Charity & Zakat

قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي جَاراً كَثِيرَ الصَّلَاةِ كَثِيرَ الصَّدَقَةِ كَثِيرَ الْحَجِّ لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ‌[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَقْلٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَا يَرْتَفِعُ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ.

‘May I be your ransom, I have a neighbor who does a lot of salaat, gives a lot in charity and very often does hajj and there is no flaw with him.’ He asked, 'O Ibn Ishaq how is his intelligence?'. I then said, 'May I be your ransom, he does not have any intelligence'. So he said, 'Nothing from what he does will be rais

قَرَأْتُ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمْ يَأْخُذْ عَلَى الْجُهَّالِ عَهْداً بِطَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ حَتَّى أَخَذَ عَلَى الْعُلَمَاءِ عَهْداً بِبَذْلِ الْعِلْمِ لِلْجُهَّالِ لِأَنَّ الْعِلْمَ كَانَ قَبْلَ الْجَهْلِ.

“I read in the book of Imam Ali (a.s.) that Allah had no commitment from and covenant with the ignorant people to seek knowledge before having a commitment from and covenant with the scholars to give knowledge as charity to the ignorant ones because knowledge existed before ignorance.”

لِيَكُنِ النَّاسُ عِنْدَكَ فِي الْعِلْمِ سَوَاءً.

about this verse. “Do not scornfully turn your face away from people. .” (31:18) ‘so that people would all be equal in matters of knowledge.’”

زَكَاةُ الْعِلْمِ أَنْ تُعَلِّمَهُ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ.

“Zakat, the tax, on knowledge is teaching it to the servants of Allah.”

قَامَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع خَطِيباً فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَقَالَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تُحَدِّثُوا الْجُهَّالَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ فَتَظْلِمُوهَا وَ لَا تَمْنَعُوهَا أَهْلَهَا فَتَظْلِمُوهُمْ.

“Jesus, son of Mary (a.s.) once stood up to speak to the Israelites saying, ‘O Israelites, do not speak the words of wisdom to the ignorant people because you will be doing injustice to them (words of wisdom). Do not keep them (words of wisdom) from those who deserve lest you will do injustice to them (deserving people

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا حَدَّثْتُكُمْ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَاسْأَلُونِي مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي بَعْضِ حَدِيثِهِ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَهَى عَنِ الْقِيلِ وَ الْقَالِ وَ فَسَادِ الْمَالِ وَ كَثْرَةِ السُّؤَالِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أَيْنَ هَذَا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- لا خَيْرَ فِي كَثِيرٍ مِنْ نَجْواهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘When you speak of anything ask me for its law in the book of Allah. He also has said in his Hadith, ‘The holy Prophet prohibited much squabbling and brawling, spoiling of property and much questionings.’” A person then asked, “O descendent of the holy Prophet, where is this in the holy Qur

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الزَّنَادِقَةِ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع أَيُّهَا الرَّجُلُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ الْقَوْلُ قَوْلَكُمْ وَ لَيْسَ هُوَ كَمَا تَقُولُونَ أَ لَسْنَا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ شَرَعاً سَوَاءً لَا يَضُرُّنَا مَا صَلَّيْنَا وَ صُمْنَا وَ زَكَّيْنَا وَ أَقْرَرْنَا فَسَكَتَ الرَّجُلُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْقَوْلُ قَوْلَنَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُنَا أَ لَسْ

3. Muhammad ibn Ja‘far al-Asadi has narrated from Muhammad ibn Esma‘il al-Barmaki al-Razi from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan ibn Bard al-Daynuri from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah al-Khurasani the an employee of Imam al-Rida (a.s.) who has said the following. “An atheist man came to Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s.) w

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ وَ ما ظَلَمُونا وَ لكِنْ كانُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ‌ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَعْظَمُ وَ أَعَزُّ وَ أَجَلُّ وَ أَمْنَعُ مِنْ أَنْ يُظْلَمَ وَ لَكِنَّهُ خَلَطَنَا بِنَفْسِهِ فَجَعَلَ ظُلْمَنَا ظُلْمَهُ وَ وَلَايَتَنَا وَلَايَتَهُ حَيْثُ يَقُولُ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي الْأَئِمَّةَ مِنَّا ثُمَّ قَالَ فِي مَوْضِعٍ آخَ

“I asked the Imam about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, “They (children of Israel) did not wrong Us but they wronged themselves.” (2:57) The Imam said, “Allah is far Great and Majestic and Mighty above being wronged. But He has mixed us with His Own-self. He has considered the wrong done to us as bein

