Food & Eating

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَلَا إِنَّ لِكُلِّ عِبَادَةٍ شِرَّةً[3] ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ إِلَى فَتْرَةٍ فَمَنْ صَارَتْ شِرَّةُ عِبَادَتِهِ إِلَى سُنَّتِي فَقَدِ اهْتَدَى وَ مَنْ خَالَفَ سُنَّتِي فَقَدْ ضَلَّ وَ كَانَ عَمَلُهُ فِي تَبَابٍ‌[4] أَمَا إِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَ أَنَامُ وَ أَصُومُ وَ أُفْطِرُ وَ أَضْحَكُ وَ أَبْكِي فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ مِنْهَاجِي وَ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَ قَالَ كَفَى بِالْمَوْتِ مَوْعِظَةً وَ كَفَى بِا

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal from Salam ibn al-Mustanir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘For every form of worship there is a strong desire and willingness, then it reduces. Whoever’ s worship falls

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ لَيَشْرَبُ الشَّرْبَةَ مِنَ الْمَاءِ فَيُوجِبُ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهَا الْجَنَّةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَيَأْخُذُ الْإِنَاءَ فَيَضَعُهُ عَلَى فِيهِ فَيُسَمِّي‌[4]- ثُمَّ يَشْرَبُ فَيُنَحِّيهِ وَ هُوَ يَشْتَهِيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فَيَشْرَبُ ثُمَّ يُنَحِّيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فَيَشْرَبُ ثُمَّ يُنَحِّيهِ فَيَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ فَيُوجِبُ اللَّهُ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘One of you drinks water and for this Allah admits him into paradise.’ The Imam then said, ‘He picks up the bowl of water and places it in his mouth, then mentions the name of Allah and then he drinks. He then removes it from his mouth and expresses praise for Allah, even though he stil

كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فِي حَائِطٍ لَهُ يَصْرِمُ‌[2] فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى غُلَامٍ لَهُ قَدْ أَخَذَ كَارَةً[3] مِنْ تَمْرٍ فَرَمَى بِهَا وَرَاءَ الْحَائِطِ فَأَتَيْتُهُ وَ أَخَذْتُهُ وَ ذَهَبْتُ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي وَجَدْتُ هَذَا وَ هَذِهِ الْكَارَةَ فَقَالَ لِلْغُلَامِ يَا فُلَانُ قَالَ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ أَ تَجُوعُ قَالَ لَا يَا سَيِّدِي قَالَ فَتَعْرَى قَالَ لَا يَا سَيِّدِي قَالَ فَلِأَ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) once was in his compound that had palm-trees. 1 looked at one of his slaves who had picked up a certain amount of dates. He threw it on the other side of the wall. I went and picked up what he had thrown and I brought it to the Imam. I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause,

أَفْطَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- عَشِيَّةَ خَمِيسٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَا فَقَالَ هَلْ مِنْ شَرَابٍ فَأَتَاهُ أَوْسُ بْنُ خَوَلِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِعُسِّ مَخِيضٍ بِعَسَلٍ‌[1] فَلَمَّا وَضَعَهُ عَلَى فِيهِ نَحَّاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ شَرَابَانِ يُكْتَفَى بِأَحَدِهِمَا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ لَا أَشْرَبُهُ وَ لَا أُحَرِّمُهُ وَ لَكِنْ أَتَوَاضَعُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنَّ مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ خَفَضَهُ اللَّهُ وَ م

‘‘In a Thursday evening the Messenger of Allah had completed his day’s fasting and dinner was served in the Mosque of Quba. He asked, ‘Is there any drink?’ Aws ibn Khuli brought him a bowl of milk mixed with honey. When he touched it with his lips he moved it away saying, ‘There are two drinks each of which is enough d

مَرَّ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص عَلَى الْمُجَذَّمِينَ‌[2] وَ هُوَ رَاكِبٌ حِمَارَهُ وَ هُمْ يَتَغَدَّوْنَ‌[3] فَدَعَوْهُ إِلَى الْغَدَاءِ فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنِّي لَوْ لَا أَنِّي صَائِمٌ لَفَعَلْتُ فَلَمَّا صَارَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ أَمَرَ بِطَعَامٍ فَصُنِعَ وَ أَمَرَ أَنْ يَتَنَوَّقُوا فِيهِ‌[4] ثُمَّ دَعَاهُمْ فَتَغَدَّوْا عِنْدَهُ وَ تَغَدَّى مَعَهُمْ‌[5].

