Family & Kinship

ذُكِرَ أَصْحَابُنَا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ مَا أَتَغَدَّى وَ لَا أَتَعَشَّى‌[4] إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الِاثْنَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ أَقَلُّ وَ أَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَضْلُهُمْ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ وَ أَنَا أُطْعِمُهُمْ طَعَامِي وَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ مَالِي وَ أُخْدِمُهُمْ عِيَالِي فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ إِذَا دَخَلُوا عَلَي

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Muhammad al-Wabishi who has said the following: “Our people were mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. I said, ‘I do not eat lunch or dinner without two, three or more or less of them with me.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ فِئَاماً مِنَ النَّاسِ‌[6] قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْفِئَامُ مِنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ مِائَةُ أَلْفٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Whoever feeds his Muslim brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah his reward will be like the reward of a person who feeds a Fi’Am, (whole group) of people.’ 1 then asked, ‘How many is a Fi’am of people?’ The Imam said, ‘It is one hundred thousand people.’”

أَكْلَةٌ[1] يَأْكُلُهَا أَخِي الْمُسْلِمُ عِنْدِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً.

“A meal that (I may provide) for a Muslim brother (in belief) is more beloved to me than setting free a slave.”

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

مَنْ أَخَذَ مِنْ وَجْهِ‌[4] أَخِيهِ‌ الْمُؤْمِنِ قَذَاةً[1] كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ مَنْ تَبَسَّمَ فِي وَجْهِ أَخِيهِ كَانَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ.

“Whoever removes a speck from the face of his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, then will write down for the former ten good deeds and whoever smiles to his brother (in belief) earns one good deed.”

مَنْ قَالَ لِأَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَرْحَباً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ مَرْحَباً إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Whoever says ‘Welcome’ to his brother (in belief) Allah then writes down for him ‘Welcome’ up to the Day of Judgment.”

مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُسْلِمُ فَأَكْرَمَهُ فَإِنَّمَا أَكْرَمَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“One who honors his Muslim brother (in belief) who has come to him, in fact, has revered Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا فِي أُمَّتِي عَبْدٌ أَلْطَفَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ لُطْفٍ إِلَّا أَخْدَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ خَدَمِ الْجَنَّةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever of my followers treats his brother (in belief) with gentleness for the sake of Allah, He will provide for him servants of paradise.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَكْرَمَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ بِكَلِمَةٍ يُلْطِفُهُ بِهَا وَ فَرَّجَ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي ظِلِّ اللَّهِ الْمَمْدُودِ عَلَيْهِ الرَّحْمَةُ مَا كَانَ فِي ذَلِكَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever receives his Muslim brother (in belief) with honor and value and relieves his suffering continues living under the extended shadow of Allah with blessings as long as he is in there.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لِيَنْصَحِ الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَخَاهُ كَنَصِيحَتِهِ لِنَفْسِهِ‌[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Every man among you must provide advice to his brother (in belief) just like the advice for his own self.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ وَ هُمْ يَسْمَعُونَ مِنِّي أَ فَأَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَ أَهْلِيكُمْ ناراً وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَ الْحِجارَةُ[4].

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I know a family who listens to me, should I invite them to this cause (belief of the Shi ’a Muslims)?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says in His book, ‘Believers, save yourselves and your families from the fire which is fueled with people and stones .

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ النَّاسَ‌[1] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً فَتَرَكَهُ وَ هُوَ يَجُولُ لِذَلِكَ وَ يَطْلُبُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ إِذَا كَلَّمْتُمُ النَّاسَ قُلْتُمْ ذَهَبْنَا حَيْثُ ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ‌[2] وَ اخْتَرْنَا مَنِ اخْتَارَ اللَّهُ وَ اخْتَارَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً وَ اخْتَرْنَا- آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ و

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘Beware of people. If Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wills good for a servant, He places a dot in his heart. He then leaves him alone and for that reason he moves around and searches it (belief).’ Then he (the Imam) said, ‘Were you to talk to people, say we have gone whe

