِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا ابْنَ قَيْسٍ أَمَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَقَدْ قَالَ لَا يَزْنِي الزَّانِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ السَّارِقُ

“Once ibn Qays al-Masir and ‘Amr ibn Dharr - 1 think also abu Hanifah - came to see abu Ja’far (a.s.). Ibn Qays al-Masir spoke and said, ‘We do not expel people of our own mission and people of our own nation from belief just because of disobedience and sin.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘O ibn Qays, the Messenger of Allah

قَالَ لِيَ الرِّضَا ع‌ وَيْحَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَرَفَةَ اعْمَلُوا لِغَيْرِ رِيَاءٍ وَ لَا سُمْعَةٍ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى مَا عَمِلَ‌[2] وَيْحَكَ مَا عَمِلَ أَحَدٌ عَمَلًا إِلَّا رَدَّاهُ اللَّهُ إِنْ خَيْراً فَخَيْرٌ وَ إِنْ شَرّاً فَشَرٌّ.

“Once al-Rida (a.s.) said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O ibn ‘Arafah, you must work without showing off and publicity; those who work for anyone other than Allah, He assigns him to whomever he has worked. Woe upon you, whatever one does, Allah returns it back, good (result) if it is good and evil (results) if it is bad.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى بَعْضِ أَنْبِيَائِهِ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ اذْكُرْنِي فِي غَضَبِكَ أَذْكُرْكَ فِي غَضَبِي لَا أَمْحَقْكَ فِيمَنْ أَمْحَقُ‌[2]- وَ ارْضَ بِي مُنْتَصِراً فَإِنَّ انْتِصَارِي لَكَ خَيْرٌ مِنِ انْتِصَارِكَ لِنَفْسِكَ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to certain persons of His prophets: “O sons of Adam, remember Me in your anger, I will remember you in My anger and will not eliminate you along with the things that I eliminate. Be happy with My support; My support is better for you th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ مَكْتُوباً يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ اذْكُرْنِي حِينَ تَغْضَبُ أَذْكُرْكَ عِنْدَ غَضَبِي فَلَا أَمْحَقْكَ فِيمَنْ أَمْحَقُ وَ إِذَا ظُلِمْتَ بِمَظْلِمَةٍ فَارْضَ بِانْتِصَارِي لَكَ فَإِنَّ انْتِصَارِي لَكَ خَيْرٌ مِنِ انْتِصَارِكَ لِنَفْسِكَ.

‘It is written in the Torah: “Remember Me when you are angry so I remember you when I am angry and will not efface you along with those whom I will blot out. When injustice is done to you, accept My support; My support for you is better than your support for yourself.’”

إِنَّ هَذَا الْغَضَبَ‌ جَمْرَةٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ‌[1] تُوقَدُ فِي قَلْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ‌[2] وَ إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا غَضِبَ احْمَرَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ وَ انْتَفَخَتْ أَوْدَاجُهُ وَ دَخَلَ الشَّيْطَانُ فِيهِ فَإِذَا خَافَ أَحَدُكُمْ ذَلِكَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ فَلْيَلْزَمِ الْأَرْضَ فَإِنَّ رِجْزَ الشَّيْطَانِ لَيَذْهَبُ عَنْهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ.

“This anger is a spark from Satan that he lights up in the hearts of the children of Adam. Whenever any of you becomes angry, his eyes turn red, his veins puff up and Satan enters into it. If any of you fears this, he must hold to the earth; in so doing the evil of Satan goes away.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ لَا يَحْسُدْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً إِنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ كَانَ مِنْ شَرَائِعِهِ السَّيْحُ فِي الْبِلَادِ[2] فَخَرَجَ فِي بَعْضِ سَيْحِهِ وَ مَعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ قَصِيرٌ وَ كَانَ كَثِيرَ اللُّزُومِ لِعِيسَى ع فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى عِيسَى إِلَى الْبَحْرِ قَالَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ بِصِحَّةِ يَقِينٍ مِنْهُ فَمَشَى عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْمَاءِ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ الْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Be pious before Allah and do not envy each other. It was in the Shari’a of Jesus to travel in the land. During one of his journeys one of his companions, who was of short height, accompanied him very often. When they reached the sea, Jesus with correct certainty said, ‘(I begin) i

