Imam Ali

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 أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لِأَصْحَابِهِ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ هُدَى اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ وَ نُورُ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنْ جَهْدٍ وَ فَاقَةٍ فَإِذَا حَضَرَتْ بَلِيَّةٌ فَاجْعَلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ دُونَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ نَازِلَةٌ فَاجْعَلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ دُونَ دِينِكُمْ وَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْهَالِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ دِينُهُ وَ الْحَرِيبَ

“Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) has said, ‘It was in the will of Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to his companions, “You must know that this Quran is guidance day and night and it is the light in the dark night that is due to hardships and destitution. When misfortune befalls, protect yourselves with your properties.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع رَجُلَانِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ أُخِذَا فَقِيلَ لَهُمَا ابْرَأَا مِنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَبَرِئَ وَاحِدٌ مِنْهُمَا وَ أَبَى الْآخَرُ فَخُلِّيَ سَبِيلُ الَّذِي بَرِئَ وَ قُتِلَ الْآخَرُ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الَّذِي بَرِئَ فَرَجُلٌ فَقِيهٌ فِي دِينِهِ وَ أَمَّا الَّذِي لَمْ يَبْرَأْ فَرَجُلٌ تَعَجَّلَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ.

“Once I said to abu la’ far (a.s.) ‘Two of the people of Kufah were held and it was said to them, “Denounce Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.). One of them did and the other did not denounce. The one who denounced was released and the other was killed.’ The Imam said, ‘The one who denounced was an expert of la

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ طُوبَى لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ نُوَمَةٍ لَا يُؤْبَهُ لَهُ يَعْرِفُ النَّاسَ وَ لَا يَعْرِفُهُ النَّاسُ يَعْرِفُهُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ‌[4] بِرِضْوَانٍ أُولَئِكَ مَصَابِيحُ الْهُدَى يَنْجَلِي عَنْهُمْ كُلُّ فِتْنَةٍ مُظْلِمَةٍ وَ يُفْتَحُ لَهُمْ بَابُ كُلِّ رَحْمَةٍ لَيْسُوا بِالْبُذُرِ الْمَذَايِيعِ وَ لَا الْجُفَاةِ الْمُرَاءِينَ وَ قَالَ قُولُوا الْخَيْرَ تُعْرَفُوا بِهِ وَ اعْمَلُوا الْخَيْرَ تَكُ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Tuba’ (a tree in paradise) is for every servant (of Allah) who is unnoticed among the people but knows people and they do not know him. Allah knows him from His side with happiness. They are the torches of guidance. Through them every darkening calamity is removed

قَامَ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ هَمَّامٌ وَ كَانَ عَابِداً نَاسِكاً مُجْتَهِداً إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ هُوَ يَخْطُبُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صِفْ لَنَا صِفَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَأَنَّنَا نَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا هَمَّامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ هُوَ الْكَيِّسُ الْفَطِنُ بِشْرُهُ فِي وَجْهِهِ وَ حُزْنُهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ أَوْسَعُ شَيْ‌ءٍ صَدْراً[3] وَ أَذَلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ نَفْساً زَاجِرٌ عَنْ كُلِّ فَانٍ‌[4] حَاضٌّ عَلَى ك

“Once a man called Hammam, an assiduous worshipper practicing religious rules and a hardworking man came to Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) during his speech and said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, describe for us the qualities of the believer as if we see him before our eyes.’ “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib)

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِمَجْلِسٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِقَوْمٍ بِيضٍ ثِيَابُهُمْ‌[1] صَافِيَةٍ أَلْوَانُهُمْ كَثِيرٍ ضِحْكُهُمْ يُشِيرُونَ بِأَصَابِعِهِمْ إِلَى مَنْ يَمُرُّ بِهِمْ‌[2] ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِمَجْلِسٍ لِلْأَوْسِ وَ الْخَزْرَجِ فَإِذَا قَوْمٌ بُلِيَتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ دَقَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الرِّقَابُ وَ اصْفَرَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَلْوَانُ وَ قَدْ تَوَاضَعُوا بِالْكَلَامِ فَتَعَجَّبَ عَلِيٌّ ع مِن

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once passed by a gathering of Quraysh where he found the people in white clothes, of clear complexion, frequently laughing and who pointed out their fingers to whoever passed (near) by. Then he passed by a gathering of al- Aws and Khazraj where he found people of worn out bo

