Conflict & Reconciliation

طَلَبَةُ الْعِلْمِ ثَلَاثَةٌ فَاعْرِفْهُمْ بِأَعْيَانِهِمْ وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلِاسْتِطَالَةِ وَ الْخَتْلِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْفِقْهِ وَ الْعَقْلِ فَصَاحِبُ الْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ مُوذٍ مُمَارٍ مُتَعَرِّضٌ لِلْمَقَالِ فِي أَنْدِيَةِ الرِّجَالِ بِتَذَاكُرِ الْعِلْمِ وَ صِفَةِ الْحِلْمِ قَدْ تَسَرْبَلَ بِالْخُشُوعِ وَ تَخَلَّى مِنَ الْوَرَعِ فَدَقَّ الل

“The seekers of knowledge are of three kinds. The more noticeable of them in person or character are: (a) the group who seeks knowledge for ignorance and quarrel. (b) The group who seeks knowledge to dominate and cheat others. (c) The group who seeks knowledge for proper understanding, Fiqh, and power of intelligence.

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا حَدَّثْتُكُمْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَاسْأَلُونِي مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي بَعْضِ حَدِيثِهِ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَهَى عَنِ الْقِيلِ وَ الْقَالِ وَ فَسَادِ الْمَالِ وَ كَثْرَةِ السُّؤَالِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَيْنَ هَذَا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- لا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْواهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘When you speak of anything ask me for its law in the book of Allah. He also has said in his Hadith, ‘The holy Prophet prohibited much squabbling and brawling, spoiling of property and much questionings.’” A person then asked, “O descendent of the holy Prophet, where is this in the holy Qur

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى‌ الرَّجُلِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ أَنَّ مَوَالِيَكَ اخْتَلَفُوا فِي الْعِلْمِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَمْ يَزَلِ اللَّهُ عَالِماً قَبْلَ فِعْلِ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لَا نَقُولُ لَمْ يَزَلِ اللَّهُ عَالِماً لِأَنَّ مَعْنَى يَعْلَمُ يَفْعَلُ فَإِنْ أَثْبَتْنَا الْعِلْمَ فَقَدْ أَثْبَتْنَا فِي الْأَزَلِ مَعَهُ شَيْئاً فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ أَنْ تُعَلِّمَنِي مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا أَقِفُ عَلَيْ

“I wrote to the man (the Imam) (as) saying: "Some of your followers have disagreed about the nature of knowledge. Some of them say that Allah has always been knowing before the creation of things, while others say that we should not say that Allah has always been knowing because "knows" implies "acts," and if we affirm

قَالَ لِي اكْتُبْ فَأَمْلَى عَلَيَّ إِنَّ مِنْ قَوْلِنَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْتَجُّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ بِمَا آتَاهُمْ وَ عَرَّفَهُمْ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولًا وَ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْكِتَابَ فَأَمَرَ فِيهِ وَ نَهَى أَمَرَ فِيهِ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ أَنَا أُنِيمُكَ وَ أَنَا أُوقِظُكَ‌ فَإِذَا قُمْتَ فَصَلِّ لِيَعْلَمُوا إِذَا أَصَابَهُمْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ يَصْن

“Once Imam abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘Write down.’ He dictated to me the following. ‘It is of our Hadith that Allah will, justifiably, hold people accountable for what He has given and made known to them. Allah then sent His messenger to them and sent down books upon them in which He has commanded and prohibit

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوهُ لِلنَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَصْعَدُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ لَا تُخَاصِمُوا النَّاسَ لِدِينِكُمْ فَإِنَّ الْمُخَاصَمَةَ مَمْرَضَةٌ لِلْقَلْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص‌ إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ‌ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشاءُ وَ قَالَ‌ أَ فَأَنْتَ ت

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Leave your affairs to Allah and do not leave them to the people. Whatever is for Allah it is for Him. Whatever is for people it will not rise up to Allah. Do not quarrel with people about your belief; quarrelling sickens the heart. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, said to Hi

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لِكُلٍّ جَعَلْنا مَوالِيَ‌ مِمَّا تَرَكَ‌ الْوالِدانِ وَ الْأَقْرَبُونَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ عَقَدَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع بِهِمْ عَقَدَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيْمَانَكُمْ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub who has said that he asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “We have chosen heirs for every legacy that parents and relatives may leave. Let those who have been

