Hope

أَتَى جَبْرَئِيلُ ع إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْبُدَنِي يَوْماً وَ لَيْلَةً حَقَّ عِبَادَتِي فَارْفَعْ يَدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً خَالِداً مَعَ خُلُودِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا مُنْتَهَى لَهُ دُونَ عِلْمِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا أَمَدَ لَهُ دُونَ مَشِيئَتِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا جَزَاءَ لِقَائِلِهِ إِلَّا رِ

16. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid in a marfu’ manner has narrated the following: “Once Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘Your Lord says to you, “When you like to worship Me a day or night a true worshipping, raise your hands to Me and say, ‘O Lord, all praise

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً أَدْعُو بِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْ يَا مَنْ أَرْجُوهُ لِكُلِ‌ خَيْرٍ- وَ يَا مَنْ آمَنُ سَخَطَهُ‌[1] عِنْدَ كُلِّ عَثْرَةٍ وَ يَا مَنْ يُعْطِي بِالْقَلِيلِ الْكَثِيرَ يَا مَنْ أَعْطَى مَنْ سَأَلَهُ تَحَنُّناً مِنْهُ وَ رَحْمَةً يَا مَنْ أَعْطَى مَنْ لَمْ يَسْأَلْهُ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفْهُ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَعْطِنِي بِمَسْأَلَتِي مِنْ جَمِيعِ خَيْرِ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to instruct me with a supplication with which I can pray to Allah. The Imam agreed and told me to say, ‘O the One who is my hope in all that is good, O the One whose anger is not feared (in certain cases) in every mistake, O the One who grants a great deal for very little, O the One w

كَانَ مِنْ دُعَائِهِ يَقُولُ- يَا نُورُ يَا قُدُّوسُ يَا أَوَّلَ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ يَا آخِرَ الْآخِرِينَ يَا رَحْمَانُ يَا رَحِيمُ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُغَيِّرُ النِّعَمَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُحِلُّ النِّقَمَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ‌ الَّتِي تَهْتِكُ الْعِصَمَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُنْزِلُ الْبَلَاءَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذُّنُوبَ الَّتِي تُدِيلُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ اغْفِرْ لِيَ الذ

“O light, O Holy, O the First of the beings in the beginning, O the Last of the beings of the later times, O the Beneficent, O the Merciful, forgive my such sins that change the bounties, forgive my such sins that bring in misfortunes, forgive my such sins that crush the protections, forgive my such sins that send down

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

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

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ قَوْلَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ عَمَلَهُمْ وَ نُورَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ صِدْقَهُمْ وَ نَجَاةَ الْمُجَاهِدِينَ وَ ثَوَابَهُمْ وَ شُكْرَ الْمُصْطَفَيْنَ وَ نَصِيحَتَهُمْ وَ عَمَلَ الذَّاكِرِينَ وَ يَقِينَهُمْ وَ إِيمَانَ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَ فِقْهَهُمْ وَ تَعَبُّدَ الْخَاشِعِينَ وَ تَوَاضُعَهُمْ وَ حُكْمَ الْفُقَهَاءِ وَ سِيرَتَهُمْ وَ خَشْيَةَ الْمُتَّقِينَ وَ رَغْبَتَهُمْ وَ تَصْدِيقَ الْمُؤْمِنِي

33. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Mansur ibn Yunus from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Say, ‘O Lord, I plead before You, to grant me such words as those of repenting people and their deeds, the light of the prophets and their truthfulness, salva

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

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

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِذَا صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ قَالَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَتَجَنَّبَ مُوَاخَاةَ ثَلَاثَةٍ الْمَاجِنِ الْفَاجِرِ وَ الْأَحْمَقِ وَ الْكَذَّابِ فَأَمَّا الْمَاجِنُ الْفَاجِرُ فَيُزَيِّنُ لَكَ فِعْلَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنَّكَ مِثْلُهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُكَ عَلَى أَمْرِ دِينِكَ وَ مَعَادِكَ وَ مُقَارَبَتُهُ جَفَاءٌ وَ قَسْوَةٌ وَ مَدْخَلُهُ وَ مَخْرَجُهُ عَارٌ عَلَيْكَ وَ أَمَّا الْأَحْمَقُ فَإِنَّ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Amr Aban ibn ‘Uthman ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Salim al-Kindy from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) were to take his place on

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ لِي جَارٌ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ ارْحَمْهُ فَقُلْتُ لَا رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ فَصَرَفَ وَجْهَهُ عَنِّي قَالَ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَهُ فَقُلْتُ يَفْعَلُ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ يَفْعَلُ بِي وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَقَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَاشَفْتَهُ انْتَصَفْتَ مِنْهُ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ بَلَى أُرْبِي عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ ذَا مِمَّنْ يَحْسُدُ النَّاسَ عَلى‌ ما آتاهُمُ اللَّهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ‌

