Work & Livelihood

مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ ابْنَ آدَمَ كُنْ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ الْيَسِيرَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ خَفَّتْ مَئُونَتُهُ وَ زَكَتْ مَكْسَبَتُهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ حَدِّ الْفُجُورِ.

“It is written in the Torah: ‘O sons of Adam, be as you like to be. You shall reap as you sow. Whoever becomes happy with Allah for a little amount of sustenance, Allah will accept his little good deeds. Whoever becomes happy with the little but lawful, his expenses become light, his earnings pure and he will be out of

مَنْ لَمْ يُقْنِعْهُ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ إِلَّا الْكَثِيرُ لَمْ يَكْفِهِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ إِلَّا الْكَثِيرُ وَ مَنْ كَفَاهُ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ الْقَلِيلُ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْفِيهِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ الْقَلِيلُ.

“Whoever is not satisfied with anything but a large quantity of sustenance, his deeds will not be enough unless they are a great deal. Whoever is comfortable with little amount of sustenance, even little good deeds will be sufficient for him.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَ فِي ظِلِّ عَرْشِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ مَا هُوَ سَائِلُهُمْ وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يُقَدِّمْ رِجْلًا وَ لَمْ يُؤَخِّرْ رِجْلًا حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لِلَّهِ رِضًا وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يَعِبْ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ بِعَيْبٍ حَتَّى يَنْفِيَ ذَلِكَ الْعَيْبَ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَإِنَّهُ ل

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three things, or even one of them, will have a place under the shadow of the Throne of Allah on the Day when nothing will have any shadows (protective shelter). A man who gives to others what he asks from them, one who does not prevent another man from a forward position o

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ‌[1] وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, opens the ability for generosity, helps one’s soul agree easily to be generous, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.”

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ‌[3] تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, strengthens the ability to be generous with the pleasure of one’s soul, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ النَّسَاءُ فِي الْأَجَلِ وَ الزِّيَادَةُ فِي الرِّزْقِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ.

“The messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who likes to delay the coming of his death and increase his means of living should maintain good relations with relatives.”

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.’”

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

يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ رُحَماءُ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى عَلَيْهِ مَعْشَرُ الْأَنْصَارِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“It is worthwhile for a Muslim to work assiduously to maintain good relations, to cooperate in kindness and assistance for the needy and to be compassionate to each other. Live out this so that you can be as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded you to be, ‘. . . compassionate to each other, . . .’ (48

قَالَ لِي أَ تَخْلُونَ وَ تَتَحَدَّثُونَ وَ تَقُولُونَ مَا شِئْتُمْ فَقُلْتُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَخْلُو وَ نَتَحَدَّثُ وَ نَقُولُ مَا شِئْنَا فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ تِلْكَ الْمَوَاطِنِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ رِيحَكُمْ وَ أَرْوَاحَكُمْ وَ إِنَّكُمْ عَلَى دِينِ اللَّهِ وَ دِينِ مَلَائِكَتِهِ فَأَعِينُوا بِوَرَعٍ وَ اجْتِهَادٍ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) asked me, ‘Do you hold private gatherings wherein you say whatever you want?’ I said, ‘Yes, I swear by Allah, we hold private gatherings and say whatever we like to say (in praise of Muhammad and his family).’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah, I wish I could be with you at such gatherings. I swe

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَفَسُ الْمَهْمُومِ لَنَا الْمُغْتَمِّ لِظُلْمِنَا تَسْبِيحٌ وَ هَمُّهُ لِأَمْرِنَا عِبَادَةٌ وَ كِتْمَانُهُ لِسِرِّنَا جِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ لِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ اكْتُبْ هَذَا بِالذَّهَبِ فَمَا كَتَبْتَ شَيْئاً أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A breath with a sigh of concern and sadness due to injustice done to us is Tasbih (speaking of the glory of Allah) and one’s concern about our cause is worship, his concealing our secret is Jihad (hard work for the cause of Allah).”’ “Muhammad ibn Sa’id told me to write it down wi

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِيَّاكَ وَ السَّفِلَةَ فَإِنَّمَا شِيعَةُ عَلِيٍّ مَنْ عَفَّ بَطْنُهُ وَ فَرْجُهُ وَ اشْتَدَّ جِهَادُهُ وَ عَمِلَ لِخَالِقِهِ وَ رَجَا ثَوَابَهُ وَ خَافَ عِقَابَهُ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ أُولَئِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ شِيعَةُ جَعْفَرٍ.