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

صَلَّى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع الْفَجْرَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ حَتَّى صَارَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَى قِيدِ رُمْحٍ وَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِوَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَدْرَكْتُ أَقْوَاماً يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّداً وَ قِياماً يُخَالِفُونَ بَيْنَ جِبَاهِهِمْ وَ رُكَبِهِمْ كَانَ زَفِيرُ النَّارِ فِي آذَانِهِمْ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُمْ مَادُوا كَمَا يَمِيدُ الشَّجَرُ[3] كَأَنَّمَا الْقَوْمُ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) prayed the morning prayer and remained in his place until the sun rose up to the length of a spear and then turned his face to people and said, ‘By Allah I lived in the times of a people who spent the night prostrating and standing before their Lord, changing positions

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 أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ لِأَهْلِ الدِّينِ عَلَامَاتٍ يُعْرَفُونَ بِهَا صِدْقَ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ وَفَاءً بِالْعَهْدِ وَ صِلَةَ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ رَحْمَةَ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ قِلَّةَ الْمُرَاقَبَةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ أَوْ قَالَ قِلَّةَ الْمُوَاتَاةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ[2] وَ بَذْلَ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ حُسْنَ الْخُلُقِ وَ سَعَةَ الْخُلُقِ وَ اتِّبَاعَ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَا يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ زُلْ

30. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim 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, ‘Religious people have certain signs by means of which they are recognized. Of such signs a

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا يَسَعُكَ الْقُعُودُ فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ يَا سَدِيرُ قُلْتُ لِكَثْرَةِ مَوَالِيكَ وَ شِيعَتِكَ وَ أَنْصَارِكَ وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ كَانَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا لَكَ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ وَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ الْمَوَالِي مَا طَمِعَ فِيهِ تَيْمٌ وَ لَا عَدِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ وَ كَمْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا قُلْتُ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قَالَ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قُلْتُ نَعَم

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘By Allah, it is your obligation not to sit (without proclaiming your leadership).’ The Imam asked, ‘Why O Sadir?’ I said, ‘Because your friends, Shi’a (followers) and supporters are so many. By Allah, were Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to hav

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَقَلَّنَا لَوِ اجْتَمَعْنَا عَلَى شَاةٍ مَا أَفْنَيْنَاهَا فَقَالَ أَ لَا أُحَدِّثُكَ بِأَعْجَبَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ- الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَ الْأَنْصَارُ ذَهَبُوا إِلَّا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ ثَلَاثَةً[2] قَالَ حُمْرَانُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا حَالُ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَمَّاراً أَبَا الْيَقْظَانِ بَايَعَ وَ قُتِلَ شَهِيداً فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَا شَيْ‌ءٌ أَفْضَلَ م

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how small is our number! It is so small that all combined feasting on a goat cannot finish it.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you want to hear more astonishing things? The immigrants (Muslim of Makkah) and supporters (Muslim of Madina) all went (t

قَامَ رَجُلٌ بِالْبَصْرَةِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنِ الْإِخْوَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِخْوَانُ صِنْفَانِ إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ وَ إِخْوَانُ الْمُكَاشَرَةِ[3] فَأَمَّا إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ فَهُمُ الْكَفُّ وَ الْجَنَاحُ وَ الْأَهْلُ وَ الْمَالُ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ عَلَى حَدِّ الثِّقَةِ فَابْذُلْ لَهُ مَالَكَ وَ بَدَنَكَ- وَ صَافِ مَنْ صَافَاهُ‌[1] وَ عَادِ مَنْ عَاد

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from abu Maryam al-Ansari from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man in Basra stood before Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, speak to us

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الْفَقْرُ أَزْيَنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ مِنَ الْعِذَارِ عَلَى خَدِّ الْفَرَسِ‌[1].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Poverty is more beautifying for the believers than the best decorated harness with ornament is for the head of a horse.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تُبْدِيَنَّ عَنْ وَاضِحَةٍ[4] وَ قَدْ عَمِلْتَ الْأَعْمَالَ الْفَاضِحَةَ وَ لَا يَأْمَنِ الْبَيَاتَ مَنْ عَمِلَ السَّيِّئَاتِ‌[5].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘You must never show your teeth (smile) when you have committed disgraceful deeds and never feel safe from misfortune to strike you due to (your) sinful deeds.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تُبْدِيَنَّ عَنْ وَاضِحَةٍ[3] وَ قَدْ عَمِلْتَ الْأَعْمَالَ الْفَاضِحَةَ وَ لَا تَأْمَنِ الْبَيَاتَ وَ قَدْ عَمِلْتَ السَّيِّئَاتِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not show your teeth (smile) if you have committed disgraceful sins. Do not feel safe from misfortunes if you have performed evil deeds.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا وَجَعَ أَوْجَعُ لِلْقُلُوبِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ لَا خَوْفَ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ وَ كَفَى بِمَا سَلَفَ تَفَكُّراً وَ كَفَى بِالْمَوْتِ وَاعِظاً.

