Fear

يُبْعَثُ عَبْدُ الْمُطَّلِبِ أُمَّةً وَحْدَهُ عَلَيْهِ بَهَاءُ الْمُلُوكِ وَ سِيمَاءُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ أَوَّلُ مَنْ قَالَ بِالْبَدَاءِ قَالَ وَ كَانَ عَبْدُ الْمُطَّلِبِ أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى رُعَاتِهِ فِي إِبِلٍ قَدْ نَدَّتْ لَهُ فَجَمَعَهَا فَأَبْطَأَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَ بِحَلْقَةِ بَابِ الْكَعْبَةِ وَ جَعَلَ يَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ أَ تُهْلِكُ آلَكَ إِنْ تَفْعَلْ فَأَمْرٌ مَا بَدَا لَكَ فَجَاءَ

‘Abd al-Muttalib will be resurrected as a whole nation (one Ummah) with the grandeur of the kings and the complexion of the prophets. It is because he was the first one who believed in Bada’ (Allah’s revised will). Once ‘Abd al-Muttalib sent the Messenger of Allah to the shepherds of his camels to help them with a runa

فِيكَ مَا قَالَ وَ قَدْ حَجَجْتَ عِشْرِينَ حَجَّةً مَاشِياً وَ قَدْ قَاسَمْتَ مَالَكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ حَتَّى النَّعْلَ بِالنَّعْلِ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا أَبْكِي لِخَصْلَتَيْنِ لِهَوْلِ الْمُطَّلَعِ وَ فِرَاقِ الْأَحِبَّةِ.

"When al-Hassan was about to die he wept. He was asked, 'O son of the Messenger of Allah, why would you weep, when you have such a position with the Messenger of Allah such as you have? And all the (good things) said about you. You have performed Hajj twenty times on foot and distributed all of your belongings among th

لَمَّا حُمِلَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَى الشَّامِ إِلَى هِشَامِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ وَ صَارَ بِبَابِهِ قَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ وَ مَنْ كَانَ بِحَضْرَتِهِ مِنْ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي قَدْ وَبَّخْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ثُمَّ رَأَيْتُمُونِي قَدْ سَكَتُّ فَلْيُقْبِلْ عَلَيْهِ كُلُّ رَجُلٍ مِنْكُمْ فَلْيُوَبِّخْهُ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَنْ يُؤْذَنَ لَهُ فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ بِيَدِهِ السَّلَام

“When abu Ja‘far (a.s.) was taken to al-Sham (Damascus) to the court of hisham ibn ‘Abd al-Malik. When arrived at his door he (Hisham) instructed his people from the Amawids, “When I will finish exasperating Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) and stop then each of you one after the other should reprimand and level blames on him.”

سَخِطَ عَلَيَّ ابْنُ هُبَيْرَةَ وَ حَلَفَ عَلَيَّ لَيَقْتُلُنِي فَهَرَبْتُ مِنْهُ وَ عُذْتُ بِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَأَعْلَمْتُهُ خَبَرِي فَقَالَ لِيَ انْصَرِفْ وَ أَقْرِئْهُ مِنِّي السَّلَامَ وَ قُلْ لَهُ إِنِّي قَدْ آجَرْتُ عَلَيْكَ مَوْلَاكَ- رُفَيْداً فَلَا تَهِجْهُ بِسُوءٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ شَامِيٌّ خَبِيثُ الرَّأْيِ فَقَالَ اذْهَبْ إِلَيْهِ كَمَا أَقُولُ لَكَ فَأَقْبَلْتُ فَلَمَّا كُنْتُ فِي بَعْ

:Once Hubayra became angery with me and swore to kill me. I ran away from him in fear and sought refuge with abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). I informed him of my story and he said, “Go back and convey my greetings to him and say to him, on my behalf, “I haven given refuge and protection against you to your slave, Rufayd. Do not

قَالَ لِي أَ تَدْرِي مَا كَانَ سَبَبُ دُخُولِنَا فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ مَعْرِفَتِنَا بِهِ وَ مَا كَانَ عِنْدَنَا مِنْهُ ذِكْرٌ وَ لَا مَعْرِفَةُ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا عِنْدَ النَّاسِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا ذَاكَ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ يَعْنِي أَبَا الدَّوَانِيقِ قَالَ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الْأَشْعَثِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ ابْغِ لِي رَجُلًا لَهُ عَقْلٌ يُؤَدِّي عَنِّي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبِي قَدْ أَصَبْتُهُ لَكَ هَذَا فُلَانُ بْنُ

