Leadership & Responsibility

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

قِيلَ لِلرِّضَا ع إِنَّكَ تَتَكَلَّمُ بِهَذَا الْكَلَامِ‌[3] وَ السَّيْفُ يَقْطُرُ دَماً فَقَالَ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ وَادِياً مِنْ ذَهَبٍ حَمَاهُ بِأَضْعَفِ خَلْقِهِ النَّمْلِ فَلَوْ رَامَهُ الْبَخَاتِيُّ لَمْ تَصِلْ إِلَيْهِ‌[4].

“It was said to al-Rida (a.s.) ‘You speak of it (Your Divine Authority) and blood drips from the sword (of your enemies).’ The Imam said, ‘Allah has a valley that is gold. He has guarded it with ants, the weakest creature. Even if the camels of Khurasan (North East parts of Iran) try to go there they cannot reach it.’”

لَقِيَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع- عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ فَقَالَ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِناً وَ هُوَ يَسْخَطُ قِسْمَهُ‌[3] وَ يُحَقِّرُ مَنْزِلَتَهُ وَ الْحَاكِمُ عَلَيْهِ اللَّهُ وَ أَنَا الضَّامِنُ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَهْجُسْ فِي قَلْبِهِ إِلَّا الرِّضَا[4] أَنْ يَدْعُوَ اللَّهَ فَيُسْتَجَابَ لَهُ.

“Al-Hasan ibn Ali (a.s.) once met ‘Abd Allah ibn Ja’far and said to him, ‘O ‘Abd Allah, how can a believer be a believer when he is dissatisfied with the decision of Allah about his share and belittles his position while the ruler over him is Allah? I guarantee that Allah accepts the prayer of one in whose heart (mind)

خَرَجْتُ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى هَذَا الْحَائِطِ فَاتَّكَأْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ أَبْيَضَانِ‌[5] يَنْظُرُ فِي تُجَاهِ وَجْهِي‌[6] ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ كَئِيباً حَزِيناً أَ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا فَرِزْقُ اللَّهِ حَاضِرٌ لِلْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ قُلْتُ مَا عَلَى هَذَا أَحْزَنُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَكَمَا تَقُولُ قَالَ فَعَلَى الْآخِرَةِ فَوَعْدٌ صَادِقٌ يَحْكُمُ فِيهِ مَلِ

“Once I walked out unil I reached this wall and leaned against it. At that time a man wearing only two pieces of white cloth was looking toward my face. He then said, ‘O, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), why do I see you gloomy and depressed? Is it over the world? Surely the sustenance from Allah is available for both the goo

يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ شِيعَةِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كُونُوا النُّمْرُقَةَ الْوُسْطَى‌[4] يَرْجِعُ إِلَيْكُمُ الْغَالِي وَ يَلْحَقُ بِكُمُ التَّالِي فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ يُقَالُ لَهُ سَعْدٌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا الْغَالِي قَالَ قَوْمٌ يَقُولُونَ فِينَا مَا لَا نَقُولُهُ فِي أَنْفُسِنَا فَلَيْسَ أُولَئِكَ مِنَّا وَ لَسْنَا مِنْهُمْ قَالَ فَمَا التَّالِي قَالَ الْمُرْتَادُ يُرِيدُ الْخَيْرَ يُبَلِّغُهُ الْخَيْ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘O the community of Shi’a, Shi’a of Muhammad (a.s.) be the central support so that both al- Ghali and al-Tali refer to you.’ A man from Ansar (people of Madina) called Sa’d, said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of al-GhaliV The Imam said, ‘They are th

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ لِلشُّكْرِ حَدٌّ إِذَا فَعَلَهُ الْعَبْدُ كَانَ شَاكِراً قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ عَلَيْهِ فِي أَهْلٍ وَ مَالٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيمَا أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْهِ فِي مَالِهِ حَقٌّ أَدَّاهُ وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ- سُبْحانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنا هذا وَ ما كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى- رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلً

“The Imam said, ‘Yes, there is a limit.’ I then asked, ‘What is that limit?’ The Imam said, ‘One must thank Allah for every favor that He has done, such as family and properties. If on the property one has received there is a certain right it must be paid off as is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, th

