Death & Bereavement

وُلِدَ لِي وَلَدٌ فَكَتَبْتُ أَسْتَأْذِنُ فِي طُهْرِهِ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ فَوَرَدَ لَا تَفْعَلْ فَمَاتَ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ أَوِ الثَّامِنِ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِمَوْتِهِ فَوَرَدَ سَتُخْلَفُ غَيْرَهُ وَ غَيْرَهُ تُسَمِّيهِ أَحْمَدَ وَ مِنْ بَعْدِ أَحْمَدَ جَعْفَراً فَجَاءَ كَمَا قَالَ قَالَ وَ تَهَيَّأْتُ لِلْحَجِّ وَ وَدَّعْتُ النَّاسَ وَ كُنْتُ عَلَى الْخُرُوجِ فَوَرَدَ نَحْنُ لِذَلِكَ كَارِهُونَ وَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكَ قَال

“A boy was born to me. I wrote to him (al-Mahdi (a.s.) for his permission to give the baby a special bath for the ceremony on the seventh day of his birth. The answer came back and it said, “Do not do so.” The boy died on the seventh or the eighth day. I then wrote to him about the death of the boy. He wrote back to me

لَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَرَدَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مِصْرَ بِمَالٍ إِلَى مَكَّةَ لِلنَّاحِيَةِ فَاخْتُلِفَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ النَّاسِ إِنَّ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع مَضَى مِنْ غَيْرِ خَلَفٍ وَ الْخَلَفُ جَعْفَرٌ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ خَلَفٍ فَبَعَثَ رَجُلًا يُكَنَّى بِأَبِي طَالِبٍ فَوَرَدَ الْعَسْكَرَ وَ مَعَهُ كِتَابٌ فَصَارَ إِلَى جَعْفَرٍ وَ سَأَلَهُ عَنْ بُرْهَانٍ فَقَالَ لَا يَتَهَي

“When abu Muhammad (a.s.) passed away a man from Egypt came to Makk with a certain amount of commodities that were due to the holy location (office of the Imam (a.s.) People expressed different opinions on the issue. Certain persons said, “Abu Muhammad (a.s.) has passed away and has left no one behind as his successor.

كَانَ يَرِدُ كِتَابُ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فِي الْإِجْرَاءِ عَلَى الْجُنَيْدِ قَاتِلِ فَارِسَ وَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ وَ آخَرَ فَلَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَرَدَ اسْتِئْنَافٌ مِنَ الصَّاحِبِ لِإِجْرَاءِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ وَ صَاحِبِهِ وَ لَمْ يَرِدْ فِي أَمْرِ الْجُنَيْدِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ فَوَرَدَ نَعْيُ الْجُنَيْدِ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ.

“The letters of abu Muhammad (a.s.) would come about the matters related to al-Junayd, who killed Fars, abu al-Hassan and others. When he passed away letters about the issues related to abu al-Hassan and his friend continued coming from (Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) but there was no mention of al-Junayd. I became depressed abo

كَانَتْ لِي جَارِيَةٌ كُنْتُ مُعْجَباً بِهَا فَكَتَبْتُ أَسْتَأْمِرُ فِي اسْتِيلَادِهَا فَوَرَدَ اسْتَوْلِدْهَا وَ يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ فَوَطِئْتُهَا فَحَبِلَتْ ثُمَّ أَسْقَطَتْ فَمَاتَتْ.

“I had a female slave that had attracted my attention. I wrote to him (Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) requesting permission to have a child from her. The answer came, “You may do so but Allah does whatever He wants.” I went to bed with her and she became pregnant. The fetus fell off prematurely and she died.”

كَتَبَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ زِيَادٍ الصَّيْمَرِيُّ يَسْأَلُ كَفَناً فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ إِنَّكَ تَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ فِي سَنَةِ ثَمَانِينَ فَمَاتَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَمَانِينَ وَ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِالْكَفَنِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِأَيَّامٍ.