“Do you know the reason that we came in this matter (became Shi‘a) and recognized it even though there was no mention of it among us and we had no knowledge of what other people (Shi‘a) had?” The narrator has said that I asked him, “What then is the reason for it?” He said, “Abu Ja‘far, abu Dawaniq once said to abu Muh

لَمَّا أُقْدِمَ بِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَلَى الْمَهْدِيِّ الْقُدْمَةَ الْأُولَى نَزَلَ زُبَالَةَ فَكُنْتُ أُحَدِّثُهُ فَرَآنِي مَغْمُوماً فَقَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا خَالِدٍ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ مَغْمُوماً فَقُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ لَا أَغْتَمُّ وَ أَنْتَ تُحْمَلُ إِلَى هَذِهِ الطَّاغِيَةِ وَ لَا أَدْرِي مَا يُحْدِثُ فِيكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيَّ بَأْسٌ إِذَا كَانَ شَهْرُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ يَوْمُ كَذَا فَوَافِنِي فِي أَوَّلِ الْمِي

“When abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) was brought before al-Mahdi the first time he was accommodated in Zabala and I talked to him. He found me depressed and asked, “O abu Khalid, why is it that I see you are depressed?” I said, “How can I be not depressed when you are being take to this transgressor and I do not know wha wi

جَاءَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ‌[1] وَ قَدِ اعْتَمَرْنَا عُمْرَةَ رَجَبٍ وَ نَحْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِمَكَّةَ فَقَالَ يَا عَمِّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ بَغْدَادَ وَ قَدْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أُوَدِّعَ عَمِّي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ يَعْنِي مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ تَذْهَبَ مَعِي إِلَيْهِ فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ نَحْوَ أَخِي وَ هُوَ فِي دَارِهِ الَّتِي بِالْحَوْبَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ بِقَلِيلٍ فَضَرَبْتُ الْبَابَ فَأَج

“Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il came to me when we were still in Makka after completing our ‘Umra in the month of Rajab. He said, “Uncle, I intend to go to Baghdad but I want to say farewell to my uncle, abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) aand I would like that you also come with me.” I came with him to my brother and he was

لَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ تَكَلَّمَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع خِفْنَا عَلَيْهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّكَ قَدْ أَظْهَرْتَ أَمْراً عَظِيماً وَ إِنَّا نَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ هَذِهِ الطَّاغِيَةَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِيَجْهَدْ جَهْدَهُ فَلَا سَبِيلَ لَهُ عَلَيَّ.

“when abu Ibrahim (a.s.) passed away abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) spoke (about his Imamat) and we became afraid for him because of it. It was said to him, “You have declared a very great issue and we are afraid for you from this rebel.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Let him strive his best but he will find way against me.”

احْتَالَ الْمَأْمُونُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع بِكُلِّ حِيلَةٍ فَلَمْ يُمْكِنْهُ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[5]- فَلَمَّا اعْتَلَّ وَ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَبْنِيَ عَلَيْهِ ابْنَتَهُ‌[6] دَفَعَ إِلَى مِائَتَيْ وَصِيفَةٍ مِنْ أَجْمَلِ مَا يَكُونُ‌[7] إِلَى كُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ جَاماً فِيهِ‌ جَوْهَرٌ يَسْتَقْبِلْنَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا قَعَدَ فِي مَوْضِعِ الْأَخْيَارِ فَلَمْ يَلْتَفِتْ إِلَيْهِنَّ وَ كَانَ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ- مُخَارِق

“Al-Ma’mun did all he could to prove that abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.) was only a young man of worldly desires. However Al-Ma’mun could not succeed. When he became frustrated he gave his daughter in marriage to abu Ja‘far, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Rida (a.s.). For the ceremony he sent two hundred most beautif

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ سَنَةَ الْقَادِسِيَّةِ يُعْلِمُهُ انْصِرَافَ النَّاسِ وَ أَنَّهُ يَخَافُ الْعَطَشَ فَكَتَبَ ع‌ امْضُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَمَضَوْا سَالِمِينَ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ*.

“continue your journey and you will have no fear by the will of Allah.” They continued their journey to Hajj safely and thanks to Allah.”