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَيُّ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ أَوْثَقُ فَقَالُوا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الصَّلَاةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الصِّيَامُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الْحَجُ‌ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الْجِهَادُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِكُلِّ مَا قُلْتُمْ فَضْلٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِهِ‌[1] وَ لَكِنْ أَوْثَقُ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ الْحُبُّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ الْبُغْ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Yahya (as far as I know) from ‘Amr ibn Mudrik al-Ta’i from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah once asked his companions, ‘Which ring of belief is stronger to hol

سُئِلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ مَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَةِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ مَعْرِفَةِ رَسُولِهِ ص أَفْضَلَ مِنْ بُغْضِ الدُّنْيَا وَ إِنَّ لِذَلِكَ لَشُعَباً كَثِيرَةً[5] وَ لِلْمَعَاصِي شُعَباً فَأَوَّلُ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْكِبْرُ وَ هِيَ مَعْصِيَةُ إِبْلِيسَ حِينَ‌ أَبى‌ وَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَ كانَ مِنَ الْكافِرِينَ‌ وَ الْحِرْصُ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was asked, ‘Which deed is more meritorious in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy?’ The Imam said, ‘No deed, after knowing Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and the Messenger of Allah is more meritorious than to dislike (and hate) the world. It has many branches. Sins h

إِنَّ رَحِمَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع- لَمُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي ثُمَّ هِيَ جَارِيَةٌ بَعْدَهَا فِي أَرْحَامِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ وَ الْأَرْحامَ‌.

“The kindred relation of the family of Muhammad, the A ’immah (people who possess Divine Authority), recipients of divine supreme covenant, holds to the Throne (of the Lord) and says, ‘O Lord establish good relations with those who establish good relations with me and cut off with those who cut off with me. ’ Thereafte

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ طَلْحَةَ فَقَالَ ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سِتُّ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِ اللَّهِ‌[2] فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ مَا هُنَّ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ يُحِبُّ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِأَعَزِّ أَهْلِهِ وَ يَ

“Once ibn abu Ya’fur, ‘Abd Allah ibn Talha and I were in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who on his own initiation said, ‘O ibn abu Ya’fur, the Messenger of Allah has said, “There are six things that if found in a person, he will be before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to the right of Allah (to the righ

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُوَدِّعُهُ فَقَالَ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ أَبْلِغْ مَنْ تَرَى مِنْ مَوَالِينَا السَّلَامَ وَ أَوْصِهِمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ أَنْ يَعُودَ غَنِيُّهُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِهِمْ وَ قَوِيُّهُمْ عَلَى ضَعِيفِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ حَيُّهُمْ جِنَازَةَ مَيِّتِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَتَلَاقَوْا فِي بُيُوتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ لُقِيَّا[1] بَعْضِهِمْ بَعْضاً حَيَاةٌ لِأَمْرِنَا رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً أَحْيَا أَمْرَن

“Once I went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) to say farewell. He said, ‘O Khaythamah, convey our greeting of peace to whoever of our followers you may see and advise them to be pious before Allah, the Most Great, that their rich ones look after their poor ones, the stronger ones look after their weaker ones, that the living a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي جَانِبِ الْمِصْرِ[5] ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ زَوْرُهُ‌[6] وَ حَقٌّ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكْرِمَ زَوْرَهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever visits his brother (in belief) in a side of the city just to please Allah, has visited Him, and it becomes a responsibility for Allah to honor His visitor.’”

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا مُفَضَّلُ اسْمَعْ مَا أَقُولُ لَكَ وَ اعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ وَ افْعَلْهُ وَ أَخْبِرْ بِهِ عِلْيَةَ[3] إِخْوَانِكَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا عِلْيَةُ إِخْوَانِي قَالَ الرَّاغِبُونَ فِي قَضَاءِ حَوَائِجِ إِخْوَانِهِمْ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَنْ قَضَى لِأَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ حَاجَةً قَضَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مِائَةَ أَلْفِ حَاجَةٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَوَّلُهَا الْجَنَّةُ وَ مِنْ