“Ali ibn Ziyad al-Saynari wrote a letter to request for a shroud. He (al-Mahdi (a.s.) wrote back to him, “You will need it in the year eighty.” He died in the year eighty and the shroud was sent to him a few days before his death.”

شَهِدْتُ جِنَازَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْمَ مَاتَ وَ شَهِدْتُ عُمَرَ حِينَ بُويِعَ وَ عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِسٌ نَاحِيَةً فَأَقْبَلَ غُلَامٌ يَهُودِيٌّ جَمِيلُ الْوَجْهِ بَهِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُ حِسَانٌ وَ هُوَ مِنْ وُلْدِ هَارُونَ حَتَّى قَامَ عَلَى رَأْسِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ بِكِتَابِهِمْ وَ أَمْرِ نَبِيِّهِمْ قَالَ فَطَأْطَأَ عُمَرُ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ إِيَّاكَ أَعْنِي وَ أَ

“I was present in the funeral procession of abu Bakr the day it took place. I was also present when ‘Umar took oath of allegiance and Ali (a.s.) was sitting on the side. A young, good looking, well dressed Jewish boy came. He was a descendant of Harun and he stood (on a place that was) above ’Umar and asked, “O Amir al

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْماً لا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْواتاً بَلْ أَحْياءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مَاتَ شَهِيداً وَ اللَّهِ لَيَأْتِيَنَّكَ فَأَيْقِنْ إِذَا جَاءَكَ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ غَيْرُ مُتَخَيِّلٍ‌[1] بِهِ فَأَخَذَ عَلِيٌّ بِيَدِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرَاهُ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) one day said to Abu Bakr, “Do not think of those slain for the cause of God as dead. They are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him.” (3:169) I testify that Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (sw) died as a martyr. He by Allah, will come to you and do have any doubts when he will c

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى عِمْرَانَ أَنِّي وَاهِبٌ لَكَ ذَكَراً سَوِيّاً مُبَارَكاً يُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَ الْأَبْرَصَ وَ يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَ جَاعِلُهُ رَسُولًا إِلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَحَدَّثَ عِمْرَانُ امْرَأَتَهُ حَنَّةَ[1] بِذَلِكَ وَ هِيَ أُمُّ مَرْيَمَ فَلَمَّا حَمَلَتْ كَانَ حَمْلُهَا بِهَا عِنْدَ نَفْسِهَا غُلَامٌ- فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْها قالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعْتُها أُنْثى‌ ...

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn Ibrahim his father all from ibn Mahbub from al-Ri’ab from Abu Basir from Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who said: “Allah, the Most High, revealed to ʿImrān: “I will grant you a righteous and blessed son who will cure the blind and the leper and bring the dead

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع بَعَثَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع فِي أَوَّلِ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَبَضَ بِيَمِينِهِ قَبْضَةً بَلَغَتْ قَبْضَتُهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ السَّابِعَةِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَخَذَ مِنْ كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ تُرْبَةً وَ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً أُخْرَى مِنَ الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْعُلْيَا إِلَى الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْقُصْوَى فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَلِمَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent Jibril in the first hours of the Friday. He picked up with his right hand a handful. His hand had in its reach from the seventh heavens to the heaven above earth. From each of the heavens he picked up a handful. He also picked up another handful fro

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَخْرَجَ ذُرِّيَّةَ آدَمَ ع مِنْ ظَهْرِهِ‌[4] لِيَأْخُذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ بِالرُّبُوبِيَّةِ لَهُ وَ بِالنُّبُوَّةِ لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ فَكَانَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَخَذَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ بِنُبُوَّتِهِ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لآِدَمَ انْظُرْ مَا ذَا تَرَى قَالَ فَنَظَرَ آدَمُ ع إِلَى ذُرِّيَّتِهِ وَ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from Habib al-Sajistani who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘There was a time when Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, took the descendent

