Joy & Happiness

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ الصِّحَّةِ فِي الْبَدَنِ فَأَبْلُوهُمْ بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ صِحَّةِ الْبَدَنِ فَيَصْلُحُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَعِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْفَاقَةِ وَ الْمَسْكَنَةِ وَ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Dawud al-Riqqiy from ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Among My believing servants there are those whose

قُلْتُ لَهُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُعْلَمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِأَنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ لِلَّهِ وَ الرِّضَا فِيمَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُرُورٍ أَوْ سَخَطٍ.

“I (the narrator) asked him, (Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.)), ‘By what means can a believer know that he is a believer?’ The Imam said, ‘(He can find out) by means of his submitting himself to Allah, and being satisfied with whatever happiness or sadness that he may experience.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ‌[3] فَقَالَ التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ دَرَجَاتٌ مِنْهَا أَنْ تَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى اللَّهِ فِي أُمُورِكَ كُلِّهَا فَمَا فَعَلَ بِكَ كُنْتَ عَنْهُ رَاضِياً تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ لَا يَأْلُوكَ خَيْراً وَ فَضْلًا وَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الْحُكْمَ فِي ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ بِتَفْوِيضِ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْهِ وَ ثِقْ بِهِ فِيهَا وَ

“I asked abu al-Hassan 1 st (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy: ‘Whoever trusts Allah, He is enough protection against all (harms).’ (65:3) ‘‘The Imam said, ‘Trust in Allah is of several degrees. One level of such trust is to trust Him in all matters. Whatever He does, you must remain hap

إِنَّا لَا نَعُدُّ الرَّجُلَ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَكُونَ لِجَمِيعِ أَمْرِنَا مُتَّبِعاً مُرِيداً أَلَا وَ إِنَّ مِنِ اتِّبَاعِ أَمْرِنَا وَ إِرَادَتِهِ الْوَرَعَ فَتَزَيَّنُوا بِهِ يَرْحَمْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ كَبِّدُوا أَعْدَاءَنَا بِهِ يَنْعَشْكُمُ اللَّهُ‌[4].

“We do not consider a person a believer until that person follows us in all of our orders and has firmly decided to do so. The decision to exercise restraint against worldly matters consists of following our orders and commands. You must have this beautiful quality. May Allah grant you blessings. With this Quality you

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

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

مَرَّ بِي أَبِي وَ أَنَا بِالطَّوَافِ وَ أَنَا حَدَثٌ‌[4] وَ قَدِ اجْتَهَدْتُ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ فَرَآنِي وَ أَنَا أَتَصَابُّ عَرَقاً فَقَالَ لِي يَا جَعْفَرُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً أَدْخَلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ وَ رَضِيَ عَنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once my father passed by during my Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba). I was young and very seriously striving to worship. He saw me sweating and said to me, “O Ja’far, my son, if Allah loves any (of His) servants, He admits him in paradise and becomes happy with him even wit

اجْتَهَدْتُ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ وَ أَنَا شَابٌّ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي ع يَا بُنَيَّ دُونَ مَا أَرَاكَ تَصْنَعُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً رَضِيَ عَنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘I strived hard in worshipping and I was young. My father said to me, “My son, I want to see you also do things other than what you are doing. Were Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to love a servant He would become happy with him even with a very little deed.’””

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا حَفْصُ إِنَّ مَنْ صَبَرَ صَبَرَ قَلِيلًا وَ إِنَّ مَنْ جَزِعَ جَزِعَ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ بِالصَّبْرِ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص فَأَمَرَهُ بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الرِّفْقِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ اصْبِرْ عَلى‌ ما يَقُولُونَ‌ وَ اهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْراً جَمِيلًا وَ ذَرْنِي وَ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ‌ أُولِي النَّعْمَةِ[1] وَ قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ ادْفَعْ‌

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Asbahani from Sulayman ibn Dawud al- Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘O Hafs, whoever exercises patience does so only for a short time, and whoeve

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ الدُّنْيَا بَيْنَ عِبَادِي قَرْضاً فَمَنْ أَقْرَضَنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً أَعْطَيْتُهُ‌ بِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ عَشْراً إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ وَ مَا شِئْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُقْرِضْنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً فَأَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً قَسْراً فَصَبَرَ أَعْطَيْتُهُ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَيْتُ وَاحِدَةً مِنْهُنَّ مَلَائِكَتِي لَرَضُوا بِهَا مِنِّي قَا

