Food & Eating

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَشَّرَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفَهْمِ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَقَالَ‌ فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ‌ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌[3] يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَكْمَلَ لِلنَّاسِ الْحُجَجَ بِالْعُقُولِ وَ نَصَرَ النّ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said to me the following, ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason (intelligence) and understanding in His book in the following words, “Give the good news to those of My servants who hear certain words but follow only the good wo

قُلْتُ مَا طَعَامُهُ قَالَ عِلْمُهُ الَّذِي يَأْخُذُهُ عَمَّنْ يَأْخُذُهُ.

“It is his knowledge that he acquires from whoever he acquires.” This he said in answer to the question ‘What is his food’ in the words of Allah, “Let the human being think about (how We produce) his food.” (80:24)?’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ الرَّسُولَ ص وَ أَنْزَلَ إِلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ وَ أَنْتُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ عَنِ الْكِتَابِ وَ مَنْ أَنْزَلَهُ وَ عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَ مَنْ أَرْسَلَهُ عَلَى حِينِ‌ فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌ وَ طُولِ هَجْعَةٍ مِنَ الْأُمَمِ‌[4] وَ انْبِسَاطٍ مِنَ الْجَهْلِ وَ اعْتِرَاضٍ مِنَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ انْتِقَاضٍ مِنَ الْمُبْ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from certain persons of his people from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas‘ada ibn Sadaqa from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘O people, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has sent to you the holy Prophet (s.a.) and gave him the book with truth while

فَقَالَ لِي يَا هِشَامُ اللَّهُ مُشْتَقٌّ مِنْ إِلَهٍ وَ الْإِلَهُ يَقْتَضِي مَأْلُوهاً وَ الِاسْمُ غَيْرُ الْمُسَمَّى فَمَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ دُونَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ كَفَرَ وَ لَمْ يَعْبُدْ شَيْئاً وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ وَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ كَفَرَ وَ عَبَدَ اثْنَيْنِ وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الْمَعْنَى دُونَ الِاسْمِ فَذَاكَ التَّوْحِيدُ أَ فَهِمْتَ يَا هِشَامُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ زِدْنِي قَالَ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةً وَ تِسْعِينَ

“What is the root word for Allah?” He (as) replied, “The word Allah is derived from the word Elah (Lord) which requires Ma’luh (some one whose Lord one has become). Note that names are something other than whatever to which they apply. O Hisham, whoever, worships the name without the fact for which the name stands he h

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ لَوْ أَكَلَ قَلْبَكَ طَائِرٌ لَمْ يُشْبِعْهُ وَ بَصَرُكَ لَوْ وُضِعَ عَلَيْهِ خَرْقُ إِبْرَةٍ لَغَطَّاهُ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ بِهِمَا مَلَكُوتَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً فَهَذِهِ الشَّمْسُ خَلْقٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ قَدَرْتَ أَنْ تَمْلَأَ عَيْنَيْكَ مِنْهَا فَهُوَ كَمَا تَقُولُ‌[3].

“O son of Adam, if a bird were to feed upon your heart, it would not satisfy its hunger. Only the eye of a needle, if placed over your eye, would be totally cover your vision. With such (insignificant) means of perception how would you comprehend (Allah’s) vast dominion over the earth and the heavens? And if you think

يَا هِشَامُ اللَّهُ مُشْتَقٌّ مِنْ إِلَهٍ وَ إِلَهٌ يَقْتَضِي مَأْلُوهاً وَ الِاسْمُ غَيْرُ الْمُسَمَّى فَمَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ دُونَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ كَفَرَ وَ لَمْ يَعْبُدْ شَيْئاً وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الِاسْمَ وَ الْمَعْنَى فَقَدْ أَشْرَكَ وَ عَبَدَ اثْنَيْنِ وَ مَنْ عَبَدَ الْمَعْنَى دُونَ الِاسْمِ فَذَاكَ التَّوْحِيدُ أَ فَهِمْتَ يَا هِشَامُ قَالَ قُلْتُ زِدْنِي قَالَ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةٌ وَ تِسْعُونَ اسْماً فَلَوْ كَانَ

The Imam replied, “O Hisham, the word Allah is derived from ’ilah, that is, the One Who is worshipped and the One who is worshipped is supposed to be worth worshipping. The name of Allah is different from His Own self. Whoever worships the name not the meaning has disbelieved and has, in fact, worshipped nothing. Whoev

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع فَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الرَّبِّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَهُ أَسْمَاءٌ وَ صِفَاتٌ‌[2] فِي كِتَابِهِ وَ أَسْمَاؤُهُ وَ صِفَاتُهُ هِيَ هُوَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ لِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ وَجْهَيْنِ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَقُولُ هِيَ هُوَ أَيْ إِنَّهُ ذُو عَدَدٍ وَ كَثْرَةٍ فَتَعَالَى اللَّهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَقُولُ هَذِهِ الصِّفَاتُ وَ الْأَسْمَاءُ لَمْ تَز

7. Muhammad ibn abu ‘Abdallah in a marfu‘ manner, has narrated from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “I was in the company of abu Ja’far al-Thani, the 2nd (a.s.), when a person asked him, “The names and attributes of the Lord, the Most Holy, the Most High, mentioned in His book (the Holy Quran) are the

