Leadership & Responsibility

نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَوَعَاهَا وَ حَفِظَهَا وَ بَلَّغَهَا مَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ غَيْرُ فَقِيهٍ وَ رُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ ثَلَاثٌ لَا يُغِلُّ عَلَيْهِنَّ قَلْبُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] إِخْلَاصُ الْعَمَلِ لِلَّهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةُ لِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[2] وَ اللُّزُومُ لِجَمَاعَتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ دَعْوَتَهُمْ مُحِيطَةٌ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ الْمُسْلِمُ

“The the Messenger of Allah addressed people in the mosque of Khif and said, “May Allah grant joy and happiness to those of His servants that on hearing my words understand them, memorize them preach them to those who have not heard them. There can be many scholars of Fiqh (law) who do not have understanding as there c

قَالَ سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ اذْهَبْ بِنَا إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَذَهَبْتُ مَعَهُ إِلَيْهِ فَوَجَدْنَاهُ قَدْ رَكِبَ دَابَّتَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ سُفْيَانُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ حَدِّثْنَا بِحَدِيثِ خُطْبَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْخَيْفِ قَالَ دَعْنِي حَتَّى أَذْهَبَ فِي حَاجَتِي فَإِنِّي قَدْ رَكِبْتُ فَإِذَا جِئْتُ حَدَّثْتُكَ فَقَالَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِقَرَابَتِكَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا حَ

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The sermon of the Messenger of God (peace be upon him and his family) in Masjid al-Khayf: 'May God brighten the face of a servant who hears my words, retains them, and conveys them to those who did not hear them. O people, let the one who is present convey to th

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا نَظَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى وَلِيٍّ لَهُ يُجْهِدُ نَفْسَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ لِإِمَامِهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةِ إِلَّا كَانَ مَعَنَا فِي الرَّفِيقِ الْأَعْلَى.

“the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, would not look to a friend of His who would strive and pressure his soul in obedience to his Imam and wishing well for him but that he will be with us in the high position in paradise.”

مَنْ فَارَقَ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ قِيدَ شِبْرٍ فَقَدْ خَلَعَ رِبْقَةَ الْإِسْلَامِ مِنْ عُنُقِهِ.

“Whoever would distance himself from the company the Muslims even by one shibr (one foot) he has removed the band of allegiance with Islam from his neck.”

مَنْ فَارَقَ جَمَاعَةَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ نَكَثَ صَفْقَةَ الْإِمَامِ‌[1] جَاءَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجْذَمَ.

“Whoever would distance himself from the company of the Muslims and disregard the pledge of allegiance with the Imam he will come before Allah with his hand cut off.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع مَا حَقُّ الْإِمَامِ عَلَى النَّاسِ قَالَ حَقُّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنْ يَسْمَعُوا لَهُ وَ يُطِيعُوا قُلْتُ فَمَا حَقُّهُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ يَقْسِمَ بَيْنَهُمْ بِالسَّوِيَّةِ وَ يَعْدِلَ فِي الرَّعِيَّةِ فَإِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي النَّاسِ فَلَا يُبَالِي مَنْ أَخَذَ هَاهُنَا وَ هَاهُنَا.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘What are the rights of the Imam over the people?” He replied, “Of his rights over them is that they must listen to him and obey him.” I then asked, “What are their rights on him?” He replied, “Maintain among them equality and justice among the followers. When this prevails among the peop

هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا وَ هَكَذَا يَعْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ خَلْفِهِ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ.

“this way, this way, this way and this way, meaning thereby front, back, right and left.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تَخْتَانُوا وُلَاتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَغُشُّوا هُدَاتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَجْهَلُوا أَئِمَّتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَصَدَّعُوا عَنْ حَبْلِكُمْ‌[2] فَتَفْشَلُوا وَ تَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ‌ وَ عَلَى هَذَا فَلْيَكُنْ تَأْسِيسُ أُمُورِكُمْ وَ الْزَمُوا هَذِهِ الطَّرِيقَةَ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَوْ عَايَنْتُمْ مَا عَايَنَ مَنْ قَدْ مَاتَ مِنْكُمْ‌[3] مِمَّنْ خَالَفَ مَا قَدْ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَيْهِ لَبَدَرْتُمْ وَ خَرَجْتُمْ و

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) has said, ‘Do not be deceitful to your leaders, do not confuse your guides, do not be ignorant of your Imams and do not cut off the rope of your unity, least you will fail and be disgraced. On such foundation your affairs must be based and you must strictly live within such system. Had you been

