Love & Affection

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَ يُعِينُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَكِبْتُمُ الدَّوَابَّ الْعُجْفَ‌[2] فَأَنْزِلُوهَا مَنَازِلَهَا- فَإِنْ كَانَتِ الْأَرْضُ مُجْدِبَةً فَانْجُوا عَنْهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مُخْصِبَةً فَأَنْزِلُوهَا مَنَازِلَهَا.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, certainly, loves kindheartedness and He supports one to achieve it. If you ride a weak animal allow it to rest whenever needed. If it is a barren land pass it quickly, and if it is a fertile land, allow them to rest as they need.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَ مِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِكُمْ تَسْلِيلُ أَضْغَانِكُمْ وَ مُضَادَّةِ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيُرِيدُ تَحْوِيلَ الْعَبْدِ عَنِ الْأَمْرِ فَيَتْرُكُهُ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَوِّلَهُ بِالنَّاسِخِ كَرَاهِيَةَ تَثَاقُلِ الْحَقِّ عَلَيْهِ.

“Allah is compassionate and He loves kindheartedness. Of the examples of His compassion is His reducing and easing off of your feeling of grudge and hatred that confronts your wish and your heart. When He decides to change a worshipper’s habits He issues a command and then changes it with an abrogating command so that

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا اصْطَحَبَ اثْنَانِ إِلَّا كَانَ أَعْظَمُهُمَا أَجْراً وَ أَحَبُّهُمَا إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَرْفَقَهُمَا بِصَاحِبِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever two things accompany each other the recipient of greater reward and the most beloved of the two before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is the kindhearted one to its companion.’”

أَفْطَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- عَشِيَّةَ خَمِيسٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَا فَقَالَ هَلْ مِنْ شَرَابٍ فَأَتَاهُ أَوْسُ بْنُ خَوَلِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِعُسِّ مَخِيضٍ بِعَسَلٍ‌[1] فَلَمَّا وَضَعَهُ عَلَى فِيهِ نَحَّاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ شَرَابَانِ يُكْتَفَى بِأَحَدِهِمَا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ لَا أَشْرَبُهُ وَ لَا أُحَرِّمُهُ وَ لَكِنْ أَتَوَاضَعُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنَّ مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ خَفَضَهُ اللَّهُ وَ م

‘‘In a Thursday evening the Messenger of Allah had completed his day’s fasting and dinner was served in the Mosque of Quba. He asked, ‘Is there any drink?’ Aws ibn Khuli brought him a bowl of milk mixed with honey. When he touched it with his lips he moved it away saying, ‘There are two drinks each of which is enough d

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.”

مَنْ أَحَبَّ لِلَّهِ وَ أَبْغَضَ لِلَّهِ وَ أَعْطَى لِلَّهِ‌ فَهُوَ مِمَّنْ كَمَلَ إِيمَانُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah and gives for the sake of Allah, he is of those whose belief is complete.’”

مِنْ أَوْثَقِ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ أَنْ تُحِبَّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ تُبْغِضَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ تُعْطِيَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ تَمْنَعَ فِي اللَّهِ‌[1].

“The strongest ring of belief to hold onto is to love for the sake of Allah and hate for the sake of Allah, to give for the sake of Allah and deny for the sake of Allah.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ وُدُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[2] لِلْمُؤْمِنِ فِي اللَّهِ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ شُعَبِ الْإِيمَانِ أَلَا وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ أَبْغَضَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ أَعْطَى فِي اللَّهِ وَ مَنَعَ فِي اللَّهِ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَصْفِيَاءِ اللَّهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Love of a believer for another believer only for the sake of Allah is of the greatest branches of belief. It is certain that whoever loves for the sake of Allah, hates for the sake of Allah, gives for the sake of Allah and denies for the sake of Allah is of the chosen people of Allah.

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمُتَحَابِّينَ فِي اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى مَنَابِرَ مِنْ نُورٍ قَدْ أَضَاءَ نُورُ وُجُوهِهِمْ وَ نُورُ أَجْسَادِهِمْ وَ نُورُ مَنَابِرِهِمْ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ حَتَّى يُعْرَفُوا بِهِ فَيُقَالُ هَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ.