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِمُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ ع يَا ابْنَ عِمْرَانَ لَا تَحْسُدَنَّ النَّاسَ عَلَى مَا آتَيْتُهُمْ مِنْ فَضْلِي وَ لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَى ذَلِكَ وَ لَا تُتْبِعْهُ نَفْسَكَ فَإِنَّ الْحَاسِدَ سَاخِطٌ لِنِعَمِي صَادٌّ لِقَسْمِيَ الَّذِي قَسَمْتُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِي وَ مَنْ يَكُ كَذَلِكَ فَلَسْتُ مِنْهُ وَ لَيْسَ مِنِّي.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, said to Moses, “O son of ‘Imran, do not envy people for what I have given them of My favors, do not focus your eyes on it (what I have given to people), and do not allow your soul to follow it; an envious person is angry with My bounties, and b

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ بَيْنَمَا مُوسَى ع جَالِساً إِذْ أَقْبَلَ إِبْلِيسُ وَ عَلَيْهِ بُرْنُسٌ ذُو أَلْوَانٍ فَلَمَّا دَنَا مِنْ مُوسَى ع خَلَعَ الْبُرْنُسَ وَ قَامَ إِلَى مُوسَى فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى مَنْ أَنْتَ فَقَالَ أَنَا إِبْلِيسُ قَالَ أَنْتَ فَلَا قَرَّبَ اللَّهُ دَارَكَ‌[2] قَالَ إِنِّي إِنَّمَا جِئْتُ لِأُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْكَ لِمَكَانِكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى ع فَمَا هَذَا ا

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Once Moses was sitting when Satan came to him with a many-colored hooded cloak on him. When he approached Moses he took his cloak off, stood nearby, and offered him the greeting of peace. Moses asked, ‘Who are you?’ He replied, ‘I am Satan.’ Moses said, ‘Is it you? May Allah not bring

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يُدِيرُ ابْنَ آدَمَ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَإِذَا أَعْيَاهُ جَثَمَ لَهُ‌[2] عِنْدَ الْمَالِ فَأَخَذَ بِرَقَبَتِهِ.

“Satan circles around the children of Adam in every (evil) matter (to make him sin), when he is frustrated (man did not sin) he ambushes him through his (love of) property and holds him (man) through such love by his neck.”

أَنَّ أَكْثَرَ مَا يَطْلُبُ ابْنُ آدَمَ مَا لَا حَاجَةَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ الْحَسَدُ وَ هِيَ مَعْصِيَةُ ابْنِ آدَمَ حَيْثُ حَسَدَ أَخَاهُ فَقَتَلَهُ فَتَشَعَّبَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حُبُّ النِّسَاءِ وَ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُبُّ الرِّئَاسَةِ وَ حُبُّ الرَّاحَةِ وَ حُبُّ الْكَلَامِ وَ حُبُّ الْعُلُوِّ وَ الثَّرْوَةِ فَصِرْنَ سَبْعَ خِصَالٍ فَاجْتَمَعْنَ كُلُّهُنَّ فِي حُبِّ الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الْعُلَمَاءُ بَع

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was asked, ‘Which deed is more excellent before Allah?’ The Imam said, ‘No deed, after knowing Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and knowing the Messenger of Allah, is more excellent than hating the world. It has many branches, and the sins have branches also. The first sin committed wa

مَرَّ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع عَلَى قَرْيَةٍ قَدْ مَاتَ أَهْلُهَا وَ طَيْرُهَا وَ دَوَابُّهَا فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَمُوتُوا إِلَّا بِسَخْطَةٍ[2] وَ لَوْ مَاتُوا مُتَفَرِّقِينَ لَتَدَافَنُوا فَقَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَا رُوحَ اللَّهِ وَ كَلِمَتَهُ ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُحْيِيَهُمْ لَنَا فَيُخْبِرُونَا مَا كَانَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَنَجْتَنِبَهَا فَدَعَا عِيسَى ع رَبَّهُ فَنُودِيَ مِنَ الْجَوِّ أَنْ نَادِهِمْ فَقَا

“Once Jesus, son of Mary, passed by a town, in which people, birds and animals had all died. Jesus said, ‘They all have died from violence. Had they died individually they would have buried each other.’ The disciples said, ‘O Spirit of Allah and His word, pray to Allah to bring them to life so we may ask about their de

