Family & Kinship

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْغِيبَةِ قَالَ هُوَ أَنْ تَقُولَ‌[3] لِأَخِيكَ فِي دِينِهِ مَا لَمْ يَفْعَلْ‌[4] وَ تَبُثَّ عَلَيْهِ أَمْراً قَدْ سَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ لَمْ يُقَمْ عَلَيْهِ فِيهِ حَدٌّ[5].

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about backbiting. The Imam said, ‘It is when you say about your brother in belief something about his religion that he has not done, and publicize against him something that Allah has covered up for him and he is not convicted for such crimes.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْغِيبَةُ أَنْ تَقُولَ فِي أَخِيكَ مَا سَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَمَّا الْأَمْرُ الظَّاهِرُ فِيهِ مِثْلُ الْحِدَّةِ وَ الْعَجَلَةِ فَلَا وَ الْبُهْتَانُ أَنْ تَقُولَ فِيهِ مَا لَيْسَ فِيهِ‌[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Backbiting is when you say something about your brother (in belief) that Allah has covered up for him. However, the matters that are manifest in him like hot-temperedness and haste is not backbiting. Accusation is when you say about him what is not found in him.’”

لَا تُبْدِي الشَّمَاتَةَ لِأَخِيكَ‌[5] فَيَرْحَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَ يُصَيِّرَهَا بِكَ وَ قَالَ مَنْ شَمِتَ بِمُصِيبَةٍ نَزَلَتْ بِأَخِيهِ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يُفْتَتَنَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not express joy at the trouble of your brother (in belief); Allah may grant him a favor and transfer that trouble to you.’ The Imam also said, ‘Whoever rejoices at the suffering that has come upon his brother (in belief) he will not leave this world before going through such sufferi

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا قَالَ الرَّجُلُ لِأَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أُفٍّ خَرَجَ مِنْ وَلَايَتِهِ وَ إِذَا قَالَ أَنْتَ عَدُوِّي كَفَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا وَ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ عَمَلًا وَ هُوَ مُضْمِرٌ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ سُوءاً.

‘When a man says to his believing brother (in belief), ‘Uff (an expression of slight disappointment) he has moved out of his guardianship. If he says, ‘You are my enemy,’ one of them becomes an unbeliever. Allah does not accept the good deeds of any believer while he hides in him evil for his believing brother (in beli

إِذَا اتَّهَمَ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخَاهُ انْمَاثَ الْإِيمَانُ مِنْ قَلْبِهِ‌[3] كَمَا يَنْمَاثُ الْمِلْحُ فِي الْمَاءِ.

‘When a believer accuses his brother (in faith), belief melts away in his heart just as salt melts away in water.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنِ اتَّهَمَ أَخَاهُ فِي دِينِهِ- فَلَا حُرْمَةَ بَيْنَهُمَا[4] وَ مَنْ عَامَلَ أَخَاهُ بِمِثْلِ مَا عَامَلَ‌[5] بِهِ النَّاسَ فَهُوَ بَرِي‌ءٌ مِمَّا يَنْتَحِلُ‌[6].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whenever one accuses his brother (in belief) in his religious matters, religious relations will cease to exist between them. Whoever deals with his brother (in belief) just as he deals with other people, his religious relations (religious brotherhood) toward him all comes apart.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ ضَعْ أَمْرَ أَخِيكَ عَلَى أَحْسَنِهِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ مَا يَغْلِبُكَ مِنْهُ‌[1] وَ لَا تَظُنَّنَّ بِكَلِمَةٍ خَرَجَتْ مِنْ أَخِيكَ سُوءاً وَ أَنْتَ تَجِدُ لَهَا فِي الْخَيْرِ مَحْمِلًا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said in one of his speeches, ‘Deal with the issues related to your brother (in belief) with best interpretations until you receive overwhelming evidence to support the facts. Do not act on (evil) guesswork about a word that has come from your brother (in belief) as long a

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَعَى فِي حَاجَةٍ لِأَخِيهِ فَلَمْ يَنْصَحْهُ‌[2] فَقَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever works to help his brother (in belief), but is not sincere, has breached his trust with Allah and the Messenger of Allah.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ مَشَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ فَلَمْ يُنَاصِحْهُ فَقَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Any believer who works to help his brother (in belief) but is not sincere enough has breached his trust with Allah and the Messenger of Allah.’”

