Leadership & Responsibility

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[2] عَشَرَةٌ قَتَلُوا رَجُلًا فَقَالَ إِنْ شَاءَ أَوْلِيَاؤُهُ قَتَلُوهُمْ جَمِيعاً وَ غَرِمُوا تِسْعَ دِيَاتٍ وَ إِنْ شَاءُوا تَخَيَّرُوا رَجُلًا فَقَتَلُوهُ وَ أَدَّى التِّسْعَةُ الْبَاقُونَ‌ إِلَى أَهْلِ الْمَقْتُولِ الْأَخِيرِ عُشْرَ الدِّيَةِ كُلُّ رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمْ قَالَ ثُمَّ إِنَّ الْوَالِيَ بَعْدُ يَلِي أَدَبَهُمْ وَ حَبْسَهُمْ.

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ahmad Bin Al Hassan Al Maysami, from Aban, from Al Fuzayl Bin Yasaar who said, ‘I said to Abu Ja’far asws , ‘Ten kill one man?’ So he asws said: ‘If his guardian so desires to, he can kill them altogether, and pay nine wergilds, and if so desires to he can choose one man, so he ki

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي حَائِطٍ اشْتَرَكَ فِي هَدْمِهِ ثَلَاثَةُ نَفَرٍ فَوَقَعَ عَلَى وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ فَمَاتَ فَضَمَّنَ الْبَاقِينَ دِيَتَهُ لِأَنَّ كُلَّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ ضَامِنُ صَاحِبِهِ.

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from one of his companions, from Ali Bin Abu Hamza, from Abu Baseer, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws judged regarding three who had participated is demolishing it upon one of them, so he died. So the remaining ones had to take the respo

إِذَا اجْتَمَعَتِ الْعِدَّةُ عَلَى قَتْلِ رَجُلٍ وَاحِدٍ حَكَمَ الْوَالِي أَنْ يُقْتَلَ أَيُّهُمْ شَاءُوا وَ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَقْتُلُوا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ وَاحِدٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ مَنْ قُتِلَ مَظْلُوماً فَقَدْ جَعَلْنا لِوَلِيِّهِ سُلْطاناً فَلا يُسْرِفْ فِي الْقَتْلِ‌[1].

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abu Umeyr, from Al Qasim Bin Urwa, from Abu Al Abbas and someone else, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said: ‘When a number gather upon killing one man, the guardians (of the deceased) decide which one of them they would like to kill, and it is not for the

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَتَلَ رَجُلًا عَمْداً فَرُفِعَ إِلَى الْوَالِي فَدَفَعَهُ الْوَالِي إِلَى أَوْلِيَاءِ الْمَقْتُولِ لِيَقْتُلُوهُ فَوَثَبَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَوْمٌ فَخَلَّصُوا الْقَاتِلَ مِنْ أَيْدِي الْأَوْلِيَاءِ فَقَالَ أَرَى أَنْ يُحْبَسَ الَّذِينَ خَلَّصُوا الْقَاتِلَ مِنْ أَيْدِي الْأَوْلِيَاءِ حَتَّى يَأْتُوا بِالْقَاتِلِ قِيلَ فَإِنْ مَاتَ الْقَاتِلُ وَ هُمْ فِي السِّجْنِ قَالَ فَإِنْ مَاتَ فَعَلَيْهِمُ الدِّ

Muhammad Bin Yahya from Ahmad Bin Muhammad and Ali Bin Ibrahim from his father, both together from Ibn Mahboub, from Abu Ayoub, from Hareyz, (The narrator) says: ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about a man who killed a man deliberately. So it was raised to the governor. So the governor handed him over to the guardians of th

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَتَلَ فَحُمِلَ إِلَى الْوَالِي وَ جَاءَهُ قَوْمٌ فَشَهِدُوا عَلَيْهِ الشُّهُودُ أَنَّهُ قَتَلَهُ عَمْداً فَدَفَعَ الْوَالِي الْقَاتِلَ إِلَى أَوْلِيَاءِ الْمَقْتُولِ لِيُقَادَ بِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْتِمُوا[2] حَتَّى أَتَاهُمْ رَجُلٌ فَأَقَرَّ عِنْدَ الْوَالِي أَنَّهُ قَتَلَ صَاحِبَهُمْ عَمْداً وَ أَنَّ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِ الشُّهُودُ بَرِي‌ءٌ مِنْ قَتْلِ صَاحِبِكُمْ فُلَانٍ فَلَا ت

Muhammad Bin Yahya from Ahmad Bin Muhammad and Ali Bin Ibrahim from his father, both together from Ibn Mahboub, from Hisham Bin Salim, from Zurara, (The narrator) says, ‘I asked Abu Ja’far asws about a man who killed, so they carried him to the governor, and a group came so the witnesses testified against him that they

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي امْرَأَةٍ قَطَعَتْ ثَدْيَ وَلِيدَتِهَا أَنَّهَا حُرَّةٌ لَا سَبِيلَ لِمَوْلَاتِهَا عَلَيْهَا وَ قَضَى فِيمَنْ نَكَّلَ بِمَمْلُوكِهِ فَهُوَ حُرٌّ لَا سَبِيلَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ سَائِبَةٌ يَذْهَبُ فَيَتَوَلَّى إِلَى مَنْ أَحَبَّ فَإِذَا ضَمِنَ جَرِيرَتَهُ فَهُوَ يَرِثُهُ‌[2].