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ‌ اللَّهُمَّ وَ إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الْعِلْمَ لَا يَأْرِزُ كُلُّهُ وَ لَا يَنْقَطِعُ مَوَادُّهُ وَ أَنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِي أَرْضَكَ مِنْ حُجَّةٍ لَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ- ظَاهِرٍ لَيْسَ بِالْمُطَاعِ أَوْ خَائِفٍ مَغْمُورٍ كَيْلَا تَبْطُلَ حُجَجُكَ وَ لَا يَضِلَّ أَوْلِيَاؤُكَ بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَهُمْ بَلْ أَيْنَ هُمْ وَ كَمْ أُولَئِكَ الْأَقَلُّونَ عَدَداً وَ الْأَعْظَمُونَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ ق

“Trustworthy reliable men of the companions of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) have said that they heard Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) say in one of his sermons as herein below. “Lord, I know that knowledge will not be erased and its sources will not discontinue altogether and You will not leave your earth without a Leader with Your

قَالَ إِنَّ حَدِيثَكُمْ هَذَا لَتَشْمَئِزُّ مِنْهُ قُلُوبُ الرِّجَالِ فَمَنْ أَقَرَّ بِهِ فَزِيدُوهُ وَ مَنْ أَنْكَرَهُ فَذَرُوهُ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِتْنَةٌ يَسْقُطُ فِيهَا- كُلُّ بِطَانَةٍ وَ وَلِيجَةٍ[3] حَتَّى يَسْقُطَ فِيهَا مَنْ يَشُقُّ الشَّعْرَ بِشَعْرَتَيْنِ حَتَّى لَا يَبْقَى إِلَّا نَحْنُ وَ شِيعَتُنَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Your story (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) causes apprehension in the hearts of people. Those who acknowledge it (belief in the rise of al- Mahdi with Divine authority) you should enlighten him further and those who would deny it you should leave them alone. There m

رَأَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ قَدْ خَرَجَ عَلَيَّ فَأَخَذْتُ النَّظَرَ إِلَيْهِ وَ جَعَلْتُ أَنْظُرُ إِلَى رَأْسِهِ وَ رِجْلَيْهِ لِأَصِفَ قَامَتَهُ لِأَصْحَابِنَا بِمِصْرَ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى قَعَدَ فَقَالَ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ احْتَجَّ فِي الْإِمَامَةِ بِمِثْلِ مَا احْتَجَّ بِهِ فِي النُّبُوَّةِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ آتَيْناهُ الْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا[1] وَ لَمَّا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ‌[2] وَ بَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً[3

“Once I saw abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who had come out to me and I began to look at him from head to his toes so I can describe him to our people in Egypt. I was looking until he sat down and said, “O Ali, Allah has supported His argument against the people in the case of Imamat (Leadership with Divine Authority) just as He ha

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا مَعْنَى السَّلَامِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا خَلَقَ نَبِيَّهُ وَ وَصِيَّهُ وَ ابْنَتَهُ وَ ابْنَيْهِ وَ جَمِيعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ شِيعَتَهُمْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ وَ أَنْ يَصْبِرُوا وَ يُصَابِرُوا وَ يُرَابِطُوا وَ أَنْ يَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ وَعَدَهُمْ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ لَهُمُ الْأَرْضَ الْمُبَارَكَةَ وَ الْحَرَمَ الْآمِنَ وَ أ

38. Certain persons of our people have narrated from in a in a marfu‘ manner have narrated from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Dawud ibn Kathir al-Raqqi who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “What is the meaning of ‘peace be with the Messenger of Allah’?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When Allah, the Most Ho

الْخُمُسُ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْغَنَائِمِ وَ الْغَوْصِ وَ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ وَ مِنَ الْمَعَادِنِ وَ الْمَلَّاحَةِ[4] يُؤْخَذُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَذِهِ الصُّنُوفِ الْخُمُسُ فَيُجْعَلُ لِمَنْ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ وَ يُقْسَمُ الْأَرْبَعَةُ الْأَخْمَاسِ بَيْنَ مَنْ قَاتَلَ عَلَيْهِ‌[5] وَ وَلِيَ ذَلِكَ وَ يُقْسَمُ بَيْنَهُمُ الْخُمُسُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ أَسْهُمٍ- سَهْمٌ لِلَّهِ وَ سَهْمٌ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ سَهْمٌ

“Al-Khums (one fifth) is due on five categories of properties. 1 Cattle 2 Properties acquired from diving deep waters 3 The treasures 4 The mines and Salts. On each of such categories al-Khums is due. Such one fifth is distributed just as Allah has done. The remaining four portions is distributed among those who has ta

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

إِذَا دُعِيتَ لِصُلْحٍ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ فَلَا تَقُلْ عَلَيَّ يَمِينٌ أَلَّا أَفْعَلَ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Do not swear (saying, ‘By Allah’) I will not do good things, or have piety, or make peace among people. . . .,’ (2:224) the Imam said, “When you are called for arbitration between two people, do not say 1 have sworn not to do it.’”