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا اسْتَعَانَ بِهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ إِخْوَانِهِ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَلَمْ يُبَالِغْ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ جُهْدٍ فَقَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ قُلْتُ- لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَعْنِي بِقَوْلِكَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌[1] قَالَ مِنْ لَدُنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِلَى آخِرِهِمْ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever of our people is asked for help by any of his brothers (in belief) and does not do his best to help, has breached his trust with Allah, the Messenger of Allah and the believers.’ Abu Basir has said that he then asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What do you mean by “The believers

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ مَشَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يُنَاصِحْهُ فِيهَا كَانَ كَمَنْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ وَ كَانَ اللَّهُ خَصْمَهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever walks to help his brother (in belief) but not with enough sincerity is like one who has breached his trust with Allah and the Messenger of Allah, and Allah will be his foe.’”

مَنِ اسْتَشَارَ أَخَاهُ فَلَمْ يَمْحَضْهُ مَحْضَ الرَّأْيِ سَلَبَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَأْيَهُ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If anyone consults his brother (in belief) and he does not help him with sincere opinions, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, takes away his good opinion (ability to form good opinions).”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ مَشَى مَعَ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَلَمْ يُنَاصِحْهُ فَقَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Any believer who walks with his brother (in belief) to help, but is not sincere enough has breached his trust with Allah and the Messenger of Allah.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عِدَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَخَاهُ نَذْرٌ[3] لَا كَفَّارَةَ لَهُ فَمَنْ أَخْلَفَ فَبِخُلْفِ اللَّهِ‌ بَدَأَ وَ لِمَقْتِهِ تَعَرَّضَ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ ما لا تَفْعَلُونَ كَبُرَ مَقْتاً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ‌ أَنْ تَقُولُوا ما لا تَفْعَلُونَ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The promise of a believer to his brother (in belief) is a vow that has no expiation. Whoever violates it has initiated to violate Allah and has subjected himself to His anger as it is said in His words: “Believers, why do you preach what you do not practice? (61:2). It is most hat

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا ص فَقَالَ لِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي زَمَنِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَرْبَعَةُ نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَأَتَى وَاحِدٌ مِنْهُمُ الثَّلَاثَةَ وَ هُمْ مُجْتَمِعُونَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَحَدِهِمْ فِي مُنَاظَرَةٍ بَيْنَهُمْ فَقَرَعَ الْبَابَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِ الْغُلَامُ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ مَوْلَاكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُوَ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ وَ دَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ إِلَى مَوْلَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ م

“If a believer creates a barrier between himself and another believer, Allah creates between him and paradise seventy thousand walls each of which will be as thick as the distance of a one thousand year journey, and of the same length will be the distance from one wall to the other wall.”

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ كَانَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ مُؤْمِنٍ حِجَابٌ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ سُورٍ غِلَظُ كُلِّ سُورٍ مَسِيرَةُ أَلْفِ عَامٍ مَا بَيْنَ السُّورِ إِلَى السُّورِ مَسِيرَةُ أَلْفِ عَامٍ.

“Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about a Muslim who comes to the door of a Muslim as a visitor, or for help when he is home, and is asked permission for a meeting but does not give permission, nor does he come out to see his visitor?’ The Imam said, ‘O

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي مُسْلِمٍ أَتَى مُسْلِماً زَائِراً أَوْ طَالِبَ حَاجَةٍ وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِهِ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَيْهِ فَلَمْ يَأْذَنْ لَهُ وَ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ يَا أَبَا حَمْزَةَ أَيُّمَا مُسْلِمٍ أَتَى مُسْلِماً زَائِراً أَوْ طَالِبَ حَاجَةٍ وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِهِ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ لَهُ وَ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ إِلَيْهِ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي لَعْنَةِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَلْتَقِيَا[1] فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْ

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Yahya Bin Al Mubarak, from Abdullah Bin Jabala, from Aasim Bin Humeyr, from Abu Hamza, (It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far asws , said, ‘I said to him asws , ‘May I be sacrificed for you asws ! What are you asws saying regarding a Muslim who comes over to a Muslim to visit or s

مَنْ بَخِلَ بِمَعُونَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ الْقِيَامِ لَهُ فِي حَاجَتِهِ إِلَّا ابْتُلِيَ بِمَعُونَةِ مَنْ يَأْثَمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا يُؤْجَرُ[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever exercises stinginess in assisting his Muslim brother and in helping him in his needs will run into an involvement of such an assistance that will make him sin and receive no rewards for it.’”

