Love & Affection

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ‌ فَمِنْكُمْ كافِرٌ وَ مِنْكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ‌[6] فَقَالَ عَرَفَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِيمَانَهُمْ بِمُوَالاتِنَا وَ كُفْرَهُمْ بِهَا يَوْمَ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ وَ هُمْ ذَرٌّ فِي صُلْبِ آدَمَ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ‌ فَإِنْ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ‌ فَإِنَّما عَلى‌ رَسُولِنَا الْبَلاغُ الْمُبِينُ‌[7] فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the words of Allah. “. . some of you have accepted the faith and some of you have not. .” (64:2) The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has defined their faith through their love for us. He has defined their disbelief in the same fact. This took place on

إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ فَخَلَقَ مَا أَحَبَّ مِمَّا أَحَبَّ وَ كَانَ مَا أَحَبَّ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ مَا أَبْغَضَ مِمَّا أَبْغَضَ وَ كَانَ مَا أَبْغَضَ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ النَّارِ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُمْ فِي الظِّلَالِ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الظِّلَالُ قَالَ أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ظِلِّكَ فِي الشَّمْسِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَ اللَّهُ فِيهِمُ النَّبِيِّينَ يَدْعُونَه

“Allah created the creatures. He created whatever He loved from whatever He loved. The most beloved to Him He created from the clay of paradise. He created whatever He disliked from whatever He disliked. Thus, the most disliked to Him He created from the clay of fire. Then He sent them to the shadow.” I asked him, “Wha

لَهُ أَنَا وَ اللَّهِ أُحِبُّكَ وَ أَتَوَلَّاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَذَبْتَ قَالَ بَلَى وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أُحِبُّكَ وَ أَتَوَلَّاكَ فَكَرَّرَ ثَلَاثاً فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَذَبْتَ مَا أَنْتَ كَمَا قُلْتَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْأَرْوَاحَ قَبْلَ الْأَبْدَانِ بِأَلْفَيْ عَامٍ ثُمَّ عَرَضَ عَلَيْنَا الْمُحِبَّ لَنَا فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا رَأَيْتُ رُوحَكَ فِيمَنْ عُرِضَ فَأَيْنَ كُنْتَ فَس

“A man came to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) when he was in the company of his companions. The man offered greetings and said, “By Allah, I love you and acknowledge your Wilaya (Leadership with Divine Authority).” Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) said to him, “What you say is not true.” He said, “Yes, by Allah, I love you and

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا مَعْنَى السَّلَامِ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا خَلَقَ نَبِيَّهُ وَ وَصِيَّهُ وَ ابْنَتَهُ وَ ابْنَيْهِ وَ جَمِيعَ الْأَئِمَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ شِيعَتَهُمْ أَخَذَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمِيثَاقَ وَ أَنْ يَصْبِرُوا وَ يُصَابِرُوا وَ يُرَابِطُوا وَ أَنْ يَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ وَعَدَهُمْ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ لَهُمُ الْأَرْضَ الْمُبَارَكَةَ وَ الْحَرَمَ الْآمِنَ وَ أ

38. Certain persons of our people have narrated from in a in a marfu‘ manner have narrated from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Dawud ibn Kathir al-Raqqi who has said that he asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) the following. “What is the meaning of ‘peace be with the Messenger of Allah’?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “When Allah, the Most Ho

خَرَجَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع إِلَى مَكَّةَ سَنَةً مَاشِياً فَوَرِمَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ مَوَالِيهِ لَوْ رَكِبْتَ لَسَكَنَ عَنْكَ هَذَا الْوَرَمُ فَقَالَ كَلَّا إِذَا أَتَيْنَا هَذَا الْمَنْزِلَ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْتَقْبِلُكَ أَسْوَدُ وَ مَعَهُ دُهْنٌ فَاشْتَرِ مِنْهُ وَ لَا تُمَاكِسْهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلَاهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي مَا قَدِمْنَا مَنْزِلًا فِيهِ أَحَدٌ يَبِيعُ هَذَا الدَّوَاءَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ب