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ وَ هُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ الْوَاحِدُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ. لَمْ يَلِدْ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ لَوْ كَانَ كَمَا يَقُولُ الْمُشَبِّهَةُ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْخَالِقُ مِنَ الْمَخْلُوقِ‌[3]- وَ لَا الْمُنْشِئُ مِنَ الْمُنْشَإِ لَكِنَّهُ الْمُنْشِئُ فَرْقٌ بَيْنَ مَنْ جَسَّمَهُ وَ صَوَّرَهُ وَ أَنْشَأَهُ إِذْ كَانَ لَا يُشْبِهُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا يُشْبِهُ ه

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘He (Allah) is the Subtle, All-aware, All-hearing, All-seeing, the One, the Self-sufficient, Who does not have any children, is not any one’s child and there is no one similar to Him. Had Allah been as those believing in similitude (al-Mushabbihah) say there would have been no distinction betw

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ وَ لَمْ يَشَأْ وَ شَاءَ وَ لَمْ يَأْمُرْ أَمَرَ إِبْلِيسَ أَنْ يَسْجُدَ لآِدَمَ وَ شَاءَ أَنْ لَا يَسْجُدَ وَ لَوْ شَاءَ لَسَجَدَ وَ نَهَى آدَمَ عَنْ أَكْلِ الشَّجَرَةِ وَ شَاءَ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ مِنْهَا وَ لَوْ لَمْ يَشَأْ لَمْ يَأْكُلْ.

“Allah commanded but did not want. He wanted but did not command. He commanded Satan to prostrate but He did not want it. If He wanted Satan would have prostrated. He prohibited Adam from eating of the tree and wanted him to eat. Had He not wanted he would not have ate.”

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ إِرَادَتَيْنِ وَ مَشِيئَتَيْنِ إِرَادَةَ حَتْمٍ وَ إِرَادَةَ عَزْمٍ يَنْهَى وَ هُوَ يَشَاءُ وَ يَأْمُرُ وَ هُوَ لَا يَشَاءُ أَ وَ مَا رَأَيْتَ أَنَّهُ نَهَى آدَمَ وَ زَوْجَتَهُ أَنْ يَأْكُلَا مِنَ الشَّجَرَةِ وَ شَاءَ ذَلِكَ وَ لَوْ لَمْ يَشَأْ أَنْ يَأْكُلَا لَمَا غَلَبَتْ مَشِيئَتُهُمَا مَشِيئَةَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى وَ أَمَرَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ أَنْ يَذْبَحَ إِسْحَاقَ وَ لَمْ يَشَأْ أَنْ يَذْبَحَهُ وَ لَوْ شَا

“Allah has two wills and two wishes. He has a definite will and an intended will. He prohibits but He wants it. He commands but He does not want it. Consider that He prohibited Adam and his spouse from eating of the tree but He wanted them to eat. Had He not wanted their wish would not have surpassed Allah’s wish. He c

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ لَا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَ هُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَ اللَّهُ شَانِئٌ‌[2] لِأَعْمَالِهِ وَ مَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَ قَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ‌[3] ذَاهِبَةً وَ جَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا[4] اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعِ غَنَمٍ مَعَ رَاعِيهَا

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever would worship Allah in the expectation for reward and work hard but without having an Imam for himself his efforts would not be received acceptance. Such person is last and straying and Allah would dislike his deeds. The example of such person is like that of a lost sheep who

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الْقَائِمَ إِذَا قَامَ بِمَكَّةَ- وَ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَتَوَجَّهَ إِلَى الْكُوفَةِ نَادَى مُنَادِيهِ أَلَا لَا يَحْمِلْ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ طَعَاماً وَ لَا شَرَاباً وَ يَحْمِلُ حَجَرَ مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ وَ هُوَ وِقْرُ بَعِيرٍ فَلَا يَنْزِلُ مَنْزِلًا إِلَّا انْبَعَثَ عَيْنٌ مِنْهُ فَمَنْ كَانَ جَائِعاً شَبِعَ وَ مَنْ كَانَ ظَامِئاً رَوِيَ فَهُوَ زَادُهُمْ حَتَّى يَنْزِلُوا النَّجَفَ مِنْ ظَهْ

“When al-Qa’im (the one who will rise to establish the kingdom of Allah on earth) will rise in Makka and about to leave for Kufa a caller will up on him, “No one of you carry any food and water with you. No one carry the rock of Moses ibn ‘Imran. It a full load for a camel. Wherever you will disembark there will be a w

أَنَّهُ أَتَى عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع لَيْلَةً قُبِضَ فِيهَا بِشَرَابٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَتِ اشْرَبْ هَذَا فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي أُقْبَضُ فِيهَا وَ هِيَ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي قُبِضَ فِيهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص.

he went to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) on the night in which he passed away and offered him a drink requesting, “Father, please drink it.” He said, “Son, this is the night in which I will pass away and during such night the Messenger of Allah also passed away.” (The date of the demise of the two holy ones, as generally he

