Imam Ali

أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ وَ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَالَكَ وَ حَالَهُمْ وَ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’min

كَانَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خَاقَانَ عَلَى الضِّيَاعِ وَ الْخَرَاجِ بِقُمَّ فَجَرَى فِي مَجْلِسِهِ يَوْماً ذِكْرُ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ وَ مَذَاهِبِهِمْ وَ كَانَ شَدِيدَ النَّصْبِ فَقَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ وَ لَا عَرَفْتُ بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى رَجُلًا مِنَ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ مِثْلَ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الرِّضَا فِي هَدْيِهِ وَ سُكُونِهِ وَ عَفَافِهِ وَ نُبْلِهِ وَ كَرَمِهِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ ب

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari and Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated the following. “Ahmad ibn ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Khaqan was in charge of collecting property and other taxes in the city of Qumm. One day in his presence the ‘Alawids and their beliefs were mentioned. He was a staunch Nasibi (abusive of ‘Al

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى وَ كَانَ أَبِي يَتَعَاطَى الْبَيْطَرَةَ فِي مَرْبِطِ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ وَ كَانَ عِنْدَ الْمُسْتَعِينِ بَغْلٌ لَمْ يُرَ مِثْلُهُ حُسْناً وَ كِبْراً وَ كَانَ يَمْنَعُ ظَهْرَهُ وَ اللِّجَامَ وَ السَّرْجَ وَ قَدْ كَانَ جَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ الرَّاضَةَ[1] فَلَمْ يُمَكِّنْ لَهُمْ حِيلَةً فِي رُكُوبِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ نُدَمَائِهِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَ لَا تَبْعَثُ إِلَى ا

“I was with my father in the city of Surra man Ra‘a. My father was a veterinarian at the animal farm of abu Muhammad (a.s.). Al-Musta‘in had a mule the like of which in beauty and size has not been seen. No one could touch that mule to ride, saddle or harness. He had called all the trainers and they had faild to ready

كُنْتُ بِمَدِينَةِ الْهِنْدِ الْمَعْرُوفَةِ- بِقِشْمِيرَ الدَّاخِلَةِ وَ أَصْحَابٌ لِي يَقْعُدُونَ عَلَى كَرَاسِيَّ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْمَلِكِ أَرْبَعُونَ رَجُلًا كُلُّهُمْ يَقْرَأُ الْكُتُبَ الْأَرْبَعَةَ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ الزَّبُورَ وَ صُحُفَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ نَقْضِي بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَ نُفَقِّهُهُمْ فِي دِينِهِمْ وَ نُفْتِيهِمْ فِي حَلَالِهِمْ وَ حَرَامِهِمْ يَفْزَعُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْنَا الْمَلِكُ فَمَنْ دُونَه

“I lived in interior Kashmir, India. My friends would sit on chairs on the right and left of the King. They were forty people and all of them would read the four books, Torah, Gospel, Psalms and the books of Abraham. We would judge among the people and provide them understanding of their religion and issue fatwas for t

أَقْبَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ مَعَهُ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع وَ هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى يَدِ سَلْمَانَ فَدَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ فَجَلَسَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ رَجُلٌ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ وَ اللِّبَاسِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ- فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ فَجَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ‌ ثَلَاثِ مَسَائِلَ إِنْ أَخْبَرْتَنِي بِهِنَّ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ الْقَوْمَ رَكِبُوا مِنْ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) came with al-Hassan and al-Husayn and he was holding the hand of Salman for support. He entered the sacred Mosque in Makka and sat down. Then a good looking and well dressed man came. He offered the greeting of peace to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who answered his greetings likewise an

سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ الطَّيَّارِ يَقُولُ‌ كُنَّا عِنْدَ مُعَاوِيَةَ أَنَا وَ الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ وَ عُمَرُ ابْنُ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ وَ أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَجَرَى بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ مُعَاوِيَةَ كَلَامٌ فَقُلْتُ لِمُعَاوِيَةَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ أَنَا أَوْلى‌ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ‌ ثُمَّ أَخِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‌ أَوْلى‌ بِالْمُؤْمِ

“ I heard ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far al-Tayyar say, ‘we were in the court of Mu‘awiya I al-Hassan, al-Husayn, ‘Abdallah ibn ‘Abbass, ‘Umar ibn ’Umm Salama and ’Usama ibn Zayd. A conversation started between me and Mu‘awiya, and I said to Mu‘awiya’, ’I heard the Messenger of Allah say, ‘I have more authority over the believer

