Love & Affection

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ خَرَجَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ يَزُورُهُ‌[1] عَارِفاً بِحَقِّهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَسَنَةً وَ مُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ رُفِعَتْ لَهُ دَرَجَةٌ وَ إِذَا طَرَقَ الْبَابَ فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا الْتَقَيَا وَ تَصَافَحَا وَ تَعَانَقَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ ثُمَّ بَاهَى بِهِمَا الْمَلَائِكَةَ فَيَقُولُ انْظُرُوا إِلَى عَبْدَيَّ تَزَاوَرَا وَ تَحَابَّا فِيّ

“Any believer who leaves (his home) to visit his brother (in belief) because of his knowledge of the importance of such person, Allah writes for him, for every step, one good deed, deletes one evil deed, and raises him one degree in meritorious status. When he knocks at his door, the doors to heaven open to him. When t

قَالَ لِي أَ تَخْلُونَ وَ تَتَحَدَّثُونَ وَ تَقُولُونَ مَا شِئْتُمْ فَقُلْتُ إِي وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَخْلُو وَ نَتَحَدَّثُ وَ نَقُولُ مَا شِئْنَا فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي مَعَكُمْ فِي بَعْضِ تِلْكَ الْمَوَاطِنِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ رِيحَكُمْ وَ أَرْوَاحَكُمْ وَ إِنَّكُمْ عَلَى دِينِ اللَّهِ وَ دِينِ مَلَائِكَتِهِ فَأَعِينُوا بِوَرَعٍ وَ اجْتِهَادٍ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) asked me, ‘Do you hold private gatherings wherein you say whatever you want?’ I said, ‘Yes, I swear by Allah, we hold private gatherings and say whatever we like to say (in praise of Muhammad and his family).’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah, I wish I could be with you at such gatherings. I swe

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.”

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.’”

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.’”

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.’”

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.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَقَضَاءُ حَاجَةِ امْرِئٍ مُؤْمِنٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ عِشْرِينَ حَجَّةً كُلُّ حَجَّةٍ يُنْفِقُ فِيهَا صَاحِبُهَا مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘To help meet the needs of a believing man is more beloved to Allah than twenty Hajj for which one spends one hundred thousand.’”

وَ اللَّهِ لَأَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا حَتَّى بَلَغَ عَشْراً وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا[4] حَتَّى بَلَغَ السَّبْعِينَ وَ لَأَنْ أَعُولَ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[5] أَسُدَّ جَوْعَتَهُمْ وَ أَكْسُوَ عَوْرَتَهُمْ فَأَكُفَّ وُجُوهَهُمْ عَنِ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ مِثْلَهَا

“By Allah, performing one Hajj is more beloved to me than setting free of ten slaves and up to seventy slaves. If I look after a Muslim family, satisfy their hunger and clothe them to safeguard their dignity among the people it is more beloved to me than to perform Hajj ten times and so on up to seventy Hajj.”

لَأَنْ أَمْشِيَ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخٍ لِي مُسْلِمٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ أَلْفَ نَسَمَةٍ وَ أَحْمِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَلْفِ فَرَسٍ‌[4] مُسْرَجَةٍ مُلْجَمَةٍ.

“Walking to help my Muslim brother (in belief) is more beloved to me than setting free one thousand souls and donating one thousand horses, saddled and harnessed, ready for use in the way of Allah.”

كُنْتُ جَالِساً مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ يُقَالُ لَهُ مَيْمُونٌ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ تَعَذُّرَ الْكِرَاءِ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لِي قُمْ فَأَعِنْ أَخَاكَ فَقُمْتُ مَعَهُ فَيَسَّرَ اللَّهُ كِرَاهُ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى مَجْلِسِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا صَنَعْتَ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيكَ فَقُلْتُ قَضَاهَا اللَّهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّكَ أَنْ تُعِينَ‌[

“Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man from the people of Makkah called Maymun came in and complained to him about his difficulty paying his rent. The Imam said to me, ‘Stand up and help your brother (in belief).’ I then left with him and Allah facilitated payment for his rent and I returned to

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْخَلْقُ عِيَالِي فَأَحَبُّهُمْ إِلَيَّ أَلْطَفُهُمْ بِهِمْ وَ أَسْعَاهُمْ فِي حَوَائِجِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Creatures are My dependents. The most beloved among them to Me is the most compassionate of them toward the others and who endeavors the most to help them.’”