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I have made the world a borrowing (place) for My servants. Whoever gives Me a loan I will return it ten times over up to seven hundred times over, and more if I so wish. Those who do not lend Me a loan I will take something forcib

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرٌ يَسُرُّهُ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى هَذِهِ النِّعْمَةِ وَ إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرٌ يَغْتَمُّ بِهِ قَالَ- الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If the Messenger of Allah were to receive happy news he would say, “All praise belongs to Allah, for His granting this favor.” Whenever he was to receive a sad news he would say, “All praise belongs to Allah in all conditions.’””

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ وَ أَمْسَيْتَ فَقُلْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ- اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَتْ بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ أَوْ عَافِيَةٍ مِنْ دِينٍ أَوْ دُنْيَا فَمِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ لَكَ الشُّكْرُ بِهَا عَلَيَّ يَا رَبِّ حَتَّى تَرْضَى وَ بَعْدَ الرِّضَا فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا قُلْتَ ذَلِكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ أَدَّيْتَ شُكْرَ مَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ بِهِ عَلَيْكَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَ فِي تِلْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘In the morning and evening say ten times: “O Lord, every morning I find myself with a favor and the well-being of the world or the hereafter. All such favors are from You, from You alone, and no one is Your partner. All praise belongs to You and thanks to You for Your favors to me, O L

مَنْ كَظَمَ غَيْظاً وَ لَوْ شَاءَ أَنْ يُمْضِيَهُ أَمْضَاهُ أَمْلَأَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ رِضَاهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever suppressess his anger that he could let out if he wanted, Allah, on the Day of Judgment, will fill his heart with His happiness.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبِي‌ يَا بُنَيَّ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَقَرَّ لِعَيْنِ أَبِيكَ مِنْ جُرْعَةِ غَيْظٍ عَاقِبَتُهَا صَبْرٌ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ يَسُرُّنِي أَنَّ لِي بِذُلِّ نَفْسِي حُمْرَ النَّعَمِ.

“The Imam said, ‘My father once said to me, “My son, there is nothing more delightful to the eyes of your father than the drop (feeling) of anger that precedes patience. My receiving the most noble of the bounties does not bring me any happiness if it may cuase humiliation to my soul.’””

أَرْسَلَ النَّجَاشِيُّ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‌[1] وَ أَصْحَابِهِ فَدَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ فِي بَيْتٍ لَهُ جَالِسٌ عَلَى التُّرَابِ وَ عَلَيْهِ خُلْقَانُ الثِّيَابِ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ جَعْفَرٌ ع فَأَشْفَقْنَا مِنْهُ حِينَ رَأَيْنَاهُ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَلَمَّا رَأَى مَا بِنَا وَ تَغَيُّرَ وُجُوهِنَا قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي نَصَرَ مُحَمَّداً وَ أَقَرَّ عَيْنَهُ أَ لَا أُبَشِّرُكُمْ فَقُلْتُ بَل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once al-Najashi (a king of Abyssinia) called to his presence Ja’far ibn abu Talib and his companions. When they came in, they found the king sitting on the ground wearing two old pieces of cloth.’ The Imam said that Ja’far has said, ‘We felt compassion for him in our hearts when we saw

مِنَ التَّوَاضُعِ أَنْ تَرْضَى بِالْمَجْلِسِ دُونَ الْمَجْلِسِ وَ أَنْ تُسَلِّمَ عَلَى مَنْ تَلْقَى وَ أَنْ تَتْرُكَ‌ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ مُحِقّاً وَ أَنْ لَا تُحِبَّ أَنْ تُحْمَدَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى.

“It is of humbleness to be happy with one seat instead of another seat, to initiate the greeting of peace to one who meets him and to avoid extreme argumentation even though one is right, and should not love to be praised for piety.”