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَدَّبَ نَبِيَّهُ فَأَحْسَنَ أَدَبَهُ فَلَمَّا أَكْمَلَ لَهُ الْأَدَبَ قَالَ- إِنَّكَ لَعَلى‌ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ‌ ثُمَّ فَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِ أَمْرَ الدِّينِ وَ الْأُمَّةِ لِيَسُوسَ عِبَادَهُ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا وَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ مُسَدَّد

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that he heard abu ‘Abdallah say the following to some of the companions of Qays al-Masir. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, discipline and education His Messenger. He then made his discipli

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ قَوْماً يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّكُمْ آلِهَةٌ- يَتْلُونَ بِذَلِكَ عَلَيْنَا قُرْآناً- وَ هُوَ الَّذِي فِي السَّماءِ إِلهٌ وَ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلهٌ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ سَمْعِي وَ بَصَرِي وَ بَشَرِي وَ لَحْمِي وَ دَمِي وَ شَعْرِي مِنْ هَؤُلَاءِ بِرَاءٌ وَ بَرِئَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُمْ مَا هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى دِينِي وَ لَا عَلَى دِينِ آبَائِي وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَجْمَعُنِي اللَّهُ وَ إِيَّاهُمْ يَوْمَ

6.Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Barqi from abu Talib from Sadir who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “A certain group of people believe that you are gods. They read to us from the Quran about it. And it is He Who in heaven is God and in earth is God.” [43:84]

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عِلْمِ الْإِمَامِ بِمَا فِي أَقْطَارِ الْأَرْضِ وَ هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهِ مُرْخًى عَلَيْهِ سِتْرُهُ فَقَالَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى جَعَلَ فِي النَّبِيِّ ص خَمْسَةَ أَرْوَاحٍ رُوحَ الْحَيَاةِ فَبِهِ دَبَّ وَ دَرَجَ وَ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ فَبِهِ نَهَضَ وَ جَاهَدَ وَ رُوحَ الشَّهْوَةِ فَبِهِ أَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ وَ أَتَى النِّسَاءَ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ وَ رُوحَ الْإِيمَانِ فَبِهِ آمَنَ وَ عَدَل

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn Sinan that al-Mufadal ibn ‘Umar who has said that I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following. “I asked him about the knowledge of the Imams of the regions of the earth when he is in his house secluded behind the

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَةَ عَهْدٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعْهُودٌ لِرِجَالٍ مُسَمَّيْنَ لَيْسَ لِلْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَزْوِيَهَا عَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى دَاوُدَ ع أَنِ اتَّخِذْ وَصِيّاً مِنْ أَهْلِكَ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ سَبَقَ فِي عِلْمِي أَنْ لَا أَبْعَثَ نَبِيّاً إِلَّا وَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَ كَانَ لِدَاوُدَ ع أَوْلَادٌ عِدَّةٌ وَ فِيهِمْ غُلَامٌ كَانَتْ أُ

“Imamat (leadership with Divine authority) is a covenant from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, pledged to particularly known man. The Imam does not have the right to divert it from the succeeding Imam. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent inspiration to David to appoint the executor of his will from among your

قَالَ: لَمَّا ضَرَبَ ابْنُ مُلْجَمٍ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ لِلْحَسَنِ يَا بُنَيَّ إِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَاقْتُلِ ابْنَ مُلْجَمٍ وَ احْفِرْ لَهُ فِي الْكُنَاسَةِ وَ وَصَفَ الْعَقِيلِيُّ الْمَوْضِعَ عَلَى بَابِ طَاقِ الْمَحَامِلِ مَوْضِعُ الشُّوَّاءِ وَ الرُّؤَّاسِ ثُمَّ ارْمِ بِهِ فِيهِ فَإِنَّهُ وَادٍ مِنْ أَوْدِيَةِ جَهَنَّمَ.

“When Ibn Muljam injured Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) he (Ali) said to al-Hassan (a.s.), 'My son, If I will die, kill Ibn Muljam, dig the ground for him in al-Kunasa (name of a place) and throw him therein. (According to ‘Aqili’s description al-Kunasa is at the gate called ‘Taq al-Mahamil’ where people cook animals’ leg

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا احْتُضِرَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع قَالَ لِلْحُسَيْنِ يَا أَخِي إِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِوَصِيَّةٍ فَاحْفَظْهَا فَإِذَا أَنَا مِتُّ فَهَيِّئْنِي ثُمَّ وَجِّهْنِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لِأُحْدِثَ بِهِ عَهْداً ثُمَّ اصْرِفْنِي إِلَى أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع ثُمَّ رُدَّنِي فَادْفِنِّي بِالْبَقِيعِ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ سَيُصِيبُنِي مِنَ الْحُمَيْرَاءِ مَا يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مِنْ صَنِيعِهَا وَ

“When al-Hassan (a.s.) ibn Ali (a.s.) was about to leave this world he said to al-Husayn (a.s.), “O my brother, I want to entrust you with my directive will (please) safeguard and preserve it. When I will die prepare and help me towards (the Shrine of) the Messenger of Allah so I can renew my covenant with him then hel