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Mahboub, from Hisham Bin Salim, from Abu Baseer, (It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far asws having said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws judged regarding a woman who cut off a breast of her child-bearing slave girl: ‘She is free. There is no way for her mistress upon her’. And he asws

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ رَجُلٍ لَهُ مَمْلُوكَانِ قَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ أَ لَهُ أَنْ يُقِيدَهُ بِهِ دُونَ السُّلْطَانِ إِنْ أَحَبَّ ذَلِكَ قَالَ هُوَ مَالُهُ يَفْعَلُ بِهِ مَا يَشَاءُ إِنْ شَاءَ قَتَلَهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ عَفَا.

Abu Ali Al Ashary, from Muhammad Bin Abdul Jabbar, from Safwan, from Is’haq Bin Ammar who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about a man for whom were two slaves. One of the two killed his companion, is it for him that he can retaliate with him besides the ruling authorities, if he so likes that?’ He asws said: ‘He was h

يُونُسُ عَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ فَقَالَ هُوَ صَحِيحٌ وَ قَالَ ابْنُ فَضَّالٍ قَالَ قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِذَا أُصِيبَ الرَّجُلُ فِي إِحْدَى عَيْنَيْهِ فَإِنَّهَا تُقَاسُ بِبَيْضَةٍ تُرْبَطُ عَلَى عَيْنِهِ الْمُصَابَةِ وَ يُنْظَرُ مَا يَنْتَهِي بَصَرُ عَيْنِهِ الصَّحِيحَةِ ثُمَّ تُغَطَّى عَيْنُهُ الصَّحِيحَةُ وَ يُنْظَرُ مَا تَنْتَهِي عَيْنُهُ الْمُصَابَةُ فَيُعْطَى دِيَتَهُ مِنْ حِسَابِ ذَلِكَ وَ الْقَ

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from Muhammad Bin Isa, from Yunus, and from his father, from Ibn Fazzal both together, (It has been narrated) from Abu Al-Hassan Al-Reza asws . Yunus said, ‘I presented the book to him asws , so he asws said: ‘It is correct’. And Ibn Fazal said, ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws judged: ‘When the man is hit in on

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَحْفِرُ الْبِئْرَ فِي دَارِهِ أَوْ فِي أَرْضِهِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا مَا حَفَرَ فِي مِلْكِهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ ضَمَانٌ وَ أَمَّا مَا حَفَرَ فِي الطَّرِيقِ أَوْ فِي غَيْرِ مَا يَمْلِكُهُ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ لِمَا يَسْقُطُ فِيهِ. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ زُرْعَةَ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ مِثْلَهُ.

A number of our companions, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad Bin Khalid, from Usman Bin Isa, from Sama’at who said, ‘I asked him asws about the man who dug the well in his own home, or in his own land. So he asws said: ‘As for what he dug in his kingdom, so there is no responsibility upon him, and as for what he digs in the roa

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَحْفِرُ الْبِئْرَ فِي دَارِهِ أَوْ فِي مِلْكِهِ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ حَفَرَ فِي دَارِهِ أَوْ فِي مِلْكِهِ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ ضَمَانٌ وَ مَا حَفَرَ فِي الطَّرِيقِ أَوْ فِي غَيْرِ مِلْكِهِ فَهُوَ ضَامِنٌ لِمَا يَسْقُطُ فِيهَا.

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ibn Mahboub, from Abu Ayoub, from Sama’at who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about the man who dug the well in his house, or in his kingdom. So he asws said: ‘Whatever he had dug in his house or in his kingdom, so there is no responsibility upon him, and whatever he d

لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا حَفَرَ بِئْراً فِي دَارِهِ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَوَقَعَ فِيهَا لَمْ يَكُنْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا ضَمَانٌ وَ لَكِنْ لِيُغَطِّهَا.

Sahl and Ibn Abu Najran, both together from Ibn Abu Nasr, from Musanna Al Hannat, from Zurara, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said: ‘If a man were to dig a well in his house, then a man enters and falls into it, there is nothing upon him, and no responsibility, but for covering it’.

قُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ حَفَرَ بِئْراً فِي غَيْرِ مِلْكِهِ فَمَرَّ عَلَيْهَا رَجُلٌ فَوَقَعَ فِيهَا قَالَ فَقَالَ عَلَيْهِ الضَّمَانُ لِأَنَّ كُلَّ مَنْ حَفَرَ فِي غَيْرِ مِلْكِهِ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ الضَّمَانُ.