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said to him, ‘My neighbor causes me suffering.’ The Imam said, ‘Be kind to him.’ I said, ‘I wish Allah will not grant him any kindness.’ The Imam turned away from me and I did not like to leave him and I said, ‘He does this and that to me and keeps causing me to

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يُصَلِّي الرَّجُلُ بِوُضُوءٍ وَاحِدٍ صَلَاةَ اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ كُلَّهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ قُلْتُ فَيُصَلِّي بِتَيَمُّمٍ وَاحِدٍ صَلَاةَ اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ كُلَّهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ أَوْ يُصِبْ مَاءً قُلْتُ فَإِنْ أَصَابَ الْمَاءَ وَ رَجَا أَنْ يَقْدِرَ عَلَى مَاءٍ آخَرَ وَ ظَنَّ أَنَّهُ يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ كُلَّمَا أَرَادَ فَعَسُرَ ذَلِكَ عَلَيْهِ- قَالَ ي

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Can a man pray Salaat with one Ablution (Wudhu), (including) all of the night and day prayers’. He said: ‘Yes, for as long as an event does not occur (breaking his ablution)’. I said, ‘Can he pray with one Tayammum, all of the night and day prayers?’ He said: ‘Yes, for as long as an ev

كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع إِلَى رَجُلٍ ذَكَرْتَ مُصِيبَتَكَ بِعَلِيٍّ ابْنِكَ وَ ذَكَرْتَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ أَحَبَّ وُلْدِكَ إِلَيْكَ وَ كَذَلِكَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّمَا يَأْخُذُ مِنَ الْوَالِدِ وَ غَيْرِهِ أَزْكَى مَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ لِيُعْظِمَ بِهِ أَجْرَ الْمُصَابِ بِالْمُصِيبَةِ فَأَعْظَمَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَكَ وَ أَحْسَنَ عَزَاكَ‌[1] وَ رَبَطَ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ إِنَّهُ قَدِيرٌ وَ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ بِا

You mentioned your affliction with the loss of your son ʿAlī, and you mentioned that he was the most beloved of your children to you. Likewise, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, only takes from the parent and others the purest of what they have to magnify the reward of the one afflicted by the calamity. May Allah magnify

لَمَّا مَاتَ النَّبِيُّ ص سَمِعُوا صَوْتاً وَ لَمْ يَرَوْا شَخْصاً يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ‌ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّما تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فازَ وَ قَالَ إِنَّ فِي اللَّهِ خَلَفاً مِنْ كُلِّ هَالِكٍ وَ عَزَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ مُصِيبَةٍ وَ دَرَكاً مِمَّا فَاتَ فَبِاللَّهِ فَثِقُوا وَ إِيَّاهُ فَارْجُوا وَ إِنَّمَا الْمَحْرُومُ مَنْ حُرِمَ ال

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away they (people) heard a voice, but did not see anyone in person, saying, ‘Every soul is to experience the taste of death. You

لَمَّا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص جَاءَهُمْ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع وَ النَّبِيُّ مُسَجًّى وَ فِي الْبَيْتِ عَلِيٌّ وَ فَاطِمَةُ وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا أَهْلَ بَيْتِ الرَّحْمَةِ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّما تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فازَ وَ مَا الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا إِلَّا مَتاعُ الْغُرُورِ إِنَّ فِي

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Salmah ibn al-Khattab from Sulayman ibn Sama‘ah from Al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away, Jibril (the archangel) came to them when the Holy Prophet was covered with a sheet o

لَمَّا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص جَاءَتِ التَّعْزِيَةُ أَتَاهُمْ آتٍ يَسْمَعُونَ حِسَّهُ‌[3] وَ لَا يَرَوْنَ شَخْصَهُ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ‌ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّما تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ‌[4] عَنِ النَّارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ‌ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فازَ وَ مَا الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا إِلَّا مَتاعُ الْغُرُورِ فِي اللَّهِ

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of above Hadith) from Salmah from Ali ibn Sayf from his father from abu ‘Usamah Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when the Messenger of Allah passed away condolences were offered. Someone came to them and they felt his prese