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُطْعِمَ أُفُقاً مِنَ النَّاسِ‌[5] قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْأُفُقُ قَالَ مِائَةُ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Satisfying the hunger of a Muslim is more beloved to me than feeding a whole horizon of people.’ 1 then asked, ‘What is a horizon?’ The Imam said, ‘It is one hundred thousand or more people.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ تُحِبُّ إِخْوَانَكَ يَا حُسَيْنُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَنْفَعُ فُقَرَاءَهُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَحِقُّ عَلَيْكَ‌[5] أَنْ تُحِبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُ‌ اللَّهُ‌[1] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَنْفَعُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً حَتَّى تُحِبَّهُ‌[2] أَ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى مَنْزِلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ مَا آكُلُ إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الرَّجُلَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ الْأَقَلُّ وَ الْأَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked, ‘Do you love your brothers (in belief) O Husayn?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 love them.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you provide any benefit for their poor?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘It is obligatory for you to love whoever loves Allah. By Allah you will not provide any benefit to any of t

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ رَجُلًا مُسْلِماً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ أُفُقاً[5] مِنَ النَّاسِ قُلْتُ وَ كَمِ الْأُفُقُ فَقَالَ عَشَرَةُ آلَافٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Feeding a Muslim man is more beloved to me than setting free a horizon (full) of people.’ I then asked, ‘How many is a horizon of people?’ The Imam said, ‘It is ten thousand people.’”

أَكْلَةٌ[1] يَأْكُلُهَا أَخِي الْمُسْلِمُ عِنْدِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً.

“A meal that (I may provide) for a Muslim brother (in belief) is more beloved to me than setting free a slave.”

لَأَنْ أُشْبِعَ رَجُلًا مِنْ إِخْوَانِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَدْخُلَ سُوقَكُمْ هَذَا فَأَبْتَاعَ مِنْهَا رَأْساً فَأُعْتِقَهُ.

“Feeding one of my brothers (in belief) to his satisfaction is more beloved to me than entering your market to buy a slave and set him free.”

لَأَنْ آخُذَ خَمْسَةَ دَرَاهِمَ وَ أَدْخُلَ إِلَى سُوقِكُمْ هَذَا فَأَبْتَاعَ بِهَا الطَّعَامَ وَ أَجْمَعَ نَفَراً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ نَسَمَةً.

“With five Dirhams, if I enter your market to buy food to feed a few Muslim people is more beloved to me than setting free of a slave.”

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَزُورَهُ وَ لَأَنْ أَزُورَهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ.

“Feeding a needy believer is more beloved to me than visiting him, and to visit him is more beloved to me than setting free of ten slaves.”

لَإِطْعَامُ مُؤْمِنٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ عِتْقِ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَ عَشْرِ حِجَجٍ‌[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَ عَشْرِ حِجَجٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا نَصْرُ إِنْ لَمْ تُطْعِمُوهُ مَاتَ أَوْ تَدُلُّونَهُ‌[2] فَيَجِي‌ءُ إِلَى نَاصِبٍ فَيَسْأَلُهُ وَ الْمَوْتُ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ مَسْأَلَةِ نَاصِبٍ يَا نَصْرُ مَنْ أَحْيَا مُؤْمِناً فَكَأَنَّما أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً فَإِنْ لَمْ تُطْعِمُوهُ فَقَدْ أَمَتُّمُوهُ وَ إِنْ أَطْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Feeding a believer is, indeed, more beloved to me than setting free ten slaves and performing ten Hajj.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Is it like setting free ten slaves and performing ten Hajj?’ He has said that the Imam said, ‘O Nasr, if you do not feed him he will die or you will hu

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ صَدَقَةٌ يُحِبُّهَا اللَّهُ إِصْلَاحٌ بَيْنِ النَّاسِ إِذَا تَفَاسَدُوا وَ تَقَارُبٌ بَيْنِهِمْ إِذَا تَبَاعَدُوا. - عَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

‘The charity that Allah loves is to improve good relations among the people when they cause devastation, and closeness when they get far away from each other.’” It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Hudhayfah ibn Mansur from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

لَأَنْ أُصْلِحَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِدِينَارَيْنِ.

