Hope

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ‌[1] عَ

“Once with a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. A discussion on Intelligence and Ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon, Imam abu ‘Abd Allah said, ‘First, you must recognize Intelligence and its army as well as Ignorance and its army,

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِالْفَقِيهِ حَقِّ الْفَقِيهِ مَنْ لَمْ يُقَنِّطِ النَّاسَ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنْهُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يُرَخِّصْ لَهُمْ فِي مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكِ الْقُرْآنَ رَغْبَةً عَنْهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي عِلْمٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِ تَفَهُّمٌ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي قِرَاءَةٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا تَدَبُّرٌ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي عِبَادَةٍ لَي

“Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Do you want me to describe to you the true Faqih, person who truly has a good understanding of religion? A true Faqih is one who does not cause people to despair from the mercy of Allah and does not make them to be unconcerned about the punishment of Allah, who does not allow them to consider di

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ الْعُلَمَاءُ رَجُلَانِ رَجُلٌ عَالِمٌ آخِذٌ بِعِلْمِهِ فَهَذَا نَاجٍ وَ عَالِمٌ تَارِكٌ لِعِلْمِهِ فَهَذَا هَالِكٌ وَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ النَّارِ لَيَتَأَذَّوْنَ مِنْ رِيحِ الْعَالِمِ التَّارِكِ لِعِلْمِهِ وَ إِنَّ أَشَدَّ أَهْلِ النَّارِ نَدَامَةً وَ حَسْرَةً رَجُلٌ دَعَا عَبْداً إِلَى اللَّهِ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ وَ قَبِلَ مِنْهُ ف

The scholars are of two kinds: One kind consists of those who uphold their knowledge and they gain their salvation. The other kind consists of those who disregard their knowledge and they face their destruction. The people of hell will suffer from the bad odor of the scholars who do not act according to their knowledge

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْكُمُ الرَّسُولَ ص وَ أَنْزَلَ إِلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ وَ أَنْتُمْ أُمِّيُّونَ عَنِ الْكِتَابِ وَ مَنْ أَنْزَلَهُ وَ عَنِ الرَّسُولِ وَ مَنْ أَرْسَلَهُ عَلَى حِينِ‌ فَتْرَةٍ مِنَ الرُّسُلِ‌ وَ طُولِ هَجْعَةٍ مِنَ الْأُمَمِ‌[4] وَ انْبِسَاطٍ مِنَ الْجَهْلِ وَ اعْتِرَاضٍ مِنَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ انْتِقَاضٍ مِنَ الْمُبْ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from certain persons of his people from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas‘ada ibn Sadaqa from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘O people, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has sent to you the holy Prophet (s.a.) and gave him the book with truth while

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْضَحَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّنَا عَنْ دِينِهِ وَ أَبْلَجَ بِهِمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِ مِنْهَاجِهِ وَ فَتَحَ بِهِمْ عَنْ بَاطِنِ يَنَابِيعِ عِلْمِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَاجِبَ حَقِّ إِمَامِهِ وَجَدَ طَعْمَ حَلَاوَةِ إِيمَانِهِ وَ عَلِمَ فَضْلَ طُلَاوَةِ إِسْلَامِهِ‌[4] لِأَنَّ اللَّ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has described the condition of the Imams (a.s.) and their attributes in one of his sermons. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has explained His religion through the Imams

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[1] وَ إِنَّ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّاحَةَ وَ الْفَلْجَ‌[2] وَ الْعَوْنَ وَ النَّجَاحَ وَ الْبَرَكَةَ وَ الْكَرَامَةَ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَ الْمُعَافَاةَ وَ الْيُسْرَ وَ الْبُشْرَى وَ الرِّضْوَانَ وَ الْقُرْبَ وَ النَّصْرَ وَ التَّمَكُّنَ وَ الرَّجَاءَ وَ الْمَحَبَّةَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِمَنْ تَوَلَّى عَلِيّاً وَ ائْتَمَّ بِهِ وَ بَرِئَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ وَ سَلَّمَ لِفَضْلِهِ وَ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Fadala ibn Ayyub from al-Hassan ibn Ziyad from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said the following. “Tranquillity, comfort, victory, support, success, blessings, honor, forgiveness, relief, ease, glad

