Parents

كَانَ قَنْبَرٌ غُلَامُ عَلِيٍّ يُحِبُّ عَلِيّاً ع حُبّاً شَدِيداً فَإِذَا خَرَجَ عَلِيٌّ ص خَرَجَ عَلَى أَثَرِهِ بِالسَّيْفِ فَرَآهُ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا قَنْبَرُ مَا لَكَ فَقَالَ جِئْتُ لِأَمْشِيَ خَلْفَكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ أَ مِنْ أَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ تَحْرُسُنِي أَوْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ لِي شَيْئاً

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd al-Rahman al-‘Arzami from his father, from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Qanbar, a worker for Ali (a.s.) loved Ali intensely. Whenever Imam went out he followed him with a sword for protection. Once at night

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

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ لُقْمَانَ قَالَ كَانَ فِيهَا الْأَعَاجِيبُ وَ كَانَ أَعْجَبَ مَا كَانَ فِيهَا أَنْ قَالَ لِابْنِهِ خَفِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خِيفَةً لَوْ جِئْتَهُ بِبِرِّ الثَّقَلَيْنِ لَعَذَّبَكَ وَ ارْجُ اللَّهَ رَجَاءً لَوْ جِئْتَهُ بِذُنُوبِ الثَّقَلَيْنِ لَرَحِمَكَ‌[4] ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا [وَ] فِي قَلْبِهِ نُورَان

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What did the will of Luqman (the person mentioned in Chapter 31 of the Holy Quran) contain?’ The Imam said, ‘It contained amazing things and the most amazing one was what he said to his son, “My son, be pious before Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, such that even if you come into H

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا وَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُورَانِ نُورُ خِيفَةٍ وَ نُورُ رَجَاءٍ لَوْ وُزِنَ هَذَا لَمْ يَزِدْ عَلَى هَذَا وَ لَوْ وُزِنَ هَذَا لَمْ يَزِدْ عَلَى هَذَا.

“My father would say, ‘In the heart of every believing servant (of Allah) there are two lights. There is the light of fear and the light of hope. On being weighed no one of these lights weighs differently from the other.’”

كَثِيراً مَا كُنْتُ أَسْمَعُ أَبِي يَقُولُ لَيْسَ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا مَنْ لَا تَتَحَدَّثُ الْمُخَدَّرَاتُ بِوَرَعِهِ فِي خُدُورِهِنَّ وَ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَوْلِيَائِنَا مَنْ هُوَ فِي قَرْيَةٍ فِيهَا عَشَرَةُ آلَافِ رَجُلٍ فِيهِمْ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ أَوْرَعُ مِنْهُ.

“’Ubayd Allah ibn Ali reported to me from Abu al-Hasan the 1st (a.s.) who has said, ‘I would often hear my father saying, 'He is not one of our Shia who the women in their homes do not speak of his piety, and he is not from our supporters if he lives in a village with ten thousand men and there is someone among them mo

مَرَّ بِي أَبِي وَ أَنَا بِالطَّوَافِ وَ أَنَا حَدَثٌ‌[4] وَ قَدِ اجْتَهَدْتُ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ فَرَآنِي وَ أَنَا أَتَصَابُّ عَرَقاً فَقَالَ لِي يَا جَعْفَرُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً أَدْخَلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ رَضِيَ عَنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once my father passed by during my Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba). I was young and very seriously striving to worship. He saw me sweating and said to me, “O Ja’far, my son, if Allah loves any (of His) servants, He admits him in paradise and becomes happy with him even wit

اجْتَهَدْتُ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ وَ أَنَا شَابٌّ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي ع يَا بُنَيَّ دُونَ مَا أَرَاكَ تَصْنَعُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً رَضِيَ عَنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘I strived hard in worshipping and I was young. My father said to me, “My son, I want to see you also do things other than what you are doing. Were Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to love a servant He would become happy with him even with a very little deed.’””

دَخَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ كَئِيبٍ حَزِينٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا لَكَ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أُصِبْتُ بِأَبِي [وَ أُمِّي‌] وَ أَخِي وَ أَخْشَى أَنْ أَكُونَ قَدْ وَجِلْتُ‌[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ الصَّبْرِ تَقْدَمْ عَلَيْهِ غَداً وَ الصَّبْرُ فِي الْأُمُورِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) entered the Mosque and at the door of the Mosque he met a man who was depressed and sad. Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) asked him ‘What has happened to you?’ He said, ‘It is due to the death of my father, mother and brother. O Amir al- Mu’minin, I am afrai

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لَمَّا حَضَرَتْ أَبِي عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع الْوَفَاةُ ضَمَّنِي إِلَى صَدْرِهِ وَ قَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أُوصِيكَ بِمَا أَوْصَانِي بِهِ أَبِي حِينَ حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ وَ بِمَا ذَكَرَ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ أَوْصَاهُ بِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ اصْبِرْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُرّاً.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘When my father Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was about to leave this world he held me against his chest and said, “My son, I recommend you with the same recommendation with which he (my father) advised me at the time that he was about to leave this world and with the recommendation that his fat

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ خَلَائِقِ‌[2] الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ الْعَفْوُ عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ وَ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ الْإِحْسَانُ إِلَى مَنْ أَسَاءَ إِلَيْكَ وَ إِعْطَاءُ مَنْ حَرَمَكَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah said in a sermon, ‘Should I tell you what is the best faculty of creatures of this world and of the next world? It is forgiveness for those who do

قَالَ لِي أَبِي‌ يَا بُنَيَّ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَقَرَّ لِعَيْنِ أَبِيكَ مِنْ جُرْعَةِ غَيْظٍ عَاقِبَتُهَا صَبْرٌ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَسُرُّنِي أَنَّ لِي بِذُلِّ نَفْسِي حُمْرَ النَّعَمِ.

“The Imam said, ‘My father once said to me, “My son, there is nothing more delightful to the eyes of your father than the drop (feeling) of anger that precedes patience. My receiving the most noble of the bounties does not bring me any happiness if it may cuase humiliation to my soul.’””

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ فَمِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِعِبَادِهِ تَسْلِيلُهُ أَضْغَانَهُمْ‌[2] وَ مُضَادَّتَهُمْ‌[3] لِهَوَاهُمْ وَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ مِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِهِمْ أَنَّهُ يَدَعُهُمْ عَلَى الْأَمْرِ يُرِيدُ إِزَالَتَهُمْ عَنْهُ رِفْقاً بِهِمْ لِكَيْلَا يُلْقِيَ عَلَيْهِمْ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ‌[4] وَ مُثَاقَلَتَهُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً فَيَضْعُفُوا فَإِذَا أَرَادَ ذَلِكَ نَسَخَ الْأَمْرَ بِالْآخ

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Safwan ibn Yahya from Yahya al-Azraq from Hammad ibn Bashir from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, is compassionate and He loves friendliness. Of the examples of His compassion to His worshippers is His reducing

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْحُبِّ وَ الْبُغْضِ أَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ هُوَ فَقَالَ وَ هَلِ الْإِيمَانُ إِلَّا الْحُبُّ وَ الْبُغْضُ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمانَ‌ وَ زَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ‌ وَ كَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَ الْفُسُوقَ‌ وَ الْعِصْيانَ‌ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ‌[3].

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Fudayl ibnYasar who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Are love and hate part of belief?’ The Imam asked, ‘Is belief anything but love and hate?’ He then read the words of Allah, ‘. . . But Allah has endeared belief to you

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مُوسَى ع يَا مُوسَى لَا تَرْكَنْ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا رُكُونَ الظَّالِمِينَ وَ رُكُونَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَهَا أَباً وَ أُمّاً[6] يَا مُوسَى لَوْ وَكَلْتُكَ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ لِتَنْظُرَ لَهَا إِذاً لَغَلَبَ عَلَيْكَ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ زَهْرَتُهَا يَا مُوسَى نَافِسْ‌[7] فِي الْخَيْرِ أَهْلَهُ وَ اسْتَبِقْهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْخَيْرَ كَاسْمِهِ وَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the things that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, spoke to Moses was this: “O Moses, do not rely upon the world like the unjust ones or like those who take it as their parents. O Moses, were I to leave you in the care of your own soul, lover of worldly things and its att

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ يَحْزَنُ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِنْ قَتَّرْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَقْرَبُ لَهُ مِنِّي وَ يَفْرَحُ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِنْ وَسَّعْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَبْعَدُ لَهُ مِنِّي.

5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from abu al-Bakhtari from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I find My believing servant depressed if I provide his sustenance in stringent measures; a condition that is closer to

كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِخَيْرٍ فَبَادِرْ فَإِنَّكَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا يَحْدُثُ.

