Friendship & Companionship

أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ وَ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَالَكَ وَ حَالَهُمْ وَ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’min

كُنْتُ بِمَدِينَةِ الْهِنْدِ الْمَعْرُوفَةِ- بِقِشْمِيرَ الدَّاخِلَةِ وَ أَصْحَابٌ لِي يَقْعُدُونَ عَلَى كَرَاسِيَّ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْمَلِكِ أَرْبَعُونَ رَجُلًا كُلُّهُمْ يَقْرَأُ الْكُتُبَ الْأَرْبَعَةَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ الزَّبُورَ وَ صُحُفَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ نَقْضِي بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَ نُفَقِّهُهُمْ فِي دِينِهِمْ وَ نُفْتِيهِمْ فِي حَلَالِهِمْ وَ حَرَامِهِمْ يَفْزَعُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْنَا الْمَلِكُ فَمَنْ دُونَه

“I lived in interior Kashmir, India. My friends would sit on chairs on the right and left of the King. They were forty people and all of them would read the four books, Torah, Gospel, Psalms and the books of Abraham. We would judge among the people and provide them understanding of their religion and issue fatwas for t

كَتَبَ أَبِي بِخَطِّهِ كِتَاباً فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِخَطِّي فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ فُقَهَاءِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمْ يَرِدْ جَوَابُهُ فَنَظَرْنَا فَكَانَتِ الْعِلَّةُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ تَحَوَّلَ قَرْمَطِيّاً قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ فَزُرْتُ الْعِرَاقَ وَ وَرَدْتُ طُوسَ وَ عَزَمْتُ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ إِلَّا عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ أَمْرِي وَ نَجَاحٍ مِنْ حَوَائِجِي وَ لَوِ احْ

13. Al-Hassan ibn al-Fadl ibn Yazid al-Yamani has said the following. “My father wrote in his own had writing he received back a response. I then wrote in my own hand writing I also received back a response. One of our Fuqaha’ (scholar of law) wrote in his own hand writing but he did not receive any response. We then b

لَمَّا مَاتَ أَبِي وَ صَارَ الْأَمْرُ لِي كَانَ لِأَبِي عَلَى النَّاسِ سَفَاتِجُ‌[3] مِنْ مَالِ الْغَرِيمِ فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ أُعْلِمُهُ فَكَتَبَ طَالِبْهُمْ وَ اسْتَقْضِ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَضَّانِيَ النَّاسُ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ وَاحِدٌ كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ سُفْتَجَةٌ بِأَرْبَعِمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَجِئْتُ إِلَيْهِ أُطَالِبُهُ فَمَاطَلَنِي وَ اسْتَخَفَّ بِيَ ابْنُهُ وَ سَفِهَ عَلَيَّ- فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِيهِ فَقَالَ وَ كَانَ مَا ذَا

“When my father died and the task (of working is representative of the Imams) was left to me with my father there were promissory notes from those who has said the following. owed (religious dues). I wrote to him (the Imam (a.s.) about the case. He wrote back to me, “Demand from them and make them pay.” People paid wha

لَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَرَدَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مِصْرَ بِمَالٍ إِلَى مَكَّةَ لِلنَّاحِيَةِ فَاخْتُلِفَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ النَّاسِ إِنَّ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع مَضَى مِنْ غَيْرِ خَلَفٍ وَ الْخَلَفُ جَعْفَرٌ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ خَلَفٍ فَبَعَثَ رَجُلًا يُكَنَّى بِأَبِي طَالِبٍ فَوَرَدَ الْعَسْكَرَ وَ مَعَهُ كِتَابٌ فَصَارَ إِلَى جَعْفَرٍ وَ سَأَلَهُ عَنْ بُرْهَانٍ فَقَالَ لَا يَتَهَي

“When abu Muhammad (a.s.) passed away a man from Egypt came to Makk with a certain amount of commodities that were due to the holy location (office of the Imam (a.s.) People expressed different opinions on the issue. Certain persons said, “Abu Muhammad (a.s.) has passed away and has left no one behind as his successor.