“One year al-Hassan ibn Ali left for Mecca on foot. On the journey his feet swelled and his servants said, 'If you would ride the swelling will go away.' He said, 'Nay, if we reach this place of rest you will a black person who has oil with him, buy from oil without trying to reduce the price.' The servant said, 'May m

لَمَّا أُقْدِمَتْ بِنْتُ يَزْدَجِرْدَ عَلَى عُمَرَ أَشْرَفَ لَهَا عَذَارَى الْمَدِينَةِ وَ أَشْرَقَ الْمَسْجِدُ بِضَوْئِهَا لَمَّا دَخَلَتْهُ فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا عُمَرُ غَطَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَ قَالَتْ أُفٍّ بِيرُوجْ بَادَا هُرْمُزْ[1] فَقَالَ عُمَرُ أَ تَشْتِمُنِي هَذِهِ وَ هَمَّ بِهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ لَكَ خَيِّرْهَا رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ احْسُبْهَا بِفَيْئِهِ فَخَيَّرَ

“When the daughter of Yazdegerd was brought before ‘Umar the girls of Medina would love to see her. When she entered the Mosque it all became delightful and bright. When ‘Umar looked at her she covered her face and said in her own language: 'Uff, bay ruj ba’ da Hurmuz' (May, the life of Hurmuz turn black). ‘Umar asked,

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَ الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَ أَبُو خَالِدٍ الْكَابُلِيُّ مِنْ ثِقَاتِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قَالَ وَ كَانَتْ أُمِّي مِمَّنْ آمَنَتْ وَ اتَّقَتْ وَ أَحْسَنَتْ‌ وَ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ* قَالَ وَ قَالَتْ أُمِّي قَالَ أَبِي يَا أُمَّ فَرْوَةَ إِنِّي لَأَدْعُو اللَّهَ لِمُذْنِبِي شِيعَتِنَا فِي الْيَوْمِ وَ اللَّيْلَةِ أَلْفَ

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib, al-Qasim ibn Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr and Abu al-Khalid al-Kabuli were of the trusted and reliable companions of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” The Imam (a.s.) has said, “My mother was a true believer, pious and a person of good deeds. Allah loves the people of good deed

وَجَّهَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْمَنْصُورُ إِلَى الْحَسَنِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ وَ هُوَ وَالِيهِ عَلَى الْحَرَمَيْنِ أَنْ أَحْرِقْ عَلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ دَارَهُ فَأَلْقَى النَّارَ فِي دَارِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَأَخَذَتِ النَّارُ فِي الْبَابِ وَ الدِّهْلِيزِ فَخَرَجَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَتَخَطَّى النَّارَ وَ يَمْشِي فِيهَا وَ يَقُولُ أَنَا ابْنُ أَعْرَاقِ الثَّرَى أَنَا ابْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلِ اللَّهِ ع.

‘I am the son of ’A‘raq al-Thara (’Isma‘il), I am the son of Ibrahim, (Abraham) the beloved friend of Allah.”

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

إِنَّ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ النَّضْرِ وَ أَبَا صِدَامٍ وَ جَمَاعَةً تَكَلَّمُوا بَعْدَ مُضِيِّ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فِيمَا فِي أَيْدِي الْوُكَلَاءِ وَ أَرَادُوا الْفَحْصَ‌[2] فَجَاءَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ إِلَى أَبِي الصِّدَامِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْحَجَّ فَقَالَ لَهُ- أَبُو صِدَامٍ أَخِّرْهُ هَذِهِ السَّنَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ إِنِّي أَفْزَعُ فِي الْمَنَامِ وَ لَا بُدَّ مِنَ الْخُرُوجِ وَ أَوْصَى إِل

“Al-Hassan ibn al-Nadr and abu Sidam and a group of people, after abu Muhammad (a.s.) had passed away would discuss about the property (of religious dues) in their possession and how to find out (as to who should they give it). Al-Hassan ibn al-Nadr came to abu Sidam and said, “I want to go for Hajj this year.” Abu Sid

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ‌ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ‌ قَرْضاً حَسَناً فَيُضاعِفَهُ لَهُ‌ أَضْعافاً كَثِيرَةً[5] قَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ فِي صِلَةِ الْإِمَامِ خَاصَّةً.

