Death & Bereavement

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَكُونُ بَارّاً بِوَالِدَيْهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا ثُمَّ يَمُوتَانِ فَلَا يَقْضِي عَنْهُمَا دُيُونَهُمَا وَ لَا يَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَاقّاً وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَكُونُ عَاقّاً لَهُمَا فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا غَيْرَ بَارٍّ بِهِمَا فَإِذَا مَاتَا قَضَى دَيْنَهُمَا وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَارّاً.

“A servant (of Allah) may have been kind to his parents during their lifetime but when they die he does not pay their debts, and does not ask forgiveness for them. Allah writes him as unkind (person) to parents. One may have been unkind to parents during their lifetime but after their death, when he pays off their debt

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ قَالَ لَهُ سَبْعُ حُقُوقٍ وَاجِبَاتٍ مَا مِنْهُنَّ حَقٌّ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَاجِبٌ إِنْ ضَيَّعَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ وِلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ مِنْ نَصِيبٍ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ يَا مُعَلَّى إِنِّي عَلَيْكَ شَفِيقٌ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُضَيِّعَ وَ لَا تَحْفَظَ وَ تَعْلَمَ وَ لَا تَعْمَلَ قَالَ قُلْتُ ل

“Once I asked the Imam, ‘What are the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim?’ The Imam said, ‘He has seven categories of rights that are obligatory, each of which is compulsory. If he jeopardizes a single one of them he is out of the domain of guardianship ( Walayah ) of Allah and obedience to Him. There will be no share

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

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُوَدِّعُهُ فَقَالَ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ أَبْلِغْ مَنْ تَرَى مِنْ مَوَالِينَا السَّلَامَ وَ أَوْصِهِمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ أَنْ يَعُودَ غَنِيُّهُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِهِمْ وَ قَوِيُّهُمْ عَلَى ضَعِيفِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ حَيُّهُمْ جِنَازَةَ مَيِّتِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَتَلَاقَوْا فِي بُيُوتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ لُقِيَّا[1] بَعْضِهِمْ بَعْضاً حَيَاةٌ لِأَمْرِنَا رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً أَحْيَا أَمْرَن

“Once I went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) to say farewell. He said, ‘O Khaythamah, convey our greeting of peace to whoever of our followers you may see and advise them to be pious before Allah, the Most Great, that their rich ones look after their poor ones, the stronger ones look after their weaker ones, that the living a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ عَبْدَهُ مُوسَى ع قَالَ إِنَّ لِي عِبَاداً أُبِيحُهُمْ جَنَّتِي وَ أُحَكِّمُهُمْ فِيهَا[1] قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ تُبِيحُهُمْ جَنَّتَكَ وَ تُحَكِّمُهُمْ فِيهَا قَالَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ مُؤْمِناً كَانَ فِي مَمْلَكَةِ جَبَّارٍ فَوَلَعَ‌[2] بِهِ فَهَرَبَ مِنْهُ إِلَى دَارِ الشِّرْك

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from ‘Ubayd Allah ibn al- Walid al-Wassafi who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the private conversations that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made with Moses was

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ إِذَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ مِثَالٌ يَقْدُمُ‌[2] أَمَامَهُ كُلَّمَا رَأَى الْمُؤْمِنُ هَوْلًا مِنْ أَهْوَالِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ لَهُ الْمِثَالُ لَا تَفْزَعْ وَ لَا تَحْزَنْ وَ أَبْشِرْ بِالسُّرُورِ وَ الْكَرَامَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَتَّى يَقِفَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَيُحَاسِبُهُ‌ حِساباً يَسِيراً وَ يَ

‘When Allah raises a believer from his grave along with him, in front, comes out a form. When and wherever the believer faces a frightening scene of the scenes of the Day of Judgment the form says to him, “Do not be afraid or sad. There is good and joyful news of the honor from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy,”

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,

مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ السُّرُورِ خَلْقاً فَيَلْقَاهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ بِكَرَامَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ رِضْوَانٍ- ثُمَّ لَا يَزَالُ مَعَهُ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَهُ قَبْرَهُ [يَلْقَاهُ‌] فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا بُعِثَ يَلْقَاهُ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ لَا يَزَالُ مَعَهُ عِنْدَ كُلِّ هَوْلٍ يُبَشِّرُهُ وَ يَ

“Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believing man, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, creates from that joy a creature that meets him at the time of his death and says to him, ‘Good news for you, O friend of Allah, with honor from Allah and His happiness with you. The form (creature) remains with him until he is

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ رَحْمَةٌ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ قَالَ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَتَى أَخَاهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ وَ سَبَّبَهَا لَهُ فَإِنْ قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ كَانَ قَدْ قَبِلَ الرَّحْمَةَ بِقَبُولِهَا وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا فَإِنَّمَا رَدَّ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ رَحْمَة

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, is a believer a blessing for believers?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, he is.’ I then asked, ‘How is he as such?’ The Imam said, ‘A believer who may come to his brother (in belief) for help, in fact, is a blessing from Allah whom He has lead t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ قَبِلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَصَلَهُ بِوَلَايَتِنَا[2] وَ هُوَ مَوْصُولٌ بِوَلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً مِنْ نَارٍ يَنْهَشُهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغْفُور

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘To whomever his believing brother (in belief) comes for help, in fact, it is a blessing from Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, that He has lead to him. If he accepts that blessing he has connected his guardianship with our guardianship ( al - Walayah ) that is connected to t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً نَفَّسَ‌ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُرَبَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ وَ هُوَ ثَلِجُ الْفُؤَادِ[1] وَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَهُ مِنْ جُوعٍ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثِمَارِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ سَقَاهُ شَرْبَةً سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ‌[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘For one who provides relief for his brother (in belief), Allah provides him relief in hardship in the life hereafter. He will come out of his grave with a comfortable heart. Whoever satisfies his (a believers’s) hunger Allah will feed him from the fruits of paradise. One who provi

لَإِطْعَامُ مُؤْمِنٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ عِتْقِ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَ عَشْرِ حِجَجٍ‌[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَ عَشْرِ حِجَجٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا نَصْرُ إِنْ لَمْ تُطْعِمُوهُ مَاتَ أَوْ تَدُلُّونَهُ‌[2] فَيَجِي‌ءُ إِلَى نَاصِبٍ فَيَسْأَلُهُ وَ الْمَوْتُ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ مَسْأَلَةِ نَاصِبٍ يَا نَصْرُ مَنْ أَحْيَا مُؤْمِناً فَكَأَنَّما أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً فَإِنْ لَمْ تُطْعِمُوهُ فَقَدْ أَمَتُّمُوهُ وَ إِنْ أَطْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Feeding a believer is, indeed, more beloved to me than setting free ten slaves and performing ten Hajj.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Is it like setting free ten slaves and performing ten Hajj?’ He has said that the Imam said, ‘O Nasr, if you do not feed him he will die or you will hu

مَنْ كَسَا أَخَاهُ كِسْوَةَ شِتَاءٍ أَوْ صَيْفٍ كَانَ حَقّاً عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يَكْسُوَهُ مِنْ ثِيَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَنْ يُهَوِّنَ عَلَيْهِ سَكَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ وَ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَيْهِ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ أَنْ يَلْقَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ بِالْبُشْرَى وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ تَتَلَقَّاهُمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ هذا يَوْمُكُمُ‌ الَّذِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ‌[3].

“If a beleiver provides clothes for his brother (in belief) to use in winter or summer, it becomes a right with Allah to dress him with the dresses of paradise, to ease off the agony of death for him, make his grave greatly roomy. On coming out of his grave he meets the angels who give him the good news as Allah, the M

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مِهْزَمُ شِيعَتُنَا مَنْ لَا يَعْدُو صَوْتُهُ سَمْعَهُ‌[4] وَ لَا شَحْنَاؤُهُ بَدَنَهُ‌[5] وَ لَا يَمْتَدِحُ بِنَا مُعْلِناً وَ لَا يُجَالِسُ لَنَا عَائِباً وَ لَا يُخَاصِمُ لَنَا قَالِياً إِنْ لَقِيَ مُؤْمِناً أَكْرَمَهُ وَ إِنْ لَقِيَ جَاهِلًا هَجَرَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَشَيِّعَةِ[6] قَالَ فِيهِمُ التَّمْيِيزُ وَ فِيهِمُ التَّبْدِيلُ وَ فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the belie

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ لِأَهْلِ الدِّينِ عَلَامَاتٍ يُعْرَفُونَ بِهَا صِدْقَ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ وَفَاءً بِالْعَهْدِ وَ صِلَةَ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ رَحْمَةَ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ قِلَّةَ الْمُرَاقَبَةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ أَوْ قَالَ قِلَّةَ الْمُوَاتَاةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ[2] وَ بَذْلَ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ حُسْنَ الْخُلُقِ وَ سَعَةَ الْخُلُقِ وَ اتِّبَاعَ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَا يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ زُلْ

30. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Religious people have certain signs by means of which they are recognized. Of such signs a

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَقَلَّنَا لَوِ اجْتَمَعْنَا عَلَى شَاةٍ مَا أَفْنَيْنَاهَا فَقَالَ أَ لَا أُحَدِّثُكَ بِأَعْجَبَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ- الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَ الْأَنْصَارُ ذَهَبُوا إِلَّا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ ثَلَاثَةً[2] قَالَ حُمْرَانُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا حَالُ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَمَّاراً أَبَا الْيَقْظَانِ بَايَعَ وَ قُتِلَ شَهِيداً فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَا شَيْ‌ءٌ أَفْضَلَ م

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how small is our number! It is so small that all combined feasting on a goat cannot finish it.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you want to hear more astonishing things? The immigrants (Muslim of Makkah) and supporters (Muslim of Madina) all went (t

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا عَبْدَ الْوَاحِدِ مَا يَضُرُّ رَجُلًا إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى ذَا الرَّأْيِ‌[1] مَا قَالَ النَّاسُ لَهُ وَ لَوْ قَالُوا مَجْنُونٌ وَ مَا يَضُرُّهُ وَ لَوْ كَانَ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى يَجِيئَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘O ‘Abd al-Wahid, nothing can harm one, if he is a person of proper understanding, who believes in our (Divine Authority), no matter what people may say about him. Although they may call him insane it will not harm him even if he lives on a mountain worshipping Allah until death appr

مَا يُبَالِي‌[2] مَنْ عَرَّفَهُ اللَّهُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَلَى قُلَّةِ جَبَلٍ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ نَبَاتِ الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“One to whom Allah grants belief in this cause (our Divine Authority) will have no trouble even if he were to live on top of a mountain using plants for food until approaching of one’s death.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي مَرْضَةٍ مَرِضَهَا لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْهُ إِلَّا رَأْسُهُ‌[1] فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ إِنَّنِي كَثِيراً مَا أَقُولُ مَا عَلَى رَجُلٍ‌[2] عَرَّفَهُ اللَّهُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ لَوْ كَانَ فِي رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ يَا فُضَيْلَ بْنَ يَسَارٍ إِنَّ النَّاسَ أَخَذُوا يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا وَ إِنَّا وَ شِيعَتَنَا هُدِينَا الصِّراطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ* يَا فُضَيْلَ بْنَ يَسَارٍ إ

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) in his illness that he endured and nothing was left of him except his head (due to weakness). The Imam said, I very often O Fudayl, say, ‘A man to whom Allah grants belief in this cause (our Divine Authority) will have no trouble even if he were to live on a mountain until the c

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ كَتَرَدُّدِي فِي مَوْتِ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[4] إِنَّنِي لَأُحِبُّ لِقَاءَهُ وَ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ فَأَصْرِفُهُ عَنْهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَدْعُونِي فَأُجِيبُهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيهِ وَ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا وَاحِدٌ مِنْ عَبِيدِي مُؤْمِنٌ لَاسْتَغْنَيْتُ بِهِ عَنْ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي وَ لَجَعَلْتُ

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I never hesitated in doing anything as I do about the death of My believing servant. I love to meet him but he dislikes death and 1 then hold it back from him. He prays to Me and I answer his prayers, he asks Me for help and I provid

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ الْمُغِيرَةَ[2] يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَا يُبْتَلَى بِالْجُذَامِ وَ لَا بِالْبَرَصِ وَ لَا بِكَذَا وَ لَا بِكَذَا فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَغَافِلًا عَنْ صَاحِبِ يَاسِينَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ مُكَنَّعاً[3] ثُمَّ رُدَّ أَصَابِعُهُ‌[4] فَقَالَ كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى تَكْنِيعِهِ أَتَاهُمْ فَأَنْذَرَهُمْ ثُمَّ عَادَ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْغَدِ فَقَتَلُوهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يُبْتَلَى بِكُل

“Once I said to Abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Al-Mughirah says, ‘A believer does not suffer from leprosy, bars (a form of leprosy) or so and so.’” The Imam said, ‘He must be unaware of Sahib Yasin (the man mentioned in (36:20)) whose hand was paralyzed - the Imam let his fingers hanging - and said, “It is as if I look at his para

