Neighbours

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي جَاراً كَثِيرَ الصَّلَاةِ كَثِيرَ الصَّدَقَةِ كَثِيرَ الْحَجِّ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَقْلٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا يَرْتَفِعُ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ.

‘May I be your ransom, I have a neighbor who does a lot of salaat, gives a lot in charity and very often does hajj and there is no flaw with him.’ He asked, 'O Ibn Ishaq how is his intelligence?'. I then said, 'May I be your ransom, he does not have any intelligence'. So he said, 'Nothing from what he does will be rais

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ثَابِتُ مَا لَكُمْ وَ لِلنَّاسِ كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا تَدْعُوا أَحَداً إِلَى أَمْرِكُمْ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرَضِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَهْدُوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ ضَلَالَتَهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يَهْدُوهُ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرَضِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يُضِلُّوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ هِ

“Once, abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘O Thabit, why do you bother about people? Leave them alone and do not call anyone to accept your belief (the belief of the Shi’a Muslims). I swear by Allah that even if all the people in the heavens and earth come together to guide a person whom Allah wants not to guide they will ne

لَمَّا ضُرِبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع حَفَّ بِهِ الْعُوَّادُ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَوْصِ فَقَالَ اثْنُوا لِي وِسَادَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ مُتَّبِعِينَ أَمْرَهُ وَ أَحْمَدُهُ كَمَا أَحَبَّ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ كَمَا انْتَسَبَ‌[1] أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ لَاقٍ فِي فِرَارِهِ مَا مِنْهُ يَفِرُّ وَ الْأَجَلُ مَسَاقُ النَّفْسِ إِل

“When Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was injured the visitors crowded around him saying, “O Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.), (please, grant us) your directive will.' The Imam then said, 'You must fold the pillow for me (to help me sit so I can speak).' He then said, 'All praise belongs to Allah, as He is worthy of it. We foll

كَانَ لِي جَارٌ يَتَّبِعُ السُّلْطَانَ فَأَصَابَ مَالًا فَأَعَدَّ قِيَاناً وَ كَانَ يَجْمَعُ الْجَمِيعَ إِلَيْهِ وَ يَشْرَبُ الْمُسْكِرَ وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَشَكَوْتُهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَنْتَهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ أَلْحَحْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا هَذَا أَنَا رَجُلٌ مُبْتَلًى وَ أَنْتَ رَجُلٌ مُعَافًى فَلَوْ عَرَضْتَنِي لِصَاحِبِكَ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُنْقِذَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِكَ فَوَقَعَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فِي قَلْبِي ف

“I had a neighbor who followed the Sultan and he gains certain properties. He would arrange parties and invite female singers. They would drink wine and would disturb me. I complained to the man several times but he would not pay any attention. When I insisted he said, “O man, “I am an addicted man and you are sober. I

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

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَذَكَرْنَا الْأَعْمَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا مَا أَضْعَفَ عَمَلِي فَقَالَ مَهْ اسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي إِنَّ قَلِيلَ الْعَمَلِ مَعَ التَّقْوَى خَيْرٌ مِنْ كَثِيرِ الْعَمَلِ بِلَا تَقْوَى قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ كَثِيرٌ بِلَا تَقْوَى قَالَ نَعَمْ مِثْلُ الرَّجُلِ يُطْعِمُ طَعَامَهُ وَ يَرْفُقُ جِيرَانَهُ وَ يُوَطِّئُ رَحْلَهُ‌[1] فَإِذَا ارْتَفَعَ لَهُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْحَرَامِ

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). We spoke about deeds and I said, ‘My deeds are the weakest.’ The Imam said, ‘Calm down. Ask forgiveness from Allah.’ Then the Imam said to me, ‘A little deed with piety is better than a great deal of deeds without piety.’ I then asked, ‘Can there be a great deal of