أَتَيْنَا بَابَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ نَحْنُ نُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْهِ فَسَمِعْنَاهُ يَتَكَلَّمُ بِكَلَامٍ لَيْسَ بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ فَتَوَهَّمْنَا أَنَّهُ بِالسُّرْيَانِيَّةِ ثُمَّ بَكَى فَبَكَيْنَا لِبُكَائِهِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ إِلَيْنَا الْغُلَامُ فَأَذِنَ لَنَا فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ أَتَيْنَاكَ نُرِيدُ الْإِذْنَ عَلَيْكَ فَسَمِعْنَاكَ تَتَكَلَّمُ بِكَلَامٍ لَيْسَ بِالْعَرَبِيَّةِ فَتَوَهّ

“We went to Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and wanting to seek his permission. We heard him speaking in a language that was not Arabic, we imagined it was Syriac, then he cried and we cried because of his crying. Then the boy (his servant) came out and allowed us to enter. So we entered and I said, “May Allah keep you well, we c

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَ تَدْرِي مَا كَانَ قَمِيصُ يُوسُفَ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ إِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع لَمَّا أُوقِدَتْ لَهُ النَّارُ أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِثَوْبٍ مِنْ ثِيَابِ الْجَنَّةِ فَأَلْبَسَهُ إِيَّاهُ فَلَمْ يَضُرَّهُ مَعَهُ حَرٌّ وَ لَا بَرْدٌ فَلَمَّا حَضَرَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمَوْتُ جَعَلَهُ فِي تَمِيمَةٍ[1] وَ عَلَّقَهُ عَلَى إِسْحَاقَ وَ عَلَّقَهُ إِسْحَاقُ عَلَى يَعْقُوبَ فَلَمَّا وُلِدَ يُوسُفُ ع عَلَّق

“Do you know what was the shirt of Joseph?” I said, “I do not know.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When the fire was set for Abraham, Jibril brought him a dress from paradise and made him wear it. With that dress on him, nothing of the cold or heat would harm him. When Abraham was about to die, he placed it in a covering and

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ بَيْنَا أَبِي ع يَطُوفُ بِالْكَعْبَةِ إِذَا رَجُلٌ مُعْتَجِرٌ[3] قَدْ قُيِّضَ لَهُ‌ فَقَطَعَ عَلَيْهِ أُسْبُوعَهُ‌[1] حَتَّى أَدْخَلَهُ إِلَى دَارٍ جَنْبَ الصَّفَا فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ فَكُنَّا ثَلَاثَةً فَقَالَ مَرْحَباً يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى رَأْسِي وَ قَالَ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ فِيكَ يَا أَمِينَ اللَّهِ بَعْدَ آبَائِهِ يَا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ[2] إِنْ شِئْتَ فَأَخْبِر

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once while my father was walking around the Ka‘ba for Tawaf a man who had covered his face partially with his turban suddenly came by. He caused discontinuation in the Tawaf of the Imam (a.s.) and took him (a.s.) to a house adjacent to al-Safa. He sent for me also and then we were there

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عِلْمِ الْإِمَامِ بِمَا فِي أَقْطَارِ الْأَرْضِ وَ هُوَ فِي بَيْتِهِ مُرْخًى عَلَيْهِ سِتْرُهُ فَقَالَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى جَعَلَ فِي النَّبِيِّ ص خَمْسَةَ أَرْوَاحٍ رُوحَ الْحَيَاةِ فَبِهِ دَبَّ وَ دَرَجَ وَ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ فَبِهِ نَهَضَ وَ جَاهَدَ وَ رُوحَ الشَّهْوَةِ فَبِهِ أَكَلَ وَ شَرِبَ وَ أَتَى النِّسَاءَ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ وَ رُوحَ الْإِيمَانِ فَبِهِ آمَنَ وَ عَدَل

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from al-Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from ‘Abdallah ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn Sinan that al-Mufadal ibn ‘Umar who has said that I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) the following. “I asked him about the knowledge of the Imams of the regions of the earth when he is in his house secluded behind the

لَهُمْ يَا بَيَّاعِي مُسُوخِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ جُنْدِ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ فُرَاتُ بْنُ أَحْنَفَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَا جُنْدُ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْوَامٌ حَلَقُوا اللِّحَى وَ فَتَلُوا الشَّوَارِبَ فَمُسِخُوا فَلَمْ أَرَ نَاطِقاً أَحْسَنَ نُطْقاً مِنْهُ ثُمَّ اتَّبَعْتُهُ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ حَتَّى قَعَدَ فِي رَحَبَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ

“I saw Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in the (market) place of the Shurtat al-Khamis with a two pronged whip in his had. With it he would scare the sellers of inedible fish such as eel, moray and angler etc., and say, “O sellers of metamorphosed Israelites and the army of the descendants of Marwan, do not sell (inedible fishe

كَتَبَ يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أُوصِي نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ بِهَا أُوصِيكَ فَإِنَّهَا وَصِيَّةُ اللَّهِ فِي الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ وَصِيَّتُهُ فِي الْآخِرِينَ خَبَّرَنِي مَنْ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ أَعْوَانِ اللَّهِ عَلَى دِينِهِ وَ نَشْرِ طَاعَتِهِ بِمَا كَانَ مِنْ تَحَنُّنِكَ مَعَ خِذْلَانِكَ وَ قَدْ شَاوَرْتُ فِي الدَّعْوَةِ لِلرِّضَا مِنْ‌ آلِ م

19. And by this chain, from Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Ja'fari who said, ‘Yahya bin Abdullah bin Al-Hassan wrote to Musa bin Ja’far (AS), ‘Following on from that, I hereby bequeath myself to fear Allah, and by it I bequeath you, for it is a bequest of Allah among the former ones and His bequest among the later ones. They

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع الشِّيعَةُ تُرَبَّى بِالْأَمَانِيِّ مُنْذُ مِائَتَيْ سَنَةٍ:" قَالَ وَ قَالَ يَقْطِينٌ لِابْنِهِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ مَا بَالُنَا قِيلَ لَنَا فَكَانَ وَ قِيلَ لَكُمْ فَلَمْ يَكُنْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ إِنَّ الَّذِي قِيلَ لَنَا وَ لَكُمْ كَانَ مِنْ مَخْرَجٍ وَاحِدٍ غَيْرَ أَنَّ أَمْرَكُمْ حَضَرَ فَأُعْطِيتُمْ مَحْضَهُ فَكَانَ كَمَا قِيلَ لَكُمْ وَ إِنَّ أَمْرَنَا لَمْ يَحْضُرْ فَعُ

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said to me, ‘The Shi‘a have live on hopes for two hundred years.’” The narrator has said that Yaqtin said to his son, Ali ibn Yaqtin, “We did not have to worry. What was said to us came true. What is said to you has not come true yet” Ali then said to him, “What was said to you and what is said to

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مَنْصُورُ إِنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ لَا يَأْتِيكُمْ إِلَّا بَعْدَ إِيَاسٍ وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى تُمَيَّزُوا وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَشْقَى مَنْ يَشْقَى وَ يَسْعَدَ مَنْ يَسْعَدُ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me, “O Mansur, this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority) will not come to you before despair, and not, by Allah, before (your good ones are) distinguished (from evil ones) and not, by Allah, before you are refined and not, by Allah, before tuning to misfortune of those who a

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ الْحَارِثُ بْنُ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا جُلُوساً وَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَسْمَعُ كَلَامَنَا فَقَالَ لَنَا فِي أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنْتُمْ هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُغَرْبَلُوا لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُمْ حَتَّى تُمَحَّصُوا لَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا يَكُونُ مَا تَمُدُّونَ إِلَيْهِ أَعْيُنَكُ

“Once I, al-Harith ibn al-Mughira and a group of our people were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who could hear our conversations. He asked ask us, “What is the issue in your dialogue? It will not happen and it will never happen. By Allah, what you are looking to will not take place before you are sifted, by Al

فِي احْتِجَاجِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى عَاصِمِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ حِينَ لَبِسَ الْعَبَاءَ وَ تَرَكَ الْمُلَاءَ وَ شَكَاهُ أَخُوهُ الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنَّهُ قَدْ غَمَّ أَهْلَهُ وَ أَحْزَنَ وُلْدَهُ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَيَّ بِعَاصِمِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ فَجِي‌ءَ بِهِ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ عَبَسَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ مَا اسْتَحْيَيْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ أَ مَا رَحِمْتَ

The Hadith is about the protest of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) against ‘Asim ibn Ziyad who had confined himself in a gown away from the people. His brother, al-Rabi‘ ibn Ziyad complained before Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) complained that his ‘Asim’s family had become depressed and his sons had been sadden because of his behavi

النَّبِيُّ ص وَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع.

