Poverty & Hardship

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كَادَ الْفَقْرُ أَنْ يَكُونَ كُفْراً وَ كَادَ الْحَسَدُ أَنْ يَغْلِبَ الْقَدَرَ[1].

‘The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, ‘Poverty can almost be disbelief, and envy may almost overcome (disable) qadr/destiny.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ لا يُكَلِّمُهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ لا يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمْ‌ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ وَ لا يُزَكِّيهِمْ‌ وَ لَهُمْ عَذابٌ أَلِيمٌ‌ شَيْخٌ زَانٍ وَ مَلِكٌ جَبَّارٌ وَ مُقِلٌّ مُخْتَالٌ‌[3].

“The messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three kinds of people to whom, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will not speak or look to and will not purify them. They will suffer a painful punishment: an old man who fornicates, a tyrant king and an arrogant poor person.”

مَنْ أَصْبَحَ وَ أَمْسَى وَ الدُّنْيَا أَكْبَرُ هَمِّهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى الْفَقْرَ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَ شَتَّتَ أَمْرَهُ وَ لَمْ يَنَلْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَا قَسَمَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ وَ أَمْسَى وَ الْآخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ هَمِّهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ الْغِنَى فِي قَلْبِهِ وَ جَمَعَ لَهُ أَمْرَهُ.

“Whoever passes the nights and days with the world as his biggest concern, Allah places poverty between his eyes, makes his affairs chaotic and he will receive of the world only what Allah has made his allocated share of the world. Whoever passes nights and the days with the next life as his biggest concern, Allah plac

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا أَبَا النُّعْمَانِ لَا تَكْذِبْ عَلَيْنَا كَذِبَةً فَتُسْلَبَ الْحَنِيفِيَّةَ وَ لَا تَطْلُبَنَّ أَنْ تَكُونَ رَأْساً فَتَكُونَ ذَنَباً وَ لَا تَسْتَأْكِلِ النَّاسَ بِنَا فَتَفْتَقِرَ فَإِنَّكَ مَوْقُوفٌ لَا مَحَالَةَ وَ مَسْئُولٌ فَإِنْ صَدَقْتَ صَدَّقْنَاكَ وَ إِنْ كَذَبْتَ كَذَّبْنَاكَ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘O abu al-Nu’man, do not forge lies against us; it removes (your) true belief. Do not seek to be the head to become a sin and do not use people as means of your earning through us; it will make you poor. You will be held accountable and will be stopped for interrogations. If you spea

مَنْ حَقَّرَ مُؤْمِناً مِسْكِيناً أَوْ غَيْرَ مِسْكِينٍ لَمْ يَزَلِ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَاقِراً لَهُ مَاقِتاً حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ عَنْ مَحْقَرَتِهِ إِيَّاهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever looks down upon a believer, destitute or not, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, continues looking down upon him and hate him until he changes his attitude as such toward a believer.’”

لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ يَا رَبِّ مَا حَالُ الْمُؤْمِنِ عِنْدَكَ- قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ مَنْ أَهَانَ لِي وَلِيّاً فَقَدْ بَارَزَنِي بِالْمُحَارَبَةِ وَ أَنَا أَسْرَعُ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَى نُصْرَةِ أَوْلِيَائِي وَ مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ كَتَرَدُّدِي عَنْ وَفَاةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ وَ أَكْرَهُ مَسَاءَتَهُ وَ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَنْ لَا يُصْلِحُهُ إِلَّا الْغِنَى وَ

When the Prophet (sw) was taken on the night journey (al-Isra), he said, "O my Lord, what is the condition of the believer with You?" Allah said, "O Muhammad, whoever dishonors My friend has declared war against Me, and I am the quickest of all things to support My friends. I have never hesitated about anything I am go

مَنِ اسْتَذَلَّ مُؤْمِناً وَ اسْتَحْقَرَهُ لِقِلَّةِ ذَاتِ يَدِهِ وَ لِفَقْرِهِ شَهَرَهُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْخَلَائِقِ‌[2].