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

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَأَبَى وَ أَمْسَكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَوْ أَعْطَيْنَاكُمْ كُلَّمَا[2] تُرِيدُونَ كَانَ شَرّاً لَكُمْ وَ أُخِذَ بِرَقَبَةِ صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَلَايَةُ اللَّهِ أَسَرَّهَا إِلَى جَبْرَئِيلَ ع وَ أَسَرَّهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ أَسَرَّهَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ ع وَ أَسَرَّهَا عَلِيٌّ إِلَى مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ أَنْتُمْ تُذِيعُون

Once I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) a question. He refrained silently and said, ‘If we give you everything you want, it may become evil for you and the neck of the owner of this cause will be caught tight.’ “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘It is the guardianship of Allah, Who told it secretly to Jibril, who secretly

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَمَانُ خِصَالٍ- وَقُورٌ عِنْدَ الْهَزَاهِزِ صَبُورٌ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ شَكُورٌ عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ قَانِعٌ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ لَا يَظْلِمُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ لَا يَتَحَامَلُ لِلْأَصْدِقَاءِ[1] بَدَنُهُ مِنْهُ فِي تَعَبٍ وَ النَّاسُ مِنْهُ فِي رَاحَةٍ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ خَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَزِيرُهُ وَ الصَّبْرَ أَمِيرُ جُنُودِهِ وَ الرِّفْقَ أَخُوهُ وَ اللِّينَ وَالِ

“It is worthwhile of a believer to have eight qualities: (a) Dignity in volatile conditions, (b) patience on facing a misfortune, (c) gratitude in comfortable conditions, (d) contentment with what Allah has given him for sustenance, (e) justice for enemies, (f) not to be a burden for the friends, (g) that his own body

الْمُؤْمِنُ لَهُ قُوَّةٌ فِي دِينٍ وَ حَزْمٌ فِي لِينٍ وَ إِيمَانٌ فِي يَقِينٍ وَ حِرْصٌ فِي فِقْهٍ وَ نَشَاطٌ فِي هُدًى وَ بِرٌّ فِي اسْتِقَامَةٍ وَ عِلْمٌ فِي حِلْمٍ وَ كَيْسٌ فِي رِفْقٍ وَ سَخَاءٌ فِي حَقٍّ وَ قَصْدٌ فِي غِنًى وَ تَجَمُّلٌ فِي فَاقَةٍ وَ عَفْوٌ فِي قُدْرَةٍ وَ طَاعَةٌ لِلَّهِ فِي نَصِيحَةٍ وَ انْتِهَاءٌ فِي شَهْوَةٍ وَ وَرَعٌ فِي رَغْبَةٍ وَ حِرْصٌ فِي جِهَادٍ وَ صَلَاةٌ فِي شُغُلٍ وَ صَبْرٌ فِي ش

“The believer has power in religion. He is of solid determination but with soft words, his belief is in certainty, he has greed in deep understanding, is active in guidance, and virtuous in steadfastness. He has knowledge in forbearance, he is smart in friendliness, and generous in truth, modest in wealth, graceful in

خَطَبَ النَّاسَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ص فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ عَنْ أَخٍ لِي كَانَ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ النَّاسِ فِي عَيْنِي وَ كَانَ رَأْسُ مَا عَظُمَ بِهِ فِي عَيْنِي صِغَرَ الدُّنْيَا فِي عَيْنِهِ كَانَ خَارِجاً مِنْ سُلْطَانِ بَطْنِهِ فَلَا يَشْتَهِي مَا لَا يَجِدُ وَ لَا يُكْثِرُ إِذَا وَجَدَ كَانَ خَارِجاً مِنْ سُلْطَانِ فَرْجِهِ- فَلَا يَسْتَخِفُّ لَهُ عَقْلَهُ وَ لَا رَأْيَهُ‌[2]- كَانَ خَارِج

“Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) once addressed the people saying, ‘I like to tell you about one of my friends who was the greatest in my sight. The head of what was the greatest in my sight about him was the worthlessness of the world in his sight. He was free of the control of his stomach, thus, he did not have any appetite

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

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ إِنَّ خِيَارَكُمْ أُولُو النُّهَى قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ أُولُو النُّهَى قَالَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَخْلَاقِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَ الْأَحْلَامِ الرَّزِينَةِ[2] وَ صِلَةِ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ الْبَرَرَةُ بِالْأُمَّهَاتِ وَ الْآبَاءِ وَ الْمُتَعَاهِدِينَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ الْجِيرَانِ وَ الْيَتَامَى‌ وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعامَ‌ وَ يُفْشُونَ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ يُصَلُّونَ وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ غَافِلُون

32. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The best among you are those who possess al-Nuha’.’ He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are possessors of al-Nuha’?’ He then said, ‘They are those who possess excellent moral disci

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَشْبَهِكُمْ بِي قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‌ قَالَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ خُلُقاً وَ أَلْيَنُكُمْ كَنَفاً وَ أَبَرُّكُمْ بِقَرَابَتِهِ وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ حُبّاً لِإِخْوَانِهِ فِي دِينِهِ وَ أَصْبَرُكُمْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَ أَكْظَمُكُمْ لِلْغَيْظِ وَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ عَفْواً وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ إِنْصَافاً فِي الرِّضَا وَ الْغَضَبِ.

35. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn ‘Arafah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet once asked, ‘Do you want me to tell you who is more similar to me? They replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘It is he whose

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَسْتَوْحِشَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ فَمَنْ دُونَهُ‌[3] الْمُؤْمِنُ عَزِيزٌ فِي دِينِهِ.

‘It does not benefit a believer to be apprehensive of his brother (in belief) of less perfect belief; believers are highly valued people in their religion.’”

قَامَ رَجُلٌ بِالْبَصْرَةِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنِ الْإِخْوَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِخْوَانُ صِنْفَانِ إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ وَ إِخْوَانُ الْمُكَاشَرَةِ[3] فَأَمَّا إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ فَهُمُ الْكَفُّ وَ الْجَنَاحُ وَ الْأَهْلُ وَ الْمَالُ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ عَلَى حَدِّ الثِّقَةِ فَابْذُلْ لَهُ مَالَكَ وَ بَدَنَكَ- وَ صَافِ مَنْ صَافَاهُ‌[1] وَ عَادِ مَنْ عَاد

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from abu Maryam al-Ansari from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man in Basra stood before Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, speak to us

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَيَتَعَاهَدُ الْمُؤْمِنَ بِالْبَلَاءِ[2] كَمَا يَتَعَاهَدُ الرَّجُلُ أَهْلَهُ بِالْهَدِيَّةِ مِنَ الْغَيْبَةِ وَ يَحْمِيهِ الدُّنْيَا[3] كَمَا يَحْمِي الطَّبِيبُ الْمَرِيضَ.

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has an undertaking to try the believers with misfortune just as a man is committed to send gifts to his family in his absence. He holds him (believer) back from the worldly things just as the physicians hold back a patient from certain items of food.”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَكْرُمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَتَّى لَوْ سَأَلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ بِمَا فِيهَا- أَعْطَاهُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ مُلْكِهِ شَيْئاً وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيَهُونُ عَلَى اللَّهِ حَتَّى لَوْ سَأَلَهُ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا فِيهَا أَعْطَاهُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْتَقِصَ مِنْ مُلْكِهِ شَيْئاً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَتَعَاهَدُ عَبْدَهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ بِالْبَلَاءِ كَمَا يَتَعَاهَدُ الْغَائِبُ أَهْلَهُ بِالط

“A believer is so important to Allah that if he asks Him paradise and all that is therein. He will give it to him without any shortages caused to His kingdom. The unbeliever is so insignificant before Allah that if he asks the whole world and all that is therein. He will give it to him without any shortages caused in H

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ هَذَا الَّذِي ظَهَرَ بِوَجْهِي‌[3]- يَزْعُمُ النَّاسُ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَبْتَلِ بِهِ عَبْداً لَهُ فِيهِ حَاجَةٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي لَقَدْ كَانَ مُؤْمِنُ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ مُكَنَّعَ الْأَصَابِعِ‌[4] فَكَانَ يَقُولُ هَكَذَا وَ يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ وَ يَقُولُ- يا قَوْمِ اتَّبِعُوا الْمُرْسَلِينَ‌ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي إِذَا كَانَ الثُّلُثُ الْأَخِيرُ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فِي أَوَّلِهِ فَتَوَضَّ وَ قُ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘About this thing that has appeared on my face, people think Allah does not make suffer (from this) any servant in whom He is interested.’ The Imam said, ‘The believer among the people of Pharaoh had crippled fingers. He would extend his fingers and say, “My people follow the Messen

إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ لَيَعْتَذِرُ إِلَى عَبْدِهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ الْمُحْوِجِ فِي الدُّنْيَا كَمَا يَعْتَذِرُ الْأَخُ إِلَى أَخِيهِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي مَا أَحْوَجْتُكَ فِي الدُّنْيَا مِنْ هَوَانٍ كَانَ بِكَ عَلَيَّ فَارْفَعْ هَذَا السَّجْفَ‌[4] فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَا عَوَّضْتُكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ فَيَرْفَعُ فَيَقُولُ مَا ضَرَّنِي مَا مَنَعْتَنِي مَعَ مَا عَوَّضْتَنِي.