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا أَتَى رَجُلًا مِنْ إِخْوَانِهِ فَاسْتَعَانَ بِهِ فِي حَاجَتِهِ فَلَمْ يُعِنْهُ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ إِلَّا ابْتَلَاهُ اللَّهُ بِأَنْ يَقْضِيَ حَوَائِجَ غَيْرِهِ‌[2] مِنْ أَعْدَائِنَا يُعَذِّبُهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ[3].

“If anyone of our Shi’a (followers) comes to his brother (in belief) for help and does not help him while he is able to help, Allah will make him help other people of our enemies and on the Day of Judgment Allah will punish him for such help.”

لَمْ يَدَعْ رَجُلٌ مَعُونَةَ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ حَتَّى يَسْعَى‌[4] فِيهَا وَ يُوَاسِيَهُ إِلَّا ابْتُلِيَ بِمَعُونَةِ مَنْ يَأْثَمُ وَ لَا يُؤْجَرُ.

“Whoever ignores assistance to his Muslim brother and the endeavor to cooperate with him will be involved in assisting someone who commits sins. It (assistance) does not bring him any rewards.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَصَدَ إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ‌ إِخْوَانِهِ مُسْتَجِيراً بِهِ فِي بَعْضِ أَحْوَالِهِ فَلَمْ يُجِرْهُ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ قَطَعَ وَلَايَةَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[1].

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Anyone whose brother (in belief) comes to him for help and support in his affairs and one does not provide any support or assistance when capable of doing so, has cut off oneself from the guardianship of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

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

قَالَ لِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص‌ يَا بُنَيَّ انْظُرْ خَمْسَةً فَلَا تُصَاحِبْهُمْ وَ لَا تُحَادِثْهُمْ وَ لَا تُرَافِقْهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ‌[4] فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَهْ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّرَابِ يُقَرِّبُ لَكَ الْبَعِيدَ وَ يُبَاعِدُ لَكَ الْقَرِيبَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْفَاسِقِ- فَإِنَّهُ بَائِعُكَ بِأُكْلَةٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَ

“Once Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) said to me, ‘My son, beware of five kinds of people and do not associate with, speak to and accompany them on the road.’ I then asked, ‘Who are they O father?’ He then said, ‘You must not accompany a lying person; he is like a phantom. He tells you of what, in fact, is faraway to be very

رَأَيْتُ يَحْيَى ابْنَ أُمِّ الطَّوِيلِ وَقَفَ‌ بِالْكُنَاسَةِ[1] ثُمَّ نَادَى بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ مَعْشَرَ أَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِمَّا تَسْمَعُونَ مَنْ سَبَّ عَلِيّاً ع فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ بُرَآءُ مِنْ آلِ مَرْوَانَ وَ مَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَخْفِضُ صَوْتَهُ فَيَقُولُ مَنْ سَبَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ فَلَا تُقَاعِدُوهُ وَ مَنْ شَكَّ فِيمَا نَحْنُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَا تُفَاتِ

“I saw Yahya ibn ‘Umm Tawil standing at al-Kunasa (an open area in Kufah) calling at the peak of his voice, ‘O group of friends of Allah, I disavow whatever you hear. Whoever abuses Ali (a.s.) allow the condemnation of Allah be upon him. We renounce the people of the family of Marwan and all that they worship besides A