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ الْوَرَعِ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ وَ حُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ وَ كُونُوا دُعَاةً إِلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ بِغَيْرِ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَ كُونُوا زَيْناً وَ لَا تَكُونُوا شَيْناً وَ عَلَيْكُمْ بِطُولِ الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا أَطَالَ الرُّكُوعَ وَ السُّجُودَ هَتَفَ إِبْلِيسُ مِنْ خَل

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from abu ‘Usama who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must be pious before Allah, restrain yourself against worldly matters, work hard, speak the truth, keep the trust, have good moral behaviors,

مَنْ سَعَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ طَلَبَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ أَلْفَ أَلْفِ حَسَنَةٍ يَغْفِرُ فِيهَا لِأَقَارِبِهِ وَ جِيرَانِهِ وَ إِخْوَانِهِ‌ وَ مَعَارِفِهِ وَ مَنْ صَنَعَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوفاً فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قِيلَ لَهُ ادْخُلِ النَّارَ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَهُ فِيهَا صَنَعَ إِلَيْكَ مَعْرُوفاً فِي الدُّنْيَا فَأَخْرِجْهُ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلّ

“One who endeavors to help his Muslim brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes for him one million good deeds, grants forgiveness to his relatives, neighbors, brothers, those whom he knows and those who has done favors for him in the worldly life. On the Day of Judgment

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ثَابِتُ مَا لَكُمْ وَ لِلنَّاسِ كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا تَدْعُوا أَحَداً إِلَى أَمْرِكُمْ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاءِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يُضِلُّوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ هُدَاهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعُوا كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا يَقُولُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخِي وَ ابْنُ عَمِّي وَ جَارِي فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً ط

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Thabit, what do you have to do with people? Leave the people alone and do not invite anyone to your cause (your belief). By Allah, if the inhabitants of heaven and the inhabitants of earth would come together to mislead a servant whom Allah wants to guide, they would not be abl

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِمَجْلِسٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِقَوْمٍ بِيضٍ ثِيَابُهُمْ‌[1] صَافِيَةٍ أَلْوَانُهُمْ كَثِيرٍ ضِحْكُهُمْ يُشِيرُونَ بِأَصَابِعِهِمْ إِلَى مَنْ يَمُرُّ بِهِمْ‌[2] ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِمَجْلِسٍ لِلْأَوْسِ وَ الْخَزْرَجِ فَإِذَا قَوْمٌ بُلِيَتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ دَقَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الرِّقَابُ وَ اصْفَرَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَلْوَانُ وَ قَدْ تَوَاضَعُوا بِالْكَلَامِ فَتَعَجَّبَ عَلِيٌّ ع مِن

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once passed by a gathering of Quraysh where he found the people in white clothes, of clear complexion, frequently laughing and who pointed out their fingers to whoever passed (near) by. Then he passed by a gathering of al- Aws and Khazraj where he found people of worn out bo

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

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ إِنَّ خِيَارَكُمْ أُولُو النُّهَى قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ أُولُو النُّهَى قَالَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَخْلَاقِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَ الْأَحْلَامِ الرَّزِينَةِ[2] وَ صِلَةِ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ الْبَرَرَةُ بِالْأُمَّهَاتِ وَ الْآبَاءِ وَ الْمُتَعَاهِدِينَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ الْجِيرَانِ وَ الْيَتَامَى‌ وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعامَ‌ وَ يُفْشُونَ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ يُصَلُّونَ وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ غَافِلُون

32. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The best among you are those who possess al-Nuha’.’ He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are possessors of al-Nuha’?’ He then said, ‘They are those who possess excellent moral disci

مَا أَفْلَتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ‌[7] وَ لَرُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ الثَّلَاثُ عَلَيْهِ إِمَّا بُغْضُ مَنْ يَكُونُ مَعَهُ فِي الدَّارِ يُغْلِقُ عَلَيْهِ بَابَهُ‌ يُؤْذِيهِ أَوْ جَارٌ يُؤْذِيهِ أَوْ مَنْ فِي طَرِيقِهِ إِلَى حَوَائِجِهِ يُؤْذِيهِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ مُؤْمِناً عَلَى قُلَّةِ جَبَلٍ لَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ شَيْطَاناً يُؤْذِيهِ وَ يَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ إِيمَانِهِ أُنْساً لَا

