Joy & Happiness

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 فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ خَطَبَ بِهِ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِذَا عَلِمْتُمْ فَاعْمَلُوا بِمَا عَلِمْتُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ إِنَّ الْعَالِمَ الْعَامِلَ بِغَيْرِهِ كَالْجَاهِلِ الْحَائِرِ الَّذِي لَا يَسْتَفِيقُ‌[3] عَنْ جَهْلِهِ بَلْ قَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَنَّ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِ أَعْظَمُ وَ الْحَسْرَةَ أَدْوَمُ عَلَى هَذَا الْعَالِمِ الْمُنْسَلِخِ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ مِنْهَا عَلَى هَذَا

“Once Imam Ali (a.s.) said in one of his sermons, ‘O people, if you learn and gain knowledge you must act accordingly so that you may have guidance. A learned person who disregards his knowledge is like a lost and ignorant person who never comes to the right path due to his ignorance. In fact, you will find the case ag

قَالَ لِي هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ كَانَ بِمِصْرَ زِنْدِيقٌ تَبْلُغُهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَشْيَاءُ فَخَرَجَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ لِيُنَاظِرَهُ فَلَمْ يُصَادِفْهُ بِهَا وَ قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ خَارِجٌ بِمَكَّةَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ نَحْنُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَصَادَفَنَا وَ نَحْنُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي الطَّوَافِ وَ كَانَ اسْمُهُ عَبْدَ الْمَلِكِ وَ كُنْيَتُهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3] فَضَرَبَ

“Hisham ibn al-Hakam has reported that in Egypt there lived a heretic who had heard about Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a great deal. He traveled to Medina to debate the Imam but he missed to find the Imam therein. He was told that the Imam has traveled to the city of Makkah. He then left for Makkah and we were with Abu ‘Abdill

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ وَ هُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ الْوَاحِدُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ. لَمْ يَلِدْ وَ لَمْ يُولَدْ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ لَوْ كَانَ كَمَا يَقُولُ الْمُشَبِّهَةُ لَمْ يُعْرَفِ الْخَالِقُ مِنَ الْمَخْلُوقِ‌[3]- وَ لَا الْمُنْشِئُ مِنَ الْمُنْشَإِ لَكِنَّهُ الْمُنْشِئُ فَرْقٌ بَيْنَ مَنْ جَسَّمَهُ وَ صَوَّرَهُ وَ أَنْشَأَهُ إِذْ كَانَ لَا يُشْبِهُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَا يُشْبِهُ ه

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘He (Allah) is the Subtle, All-aware, All-hearing, All-seeing, the One, the Self-sufficient, Who does not have any children, is not any one’s child and there is no one similar to Him. Had Allah been as those believing in similitude (al-Mushabbihah) say there would have been no distinction betw

سَأَلَنِي أَبُو قُرَّةَ الْمُحَدِّثُ أَنْ أُدْخِلَهُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَاسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فَأَذِنَ لِي فَدَخَلَ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَ فَتُقِرُّ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مَحْمُولٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع كُلُّ مَحْمُولٍ مَفْعُولٌ بِهِ مُضَافٌ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ مُحْتَاجٌ وَ الْمَحْمُولُ اسْمُ نَقْصٍ فِي اللَّفْظِ[3] وَ الْحَامِلُ فَاعِلٌ وَ هُوَ فِي اللَّفْظِ مِدْحَةٌ وَ كَذَلِك

2. Ahmad ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya who has said the following. “Abu Qurrah, the narrator of Hadith asked for help to meet Imam Ali abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.). I requested the Imam (a.s.) to meet him and he agreed. Abu Qurrah asked the Imam about the lawful and unlawful matters a

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَأْسَفُ كَأَسَفِنَا وَ لَكِنَّهُ خَلَقَ أَوْلِيَاءَ لِنَفْسِهِ يَأْسَفُونَ وَ يَرْضَوْنَ وَ هُمْ مَخْلُوقُونَ مَرْبُوبُونَ فَجَعَلَ رِضَاهُمْ رِضَا نَفْسِهِ وَ سَخَطَهُمْ سَخَطَ نَفْسِهِ لِأَنَّهُ جَعَلَهُمُ الدُّعَاةَ إِلَيْهِ وَ الْأَدِلَّاءَ عَلَيْهِ فَلِذَلِكَ صَارُوا كَذَلِكَ وَ لَيْسَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ يَصِلُ إِلَى اللَّهِ كَمَا يَصِلُ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ لَكِنْ هَذَا مَعْنَى مَا قَالَ م

6. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Isma‘il ibn Bazi‘a from his uncle, Hamza ibn Bazi‘a from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following about the words of Allah. “When they invoked Our anger, (43:54). We took revenge on them . .” (43:55). “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع جَالِساً بِالْكُوفَةِ بَعْدَ مُنْصَرَفِهِ مِنْ صِفِّينَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ شَيْخٌ فَجَثَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ‌[1]- ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنْ مَسِيرِنَا إِلَى أَهْلِ الشَّامِ أَ بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَجَلْ يَا شَيْخُ مَا عَلَوْتُمْ تَلْعَةً وَ لَا هَبَطْتُمْ بَطْنَ وَادٍ إِلَّا بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ

Ali Bin Muhammad, from Sahl Bin Ziyad and Is’haq Bin Muhammad and someone else, raising it, He asws said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws was seated in Al-Kufa, after his asws leaving from (the battle of) Siffeen, when an old man squatted in front of him asws , then said to him asws , ‘O Amir Al-Momineen asws ! Inform us about

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعِبَادَةٍ يُجْهِدُ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ وَ لَا إِمَامَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ فَسَعْيُهُ غَيْرُ مَقْبُولٍ وَ هُوَ ضَالٌّ مُتَحَيِّرٌ وَ اللَّهُ شَانِئٌ‌[2] لِأَعْمَالِهِ وَ مَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ شَاةٍ ضَلَّتْ عَنْ رَاعِيهَا وَ قَطِيعِهَا فَهَجَمَتْ‌[3] ذَاهِبَةً وَ جَائِيَةً يَوْمَهَا فَلَمَّا جَنَّهَا[4] اللَّيْلُ بَصُرَتْ بِقَطِيعِ غَنَمٍ مَعَ رَاعِيهَا

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever would worship Allah in the expectation for reward and work hard but without having an Imam for himself his efforts would not be received acceptance. Such person is last and straying and Allah would dislike his deeds. The example of such person is like that of a lost sheep who

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَوْلَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ كَذلِكَ جَعَلْناكُمْ أُمَّةً وَسَطاً لِتَكُونُوا شُهَداءَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ يَكُونَ الرَّسُولُ عَلَيْكُمْ شَهِيداً قَالَ نَحْنُ الْأُمَّةُ الْوَسَطُ وَ نَحْنُ شُهَدَاءُ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ وَ حُجَجُهُ فِي أَرْضِهِ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَ اسْجُدُوا وَ اعْبُدُوا رَبَّكُمْ‌ وَ افْعَلُو

The Imam (a.s.) said, “We are the moderate nation and we are the witness for Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, over the activities of His creatures and possess His authority on earth.” I then asked about the meaning of the following verse of the Holy Quran that says, “Believers, worship your Lord, bow down and prost

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى‌ الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ‌ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الْأُمِّيَ‌ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ‌ مَكْتُوباً عِنْدَهُمْ فِي التَّوْراةِ وَ الْإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُمْ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ يَنْهاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَ يُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّباتِ‌ وَ يُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْخَبائِثَ‌ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ اتَّبَعُوا النُّورَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ مَعَهُ‌ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ‌[3] قَالَ النُّورُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْض

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated through his chain of narrators from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah that say, There are those who follow the Messengers, the illiterate Prophet (not conventionally educated), whose description they find written in the Torah and the Gospel. [He (the Messengers) enjoins them

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ‌ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ‌ كَمِشْكاةٍ[3] فَاطِمَةُ ع‌ فِيها مِصْباحٌ‌ الْحَسَنُ- الْمِصْباحُ فِي زُجاجَةٍ الْحُسَيْنُ- الزُّجاجَةُ كَأَنَّها كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌ‌ فَاطِمَةُ كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ بَيْنَ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا- يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبارَكَةٍ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع- زَيْتُونَةٍ لا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَ لا غَرْبِيَّةٍ لَا يَهُودِيَّةٍ

The Imam (a.s.) said that the lantern metaphorically stands for the Holy lady, Fatima (a.s.), the lamp stands for Imam al-Hassan (a.s.) and the glass stands for Imam al-Husayn (a.s.). The shining star stands for the Holy lady Fatima (a.s.) who shines among the ladies of the world. The blessed olive tree stands for Prop

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِؤُا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْواهِهِمْ‌[1] قَالَ يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ‌ قَالَ يَقُولُ وَ اللَّهُ مُتِمُّ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ الْإِمَامَةُ هِيَ النُّورُ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَآمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ النُّورِ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْنا

about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, in the following verse of the Holy Quran. “They want to put out the light of God with their mouths, but God will certainly make His light shine forever - even though the unbelievers may dislike this.” (61:8) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They want to put o

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

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا لَكُمْ تَسُوءُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ كَيْفَ نَسُوؤُهُ فَقَالَ أَ مَا تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ أَعْمَالَكُمْ تُعْرَضُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَأَى فِيهَا مَعْصِيَةً سَاءَهُ ذَلِكَ فَلَا تَسُوءُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ سُرُّوهُ.

