Fear

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ لَيْلَتَهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لِمَ تُتْعِبُ نَفْسَكَ وَ قَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ فَقَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَ لَا أَكُونُ عَبْداً شَكُوراً قَالَ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُومُ عَلَى أَطْرَافِ أَصَابِعِ رِجْلَيْهِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى- طه‌ ما أَنْزَلْنا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقى‌[1].

One night when the Messenger of Allah stayed in ‘A’isha’s chamber she asked, “O Messenger of Allah, why do you tire yourself when Allah has already forgiven all of your past and future sins (that the pagans thought you had committed against them)?” He replied, ‘O ‘A’isha, should not I be a grateful servant?’ “The Imam

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي مَالًا فَرَزَقَنِي وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي وَلَداً فَرَزَقَنِي وَلَداً وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي دَاراً فَرَزَقَنِي وَ قَدْ خِفْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجاً[1] فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَعَ الْحَمْدِ فَلَا.

‘I prayed to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for property and He granted me. I prayed to Allah for a child and He granted me. I prayed to Him for a house and He granted me. I am afraid that it (coming true of my wishes) is a kind of leading me to my own destruction (gradually)’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah

لَا تَغْتَرُّوا بِصَلَاتِهِمْ وَ لَا بِصِيَامِهِمْ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ رُبَّمَا لَهِجَ بِالصَّلَاةِ[2] وَ الصَّوْمِ حَتَّى لَوْ تَرَكَهُ اسْتَوْحَشَ وَ لَكِنِ اخْتَبِرُوهُمْ عِنْدَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not allow their prayers or fasts mislead you. A man may develop an attachment to praying or fasting so much so that without it he may feel frightened. Try them how truthful they are in their words or how reliable they are in returning the trust.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى طُولِ رُكُوعِ الرَّجُلِ وَ سُجُودِهِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ اعْتَادَهُ فَلَوْ تَرَكَهُ اسْتَوْحَشَ لِذَلِكَ وَ لَكِنِ انْظُرُوا إِلَى صِدْقِ حَدِيثِهِ وَ أَدَاءِ أَمَانَتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not look to the long Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees for prayer) and Sajda (prostrating in prayer) of a man. It may have become his routine; without it he may feel frightened, but look to the truthfulness in his words and his credibility in keeping the trust.’”

الْمُؤْمِنُ خَلَطَ عَمَلَهُ بِالْحِلْمِ‌[5] يَجْلِسُ لِيَعْلَمَ وَ يَنْطِقُ لِيَفْهَمَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ أَمَانَتَهُ‌[6] الْأَصْدِقَاءَ وَ لَا يَكْتُمُ شَهَادَتَهُ الْأَعْدَاءَ[7] وَ لَا يَفْعَلُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْحَقِّ رِيَاءً وَ لَا يَتْرُكُهُ حَيَاءً إِنْ زُكِّيَ خَافَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ مِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[8] لَا يَغُرُّهُ قَوْلُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ وَ يَخْشَى إِحْصَاءَ مَا قَدْ عَمِلَهُ.

“The believer’s deeds are mixed with forbearance. He sits to learn and speaks to understand. He does not tell his friends about his trust and he does not hide his testimony for the enemies. He does not do any true thing to show off and does not ignore it due to shyness. If he purifies himself he fears what they may say

مَا أَعْجَبَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهَا جَائِعاً خَائِفاً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Every one of things the Messenger of Allah liked from this world was associated with suffering, hunger or fear.’”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص‌ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا قَدِ ارْتَحَلَتْ مُدْبِرَةً وَ إِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ قَدِ ارْتَحَلَتْ مُقْبِلَةً[7] وَ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا بَنُونَ فَكُونُوا مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ- وَ لَا تَكُونُوا مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ الدُّنْيَا أَلَا وَ كُونُوا مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ فِي الدُّنْيَا الرَّاغِبِينَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَلَا إِنَّ الزَّاهِدِينَ فِي الدُّنْيَا اتَّخَذُوا الْأَرْضَ بِسَاطاً وَ التُّرَابَ فِرَاش

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘The world has begun to move backwards and the next world is moving forward. Each world has its sons. Therefore, you must be of the sons of the next world and not the sons of this world. You must be of those who have reduced their interest in worldly matters and of those seriously in

مَنْ يَضْمَنُ لِي أَرْبَعَةً بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَبْيَاتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ[1] أَنْفِقْ وَ لَا تَخَفْ فَقْراً وَ أَفْشِ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ اتْرُكِ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ مُحِقّاً وَ أَنْصِفِ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ.