كَانَ يَرِدُ كِتَابُ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فِي الْإِجْرَاءِ عَلَى الْجُنَيْدِ قَاتِلِ فَارِسَ وَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ وَ آخَرَ فَلَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَرَدَ اسْتِئْنَافٌ مِنَ الصَّاحِبِ لِإِجْرَاءِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ وَ صَاحِبِهِ وَ لَمْ يَرِدْ فِي أَمْرِ الْجُنَيْدِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ قَالَ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ فَوَرَدَ نَعْيُ الْجُنَيْدِ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ.

“The letters of abu Muhammad (a.s.) would come about the matters related to al-Junayd, who killed Fars, abu al-Hassan and others. When he passed away letters about the issues related to abu al-Hassan and his friend continued coming from (Imam al-Mahdi (a.s.) but there was no mention of al-Junayd. I became depressed abo

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ عَلَيَّ نَذْرٌ بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ وَ الْمَقَامِ إِنْ أَنَا لَقِيتُكَ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ حَتَّى أَعْلَمَ أَنَّكَ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ أَمْ لَا فَلَمْ يُجِبْنِي بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَأَقَمْتُ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَنِي فِي طَرِيقٍ فَقَالَ يَا حَكَمُ وَ إِنَّكَ لَهَاهُنَا بَعْدُ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ إِنِّي أَخْبَرْتُكَ بِمَا جَعَلْتُ لِلَّهِ عَ

“I went to see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) when he was in the city of al-Madina and I said to him, “I decided to make a vow and a covenant, while I was between the corner of the Ka‘ba and the place where Abraham had prayed, that when I would meet you I would not leave al-Madina until I would know with certainty that you are Al-Q

كُلُّنَا قَائِمٌ بِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ وَاحِدٌ بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ صَاحِبُ السَّيْفِ فَإِذَا جَاءَ صَاحِبُ السَّيْفِ جَاءَ بِأَمْرٍ غَيْرِ الَّذِي كَانَ.

“He said, when he was asked about Al-Qa’im, “We all Al-Qa’im ((the one who will rise with Divine Authority) with the command of Allah one after the other until the time when the owner of the sword will rise. When the owner of the sword will rise he will rise with the command other than what it was.”

إِنَّ أَشَدَّ مَا فِيهِ النَّاسُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ يَقُومَ صَاحِبُ الْخُمُسِ فَيَقُولَ يَا رَبِّ خُمُسِي وَ قَدْ طَيَّبْنَا ذَلِكَ لِشِيعَتِنَا لِتَطِيبَ وِلَادَتُهُمْ وَ لِتَزْكُوَ وِلَادَتُهُمْ.

“The most serious trouble that one would face on the Day of Judgment is when a person with the right to receive al-Khums will stand up and say, “Lord, my al-Khums was paid.” However, we have gifted it to our Shi‘a to cleanse and purify their birth.”

سَرَّحَ الرِّضَا ع بِصِلَةٍ إِلَى أَبِي فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبِي هَلْ عَلَيَّ فِيمَا سَرَّحْتَ إِلَيَّ خُمُسٌ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ لَا خُمُسَ عَلَيْكَ فِيمَا سَرَّحَ بِهِ صَاحِبُ الْخُمُسِ.

“Al-Rida (a.s.) sent a gift to my father and my father wrote to him, “Is there al-Khums on the gift you just sent to me?” He wrote back to him in answer, “There is no al-Khums on the gift that the recipient of al-Khums has sent to you.”

كَتَبَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ تُجَّارِ فَارِسَ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَوَالِي أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَسْأَلُهُ الْإِذْنَ فِي الْخُمُسِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ كَرِيمٌ ضَمِنَ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ الثَّوَابَ‌[4]- وَ عَلَى الضِّيقِ الْهَمَّ- لَا يَحِلُّ مَالٌ إِلَّا مِنْ وَجْهٍ أَحَلَّهُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنَّ الْخُمُسَ عَوْنُنَا عَلَى دِينِنَا وَ عَلَى عِيَالاتِنَا وَ عَلَى مَوَالِينَا وَ مَ

The Imam (a.s.) wrote. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Allah increases people’s sustenance and He is generous. He has guaranteed rewards for work and depression in sadness. The use of a property is not lawful unless it is used in the way Allah has made lawful. Al-Khums helps us in our religion, in t