قَالَ: أَبْلِغْ عَنِّي كَذَا وَ كَذَا فِي أَشْيَاءَ أَمَرَ بِهَا قُلْتُ فَأُبَلِّغُهُمْ عَنْكَ وَ أَقُولُ عَنِّي مَا قُلْتَ لِي وَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي قُلْتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ الْمُصْلِحَ لَيْسَ بِكَذَّابٍ إِنَّمَا هُوَ الصُّلْحُ لَيْسَ بِكَذِبٍ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘Convey from me to so and so, in a few matters that he commanded me to do.’ I said, ‘Therefore I convey from you to them and say from myself only what you have told me to say and other things that you said.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, an arbitrator cannot lie. He is the councilor, not a liar

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْمِرَاءَ وَ الْخُصُومَةَ فَإِنَّهُمَا يُمْرِضَانِ الْقُلُوبَ عَلَى الْإِخْوَانِ وَ يَنْبُتُ عَلَيْهِمَا النِّفَاقُ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqa from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Beware of disputations and quarrels; they create ill feelings toward the brothers (in belief) and upon these two hypocrisy grows.’”

مَنْ نَصَبَ اللَّهَ غَرَضاً لِلْخُصُومَاتِ أَوْشَكَ أَنْ يُكْثِرَ الِانْتِقَالَ‌[1].

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Whoever targets Allah in a quarrel (quarrelling with a creature is quarrelling with Him) may go through quick transitions (from truth to falsehood).”’

إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْخُصُومَةَ فَإِنَّهَا تَشْغَلُ الْقَلْبَ وَ تُورِثُ النِّفَاقَ وَ تَكْسِبُ الضَّغَائِنَ‌[7].

“Beware of disputing, for it occupies the heart, engenders hypocrisy, and breeds enmities.”

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي قَالَ اذْهَبْ وَ لَا تَغْضَبْ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ قَدْ اكْتَفَيْتُ بِذَاكَ فَمَضَى إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَإِذَا بَيْنَ قَوْمِهِ حَرْبٌ قَدْ قَامُوا صُفُوفاً وَ لَبِسُوا السِّلَاحَ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ لَبِسَ سِلَاحَهُ ثُمَّ قَامَ مَعَهُمْ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ قَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَغْضَبْ فَرَمَى السِّلَاحَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ يَمْشِي إِلَى الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَدُوُّ ق

“Once a man said to the Holy Prophet, ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘You may go and do not become angry.’ The man said, ‘I have taken it as a sufficient lesson.’ He went to his family and found his people fighting, all of them lined up in arms. When he saw it he also armed himself and s

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ أَبِي ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُسْلِمَيْنِ تَهَاجَرَا فَمَكَثَا ثَلَاثاً لَا يَصْطَلِحَانِ إِلَّا كَانَا خَارِجَيْنِ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ‌[3] وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ بَيْنَهُمَا وَلَايَةٌ فَأَيُّهُمَا سَبَقَ إِلَى كَلَامِ أَخِيهِ كَانَ السَّابِقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ- يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ.

‘Whoever of two Muslims forsake the other and do not make peace within three days they both will be considered out of Islam and there will be no Divine Guardianship relations among them. Whoever of the two speaks first to the other, he, on the Day of Judgment, will be the first one to enter paradise.’”

إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يُغْرِي بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا لَمْ يَرْجِعْ أَحَدُهُمْ عَنْ دِينِهِ‌[4] فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ اسْتَلْقَى عَلَى قَفَاهُ وَ تَمَدَّدَ[5] ثُمَّ قَالَ فُزْتُ فَرَحِمَ اللَّهُ امْرَأً أَلَّفَ بَيْنَ وَلِيَّيْنِ لَنَا يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ تَأَلَّفُوا وَ تَعَاطَفُوا.