“Whoever likes to guarantee four things for me, I guarantee four homes in paradise. (He should guarantee me) to give charity without fear from his poverty, to speak out loud the greetings of peace in the world and quit excessive argumentation even though he is on the side of right. He must yield to justice for people a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ‌ وَ الْأَرْحامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيباً[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ هِيَ أَرْحَامُ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَمَرَ بِصِلَتِهَا وَ عَظَّمَهَا أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّهُ جَعَلَهَا مِنْهُ‌[2].

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, Most Glorious is Whose name, ‘. . . have fear of the One by whose name you swear to settle your differences and have respect for your relatives. Allah certainly keeps watch over you.’ (4:1) “The Imam said, ‘It refers to the relatives of people. Allah, the Most Maj

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ صِلُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ وَ لَوْ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ وَ الْأَرْحامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيباً[2].

22. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from al-Qasim ibn Y ahya from his grandfather al-Hassan ibn Rashid from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘One must maintain good relations with relatives. Even offering the g

وَقَعَ بَيْنَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ بَيْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ كَلَامٌ حَتَّى وَقَعَتِ الضَّوْضَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَافْتَرَقَا عَشِيَّتَهُمَا بِذَلِكَ وَ غَدَوْتُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى بَابِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ يَا جَارِيَةُ قُولِي لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ يَخْرُجُ قَالَ فَخَرَجَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا بَكَّرَ بِكَ‌[3

“Once a conversation took place between Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and ‘Abd Allah ibn al- Hassan and it had become quite noisy and people had gathered around. They departed from each other that evening. The next morning I was out for a task and I saw Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) at the door of ‘Abd Allah ibn al- Hassan who was sayin

إِنَّ رَحِمَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع- لَمُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي ثُمَّ هِيَ جَارِيَةٌ بَعْدَهَا فِي أَرْحَامِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ وَ الْأَرْحامَ‌.

“The kindred relation of the family of Muhammad, the A ’immah (people who possess Divine Authority), recipients of divine supreme covenant, holds to the Throne (of the Lord) and says, ‘O Lord establish good relations with those who establish good relations with me and cut off with those who cut off with me. ’ Thereafte

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ‌ قَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي رَحِمِ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ السَّلَامُ وَ قَدْ تَكُونُ فِي قَرَابَتِكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِمَّنْ يَقُولُ لِلشَّيْ‌ءِ إِنَّهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ وَاحِدٍ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, ‘. . . who maintain all the proper relations that Allah has commanded them to maintain, who have fear of their Lord and the hardships of the Day of Judgment.’ (13:21) The Imam said, ‘It was revealed about the family of Muhammad (a.s.) and can also apply to yo

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

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

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ قَالَ لَهُ سَبْعُ حُقُوقٍ وَاجِبَاتٍ مَا مِنْهُنَّ حَقٌّ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَاجِبٌ إِنْ ضَيَّعَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ وِلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ مِنْ نَصِيبٍ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ يَا مُعَلَّى إِنِّي عَلَيْكَ شَفِيقٌ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُضَيِّعَ وَ لَا تَحْفَظَ وَ تَعْلَمَ وَ لَا تَعْمَلَ قَالَ قُلْتُ ل

“Once I asked the Imam, ‘What are the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim?’ The Imam said, ‘He has seven categories of rights that are obligatory, each of which is compulsory. If he jeopardizes a single one of them he is out of the domain of guardianship ( Walayah ) of Allah and obedience to Him. There will be no share

كَتَبَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا يَسْأَلُونَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ وَ أَمَرُونِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَلَمْ يُجِبْنِي فَلَمَّا جِئْتُ لِأُوَدِّعَهُ فَقُلْتُ سَأَلْتُكَ فَلَمْ تُجِبْنِي فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ تَكْفُرُوا إِنَّ مِنْ أَشَدِّ مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ ثَلَاثاً إِنْصَافَ الْمَرْءِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ حَتَّى لَا يَرْضَى لِأَخِيهِ مِنْ نَفْسِه