“There is nothing more beloved to Allah than the Dirhams taken out (of one’s property) to pay to the Imam (a.s.). On the Day of Judgment Allah will his Dirham as big as the mountain of ’Uhud.” He then said, “Allah, the Most High has said in His book, “One who generously lends to God will be paid back in many multiples

قَدِمَ قَوْمٌ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَسَأَلُوهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُمْ فِي حِلٍّ مِنَ الْخُمُسِ فَقَالَ مَا أَمْحَلَ هَذَا[1] تَمْحَضُونَّا بِالْمَوَدَّةِ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَ تَزْوُونَ عَنَّا حَقّاً جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لَنَا وَ جَعَلَنَا لَهُ وَ هُوَ الْخُمُسُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لِأَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ فِي حِلٍّ.

“A group of people came from Khurasan to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.). They asked him to set tehm free from the obligation of payment of al-Khums. The Imam (a.s.) said, “What kind of plan is this? Do you try to love us purely only with your tongue and withheld from us the right that Allah has set for us? That right is

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع بَعَثَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع فِي أَوَّلِ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَبَضَ بِيَمِينِهِ قَبْضَةً بَلَغَتْ قَبْضَتُهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ السَّابِعَةِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَخَذَ مِنْ كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ تُرْبَةً وَ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً أُخْرَى مِنَ الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْعُلْيَا إِلَى الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْقُصْوَى فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَلِمَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent Jibril in the first hours of the Friday. He picked up with his right hand a handful. His hand had in its reach from the seventh heavens to the heaven above earth. From each of the heavens he picked up a handful. He also picked up another handful fro

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ فَخَلَقَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ مِمَّا أَحَبَّ وَ كَانَ مَا أَحَبَّ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ مِمَّا أَبْغَضَ وَ كَانَ مَا أَبْغَضَ أَنْ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ طِينَةِ النَّارِ ثُمَّ بَعَثَهُمْ فِي الظِّلَالِ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الظِّلَالُ فَقَالَ أَ لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ظِلِّكَ فِي الشَّمْسِ شَيْئاً وَ لَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ ثُمَّ بَعَثَ مِنْهُمُ النَّبِيِّين

“Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, created the creation. He created His most beloved ones from that which He loved most. What was most beloved to Him was the fact that he created His most beloved ones from the clay of paradise. He created those whom He hated most from that which he hated most. What was most hated to H

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَوْقِفْنِي عَلَى حُدُودِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ صَلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسِ وَ أَدَاءُ الزَّكَاةِ وَ صَوْمُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ وَ وَلَايَةُ وَلِيِّنَا وَ عَدَاوَةُ عَدُوِّنَا وَ الدُّخُولُ مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ’Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al- Rahman from ’Ajlan ibn Salih who has said the following: “I requested abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the principles of beliefs. The Imam said, ‘They are: to testify and affirm that there is no one who deserves to be worshipped exce

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

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

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

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

بَعَثَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَاجَةٍ وَ هُوَ بِالْحِيرَةِ أَنَا وَ جَمَاعَةً مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ قَالَ فَانْطَلَقْنَا فِيهَا ثُمَّ رَجَعْنَا مُغْتَمِّينَ‌[1] قَالَ وَ كَانَ فِرَاشِي فِي الْحَائِرِ الَّذِي كُنَّا فِيهِ نُزُولًا فَجِئْتُ وَ أَنَا بِحَالٍ‌[2] فَرَمَيْتُ بِنَفْسِي فَبَيْنَا أَنَا كَذَلِكَ إِذَا أَنَا بِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَدْ أَقْبَلَ قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ أَتَيْنَاكَ أَوْ قَالَ جِئْنَاكَ فَاسْتَوَي