“Whoever looks down upon a believer or belittles him because of his small resources or poverty, on the Day of Judgment Allah will make (his disgrace) public to all creatures.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ كَانَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ مُؤْمِنٍ حِجَابٌ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ سُورٍ مَا بَيْنَ السُّورِ إِلَى السُّورِ مَسِيرَةُ أَلْفِ عَامٍ.

“Once I was in the presence of al-Rida (a.s.) and he stated to me as follows: ‘O Muhammad, in the time of the children of Israel there were four believing people. One of them once went to the house where the other three had gathered together for a meeting on a certain issue among them. He knocked the door and a slave c

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ مَنَعَ مُؤْمِناً شَيْئاً مِمَّا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ أَوْ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِهِ أَقَامَهُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مُسْوَدّاً وَجْهُهُ مُزْرَقَّةً عَيْنَاهُ‌[2] مَغْلُولَةً يَدَاهُ إِلَى عُنُقِهِ فَيُقَالُ هَذَا الْخَائِنُ الَّذِي خَانَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ ثُمَّ يُؤْمَرُ بِهِ إِلَى النَّارِ.

“If a believer refuses to give a needy believer something that he from his own or from another person can provide, due to such refusal on the Day of Judgment, Allah will raise him (refusing to help) with his face blackened, his eyes turned blue, his hands chained to his neck and it will be said, ‘Violator of trust who

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ قَبِلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَصَلَهُ بِوَلَايَتِنَا وَ هُوَ مَوْصُولٌ بِوَلَايَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً مِنْ نَارٍ يَنْهَشُهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغ

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever has a brother (in belief) who comes to him for help it is a favor to him from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, Who has sent to him. If he accepted it (the favor) he has connected his guardianship with ours, which is connected with the guardianship of Allah, the Mos

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

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ‌[1] أَنْ يُكْرِمَ عَبْداً وَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ ابْتَلَاهُ بِالسُّقْمِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ ابْتَلَاهُ بِالْحَاجَةِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ بِهِ ذَلِكَ شَدَّدَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ لِيُكَافِيَهُ بِذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ قَالَ وَ إِذَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ يُهِينَ عَبْداً وَ لَهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةٌ صَحَّحَ بَدَنَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ بِهِ ذَلِكَ وَسَّعَ عَلَيْهِ فِ

“Of the decision of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in the affairs of a servant whom He honors and who has a sin, is that Allah causes him to suffer certain illnesses. If He does not do this He causes him to become needy, if He does not do this He causes death to become very difficult for him to compensate fro

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] لَيْسَ مِنِ الْتِوَاءِ عِرْقٍ وَ لَا نَكْبَةِ حَجَرٍ[4] وَ لَا عَثْرَةِ قَدَمٍ وَ لَا خَدْشِ عُودٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ لَمَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ[5] فَمَنْ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ عُقُوبَةَ ذَنْبِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ وَ أ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever hardship befalls you is the result of your own deeds. Allah pardons many of your sins,’ (42:30) has said, ‘The spraining of one’s muscles, bumping over a stone, the slip of foot or being bruised by a piece

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا فَشَا أَرْبَعَةٌ ظَهَرَتْ أَرْبَعَةٌ إِذَا فَشَا الزِّنَا ظَهَرَتِ الزَّلْزَلَةُ وَ إِذَا فَشَا الْجَوْرُ فِي الْحُكْمِ احْتَبَسَ الْقَطْرُ وَ إِذَا خُفِرَتِ الذِّمَّةُ أُدِيلَ لِأَهْلِ الشِّرْكِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْإِسْلَامِ‌[1] وَ إِذَا مُنِعَتِ الزَّكَاةُ ظَهَرَتِ الْحَاجَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When four things spread four other things appear: When fornication spreads all over, earthquakes turn out to be apparent. When injustice in governing is widespread, drops (of rain are) held back, when the rights of al-Dhimmah taxpayers are ignored, the pagans dominate the followers of

مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ فَقَدِ افْتَقَرَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One who does not ask help from Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, becomes needy and poor.’”