“Satan keeps throwing animosity among the believers until one of them forsakes his religion. When this happens, Satan stretches down on his back and says, ‘This is my victory.’ May Allah grant blessings to those who make peace between two of our friends. O believing people, unite and be compassionate to each other.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سِبَابُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فُسُوقٌ‌[1] وَ قِتَالُهُ كُفْرٌ وَ أَكْلُ لَحْمِهِ مَعْصِيَةٌ وَ حُرْمَةُ مَالِهِ كَحُرْمَةِ دَمِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Reviling a believer is a gross sin, fighting him is disbelief, eating his flesh (backbiting) is disobedience and the illegality of consuming his property is like the illegality of spilling his blood (taking his life).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَمْسٌ إِنْ أَدْرَكْتُمُوهُنَّ فَتَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْهُنَّ لَمْ تَظْهَرِ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي قَوْمٍ قَطُّ حَتَّى يُعْلِنُوهَا إِلَّا ظَهَرَ فِيهِمُ الطَّاعُونُ وَ الْأَوْجَاعُ الَّتِي لَمْ تَكُنْ فِي أَسْلَافِهِمُ الَّذِينَ مَضَوْا وَ لَمْ يَنْقُصُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَ الْمِيزَانَ إِلَّا أُخِذُوا بِالسِّنِينَ‌[2] وَ شِدَّةِ الْمَئُونَةِ وَ جَوْرِ السُّلْطَانِ وَ لَمْ يَمْنَعُوا الزَّكَاةَ إِل

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There are five things—if you encounter them, seek refuge with Allah (Mighty and Majestic) from them: No people ever manifest indecency (fāḥishah) publicly except that plague and illnesses not known to their forefathers will spread among them; They do not cheat in weights and measures

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْطَى التَّائِبِينَ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَى خَصْلَةً مِنْهَا جَمِيعَ أَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ لَنَجَوْا بِهَا قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ‌[5] فَمَنْ أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَ مَنْ حَوْلَهُ‌ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ‌ ... وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِين

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from certain individuals of our people in a marfu ’ manner from the Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has given three things to the repenting people. Had any of it been given to all of those in the heaven

مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ حَدٌّ يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ إِلَّا الذِّكْرَ فَلَيْسَ لَهُ حَدٌّ يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْفَرَائِضَ فَمَنْ أَدَّاهُنَّ فَهُوَ حَدُّهُنَّ وَ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَمَنْ صَامَهُ فَهُوَ حَدُّهُ وَ الْحَجَّ فَمَنْ حَجَّ فَهُوَ حَدُّهُ إِلَّا الذِّكْرَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَرْضَ مِنْهُ بِالْقَلِيلِ وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ حَدّاً يَنْتَهِي إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَل

“Everything has a limit where it ends except speaking of Allah which has no limit to end. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has sanctioned obligations. When one fulfills them, their limit is where they end. The limit for the month of Ramadan is that when one fasts that is its limit where it ends, and the limit o

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ دَعْوَتُهُمْ مُسْتَجَابَةٌ الْحَاجُّ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ تَخْلُفُونَهُ وَ الْغَازِي فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَانْظُرُوا كَيْفَ تَخْلُفُونَهُ وَ الْمَرِيضُ فَلَا تَغِيظُوهُ وَ لَا تُضْجِرُوهُ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Three people’s prayers are accepted: one who has gone to performing Hajj, thus, consider how can you deal properly with his affairs in his absence, a soldier fighting for the cause of Allah, thus, consider how can you deal properly with his affairs in his absence, and a person suf

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ‌ يَا مُعَاوِيَةُ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَشَكَا الْإِبْطَاءَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْجَوَابِ فِي دُعَائِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ عَنِ الدُّعَاءِ السَّرِيعِ الْإِجَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الرَّجُلُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الْعَظِيمِ الْأَعْظَمِ الْأَجَلِّ الْأَكْرَمِ الْمَخْزُونِ الْمَكْنُونِ النُّورِ ال

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) on his own initiation said to me, ‘O Mu’awiyah, bear in mind that a man once came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) complaining of the delay for the answer

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تُمَارِ فَيَذْهَبَ بَهَاؤُكَ وَ لَا تُمَازِحْ فَيُجْتَرَأَ عَلَيْكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not quarrel; it eliminates your brilliance and do not play jokes; people grow rude and daring against you.”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[3] عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ فَقَالَ تُكَبِّرُ خَمْسَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ تَقُولُ أَوَّلَ مَا تُكَبِّرُ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَاةِ وَ اغْفِرْ لَنا وَ لِإِخْوانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونا بِالْإِيمانِ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنا غِلًّا ل