“What is wrong with you? Why do you disappoint the Messenger of Allah (sw)?” A man asked, “How do we disappoint him?” He (a.s.) replied, “Do you not know that your deeds are presented before him? When he find sins in them it disappoints him. So do not disappoint the Messenger of Allah, rather make him happy.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ قالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقامُوا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ وَاحِدٍ بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ- تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخافُوا وَ لا تَحْزَنُوا وَ أَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ‌[3].

about the meaning of the following words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “To those who have said, ‘God is our Lord,’ and who have remained steadfast to their belief. .” The Imams (a.s.) said, “Those who remain steadfast in respecting the Divine authority of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) and his successors, the Im

قَالَ لِي يَا أَبَا يَحْيَى إِنَّ لَنَا فِي لَيَالِي الْجُمُعَةِ لَشَأْناً مِنَ الشَّأْنِ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ الشَّأْنُ قَالَ يُؤْذَنُ لِأَرْوَاحِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ الْمَوْتَى ع وَ أَرْوَاحِ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ الْمَوْتَى وَ رُوحِ الْوَصِيِّ الَّذِي بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْكُمْ يُعْرَجُ بِهَا إِلَى السَّمَاءِ حَتَّى تُوَافِيَ عَرْشَ رَبِّهَا فَتَطُوفُ بِهِ أُسْبُوعاً وَ تُصَلِّي عِنْدَ كُلِّ قَائِمَةٍ مِنْ ق

“O abu Yahya, on every Friday night there is a special task for us to pursue.” The narrator has said that he asked the Imams (a.s.), “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, of what nature is this special task?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “The spirits of the deceased prophets and the spirits of the deceased execut

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَ كَانَ لَا يُكَنِّينِي قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ إِنَّ لَنَا فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةِ جُمُعَةٍ سُرُوراً قُلْتُ زَادَكَ اللَّهُ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَافَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْعَرْشَ وَ وَافَى الْأَئِمَّةُ ع مَعَهُ وَ وَافَيْنَا مَعَهُمْ فَلَا تُرَدُّ أَرْوَاحُنَا إِلَى أَبْدَانِنَا إِلَّا بِعِلْمٍ مُسْت

“One day abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) addressed me with a surname, “O abu ‘Abdallah, –he would address me this way before- and I responded, “Yes, O Imam, here I am.” He said, “Every Friday night it’s a time of happiness for us.” I said, “May Allah increase such a happiness for you. Of what nature is this happiness?” The Imam (

مَا مِنْ لَيْلَةِ جُمُعَةٍ إِلَّا وَ لِأَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ فِيهَا سُرُورٌ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ ذَلِكَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَافَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْعَرْشَ وَ وَافَى الْأَئِمَّةُ ع وَ وَافَيْتُ مَعَهُمْ فَمَا أَرْجِعُ إِلَّا بِعِلْمٍ مُسْتَفَادٍ وَ لَوْ لَا ذَلِكَ لَنَفِدَ مَا عِنْدِي.

“There is no Friday night in which except that in it there is joy and happiness for those who possess Divine authority.” I asked, “How is it, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When Frinday night comes the Messenger of Allah arrives to the throne with the Imams (a.s.) and I also

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَصْنَافٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كُنْتُمْ أَزْواجاً ثَلاثَةً فَأَصْحابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ ما أَصْحابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ وَ أَصْحابُ الْمَشْئَمَةِ ما أَصْحابُ الْمَشْئَمَةِ وَ السَّابِقُونَ السَّابِقُونَ‌ أُولئِكَ الْمُقَرَّبُونَ‌[3] فَالسَّابِقُونَ هُمْ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ ع وَ خَاصَّةُ اللَّهِ مِنْ‌ خَلْقِه

“O Jabir, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High has created th e creatures in three categories as mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “On that day, you (mankind) will be divided into three groups: (56:7) The people of the right hand - those whose books of records will be placed in their right h

أَوْصَى مُوسَى ع إِلَى يُوشَعَ بْنِ نُونٍ وَ أَوْصَى يُوشَعُ بْنُ نُونٍ إِلَى وَلَدِ هَارُونَ وَ لَمْ يُوصِ إِلَى وَلَدِهِ وَ لَا إِلَى وَلَدِ مُوسَى إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى لَهُ الْخِيَرَةُ يَخْتَارُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِمَّنْ يَشَاءُ وَ بَشَّرَ مُوسَى وَ يُوشَعُ بِالْمَسِيحِ ع فَلَمَّا أَنْ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْمَسِيحَ ع قَالَ الْمَسِيحُ لَهُمْ إِنَّهُ سَوْفَ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي نَبِيٌّ اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ مِنْ

“Moses prepared his will and be given to Yusha‘ ibn Nun. Yusha‘ ibn Nun made his will to be given to the sons of Harun. He did not made a will to be given to his own sons nor to be given to the sons of Moses. To Allah, the Most High belong all the good choice. He chooses whoever He wants from whomever He wants. He gave