كَانَ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ وَكِيلٌ قَدِ اتَّخَذَ مَعَهُ فِي الدَّارِ حُجْرَةً يَكُونُ فِيهَا مَعَهُ خَادِمٌ أَبْيَضُ فَأَرَادَ الْوَكِيلُ الْخَادِمَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ فَأَبَى إِلَّا أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ بِنَبِيذٍ فَاحْتَالَ لَهُ بِنَبِيذٍ ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ثَلَاثَةُ أَبْوَابٍ مُغْلَقَةٍ قَالَ فَحَدَّثَنِي الْوَكِيلُ قَالَ إِنِّي لَمُنْتَبِهٌ إِذْ أَنَا بِالْأَبْوَابِ تُفْتَحُ حَتَّى

“Abu Muhammad (a.s.) had an agent who lived in a room in the house with white servant of the Imam (a.s.). the agent invited the servant to have evil activities with him and the servant refused to do so unless he brought him wine. The agent managed to find wine and take it to him. There were three closed doors between t

سُلِّمَ أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع إِلَى نِحْرِيرٍ[1] فَكَانَ يُضَيِّقُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُؤْذِيهِ قَالَ فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ وَيْلَكَ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ لَا تَدْرِي مَنْ فِي مَنْزِلِكَ وَ عَرَّفَتْهُ صَلَاحَهُ وَ قَالَتْ إِنِّي أَخَافُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ لَأَرْمِيَنَّهُ بَيْنَ السِّبَاعِ ثُمَّ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ بِهِ فَرُئِيَ ع قَائِماً يُصَلِّي وَ هِيَ حَوْلَهُ.

“Abu Muhammad (a.s.) was placed under the supervision of a zoo-keeper who would cause constraints suffering to him. He has said that his wife told him, “woe is you, be pious before Allah. Do you not know who is in your house?” She then explained to him the good manners of the Imam (a.s.) and said, “I am afraid for you

كَتَبَ أَبِي بِخَطِّهِ كِتَاباً فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِخَطِّي فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ فُقَهَاءِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمْ يَرِدْ جَوَابُهُ فَنَظَرْنَا فَكَانَتِ الْعِلَّةُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ تَحَوَّلَ قَرْمَطِيّاً قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ فَزُرْتُ الْعِرَاقَ وَ وَرَدْتُ طُوسَ وَ عَزَمْتُ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ إِلَّا عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ أَمْرِي وَ نَجَاحٍ مِنْ حَوَائِجِي وَ لَوِ احْ

13. Al-Hassan ibn al-Fadl ibn Yazid al-Yamani has said the following. “My father wrote in his own had writing he received back a response. I then wrote in my own hand writing I also received back a response. One of our Fuqaha’ (scholar of law) wrote in his own hand writing but he did not receive any response. We then b

وَرَدْتُ الْجَبَلَ‌[2] وَ أَنَا لَا أَقُولُ بِالْإِمَامَةِ أُحِبُّهُمْ جُمْلَةً إِلَى أَنْ مَاتَ يَزِيدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَأَوْصَى فِي عِلَّتِهِ أَنْ يُدْفَعَ الشِّهْرِيُّ السَّمَنْدُ[3] وَ سَيْفُهُ وَ مِنْطَقَتُهُ إِلَى مَوْلَاهُ فَخِفْتُ إِنْ أَنَا لَمْ أَدْفَعِ الشِّهْرِيَّ إِلَى إِذْكُوتَكِينَ‌[4] نَالَنِي مِنْهُ اسْتِخْفَافٌ فَقَوَّمْتُ الدَّابَّةَ وَ السَّيْفَ وَ الْمِنْطَقَةَ بِسَبْعِمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فِي ن

“I began to live in al-Jabal (a town between Baghdad and Azarbayjan) and I did not believe in Imam (the Divine authority of al-Mahddi (a.s.) but I loved them (descendants of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.). When Yazid ibn ‘Abdallah (a representative of al-Mahdi (a.s.) died he said in his will that I must give his Shahri Sa

قَالَ أَبِي لِجَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ- إِنَّ لِي إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةً فَمَتَى يَخِفُّ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ أَخْلُوَ بِكَ فَأَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ جَابِرٌ أَيَّ الْأَوْقَاتِ أَحْبَبْتَهُ فَخَلَا بِهِ فِي بَعْضِ الْأَيَّامِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا جَابِرُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ اللَّوْحِ الَّذِي رَأَيْتَهُ فِي يَدِ أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَا أَخْبَرَتْكَ بِهِ أُمِّي أَنَّهُ فِي ذَلِكَ اللَّ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah have narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far from al-Hassan ibn Zarif and Ali ibn Muhammad from Salih ibn abu Hammad from Bakr ibn Salih from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Salim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following “Once my father said to Jabir ibn ‘Abdall