Ibn Abu Najran, from Musanna Al Hannat, from Zurara, (The narrator) says, ‘I said to Abu Abdullah asws , ‘A man digs a well in other than his kingdom. So a man passed by it and fell into it’. So he asws said: ‘Upon him is the responsibility, because everyone who digs in other than his own kingdom, upon him would be the

أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ إِنَّ ثَوْرَ فُلَانٍ قَتَلَ حِمَارِي فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص ائْتِ أَبَا بَكْرٍ فَسَلْهُ فَأَتَاهُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَى الْبَهَائِمِ قَوَدٌ فَرَجَعَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَأَخْبَرَهُ بِمَقَالَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص ائْتِ عُمَرَ فَسَلْهُ فَأَتَاهُ فَسَأَلَهُ فَقَالَ مِثْلَ مَقَالَةِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَرَجَعَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَأَخْبَرَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ ا

From him, from Abdul Rahman Bin Abu Najran, fromo Sabbah, from a man, from Sa’ad Bin Tareyf Al Iskaaf, (It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far asws having said: ‘A man came over to Rasool-Allah saww , so he said, ‘A bull of so and so killed my donkey!’ So the Prophet saww said to him; ‘Go to Abu Bakr, so ask him’. So he

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي صَاحِبِ الدَّابَّةِ أَنَّهُ يَضْمَنُ فِي مَا وَطِئَتْ بِيَدِهَا وَ رِجْلِهَا وَ مَا نَفَحَتْ بِرِجْلِهَا فَلَا ضَمَانَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا أَنْ يَضْرِبَهَا إِنْسَانٌ‌[1].

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Fazzal, from Yunus Bin Yaqoub, from Abu Maryam, (It has been narrated) from Abu Ja’far asws having said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws judged regarding the owner of the animal that he is responsible regarding whatever it tramples by its hands (front legs), and its (hind) legs; and wh

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي رَجُلٍ دَخَلَ دَارَ قَوْمٍ بِغَيْرِ إِذْنِهِمْ فَعَقَرَهُ كَلْبُهُمْ قَالَ لَا ضَمَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ إِنْ دَخَلَ بِإِذْنِهِمْ ضَمِنُوا.

Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, from Al Nowfaly, from Al Sakuny, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws judged regarding a man who entered a house of a people without their permission. So their dog injured him. He asws said: ‘There is no responsibility upon them, and if he h

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ قَتَلَ رَجُلًا مُسْلِماً عَمْداً فَلَمْ يَكُنْ لِلْمَقْتُولِ أَوْلِيَاءُ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلَّا أَوْلِيَاءُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الذِّمَّةِ مِنْ قَرَابَتِهِ فَقَالَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَعْرِضَ عَلَى قَرَابَتِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ الْإِسْلَامَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ مِنْهُمْ فَهُوَ وَلِيُّهُ يَدْفَعَ الْقَاتِلَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ شَاءَ قَتَلَ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ عَفَا وَ إِنْ شَاءَ

Muhammad Bin Yahya from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, and Ali Bin Ibrahim from his father, from Ibn Mahboub, from Abu Wallad who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about a Muslim man who killed a Muslim man deliberately. So there did not happen to be for the killed one any guardians from the Muslims except for guardians from the A

لَيْسَ بَيْنَ أَهْلِ الذِّمَّةِ مُعَاقَلَةٌ فِيمَا يَجْنُونَ مِنْ قَتْلٍ أَوْ جِرَاحَةٍ إِنَّمَا يُؤْخَذُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُمْ مَالٌ رَجَعَتِ الْجِنَايَةُ عَلَى إِمَامِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ لِأَنَّهُمْ يُؤَدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ الْجِزْيَةَ كَمَا يُؤَدِّي الْعَبْدُ الضَّرِيبَةَ إِلَى سَيِّدِهِ قَالَ وَ هُمْ مَمَالِيكُ الْإِمَامِ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ مِنْهُمْ فَهُوَ حُرٌّ.

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, and Ali Bin Ibrahim, from his father, both together from Ibn Mahboub, from Abu Wallad, (It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah asws having said: ‘There is no (payment of the wergild) by the blood relatives between the people under the responsibility ( Ahl Al-Zimma ), regard

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ قَتَلَ رَجُلًا مُتَعَمِّداً ثُمَّ هَرَبَ الْقَاتِلُ فَلَمْ يُقْدَرْ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ أُخِذَتِ الدِّيَةُ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ إِلَّا فَمِنَ الْأَقْرَبِ فَالْأَقْرَبِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ قَرَابَةٌ وَدَاهُ الْإِمَامُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَبْطُلُ دَمُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ. وَ- فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ ثُمَّ لِلْوَالِي بَعْدُ حَبْسُهُ وَ أَدَبُهُ.