“Once certain individual of our people wrote to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking him about certain issues and they ordered me to ask the Imam about the rights of the Muslim on his Muslim brother and I asked the Imam but he did not answer me. When I went to say farewell to him I said, ‘I asked you that question but you did n

حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يَشْبَعَ وَ يَجُوعُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَرْوَى وَ يَعْطَشُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَكْتَسِيَ وَ يَعْرَى أَخُوهُ فَمَا أَعْظَمَ حَقَّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ قَالَ أَحِبَّ لِأَخِيكَ الْمُسْلِمِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِذَا احْتَجْتَ فَسَلْهُ وَ إِنْ سَأَلَكَ فَأَعْطِهِ لَا تَمَلَّهُ خَيْراً وَ لَا يَمَلَّهُ لَكَ‌[1] كُنْ لَهُ ظَهْراً فَإِنَّهُ لَكَ ظَهْرٌ إِذَا غَاب

“Of the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim is that he must not satisfy himself with food while his Muslim brother is hungry. One must not satisfy himself with water while one’s Muslim brother is thirsty, and one must not dress up in finery while his Muslim brother is in need of clothes. How great is the right of the Mu

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ سَبْعُونَ حَقّاً لَا أُخْبِرُكَ إِلَّا بِسَبْعَةٍ فَإِنِّي عَلَيْكَ مُشْفِقٌ أَخْشَى أَلَّا تَحْتَمِلَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَ يَجُوعُ وَ لَا تَكْتَسِي وَ يَعْرَى وَ تَكُونُ دَلِيلَهُ وَ قَمِيصَهُ الَّذِي يَلْبَسُهُ‌[2] وَ لِسَانَهُ الَّذِي يَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ وَ تُحِبُّ لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَ جَارِ

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Uramah in a marfu’ manner from Mu’alla ibn Khanis who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the rights of the believer. The Imam said, ‘There are seventy categories of rights but I will only tell you of seven; I

أَيُّمَا ثَلَاثَةِ مُؤْمِنِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عِنْدَ أَخٍ لَهُمْ يَأْمَنُونَ بَوَائِقَهُ‌[1] وَ لَا يَخَافُونَ غَوَائِلَهُ وَ يَرْجُونَ مَا عِنْدَهُ إِنْ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ أَجَابَهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَأَلُوا أَعْطَاهُمْ وَ إِنِ اسْتَزَادُوا زَادَهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَكَتُوا ابْتَدَأَهُمْ.

“Whichever three believing brothers (in belief) come together to a brother (in belief) of theirs from whose evils they feel safe, who are not afraid of his rebellion, and who have good hopes in him, if they pray to Allah their prayers will be answered, if they ask, their wish will be granted, if they ask for more it wi

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ بِوَجْهٍ قَاطِبٍ‌[5] فَقُلْتُ مَا الَّذِي غَيَّرَكَ لِي قَالَ الَّذِي غَيَّرَكَ لِإِخْوَانِكَ بَلَغَنِي يَا إِسْحَاقُ أَنَّكَ أَقْعَدْتَ بِبَابِكَ‌ بَوَّاباً يَرُدُّ عَنْكَ فُقَرَاءَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي خِفْتُ الشُّهْرَةَ فَقَالَ أَ فَلَا خِفْتَ الْبَلِيَّةَ أَ وَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَنْزَلَ ال

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he looked at me frowning. I asked, ‘May I know how I have disappointed you?’ The Imam said, ‘It is that which has changed you toward your brothers (in belief). It has come to my notice, O Ishaq, that you have appointed someone at your door to drive away the poor people of th

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ عَبْدَهُ مُوسَى ع قَالَ إِنَّ لِي عِبَاداً أُبِيحُهُمْ جَنَّتِي وَ أُحَكِّمُهُمْ فِيهَا[1] قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الَّذِينَ تُبِيحُهُمْ جَنَّتَكَ وَ تُحَكِّمُهُمْ فِيهَا قَالَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ مُؤْمِناً كَانَ فِي مَمْلَكَةِ جَبَّارٍ فَوَلَعَ‌[2] بِهِ فَهَرَبَ مِنْهُ إِلَى دَارِ الشِّرْك