شَهِدْتُ جِنَازَةَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْمَ مَاتَ وَ شَهِدْتُ عُمَرَ حِينَ بُويِعَ وَ عَلِيٌّ ع جَالِسٌ نَاحِيَةً فَأَقْبَلَ غُلَامٌ يَهُودِيٌّ جَمِيلُ الْوَجْهِ بَهِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابُ حِسَانٌ وَ هُوَ مِنْ وُلْدِ هَارُونَ حَتَّى قَامَ عَلَى رَأْسِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ بِكِتَابِهِمْ وَ أَمْرِ نَبِيِّهِمْ قَالَ فَطَأْطَأَ عُمَرُ رَأْسَهُ فَقَالَ إِيَّاكَ أَعْنِي وَ أَ

“I was present in the funeral procession of abu Bakr the day it took place. I was also present when ‘Umar took oath of allegiance and Ali (a.s.) was sitting on the side. A young, good looking, well dressed Jewish boy came. He was a descendant of Harun and he stood (on a place that was) above ’Umar and asked, “O Amir al

كُنْتُ حَاضِراً لَمَّا هَلَكَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَ اسْتَخْلَفَ عُمَرَ أَقْبَلَ يَهُودِيٌّ مِنْ عُظَمَاءِ يَهُودِ يَثْرِبَ وَ تَزْعُمُ يَهُودُ الْمَدِينَةِ أَنَّهُ أَعْلَمُ أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ حَتَّى رُفِعَ إِلَى عُمَرَ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عُمَرُ إِنِّي جِئْتُكَ أُرِيدُ الْإِسْلَامَ فَإِنْ أَخْبَرْتَنِي عَمَّا أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْهُ فَأَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ بِالْكِتَابِ وَ السُّنَّةِ وَ جَمِيعِ مَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَ

“I was (in the city of al-Madina) when abu Bakr was no more and he appointed ‘Umar as his successor. Once one of the great Jewish men of Yathrib came to ‘Umar. The Jewish people of the city of al-Madina thought that he (‘Umar) was the most knowledgeable person of his time.He came to ‘Umar and said, “O ‘Umar, I have com

إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَرْسَلَ مُحَمَّداً ص إِلَى الْجِنِّ وَ الْإِنْسِ وَ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ وَصِيّاً مِنْهُمْ مَنْ سَبَقَ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ بَقِيَ وَ كُلُّ وَصِيٍّ جَرَتْ بِهِ سُنَّةٌ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ الَّذِينَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص عَلَى سُنَّةِ أَوْصِيَاءِ عِيسَى وَ كَانُوا اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى سُنَّةِ الْمَسِيحِ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd from Muhammad ibn al-Fadl from abu Hamza from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following “Allah sent Muhammad (s.a.) to all Jinn and manand appointed twelve executors of the will Of these people are those who have left this world and there are those w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص لِأَصْحَابِهِ‌ آمِنُوا بِلَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ إِنَّهَا تَكُونُ- لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ لِوُلْدِهِ الْأَحَدَ عَشَرَ مِنْ بَعْدِي.

“the Messenger of Allah once said to his companions, ‘You must believ in the Layla al-Qadr (night of destiny). It is Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and his eleven descendants after me.”

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْماً لا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْواتاً بَلْ أَحْياءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مَاتَ شَهِيداً وَ اللَّهِ لَيَأْتِيَنَّكَ فَأَيْقِنْ إِذَا جَاءَكَ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ غَيْرُ مُتَخَيِّلٍ‌[1] بِهِ فَأَخَذَ عَلِيٌّ بِيَدِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرَاهُ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) one day said to Abu Bakr, “Do not think of those slain for the cause of God as dead. They are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him.” (3:169) I testify that Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (sw) died as a martyr. He by Allah, will come to you and do have any doubts when he will c

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ الِاثْنَا عَشَرَ الْإِمَامَ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كُلُّهُمْ مُحَدَّثٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ وُلْدِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع- فَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ عَلِيٌّ ع هُمَا الْوَالِدَانِ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far say, ‘There will be twelve Imams from the family of Muhammad and they all will be (Muhaddathun), persons to whom angles speak. They will of the descendants of the Messenger of Allah and Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.). The Messenger of Allah and Ali are their anscesters.”