“Allah, the Most Exalted of praise, will apologize to His believing servants who are poor in this world just as a brother apologizes to a brother and He will say, ‘I swear by my Majesty and Glory that I did not make you poor in the world considering you insignificant. Remove this curtain and look what I have given you

فَمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا أَخَذَ مِنْكَ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي أَنْ يُغْنِيَنِي عَنْ خَلْقِهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَسَّمَ رِزْقَ مَنْ شَاءَ عَلَى يَدَيْ مَنْ شَاءَ وَ لَكِنْ سَلِ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُغْنِيَكَ عَنِ الْحَاجَةِ الَّتِي تَضْطَرُّكَ إِلَى لِئَامِ خَلْقِهِ.

“Once someone came to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘May Allah keep you well, I am a man who devoutly loves you. I face a pressing need. I sought help from my family and tribe but it only has distanced me from them.’ The Imam said, ‘What Allah has given you is better than what He has taken from you.’ The man said, ‘Ma

دَخَلَ عَمْرُو بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ[1] عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ‌[2] ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَسْكَتَكَ قَالَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَعْرِفَ الْكَبَائِرَ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا عَمْرُو أَكْبَرُ الْكَبَائِرِ الْإِشْرَاكُ بِاللَّهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ

24. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Abd al-‘Azim ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Hassani who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) narrated to me saying, ‘I heard my father saying, “I heard my father, Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Once ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd came to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أُصُولُ الْكُفْرِ ثَلَاثَةٌ الْحِرْصُ وَ الِاسْتِكْبَارُ وَ الْحَسَدُ فَأَمَّا الْحِرْصُ فَإِنَّ آدَمَ ع حِينَ نُهِيَ عَنِ الشَّجَرَةِ حَمَلَهُ الْحِرْصُ عَلَى أَنْ أَكَلَ مِنْهَا وَ أَمَّا الِاسْتِكْبَارُ فَإِبْلِيسُ حَيْثُ أُمِرَ بِالسُّجُودِ لآِدَمَ فَأَبَى وَ أَمَّا الْحَسَدُ فَابْنَا آدَمَ حَيْثُ قَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The roots of disbelief are three: Greed, Self- aggrandizement and Envy. It was greed that led Adam to eat from the prohibited tree. It was Self-aggrandizement that led Satan to refuse prostration before Adam. Envy led one of the sons of Adam to murder his own brother.’”

أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَبْغَضُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ الشِّرْكُ بِاللَّهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ الْأَمْرُ بِالْمُنْكَرِ وَ النَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ.

“Once a man from Khath’am (a tribe) came to the Holy Prophet and asked, ‘Which of the acts is more resented in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Considering things as partners of Allah.’ The man asked, then what is more resented?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Disregar

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِشِرَارِ رِجَالِكُمْ قُلْنَا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ شِرَارِ رِجَالِكُمُ الْبَهَّاتَ‌[2] الْجَرِي‌ءَ الْفَحَّاشَ الْآكِلَ وَحْدَهُ وَ الْمَانِعَ رِفْدَهُ- وَ الضَّارِبَ عَبْدَهُ وَ الْمُلْجِئَ عِيَالَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) once asked, ‘Should I tell you who is the most wicked among your men?’ They said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said, ‘Of the wicked ones among you is a man, accusing, boldly foulmouthed, eating all alone, refusing to give any gifts, beats up his slave and causes his family to seek refu

ذُكِرَ الْغَضَبُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَغْضَبُ فَمَا يَرْضَى أَبَداً حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ النَّارَ فَأَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ غَضِبَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ فَلْيَجْلِسْ مِنْ فَوْرِهِ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّهُ سَيَذْهَبُ عَنْهُ رِجْزُ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ غَضِبَ عَلَى ذِي رَحِمَ فَلْيَدْنُ مِنْهُ فَلْيَمَسَّهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّحِمَ إِذَا مُسَّتْ سَكَنَتْ.