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع قَدْ كُنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَهَبَ اللَّهُ لَكَ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَكُنْتَ تَقُولُ يَهَبُ اللَّهُ لِي غُلَاماً فَقَدْ وَهَبَهُ اللَّهُ لَكَ فَأَقَرَّ عُيُونَنَا فَلَا أَرَانَا اللَّهُ يَوْمَكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ فَإِلَى مَنْ فَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا ابْنُ ثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ فَقَالَ وَ مَا يَضُرُّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَ

“Once I said to al-Rida (a.s.), before Allah’s granting you the blessing of the birth of abu Ja’far (a.s.) we would ask you and you would say, “Allah will grant me a son and He has granted you one. His birth is the delight of our eyes. May Allah spare us from showing your (sad) day. However, if something will happen to

أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعِبَادُ مِنَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ وَ أَرْضَى مَا يَكُونُ عَنْهُمْ إِذَا افْتَقَدُوا حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ لَمْ يَظْهَرْ لَهُمْ وَ لَمْ يَعْلَمُوا مَكَانَهُ وَ هُمْ فِي ذَلِكَ يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ لَمْ تَبْطُلْ حُجَّةُ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ وَ لَا مِيثَاقُهُ فَعِنْدَهَا فَتَوَقَّعُوا الْفَرَجَ صَبَاحاً وَ مَسَاءً فَإِنَّ أَشَدَّ مَا يَكُونُ غَضَبُ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَعْدَائِهِ إِذَا ا

“People are nearer to Allah, Majestic is Whose mention, and He is more pleased with them when the leader who possesses authority from Allah, Majestic is Whose mention, will be out of their sight. He would not publicly appear among them and they would not know his place. Despite this they would know that the leader who

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع- عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى‌ فَلا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ‌ الْجَوارِ الْكُنَّسِ‌[1] قَالَتْ فَقَالَ إِمَامٌ يَخْنِسُ سَنَةَ سِتِّينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَظْهَرُ كَالشِّهَابِ يَتَوَقَّدُ فِي اللَّيْلَةِ الظَّلْمَاءِ فَإِنْ أَدْرَكْتِ زَمَانَهُ قَرَّتْ عَيْنُكِ.

“I asked abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) about the meaning of the words of Allah. “I do not (need to) swear by the orbiting (81:15) stars which are visible during the night (81:16) and sit during the day,. “. (81:17)” She has said that then he said, “It refers to the Imam who will disappear in the year two hundred s

لَقِيتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ ع فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ- فَلا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ الْجَوارِ الْكُنَّسِ‌ قَالَ الْخُنَّسُ إِمَامٌ يَخْنِسُ فِي زَمَانِهِ عِنْدَ انْقِطَاعٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ عِنْدَ النَّاسِ سَنَةَ سِتِّينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يَبْدُو كَالشِّهَابِ الْوَاقِدِ فِي ظُلْمَةِ اللَّيْلِ فَإِنْ أَدْرَكْتِ ذَلِكِ قَرَّتْ عَيْنُكِ.

“Once I met abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) and asked him about he meaning of “I do not (need to) swear by the orbiting (81:15) stars which are visible during the night (81:16) and sit during the day,. “. (81:17)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Al-Khunnas, refers to the imam who will disappear in his time when the knowledge

إِذَا رُفِعَ عَلَمُكُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَظْهُرِكُمْ فَتَوَقَّعُوا الْفَرَجَ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَقْدَامِكُمْ.

“When your knowledge that is with you will banish then expect glad news to emerge beneath your feet.”

كُنْتُ مَعَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ النَّهْرَوَانِ فَبَيْنَا عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِسٌ إِذْ جَاءَ فَارِسٌ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا عَلِيُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ ع وَ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ مَا لَكَ ثَكِلَتْكَ أُمُّكَ لَمْ تُسَلِّمْ عَلَيَّ بِإِمْرَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ بَلَى سَأُخْبِرُكَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ كُنْتُ إِذْ كُنْتَ عَلَى الْحَقِّ بِصِفِّينَ فَلَمَّا حَكَّمْتَ الْحَكَمَيْنِ بَرِئْت

On the day of al-Nahrawan I was in the presence of Ali ibn Abu Talib (a.s.). As we were sitting with the Imam (a.s.) a horse man approached and said, “al-salamu ‘Alayka ya Ali (peace be with you O Ali).” Ali (a.s.) said, “’Alayka al-salam (with you also be peace). May your mother weep over your dead body, why did you n