Humeyd Bin Ziyad, from Al Hazzan Bin Muhammad Bin Sama’at, from Ahmad Bin Al Hassan Al Maysami, from Aban Bin Usman, from Abu Baseer who said, ‘I asked Abu Abdullah asws about a man who killed a man deliberately, then the killer fled and they were not able over him (to catch him). He asws said: ‘If there was wealth for

قَضَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي فَرَسَيْنِ اصْطَدَمَا فَمَاتَ أَحَدُهُمَا فَضَمَّنَ الْبَاقِيَ دِيَةَ الْمَيِّتِ.

Ahmad Bin Muhammad Al Kufy, from Ibrahim Bin Al Hassan, from Muhammad Bin Khalaf, from Musa Bin Ibrahim Al Marouzy, (It has been narrated) from Abu Al-Hassan Musa asws having said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws judged regarding two horses collided, so one of the two dies. So the responsibility is upon the (owner of the) remai

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ مَنْ‌ قُتِلَ مَظْلُوماً فَقَدْ جَعَلْنا لِوَلِيِّهِ سُلْطاناً فَلا يُسْرِفْ فِي الْقَتْلِ‌ إِنَّهُ كانَ مَنْصُوراً[1] فَمَا هَذَا الْإِسْرَافُ الَّذِي نَهَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهُ قَالَ نَهَى أَنْ يَقْتُلَ غَيْرَ قَاتِلِهِ أَوْ يُمَثِّلَ بِالْقَاتِلِ قُلْتُ فَمَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ- إِنَّهُ كانَ مَنْصُوراً قَالَ وَ أَيُّ نُصْرَةٍ أ

Ali Bin Muhammad, from one of his companions, from Muhammad Bin Suleyman, from Sayf Bin Umeyra, from Is’haq Bin Ammar who said, ‘I said to Abu Al-Hassan asws that Allah azwj Mighty and Majestic is Saying in His azwj Book [17:33] And do not kill any one whom Allah has Forbidden, except with the right; and whoever is kil

لَمَّا قَدِمَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ وَ هُوَ بِالْحِيرَةِ خَرَجَ يَوْماً يُرِيدُ عِيسَى بْنَ مُوسَى فَاسْتَقْبَلَهُ بَيْنَ الْحِيرَةِ وَ الْكُوفَةِ[1] وَ مَعَهُ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ الْقَاضِي فَقَالَ لَهُ إِلَى أَيْنَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ أَرَدْتُكَ فَقَالَ قَدْ قَصَّرَ اللَّهُ خَطْوَكَ قَالَ فَمَضَى مَعَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ مَا تَقُولُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ

“When abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), went to meet abu al- ‘Abbas who was in al-Hirah (a place in Iraq), one day he came out for ‘Isa ibn Musa. They came face to face between al-Hirah and al-Kufah when ibn Shubramah, the judge, was also with him and he asked, ‘Where do you want to go, O abu ‘Abd Allah ? 5 He (the Imam) said, ‘I

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يَنْقَضِي كَلَامُ شَاهِدِ الزُّورِ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيِ الْحَاكِمِ حَتَّى يَتَبَوَّأَ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ كَذَلِكَ مَنْ كَتَمَ الشَّهَادَةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has pronounced this Hadith. ‘The words of one who presents false testimony do not end before the judge, until his seat is filled up with the fire; and so also is t

إِذَا كَانُوا أَرْبَعَةً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ لَيْسَ يُعْرَفُونَ بِشَهَادَةِ الزُّورِ أُجِيزَتْ شَهَادَتُهُمْ جَمِيعاً وَ أُقِيمَ الْحَدُّ عَلَى الَّذِي شَهِدُوا عَلَيْهِ إِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِمْ أَنْ يَشْهَدُوا بِمَا أَبْصَرُوا وَ عَلِمُوا وَ عَلَى الْوَالِي أَنْ يُجِيزَ شَهَادَتَهُمْ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونُوا مَعْرُوفِينَ بِالْفِسْقِ‌[2].

“This is about the case of four men who testified against an al-Muhsin (married man) due to fornication of whom two retracted their testimony and not the other two. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the four are Muslims who are not known as falsely testifying people, the testimony of all four is admissible, and pena

اتَّقُوا الْحُكُومَةَ فَإِنَّ الْحُكُومَةَ إِنَّمَا هِيَ لِلْإِمَامِ الْعَالِمِ بِالْقَضَاءِ الْعَادِلِ فِي الْمُسْلِمِينَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Stay away from governing, it is only for the Imam who has the knowledge of adjudication with justice among the Muslims. It is for a Prophet or Executor of the will of a Prophet.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لِشُرَيْحٍ‌ يَا شُرَيْحُ قَدْ جَلَسْتَ مَجْلِساً لَا يَجْلِسُهُ إِلَّا نَبِيٌّ أَوْ وَصِيُّ نَبِيٍّ أَوْ شَقِيٌّ.[2]

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said ’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), once said to Shurayh, ‘You have sat in a place where no one can sit except a Prophet or an Executor of the will of a Prophet, or a wicked one.’”