عَشَرَةُ أَشْيَاءَ فَأَعْلَى دَرَجَةِ الزُّهْدِ أَدْنَى دَرَجَةِ الْوَرَعِ وَ أَعْلَى دَرَجَةِ الْوَرَعِ أَدْنَى دَرَجَةِ الْيَقِينِ وَ أَعْلَى دَرَجَةِ الْيَقِينِ أَدْنَى دَرَجَةِ الرِّضَا أَلَا وَ إِنَّ الزُّهْدَ فِي آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لِكَيْلا تَأْسَوْا عَلى‌ ما فاتَكُمْ‌ وَ لا تَفْرَحُوا بِما آتاكُمْ‌[2].

“A man asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) about renunciation of worldly matters. The Imam said, ‘It consists of ten issues. The highest degree of renunciation of worldly matters is the lowest stage of abstinence in worldly matters (sins). The highest stage of abstinence in worldly matters is the lowest degree of certainty.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مُوسَى ع يَا مُوسَى لَا تَرْكَنْ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا رُكُونَ الظَّالِمِينَ وَ رُكُونَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَهَا أَباً وَ أُمّاً[6] يَا مُوسَى لَوْ وَكَلْتُكَ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ لِتَنْظُرَ لَهَا إِذاً لَغَلَبَ عَلَيْكَ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ زَهْرَتُهَا يَا مُوسَى نَافِسْ‌[7] فِي الْخَيْرِ أَهْلَهُ وَ اسْتَبِقْهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْخَيْرَ كَاسْمِهِ وَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the things that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, spoke to Moses was this: “O Moses, do not rely upon the world like the unjust ones or like those who take it as their parents. O Moses, were I to leave you in the care of your own soul, lover of worldly things and its att

مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْمَعَاشِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ.

“Whoever is happy with the little sustenance (that Allah has given him), Allah becomes happy with his little good deeds.”

مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ ابْنَ آدَمَ كُنْ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ الْيَسِيرَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ خَفَّتْ مَئُونَتُهُ وَ زَكَتْ مَكْسَبَتُهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ حَدِّ الْفُجُورِ.

“It is written in the Torah: ‘O sons of Adam, be as you like to be. You shall reap as you sow. Whoever becomes happy with Allah for a little amount of sustenance, Allah will accept his little good deeds. Whoever becomes happy with the little but lawful, his expenses become light, his earnings pure and he will be out of

خَبَّرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِبِرِّ إِسْمَاعِيلَ ابْنِي بِي فَقَالَ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّهُ وَ قَدِ ازْدَدْتُ لَهُ حُبّاً إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أَتَتْهُ أُخْتٌ لَهُ مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ[5] فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا سُرَّ بِهَا وَ بَسَطَ مِلْحَفَتَهُ‌[6] لَهَا فَأَجْلَسَهَا عَلَيْهَا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ يُحَدِّثُهَا وَ يَضْحَكُ فِي وَجْهِهَا ثُمَّ قَامَتْ وَ ذَهَبَتْ وَ جَاءَ أَخُوهَا فَلَمْ يَصْنَعْ بِهِ مَا صَنَعَ بِ

“Once I explained to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) how kind my son Isma’il was to me. The Imam said, ‘I loved him before and this has increased my love for him. Once, the sister of the Messenger of Allah (through breast-feeding) visited him. When he saw her he became very happy to see her, prepared a seat for her, began to talk

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْخَلْقُ عِيَالُ اللَّهِ فَأَحَبُّ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ مَنْ نَفَعَ عِيَالَ اللَّهِ وَ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ سُرُوراً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The creatures are the dependents of Allah. The most beloved creature to Allah is the one who is most beneficial to Allah’s dependents (like family members) and who provides the utmost happiness to a family.’”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ طَلْحَةَ فَقَالَ ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سِتُّ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِ اللَّهِ‌[2] فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ مَا هُنَّ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ يُحِبُّ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِأَعَزِّ أَهْلِهِ وَ يَ

“Once ibn abu Ya’fur, ‘Abd Allah ibn Talha and I were in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who on his own initiation said, ‘O ibn abu Ya’fur, the Messenger of Allah has said, “There are six things that if found in a person, he will be before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to the right of Allah (to the righ

تَبَسُّمُ الرَّجُلِ فِي وَجْهِ أَخِيهِ حَسَنَةٌ وَ صَرْفُ الْقَذَى‌[5] عَنْهُ حَسَنَةٌ وَ مَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ إِدْخَالِ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ.

