Love & Affection

قُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ مَنْ أَحَبَّ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُ وَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ لِقَاءَ اللَّهِ أَبْغَضَ اللَّهُ لِقَاءَهُ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ ذَلِكَ حَيْثُ تَذْهَبُ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ عِنْدَ الْمُعَايَنَةِ إِذَا رَأَى مَا يُحِبُّ فَلَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَتَقَدَّمَ وَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى يُحِبُّ لِقَاءَهُ وَ هُوَ يُحِبُّ لِقَاءَ

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘May Allah grant you wellbeing, is it true that whoever loves to meet Allah, He loves to meet him, and whoever dislikes to meet Allah He dislikes to meet him?’ He said, ‘Yes, that is true.’ I then said, ‘By Allah, we dislike death.’ The Imam then said, ‘It is not the way you

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ حَدِيثٌ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ بَعْضِ شِيعَتِكَ وَ مَوَالِيكَ يَرْوِيهِ عَنْ أَبِيكَ قَالَ وَ مَا هُوَ قُلْتُ زَعَمُوا أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ أَغْبَطُ مَا يَكُونُ امْرُؤٌ بِمَا نَحْنُ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا كَانَتِ النَّفْسُ فِي هَذِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِذَا كَانَ‌ ذَلِكَ أَتَاهُ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ وَ أَتَاهُ عَلِيٌّ وَ أَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ أَتَاهُ مَلَكُ الْمَوْتِ ع فَيَقُولُ ذَلِكَ الْ

“Once I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘May Allah keep my soul in the service of your cause, I have heard a Hadith from your followers and servants who narrate from your father.’ He then asked, ’What is it?’ I replied, ‘They think that he said, “One should be proud of his affairs being as what we believe in when his so

دَخَلَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ- أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْمَيِّتِ لِمَ يُغَسَّلُ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع لَا أُخْبِرُكَ فَخَرَجَ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ فَلَقِيَ بَعْضَ الشِّيعَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَجَبُ لَكُمْ يَا مَعْشَرَ الشِّيعَةِ تَوَلَّيْتُمْ هَذَا الرَّجُلَ وَ أَطَعْتُمُوهُ وَ لَوْ دَعَاكُمْ إِلَى عِبَادَتِهِ لَأَجَبْتُمُوهُ وَ قَدْ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَ

1. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Ishaq from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylamiy from his father who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once ‘Abd Allah ibn Qays al-Masir visited abu Ja’far (a.s.), and said, ‘Tell me why a dead body is given Ghusl (bath) because o

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع الْجِنَازَةُ يُخْرَجُ بِهَا وَ لَسْتُ عَلَى وُضُوءٍ فَإِنْ ذَهَبْتُ أَتَوَضَّأُ فَاتَتْنِي الصَّلَاةُ أَ لِيَ أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهَا وَ أَنَا عَلَى غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ قَالَ تَكُونُ عَلَى طُهْرٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about Salah (prayer) for a deceased when I do not have Wudu’, and because of going for Wudu’ I miss Salah (prayer) if I can perform it without Wudu’. He (the Imam) your being with Wudu’ is more beloved to me.’”

إِنْ كَانَ مُسْتَضْعَفاً فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِلَّذِينَ تابُوا وَ اتَّبَعُوا سَبِيلَكَ وَ قِهِمْ عَذابَ الْجَحِيمِ‌ وَ إِذَا كُنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا حَالُهُ فَقُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كَانَ يُحِبُّ الْخَيْرَ وَ أَهْلَهُ فَاغْفِرْ لَهُ وَ ارْحَمْهُ وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنْهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُ مِنْكَ بِسَبِيلٍ‌[2] فَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُ عَلَى وَجْهِ الشَّفَاعَةِ لَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْوَلَايَةِ[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘If the deceased is a person of weak understanding, say, “O Lord, forgive those who have repented and followed Your path and protect them against suffering of the hell fire.” If you do not know the condition of the deceased, then say, “O Lord, if this deceased is of those who

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَإِذَا بِجَنَازَةٍ لِقَوْمٍ مِنْ جِيرَتِهِ فَحَضَرَهَا وَ كُنْتُ قَرِيباً مِنْهُ فَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَ هَذِهِ النُّفُوسَ وَ أَنْتَ تُمِيتُهَا وَ أَنْتَ تُحْيِيهَا وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِسَرَائِرِهَا وَ عَلَانِيَتِهَا مِنَّا وَ مُسْتَقَرِّهَا وَ مُسْتَوْدَعِهَا اللَّهُمَّ وَ هَذَا عَبْدُكَ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُ مِنْهُ شَرّاً وَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ وَ قَدْ جِئْن