كَانَ لِيَ ابْنُ عَمٍّ يُقَالُ لَهُ- الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ كَانَ زَاهِداً وَ كَانَ مِنْ أَعْبَدِ أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ وَ كَانَ يَتَّقِيهِ السُّلْطَانُ لِجِدِّهِ فِي الدِّينِ وَ اجْتِهَادِهِ وَ رُبَّمَا اسْتَقْبَلَ السُّلْطَانَ بِكَلَامٍ صَعْبٍ يَعِظُهُ وَ يَأْمُرُهُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَ يَنْهَاهُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَ كَانَ السُّلْطَانُ يَحْتَمِلُهُ لِصَلَاحِهِ وَ لَمْ تَزَلْ هَذِهِ حَالَتَهُ حَتَّى كَانَ يَوْمٌ مِنَ

“I had a son of uncle. He wascalled al-Hassan ibn ‘Abdallah He was Zahid (restricted himself from worldly pleasures). He was the foremost in worship of his time. He king would also observe cautions due to his assiduousness and seriousness in the matters of religion. He would even demand the king to respect and maintain

قُلْتُ لِلرِّضَا ع قَدْ كُنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَهَبَ اللَّهُ لَكَ- أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَكُنْتَ تَقُولُ يَهَبُ اللَّهُ لِي غُلَاماً فَقَدْ وَهَبَ اللَّهُ لَكَ فَقَرَّ عُيُونُنَا فَلَا أَرَانَا اللَّهُ يَوْمَكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ كَوْنٌ فَإِلَى مَنْ فَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا ابْنُ ثَلَاثِ سِنِينَ قَالَ وَ مَا يَضُرُّهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ ق

“Once I said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Before Allah would grant you the blessed birth of abu Ja‘far we would ask you the question and you would say that Allah will soon grant you a son. Allah, now, has blessed you with such a favor and may He make him to be the delight for your heart. We wish not to experience a single da

حَجَجْنَا مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا ابْنُهُ مُوسَى ع فَلَمَّا نَزَلْنَا الْأَبْوَاءَ[4] وَضَعَ لَنَا الْغَدَاءَ وَ كَانَ إِذَا وَضَعَ الطَّعَامَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَكْثَرَ وَ أَطَابَ قَالَ فَبَيْنَا نَحْنُ نَأْكُلُ إِذْ أَتَاهُ رَسُولُ حَمِيدَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ حَمِيدَةَ تَقُولُ قَدْ أَنْكَرْتُ نَفْسِي وَ قَدْ وَجَدْتُ مَا كُنْتُ أَجِدُ إِذَا حَضَرَتْ وِلَادَتِي وَ قَدْ أَمَرْتَنِ

When we arrived at al-Abwa lunch was served When he would serve food to his people he would serve good and plentiful food. At such time the messenger of Hamida, (his wife), came saying, “Hamida says, “I have almost lost my self and I have found what I was to find, I am about to give birth. You had commanded me not to d

كُنْتُ مُزَامِلًا لِجَابِرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ الْجُعْفِيِّ فَلَمَّا أَنْ كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَدَّعَهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَ هُوَ مَسْرُورٌ حَتَّى وَرَدْنَا الْأُخَيْرِجَةَ[3] أَوَّلَ مَنْزِلٍ نَعْدِلُ مِنْ فَيْدَ[4] إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ- يَوْمَ جُمُعَةٍ فَصَلَّيْنَا الزَّوَالَ فَلَمَّا نَهَضَ بِنَا الْبَعِيرُ إِذَا أَنَا بِرَجُلٍ طُوَالٍ آدَمَ مَعَهُ كِتَابٌ فَنَاوَلَهُ جَابِراً فَتَن

“Once I was a companion of Jabir ibn Yazid al-Ja‘far‘fi on a journey. When reached he went to meet abu Ja‘far (a.s.). He said farewell to him and came out very happy until we arrived in al-’Ukhayraja, the first length of journey from Fayd to Madina. It was a Friday. We said our prayers at noon. When the camel rose to l

نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً سَمِعَ مَقَالَتِي فَوَعَاهَا وَ حَفِظَهَا وَ بَلَّغَهَا مَنْ لَمْ يَسْمَعْهَا فَرُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ غَيْرُ فَقِيهٍ وَ رُبَّ حَامِلِ فِقْهٍ إِلَى مَنْ هُوَ أَفْقَهُ مِنْهُ ثَلَاثٌ لَا يُغِلُّ عَلَيْهِنَّ قَلْبُ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] إِخْلَاصُ الْعَمَلِ لِلَّهِ وَ النَّصِيحَةُ لِأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[2] وَ اللُّزُومُ لِجَمَاعَتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ دَعْوَتَهُمْ مُحِيطَةٌ مِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ الْمُسْلِمُ

“The the Messenger of Allah addressed people in the mosque of Khif and said, “May Allah grant joy and happiness to those of His servants that on hearing my words understand them, memorize them preach them to those who have not heard them. There can be many scholars of Fiqh (law) who do not have understanding as there c

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ قالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ‌ ثُمَّ اسْتَقامُوا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اسْتَقَامُوا عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ وَاحِداً بَعْدَ وَاحِدٍ- تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخافُوا وَ لا تَحْزَنُوا وَ أَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ‌[1].