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from ‘Ubayd Allah ibn al- Walid al-Wassafi who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the private conversations that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made with Moses was

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ إِذَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ مِثَالٌ يَقْدُمُ‌[2] أَمَامَهُ كُلَّمَا رَأَى الْمُؤْمِنُ هَوْلًا مِنْ أَهْوَالِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ لَهُ الْمِثَالُ لَا تَفْزَعْ وَ لَا تَحْزَنْ وَ أَبْشِرْ بِالسُّرُورِ وَ الْكَرَامَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَتَّى يَقِفَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَيُحَاسِبُهُ‌ حِساباً يَسِيراً وَ يَ

‘When Allah raises a believer from his grave along with him, in front, comes out a form. When and wherever the believer faces a frightening scene of the scenes of the Day of Judgment the form says to him, “Do not be afraid or sad. There is good and joyful news of the honor from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy,”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ فَقَالَ حَقُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ لَوْ حَدَّثْتُكُمْ لَكَفَرْتُمْ‌[2] إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ مِثَالٌ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ يَقُولُ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ بِالْكَرَامَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ السُّرُورِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ بَشَّرَكَ اللَّهُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ ثُمَّ يَمْضِي مَعَهُ يُبَشِّرُهُ بِمِثْلِ مَا

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the rights of a believer on another believer. He has said that the Imam said, ‘The right of a believer on a believer is greater than that (description). If I tell you about it you will become unbelievers. When a believer comes out of his grave a form comes out with him and says,

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً وَ هُوَ مُعْسِرٌ يَسَّرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَوَائِجَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ قَالَ وَ مَنْ سَتَرَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ عَوْرَةً يَخَافُهَا سَتَرَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ سَبْعِينَ عَوْرَةً مِنْ عَوْرَاتِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ قَالَ وَ اللَّهُ فِي عَوْنِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي عَوْنِ أَخِيهِ فَانْتَفِعُوا بِالْعِظَةِ وَ ار

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Any believer who relieves a believer from his hardships in a constraining condition Allah will make his (helper’s) needs easily met in this world and in the next.’ The Imam said, ‘Whoever provides cover for the private matters of a believer for which he is afraid, Allah will provi

قَامَ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ هَمَّامٌ وَ كَانَ عَابِداً نَاسِكاً مُجْتَهِداً إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ هُوَ يَخْطُبُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صِفْ لَنَا صِفَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَأَنَّنَا نَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا هَمَّامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ هُوَ الْكَيِّسُ الْفَطِنُ بِشْرُهُ فِي وَجْهِهِ وَ حُزْنُهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ أَوْسَعُ شَيْ‌ءٍ صَدْراً[3] وَ أَذَلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ نَفْساً زَاجِرٌ عَنْ كُلِّ فَانٍ‌[4] حَاضٌّ عَلَى ك

“Once a man called Hammam, an assiduous worshipper practicing religious rules and a hardworking man came to Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) during his speech and said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, describe for us the qualities of the believer as if we see him before our eyes.’ “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib)

الْمُؤْمِنُ يَصْمُتُ لِيَسْلَمَ وَ يَنْطِقُ لِيَغْنَمَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ أَمَانَتَهُ الْأَصْدِقَاءَ وَ لَا يَكْتُمُ شَهَادَتَهُ مِنَ الْبُعَدَاءِ[2] وَ لَا يَعْمَلُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ رِيَاءً وَ لَا يَتْرُكُهُ حَيَاءً- إِنْ زُكِّيَ خَافَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَا يَغُرُّهُ قَوْلُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ وَ يَخَافُ إِحْصَاءَ مَا عَمِلَهُ.