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 عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدِّثْنِي عَمَّا بُنِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ دَعَائِمُ الْإِسْلَامِ إِذَا أَنَا أَخَذْتُ بِهَا زَكَى عَمَلِي وَ لَمْ يَضُرَّنِي جَهْلُ مَا جَهِلْتُ بَعْدَهُ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ حَقٌّ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْوَلَايَةُ الَّتِي أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهَ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to teach me the principles of Islam in such a way that on holding to them my deeds can take pure and correct form and thereafter the ignorance of whatever I am ignorant of cannot harm me. The Imam said, ‘Of the principles of Islam are to testify and acknowledge that no one deserves to

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ الْإِيمَانُ أَوِ الْإِسْلَامُ فَإِنَّ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ أَرْفَعُ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ قُلْتُ فَأَوْجِدْنِي ذَلِكَ‌[2] قَالَ مَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ مُتَعَمِّداً قَالَ قُلْتُ يُضْرَبُ ضَرْباً شَدِيداً قَالَ أَصَبْتَ قَالَ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي الْكَعْبَة

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which is better, belief or Islam? Certain people say Islam is better than belief.’ The Imam said, ‘Belief is higher than Islam.’ I then said, ‘Help me understand it.’ He said, ‘What do you say if one commits, purposely, an act of heresy in Masjid al-Haram (Sacred Mosque)?’ I said, ‘He sho

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

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

سُئِلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الصَّبْرِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْجِهَادِ فَالصَّبْرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الشَّوْقِ وَ الْإِشْفَاقِ‌[8] وَ الزُّهْدِ وَ التَّرَقُّبِ فَمَنِ اشْتَاقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ سَلَا[9] عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ أَشْفَقَ مِنَ النَّارِ رَجَعَ عَنِ الْمُحَرَّمَاتِ‌[10

1. Through the same chain of narrators as the above Hadith it is narrated from ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) was asked about belief and he said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief upon four p

مِنْ صِحَّةِ يَقِينِ الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يُرْضِيَ النَّاسَ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ وَ لَا يَلُومَهُمْ عَلَى مَا لَمْ يُؤْتِهِ اللَّهُ فَإِنَّ الرِّزْقَ لَا يَسُوقُهُ حِرْصُ حَرِيصٍ وَ لَا يَرُدُّهُ كَرَاهِيَةُ كَارِهٍ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ فَرَّ مِنْ رِزْقِهِ كَمَا يَفِرُّ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ لَأَدْرَكَهُ رِزْقُهُ كَمَا يُدْرِكُهُ الْمَوْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِعَدْلِهِ وَ قِسْطِهِ جَعَلَ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّا

"'It is from the soundness of a man's certainty that he does not make people happy to anger Allah and does not blame them for what (of belongings) Allah has not given him. The share of sustenance is something that is not driven by the greed of the greedy ones and is not pushed back due to the dislike of those who disli

بَعْضُهُمْ لَا تَقْعُدْ تَحْتَ هَذَا الْحَائِطِ فَإِنَّهُ مُعْوِرٌ[1] فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص حَرَسَ امْرَأً أَجَلُهُ‌[2] فَلَمَّا قَامَ سَقَطَ الْحَائِطُ قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مِمَّا يَفْعَلُ هَذَا وَ أَشْبَاهَهُ وَ هَذَا الْيَقِينُ‌[3].

“Once, Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) during his court session, had sat leaning against a wall that was bent. Certain people asked him not to sit near the defective wall. Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) said, ‘This is like a man’s guarding his death,' (Futility of Guardian against death). When

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ أَمَّا الْجِدارُ فَكانَ لِغُلامَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ‌ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَ كانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُما[4] فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ ذَهَباً وَ لَا فِضَّةً وَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ أَرْبَعَ كَلِمَاتٍ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْمَوْتِ لَمْ يَضْحَكْ سِنُّهُ وَ مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْحِسَابِ لَمْ يَفْرَحْ قَلْبُهُ وَ مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَدَرِ ل

“The Imam said, ‘It is a fact that the treasure did not consist of gold and silver. It consisted of four sentences: “No one deserves to be worshipped except I (Allah). Whoever has realized with certainty that death is inevitable has enough reason not to laugh for a year. Whoever has realized with certainty that account