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَكُونُونَ صَالِحِينَ حَتَّى تَعْرِفُوا- وَ لَا تَعْرِفُوا حَتَّى تُصَدِّقُوا وَ لَا تُصَدِّقُوا حَتَّى تُسَلِّمُوا أَبْوَاباً أَرْبَعَةً[1] لَا يَصْلُحُ أَوَّلُهَا إِلَّا بِآخِرِهَا ضَلَّ أَصْحَابُ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ تَاهُوا تَيْهاً بَعِيداً[2] إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ وَ لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا الْوَفَاءَ بِالشُّرُوطِ وَ الْعُهُودِ فَمَنْ وَفَى لِلّ

6. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “You will not be of the people of good deeds until you will know. You will not know

ذَكَرْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلَنَا فِي الْأَوْصِيَاءِ إِنَّ طَاعَتَهُمْ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى‌ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌ وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ رَسُولُهُ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا[1].

our expression about the successors (of the Prophets (s.a.)) “That obedience to them is obligatory”, the Imam (a.s.) said, ‘It is very true because they are the people about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “Believers, obey God, His Messenger, and your (qualified) leaders. . .’ (4:59) It is they abou

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْأَوْصِيَاءُ طَاعَتُهُمْ مُفْتَرَضَةٌ قَالَ نَعَمْ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[1] وَ هُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ راكِعُونَ‌[2].

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is obedience to the successor (of the holy Prophet) obligatory?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, it is they about whom Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “Believers, obey God, His Messenger, and your (qualified) leaders. . (4:59) It is they about whom Allah, the Most Holy, t

كُنَّا مَعَ الرِّضَا ع بِمَرْوَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الْجَامِعِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي بَدْءِ مَقْدَمِنَا فَأَدَارُوا أَمْرَ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ ذَكَرُوا كَثْرَةَ اخْتِلَافِ النَّاسِ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى سَيِّدِي ع فَأَعْلَمْتُهُ خَوْضَ النَّاسِ فِيهِ فَتَبَسَّمَ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ جَهِلَ الْقَوْمُ وَ خُدِعُوا عَنْ آرَائِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَقْبِضْ نَبِيَّهُ ص حَتَّى أَكْمَلَ لَهُ ال

1. Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn al-’Ala’, may Allah grant him blessings, in a marfu‘ manner (rafa’abu), has narrated from ‘Ad al-’Aziz ibn Muslim the following. “We had been with al-Rida (a.s.) at Marw. During an assembly in the central mosque on Friday, we attended the gathering. It was when we had just arrived (in Marw)

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَ أَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْكُمْ‌[2] فَقَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَ الْحَسَنِ وَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَقُولُونَ فَمَا لَهُ لَمْ يُسَمِّ عَلِيّاً وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ع فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ فَقَالَ قُولُوا لَهُمْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ

“I asked Abā ʿAbdillāh (AS) about the words of God, the Mighty and Majestic: "Obey God and obey the Messenger and those of authority from yourselves." (4:59). So he [al-Ṣādiq] said, “It was sent down regarding ʿAlī b. Abī Ṭālib, al-Ḥasan, and al-Ḥusayn, upon them be peace.” So I [Abī Baṣīr] said to him [al-Ṣādiq]

إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي أَوْلَى بِكُمْ أَيْ أَحَقُّ بِكُمْ وَ بِأُمُورِكُمْ وَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ أَمْوَالِكُمُ‌ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يَعْنِي عَلِيّاً وَ أَوْلَادَهُ الْأَئِمَّةَ ع إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ ثُمَّ وَصَفَهُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ‌ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ‌ راكِعُونَ‌ وَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي صَلَاةِ الظُّهْرِ وَ قَدْ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَ

3. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad al-Hashimi from his father from Ahmad ibn ‘Isa from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). The Imam (a.s.) has said the following about the words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High. “Only God, His Messenger, and the

أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَسُولَهُ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِ- إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ فَرَضَ وَلَايَةَ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ فَلَمْ يَدْرُوا مَا هِيَ فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً ص أَنْ يُفَسِّرَ لَهُمُ الْوَلَايَةَ كَمَا فَسَّرَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّوْمَ وَ الْحَجَّ فَلَمَّا أَتَاهُ ذَلِكَ

Allah to Whom belong Might and Majesty revealed to him: O Messenger, deliver that which has been sent down to thee from thy Lord; for if thou cost not, thou wig not have delivered His Message. Allah will protect thee from men (al-Maidah, 5:67). He complied with the command of Allah, may remembrance of Him be exalted, a

كُنْتُ عِنْدَهُ جَالِساً فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ حَدِّثْنِي عَنْ وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ أَ مِنَ اللَّهِ أَوْ مِنْ رَسُولِهِ فَغَضِبَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَيْحَكَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَخْوَفَ لِلَّهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَقُولَ مَا لَمْ يَأْمُرْهُ بِهِ اللَّهُ بَلِ افْتَرَضَهُ كَمَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ الزَّكَاةَ وَ الصَّوْمَ وَ الْحَجَّ.