“No pain is more painful to the heart than sins and there is no fear more intense than fear of death. Past experience is enough material for thinking and death is more than enough a preacher.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلَّا وَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعُونَ جُنَّةً[2] حَتَّى يَعْمَلَ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً فَإِذَا عَمِلَ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً انْكَشَفَتْ عَنْهُ الْجُنَنُ فَيُوحِي اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمْ أَنِ اسْتُرُوا عَبْدِي بِأَجْنِحَتِكُمْ فَتَسْتُرُهُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا قَالَ فَمَا يَدَعُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْقَبِيحِ إِلَّا قَارَفَهُ‌[3] حَتَّى‌ يَمْتَدِحَ إِلَى النَّاسِ بِفِعْلِهِ الْقَ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘There is no believer without forty shields on him until he commits forty major sins. When he commits forty major sins, the shields are removed. Allah then sends revelations to them (angels), “Cover My servant with your wings,” and the angels cover him with their wi

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص فَقَالَ‌ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنَّ نَاساً زَعَمُوا أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَا يَزْنِي وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْرِقُ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَشْرَبُ الْخَمْرَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَأْكُلُ الرِّبَا وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ لَا يَسْفِكُ الدَّمَ الْحَرَامَ وَ هُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَقَدْ ثَقُلَ عَلَيَّ هَذَا وَ حَرِجَ مِنْهُ صَدْرِي حِينَ أَزْعُمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْعَبْدَ يُصَلِّي صَلَ

16. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu’ manner from Muhammad ibn Dawud al-Ghanawi from Asbagh ibn Nubatah who has said the following: “Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and said, ‘O Amir al- Mu’minin, certain people think a serv

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.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ اخْشَوُا اللَّهَ خَشْيَةً لَيْسَتْ بِتَعْذِيرٍ وَ اعْمَلُوا لِلَّهِ فِي غَيْرِ رِيَاءٍ وَ لَا سُمْعَةٍ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى عَمَلِهِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Be concerned and worried about (your relation with) Allah, a worry in which there are no excuses. Perform good deeds without showing off or publicity; Allah assigns one who performs a deed for something other than Him, to his own deed (and no reward from Allah).”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْمِرَاءَ وَ الْخُصُومَةَ فَإِنَّهُمَا يُمْرِضَانِ الْقُلُوبَ عَلَى الْإِخْوَانِ وَ يَنْبُتُ عَلَيْهِمَا النِّفَاقُ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqa from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Beware of disputations and quarrels; they create ill feelings toward the brothers (in belief) and upon these two hypocrisy grows.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الْبَغْيَ يَقُودُ أَصْحَابَهُ إِلَى النَّارِ وَ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَنْ بَغَى عَلَى اللَّهِ عَنَاقُ بِنْتُ آدَمَ فَأَوَّلُ قَتِيلٍ قَتَلَهُ اللَّهُ عَنَاقُ وَ كَانَ مَجْلِسُهَا جَرِيباً فِي جَرِيبٍ‌[1] وَ كَانَ لَهَا عِشْرُونَ إِصْبَعاً فِي كُلِّ إِصْبَعٍ ظُفُرَانِ مِثْلُ الْمِنْجَلَيْنِ‌[2] فَسَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهَا أَسَداً كَالْفِيلِ وَ ذِئْباً كَالْبَعِيرِ وَ نَ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘O people, tyrannical transgression leads its associates to the fire. The first person who committed it against Allah was ‘Unaq, daughter of Adam, the first one that Allah killed was ‘Unaq who, when sitting occupied one acre. She had twenty fingers each of which had

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَمَّتَانِ لَمَّةٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ وَ لَمَّةٌ مِنَ الْمَلَكِ فَلَمَّةُ الْمَلَكِ الرِّقَّةُ وَ الْفَهْمُ وَ لَمَّةُ الشَّيْطَانِ السَّهْوُ وَ الْقَسْوَةُ[3].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘There are two kinds of motivations, one from Satan and one from the angel. The motivation from the angel is tenderheartedness and shaip understanding, and the motivation from Satan is confusion and hardheartedness.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنْ خَافَ الْقِصَاصَ كَفَّ عَنْ ظُلْمِ النَّاسِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever is afraid of retaliation should stay away from doing injustice to people.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّمَا أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمُ اثْنَتَيْنِ- اتِّبَاعَ الْهَوَى وَ طُولَ الْأَمَلِ أَمَّا اتِّبَاعُ الْهَوَى فَإِنَّهُ يَصُدُّ عَنِ الْحَقِّ وَ أَمَّا طُولُ الْأَمَلِ فَيُنْسِي الْآخِرَةَ.