جَاءَ الْفُقَرَاءُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْأَغْنِيَاءَ لَهُمْ مَا يُعْتِقُونَ وَ لَيْسَ لَنَا وَ لَهُمْ مَا يَحُجُّونَ وَ لَيْسَ لَنَا وَ لَهُمْ مَا يَتَصَدَّقُونَ وَ لَيْسَ لَنَا وَ لَهُمْ مَا يُجَاهِدُونَ وَ لَيْسَ لَنَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ كَبَّرَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ كَانَ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ عِتْقِ مِائَةِ رَقَبَةٍ وَ مَنْ سَبَّحَ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرّ

“Once the poor people came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy people have the means to set free slaves, we do not have it, they can go for Hajj, but we cannot, they can provide charity, but we cannot and they can join the defense army for Jihad, but we cannot do so.’ The Messenger of

مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِرَجُلٍ يَغْرِسُ غَرْساً فِي حَائِطٍ لَهُ فَوَقَفَ لَهُ‌[1] وَ قَالَ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكَ عَلَى غَرْسٍ أَثْبَتَ أَصْلًا وَ أَسْرَعَ إِينَاعاً[2] وَ أَطْيَبَ ثَمَراً وَ أَبْقَى قَالَ بَلَى فَدُلَّنِي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ وَ أَمْسَيْتَ فَقُلْ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ فَإِنَّ لَكَ إِنْ قُلْتَهُ بِكُلِّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ

“The Messenger of Allah once was passing by a man who was planting a plant in his yard. The Holy Prophet stopped and asked, ‘Should I tell you about a plantation that has stronger roots, ripens faster and is of finer fruits?’ The man said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah, tell me about it.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘In

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَصْبَحْنَا وَ الْمُلْكُ لَهُ وَ أَصْبَحْتُ عَبْدَكَ وَ ابْنَ عَبْدِكَ وَ ابْنَ أَمَتِكَ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ رِزْقاً مِنْ حَيْثُ أَحْتَسِبُ وَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا أَحْتَسِبُ وَ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ حَيْثُ أَحْتَفِظُ وَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا أَحْتَفِظُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ وَ لَا تَجْعَلْ لِي حَاجَةً إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَلْبِسْنِي الْعَافِيَةَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah Who has given us this morning and the kingdom belongs to Him. You have brought to this morning Your servant son of Your servant and son of Your female servant under Your control. O Lord, grant me sustenance through Your generosity, a sustenance from the sou

أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي وَ هَذَا النَّهَارَ خَلْقَانِ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَبْتَلِنِي بِهِ وَ لَا تَبْتَلِهِ بِي اللَّهُمَّ وَ لَا تُرِهِ مِنِّي جُرْأَةً عَلَى مَعَاصِيكَ وَ لَا رُكُوباً لِمَحَارِمِكَ اللَّهُمَّ اصْرِفْ عَنِّيَ الْأَزْلَ وَ اللَّأْوَاءَ وَ الْبَلْوَى وَ سُوءَ الْقَضَاءِ وَ شَمَاتَةَ الْأَعْدَاءِ وَ مَنْظَرَ السَّوْءِ فِي نَفْسِي وَ مَالِي‌[1] قَالَ وَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يَقُولُ

12. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali in a marfu’ manner from Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) who has said the following: “O Lord, I and this day are two creatures of Your creatures. O Lord, do not make me suffer from it and do not make it suffer from me. O Lord, do

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَ إِلَيْكَ فَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي حِفْظِ الْإِيمَانِ‌[2] مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِي وَ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَ عَنْ شِمَالِي وَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وَ مِنْ تَحْتِي وَ مِنْ قِبَلِي

“My father (a.s.) in the morning would say, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah, with Allah, and to Allah, for the cause of Allah and on the religion of the Messenger of Allah, O Lord, to You I have submitted my soul, to You I have left my affairs, before You I have placed my trust, O Lord of the worlds. O Lord, protect me

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنَ الزَّوَالِ‌[1]- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيْكَ بِجُودِكَ وَ كَرَمِكَ وَ أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيْكَ- بِمُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ وَ أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيْكَ بِمَلَائِكَتِكَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ وَ أَنْبِيَائِكَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ بِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْغَنِيُّ عَنِّي وَ بِيَ الْفَاقَةُ إِلَيْكَ أَنْتَ الْغَنِيُّ وَ أَنَا الْفَقِيرُ إِلَيْكَ أَقَلْتَنِي عَثْرَتِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) after completing the prayer at noon time would say, ‘O Lord, I seek nearness to You through Your generosity and magnanimity, I seek nearness to You through Muhammad, Your servant, and Your messenger, I seek nearness to You through Your favorite angels. Your messenger prophets