بَعَثَ طَلْحَةُ وَ الزُّبَيْرُ رَجُلًا مِنْ عَبْدِ الْقَيْسِ يُقَالُ لَهُ خِدَاشٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص وَ قَالا لَهُ إِنَّا نَبْعَثُكَ إِلَى رَجُلٍ طَالَ مَا كُنَّا نَعْرِفُهُ وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ بِالسِّحْرِ وَ الْكِهَانَةِ وَ أَنْتَ أَوْثَقُ مَنْ بِحَضْرَتِنَا مِنْ أَنْفُسِنَا مِنْ أَنْ تَمْتَنِعَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ أَنْ تُحَاجَّهُ لَنَا حَتَّى تَقِفَهُ عَلَى أَمْرٍ مَعْلُومٍ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ أَعْظَمُ النَّاس

“Once Talha and al-Zubayr sent a man called Khidash from the tribe of ‘Abd a1-Qays, to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). Before he would leave they spoke to him as herein below. “We are sending you to a man who and whose family are known to us since a long time as magicians and soothsayers. You are more trusted to us, than thos

دَخَلْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ وَ لَسْتُ أَعْرِفُ شَيْئاً مِنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَقُلْتُ أَخْبِرُونِي عَنْ عَالِمِ أَهْلِ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ فَقَالُوا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ فَأَتَيْتُ مَنْزِلَهُ فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيَّ رَجُلٌ ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ غُلَامٌ لَهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ اسْتَأْذِنْ لِي عَلَى مَوْلَاكَ فَدَخَلَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ فَقَالَ لِيَ ادْخُلْ فَدَخَلْتُ فَإِذ

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Ali who has said that Sama‘a ibn Mihran narrated to me that al-Kalbi al-Nassaba narrated to him the following. “ I went to Madina and I had no knowledge of this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority, Imamat ). I went to the Mosque

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذا فَعَلُوا فاحِشَةً قالُوا وَجَدْنا عَلَيْها آباءَنا وَ اللَّهُ أَمَرَنا بِها قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشاءِ أَ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ ما لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ أَحَداً زَعَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ بِالزِّنَا وَ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَحَارِمِ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ مَا هَذِهِ الْفَاحِشَةُ الَّتِي يَدَّعُو

“I asked (the Imam (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘When (The faithless) commit indecent acts they say, “We found our fathers doing this and God has commanded us to do the same.” (Muhammad) tell them that God does not command anyone to commit indecency. Do you speak for God, sayin

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ لَا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَ هُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَ اللَّهُ شَانِئٌ لِأَعْمَالِهِ‌[1] وَ مَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَ قَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ‌[2] ذَاهِبَةً وَ جَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعٍ مَعَ غَيْرِ رَاعِيهَا فَحَنَّتْ‌[3] إِل

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, ‘Whoever follows the religion of Allah worshipping assiduously without an Imam, Leader with Divine Authority his toil will not be acceptable. In fact, he is lost and confused and Allah disdains his deeds. Such person’s case and example is like a sheep that has lost the shepherd and the f

حَجَجْنَا مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا ابْنُهُ مُوسَى ع فَلَمَّا نَزَلْنَا الْأَبْوَاءَ[4] وَضَعَ لَنَا الْغَدَاءَ وَ كَانَ إِذَا وَضَعَ الطَّعَامَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَكْثَرَ وَ أَطَابَ قَالَ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ نَأْكُلُ إِذْ أَتَاهُ رَسُولُ حَمِيدَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ حَمِيدَةَ تَقُولُ قَدْ أَنْكَرْتُ نَفْسِي وَ قَدْ وَجَدْتُ مَا كُنْتُ أَجِدُ إِذَا حَضَرَتْ وِلَادَتِي وَ قَدْ أَمَرْتَنِ

When we arrived at al-Abwa lunch was served When he would serve food to his people he would serve good and plentiful food. At such time the messenger of Hamida, (his wife), came saying, “Hamida says, “I have almost lost my self and I have found what I was to find, I am about to give birth. You had commanded me not to d

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِذَا أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْإِمَامَ أَمَرَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ فَيَسْقِيهَا أَبَاهُ فَمِنْ ذَلِكَ يَخْلُقُ الْإِمَامَ فَيَمْكُثُ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً وَ لَيْلَةً فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ لَا يَسْمَعُ الصَّوْتَ ثُمَّ يَسْمَعُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ الْكَلَامَ فَإِذَا وُلِدَ بَعَثَ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكَ فَيَكْتُبُ بَيْنَ عَيْنَ

‘When Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, would love to create the Imam He would command an angel to take a drink of water from under the Throne and his father to drink it and from this He creates the Imam. for the first forty days and nights in his mothers womb he would hear anything. After that he would hear the wor

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْإِمَامَ مِنَ الْإِمَامِ بَعَثَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ ثُمَّ أَوْقَعَهَا أَوْ دَفَعَهَا إِلَى الْإِمَامِ فَشَرِبَهَا فَيَمْكُثُ فِي الرَّحِمِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً لَا يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ ثُمَّ يَسْمَعُ الْكَلَامَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا وَضَعَتْهُ أُمُّهُ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ الْمَ