شَهِدْتُ جِنَازَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْمَ مَاتَ وَ شَهِدْتُ عُمَرَ حِينَ بُويِعَ وَ عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِسٌ نَاحِيَةً فَأَقْبَلَ غُلَامٌ يَهُودِيٌّ جَمِيلُ الْوَجْهِ بَهِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُ حِسَانٌ وَ هُوَ مِنْ وُلْدِ هَارُونَ حَتَّى قَامَ عَلَى رَأْسِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ بِكِتَابِهِمْ وَ أَمْرِ نَبِيِّهِمْ قَالَ فَطَأْطَأَ عُمَرُ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ إِيَّاكَ أَعْنِي وَ أَ

“I was present in the funeral procession of abu Bakr the day it took place. I was also present when ‘Umar took oath of allegiance and Ali (a.s.) was sitting on the side. A young, good looking, well dressed Jewish boy came. He was a descendant of Harun and he stood (on a place that was) above ’Umar and asked, “O Amir al

كَتَبَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ تُجَّارِ فَارِسَ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَوَالِي أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَسْأَلُهُ الْإِذْنَ فِي الْخُمُسِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ كَرِيمٌ ضَمِنَ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ الثَّوَابَ‌[4]- وَ عَلَى الضِّيقِ الْهَمَّ- لَا يَحِلُّ مَالٌ إِلَّا مِنْ وَجْهٍ أَحَلَّهُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنَّ الْخُمُسَ عَوْنُنَا عَلَى دِينِنَا وَ عَلَى عِيَالاتِنَا وَ عَلَى مَوَالِينَا وَ مَ

The Imam (a.s.) wrote. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Allah increases people’s sustenance and He is generous. He has guaranteed rewards for work and depression in sadness. The use of a property is not lawful unless it is used in the way Allah has made lawful. Al-Khums helps us in our religion, in t

لَوْ عَلِمَ النَّاسُ كَيْفَ ابْتِدَاءُ الْخَلْقِ مَا اخْتَلَفَ اثْنَانِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْخَلْقَ قَالَ كُنْ مَاءً عَذْباً أَخْلُقْ مِنْكَ جَنَّتِي وَ أَهْلَ طَاعَتِي وَ كُنْ مِلْحاً أُجَاجاً أَخْلُقْ مِنْكَ نَارِي وَ أَهْلَ مَعْصِيَتِي ثُمَّ أَمَرَهُمَا فَامْتَزَجَا فَمِنْ ذَلِكَ صَارَ يَلِدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْكَافِرَ وَ الْكَافِرُ الْمُؤْمِنَ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ طِيناً مِنْ أَدِيمِ الْأَرْضِ

“Had people known how the beginning of the creation was, no one would have disagreed with another person. Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, before creating the creatures said, ‘Be a sweet water so I create from you My paradise and people who obey My commands. Be very salty water; from you I create My fire and those wh

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع أَرْسَلَ الْمَاءَ عَلَى الطِّينِ ثُمَّ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً فَعَرَكَهَا ثُمَّ فَرَّقَهَا فِرْقَتَيْنِ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ ذَرَأَهُمْ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَدِبُّونَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ لَهُمْ نَاراً فَأَمَرَ أَهْلَ الشِّمَالِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا إِلَيْهَا فَهَابُوهَا فَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَهْلَ الْيَمِينِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا فَدَخَلُوهَا فَأَمَرَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent water on the clay. He then took a handful and kneaded it and then divided it in two parts with His hands then scattered them and they began to move. He then started a fire for them and commanded the people of the left hand to enter therein. They wen

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى حَيْثُ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ خَلَقَ مَاءً عَذْباً وَ مَاءً مَالِحاً أُجَاجاً فَامْتَزَجَ الْمَاءَانِ فَأَخَذَ طِيناً مِنْ أَدِيمِ الْأَرْضِ فَعَرَكَهُ عَرْكاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ وَ هُمْ كَالذَّرِّ يَدِبُّونَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِسَلَامٍ وَ قَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ إِلَى النَّارِ وَ لَا أُبَالِي ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قالُوا بَلى‌ شَهِدْنا أَنْ تَقُولُو