نَظَرْتُ يَوْماً فِي الْحَرْبِ إِلَى رَجُلٍ عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ فَحَرَّكْتُ فَرَسِي فَإِذَا هُوَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ‌[1] فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا سَعِيدَ بْنَ قَيْسٍ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَافِظٌ وَ وَاقِيَةٌ مَعَهُ مَلَكَانِ يَحْفَظَانِهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْقُطَ مِنْ رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ أَوْ يَقَعَ فِي بِئْرٍ فَإِذَا نَزَلَ الْقَضَا

“One day during a war I looked on a man who was wearing two pieces of garment on him. I moved my horse nearer to him and I found him to be Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) and I said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, is this a place (to be in with just two pieces of garment and no coats of arms)?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, O

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ فِي الْكَنْزِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُما كَانَ فِيهِ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْمَوْتِ كَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَدَرِ كَيْفَ يَحْزَنُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ رَأَى الدُّنْيَا وَ تَقَلُّبَهَا بِأَهْلِهَا كَيْفَ يَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهَا[2] وَ يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ عَقَلَ عَنِ ا

‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the coming of death but he feels happy. Strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the strict measurement of Allah but he feels depressed. Strange to me is the case of a person who is aware of all t

قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْمٌ يَعْمَلُونَ بِالْمَعَاصِي وَ يَقُولُونَ نَرْجُو فَلَا يَزَالُونَ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمٌ يَتَرَجَّحُونَ‌[4] فِي الْأَمَانِيِّ كَذَبُوا لَيْسُوا بِرَاجِينَ إِنَّ مَنْ رَجَا شَيْئاً طَلَبَهُ وَ مَنْ خَافَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ هَرَبَ مِنْهُ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Certain people commit sins and say that they hope. They continue until their death arrives.’ The Imam said, ‘Such people have strayed away in hopes. They lie and they do not have any hope. Whoever hopes to have something, he tries to find it. People fearing something, run away from

إِنَّ رَجُلًا رَكِبَ الْبَحْرَ بِأَهْلِهِ فَكُسِرَ بِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَنْجُ مِمَّنْ كَانَ فِي السَّفِينَةِ إِلَّا امْرَأَةُ الرَّجُلِ فَإِنَّهَا نَجَتْ عَلَى لَوْحٍ مِنْ أَلْوَاحِ السَّفِينَةِ حَتَّى أَلْجَأَتْ عَلَى جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ وَ كَانَ فِي تِلْكَ الْجَزِيرَةِ رَجُلٌ يَقْطَعُ الطَّرِيقَ وَ لَمْ يَدَعْ لِلَّهِ حُرْمَةً إِلَّا انْتَهَكَهَا فَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ إِلَّا وَ الْمَرْأَةُ قَائِمَةٌ عَلَى رَأْسِ

“A man once set sail with his people and suffered a shipwreck. Everyone on board died except his wife who clung to a board and landed on an island where there lived a robber who had left no instance of disobedience to Allah but had committed them all. Without knowing anything about the shipwreck he found the woman stan

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِمَّا حُفِظَ مِنْ خُطَبِ النَّبِيِّ ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ لَكُمْ مَعَالِمَ فَانْتَهُوا إِلَى مَعَالِمِكُمْ وَ إِنَّ لَكُمْ نِهَايَةً فَانْتَهُوا إِلَى نِهَايَتِكُمْ أَلَا إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ مَخَافَتَيْنِ بَيْنَ أَجَلٍ قَدْ مَضَى لَا يَدْرِي مَا اللَّهُ صَانِعٌ فِيهِ وَ بَيْنَ أَجَلٍ قَدْ بَقِيَ لَا يَدْرِي مَا اللَّهُ قَاضٍ فِيهِ فَل