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ص تَعْمَلُونَ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ أَنْتُمْ تُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ عَمَلٍ وَ لَا تَعْمَلُونَ لِلْآخِرَةِ وَ أَنْتُمْ لَا تُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا إِلَّا بِالْعَمَلِ وَيْلَكُمْ عُلَمَاءَ سَوْءٍ الْأَجْرَ تَأْخُذُونَ وَ الْعَمَلَ تُضَيِّعُونَ يُوشِكُ رَبُّ الْعَمَلِ‌[2] أَنْ يُقْبَلَ عَمَلُهُ وَ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يُخْرَجُوا مِنْ ضِيقِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَى ظُلْمَةِ الْقَبْرِ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِل

13. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Jesus, son of Mary, peace be upon him, has said, ‘You work for the worldly things while your sustenance is there without work. Y ou do not work for the

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ حَرَّمَ الْجَنَّةَ عَلَى كُلِّ فَحَّاشٍ بَذِي‌ءٍ قَلِيلِ الْحَيَاءِ- لَا يُبَالِي مَا قَالَ وَ لَا مَا قِيلَ لَهُ‌[4] فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ فَتَّشْتَهُ لَمْ تَجِدْهُ إِلَّا لِغَيَّةٍ أَوْ شِرْكِ شَيْطَانٍ‌[5] فَقِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ- وَ فِي النَّاسِ شِرْكُ شَيْطَانٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَ مَا تَقْرَأُ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ شارِكْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْوالِ وَ الْأَوْلادِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah has made paradise unlawful for every abusive, immoral, and (persons) lacking bashfulness who is not concerned about what he says or what is said to him. If (investigated) you find him to be an straying person or a partner of Satan.’ It was asked, O Messenger of Allah, ‘Does Sata

كَانَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع صَدِيقٌ لَا يَكَادُ يُفَارِقُهُ إِذَا ذَهَبَ مَكَاناً فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ يَمْشِي مَعَهُ فِي الْحَذَّاءِينَ‌[2] وَ مَعَهُ غُلَامٌ لَهُ سِنْدِيٌّ يَمْشِي خَلْفَهُمَا إِذَا الْتَفَتَ الرَّجُلُ يُرِيدُ غُلَامَهُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَلَمْ يَرَهُ فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ فِي الرَّابِعَةِ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ الْفَاعِلَةِ أَيْنَ كُنْتَ قَالَ فَرَفَعَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدَهُ فَصَكَّ بِهَا جَبْهَةَ نَفْسِهِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) had a friend who almost all the time accompanied him whenever he went somewhere. Once he was walking with the Imam in the shoemaker’s place and his (man’s) slave from Sind was walking behind them. The man looked to find where his slave was. He could not see him. He tried three times and could not

كَانَ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ رَجُلٌ فَدَعَا اللَّهَ أَنْ يَرْزُقَهُ غُلَاماً ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ فَلَمَّا رَأَى أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُجِيبُهُ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ أَ بَعِيدٌ أَنَا مِنْكَ فَلَا تَسْمَعُنِي أَمْ قَرِيبٌ أَنْتَ مِنِّي‌ فَلَا تُجِيبُنِي قَالَ فَأَتَاهُ آتٍ فِي مَنَامِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّكَ تَدْعُو اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مُنْذُ ثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ بِلِسَانٍ بَذِي‌ءٍ وَ قَلْبٍ عَاتٍ غَيْرِ تَقِيٍ‌[1] وَ نِيَّةٍ غَيْرِ صَادِق

“In the tribe of Israel there was a man who prayed to Allah for a son for three years. When he found that Allah did not answer his prayer, he then asked, ‘O Lord, am I far away from You and You do not hear me or You are close to me but do not answer me?’ The Imam said, ‘Someone came in his dream and said, ‘You have pra

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الْبَغْيَ يَقُودُ أَصْحَابَهُ إِلَى النَّارِ وَ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَنْ بَغَى عَلَى اللَّهِ عَنَاقُ بِنْتُ آدَمَ فَأَوَّلُ قَتِيلٍ قَتَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَنَاقُ وَ كَانَ مَجْلِسُهَا جَرِيباً فِي جَرِيبٍ‌[1] وَ كَانَ لَهَا عِشْرُونَ إِصْبَعاً فِي كُلِّ إِصْبَعٍ ظُفُرَانِ مِثْلُ الْمِنْجَلَيْنِ‌[2] فَسَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا أَسَداً كَالْفِيلِ وَ ذِئْباً كَالْبَعِيرِ وَ نَ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘O people, tyrannical transgression leads its associates to the fire. The first person who committed it against Allah was ‘Unaq, daughter of Adam, the first one that Allah killed was ‘Unaq who, when sitting occupied one acre. She had twenty fingers each of which had

أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنَا فُلَانُ بْنُ فُلَانٍ حَتَّى عَدَّ تِسْعَةً فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَمَا إِنَّكَ عَاشِرُهُمْ فِي النَّارِ[3].