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘As Allah, the Most Holy the Most High, created the creation. He created sweet water and a very salty water and then mixed the two together. Then He took a (kind of) clay from the surface of the earth and kneaded it intensely. He then said to the people of the right, as they crawled about l

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنِّي قَدْ أَشْفَقْتُ مِنْ دَعْوَةِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى يَقْطِينٍ وَ مَا وَلَدَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي صُلْبِ الْكَافِرِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْحَصَاةِ فِي اللَّبِنَةِ يَجِي‌ءُ الْمَطَرُ فَيَغْسِلُ اللَّبِنَةَ وَ لَا يَضُرُّ الْحَصَاةَ شَيْئاً[4].

“Once I said to the Imam, ‘I am afraid of the prayer of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) against Yaqtin and his offspring.’ The Imam said, ‘O Abu al-Hasan, it is not as you think. A believer in the loins of an unbeliever is like a small piece of stone in a brick. Rain can wash away the brick but it never harms the solid piece of s

لَيْسَ يَعْنِي أَكْثَرَ عَمَلًا وَ لَكِنْ أَصْوَبَكُمْ عَمَلًا وَ إِنَّمَا الْإِصَابَةُ خَشْيَةُ اللَّهِ وَ النِّيَّةُ الصَّادِقَةُ وَ الْحَسَنَةُ[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ الْإِبْقَاءُ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ حَتَّى يَخْلُصَ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَ الْعَمَلُ الْخَالِصُ الَّذِي لَا تُرِيدُ أَنْ يَحْمَدَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ النِّيَّةُ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ النِّيَّةَ هِيَ الْعَمَلُ ثُمَّ

He said: "It does not mean the one who performs the most deeds, but rather the one whose deeds are the most correct. And correctness comes from having fear of Allah, a truthful intention, and good conduct." Then he (AS) said: "Preserving the deed until it becomes sincere is more difficult than performing the deed itsel

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَكُونُونَ صَالِحِينَ حَتَّى تَعْرِفُوا وَ لَا تَعْرِفُونَ حَتَّى تُصَدِّقُوا وَ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَ حَتَّى تُسَلِّمُوا أَبْوَاباً أَرْبَعَةً لَا يَصْلُحُ أَوَّلُهَا إِلَّا بِآخِرِهَا ضَلَّ أَصْحَابُ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ تَاهُوا تَيْهاً بَعِيداً إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ وَ لَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْوَفَاءِ بِالشُّرُوطِ وَ الْعُهُودِ وَ مَنْ وَفَى الل

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he has mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “You will not become virtuous until you learn, you will not learn until you af

سُئِلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الصَّبْرِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْجِهَادِ فَالصَّبْرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الشَّوْقِ وَ الْإِشْفَاقِ‌[8] وَ الزُّهْدِ وَ التَّرَقُّبِ فَمَنِ اشْتَاقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ سَلَا[9] عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ أَشْفَقَ مِنَ النَّارِ رَجَعَ عَنِ الْمُحَرَّمَاتِ‌[10

1. Through the same chain of narrators as the above Hadith it is narrated from ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) was asked about belief and he said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief upon four p

لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ حَدٌّ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَمَا حَدُّ التَّوَكُّلِ قَالَ الْيَقِينُ قُلْتُ فَمَا حَدُّ الْيَقِينِ قَالَ أَلَّا تَخَافَ مَعَ اللَّهِ شَيْئاً.

‘There is nothing without a limit.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is the limit of trust?’ The Imam said, ‘It is certainty.’ I then asked, ‘What is the limit of certainty?’ The Imam said, ‘It is when, with having Allah on your side, you do not fear anything.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ أَمَّا الْجِدارُ فَكانَ لِغُلامَيْنِ يَتِيمَيْنِ‌ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ وَ كانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُما[4] فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ ذَهَباً وَ لَا فِضَّةً وَ إِنَّمَا كَانَ أَرْبَعَ كَلِمَاتٍ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنَا مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْمَوْتِ لَمْ يَضْحَكْ سِنُّهُ وَ مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْحِسَابِ لَمْ يَفْرَحْ قَلْبُهُ وَ مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَدَرِ ل

“The Imam said, ‘It is a fact that the treasure did not consist of gold and silver. It consisted of four sentences: “No one deserves to be worshipped except I (Allah). Whoever has realized with certainty that death is inevitable has enough reason not to laugh for a year. Whoever has realized with certainty that account