“My father (a.s.) would say, ‘When you intend to perform a good deed, do not delay; you may not know what happens next.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ فِي آخِرِ خُطْبَتِهِ‌ طُوبَى لِمَنْ طَابَ خُلُقُهُ وَ طَهُرَتْ سَجِيَّتُهُ وَ صَلَحَتْ سَرِيرَتُهُ وَ حَسُنَتْ عَلَانِيَتُهُ وَ أَنْفَقَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَمْسَكَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ قَوْلِهِ وَ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Hassan ibn Hamza from his grand father from abu Hamza al-Thumali from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah at the end of his sermon would say, ‘Tuba (a tree in paradise) is for those

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ لِيَجْتَمِعْ فِي قَلْبِكَ الِافْتِقَارُ إِلَى النَّاسِ وَ الِاسْتِغْنَاءُ عَنْهُمْ فَيَكُونَ افْتِقَارُكَ إِلَيْهِمْ فِي لِينِ كَلَامِكَ وَ حُسْنِ بِشْرِكَ وَ يَكُونَ اسْتِغْنَاؤُكَ عَنْهُمْ فِي نَزَاهَةِ عِرْضِكَ وَ بَقَاءِ عِزِّكَ‌[5]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ عُمَرَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘In your heart you must have both hope in people and independence from them. Your hope and need in people must be in the form of speaking to them softly and with a delightful appearance. Your independence from them must be in the form of maintaining dignity and sa

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً[2] مَا هَذَا الْإِحْسَانُ فَقَالَ الْإِحْسَانُ أَنْ تُحْسِنَ صُحْبَتَهُمَا وَ أَنْ لَا تُكَلِّفَهُمَا أَنْ يَسْأَلَاكَ شَيْئاً مِمَّا يَحْتَاجَانِ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَا مُسْتَغْنِيَيْنِ‌[3] أَ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَنْ تَنالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ‌[4] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the meaning of ‘kindness’ in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . and that you must be kind to your parents. . . .’ (17:23) The Imam said, ‘It means to behave with them in a good manner, not to make them ask you for help, even though they are self-sufficient.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ‌ لا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ‌ شَيْئاً وَ إِنْ حُرِّقْتَ بِالنَّارِ وَ عُذِّبْتَ إِلَّا وَ قَلْبُكَ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيمَانِ وَ وَالِدَيْكَ فَأَطِعْهُمَا[3] وَ بَرَّهُمَا حَيَّيْنِ كَانَا أَوْ مَيِّتَيْنِ وَ إِنْ أَمَرَاكَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ وَ مَالِكَ فَافْعَلْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, give me a good advice.” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Do not consider anything as partner of Allah even if you are tortured with fire except when your heart is confident with belief. You must obey your parents an

يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِثْلُ الْكُبَّةِ[4] فَيَدْفَعُ فِي ظَهْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ فَيُقَالُ هَذَا الْبِرُّ.

“On the Day of Judgment something will suddenly come behind the believer, rush him forward and admit him in paradise. It will be said, ‘This is kindness.’”

قُلْتُ أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ الصَّلَاةُ لِوَقْتِهَا وَ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which deed is the best?’ The Imam said, ‘Prayer in its proper time, kindness to parents and hard work to strive for the cause of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّه ص- مَا حَقُّ الْوَالِدِ عَلَى وَلَدِهِ قَالَ لَا يُسَمِّيهِ بِاسْمِهِ وَ لَا يَمْشِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ لَا يَجْلِسُ قَبْلَهُ وَ لَا يَسْتَسِبُّ لَهُ‌[1].

“Once, a man asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘What is the right of the father on the son?’ The messenger of Allah said, ‘The son must not address his father by his name (first name), must not walk in front of him, must not take a seat before him, and must not cause people to abuse him.’”

قَالَ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ لِعَبْدِ الْوَاحِدِ الْأَنْصَارِيِ‌ فِي بِرِّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً فَظَنَنَّا أَنَّهَا الْآيَةُ الَّتِي فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ- وَ قَضى‌ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً فَلَمَّا كَانَ بَعْدُ سَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ هِيَ الَّتِي فِي لُقْمَانَ- وَ وَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسانَ بِوالِدَيْهِ‌ حُسْناً وَ إِنْ جاهَد

“Once the Imam spoke to ‘Abd al- Wahid al-Ansari, while I was present, about kindness to parents mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Be kind to parents.’ We thought it was the verse in Chapter Seventeen that says, ‘. . . the Lord has ordained that you must not worship anyone other than H

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا يَمْنَعُ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَبَرَّ وَالِدَيْهِ حَيَّيْنِ وَ مَيِّتَيْنِ يُصَلِّيَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَحُجَّ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَصُومَ عَنْهُمَا فَيَكُونَ الَّذِي صَنَعَ لَهُمَا وَ لَهُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ فَيَزِيدَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِبِرِّهِ وَ صِلَتِهِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً.