لَمَّا وَلَّى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص شُرَيْحاً الْقَضَاءَ اشْتَرَطَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ لَا يُنْفِذَ الْقَضَاءَ حَتَّى يَعْرِضَهُ عَلَيْهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’ Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali (a.s.), appointed Shurayh as a judge with the condition that his judgments will take effect only after they are shown to him (Imam Ali (a.s.)).”

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَاعِداً فِي حَلْقَةِ رَبِيعَةِ الرَّأْيِ فَجَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ فَسَأَلَ رَبِيعَةَ الرَّأْيِ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَأَجَابَهُ فَلَمَّا سَكَتَ قَالَ لَهُ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ أَ هُوَ فِي عُنُقِكَ فَسَكَتَ عَنْهُ رَبِيعَةُ وَ لَمْ يَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ شَيْئاً فَأَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ فَأَجَابَهُ بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ أَ هُوَ فِي عُنُقِكَ فَسَكَتَ رَبِيعَةُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was in the group of the circle of Rabi‘ah al-Ra’y when an Arab man came and asked Rabi‘ah al-Ra’iy a question and he replied. When he became quiet the Arab man asked, ‘Do you take responsibility for your answer?’ He remained quiet and did not respond. He repeated the question and he gave a

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَاضٍ بَيْنَ قَرْيَتَيْنِ يَأْخُذُ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ عَلَى الْقَضَاءِ الرِّزْقَ فَقَالَ ذَلِكَ السُّحْتُ‌[1].

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about a judge between two towns who receives his wages from al-Sultan. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is a sinful earning.”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ يَدُ اللَّهِ فَوْقَ رَأْسِ الْحَاكِمِ تُرَفْرِفُ بِالرَّحْمَةِ[1] فَإِذَا حَافَ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The hand of Allah waves over the head of a governor and a judge because of judgment; but when he acts unjustly then Allah leaves him to his own self.’”

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ قَدَّمَ مُؤْمِناً فِي خُصُومَةٍ إِلَى قَاضٍ أَوْ سُلْطَانٍ جَائِرٍ فَقَضَى عَلَيْهِ بِغَيْرِ حُكْمِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ شَرِكَهُ فِي الْإِثْمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Any believing person who takes another believing person before a judge or Sultan of injustice who then judges by means of something other than what Allah has sent, he becomes his (judge’s) partner in the sin.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ لا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوالَكُمْ‌ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْباطِلِ وَ تُدْلُوا بِها إِلَى الْحُكَّامِ‌[2] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا بَصِيرٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَدْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ فِي الْأُمَّةِ حُكَّاماً يَجُورُونَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَعْنِ حُكَّامَ أَهْلِ الْعَدْلِ وَ لَكِنَّهُ عَنَى حُكَّامَ أَهْلِ الْجَوْرِ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّهُ لَوْ كَانَ لَكَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the meaning of the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . do not consume your wealth among yourselves in falsehood and throw them to the rulers.’ (2:188) He (the Imam) said, ‘O abu Basir, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, knows that among the nations there are

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ رَجُلَيْنِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يَكُونُ بَيْنَهُمَا مُنَازَعَةٌ فِي دَيْنٍ أَوْ مِيرَاثٍ فَتَحَاكَمَا إِلَى السُّلْطَانِ أَوْ إِلَى الْقُضَاةِ أَ يَحِلُّ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ مَنْ تَحَاكَمَ إِلَى الطَّاغُوتِ فَحَكَمَ لَهُ فَإِنَّمَا يَأْخُذُ سُحْتاً وَ إِنْ كَانَ حَقُّهُ ثَابِتاً لِأَنَّهُ أَخَذَ بِحُكْمِ الطَّاغُوتِ وَ قَدْ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُكْفَرَ بِهِ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعَانِ قَالَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about two of our people who have a dispute over a certain issue of religion or inheritance, and they go for judgment before the Sultan or a judge; if it is lawful. He (the Imam) said, ‘Whoever seeks judgment before al-Taghut (transgressors) who judges for him, whatever he then recei

إِذَا كَانَ الْحَاكِمُ يَقُولُ لِمَنْ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ لِمَنْ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ مَا تَرَى مَا تَقُولُ فَعَلَى ذَلِكَ‌ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَ الْمَلائِكَةِ وَ النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ* أَلَّا يَقُومُ مِنْ مَجْلِسِهِ وَ تُجْلِسُهُمْ مَكَانَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a judge, to those on his right or left side, says, “What do you think, what do you say?” He is condemned by Allah, the angels and all people. Why must he not move away and make them sit in his place?”’

كَانَتْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ مُعَامَلَةٌ فَخَانَنِي بِأَلْفِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقَدَّمْتُهُ إِلَى الْوَالِي فَأَحْلَفْتُهُ فَحَلَفَ وَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ حَلَفَ يَمِيناً فَاجِرَةً فَوَقَعَ لَهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي أَرْبَاحٌ وَ دَرَاهِمُ كَثِيرَةٌ فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَقْتَصَّ الْأَلْفَ دِرْهَمٍ الَّتِي كَانَتْ لِي عِنْدَهُ وَ حَلَفَ عَلَيْهَا فَكَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ أَخْبَرْتُهُ أَنِّي قَدْ

“Once I had a business deal with a Jewish man and he cheated me in the deal for one thousand dirham. I took him before the governor and made him take an oath, which he did. I knew that it was a sinful oath, taking on his part. Afterward a profit of many dirham emerged for him with me, I wanted to compensate the one tho

مِنْ بَنِي حَنِيفَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلًى لَهُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ عِنْدَكَ امْرَأَةً تَبَرَّأُ مِنْ جَدِّكَ فَقُضِيَ لِأَبِي أَنَّهُ طَلَّقَهَا فَادَّعَتْ عَلَيْهِ صَدَاقَهَا فَجَاءَتْ بِهِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمَدِينَةِ تَسْتَعْدِيهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمَدِينَةِ يَا عَلِيُّ إِمَّا أَنْ تَحْلِفَ وَ إِمَّا أَنْ تُعْطِيَهَا [حَقَّهَا] فَقَالَ لِي قُمْ يَا بُنَيَّ فَأَعْطِهَا أَرْبَعَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَقُل

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once spoke to me about his father (a.s.). He (the Imam) was with a woman of al-Khawarij, I (the narrator) think he said, ‘banu Hanifah.’ His mawla (friend or servant) said to him (the Imam), ‘O child of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their se

الْأَيْمَانُ ثَلَاثٌ يَمِينٌ لَيْسَ فِيهَا كَفَّارَةٌ وَ يَمِينٌ فِيهَا كَفَّارَةٌ وَ يَمِينٌ‌ غَمُوسٌ تُوجِبُ النَّارَ فَالْيَمِينُ الَّتِي لَيْسَ فِيهَا كَفَّارَةٌ الرَّجُلُ يَحْلِفُ بِاللَّهِ عَلَى بَابِ بِرٍّ أَنْ لَا يَفْعَلَهُ فَكَفَّارَتُهُ أَنْ يَفْعَلَهُ وَ الْيَمِينُ الَّتِي تَجِبُ فِيهَا الْكَفَّارَةُ الرَّجُلُ يَحْلِفُ عَلَى بَابِ مَعْصِيَةٍ أَنْ لَا يَفْعَلَهُ فَيَفْعَلُهُ فَتَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ الْكَفَّارَةُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Swearing is of three kinds. There is one kind of swearing, which does not require expiation, the kind that requires expiation, and the false swearing which causes the fire. The kind, which does not require expiation, is the swearing in which one has sworn by Allah for a good cause not

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ حَلَفَ فِي قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ فَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لَا نَذْرَ فِي مَعْصِيَةٍ وَ لَا يَمِينَ فِي قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ قَالَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَحْلَفَهُ السُّلْطَانُ بِالطَّلَاقِ وَ غَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَحَلَفَ قَالَ لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ يَخَافُ عَلَى مَالِهِ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ فَيَحْلِفُ لِيَنْجُوَ بِهِ مِنْهُ قَالَ لَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ هَلْ يَحْلِف

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida’ (a.s.), about the case of a man who takes an oath to cut off relations with relatives. He (the Imam) said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A vow for an unlawful matter is not valid

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا يَمِينَ فِي غَضَبٍ وَ لَا فِي قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ وَ لَا فِي جَبْرٍ وَ لَا فِي إِكْرَاهٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ فَمَا فَرْقٌ بَيْنَ الْإِكْرَاهِ وَ الْجَبْرِ قَالَ الْجَبْرُ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ وَ يَكُونُ الْإِكْرَاهُ مِنَ الزَّوْجَةِ وَ الْأُمِّ وَ الْأَبِ وَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Taking an oath in anger does not have any valid effect or to cut off relations with relatives, by Jabr (force) or Ikrah (coercion, dislike).’ I (the narrator) then asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, what is the difference between forced and coerced?’ He (the Imam) said,

قَالَ: لَا يَمِينَ فِي غَضَبٍ وَ لَا فِي قَطِيعَةِ رَحِمٍ وَ لَا فِي إِجْبَارٍ وَ لَا فِي إِكْرَاهٍ قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ فَمَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَ الْإِكْرَاهِ وَ الْإِجْبَارِ قَالَ الْإِجْبَارُ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ وَ يَكُونُ الْإِكْرَاهُ مِنَ الزَّوْجَةِ وَ الْأُمِّ وَ الْأَبِ وَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘An oath in anger or to cut off relations with relatives, by Jabr (force) or Ikrah (coercion, dislike) does not have any valid effect.’ I (the narrator) then asked saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, what is the difference between forced and coerced?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Force