“A believer cannot escape one of three problems or perhaps all three at the same time: someone at home always bites him and closes his door to hurt him, a neighbor who annoys him, or someone on his way to work troubles him. Even if a believer may live on top of a mountain, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, sends Satan

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ خَلَّى عَلَى جِيرَانِهِ مِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ عَدَدَ رَبِيعَةَ وَ مُضَرَ كَانُوا مُشْتَغِلِينَ بِهِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘When a believer dies the devils working to mislead him, now released among his neighbors, number equal to all the people of the tribe of Rabi’ and Mudar.’”

مَا كَانَ وَ لَا يَكُونُ وَ لَيْسَ بِكَائِنٍ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ جَارٌ يُؤْذِيهِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ مُؤْمِناً فِي جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ لَابْتَعَثَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَنْ يُؤْذِيهِ.

“There had never been, there is no one and will never be a believer but that a neighbor causes him suffering. Even if a believer may live on an island Allah sends someone to cause him suffering.”

مَا كَانَ فِيمَا مَضَى وَ لَا فِيمَا بَقِيَ وَ لَا فِيمَا أَنْتُمْ فِيهِ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ جَارٌ يُؤْذِيهِ.

“In the past, in future and in your time there has never been a believer, whom a neighbor did not make suffer.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا كَانَ وَ لَا يَكُونُ إِلَى أَنْ تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ جَارٌ يُؤْذِيهِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘There has never been or will be a believer up to the Hour of Doom free from suffering, caused by his neighbor.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ عُقُوقَ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فَإِنَّ رِيحَ الْجَنَّةِ تُوجَدُ مِنْ مَسِيرَةِ أَلْفِ عَامٍ وَ لَا يَجِدُهَا عَاقٌّ وَ لَا قَاطِعُ رَحِمٍ وَ لَا شَيْخٌ زَانٍ وَ لَا جَارُّ إِزَارِهِ خُيَلَاءَ إِنَّمَا الْكِبْرِيَاءُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said in one of his speeches, ‘Beware of causing suffering and disappointment to parents. The fragrance of paradise can be sensed from a distance of a one thousand year journey, but those causing suffering and disappointments to parents, those failing to maintain good relations with relatives

قَالَ: وَ النِّفَاقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الْهَوَى وَ الْهُوَيْنَا وَ الْحَفِيظَةِ وَ الطَّمَعِ‌[8] فَالْهَوَى عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْبَغْيِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ الشَّهْوَةِ وَ الطُّغْيَانِ- فَمَنْ‌ بَغَى كَثُرَتْ غَوَائِلُهُ وَ تُخُلِّيَ مِنْهُ وَ قُصِرَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ مَنِ اعْتَدَى لَمْ يُؤْمَنْ بَوَائِقُهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ قَلْبُهُ وَ لَمْ يَمْلِكْ نَفْسَهُ عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْذِلْ

“‘Hypocrisy has four pillars: Desire, Neglect, Resentment and Greed. “Desire is of four branches: disproportionate behavior, transgression, lust and insubordination. Whoever behaves disproportionately faces great risks, remains lonely and without supporters. Whoever transgresses does not remain immune to harmful conseq

صَحِبْتُهُ بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَ الْمَدِينَةِ فَجَاءَ سَائِلٌ فَأَمَرَ أَنْ يُعْطَى ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَأَمَرَ أَنْ يُعْطَى ثُمَّ جَاءَ آخَرُ فَأَمَرَ أَنْ يُعْطَى ثُمَّ جَاءَ الرَّابِعُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يُشْبِعُكَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيْنَا فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا مَا نُعْطِيهِ وَ لَكِنْ أَخْشَى أَنْ نَكُونَ كَأَحَدِ الثَّلَاثَةِ الَّذِينَ لَا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ دَعْوَةٌ رَجُلٌ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّ

“Once I accompanied Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) between Makkah and Madinah and at a certain place a beggar came and he ordered his people to help. Another beggar came he ordered his people to help, another came and he ordered to help, then the fourth one came and abu ‘Abd Allah said, ‘May Allah satisfy you,’ and he turned to

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَاراً لِي وَ مَا أَلْقَى مِنْهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِيَ ادْعُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ فَفَعَلْتُ فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئاً فَعُدْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ- فَقَالَ لِيَ ادْعُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ فَلَمْ أَرَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ كَيْفَ دَعَوْتَ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ إِذَا لَقِيتُهُ دَعَوْتُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ ادْعُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا أَدْبَرَ[1] وَ إِذَا اسْتَدْبَرَ ف

“Once I complained before Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about my neighbor and what 1 had suffered from him. The narrator has said that the Imam said, ‘Pray and plead before Allah against him.’ I did so and did not have any results and I went back to the Imam to complain. He said, ‘Pray against him.’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي جَاراً مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ مِنْ آلِ مُحْرِزٍ قَدْ نَوَّهَ بِاسْمِي وَ شَهَرَنِي‌[4] كُلَّمَا مَرَرْتُ بِهِ قَالَ هَذَا الرَّافِضِيُّ يَحْمِلُ الْأَمْوَالَ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي فَادْعُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ فِي السَّجْدَةِ الْأَخِيرَةِ مِنَ الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ الْأُولَيَيْنِ فَاحْمَدِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I have a neighbor from Quraysh from the family of Muhriz who propagates against me negatively. Whenever I pass by he calls me a Rafida (rejecting successors to the Holy Prophet who are not special members of his family) and that I collect funds for Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.).’ The

مَنْ قَرَأَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ مَرَّةً بُورِكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ قَرَأَهَا مَرَّتَيْنِ بُورِكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ مَنْ قَرَأَهَا ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ بُورِكَ عَلَيْهِ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَ عَلَى جِيرَانِهِ وَ مَنْ قَرَأَهَا اثْنَتَيْ عَشْرَةَ مَرَّةً بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ قَصْراً فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَيَقُولُ الْحَفَظَةُ اذْهَبُوا بِنَا إِلَى قُصُورِ أَخِينَا فُلَانٍ فَنَنْظُرَ إِلَيْهَا وَ مَنْ قَر

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Badr from Muhammad ibn Marwan from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Whoever reads Chapter 1 12 of the Holy Quran once receives blessings. Whoever reads it twice, he and his family receive blessings. Whoever reads it three times, he,

نَزَلَ الْقُرْآنُ بِإِيَّاكِ أَعْنِي وَ اسْمَعِي يَا جَارَةُ[1]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ: مَعْنَاهُ مَا عَاتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص فَهُوَ يَعْنِي بِهِ مَا قَدْ مَضَى فِي الْقُرْآنِ مِثْلُ قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ لَوْ لا أَنْ ثَبَّتْناكَ لَقَدْ كِدْتَ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْئاً قَلِيلًا[2] عَنَى بِذَلِكَ غَيْرَهُ.

“The Holy Quran was revealed in a manner like, ‘I speak to you, but it is the neighbor who must listen.’” It is narrated, in another Hadith, from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The meaning of ‘I speak to you, but it is the neighbor who must listen’, is that whenever Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ اشْهَدُوا الْجَنَائِزَ وَ عُودُوا الْمَرْضَى وَ احْضُرُوا مَعَ قَوْمِكُمْ مَسَاجِدَكُمْ وَ أَحِبُّوا لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّونَ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ أَ مَا يَسْتَحْيِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ جَارُهُ حَقَّهُ وَ لَا يَعْرِفَ حَقَّ جَارِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al- Husayn ibn Sa’id and Muhammad ibn Khalid all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Habib al-Khath’ami who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must maintain restraint from worldly attractions (sins), maintain persistence in wor