كُنَّا فِي مَجْلِسٍ نَطْلُبُ فِيهِ الْعِلْمَ وَ قَدْ نَفِدَتْ نَفَقَتِي فِي بَعْضِ الْأَسْفَارِ فَقَالَ لِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا مَنْ تُؤَمِّلُ لِمَا قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ فَقُلْتُ فُلَاناً فَقَالَ إِذاً وَ اللَّهِ لَا تُسْعَفُ‌[1] حَاجَتُكَ وَ لَا يَبْلُغُكَ أَمَلُكَ وَ لَا تُنْجَحُ طَلِبَتُكَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا عَلَّمَكَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدَّثَنِي أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ فِي بَعْضِ الْكُتُبِ أَنَّ ا

“We were in a gathering to seek knowledge and education. During one of the journeys I was left without any resources for my expenditures. A certain individual of my friends was concerned about who would look after my needs. I said, ‘So and so will look after my needs.’ He then said, ‘I swear by Allah, you will not get

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا إِسْحَاقُ خَفِ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ لَا تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ‌[1] فَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَرَى أَنَّهُ لَا يَرَاكَ فَقَدْ كَفَرْتَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ يَرَاكَ ثُمَّ بَرَزْتَ لَهُ بِالْمَعْصِيَةِ فَقَدْ جَعَلْتَهُ مِنْ أَهْوَنِ النَّاظِرِينَ عَلَيْكَ‌[2].

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘O Ishaq, have fear of Allah as if you see Him. Even if you do not see Him He sees you. If you think that He does not see you, you have certainly rejected belief. If you believe that He sees you and you disobey Him you have considered Him as the most insignificant observer.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ خَافَ اللَّهَ أَخَافَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَخَفِ اللَّهَ أَخَافَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever fears Allah, Allah causes everything to be afraid of him. Whoever does not fear Allah, Allah frightens him from everything.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ خَافَ اللَّهَ وَ مَنْ خَافَ اللَّهَ سَخَتْ نَفْسُهُ عَنِ الدُّنْيَا[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever has come to know Allah, he fears Allah. Whoever fears Allah, ignores his own soul in this world.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْمٌ يَعْمَلُونَ بِالْمَعَاصِي وَ يَقُولُونَ نَرْجُو فَلَا يَزَالُونَ كَذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَقَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمٌ يَتَرَجَّحُونَ‌[4] فِي الْأَمَانِيِّ كَذَبُوا لَيْسُوا بِرَاجِينَ إِنَّ مَنْ رَجَا شَيْئاً طَلَبَهُ وَ مَنْ خَافَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ هَرَبَ مِنْهُ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Certain people commit sins and say that they hope. They continue until their death arrives.’ The Imam said, ‘Such people have strayed away in hopes. They lie and they do not have any hope. Whoever hopes to have something, he tries to find it. People fearing something, run away from

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ يُلِمُّونَ بِالْمَعَاصِي‌[5] وَ يَقُولُونَ نَرْجُو فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا لَيْسُوا لَنَا بِمَوَالٍ أُولَئِكَ‌ قَوْمٌ تَرَجَّحَتْ بِهِمُ الْأَمَانِيُّ مَنْ رَجَا شَيْئاً عَمِلَ لَهُ وَ مَنْ خَافَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ هَرَبَ مِنْهُ‌[1].

I said to Abu 'Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as), “Indeed, a group of your followers commit sins and say, ‘We hope.’ He (as) said: ‘They lie; they are not among our followers. Those are a people deceived by wishes. Whoever hopes for something works for it, and whoever fears something flees from it.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ شِدَّةَ الْخَوْفِ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ- إِنَّما يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبادِهِ الْعُلَماءُ[2] وَ قَالَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ- فَلا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَ اخْشَوْنِ‌[3] وَ قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ مَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجاً[4] قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ حُبَّ الشَّرَفِ وَ الذِّكْرِ[5] لَا يَكُونَانِ فِي قَلْب

“To have intense fear of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is part of worship. Allah has said, ‘Of the servants of Allah who fear Him are the scholars.’ (35:28) Allah, Whose praise is great, has said, ‘Do not fear people but fear Me.’ (5:44) Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, ‘For those who fear A