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “To those who have said, “God is our Lord, “ and who have remained steadfast to their belief,. .” (41:30) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to those who remained steadfast in their belief of Leadership with Divine Authority of

قُلْتُ‌ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ‌ وَ بِرَحْمَتِهِ‌ فَبِذلِكَ‌ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ‌[4] قَالَ بِوَلَايَةِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُ هَؤُلَاءِ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ.

“I asked al-Rida (a.s.) about the words of Allah. “(Muhammad), tell them, “To be happy with the favors and mercy of God is better than whatever you accumulate.” (10:58) The Imam (a.s.) said, “To acknowledge the Wilaya of the family of Muhammad (s.a.) is better than all that they accumulate of the worldly gains.”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ وَ قَوْلِ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ وَ لا يَزالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ رَبُّكَ‌ وَ لِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ‌[2] يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ النَّاسُ مُخْتَلِفُونَ فِي إِصَابَةِ الْقَوْلِ وَ كُلُّهُمْ هَالِكٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ رَبُّكَ‌ قَالَ هُمْ شِيعَتُنَا وَ لِرَحْمَتِهِ خَلَقَهُمْ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ‌ وَ لِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ‌ يَقُول

A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from abu ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the capability and the people’s words. The Imam (a.s.) recited this verse of the Holy Quran. “They still have different beliefs [11:1

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ أَسَدٍ جَاءَتْ إِلَى أَبِي طَالِبٍ لِتُبَشِّرَهُ بِمَوْلِدِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ أَبُو طَالِبٍ اصْبِرِي سَبْتاً[2] أُبَشِّرْكِ بِمِثْلِهِ إِلَّا النُّبُوَّةَ وَ قَالَ السَّبْتُ ثَلَاثُونَ سَنَةً وَ كَانَ بَيْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص- وَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع ثَلَاثُونَ سَنَةً.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once, Fatima bint Asad came to Abu Talib with the glad news of the birth of the Holy Prophet (sw). Abu Talib said, “Wait for a sabt then I will give a similar glad news except prophet-hood.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “A sabt is thirty years. Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was born thirty years aft

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا وُلِدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فُتِحَ لآِمِنَةَ بَيَاضُ فَارِسَ وَ قُصُورُ الشَّامِ فَجَاءَتْ فَاطِمَةُ بِنْتُ أَسَدٍ أُمُّ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِلَى أَبِي طَالِبٍ ضَاحِكَةً مُسْتَبْشِرَةً فَأَعْلَمَتْهُ مَا قَالَتْ آمِنَةُ فَقَالَ لَهَا أَبُو طَالِبٍ وَ تَتَعَجَّبِينَ مِنْ هَذَا إِنَّكِ تَحْبَلِينَ وَ تَلِدِينَ بِوَصِيِّهِ وَ وَزِيرِهِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When the Messenger of Allah was born the whiteness (houses) of the Persian kingdom and the palaces of Sham (Syria) was shown to Amina, his mother, openly (conquered). Fatima daughter of Asad, mother of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) came to abu Talib laughing with glad news and explaine

إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع نَزَلَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُبَشِّرُكَ بِمَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ مِنْ فَاطِمَةَ تَقْتُلُهُ أُمَّتُكَ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ عَلَى رَبِّيَ السَّلَامُ لَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِي مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ مِنْ فَاطِمَةَ تَقْتُلُهُ أُمَّتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي فَعَرَجَ ثُمَّ هَبَطَ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ عَلَى رَبِّيَ السَّلَامُ لَا حَاجَةَ

“Once Jibril came to Muhammad (s.a) and said tohim, “O Muhammad, Allah gives you the glad news of the birth of a son from Fatima. Your ’Umma (followers0 will kill this child after you will die.” He said, “O Jibril peace is from my Lord. I do not need a child from Fatima who will be killed by my ’Umma after I will die.”

مَرَّ الْعَبْدُ الصَّالِحُ بِامْرَأَةٍ بِمِنًى وَ هِيَ تَبْكِي وَ صِبْيَانُهَا حَوْلَهَا يَبْكُونَ وَ قَدْ مَاتَتْ لَهَا بَقَرَةٌ فَدَنَا مِنْهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ يَا أَمَةَ اللَّهِ قَالَتْ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لَنَا صِبْيَاناً يَتَامَى وَ كَانَتْ لِي بَقَرَةٌ مَعِيشَتِي وَ مَعِيشَةُ صِبْيَانِي كَانَ مِنْهَا وَ قَدْ مَاتَتْ وَ بَقِيتُ مُنْقَطَعاً بِي وَ بِوُلْدِي لَا حِيلَةَ لَنَا فَقَالَ يَا أَمَة