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hakam ibn Miskin from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Nothing prevents any of you from doing kindness to your parents, who are living or dead, in the form of prayer for them, giving

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَدْعُو لِوَالِدَيَّ إِذَا كَانَا لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ قَالَ ادْعُ لَهُمَا وَ تَصَدَّقْ عَنْهُمَا وَ إِنْ كَانَا حَيَّيْنِ لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ فَدَارِهِمَا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَنِي بِالرَّحْمَةِ لَا بِالْعُقُوقِ.

‘Pray for them and give charity on their behalf. If they are living and do not know the truth, be kind to them; the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah has sent me with (message of) kindness and not to punish.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ أَبَرُّ قَالَ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ‌ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ أَبَاكَ.

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be kind?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Be kind to your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then whom?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then whom?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who

أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي رَاغِبٌ فِي الْجِهَادِ نَشِيطٌ[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص فَجَاهِدْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ تُقْتَلْ تَكُنْ حَيّاً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ تُرْزَقْ وَ إِنْ تَمُتْ فَقَدْ وَقَعَ أَجْرُكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ رَجَعْتَ رَجَعْتَ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ كَمَا وُلِدْتَ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لِي وَالِدَيْنِ كَبِيرَيْنِ يَزْعُمَانِ أَنَّهُمَا يَأْ

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘I am interested in Jihad (joining the army) O Messenger of Allah. I am active and light.’ The Imam said, ‘The Holy Prophet said, “Do Jihad (join the army) in the way of Allah, if you will be killed you will be living with Allah and will receive sustenance. If you di

كُنْتُ نَصْرَانِيّاً فَأَسْلَمْتُ وَ حَجَجْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي كُنْتُ عَلَى النَّصْرَانِيَّةِ وَ إِنِّي أَسْلَمْتُ فَقَالَ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ رَأَيْتَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ‌[2] قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ ما كُنْتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتابُ وَ لَا الْإِيمانُ‌ وَ لكِنْ جَعَلْناهُ نُوراً نَهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَشاءُ[3] فَقَالَ لَقَدْ هَدَاكَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِهِ ثَلَا

“I was a Christian, then I became a Muslim. I went for Hajj, where I met Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and I said to him, ‘I was a Christian and I have become a Muslim.’ The Imam asked, ‘What have you seen in Islam?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “. . . before, you did not even know wha

خَبَّرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِبِرِّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ابْنِي بِي فَقَالَ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّهُ وَ قَدِ ازْدَدْتُ لَهُ حُبّاً إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَتَتْهُ أُخْتٌ لَهُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ[5] فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا سُرَّ بِهَا وَ بَسَطَ مِلْحَفَتَهُ‌[6] لَهَا فَأَجْلَسَهَا عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ يُحَدِّثُهَا وَ يَضْحَكُ فِي وَجْهِهَا ثُمَّ قَامَتْ وَ ذَهَبَتْ وَ جَاءَ أَخُوهَا فَلَمْ يَصْنَعْ بِهِ مَا صَنَعَ بِ

“Once I explained to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) how kind my son Isma’il was to me. The Imam said, ‘I loved him before and this has increased my love for him. Once, the sister of the Messenger of Allah (through breast-feeding) visited him. When he saw her he became very happy to see her, prepared a seat for her, began to talk

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَبِي قَدْ كَبِرَ جِدّاً وَ ضَعُفَ فَنَحْنُ نَحْمِلُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ الْحَاجَةَ فَقَالَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَلِيَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ فَافْعَلْ وَ لَقِّمْهُ بِيَدِكَ فَإِنَّهُ جُنَّةٌ لَكَ غَداً.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘My father has become very old and weak. We pick him up and help him for the restrooms.’ The Imam said, ‘If you can, you should do all of this for him and feed him with your own hand; it is paradise for you tomorrow. ’”

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا يَقُولُ- لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي أَبَوَيْنِ مُخَالِفَيْنِ فَقَالَ بَرَّهُمَا كَمَا تَبَرُّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ مِمَّنْ يَتَوَلَّانَا[1].

‘My parents are against us (our belief).’ The Imam said, ‘Be kind to them just as Muslims who follow us are kind (to their parents).”’