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِي جَارٌ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ ارْحَمْهُ فَقُلْتُ لَا رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ فَصَرَفَ وَجْهَهُ عَنِّي قَالَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَفْعَلُ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ يَفْعَلُ بِي وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَاشَفْتَهُ انْتَصَفْتَ مِنْهُ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ بَلَى أُرْبِي عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ذَا مِمَّنْ يَحْسُدُ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said to him, ‘My neighbor causes me suffering.’ The Imam said, ‘Be kind to him.’ I said, ‘I wish Allah will not grant him any kindness.’ The Imam turned away from me and I did not like to leave him and I said, ‘He does this and that to me and keeps causing me to

قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَتَبَ بَيْنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ مَنْ لَحِقَ بِهِمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ يَثْرِبَ أَنَّ الْجَارَ كَالنَّفْسِ غَيْرَ مُضَارٍّ وَ لَا آثِمٍ وَ حُرْمَةُ الْجَارِ عَلَى الْجَارِ كَحُرْمَةِ أُمِّهِ الْحَدِيثُ مُخْتَصَرٌ[2].

“I have read in the book of Ali (a.s.) that the Messenger of Allah wrote (and got it signed) for the people of Ansar and Muhajirin and people related to them from Yathrib: ‘The neighbor is like one’s soul that cannot be harmed or made to sin. The respect for the neighbor is like the respect for one’s mother.’ This is t

حُسْنُ الْجِوَارِ يَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ.

“Maintaining good neighborly relations increases one’s sustenance.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ يَعْقُوبَ ع لَمَّا ذَهَبَ مِنْهُ بِنْيَامِينُ نَادَى يَا رَبِّ أَ مَا تَرْحَمُنِي أَذْهَبْتَ عَيْنَيَّ وَ أَذْهَبْتَ ابْنَيَّ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَوْ أَمَتُّهُمَا لَأَحْيَيْتُهُمَا لَكَ حَتَّى أَجْمَعَ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُمَا وَ لَكِنْ تَذْكُرُ الشَّاةَ الَّتِي ذَبَحْتَهَا وَ شَوَيْتَهَا وَ أَكَلْتَ وَ فُلَانٌ وَ فُلَانٌ إِلَى جَانِبِكَ صَائِمٌ لَمْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When Benjamin also was taken away from Jacob, he pleaded before Allah for help, saying, “Have mercy on me. You have taken away my eyesight and my son.” Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, sent him inspiration, “Even if I will cause them to die I will give them life again for y

فَكَانَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ يَعْقُوبُ ع يُنَادِي مُنَادِيهِ كُلَّ غَدَاةٍ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ عَلَى فَرْسَخٍ أَلَا مَنْ أَرَادَ الْغَدَاءَ فَلْيَأْتِ إِلَى يَعْقُوبَ وَ إِذَا أَمْسَى نَادَى أَلَا مَنْ أَرَادَ الْعَشَاءَ فَلْيَأْتِ إِلَى يَعْقُوبَ.

“Whoever needs food, come to the house of Jacob” and in the evening also would announce, ‘Whoever needs dinner come to the house of Jacob.’”

جَاءَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ع تَشْكُو إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بَعْضَ أَمْرِهَا فَأَعْطَاهَا- رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كُرَيْسَةً[1] وَ قَالَ تَعَلَّمِي مَا فِيهَا فَإِذَا فِيهَا مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يُؤْذِي جَارَهُ وَ مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ وَ مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْراً أَوْ لِيَسْكُتْ.

“Once Fatimah (a.s.) came to the Messenger of Allah and complained about certain matters. The Messenger of Allah gave her a tablet to read. It was written on the tablet: ‘Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment must not cause suffering to his neighbor. Whoever believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment must tr

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ حُسْنُ الْجِوَارِ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْأَعْمَارِ وَ عِمَارَةُ الدِّيَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘Maintaining good neighborly relations increases one’s life span and the development of the country.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ حُسْنُ الْجِوَارِ يَعْمُرُ الدِّيَارَ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الْأَعْمَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good neighborly relations increases the development of the country and one’s life span.’”