“The smiling of a man for his brother (in belief) is a good deed, so also is removing a speck from him (his eyes). Allah is not worshipped with anything more beloved to Him than bringing joy to the heart of a believer.”

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

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the most beloved deed to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is bringing joy to the heart of the believer.’”

قَالَ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى دَاوُدَ ع إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ مِنْ عِبَادِي لَيَأْتِينِي بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَأُبِيحُهُ جَنَّتِي فَقَالَ دَاوُدُ يَا رَبِّ وَ مَا تِلْكَ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالَ يُدْخِلُ عَلَى عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِ سُرُوراً وَ لَوْ بِتَمْرَةٍ قَالَ دَاوُدُ يَا رَبِّ حَقٌّ لِمَنْ عَرَفَكَ أَنْ لَا يَقْطَعَ رَجَاءَهُ مِنْكَ.

‘‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to David that said, ‘One of my servants may come to Me with a good deed and I admit him in paradise.’ David asked, ‘Lord, what is that good deed?’ The Lord said, ‘It is bringing joy to the heart of my believing servant even if it is by one piece of date.’ Davi

لَا يَرَى أَحَدُكُمْ إِذَا أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً أَنَّهُ عَلَيْهِ أَدْخَلَهُ فَقَطْ بَلْ وَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْنَا بَلْ وَ اللَّهِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“One of you must not think that when he brings joy to the heart of a believer he has brought joy to his heart only. I swear by Allah, in fact, he has done so to our hearts and also, I swear by Allah, he has done so to (the heart of) the Messenger of Allah.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ‌ شَبْعَةُ مُسْلِمٍ‌[1] أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is bringing joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger or paying off his debt.’”

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

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

كَانَ النَّجَاشِيُ‌[3] وَ هُوَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الدَّهَاقِينِ عَامِلًا عَلَى الْأَهْوَازِ وَ فَارِسَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ أَهْلِ عَمَلِهِ- لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ فِي دِيوَانِ النَّجَاشِيِّ عَلَيَّ خَرَاجاً وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ يَدِينُ بِطَاعَتِكَ فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ تَكْتُبَ لِي إِلَيْهِ كِتَاباً قَالَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* سُرَّ أَخَاكَ يَسُرَّكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَلَ

“Al-Najashiy, is a man of the landlords (community) and an agent in al-Ahwaz and Fars. Certain persons of his workers once said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘In the office of al-Najashiy taxes are recorded as due by me. He is a believer and believes in obedience to you. If you consider it proper, write for me a letter to hi

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

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ سُرُورٌ [الَّذِي‌] تُدْخِلُهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ تَطْرُدُ عَنْهُ‌[3] جَوْعَتَهُ أَوْ تَكْشِفُ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ.

‘The most beloved deed to Allah is the joy that you send to the heart of a believer by means of removing his hunger or relieving him of his suffering.’”

مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ السُّرُورِ خَلْقاً فَيَلْقَاهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ يَا وَلِيَّ اللَّهِ بِكَرَامَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ رِضْوَانٍ- ثُمَّ لَا يَزَالُ مَعَهُ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَهُ قَبْرَهُ [يَلْقَاهُ‌] فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا بُعِثَ يَلْقَاهُ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ لَا يَزَالُ مَعَهُ عِنْدَ كُلِّ هَوْلٍ يُبَشِّرُهُ وَ يَ

“Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believing man, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, creates from that joy a creature that meets him at the time of his death and says to him, ‘Good news for you, O friend of Allah, with honor from Allah and His happiness with you. The form (creature) remains with him until he is

كَانَ رَجُلٌ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَرَأَ هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ الَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِناتِ بِغَيْرِ مَا اكْتَسَبُوا فَقَدِ احْتَمَلُوا بُهْتاناً وَ إِثْماً مُبِيناً[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَمَا ثَوَابُ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِ السُّرُورَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ فَقَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ وَ أَلْفُ أَلْفِ حَسَنَةٍ.

“Once a man, in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) recited this verse of the Holy Quran: ‘Those who annoy the believing men and women without reason will bear the sin for a false accusation, a manifest offense.’ (33:58) The narrator has said that Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) then asked, ‘What then is the reward for sending j

مَنْ أَدْخَلَ السُّرُورَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ فَقَدْ أَدْخَلَهُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَهُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَدْ وَصَلَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ كَذَلِكَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِ كَرْباً.

“Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believer he certainly has sent joy to the heart of the Messenger of Allah. If one sends joy to the heart of the Messenger of Allah such joy reaches Allah. The same is true of causing pain to the heart of a believer.”

أَيُّمَا مُسْلِمٍ لَقِيَ مُسْلِماً فَسَرَّهُ سَرَّهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Any Muslim who, on his meeting another Muslim, sends joy to his heart, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sends joy to his (initiator of joy) heart.”

مِنْ أَحَبِّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِدْخَالُ السُّرُورِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ إِشْبَاعُ جَوْعَتِهِ أَوْ تَنْفِيسُ كُرْبَتِهِ أَوْ قَضَاءُ دَيْنِهِ.

“Of the most beloved deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is sending joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger, relief for his suffering or paying off his debt.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عِبَاداً فِي الْأَرْضِ يَسْعَوْنَ فِي حَوَائِجِ النَّاسِ هُمُ الْآمِنُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً فَرَّحَ‌[1] اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘There are servants of Allah on earth who endeavor to help people, these (helping ones) will be secure and safe on the Day of Judgment. Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believer, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will fill his heart with joy.’”

مَنْ كَسَا أَخَاهُ كِسْوَةَ شِتَاءٍ أَوْ صَيْفٍ كَانَ حَقّاً عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يَكْسُوَهُ مِنْ ثِيَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَنْ يُهَوِّنَ عَلَيْهِ سَكَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ وَ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَيْهِ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ أَنْ يَلْقَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ بِالْبُشْرَى وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ تَتَلَقَّاهُمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ هذا يَوْمُكُمُ‌ الَّذِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ‌[3].

“If a beleiver provides clothes for his brother (in belief) to use in winter or summer, it becomes a right with Allah to dress him with the dresses of paradise, to ease off the agony of death for him, make his grave greatly roomy. On coming out of his grave he meets the angels who give him the good news as Allah, the M

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِمَّا خَصَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ الْمُؤْمِنَ أَنْ يُعَرِّفَهُ بِرَّ إِخْوَانِهِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ وَ لَيْسَ الْبِرُّ بِالْكَثْرَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ يُؤْثِرُونَ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ‌ وَ لَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ وَ مَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ‌ فَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ‌[2] وَ مَنْ عَرَّفَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِذَلِكَ أَحَب

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the special characteristics that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has given to a believer is that he is the means for the recognition and identification of the good deeds of his brothers (in belief) even if such deeds are small and little. Goodness is not in plentifulne

مَرَّ بِنَا الْمُفَضَّلُ وَ أَنَا وَ خَتَنِي‌[3] نَتَشَاجَرُ فِي مِيرَاثٍ فَوَقَفَ عَلَيْنَا سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا تَعَالَوْا إِلَى الْمَنْزِلِ فَأَتَيْنَاهُ فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَنَا بِأَرْبَعِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَدَفَعَهَا إِلَيْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوْثَقَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنَّا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ مِنْ مَالِي وَ لَكِنْ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَمَرَنِي إِذَا تَنَازَعَ رَجُلَانِ مِ

Al-Mufaddal once passed us nearby, while my daughter in-law and I were disputing about a legacy. He stood by for a while and then said to us, ‘Come to my house.’ We went there and he settled it between us for four hundred dirhams, which he paid from his own pocket until each of us was happy with the other. He then said

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ طُوبَى لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ نُوَمَةٍ لَا يُؤْبَهُ لَهُ يَعْرِفُ النَّاسَ وَ لَا يَعْرِفُهُ النَّاسُ يَعْرِفُهُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ‌[4] بِرِضْوَانٍ أُولَئِكَ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى يَنْجَلِي عَنْهُمْ كُلُّ فِتْنَةٍ مُظْلِمَةٍ وَ يُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ بَابُ كُلِّ رَحْمَةٍ لَيْسُوا بِالْبُذُرِ الْمَذَايِيعِ وَ لَا الْجُفَاةِ الْمُرَاءِينَ وَ قَالَ قُولُوا الْخَيْرَ تُعْرَفُوا بِهِ وَ اعْمَلُوا الْخَيْرَ تَكُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Tuba’ (a tree in paradise) is for every servant (of Allah) who is unnoticed among the people but knows people and they do not know him. Allah knows him from His side with happiness. They are the torches of guidance. Through them every darkening calamity is removed