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once sent me with a group of his followers for an errand and at that time he was in Hirah (a place near Kufa, Iraq). We left for it and returned depressed. My bed was in al-Ha’ir (a comfortable private quarter). I went there in an upset condition and threw myself thereat. At this time Abu ‘Abdilla

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْإِسْلَامُ عُرْيَانٌ فَلِبَاسُهُ الْحَيَاءُ وَ زِينَتُهُ الْوَقَارُ[1] وَ مُرُوءَتُهُ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ وَ عِمَادُهُ الْوَرَعُ وَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَسَاسٌ وَ أَسَاسُ الْإِسْلَامِ حُبُّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌[2]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنْ مُدْرِكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

2. It is narrated from him from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from Mudrik ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Islam is bare. Its dress is bashfulness, dignity is its ornament, virtuous deeds are its kindness and strict following of law i

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَلَقَ الْإِسْلَامَ فَجَعَلَ لَهُ عَرْصَةً[3] وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ نُوراً وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ حِصْناً وَ جَعَلَ لَهُ نَاصِراً فَأَمَّا عَرْصَتُهُ فَالْقُرْآنُ وَ أَمَّا نُورُهُ فَالْحِكْمَةُ وَ أَمَّا حِصْنُهُ فَالْمَعْرُوفُ وَ أَمَّا أَنْصَارُهُ فَأَنَا وَ أَهْلُ بَيْتِي وَ شِيعَتُنَا فَأَحِبُّوا أَهْلَ بَيْتِي وَ شِيعَتَهُمْ وَ أَنْصَارَهُمْ فَإِنَّهُ لَمَّ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said that the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Allah created Islam and made for it a backyard and front-yard, a light, a fortress and supporter. Its backyard and front-yard are the Holy Quran. Wisdom is its light. Lawfulness is its fortress. My Ahl al-Bayt (my family), our Shi’

رَأْسُ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ الصَّبْرُ وَ الرِّضَا عَنِ اللَّهِ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ الْعَبْدُ أَوْ كَرِهَ وَ لَا يَرْضَى عَبْدٌ عَنِ اللَّهِ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ إِلَّا كَانَ خَيْراً لَهُ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ.

“The head of obedience to Allah is patience and satisfaction with Allah in all matters whether a servant may love or dislike doing so. And a servant is not satisfied with Allah's decree in what he loves or dislikes except that it is better for him in what he loves or dislikes.”

الصَّبْرُ وَ الرِّضَا عَنِ اللَّهِ رَأْسُ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ صَبَرَ وَ رَضِيَ عَنِ اللَّهِ فِيمَا قَضَى عَلَيْهِ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ لَمْ يَقْضِ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ إِلَّا مَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ.

“Patience and satisfaction with Allah is the head of obedience to Allah. If one exercises patience and satisfaction with Allah in all the matters which he loves or dislikes, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will not make any decision in any of his affairs which he loves or dislikes but that the decisions are in

أَنَّ فِيمَا أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ ع يَا مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ مَا خَلَقْتُ خَلْقاً أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ عَبْدِيَ‌ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنِّي إِنَّمَا أَبْتَلِيهِ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أُعَافِيهِ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أَزْوِي‌[1] عَنْهُ مَا هُوَ شَرٌّ لَهُ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصْلُحُ عَلَيْهِ عَبْدِي فَلْيَصْبِرْ عَلَى بَلَائِي وَ لْيَشْكُرْ نَعْمَائِ