يَقُولُ‌ بَعْدَ الْعِشَاءَيْنِ- اللَّهُمَّ بِيَدِكَ مَقَادِيرُ اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ وَ مَقَادِيرُ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ مَقَادِيرُ الْمَوْتِ وَ الْحَيَاةِ وَ مَقَادِيرُ الشَّمْسِ وَ الْقَمَرِ وَ مَقَادِيرُ النَّصْرِ وَ الْخِذْلَانِ وَ مَقَادِيرُ الْغِنَى وَ الْفَقْرِ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِي دِينِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ فِي جَسَدِي وَ أَهْلِي وَ وُلْدِي اللَّهُمَّ ادْرَأْ عَنِّي شَرَّ فَسَقَةِ الْعَرَبِ وَ الْعَ

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu’ manner has said the following: “The Imam (a.s.) after ‘Isha ’ prayer would say, ‘O Lord, in Your hand are the measures of the night and day, the measures of this and the next world, the measures of death and life, the

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ابْنُ الرِّضَا ع بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ وَ عَلَّمَنِيهِ‌[3] وَ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ لَمْ يَلْتَمِسْ حَاجَةً إِلَّا تَيَسَّرَتْ لَهُ وَ كَفَاهُ اللَّهُ مَا أَهَمَّهُ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ‌ وَ أُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبادِ فَوَقاهُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئاتِ ما مَكَرُوا لا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from certain individuals of his people from Muhammad ibn al-Faraj who has said the following: “Once abu Ja’far ibn al-Rida (a.s.) wrote to me and instructed me with this supplication saying, ‘Whoever recites it after the morning prayer, his wish will come true

أَبْطَأَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ص عَنْهُ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَا أَبْطَأَ بِكَ عَنَّا فَقَالَ السُّقْمُ وَ الْفَقْرُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ فَلَا أُعَلِّمُكَ دُعَاءً يَذْهَبُ اللَّهُ عَنْكَ بِالسُّقْمِ وَ الْفَقْرِ قَالَ بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ قُلْ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ تَوَكَّلْتُ‌ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لا يَمُوتُ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّه

“Once one of the companions of the Holy Prophet delayed and when he came, the Messenger of Allah asked, ‘What caused you to delay?’ He replied, ‘Illness and poverty.’ He then said, ‘Should I teach you a supplication with which Allah will remove illness and poverty from you?’ He said, ‘Yes, O the Messenger of Allah, ple

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْحَاجَةَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يُعَلِّمَنِي دُعَاءً فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ فَعَلَّمَنِي دُعَاءً مَا احْتَجْتُ مُنْذُ دَعَوْتُ بِهِ قَالَ قُلْ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَاةِ اللَّيْلِ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ يَا خَيْرَ مَدْعُوٍّ وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَسْئُولٍ- وَ يَا أَوْسَعَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مُرْتَجًى ارْزُقْنِي وَ أَوْسِعْ عَلَيَّ مِنْ رِزْقِكَ وَ سَبِّبْ لِي رِزْقاً مِنْ قِبَلِكَ‌ إِنَّكَ عَلى‌

“Once I complained to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) for (lack of) help and asked him to instruct me with a supplication to plead for sustenance and he instructed me with a supplication and thereafter I did not grow to be needy again. The Imam told me to, after the night prayer while in prostration say, ‘O the best to call for h

عَلَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص هَذَا الدُّعَاءَ يَا رَازِقَ الْمُقِلِّينَ‌[1] يَا رَاحِمَ الْمَسَاكِينِ يَا وَلِيَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَا ذَا الْقُوَّةِ الْمَتِينَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ ارْزُقْنِي وَ عَافِنِي وَ اكْفِنِي مَا أَهَمَّنِي.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Aban from abu Sa’Id al-Makari and others from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah had taught this supplication: ‘O Provider to the needy, O Sympathizer with the destitute, O Guardian of the believin