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, decides to create the Imam from another Imam He sends an angel with a drink of water from under the Throne. Then the angel would make the Imam to drink it and would give it to him to drink. For the first forty days he would not hear a

كُنْتُ لَا أَزِيدُ عَلَى أَكْلَةٍ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَرُبَّمَا اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَجِدُ الْمَائِدَةَ قَدْ رُفِعَتْ‌[2] لَعَلِّي لَا أَرَاهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُ دَعَا بِهَا فَأُصِيبَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ لَا أَتَأَذَّى بِذَلِكَ وَ إِذَا عَقَّبْتُ بِالطَّعَامِ عِنْدَ غَيْرِهِ لَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَى أَنْ أَقِرَّ وَ لَمْ أَنَمْ مِنَ النَّفْخَةِ فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْه

“I used to eat one meal in twenty four hours. I would ask permission to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) at such time that I would expect that their table cloth is collected and they have fished their meal. When I would arrive he would ask to return the table cloth. I would find food in it but it would not harm me while if I w

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نُعِيَتْ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص نَفْسُهُ وَ هُوَ صَحِيحٌ لَيْسَ بِهِ وَجَعٌ قَالَ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ- قَالَ فَنَادَى ص الصَّلَاةَ جَامِعَةً وَ أَمَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الْأَنْصَارَ بِالسِّلَاحِ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَصَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ص الْمِنْبَرَ فَنَعَى إِلَيْهِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أُذَكِّرُ اللَّهَ الْوَالِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِي عَلَى أُمَّتِي أَلَّا يَرْحَمُ عَلَى

‘The Holy Prophet (sw) was given the news of his own death while he was in a good health and he did not suffer any pain.” He said, “The trusted Spirit came to him.” He said, “The Holy Prophet called for a prayer in congregation. He then ordered the Muhajir and Ansar (people from Makka and the people of Madina) to arm t

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع- إِنَّ الْأَرْضَ‌ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُها مَنْ يَشاءُ مِنْ عِبادِهِ وَ الْعاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ‌ أَنَا وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِيَ الَّذِينَ أَوْرَثَنَا اللَّهُ الْأَرْضَ وَ نَحْنُ الْمُتَّقُونَ وَ الْأَرْضُ كُلُّهَا لَنَا فَمَنْ أَحْيَا أَرْضاً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَلْيَعْمُرْهَا وَ لْيُؤَدِّ خَرَاجَهَا إِلَى الْإِمَامِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي وَ لَهُ مَا أَكَلَ مِنْهَا فَإِنْ تَرَكَهَا أَوْ أَخْرَبَه

“The earth belongs to Allah and He gives it in inheritance to whoever of His servants that He wishes. The good end is for those who are pious before Allah’, I and my Ahl al-Bayt are the people to whom Allah has given the earth in inheritance and we are the ones who are pious before Allah. The whole earth belongs to us.

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَنِي إِمَاماً لِخَلْقِهِ فَفَرَضَ عَلَيَّ التَّقْدِيرَ فِي نَفْسِي وَ مَطْعَمِي وَ مَشْرَبِي وَ مَلْبَسِي كَضُعَفَاءِ النَّاسِ كَيْ يَقْتَدِيَ الْفَقِيرُ بِفَقْرِي وَ لَا يُطْغِيَ الْغَنِيَّ غِنَاهُ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Hammad from Humayd and Jabir al-‘Abdi who has said the following. “Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah has appointed me the Imam for His creation, Therefore, He made it obligatory for me to discipline myself in the matters of

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَوْماً جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ ذَكَرْتُ آلَ فُلَانٍ وَ مَا هُمْ فِيهِ مِنَ النَّعِيمِ فَقُلْتُ لَوْ كَانَ هَذَا إِلَيْكُمْ لَعِشْنَا مَعَكُمْ فَقَالَ هَيْهَاتَ يَا مُعَلَّى أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ أَنْ لَوْ كَانَ ذَاكَ مَا كَانَ إِلَّا سِيَاسَةَ اللَّيْلِ وَ سِيَاحَةَ النَّهَارِ وَ لُبْسَ الْخَشِنِ وَ أَكْلَ الْجَشِبِ فَزُوِيَ ذَلِكَ عَنَّا[3] فَهَلْ رَأَيْتَ ظُلَامَةً قَطُّ صَيَّرَهَا اللَّهُ تَعَ

“One day I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), may Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I thought of the descendants of so and so (‘Abbasside) and the wealth they have at their disposal. Then I wished that had such wealth been at your disposal we would have lived with you prosperously.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Never

فِي احْتِجَاجِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى عَاصِمِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ حِينَ لَبِسَ الْعَبَاءَ وَ تَرَكَ الْمُلَاءَ وَ شَكَاهُ أَخُوهُ الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنَّهُ قَدْ غَمَّ أَهْلَهُ وَ أَحْزَنَ وُلْدَهُ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَيَّ بِعَاصِمِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ فَجِي‌ءَ بِهِ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ عَبَسَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ مَا اسْتَحْيَيْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ أَ مَا رَحِمْتَ