“The believer remains silent for safety and speaks to benefit. He does not speak of his trust to the friends and does not withhold his testimony for the people of distant relationships. He does not do anything good to show off and does not ignore it due to bashfulness. If he cleanses himself he fears what they (people)

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

صَلَّى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالنَّاسِ الصُّبْحَ بِالْعِرَاقِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ وَعَظَهُمْ فَبَكَى وَ أَبْكَاهُمْ مِنْ خَوْفِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَهِدْتُ أَقْوَاماً عَلَى عَهْدِ خَلِيلِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ إِنَّهُمْ لَيُصْبِحُونَ وَ يُمْسُونَ شُعْثاً غُبْراً خُمْصاً[1] بَيْنَ أَعْيُنِهِمْ كَرُكَبِ الْمِعْزَى- يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ‌ سُجَّداً وَ قِياماً يُرَاوِحُونَ بَيْنَ أَقْدَامِهِمْ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) prayed the morning prayer with people in Iraq. After prayer he gave a speech on having fear of Allah. He wept and made people weep. He then said, ‘By Allah, I lived with a people, in the times of my beloved one, the Messenger of Allah, who were ragged, dusty and slim-be

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ أَصْحَابِي فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَنِ اشْتَدَّ وَرَعُهُ وَ خَافَ خَالِقَهُ وَ رَجَا ثَوَابَهُ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ هَؤُلَاءِ فَهَؤُلَاءِ أَصْحَابِي.

‘If you want to see my companions then look to those whose restraining from worldly attraction (sins) is intense, who fear their Creator in the hope for His rewards. If you find such people they are my companions.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ وَ عَظَّمَهُ مَنَعَ فَاهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ وَ بَطْنَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ عَفَا نَفْسَهُ بِالصِّيَامِ وَ الْقِيَامِ قَالُوا بِآبَائِنَا وَ أُمَّهَاتِنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَؤُلَاءِ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ سَكَتُوا فَكَانَ سُكُوتُهُمْ ذِكْراً وَ نَظَرُوا فَكَانَ نَظَرُهُمْ عِبْرَةً وَ نَطَقُوا فَكَانَ نُطْقُهُمْ حِكْمَةً وَ مَشَوْا فَكَانَ مَشْي

25. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Isa al-Nahriri from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comes to know Allah and realizes His greatness does not allow his mouth to speak or his stomach

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مِهْزَمُ شِيعَتُنَا مَنْ لَا يَعْدُو صَوْتُهُ سَمْعَهُ‌[4] وَ لَا شَحْنَاؤُهُ بَدَنَهُ‌[5] وَ لَا يَمْتَدِحُ بِنَا مُعْلِناً وَ لَا يُجَالِسُ لَنَا عَائِباً وَ لَا يُخَاصِمُ لَنَا قَالِياً إِنْ لَقِيَ مُؤْمِناً أَكْرَمَهُ وَ إِنْ لَقِيَ جَاهِلًا هَجَرَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَشَيِّعَةِ[6] قَالَ فِيهِمُ التَّمْيِيزُ وَ فِيهِمُ التَّبْدِيلُ وَ فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the belie

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.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ كَتَرَدُّدِي فِي مَوْتِ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[4] إِنَّنِي لَأُحِبُّ لِقَاءَهُ وَ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ فَأَصْرِفُهُ عَنْهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَدْعُونِي فَأُجِيبُهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيهِ وَ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا وَاحِدٌ مِنْ عَبِيدِي مُؤْمِنٌ لَاسْتَغْنَيْتُ بِهِ عَنْ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي وَ لَجَعَلْتُ

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I never hesitated in doing anything as I do about the death of My believing servant. I love to meet him but he dislikes death and 1 then hold it back from him. He prays to Me and I answer his prayers, he asks Me for help and I provid

الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِنَانِ فَمُؤْمِنٌ صَدَقَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَ وَفَى بِشَرْطِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رِجالٌ صَدَقُوا ما عاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي لَا تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا أَهْوَالُ الْآخِرَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ يَشْفَعُ وَ لَا يُشْفَعُ لَهُ وَ مُؤْمِنٌ كَخَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ‌[2] تَعْوَجُّ أَحْيَاناً وَ تَقُومُ أَحْيَاناً فَذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْ

“There are two kinds of believing people: one kind is true to the covenant with Allah and has kept the stipulation as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Among the believers there are people who are true in their promise to Allah. . . .’ (33:23) This kind of believing people do not become subject to any