"The pious servant of Allah (Imam Kadhim (a.s)) passed in Mina by a woman who was weeping and her children around her also were weeping because her cow was dead. He went close to her and asked, 'What has caused you to weep O slave of Allah?' She said, 'O servant of Allah, we have orphan children. Our cow that was our m

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

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

أَنَّهُ حَمَلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مَالًا لَهُ خَطَرٌ فَلَمْ أَرَهُ سُرَّ بِهِ قَالَ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ وَ قُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ حَمَلْتُ هَذَا الْمَالَ وَ لَمْ يُسَرَّ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا غُلَامُ الطَّسْتَ وَ الْمَاءَ قَالَ فَقَعَدَ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ وَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ وَ قَالَ لِلْغُلَامِ صُبَّ عَلَيَّ الْمَاءَ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يَسِيلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَصَابِعِهِ فِي الطَّسْتِ ذَهَبٌ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ

“A Certain person of our people has said that he wanted to deliver an amount of propertyto al-Rida (a.s.). It was a large amount. When he saw it he did not become happy. I became depressed and said to myself, “I delivered this property to him but he did not become happy.” The Imam (a.s.) called, “O boy, bring water and

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[3] فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ حَدَثَ بِآلِ فَرَجٍ حَدَثٌ فَقُلْتُ مَاتَ عُمَرُ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَتَّى أَحْصَيْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعاً وَ عِشْرِينَ مَرَّةً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي لَوْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ هَذَا يَسُرُّكَ لَجِئْتُ حَافِياً أَعْدُو إِلَيْكَ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَ وَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا قَالَ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ لِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ أَبِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ خَاطَبَهُ فِي شَيْ‌ء

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He said, “O Muhammad, has something happened to the family of al-Faraj (the governor of al-Madina )?” I said, “Yes, ‘Umar (a member of al-Faraj family) has died.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “All thanks and praise belongs to Allah.” He said it twenty four times. I then said, “My mast

مَرِضَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ مِنْ خُرَاجٍ خَرَجَ بِهِ وَ أَشْرَفَ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْهَلَاكِ فَلَمْ يَجْسُرْ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بِحَدِيدَةٍ فَنَذَرَتْ أُمُّهُ إِنْ عُوفِيَ أَنْ تَحْمِلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مَالًا جَلِيلًا مِنْ مَالِهَا وَ قَالَ لَهُ الْفَتْحُ بْنُ خَاقَانَ لَوْ بَعَثْتَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَسَأَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَخْلُو أَنْ يَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ صِفَةٌ يُفَرِّجُ بِهَا عَنْكَ فَبَع

“ Al-Mutawakkil became ill because of a boil so seriously that he was about to die and no one would have the courage to touch to operate him. His mother vowed to sent a large sum of money to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) from her own property if her son would recover. Fath ibn Khaqan had advised him to ask him (the Imam (a.s.)

قَالَ لِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ‌ إِنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَجْمِعْ أَمْرَكَ وَ خُذْ حِذْرَكَ‌[1] قَالَ فَأَنَا فِي جَمْعِ أَمْرِي وَ لَيْسَ أَدْرِي مَا كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ حَتَّى وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ رَسُولٌ حَمَلَنِي مِنْ مِصْرَ مُقَيَّداً وَ ضَرَبَ عَلَى كُلِّ مَا أَمْلِكُ‌[2] وَ كُنْتُ فِي السِّجْنِ ثَمَانَ سِنِينَ ثُمَّ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُ فِي السِّجْنِ كِتَابٌ فِيهِ يَا مُحَمَّدُ لَا تَنْزِل

“Muhammad ibn al-Faraj told me that abu al-Hassan (a.s.) has written to him this. “O Muhammad, organize you affairs and be careful.” He said that he began to organize his affairs and did not know what the Imam (a.s.) meant thereby until police came to me and took me out of Egypt as a captive. All of my belongings were

أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ وَ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَالَكَ وَ حَالَهُمْ وَ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’min

كَانَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ يَقُولُ وَيْحَكُمْ قَدْ أَعْيَانِي أَمْرُ ابْنِ الرِّضَا[1] أَبَى أَنْ يَشْرَبَ مَعِي أَوْ يُنَادِمَنِي أَوْ أَجِدَ مِنْهُ فُرْصَةً فِي هَذَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ مِنْهُ فَهَذَا أَخُوهُ مُوسَى قَصَّافٌ عَزَّافٌ‌[2]- يَأْكُلُ وَ يَشْرَبُ وَ يَتَعَشَّقُ قَالَ ابْعَثُوا إِلَيْهِ فَجِيئُوا بِهِ حَتَّى نُمَوِّهَ بِهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ نَقُولَ ابْنُ الرِّضَا[3] فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ وَ أُشْخِص