"Of the revelations that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent to Musa ibn ‘Imran was as follows: ‘O Musa ibn ‘Imran, I have not created anything more beloved to Me than My believing servant. I try him only because it is for his good. I give him good health just for his good. I hold back what is evil for him in

أَيُّمَا عَبْدٍ أَقْبَلَ قِبَلَ مَا يُحِبُّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ قِبَلَ مَا يُحِبُّ وَ مَنِ اعْتَصَمَ بِاللَّهِ عَصَمَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ قِبَلَهُ وَ عَصَمَهُ لَمْ يُبَالِ لَوْ سَقَطَتِ السَّمَاءُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ أَوْ كَانَتْ نَازِلَةٌ نَزَلَتْ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ فَشَمِلَتْهُمْ بَلِيَّةٌ كَانَ فِي حِزْبِ اللَّهِ بِالتَّقْوَى مِنْ كُلِّ بَلِيَّةٍ أَ لَيْسَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ

“Any servant (of Allah) who comes forward to accept what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, loves, Allah comes forward with what he (the servant) loves. Whoever seeks protection with Allah, He protects him. To whoever’s rescue Allah comes He will protect him even if the skies were to fall on earth or an incident

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ شِدَّةَ الْخَوْفِ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ- إِنَّما يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبادِهِ الْعُلَماءُ[2] وَ قَالَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ- فَلا تَخْشَوُا النَّاسَ وَ اخْشَوْنِ‌[3] وَ قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ مَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجاً[4] قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ حُبَّ الشَّرَفِ وَ الذِّكْرِ[5] لَا يَكُونَانِ فِي قَلْب

“To have intense fear of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is part of worship. Allah has said, ‘Of the servants of Allah who fear Him are the scholars.’ (35:28) Allah, Whose praise is great, has said, ‘Do not fear people but fear Me.’ (5:44) Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, ‘For those who fear A

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ مَا تَحَبَّبَ‌[1] إِلَيَّ عَبْدِي بِأَحَبَّ مِمَّا افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَيْهِ.

5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from abu Jamilah from Muhammad al-Halabi from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, ‘The most beloved matter to Me through which My servant seeks to be loved is to fulfill what 1

قَالَ: أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهِ الْعَبْدُ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The most beloved deed in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is that which is continued even though it is very little.’”

مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ عَمَلٍ يُدَاوَمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘There is nothing more beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, than a deed that is continued by a servant (of Allah) even though it is very little.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص يَقُولُ‌ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ أُدَاوِمَ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, ‘I love to continue a good deed even if it is very little.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص يَقُولُ‌ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ أَقْدَمَ عَلَى رَبِّي وَ عَمَلِي مُسْتَوٍ[1].

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, ‘I love to go before my Lord with my deeds orderly and balanced.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَفْضَلُ النَّاسِ مَنْ عَشِقَ الْعِبَادَةَ فَعَانَقَهَا وَ أَحَبَّهَا بِقَلْبِهِ وَ بَاشَرَهَا بِجَسَدِهِ وَ تَفَرَّغَ لَهَا فَهُوَ لَا يُبَالِي عَلَى مَا أَصْبَحَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى عُسْرٍ أَمْ عَلَى يُسْرٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The best of the people are those who love worship (of Allah) intensely. They hold to it, love it in their hearts, accompany it with their body and are devoted in it. Such people are concerned no more about the world, whether it gives them comfort or difficulties.’”

إِنَّ الْعُبَّادَ ثَلَاثَةٌ[1] قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَوْفاً فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْعَبِيدِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى طَلَبَ الثَّوَابِ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأُجَرَاءِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حُبّاً لَهُ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأَحْرَارِ وَ هِيَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘There are three kinds of worship: there are people who worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, because of fear. This kind of worship is the worship of slaves. There are people who worship Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, for His rewards. This is the worship of people fo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً فَعَمِلَ عَمَلًا قَلِيلًا جَزَاهُ بِالْقَلِيلِ الْكَثِيرَ وَ لَمْ يَتَعَاظَمْهُ أَنْ يَجْزِيَ بِالْقَلِيلِ الْكَثِيرَ لَهُ.