مَا أَخْلَصَ الْعَبْدُ الْإِيمَانَ بِاللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً أَوْ قَالَ مَا أَجْمَلَ عَبْدٌ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْماً إِلَّا زَهَّدَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ بَصَّرَهُ دَاءَهَا وَ دَوَاءَهَا فَأَثْبَتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فِي قَلْبِهِ وَ أَنْطَقَ بِهَا لِسَانَهُ ثُمَّ تَلَا- إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا الْعِجْلَ سَيَنالُهُمْ غَضَبٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَ ذِلَّةٌ فِي الْح

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘If a servant maintains pure belief in Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for forty days, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, purifies his heart in this world and shows him his illnesses and the cure for them (illnesses).’ Also he (a.s.) said, ‘Whenever a servant of Allah speaks

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلَّامٌ‌[2] إِنَّ خَيْثَمَةَ ابْنَ أَبِي خَيْثَمَةَ يُحَدِّثُنَا عَنْكَ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَقُلْتَ لَهُ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ قِبْلَتَنَا وَ شَهِدَ شَهَادَتَنَا وَ نَسَكَ نُسُكَنَا وَ وَالَى وَلِيَّنَا وَ عَادَى عَدُوَّنَا فَهُوَ مُسْلِمٌ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ خَيْثَمَةُ قُلْتُ وَ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقُلْتَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَ التَّصْدِ

“I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Salam said, ‘Khaythamah ibn abu Khaythamah narrates to us from you that you were asked about Islam and you said, ‘Islam is this: Whoever faces our Qibla (direction of Makka), testifies to our testiment of belief, practices our practice, is a friend of our friend and an e

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ الْعَالِمَ ع فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ‌ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يُقْبَلُ عَمَلٌ إِلَّا بِهِ فَقَالَ وَ مَا ذَلِكَ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً[1] وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ كُلُّهُ وَ الْقَوْ

7. Certain individuals of our people have narrated from Ali ibn ‘Abbas from Ali ibn Maysir from Hammad ibn al-Nusaybi who has said the following: “A man asked the scholar (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does not accept any deed.’ He aske

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

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَضَعَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى سَبْعَةِ أَسْهُمٍ عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَ الصِّدْقِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الرِّضَا وَ الْوَفَاءِ وَ الْعِلْمِ وَ الْحِلْمِ ثُمَّ قَسَمَ ذَلِكَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِ هَذِهِ السَّبْعَةَ الْأَسْهُمِ فَهُوَ كَامِلٌ مُحْتَمِلٌ وَ قَسَمَ لِبَعْضِ النَّاسِ السَّهْمَ وَ لِبَعْضٍ السَّهْمَيْنِ وَ لِبَعْضٍ الثَّلَاثَةَ حَتَّى انْتَهَوْا إِلَى السَّبْعَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief in seven shares: virtue, truthfulness, certainty, compliance, loyalty, knowledge and forbearance. He then distributed it among the people. Whoever received all seven shares is perfect and heavy. He has given to certain people one sha

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

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَوْ عَلِمَ النَّاسُ كَيْفَ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى هَذَا الْخَلْقَ لَمْ يَلُمْ أَحَدٌ أَحَداً[1]- فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ فَكَيْفَ ذَاكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ أَجْزَاءً بَلَغَ بِهَا تِسْعَةً وَ أَرْبَعِينَ جُزْءاً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ الْأَجْزَاءَ أَعْشَاراً فَجَعَلَ الْجُزْءَ عَشْرَةَ أَعْشَارٍ ثُمَّ قَسَمَهُ بَيْنَ الْخَلْقِ فَجَعَلَ فِ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Had the people known how Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has created this creation no one would blame others.’ 1 then said, ‘May Allah grant you well being, how is that?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, created parts numbering ninety-four parts. He