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ’Uramah from Zur‘ah, from Muhammad ibn Sanaa ‘ah in a Muzmar manner has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam), ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about Salah (prayer) for a deceased. He (the Imam) said, ‘You must say five Takbir (Allah is great bey

مَا عَلَى أَهْلِ الْمَيِّتِ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] أَنْ يَدْرَءُوا عَنْ مَيِّتِهِمْ لِقَاءَ مُنْكَرٍ وَ نَكِيرٍ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ إِذَا أُفْرِدَ الْمَيِّتُ فَلْيَتَخَلَّفْ عِنْدَهُ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِهِ فَيَضَعُ فَمَهُ عِنْدَ رَأْسِهِ ثُمَّ يُنَادِي بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ- يَا فُلَانَ بْنَ فُلَانٍ أَوْ يَا فُلَانَةَ بِنْتَ فُلَانٍ هَلْ أَنْتَ عَلَى الْعَهْدِ الَّذِي فَارَقْتَنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إ

‘It does not harm the family of a deceased among you to prevent his fear of meeting al-Munkar and al-Nakir (interrogating angels).’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘How can they do so?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When the deceased is left alone, the nearest relative is left behind near the deceased who places his mouth near the

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَعُودُ ابْناً لَهُ فَوَجَدْتُهُ عَلَى الْبَابِ فَإِذَا هُوَ مُهْتَمٌّ حَزِينٌ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ الصَّبِيُّ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لِمَا بِهِ‌[3] ثُمَّ دَخَلَ فَمَكَثَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا وَ قَدْ أَسْفَرَ وَجْهُهُ‌[4] وَ ذَهَبَ التَّغَيُّرُ وَ الْحُزْنُ قَالَ فَطَمِعْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ قَدْ صَلَحَ الصَّبِيُّ فَقُلْتُ كَيْفَ الصَّبِيُّ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ

“Once I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), to also visit his son who was ill. I met him at the door and he was sorrowful and depressed. I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service of your cause, how is your child?’ He replied, ‘By Allah, he is about to die.’ He then went inside the house and after a while came back to us,

ثَلَاثَةٌ يُحْتَجُّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَبْكَمُ وَ الطِّفْلُ وَ مَنْ مَاتَ فِي الْفَتْرَةِ فَتُرْفَعُ لَهُمْ نَارٌ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ ادْخُلُوهَا فَمَنْ دَخَلَهَا كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَرْداً وَ سَلَاماً وَ مَنْ أَبَى قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى هَذَا قَدْ أَمَرْتُكُمْ فَعَصَيْتُمُونِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘An argument will be made against three kinds of people: dumb people, children, and those who have died in the interval between the passing away and coming of a prophet. A fire will be brought before them and they will be commanded to go in it. Those who go in the fire, it will turn co

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[4] عَنْ صَلَاةِ الْقِتَالِ فَقَالَ إِذَا الْتَقَوْا فَاقْتَتَلُوا فَإِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ حِينَئِذٍ التَّكْبِيرُ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا وُقُوفاً[5] لَا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَى الْجَمَاعَةِ فَالصَّلَاةُ إِيمَاءٌ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) during fighting. He (the Imam) said, ‘If they meet (the armies) and kill each other, then Salah (prayer) in such time is Takbir (Allah is great beyond description), but if they are standing and are not able to overpower the group, then it is in the form of gestu

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يُؤْتَى يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِرَجُلٍ فَيُقَالُ احْتَجَّ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ خَلَقْتَنِي وَ هَدَيْتَنِي فَأَوْسَعْتَ عَلَيَّ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أُوسِعُ عَلَى خَلْقِكَ وَ أُيَسِّرُ عَلَيْهِمْ لِكَيْ تَنْشُرَ عَلَيَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ رَحْمَتَكَ وَ تُيَسِّرَهُ فَيَقُولُ الرَّبُّ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ وَ تَعَالَى ذِكْرُهُ صَدَقَ عَبْدِي أَدْخِلُوهُ الْجَنَّةَ.