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

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي إِذَا غَضِبَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ غَضَبُهُ مِنْ حَقٍّ وَ إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ يَأْخُذْ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا لَهُ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Of believers are only those who even on becoming angry do not deviate from the truth and when they become happy it does not take them into falsehood and when in power they do not take more than what is for them.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ اسْتَكْمَلَ خِصَالَ الْإِيمَانِ إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا غَضِبَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ الْغَضَبُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَ إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ يَتَعَاطَ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three qualities, the quality of his belief is complete: if he is happy it does not lead him to falsehood, his anger does not lead him out of the truth and when in power does not take hold of what is not rightfully his.’”

قَامَ رَجُلٌ بِالْبَصْرَةِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنِ الْإِخْوَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِخْوَانُ صِنْفَانِ إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ وَ إِخْوَانُ الْمُكَاشَرَةِ[3] فَأَمَّا إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ فَهُمُ الْكَفُّ وَ الْجَنَاحُ وَ الْأَهْلُ وَ الْمَالُ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ عَلَى حَدِّ الثِّقَةِ فَابْذُلْ لَهُ مَالَكَ وَ بَدَنَكَ- وَ صَافِ مَنْ صَافَاهُ‌[1] وَ عَادِ مَنْ عَاد

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from abu Maryam al-Ansari from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man in Basra stood before Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, speak to us

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْحَقِّ لَمْ يَزَالُوا مُنْذُ كَانُوا فِي شِدَّةٍ أَمَا إِنَّ ذَلِكَ إِلَى مُدَّةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ وَ عَافِيَةٍ طَوِيلَةٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The people of truth had always, since their coming into being, been in suffering but that is for a short time which is followed by everlasting happiness.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمَسَاكِينِ طِيبُوا نَفْساً وَ أَعْطُوا اللَّهَ الرِّضَا مِنْ قُلُوبِكُمْ يُثِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى فَقْرِكِمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَلَا ثَوَابَ لَكُمْ.

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘O destitute people, rejoice and be happy wholeheartedly with Allah. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will reward you because of your poverty, if you did not do so, you will not receive any rewards.”

سَأَلْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ لَوْ لا أَنْ يَكُونَ النَّاسُ‌ أُمَّةً واحِدَةً قَالَ عَنَى بِذَلِكَ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ ص أَنْ يَكُونُوا عَلَى دِينٍ وَاحِدٍ- كُفَّاراً كُلَّهُمْ‌ لَجَعَلْنا لِمَنْ يَكْفُرُ بِالرَّحْمنِ‌ لِبُيُوتِهِمْ سُقُفاً مِنْ فِضَّةٍ[2] وَ لَوْ فَعَلَ اللَّهُ ذَلِكَ بِأُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص لَحَزِنَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ غَمَّهُمْ ذَلِكَ وَ لَمْ يُنَاكِحُوهُمْ و

“Once I asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Were it not that all people would become one nation, . . .’ - and the Imam said, ‘It (all people) stands for the followers of Muhammad (a.s.) all of whom might turn to disbelief, - ‘ ... We would have made for the unbeli

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيَّدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ‌ بِرُوحٍ‌ مِنْهُ‌ تَحْضُرُهُ فِي كُلِّ وَقْتٍ يُحْسِنُ فِيهِ وَ يَتَّقِي وَ تَغِيبُ عَنْهُ فِي كُلِّ وَقْتٍ يُذْنِبُ فِيهِ وَ يَعْتَدِي فَهِيَ مَعَهُ تَهْتَزُّ سُرُوراً عِنْدَ إِحْسَانِهِ وَ تَسِيخُ فِي الثَّرَى عِنْدَ إِسَاءَتِهِ فَتَعَاهَدُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ نِعَمَهُ بِإِصْلَاحِكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ تَزْدَادُوا يَقِيناً

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and he said to me, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, supports a believer with a spirit from His side who attends him in all times that he performs a good deed and observes piety. The spirit remains absent in all times that he commits sins and transgresses. The spirit vibr