Those who love each other for the sake of Allah, on the Day of Judgment will be seen on the pulpits of light. The light of their faces, the light of their bodies and the light of their pulpits will light up all things so much so that they will become known for it, and they will be called people loving for the sake of A

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْحُبِّ وَ الْبُغْضِ أَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ هُوَ فَقَالَ وَ هَلِ الْإِيمَانُ إِلَّا الْحُبُّ وَ الْبُغْضُ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمانَ‌ وَ زَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ‌ وَ كَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَ الْفُسُوقَ‌ وَ الْعِصْيانَ‌ أُولئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ‌[3].

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad from Hariz from Fudayl ibnYasar who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Are love and hate part of belief?’ The Imam asked, ‘Is belief anything but love and hate?’ He then read the words of Allah, ‘. . . But Allah has endeared belief to you

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِأَصْحَابِهِ أَيُّ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ أَوْثَقُ فَقَالُوا اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الصَّلَاةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الصِّيَامُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الْحَجُ‌ وَ الْعُمْرَةُ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمُ الْجِهَادُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِكُلِّ مَا قُلْتُمْ فَضْلٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِهِ‌[1] وَ لَكِنْ أَوْثَقُ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ الْحُبُّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ الْبُغْ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu al-Hassan Ali ibn Yahya (as far as I know) from ‘Amr ibn Mudrik al-Ta’i from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah once asked his companions, ‘Which ring of belief is stronger to hol

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى أَرْضِ زَبَرْجَدَةٍ خَضْرَاءَ فِي ظِلِّ عَرْشِهِ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ كِلْتَا يَدَيْهِ يَمِينٌ وُجُوهُهُمْ أَشَدُّ بَيَاضاً وَ أَضْوَأُ مِنَ الشَّمْسِ الطَّالِعَةِ يَغْبِطُهُمْ بِمَنْزِلَتِهِمْ كُلُّ مَلَكٍ مُقَرَّبٍ وَ كُلُّ نَبِيٍّ مُرْسَلٍ يَقُولُ النَّاسُ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ فَيُقَالُ هَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ.

"The people who love one another for the sake of Allah will be on a green carpet on the Day of Resurrection, in the shade of on the right side of His Throne, and both of His hands are right hands. Their faces will be whiter and brighter than the rising sun. Every close angel and every sent prophet will envy them for th

إِذَا جَمَعَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ الْآخِرِينَ قَامَ مُنَادٍ فَنَادَى يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ قَالَ فَيَقُومُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمُ اذْهَبُوا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ قَالَ فَتَلَقَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ فَيَقُولُونَ إِلَى أَيْنَ فَيَقُولُونَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ فَأَيُّ ضَرْبٍ‌[3] أَنْتُمْ مِنَ النَّاسِ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will gather together all the people of the past and the later generations, a caller whom everyone will hear will call, ‘Where are those whose love was just for the sake of Allah?’ Certain necks will rise from among the people and it will be said to them, ‘Go to paradise without

ثَلَاثٌ مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِ عِلْمُهُ بِاللَّهِ وَ مَنْ يُحِبُّ وَ مَنْ يُبْغِضُ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Three things are of the signs of a believer: His knowledge of Allah, who to love and who to hate.’”

إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُحِبُّكُمْ وَ مَا يَعْرِفُ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ الْجَنَّةَ بِحُبِّكُمْ وَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيُبْغِضُكُمْ وَ مَا يَعْرِفُ مَا أَنْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ بِبُغْضِكُمُ النَّارَ.

“The man loves you (followers of Ahl al-Bayt) without knowing your belief and Allah admits him to paradise because he loves you. A man hates you without knowing what your belief is and Allah then admits him in the fire for hating you.”

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْلَمَ أَنَّ فِيكَ خَيْراً فَانْظُرْ إِلَى قَلْبِكَ فَإِنْ كَانَ يُحِبُّ أَهْلَ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ يُبْغِضُ أَهْلَ مَعْصِيَتِهِ فَفِيكَ خَيْرٌ وَ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ يُبْغِضُ أَهْلَ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ يُحِبُّ أَهْلَ مَعْصِيَتِهِ فَلَيْسَ فِيكَ خَيْرٌ وَ اللَّهُ يُبْغِضُكَ وَ الْمَرْءُ مَعَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ.