The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment a man will be brought and will be told to present his argument (to support his merits). He will say, "O Lord, You created me and guided me, You provided for me abundantly, and I have always extended Your provision to Your creation and made it easy for them,

إِنَّ الصِّيَامَ لَيْسَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ الشَّرَابِ وَحْدَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَتْ مَرْيَمُ- إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمنِ صَوْماً أَيْ صَوْماً صَمْتاً وَ فِي نُسْخَةٍ أُخْرَى أَيْ صَمْتاً فَإِذَا صُمْتُمْ فَاحْفَظُوا أَلْسِنَتَكُمْ وَ غُضُّوا أَبْصَارَكُمْ وَ لَا تَنَازَعُوا وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا قَالَ وَ سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص امْرَأَةً تَسُبُّ جَارِيَةً لَهَا وَ هِيَ صَائِمَةٌ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِطَعَامٍ فَقَ

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd, from al- Qasim ibn Sulayman, from Jarrah al-Mada’iniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that fasting is not fasting from food and drink only.” He then said, “Mary had s

إِذَا صَامَ أَحَدُكُمُ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ فَلَا يُجَادِلَنَّ أَحَداً وَ لَا يَجْهَلْ وَ لَا يُسْرِعْ إِلَى الْحَلْفِ وَ الْأَيْمَانِ بِاللَّهِ فَإِنْ جَهِلَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ فَلْيَتَحَمَّلْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if anyone of you fasts for three days of a month, you should not quarrel with anyone or act ignorantly. He should not be hasty to swear or to swear by Allah, and if anyone else may act ignorantly, he should exercise forbearance.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الصِّيَامَ لَيْسَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ الشَّرَابِ وَحْدَهُ إِنَّ مَرْيَمَ ع قَالَتْ- إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمنِ صَوْماً أَيْ صَمْتاً فَاحْفَظُوا أَلْسِنَتَكُمْ وَ غُضُّوا أَبْصَارَكُمْ وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَ لَا تَنَازَعُوا فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ الْإِيمَانَ كَمَا تَأْكُلُ النَّارُ الْحَطَبَ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Fasting is not abstaining from food and drink only. Mary had said, “I have made a vow before the Beneficent to fast,” meaning thereby to remain silent. You must control your tongues and cast down your eyes. You must not be jealous and you must not quarrel. Jealousy consumes belief

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لِأَيِّ عِلَّةٍ وَضَعَ اللَّهُ الْحَجَرَ فِي الرُّكْنِ الَّذِي هُوَ فِيهِ وَ لَمْ يُوضَعْ فِي غَيْرِهِ وَ لِأَيِّ عِلَّةٍ تُقَبَّلُ وَ لِأَيِّ عِلَّةٍ أُخْرِجَ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ لِأَيِّ عِلَّةٍ وُضِعَ مِيثَاقُ الْعِبَادِ وَ الْعَهْدُ فِيهِ وَ لَمْ يُوضَعْ فِي غَيْرِهِ وَ كَيْفَ السَّبَبُ فِي ذَلِكَ تُخْبِرُنِي جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ فَإِنَّ تَفَكُّرِي فِيهِ لَعَجَبٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Musa ibn ‘Umar from ibn Sinan from abu Sa‘id al-Qammat from Bukayr ibn A’yan who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘For what reason has Allah placed the Black Stone at the corner where it is and not in othe

لَمْ يَزَلْ بَنُو إِسْمَاعِيلَ وُلَاةَ الْبَيْتِ وَ يُقِيمُونَ لِلنَّاسِ حَجَّهُمْ وَ أَمْرَ دِينِهِمْ يَتَوَارَثُونَهُ كَابِرٌ عَنْ كَابِرٍ حَتَّى كَانَ زَمَنُ عَدْنَانَ بْنِ أُدَدَ فَطالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ‌ وَ أَفْسَدُوا وَ أَحْدَثُوا فِي دِينِهِمْ وَ أَخْرَجَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضاً فَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ خَرَجَ فِي طَلَبِ الْمَعِيشَةِ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ خَرَجَ كَرَاهِيَةَ الْقِتَالِ وَ فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ أ

"The sons of Ismāʿīl were the custodians of the House (Kaaba) and established for the people their pilgrimage and the affairs of their religion. They inherited this responsibility from elder to elder until the time of ʿAdnān ibn ʾUdd. Then a long period passed, their hearts became hardened, and they became corrupt, int