إِنَّ رَجُلًا رَكِبَ الْبَحْرَ بِأَهْلِهِ فَكُسِرَ بِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَنْجُ مِمَّنْ كَانَ فِي السَّفِينَةِ إِلَّا امْرَأَةُ الرَّجُلِ فَإِنَّهَا نَجَتْ عَلَى لَوْحٍ مِنْ أَلْوَاحِ السَّفِينَةِ حَتَّى أَلْجَأَتْ عَلَى جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ وَ كَانَ فِي تِلْكَ الْجَزِيرَةِ رَجُلٌ يَقْطَعُ الطَّرِيقَ وَ لَمْ يَدَعْ لِلَّهِ حُرْمَةً إِلَّا انْتَهَكَهَا فَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ إِلَّا وَ الْمَرْأَةُ قَائِمَةٌ عَلَى رَأْسِ

“A man once set sail with his people and suffered a shipwreck. Everyone on board died except his wife who clung to a board and landed on an island where there lived a robber who had left no instance of disobedience to Allah but had committed them all. Without knowing anything about the shipwreck he found the woman stan

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِمَّا حُفِظَ مِنْ خُطَبِ النَّبِيِّ ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ لَكُمْ مَعَالِمَ فَانْتَهُوا إِلَى مَعَالِمِكُمْ وَ إِنَّ لَكُمْ نِهَايَةً فَانْتَهُوا إِلَى نِهَايَتِكُمْ أَلَا إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ مَخَافَتَيْنِ بَيْنَ أَجَلٍ قَدْ مَضَى لَا يَدْرِي مَا اللَّهُ صَانِعٌ فِيهِ وَ بَيْنَ أَجَلٍ قَدْ بَقِيَ لَا يَدْرِي مَا اللَّهُ قَاضٍ فِيهِ فَل

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the preserved speeches of the Holy Prophet one is his words as follows: “O people, for you there are the sources of knowledge. You must reach out to them. For you there are the end goals and you must reach them. You must know that a believer works between two frightening facts.

مَنْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَرَاهُ وَ يَسْمَعُ مَا يَقُولُ وَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَعْمَلُهُ مِنْ خَيْرٍ أَوْ شَرٍّ فَيَحْجُزُهُ ذَلِكَ عَنِ الْقَبِيحِ مِنَ الْأَعْمَالِ‌ فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي‌ خافَ مَقامَ رَبِّهِ وَ نَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوى‌.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘For one who fears of the position of his Lord there are two gardens. ’(55:46) The Imam said, ‘One who knows that Allah sees him, hears what he says and knows what he does, good or evil, and it keeps him off wicked deeds, such person is the one who fears the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَكُونُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَكُونَ خَائِفاً رَاجِياً وَ لَا يَكُونُ خَائِفاً رَاجِياً حَتَّى يَكُونَ عَامِلًا لِمَا يَخَافُ وَ يَرْجُو.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer is not a believer until he is fearing and hopeful. He cannot become fearing and hopeful until he comes to know what to fear and in whom to have hope.’”

الْمُؤْمِنُ بَيْنَ مَخَافَتَيْنِ ذَنْبٍ قَدْ مَضَى لَا يَدْرِي مَا صَنَعَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ وَ عُمُرٍ قَدْ بَقِيَ لَا يَدْرِي مَا يَكْتَسِبُ فِيهِ مِنَ الْمَهَالِكِ فَهُوَ لَا يُصْبِحُ إِلَّا خَائِفاً وَ لَا يُصْلِحُهُ إِلَّا الْخَوْفُ.

“A believer lives in two frightening conditions. In his life he is concerned about his sins of the past about which he does not know how Allah has decided. He is also worried about his future, for not knowing what kind of destructive sins he may get involved in. Therefore, he is always fearful and nothing serves his be

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.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَتَّكِلِ الْعَامِلُونَ عَلَى أَعْمَالِهِمُ الَّتِي يَعْمَلُونَهَا لِثَوَابِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَوِ اجْتَهَدُوا وَ أَتْعَبُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ أَعْمَارَهُمْ فِي عِبَادَتِي كَانُوا مُقَصِّرِينَ غَيْرَ بَالِغِينَ فِي عِبَادَتِهِمْ كُنْهَ عِبَادَتِي فِيمَا يَطْلُبُونَ عِنْدِي مِنْ كَرَامَتِي وَ النَّعِيمِ فِي جَنَّاتِي وَ رَفِيعِ الدَّرَجَاتِ الْعُلَى فِي جِوَارِي

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Dawud ibn Kathir from abu ‘Ubaydah al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, “The doers of good deeds must not rely on their deed