In the Praise of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All praise belongs to Allah Who is praised for His bounties, worshipped for His Might, obeyed in His rule and feared for His Majesty. He possesses all that is attractive; His commands pervade in all of His creation. He is High, the Most High. He is near in His Highne

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا رَأَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص تَيْماً وَ عَدِيّاً وَ بَنِي أُمَيَّةَ يَرْكَبُونَ مِنْبَرَهُ أَفْظَعَهُ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قُرْآناً يَتَأَسَّى بِهِ‌ وَ إِذْ قُلْنا لِلْمَلائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ‌ أَبى‌[5] ثُمَّ أَوْحَى إِلَيْهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنِّي أَمَرْتُ فَلَمْ أُطَعْ فَلَا تَجْزَعْ أَنْتَ إِذَا أَمَرْتَ فَلَمْ تُطَعْ فِي وَصِي

‘When the Messenger of Allah saw Taym, ‘Adi and Amawids climb his pulpit he was severely frightened. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent him a reading to comfort him. “When We told the angels to prostrate before Adam they all obeyed except Iblis (Satan) who refused.” (20:116) Then Allah, sent him a message that s

كَانَ لِي جَارٌ يَتَّبِعُ السُّلْطَانَ فَأَصَابَ مَالًا فَأَعَدَّ قِيَاناً وَ كَانَ يَجْمَعُ الْجَمِيعَ إِلَيْهِ وَ يَشْرَبُ الْمُسْكِرَ وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَشَكَوْتُهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَنْتَهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ أَلْحَحْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا هَذَا أَنَا رَجُلٌ مُبْتَلًى وَ أَنْتَ رَجُلٌ مُعَافًى فَلَوْ عَرَضْتَنِي لِصَاحِبِكَ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُنْقِذَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِكَ فَوَقَعَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فِي قَلْبِي ف

“I had a neighbor who followed the Sultan and he gains certain properties. He would arrange parties and invite female singers. They would drink wine and would disturb me. I complained to the man several times but he would not pay any attention. When I insisted he said, “O man, “I am an addicted man and you are sober. I

دَخَلَ الْعَبَّاسِيُّونَ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ وَ دَخَلَ صَالِحُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ غَيْرُهُ مِنَ الْمُنْحَرِفِينَ عَنْ هَذِهِ النَّاحِيَةِ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ عِنْدَ مَا حَبَسَ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُمْ صَالِحٌ وَ مَا أَصْنَعُ قَدْ وَكَّلْتُ بِهِ رَجُلَيْنِ مِنْ أَشَرِّ مَنْ قَدَرْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ صَارَا مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ إِلَى أَمْرٍ عَظِيمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُمَا مَا فِيهِ ف

“When abu Muhammad (a.s.) was imprisoned, the ‘Abbassids, Salih ibn Wasif, Salih ibn Ali and others who were not Shi‘as all came to Salih ibn Wasif asking him to exert more pressure on abu Muhammad (a.s.).Salih told them, “What should I do? I managed to find two people who were of the harshest manners and appointed the

كُنْتُ خَرَجْتُ سَنَةً مِنَ السِّنِينَ بِبَغْدَادَ فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُ فِي الْخُرُوجِ فَلَمْ يُؤْذَنْ لِي فَأَقَمْتُ اثْنَيْنِ وَ عِشْرِينَ يَوْماً وَ قَدْ خَرَجَتِ الْقَافِلَةُ إِلَى النَّهْرَوَانِ فَأُذِنَ فِي الْخُرُوجِ لِي يَوْمَ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ وَ قِيلَ لِيَ اخْرُجْ فِيهِ فَخَرَجْتُ وَ أَنَا آيِسٌ مِنَ الْقَافِلَةِ أَنْ أَلْحَقَهَا فَوَافَيْتُ النَّهْرَوَانَ وَ الْقَافِلَةُ مُقِيمَةٌ فَمَا كَانَ إِلَّا أَنْ أَعْلَفْت

“I lived in Baghdad and one year I requested permission (from the twelfth Imam (a.s.) to travel out but permission was not granted. I waited for twenty two days and the caravan had already left for al-Nahrawan then I was granted permission. It was a Wednesday and I was told to leave. I then left but I did not have any