“Once, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was passing by the lepers while riding his donkey. They were having their lunch so they invited him to join them for food. The Imam said, ‘Had 1 not been fasting I would have joined you.’ When he returned home he asked that good food be prepared. He then invited the lepers for food and h

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ جُعِلَ الْخَيْرُ كُلُّهُ فِي بَيْتٍ وَ جُعِلَ مِفْتَاحُهُ الزُّهْدَ فِي الدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا يَجِدُ الرَّجُلُ حَلَاوَةَ الْإِيمَانِ فِي قَلْبِهِ حَتَّى لَا يُبَالِيَ مَنْ أَكَلَ الدُّنْيَا[1] ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَرَامٌ عَلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ حَلَاوَةَ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى تَزْهَدَ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘All the good is placed in a house and the key to that house is abstinence from worldly matters.’ The Imam then said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “A man will not sense the sweetness of belief in his heart until he is free of all concerns about worldly matters.”’ The Imam then sa

مَا أَعْجَبَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهَا جَائِعاً خَائِفاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Every one of things the Messenger of Allah liked from this world was associated with suffering, hunger or fear.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَمَحْزُونٌ وَ إِنِّي لَمَشْغُولُ الْقَلْبِ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا شَغَلَكَ وَ مَا حَزَنَ قَلْبَكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّهُ مَنْ دَخَلَ قَلْبَهُ صَافِي‌ خَالِصِ دِينِ اللَّهِ شُغِلَ قَلْبُهُ عَمَّا سِوَاهُ يَا جَابِرُ مَا الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا عَسَى أَنْ تَكُونَ الدُّنْيَا هَلْ هِيَ إِلَّا طَعَامٌ أَكَلْتَهُ أَوْ ثَوْبٌ لَبِسْتَهُ أَوِ امْرَ

“Once I went to visit abu la’ far (a.s.) and he said, ‘O Jabir, I swear by Allah, I am very sad and my heart is pre-occupied.’ I then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has pre-occupied your heart and what is the reason for your sadness?’ The Imam said, ‘O Jabir, if the religion of Allah in

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَثَلُ الْحَرِيصِ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ دُودَةِ الْقَزِّ كُلَّمَا ازْدَادَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا لَفّاً كَانَ أَبْعَدَ لَهَا مِنَ الْخُرُوجِ حَتَّى تَمُوتَ غَمّاً قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ فِيمَا وَعَظَ بِهِ لُقْمَانُ ابْنَهُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا قَبْلَكَ لِأَوْلَادِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مَا جَمَعُوا وَ لَمْ يَبْقَ مَنْ جَمَعُوا لَهُ وَ إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ عَبْدٌ

20. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yahya ibn ‘Aqaba al-Azdi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The case of a person who is greedy in worldly matters is like the case of a silkworm. The more it wraps silk around itself the more difficult it beco

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

اشْتَدَّتْ حَالُ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ لَوْ أَتَيْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَسَأَلْتَهُ‌[1] فَجَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَلَمَّا رَآهُ النَّبِيُّ ص قَالَ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ مَا يَعْنِي غَيْرِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ فَأَعْلَمَهَا فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بَشَرٌ فَأَعْلِمْهُ‌[2] فَأَتَاهُ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ رَس

“At one time, among the companions of the Messenger of Allah, the financial conditions of one man became very difficult and his wife suggested that he see the Messenger of Allah about it. He went to the Holy Prophet and, when the Holy Prophet saw him, he said, ‘Whoever asks us for help, we help, but whoever appears to

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

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.”