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

جَاءَ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَسَلٌ وَ تِينٌ مِنْ هَمْدَانَ وَ حُلْوَانَ‌[2] فَأَمَرَ الْعُرَفَاءَ أَنْ يَأْتُوا بِالْيَتَامَى فَأَمْكَنَهُمْ مِنْ رُءُوسِ الْأَزْقَاقِ يَلْعَقُونَهَا وَ هُوَ يَقْسِمُهَا لِلنَّاسِ قَدَحاً قَدَحاً فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا لَهُمْ يَلْعَقُونَهَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ أَبُو الْيَتَامَى وَ إِنَّمَا أَلْعَقْتُهُمْ هَذَا بِرِعَايَةِ الْآبَاءِ.

“Honey and fig were brought to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) from Hamadhan and al-Hulwan (places near Baghdad). He asked the his officers to call in the orphans. They were allowed to lick honey from the containers while he himself distributed them among the people. People asked, “Why should the orphans be allowed to lick the

أَنَا أَوْلَى بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَ عَلِيٌّ أَوْلَى بِهِ مِنْ بَعْدِي فَقِيلَ لَهُ مَا مَعْنَى ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ قَوْلُ النَّبِيِّ ص مَنْ تَرَكَ دَيْناً أَوْ ضَيَاعاً فَعَلَيَّ وَ مَنْ تَرَكَ مَالًا فَلِوَرَثَتِهِ فَالرَّجُلُ لَيْسَتْ لَهُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ وِلَايَةٌ إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَالٌ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ أَمْرٌ وَ لَا نَهْيٌ إِذَا لَمْ يُجْرِ عَلَيْهِمُ النَّفَقَةَ وَ النَّبِيُّ وَ أَمِيرُ

“The Holy Prophet has said, ’Isma‘il have more authority over every believer than their own selves and after me Ali (a.s.) will such authority.” He was asked, “What is the meaning of that?” He said, “These are the words of the Holy Prophet (sw), ‘One who would pass away his debts and liabilities become my responsibilit

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَوْ مُسْلِمٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ دَيْناً لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي فَسَادٍ وَ لَا إِسْرَافٍ فَعَلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَقْضِيَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ إِثْمُ ذَلِكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌ الْآيَةَ[1] فَهُوَ مِنَ الْغَارِمِينَ وَ لَهُ سَهْمٌ عِنْدَ الْإِمَامِ فَإِنْ حَبَسَهُ فَإِثْمُهُ عَلَيْهِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'Any believer or Muslim who dies while leaving behind a debt not incurred for unlawful or extravagant reasons, it will be the responsibility of the Imam to pay it off. Otherwise, its sin is upon him. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says: 'Welfare funds (zakat) are only for the po

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَصْلُحُ الْإِمَامَةُ إِلَّا لِرَجُلٍ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ حِلْمٌ يَمْلِكُ بِهِ غَضَبَهُ‌[2] وَ حُسْنُ الْوِلَايَةِ عَلَى مَنْ يَلِي حَتَّى يَكُونَ لَهُمْ كَالْوَالِدِ الرَّحِيمِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ حَتَّى يَكُونَ لِلرَّعِيَّةِ كَالْأَبِ الرَّحِيمِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'The imamate is not suitable for anyone except for a man who possesses three qualities: piety that safeguards him from the disobedience of Allah, forbearance that controls his anger, and excellence in guardianship over those under his care, such that he treats them with the compassion

قَالَ مُعَاوِيَةُ وَ لَقِيتُ الطَّبَرِيَّ مُحَمَّداً بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَأَخْبَرَنِي قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ مُوسَى ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُغْرَمُ إِذَا تَدَيَّنَ أَوِ اسْتَدَانَ فِي حَقٍّ الْوَهْمُ مِنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ أُجِّلَ سَنَةً فَإِنِ اتَّسَعَ وَ إِلَّا قَضَى عَنْهُ الْإِمَامُ مِنْ بَيْتِ الْمَالِ.

Ali Bin Muhammad, from Sahl Bin Ziyad, from Muawiya Bin Hukeym, from Muhammad Bin Aslam, from a man from Tabaristan called Muhammad, said, ‘Muawiya said, ‘And I met the Al Tabary, Muhammad, after that, so he informed me saying, ‘I heard Ali asws Bin Musa asws saying: ‘The debtor, when he lends a loan’, or ‘borrows rega

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.

الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا فِيهَا لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ لِرَسُولِهِ وَ لَنَا فَمَنْ غَلَبَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَ لْيُؤَدِّ حَقَّ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ لْيَبَرَّ إِخْوَانَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَاللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ نَحْنُ بُرَآءُ مِنْهُ.

“The world and all that is therein belong to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, His Messenger and to us. If one would control a part of it he must maintain piety before Allah. He must pay the share of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, be generous to his brethren, otherwise, Allah, the Messenger of Allah and we wil

رَأَيْتُ مِسْمَعاً بِالْمَدِينَةِ[1] وَ قَدْ كَانَ حَمَلَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تِلْكَ السَّنَةَ مَالًا فَرَدَّهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِمَ رَدَّ عَلَيْكَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْمَالَ الَّذِي حَمَلْتَهُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي إِنِّي قُلْتُ لَهُ حِينَ حَمَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ الْمَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ وُلِّيتُ الْبَحْرَيْنَ الْغَوْصَ فَأَصَبْتُ أَرْبَعَمِائَةِ أَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ وَ قَدْ جِئْتُكَ بِخُمُس

“I saw Masma‘ in Madina. In that year he had tried to deliver a certain amount of property to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that he returned to him. I asked him about the reason for the return.. The narrator has said that he said to me, “When I took the property to him I said, ‘ I had become the in charge of the pearls in Bahra

قُلْتُ‌ لَهُ أَ مَا عَلَى الْإِمَامِ زَكَاةٌ فَقَالَ أَحَلْتَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَ مَا عَلِمَتْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةَ لِلْإِمَامِ يَضَعُهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ وَ يَدْفَعُهَا إِلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ جَائِزٌ لَهُ ذَلِكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَا يَبِيتُ لَيْلَةً أَبَداً وَ لِلَّهِ فِي عُنُقِهِ حَقٌّ يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْهُ.

“Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is there any Zakat on Imam?’” He said, “O abu Muhammad, you have spoken an impossible word. Do you not know that both this and the next world belong to the Imam? He can place them as he may want or give them to whoever he may want. It is permissible for him from Allah. The Imam said

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا لَكُمْ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَرْضِ فَتَبَسَّمَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَعَثَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع وَ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَخْرِقَ بِإِبْهَامِهِ ثَمَانِيَةَ أَنْهَارٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ مِنْهَا سَيْحَانُ وَ جَيْحَانُ‌[1] وَ هُوَ نَهَرُ بَلْخٍ وَ الْخشوع وَ هُوَ نَهَرُ الشَّاشِ‌[2] وَ مِهْرَانُ وَ هُوَ نَهَرُ الْهِنْدِ وَ نِيلُ مِصْرَ وَ دِجْلَةُ وَ الْفُرَاتُ فَمَا سَقَتْ أَوِ اسْت

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘What is for you from this earth?” He smiled and then said, “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent Jibril and commanded him to dig with his toe eight rivers on earth. Of these are the River Sayhan and Jayhan which is the River in Balkh (central Asia) the River al-Khshu‘ which is the R

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِيِّ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رُوِيَ لَنَا أَنْ لَيْسَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا الْخُمُسُ فَجَاءَ الْجَوَابُ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا عَلَيْهَا لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

it is narrated to us that nothing else from this world belongs to the Messenger of Allah except one fifth of net income.” The answer that came said, “Certainly, the world and all that is in it belong to the Messenger of Allah.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ آدَمَ وَ أَقْطَعَهُ الدُّنْيَا قَطِيعَةً فَمَا كَانَ لآِدَمَ ع فَلِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَا كَانَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص.

“the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah created Adam and granted the world to him. Whatever belonged to Adam belongs to the Messenger of Allah and whatever belonged to the Messenger of Allah it belongs to the Imams from Ahl al-Bayt of Muhammad (s.a).”

إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع كَرَى‌[4] بِرِجْلِهِ خَمْسَةَ أَنْهَارٍ وَ لِسَانُ الْمَاءِ يَتْبَعُهُ- الْفُرَاتَ وَ دِجْلَةَ وَ نِيلَ مِصْرَ وَ مِهْرَانَ وَ نَهْرَ بَلْخٍ فَمَا سَقَتْ أَوْ سُقِيَ مِنْهَا فَلِلْإِمَامِ وَ الْبَحْرُ الْمُطِيفُ بِالدُّنْيَا لِلْإِمَامِ. عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنِ السَّرِيِّ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ قَالَ" لَمْ يَكُنِ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ يَعْدِلُ بِهِشَامِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ شَيْئاً وَ كَانَ لَا يَغُبُّ إ

8. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father all from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Jibril dug with his foot five rivers and the flank of water would follow his foot. These rivers were, Euphrates, Tig

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

عَطَسَ يَوْماً وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا يُقَالُ لِلْإِمَامِ إِذَا عَطَسَ قَالَ يَقُولُونَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ.