‘When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, loves any (of His) servants who have done a little good deed, He grants him a great reward for his little deeds. He does not consider granting a great reward, for a little deed, a difficult thing at all.’”

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 رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لَا يُنَالُ الْمُلْكُ فِيهِ إِلَّا بِالْقَتْلِ وَ التَّجَبُّرِ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِالْغَصْبِ وَ الْبُخْلِ وَ لَا الْمَحَبَّةُ إِلَّا بِاسْتِخْرَاجِ الدِّينِ‌[1] وَ اتِّبَاعِ الْهَوَى- فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانَ فَصَبَرَ عَلَى الْفَقْرِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْغِنَى وَ صَبَرَ عَلَى الْبِغْضَةِ[2] وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَحَبَّةِ وَ صَبَرَ عَلَى

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A time will come upon people when kingdom can be achieved only by committing murders and tyranny. Wealth can only be achieved through usurpation and stinginess. Love and harmony can be established only by exclusion of religion and by following desires. Those living at such a time must

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ قَلْبٍ حَزِينٍ وَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ عَبْدٍ شَكُورٍ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لِعَبْدٍ مِنْ عَبِيدِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَ شَكَرْتَ فُلَاناً فَيَقُولُ بَلْ شَكَرْتُكَ يَا رَبِّ فَيَقُولُ لَمْ تَشْكُرْنِي إِذْ لَمْ تَشْكُرْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَشْكَرُكُمْ لِلَّهِ أَشْكَرُكُمْ لِلنَّاسِ.

“Allah loves every sad heart and He loves every thankful servant. Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, on the Day of Judgment will say to a servant among His servants, ‘Did you thank so and so?’ He (that servant) will say, ‘No, but 1 thanked You, O Lord.’ Allah will say, ‘You have not thanked Me because you did not

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا يَقْدَمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعَمَلٍ بَعْدَ الْفَرَائِضِ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى مِنْ أَنْ يَسَعَ النَّاسَ بِخُلُقِهِ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘No one comes before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with good deeds, besides the obligatory ones, more beloved to Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, than one with excellent moral behavior that has room for all people in it.’”

صَنَائِعُ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ حُسْنُ الْبِشْرِ يَكْسِبَانِ الْمَحَبَّةَ وَ يُدْخِلَانِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ الْبُخْلُ وَ عُبُوسُ الْوَجْهِ يُبْعِدَانِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ يُدْخِلَانِ النَّارَ.

“Abu Ja’far or Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) has said, ‘Doing lawful favors to others and having a delightful appearance earns love and lead one to paradise. Stinginess and a frowning face lead one away from Allah and into fire (of hell).”’

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي بِذُلِّ نَفْسِي حُمْرَ النَّعَمِ وَ مَا تَجَرَّعْتُ جُرْعَةً أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ جُرْعَةِ غَيْظٍ لَا أُكَافِي بِهَا صَاحِبَهَا[1].

“I do not love to humiliate my soul even to achieve the best of the bounties. I have not swallowed a drop more beloved to me than the drop (in the form) of my anger for which I did not seek compensation from the source that had caused it to stir up.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ كَظَمَ غَيْظاً إِلَّا زَادَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِزّاً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ قَدْ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ الْكاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَ الْعافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ‌ وَ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ‌[1] وَ أَثَابَهُ اللَّهُ مَكَانَ غَيْظِهِ ذَلِكَ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from certain individuals of his people from Malik ibn Hasin al-Sakuni who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a servant (of Allah) suppresses his anger, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, increases his respect in this world and in the next world. Allah, the

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مِنْ أَحَبِّ السَّبِيلِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جُرْعَتَانِ جُرْعَةُ غَيْظٍ تَرُدُّهَا بِحِلْمٍ وَ جُرْعَةُ مُصِيبَةٍ تَرُدُّهَا بِصَبْرٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the most beloved path to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, there are two drops: The drop of anger that one brushes aside and repels with tolerance and the drop of suffering that one wipes off with patience.’”