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ يَقْرَأُ الْقُرْآنَ إِذَا مَرَّ بِآيَةٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ فِيهَا مَسْأَلَةٌ أَوْ تَخْوِيفٌ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ عِنْدَ ذَلِكَ خَيْرَ مَا يَرْجُو وَ يَسْأَلَهُ الْعَافِيَةَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One, when reading from the Holy Quran, should, upon coming across a verse that speaks of prayer or warning, ask Allah for what is good that one hopes for and for safety from fire and torment.’”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً فَإِنِّي قَدْ بُلِيتُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ وَ كَانَ قَدْ حُبِسَ بِبَغْدَادَ حَيْثُ اتُّهِمَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ فَأَطِلِ السُّجُودَ ثُمَّ قُلْ يَا أَحَدَ مَنْ لَا أَحَدَ لَهُ حَتَّى تَنْقَطِعَ النَّفَسُ ثُمَّ قُلْ يَا مَنْ لَا يَزِيدُهُ كَثْرَةُ الدُّعَاءِ إِلَّا جُوداً وَ كَرَماً حَتَّى تَنْقَطِعَ نَفَسُكَ ثُمَّ قُلْ يَا رَبَّ الْأَرْب

25. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from certain individuals of our people from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Ziyad al-Qandiy who has said the following: “I wrote to abu al-Hassan the first (a.s.), to teach me a supplication. I am suffering from a situation - he was imprisoned in Baghdad. They had accused him in matters of their p

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِداً بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيْتاً فِي الْجَنَّةِ قَالَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ فَمَرَّ بِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ وَ قَدْ سَوَّيْتُ بِأَحْجَارٍ مَسْجِداً فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ نَرْجُو أَنْ يَكُونَ هَذَا مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘If one builds a Masjid, Allah builds for him a house in paradise.’ Abu ‘Ubaydah has said, ‘Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), once passed by on the way to Makkah and I had built a Masjid with stones and asked him, “I pray to Allah to keep my souls in the service of your cause , I hope this wil

صَاحَ أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ فِي الِاسْتِسْقَاءِ فَقَالَ لِيَ انْطَلِقْ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَسَلْهُ مَا رَأْيُكَ فَإِنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ قَدْ صَاحُوا إِلَيَّ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ فَقَالَ لِي قُلْ لَهُ فَلْيَخْرُجْ قُلْتُ لَهُ مَتَى يَخْرُجُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ يُخْرِجُ الْمِنْبَرَ ثُمَّ يَخْرُجُ يَمْشِي كَمَا يَمْشِي يَوْمَ الْعِي

“People of al-Madinah cried before Muhammad ibn Khalid about Salah (prayer) for rain. He said to me, ’Go to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and ask him what is his opinion. These people cry before me.’ I went to him (the Imam) and conveyed to him (the Imam) the message. He (the Imam) told me to tell him (Muhammad ibn Khalid) to

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي اخْتَرَعْتُ دُعَاءً قَالَ دَعْنِي مِنِ اخْتِرَاعِكَ إِذَا نَزَلَ بِكَ أَمْرٌ فَافْزَعْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ صَلِّ رَكْعَتَيْنِ تُهْدِيهِمَا إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص قُلْتُ كَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ تَغْتَسِلُ وَ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ تَسْتَفْتِحُ بِهِمَا افْتِتَاحَ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ تَشَهَّدُ تَشَهُّدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ مِنَ التَّشَهُّد

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu ‘Abd Allah from Ziyad al-Qandiy from ‘Abd al-Rahim al-Qasir who has said the following: “I visited abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, and said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause; I have invented a prayer.’ He said, ‘Keep your inven

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا هَارُونَ بْنَ خَارِجَةَ كَمْ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ مَسْجِدِ الْكُوفَةِ يَكُونُ مِيلًا قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ فَتُصَلِّي فِيهِ الصَّلَوَاتِ كُلَّهَا قُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ أَمَا لَوْ كُنْتُ بِحَضْرَتِهِ لَرَجَوْتُ أَلَّا تَفُوتَنِي فِيهِ صَلَاةٌ وَ تَدْرِي مَا فَضْلُ ذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعِ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ صَالِحٍ وَ لَا نَبِيٍّ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ صَلَّى فِي مَسْجِدِ كُوفَانَ حَتَّى إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص لَمَّا أَسْرَى الل

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked me, ‘O Harun ibn Kharijah, how far away do you live from the Masjid of Kufah? Is it one mile?’ I replied, ‘No, it is less than a mile.’ He then asked, ‘Do you perform all Salah (prayers) there?’ I replied, ‘No, I do not perform all Salah (prayers) there.’ He then said, ‘If I were near

ذَكَرْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع شَيْئاً فَقَالَ اصْبِرْ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ يَصْنَعَ اللَّهُ لَكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا أَخَّرَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِمَّا عَجَّلَ لَهُ فِيهَا ثُمَّ صَغَّرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَالَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ هِيَ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ النِّعْمَةِ عَلَى خَطَرٍ إِنَّهُ يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ حُقُوقُ اللَّهِ فِيهَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَتَكُونُ عَلَيَّ

“I mentioned something before al-Rida (a.s.), and he said, ’Exercise patience. I hope Allah will do something good for you if He so wills.’ He then said, ’By Allah, He does not delay anything from a believer of the worldly things unless it is better for him than to do it for him quickly.’ He then belittled worldly thin