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

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ مُوسِرٌ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص نَقِيُّ الثَّوْبِ فَجَلَسَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص‌[3] فَجَاءَ رَجُلٌ مُعْسِرٌ دَرِنُ الثَّوْبِ فَجَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِ الْمُوسِرِ فَقَبَضَ الْمُوسِرُ ثِيَابَهُ مِنْ تَحْتِ فَخِذَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَ خِفْتَ‌ أَنْ يَمَسَّكَ مِنْ فَقْرِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَخِفْتَ أَنْ يُصِيبَهُ مِنْ غِنَاكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَخِفْتَ أَنْ يُوَسِّخَ ثِيَابَكَ قَا

“Once a wealthy man in clean clothes came to the Messenger of Allah and sat down near the Messenger of Allah. Thereafter a poor man in not so clean clothes came and sat next to the wealthy man who then pulled his clothes away from underneath the thighs of the poor man. The Messenger of Allah then asked the wealthy man,

إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَكْثُرُ بِهِ الْخَوْفُ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ وَ مَا ذَلِكَ إِلَّا بِالذُّنُوبِ فَتَوَقَّوْهَا مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَ لَا تَمَادَوْا فِيهَا.

“You may feel afraid of a king because of your disobeying him. You must avoid it if you can and do not continue in such condition.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا وَجَعَ أَوْجَعُ لِلْقُلُوبِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ لَا خَوْفَ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ وَ كَفَى بِمَا سَلَفَ تَفَكُّراً وَ كَفَى بِالْمَوْتِ وَاعِظاً.

“No pain is more painful to the heart than sins and there is no fear more intense than fear of death. Past experience is enough material for thinking and death is more than enough a preacher.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَسْتَكْثِرُوا كَثِيرَ الْخَيْرِ وَ لَا تَسْتَقِلُّوا قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّ قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ يَجْتَمِعُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ كَثِيراً وَ خَافُوا اللَّهَ فِي السِّرِّ حَتَّى‌ تُعْطُوا مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمُ النَّصَفَ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Do not consider a great deal of good a great deal, and do not consider a little sin very little; little sins accumulate and become a great deal. Have fear of Allah in private so you can yield to justice against yourselves.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَرْكَانُ الْكُفْرِ أَرْبَعَةٌ الرَّغْبَةُ وَ الرَّهْبَةُ[2] وَ السَّخَطُ وَ الْغَضَبُ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The pillars of disbelief are four: Greed, Fear, Resentment and Anger.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ تَخْبُثُ فِيهِ سَرَائِرُهُمْ وَ تَحْسُنُ فِيهِ عَلَانِيَتُهُمْ طَمَعاً فِي الدُّنْيَا لَا يُرِيدُونَ بِهِ مَا عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يَكُونُ دِينُهُمْ رِيَاءً لَا يُخَالِطُهُمْ خَوْفٌ يَعُمُّهُمُ اللَّهُ بِعِقَابٍ فَيَدْعُونَهُ دُعَاءَ الْغَرِيقِ فَلَا يَسْتَجِيبُ لَهُمْ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There will come a time when people will be filthy from the inside but good looking from the outside due to worldly greed. They will not have any intention of seeking the rewards with Allah. Their religion will be a showoff and not for fear (from the hereafter). Allah will punish them

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِينَ يَخْتِلُونَ الدُّنْيَا بِالدِّينِ وَ وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِينَ‌ يَقْتُلُونَ الَّذِينَ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْقِسْطِ مِنَ النَّاسِ‌ وَ وَيْلٌ لِلَّذِينَ يَسِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِيهِمْ بِالتَّقِيَّةِ أَ بِي يَغْتَرُّونَ أَمْ عَلَيَّ يَجْتَرِءُونَ فَبِي حَلَفْتُ لَأُتِيحَنَّ لَهُمْ فِتْنَةً تَتْرُكُ الْحَلِيمَ مِنْهُمْ

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Woe upon those who treacherously use religion for their worldly goals and fight those who command people to yield to justice. Woe upon those among whom the believers live frightened and hide their belief. Are they deceiving Me or tha

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَنْ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِنَّ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أَيِّ بَابٍ شَاءَ مَنْ حَسُنَ خُلُقُهُ وَ خَشِيَ اللَّهَ فِي الْمَغِيبِ وَ الْمَحْضَرِ وَ تَرَكَ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُحِقّاً.