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from Mansur Bazarj from Mufaddal who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Beware of the thoughtless people. Shi’a (followers) of Ali (a.s.) are only those whose stomach and private parts are chaste, and a

الْمُؤْمِنُ مَنْ طَابَ مَكْسَبُهُ وَ حَسُنَتْ خَلِيقَتُهُ وَ صَحَّتْ سَرِيرَتُهُ وَ أَنْفَقَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَمْسَكَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ كَلَامِهِ وَ كَفَى النَّاسَ شَرَّهُ وَ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ.

“A believer is one whose earning is pleasantly clean, whose moral behavior is excellent and whose conscience is not ill. He gives to charity the extra from his property and holds back the extra of his words. People do not feel threatened by his evil and he yields to justice for people against his own soul.”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّ الْخِصَالِ بِالْمَرْءِ أَجْمَلُ فَقَالَ وَقَارٌ بِلَا مَهَابَةٍ وَ سَمَاحٌ بِلَا طَلَبِ مُكَافَأَةٍ وَ تَشَاغُلٌ بِغَيْرِ مَتَاعِ الدُّنْيَا.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which quality is more graceful for a man?’ The Imam said, ‘Of such qualities are: reverence that is not a cause for any fear, magnanimity without expecting any recompense, and business, but not in worldly matters.’”

قَامَ رَجُلٌ بِالْبَصْرَةِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنِ الْإِخْوَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِخْوَانُ صِنْفَانِ إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ وَ إِخْوَانُ الْمُكَاشَرَةِ[3] فَأَمَّا إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ فَهُمُ الْكَفُّ وَ الْجَنَاحُ وَ الْأَهْلُ وَ الْمَالُ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ عَلَى حَدِّ الثِّقَةِ فَابْذُلْ لَهُ مَالَكَ وَ بَدَنَكَ- وَ صَافِ مَنْ صَافَاهُ‌[1] وَ عَادِ مَنْ عَاد

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from abu Maryam al-Ansari from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man in Basra stood before Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, speak to us

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ لَا إِلْحَاحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ لَنَقَلَهُمْ مِنَ الْحَالِ الَّتِي هُمْ فِيهَا إِلَى حَالٍ أَضْيَقَ مِنْهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Had it not been due to the believers’ pleading before Allah to increase their sustenance, He would have moved them to a poorer condition.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ لَا إِلْحَاحُ هَذِهِ الشِّيعَةِ عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ لَنَقَلَهُمْ مِنَ الْحَالِ الَّتِي هُمْ فِيهَا إِلَى مَا هُوَ أَضْيَقُ مِنْهَا[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Had it not been for this Shi’a’s (followers) insistence on receiving more sustenance from Allah He would have moved them from their present condition to a more severe poverty.”

فَمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا أَخَذَ مِنْكَ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي أَنْ يُغْنِيَنِي عَنْ خَلْقِهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَسَّمَ رِزْقَ مَنْ شَاءَ عَلَى يَدَيْ مَنْ شَاءَ وَ لَكِنْ سَلِ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُغْنِيَكَ عَنِ الْحَاجَةِ الَّتِي تَضْطَرُّكَ إِلَى لِئَامِ خَلْقِهِ.

“Once someone came to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘May Allah keep you well, I am a man who devoutly loves you. I face a pressing need. I sought help from my family and tribe but it only has distanced me from them.’ The Imam said, ‘What Allah has given you is better than what He has taken from you.’ The man said, ‘Ma

إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيُدْرَأُ[3] عَنْهُ الرِّزْقُ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- إِذْ أَقْسَمُوا لَيَصْرِمُنَّها مُصْبِحِينَ وَ لا يَسْتَثْنُونَ‌ فَطافَ عَلَيْها طائِفٌ مِنْ رَبِّكَ‌ وَ هُمْ نائِمُونَ‌[4].