“Once anger was mentioned before abu la’ far (a.s.) and he said, ‘Once a man is angered (unless something is done to control it) he will never become happy until he enters the fire. Therefore, whoever becomes angry with people if he is standing must sit down immediately. The filth of Satan goes away from him. Whenever

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

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

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

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

قَالَ‌[1]: مَنْ فَحُشَ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ نَزَعَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بَرَكَةَ رِزْقِهِ وَ وَكَلَهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ أَفْسَدَ عَلَيْهِ مَعِيشَتَهُ

“The Imam has said, ‘Whoever uses foul language against his Muslim brother (in belief) Allah removes blessings from his livelihood, leaves him to be on his own and destroys his means of living.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَكَلَ مَالَ أَخِيهِ ظُلْماً وَ لَمْ يَرُدَّهُ إِلَيْهِ أَكَلَ جَذْوَةً مِنَ النَّارِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever consumes the property of his brother (in belief) unjustly and does not return it to him, he will have to eat a chunk of fire on the Day of Judgment.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ كَذِبٍ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُ صَاحِبُهُ يَوْماً إِلَّا كَذِباً فِي ثَلَاثَةٍ رَجُلٌ كَائِدٌ فِي حَرْبِهِ فَهُوَ مَوْضُوعٌ عَنْهُ أَوْ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَحَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ يَلْقَى هَذَا بِغَيْرِ مَا يَلْقَى بِهِ هَذَا يُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ الْإِصْلَاحَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا أَوْ رَجُلٌ وَعَدَ أَهْلَهُ شَيْئاً وَ هُوَ لَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُتِمَّ لَهُمْ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A person lying will be held accountable for all kinds of lies except three kinds: a man plotting in his fight will not be held accountable, a man trying to establish peace between antagonistic parties who may say something other than a party may have said with the intention to est

بِئْسَ الْعَبْدُ عَبْدٌ يَكُونُ ذَا وَجْهَيْنِ وَ ذَا لِسَانَيْنِ يُطْرِي أَخَاهُ شَاهِداً وَ يَأْكُلُهُ غَائِباً[2] إِنْ أُعْطِيَ حَسَدَهُ وَ إِنِ ابْتُلِيَ خَذَلَهُ.

“The worst servant (of Allah) is a servant who has two faces and tongues. He praises his brother (in belief) on his face and backbites him in his absence. If his brother (in belief) gains something, he envies him, and if he faces difficult conditions, he betrays him.”

فِي وَصِيَّةِ الْمُفَضَّلِ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَفْتَرِقُ رَجُلَانِ عَلَى الْهِجْرَانِ إِلَّا اسْتَوْجَبَ أَحَدُهُمَا الْبَرَاءَةَ وَ اللَّعْنَةَ وَ رُبَّمَا اسْتَحَقَّ ذَلِكَ كِلَاهُمَا فَقَالَ لَهُ مُعَتِّبٌ جَعَلَنِيَ اللَّهُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الظَّالِمُ فَمَا بَالُ الْمَظْلُومِ قَالَ لِأَنَّهُ لَا يَدْعُو أَخَاهُ إِلَى صِلَتِهِ وَ لَا يَتَغَامَسُ لَهُ عَنْ كَلَامِهِ‌[1] سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يَقُولُ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the two people who depart each other to abandon and walk out on each other, one is subject to disowning and condemnation or perhaps both of them will face such conditions.’ Mu’attib then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, one is unjust, what about the oppr

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَصْرِمُ‌[4] ذَوِي قَرَابَتِهِ مِمَّنْ لَا يَعْرِفُ الْحَقَّ قَالَ لَا يَنْبَغِي لَهُ أَنْ يَصْرِمَهُ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about a man who has forsaken his relatives who do not recognize the truth.’ The Imam said, ‘It is not proper for him to abandon them.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ فِي حَدِيثٍ أَلَا إِنَّ فِي التَّبَاغُضِ الْحَالِقَةَ لَا أَعْنِي حَالِقَةَ الشَّعْرِ وَ لَكِنْ حَالِقَةَ الدِّينِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said in a Hadith, ‘It must be noted that in hatred there is shaving. I do not mean thereby shaving and tearing out of hairs, but it is shaving (destruction) of religion.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اتَّقُوا الْحَالِقَةَ فَإِنَّهَا تُمِيتُ الرِّجَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْحَالِقَةُ قَالَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Be afraid of al -Haliqah; it kills men.’ 1 then asked, ‘What is al-HaliqahV The Imam said, ‘It is failing to maintain good relations with relatives.’”