“Al-Mutawakkil would say, “Woe is you, the ibn (the son of) al-Rida, (Ali al-Hadi (a.s.)) has frustrated me. He refuses to share a drink (liquor) with me and associate with me and I never get a chance in it.” They (his associates) told him, “If he does not give you a chance his brother, Musa plays music, sings, eats, d

بَاعَ جَعْفَرٌ[3] فِيمَنْ بَاعَ صَبِيَّةً جَعْفَرِيَّةً كَانَتْ فِي الدَّارِ يُرَبُّونَهَا فَبَعَثَ بَعْضَ الْعَلَوِيِّينَ وَ أَعْلَمَ الْمُشْتَرِيَ خَبَرَهَا فَقَالَ الْمُشْتَرِي قَدْ طَابَتْ نَفْسِي‌ بِرَدِّهَا وَ أَنْ لَا أُرْزَأَ[1] مِنْ ثَمَنِهَا شَيْئاً فَخُذْهَا فَذَهَبَ الْعَلَوِيُّ فَأَعْلَمَ أَهْلَ النَّاحِيَةِ الْخَبَرَ فَبَعَثُوا إِلَى الْمُشْتَرِي بِأَحَدٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ دِينَاراً وَ أَمَرُوهُ بِدَفْعِهَ

“Ja‘far (the impostor) sold of the items that he sold a Ja‘fari (descendants of Ja‘far ibn abu Talib) female child that they (family of abu Muhammad (a.s.) had brought up. A certain ‘Alawi person informed the buyer about the female child. The buyer said, “I will be glad to return if someone will pay me what I have paid

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى عِمْرَانَ أَنِّي وَاهِبٌ لَكَ ذَكَراً سَوِيّاً مُبَارَكاً يُبْرِئُ الْأَكْمَهَ وَ الْأَبْرَصَ وَ يُحْيِي الْمَوْتَى بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَ جَاعِلُهُ رَسُولًا إِلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَحَدَّثَ عِمْرَانُ امْرَأَتَهُ حَنَّةَ[1] بِذَلِكَ وَ هِيَ أُمُّ مَرْيَمَ فَلَمَّا حَمَلَتْ كَانَ حَمْلُهَا بِهَا عِنْدَ نَفْسِهَا غُلَامٌ- فَلَمَّا وَضَعَتْها قالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَضَعْتُها أُنْثى‌ ...

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Ali ibn Ibrahim his father all from ibn Mahbub from al-Ri’ab from Abu Basir from Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who said: “Allah, the Most High, revealed to ʿImrān: “I will grant you a righteous and blessed son who will cure the blind and the leper and bring the dead

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص كَانَ يَقُولُ‌ طُوبَى لِمَنْ أَخْلَصَ لِلَّهِ الْعِبَادَةَ وَ الدُّعَاءَ وَ لَمْ يَشْغَلْ قَلْبَهُ بِمَا تَرَى عَيْنَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَنْسَ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ بِمَا تَسْمَعُ أُذُنَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَحْزُنْ صَدْرَهُ بِمَا أُعْطِيَ غَيْرُهُ

“Amir al Mu’minin (a.s.) has said, ‘Glad tidings to those who maintain sincerity in worshipping Allah and in prayer to Him. Whatever they see does not occupy their heart. Whatever they hear does not make them forget to speak of Allah and they do not feel depressed because of what is given to others.’”

مِنْ صِحَّةِ يَقِينِ الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يُرْضِيَ النَّاسَ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ وَ لَا يَلُومَهُمْ عَلَى مَا لَمْ يُؤْتِهِ اللَّهُ فَإِنَّ الرِّزْقَ لَا يَسُوقُهُ حِرْصُ حَرِيصٍ وَ لَا يَرُدُّهُ كَرَاهِيَةُ كَارِهٍ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ فَرَّ مِنْ رِزْقِهِ كَمَا يَفِرُّ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ لَأَدْرَكَهُ رِزْقُهُ كَمَا يُدْرِكُهُ الْمَوْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِعَدْلِهِ وَ قِسْطِهِ جَعَلَ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّا

"'It is from the soundness of a man's certainty that he does not make people happy to anger Allah and does not blame them for what (of belongings) Allah has not given him. The share of sustenance is something that is not driven by the greed of the greedy ones and is not pushed back due to the dislike of those who disli

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ فِي الْكَنْزِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُما كَانَ فِيهِ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْمَوْتِ كَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَدَرِ كَيْفَ يَحْزَنُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ رَأَى الدُّنْيَا وَ تَقَلُّبَهَا بِأَهْلِهَا كَيْفَ يَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهَا[2] وَ يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ عَقَلَ عَنِ ا

‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the coming of death but he feels happy. Strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the strict measurement of Allah but he feels depressed. Strange to me is the case of a person who is aware of all t