قُلْتُ إِنَّا لَنَرَى الرَّجُلَ لَهُ عِبَادَةٌ وَ اجْتِهَادٌ وَ خُشُوعٌ وَ لَا يَقُولُ بِالْحَقِّ فَهَلْ يَنْفَعُهُ ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ مَثَلُ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ كَانُوا فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَ لَا يَجْتَهِدُ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً إِلَّا دَعَا فَأُجِيبَ وَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْهُمُ اجْتَهَدَ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ دَعَا فَلَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لَهُ فَأ

“Once I said to one of (two Imam) (a.s.) ‘We find a man who worships, and strives with humility but does not believe in the truth (Shi’a belief). Will it be of any benefit for him?’ The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, the case of AM al-Bayt (of Muhammad) is like that AM al-Bayt in the family of Israel. An individual of tha

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيّاً ص يَقُولُ‌ وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ كَافِراً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ ضَالًّا فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ سَأَلْتَ فَافْهَمِ الْجَوَابَ أَمَّا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً أَنْ يُعَرِّفَهُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى نَفْسَهُ- فَيُقِرَّ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ وَ يُعَرِّفَهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص فَيُقِ

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and asked him, ‘What is the least of that with which a servant (of Allah) becomes a believer, or an unbeliever or a straying person?’ I heard the Imam say, ‘You asked the question, now try to understand the answer. The least of that with which one may be co

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ وَ سَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ فَلَمَّا هَمَّ حُمْرَانُ بِالْقِيَامِ قَالَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُخْبِرُكَ أَطَالَ اللَّهُ بَقَاءَكَ لَنَا وَ أَمْتَعَنَا بِكَ أَنَّا نَأْتِيكَ فَمَا نَخْرُجُ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ حَتَّى تَرِقَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَ تَسْلُوَ أَنْفُسُنَا[6] عَنِ‌ الدُّنْيَا وَ يَهُونَ عَلَيْنَا مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَمْوَالِ ثُمَّ ن

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Humran ibn ‘A’yan came in and asked him a few things. When Humran wanted to stand up and leave he said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘I like to tell you, may Allah grant you long life for us so we benefit from you more, whenever we come to you and then leave our hearts feel

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُقَارِفُ‌[3] فِي يَوْمِهِ وَ لَيْلَتِهِ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً فَيَقُولُ وَ هُوَ نَادِمٌ- أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ* بَدِيعُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ* ذُو الْجَلالِ وَ الْإِكْرامِ‌ وَ أَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ‌ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَنْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيَّ إِلَّا غَفَرَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ يُقَارِفُ فِي يَوْمٍ

“If a believer commits forty major sins within one day and night and then regretfully says, ‘I plead before Allah, besides Whom no one deserves to be worshipped, the living, the controlling power (over creation) the inventor of the heavens and earth, possessor of glory, and honor. I ask Him to grant favors upon Muhamma

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

الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ الْبَغْيُ‌[1]- وَ الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُورِثُ النَّدَمَ الْقَتْلُ وَ الَّتِي تُنْزِلُ النِّقَمَ الظُّلْمُ وَ الَّتِي تَهْتِكُ السِّتْرَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ وَ الَّتِي تَحْبِسُ الرِّزْقَ الزِّنَا وَ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الَّتِي تَرُدُّ الدُّعَاءَ وَ تُظْلِمُ الْهَوَاءَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ.

“The sins that change the bounties (of Allah) are transgressions, the sins that bring regret are murder, the one that brings hatred is injustice, that which brings disgrace is drinking wine, the sin which holds back the means of living is fornication, the one that hastens one’s perishing is failing to maintain good rel

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ نَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ وَ تُقَرِّبُ الْآجَالَ وَ تُخْلِي الدِّيَارَ وَ هِيَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الْعُقُوقُ وَ تَرْكُ الْبِرِّ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘My father would say, “We seek refuge in Allah against the sin that hastens one’s perishing, draws death closer, and vacates the towns. Such sins are failing to maint

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌[3]- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ فَقَالَ هُوَ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ لَيْسَ هَذَا أَرَدْتُ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَا أَصَابَ عَلِيّاً وَ أَشْبَاهَهُ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ ع مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَنْبٍ‌[2].