“To improve good relations beween two people is more beloved to me than giving two Dinar in charity.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ هَذَا لِلَّهِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوهُ لِلنَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَصْعَدُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ لَا تُخَاصِمُوا بِدِينِكُمُ النَّاسَ فَإِنَّ الْمُخَاصَمَةَ مَمْرَضَةٌ لِلْقَلْبِ‌[3] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص- إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشاءُ[4] وَ قَالَ‌ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Keep your cause (belief), for the sake of Allah and do not make it for people; what is for Allah is for Allah and what is for people cannot ascend to heaven. Do not argue with people about your religion; argumentation causes sickness to the heart. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Hol

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا الصَّخْرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُعْطِي الدُّنْيَا مَنْ يُحِبُّ وَ يُبْغِضُ وَ لَا يُعْطِي هَذَا الْأَمْرَ إِلَّا صَفْوَتَهُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ أَنْتُمْ وَ اللَّهِ‌ عَلَى دِينِي وَ دِينِ آبَائِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ إِسْمَاعِيلَ لَا أَعْنِي عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ لَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى دِينِ هَؤُلَاءِ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O abu al-Sakhr, Allah indeed grants the world to whoever He loves or hates. He does not grant this cause (belief) but to the chosen ones of His creatures. You, by Allah, follow my religion and the religion of my predecessors, Ibrahim and Isma’il. I do not mean thereby Ali ibn al-

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا مَالِكُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُعْطِي الدُّنْيَا مَنْ يُحِبُّ وَ يُبْغِضُ وَ لَا يُعْطِي دِينَهُ إِلَّا مَنْ يُحِبُّ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘O Malik, Allah grants the world to those whom He loves, and those whom He hates, but He grants His religion only to those whom He loves.’”

إِنَّ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا يُعْطِيهَا اللَّهُ الْبَرَّ وَ الْفَاجِرَ وَ لَا يُعْطِي الْإِيمَانَ إِلَّا صَفْوَتَهُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ.

“Allah gives this world to both the virtuous and evil-doing people, but He does not give belief to anyone except to His chosen creatures.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا يُعْطِيهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ وَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ وَ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ لَا يُعْطِيهِ إِلَّا مَنْ أَحَبَّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, gives the world to those He loves as well as to those He hates, but He does not give belief to anyone except those He loves.”

كَانَ رَجُلٌ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فَغَبَرَ زَمَاناً[4] لَا يَحُجُّ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ بَعْضُ مَعَارِفِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ فُلَانٌ مَا فَعَلَ‌[5] قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يُضَجِّعُ الْكَلَامَ‌[6] يَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي الْمَيْسَرَةَ وَ الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ دِينُهُ فَقَالَ كَمَا تُحِبُّ فَقَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ الْغِنَى.

“A man, of the companions of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) would very often attend the gathering with the Imam. He remained absent for a certain time and did not attend Hajj also. Once a certain individual of his people who knew him came in and the Imam asked, ‘How so and so is doing?’ The narrator has said that the man then be

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنَ التَّقِيَّةِ يَا حَبِيبُ إِنَّهُ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ تَقِيَّةٌ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ يَا حَبِيبُ مَنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ تَقِيَّةٌ وَضَعَهُ اللَّهُ يَا حَبِيبُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ إِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي هُدْنَةٍ[3] فَلَوْ قَدْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ هَذَا[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘I heard my father saying, “By Allah, there is nothing on the face of earth more beloved to me than observing al-Taqiyyah (cautious protective measures).” O Habib, whoever observes al- Taqiyyah Allah raises him up. O Habib, whoever does not observe al-Taqiyyah Allah brings him low. O Ha

اتَّقُوا عَلَى دِينِكُمْ فَاحْجُبُوهُ بِالتَّقِيَّةِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا تَقِيَّةَ لَهُ إِنَّمَا أَنْتُمْ فِي النَّاسِ كَالنَّحْلِ فِي الطَّيْرِ لَوْ أَنَّ الطَّيْرَ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي أَجْوَافِ النَّحْلِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا أَكَلَتْهُ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ عَلِمُوا مَا فِي أَجْوَافِكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُحِبُّونَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ لَأَكَلُوكُمْ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَ لَنَحَلُوكُمْ‌[1] فِي السِّرِّ