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ خَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ‌[1] تُكْفِئُهَا الرِّيَاحُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ كَذَلِكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ تُكْفِئُهُ الْأَوْجَاعُ وَ الْأَمْرَاضُ وَ مَثَلُ الْمُنَافِقِ كَمَثَلِ الْإِرْزَبَّةِ الْمُسْتَقِيمَةِ[2] الَّتِي لَا يُصِيبُهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقْصِفَهُ قَصْفاً[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The likeness of the believers is like sprouting plants that are swirled back and forth by the winds. The believers are also turned and bent by pain and illness. The likeness of a hypocrite is that of an iron that is not affected by anything until death comes and shatters him with a (f

الْفَقْرُ الْمَوْتُ الْأَحْمَرُ[3] فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْفَقْرُ مِنَ الدِّينَارِ وَ الدِّرْهَمِ فَقَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ مِنَ الدِّينِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Poverty is a painful death.’ I (the narrator) then asked him, ‘Is it poverty due to deficiency of Dirham and Dinar (units of money)?’ The Imam said, ‘No, in fact, it is poverty due to deficiency in religion.’”

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

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا وَجَعَ أَوْجَعُ لِلْقُلُوبِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ لَا خَوْفَ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ وَ كَفَى بِمَا سَلَفَ تَفَكُّراً وَ كَفَى بِالْمَوْتِ وَاعِظاً.

“No pain is more painful to the heart than sins and there is no fear more intense than fear of death. Past experience is enough material for thinking and death is more than enough a preacher.”

الْفَوَاحِشُ الزِّنَى وَ السَّرِقَةُ وَ اللَّمَمُ الرَّجُلُ يُلِمُّ بِالذَّنْبِ فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ قُلْتُ بَيْنَ الضَّلَالِ وَ الْكُفْرِ مَنْزِلَةٌ فَقَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ‌[3].

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Those who stay away from grave sins and indecency (should know that) for their Lamam (certain sins) your Lord’s forgiveness is vast. . . .’ (53:32) the Imam said, ‘Indecency is fornication and theft. Lamam is when a man commits a sin, then regrets and asks f

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَزَلَ بِأَرْضٍ قَرْعَاءَ[1] فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ ائْتُوا بِحَطَبٍ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نَحْنُ بِأَرْضٍ قَرْعَاءَ مَا بِهَا مِنْ حَطَبٍ قَالَ فَلْيَأْتِ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ بِمَا قَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَجَاءُوا بِهِ حَتَّى رَمَوْا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بَعْضَهُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص هَكَذَا تَجْتَمِعُ الذُّنُوبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once the Messenger of Allah stopped, during a journey on a barren land, for rest and asked his companions to collect firewood. The companions said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we are in a barren land and there is no firewood around here. ’ He said, ‘Let everyone bring whatever he can.’ They

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

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

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

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ إِخْوَتِي وَ بَنِي عَمِّي قَدْ ضَيَّقُوا عَلَيَّ الدَّارَ وَ أَلْجَئُونِي مِنْهَا إِلَى بَيْتٍ وَ لَوْ تَكَلَّمْتُ أَخَذْتُ‌[3] مَا فِي أَيْدِيهِمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِيَ اصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيَجْعَلُ لَكَ فَرَجاً قَالَ فَانْصَرَفْتُ وَ وَقَعَ الْوَبَاءُ فِي سَنَةِ إِحْدَى وَ ثَلَاثِينَ وَ مِائَةٍ[4]- فَمَاتُوا وَ اللَّهِ كُلُّهُمْ فَمَا بَقِيَ مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلْتُ عَل

“Once I (Tsa) said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘My brothers and cousins have made life very difficult for me. They have forced me out of the house to another house. If I talk to them I am capable to take away what is in their hands.’ The Imam said, ‘Be patient. Allah will make a way out for you.’ I (the narrator) changed m

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْ أَهَانَ لِي وَلِيّاً فَقَدْ أَرْصَدَ لِمُحَارَبَتِي وَ مَا تَقَرَّبَ إِلَيَّ عَبْدٌ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالنَّافِلَةِ حَتَّى أُحِبَّهُ فَإِذَا أَحْبَبْتُهُ كُنْتُ سَمْعَهُ الَّذِي يَسْمَعُ بِهِ وَ بَصَرَهُ الَّذِي يُبْصِرُ بِهِ وَ لِسَانَهُ الَّذِي يَنْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Whoever insults any of My friends has waged a war against Me. Whoever of the servant seeks closeness to Me should know that there is nothing in that matter more beloved to Me than his fulfilling

لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا حَالُ الْمُؤْمِنِ عِنْدَكَ- قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ مَنْ أَهَانَ لِي وَلِيّاً فَقَدْ بَارَزَنِي بِالْمُحَارَبَةِ وَ أَنَا أَسْرَعُ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَى نُصْرَةِ أَوْلِيَائِي وَ مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ كَتَرَدُّدِي عَنْ وَفَاةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَ أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ وَ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنْ لَا يُصْلِحُهُ إِلَّا الْغِنَى وَ

When the Prophet (sw) was taken on the night journey (al-Isra), he said, "O my Lord, what is the condition of the believer with You?" Allah said, "O Muhammad, whoever dishonors My friend has declared war against Me, and I am the quickest of all things to support My friends. I have never hesitated about anything I am go

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنِ اسْتَذَلَّ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنَ فَقَدْ بَارَزَنِي بِالْمُحَارَبَةِ وَ مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ كَتَرَدُّدِي فِي عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ لِقَاءَهُ فَيَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ فَأَصْرِفُهُ عَنْهُ- وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَدْعُونِي فِي الْأَمْرِ فَأَسْتَجِيبُ لَهُ بِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Whoever humiliates My believing servant has asked Me for a fight. I have not hesitated as much as I did at the time of the death of My believing servant. I love to meet him and he dislikes death. I then divert it from him. He prays t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ قَبِلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَصَلَهُ بِوَلَايَتِنَا وَ هُوَ مَوْصُولٌ بِوَلَايَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً مِنْ نَارٍ يَنْهَشُهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغ

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever has a brother (in belief) who comes to him for help it is a favor to him from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, Who has sent to him. If he accepted it (the favor) he has connected his guardianship with ours, which is connected with the guardianship of Allah, the Mos

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا ظَهَرَ الزِّنَا مِنْ بَعْدِي كَثُرَ مَوْتُ الْفَجْأَةِ وَ إِذَا طُفِّفَ الْمِكْيَالُ وَ الْمِيزَانُ أَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِالسِّنِينَ وَ النَّقْصِ وَ إِذَا مَنَعُوا الزَّكَاةَ مَنَعَتِ الْأَرْضُ بَرَكَتَهَا مِنَ الزَّرْعِ وَ الثِّمَارِ وَ الْمَعَادِنِ كُلَّهَا وَ إِذَا جَارُوا فِي الْأَحْكَامِ تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الظُّلْمِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ إِذَا نَقَضُوا الْعَهْدَ سَلَّطَ ا

“We have found in the book of the Messenger of Allah the following: after my leaving this world when fornication will turn out to be apparent among people, sudden death will take place more frequently. When weighing and measurement will become light, people will face famine and shortages of livelihood. When they deny p

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص إِذَا صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ قَالَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَجْتَنِبَ مُوَاخَاةَ ثَلَاثَةٍ الْمَاجِنِ‌[1] وَ الْأَحْمَقِ وَ الْكَذَّابِ فَأَمَّا الْمَاجِنُ فَيُزَيِّنُ لَكَ فِعْلَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِثْلَهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُكَ عَلَى أَمْرِ دِينِكَ وَ مَعَادِكَ وَ مُقَارَنَتُهُ جَفَاءٌ وَ قَسْوَةٌ وَ مَدْخَلُهُ وَ مَخْرَجُهُ عَلَيْكَ عَارٌ وَ أَمَّا الْأَحْمَقُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يُشِيرُ

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Salim al-Kendi from those who narrated to him from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) from the pulpit would say, ‘It is very proper for a Muslim not to establish b

بُنِيَ الْكُفْرُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ- الْفِسْقِ‌[3] وَ الْغُلُوِّ وَ الشَّكِّ وَ الشُّبْهَةِ وَ الْفِسْقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْجَفَاءِ وَ الْعَمَى وَ الْغَفْلَةِ وَ الْعُتُوِّ[4] فَمَنْ جَفَا احْتَقَرَ الْحَقَ‌[5] وَ مَقَتَ الْفُقَهَاءَ وَ أَصَرَّ عَلَى الْحِنْثِ الْعَظِيمِ‌ وَ مَنْ عَمِيَ نَسِيَ الذِّكْرَ وَ اتَّبَعَ الظَّنَّ وَ بَارَزَ خَالِقَهُ‌[6] وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ وَ طَلَبَ الْمَغْف