“If you like to know whether there is anything good in you, look into your heart. If it loves people who obey Allah and hates those who disobey Him, then there is good in you and Allah loves you. If it hates the people who obey Allah and loves those who disobey Allah, then there is nothing good in you and Allah hates y

لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَحَبَّ رَجُلًا لِلَّهِ لَأَثَابَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى حُبِّهِ إِيَّاهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمَحْبُوبُ فِي عِلْمِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ النَّارِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَبْغَضَ رَجُلًا لِلَّهِ لَأَثَابَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى بُغْضِهِ إِيَّاهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمُبْغَضُ فِي عِلْمِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ[1].

“If a man loves another man just for the sake of Allah, Allah will give him good rewards for his loving him, even if that man is of the people of the fire, in the knowledge of Allah. If a man hates another man just for the sake of Allah, Allah will give him good reward for his hating him, even if that man is of the peo

قَدْ يَكُونُ حُبٌّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ وَ حُبٌّ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَمَا كَانَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ رَسُولِهِ فَثَوَابُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَلَيْسَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ.

“Sometimes love is for the sake of Allah and the Messenger of Allah and sometimes it is for the sake of worldly matters. For love, which is for the sake of Allah and the Messenger of Allah, the reward is with Allah. For love that is for the sake of worldly matters there is nothing.”

إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمَيْنِ يَلْتَقِيَانِ فَأَفْضَلُهُمَا أَشَدُّهُمَا حُبّاً لِصَاحِبِهِ.

“Of the two Muslims who meet each other, the more meritorious is the one who loves his companion more intensely.”

مَا الْتَقَى مُؤْمِنَانِ قَطُّ إِلَّا كَانَ أَفْضَلُهُمَا أَشَدَّهُمَا حُبّاً لِأَخِيهِ.

“Of the two believers who meet each other, the more meritorious one is the one who loves his brethren more intensely.”

كُلُّ مَنْ لَمْ يُحِبَّ عَلَى الدِّينِ وَ لَمْ يُبْغِضْ عَلَى الدِّينِ فَلَا دِينَ لَهُ.

“Whoever does not love because of religion and does not hate because of religion has no religion.”

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً زَهَّدَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ فَقَّهَهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَ بَصَّرَهُ عُيُوبَهَا[1] وَ مَنْ أُوتِيَهُنَّ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ قَالَ لَمْ يَطْلُبْ أَحَدٌ الْحَقَّ بِبَابٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الزُّهْدِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ هُوَ ضِدٌّ لِمَا طَلَبَ أَعْدَاءُ الْحَقِّ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مِمَّا ذَا[2] قَالَ مِنَ الرَّغْبَةِ فِيهَا وَ قَالَ أَ لَا مِنْ صَبَّارٍ كَرِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When Allah wants good for a servant (of Allah) He makes him reduce his interest in worldly matters, grants him good understanding in religion, and shows him his shortcomings. Whoever receives these things receives the good of both this and the next life.’ The Imam then said, ‘For the s

سُئِلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ مَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَةِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ مَعْرِفَةِ رَسُولِهِ ص أَفْضَلَ مِنْ بُغْضِ الدُّنْيَا وَ إِنَّ لِذَلِكَ لَشُعَباً كَثِيرَةً[5] وَ لِلْمَعَاصِي شُعَباً فَأَوَّلُ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْكِبْرُ وَ هِيَ مَعْصِيَةُ إِبْلِيسَ حِينَ‌ أَبى‌ وَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَ كانَ مِنَ الْكافِرِينَ‌ وَ الْحِرْصُ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was asked, ‘Which deed is more meritorious in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy?’ The Imam said, ‘No deed, after knowing Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and the Messenger of Allah is more meritorious than to dislike (and hate) the world. It has many branches. Sins h