“Protect your religion and veil it with al-Taqiyyah (protective measures); one who does not observe al-Taqiyyah has no belief. You in the people are like honeybees, in birds. Had birds known what is inside honeybees no honeybee would have been left and it all would have been consumed. Had people known that you love Ahl

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ أَنْ تَعْمَلُوا عَمَلًا يُعَيِّرُونَّا بِهِ فَإِنَّ وَلَدَ السَّوْءِ يُعَيَّرُ وَالِدُهُ بِعَمَلِهِ كُونُوا لِمَنِ انْقَطَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ زَيْناً وَ لَا تَكُونُوا عَلَيْهِ شَيْناً صَلُّوا فِي عَشَائِرِهِمْ‌[2] وَ عُودُوا مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ اشْهَدُوا جَنَائِزَهُمْ وَ لَا يَسْبِقُونَكُمْ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَأَنْتُمْ أَوْلَى بِهِ مِنْهُمْ وَ اللَّهِ مَا عُبِدَ ا

‘You must never do anything that may embarrass us. A small boy causes embarrassment to his father because of his misdeeds. Be the beauty for those to whom you are devoted and do not be an embarrassment to them. Pray along with their tribes, visit their people in ill health, attend their funerals and do not allow anyone

وَدِدْتُ وَ اللَّهِ أَنِّي افْتَدَيْتُ خَصْلَتَيْنِ فِي‌ الشِّيعَةِ لَنَا بِبَعْضِ لَحْمِ سَاعِدِي النَّزَقَ وَ قِلَّةَ الْكِتْمَانِ‌[1].

“I, by Allah, love to bail out two things in my followers with parts of my arms: their rush for quick response and lack of silence and restraint.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنِ احْتِمَالِ أَمْرِنَا التَّصْدِيقُ لَهُ وَ الْقَبُولُ فَقَطْ مِنِ احْتِمَالِ‌ أَمْرِنَا سَتْرُهُ وَ صِيَانَتُهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ فَأَقْرِئْهُمُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُلْ لَهُمْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً اجْتَرَّ مَوَدَّةَ النَّاسِ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ‌[1] حَدِّثُوهُمْ بِمَا يَعْرِفُونَ وَ اسْتُرُوا عَنْهُمْ مَا يُنْكِرُونَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا النَّاصِبُ لَنَا حَر

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Just to affirm our cause is not enough to carry it. To bear our cause is to keep it concealed and protect it from those who do not support it. Convey the greeting of peace to them and tell them, “May Allah grant blessings to those who attract people’s love to himself, speak to the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أَحَبَّ أَصْحَابِي إِلَيَّ أَوْرَعُهُمْ وَ أَفْقَهُهُمْ وَ أَكْتَمُهُمْ لِحَدِيثِنَا وَ إِنَّ أَسْوَأَهُمْ عِنْدِي حَالًا وَ أَمْقَتَهُمْ لَلَّذِي‌[4] إِذَا سَمِعَ الْحَدِيثَ يُنْسَبُ إِلَيْنَا وَ يُرْوَى عَنَّا فَلَمْ يَقْبَلْهُ اشْمَأَزَّ مِنْهُ وَ جَحَدَهُ وَ كَفَّرَ مَنْ دَانَ بِهِ وَ هُوَ لَا يَدْرِي لَعَلَّ الْحَدِيثَ مِنْ عِنْدِنَا خَرَجَ وَ إِلَيْنَا أُسْنِد

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from abu ‘Ubaydah al- Hadhdha’ who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘By Allah, the most beloved to me of my companions are most restraining from the worldly attractions (sins)

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مُعَلَّى اكْتُمْ أَمْرَنَا وَ لَا تُذِعْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ كَتَمَ أَمْرَنَا وَ لَمْ يُذِعْهُ أَعَزَّهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ جَعَلَهُ نُوراً بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ يَقُودُهُ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ يَا مُعَلَّى مَنْ أَذَاعَ أَمْرَنَا وَ لَمْ يَكْتُمْهُ أَذَلَّهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ نَزَعَ النُّورَ مِنْ بَيْنِ عَيْنَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَ جَعَلَهُ ظُلْمَةً تَقُود