“Once I was with abu Ja’far (a.s.), when a deceased from the people who believe in predestination was brought; and I was near him (the Imam) and heard him (the Imam) say, ‘O Lord, it is You who have created these souls and You cause them to die and give them life. You know their secrets and their public affairs better

كَتَبَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الثَّانِي ع إِلَى رَجُلٍ ذَكَرْتَ مُصِيبَتَكَ بِعَلِيٍّ ابْنِكَ وَ ذَكَرْتَ أَنَّهُ كَانَ أَحَبَّ وُلْدِكَ إِلَيْكَ وَ كَذَلِكَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّمَا يَأْخُذُ مِنَ الْوَالِدِ وَ غَيْرِهِ أَزْكَى مَا عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ لِيُعْظِمَ بِهِ أَجْرَ الْمُصَابِ بِالْمُصِيبَةِ فَأَعْظَمَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَكَ وَ أَحْسَنَ عَزَاكَ‌[1] وَ رَبَطَ عَلَى قَلْبِكَ إِنَّهُ قَدِيرٌ وَ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ بِا

You mentioned your affliction with the loss of your son ʿAlī, and you mentioned that he was the most beloved of your children to you. Likewise, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, only takes from the parent and others the purest of what they have to magnify the reward of the one afflicted by the calamity. May Allah magnify

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَحَبَّ عَبْداً قَبَضَ أَحَبَّ وُلْدِهِ إِلَيْهِ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, loves a servant, He takes away the soul of his most beloved son to Himself.’”

كُنْتُ جَالِساً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَصَرَخَتْ صَارِخَةٌ مِنَ الدَّارِ فَقَامَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ثُمَّ جَلَسَ فَاسْتَرْجَعَ وَ عَادَ فِي حَدِيثِهِ حَتَّى فَرَغَ مِنْهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ أَنْ نُعَافَى فِي أَنْفُسِنَا وَ أَوْلَادِنَا وَ أَمْوَالِنَا فَإِذَا وَقَعَ الْقَضَاءُ فَلَيْسَ لَنَا أَنْ نُحِبَّ مَا لَمْ يُحِبَّ اللَّهُ لَنَا.

13. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from ‘Ala’ ibn Kamil who has said the following: “Once, I was sitting with abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when someone inside the house began to cry loudly. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), stood up and then sat down saying, ‘To Allah we

كَانَ قَوْمٌ أَتَوْا أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَوَافَقُوا صَبِيّاً لَهُ مَرِيضاً فَرَأَوْا مِنْهُ اهْتِمَاماً وَ غَمّاً وَ جَعَلَ لَا يَقِرُّ[1] قَالَ فَقَالُوا وَ اللَّهِ لَئِنْ أَصَابَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّا لَنَتَخَوَّفُ أَنْ نَرَى مِنْهُ مَا نَكْرَهُ قَالَ فَمَا لَبِثُوا أَنْ سَمِعُوا الصِّيَاحَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ خَرَجَ عَلَيْهِمْ مُنْبَسِطَ الْوَجْهِ فِي غَيْرِ الْحَالِ الَّتِي كَانَ عَلَيْهَا فَقَالُوا لَهُ جَعَلَنَ

“Once a group of people came to visit abu Ja’far (a.s.), to find out how one of his children suffering from illness was doing. They found him deeply concerned, grieved and restless. The narrator has said that they said, ‘By Allah, if something happens to him (the child), we are afraid we will see something from him (th

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَزُورُ أَهْلَهُ فَيَرَى مَا يُحِبُّ وَ يُسْتَرُ عَنْهُ مَا يَكْرَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيَزُورُ أَهْلَهُ فَيَرَى مَا يَكْرَهُ وَ يُسْتَرُ عَنْهُ مَا يُحِبُّ قَالَ وَ مِنْهُمْ‌[1] مَنْ يَزُورُ كُلَّ جُمْعَةٍ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَزُورُ عَلَى قَدْرِ عَمَلِهِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that a believing deceased person visits his family. He observes such matters that he loves and what he dislikes is kept hidden from him. A deceased unbeliever person also visits his family but observes what he dislikes and things that he loves are kept hidden from him. Certain ones of t