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ عَنَى اللَّهُ بِذِي الْقُرْبَى الَّذِينَ قَرَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَ نَبِيِّهِ ص فَقَالَ‌ ما أَفاءَ اللَّهُ‌ عَلى‌ رَسُولِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرى‌ فَلِلَّهِ وَ لِلرَّسُولِ وَ لِذِي الْقُرْبى‌ وَ الْيَتامى‌ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌[2] مِنَّا خَاصَّةً وَ لَمْ يَجْعَلْ لَنَا سَهْماً فِي الصَّدَقَةِ أَكْرَمَ اللَّهُ نَبِيَّهُ وَ أَكْرَمَنَا أَنْ يُطْعِمَن

“I heard Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) say, ‘We, By Allah, are the ones to whom Allah has referred by the words ‘Dhi al-Qurba’ (relatives) and has given the same status as to Him self and His the Holy Prophet (s.a). He has said, “Whatever God grants to His Messenger (out of the property) of the people of the towns, belon

لَمَّا وَرَدَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع عَلَى الْمَهْدِيِّ رَآهُ يَرُدُّ الْمَظَالِمَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا بَالُ مَظْلِمَتِنَا لَا تُرَدُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ وَ مَا ذَاكَ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَمَّا فَتَحَ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص فَدَكاً وَ مَا وَالاهَا لَمْ يُوجَفْ عَلَيْهِ بِ خَيْلٍ وَ لا رِكابٍ‌ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص‌ وَ آتِ ذَا الْقُرْبى‌ حَقَّهُ‌[1] فَ

“In one of the meetings of abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) with al-Mahdi (one of ‘Abbassid ruler) the Imam found him paying reparations (for the damages caused to people). The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Amir al-Mu’minin, what has happened to the reparations due to us?” He then asked, “What damage is caused to you O abu al-Hassan ?

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى حَيْثُ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ خَلَقَ مَاءً عَذْباً وَ مَاءً مَالِحاً أُجَاجاً فَامْتَزَجَ الْمَاءَانِ فَأَخَذَ طِيناً مِنْ أَدِيمِ الْأَرْضِ فَعَرَكَهُ عَرْكاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ وَ هُمْ كَالذَّرِّ يَدِبُّونَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِسَلَامٍ وَ قَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ إِلَى النَّارِ وَ لَا أُبَالِي ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قالُوا بَلى‌ شَهِدْنا أَنْ تَقُولُو

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘As Allah, the Most Holy the Most High, created the creation. He created sweet water and a very salty water and then mixed the two together. Then He took a (kind of) clay from the surface of the earth and kneaded it intensely. He then said to the people of the right, as they crawled about l

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص كَانَ يَقُولُ‌ طُوبَى لِمَنْ أَخْلَصَ لِلَّهِ الْعِبَادَةَ وَ الدُّعَاءَ وَ لَمْ يَشْغَلْ قَلْبَهُ بِمَا تَرَى عَيْنَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَنْسَ ذِكْرَ اللَّهِ بِمَا تَسْمَعُ أُذُنَاهُ وَ لَمْ يَحْزُنْ صَدْرَهُ بِمَا أُعْطِيَ غَيْرُهُ

“Amir al Mu’minin (a.s.) has said, ‘Glad tidings to those who maintain sincerity in worshipping Allah and in prayer to Him. Whatever they see does not occupy their heart. Whatever they hear does not make them forget to speak of Allah and they do not feel depressed because of what is given to others.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدِّثْنِي عَمَّا بُنِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ دَعَائِمُ الْإِسْلَامِ إِذَا أَنَا أَخَذْتُ بِهَا زَكَى عَمَلِي وَ لَمْ يَضُرَّنِي جَهْلُ مَا جَهِلْتُ بَعْدَهُ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ حَقٌّ فِي الْأَمْوَالِ مِنَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْوَلَايَةُ الَّتِي أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهَ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to teach me the principles of Islam in such a way that on holding to them my deeds can take pure and correct form and thereafter the ignorance of whatever I am ignorant of cannot harm me. The Imam said, ‘Of the principles of Islam are to testify and acknowledge that no one deserves to

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَخِيهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا حَوَّلَكَ إِلَى هَذَا الْمَنْزِلِ قَالَ طَلَبُ النُّزْهَةِ[2] فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ لَا أَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ دِينِي فَقَالَ بَلَى قُلْتُ أَدِينُ اللَّهَ بِشَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ أَنَّ السَّاعَةَ

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and he was in the house of his brother, ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad, and I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has brought you to this house?’ ‘Seeking privacy,’ said the Imam. I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, can I state before yo

قِيلَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ مُؤْمِناً قَالَ فَأَيْنَ فَرَائِضُ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ لَوْ كَانَ الْإِيمَانُ كَلَاماً لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فِيهِ صَوْمٌ وَ لَا صَلَاةٌ وَ لَا حَلَالٌ وَ لَا حَرَامٌ قَالَ وَ قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا قَوْماً يَقُولُونَ إِذَا شَهِدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) was asked, ‘Is one who testifies that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, a believer?’ The Imam said, ‘Wherefore, then, are the obligations toward Allah?’ “I (the narrator) heard the Imam saying, ‘Ali (a.s.) would say, “Had bel

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَأَنْسُبَنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ نِسْبَةً لَا يَنْسُبُهُ أَحَدٌ قَبْلِي وَ لَا يَنْسُبُهُ أَحَدٌ بَعْدِي إِلَّا بِمِثْلِ ذَلِكَ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ هُوَ التَّسْلِيمُ وَ التَّسْلِيمَ هُوَ الْيَقِينُ وَ الْيَقِينَ هُوَ التَّصْدِيقُ وَ التَّصْدِيقَ هُوَ الْإِقْرَارُ وَ الْإِقْرَارَ هُوَ الْعَمَلُ وَ الْعَمَلَ هُوَ الْأَدَاءُ- إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَمْ يَأْخُذْ دِينَهُ عَنْ رَأْيِهِ وَ لَكِنْ أَتَاه

“I will describe Islam in a way that no one could have done before or would do after me except just as my description: ‘Islam is submission and submission is certainty. Certainty is affirmation (and confirmation). Affirmation is professing. Professing is action. Action and deeds are completion and remittance. A believe

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’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ الْإِيمَانُ لَهُ أَرْكَانٌ أَرْبَعَةٌ التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ تَفْوِيضُ الْأَمْرِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ الرِّضَا بِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Belief has four corner (stones): They are trust in Allah, having Allah as the person in charge of one’s affairs, to agree with the decision of Allah and to submit to the command of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

خَطَبَنَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي دَارِهِ أَوْ قَالَ فِي الْقَصْرِ وَ نَحْنُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ فَكُتِبَ فِي كِتَابٍ وَ قُرِئَ عَلَى النَّاسِ وَ رَوَى غَيْرُهُ أَنَّ ابْنَ الْكَوَّاءِ[2] سَأَلَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنْ صِفَةِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ النِّفَاقِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- شَرَعَ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ سَهَّلَ شَ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and a number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid all from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) and through various chain of narrators from Asbagh ib

سُئِلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الصَّبْرِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْجِهَادِ فَالصَّبْرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الشَّوْقِ وَ الْإِشْفَاقِ‌[8] وَ الزُّهْدِ وَ التَّرَقُّبِ فَمَنِ اشْتَاقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ سَلَا[9] عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ أَشْفَقَ مِنَ النَّارِ رَجَعَ عَنِ الْمُحَرَّمَاتِ‌[10

1. Through the same chain of narrators as the above Hadith it is narrated from ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) was asked about belief and he said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief upon four p

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ إِنَّ عَلَى كُلِّ حَقٍّ حَقِيقَةً وَ عَلَى كُلِّ صَوَابٍ نُوراً.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Over every truth there certainly is a reality and over every correct issue there is light.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَبِّهْ بِالتَّفَكُّرِ قَلْبَكَ وَ جَافِ‌[2] عَنِ اللَّيْلِ جَنْبَكَ وَ اتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّكَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Awaken your heart by thinking. Keep your side off the bed at night (meaning stand up for nightly prayers) and be pious before your Lord, Allah.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِنَّ التَّفَكُّرَ يَدْعُو إِلَى الْبِرِّ وَ الْعَمَلِ بِهِ.

Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Thinking leads to virtue and to acting virtuously.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ الْإِيمَانُ أَرْبَعَةُ أَرْكَانٍ الرِّضَا بِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ تَفْوِيضُ الْأَمْرِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) has said, ‘Belief has four pillars. They consist of agreeing with the decision of Allah, trusting Allah, choosing Allah to be the person in charge o

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ لَا يَجِدُ أَحَدُكُمْ طَعْمَ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّ مَا أَصَابَهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَهُ وَ مَا أَخْطَأَهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَهُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once said from the pulpit, ‘No one among you can ever sense the taste of belief until he comes to know that whatever has happened right could not have happened wrong and whatever has happened wrong could not have happened right.’”