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Mu’alla, conceal our cause and do not make it public; to those who conceal our cause and do not publicize it, Allah grants honor in this world. He will make it a light between his eyes in the next life and lead him to paradise. O Mu’alla, whoever publicizes our cause and does n

ثَلَاثَةٌ مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِ الْعِلْمُ بِاللَّهِ وَ مَنْ يُحِبُّ وَ مَنْ يَكْرَهُ‌[1].

“Three things are of the signs of a believer: having knowledge of the existence of Allah, who to love and who dislike.”

صَلَّى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالنَّاسِ الصُّبْحَ بِالْعِرَاقِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ وَعَظَهُمْ فَبَكَى وَ أَبْكَاهُمْ مِنْ خَوْفِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ عَهِدْتُ أَقْوَاماً عَلَى عَهْدِ خَلِيلِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ إِنَّهُمْ لَيُصْبِحُونَ وَ يُمْسُونَ شُعْثاً غُبْراً خُمْصاً[1] بَيْنَ أَعْيُنِهِمْ كَرُكَبِ الْمِعْزَى- يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ‌ سُجَّداً وَ قِياماً يُرَاوِحُونَ بَيْنَ أَقْدَامِهِمْ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) prayed the morning prayer with people in Iraq. After prayer he gave a speech on having fear of Allah. He wept and made people weep. He then said, ‘By Allah, I lived with a people, in the times of my beloved one, the Messenger of Allah, who were ragged, dusty and slim-be

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شِيعَتُنَا الْمُتَبَاذِلُونَ فِي وَلَايَتِنَا الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي مَوَدَّتِنَا الْمُتَزَاوِرُونَ فِي إِحْيَاءِ أَمْرِنَا الَّذِينَ إِنْ غَضِبُوا لَمْ يَظْلِمُوا وَ إِنْ رَضُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا بَرَكَةٌ عَلَى مَنْ جَاوَرُوا سِلْمٌ لِمَنْ خَالَطُوا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Our Shi’a (followers) spend for (the cause of) our Walayah (Divine Authority), love each other for the sake of our love, and visit each other to preserve our cause. They are those who do not commit injustice when angered, and are not excessive when they agree. The

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مِهْزَمُ شِيعَتُنَا مَنْ لَا يَعْدُو صَوْتُهُ سَمْعَهُ‌[4] وَ لَا شَحْنَاؤُهُ بَدَنَهُ‌[5] وَ لَا يَمْتَدِحُ بِنَا مُعْلِناً وَ لَا يُجَالِسُ لَنَا عَائِباً وَ لَا يُخَاصِمُ لَنَا قَالِياً إِنْ لَقِيَ مُؤْمِناً أَكْرَمَهُ وَ إِنْ لَقِيَ جَاهِلًا هَجَرَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَشَيِّعَةِ[6] قَالَ فِيهِمُ التَّمْيِيزُ وَ فِيهِمُ التَّبْدِيلُ وَ فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the belie

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَشْبَهِكُمْ بِي قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‌ قَالَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ خُلُقاً وَ أَلْيَنُكُمْ كَنَفاً وَ أَبَرُّكُمْ بِقَرَابَتِهِ وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ حُبّاً لِإِخْوَانِهِ فِي دِينِهِ وَ أَصْبَرُكُمْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَ أَكْظَمُكُمْ لِلْغَيْظِ وَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ عَفْواً وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ إِنْصَافاً فِي الرِّضَا وَ الْغَضَبِ.

35. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn ‘Arafah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet once asked, ‘Do you want me to tell you who is more similar to me? They replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘It is he whose

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ كَتَرَدُّدِي فِي مَوْتِ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[4] إِنَّنِي لَأُحِبُّ لِقَاءَهُ وَ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ فَأَصْرِفُهُ عَنْهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَدْعُونِي فَأُجِيبُهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيهِ وَ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا وَاحِدٌ مِنْ عَبِيدِي مُؤْمِنٌ لَاسْتَغْنَيْتُ بِهِ عَنْ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي وَ لَجَعَلْتُ

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I never hesitated in doing anything as I do about the death of My believing servant. I love to meet him but he dislikes death and 1 then hold it back from him. He prays to Me and I answer his prayers, he asks Me for help and I provid

وَ عِنْدَهُ سَدِيرٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً غَتَّهُ بِالْبَلَاءِ غَتّاً[1] وَ إِنَّا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ يَا سَدِيرُ لَنُصْبِحُ بِهِ وَ نُمْسِي.