كُنَّا مَعَ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ فَأَتَاهُ عَمْرُو بْنُ إِلْيَاسَ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ أَخِي بِحَلَبَ بَعَثَ إِلَيَّ بِمَالٍ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ أَقْسِمُهُ بِالْكُوفَةِ فَقُطِعَ عَلَيْهِ الطَّرِيقُ فَهَلْ عِنْدَكَ فِيهِ رِوَايَةٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ هَذِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ وَ لَمْ أَظُنَّ أَنَّ أَحَداً يَسْأَلُنِي عَنْهَا أَبَداً فَقُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الرَّجُلُ يَب

“Once we were with abu Basir when ‘Amr ibn ’Ilyas came to him and said, ‘O abu Muhammad, my brother from Halab has sent to me a certain amount of goods of Zakat so I distribute in al-Kufah, but it was looted on the way. Do you have any Hadith about it?’ He said, ‘Yes, I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about this issue an

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً عَفَّ وَ تَعَفَّفَ وَ كَفَّ عَنِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِنَّهُ يَتَعَجَّلُ الدَّنِيَّةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا يُغْنِي النَّاسُ عَنْهُ شَيْئاً[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ تَمَثَّلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِبَيْتِ حَاتِمٍ- إِذَا مَا عَرَفْتُ الْيَأْسَ أَلْفَيْتُهُ الْغِنَى‌ إِذَا عَرَفَتْهُ النَّفْسُ وَ الطَّمَعُ الْفَقْرُ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah grants mercy to one of His servants who has maintained chastity, continues to do so, and abstains from asking (people) for a favor; doing so brings lowliness for one in this world quickly, and people cannot make him self-sufficient.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), then mentioned a line

الْمَعْرُوفُ ابْتِدَاءٌ وَ أَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَيْتَهُ بَعْدَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِنَّمَا كَافَيْتَهُ بِمَا بَذَلَ لَكَ مِنْ وَجْهِهِ يَبِيتُ لَيْلَتَهُ أَرِقاً مُتَمَلْمِلًا يَمْثُلُ بَيْنَ الرَّجَاءِ وَ الْيَأْسِ‌[2] لَا يَدْرِي أَيْنَ يَتَوَجَّهُ لِحَاجَتِهِ ثُمَّ يَعْزِمُ بِالْقَصْدِ لَهَا فَيَأْتِيكَ وَ قَلْبُهُ يَرْجُفُ وَ فَرَائِصُهُ تُرْعَدُ قَدْ تَرَى دَمَهُ فِي وَجْهِهِ لَا يَدْرِي أَ يَرْجِعُ بِكَأْبَةٍ أَمْ بِف

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that charity is that which is given before an appeal by the recipient. Giving charity after an appeal by the recipient is compensation for using the dignity of his face when he appealed and his passing the night worried and anxious in hope and despair without knowing which direction to

هُوَ الزَّمِنُ الَّذِي لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ لِزَمَانَتِهِ‌[4].

“This is about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘feed the despondent poor one . . .’ (22:29) Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Such a time is when he is unable to go out for help due to his illness.’”

ادْعُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مُسْتَقْبِلَ دُخُولِ السَّنَةِ[1]- وَ ذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ مَنْ دَعَا بِهِ مُحْتَسِباً مُخْلِصاً لَمْ تُصِبْهُ فِي تِلْكَ السَّنَةِ فِتْنَةٌ وَ لَا آفَةٌ يُضَرُّ بِهَا دِينُهُ وَ بَدَنُهُ وَ وَقَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ شَرَّ مَا يَأْتِي بِهِ تِلْكَ السَّنَةَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي دَانَ لَهُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي‌ وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْ‌

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from ‘Abd al-Salih, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, who has said the following: “Say the following prayer in the month of Ramadan to welcome the year. Whoever says this prayer, expecting reward for it (from Allah), and with sincerity, no illness or cr

أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع كَانَ يَدْعُو بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الصِّيَامِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْإِنَابَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ التَّوْبَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْعِتْقِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ الْفَوْزِ بِالْجَنَّةِ اللَّهُمَّ فَسَلِّمْهُ لِي وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنِّي وَ أَعِنِّي عَلَيْهِ بِأَفْضَل

8. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from Afi ibn Asbat from ‘Abd af-Rahman ibn Bashir from certain individuais of his people who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say this prayer every day during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, this is the