‘I am afraid for you from two things: following your desires and your never ending hopes of worldly matters; following of desires obstructs one from the truth and never ending hope in worldly matters makes one forget the hereafter.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَوْ لَا أَنَّ الْمَكْرَ وَ الْخَدِيعَةَ فِي النَّارِ لَكُنْتُ أَمْكَرَ النَّاسِ‌[3].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Had evil planning and deceit not been in the fire, I would have been extremely skillful in evil planning.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ وَ هُوَ يَخْطُبُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ بِالْكُوفَةِ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ لَوْ لَا كَرَاهِيَةُ الْغَدْرِ كُنْتُ مِنْ أَدْهَى النَّاسِ أَلَا إِنَّ لِكُلِّ غُدَرَةٍ فُجَرَةً وَ لِكُلِّ فُجَرَةٍ كُفَرَةً[2] أَلَا وَ إِنَّ الْغَدْرَ وَ الْفُجُورَ وَ الْخِيَانَةَ فِي النَّارِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) one day in his speech from the pulpit in al- Kufah said, ‘O people, were it not for my intense dislike of treachery I could have been the most clever among people. You must know that in every act of treachery there is a sin of disbelief. You must also know that treachery, sin

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا يَجِدُ عَبْدٌ طَعْمَ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَ الْكَذِبَ هَزْلَهُ وَ جِدَّهُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘A servant (of Allah) does not sense the taste of belief until he stays away from lies, serious ones as well as trivial ones.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَجْتَنِبَ مُوَاخَاةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْذِبُ حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ بِالصِّدْقِ فَلَا يُصَدَّقُ.

“It is very proper for a Muslim man to avoid friendship and brotherhood with a liar; he lies and, even if he comes with truth, he is not believed and trusted.”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْكَذِبَ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ رَاجٍ طَالِبٌ وَ كُلَّ خَائِفٍ هَارِبٌ

“Amir al-Mifminin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would say, ‘Beware of lying; every hopeful strives to make his wish come true and every fearful person runs away (and I do not find this quality in you).”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ الَّتِي تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْكَوَّاءِ الْيَشْكُرِيُ‌[4] فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَ وَ تَكُونُ ذُنُوبٌ‌ تُعَجِّلُ الْفَنَاءَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَيْلَكَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ لَيَجْتَمِعُونَ وَ يَتَوَاسَوْنَ وَ هُمْ فَجَرَةٌ فَيَرْزُقُهُمُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْبَيْت

‘I seek refuge in Allah from sins that accelerate destruction.’ The narrator has said that at this point ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Kawwa’ al-Yashkuri stood up and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, do sins hasten one’s destruction?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it does. Woe upon you, it is failing to maintain good relations with relatives. A

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا قَطَّعُوا الْأَرْحَامَ جُعِلَتِ الْأَمْوَالُ فِي أَيْدِي الْأَشْرَارِ.

‘When they fail to maintain good relations with relatives properties are left under the control of the evil ones.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ ضَعْ أَمْرَ أَخِيكَ عَلَى أَحْسَنِهِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ مَا يَغْلِبُكَ مِنْهُ‌[1] وَ لَا تَظُنَّنَّ بِكَلِمَةٍ خَرَجَتْ مِنْ أَخِيكَ سُوءاً وَ أَنْتَ تَجِدُ لَهَا فِي الْخَيْرِ مَحْمِلًا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said in one of his speeches, ‘Deal with the issues related to your brother (in belief) with best interpretations until you receive overwhelming evidence to support the facts. Do not act on (evil) guesswork about a word that has come from your brother (in belief) as long a

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا اسْتَعَانَ بِهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ إِخْوَانِهِ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَلَمْ يُبَالِغْ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ جُهْدٍ فَقَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ قُلْتُ- لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا تَعْنِي بِقَوْلِكَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌[1] قَالَ مِنْ لَدُنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِلَى آخِرِهِمْ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever of our people is asked for help by any of his brothers (in belief) and does not do his best to help, has breached his trust with Allah, the Messenger of Allah and the believers.’ Abu Basir has said that he then asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What do you mean by “The believers

