Family & Kinship

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ الِاثْنَا عَشَرَ الْإِمَامَ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كُلُّهُمْ مُحَدَّثٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ وُلْدِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع- فَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع هُمَا الْوَالِدَانِ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far say, ‘There will be twelve Imams from the family of Muhammad and they all will be (Muhaddathun), persons to whom angles speak. They will of the descendants of the Messenger of Allah and Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah and Ali are their anscesters.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنِّي وَ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِي وَ أَنْتَ يَا عَلِيُّ زِرُّ الْأَرْضِ يَعْنِي أَوْتَادَهَا وَ جِبَالَهَا بِنَا أَوْتَدَ اللَّهُ الْأَرْضَ أَنْ تَسِيخَ بِأَهْلِهَا فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ الِاثْنَا عَشَرَ مِنْ وُلْدِي سَاخَتِ الْأَرْضُ بِأَهْلِهَا وَ لَمْ يُنْظَرُوا.

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has said, ‘I and twelve persons from my descendants and you O Ali, are the securing anchor of the earth, that is, the pillars thereof and its ropes. Through us Allah has secured the earth from devouring the inhabitants. If all the twelve persons from my family will no longer be there, the eart

حَلَفْتُ فِيمَا بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ نَفْسِي أَلَّا آكُلَ طَعَاماً بِنَهَارٍ أَبَداً حَتَّى يَقُومَ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ شِيعَتِكُمْ جَعَلَ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهِ أَلَّا يَأْكُلَ طَعَاماً بِنَهَارٍ أَبَداً حَتَّى يَقُومَ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَصُمْ إِذاً يَا كَرَّامُ وَ لَا تَصُمِ الْعِيدَيْنِ وَ لَا ثَلَاثَةَ التَّشْرِيقِ وَ لَا إِذَا كُنْتَ مُسَ

“I took an oath with my self that I will not any food during the day until the rise of Al-Qa’im (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority). I then went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.).” The narrator has said, “A man from you Shi‘a (followers) has imposed on himself on oath not to eat any food during the day until the ris

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ عَنَى اللَّهُ بِذِي الْقُرْبَى الَّذِينَ قَرَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَ نَبِيِّهِ ص فَقَالَ‌ ما أَفاءَ اللَّهُ‌ عَلى‌ رَسُولِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرى‌ فَلِلَّهِ وَ لِلرَّسُولِ وَ لِذِي الْقُرْبى‌ وَ الْيَتامى‌ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌[2] مِنَّا خَاصَّةً وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَنَا سَهْماً فِي الصَّدَقَةِ أَكْرَمَ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ وَ أَكْرَمَنَا أَنْ يُطْعِمَن

“I heard Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) say, ‘We, By Allah, are the ones to whom Allah has referred by the words ‘Dhi al-Qurba’ (relatives) and has given the same status as to Him self and His the Holy Prophet (s.a). He has said, “Whatever God grants to His Messenger (out of the property) of the people of the towns, belon

هُمْ قَرَابَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْخُمُسُ لِلَّهِ وَ لِلرَّسُولِ وَ لَنَا.

“It refers to the relatives of the Messenger of Allah. Al-Khums (one fifth) belongs to Allah, the Messenger and to us.”

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

لَمَّا وَرَدَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَلَى الْمَهْدِيِّ رَآهُ يَرُدُّ الْمَظَالِمَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا بَالُ مَظْلِمَتِنَا لَا تُرَدُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ وَ مَا ذَاكَ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا فَتَحَ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص فَدَكاً وَ مَا وَالاهَا لَمْ يُوجَفْ عَلَيْهِ بِ خَيْلٍ وَ لا رِكابٍ‌ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص‌ وَ آتِ ذَا الْقُرْبى‌ حَقَّهُ‌[1] فَ

“In one of the meetings of abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) with al-Mahdi (one of ‘Abbassid ruler) the Imam found him paying reparations (for the damages caused to people). The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, what has happened to the reparations due to us?” He then asked, “What damage is caused to you O abu al-Hassan ?