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the preserved speeches of the Holy Prophet one is his words as follows: “O people, for you there are the sources of knowledge. You must reach out to them. For you there are the end goals and you must reach them. You must know that a believer works between two frightening facts.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَلَا إِنَّ لِكُلِّ عِبَادَةٍ شِرَّةً[3] ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ إِلَى فَتْرَةٍ فَمَنْ صَارَتْ شِرَّةُ عِبَادَتِهِ إِلَى سُنَّتِي فَقَدِ اهْتَدَى وَ مَنْ خَالَفَ سُنَّتِي فَقَدْ ضَلَّ وَ كَانَ عَمَلُهُ فِي تَبَابٍ‌[4] أَمَا إِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَ أَنَامُ وَ أَصُومُ وَ أُفْطِرُ وَ أَضْحَكُ وَ أَبْكِي فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ مِنْهَاجِي وَ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَ قَالَ كَفَى بِالْمَوْتِ مَوْعِظَةً وَ كَفَى بِا

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal from Salam ibn al-Mustanir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘For every form of worship there is a strong desire and willingness, then it reduces. Whoever’ s worship falls

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ هَذَا الدِّينَ مَتِينٌ فَأَوْغِلْ فِيهِ بِرِفْقٍ وَ لَا تُبَغِّضْ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ عِبَادَةَ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّ الْمُنْبَتَّ يَعْنِي الْمُفْرِطَ لَا ظَهْراً أَبْقَى وَ لَا أَرْضاً قَطَعَ فَاعْمَلْ عَمَلَ مَنْ يَرْجُو أَنْ يَمُوتَ هَرِماً وَ احْذَرْ حَذَرَ مَنْ يَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ يَمُوتَ غَداً.

“The Messenger of Allah once said, ‘O Ali, this religion is strong (and vast). Follow it with care. Do not cause your soul to hate the worship of your Lord. The extremist is like a person who during a journey destroys his riding animal and is left without any animal to ride before reaching his destination. Do good deed

إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي قَبْرِهِ كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ الزَّكَاةُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ الْبِرُّ مُطِلٌّ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ يَتَنَحَّى الصَّبْرُ نَاحِيَةً فَإِذَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ يَلِيَانِ مُسَاءَلَتَهُ قَالَ الصَّبْرُ لِلصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْبِرِّ دُونَكُمْ صَاحِبَكُمْ فَإِنْ عَجَزْتُمْ عَنْهُ فَأَنَا دُونَهُ.

“When a believer is placed in his grave, prayer will be on his right al-Zakat (charity) on his left, and virtuous deeds will provide cover from above and patience will stay aside. When the two angels come to interrogate him, patience will say to the prayer, al-Zakat (charity) and virtuous deeds, ‘Help your friend. Were

دَخَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ كَئِيبٍ حَزِينٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا لَكَ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أُصِبْتُ بِأَبِي [وَ أُمِّي‌] وَ أَخِي وَ أَخْشَى أَنْ أَكُونَ قَدْ وَجِلْتُ‌[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ الصَّبْرِ تَقْدَمْ عَلَيْهِ غَداً وَ الصَّبْرُ فِي الْأُمُورِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) entered the Mosque and at the door of the Mosque he met a man who was depressed and sad. Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) asked him ‘What has happened to you?’ He said, ‘It is due to the death of my father, mother and brother. O Amir al- Mu’minin, I am afrai

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

هَلَكَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَأَتَى الْحَفَّارِينَ فَإِذَا بِهِمْ لَمْ يَحْفِرُوا شَيْئاً وَ شَكَوْا ذَلِكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا يَعْمَلُ حَدِيدُنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا نَضْرِبُ بِهِ فِي الصَّفَا[1] فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ إِنْ كَانَ صَاحِبُكُمْ لَحَسَنَ الْخُلُقِ ائْتُونِي بِقَدَحٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَأَتَوْهُ بِهِ فَأَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فِيهِ ثُمَّ رَشَّهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ رَشّاً

“During the time of the Holy Prophet a man died. The gravediggers could not dig a grave for him. They complained to the Messenger of Allah saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our picks do not work. It is as if we hit a rock.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Why it would be as such had your man been excellent in moral behavior

أَفْطَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- عَشِيَّةَ خَمِيسٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَا فَقَالَ هَلْ مِنْ شَرَابٍ فَأَتَاهُ أَوْسُ بْنُ خَوَلِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِعُسِّ مَخِيضٍ بِعَسَلٍ‌[1] فَلَمَّا وَضَعَهُ عَلَى فِيهِ نَحَّاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ شَرَابَانِ يُكْتَفَى بِأَحَدِهِمَا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ لَا أَشْرَبُهُ وَ لَا أُحَرِّمُهُ وَ لَكِنْ أَتَوَاضَعُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنَّ مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ خَفَضَهُ اللَّهُ وَ م

‘‘In a Thursday evening the Messenger of Allah had completed his day’s fasting and dinner was served in the Mosque of Quba. He asked, ‘Is there any drink?’ Aws ibn Khuli brought him a bowl of milk mixed with honey. When he touched it with his lips he moved it away saying, ‘There are two drinks each of which is enough d

مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِجَدْيٍ أَسَكَ‌[2] مُلْقًى عَلَى مَزْبَلَةٍ مَيْتاً فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ كَمْ يُسَاوِي هَذَا فَقَالُوا لَعَلَّهُ لَوْ كَانَ حَيّاً لَمْ يُسَاوِ دِرْهَماً فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ الَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَلدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذَا الْجَدْيِ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ‌[3].

“The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) once passed by a kid of a goat that was dead, with ears cut and was thrown on the trash collection site of a people. He asked those people how much it was worth. They replied, ‘Even when alive it was worth less than a dirham.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘I swear by the One in whose hand

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع حَدِّثْنِي بِمَا أَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ أَكْثِرْ ذِكْرَ الْمَوْتِ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يُكْثِرْ إِنْسَانٌ ذِكْرَ الْمَوْتِ إِلَّا زَهِدَ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘(I request you to) teach me a Hadith that can benefit me.’ The Imam said, ‘O abu ‘Ubaydah, speak of death very often. No one speaks of death very often but that it reduces his interest in worldly matters.’”

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.’”

كَانَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَقُولُ فِي خُطْبَتِهِ يَا مُبْتَغِيَ الْعِلْمِ كَأَنَّ شَيْئاً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا لَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْئاً إِلَّا مَا يَنْفَعُ خَيْرُهُ وَ يَضُرُّ شَرُّهُ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ‌[2] يَا مُبْتَغِيَ الْعِلْمِ لَا يَشْغَلُكَ أَهْلٌ وَ لَا مَالٌ عَنْ نَفْسِكَ أَنْتَ يَوْمَ تُفَارِقُهُمْ كَضَيْفٍ بِتَّ فِيهِمْ ثُمَّ غَدَوْتَ عَنْهُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ وَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةُ كَمَنْز

“Abu Dhar, may Allah grant him favors, has said in his sermons, ‘O you who are found of knowledge, consider worldly things as nothing except what is beneficial in it, and its evil is harmful to people except those to whom Allah has done favors. O you who are found of knowledge do not allow your family and property to p

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ أَغْبَطِ أَوْلِيَائِي عِنْدِي رَجُلًا خَفِيفَ الْحَالِ‌[1] ذَا حَظٍّ مِنْ صَلَاةٍ أَحْسَنَ عِبَادَةَ رَبِّهِ بِالْغَيْبِ وَ كَانَ غَامِضاً فِي النَّاسِ‌[2] جُعِلَ رِزْقُهُ كَفَافاً فَصَبَرَ عَلَيْهِ عَجِلَتْ مَنِيَّتُهُ‌[3] فَقَلَّ تُرَاثُهُ وَ قَلَّتْ بَوَاكِيهِ.

‘The most envied person among My servants is a man whose needs are light, has a good share in prayer, who performs the worship of his Lord unseen, is obscure among the people, whose expenses are within the limits of bare necessities with which he exercises patience, whose death is quick (like a dead person free from wo

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُزَكِّي الْأَعْمَالَ‌[4] وَ تُنْمِي الْأَمْوَالَ وَ تَدْفَعُ الْبَلْوَى وَ تُيَسِّرُ الْحِسَابَ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ‌[5].