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَمَحْزُونٌ وَ إِنِّي لَمَشْغُولُ الْقَلْبِ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا شَغَلَكَ وَ مَا حَزَنَ قَلْبَكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّهُ مَنْ دَخَلَ قَلْبَهُ صَافِي‌ خَالِصِ دِينِ اللَّهِ شُغِلَ قَلْبُهُ عَمَّا سِوَاهُ يَا جَابِرُ مَا الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا عَسَى أَنْ تَكُونَ الدُّنْيَا هَلْ هِيَ إِلَّا طَعَامٌ أَكَلْتَهُ أَوْ ثَوْبٌ لَبِسْتَهُ أَوِ امْرَ

“Once I went to visit abu la’ far (a.s.) and he said, ‘O Jabir, I swear by Allah, I am very sad and my heart is pre-occupied.’ I then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has pre-occupied your heart and what is the reason for your sadness?’ The Imam said, ‘O Jabir, if the religion of Allah in

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

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

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَفَافَ وَ الْكَفَافَ وَ ارْزُقْ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمَالَ وَ الْوَلَدَ[4].

3. Al-Nawfali has narrated from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O Allah, grant Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and those who love Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, chastity in their personality, and sustenance enough for their exact necessities. Gi

مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِرَاعِي إِبِلٍ فَبَعَثَ يَسْتَسْقِيهِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا مَا فِي ضُرُوعِهَا فَصَبُوحُ الْحَيِ‌[5] وَ أَمَّا مَا فِي آنِيَتِنَا فَغَبُوقُهُمْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرْ مَالَهُ وَ وُلْدَهُ ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِرَاعِي غَنَمٍ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ يَسْتَسْقِيهِ فَحَلَبَ لَهُ مَا فِي ضُرُوعِهَا وَ أَكْفَأَ[1] مَا فِي إِنَائِهِ فِي إِنَاءِ- رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِشَاةٍ وَ قَال

“The Messenger of Allah once passed by a shepherd of camels and asked him for a drink and he said, ‘The milk in their udder is for the morning drink of the people of the village and the milk in the containers is for their evening drink.’ The Messenger of Allah then prayed, ‘O Lord, give him many children and much wealt

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ مَا يُعَجَّلُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the good deeds that Allah loves is that which is done without delays.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صِلْ رَحِمَكَ وَ لَوْ بِشَرْبَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ وَ أَفْضَلُ مَا تُوصَلُ بِهِ الرَّحِمُ كَفُّ الْأَذَى عَنْهَا وَ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الْأَجَلِ مَحْبَبَةٌ فِي الْأَهْلِ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintain your kindred relations well even if it is a help with a drink of water. The best in such relations are not to cause any suffering to relatives. Keeping good relations with relatives delays the coming of death and brings love among them.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُزَكِّي الْأَعْمَالَ وَ تَدْفَعُ الْبَلْوَى وَ تُنْمِي الْأَمْوَالَ وَ تُنْسِئُ لَهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ تُوَسِّعُ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ تُحَبِّبُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَ لْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ.

13. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Khattab al-‘A’War from abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives cleanses the deeds, repulses misfortunes, increases wealth, delays the coming of death, enlarges ones

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَنْ يَرْغَبَ الْمَرْءُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ‌[3] وَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَ وَلَدٍ وَ عَنْ مَوَدَّتِهِمْ وَ كَرَامَتِهِمْ وَ دِفَاعِهِمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ هُمْ أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ حِيطَةً[4] مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَ أَعْطَفُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَلَمُّهُمْ لِشَعَثِهِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ مُصِيبَةٌ أَوْ نَزَلَ بِهِ بَعْضُ مَكَارِهِ الْأُمُورِ وَ مَنْ يَقْبِضْ يَدَهُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ فَإِنَّمَا

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A man must never turn away from his relatives, even if he is wealthy and has many children. He must not fail to love them, must not ignore their honor, their defense with his hands and tongue. They are the strongest defending power behind him and the most kind to