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[2] أَقْرَأَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ مَهْزِيَارَ كِتَابَ أَبِيكَ ع فِيمَا أَوْجَبَهُ عَلَى أَصْحَابِ الضِّيَاعِ نِصْفُ السُّدُسِ بَعْدَ الْمَئُونَةِ وَ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ عَلَى مَنْ لَمْ تَقُمْ ضَيْعَتُهُ بِمَئُونَتِهِ نِصْفُ السُّدُسِ وَ لَا غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ‌[3] فَاخْتَلَفَ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالُوا يَجِبُ عَلَى الضِّيَاعِ الْخُمُسُ بَعْدَ الْمَئُونَةِ مَئُونَةِ الضَّيْعَةِ وَ خَرَاجِهَا

“The owners of gardens pay three percent after deducting the expenses. Those whose gardens would not produce even the expenses there is nothing due on them.” A difference of opinion has risen among our people. They say that on the produce of the gardens there is al-Khums after the deduction of the expenses, the expense

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَوْقِفْنِي عَلَى حُدُودِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ صَلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسِ وَ أَدَاءُ الزَّكَاةِ وَ صَوْمُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ وَ وَلَايَةُ وَلِيِّنَا وَ عَدَاوَةُ عَدُوِّنَا وَ الدُّخُولُ مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ’Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al- Rahman from ’Ajlan ibn Salih who has said the following: “I requested abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the principles of beliefs. The Imam said, ‘They are: to testify and affirm that there is no one who deserves to be worshipped exce

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

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَخِيهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا حَوَّلَكَ إِلَى هَذَا الْمَنْزِلِ قَالَ طَلَبُ النُّزْهَةِ[2] فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ لَا أَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ دِينِي فَقَالَ بَلَى قُلْتُ أَدِينُ اللَّهَ بِشَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ أَنَّ السَّاعَةَ

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he was in the house of his brother, ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad, and I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has brought you to this house?’ ‘Seeking privacy,’ said the Imam. I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I state before yo

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

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

بَعَثَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَاجَةٍ وَ هُوَ بِالْحِيرَةِ أَنَا وَ جَمَاعَةً مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ قَالَ فَانْطَلَقْنَا فِيهَا ثُمَّ رَجَعْنَا مُغْتَمِّينَ‌[1] قَالَ وَ كَانَ فِرَاشِي فِي الْحَائِرِ الَّذِي كُنَّا فِيهِ نُزُولًا فَجِئْتُ وَ أَنَا بِحَالٍ‌[2] فَرَمَيْتُ بِنَفْسِي فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ إِذَا أَنَا بِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَدْ أَقْبَلَ قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ أَتَيْنَاكَ أَوْ قَالَ جِئْنَاكَ فَاسْتَوَي

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once sent me with a group of his followers for an errand and at that time he was in Hirah (a place near Kufa, Iraq). We left for it and returned depressed. My bed was in al-Ha’ir (a comfortable private quarter). I went there in an upset condition and threw myself thereat. At this time Abu ‘Abdilla

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْإِسْلَامَ فَجَعَلَ لَهُ عَرْصَةً[3] وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ نُوراً وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ حِصْناً وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ نَاصِراً فَأَمَّا عَرْصَتُهُ فَالْقُرْآنُ وَ أَمَّا نُورُهُ فَالْحِكْمَةُ وَ أَمَّا حِصْنُهُ فَالْمَعْرُوفُ وَ أَمَّا أَنْصَارُهُ فَأَنَا وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِي وَ شِيعَتُنَا فَأَحِبُّوا أَهْلَ بَيْتِي وَ شِيعَتَهُمْ وَ أَنْصَارَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُ لَمَّ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Allah created Islam and made for it a backyard and front-yard, a light, a fortress and supporter. Its backyard and front-yard are the Holy Quran. Wisdom is its light. Lawfulness is its fortress. My Ahl al-Bayt (my family), our Shi’