“The Imam said to me, ‘O Mufaddal, listen to what I say to you. Bear in mind that it is the truth. Do it and inform ‘Ilyat, of your brothers (in belief).’ I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is (Tlyah) of my brothers (in belief)?’ The Imam said, ‘All those interested in helping their brothe

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ رَحْمَةٌ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ قَالَ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَتَى أَخَاهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ وَ سَبَّبَهَا لَهُ فَإِنْ قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ كَانَ قَدْ قَبِلَ الرَّحْمَةَ بِقَبُولِهَا وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا فَإِنَّمَا رَدَّ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ رَحْمَة

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, is a believer a blessing for believers?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, he is.’ I then asked, ‘How is he as such?’ The Imam said, ‘A believer who may come to his brother (in belief) for help, in fact, is a blessing from Allah whom He has lead t

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.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ هَيْنُونَ لَيْنُونَ‌[3] كَالْجَمَلِ الْأَنِفِ إِذَا قِيدَ انْقَادَ وَ إِنْ أُنِيخَ عَلَى صَخْرَةٍ اسْتَنَاخَ‌[4].

‘Believers are of serenity and soft words. They are easy to lead like the camel harnessed by the nose, who does not resist the leader who makes him sit even on a rock.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شِيعَتُنَا الْمُتَبَاذِلُونَ فِي وَلَايَتِنَا الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي مَوَدَّتِنَا الْمُتَزَاوِرُونَ فِي إِحْيَاءِ أَمْرِنَا الَّذِينَ إِنْ غَضِبُوا لَمْ يَظْلِمُوا وَ إِنْ رَضُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا بَرَكَةٌ عَلَى مَنْ جَاوَرُوا سِلْمٌ لِمَنْ خَالَطُوا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Our Shi’a (followers) spend for (the cause of) our Walayah (Divine Authority), love each other for the sake of our love, and visit each other to preserve our cause. They are those who do not commit injustice when angered, and are not excessive when they agree. The

خَطَبَ النَّاسَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ص فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ عَنْ أَخٍ لِي كَانَ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ النَّاسِ فِي عَيْنِي وَ كَانَ رَأْسُ مَا عَظُمَ بِهِ فِي عَيْنِي صِغَرَ الدُّنْيَا فِي عَيْنِهِ كَانَ خَارِجاً مِنْ سُلْطَانِ بَطْنِهِ فَلَا يَشْتَهِي مَا لَا يَجِدُ وَ لَا يُكْثِرُ إِذَا وَجَدَ كَانَ خَارِجاً مِنْ سُلْطَانِ فَرْجِهِ- فَلَا يَسْتَخِفُّ لَهُ عَقْلَهُ وَ لَا رَأْيَهُ‌[2]- كَانَ خَارِج

“Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) once addressed the people saying, ‘I like to tell you about one of my friends who was the greatest in my sight. The head of what was the greatest in my sight about him was the worthlessness of the world in his sight. He was free of the control of his stomach, thus, he did not have any appetite

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَكُونُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ نَبِيِّهِ وَ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ وَلِيِّهِ فَأَمَّا السُّنَّةُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَكِتْمَانُ سِرِّهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- عالِمُ الْغَيْبِ‌ فَلا يُظْهِرُ عَلى‌ غَيْبِهِ أَحَداً إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضى‌ مِنْ رَسُولٍ‌[4] وَ أَمَّا السُّنَّةُ مِنْ نَبِيِّهِ فَمُدَارَاةُ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّ اللَّ

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer cannot become a believer unless he has three qualities: one tradition from his Lord, one from His Holy Prophet and one from His Waliyy (one who possess Divine Authority). The tradition from his Lord is to hide his secret as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا يَسَعُكَ الْقُعُودُ فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ يَا سَدِيرُ قُلْتُ لِكَثْرَةِ مَوَالِيكَ وَ شِيعَتِكَ وَ أَنْصَارِكَ وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ كَانَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا لَكَ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ وَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ الْمَوَالِي مَا طَمِعَ فِيهِ تَيْمٌ وَ لَا عَدِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ وَ كَمْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا قُلْتُ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قَالَ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قُلْتُ نَعَم

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘By Allah, it is your obligation not to sit (without proclaiming your leadership).’ The Imam asked, ‘Why O Sadir?’ I said, ‘Because your friends, Shi’a (followers) and supporters are so many. By Allah, were Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to hav