كُنْتُ نَصْرَانِيّاً فَأَسْلَمْتُ وَ حَجَجْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَلَى النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ وَ إِنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ فَقَالَ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ رَأَيْتَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ‌[2] قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌ وَ لكِنْ جَعَلْناهُ نُوراً نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشاءُ[3] فَقَالَ لَقَدْ هَدَاكَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِهِ ثَلَا

“I was a Christian, then I became a Muslim. I went for Hajj, where I met Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and I said to him, ‘I was a Christian and I have become a Muslim.’ The Imam asked, ‘What have you seen in Islam?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “. . . before, you did not even know wha

مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يُشْبِعَ جَوْعَتَهُ وَ يُوَارِيَ عَوْرَتَهُ وَ يُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ وَ يَقْضِيَ دَيْنَهُ فَإِذَا مَاتَ خَلَفَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ وُلْدِهِ.

“Of the rights of the believer on his believing brother (in belief) is to satisfy his hunger, provide covering for his privacy, facilitate his hardships and pay off his debts. When he dies, look after his family and children.”

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

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

حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يَشْبَعَ وَ يَجُوعُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَرْوَى وَ يَعْطَشُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَكْتَسِيَ وَ يَعْرَى أَخُوهُ فَمَا أَعْظَمَ حَقَّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ قَالَ أَحِبَّ لِأَخِيكَ الْمُسْلِمِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِذَا احْتَجْتَ فَسَلْهُ وَ إِنْ سَأَلَكَ فَأَعْطِهِ لَا تَمَلَّهُ خَيْراً وَ لَا يَمَلَّهُ لَكَ‌[1] كُنْ لَهُ ظَهْراً فَإِنَّهُ لَكَ ظَهْرٌ إِذَا غَاب

“Of the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim is that he must not satisfy himself with food while his Muslim brother is hungry. One must not satisfy himself with water while one’s Muslim brother is thirsty, and one must not dress up in finery while his Muslim brother is in need of clothes. How great is the right of the Mu

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ سَبْعُونَ حَقّاً لَا أُخْبِرُكَ إِلَّا بِسَبْعَةٍ فَإِنِّي عَلَيْكَ مُشْفِقٌ أَخْشَى أَلَّا تَحْتَمِلَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَ يَجُوعُ وَ لَا تَكْتَسِي وَ يَعْرَى وَ تَكُونُ دَلِيلَهُ وَ قَمِيصَهُ الَّذِي يَلْبَسُهُ‌[2] وَ لِسَانَهُ الَّذِي يَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ وَ تُحِبُّ لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَ جَارِ

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Uramah in a marfu’ manner from Mu’alla ibn Khanis who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the rights of the believer. The Imam said, ‘There are seventy categories of rights but I will only tell you of seven; I

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ‌ شَبْعَةُ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is bringing joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger or paying off his debt.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ سُرُورٌ [الَّذِي‌] تُدْخِلُهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ تَطْرُدُ عَنْهُ‌[3] جَوْعَتَهُ أَوْ تَكْشِفُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ.

‘The most beloved deed to Allah is the joy that you send to the heart of a believer by means of removing his hunger or relieving him of his suffering.’”

مِنْ أَحَبِّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ إِشْبَاعُ جَوْعَتِهِ أَوْ تَنْفِيسُ كُرْبَتِهِ أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.

“Of the most beloved deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is sending joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger, relief for his suffering or paying off his debt.”

وَ اللَّهِ لَأَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا حَتَّى بَلَغَ عَشْراً وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا[4] حَتَّى بَلَغَ السَّبْعِينَ وَ لَأَنْ أَعُولَ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[5] أَسُدَّ جَوْعَتَهُمْ وَ أَكْسُوَ عَوْرَتَهُمْ فَأَكُفَّ وُجُوهَهُمْ عَنِ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ مِثْلَهَا

“By Allah, performing one Hajj is more beloved to me than setting free of ten slaves and up to seventy slaves. If I look after a Muslim family, satisfy their hunger and clothe them to safeguard their dignity among the people it is more beloved to me than to perform Hajj ten times and so on up to seventy Hajj.”

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

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

مَنْ أَشْبَعَ مُؤْمِناً وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ وَ مَنْ أَشْبَعَ كَافِراً كَانَ حَقّاً عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يَمْلَأَ جَوْفَهُ مِنَ الزَّقُّومِ مُؤْمِناً كَانَ أَوْ كَافِراً[4].