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ هَلْ تَعْرِفُ مَوَدَّتِي لَكُمْ وَ انْقِطَاعِي إِلَيْكُمْ وَ مُوَالاتِي إِيَّاكُمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ- فَقُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مَسْأَلَةً تُجِيبُنِي فِيهَا فَإِنِّي مَكْفُوفُ الْبَصَرِ قَلِيلُ الْمَشْيِ وَ لَا أَسْتَطِيعُ زِيَارَتَكُمْ كُلَّ حِينٍ قَالَ هَاتِ حَاجَتَكَ قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي بِدِينِكَ الَّذِي تَدِينُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ أَنْتَ وَ أَ

10. It is narrated from him (Ali ibn Ibrahim) from abu al-Jarud who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Do you know, O child of the Messenger of Allah that I love you ( Ahl al-Bayt). that 1 have disassociated myself from other people to associate with you only and that I support you ( Ahl al-Bayt )

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ مَعَهُ صَحِيفَةٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ صَحِيفَةُ مُخَاصِمٍ يَسْأَلُ‌[1] عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي يُقْبَلُ فِيهِ الْعَمَلُ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ هَذَا الَّذِي أُرِيدُ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ تُقِرَّ بِمَا جَاءَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ الْوَلَايَةُ لَنَ

13. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Aban from Isma’il al-Ja’fi who has said the following: “Once a man came to abu Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant. He had a book with him. Abu Ja’far said, ‘This is the book of a polemicist who wants to

إِنَّ [أُ] نَاساً تَكَلَّمُوا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتابَ مِنْهُ آياتٌ مُحْكَماتٌ‌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتابِ‌ وَ أُخَرُ مُتَشابِهاتٌ‌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ ما تَشابَهَ مِنْهُ‌ ابْتِغاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ ابْتِغاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ‌ وَ ما يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ‌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌[2]- الْآيَةَ فَ

Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Certain people have spoken from this Holy Quran without knowledge. It is because Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “It is Allah Who has revealed the Book to you in which certain verses are clear statements (that accept no interpretation), and these are the fundamental ideas of

الْمَكَارِمُ عَشْرٌ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ فِيكَ فَلْتَكُنْ فَإِنَّهَا تَكُونُ فِي الرَّجُلِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي وَلَدِهِ وَ تَكُونُ فِي الْوَلَدِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي أَبِيهِ وَ تَكُونُ فِي الْعَبْدِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي الْحُرِّ قِيلَ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ صِدْقُ الْبَأْسِ‌[3] وَ صِدْقُ اللِّسَانِ وَ أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ إِقْرَاءُ الضَّيْفِ‌[4]- وَ إِطْعَامُ السَّائِلِ وَ الْمُكَافَأَةُ عَلَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Noble (human) qualities are ten. If you can establish all of them so be it. Such qualities may be found in a man but may not be found in his children. They may be found in the children but not in the father. At times they are found in a slave person but not in a free one.’ It was asked

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

كُنْتُ مَعَ مُوسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3]- بِيَنْبُعَ وَ قَدْ نَفِدَتْ نَفَقَتِي فِي بَعْضِ الْأَسْفَارِ فَقَالَ لِي بَعْضُ وُلْدِ الْحُسَيْنِ مَنْ تُؤَمِّلُ لِمَا قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ فَقُلْتُ مُوسَى بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِذاً لَا تُقْضَى حَاجَتُكَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْجَحُ طَلِبَتُكَ قُلْتُ وَ لِمَ ذَاكَ قَالَ لِأَنِّي قَدْ وَجَدْتُ فِي بَعْضِ كُتُبِ آبَائِي أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ مِثْلَهُ ف

“I was at Yanbu’ with Musa ibn ‘Abd Allah. My supplies for my expenses were exhausted during certain journeys. A certain person of the children of al-Husayn asked me, ‘Whose assistence do you hope will help out overcome your difficult conditions?’ I said, ‘Musa ibn ‘Abd Allah will provide for my expenses.’ He then said

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

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ وَ هُوَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِهِ وَ الَّذِي‌ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَا أُعْطِيَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَطُّ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا بِحُسْنِ ظَنِّهِ بِاللَّهِ وَ رَجَائِهِ لَهُ وَ حُسْنِ خُلُقِهِ وَ الْكَفِّ عَنِ اغْتِيَابِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَا يُعَذِّبُ اللَّهُ مُؤْمِناً بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ إِلَّا بِسُوءِ ظَنِّ

2. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from Jamil ibn Salih from Burayd ibn Mu’awiyah from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “We have found in the book of Ali (a.s.) that the Messenger of Allah said from the pulpit, ‘I swear by the One besides Whom no one else deserves to be worshipped, a believer never receives any go

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 أَبُو الصَّبَّاحِ الْكِنَانِيُّ- لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا نَلْقَى مِنَ النَّاسِ فِيكَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَا الَّذِي تَلْقَى مِنَ النَّاسِ فِيَّ فَقَالَ لَا يَزَالُ يَكُونُ بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ الْكَلَامُ فَيَقُولُ جَعْفَرِيٌّ خَبِيثٌ فَقَالَ يُعَيِّرُكُمُ النَّاسُ بِي فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو الصَّبَّاحِ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ مَا أَقَلَّ وَ اللَّهِ مَنْ يَتَّبِعُ جَعْفَراً مِنْكُمْ إِنَّمَ

“Abu Sabah al-Kanani has said, ‘We are not received well among people because of you.’ The Imam said, ‘How are you received among people because of me?’ He said, ‘As soon as we speak to a man he then says, “He is a Ja’fari (follower of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.)) a filthy one.’” The Imam said, ‘Do they reprimand you b

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي ضَعِيفُ الْعَمَلِ قَلِيلُ الصِّيَامِ وَ لَكِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ لَا آكُلَ إِلَّا حَلَالًا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّ الِاجْتِهَادِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

‘My deeds are weak and my fasting is very little but I hope to eat only what is lawful.’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘What kind of hard work could be considered better than chastity of stomach and chastity of genital organs?”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَتَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ يَعِظُهُ أُوصِيكَ وَ نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى مَنْ لَا تَحِلُّ مَعْصِيَتُهُ وَ لَا يُرْجَى غَيْرُهُ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِهِ فَإِنَّ مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ قَوِيَ وَ شَبِعَ وَ رَوِيَ وَ رُفِعَ عَقْلُهُ عَنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا فَبَدَنُهُ مَعَ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَلْبُهُ وَ عَقْلُهُ مُعَايِنُ الْآخِرَةِ فَأَطْفَأَ بِضَوْ

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from abu Jamilah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) wrote to one of his companions to advise him. “I recommend that you and I be pious before the One whose disobedience is not lawful

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَلَا تُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ يَصُومُ الْيَوْمَ الْحَارَّ يُرِيدُ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَيُعْتِقُهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ لَا تَسْتَقِلَّ مَا يُتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَوْ شِقَّ تَمْرَةٍ[2].

“When you intend to perform anything good, then do not delay. A man may fast on a hot day and hope thereby to receive what is with Allah, and Allah then sets him free from fire. Do not underestimate the good deeds with which one may seek nearness to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, even if it is a piece of a da

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ لَا يَسْأَلَ رَبَّهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ فَلْيَيْأَسْ‌[2] مِنَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ وَ لَا يَكُونُ لَهُ رَجَاءٌ إِلَّا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ قَلْبِهِ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If any of you would like not to be rejected when asking his Lord (Allah) for something, you must abolish all of your hope in people and place your hope in no one except Allah. When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, finds this in one’s heart. He then will not reject one’s prayers

رَأَيْتُ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَ فِي قَطْعِ الطَّمَعِ عَمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْجُ النَّاسَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ رَدَّ أَمْرَهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِهِ اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ.

“I saw all good gathered together in cutting off of yearning for what belongs to people and in not having any hope in people in anything and in leaving his affairs in the hands of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in all matters. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will answer him in all things.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ طَلَبُ الْحَوَائِجِ إِلَى النَّاسِ اسْتِلَابٌ‌[3] لِلْعِزِّ وَ مَذْهَبَةٌ لِلْحَيَاءِ وَ الْيَأْسُ مِمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ عِزٌّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ‌ فِي دِينِهِ وَ الطَّمَعُ هُوَ الْفَقْرُ الْحَاضِرُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘Asking people for help is seeking to abolish one’s respect, as well as one’s bashfulness. Placing no hope in what is in the hands of people is dignity for a believer in his religion and greed is poverty at hand.’”