The Hadith is about the protest of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) against ‘Asim ibn Ziyad who had confined himself in a gown away from the people. His brother, al-Rabi‘ ibn Ziyad complained before Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) complained that his ‘Asim’s family had become depressed and his sons had been sadden because of his behavi

حَضَرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ ذَكَرْتَ أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع كَانَ يَلْبَسُ الْخَشِنَ يَلْبَسُ الْقَمِيصَ بِأَرْبَعَةِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَ ذَلِكَ وَ نَرَى عَلَيْكَ اللِّبَاسَ الْجَدِيدَ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع كَانَ يَلْبَسُ ذَلِكَ فِي زَمَانٍ لَا يُنْكَرُ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَوْ لَبِسَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ شُهِرَ بِهِ فَخَيْرُ لِبَاسِ ك

“I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that a man said to him, “May Allah grant you well being, you have mentioned that Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would wear harsh garments. He would buy a shirt worth four Dirhams only and so on. However, we see that you have new garments.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ali ibn abu Tali

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع صِفْ لِي نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ كَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ع أَبْيَضَ مُشْرَبَ حُمْرَةٍ أَدْعَجَ الْعَيْنَيْنِ مَقْرُونَ الْحَاجِبَيْنِ شَثْنَ الْأَطْرَافِ‌[5] كَأَنَّ الذَّهَبَ أُفْرِغَ عَلَى بَرَاثِنِهِ‌[6] عَظِيمَ مُشَاشَةِ الْمَنْكِبَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَفَتَ يَلْتَفِتُ جَمِيعاً مِنْ شِدَّةِ اسْتِرْسَالِهِ سُرْبَتُهُ سَائِلَةٌ مِنْ لَبَّتِهِ إِلَى سُرَّتِهِ كَأَنَّهَا وَسَطُ الْفِضَّةِ الْمُصَفَّ

“Once I asked Abu Ja‘far (AS), ‘Describe to me the Prophet (SAW) of Allah.’ The Imam (AS) said, “The Holy Prophet (SAW) had a white reddish complexion, large sharp black and white eyes, the eyebrows almost joined, chubby hands and feet as if gold molded as to the form of his fingers and toes and with manifest shoulder

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص لِفَاطِمَةَ ع يَا فَاطِمَةُ قُومِي فَأَخْرِجِي تِلْكَ الصَّحْفَةَ[1] فَقَامَتْ فَأَخْرَجَتْ صَحْفَةً فِيهَا ثَرِيدٌ وَ عُرَاقٌ يَفُورُ فَأَكَلَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ وَ فَاطِمَةُ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ ثَلَاثَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ إِنَّ أُمَّ أَيْمَنَ رَأَتِ الْحُسَيْنَ مَعَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ مِنْ أَيْنَ لَكَ هَذَا قَالَ إِنَّا لَنَأْكُلُهُ مُنْذُ أَيَّامٍ فَأَتَتْ أُمُّ أَيْمَنَ فَ

“Once the Holy Prophet (s.a) said to Fatima, “Rise and bring that tray.” She went and took out the tray with fresh bread and steaming meat on it. The Holy Prophet (s.a), Ali, Fatima, al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.) continued to have their meals from it for thirteen days. Then ’Umm Ayman saw al-Husayn with certain things

خَرَجَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع فِي بَعْضِ عُمَرِهِ‌[2] وَ مَعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ الزُّبَيْرِ كَانَ يَقُولُ بِإِمَامَتِهِ فَنَزَلُوا فِي مَنْهَلٍ مِنْ تِلْكَ الْمَنَاهِلِ تَحْتَ نَخْلٍ يَابِسٍ قَدْ يَبِسَ مِنَ الْعَطَشِ فَفُرِشَ لِلْحَسَنِ ع تَحْتَ نَخْلَةٍ وَ فُرِشَ لِلزُّبَيْرِيِّ بِحِذَاهُ تَحْتَ نَخْلَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ فَقَالَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ وَ رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ لَوْ كَانَ فِي هَذَا النَّخْلِ رُطَبٌ لَأَكَلْنَا م

“Once al-Hassan (a.s.) went outside the town with a man from the children of al-Zubayr who believed al-Hassan to be the Imam. They stopped for rest on one of the oasis under a palm tree that had dried up due to lack of water. A furnishing was spread for Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) under that tree and for al-Zubayri the furni

إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع نَزَلَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِمَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ مِنْ فَاطِمَةَ تَقْتُلُهُ أُمَّتُكَ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ عَلَى رَبِّيَ السَّلَامُ لَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِي مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ مِنْ فَاطِمَةَ تَقْتُلُهُ أُمَّتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي فَعَرَجَ ثُمَّ هَبَطَ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ عَلَى رَبِّيَ السَّلَامُ لَا حَاجَةَ