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ قَالَ بِوَلَايَتِنَا مُؤْمِناً وَ لَكِنْ جُعِلُوا أُنْساً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Not everyone who speaks of our Walayah (Divine Authority) is a believer. They, however, are made to serve as boasting morals of the believing people.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا عَبْدَ الْوَاحِدِ مَا يَضُرُّ رَجُلًا إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى ذَا الرَّأْيِ‌[1] مَا قَالَ النَّاسُ لَهُ وَ لَوْ قَالُوا مَجْنُونٌ وَ مَا يَضُرُّهُ وَ لَوْ كَانَ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى يَجِيئَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘O ‘Abd al-Wahid, nothing can harm one, if he is a person of proper understanding, who believes in our (Divine Authority), no matter what people may say about him. Although they may call him insane it will not harm him even if he lives on a mountain worshipping Allah until death appr

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

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّ لَهَا طَالِباً يَقُولُ أَحَدُكُمْ أُذْنِبُ وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ نَكْتُبُ ما قَدَّمُوا وَ آثارَهُمْ‌ وَ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَحْصَيْناهُ فِي إِمامٍ مُبِينٍ‌[1] وَ قَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّها إِنْ تَكُ مِثْقالَ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ‌ فَتَكُنْ فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّماواتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ‌ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ‌ إِ

“I heard abu la’ far (a.s.) saying, ‘Stay away from insignificant sins because there is demand for them. One of you will say, ‘I sin and ask forgiveness.’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘It is We who bring the dead to life and record the deeds of human beings and their consequences (of continual eff

حَقٌّ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ لَا يُعْصَى فِي دَارٍ إِلَّا أَضْحَاهَا لِلشَّمْسِ حَتَّى تُطَهِّرَهَا[4].

“It is a responsibility for Allah to expose the house wherein sin is committed, to the sun to cleanse it (subject it to ruination).”

إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَكْثُرُ بِهِ الْخَوْفُ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ وَ مَا ذَلِكَ إِلَّا بِالذُّنُوبِ فَتَوَقَّوْهَا مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَ لَا تَمَادَوْا فِيهَا.

“You may feel afraid of a king because of your disobeying him. You must avoid it if you can and do not continue in such condition.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَزَلَ بِأَرْضٍ قَرْعَاءَ[1] فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ ائْتُوا بِحَطَبٍ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نَحْنُ بِأَرْضٍ قَرْعَاءَ مَا بِهَا مِنْ حَطَبٍ قَالَ فَلْيَأْتِ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ بِمَا قَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَجَاءُوا بِهِ حَتَّى رَمَوْا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بَعْضَهُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص هَكَذَا تَجْتَمِعُ الذُّنُوبُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once the Messenger of Allah stopped, during a journey on a barren land, for rest and asked his companions to collect firewood. The companions said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we are in a barren land and there is no firewood around here. ’ He said, ‘Let everyone bring whatever he can.’ They

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سِتٌّ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُبُّ الرِّئَاسَةِ وَ حُبُّ الطَّعَامِ وَ حُبُّ النَّوْمِ وَ حُبُّ الرَّاحَةِ وَ حُبُّ النِّسَاءِ[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The things with which Allah was disobeyed first were six: Love of the worldly things, Love to be the leader, Love for food, Love to sleep, Love for comfort and Love of women (to such extremes that may lead one to sins).”’

إِنَّهُ يُحِبُّ الرِّئَاسَةَ فَقَالَ مَا ذِئْبَانِ ضَارِيَانِ‌[2] فِي غَنَمٍ قَدْ تَفَرَّقَ رِعَاؤُهَا بِأَضَرَّ فِي دِينِ الْمُسْلِمِ مِنَ الرِّئَاسَةِ.

“It was mentioned before the Imam that a certain man loves to have leadership. The Imam said, ‘Two fierce wolves in a flock of sheep, whose shepherd is far away, are not more harmful to the flock than seeking leadership to a Muslim’s religion is.’”

مَنْ طَلَبَ الرِّئَاسَةَ هَلَكَ.