قَالَ: مَا أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لِي بِذُلِّ نَفْسِي حُمْرَ النَّعَمِ وَ مَا تَجَرَّعْتُ مِنْ جُرْعَةٍ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ جُرْعَةِ غَيْظٍ لَا أُكَافِي بِهَا صَاحِبَهَا.

“I do not love to have the most noble of the bounties at the cost of humiliation to my soul. I have not swallowed any drop more beloved to me than the drop of anger for which I did not compensate from the one who caused it (my anger).”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ جُرْعَةٍ يَتَجَرَّعُهَا الْعَبْدُ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ جُرْعَةِ غَيْظٍ يَتَجَرَّعُهَا عِنْدَ تَرَدُّدِهَا فِي قَلْبِهِ إِمَّا بِصَبْرٍ وَ إِمَّا بِحِلْمٍ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘The swallowing of a servant (of Allah) of no other drop is more beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, than the drop (feeling) of anger when it runs around in his heart, and he swallows it by means of patience and forbearance.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ الْحَيِيَّ الْحَلِيمَ.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Jamilah from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, loves the living person who is forbearing.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْحَيِيَّ الْحَلِيمَ الْعَفِيفَ الْمُتَعَفِّفَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah certainly loves the living person who is forbearing, maintains chastity and restrains from worldly matters (sins).”’

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الْفِقْهِ الْحِلْمُ وَ الْعِلْمُ وَ الصَّمْتُ إِنَّ الصَّمْتَ بَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْحِكْمَةِ إِنَّ الصَّمْتَ يَكْسِبُ الْمَحَبَّةَ[1] إِنَّهُ دَلِيلٌ عَلَى كُلِّ خَيْرٍ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) has said, ‘Of the signs of one’s intelligence is forbearance, knowledge and silence. Silence is one of the doors of wisdom. Silence earns love and it, certainly, is the guide to all good.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ فَمِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِعِبَادِهِ تَسْلِيلُهُ أَضْغَانَهُمْ‌[2] وَ مُضَادَّتَهُمْ‌[3] لِهَوَاهُمْ وَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ مِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِهِمْ أَنَّهُ يَدَعُهُمْ عَلَى الْأَمْرِ يُرِيدُ إِزَالَتَهُمْ عَنْهُ رِفْقاً بِهِمْ لِكَيْلَا يُلْقِيَ عَلَيْهِمْ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ‌[4] وَ مُثَاقَلَتَهُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً فَيَضْعُفُوا فَإِذَا أَرَادَ ذَلِكَ نَسَخَ الْأَمْرَ بِالْآخ

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Safwan ibn Yahya from Yahya al-Azraq from Hammad ibn Bashir from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, is compassionate and He loves friendliness. Of the examples of His compassion to His worshippers is His reducing

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَ يُعْطِي عَلَى الرِّفْقِ مَا لَا يُعْطِي عَلَى الْعُنْفِ.

5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Mahbub from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is compassionate. He loves kindheartedness and awards for it with such things that He does not give due to rudeness.”

أَيُّمَا أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ أُعْطُوا حَظَّهُمْ مِنَ الرِّفْقِ فَقَدْ وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ الرِّفْقُ فِي تَقْدِيرِ الْمَعِيشَةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّعَةِ فِي الْمَالِ وَ الرِّفْقُ لَا يَعْجِزُ عَنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ التَّبْذِيرُ لَا يَبْقَى مَعَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ‌[3].

“Any family who has received their share of kindheartedness, Allah has certainly increased their livelihood. Friendliness in matters of earning a living is better than great wealth. Friendliness does not cause any weakness but a spendthrift habit leaves nothing in place. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is comp