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

فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ لَا يَمُوتُ صَاحِبُهُنَّ أَبَداً حَتَّى يَرَى وَبَالَهُنَّ الْبَغْيُ وَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الْيَمِينُ الْكَاذِبَةُ يُبَارِزُ اللَّهَ بِهَا وَ إِنَّ أَعْجَلَ الطَّاعَةِ ثَوَاباً لَصِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ لَيَكُونُونَ فُجَّاراً فَيَتَوَاصَلُونَ فَتَنْمِي أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَ يُثْرُونَ‌[2] وَ إِنَّ الْيَمِينَ الْكَاذِبَةَ وَ قَطِيعَةَ الرَّحِمِ لَتَذَرَانِ الدِّيَارَ بَل

“It is written in the book of Ali (a.s.) ‘There are three characteristics, that if found in anyone, he will never die before suffering their consequences: treachery, failing to maintain good relations with relatives and taking a false oath to oppose Allah thereby. Of the acts of obedience with the quickest best result

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ فَشَكَا إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَقَارِبَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ اكْظِمْ غَيْظَكَ وَ افْعَلْ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ يَفْعَلُونَ وَ يَفْعَلُونَ فَقَالَ أَ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِثْلَهُمْ فَلَا يَنْظُرَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكُمْ.

“Once a man came to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and complained before him about his relatives. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘Keep your anger down and do it (maintain good relations).’ The man said, ‘They do and do it (act against me).’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you also want to act like them, if so Allah will not look to you (with k

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَقْطَعْ رَحِمَكَ وَ إِنْ قَطَعَتْكَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Do not fail to maintain good relations with relatives, even if they fail to maintain good relations with you.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْكَوَّاءِ الْيَشْكُرِيُ‌[4] فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَ وَ تَكُونُ ذُنُوبٌ‌ تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَيْلَكَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ لَيَجْتَمِعُونَ وَ يَتَوَاسَوْنَ وَ هُمْ فَجَرَةٌ فَيَرْزُقُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْبَيْت

‘I seek refuge in Allah from sins that accelerate destruction.’ The narrator has said that at this point ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Kawwa’ al-Yashkuri stood up and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, do sins hasten one’s destruction?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it does. Woe upon you, it is failing to maintain good relations with relatives. A

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا قَطَّعُوا الْأَرْحَامَ جُعِلَتِ الْأَمْوَالُ فِي أَيْدِي الْأَشْرَارِ.

‘When they fail to maintain good relations with relatives properties are left under the control of the evil ones.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ عُقُوقَ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فَإِنَّ رِيحَ الْجَنَّةِ تُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ أَلْفِ عَامٍ وَ لَا يَجِدُهَا عَاقٌّ وَ لَا قَاطِعُ رَحِمٍ وَ لَا شَيْخٌ زَانٍ وَ لَا جَارُّ إِزَارِهِ خُيَلَاءَ إِنَّمَا الْكِبْرِيَاءُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said in one of his speeches, ‘Beware of causing suffering and disappointment to parents. The fragrance of paradise can be sensed from a distance of a one thousand year journey, but those causing suffering and disappointments to parents, those failing to maintain good relations with relatives

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَطْلُبُوا عَثَرَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنَّ مَنْ تَتَبَّعَ عَثَرَاتِ أَخِيهِ تَتَبَّعَ اللَّهُ عَثَرَاتِهِ وَ مَنْ تَتَبَّعَ اللَّهُ عَثَرَاتِهِ يَفْضَحْهُ وَ لَوْ فِي جَوْفِ بَيْتِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Do not seek to find faults with the believers; if one seeks to find fault with his brother (in belief), Allah will find faults with him and whoever’s fault Allah will seek to find. He will bring disgrace upon him and it may take place even inside his very own home.’”