مَا سَمِعْتُ بِأَحَدٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ كَانَ أَزْهَدَ مِنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِلَّا مَا بَلَغَنِي مِنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع قَالَ أَبُو حَمْزَةَ كَانَ الْإِمَامُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا تَكَلَّمَ فِي الزُّهْدِ وَ وَعَظَ أَبْكَى مَنْ بِحَضْرَتِهِ قَالَ أَبُو حَمْزَةَ وَ قَرَأْتُ صَحِيفَةً فِيهَا كَلَامُ زُهْدٍ مِنْ كَلَامِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ كَتَبْتُ مَا فِيهَا ثُمَّ أَتَيْتُ عَلِيَّ

I have not heard of anyone who was more ascetic (pious) than Ali (asws) Bin Al-Husayn (asws) except for what has reached to me from Ali (asws) Bin Abu Talib (asws)’. Abu Hamza said, ‘Whenever Ali (asws) Bin Al-Husayn (asws) spoke regarding the ascetism (self restrain), those who were present with him (asws) , (their ey

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ وَ قَدْ خَفَرَهُ النَّفَسُ‌[6] فَلَمَّا أَخَذَ مَجْلِسَهُ قَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَا هَذَا النَّفَسُ الْعَالِي فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ كَبِرَ سِنِّي وَ دَقَّ عَظْمِي وَ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلِي مَعَ أَنَّنِي لَسْتُ أَدْرِي مَا أَرِدُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَمْرِ آخِرَتِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَ

‘I was in the presence of Abu Abdullah (asws), when Abu Baseer came up to him (asws), and he was panting. So when he took his seat, Abu Abdullah (asws) said to him: ‘O Abu Muhammad, what is this heavy breathing for?’ He said, ‘May I be sacrificed for you (asws), O son (asws) of the Messenger (saww) of Allah (azwj), gre

قَرَأْتُ جَوَاباً مِنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أُوصِيكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ ضَمِنَ لِمَنِ اتَّقَاهُ أَنْ يُحَوِّلَهُ عَمَّا يَكْرَهُ إِلَى مَا يُحِبُ‌ وَ يَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَحْتَسِبُ‌ فَإِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِمَّنْ يَخَافُ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِمْ وَ يَأْمَنُ الْعُقُوبَةَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يُخْدَعُ

I (asws) hereby advise you all to fear Allah (azwj), for He (azwj) has Taken the responsibility for the one who is pious to turn them around from what He (azwj) Abhors towards what He (azwj) Loves, and Sustain him from where he does not expect. So beware of becoming from those who are feared by the servants due to thei

خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَ صَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ لَمْ يَقْصِمْ جَبَّارِي دَهْرٍ إِلَّا مِنْ بَعْدِ تَمْهِيلٍ وَ رَخَاءٍ وَ لَمْ يَجْبُرْ كَسْرَ عَظْمٍ مِنَ الْأُمَمِ إِلَّا بَعْدَ أَزْلٍ وَ بَلَاءٍ[1] أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ فِي دُونِ مَا اسْتَقْبَلْتُمْ مِنْ عَطَبٍ وَ اسْتَدْبَرْتُمْ مِنْ

‘Amir-ul-Momineen (asws) gave a sermon at Al-Medina. So he (asws) Praised Allah (azwj) and Extolled Him (azwj) and sent greetings of peace (Salam) upon the Prophet (saww). Then he (asws) said: ‘Having said that, Allah (azwj) Blessed and High does not Break the backs of the tyrants except after giving them respite and (

خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ آدَمَ لَمْ يَلِدْ عَبْداً وَ لَا أَمَةً وَ إِنَّ النَّاسَ كُلَّهُمْ أَحْرَارٌ وَ لَكِنَّ اللَّهَ خَوَّلَ بَعْضَكُمْ بَعْضاً فَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ بَلَاءٌ فَصَبَرَ فِي الْخَيْرِ فَلَا يَمُنَّ بِهِ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَلَا وَ قَدْ حَضَرَ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ نَحْنُ مُسَوُّونَ فِيهِ بَيْنَ الْأَسْوَدِ وَ الْأَحْمَرِ فَقَ

‘O you people! Surely, Adam (as) did not give birth to a slave or a bondmaid, and that all of the people are free, but Allah (azwj) Made some to be in authority over the others. So the one who had an affliction and he bore it patiently in goodness so he should not consider by it as a favour to Allah (azwj) Mighty and M

إِنَّ الْأَحْلَامَ لَمْ تَكُنْ فِيمَا مَضَى فِي أَوَّلِ الْخَلْقِ وَ إِنَّمَا حَدَثَتْ فَقُلْتُ وَ مَا الْعِلَّةُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ بَعَثَ رَسُولًا إِلَى أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ فَدَعَاهُمْ إِلَى عِبَادَةِ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ فَقَالُوا إِنْ فَعَلْنَا ذَلِكَ فَمَا لَنَا فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا أَنْتَ بِأَكْثَرِنَا مَالًا وَ لَا بِأَعَزِّنَا عَشِيرَةً فَقَالَ إِنْ أَطَعْتُمُونِي أَدْخَلَكُمُ اللَّهُ ال