بَعْضُهُمْ لَا تَقْعُدْ تَحْتَ هَذَا الْحَائِطِ فَإِنَّهُ مُعْوِرٌ[1] فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص حَرَسَ امْرَأً أَجَلُهُ‌[2] فَلَمَّا قَامَ سَقَطَ الْحَائِطُ قَالَ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مِمَّا يَفْعَلُ هَذَا وَ أَشْبَاهَهُ وَ هَذَا الْيَقِينُ‌[3].

“Once, Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) during his court session, had sat leaning against a wall that was bent. Certain people asked him not to sit near the defective wall. Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) said, ‘This is like a man’s guarding his death,' (Futility of Guardian against death). When

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَجِدُ عَبْدٌ طَعْمَ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّ مَا أَصَابَهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَهُ وَ أَنَّ مَا أَخْطَأَهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَهُ وَ أَنَّ الضَّارَّ النَّافِعَ‌[5] هُوَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A servant of Allah cannot sense the taste of belief until he comes to know that whatever has happened to him right could not have happened wrong and whatever has happened to him wrong could not have happened right. The one who can harm or benefit others is only Al

نَظَرْتُ يَوْماً فِي الْحَرْبِ إِلَى رَجُلٍ عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ فَحَرَّكْتُ فَرَسِي فَإِذَا هُوَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقُلْتُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي مِثْلِ هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ‌[1] فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا سَعِيدَ بْنَ قَيْسٍ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَافِظٌ وَ وَاقِيَةٌ مَعَهُ مَلَكَانِ يَحْفَظَانِهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْقُطَ مِنْ رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ أَوْ يَقَعَ فِي بِئْرٍ فَإِذَا نَزَلَ الْقَضَا

“One day during a war I looked on a man who was wearing two pieces of garment on him. I moved my horse nearer to him and I found him to be Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) and I said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, is this a place (to be in with just two pieces of garment and no coats of arms)?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, O

كَانَ قَنْبَرٌ غُلَامُ عَلِيٍّ يُحِبُّ عَلِيّاً ع حُبّاً شَدِيداً فَإِذَا خَرَجَ عَلِيٌّ ص خَرَجَ عَلَى أَثَرِهِ بِالسَّيْفِ فَرَآهُ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَقَالَ يَا قَنْبَرُ مَا لَكَ فَقَالَ جِئْتُ لِأَمْشِيَ خَلْفَكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ أَ مِنْ أَهْلِ السَّمَاءِ تَحْرُسُنِي أَوْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ لَا بَلْ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ لِي شَيْئاً

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd al-Rahman al-‘Arzami from his father, from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Qanbar, a worker for Ali (a.s.) loved Ali intensely. Whenever Imam went out he followed him with a sword for protection. Once at night

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَقِلُّ عَمَلٌ مَعَ تَقْوَى وَ كَيْفَ يَقِلُّ مَا يُتَقَبَّلُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘A deed with piety is never considered a little deed. How could it be considered little when it is the very thing with which deeds are accepted?”’

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ الْعَفَافُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘Chastity is the best worship.’”

دَخَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ كَئِيبٍ حَزِينٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا لَكَ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أُصِبْتُ بِأَبِي [وَ أُمِّي‌] وَ أَخِي وَ أَخْشَى أَنْ أَكُونَ قَدْ وَجِلْتُ‌[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ الصَّبْرِ تَقْدَمْ عَلَيْهِ غَداً وَ الصَّبْرُ فِي الْأُمُورِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) entered the Mosque and at the door of the Mosque he met a man who was depressed and sad. Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) asked him ‘What has happened to you?’ He said, ‘It is due to the death of my father, mother and brother. O Amir al- Mu’minin, I am afrai

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ الصَّبْرُ صَبْرَانِ صَبْرٌ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ حَسَنٌ جَمِيلٌ وَ أَحْسَنُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْكَ وَ الذِّكْرُ ذِكْرَانِ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ وَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عِنْدَ مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكَ فَيَكُونُ حَاجِزاً.

that Amir al-Mu’minin (as) said: "There are two kinds of patience. There is patience during a calamity which is good and beautiful, but what is better than that is patience against committing what Allah (swt) has forbidden for you. There are also two types of dhikr. There is dhikr of Allah (swt) during a time of calami