مَا مِنْ مَوْضِعِ قَبْرٍ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ يَنْطِقُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ أَنَا بَيْتُ التُّرَابِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الْبَلَاءِ أَنَا بَيْتُ الدُّودِ قَالَ فَإِذَا دَخَلَهُ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ مَرْحَباً وَ أَهْلًا أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ أُحِبُّكَ وَ أَنْتَ تَمْشِي عَلَى ظَهْرِي فَكَيْفَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ بَطْنِي فَسَتَرَى ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَيُفْسَحُ لَهُ مَدَّ الْبَصَرِ وَ يُفْتَحُ لَهُ بَابٌ يَرَى مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that every gravesite speaks three times every day, ‘I am the house of soil, I am the house of misfortune and I am the house of worms.’ The Imam then said, ‘When a believing person enters the grave it says, “You are most welcome. By Allah I loved you when you walked on me. Why then shoul

جَاءَ جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ عِشْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَ أَحْبِبْ مَنْ شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ مُفَارِقُهُ وَ اعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ فَإِنَّكَ لَاقِيهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Muhammad, live as you wish, but you will certainly die; love whoever you wish, but you will certainly depart him, and act as you wish but one day you will face your deeds.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ وَ أَحَبِّ ذَلِكَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا هُوَ فَقَالَ مَا أَعْلَمُ شَيْئاً بَعْدَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الصَّلَاةِ أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ الصَّالِحَ- عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ ع قَالَ‌ وَ أَوْصانِي بِالصَّلاةِ وَ الزَّكاةِ ما دُمْتُ حَيًّا[1].

“I asked Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’What is the best thing through which a servant of Allah may become closer to his Lord that is also most beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious?’ The Imam replied, 'I do not know anything after knowing (knowing Allah and His religion) more excellent than this prayer. Cons

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الصَّلَاةُ وَ هِيَ آخِرُ وَصَايَا الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع فَمَا أَحْسَنَ الرَّجُلَ يَغْتَسِلُ أَوْ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُسْبِغُ الْوُضُوءَ[2] ثُمَّ يَتَنَحَّى حَيْثُ لَا يَرَاهُ أَنِيسٌ فَيُشْرِفُ عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ رَاكِعٌ أَوْ سَاجِدٌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا سَجَدَ فَأَطَالَ السُّجُودَ نَادَى إِبْلِيسُ يَا وَيْلَاهْ أَطَاعَ وَ عَصَيْتُ وَ سَجَدَ وَ أَبَيْتُ.

'The most beloved deed in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is Salah (prayer). Prayer is the last item in the wills of the prophets. How nice it is for a man who performs Ghusl or Wudu’ properly and then moves away where no one can notice his presence when he is in Ruku’ or Sajdah! When a servan

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ وَقْتُ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ أَوَّلُ الْوَقْتِ أَفْضَلُ أَوْ أَوْسَطُهُ أَوْ آخِرُهُ فَقَالَ أَوَّلُهُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ مَا يُعَجَّلُ.

“I once said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, of the timing for Salah (prayer), what portion is better? Is it the beginning, the middle or the end of time?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the beginning of it; the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, loves of good things

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَ الْوَقْتِ أَبَداً أَفْضَلُ فَعَجِّلْ بِالْخَيْرِ مَا اسْتَطَعْتَ وَ أَحَبُ‌ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا دَاوَمَ الْعَبْدُ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘You must note that the beginning of time always is better, so act faster for the good as much as you can. The most beloved of deeds in the sight of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, is that which a servant continues even if it is very little.’”

تَفَرَّقَ مَا كَانَ فِي يَدِي وَ تَفَرَّقَ عَنِّي حُرَفَائِي‌[1] فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع‌[2] فَقَالَ لِي اجْمَعْ بَيْنَ الصَّلَاتَيْنِ الظُّهْرِ وَ الْعَصْرِ تَرَى مَا تُحِبُّ.

“My belongings and associates were scattered and I complained about it before abu Muhammad (a.s.). He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform al-Dhuhr and al-‘Asr Salah (prayer) soon after the other; you will see whatever you love.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَذِّنْ فِي بَيْتِكَ فَإِنَّهُ يَطْرُدُ الشَّيْطَانَ وَ يُسْتَحَبُّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الصِّبْيَانِ‌[3].