“Paradise becomes necessary for one who satisfies the hunger of a believer. For one who satisfies the hunger of an unbeliever (for his disbelief) it becomes necessary for Allah to fill his belly with al-Zaqum, the fruit of hell, regardless of his being a believer or unbeliever.”

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُطْعِمَ أُفُقاً مِنَ النَّاسِ‌[5] قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْأُفُقُ قَالَ مِائَةُ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Satisfying the hunger of a Muslim is more beloved to me than feeding a whole horizon of people.’ 1 then asked, ‘What is a horizon?’ The Imam said, ‘It is one hundred thousand or more people.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ ثَلَاثَةَ نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثَلَاثِ جِنَانٍ- فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ الْفِرْدَوْسِ وَ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ وَ طُوبَى [وَ] شَجَرَةٍ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ غَرَسَهَا رَبُّنَا بِيَدِهِ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever, feeds three Muslims, Allah will feed him from three gardens in the Kingdom of the heaven, the garden of al-Firdaws, (paradise), the garden of Eden and Tuba’, the tree that comes out of the garden of Eden is planted by our Lord with His own hands.’”

مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يُدْخِلُ بَيْتَهُ مُؤْمِنَيْنِ فَيُطْعِمُهُمَا شِبَعَهُمَا[2] إِلَّا كَانَ ذَلِكَ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ عِتْقِ نَسَمَةٍ.

“The serving of a man’s food at his home to two of the believing people to their satisfaction is more meritorious than the setting free of a human soul.”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مِنْ جُوعٍ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثِمَارِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ سَقَى مُؤْمِناً مِنْ ظَمَإٍ سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ.

“Whoever provides food to a believer to satisfy his hunger Allah will feed him with the fruits of paradise and whoever provides water to quench the thirst of a believer Allah will quench his thirst from the wine of paradise which is in sealed containers.”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يُشْبِعَهُ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَحَدٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ مَا لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ الْمَغْفِرَةِ إِطْعَامُ الْمُسْلِمِ السَّغْبَانِ‌[3] ثُمَّ تَلَا قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَوْ إِطْعامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ يَتِيماً ذا مَقْرَبَةٍ أَوْ مِسْكِيناً ذا مَتْرَبَةٍ[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If one serves food to a believer to satisfy his hunger, no one of the creatures of Allah will be able to find out how much reward he will have in the hereafter for such service, not even the angels close to Allah or a prophet Divinely commissioned to preach can find out except Allah, L

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَقَى مُؤْمِناً شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ مِنْ حَيْثُ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَرْبَةٍ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ وَ إِنْ سَقَاهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَعْتَقَ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever serves a drink of water to a believer who (himself) also can find water, Allah will give him seventy thousand good deeds for each drink and if he provides a drink of water when he (himself) is not able to find one it will be like setting free ten persons from the descendents o

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ تُحِبُّ إِخْوَانَكَ يَا حُسَيْنُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَنْفَعُ فُقَرَاءَهُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَحِقُّ عَلَيْكَ‌[5] أَنْ تُحِبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُ‌ اللَّهُ‌[1] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَنْفَعُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً حَتَّى تُحِبَّهُ‌[2] أَ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى مَنْزِلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ مَا آكُلُ إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الرَّجُلَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ الْأَقَلُّ وَ الْأَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked, ‘Do you love your brothers (in belief) O Husayn?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 love them.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you provide any benefit for their poor?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘It is obligatory for you to love whoever loves Allah. By Allah you will not provide any benefit to any of t

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 (

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ رَجُلًا مُسْلِماً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ أُفُقاً[5] مِنَ النَّاسِ قُلْتُ وَ كَمِ الْأُفُقُ فَقَالَ عَشَرَةُ آلَافٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Feeding a Muslim man is more beloved to me than setting free a horizon (full) of people.’ I then asked, ‘How many is a horizon of people?’ The Imam said, ‘It is ten thousand people.’”