قَالَ: لَيْسَ حُسْنُ الْجِوَارِ كَفَّ الْأَذَى وَ لَكِنَّ حُسْنَ الْجِوَارِ صَبْرُكَ عَلَى الْأَذَى.

“Not to cause suffering to neighbors is not a good neighborly relation, however, to be a good neighbor and to exercise patience in suffering (caused by the neighbors) is a good neighborly relations.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حُسْنُ الْجِوَارِ يَعْمُرُ الدِّيَارَ وَ يُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَعْمَارِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Maintaining good neighborly relations develops the country and extends one’s lifespan.”

قَالَ وَ الْبَيْتُ غَاصٌّ بِأَهْلِهِ‌[1] اعْلَمُوا أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ مُجَاوَرَةَ مَنْ جَاوَرَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once speaking to the people who had filled up his house said, ‘You must take notice that those who fail to maintain good relations with their neighbors are not of our people and followers.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ مَنْ آمَنَ جَارُهُ بَوَائِقَهُ قُلْتُ وَ مَا بَوَائِقُهُ قَالَ ظُلْمُهُ وَ غَشْمُهُ‌[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believing person is one whose neighbors are safe from his bawa’iq, I then asked, ‘What is bawa’iq ,’ The Imam said, ‘His injustice and transgressions.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ أَذًى مِنْ جَارِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص اصْبِرْ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ ثَانِيَةً فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص اصْبِرْ ثُمَّ عَادَ إِلَيْهِ فَشَكَاهُ ثَالِثَةً فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص لِلرَّجُلِ الَّذِي شَكَا إِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَ رَوَاحِ النَّاسِ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَأَخْرِجْ مَتَاعَكَ إِلَى الطَّرِيقِ حَتَّى يَرَاهُ مَنْ يَرُوحُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَإِذَا سَأَلُوكَ فَأَخْبِرْهُ

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and complained against his neighbor. The Messenger of Allah said to him, ‘Bear patience.’ The man came the second time. The Holy Prophet said, ‘Bear patience.’ The man came the third time. The Holy Prophet said to him, ‘On Friday when people go to the Mosque take your belongings out

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا آمَنَ بِي مَنْ بَاتَ شَبْعَانَ وَ جَارُهُ جَائِعٌ قَالَ وَ مَا مِنْ أَهْلِ قَرْيَةٍ يَبِيتُ وَ فِيهِمْ جَائِعٌ يَنْظُرُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who spends the night with his stomach full while his neighbor is hungry does not believe in me. Any (people of the town) who sleep at night with their stomachs full while among them are hungry people, to such people, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will not look with kindness.’”

مِنَ الْقَوَاصِمِ الْفَوَاقِرِ الَّتِي تَقْصِمُ الظَّهْرَ جَارُ السَّوْءِ إِنْ رَأَى حَسَنَةً أَخْفَاهَا وَ إِنْ رَأَى سَيِّئَةً أَفْشَاهَا.

“Of the back-breaking misfortunes, one is a bad neighbor who hides all good things about his neighbor and publicizes all the bad things about him.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنْ جَارِ السَّوْءِ فِي دَارِ إِقَامَةٍ تَرَاكَ عَيْنَاهُ وَ يَرْعَاكَ قَلْبُهُ إِنْ رَآكَ بِخَيْرٍ سَاءَهُ وَ إِنْ رَآكَ بِشَرٍّ سَرَّهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘I seek protection with Allah against a bad neighbor of a residence. The neighbor whose eye sees you and whose heart is against you. When he observes a good thing it disappoints him and if he sees a bad thing he becomes happy.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُّ أَرْبَعِينَ دَاراً جِيرَانٌ مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Every forty houses from the front, back, right and left are neighbors. ’”

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا يَقُولُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أَدْخُلُ الْحَمَّامَ فِي السَّحَرِ وَ فِيهِ الْجُنُبُ وَ غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ فَأَقُومُ فَأَغْتَسِلُ فَيَنْتَضِحُ عَلَيَّ بَعْدَ مَا أَفْرُغُ مِنْ مَائِهِمْ قَالَ أَ لَيْسَ هُوَ جَارٍ قُلْتُ‌[2] بَلَى قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once heard a man saying to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘In the morning I enter the bathhouse and there is one who has experienced sexual relation and so on. I then stand up and take Ghusl (bath) and water from them sprinkles on me after I finish.’ He (the Imam) asked, ‘Is it not running water?’