أَنْ يَدْرُسَ الْحَرَمُ فَوَضَعَ أَنْصَابَهُ وَ كَانَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ وَضَعَهَا ثُمَّ غَلَبَتْ جُرْهُمُ‌[1] عَلَى وِلَايَةِ الْبَيْتِ فَكَانَ يَلِي مِنْهُمْ كَابِرٌ عَنْ كَابِرٍ حَتَّى بَغَتْ جُرْهُمُ بِمَكَّةَ وَ اسْتَحَلُّوا حُرْمَتَهَا وَ أَكَلُوا مَالَ الْكَعْبَةِ وَ ظَلَمُوا مَنْ دَخَلَ مَكَّةَ وَ عَتَوْا وَ بَغَوْا وَ كَانَتْ مَكَّةُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ لَا يَظْلِمُ وَ لَا يَبْغِي فِيهَا وَ لَا يَسْتَحِلُّ حُرْمَت

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Up to the time of ‘Adnan ibn ’Udad, descendents of Isma‘il were the caretakers of the House. They showed people how to perform the acts of Hajj and taught them religious matters, one generation after the other. After such a long time, their hearts became hard and they became corrupt and i

كُنْتُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَ الْمَدِينَةِ أَنَا وَ صَاحِبٌ لِي فَتَذَاكَرْنَا الْأَنْصَارَ فَقَالَ أَحَدُنَا هُمْ نُزَّاعٌ‌[1] مِنْ قَبَائِلَ وَ قَالَ أَحَدُنَا هُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْيَمَنِ قَالَ فَانْتَهَيْنَا إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي ظِلِّ شَجَرَةٍ فَابْتَدَأَ الْحَدِيثَ وَ لَمْ نَسْأَلْهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ تُبَّعاً لَمَّا أَنْ جَاءَ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْعِرَاقِ وَ جَاءَ مَعَهُ الْعُلَمَاءُ وَ أَبْنَ

“In between Makkah and al-Madinah, my companion and I were discussing about people called al- Ansar. One of us said that they were individuals from different people who did not belong to well- known tribes, and one of them said that they were from the people of Yemen. We then arrived near abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.). He was

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِنَا مَاتَ أَخُوهَا فَأَوْصَى بِحَجَّةٍ وَ قَدْ حَجَّتِ الْمَرْأَةُ فَقَالَتْ إِنْ صَلَحَ حَجَجْتُ أَنَا عَنْ أَخِي وَ كُنْتُ أَنَا أَحَقَّ بِهَا مِنْ غَيْرِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ تَحُجَّ عَنْ أَخِيهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهَا مَالٌ فَلْتَحُجَّ مِنْ مَالِهَا فَإِنَّهُ أَعْظَمُ لِأَجْرِهَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a woman from our people whose brother has died and has said in his will to perform al-Hajj on his behalf. The woman who has performed al-Hajj said that if it is proper, she wants to perform al-Hajj on behalf of her brother, because she has a greater degree of prior

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ دُخُولَ الْكَعْبَةِ فَاغْتَسِلْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَدْخُلَهَا وَ لَا تَدْخُلْهَا بِحِذَاءٍ[1] وَ تَقُولُ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ‌ وَ مَنْ دَخَلَهُ كانَ آمِناً فَآمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَيْنَ الْأُسْطُوَانَتَيْنِ عَلَى الرُّخَامَةِ[2] الْحَمْرَاءِ تَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُولَى حم السَّجْدَةَ وَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ عَدَدَ آيَاتِهَا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَ تُصَل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you decide to enter al-Ka‘bah, take a shower before entering and do not enter with shoes. When you are inside say, ‘O Allah, You have said, “Those who enter it have immunity,” thus, grant me protection against the torment of the fire.’ Thereafter perform two Rak‘at salat (pray

سُئِلَ أَبِي عَنْ إِتْيَانِ قَبْرِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقَالَ صَلُّوا فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ حَوْلَهُ وَ يُجْزِئُ فِي الْمَوَاضِعِ كُلِّهَا أَنْ تَقُولَ- السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ أَصْفِيَائِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى أُمَنَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ أَحِبَّائِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى أَنْصَارِ اللَّهِ وَ خُلَفَائِهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَحَالِّ مَعْرِفَةِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مَسَاكِنِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ السَّلَامُ عَلَى مُظَاهِرِي أَمْرِ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Harun ibn Muslim from Ali ibn Hassan who has said the following: “Al-Rida, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘My father was asked about visiting the gravesite of al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and he said, ‘Perform salat (prayer) in the Masjids around his gravesit

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ بَلَّغَ رِسَالَةَ غَازٍ كَانَ كَمَنْ أَعْتَقَ رَقَبَةً وَ هُوَ شَرِيكُهُ فِي ثَوَابِ غَزْوَتِهِ.