’Recite the Adhan in your house, for it repels Satan and it is a beloved thing to do for the sake of children.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ الَّذِي لَا يَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ قَالَ لَا صَلَاةَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَبْدَأَ بِهَا فِي جَهْرٍ أَوْ إِخْفَاتٍ قُلْتُ أَيُّهُمَا أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكَ إِذَا كَانَ خَائِفاً أَوْ مُسْتَعْجِلًا يَقْرَأُ بِسُورَةٍ أَوْ فَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ قَالَ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ.[3]

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about one who does not read al-Fatihah in his Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘His Salah (prayer) is not valid. He must begin with it (al-Fatihah) that which is read aloud or quietly.’ I then asked, ‘Which one is more beloved to you: if one is afraid or in a hurry, is it reading

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ- أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ حَبِيبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلَّا بَدَّلْتَ سَيِّئَاتِي حَسَنَاتٍ وَ حَاسَبْتَنِي حِسَاباً يَسِيراً ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي الثَّانِيَةِ- أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ حَبِيبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ إِلَّا كَفَيْتَنِي مَئُونَةَ الدُّنْيَا وَ كُلَّ هَوْلٍ دُونَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ قَالَ فِي الثَّالِثَةِ- أَسْأَلُكَ بِحَقِّ حَبِيبِكَ مُحَمَّدٍ لَمَّا غَفَرْتَ لِيَ الْكَثِيرَ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ و

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad and Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from, abu Ja‘far al-Ahwal from abu ‘Ubaydah al-Hadhdha’ who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, say when prostrating, ‘(O Lord,) I plead before You through the right of Muhammad, Yo

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الْمَاضِيَ ع عَمَّا أَقُولُ فِي سَجْدَةِ الشُّكْرِ فَقَدِ اخْتَلَفَ أَصْحَابُنَا فِيهِ فَقَالَ قُلْ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُشْهِدُكَ وَ أُشْهِدُ مَلَائِكَتَكَ وَ أَنْبِيَاءَكَ وَ رُسُلَكَ وَ جَمِيعَ خَلْقِكَ أَنَّكَ اللَّهُ رَبِّي وَ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينِي وَ مُحَمَّداً نَبِيِّي وَ عَلِيّاً وَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً إِلَى آخِرِهِمْ أَئِمَّتِي بِهِمْ أَتَوَلَّى وَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِمْ أَ

“I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about what to say in prostration for thanksgiving because our people are not of the same idea about it. He told me to say the following in a prostrating position: ‘O Lord, I beg You to bear witness, I beg Your angels, Your prophets, messengers and all of Your creatures to bear witness (to

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ تَسْبِيحُ فَاطِمَةَ ع فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ فِي دُبُرِ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ صَلَاةِ أَلْفِ رَكْعَةٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ.

‘Tasbih of Fatimah al-Zahra’, ‘Alayha al-Salam, every day after every Salah (prayer) is more beloved to me than one thousand Rak‘at prayer every day.’”

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيُرْفَعُ لَهُ مِنْ صَلَاتِهِ نِصْفُهَا أَوْ ثُلُثُهَا أَوْ رُبُعُهَا أَوْ خُمُسُهَا فَمَا يُرْفَعُ لَهُ إِلَّا مَا أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِ بِقَلْبِهِ وَ إِنَّمَا أَمَرْنَا بِالنَّافِلَةِ لِيَتِمَّ لَهُمْ بِهَا مَا نَقَصُوا مِنَ الْفَرِيضَةِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Of Salah (prayer) of a servant (of Allah) sometimes one-half, sometimes one-third, one-fourth or one-fifth is raised. Whatever is raised is only what one has performed with love from his heart. We only command to perform optional Salah (prayer) to complete what it is cut short of obligato

أَنَّهُمَا قَالا إِنَّمَا لَكَ مِنْ صَلَاتِكَ مَا أَقْبَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْهَا فَإِنْ أَوْهَمَهَا كُلَّهَا أَوْ غَفَلَ عَنْ أَدَائِهَا لُفَّتْ فَضُرِبَ بِهَا وَجْهُ صَاحِبِهَا[1]

“Abu Ja‘far, and abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, have said, ‘Of your Salah (prayer) only that much is for you which you have performed with love. If one instills delusion in Salah (prayer) or omits it altogether, then such Salah (prayer) is rolled up and is struck against the face of its owner.’”

مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُعْبَدُ اللَّهُ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘On Friday no other form of obedience to Allah is more beloved to me than saying, “Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family compensation worthy of their serving Your cause.)””’