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي يُرْجَى فِيهَا مَا يُرْجَى‌[1] فَقَالَ فِي إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ أَوْ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ قَالَ فَإِنْ لَمْ أَقْوَ عَلَى كِلْتَيْهِمَا فَقَالَ مَا أَيْسَرَ لَيْلَتَيْنِ فِيمَا تَطْلُبُ قُلْتُ فَرُبَّمَا رَأَيْنَا الْهِلَالَ عِنْدَنَا وَ جَاءَنَا مَنْ يُخْبِرُنَا بِخِلَافِ ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَرْضٍ أُخْرَى فَقَالَ مَا أَيْسَر

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.), when abu Basir asked him, ‘May I be sacrificed for you, when is the night during which one may hope that his wishes will come true?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is in the twenty-first or twenty-third nights.’ He (abu Basir) then asked, ‘What happens if I cannot (stay

فِي وَدَاعِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ فِي كِتَابِكَ الْمُنْزَلِ- شَهْرُ رَمَضانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ‌ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ قَدْ تَصَرَّمَ فَأَسْأَلُكَ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ كَلِمَاتِكَ التَّامَّةِ إِنْ كَانَ بَقِيَ عَلَيَّ ذَنْبٌ لَمْ تَغْفِرْهُ لِي أَوْ تُرِيدُ أَنْ تُعَذِّبَنِي عَلَيْهِ أَوْ تُقَايِسَنِي بِهِ أَنْ يَطْلُعَ‌[2] فَجْرُ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةِ أَوْ يَتَصَرَّمَ هَذ

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Sa‘dan ibn Muslim from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that to say farewell to the month of Ramadan say this. ‘O Allah, You have said in Your book, “The month of Ramadan is that when the Holy Quran was re

كُنْتُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَ الْمَدِينَةِ أَنَا وَ صَاحِبٌ لِي فَتَذَاكَرْنَا الْأَنْصَارَ فَقَالَ أَحَدُنَا هُمْ نُزَّاعٌ‌[1] مِنْ قَبَائِلَ وَ قَالَ أَحَدُنَا هُمْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْيَمَنِ قَالَ فَانْتَهَيْنَا إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ فِي ظِلِّ شَجَرَةٍ فَابْتَدَأَ الْحَدِيثَ وَ لَمْ نَسْأَلْهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ تُبَّعاً لَمَّا أَنْ جَاءَ مِنْ قِبَلِ الْعِرَاقِ وَ جَاءَ مَعَهُ الْعُلَمَاءُ وَ أَبْنَ

“In between Makkah and al-Madinah, my companion and I were discussing about people called al- Ansar. One of us said that they were individuals from different people who did not belong to well- known tribes, and one of them said that they were from the people of Yemen. We then arrived near abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.). He was

الْحَجُّ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ سُوقَانِ مِنْ أَسْوَاقِ الْآخِرَةِ وَ الْعَامِلُ بِهِمَا فِي‌ جِوَارِ اللَّهِ إِنْ أَدْرَكَ مَا يَأْمُلُ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَ إِنْ قَصُرَ بِهِ أَجَلُهُ‌ وَقَعَ أَجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ‌.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah are market places for the next life in which the workers are neighbors of Allah. If they find what they hope, Allah grants them forgiveness, but if the appointed time for his death did not give him a chance, the reward for him remains with Allah.”

قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ لِنَفْسِيَ الْيَقِينَ وَ الْعَفْوَ وَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ ثِقَتِي وَ أَنْتَ رَجَائِي وَ أَنْتَ عَضُدِي وَ أَنْتَ نَاصِرِي بِكَ أَحُلُّ وَ بِكَ أَسِيرُ[1] قَالَ وَ مَنْ يَخْرُجْ فِي سَفَرٍ وَحْدَهُ فَلْيَقُلْ‌ ما شاءَ اللَّهُ لا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ‌ اللَّهُمَّ آنِسْ وَحْشَتِي وَ أَعِنِّي عَلَى وَحْدَتِي وَ أَدِّ غَيْبَتِي‌[2].

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abdullah al-Qummiy from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who said: “Say: ‘O Allah, I appeal before You to grant my soul certainty, forgiveness and good health in this life and in the next life. O Allah, You ar

إِذَا خَرَجْتَ فِي سَفَرٍ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي خَرَجْتُ فِي وَجْهِي هَذَا بِلَا ثِقَةٍ مِنِّي بِغَيْرِكَ وَ لَا رَجَاءٍ آوِي إِلَيْهِ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ وَ لَا قُوَّةٍ أَتَّكِلُ عَلَيْهَا وَ لَا حِيلَةٍ أَلْجَأُ إِلَيْهَا إِلَّا طَلَبَ فَضْلِكَ وَ ابْتِغَاءَ رِزْقِكَ وَ تَعَرُّضاً لِرَحْمَتِكَ وَ سُكُوناً إِلَى حُسْنِ عَادَتِكَ‌[3] وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا سَبَقَ لِي فِي عِلْمِكَ فِي سَفَرِي هَذَا مِمَّا أُحِبُّ أَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you come out for a journey say, ‘O Allah, I have come out in this direction without placing my trust in anyone other than You. I do not have any hope in anyone to which I incline except to You. I have no power to rely on, or any plan to use, except seeking favors from You. I s