“Sadir was present when the Imam said, ‘When Allah loves a servant He deeply immerses him in misfortunes. You and we, O Sadir, live in it mornings and evenings.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً غَتَّهُ بِالْبَلَاءِ غَتّاً وَ ثَجَّهُ بِالْبَلَاءِ ثَجّاً[2] فَإِذَا دَعَاهُ قَالَ لَبَّيْكَ عَبْدِي لَئِنْ عَجَّلْتُ لَكَ مَا سَأَلْتَ إِنِّي عَلَى ذَلِكَ لَقَادِرٌ وَ لَئِنِ ادَّخَرْتُ لَكَ فَمَا ادَّخَرْتُ لَكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ.

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, loves any of His servants He immerses him in misfortunes deeply and allows him bleed a bleeding (like sacrificial animals). When he prays to Him, He answers, ‘Yes, my servant, if I like to answer your prayer quickly I have the power to do so, but if I save for you what I may sav

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ عَظِيمَ الْبَلَاءِ يُكَافَأُ بِهِ عَظِيمُ الْجَزَاءِ فَإِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْداً ابْتَلَاهُ بِعَظِيمِ الْبَلَاءِ فَمَنْ رَضِيَ فَلَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الرِّضَا وَ مَنْ سَخِطَ الْبَلَاءَ فَلَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ السَّخَطُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The great misfortunes are matched with great rewards. When Allah loves a servant He tries him with great misfortunes. Whoever accepts it, Allah accepts him and whoever becomes angry with misfortunes, with Allah for him there is anger.”’

فَمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا أَخَذَ مِنْكَ قَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ ادْعُ اللَّهَ لِي أَنْ يُغْنِيَنِي عَنْ خَلْقِهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَسَّمَ رِزْقَ مَنْ شَاءَ عَلَى يَدَيْ مَنْ شَاءَ وَ لَكِنْ سَلِ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُغْنِيَكَ عَنِ الْحَاجَةِ الَّتِي تَضْطَرُّكَ إِلَى لِئَامِ خَلْقِهِ.

“Once someone came to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘May Allah keep you well, I am a man who devoutly loves you. I face a pressing need. I sought help from my family and tribe but it only has distanced me from them.’ The Imam said, ‘What Allah has given you is better than what He has taken from you.’ The man said, ‘Ma

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سِتٌّ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ حُبُّ الرِّئَاسَةِ وَ حُبُّ الطَّعَامِ وَ حُبُّ النَّوْمِ وَ حُبُّ الرَّاحَةِ وَ حُبُّ النِّسَاءِ[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The things with which Allah was disobeyed first were six: Love of the worldly things, Love to be the leader, Love for food, Love to sleep, Love for comfort and Love of women (to such extremes that may lead one to sins).”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقاً- وَ إِنْ صَامَ وَ صَلَّى وَ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ مُسْلِمٌ مَنْ إِذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَ إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَ إِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ فِي كِتَابِهِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُحِبُّ الْخائِنِينَ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ أَنَّ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كانَ مِنَ الْكاذِبِينَ‌[2] وَ فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ اذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتابِ إِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things that on being found in a person prove him to be a hypocrite, even though he may fast, pray and think that he is a Muslim: Violation of trust when he is thought of as trustworthy, lying in one’s words and disregard of one’s promises. Allah, the Most Majestic, the

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ ثَلَاثُ عَلَامَاتٍ لِلْمُرَائِي يَنْشَطُ[3] إِذَا رَأَى النَّاسَ وَ يَكْسَلُ إِذَا كَانَ وَحْدَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُحْمَدَ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِهِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘A showoff has three signs: he is very active when people are present, very lazy when he is alone and he loves to be praised in all matters.’”