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever affliction befalls you is because of what your hands have obtained. ’(42:30) The Imam said, ‘. . . He forgives a great deal,’ (42:30) I (the narrator) then said, ‘I did not mean in that sense. Consider what befell A

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ أَ رَأَيْتَ مَا أَصَابَ عَلِيّاً وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ع مِنْ بَعْدِهِ هُوَ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ بَيْتِ طَهَارَةٍ مَعْصُومُونَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ وَ لَيْلَةٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَنْبٍ إِنّ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever afflictions befall you is because of what your hands have obtained,’ (42:29) do you consider whatever befell Ali and his family (a.s.) after him was because of their deeds and acquisition of their hands despite the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَقُولُ‌ إِنْ قَدَرْتَ أَنْ لَا تُعْرَفَ فَافْعَلْ وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ أَلَّا يُثْنِيَ عَلَيْكَ النَّاسُ وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مَذْمُوماً عِنْدَ النَّاسِ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَحْمُوداً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع لَا خَيْرَ فِي الْعَيْشِ إِلَّا لِرَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٍ يَزْدَادُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَيْراً وَ رَجُلٍ يَتَدَارَكُ مَنِيَّتَهُ بِالتَّوْبَةِ وَ أَنَّى

“Once I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘If you can remain unknown, then do so. There will be nothing wrong if people will not praise you. There is nothing wrong for you if people censure you if you are praiseworthy before Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘My father Amir al- Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, “There

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَكُونُ أَدْعُو فَأَشْتَهِي الْبُكَاءَ وَ لَا يَجِيئُنِي وَ رُبَّمَا ذَكَرْتُ بَعْضَ مَنْ مَاتَ مِنْ أَهْلِي فَأَرِقُّ وَ أَبْكِي فَهَلْ يَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَتَذَكَّرْهُمْ فَإِذَا رَقَقْتَ فَابْكِ وَ ادْعُ رَبَّكَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى.

‘When I pray and plead before Allah for help, I like to weep but it does not come through, but if I recall members of my family who have died I may feel weeping. Is that permissible?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it is permissible. When you recall them and feel like weeping then pray to your Lord, the Most Blessed, the Most Hi

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَدْعُوَ فَمَجِّدِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ احْمَدْهُ وَ سَبِّحْهُ وَ هَلِّلْهُ وَ أَثْنِ عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ ثُمَّ سَلْ تُعْطَ.

5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al- Hassan ibn Ali from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever you wish to pray and plead before Allah for help, speak of the glory of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Mos

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا طَلَبَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَلْيُثْنِ عَلَى رَبِّهِ وَ لْيَمْدَحْهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا طَلَبَ الْحَاجَةَ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ هَيَّأَ لَهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ أَحْسَنَ مَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا طَلَبْتُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَمَجِّدُوا اللَّهَ الْعَزِيزَ الْجَبَّارَ وَ امْدَحُوهُ وَ أَثْنُوا عَلَيْهِ تَقُولُ- يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ يَا أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْ

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Iys ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you wishes to ask for help he should praise his Lord and thank Him. When a man wants to ask a king for something, he prepares to say the

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[1] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ حَاجَةً مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً وَ قَدْ دَخَلَ قَلْبِي مِنْ إِبْطَائِهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ يَا أَحْمَدُ إِيَّاكَ وَ الشَّيْطَانَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ عَلَيْكَ سَبِيلٌ حَتَّى يُقَنِّطَكَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ص‌[2] كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَاجَةً فَيُؤَخِّرُ عَنْهُ تَعْجِيلَ إِجَابَتِهِ حُبّاً لِصَوْتِهِ

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been praying to Allah for help in something from the year so and so and because of delay something is happing in my heart.’ The Imam said, ‘O Ahmad, beware of Satan! Do not allow him to find a way in you to despair

لَا يَزَالُ الدُّعَاءُ مَحْجُوباً حَتَّى يُصَلَّى عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ[1].

“A supplication remains barred until one sends blessings on Muhammad (sw) and the family of Muhammad (sw).”

مَنْ دَعَا وَ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ النَّبِيَّ ص رَفْرَفَ الدُّعَاءُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ‌[2] فَإِذَا ذَكَرَ النَّبِيَّ ص رُفِعَ الدُّعَاءُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever prays and does not mention the Holy Prophet, his prayer remains dangled over his head. When he mentions the Holy Prophet only then his prayer is raised up (to heavens).”’

يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص إِنِّي أَجْعَلُ لَكَ ثُلُثَ صَلَوَاتِي لَا بَلْ أَجْعَلُ لَكَ نِصْفَ صَلَوَاتِي لَا بَلْ أَجْعَلُهَا كُلَّهَا لَكَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذاً تُكْفَى مَئُونَةَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ[3].

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, “I assign one third of my prayer to you. No, in fact, I assign half of my prayer to you. No, I assign all of my prayer to you.” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That means that you have complete supplies for this and the next life.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مَعْنَى أَجْعَلُ صَلَوَاتِي كُلَّهَا لَكَ فَقَالَ يُقَدِّمُهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ كُلِّ حَاجَةٍ فَلَا يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ شَيْئاً حَتَّى يَبْدَأَ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص فَيُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ حَوَائِجَهُ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What is the meaning of, “I assign all of my prayer to you?’’ The Imam said, ‘He mentions the Holy Prophet before asking any help. He does not ask Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, anything until he begins with the Holy Prophet. He asks from Allah favors for the Holy Prophet an

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَجْعَلُونِي كَقَدَحِ الرَّاكِبِ فَإِنَّ الرَّاكِبَ يَمْلَأُ قَدَحَهُ فَيَشْرَبُهُ إِذَا شَاءَ اجْعَلُونِي فِي أَوَّلِ الدُّعَاءِ وَ فِي آخِرِهِ وَ فِي وَسَطِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Do not consider me as the water container of a traveler who fills up his water container and drinks from it whenever he wants. You should place me at the beginning of your prayer, at the end of it and in the middle.’”

قَالَ: إِذَا ذُكِرَ النَّبِيُّ ص فَأَكْثِرُوا الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص صَلَاةً وَاحِدَةً صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَلْفَ صَلَاةٍ فِي أَلْفِ صَفٍّ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ لَمْ يَبْقَ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِمَّا خَلَقَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا صَلَّى عَلَى الْعَبْدِ لِصَلَاةِ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلَاةِ مَلَائِكَتِهِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَرْغَبْ فِي هَذَا فَهُوَ جَاهِلٌ مَغْرُورٌ قَدْ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ وَ رَسُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever the Holy Prophet is mentioned, ask from Allah favors (in the form of al-Salat) for the Holy Prophet. Ask from Allah a great deal of favors for the Holy Prophet. Whoever does so once, Allah will do the same for him one thousand times in one thousand rows of angels and nothing w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَلَائِكَتُهُ وَ مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُقِلَّ وَ مَنْ شَاءَ فَلْيُكْثِرْ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever asks from Allah favors for me (in the form of al-Salat ), Allah grants him favors and the angels pray for him. It is up to people to perform this (noble) act very little or a great deal.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَيَّ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِي تَذْهَبُ بِالنِّفَاقِ.

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, ‘Sending blessings upon me and my family removes hypocrisy.’”

مَنْ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ قُضِيَتْ لَهُ مِائَةُ حَاجَةٍ ثَلَاثُونَ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْبَاقِي لِلْآخِرَةِ.

“Whoever says, ‘O Lord, grant favors to Muhammad and his family, one hundred times one hundred of his wishes will be granted, thirty of them in this world and the rest in the next life.’”

كُلُّ دُعَاءٍ يُدْعَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَحْجُوبٌ عَنِ السَّمَاءِ حَتَّى يُصَلَّى عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

“Every prayer to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, remains on hold and barred from heavens until he asks from Allah favors (in the form of al-Salat) for the Holy Prophet and his family.”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ أَجْعَلُ نِصْفَ صَلَوَاتِي لَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَجْعَلُ صَلَوَاتِي كُلَّهَا لَكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَلَمَّا مَضَى قَالَ- رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُفِيَ هَمَّ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ.

“One who had heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) narrated to me that the Imam said, ‘Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “I assign half of my Salat (prayers) for you. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That is fine.’ He then said, ‘I assign all of my Salat, to you.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘That is fine.’ When h