The dreams did not exist in the past in the beginning of the creation, but rather they occurred later on’. I said, ‘And what is the reason with regards to that?’ He (asws) said: ‘Allah (azwj) Sent a Rasool (as) to the people of his (as) era. So he (as) called them to the worship of Allah (azwj) and to His (azwj) obedie

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّادِقَةُ وَ الْكَاذِبَةُ مَخْرَجُهُمَا مِنْ مَوْضِعٍ وَاحِدٍ قَالَ صَدَقْتَ أَمَّا الْكَاذِبَةُ الْمُخْتَلِفَةُ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَرَاهَا فِي أَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ فِي سُلْطَانِ الْمَرَدَةِ الْفَسَقَةِ وَ إِنَّمَا هِيَ شَيْ‌ءٌ يُخَيَّلُ إِلَى الرَّجُلِ وَ هِيَ كَاذِبَةٌ مُخَالِفَةٌ لَا خَيْرَ فِيهَا وَ أَمَّا الصَّادِقَةُ إِذَا رَآهَا بَعْدَ الثُّلُثَيْنِ مِ

‘I said to Abu Abdullah (asws), ‘May I be sacrificed for you (asws), the true and the false dreams both come from one place’ He (asws) said: ‘You have spoken the truth, but the false dreams are different for the man sees is in the first (part) of the night during the domination of the sinful rebels, and it is an imagin

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع وَ هُوَ فِي الْحَبْسِ كِتَاباً أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ حَالِهِ وَ عَنْ مَسَائِلَ كَثِيرَةٍ فَاحْتَبَسَ الْجَوَابُ عَلَيَّ أَشْهُراً ثُمَّ أَجَابَنِي بِجَوَابٍ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ الَّذِي بِعَظَمَتِهِ وَ نُورِهِ أَبْصَرَ قُلُوبَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ بِعَظَمَتِهِ وَ نُورِهِ عَادَاهُ الْجَاهِلُونَ وَ بِعَظَمَتِهِ وَ

‘I wrote to Abu Al-Hassan Musa (asws) whilst he (asws) was in the solitary confinement. I wrote asking him (asws) about his (asws) condition and about numerous matters. The answer did not come for months, then he (asws) answered me by an answer and this is its copy: - In the Name of Allah (azwj) the Beneficent, the Mer

قَالَ إِنْ قَدَرْتُمْ أَنْ لَا تُعْرَفُوا فَافْعَلُوا وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ إِنْ لَمْ يُثْنِ النَّاسُ عَلَيْكَ وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مَذْمُوماً عِنْدَ النَّاسِ إِذَا كُنْتَ مَحْمُوداً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَانَ يَقُولُ لَا خَيْرَ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لِأَحَدِ رَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٍ يَزْدَادُ فِيهَا كُلَّ يَوْمٍ إِحْسَاناً وَ رَجُلٍ يَتَدَارَكُ مَنِيَّتَهُ بِالتَّوْبَةِ وَ

‘If you have the ability to make yourselves unknown, you better do it. And it should not matter to you if the people do not praise you, and it should not matter to you either that you are condemned by the people whilst you are being Praised in the Presence of Allah (azwj). Amir-ul-Momineen (asws) used to say: ‘There is

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَ هُوَ يَأْكُلُ مُتَّكِئاً[3]- قَالَ وَ قَدْ كَانَ يَبْلُغُنَا أَنَّ ذَلِكَ يُكْرَهُ فَجَعَلْتُ أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ فَدَعَانِي إِلَى طَعَامِهِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ لَعَلَّكَ تَرَى‌ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص مَا رَأَتْهُ عَيْنٌ وَ هُوَ يَأْكُلُ وَ هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ مِنْ أَنْ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى أَنْ قَبَضَهُ قَالَ ثُمَّ رَدَّ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ لَا وَ اللَّه

‘I came up to Abu Ja’far (asws) one day and (I felt that) he was resting (upon something) whilst eating, and he had been telling us that it is undesirable. So I looked at him, so he called me over to eat with him. When he had finished, he said: ‘O Muhammad, you had been thinking that no eye had seen the Rasulallah (saw

كَتَبَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِلَى الشِّيعَةِ لَيَعْطِفَنَّ ذَوُو السِّنِّ مِنْكُمْ وَ النُّهَى عَلَى ذَوِي الْجَهْلِ وَ طُلَّابِ الرِّئَاسَةِ أَوْ لَتُصِيبَنَّكُمْ لَعْنَتِي أَجْمَعِينَ‌[5].

Abu Abdullah wrote to the Shiites: ‘Let those who are elderly from among you be sympathetic, and prohibit the ignorant ones and the seekers of leadership, or else you will all be affected by my (asws) curse’.