2. Through the same chain of narrators he has narrated the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Whoever will find himself in the presence of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with three things will enter paradise through whichever gate he will like: one’s proper moral discipline, one’s worries and concern abo

إِنَّ هَذَا الْغَضَبَ‌ جَمْرَةٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ‌[1] تُوقَدُ فِي قَلْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ‌[2] وَ إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا غَضِبَ احْمَرَّتْ عَيْنَاهُ وَ انْتَفَخَتْ أَوْدَاجُهُ وَ دَخَلَ الشَّيْطَانُ فِيهِ فَإِذَا خَافَ أَحَدُكُمْ ذَلِكَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ فَلْيَلْزَمِ الْأَرْضَ فَإِنَّ رِجْزَ الشَّيْطَانِ لَيَذْهَبُ عَنْهُ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ.

“This anger is a spark from Satan that he lights up in the hearts of the children of Adam. Whenever any of you becomes angry, his eyes turn red, his veins puff up and Satan enters into it. If any of you fears this, he must hold to the earth; in so doing the evil of Satan goes away.”

أَتَى عَالِمٌ عَابِداً فَقَالَ لَهُ كَيْفَ صَلَاتُكَ فَقَالَ مِثْلِي يُسْأَلُ عَنْ صَلَاتِهِ وَ أَنَا أَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا قَالَ فَكَيْفَ بُكَاؤُكَ قَالَ أَبْكِي حَتَّى تَجْرِيَ دُمُوعِي فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَالِمُ فَإِنَّ ضَحِكَكَ وَ أَنْتَ خَائِفٌ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ بُكَائِكَ وَ أَنْتَ مُدِلٌّ إِنَّ الْمُدِلَّ لَا يَصْعَدُ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ[2].

“Once a scholar went to see a worshipper and asked, ‘How are your prayers?’ He (the worshipper) replied, ‘Is a person like me questioned about his prayers? I have been worshipping Allah from such and such times.’ The scholar then asked, ‘How is your weeping?’ He (the worshipper) said, ‘I weep until my tears flow.’ The

مَرَّ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع عَلَى قَرْيَةٍ قَدْ مَاتَ أَهْلُهَا وَ طَيْرُهَا وَ دَوَابُّهَا فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُمْ لَمْ يَمُوتُوا إِلَّا بِسَخْطَةٍ[2] وَ لَوْ مَاتُوا مُتَفَرِّقِينَ لَتَدَافَنُوا فَقَالَ الْحَوَارِيُّونَ يَا رُوحَ اللَّهِ وَ كَلِمَتَهُ ادْعُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُحْيِيَهُمْ لَنَا فَيُخْبِرُونَا مَا كَانَتْ أَعْمَالُهُمْ فَنَجْتَنِبَهَا فَدَعَا عِيسَى ع رَبَّهُ فَنُودِيَ مِنَ الْجَوِّ أَنْ نَادِهِمْ فَقَا

“Once Jesus, son of Mary, passed by a town, in which people, birds and animals had all died. Jesus said, ‘They all have died from violence. Had they died individually they would have buried each other.’ The disciples said, ‘O Spirit of Allah and His word, pray to Allah to bring them to life so we may ask about their de

إِنَّ أَبْغَضَ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ عَبْدٌ اتَّقَى النَّاسُ لِسَانَهُ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The most hated of the creatures of Allah is one from whose tongue people are afraid.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ شَرُّ النَّاسِ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الَّذِينَ يُكْرَمُونَ اتِّقَاءَ شَرِّهِمْ.

‘The most evil among people in the sight of Allah on the Day of Judgment will be the one whom people respect for fear from his evil manners.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ خَافَ النَّاسُ لِسَانَهُ فَهُوَ فِي النَّارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever is feared because of his foul language will be in the fire.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ شَرُّ النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الَّذِينَ يُكْرَمُونَ اتِّقَاءَ شَرِّهِمْ.

‘The most evil among people on the Day of Judgment will be one whom people respect for fear of his evil manners’”