“Once Jibril came to Muhammad (s.a) and said tohim, “O Muhammad, Allah gives you the glad news of the birth of a son from Fatima. Your ’Umma (followers0 will kill this child after you will die.” He said, “O Jibril peace is from my Lord. I do not need a child from Fatima who will be killed by my ’Umma after I will die.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا قُتِلَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع أَقَامَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ الْكَلْبِيَّةُ عَلَيْهِ مَأْتَماً وَ بَكَتْ وَ بَكَيْنَ النِّسَاءُ وَ الْخَدَمُ حَتَّى جَفَّتْ دُمُوعُهُنَّ وَ ذَهَبَتْ فَبَيْنَا هِيَ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا رَأَتْ جَارِيَةً مِنْ جَوَارِيهَا تَبْكِي وَ دُمُوعُهَا تَسِيلُ فَدَعَتْهَا فَقَالَتْ لَهَا مَا لَكِ أَنْتِ مِنْ بَيْنِنَا تَسِيلُ دُمُوعُكِ قَالَتْ إِنِّي لَمَّا أَصَابَنِي الْجَ

8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Yunus from Masqala al-Tahhan who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When al-Husayn was murdered his wife who was from the tribe of al-Kalb began to organize a mourning gathering. She wept an

لَمَّا حُمِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى الشَّامِ إِلَى هِشَامِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ وَ صَارَ بِبَابِهِ قَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ وَ مَنْ كَانَ بِحَضْرَتِهِ مِنْ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي قَدْ وَبَّخْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُمُونِي قَدْ سَكَتُّ فَلْيُقْبِلْ عَلَيْهِ كُلُّ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيُوَبِّخْهُ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَنْ يُؤْذَنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ بِيَدِهِ السَّلَام

“When abu Ja‘far (a.s.) was taken to al-Sham (Damascus) to the court of hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik. When arrived at his door he (Hisham) instructed his people from the Amawids, “When I will finish exasperating Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) and stop then each of you one after the other should reprimand and level blames on him.”

كَانَ لِي جَارٌ يَتَّبِعُ السُّلْطَانَ فَأَصَابَ مَالًا فَأَعَدَّ قِيَاناً وَ كَانَ يَجْمَعُ الْجَمِيعَ إِلَيْهِ وَ يَشْرَبُ الْمُسْكِرَ وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَشَكَوْتُهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَنْتَهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ أَلْحَحْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا هَذَا أَنَا رَجُلٌ مُبْتَلًى وَ أَنْتَ رَجُلٌ مُعَافًى فَلَوْ عَرَضْتَنِي لِصَاحِبِكَ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُنْقِذَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِكَ فَوَقَعَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فِي قَلْبِي ف

“I had a neighbor who followed the Sultan and he gains certain properties. He would arrange parties and invite female singers. They would drink wine and would disturb me. I complained to the man several times but he would not pay any attention. When I insisted he said, “O man, “I am an addicted man and you are sober. I

دَخَلَ ابْنُ عُكَّاشَةَ بْنِ مِحْصَنٍ الْأَسَدِيُّ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَ كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَائِماً عِنْدَهُ فَقَدَّمَ إِلَيْهِ عِنَباً فَقَالَ حَبَّةً حَبَّةً يَأْكُلُهُ الشَّيْخُ الْكَبِيرُ وَ الصَّبِيُّ الصَّغِيرُ وَ ثَلَاثَةً وَ أَرْبَعَةً يَأْكُلُهُ مَنْ يَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ لَا يَشْبَعُ وَ كُلْهُ حَبَّتَيْنِ حَبَّتَيْنِ فَإِنَّهُ يُسْتَحَبُّ فَقَالَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع لِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ لَا تُزَوِّجُ أَبَا

“Once ibn al-‘Ukkasha ibn Muhsin al-Asadi went to see abu Ja‘far and abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) was present with him. Grapes were offered to him. The Imam (a.s.) said, “The old man and the small boy eat grasps one piece at a time and one who is anxious for filling himself up eats several pieces at a time but you should take

كَانَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ آلِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ مَوْلَى النَّبِيِّ ص يُقَالُ لَهُ طَيْسٌ عَلَيَّ حَقٌّ فَتَقَاضَانِي وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيَّ وَ أَعَانَهُ النَّاسُ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُ ذَلِكَ صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ع ثُمَّ تَوَجَّهْتُ نَحْوَ الرِّضَا ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِالْعُرَيْضِ فَلَمَّا قَرُبْتُ مِنْ بَابِهِ إِذَا هُوَ قَدْ طَلَعَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ وَ رِدَاءٌ فَلَمَّا نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ اسْتَح

“I owed money to a man from the family of abu Rafi‘, slave of the Holy Prophet (s.a), called Tays. He demanded payment and pressed me hard and people also assisted him. When I found myself in such condition I prayed the morning prayer in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah and then headed to al-Rida (a.s.) who was in

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ مَعِي ثَلَاثُ رِقَاعٍ غَيْرُ مُعَنْوَنَةٍ وَ اشْتَبَهَتْ عَلَيَّ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ فَتَنَاوَلَ إِحْدَاهُمَا وَ قَالَ هَذِهِ رُقْعَةُ زِيَادِ بْنِ شَبِيبٍ ثُمَّ تَنَاوَلَ الثَّانِيَةَ فَقَالَ هَذِهِ رُقْعَةُ فُلَانٍ فَبُهِتُّ أَنَا فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَتَبَسَّمَ قَالَ وَ أَعْطَانِي ثَلَاثَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَ أَمَرَنِي أَنْ أَحْمِلَهَا إِلَى بَعْضِ بَنِي عَمِّهِ وَ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ سَيَق