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدْ لَقِيتُ شِدَّةً مِنْ وَسْوَسَةِ الصَّدْرِ وَ أَنَا رَجُلٌ مَدِينٌ مُعِيلٌ مُحْوِجٌ‌[1] فَقَالَ لَهُ كَرِّرْ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَاتِ- تَوَكَّلْتُ‌ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لا يَمُوتُ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَ لَا وَلَداً وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ وَلِيٌّ مِنَ الذُّلِّ وَ كَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيراً ف

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I face a strong insinuation in my chest (mind) and I am a man with a family, indebted and needy.’ The Messenger of Allah told him to repeat these words: ‘I place my trust in the Living One, Who does not die, all praise belongs to Allah, Who has not t

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَصَابَهُ هَمٌّ أَوْ غَمٌّ أَوْ كَرْبٌ أَوْ بَلَاءٌ أَوْ لَاوَاءٌ-[1] فَلْيَقُلِ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَ لَا أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئاً تَوَكَّلْتُ‌ عَلَى الْحَيِّ الَّذِي لا يَمُوتُ‌.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever suffers from sorrow, pain, misfortune or poverty should say, “Allah is My Lord and I do not associate any partner with Him, I place my trust in the Living One who does not die.’”

إِذَا نَزَلَتْ بِرَجُلٍ نَازِلَةٌ أَوْ شَدِيدَةٌ أَوْ كَرَبَهُ أَمْرٌ فَلْيَكْشِفْ عَنْ رُكْبَتَيْهِ وَ ذِرَاعَيْهِ وَ لْيُلْصِقْهُمَا بِالْأَرْضِ وَ لْيُلْزِقْ جُؤْجُؤَهُ بِالْأَرْضِ‌[2] ثُمَّ لْيَدْعُ بِحَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ.

“If one suffers from a misfortune, a hardship, or something causes him pain he should uncover his knees, and elbows and touch the ground with his chest then plead before Allah for help, in a prostrating position.’”

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لِابْنِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ مَنْ أَصَابَهُ مِنْكُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ أَوْ نَزَلَتْ بِهِ نَازِلَةٌ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ وَ لْيُسْبِغِ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ أَوْ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ فِي آخِرِهِنَّ- يَا مَوْضِعَ كُلِّ شَكْوَى وَ يَا سَامِعَ كُلِّ نَجْوَى وَ شَاهِدَ كُلِ‌ مَلَإٍ وَ عَالِمَ كُلِّ خَفِيَّةٍ وَ يَا دَافِعَ مَا يَشَاءُ مِنْ بَلِيَّةٍ وَ يَا خَلِيلَ إِب

“I heard Ali ibn al-Husayn saying to his son, ‘My son, if anyone of you faces a misfortune, or an incident, he should complete a Wudu and perform two or four Rak’at (a prayer consisting of four times bowing down on one’s knees) prayer and then say at the end, “O the One who is the right one to complain to, O the One wh

مَرِضْتُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ مَرَضاً شَدِيداً فَبَلَغَ ذَلِكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ قَدْ بَلَغَنِي عِلَّتُكَ فَاشْتَرِ صَاعاً مِنْ بُرٍّ ثُمَّ اسْتَلْقِ عَلَى قَفَاكَ‌[2] وَ انْثُرْهُ عَلَى صَدْرِكَ كَيْفَمَا انْتَثَرَ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي إِذَا سَأَلَكَ بِهِ الْمُضْطَرُّ- كَشَفْتَ مَا بِهِ مِنْ ضُرٍّ وَ مَكَّنْتَ لَهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ خَلِيفَتَكَ عَلَى خَلْقِ

“I fell severely ill in Madiana and Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) had found out about it. He wrote to me, ‘Your ailment has come to our notice and you should buy one Sa’a (about 3 kg) of wheat, lie down on your back, pour it on your chest, as is done and say, “O Lord, I plead before You through Your name with which when a helpl

عَلَّمَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع دُعَاءً وَ أَمَرَنَا أَنْ نَدْعُوَ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي تَعَمَّدْتُ إِلَيْكَ بِحَاجَتِي وَ أَنْزَلْتُ بِكَ الْيَوْمَ فَقْرِي وَ مَسْكَنَتِي فَأَنَا الْيَوْمَ لِمَغْفِرَتِكَ أَرْجَى مِنِّي لِعَمَلِي وَ لَمَغْفِرَتُكَ وَ رَحْمَتُكَ أَوْسَعُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي فَتَوَلَّ قَضَاءَ كُلِّ حَاجَةٍ هِيَ لِي بِقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَيْهَا وَ تَيْسِيرِ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْكَ وَ لِفَقْرِي إِلَي

12. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Ayyub from Ibrahim al-Karkhi who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) had instructed us with this supplication to read on Fridays: ‘O Lord, I have relied on Your help in my needs and I have arrived be

يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَانَ لِي مَالٌ وَرِثْتُهُ وَ لَمْ أُنْفِقْ مِنْهُ دِرْهَماً فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ اكْتَسَبْتُ مِنْهُ مَالًا فَلَمْ أُنْفِقْ مِنْهُ دِرْهَماً فِي طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ فَعَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً يُخْلِفُ عَلَيَّ مَا مَضَى وَ يَغْفِرُ لِي مَا عَمِلْتُ أَوْ عَمَلًا أَعْمَلُهُ قَالَ قُلْ قَالَ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَقُولُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ قُلْ كَمَا أَقُولُ- يَا نُورِي فِي ك

35. Ali ibn abu Hamza has narrated from certain individuals of his people from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, I inherited a property but did not give even one dirham in obedience to Allah, the Most Majestic

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَصْحَابَهُ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ هُدَى النَّهَارِ وَ نُورُ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنْ جَهْدٍ وَ فَاقَةٍ[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is in the will of Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) to his companions, “You must know that the Holy Quran is guidance during the day and light in the dark night against the existing hardships and poverty.”’

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فَهُوَ غَنِيٌّ وَ لَا فَقْرَ بَعْدَهُ وَ إِلَّا مَا بِهِ غِنًى‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘If anyone reads the Holy Quran, he is wealthy and there is no poverty thereafter, otherwise, he will never be wealthy.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْحَى إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ ع إِذَا وَقَفْتَ بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ فَقِفْ مَوْقِفَ الذَّلِيلِ الْفَقِيرِ وَ إِذَا قَرَأْتَ التَّوْرَاةَ فَأَسْمِعْنِيهَا بِصَوْتٍ حَزِينٍ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Ma’bad from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelation to Moses son of ‘Imran, peace be upon him, ‘Whenever you stand before me, do so like

كَانَ يُوَسِّعُ الْمَجْلِسَ وَ يَسْتَقْرِضُ لِلْمُحْتَاجِ وَ يُعِينُ الضَّعِيفَ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We believe you to be a righteous person,’ (12:36) the Imam said, ‘He would make room for others in a gathering, lend money to the needy and assist the weak.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْمَخْرَجَ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخَبِيثِ الْمُخْبِثِ الرِّجْسِ النِّجْسِ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ فَإِذَا خَرَجْتَ فَقُلْ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي عَافَانِي مِنَ الْخَبِيثِ الْمُخْبِثِ وَ أَمَاطَ عَنِّي الْأَذَى‌[3] وَ إِذَا تَوَضَّأْتَ فَقُلْ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي

‘When going to a restroom say, “In the name of Allah, O Lord, I seek protection with You against filth and the filthy, unclean Satan, condemned to be stoned.” When coming out of a restroom say, “In the name of Allah, all praise belongs to Allah who has saved me from filth and filthy materials and has removed from me ha

كَانَ الْبَرَاءُ بْنُ مَعْرُورٍ التَّمِيمِيُّ الْأَنْصَارِيُ‌[4]- بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِمَكَّةَ وَ إِنَّهُ حَضَرَهُ الْمَوْتُ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ‌ ص وَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ يُصَلُّونَ إِلَى بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ فَأَوْصَى الْبَرَاءُ إِذَا دُفِنَ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ[1] فَجَرَتْ بِهِ السُّنَّةُ وَ أَنَّهُ أَوْصَى بِثُلُثِ مَالِهِ فَنَزَلَ بِهِ الْكِتَابُ وَ