“One who conveys the message of a fighter for the cause of Allah receives a reward equal to freeing a slave and he will have a share in the reward for his fighting for the cause of Allah in battle..”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ مَنِ اغْتَابَ مُؤْمِناً غَازِياً أَوْ آذَاهُ أَوْ خَلَفَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ بِسُوءٍ نُصِبَ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَيَسْتَغْرِقُ حَسَنَاتِهِ ثُمَّ يُرْكَسُ فِي النَّارِ إِذَا كَانَ الْغَازِي فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[2].

“If one back-bites a believing person who is fighting for the cause of Allah or troubles the fighter’s family in his absence by evil manners, he will, on the Day of Judgment, be brought to justice. All of his good deeds will become invalid and he will then be sent into hell, if the fighter has fought in obedience to Al

أَنَّ أَبَا دُجَانَةَ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ اعْتَمَّ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ بِعِمَامَةٍ لَهُ وَ أَرْخَى عَذَبَةَ الْعِمَامَةِ[3] بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ حَتَّى جَعَلَ يَتَبَخْتَرُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِنَّ هَذِهِ لَمِشْيَةٌ يُبْغِضُهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَّا عِنْدَ الْقِتَالِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ.

“On the day of ‘Uhud, abu Dujanah al-Ansariy wore his turban and left one end hanging between his shoulders on his back and began walking as if puffed up with pride. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘This is a kind of walking that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, dislikes very much except during fighting for th

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبِي ص عَنْ حُرُوبِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ كَانَ السَّائِلُ مِنْ مُحِبِّينَا فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بَعَثَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص بِخَمْسَةِ أَسْيَافٍ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْهَا شَاهِرَةٌ فَلَا تُغْمَدُ حَتَّى تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزارَها وَ لَنْ‌ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزارَها حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا[2] فَإِذَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ مِنْ مَغْرِبِهَا آمَنَ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ الْ

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man asked my father (a.s.), about the wars in which Amir al-Mu’minin, had taken part. The man asking the question was of our followers. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), replied, ‘Allah sent Muhammad (a.s.), with five swords. Three of them are taken out of their sheath and they are not shea

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ بَلَغَهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا يُعْطِي السَّيْفَ وَ الْفَرَسَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَأَتَاهُ فَأَخَذَهُمَا مِنْهُ وَ هُوَ جَاهِلٌ بِوَجْهِ السَّبِيلِ ثُمَّ لَقِيَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ فَأَخْبَرُوهُ أَنَّ السَّبِيلَ مَعَ هَؤُلَاءِ لَا يَجُوزُ وَ أَمَرُوهُ بِرَدِّهِمَا فَقَالَ فَلْيَفْعَلْ قَالَ قَدْ طَلَبَ الرَّجُلَ فَلَمْ يَجِدْهُ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ قَدْ شَخَصَ الرَّجُلُ قَالَ فَ

“I once asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida’ (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, one of your followers had heard that a man gives away sword and horse for the cause of Allah. He went to that man and took the two items but he did not know the rules. His companions met him and told him that workin

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي قُلْتُ لَكَ إِنَّ الْقِتَالَ مَعَ غَيْرِ الْإِمَامِ الْمَفْرُوضِ طَاعَتُهُ حَرَامٌ مِثْلَ الْمَيْتَةِ وَ الدَّمِ وَ لَحْمِ الْخِنْزِيرِ فَقُلْتَ لِي هُوَ كَذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هُوَ كَذَلِكَ هُوَ كَذَلِكَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I saw a dream in which I said to you, “Fighting alongside one who is not an Imam, obedience to whom is obligatory, is unlawful just like consuming dead animals, blood and pork for food. You said to me (in my dream), “That is how it is.’” Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam,

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي رَأَيْتُ فِي الْمَنَامِ أَنِّي قُلْتُ لَكَ إِنَّ الْقِتَالَ مَعَ غَيْرِ الْإِمَامِ الْمُفْتَرَضِ طَاعَتُهُ حَرَامٌ مِثْلُ الْمَيْتَةِ وَ الدَّمِ وَ لَحْمِ الْخِنْزِيرِ فَقُلْتَ لِي نَعَمْ هُوَ كَذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هُوَ كَذَلِكَ هُوَ كَذَلِكَ‌[1].

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I saw a dream in which I said to you, “Fighting alongside an Imam to whom obedience is not obligatory is unlawful like consuming dead animals, blood and pork for food”, and you said to me, “Yes, that is how it is.’” Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then said, ‘That is how it is. That is ho