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْ مَوَالِيكَ مِنْ صُلَحَائِهِمْ شَكَا إِلَيَّ مَا يَلْقَى مِنَ النَّوْمِ وَ قَالَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْقِيَامَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ بِاللَّيْلِ فَيَغْلِبُنِي النَّوْمُ حَتَّى أُصْبِحَ وَ رُبَّمَا قَضَيْتُ صَلَاتِيَ الشَّهْرَ مُتَتَابِعاً وَ الشَّهْرَيْنِ أَصْبِرُ عَلَى ثِقَلِهِ فَقَالَ قُرَّةُ عَيْنٍ لَهُ وَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ لَمْ يُرَخِّصْ لَهُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فِي أَوَّلِ اللَّيْلِ وَ قَالَ الْقَ

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘A man of your followers, of their virtuous ones complained before me against sleep. He said that he wants to get up for the nightly optional Salah (prayer) but sleep overcomes him until it is morning. Sometimes he performs the compensatory prayer for a whole month of missed Salah

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] قُلْتُ أَكُونُ فِي طَرِيقِ مَكَّةَ فَنَنْزِلُ لِلصَّلَاةِ فِي مَوَاضِعَ فِيهَا الْأَعْرَابُ أَ نُصَلِّي الْمَكْتُوبَةَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ فَنَقْرَأُ أُمَّ الْكِتَابِ وَحْدَهَا أَمْ نُصَلِّي عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ فَنَقْرَأُ فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَ السُّورَةَ فَقَالَ إِذَا خِفْتَ فَصَلِّ عَلَى الرَّاحِلَةِ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَ غَيْرَهَا وَ إِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْحَمْدَ وَ سُورَةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ وَ لَا أَرَى بِالَّذِي

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about my traveling between Makkah and al-Madinah and in the time of Salah (prayer), we disembark where Arabs are found. Can we perform the obligatory Salah (prayer) on the ground and recite just al-Fatihah, or perform it when riding and recite al-Fatihah al-Kitab and Surah (chapter)

قِيلَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص يَوْمَ فِطْرٍ أَوْ يَوْمَ أَضْحًى لَوْ صَلَّيْتَ فِي مَسْجِدِكَ‌[4] فَقَالَ إِنِّي لَأُحِبُّ أَنْ أَبْرُزَ إِلَى آفَاقِ السَّمَاءِ.

‘I love to come out for the horizons of the sky.’”

اجْتَمَعَ عِيدَانِ عَلَى عَهْدِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذَا يَوْمٌ اجْتَمَعَ فِيهِ عِيدَانِ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَجْمَعَ مَعَنَا فَلْيَفْعَلْ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ فَإِنَّ لَهُ رُخْصَةً يَعْنِي مَنْ كَانَ مُتَنَحِّياً[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘During the time of ’Amir al-Mu’minin two ‘Id happened on one day. ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), delivered a sermon and said, “This is a day in which two ‘Id have taken place. Those who love can join us and those who do not want to join us, they have permission to do so”, meaning those who

سَمِعْتُ رَجُلًا وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ قَدْ أَسْنَنْتُ وَ قَدْ تَزَوَّجْتُ امْرَأَةً بِكْراً صَغِيرَةً وَ لَمْ أَدْخُلْ بِهَا وَ أَنَا أَخَافُ إِذَا أَدْخُلُ بِهَا عَلَى فِرَاشِي أَنْ تَكْرَهَنِي لِخِضَابِي وَ كِبَرِي فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا دَخَلْتَ فَمُرْهُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَصِلَ إِلَيْكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مُتَوَضِّئَةً ثُمَّ أَنْتَ لَا تَصِلُ إِلَيْهَا حَتَّى تَتَوَضَّأَ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard a man saying to abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, I am an aged man. I have married a virgin young woman. I have

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِجَبْرَئِيلَ ع يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ أَيُّ الْبِقَاعِ أَحَبُّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ الْمَسَاجِدُ وَ أَحَبُّ أَهْلِهَا إِلَى اللَّهِ أَوَّلُهُمْ دُخُولًا وَ آخِرُهُمْ خُرُوجاً مِنْهَا.

‘The Messenger of Allah asked Jibril (Gabriel), “Which places are more beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious?” He replied, “It is Masjids and most beloved to Allah of its people are those who enter them first and leave last.’””

كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ مَعَنَا بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِ الْأَمْوَالِ فَذَكَرُوا الزَّكَاةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ الزَّكَاةَ لَيْسَ يُحْمَدُ بِهَا صَاحِبُهَا وَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ ظَاهِرٌ إِنَّمَا حَقَنَ بِهَا دَمَهُ وَ سُمِّيَ بِهَا مُسْلِماً وَ لَوْ لَمْ يُؤَدِّهَا لَمْ تُقْبَلْ لَهُ صَلَاةٌ وَ إِنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ غَيْرَ الزَّكَاةِ فَقُلْتُ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ وَ مَا عَلَيْنَ

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from abu af-Maghra’ from abu Basir who has said the following: “Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam. With us, there were certain wealthier persons. People spoke about zakat. Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alay

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ أَصْحَابَ أَبِي أَتَوْهُ فَسَأَلُوهُ عَمَّا يَأْخُذُ السُّلْطَانُ فَرَقَّ لَهُمْ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَعْلَمُ أَنَّ الزَّكَاةَ لَا تَحِلُّ إِلَّا لِأَهْلِهَا فَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَحْتَسِبُوا بِهِ فَجَالَ فِكْرِي‌[1] وَ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَةِ إِنَّهُمْ إِنْ سَمِعُوا إِذاً لَمْ يُزَكِّ أَحَدٌ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ حَقٌّ أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُظْهِرَهُ.

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘Once companions of my father came to him and asked about the money that al-Sultan (the ruler) makes them to pay. My father sympathized with them, knowing that receiving Zakat is not lawful unless one is a proper beneficiary, he instructed them to count such payment as Zakat. I

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَمُوتُ وَ يَتْرُكُ الْعِيَالَ أَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ‌ نَعَمْ حَتَّى يَنْشَوْا وَ يَبْلُغُوا وَ يَسْأَلُوا مِنْ أَيْنَ كَانُوا يَعِيشُونَ إِذَا قُطِعَ ذَلِكَ عَنْهُمْ‌[1] فَقُلْتُ إِنَّهُمْ لَا يَعْرِفُونَ قَالَ يُحْفَظُ فِيهِمْ مَيِّتُهُمْ وَ يُحَبَّبُ إِلَيْهِمْ دِينُ أَبِيهِمْ‌[2] فَلَا يَلْبَثُوا أَنْ يَهْتَمُّوا بِدِينِ أَبِيهِمْ فَإِذَا بَلَغُوا وَ عَدَلُوا

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who dies and leaves behind dependents. Can Zakat be given to them? He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, until they grow up, become adults and ask (themselves) by what means could they live and survive if that Zakat was cut off from them. I then said, ‘They do not know. He (the Imam

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ لَهُ قَرَابَةٌ وَ مَوَالِي وَ أَتْبَاعٌ يُحِبُّونَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص وَ لَيْسَ يَعْرِفُونَ صَاحِبَ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ أَ يُعْطَوْنَ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about a man who has relatives, friends and followers who love ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), but they do not acknowledge the owner of this issue (one who possesses Divine Authority) if he can give Zakat to them. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, he cannot give Zakat to them.’”

لَأَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى عَشَرَةٍ وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى سَبْعِينَ وَ لَأَنْ أَعُولَ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أُشْبِعَ جَوْعَتَهُمْ وَ أَكْسُوَ عَوْرَتَهُمْ وَ أَكُفَّ وُجُوهَهُمْ عَنِ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً حَتَّى انْتَهَى إِلَى عَشْرٍ وَ عَشْرٍ وَ عَشْرٍ وَ

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from abu ‘Abd Allah from his father from Khalaf ibn Hammad from Isma‘il al-Jawhariy from abu Basir who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘I like performing Hajj more than setting free a slave, another slave and another slave . . .’ He w

يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَى عِيَالِهِ كَيْلَا يَتَمَنَّوْا مَوْتَهُ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعامَ عَلى‌ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِيناً وَ يَتِيماً وَ أَسِيراً[2] قَالَ الْأَسِيرُ عِيَالُ الرَّجُلِ يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ إِذَا زِيدَ فِي النِّعْمَةِ أَنْ يَزِيدَ أُسَرَاءَهُ فِي السَّعَةِ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ فُلَاناً أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِنِعْمَةٍ فَمَنَعَهَا أُسَرَاءَهُ وَ جَعَلَهَا

‘A man should better the quality of life of his family so that they may not wish for his death.’ He then recited this from the Holy Quran, “They give food, because of their love for Him, to a destitute, orphan and captive.” (76:8) Captive (in this verse) is a reference to one’s family; thus, he should improve the quali