“Al-Bara’ ibn Ma‘rur al-Tamimiy al-Ansariy was in al-Madinah and the Messenger of Allah was in Makkah. He died when the Messenger of Allah and Muslims would face Jerusalem during prayer. He said in his will that when he died, the Messenger of Allah should place him facing Qiblah in the grave. This became a Sunnah (trad

إِنَّ فِتْيَةً مِنْ أَوْلَادِ مُلُوكِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانُوا مُتَعَبِّدِينَ وَ كَانَتِ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي أَوْلَادِ مُلُوكِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ إِنَّهُمْ خَرَجُوا يَسِيرُونَ فِي الْبِلَادِ لِيَعْتَبِرُوا فَمَرُّوا بِقَبْرٍ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ قَدْ سَفَى عَلَيْهِ السَّافِي‌[1] لَيْسَ يُبَيَّنُ مِنْهُ إِلَّا رَسْمُهُ فَقَالُوا لَوْ دَعَوْنَا اللَّهَ السَّاعَةَ فَيَنْشُرَ لَنَا صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْقَبْرِ فَسَاءَلْن

‘Certain youth from the children of Israelite kings were devoted worshippers. Worshipping was a practice among the children of the Israelite kings. These youth decided to travel around in the land. They passed by a gravesite above the road. Winds had almost wiped out its marks. They said to each other, “We should pray

إِذَا سَجَدْتَ فَكَبِّرْ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ وَ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ أَنْتَ رَبِّي سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ وَ شَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَ بَصَرَهُ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* تَبَارَكَ‌ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخالِقِينَ‌ ثُمَّ قُلْ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى وَ بِحَمْدِهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَإِذَا رَفَعْتَ رَأْسَكَ فَقُلْ بَيْنَ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ- اللَّهُمَّ اغْ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you bow down for sajdah say, ‘Allah is great. then say, ‘ 0 Lord, I have bowed down to prostrate before You, I believe in You, submitted myself to You, have appealed to You to be my attorney and You are my Lord. My face has prostrated before the One who has created it, who has

إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَرَأَيْتَ غُلَاماً لَكَ- قَدْ أَبَقَ أَوْ غَرِيماً لَكَ عَلَيْهِ مَالٌ أَوْ حَيَّةً تَخَافُهَا عَلَى نَفْسِكَ فَاقْطَعِ الصَّلَاةَ وَ اتْبَعِ الْغُلَامَ أَوْ غَرِيماً لَكَ وَ اقْتُلِ الْحَيَّةَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When you are in obligatory Salah (prayer) and see your slave escaping or your debtor who owes you a certain amount of property, or a snake because of which you are afraid for your life, you can discontinue your Salah (prayer) follow the slave or debtor or kill the snake.’”

أَخْذُ الشَّارِبِ وَ الْأَظْفَارِ وَ غَسْلُ الرَّأْسِ بِالْخِطْمِيِّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ يَنْفِي الْفَقْرَ وَ يَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Trimming one’s mustache, fingernails and applying al- Khatmi (officinal or marshmallow) to one’s head on Friday removes one’s poverty and increases one’s sustenance.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ صَلَاةِ النَّوَافِلِ مَا لَا يَدْرِي مَا هُوَ مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ فَلْيُصَلِّ حَتَّى لَا يَدْرِيَ كَمْ صَلَّى مِنْ كَثْرَتِهِ فَيَكُونَ قَدْ قَضَى بِقَدْرِ عِلْمِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْقَضَاءِ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ شُغُلِهِ فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ شُغُلُهُ فِي طَلَبِ مَعِيشَةٍ لَا بُدَّ مِنْهَا أَوْ حَاجَةٍ لِأَخٍ مُؤْمِنٍ فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ عَلَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man on whom there is Qada’ (compensatory prayer for) optional Salah (prayer), so much that he does not know how many because of its great number. What is he required to do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs so many that cannot say how many is performed. In this way he has pe