“I was in the presence of The Imam (a.s.) and he sneezed. I then asked him, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what should one say when the Imam sneezes?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “One should say, ‘May Allah (grant) blessings (up on) you.’”

سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ يُسَلَّمُ عَلَيْهِ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ لَا ذَاكَ اسْمٌ سَمَّى اللَّهُ بِهِ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَمْ يُسَمَّ بِهِ أَحَدٌ قَبْلَهُ- وَ لَا يَتَسَمَّى بِهِ بَعْدَهُ إِلَّا كَافِرٌ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ يُسَلَّمُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يَقُولُونَ‌[1] السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بَقِيَّةَ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ بَقِيَّتُ اللَّهِ‌ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ‌ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ‌[2].

“Is al-Qa’im (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) is offered the Islamic greeting as the commander of the faithful?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “No, because that is the name that Allah had given to Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.). Allah had not given this name to anyone before him. No one will be called with this name exc

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع لِمَ سُمِّيَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ لِأَنَّهُ يَمِيرُهُمْ الْعِلْمَ أَ مَا سَمِعْتَ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ- وَ نَمِيرُ أَهْلَنا[3]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ: لِأَنَّ مِيرَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ يَمِيرُهُمُ الْعِلْمَ.

“I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘Why is he (Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) called Amir al-Mu’minin (commander of the faithful)?” He said, “Because he fed them knowledge. Have you not read in the Holy Quran, “We can buy more provisions with this for our family. .” (12:65)” In another hadith it is said, “Because Amir al-Mu’mini

قُلْتُ لَهُ لِمَ سُمِّيَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ- قَالَ اللَّهُ سَمَّاهُ وَ هَكَذَا أَنْزَلَ فِي كِتَابِهِ‌ وَ إِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ‌[4] وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولِي وَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Why is he (Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) is called Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.)?” He said, “Allah has given him this name and as such it has come in His book, “When your Lord asked all the offspring of Adam (before their birth), “Am I not your Lord?” All of them testified and bore witness to their te

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[5] أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ عَلى‌ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ الْمُنْذِرِينَ بِلِسانٍ عَرَبِيٍّ مُبِينٍ‌[6] قَالَ هِيَ الْوَلَايَةُ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌[7].

“It refers to Leadership with Divine Authority of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.).”

هِيَ وَلَايَةُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌[2].

“It refers to Leadership with Divine Authority of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.).”

بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مُحَمَّدٌ ص مِنَ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ لَمْ يَخْلِطُوهَا بِوَلَايَةِ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ فَهُوَ الْمُلَبَّسُ بِالظُّلْمِ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to faith in that Prophet Muhammad (s.a) has brought from Allah about Wilaya, Leadership with Divine Authority and have not mixed it with the authority of so and so that is mixing with injustice.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ فَمِنْكُمْ كافِرٌ[4] وَ مِنْكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ‌ فَقَالَ عَرَفَ اللَّهُ إِيمَانَهُمْ بِوَلَايَتِنَا وَ كُفْرَهُمْ بِهَا يَوْمَ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ فِي صُلْبِ آدَمَ ع وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “On the day that Allah made all the offspring of Adam to make a covenant with Him when they were just small particles He made faith our Wilaya, (Leadership with Divine Authority) the standard for faith and disbelief.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ[5] الَّذِي أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ وَلَايَتِنَا.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to the vow that was due to our Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ أَقامُوا التَّوْراةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ ما أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِمْ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ‌[6] قَالَ الْوَلَايَةُ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to Wilaya, (Leadership with Divine Authority).”

فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- قُلْ لا أَسْئَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْراً إِلَّا الْمَوَدَّةَ فِي الْقُرْبى‌[7] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “They (the relatives) are the Imams.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ‌ فِي وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ وَلَايَةِ الْأَئِمَّةِ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ‌ فَقَدْ فازَ فَوْزاً عَظِيماً[1] هَكَذَا نَزَلَتْ.