"Whoever seeks leadership is destroyed.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ هَؤُلَاءِ الرُّؤَسَاءَ الَّذِينَ يَتَرَأَّسُونَ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا خَفَقَتِ النِّعَالُ خَلْفَ رَجُلٍ إِلَّا هَلَكَ وَ أَهْلَكَ‌[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Beware of these leaders who pretend to be leaders. I swear by Allah, shoes (people) have never marched behind a man, but that he destroys (them) and (he) is destroyed.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ تَرَأَّسَ مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ هَمَّ بِهَا مَلْعُونٌ مَنْ حَدَّثَ بِهَا نَفْسَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Condemned is one who seeks leadership, condemned is one who intends to become a leader and condemned is one who speaks to himself of leadership.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِيَّاكَ وَ الرِّئَاسَةَ وَ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَطَأَ أَعْقَابَ الرِّجَالِ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَمَّا الرِّئَاسَةُ فَقَدْ عَرَفْتُهَا وَ أَمَّا أَنْ أَطَأَ أَعْقَابَ الرِّجَالِ فَمَا ثُلُثَا مَا فِي يَدِي إِلَّا مِمَّا وَطِئْتُ أَعْقَابَ الرِّجَالِ‌[2] فَقَالَ لِي لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَنْصِبَ رَجُلًا دُونَ الْحُجَّةِ فَتُصَدِّقَهُ فِي كُلِّ مَا قَالَ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘Beware of leadership and beware of marching behind men (following them).’ I (the narrator) asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I understand what leadership is. However, as far as walking behind men is concerned, I must acknowledge that two thirds of what I k

قَالَ لِي‌ وَيْحَكَ يَا أَبَا الرَّبِيعِ لَا تَطْلُبَنَّ الرِّئَاسَةَ وَ لَا تَكُنْ ذِئْباً[3]- وَ لَا تَأْكُلْ بِنَا النَّاسَ فَيُفْقِرَكَ اللَّهُ وَ لَا تَقُلْ فِينَا مَا لَا نَقُولُ فِي أَنْفُسِنَا فَإِنَّكَ مَوْقُوفٌ وَ مَسْئُولٌ لَا مَحَالَةَ[4] فَإِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً صَدَّقْنَاكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ كَاذِباً كَذَّبْنَاكَ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O abu al-Rabi’, do not seek leadership and do not be a wolf, do not eat people (consume their properties) through us so Allah makes you poor, do not say about us what we do not say about ourselves. One day you will be made to stand up (before the Judge) and will inevit

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَرَادَ الرِّئَاسَةَ هَلَكَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever wants leadership is destroyed.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَ تَرَى لَا أَعْرِفُ خِيَارَكُمْ مِنْ شِرَارِكُمْ بَلَى وَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنَّ شِرَارَكُمْ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوطَأَ عَقِبُهُ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْ كَذَّابٍ أَوْ عَاجِزِ الرَّأْيِ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking, ‘Do you think I do not distinguish the bad from good among you? Yes, by Allah, the bad ones among you are those who love people walking behind him. Such a person is inevitably a liar or a helpless one (due to his ignorance) in his opinion.’”

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي قَالَ اذْهَبْ وَ لَا تَغْضَبْ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ قَدْ اكْتَفَيْتُ بِذَاكَ فَمَضَى إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَإِذَا بَيْنَ قَوْمِهِ حَرْبٌ قَدْ قَامُوا صُفُوفاً وَ لَبِسُوا السِّلَاحَ فَلَمَّا رَأَى ذَلِكَ لَبِسَ سِلَاحَهُ ثُمَّ قَامَ مَعَهُمْ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ قَوْلَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص لَا تَغْضَبْ فَرَمَى السِّلَاحَ ثُمَّ جَاءَ يَمْشِي إِلَى الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَدُوُّ ق

“Once a man said to the Holy Prophet, ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘You may go and do not become angry.’ The man said, ‘I have taken it as a sufficient lesson.’ He went to his family and found his people fighting, all of them lined up in arms. When he saw it he also armed himself and s