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَمَانِي خِصَالٍ وَقُوراً عِنْدَ الْهَزَاهِزِ[1] صَبُوراً عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ شَكُوراً عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ قَانِعاً بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ- لَا يَظْلِمُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ لَا يَتَحَامَلُ لِلْأَصْدِقَاءِ بَدَنُهُ مِنْهُ فِي تَعَبٍ وَ النَّاسُ مِنْهُ فِي رَاحَةٍ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ خَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَزِيرُهُ وَ الْعَقْلَ أَمِيرُ جُنُودِهِ وَ الرِّفْقَ أَخُوهُ وَ الْبِرَّ

“A believer should have eight qualities. He is dignified in turbulent times. He is patient in afflicting conditions. He is thankful in prosperous life. He is content with what Allah has granted him. He does not do injustice to the enemies. He does not overburden friends. His own body is tired due to his efforts and peo

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَخَا جُعْفٍ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنَّ الْيَقِينَ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَعَزَّ مِنَ الْيَقِينِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O brother from Ju’f (name of his tribe) belief is superior to Islam and certainty is superior to belief. Nothing there is dearer than certainty.”

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

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

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

يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ شِيعَةِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كُونُوا النُّمْرُقَةَ الْوُسْطَى‌[4] يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْكُمُ الْغَالِي وَ يَلْحَقُ بِكُمُ التَّالِي فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ يُقَالُ لَهُ سَعْدٌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا الْغَالِي قَالَ قَوْمٌ يَقُولُونَ فِينَا مَا لَا نَقُولُهُ فِي أَنْفُسِنَا فَلَيْسَ أُولَئِكَ مِنَّا وَ لَسْنَا مِنْهُمْ قَالَ فَمَا التَّالِي قَالَ الْمُرْتَادُ يُرِيدُ الْخَيْرَ يُبَلِّغُهُ الْخَيْ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘O the community of Shi’a, Shi’a of Muhammad (a.s.) be the central support so that both al- Ghali and al-Tali refer to you.’ A man from Ansar (people of Madina) called Sa’d, said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of al-GhaliV The Imam said, ‘They are th

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

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ لِلشُّكْرِ حَدٌّ إِذَا فَعَلَهُ الْعَبْدُ كَانَ شَاكِراً قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ عَلَيْهِ فِي أَهْلٍ وَ مَالٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيمَا أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْهِ فِي مَالِهِ حَقٌّ أَدَّاهُ وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ- سُبْحانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنا هذا وَ ما كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى- رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلً

“The Imam said, ‘Yes, there is a limit.’ I then asked, ‘What is that limit?’ The Imam said, ‘One must thank Allah for every favor that He has done, such as family and properties. If on the property one has received there is a certain right it must be paid off as is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, th

قَالَ أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ حَسَنُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ الصَّيْقَلُ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ صَدَقَ لِسَانُهُ زَكَى عَمَلُهُ وَ مَنْ حَسُنَتْ نِيَّتُهُ زِيدَ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ مَنْ حَسُنَ بِرُّهُ بِأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ مُدَّ لَهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Making one’s tongue speak the truth purifies one’s deeds. Having good intentions increases one’s livelihood. One who betters his kind deeds toward his family is granted longevity in his life.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنَ النَّاسِ قَلَّتْ مُدَارَاتُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ فَأُنِفُوا مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ‌[2] وَ ايْمُ اللَّهِ مَا كَانَ بِأَحْسَابِهِمْ بَأْسٌ- وَ إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنْ غَيْرِ قُرَيْشٍ حَسُنَتْ‌ مُدَارَاتُهُمْ فَأُلْحِقُوا بِالْبَيْتِ الرَّفِيعِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ كَفَّ يَدَهُ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّمَا يَكُفُّ عَنْهُمْ يَداً وَاحِدَةً وَ يَكُفُّونَ عَنْهُ أَيْدِيَ كَثِيرَةٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘Certain people lacked gentle dealings with others, they were expelled from the tribe of Quraysh. I swear by Allah, there was nothing wrong with their birth. On the other hand, certain people who were not from the tribe of Quraysh dealt with people gently and they were joined in the f

مَا زُوِيَ الرِّفْقُ عَنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ إِلَّا زُوِيَ عَنْهُمُ الْخَيْرُ.