4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Khattab al-A’War from abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Having good relations with relatives cleanses ones deeds, increases ones wealth, repulses misfortunes, makes reckoning easier and delays the comi

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ‌[1] وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, opens the ability for generosity, helps one’s soul agree easily to be generous, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صِلْ رَحِمَكَ وَ لَوْ بِشَرْبَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ وَ أَفْضَلُ مَا تُوصَلُ بِهِ الرَّحِمُ كَفُّ الْأَذَى عَنْهَا وَ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الْأَجَلِ مَحْبَبَةٌ فِي الْأَهْلِ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintain your kindred relations well even if it is a help with a drink of water. The best in such relations are not to cause any suffering to relatives. Keeping good relations with relatives delays the coming of death and brings love among them.”

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ‌[3] تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, strengthens the ability to be generous with the pleasure of one’s soul, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُزَكِّي الْأَعْمَالَ وَ تَدْفَعُ الْبَلْوَى وَ تُنْمِي الْأَمْوَالَ وَ تُنْسِئُ لَهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ تُوَسِّعُ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ تُحَبِّبُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَ لْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ.

13. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Khattab al-‘A’War from abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives cleanses the deeds, repulses misfortunes, increases wealth, delays the coming of death, enlarges ones

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ النَّسَاءُ فِي الْأَجَلِ وَ الزِّيَادَةُ فِي الرِّزْقِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ.

“The messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who likes to delay the coming of his death and increase his means of living should maintain good relations with relatives.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا نَعْلَمُ شَيْئاً يَزِيدُ فِي الْعُمُرِ إِلَّا صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ حَتَّى إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ‌ يَكُونُ أَجَلُهُ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ فَيَكُونُ وَصُولًا لِلرَّحِمِ فَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً فَيَجْعَلُهَا ثَلَاثاً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَكُونُ أَجَلُهُ ثَلَاثاً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً فَيَكُونُ قَاطِعاً لِلرَّحِمِ فَيَنْقُصُهُ اللَّهُ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَجْعَلُ أَجَلَهُ إِل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘We do not know of anything that may increase one’s lifespan like maintaining good relations with relatives does. It is so much so that a man’s life span may have only three years been left, but he maintains good relations with relatives, Allah will increase his lifespan to thirty years

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ تُهَوِّنُ الْحِسَابَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ هِيَ مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الْعُمُرِ وَ تَقِي مَصَارِعَ السُّوءِ[1] وَ صَدَقَةُ اللَّيْلِ تُطْفِئُ غَضَبَ الرَّبِّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives eases off the giving of accounts on the Day of Judgment, delays the coming of death and safeguards against misfortunes. Giving charity at night extinguishes the wrath of the Lord.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ‌ لا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ‌ شَيْئاً وَ إِنْ حُرِّقْتَ بِالنَّارِ وَ عُذِّبْتَ إِلَّا وَ قَلْبُكَ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيمَانِ وَ وَالِدَيْكَ فَأَطِعْهُمَا[3] وَ بَرَّهُمَا حَيَّيْنِ كَانَا أَوْ مَيِّتَيْنِ وَ إِنْ أَمَرَاكَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ وَ مَالِكَ فَافْعَلْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, give me a good advice.” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Do not consider anything as partner of Allah even if you are tortured with fire except when your heart is confident with belief. You must obey your parents an

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا يَمْنَعُ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَبَرَّ وَالِدَيْهِ حَيَّيْنِ وَ مَيِّتَيْنِ يُصَلِّيَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَحُجَّ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَصُومَ عَنْهُمَا فَيَكُونَ الَّذِي صَنَعَ لَهُمَا وَ لَهُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ فَيَزِيدَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِبِرِّهِ وَ صِلَتِهِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً.

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hakam ibn Miskin from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Nothing prevents any of you from doing kindness to your parents, who are living or dead, in the form of prayer for them, giving

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

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