ثَلَاثٌ لَمْ يَجْعَلِ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِأَحَدٍ فِيهِنَّ رُخْصَةً أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ وَ الْوَفَاءُ بِالْعَهْدِ لِلْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ وَ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ بَرَّيْنِ كَانَا أَوْ فَاجِرَيْنِ.

‘‘There are three things in which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has not given any concession: safely returning of the trust to appropriate people, regardless of their being good or evil people, keeping the promise for good or evil people, and being kind to parents whether of good or of evil manners.”

مِنَ السُّنَّةِ وَ الْبِرِّ أَنْ يُكَنَّى الرَّجُلُ بِاسْمِ أَبِيهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is of tradition and virtue to adopt al-Kunyah (like abu’ meaning father of or ‘Ibn’) of the name of one’s father.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ وَ سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ ص عَنْ بِرِّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فَقَالَ ابْرَرْ أُمَّكَ ابْرَرْ أُمَّكَ ابْرَرْ أُمَّكَ ابْرَرْ أَبَاكَ ابْرَرْ أَبَاكَ ابْرَرْ أَبَاكَ وَ بَدَأَ بِالْأُمِّ قَبْلَ الْأَبِ.

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and asked about kindness to parents. The Holy Prophet said, ‘Be kind to your mother, be kind to your mother, be kind to your mother, be kind to your father, be kind to your father, and be kind to your father. He began with mother before the father.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ وَلَدْتُ بِنْتاً وَ رَبَّيْتُهَا حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَتْ فَأَلْبَسْتُهَا وَ حَلَّيْتُهَا ثُمَّ جِئْتُ بِهَا إِلَى قَلِيبٍ فَدَفَعْتُهَا فِي جَوْفِهِ وَ كَانَ آخِرُ مَا سَمِعْتُ مِنْهَا وَ هِيَ تَقُولُ يَا أَبَتَاهْ‌[3]- فَمَا كَفَّارَةُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ أَ لَكَ أُمٌّ حَيَّةٌ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَلَكَ خَالَةٌ حَيَّةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَابْرَرْهَا فَإِنَّهَا بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْ

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘I had a daughter and I brought her up until she became an adult. I then dressed her up in beautiful clothes, took her to the well and threw her therein to her death and the last thing I heard from her was; O father! What is the expiation for it?’ The Messenger of Allah as

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع هَلْ يَجْزِي الْوَلَدُ وَالِدَهُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ لَهُ جَزَاءٌ إِلَّا فِي خَصْلَتَيْنِ يَكُونُ الْوَالِدُ مَمْلُوكاً فَيَشْتَرِيهِ ابْنُهُ فَيُعْتِقُهُ أَوْ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَيَقْضِيهِ عَنْهُ.

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Can a son pay back (for the favors of) a father?’ The Imam said, ‘There is no payment for him except two things: if the father is a slave and the son buys him and sets him free, or the father is in debt and the son pays it off.’”

أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ نَشِيطٌ وَ أُحِبُّ الْجِهَادَ وَ لِي وَالِدَةٌ تَكْرَهُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص ارْجِعْ فَكُنْ مَعَ وَالِدَتِكَ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَنِي بِالْحَقِّ نَبِيّاً لَأُنْسُهَا بِكَ لَيْلَةً خَيْرٌ مِنْ جِهَادِكَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ سَنَةً.

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘I am a young and active man and love Jihad (joining the army), but my mother does not like it.’ The Holy Prophet said, ‘Go back and stay with your mother. I swear by the One Who has sent me with the truth as a prophet that her feeling comfort because of your presenc

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَكُونُ بَارّاً بِوَالِدَيْهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا ثُمَّ يَمُوتَانِ فَلَا يَقْضِي عَنْهُمَا دُيُونَهُمَا وَ لَا يَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَاقّاً وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَكُونُ عَاقّاً لَهُمَا فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا غَيْرَ بَارٍّ بِهِمَا فَإِذَا مَاتَا قَضَى دَيْنَهُمَا وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَارّاً.

“A servant (of Allah) may have been kind to his parents during their lifetime but when they die he does not pay their debts, and does not ask forgiveness for them. Allah writes him as unkind (person) to parents. One may have been unkind to parents during their lifetime but after their death, when he pays off their debt

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ بَنُو أَبٍ وَ أُمٍ‌[2] وَ إِذَا ضَرَبَ عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْهُمْ عِرْقٌ سَهِرَ لَهُ الْآخَرُونَ.