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا سَيِّدِي إِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ أَصُومَ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ تَصُومُ بِهَا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قُلْتُ وَ أَرْجُو أَنْ يَكُونَ خُرُوجُنَا فِي عَشْرٍ مِنْ شَوَّالٍ وَ قَدْ عَوَّدَ اللَّهُ زِيَارَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ زِيَارَتَكَ فَرُبَّمَا حَجَجْتُ عَنْ أَبِيكَ وَ رُبَّمَا حَجَجْتُ عَنْ أَبِي وَ رُبَّمَا حَجَجْتُ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ مِنْ إِخْوَانِي وَ رُبَّ

‘My master, I hope to fast during the month of Ramadan in al-Madinah.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You will do so by the will of Allah.’ I then said, ‘I hope to leave by the tenth of the month of Shawwal after visiting the Messenger of Allah, his family and yourself, may Allah grant me such opportunity again. I sometimes perf

حَجَجْتُ مَعَ أَبِي وَ أَنَا صَرُورَةٌ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَجْعَلَ حَجَّتِي عَنْ أُمِّي فَإِنَّهَا قَدْ مَاتَتْ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي حَتَّى أَسْأَلَ لَكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ- إِلْيَاسُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ ابْنِي هَذَا صَرُورَةٌ وَ قَدْ مَاتَتْ أُمُّهُ فَأَحَبَّ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ حَجَّتَهُ لَهَا أَ فَيَجُوزُ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يُكْتَبُ

“I performed al-Hajj with my father and I was al-Sarura (one who performs al-Hajj for the first time). I said that I like to perform al-Hajj for my mother who was dead. He said allow me to ask abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), about it. ’Ilyas then spoke about it with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when I was listening. ‘I pray to Allah

إِذَا تَوَجَّهْتَ إِلَى مِنًى فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِيَّاكَ أَرْجُو وَ إِيَّاكَ أَدْعُو فَبَلِّغْنِي أَمَلِي وَ أَصْلِحْ لِي عَمَلِي.

‘When you are ready to move toward Mina then say, ‘O Lord, before You I place my hopes and before You I appeal, to lead me toward what I hope to achieve and make my deeds useful.’”

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ دُخُولَ الْكَعْبَةِ فَاغْتَسِلْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَدْخُلَهَا وَ لَا تَدْخُلْهَا بِحِذَاءٍ[1] وَ تَقُولُ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ‌ وَ مَنْ دَخَلَهُ كانَ آمِناً فَآمِنِّي مِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ بَيْنَ الْأُسْطُوَانَتَيْنِ عَلَى الرُّخَامَةِ[2] الْحَمْرَاءِ تَقْرَأُ فِي الرَّكْعَةِ الْأُولَى حم السَّجْدَةَ وَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ عَدَدَ آيَاتِهَا مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ وَ تُصَل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when you decide to enter al-Ka‘bah, take a shower before entering and do not enter with shoes. When you are inside say, ‘O Allah, You have said, “Those who enter it have immunity,” thus, grant me protection against the torment of the fire.’ Thereafter perform two Rak‘at salat (pray

قُلْتُ نَكُونُ بِمَكَّةَ أَوْ بِالْمَدِينَةِ أَوِ الْحِيرَةِ أَوِ الْمَوَاضِعِ- الَّتِي يُرْجَى فِيهَا الْفَضْلُ فَرُبَّمَا خَرَجَ الرَّجُلُ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيَجِي‌ءُ آخَرُ فَيَصِيرُ مَكَانَهُ قَالَ مَنْ سَبَقَ إِلَى مَوْضِعٍ فَهُوَ أَحَقُّ بِهِ يَوْمَهُ وَ لَيْلَتَهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We may happen to be in Makkah or al-Madinah or al-Hirah, or in such places where there is hope that there is a degree of excellence for being there. If one goes out for Wudu’, can, in such case, another person come and occupy his place?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If one finds a place he

كَانَ أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقِفُ عَلَى قَبْرِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَيُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَشْهَدُ لَهُ بِالْبَلَاغِ وَ يَدْعُو بِمَا حَضَرَهُ ثُمَّ يُسْنِدُ ظَهْرَهُ إِلَى الْمَرْوَةِ الْخَضْرَاءِ الدَّقِيقَةِ الْعَرْضِ‌[3] مِمَّا يَلِي الْقَبْرَ وَ يَلْتَزِقُ بِالْقَبْرِ وَ يُسْنِدُ ظَهْرَهُ إِلَى الْقَبْرِ وَ يَسْتَقْبِلُ الْقِبْلَةَ فَيَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ أَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي‌[4] وَ إِلَى قَبْرِ مُحَم