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ أَنِّي قَدْ أَذْلَلْتُ رَقَبَتِي فِي رَحِمِي وَ أَنِّي لَأُبَادِرُ أَهْلَ بَيْتِي أَصِلُهُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَغْنُوا عَنِّي.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘I love to show Allah humbling of my neck for my relatives and that I hasten to do good to my relatives and maintain good relations with them before they become independent of me.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَمُدَّ اللَّهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ أَنْ يَبْسُطَ لَهُ فِي رِزْقِهِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّحِمَ لَهَا لِسَانٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ذَلْقٌ‌[2] تَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي فَالرَّجُلُ لَيُرَى بِسَبِيلِ خَيْرٍ إِذَا أَتَتْهُ الرَّحِمُ الَّتِي قَطَعَهَا فَتَهْوِي بِهِ إِلَى أَسْفَلِ قَعْرٍ فِي النَّارِ[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever loves Allah’s giving him a long life and increasing his means of sustenance, he should maintain good relations with relatives; kindred relation, will have a sharp tongue on the Day of Judgment and it will say, “O Lord, establish good relations with those who maintained me prop

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً[2] مَا هَذَا الْإِحْسَانُ فَقَالَ الْإِحْسَانُ أَنْ تُحْسِنَ صُحْبَتَهُمَا وَ أَنْ لَا تُكَلِّفَهُمَا أَنْ يَسْأَلَاكَ شَيْئاً مِمَّا يَحْتَاجَانِ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَا مُسْتَغْنِيَيْنِ‌[3] أَ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَنْ تَنالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ‌[4] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the meaning of ‘kindness’ in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . and that you must be kind to your parents. . . .’ (17:23) The Imam said, ‘It means to behave with them in a good manner, not to make them ask you for help, even though they are self-sufficient.

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

أَتَى رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ شَابٌّ نَشِيطٌ وَ أُحِبُّ الْجِهَادَ وَ لِي وَالِدَةٌ تَكْرَهُ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ ص ارْجِعْ فَكُنْ مَعَ وَالِدَتِكَ فَوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَنِي بِالْحَقِّ نَبِيّاً لَأُنْسُهَا بِكَ لَيْلَةً خَيْرٌ مِنْ جِهَادِكَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ سَنَةً.

“Once a man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘I am a young and active man and love Jihad (joining the army), but my mother does not like it.’ The Holy Prophet said, ‘Go back and stay with your mother. I swear by the One Who has sent me with the truth as a prophet that her feeling comfort because of your presenc

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.’”

سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ أَحَبُّ النَّاسِ إِلَى اللَّهِ قَالَ أَنْفَعُ النَّاسِ لِلنَّاسِ.

“The person who had heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) narrated to me the following: He had heard the Imam say, ‘The Messenger of Allah was asked, “Who was the most beloved of people to Allah?” The Messenger of Allah replied, ‘The most beneficial one to people is the most beloved to Allah.’”

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ قُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ‌ حُسْناً قَالَ قُولُوا لِلنَّاسِ أَحْسَنَ مَا تُحِبُّونَ أَنْ يُقَالَ فِيكُمْ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . speak righteous words to people, . . .’ (2:83) the Imam said, ‘It means say to people the best of that which you love to be said about you.’”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لِي تُحِبُّهُ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ لِي وَ لِمَ لَا تُحِبُّهُ وَ هُوَ أَخُوكَ وَ شَرِيكُكَ فِي دِينِكَ وَ عَوْنُكَ عَلَى عَدُوِّكَ وَ رِزْقُهُ عَلَى غَيْرِكَ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) when a man came in and the Imam asked me, ‘Do you love him?’ I said, ‘Yes, I love him.’ The Imam asked me, ‘How would you not love him when he is

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ قَالَ لَهُ سَبْعُ حُقُوقٍ وَاجِبَاتٍ مَا مِنْهُنَّ حَقٌّ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَاجِبٌ إِنْ ضَيَّعَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ وِلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ مِنْ نَصِيبٍ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ يَا مُعَلَّى إِنِّي عَلَيْكَ شَفِيقٌ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُضَيِّعَ وَ لَا تَحْفَظَ وَ تَعْلَمَ وَ لَا تَعْمَلَ قَالَ قُلْتُ ل

“Once I asked the Imam, ‘What are the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim?’ The Imam said, ‘He has seven categories of rights that are obligatory, each of which is compulsory. If he jeopardizes a single one of them he is out of the domain of guardianship ( Walayah ) of Allah and obedience to Him. There will be no share

حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يَشْبَعَ وَ يَجُوعُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَرْوَى وَ يَعْطَشُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَكْتَسِيَ وَ يَعْرَى أَخُوهُ فَمَا أَعْظَمَ حَقَّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ قَالَ أَحِبَّ لِأَخِيكَ الْمُسْلِمِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِذَا احْتَجْتَ فَسَلْهُ وَ إِنْ سَأَلَكَ فَأَعْطِهِ لَا تَمَلَّهُ خَيْراً وَ لَا يَمَلَّهُ لَكَ‌[1] كُنْ لَهُ ظَهْراً فَإِنَّهُ لَكَ ظَهْرٌ إِذَا غَاب

“Of the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim is that he must not satisfy himself with food while his Muslim brother is hungry. One must not satisfy himself with water while one’s Muslim brother is thirsty, and one must not dress up in finery while his Muslim brother is in need of clothes. How great is the right of the Mu

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ سَبْعُونَ حَقّاً لَا أُخْبِرُكَ إِلَّا بِسَبْعَةٍ فَإِنِّي عَلَيْكَ مُشْفِقٌ أَخْشَى أَلَّا تَحْتَمِلَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَ يَجُوعُ وَ لَا تَكْتَسِي وَ يَعْرَى وَ تَكُونُ دَلِيلَهُ وَ قَمِيصَهُ الَّذِي يَلْبَسُهُ‌[2] وَ لِسَانَهُ الَّذِي يَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ وَ تُحِبُّ لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَ جَارِ

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Uramah in a marfu’ manner from Mu’alla ibn Khanis who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the rights of the believer. The Imam said, ‘There are seventy categories of rights but I will only tell you of seven; I

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِأَصْحَابِهِ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا إِخْوَةً بَرَرَةً مُتَحَابِّينَ فِي اللَّهِ مُتَوَاصِلِينَ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ تَزَاوَرُوا وَ تَلَاقَوْا وَ تَذَاكَرُوا أَمْرَنَا وَ أَحْيُوهُ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Shu’ayb al-‘Aqar Qufi who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying to his companions, ‘Be pious before Allah and be virtuous brothers who love each other for the sake of Allah, and maintain goo

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ أَنْتَ ضَيْفِي وَ زَائِرِي عَلَيَّ قِرَاكَ‌[1] وَ قَدْ أَوْجَبْتُ لَكَ الْجَنَّةَ بِحُبِّكَ إِيَّاهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one visits his brother (in belief) in his house, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘You are My guest and My visitor, your service is on Me and I, for your loving him, have made paradise obligatory for you.”’

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا وَ تَصَافَحَا أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ يَدَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمَا فَصَافَحَ أَشَدَّهُمَا حُبّاً لِصَاحِبِهِ.

"When the believing people meet and shake hands Allah inserts His hand between their hands and shakes hands with the one whose love for his brother (in belief) is more intense.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَدَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمَا وَ أَقْبَلَ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَى أَشَدِّهِمَا حُبّاً لِصَاحِبِهِ فَإِذَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَيْهِمَا تَحَاتَّتْ عَنْهُمَا الذُّنُوبُ كَمَا يَتَحَاتُّ الْوَرَقُ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ.

‘When two believing people meet and shake hands Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inserts His hand between their hands and faces the one whose love for his brother (in belief) is more intense. When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, turns His face to them their sins begin to fall like leaves from trees.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ بِوَجْهٍ قَاطِبٍ‌[5] فَقُلْتُ مَا الَّذِي غَيَّرَكَ لِي قَالَ الَّذِي غَيَّرَكَ لِإِخْوَانِكَ بَلَغَنِي يَا إِسْحَاقُ أَنَّكَ أَقْعَدْتَ بِبَابِكَ‌ بَوَّاباً يَرُدُّ عَنْكَ فُقَرَاءَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي خِفْتُ الشُّهْرَةَ فَقَالَ أَ فَلَا خِفْتَ الْبَلِيَّةَ أَ وَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَنْزَلَ ال

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he looked at me frowning. I asked, ‘May I know how I have disappointed you?’ The Imam said, ‘It is that which has changed you toward your brothers (in belief). It has come to my notice, O Ishaq, that you have appointed someone at your door to drive away the poor people of th