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ حُسْنُ الظَّنِّ بِاللَّهِ أَنْ لَا تَرْجُوَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ وَ لَا تَخَافَ إِلَّا ذَنْبَكَ‌[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘To be hopeful toward Allah means not to have hope in anyone except Allah and not to be afraid of anything but one’s sins.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ أَخَافُهُنَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي الضَّلَالَةُ بَعْدَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ وَ مَضَلَّاتُ الْفِتَنِ‌[3] وَ شَهْوَةُ الْبَطْنِ وَ الْفَرْجِ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his sources of narrators who have said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things about which I am afraid for my followers after me: misguidance after recognition of the truth, confusion because of mischief and the desires of stomach and genital organs.

مَنْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَرَاهُ وَ يَسْمَعُ مَا يَقُولُهُ وَ يَفْعَلُهُ مِنْ خَيْرٍ أَوْ شَرٍّ فَيَحْجُزُهُ ذَلِكَ عَنِ الْقَبِيحِ مِنَ الْأَعْمَالِ فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي‌ خافَ مَقامَ رَبِّهِ وَ نَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوى‌.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . for one who has fear of the position of his Lord there are two gardens,’ (55:46) the Imam said, ‘Whoever knows that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sees him and hears whatever he says or acts for good or evil, and it keeps him back from the ev

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ تَرَكَ مَعْصِيَةً لِلَّهِ مَخَافَةَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَرْضَاهُ اللَّهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever stays away from disobeying Allah because of fear of Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, Allah will make him happy on the Day of Judgment.’”

‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- اصْبِرُوا وَ صابِرُوا وَ رابِطُوا قَالَ‌ اصْبِرُوا عَلَى الْفَرَائِضِ‌ وَ صابِرُوا عَلَى الْمَصَائِبِ‌ وَ رابِطُوا عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ ع‌[4]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي السَّفَاتِجِ وَ زَادَ فِيهِ‌ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ فِيمَا افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, have patience, help each other with patience, establish good relations with one another. . . . (3:200) the Imam said, ‘Exercise patience in fulfilling your obligations, help each other with patience in tragedies and establish good relations with A

فِي التَّوْرَاةِ مَكْتُوبٌ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ تَفَرَّغْ لِعِبَادَتِي أَمْلَأْ قَلْبَكَ غِنًى وَ لَا أَكِلْكَ إِلَى طَلَبِكَ وَ عَلَيَّ أَنْ أَسُدَّ فَاقَتَكَ وَ أَمْلَأَ قَلْبَكَ خَوْفاً مِنِّي وَ إِنْ لَا تَفَرَّغْ لِعِبَادَتِي أَمْلَأْ قَلْبَكَ شُغُلًا بِالدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ لَا أَسُدَّ فَاقَتَكَ وَ أَكِلْكَ إِلَى طَلَبِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is written in the Torah, “O son of Adam, devote yourself to my worship and I will fill your heart with riches and will not leave you to your own quest. It is upon Me to meet your needs and fill your heart with fear from Me. If you do not devote yourself to My worship I will fill you

إِنَّ الْعُبَّادَ ثَلَاثَةٌ[1] قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَوْفاً فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْعَبِيدِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى طَلَبَ الثَّوَابِ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأُجَرَاءِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حُبّاً لَهُ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأَحْرَارِ وَ هِيَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘There are three kinds of worship: there are people who worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, because of fear. This kind of worship is the worship of slaves. There are people who worship Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, for His rewards. This is the worship of people fo

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا عَلِيُّ إِنَّ هَذَا الدِّينَ مَتِينٌ فَأَوْغِلْ فِيهِ بِرِفْقٍ وَ لَا تُبَغِّضْ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ عِبَادَةَ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّ الْمُنْبَتَّ يَعْنِي الْمُفْرِطَ لَا ظَهْراً أَبْقَى وَ لَا أَرْضاً قَطَعَ فَاعْمَلْ عَمَلَ مَنْ يَرْجُو أَنْ يَمُوتَ هَرِماً وَ احْذَرْ حَذَرَ مَنْ يَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ يَمُوتَ غَداً.

“The Messenger of Allah once said, ‘O Ali, this religion is strong (and vast). Follow it with care. Do not cause your soul to hate the worship of your Lord. The extremist is like a person who during a journey destroys his riding animal and is left without any animal to ride before reaching his destination. Do good 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