‘My father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would stand near the grave of the Holy Prophet and offer his Salam, testify to his preaching the messages of Allah and ask Allah for his wishes, as he wanted. He then liked to keep his back against the brightly green stone, which is next to the grave, stay attached to the grave wit

إِذَا أَتَيْتَ الْقَبْرَ الَّذِي بِالْبَقِيعِ فَاجْعَلْهُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ ثُمَّ تَقُولُ- السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَئِمَّةَ الْهُدَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ التَّقْوَى السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقُوَّامَ فِي الْبَرِيَّةِ بِالْقِسْطِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الصَّفْوَةِ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ النَّجْوَى أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكُمْ قَدْ بَلَّغْتُمْ وَ نَصَحْتُمْ

1. The following is narrated in a mawquf and mursal manner who has narrated the following: (It seems as if it is part of Hadith 5 of previous Chapter narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn ‘Ammar). “When you go to the grave in al-Baqi‘ keep it in front of you and say, ‘(I hereby declare, affirm and acknowledge that you are ‘Alayh

اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقِيلَ لِي ادْخُلْ فَدَخَلْتُ فَوَجَدْتُهُ فِي مُصَلَّاهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَجَلَسْتُ حَتَّى قَضَى صَلَاتَهُ فَسَمِعْتُهُ وَ هُوَ يُنَاجِي رَبَّهُ وَ يَقُولُ- يَا مَنْ خَصَّنَا بِالْكَرَامَةِ وَ خَصَّنَا بِالْوَصِيَّةِ وَ وَعَدَنَا الشَّفَاعَةَ وَ أَعْطَانَا عِلْمَ مَا مَضَى وَ مَا بَقِيَ وَ جَعَلَ أَفْئِدَةً مِنَ النَّاسِ تَهْوِي إِلَيْنَا اغْفِرْ لِي وَ لِإِخْوَانِي وَ لِزُوّ

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn all from Musa ibn ‘Umar from Ghassan al-Basriy from Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain individuals of our people from Ibrahim ibn ‘Uqbah from Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab who has said the

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا قَصْرُ الْأَمَلِ وَ شُكْرُ كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ وَ الْوَرَعُ عَنْ كُلِّ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

‘Zuhd (restraint from worldly matters) in the world is to shorten one’s hopes, give thanks for every bounty and restrain from everything that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made unlawful.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُنْ لِمَا لَا تَرْجُو أَرْجَى مِنْكَ لِمَا تَرْجُو فَإِنَّ مُوسَى ع ذَهَبَ لِيَقْتَبِسَ لِأَهْلِهِ نَاراً فَانْصَرَفَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ هُوَ نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ.

“I heard abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘Your hope for help from an unexpected source should be greater than an expected source. Musa ‘Alayhi al-Salam, went to find fire for his family and came back as a prophet commissioned to preach.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ كُنْ لِمَا لَا تَرْجُو أَرْجَى مِنْكَ لِمَا تَرْجُو فَإِنَّ مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ ع خَرَجَ يَقْتَبِسُ لِأَهْلِهِ نَاراً فَكَلَّمَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ رَجَعَ نَبِيّاً مُرْسَلًا وَ خَرَجَتْ مَلِكَةُ سَبَإٍ فَأَسْلَمَتْ مَعَ‌ سُلَيْمَانَ ع وَ خَرَجَتْ سَحَرَةُ فِرْعَوْنَ يَطْلُبُونَ الْعِزَّ لِفِرْعَوْنَ فَرَجَعُوا مُؤْمِنِينَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Your hope for help from an unexpected source should be greater than an expected source. Musa (Moses) ‘Alayhi al-Salam went to find fire for his family, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, spoke to him and he came back as a messenger prophet. Queen o

سَأَلَ الرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا أَسْمَعُ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ إِنْ كانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلى‌ مَيْسَرَةٍ[5] أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ هَذِهِ النَّظِرَةِ الَّتِي ذَكَرَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ لَهَا حَدٌّ يُعْرَفُ إِذَا صَارَ هَذَا الْمُعْسِرُ إِلَيْهِ لَا بُدَّ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ‌ يُنْتَظَرَ وَ قَدْ أَخَذَ مَالَ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ وَ أَنْفَقَهُ عَلَى عِيَالِ

“A man asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), when I was listening, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “If one has difficulty to pay his debts, he should be given respite until he is able to pay.” (2:281) Explain to me the limits of this “respite” of which Allah, most