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ عَشْرُ دَرَجَاتٍ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السُّلَّمِ يُصْعَدُ مِنْهُ مِرْقَاةً بَعْدَ مِرْقَاةٍ فَلَا يَقُولَنَّ صَاحِبُ الِاثْنَيْنِ لِصَاحِبِ الْوَاحِدِ لَسْتَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ حَتَّى يَنْتَهِيَ إِلَى الْعَاشِرِ فَلَا تُسْقِطْ مَنْ هُوَ دُونَكَ فَيُسْقِطَكَ مَنْ هُوَ فَوْقَكَ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ مَنْ هُوَ أَسْفَلُ مِنْكَ بِدَرَجَةٍ فَارْفَعْهُ إِلَيْكَ بِرِفْ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘O ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, belief is of ten stages like the steps of a ladder. To climb, one uses it one step after the other one by one. One who possesses two degrees of belief should never say to one who possesses only one degree that he does not have enough belief and so on up to the tenth de

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى مَنَازِلَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى وَاحِدَةٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى اثْنَتَيْنِ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى أَرْبَعٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى خَمْسٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى سِتٍّ وَ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى سَبْعٍ فَلَوْ ذَهَبْتَ تَحْمِلُ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الْوَاحِدَةِ ثِنْتَيْنِ لَمْ يَقْوَ وَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الثِّنْتَيْنِ ثَلَاثاً لَمْ يَقْوَ وَ عَلَى صَاحِبِ الثَّلَاثِ أَرْبَعاً لَمْ يَق

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ’Believers are of various positions in connection with belief. There are those who have one degree of belief, others have two degrees, still others may have three or four, five, six or seven degrees of belief. If you expect two degrees of belief from one who has only one degree of belief

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

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

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

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

كُنَّا فِي مَجْلِسٍ نَطْلُبُ فِيهِ الْعِلْمَ وَ قَدْ نَفِدَتْ نَفَقَتِي فِي بَعْضِ الْأَسْفَارِ فَقَالَ لِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا مَنْ تُؤَمِّلُ لِمَا قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ فَقُلْتُ فُلَاناً فَقَالَ إِذاً وَ اللَّهِ لَا تُسْعَفُ‌[1] حَاجَتُكَ وَ لَا يَبْلُغُكَ أَمَلُكَ وَ لَا تُنْجَحُ طَلِبَتُكَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا عَلَّمَكَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدَّثَنِي أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ فِي بَعْضِ الْكُتُبِ أَنَّ ا

“We were in a gathering to seek knowledge and education. During one of the journeys I was left without any resources for my expenditures. A certain individual of my friends was concerned about who would look after my needs. I said, ‘So and so will look after my needs.’ He then said, ‘I swear by Allah, you will not get

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا نَقَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَبْداً مِنْ ذُلِّ الْمَعَاصِي إِلَى عِزِّ التَّقْوَى إِلَّا أَغْنَاهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ مَالٍ وَ أَعَزَّهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ عَشِيرَةٍ وَ آنَسَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ بَشَرٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, does not transfer a believer from the humiliation of sins to the honor of piety before granting him freedom from wants without property, strength without tribesmen and comforting companionship without people.’”

أَعِينُونَا بِالْوَرَعِ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ كَانَ لَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَرَجاً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- مَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَ الرَّسُولَ‌ فَأُولئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ وَ الشُّهَداءِ وَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ حَسُنَ أُولئِكَ رَفِيقاً[3] فَمِنَّا النَّبِيُّ وَ مِنَّا الصِّدِّيقُ وَ الشُّهَدَاءُ وَ الصَّ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Support us by means of restraint from worldly matters; whoever of you will meet Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with the quality of restraint from worldly matters will have enough good news from Allah. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “One who obeys Allah and the

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

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْحُرَّ حُرٌّ عَلَى جَمِيعِ أَحْوَالِهِ إِنْ نَابَتْهُ نَائِبَةٌ[3] صَبَرَ لَهَا وَ إِنْ تَدَاكَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَصَائِبُ‌[4] لَمْ تَكْسِرْهُ وَ إِنْ أُسِرَ وَ قُهِرَ وَ اسْتُبْدِلَ بِالْيُسْرِ عُسْراً[5] كَمَا كَانَ يُوسُفُ الصِّدِّيقُ الْأَمِينُ ص لَمْ يَضْرُرْ حُرِّيَّتَهُ أَنِ اسْتُعْبِدَ وَ قُهِرَ وَ أُسِرَ وَ لَمْ تَضْرُرْهُ ظُلْمَةُ الْجُبِّ وَ وَحْشَتُهُ‌[6] وَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A free person is free in all conditions. Even if hardships strike him he exercises patience, if afflictions batter him he does not break down even if he is taken as a captive and is overpowered and his comfort and prosperity are changed into poverty and hardships, just as in the c

إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي قَبْرِهِ كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ الزَّكَاةُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَ الْبِرُّ مُطِلٌّ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ يَتَنَحَّى الصَّبْرُ نَاحِيَةً فَإِذَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ يَلِيَانِ مُسَاءَلَتَهُ قَالَ الصَّبْرُ لِلصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْبِرِّ دُونَكُمْ صَاحِبَكُمْ فَإِنْ عَجَزْتُمْ عَنْهُ فَأَنَا دُونَهُ.

“When a believer is placed in his grave, prayer will be on his right al-Zakat (charity) on his left, and virtuous deeds will provide cover from above and patience will stay aside. When the two angels come to interrogate him, patience will say to the prayer, al-Zakat (charity) and virtuous deeds, ‘Help your friend. Were

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الْخُلُقِ الْحَسَنِ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ الْقَائِمِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The reward for one who possesses excellent moral behavior is equal to the reward for one who worships all nights and fasts all days.”’

إِنَّ الْخُلُقَ مَنِيحَةٌ[4] يَمْنَحُهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلْقَهُ فَمِنْهُ سَجِيَّةٌ وَ مِنْهُ نِيَّةٌ[5] فَقُلْتُ فَأَيَّتُهُمَا أَفْضَلُ فَقَالَ صَاحِبُ السَّجِيَّةِ هُوَ مَجْبُولٌ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ غَيْرَهُ وَ صَاحِبُ النِّيَّةِ يَصْبِرُ عَلَى الطَّاعَةِ تَصَبُّراً فَهُوَ أَفْضَلُهُمَا.

“The Imam said, ‘Moral behavior is a gift that, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, bestows upon His creature. From moral behavior comes habit and intentions.’ 1 then asked, ‘Which one is better?’ The Imam said, ‘A person with an established habit is not able to do anything else. The person who possesses the inten

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَعَارَ أَعْدَاءَهُ أَخْلَاقاً مِنْ أَخْلَاقِ أَوْلِيَائِهِ لِيَعِيشَ أَوْلِيَاؤُهُ مَعَ أَعْدَائِهِ فِي دَوْلَاتِهِمْ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَمَا تَرَكُوا وَلِيّاً لِلَّهِ إِلَّا قَتَلُوهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has, of the moral behavior of His friends, lent to His enemies so that His friends can live with His enemies in their governments.’” In another Hadith it is stated that had it not been as such they would not have left any of Allah’s friends alive

الْحَيَاءُ وَ الْإِيمَانُ مَقْرُونَانِ فِي قَرَنٍ‌[3] فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ أَحَدُهُمَا تَبِعَهُ صَاحِبُهُ.

“Bashfulness and belief are tied with the same rope. If one of them goes away, the other also follows its companion.”

الْمُؤْمِنُ خَلَطَ عَمَلَهُ بِالْحِلْمِ‌[5] يَجْلِسُ لِيَعْلَمَ وَ يَنْطِقُ لِيَفْهَمَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ أَمَانَتَهُ‌[6] الْأَصْدِقَاءَ وَ لَا يَكْتُمُ شَهَادَتَهُ الْأَعْدَاءَ[7] وَ لَا يَفْعَلُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْحَقِّ رِيَاءً وَ لَا يَتْرُكُهُ حَيَاءً إِنْ زُكِّيَ خَافَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ مِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[8] لَا يَغُرُّهُ قَوْلُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ وَ يَخْشَى إِحْصَاءَ مَا قَدْ عَمِلَهُ.

“The believer’s deeds are mixed with forbearance. He sits to learn and speaks to understand. He does not tell his friends about his trust and he does not hide his testimony for the enemies. He does not do any true thing to show off and does not ignore it due to shyness. If he purifies himself he fears what they may say

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا اصْطَحَبَ اثْنَانِ إِلَّا كَانَ أَعْظَمُهُمَا أَجْراً وَ أَحَبُّهُمَا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَرْفَقَهُمَا بِصَاحِبِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever two things accompany each other the recipient of greater reward and the most beloved of the two before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is the kindhearted one to its companion.’”

إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَأَفْضَلُهُمَا أَشَدُّهُمَا حُبّاً لِصَاحِبِهِ.

“Of the two Muslims who meet each other, the more meritorious is the one who loves his companion more intensely.”

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 رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ أَغْبَطِ أَوْلِيَائِي عِنْدِي عَبْداً مُؤْمِناً ذَا حَظٍّ مِنْ صَلَاحٍ أَحْسَنَ عِبَادَةَ رَبِّهِ وَ عَبَدَ اللَّهَ فِي السَّرِيرَةِ وَ كَانَ غَامِضاً فِي النَّاسِ فَلَمْ يُشَرْ إِلَيْهِ بِالْأَصَابِعِ‌[4] وَ كَانَ رِزْقُهُ كَفَافاً فَصَبَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَعُجِّلَتْ بِهِ الْمَنِيَّةُ فَقَلَّ تُرَاثُهُ وَ قَلَّتْ بَوَاكِيهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘The most enviable among My friends is a believer who has his share of salvation, performs the worship of his Lord well, worships Allah privately, is obscure among people and no finger rises to point him out. His sustenance is only

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا تَدَارَأَ[3] اثْنَانِ فِي أَمْرٍ قَطُّ فَأَعْطَى أَحَدُهُمَا النَّصَفَ صَاحِبَهُ فَلَمْ يَقْبَلْ مِنْهُ إِلَّا أُدِيلَ مِنْهُ‌[4].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘If two people disagree in something, one of them gives half as much to his companion, but if he would not accept, it will be compensated for him (recipient of more than half for his injustice).’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَنْ يَرْغَبَ الْمَرْءُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ‌[3] وَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَ وَلَدٍ وَ عَنْ مَوَدَّتِهِمْ وَ كَرَامَتِهِمْ وَ دِفَاعِهِمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ هُمْ أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ حِيطَةً[4] مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَ أَعْطَفُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَلَمُّهُمْ لِشَعَثِهِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ مُصِيبَةٌ أَوْ نَزَلَ بِهِ بَعْضُ مَكَارِهِ الْأُمُورِ وَ مَنْ يَقْبِضْ يَدَهُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ فَإِنَّمَا

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A man must never turn away from his relatives, even if he is wealthy and has many children. He must not fail to love them, must not ignore their honor, their defense with his hands and tongue. They are the strongest defending power behind him and the most kind to

تَقَبَّضْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رُبَّمَا حَزِنْتُ مِنْ غَيْرِ مُصِيبَةٍ تُصِيبُنِي أَوْ أَمْرٍ يَنْزِلُ بِي حَتَّى يَعْرِفَ ذَلِكَ أَهْلِي فِي وَجْهِي وَ صَدِيقِي فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجِنَانِ وَ أَجْرَى فِيهِمْ مِنْ رِيحِ رُوحِهِ فَلِذَلِكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ لِأَبِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ فَإِذَا أَصَابَ رُ

“Once I became depressed in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) and asked him, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, why is it that sometimes I feel depressed without any apparent cause or incident? Even my family and friends notice it on my face.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes O Jabir, Allah, the Most Majestic, the M

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ سُئِلَ عَنْ إِيمَانِ مَنْ يَلْزَمُنَا حَقُّهُ وَ أُخُوَّتُهُ كَيْفَ هُوَ وَ بِمَا يَثْبُتُ وَ بِمَا يَبْطُلُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ قَدْ يُتَّخَذُ عَلَى وَجْهَيْنِ أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِكَ فَإِذَا ظَهَرَ لَكَ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الَّذِي تَقُولُ بِهِ أَنْتَ حَقَّتْ وَلَايَتُهُ وَ أُخُوَّتُهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَجِي‌ءَ مِنْهُ نَقْضٌ لِلَّذِي وَصَف

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, when he was asked about belief, and the rights of the believer, his brotherhood and how he is and by what means it is proved and is invalidated, ‘The belief is of two aspects. One is that which is manifested to you from your companion. If he manifests like what you believe in, his