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.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تُعْتِقَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ نَسَمَةً قُلْتُ‌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُ مَالِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ تُطْعِمُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ مُسْلِماً فَقُلْتُ مُوسِراً أَوْ مُعْسِراً قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْمُوسِرَ قَدْ يَشْتَهِي الطَّعَامَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has asked, ‘What prevents you from setting free a soul every day?’ I said, ‘My property is not enough to bear it.’ The Imam said, ‘Feed a Muslim every day.’ I asked, ‘Is it so, regardless, of his being affluent or poor?’ The Imam said, ‘Affluent people also desire food.’”

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.”

لَأَنْ أُشْبِعَ رَجُلًا مِنْ إِخْوَانِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَدْخُلَ سُوقَكُمْ هَذَا فَأَبْتَاعَ مِنْهَا رَأْساً فَأُعْتِقَهُ.

“Feeding one of my brothers (in belief) to his satisfaction is more beloved to me than entering your market to buy a slave and set him free.”

لَأَنْ آخُذَ خَمْسَةَ دَرَاهِمَ وَ أَدْخُلَ إِلَى سُوقِكُمْ هَذَا فَأَبْتَاعَ بِهَا الطَّعَامَ وَ أَجْمَعَ نَفَراً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ نَسَمَةً.

“With five Dirhams, if I enter your market to buy food to feed a few Muslim people is more beloved to me than setting free of a slave.”

سُئِلَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ص مَا يَعْدِلُ عِتْقَ رَقَبَةٍ قَالَ إِطْعَامُ رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ.

“Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) asked, ‘How much is the value of setting free a slave?’ The Imam said, ‘It is equal to feeding a Muslim man to his satisfaction.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا أَرَى شَيْئاً يَعْدِلُ زِيَارَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِلَّا إِطْعَامَهُ وَ حَقٌّ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مِنْ طَعَامِ الْجَنَّةِ.

“I do not find anything equal in reward to visiting a believer except feeding him. Allah considers it His responsibility to feed, from the food of paradise, one who feeds a believer.”

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَزُورَهُ وَ لَأَنْ أَزُورَهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ.

“Feeding a needy believer is more beloved to me than visiting him, and to visit him is more beloved to me than setting free of ten slaves.”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُوسِراً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ رَقَبَةً مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهُ مِنَ الذَّبْحِ وَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ مِائَةَ رَقَبَةٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهَا مِنَ الذَّبْحِ.

“Whoever feeds an affluent believer it is equal to setting free a slave from the descendents of Isma’il and rescuing him from slaughter. Whoever feeds a needy believer, it is equal in reward for him to set free one hundred slaves from the descendents of Isma’il and rescue them from being slaughtered.”

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

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

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُتْحِفُ أَخَاهُ التُّحْفَةَ قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ التُّحْفَةُ قَالَ مِنْ مَجْلِسٍ وَ مُتَّكَإٍ وَ طَعَامٍ وَ كِسْوَةٍ وَ سَلَامٍ فَتَطَاوَلُ الْجَنَّةُ[1] مُكَافَأَةً لَهُ وَ يُوحِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهَا أَنِّي قَدْ حَرَّمْتُ طَعَامَكِ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا عَلَى نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهَا أَنْ كَاف

‘‘Believers present al-Tuhaf (gifts) to each other.’ I then asked, ‘What is al-Tuhaf!’ The Imam said, ‘It can be a seat, a pillow, food, clothes or greetings of peace. Paradise then tries to reach out to serve them food for their good deed. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inspires it: ‘I have made your food un

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ وَ عَظَّمَهُ مَنَعَ فَاهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ وَ بَطْنَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ عَفَا نَفْسَهُ بِالصِّيَامِ وَ الْقِيَامِ قَالُوا بِآبَائِنَا وَ أُمَّهَاتِنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَؤُلَاءِ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ سَكَتُوا فَكَانَ سُكُوتُهُمْ ذِكْراً وَ نَظَرُوا فَكَانَ نَظَرُهُمْ عِبْرَةً وَ نَطَقُوا فَكَانَ نُطْقُهُمْ حِكْمَةً وَ مَشَوْا فَكَانَ مَشْي

25. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Isa al-Nahriri from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comes to know Allah and realizes His greatness does not allow his mouth to speak or his stomach

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

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

قَالَ 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

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

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

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

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

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.”