إِذَا كَانَ النِّصْفُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَصَلِّ أَرْبَعَ رَكَعَاتٍ تَقْرَأُ فِي كُلِّ رَكْعَةٍ الْحَمْدَ وَ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي إِلَيْكَ فَقِيرٌ وَ إِنِّي عَائِذٌ بِكَ وَ مِنْكَ خَائِفٌ وَ بِكَ مُسْتَجِيرٌ رَبِّ لَا تُبَدِّلِ اسْمِي رَبِّ لَا تُغَيِّرْ جِسْمِي رَبِّ لَا تُجْهِدْ بَلَائِي أَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ وَ أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَ

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that on the night of the middle of the month of Sha’ban perform four Rak‘at Salah (prayer). In every Rak‘at read al-Fatihah and Chapter 112 one hundred times. After completing say, ‘O Lord, I am needy to You. I seek protection with You and I am afraid of Your (anger). I plead before You

شَكَا رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْفَاقَةَ وَ الْحُرْفَةَ[1] فِي التِّجَارَةِ بَعْدَ يَسَارٍ قَدْ كَانَ فِيهِ مَا يَتَوَجَّهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ إِلَّا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَعِيشَةُ فَأَمَرَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنْ يَأْتِيَ مَقَامَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بَيْنَ الْقَبْرِ وَ الْمِنْبَرِ فَيُصَلِّيَ رَكْعَتَيْنِ وَ يَقُولَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِقُوَّتِكَ وَ قُدْرَتِكَ وَ بِعِزَّتِكَ وَ مَا

“A man complained before abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), against his poverty and deprivation in business after being affluent and that in whatever way he moves to make a living, he faces difficulties. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), commanded him to go to the special place of the Messenger of Allah which is between his grave and pulpit.

حَضَرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخِي بِهِ بَلِيَّةٌ أَسْتَحْيِي أَنْ أَذْكُرَهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ اسْتُرْ ذَلِكَ وَ قُلْ لَهُ يَصُومُ يَوْمَ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ وَ الْخَمِيسِ وَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ يَخْرُجُ إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَ يَلْبَسُ ثَوْبَيْنِ إِمَّا جَدِيدَيْنِ وَ إِمَّا غَسِيلَيْنِ حَيْثُ لَا يَرَاهُ أَحَدٌ فَيُصَلِّي وَ يَكْشِفُ عَنْ رُكْبَتَيْهِ وَ يَتَمَطَّى بِرَاحَتَي

“I visited abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), and a man also came to him saying, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, my brother suffers from something that I feel embarrassed to mention.’ The Imam said, ‘Do not mention it and tell him to fast on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. When the sun declines to the w

فِي الْأَمْرِ يَطْلُبُهُ الطَّالِبُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ قَالَ تَصَدَّقْ فِي يَوْمِكَ عَلَى سِتِّينَ مِسْكِيناً عَلَى كُلِّ مِسْكِينٍ صَاعٌ بِصَاعِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَإِذَا كَانَ اللَّيْلُ اغْتَسَلْتَ فِي الثُّلُثِ الْبَاقِي وَ لَبِسْتَ أَدْنَى مَا يَلْبَسُ مَنْ تَعُولُ مِنَ الثِّيَابِ إِلَّا أَنَّ عَلَيْكَ فِي تِلْكَ الثِّيَابِ إِزَاراً ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَإِذَا وَضَعْتَ جَبْهَتَكَ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأَخِيرِ لِلسُّجُو

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that one who wishes that his Lord make his wish come true should feed sixty destitute people as an act of charity, one sa‘ (three kilograms), by the sa‘ of the Holy Prophet, of food per person. At night during the last third of the night, take a shower and dress in minimum form, except

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص وَ هُوَ فِي مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي أَرَدْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ الْأَقْصَى فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْكَ وَ أُوَدِّعَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ وَ أَيَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَرَدْتَ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ الْفَضْلَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ فَبِعْ رَاحِلَتَكَ وَ كُلْ زَادَكَ

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Yusuf ibn Ya’qub ibn ‘Abd Allah from the sons of abu Fatimah from Isma’il ibn Zayd, Mawla ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Kahiliy who has said the following: “Once, a man came to ’Amir al-Mu’minin, when he was in the Masjid of Kufah. He said, ‘You are a ‘Alayhi al-