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شِرَارُكُمُ الْمَشَّاءُونَ بِالنَّمِيمَةِ- الْمُفَرِّقُونَ بَيْنَ الْأَحِبَّةِ الْمُبْتَغُونَ لِلْبُرَآءِ الْمَعَايِبَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘The evil ones among you are those who spread gossip that causes separation among the loved ones, and seek to label the innocent with defects.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص إِذَا صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ قَالَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَجْتَنِبَ مُوَاخَاةَ ثَلَاثَةٍ الْمَاجِنِ‌[1] وَ الْأَحْمَقِ وَ الْكَذَّابِ فَأَمَّا الْمَاجِنُ فَيُزَيِّنُ لَكَ فِعْلَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِثْلَهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُكَ عَلَى أَمْرِ دِينِكَ وَ مَعَادِكَ وَ مُقَارَنَتُهُ جَفَاءٌ وَ قَسْوَةٌ وَ مَدْخَلُهُ وَ مَخْرَجُهُ عَلَيْكَ عَارٌ وَ أَمَّا الْأَحْمَقُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يُشِيرُ

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Salim al-Kendi from those who narrated to him from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) from the pulpit would say, ‘It is very proper for a Muslim not to establish b

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَقُومُ مَكَانَ رِيبَةٍ[1].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and in the Day of Judgment must not stay in a place that casts doubt on one’s credentials and make them murky.’”

سَأَلَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ فَقَالَ لِي مَا هُمْ قُلْتُ مُرْجِئَةٌ وَ قَدَرِيَّةٌ وَ حَرُورِيَّةٌ[3] فَقَالَ لَعَنَ اللَّهُ تِلْكَ الْمِلَلَ الْكَافِرَةَ الْمُشْرِكَةَ الَّتِي لَا تَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked me about the people of Basra and asked me, ‘Who are they?’ I said, ‘They are Murji’a’, Qadriah and Harawriah’ (names of groups of certain beliefs). The Imam said, ‘May Allah condemn such nations of disbelief and paganism who have no basis for worshipping Allah.’” Note: Murji’a were thos

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عَلِيّاً ص بَابٌ فَتَحَهُ اللَّهُ مَنْ دَخَلَهُ كَانَ مُؤْمِناً وَ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْهُ كَانَ كَافِراً.

‘Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) is a (means of) access that Allah has prepared. Whoever approaches through this access is a believer and whoever departs is an unbeliever.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ لَا تَرْتَابُوا فَتَشُكُّوا وَ لَا تَشُكُّوا فَتَكْفُرُوا.

‘Do not suspect; you will doubt and do not doubt; you will become unbelievers.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي لَا يَسَعُ الْعِبَادَ جَهْلُهُ فَقَالَ الدِّينُ وَاسِعٌ‌[2] وَ لَكِنَّ الْخَوَارِجَ ضَيَّقُوا عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ مِنْ جَهْلِهِمْ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَأُحَدِّثُكَ بِدِينِيَ الَّذِي أَنَا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلَى فَقُلْتُ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الْإِقْرَارَ بِمَا جَاءَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ أَتَوَل

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about how much religious knowledge people must have. The Imam said, ‘Religion is vast but the Khawarij (those who turned against Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.)) group has narrowed it down upon themselves due to their ignorance.’ I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for

سَمِعْتُ عَلِيّاً ص يَقُولُ‌ وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ كَافِراً وَ أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ ضَالًّا فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ سَأَلْتَ فَافْهَمِ الْجَوَابَ أَمَّا أَدْنَى مَا يَكُونُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ مُؤْمِناً أَنْ يُعَرِّفَهُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى نَفْسَهُ- فَيُقِرَّ لَهُ بِالطَّاعَةِ وَ يُعَرِّفَهُ نَبِيَّهُ ص فَيُقِ

“Once a man came to Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) and asked him, ‘What is the least of that with which a servant (of Allah) becomes a believer, or an unbeliever or a straying person?’ I heard the Imam say, ‘You asked the question, now try to understand the answer. The least of that with which one may be co

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ إِنَّ النَّدَمَ عَلَى الشَّرِّ يَدْعُو إِلَى تَرْكِهِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Regret for an evil deed leads one to stay away from it.’”