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع‌ لَأَنْ أَدْخُلَ السُّوقَ وَ مَعِي دَرَاهِمُ أَبْتَاعُ بِهِ لِعِيَالِي لَحْماً وَ قَدْ قَرِمُوا[2] أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ نَسَمَةً.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), has said, ‘I love going to the market to buy meat for my family who strongly desire it, more than setting free an enslaved soul.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَحَبَّ شَيْئاً لِنَفْسِهِ وَ أَبْغَضَهُ لِخَلْقِهِ أَبْغَضَ لِخَلْقِهِ الْمَسْأَلَةَ[3] وَ أَحَبَ‌ لِنَفْسِهِ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ فَلَا يَسْتَحْيِي أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ وَ لَوْ بِشِسْعِ نَعْلٍ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Dawud ibn al-Nu’man from Ibrahim ibn ‘Uthman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَذَكَرْتُ لَهُ بَعْضَ حَالِي فَقَالَ يَا جَارِيَةُ هَاتِ ذَلِكَ الْكِيسَ هَذِهِ أَرْبَعُمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ وَصَلَنِي بِهَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ[4] فَخُذْهَا وَ تَفَرَّجْ بِهَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا هَذَا دَهْرِي‌[5] وَ لَكِنْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ تَدْعُوَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِي قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَأَفْعَلُ وَ لَكِنْ‌ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُخْبِرَ النَّاسَ بِكُلِّ

“Once I visited abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), and mentioned to him certain matters about my conditions. The Imam asked the housemaid to bring to him a certain bag, then he said, ‘This is the four hundred dinar that abu Ja’far (the Abbaside rule) has sent to me as a gift. Take it to ease your difficulties.’ I then said, ‘I pra

كُنْتُ فِي مَجْلِسِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أُحَدِّثُهُ وَ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَ إِلَيْهِ خَلْقٌ كَثِيرٌ يَسْأَلُونَهُ عَنِ الْحَلَالِ وَ الْحَرَامِ إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ طُوَالٌ آدَمُ‌[4] فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ- رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحِبِّيكَ وَ مُحِبِّي آبَائِكَ وَ أَجْدَادِكَ ع مَصْدَرِي مِنَ الْحَجِّ وَ قَدِ افْتَقَدْتُ نَفَقَتِي وَ مَا مَعِي مَا أَبْلُغُ مَرْحَلَةً فَإِنْ رَأَيْتَ أَنْ ت

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn Sandal from Yasir from al-Yasa’ ibn Hamzah who has said the following: “Once I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), and I was speaking to him before a large gathering that wanted to ask him about lawful and unlawful matters. At such time, a tall man o

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ لِلْمَعْرُوفِ أَهْلًا مِنْ خَلْقِهِ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَعَالَهُ وَ وَجَّهَ لِطُلَّابِ الْمَعْرُوفِ الطَّلَبَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ يَسَّرَ لَهُمْ قَضَاءَهُ كَمَا يَسَّرَ الْغَيْثَ لِلْأَرْضِ الْمُجْدِبَةِ[2] لِيُحْيِيَهَا وَ يُحْيِيَ بِهِ أَهْلَهَا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَ لِلْمَعْرُوفِ أَعْدَاءً مِنْ خَلْقِهِ بَغَّضَ إِلَيْهِمُ الْمَعْرُوفَ وَ بَغَّضَ إِلَيْهِمْ فَ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has created a people to actuate Benevolent Assistance. He has made the doing of Benevolent Assistance beloved to them and has directed the recipients of Benevolent Assistance toward them to seek help. He has made the doing of Benevolent Assista

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِنْ أَحَبِّ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ لَمَنْ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَعْرُوفَ وَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْهِ فَعَالَهُ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ دَاوُدَ الرَّقِّيِّ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

‘The most beloved servant of Allah in His sight is a servant to whom providing Benevolent Assistance is most beloved and who loves to perform such act.’” Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Dawud al-Riqqiy from abu Hamzah from abu Ja’far (a.s.), a similar Hadith