حُمَّى لَيْلَةٍ تَعْدِلُ عِبَادَةَ سَنَةٍ وَ حُمَّى لَيْلَتَيْنِ‌ تَعْدِلُ عِبَادَةَ سَنَتَيْنِ وَ حُمَّى ثَلَاثٍ تَعْدِلُ عِبَادَةَ سَبْعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ سَبْعِينَ سَنَةً قَالَ فَلِأُمِّهِ وَ أَبِيهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَبْلُغَا قَالَ فَلِقَرَابَتِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَبْلُغْ قَرَابَتُهُ قَالَ فَلِجِيرَانِهِ.

‘One night’s suffering from fever is equal in reward to worshipping for a whole year, suffering from a fever for two nights is more rewarding than worshipping for two years, and the reward for suffering from fever for three nights is greater than the reward for worshipping up to seventy years. I then asked, ‘What happe

لَمَّا قُتِلَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَاطِمَةَ ع أَنْ تَتَّخِذَ طَعَاماً- لِأَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ تَأْتِيَهَا وَ نِسَاءَهَا فَتُقِيمَ عِنْدَهَا ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَجَرَتْ بِذَلِكَ السُّنَّةُ أَنْ يُصْنَعَ لِأَهْلِ الْمُصِيبَةِ طَعَامٌ ثَلَاثاً.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when Ja‘far ibn abu Talib was martyred, the Messenger of Allah instructed Fatimah, ‘Alayha al-Salam, to prepare food for Asma’ bint ‘Umays for three days and visit her with a group of her women everyday for three days. This formed the tradition to prepare food for the people of the

يُصْنَعُ لِأَهْلِ الْمَيِّتِ مَأْتَمٌ‌[1] ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ يَوْمَ مَاتَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Mourning ceremony is organized for a deceased for three days, beginning from the day of his death.’”

يَنْبَغِي لِجِيرَانِ صَاحِبِ الْمُصِيبَةِ أَنْ يُطْعِمُوا الطَّعَامَ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that neighbors of the people of a deceased should prepare food for them (people of the deceased) for three days.”

أَوْصَى أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع بِثَمَانِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ لِمَأْتَمِهِ وَ كَانَ يَرَى ذَلِكَ مِنَ السُّنَّةِ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ اتَّخِذُوا لآِلِ جَعْفَرٍ طَعَاماً فَقَدْ شُغِلُوا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), said in his will that eight hundred dirhams should be spent to organize a memorial service for his death. He considered it as part of the tradition; the Messenger of Allah had said, ‘Prepare food for the family of Ja‘far; they are preoccupied (with the death of Ja‘far).’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ امْرَأَتِي وَ امْرَأَةَ ابْنِ مَارِدٍ تَخْرُجَانِ فِي الْمَأْتَمِ فَأَنْهَاهُمَا فَتَقُولُ لِيَ امْرَأَتِي إِنْ كَانَ حَرَاماً فَانْهَنَا عَنْهُ حَتَّى نَتْرُكَهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ حَرَاماً فَلِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ تَمْنَعُنَاهُ فَإِذَا مَاتَ لَنَا مَيِّتٌ لَمْ يَجِئْنَا أَحَدٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْحُقُوقِ تَسْأَلُنِي كَانَ أَبِي ع يَبْعَثُ أُمِّي وَ أُمَّ فَرْوَةَ تَقْض

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘My wife and the wife of ibn Marid went to join a memorial service, and I tried to stop them but my wife said, “If it is unlawful then stop us so we desist, but if it is not unlawful then why should you stop us? If one of us will die no one will come to us.”’ Abu al-Hassan (a.s.),