“A man commits a sin and it moves sustenance away from him and he (Imam) read this verse of the Holy Quran: ‘. . . when they swore to pluck all the fruits of the garden in the morning, (68:17) without adding, "if Allah wills" (18). A visitor (destruction) from your Lord circled (destroyed totally) around the garden dur

كَتَبَ مَعِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْكَبَائِرِ كَمْ هِيَ وَ مَا هِيَ فَكَتَبَ الْكَبَائِرُ مَنِ اجْتَنَبَ مَا وَعَدَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ النَّارَ كَفَّرَ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَاتِهِ إِذَا كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ السَّبْعُ الْمُوجِبَاتُ‌[3] قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الْحَرَامِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ- وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا- وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ[1] وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْ

2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Mahbub who has said the following: “Once certain individuals of our people and I wrote to abu al- Hassan (a.s.) asking what and how many were the major sins. He wrote back to us about major sins, ‘Whoever avoids the act for which Allah has decided to se

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ سَبْعٌ قَتْلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ مُتَعَمِّداً[3] وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ[4] وَ كُلُّ مَا أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ النَّارَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The major sins are seven in number: Murdering a believer intentionally, Accusing a married women of committing indecent act, Running away from the enemy in the battle field during an offensive. Alienating one’s self from religion after accepting it. Consuming the properties of the

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْكَبَائِرِ فَقَالَ هُنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع سَبْعٌ الْكُفْرُ بِاللَّهِ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَهَذَا أَكْبَرُ الْمَعَاصِي قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَأَكْلُ دِرْهَمٍ مِنْ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً أَكْبَرُ أَ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the major sins. The Imam said, ‘They according to the book of Ali (a.s.) are seven: Disbelief in Allah, Murdering a soul, Disregard of good relations with parents, Consuming unlawful interest from trade with evidence, Consuming the properties of orphans unjustly, Running away fr

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ الْقُنُوطُ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ الْيَأْسُ‌[2] مِنْ رَوْحِ اللَّهِ وَ الْأَمْنُ مِنْ مَكْرِ اللَّهِ وَ قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ‌ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ‌ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ الْم

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqa who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the major sins is to Despair from the mercy of Allah and Losing hope of receiving happiness from Allah, to feel secure of the punishment of Allah, murdering a soul that

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْكَبَائِرُ سَبْعَةٌ[2] مِنْهَا قَتْلُ النَّفْسِ مُتَعَمِّداً وَ الشِّرْكُ بِاللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ قَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَةِ وَ أَكْلُ الرِّبَا بَعْدَ الْبَيِّنَةِ وَ الْفِرَارُ مِنَ الزَّحْفِ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ بَعْدَ الْهِجْرَةِ وَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ أَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ ظُلْماً قَالَ وَ التَّعَرُّبُ وَ الشِّرْكُ وَاحِدٌ[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The major sins are seven: One of them is murdering a soul intentionally, considering things as a partner of Allah the Most Great, accusing a married women of committing an indecent act, consuming unlawful interest in trade with evidence, mnning away from the battlefield during an

قَالَ لِيَ الرِّضَا ع‌ وَيْحَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَرَفَةَ اعْمَلُوا لِغَيْرِ رِيَاءٍ وَ لَا سُمْعَةٍ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى مَا عَمِلَ‌[2] وَيْحَكَ مَا عَمِلَ أَحَدٌ عَمَلًا إِلَّا رَدَّاهُ اللَّهُ إِنْ خَيْراً فَخَيْرٌ وَ إِنْ شَرّاً فَشَرٌّ.

“Once al-Rida (a.s.) said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O ibn ‘Arafah, you must work without showing off and publicity; those who work for anyone other than Allah, He assigns him to whomever he has worked. Woe upon you, whatever one does, Allah returns it back, good (result) if it is good and evil (results) if it is bad.’”

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ص تَعْمَلُونَ لِلدُّنْيَا وَ أَنْتُمْ تُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا بِغَيْرِ عَمَلٍ وَ لَا تَعْمَلُونَ لِلْآخِرَةِ وَ أَنْتُمْ لَا تُرْزَقُونَ فِيهَا إِلَّا بِالْعَمَلِ وَيْلَكُمْ عُلَمَاءَ سَوْءٍ الْأَجْرَ تَأْخُذُونَ وَ الْعَمَلَ تُضَيِّعُونَ يُوشِكُ رَبُّ الْعَمَلِ‌[2] أَنْ يُقْبَلَ عَمَلُهُ وَ يُوشِكُ أَنْ يُخْرَجُوا مِنْ ضِيقِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَى ظُلْمَةِ الْقَبْرِ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِل

13. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Jesus, son of Mary, peace be upon him, has said, ‘You work for the worldly things while your sustenance is there without work. Y ou do not work for the

قَالَ‌[1]: مَنْ فَحُشَ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ نَزَعَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بَرَكَةَ رِزْقِهِ وَ وَكَلَهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ وَ أَفْسَدَ عَلَيْهِ مَعِيشَتَهُ