“One who obeys God and His Messenger (to acknowledge Wilaya, (Leadership with Divine Authority Ali and the Imams after him) will certainly achieve a great success.”. (33:71) This how it was revealed.”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما كانَ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُؤْذُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‌[2] فِي عَلِيٍّ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ- كَالَّذِينَ آذَوْا مُوسى‌ فَبَرَّأَهُ اللَّهُ مِمَّا قالُوا[3].

.like those who annoyed Moses. God proved him to be innocent of what they had said about him. .” (33:70).”

سَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‌ فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدايَ فَلا يَضِلُّ وَ لا يَشْقى‌[4] قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ بِالْأَئِمَّةِ وَ اتَّبَعَ أَمْرَهُمْ وَ لَمْ يَجُزْ طَاعَتَهُمْ.

“A man asked the Imam (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most High.. “,. . those who follow it (My guidance) will not go astray nor will they endure any misery.” (20:123) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to those who acknowledge the Imams (Leaders with Divine Authority) follow their commands and would not go beyond t

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَا وَلَدَ مِنَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع.

“It refers to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and the Imams from his descendants.”

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

“It refers to Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and the Imams (a.s.).”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ مِمَّنْ خَلَقْنا أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِ‌ وَ بِهِ‌ يَعْدِلُونَ‌[8] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ.

13. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said the following. “I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “Among Our creatures are a group who guide and judge with the Truth.” [7:181] . The I

أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ- وَ أُخَرُ مُتَشابِهاتٌ‌ قَالَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ- فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ‌ أَصْحَابُهُمْ وَ أَهْلُ وَلَايَتِهِمْ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ ما تَشابَهَ‌ مِنْهُ ابْتِغاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ ابْتِغاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ وَ ما يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ الرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ‌[1] أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع.

about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “It is God who has revealed the Book to you in which some verses are clear statements (which accept no interpretation) and these are the fundamental ideas of the Book,-they stand for Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and the Imams- while other verses may have severa

فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‌ أَمْ‌ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تُتْرَكُوا وَ لَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ جاهَدُوا مِنْكُمْ‌ وَ لَمْ يَتَّخِذُوا مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ وَ لا رَسُولِهِ وَ لَا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلِيجَةً[2] يَعْنِي بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع لَمْ يَتَّخِذُوا الْوَلَائِجَ مِنْ دُونِهِمْ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “The word ‘faithful’ stands for Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and the Imams who have not relied on any one besides Allah, the Messenger of Allah and the faithful ones.”

قُلْتُ مَا السَّلْمُ قَالَ الدُّخُولُ فِي أَمْرِنَا.

“I asked the Imam (a.s.), ‘What is the meaning of peace?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “It is the acknowledgment of our Leadership with Divine Authority.”

يَا زُرَارَةُ أَ وَ لَمْ تَرْكَبْ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةُ بَعْدَ نَبِيِّهَا طَبَقاً عَنْ طَبَقٍ فِي أَمْرِ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ وَ فُلَانٍ.

The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Zurara, Has this ’Umma (nation) not passed through stages after the Holy Prophet (s.a) and the affairs of three so and sos?”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لَقَدْ وَصَّلْنا لَهُمُ الْقَوْلَ‌ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ‌[7] قَالَ إِمَامٌ إِلَى إِمَامٍ.

“I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “We sent Our guidance to them so that perhaps they might take heed.” (28:51) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means the one Imam after the other.”

إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ عَلِيّاً ع وَ فَاطِمَةَ وَ الْحَسَنَ وَ الْحُسَيْنَ وَ جَرَتْ بَعْدَهُمْ فِي الْأَئِمَّةِ ع ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ الْقَوْلُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فِي النَّاسِ فَقَالَ‌ فَإِنْ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي النَّاسَ‌ بِمِثْلِ ما آمَنْتُمْ بِهِ‌ يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً وَ فَاطِمَةَ وَ الْحَسَنَ وَ الْحُسَيْنَ وَ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع‌ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْا وَ إِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّما هُمْ فِي شِقاقٍ‌[1].

The Imam (a.s.) said, “This is primarily addressed to Ali, Fatima, al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.) and thereafter to the Imams (a.s.). Then the words of Allah “. . If they (refer to people) have faith, in all that you (Ali, Fatima, al-Hassan and al-Husayn (a.s.) believe, they will have the right guidance, but if they tu

هُمُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع وَ مَنِ اتَّبَعَهُمْ.

He said: "They are the Imams and their followers."