“Disbelief is established on four pillars: Sinfulness, Extremism, Doubt and Skepticism. Sinfulness has four branches: harshness of manners, blindness of heart, neglect, and arrogance. Whoever behaves in a harsh manner belittles the truth, hates the people of profound understanding and persists in great sins. Whoever be

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الْعَبْدِ الصَّالِحِ ع أُخْبِرُهُ أَنِّي شَاكٌّ وَ قَدْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع- رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِ الْمَوْتى‌[1] وَ أَنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ تُرِيَنِي شَيْئاً فَكَتَبَ ع إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَزْدَادَ إِيمَاناً وَ أَنْتَ شَاكٌّ وَ الشَّاكُّ لَا خَيْرَ فِيهِ وَ كَتَبَ إِنَّمَا الشَّكُّ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِ الْيَقِينُ فَإِذَا جَاءَ الْيَقِينُ لَمْ يَجُزِ الشَّكُّ وَ كَتَبَ إِنّ

I had doubt and Ibrahim (a.s) had said, ‘Lord, show me how you will bring the dead to life?’ (2: 260) and I would love that you show me something. Thus, he (a.s) wrote back to me, ‘Ibrahim was a believer. He wanted to increase his belief. You, however, have doubt and there is nothing good in doubt.’ And he wrote, ‘Doub

إِنَّ الْقُلُوبَ أَرْبَعَةٌ- قَلْبٌ فِيهِ نِفَاقٌ وَ إِيمَانٌ وَ قَلْبٌ مَنْكُوسٌ وَ قَلْبٌ مَطْبُوعٌ وَ قَلْبٌ أَزْهَرُ أَجْرَدُ فَقُلْتُ مَا الْأَزْهَرُ قَالَ فِيهِ كَهَيْئَةِ السِّرَاجِ فَأَمَّا الْمَطْبُوعُ فَقَلْبُ الْمُنَافِقِ وَ أَمَّا الْأَزْهَرُ فَقَلْبُ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنْ‌ أَعْطَاهُ شَكَرَ وَ إِنِ ابْتَلَاهُ صَبَرَ وَ أَمَّا الْمَنْكُوسُ فَقَلْبُ الْمُشْرِكِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- أَ فَمَنْ يَمْشِي مُك

“There are four kinds of hearts: the heart in which there is hypocrisy and belief, the heart that is upside down, the heart that is stamped and the heart that is Azhar and is free. I then asked, ‘What is ‘Azhar’? The Imam said, ‘In it (the heart) there is something like a lamp. The stamped heart is the heart of hypocri

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِسَنَةٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ السَّنَةَ لَكَثِيرَةٌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِشَهْرٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ لَكَثِيرٌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِجُمْعَةٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْجُمْعَةَ لَكَثِيرٌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِيَوْمٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ يَوْماً ل

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one repents one year before his death, Allah accepts his repentance.’ Then he said, ‘One year is a long time. Whoever repents one month before his death Allah accepts his repentance.’ Then he said, ‘One month is a long time. Whoever repents one week before his death, Allah accepts

خَرَجْنَا إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ مَعَنَا شَيْخٌ مُتَأَلِّهٌ مُتَعَبِّدٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ يُتِمُّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي‌ الطَّرِيقِ‌[1] وَ مَعَهُ ابْنُ أَخٍ لَهُ مُسْلِمٌ فَمَرِضَ الشَّيْخُ فَقُلْتُ لِابْنِ أَخِيهِ لَوْ عَرَضْتَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ عَلَى عَمِّكَ لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُخَلِّصَهُ فَقَالَ كُلُّهُمْ دَعُوا الشَّيْخَ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى حَالِهِ فَإِنَّهُ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ فَلَمْ يَصْبِرْ ابْنُ أَخِيهِ حَتَّى

“Once we left for Makka and with us there was an old man, very religious and worshipping but did not know this cause (Shi’a Muslim belief). He would pray full (not in reduced form) on a journey and with him there was the son of his brother, also a Muslim. The old man became ill and I said to the son of his brother, ‘If

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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