“If kindheartedness goes away from a family, goodness departs them also.”

أَيُّمَا أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ أُعْطُوا حَظَّهُمْ مِنَ الرِّفْقِ فَقَدْ وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ الرِّفْقُ فِي تَقْدِيرِ الْمَعِيشَةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّعَةِ فِي الْمَالِ وَ الرِّفْقُ لَا يَعْجِزُ عَنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ التَّبْذِيرُ لَا يَبْقَى مَعَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ‌[3].

“Any family who has received their share of kindheartedness, Allah has certainly increased their livelihood. Friendliness in matters of earning a living is better than great wealth. Friendliness does not cause any weakness but a spendthrift habit leaves nothing in place. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is comp

نَظَرَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ قَدِ اشْتَرَى لِعِيَالِهِ شَيْئاً وَ هُوَ يَحْمِلُهُ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ الرَّجُلُ اسْتَحْيَا مِنْهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اشْتَرَيْتَهُ لِعِيَالِكَ وَ حَمَلْتَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ لَا أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ لَأَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أَشْتَرِيَ لِعِيَالِيَ الشَّيْ‌ءَ ثُمَّ أَحْمِلَهُ إِلَيْهِمْ‌[6].

Abū ʿAbdillāh (AS) looked at a man from the people of Medina who had bought something for his family and was carrying it. When the man saw him, he felt shy from him (the Imam). So Abū ʿAbdillāh (AS) said: "You bought it for your family and carried it to them. By Allah, if it were not for the people of Medina, I would p

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

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

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 عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَتَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ يَعِظُهُ أُوصِيكَ وَ نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى مَنْ لَا تَحِلُّ مَعْصِيَتُهُ وَ لَا يُرْجَى غَيْرُهُ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِهِ فَإِنَّ مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ قَوِيَ وَ شَبِعَ وَ رَوِيَ وَ رُفِعَ عَقْلُهُ عَنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا فَبَدَنُهُ مَعَ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَلْبُهُ وَ عَقْلُهُ مُعَايِنُ الْآخِرَةِ فَأَطْفَأَ بِضَوْ

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from abu Jamilah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) wrote to one of his companions to advise him. “I recommend that you and I be pious before the One whose disobedience is not lawful

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

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

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

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ سَيِّدُ الْأَعْمَالِ ثَلَاثَةٌ إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ حَتَّى لَا تَرْضَى بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا رَضِيتَ لَهُمْ مِثْلَهُ وَ مُوَاسَاتُكَ الْأَخَ‌[2] فِي الْمَالِ وَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ لَيْسَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ فَقَطْ وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ أ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The masters of good deeds are three things: To yield to justice for people against one’s own soul. So what you do not like to happen to you, do not agree to happen to people also, to cooperate with your fellow believer in matters of properties and to speak of Allah in all conditio

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سَيِّدُ الْأَعْمَالِ إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ وَ مُوَاسَاةُ الْأَخِ فِي اللَّهِ‌[2] وَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The masters of deeds are yielding to justice for people against your own soul, cooperation with your fellow believers for the sake of Allah and to speak of and remember Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in all conditions.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ‌ وَ الْأَرْحامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيباً[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ هِيَ أَرْحَامُ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَمَرَ بِصِلَتِهَا وَ عَظَّمَهَا أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّهُ جَعَلَهَا مِنْهُ‌[2].