“The Imam has said, ‘Whoever uses foul language against his Muslim brother (in belief) Allah removes blessings from his livelihood, leaves him to be on his own and destroys his means of living.”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي وَ عَظَمَتِي وَ كِبْرِيَائِي وَ نُورِي وَ عُلُوِّي وَ ارْتِفَاعِ مَكَانِي لَا يُؤْثِرُ عَبْدٌ هَوَاهُ عَلَى هَوَايَ إِلَّا شَتَّتُّ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرَهُ‌[2] وَ لَبَّسْتُ عَلَيْهِ دُنْيَاهُ وَ شَغَلْتُ قَلْبَهُ بِهَا وَ لَمْ أُؤْتِهِ مِنْهَا إِلَّا مَا قَدَّرْتُ لَهُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي وَ عَظَمَتِي وَ نُورِي وَ عُلُوِّي وَ ارْتِفَاعِ مَك

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from abu Hamza from abu la’ far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘By My Majesty, Glory, Greatness, Supremacy, My

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

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

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا ظَهَرَ الزِّنَا مِنْ بَعْدِي كَثُرَ مَوْتُ الْفَجْأَةِ وَ إِذَا طُفِّفَ الْمِكْيَالُ وَ الْمِيزَانُ أَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِالسِّنِينَ وَ النَّقْصِ وَ إِذَا مَنَعُوا الزَّكَاةَ مَنَعَتِ الْأَرْضُ بَرَكَتَهَا مِنَ الزَّرْعِ وَ الثِّمَارِ وَ الْمَعَادِنِ كُلَّهَا وَ إِذَا جَارُوا فِي الْأَحْكَامِ تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الظُّلْمِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ إِذَا نَقَضُوا الْعَهْدَ سَلَّطَ ا

“We have found in the book of the Messenger of Allah the following: after my leaving this world when fornication will turn out to be apparent among people, sudden death will take place more frequently. When weighing and measurement will become light, people will face famine and shortages of livelihood. When they deny p

الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ الْبَغْيُ‌[1]- وَ الذُّنُوبُ الَّتِي تُورِثُ النَّدَمَ الْقَتْلُ وَ الَّتِي تُنْزِلُ النِّقَمَ الظُّلْمُ وَ الَّتِي تَهْتِكُ السِّتْرَ شُرْبُ الْخَمْرِ وَ الَّتِي تَحْبِسُ الرِّزْقَ الزِّنَا وَ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ الَّتِي تَرُدُّ الدُّعَاءَ وَ تُظْلِمُ الْهَوَاءَ عُقُوقُ الْوَالِدَيْنِ.

“The sins that change the bounties (of Allah) are transgressions, the sins that bring regret are murder, the one that brings hatred is injustice, that which brings disgrace is drinking wine, the sin which holds back the means of living is fornication, the one that hastens one’s perishing is failing to maintain good rel

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الدُّعَاءِ وَ رَفْعِ الْيَدَيْنِ فَقَالَ عَلَى أَرْبَعَةِ أَوْجُهٍ أَمَّا التَّعَوُّذُ فَتَسْتَقْبِلُ الْقِبْلَةَ بِبَاطِنِ كَفَّيْكَ وَ أَمَّا الدُّعَاءُ فِي الرِّزْقِ فَتَبْسُطُ كَفَّيْكَ وَ تُفْضِي بِبَاطِنِهِمَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ أَمَّا التَّبَتُّلُ فَإِيمَاءٌ بِإِصْبَعِكَ السَّبَّابَةِ وَ أَمَّا الِابْتِهَالُ فَرَفْعُ يَدَيْكَ تُجَاوِزُ بِهِمَا رَأْسَكَ وَ دُعَاءُ التَّضَرُّعِ أَنْ تُحَرِّكَ إِ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about prayer and raising hands. The Imam said, ‘It is in four ways: in al-Ta’awwuz (seeking refuge) turn the palms of your hands toward the Ka’bah and in prayer for sustenance stretch your hands with their palms upward to the sky. Al- Tabattul is gesturing with index finger. Al-Tbtiha

مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يُسْتَجَابَ لَهُ دَعْوَتُهُ فَلْيُطِبْ مَكْسَبَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever of you wants his prayer answered must make his earning clean.’”

دُعَاءُ الْمَرْءِ لِأَخِيهِ بِظَهْرِ الْغَيْبِ يُدِرُّ الرِّزْقَ وَ يَدْفَعُ الْمَكْرُوهَ‌[1].