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am so and so son of so and so counting (boastfully) up to nine generations.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘You are the tenth of them in the fire.’”

لَمَّا حَضَرَ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْوَفَاةُ ضَمَّنِي إِلَى صَدْرِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أُوصِيكَ بِمَا أَوْصَانِي بِهِ أَبِي ع حِينَ حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ وَ بِمَا ذَكَرَ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ أَوْصَاهُ بِهِ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِيَّاكَ وَ ظُلْمَ مَنْ لَا يَجِدُ عَلَيْكَ نَاصِراً إِلَّا اللَّهَ.

“When Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was about to pass away he held me to his chest and then said, ‘My son, I make my will to you as my father did to me when he was about to pass away and that which his father willed to him. ’ He said, ‘My son, beware of the kind of injustice against which the oppressed cannot find any suppo

مَنْ ظَلَمَ مَظْلِمَةً أُخِذَ بِهَا فِي نَفْسِهِ أَوْ فِي مَالِهِ أَوْ فِي وُلْدِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever does injustice (financially), it (recompense) is taken from his life, property or his children.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مُبْتَدِئاً مَنْ ظَلَمَ سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مَنْ يَظْلِمُهُ [أَوْ عَلَى عَقِبِهِ‌] أَوْ عَلَى عَقِبِ عَقِبِهِ قُلْتُ هُوَ يَظْلِمُ فَيُسَلِّطُ اللَّهُ عَلَى عَقِبِهِ أَوْ عَلَى عَقِبِ عَقِبِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ لْيَخْشَ الَّذِينَ لَوْ تَرَكُوا مِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّةً ضِعافاً خافُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَلْيَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ لْيَقُولُوا قَوْلًا سَدِيداً[1].

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) on his own initiation said, ‘Whoever does injustice, Allah makes someone to dominate him or his descendents of first or second generations.’ I then asked, ‘It is he who has done injustice, how will Allah make his descendents suffer?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sa

دَخَلَ رَجُلَانِ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي مُدَارَاةٍ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ مُعَامَلَةٍ فَلَمَّا أَنْ سَمِعَ كَلَامَهُمَا قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ مَا ظَفِرَ أَحَدٌ بِخَيْرٍ مِنْ ظَفَرٍ بِالظُّلْمِ أَمَا إِنَّ الْمَظْلُومَ يَأْخُذُ مِنْ دِينِ الظَّالِمِ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا يَأْخُذُ الظَّالِمُ مِنْ مَالِ الْمَظْلُومِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ يَفْعَلِ الشَّرَّ بِالنَّاسِ فَلَا يُنْكِرِ الشَّرَّ إِذَا فُعِلَ بِهِ أَمَا إِنَّهُ إِنَّمَا

“Once two people came to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the differences that they had over a deal between them and when the Imam heard their case, he said, ‘To achieve victory through injustice is not victory in anything good. What the oppressed takes away from the religion of the oppressor is much more than what the o

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص يَقُولُ لِوُلْدِهِ‌ اتَّقُوا الْكَذِبَ الصَّغِيرَ مِنْهُ وَ الْكَبِيرَ فِي كُلِّ جِدٍّ وَ هَزْلٍ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا كَذَبَ فِي الصَّغِيرِ اجْتَرَى عَلَى الْكَبِيرِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتُمْ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ مَا يَزَالُ الْعَبْدُ يَصْدُقُ حَتَّى يَكْتُبَهُ اللَّهُ صِدِّيقاً وَ مَا يَزَالُ الْعَبْدُ يَكْذِبُ حَتَّى يَكْتُبَهُ اللَّهُ كَذَّاباً.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say to his children, ‘Be on your guard against lies, the small lies and the bigger lies in all the serious and trivial matters. If a man lies in a small matter, he grows bold to lie in a bigger one. Have you not noted that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘As long as a servant (of Allah)