رَأَيْتُ الْمَعْرُوفَ كَاسْمِهِ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْمَعْرُوفِ إِلَّا ثَوَابُهُ وَ ذَلِكَ يُرَادُ مِنْهُ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَصْنَعَ الْمَعْرُوفَ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَصْنَعُهُ وَ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ يَرْغَبُ فِيهِ يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا كُلُّ مَنْ يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ يُؤْذَنُ لَهُ فِيهِ فَإِذَا اجْتَمَعَتِ الرَّغْبَةُ وَ الْقُدْرَةُ وَ الْإِذْنُ فَهُنَالِكَ تَمَّتِ السَّعَادَةُ لِلطَّالِبِ وَ ا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘I see Benevolent Assistance is as good as its name. No other thing is better than providing Benevolent Assistance except the reward for it, which one has in one’s intention thereby. Not everyone who loves Benevolent Assistance provides such charity. Not everyone who loves to provide B

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَ الدَّالُّ عَلَى الْخَيْرِ كَفَاعِلِهِ وَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِغَاثَةَ اللَّهْفَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has narrated from his ancestors from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, who has said, ‘Providing Benevolent Assistance is charity. One who shows the way to good is just like a doer of good. Allah, the Most Majest

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ صَنَعَ بِمِثْلِ مَا صُنِعَ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّمَا كَافَأَهُ وَ مَنْ أَضْعَفَهُ كَانَ شَكُوراً وَ مَنْ شَكَرَ كَانَ كَرِيماً وَ مَنْ عَلِمَ أَنَّ مَا صَنَعَ إِنَّمَا صَنَعَ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ لَمْ يَسْتَبْطِ النَّاسَ فِي شُكْرِهِمْ‌[3] وَ لَمْ يَسْتَزِدْهُمْ فِي مَوَدَّتِهِمْ فَلَا تَلْتَمِسْ مِنْ غَيْرِكَ شُكْرَ مَا أَتَيْتَ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ وَ وَقَيْتَ بِه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would say, ‘One who does a favor for someone just as it is done for him has only returned a favor. One who does twice as much favor is an appreciating person, and an appreciating person is a gracious one. One who knows that the favor he has done is for his

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ الْمُعَلَّى وَ عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عِمْرَانَ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا رَآنَا قَالَ مَرْحَباً مَرْحَباً بِكُمْ وُجُوهٌ تُحِبُّنَا وَ نُحِبُّهَا جَعَلَكُمُ اللَّهُ مَعَنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُثْمَانُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَعَمْ مَهْ‌[2] قَالَ إِنِّي رَجُلٌ مُوسِرٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ فِي يَسَارِكَ قَالَ وَ يَجِي‌ءُ الرَّجُلُ

“I went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). Two other people, al-Mu‘alla’ and ‘Uthman ibn ‘Umar, also were present with me. On seeing us, he welcomed us and offered greetings of peace, saying, ‘I welcome the faces that love us and we love them. May Allah keep you with us in this world and in the next life.’ Uthman then sai

السَّخِيُّ مُحَبَّبٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ مُحَبَّبٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خُلِقَ مِنْ طِينَةٍ عَذْبَةٍ وَ خُلِقَ مَاءُ عَيْنَيْهِ مِنْ مَاءِ الْكَوْثَرِ وَ الْبَخِيلُ مُبَغَّضٌ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ مُبَغَّضٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خُلِقَ مِنْ طِينَةٍ سَبِخَةٍ وَ خُلِقَ مَاءُ عَيْنَيْهِ مِنْ مَاءِ الْعَوْسَجِ‌[1].

“Ja’far (a.s.), from his ancestors, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘A generous person is beloved in the heavens and on earth. Such persons are created from sweet clay. The water of the eyes

أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَفْدٌ مِنَ الْيَمَنِ وَ فِيهِمْ رَجُلٌ كَانَ أَعْظَمَهُمْ كَلَاماً وَ أَشَدَّهُمْ اسْتِقْصَاءً فِي مُحَاجَّةِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَغَضِبَ النَّبِيُّ ص حَتَّى الْتَوَى عِرْقُ الْغَضَبِ بَيْنَ عَيْنَيْهِ وَ تَرَبَّدَ وَجْهُهُ وَ أَطْرَقَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ-[3] فَأَتَاهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَقَالَ رَبُّكَ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ هَذَا رَجُلٌ سَخِيٌّ يُطْعِمُ الطَّعَامَ فَسَكَنَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص

"A delegate from Yemen once came to the Messenger of Allah (sw). Among them, there was a man who was the greatest among them in speaking and most intense in arguing with the Prophet (sw). The Prophet (sw) became angry and the sweat of anger appeared between his eyes, his complexion changed, and he began to look down on