“A man’s prayer for his brother (in belief) in his absence increases his sustenance and repulses misfortune.”

أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا تُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ دَعْوَةٌ رَجُلٌ جَالِسٌ فِي بَيْتِهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي فَيُقَالُ لَهُ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالطَّلَبِ وَ رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَةٌ فَدَعَا عَلَيْهَا فَيُقَالُ لَهُ أَ لَمْ أَجْعَلْ أَمْرَهَا إِلَيْكَ وَ رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَأَفْسَدَهُ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي فَيُقَالُ لَهُ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالاقْتِصَادِ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالْإِصْلَاحِ ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ

“The prayers of four kinds of people are not heard: a man who sits home and says, ‘O Lord, grant me sustenance,’ and it is said to him, “Have I not commanded you to work?” a man who is troubled by his wife so he prays for relief, but he will be asked, ‘Have 1 not made dissolving marriage lawful?’ A man who has destroye

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَقَدِ اسْتَبْطَأْتُ الرِّزْقَ فَغَضِبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَكَفَّلْتَ بِرِزْقِي وَ رِزْقِ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ يَا خَيْرَ مَدْعُوٍّ وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ وَ يَا أَفْضَلَ مُرْتَجًى افْعَلْ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا[2].

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Sustenance has been delayed.’ He became angry and then told me to say, ‘O Lord, You have undertaken to provide me sustenance and the sustenance of every walking being, O the best to beg from, O the best provider, O the best to plead to, O the best hope, do for me so and so’ . . . m

ادْعُ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ فِي الْمَكْتُوبَةِ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ يَا خَيْرَ الْمَسْئُولِينَ وَ يَا خَيْرَ الْمُعْطِينَ ارْزُقْنِي وَ ارْزُقْ عِيَالِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْوَاسِعِ فَإِنَّكَ‌ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ‌.

“When pleading for sustenance in the obligatory prayer during prostration say, ‘O the best to plead to, O the best provider, grant me and my family sustenance from Your vast munificence; You are the Great, the Generous.’”

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

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِيَ الْحَلَالَ فَقَالَ أَ تَدْرِي مَا الْحَلَالُ قُلْتُ الَّذِي عِنْدَنَا الْكَسْبُ الطَّيِّبُ فَقَالَ كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ الْحَلَالُ هُوَ قُوتُ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ ثُمَّ قَالَ قُلْ أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ رِزْقِكَ الْوَاسِعِ.

I said to al-Rida (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause. Pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to grant me lawful sustenance.’ The Imam said, ‘Do you know what lawful sustenance is?’ I said, ‘That which we earn and is pure.’ The Imam said that Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, ‘Lawful su

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا قَدِ اسْتَبْطَأْنَا الرِّزْقَ فَغَضِبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ تَكَفَّلْتَ بِرِزْقِي وَ رِزْقِ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ فَيَا خَيْرَ مَنْ دُعِيَ وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا أَفْضَلَ مُرْتَجًى افْعَلْ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا[3].

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Our sustenance has been delayed.’ The Imam was angered and told me to say, ‘O Lord, You have undertaken to provide me sustenance, and to all walking beings, O the best to call for help, O the best to plead with, O the best of charity providers, O the best of hope bestow upon me suc

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أُعَلِّمُكَ دُعَاءً لَا تَنْسَى الْقُرْآنَ- اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْنِي‌[3] بِتَرْكِ مَعَاصِيكَ أَبَداً مَا أَبْقَيْتَنِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي مِنْ تَكَلُّفِ مَا لَا يَعْنِينِي وَ ارْزُقْنِي حُسْنَ الْمَنْظَرِ فِيمَا يُرْضِيكَ عَنِّي وَ أَلْزِمْ قَلْبِي حِفْظَ كِتَابِكَ كَمَا عَلَّمْتَنِي وَ ارْزُقْنِي أَنْ أَتْلُوَهُ عَلَى النَّحْوِ الَّذِي يُرْضِيكَ عَنِّي اللَّهُمَّ نَوِّرْ بِكِتَابِكَ بَصَرِي وَ اشْرَ

2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa in a marfu ’ manner from Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, T like to instruct you with a supplication to help you not to forget the Holy Quran when you sa

ادْعُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي لَا تُنَالُ مِنْكَ إِلَّا بِرِضَاكَ وَ الْخُرُوجَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ مَعَاصِيكَ وَ الدُّخُولَ فِي كُلِّ مَا يُرْضِيكَ وَ النَّجَاةَ مِنْ كُلِّ وَرْطَةٍ وَ الْمَخْرَجَ مِنْ كُلِّ كَبِيرَةٍ أَتَى بِهَا مِنِّي عَمْدٌ أَوْ زَلَّ بِهَا مِنِّي خَطَأٌ أَوْ خَطَرَ بِهَا عَلَيَّ خَطَرَاتُ الشَّيْطَانِ أَسْأَلُكَ خَوْفاً تُوقِفُنِي بِهِ عَلَى حُدُودِ رِضَاكَ

32. Ibn Mahbub has said that Nuh ibn Yaqdan has narrated from abu ’ Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Say this prayer, ‘O Lord, I plead before You for Your favor that cannot be achieved except with Your happiness, for (Your help to) come out of all disobedience that cannot happen without Your approval, for

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 رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ تَعَلَّمُوا الْقُرْآنَ فَإِنَّهُ يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ صَاحِبَهُ فِي صُورَةِ شَابٍّ جَمِيلٍ شَاحِبِ اللَّوْنِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ الْقُرْآنُ‌[1] أَنَا الَّذِي كُنْتُ أَسْهَرْتُ لَيْلَكَ وَ أَظْمَأْتُ هَوَاجِرَكَ وَ أَجْفَفْتُ رِيقَكَ وَ أَسَلْتُ دَمْعَتَكَ أَئُولُ مَعَكَ حَيْثُمَا أُلْتَ وَ كُلُّ تَاجِرٍ مِنْ وَرَاءِ تِجَارَتِهِ وَ أَنَا الْيَوْمَ لَكَ مِنْ وَرَاءِ تِجَارَةِ كُلِّ تَاجِرٍ وَ

3. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: ‘‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Learn the Holy Quran; on the Day of Judgment it will come to his friends in the form of a most beautiful young person of pale complexion and will speak to his friend saying, “

مَنْ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ وَ هُوَ شَابٌّ مُؤْمِنٌ اخْتَلَطَ الْقُرْآنُ بِلَحْمِهِ وَ دَمِهِ وَ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعَ السَّفَرَةِ الْكِرَامِ الْبَرَرَةِ وَ كَانَ الْقُرْآنُ حَجِيزاً عَنْهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّ كُلَّ عَامِلٍ قَدْ أَصَابَ أَجْرَ عَمَلِهِ غَيْرَ عَامِلِي فَبَلِّغْ بِهِ أَكْرَمَ عَطَايَاكَ قَالَ‌ فَيَكْسُوهُ اللَّهُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ حُلَّتَيْنِ مِنْ حُلَلِ الْجَنَّ

“If a young believing person reads the Holy Quran, it mixes with his flesh and blood. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will include him among the honorable and virtuous carriers of the message of Allah and on the Day of Judgment the Holy Quran will be his supporter. The Holy Quran will say, ‘O Lord, every worke

مَا يَمْنَعُ التَّاجِرَ مِنْكُمُ الْمَشْغُولَ فِي سُوقِهِ إِذَا رَجَعَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ أَنْ لَا يَنَامَ حَتَّى يَقْرَأَ سُورَةً مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فَتُكْتَبَ لَهُ مَكَانَ كُلِّ آيَةٍ يَقْرَؤُهَا عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ يُمْحَى عَنْهُ عَشْرُ سَيِّئَاتٍ.

“Why should any thing prevent a business man working in the marketplace from reading one chapter from the Quran before going to sleep when he is home? So ten good deeds shall be written for him in the place of every verse he recites, and ten sins shall be wiped out.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ أَبِي سَأَلَ جَدَّكَ عَنْ خَتْمِ الْقُرْآنِ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَدُّكَ كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ لَهُ جَدُّكَ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي نَعَمْ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ فَكَانَ أَبِي يَخْتِمُهُ أَرْبَعِينَ خَتْمَةً فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ خَتَمْتُهُ بَعْدَ أَبِي فَرُبَّمَا زِدْتُ وَ رُبَّمَا نَقَصْتُ عَلَى قَدْرِ فَرَاغِي وَ شُغُلِي وَ نَشَاطِي وَ ك

“Once I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.) ‘My father once asked your grandfather about reading all of the Holy Quran in one night.’ ‘(Do you mean it to happen) every night?’ Your grandfather inquired. ‘Yes, in the month of Ramadan.’ My father replied. Your grandfather asked him, ‘In the month of Ramadan?’ My father said, ‘Yes

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