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

مَا اجْتَمَعَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَصَاعِداً إِلَّا حَضَرَ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مِثْلُهُمْ فَإِنْ دَعَوْا بِخَيْرٍ أَمَّنُوا وَ إِنِ اسْتَعَاذُوا مِنْ شَرٍّ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ لِيَصْرِفَهُ عَنْهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَأَلُوا حَاجَةً تَشَفَّعُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ سَأَلُوهُ قَضَاءَهَا وَ مَا اجْتَمَعَ ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنَ الْجَاحِدِينَ إِلَّا حَضَرَهُمْ عَشَرَةُ أَضْعَافِهِمْ مِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ فَإِنْ تَكَلَّمُوا تَكَلَّمَ الشَّي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Wherever three or more believing people gather together an equal number of angels also attend it (gathering). If they pray for a good purpose the angels say Amen! If they seek protection (from Allah) against an evil matter, the angels pray to Allah to divert it from them. If they pray

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ إِذَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ مِثَالٌ يَقْدُمُ‌[2] أَمَامَهُ كُلَّمَا رَأَى الْمُؤْمِنُ هَوْلًا مِنْ أَهْوَالِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ لَهُ الْمِثَالُ لَا تَفْزَعْ وَ لَا تَحْزَنْ وَ أَبْشِرْ بِالسُّرُورِ وَ الْكَرَامَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَتَّى يَقِفَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَيُحَاسِبُهُ‌ حِساباً يَسِيراً وَ يَ

‘When Allah raises a believer from his grave along with him, in front, comes out a form. When and wherever the believer faces a frightening scene of the scenes of the Day of Judgment the form says to him, “Do not be afraid or sad. There is good and joyful news of the honor from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy,”

مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ السُّرُورِ خَلْقاً فَيَلْقَاهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ بِكَرَامَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ رِضْوَانٍ- ثُمَّ لَا يَزَالُ مَعَهُ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَهُ قَبْرَهُ [يَلْقَاهُ‌] فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا بُعِثَ يَلْقَاهُ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ لَا يَزَالُ مَعَهُ عِنْدَ كُلِّ هَوْلٍ يُبَشِّرُهُ وَ يَ

“Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believing man, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, creates from that joy a creature that meets him at the time of his death and says to him, ‘Good news for you, O friend of Allah, with honor from Allah and His happiness with you. The form (creature) remains with him until he is

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ تَنَافَسُوا فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ‌[3] لِإِخْوَانِكُمْ وَ كُونُوا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَإِنَّ لِلْجَنَّةِ بَاباً يُقَالُ لَهُ- الْمَعْرُوفُ لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا مَنِ اصْطَنَعَ الْمَعْرُوفَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَمْشِي فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُوَكِّلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَلَكَيْنِ وَاحِداً عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ آخَرَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ يَسْتَغْفِرَانِ لَهُ رَبَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Compete in al-Ma’ruf doing good to your brothers (in belief) and be of such people; in paradise there is a door called al-Ma’ruf through which no one can enter except those who have performed al-Ma’ruf (a virtuous deed) in the worldly life. If a servant (of Allah) walks to help his bel

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

أَمْلَى عَلَيَّ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَحْسِنْ يَا إِسْحَاقُ إِلَى أَوْلِيَائِي مَا اسْتَطَعْتَ فَمَا أَحْسَنَ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَى مُؤْمِنٍ وَ لَا أَعَانَهُ إِلَّا خَمَشَ وَجْهَ إِبْلِيسَ‌[3] وَ قَرَّحَ قَلْبَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Be good to my friends, O Ishaq, as much as you can. No believer does something good to another believer or assists him, but that it causes a contusion to the face of Satan and injuries to his heart.’”

الْحَسَنَةُ التَّقِيَّةُ وَ السَّيِّئَةُ الْإِذَاعَةُ[2] وَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ‌ السَّيِّئَةَ[3] قَالَ الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ التَّقِيَّةُ- فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُ عَداوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ‌[4].

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . virtue and evil are not equal. . . .’ , the Imam said that ‘Virtue’ refers to al-Taqiyyah and ‘Evil’ is disregarding it, and in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘If you respond to evil with virtuous deeds . . .’, the Imam said, ‘Vi

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