أن تكون عليه حتّى يكون قالعة لآثار الذنوب من القلوب بالكلية و ذلك بإذابة النفس بالحسرات و محو ظلمة السيئات بنور الحسنات. روى الشيخ الطبرسيّ (ره) عند تفسير هذه الآية عن أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام أن التوبة تجمعها ستة أشياء على الماضى من الذنوب الندامة و للفرائض الإعادة و ردّ المظالم و استحلال الخصوم و أن تعزم على أن لا تعود و أن تذيب نفسك في طاعة اللّه كما ربيتها في المعصية و أن يذيقها مرارة الطاعات كما أذقتها حلاوة ال

خَرَجْنَا إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ مَعَنَا شَيْخٌ مُتَأَلِّهٌ مُتَعَبِّدٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ يُتِمُّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي‌ الطَّرِيقِ‌[1] وَ مَعَهُ ابْنُ أَخٍ لَهُ مُسْلِمٌ فَمَرِضَ الشَّيْخُ فَقُلْتُ لِابْنِ أَخِيهِ لَوْ عَرَضْتَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ عَلَى عَمِّكَ لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُخَلِّصَهُ فَقَالَ كُلُّهُمْ دَعُوا الشَّيْخَ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى حَالِهِ فَإِنَّهُ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ فَلَمْ يَصْبِرْ ابْنُ أَخِيهِ حَتَّى

“Once we left for Makka and with us there was an old man, very religious and worshipping but did not know this cause (Shi’a Muslim belief). He would pray full (not in reduced form) on a journey and with him there was the son of his brother, also a Muslim. The old man became ill and I said to the son of his brother, ‘If

صَعِدَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالْكُوفَةِ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ حَبَّةُ الْعُرَنِيُّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قُلْتَ الذُّنُوبُ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكْتَ فَقَالَ مَا ذَكَرْتُهَا إِلَّا وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُفَسِّرَهَا وَ لَكِنْ عَرَضَ لِي بُهْرٌ حَالَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ الْكَلَامِ‌[1] نَعَمْ الذُّنُو

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) climbed the Minbar (pulpit) in al-Kufah, praised Allah and spoke of His glory and then said, ‘O people sins are of three kinds’ and he remained quiet. Habbah al-‘Arani, said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, you just said, “Sins are of three kinds, and then remained silent.’ The Ima

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] لَيْسَ مِنِ الْتِوَاءِ عِرْقٍ وَ لَا نَكْبَةِ حَجَرٍ[4] وَ لَا عَثْرَةِ قَدَمٍ وَ لَا خَدْشِ عُودٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ لَمَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ[5] فَمَنْ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ عُقُوبَةَ ذَنْبِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ وَ أ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever hardship befalls you is the result of your own deeds. Allah pardons many of your sins,’ (42:30) has said, ‘The spraining of one’s muscles, bumping over a stone, the slip of foot or being bruised by a piece

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ تَرْكُ الْخَطِيئَةِ أَيْسَرُ مِنْ طَلَبِ التَّوْبَةِ وَ كَمْ مِنْ شَهْوَةِ سَاعَةٍ أَوْرَثَتْ حُزْناً طَوِيلًا وَ الْمَوْتُ فَضَحَ الدُّنْيَا فَلَمْ يَتْرُكْ لِذِي لُبٍّ فَرَحاً[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, “Avoiding sin is easier than pleading for forgiveness. How many are the cases of very short period of lustful activities that cause prolonged sadness. Death disgraces the world (uncovers its worthlessness) and it has not left any hap

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّمَا الدَّهْرُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَيَّامٍ أَنْتَ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ مَضَى أَمْسِ بِمَا فِيهِ فَلَا يَرْجِعُ أَبَداً فَإِنْ كُنْتَ عَمِلْتَ فِيهِ خَيْراً لَمْ تَحْزَنْ لِذَهَابِهِ وَ فَرِحْتَ بِمَا اسْتَقْبَلْتَهُ مِنْهُ‌[2] وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ قَدْ فَرَّطْتَ فِيهِ فَحَسْرَتُكَ شَدِيدَةٌ لِذَهَابِهِ وَ تَفْرِيطِكَ فِيهِ وَ أَنْتَ فِي يَوْمِكَ الَّذِي أَصْبَحْتَ فِيهِ مِنْ غَدٍ فِي غِرَّة

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would say, ‘Time consists of three days in the middle of which you live. Yesterday that has passed in history with all that was in it and it will never return. If you had done good deeds in it you do not feel sad about it’s passing into history and you feel happy about everyt