‘The believers are but brothers, sons of one father and mother (in the original creation). If one of them may have an distressed vein, others will remain awake all night because of his pain.’”

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

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لِي تُحِبُّهُ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لِي وَ لِمَ لَا تُحِبُّهُ وَ هُوَ أَخُوكَ وَ شَرِيكُكَ فِي دِينِكَ وَ عَوْنُكَ عَلَى عَدُوِّكَ وَ رِزْقُهُ عَلَى غَيْرِكَ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) when a man came in and the Imam asked me, ‘Do you love him?’ I said, ‘Yes, I love him.’ The Imam asked me, ‘How would you not love him when he is

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ لِأَبِيهِ وَ أُمِّهِ لِأَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ‌ طِينَةِ الْجِنَانِ وَ أَجْرَى فِي صُوَرِهِمْ مِنْ رِيحِ الْجَنَّةِ فَلِذَلِكَ هُمْ إِخْوَةٌ لِأَبٍ وَ أُمٍّ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ‘The believer is the brother (in belief) of the believer from his father and mother; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created believers from the clay of paradise and has made the fragrance of paradise flow in their forms; thus, they are brothers from father and mother.’”

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

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

قَضَاءُ حَاجَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ عِتْقِ أَلْفِ رَقَبَةٍ وَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ حُمْلَانِ‌[4] أَلْفِ فَرَسٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ مِثْلَ الْحَدِيثَيْنِ.

“Helping to meet the needs of a believer is better than setting free one thousand slaves and better than donating one thousand horses loaded (with good) in the way of Allah.’’ Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn Ziyad a Hadith similar to the two above Ahadith.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ طَافَ بِالْبَيْتِ أُسْبُوعاً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ حَسَنَةٍ وَ مَحَا عَنْهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ سَيِّئَةٍ وَ رَفَعَ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ دَرَجَةٍ قَالَ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ وَ قَضَى لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ حَاجَةٍ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ قَضَاءُ حَاجَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ طَوَافٍ وَ طَوَافٍ حَتَّى عَدَّ عَشْراً.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from al- Hakam ibn Ayman from Aban ibn Taghlib who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘One who performs Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba for worship) Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will write for him six

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع- أَنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِي مَنْ يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَأُحَكِّمُهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَقَالَ مُوسَى يَا رَبِّ وَ مَا تِلْكَ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالَ يَمْشِي مَعَ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي قَضَاءِ حَاجَتِهِ قُضِيَتْ أَوْ لَمْ تُقْضَ‌[1].

12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu Ali Sahib al-Sha’ir from Muhammad ibn Qays from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to Moses that said, ‘Of My servant there are those who perform a good deed seeking thereb

كُنْتُ جَالِساً مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ يُقَالُ لَهُ مَيْمُونٌ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ تَعَذُّرَ الْكِرَاءِ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لِي قُمْ فَأَعِنْ أَخَاكَ فَقُمْتُ مَعَهُ فَيَسَّرَ اللَّهُ كِرَاهُ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى مَجْلِسِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا صَنَعْتَ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيكَ فَقُلْتُ قَضَاهَا اللَّهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّكَ أَنْ تُعِينَ‌[

“Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man from the people of Makkah called Maymun came in and complained to him about his difficulty paying his rent. The Imam said to me, ‘Stand up and help your brother (in belief).’ I then left with him and Allah facilitated payment for his rent and I returned to

ذُكِرَ أَصْحَابُنَا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ مَا أَتَغَدَّى وَ لَا أَتَعَشَّى‌[4] إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الِاثْنَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ أَقَلُّ وَ أَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَضْلُهُمْ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ وَ أَنَا أُطْعِمُهُمْ طَعَامِي وَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ مَالِي وَ أُخْدِمُهُمْ عِيَالِي فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ إِذَا دَخَلُوا عَلَي

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Muhammad al-Wabishi who has said the following: “Our people were mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. I said, ‘I do not eat lunch or dinner without two, three or more or less of them with me.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ هَذَا لِلَّهِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوهُ لِلنَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَصْعَدُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ لَا تُخَاصِمُوا بِدِينِكُمُ النَّاسَ فَإِنَّ الْمُخَاصَمَةَ مَمْرَضَةٌ لِلْقَلْبِ‌[3] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص- إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشاءُ[4] وَ قَالَ‌ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Keep your cause (belief), for the sake of Allah and do not make it for people; what is for Allah is for Allah and what is for people cannot ascend to heaven. Do not argue with people about your religion; argumentation causes sickness to the heart. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Hol