أَنَّ أَكْثَرَ مَا يَطْلُبُ ابْنُ آدَمَ مَا لَا حَاجَةَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ الْحَسَدُ وَ هِيَ مَعْصِيَةُ ابْنِ آدَمَ حَيْثُ حَسَدَ أَخَاهُ فَقَتَلَهُ فَتَشَعَّبَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ حُبُّ النِّسَاءِ وَ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُبُّ الرِّئَاسَةِ وَ حُبُّ الرَّاحَةِ وَ حُبُّ الْكَلَامِ وَ حُبُّ الْعُلُوِّ وَ الثَّرْوَةِ فَصِرْنَ سَبْعَ خِصَالٍ فَاجْتَمَعْنَ كُلُّهُنَّ فِي حُبِّ الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الْعُلَمَاءُ بَع

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was asked, ‘Which deed is more excellent before Allah?’ The Imam said, ‘No deed, after knowing Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and knowing the Messenger of Allah, is more excellent than hating the world. It has many branches, and the sins have branches also. The first sin committed wa

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي لَمْ أَزَلْ وَالِياً مُنْذُ زَمَنِ الْحَجَّاجِ إِلَى يَوْمِي هَذَا فَهَلْ لِي مِنْ تَوْبَةٍ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ ثُمَّ أَعَدْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا حَتَّى تُؤَدِّيَ إِلَى كُلِّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ.

‘I have been working as a governor from the time of al-Hajjaj to this time, can my repentance be accepted?’ The Imam remained quiet. I repeated my question and then he said, ‘No, until you pay back everything that you owe to the people.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْحَى إِلَى نَبِيٍّ مِنْ أَنْبِيَائِهِ فِي مَمْلَكَةِ جَبَّارٍ مِنَ الْجَبَّارِينَ أَنِ ائْتِ هَذَا الْجَبَّارَ فَقُلْ لَهُ إِنَّنِي لَمْ أَسْتَعْمِلْكَ عَلَى سَفْكِ الدِّمَاءِ وَ اتِّخَاذِ الْأَمْوَالِ وَ إِنَّمَا اسْتَعْمَلْتُكَ لِتَكُفَّ عَنِّي أَصْوَاتَ الْمَظْلُومِينَ فَإِنِّي لَمْ أَدَعْ ظُلَامَتَهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا كُفَّاراً[1].

14. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to one of His prophets who lived in the time of an oppressive and tyranical ruler. It said, ‘Tell this tyrant,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَجِي‌ءُ كُلُّ غَادِرٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِإِمَامٍ مَائِلٍ شِدْقُهُ‌[1] حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ النَّارَ وَ يَجِي‌ءُ كُلُّ نَاكِثٍ بَيْعَةَ إِمَامٍ أَجْذَمَ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ النَّارَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment all the treacherous people will come with a leader, his mouth badly deformed, and end up in the fire. All those breaking out allegiance of the Imam also will come with their hand cut off and end up in the fire.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْكَذَّابَ يَهْلِكُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَ يَهْلِكُ أَتْبَاعُهُ بِالشُّبُهَاتِ‌[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A liar is destroyed by means of clear evidence (his false claims) and his followers are destroyed on ambiguous evidence (accepting a leader whose qualification is doubtful).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَقَدْ أَسْرَى رَبِّي بِي فَأَوْحَى إِلَيَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ الْحِجَابِ‌[3] مَا أَوْحَى وَ شَافَهَنِي إِلَى أَنْ قَالَ لِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ مَنْ أَذَلَّ لِي وَلِيّاً فَقَدْ أَرْصَدَنِي بِالْمُحَارَبَةِ وَ مَنْ حَارَبَنِي حَارَبْتُهُ قُلْتُ يَا رَبِّ وَ مَنْ وَلِيُّكَ هَذَا فَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ مَنْ حَارَبَكَ حَارَبْتَهُ قَالَ لِي ذَاكَ مَنْ أَخَذْتُ مِيثَاقَهُ لَكَ وَ لِوَصِيِّكَ وَ لِذُرِّيَّتِكُم

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘My Lord took me for a journey and revealed to me from behind the curtain whatever He wanted to reveal, and spoke to me vocally and said to me, “O Muhammad, whoever insults any of My friends has waged a war against Me. Whoever fights Me, I fight him.” I then said, ‘O Lord, who is this

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

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

مَنْ رَوَّعَ مُؤْمِناً بِسُلْطَانٍ لِيُصِيبَهُ مِنْهُ مَكْرُوهٌ فَلَمْ يُصِبْهُ فَهُوَ فِي النَّارِ وَ مَنْ رَوَّعَ مُؤْمِناً بِسُلْطَانٍ لِيُصِيبَهُ مِنْهُ مَكْرُوهٌ فَأَصَابَهُ فَهُوَ مَعَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ فِي النَّارِ.