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ مَأْلُوفٌ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ لَا يَأْلَفُ وَ لَا يُؤْلَفُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A believer is easy to associate with and there is nothing good in one who does not associate with others or is associated with.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ مِنْ أَعْوَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ عَلَى الدِّينِ الزُّهْدَ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘The most supportive, of religious moral behavior, is abstinence from worldly matters.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ عَلَامَةَ الرَّاغِبِ فِي ثَوَابِ الْآخِرَةِ زُهْدُهُ فِي عَاجِلِ زَهْرَةِ الدُّنْيَا أَمَا إِنَّ زُهْدَ الزَّاهِدِ فِي هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا لَا يَنْقُصُهُ مِمَّا قَسَمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فِيهَا وَ إِنْ زَهِدَ- وَ إِنَّ حِرْصَ الْحَرِيصِ عَلَى عَاجِلِ زَهْرَةِ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لَا يَزِيدُهُ فِيهَا وَ إِنْ حَرَصَ فَالْمَغْبُونُ مَنْ حُرِمَ حَظَّهُ مِنَ الْآخِرَةِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Of the signs of one’s interest in the rewards of the next life is his renunciation of immediate attraction of worldly matters. Renunciation of worldly matters does not reduce one’s share of what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has assigned for him despite

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

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تُرِيدُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ أَيْسَرَ مَا فِيهَا يَكْفِيكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا تُرِيدُ مَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مَا فِيهَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘O sons of Adam, if you want from the world that much that is sufficient for you, the little that is there will suffice you. However, if you are not satisfied with basic necessities but want more than the basic needs, then the whole thing that is there will not be

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا يُجْزِيهِ كَانَ أَيْسَرُ مَا فِيهَا يَكْفِيهِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْضَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا يُجْزِيهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ يَكْفِيهِ.

“Whoever is content, with worldly matters, with bare necessities, the minimum suffices him. Whoever is not content. with worldly matters, with bare necessities, then nothing will be able to suffice him.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ أَلَا إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُنْصِفِ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ لَمْ يَزِدْهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا عِزّاً.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said in one of his speeches, ‘You must note that due to a person’s yielding to justice for people against his own self, Allah increases his respect and honor.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ لِيَجْتَمِعْ فِي قَلْبِكَ الِافْتِقَارُ إِلَى النَّاسِ وَ الِاسْتِغْنَاءُ عَنْهُمْ فَيَكُونَ افْتِقَارُكَ إِلَيْهِمْ فِي لِينِ كَلَامِكَ وَ حُسْنِ بِشْرِكَ وَ يَكُونَ اسْتِغْنَاؤُكَ عَنْهُمْ فِي نَزَاهَةِ عِرْضِكَ وَ بَقَاءِ عِزِّكَ‌[5]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ عُمَرَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘In your heart you must have both hope in people and independence from them. Your hope and need in people must be in the form of speaking to them softly and with a delightful appearance. Your independence from them must be in the form of maintaining dignity and sa

لَمَّا خَرَجَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُرِيدُ الْبَصْرَةَ نَزَلَ بِالرَّبَذَةِ[1] فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحَارِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنِّي تَحَمَّلْتُ فِي قَوْمِي حَمَالَةً[2] وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ فِي طَوَائِفَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُوَاسَاةَ وَ الْمَعُونَةَ فَسَبَقَتْ إِلَيَّ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ بِالنَّكَدِ[3] فَمُرْهُمْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَعُونَتِي وَ حُثَّهُمْ عَلَى مُوَاسَاتِي فَقَالَ أَيْنَ هُمْ فَق

“When Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) left Madina for Basra, on his way he stopped at al-Rabadhah (a place near Jaddah). A man from Muharib (a tribe) came and said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, I have been shouldering many responsibilities for my people and I have asked quite a few of them to help and cooperate wit

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 أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ صِلُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ وَ لَوْ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ وَ الْأَرْحامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيباً[2].

22. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from al-Qasim ibn Y ahya from his grandfather al-Hassan ibn Rashid from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘One must maintain good relations with relatives. Even offering the g

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لِقَاءُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَغْنَمٌ جَسِيمٌ وَ إِنْ قَلُّوا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Meeting of brothers (in belief) is a great opportunity, even if they are very few.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُسْلِمٍ خَدَمَ قَوْماً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ‌[4] مِثْلَ عَدَدِهِمْ خُدَّاماً فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Any Muslim who serves a group of Muslims, Allah in paradise will grant him servants equal to the number of Muslims he had served.’”