“This is the letter of Ziyad ibn Shabib.” Then he picked up the other one and said, “.This is the letter of so and so.” I became awe struck. He looked at me and smiled.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) then gave me three hundred Dinars and asked me to deliver them to the certain persons of the sons of his un

كَانَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ يَقُولُ وَيْحَكُمْ قَدْ أَعْيَانِي أَمْرُ ابْنِ الرِّضَا[1] أَبَى أَنْ يَشْرَبَ مَعِي أَوْ يُنَادِمَنِي أَوْ أَجِدَ مِنْهُ فُرْصَةً فِي هَذَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ مِنْهُ فَهَذَا أَخُوهُ مُوسَى قَصَّافٌ عَزَّافٌ‌[2]- يَأْكُلُ وَ يَشْرَبُ وَ يَتَعَشَّقُ قَالَ ابْعَثُوا إِلَيْهِ فَجِيئُوا بِهِ حَتَّى نُمَوِّهَ بِهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ نَقُولَ ابْنُ الرِّضَا[3] فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ وَ أُشْخِص

“Al-Mutawakkil would say, “Woe is you, the ibn (the son of) al-Rida, (Ali al-Hadi (a.s.)) has frustrated me. He refuses to share a drink (liquor) with me and associate with me and I never get a chance in it.” They (his associates) told him, “If he does not give you a chance his brother, Musa plays music, sings, eats, d

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

إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَشَجَرَةً تُسَمَّى الْمُزْنَ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ مُؤْمِناً أَقْطَرَ مِنْهَا قَطْرَةً فَلَا تُصِيبُ بَقْلَةً وَ لَا ثَمَرَةً أَكَلَ مِنْهَا مُؤْمِنٌ أَوْ كَافِرٌ إِلَّا أَخْرَجَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ صُلْبِهِ مُؤْمِناً.

“In Paradise there is a tree called al-Muzn. When Allah wants to create a believer He makes a drop to drip from it. It then falls on vegetable or fruit that either a believer or disbeliever then consumes for food and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, brings out a believer from his loins.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ لِلْإِيمَانِ دَرَجَاتٍ وَ مَنَازِلَ يَتَفَاضَلُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ فِيهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ صِفْهُ لِي رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ حَتَّى أَفْهَمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَبَّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَمَا يُسَبَّقُ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ يَوْمَ الرِّهَانِ‌[1] ثُمَّ فَضَّلَهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِي السَّبْقِ إِلَيْهِ فَجَعَلَ كُلَّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَةِ سَبْقِهِ لَا يَنْقُصُهُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Are there degrees and stages of belief in which the believers may excel in the sight of Allah?’ He said, ‘Yes, there are.’ 1 then said, ‘Explain to me, please, may Allah grant you favors, so I can understand.’ The Imam said, ‘Allah has set a contest among the believers like the contest se

رَفَعَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص‌[4] قَوْمٌ فِي بَعْضِ غَزَوَاتِهِ فَقَالَ مَنِ الْقَوْمُ‌[5] فَقَالُوا مُؤْمِنُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ مَا بَلَغَ مِنْ إِيمَانِكُمْ قَالُوا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ وَ الشُّكْرُ عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ وَ الرِّضَا بِالْقَضَاءِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حُلَمَاءُ[6] عُلَمَاءُ كَادُوا مِنَ الْفِقْهِ أَنْ يَكُونُوا أَنْبِيَاءَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ كَمَا تَصِفُونَ فَلَا تَبْنُوا مَا لَا تَسْ

“A people came to the Messenger of Allah during one of the armed expeditions and he asked who are these people? They said, ‘Believers, O Messenger of Allah.’ He then asked, ‘What is the degree of your belief?’ They replied, ‘It is patience in hardships, thankfulness in prosperous life and agreement with the decision of

بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي بَعْضِ أَسْفَارِهِ إِذْ لَقِيَهُ رَكْبٌ فَقَالُوا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ مَا أَنْتُمْ فَقَالُوا نَحْنُ مُؤْمِنُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَمَا حَقِيقَةُ إِيمَانِكُمْ قَالُوا الرِّضَا بِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّفْوِيضُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عُلَمَاءُ حُكَمَاءُ[1] كَادُوا أَنْ يَكُونُوا مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ أَنْبِيَ

“During one of the journeys of the Messenger of Allah a group of people who were riding came to meet him. They said, ‘Salute to you O Messenger of Allah.’ He asked, ‘Who are you?’ They replied, ‘We are believers, O Messenger of Allah.’ He then asked, ‘What is the essence of your belief?’ They replied, ‘It is to agree w

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي ضَعِيفُ الْعَمَلِ قَلِيلُ الصِّيَامِ وَ لَكِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ لَا آكُلَ إِلَّا حَلَالًا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّ الِاجْتِهَادِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

‘My deeds are weak and my fasting is very little but I hope to eat only what is lawful.’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘What kind of hard work could be considered better than chastity of stomach and chastity of genital organs?”’