‘‘Whoever frightens a believer with an authority and force that may harm him but is not harmed (the frightening person) will be in the fire. Whoever frightens a believer by an authority and forces to harm him and he is harmed, (the frightening person) will be raised with the Pharaoh and the people of Pharaoh in the fir

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَمْسٌ إِنْ أَدْرَكْتُمُوهُنَّ فَتَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْهُنَّ لَمْ تَظْهَرِ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي قَوْمٍ قَطُّ حَتَّى يُعْلِنُوهَا إِلَّا ظَهَرَ فِيهِمُ الطَّاعُونُ وَ الْأَوْجَاعُ الَّتِي لَمْ تَكُنْ فِي أَسْلَافِهِمُ الَّذِينَ مَضَوْا وَ لَمْ يَنْقُصُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَ الْمِيزَانَ إِلَّا أُخِذُوا بِالسِّنِينَ‌[2] وَ شِدَّةِ الْمَئُونَةِ وَ جَوْرِ السُّلْطَانِ وَ لَمْ يَمْنَعُوا الزَّكَاةَ إِل

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There are five things—if you encounter them, seek refuge with Allah (Mighty and Majestic) from them: No people ever manifest indecency (fāḥishah) publicly except that plague and illnesses not known to their forefathers will spread among them; They do not cheat in weights and measures

بُنِيَ الْكُفْرُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ- الْفِسْقِ‌[3] وَ الْغُلُوِّ وَ الشَّكِّ وَ الشُّبْهَةِ وَ الْفِسْقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْجَفَاءِ وَ الْعَمَى وَ الْغَفْلَةِ وَ الْعُتُوِّ[4] فَمَنْ جَفَا احْتَقَرَ الْحَقَ‌[5] وَ مَقَتَ الْفُقَهَاءَ وَ أَصَرَّ عَلَى الْحِنْثِ الْعَظِيمِ‌ وَ مَنْ عَمِيَ نَسِيَ الذِّكْرَ وَ اتَّبَعَ الظَّنَّ وَ بَارَزَ خَالِقَهُ‌[6] وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ وَ طَلَبَ الْمَغْف

“Disbelief is established on four pillars: Sinfulness, Extremism, Doubt and Skepticism. Sinfulness has four branches: harshness of manners, blindness of heart, neglect, and arrogance. Whoever behaves in a harsh manner belittles the truth, hates the people of profound understanding and persists in great sins. Whoever be

شِرْكُ طَاعَةٍ وَ لَيْسَ شِرْكَ عِبَادَةٍ وَ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلى‌ حَرْفٍ‌[3] قَالَ إِنَّ الْآيَةَ تَنْزِلُ فِي الرَّجُلِ ثُمَّ تَكُونُ فِي أَتْبَاعِهِ- ثُمَّ قُلْتُ كُلُّ مَنْ نَصَبَ دُونَكُمْ شَيْئاً فَهُوَ مِمَّنْ‌ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلى‌ حَرْفٍ‌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ قَدْ يَكُونُ مَحْضاً[1].

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Most of them do not believe in Allah; they are but pagans,’ (12:106) the Imam said, ‘Al-Shirk (paganism) is obedience and it is not worship,’ and the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘ . . . certain people worship Allah to achieve worldly ga

مَنْ شَكَّ أَوْ ظَنَّ وَ أَقَامَ عَلَى أَحَدِهِمَا أَحْبَطَ اللَّهُ عَمَلَهُ إِنَّ حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْحُجَّةُ الْوَاضِحَةُ.

8. It is in the advice to al-Mufaddal who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘One who has doubt or Zann (better than doubt and less than certainty) and lives with one of them (such conditions), Allah turns his deeds fruitless. The authority and proof for (existence of) Allah is clear authorit