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, Most Glorious is Whose name, ‘. . . have fear of the One by whose name you swear to settle your differences and have respect for your relatives. Allah certainly keeps watch over you.’ (4:1) “The Imam said, ‘It refers to the relatives of people. Allah, the Most Maj

قَالَ بَلَغَنِي عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَهْلُ بَيْتِي أَبَوْا إِلَّا تَوَثُّباً عَلَيَّ وَ قَطِيعَةً لِي وَ شَتِيمَةً[3] فَأَرْفُضُهُمْ قَالَ إِذاً يَرْفُضَكُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعاً قَالَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ تُعْطِي مَنْ حَرَمَكَ وَ تَعْفُو عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ ظَهِ

“It is narrated to me from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, my family has refused to do anything for me but to cut off and abuse me, and I also want to reject them.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘If you do so, Allah will reject all of you.’

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ يَكُونُ الرَّجُلُ يَصِلُ رَحِمَهُ فَيَكُونُ قَدْ بَقِيَ مِنْ عُمُرِهِ ثَلَاثُ سِنِينَ فَيُصَيِّرُهَا اللَّهُ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ ما يَشاءُ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) has said, ‘A man who maintains good relations with his relatives, if he may have only three years to live, Allah, because of his good relations with relatives, will prolong his life up to thirty years; Allah does whatever He wants.’”

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أُوصِي الشَّاهِدَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي وَ الْغَائِبَ مِنْهُمْ وَ مَنْ فِي أَصْلَابِ الرِّجَالِ وَ أَرْحَامِ النِّسَاءِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ يَصِلَ الرَّحِمَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مِنْهُ عَلَى مَسِيرَةِ سَنَةٍ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الدِّينِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘I ask my followers who are present, those who are not present, those in the back of men and in the wombs of women to the Day of Judgment to maintain good relations with their relatives even though they are far away at a distance of one year’s journey; it is part of religion.’”

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.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الرَّحِمَ مُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي‌[2] وَ هِيَ رَحِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ‌[3] وَ رَحِمُ كُلِّ ذِي رَحِمٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Kindred relations hold fast to the Throne (of the Lord) and say, “Establish those who establish me and cut off those who cut me off. This is the kindred relation of the family of Muhammad (a.s.) that is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, . who maint

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوَّلُ نَاطِقٍ مِنَ الْجَوَارِحِ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الرَّحِمُ تَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي فِي الدُّنْيَا فَصِلِ الْيَوْمَ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي فِي الدُّنْيَا فَاقْطَعِ الْيَوْمَ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The first among the parts of human body that will speak on the Day of Judgment will be (that through which) kindred relation (comes into being). It will say, “O Lord, keep good relations with those who kept me properly in the worldly life, and cut off in this life Your good relations w

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.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الرَّحِمَ مُعَلَّقَةٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Kindred relation will hold to the Throne (of the Lord) on the Day of Judgment and say, “O Lord, establish good relations with those who establish me and cut off good relations with those who cut me off.’”

قَالَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ‌ حَافَتَا الصِّرَاطِ[1]- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الرَّحِمُ وَ الْأَمَانَةُ فَإِذَا مَرَّ الْوَصُولُ لِلرَّحِمِ الْمُؤَدِّي لِلْأَمَانَةِ نَفَذَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِذَا مَرَّ الْخَائِنُ لِلْأَمَانَةِ الْقَطُوعُ لِلرَّحِمِ لَمْ يَنْفَعْهُ مَعَهُمَا عَمَلٌ وَ تَكَفَّأَ بِهِ‌[2] الصِّرَاطُ فِي النَّارِ.

“Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) has said, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, “On the Day of Judgment the bridge will stand on two pillars: the kindred relations and safe keeping of trust. Those who maintain good relations with relatives and return the trust will pass the bridge safely to paradise but whe

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 أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ حُسْنُ الْجِوَارِ يَعْمُرَانِ الدِّيَارَ وَ يَزِيدَانِ فِي الْأَعْمَارِ.

‘Maintaining good relations with relatives, and keeping good neighborly relations develop towns and increase lifespans.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَعْجَلَ الْخَيْرِ ثَوَاباً صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The good deed with the quickest reward is maintaining good relations with relatives.’”

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.”