خَرَجْتُ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ أَنَا مِنْ أَشَدِّ النَّاسِ حَالًا فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا خَرَجْتُ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَجَدْتُ عَلَى بَابِهِ كِيساً فِيهِ سَبْعُمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ فَوْرِي ذَلِكَ فَأَخْبَرْتُهُ فَقَالَ يَا سَعِيدُ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَرِّفْهُ فِي الْمَشَاهِدِ وَ كُنْتُ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُرَخِّصَ لِي فِيهِ فَخَرَجْتُ وَ أَنَا مُغْتَمٌّ فَأَتَيْتُ مِنًى وَ

“I once left for Makkah and my financial condition was the worst among people. I mentioned to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). When I left his meeting at the door I found a bag with seven hundred dinar in it. I immediately returned to the Imam and informed him about it. He (the Imam) said, ‘Sa‘id, be pious before Allah, most Maj

أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ عَبْدٌ لَمْ يَعْبُدْ أَحَداً غَيْرَهُ اصْطَفَاهُ بِعِلْمِهِ وَ أَمِيناً عَلَى وَحْيِهِ وَ رَسُولًا إِلَى خَلْقِهِ فَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَقَدْ سَمِعْنَا مَقَالَتَكُمْ وَ أَنْتُمُ الْأَحْيَاءُ الْأَقْرَبُونَ نَرْغَبُ فِي مُصَاهَرَتِكُمْ وَ نُسْعِفُكُمْ بِحَاجَتِكُمْ وَ نَضَنُّ بِإِخَائ

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), as response in Khutbah for marriage has said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah who chooses praise especially for Himself, glorified is thereby His mention and facilitated thereby is His command. We praise Him without any doubt in it; we see what we prepare in the hope for success and as key to its

خَطَبَ الرِّضَا ع هَذِهِ الْخُطْبَةَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي حَمِدَ فِي الْكِتَابِ نَفْسَهُ وَ افْتَتَحَ بِالْحَمْدِ كِتَابَهُ وَ جَعَلَ الْحَمْدَ أَوَّلَ جَزَاءِ مَحَلِّ نِعْمَتِهِ وَ آخِرَ دَعْوَى أَهْلِ جَنَّتِهِ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ شَهَادَةً أُخْلِصُهَا لَهُ وَ أَدَّخِرُهَا عِنْدَهُ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ خَاتَمِ النُّبُوَّةِ وَ خَيْرِ الْبَرِيَّةِ وَ

7. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘awiyah ibn Hakim who has said the following: “Al-Rida’, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, once read the following as Khutbah (sermon) when solemnizing a marriage: ‘All praise belongs to Allah who has praised Himself in the book and has opened His book with it, has made it the first reward of

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَوْ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع الْجَارِيَةُ يَشْتَرِيهَا الرَّجُلُ وَ هِيَ لَمْ تُدْرِكْ أَوْ قَدْ يَئِسَتْ مِنَ الْمَحِيضِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ بِأَنْ لَا يَسْتَبْرِئَهَا.

Muhammad Bin Yahya, from Ahmad Bin Muhammad, from Ibn Mahboub, from Ibn Bukeyr, from Hisham Bin Al Haris, from Abdullah Bin Amro who said, ‘I said to Abu Abdullah asws or to Abu Ja’far asws , ‘The slave girl whom the man buys, and she has yet to be an adult, or has despaired from the menstruation’. So he asws said: ‘Th

كُنْتُ‌ عِنْدَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَجَاءَهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنِّي مُبْتَلًى بِالنِّسَاءِ فَأَزْنِي يَوْماً وَ أَصُومُ يَوْماً فَيَكُونُ ذَا كَفَّارَةً لِذَا فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُطَاعَ وَ لَا يُعْصَى فَلَا تَزْنِ وَ لَا تَصُمْ فَاجْتَذَبَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِلَيْهِ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِهِ فَقَالَ يَا

“Once I was with Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), when a man came and said, ‘O abu Muhammad, I am addicted to women. One day I commit fornication and the other day I fast; if this can become expiation for the sin.’ Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), said, ‘There is not anything more beloved to Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, than

أَتَتْ عَلَيَّ سِتُّونَ سَنَةً لَا يُولَدُ لِي فَحَجَجْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَشَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي أَ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ لَكَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ إِذَا قَدِمْتَ الْعِرَاقَ فَتَزَوَّجِ امْرَأَةً وَ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ سَوْءَاءَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا السَّوْءَاءُ قَالَ امْرَأَةٌ فِيهَا قُبْحٌ فَإِنَّهُنَّ أَكْثَرُ أَوْلَاداً وَ ادْعُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فَإِنِّي أَرْجُو- أَنْ يَرْزُقَ

“I was sixty years old and had no children. I went to perform al-Hajj then visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and complained about not having any child. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Has any child ever been born to you?’ I replied, ‘No, it has not happened.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘When you go to Iraq marry a woman and it does not ma