“Once I was with Abu Ja’far (a.s.) at a session, when a man asked him, ’Please speak to me about the wilaya (divine authority) of Ali (a.s), whether it is from Allah or from His Messenger?’ The Imam who seemed angry said: ’Fie upon you! The Messenger of Allah (s.w) was more fearing of Allah than that he should say what

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ خَمْساً أَخَذُوا أَرْبَعاً وَ تَرَكُوا وَاحِداً قُلْتُ أَ تُسَمِّيهِنَّ لِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ الصَّلَاةُ وَ كَانَ النَّاسُ لَا يَدْرُونَ كَيْفَ يُصَلُّونَ فَنَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَخْبِرْهُمْ بِمَوَاقِيتِ صَلَاتِهِمْ ثُمَّ نَزَلَتِ الزَّكَاةُ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَخْبِرْهُمْ مِنْ زَكَاتِهِمْ مَا أَخْبَرْتَه

“I heard Abu Ja’far (a.s.) say: Allah, to Whom belongs Might and Majesty, made five things incumbent on (his) servants: they accepted four and rejected one.’ I asked: ’May I be made your ransom, name them for me?’ He said: ’Prayer; but the people did not understand how to pray, then Jibril (a.s.) came down and said: “O

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ كَتَبَ إِلَى ابْنِ حَزْمٍ‌[2] أَنْ يُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ بِصَدَقَةِ عَلِيٍّ وَ عُمَرَ وَ عُثْمَانَ وَ إِنَّ ابْنَ حَزْمٍ بَعَثَ إِلَى زَيْدِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَ كَانَ أَكْبَرَهُمْ فَسَأَلَهُ الصَّدَقَةَ فَقَالَ زَيْدٌ إِنَّ الْوَالِيَ‌[3] كَانَ بَعْدَ عَلِيٍّ الْحَسَنَ وَ بَعْدَ الْحَسَنِ الْحُسَيْنَ وَ بَعْدَ الْحُسَيْنِ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ بَعْدَ عَلِيِّ بْن

“’Umar ibn ‘ad al-‘Aziz wrote ibn Hazm to send him the endowment documents of Ali, ‘Umar and ‘Uthman. Inb Hazm sent a person to Zayd ibn al-Hassan (a.s.) who was the eldest among them and asked him about the documents. Zayd said, “The high authority after Ali was al-Hassan and after him al-Husayn and Ali ibn al-Husayn

لَمَّا أَوْصَى أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع أَشْهَدَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنَ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ صَالِحٍ وَ مُعَاوِيَةَ الْجَعْفَرِيَّ وَ يَحْيَى بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ سَعْدَ بْنَ عِمْرَانَ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ الْحَارِثِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ يَزِيدَ بْنَ سَلِيطٍ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ وَ مُحَمَّدَ

I ask them to witness and bear testimony that he testifies that there is no Lord except Allah Who is the only Lord Who has no partner and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. The coming of the Hour (of judgment ) after death is true. The warning is true and that all people will be held responsible for their

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّمَا أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْلَةِ الْبَاطِلِ أَوِ الْعِبَادَةُ فِي ظُهُورِ الْحَقِّ وَ دَوْلَتِهِ مَعَ الْإِمَامِ مِنْكُمُ الظَّاهِرِ فَقَالَ يَا عَمَّارُ الصَّدَقَةُ فِي السِّرِّ وَ اللَّهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ فِي الْعَلَانِيَةِ وَ كَذَلِكَ وَ اللَّهِ عِبَادَتُكُمْ فِي السِّرِّ مَعَ إِمَامِكُمُ‌ الْمُسْتَتِرِ فِي دَوْ

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari has narrated from from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Mirdas from Safwan ibn Yahya and al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from ‘Ammar al-Sabati who has said the following. “Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is the worship in secrecy with an Imam from you under the gover

كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ بَعْدَ وَفَاةِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ أَنَّهُ صَاحِبُ الْأَمْرِ بَعْدَ أَبِيهِ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ عِنْدَهُ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُمْ رَوَوْا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ فِي الْكَبِيرِ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ بِهِ عَاهَةٌ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ نَسْأَلُهُ عَ

“We were in Medina after Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left this world. People had gathered around ‘Abdallah ibn Ja’far thinking that he was the in charge of this task (Imamah) after his father. I and Sahib al-Taq went to see him while people were around him because of a hadith that they would narrate from Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ كَانَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع حِينَ تَكَلَّمَ فِي الْمَهْدِ حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ فَقَالَ كَانَ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَبِيّاً حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ غَيْرَ مُرْسَلٍ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ لِقَوْلِهِ حِينَ قَالَ- إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ‌ آتانِيَ الْكِتابَ وَ جَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا. وَ جَعَلَنِي مُبارَكاً أَيْنَ ما كُنْتُ‌ وَ أَوْصانِي بِالصَّلاةِ وَ الزَّكاةِ ما دُمْتُ حَيًّا[2] قُلْتُ فَكَانَ يَوْمَئِ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Was Jesus at the time he spoke to people from the cradle a Divine authority over the people of his time?” He said, “At that time he was a prophet, a Divine authority over the people but not a Mursal (Messenger). Have you not heard the words of Allah that say, “He said, “I am the servant of

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَوْ أَنَّ قَوْماً عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَ آتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ وَ حَجُّوا الْبَيْتَ وَ صَامُوا شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ قَالُوا لِشَيْ‌ءٍ صَنَعَهُ اللَّهُ أَوْ صَنَعَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص أَلَّا صَنَعَ خِلَافَ الَّذِي صَنَعَ أَوْ وَجَدُوا ذَلِكَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ لَكَانُوا بِذَلِكَ مُشْرِكِينَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ‌ لا يُؤْمِن

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a people would worship Allah only Who has no partner, maintain the prayers, pay Zakat, perform Hajj of the House and fast in the month of Ramadan but say about something that Allah or the Messenger of Allah has done, would that it had been done differently or find such feelings in th

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَوْ مُسْلِمٍ مَاتَ وَ تَرَكَ دَيْناً لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي فَسَادٍ وَ لَا إِسْرَافٍ فَعَلَى الْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَقْضِيَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْضِهِ فَعَلَيْهِ إِثْمُ ذَلِكَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقاتُ لِلْفُقَراءِ وَ الْمَساكِينِ‌ الْآيَةَ[1] فَهُوَ مِنَ الْغَارِمِينَ وَ لَهُ سَهْمٌ عِنْدَ الْإِمَامِ فَإِنْ حَبَسَهُ فَإِثْمُهُ عَلَيْهِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'Any believer or Muslim who dies while leaving behind a debt not incurred for unlawful or extravagant reasons, it will be the responsibility of the Imam to pay it off. Otherwise, its sin is upon him. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says: 'Welfare funds (zakat) are only for the po

قُلْتُ‌ لَهُ أَ مَا عَلَى الْإِمَامِ زَكَاةٌ فَقَالَ أَحَلْتَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَ مَا عَلِمَتْ أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةَ لِلْإِمَامِ يَضَعُهَا حَيْثُ يَشَاءُ وَ يَدْفَعُهَا إِلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ جَائِزٌ لَهُ ذَلِكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ لَا يَبِيتُ لَيْلَةً أَبَداً وَ لِلَّهِ فِي عُنُقِهِ حَقٌّ يَسْأَلُهُ عَنْهُ.

“Once I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Is there any Zakat on Imam?’” He said, “O abu Muhammad, you have spoken an impossible word. Do you not know that both this and the next world belong to the Imam? He can place them as he may want or give them to whoever he may want. It is permissible for him from Allah. The Imam said

لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ راكِعُونَ‌[5] اجْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِنْ كَفَرْنَا بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ نَكْفُرُ بِسَائِرِهَا وَ إِنْ آمَنَّا فَإِنَّ هَذَا ذُلٌّ حِينَ يُسَلِّطُ

The Imam (a.s.) said that once this verse was revealed. “Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians” (5:55) Certain persons gathered in the Mosque of Madina. They said, ‘If we reject this verse we would have rejected the r

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِمَامِ فَوَّضَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ كَمَا فَوَّضَ إِلَى سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَأَجَابَهُ فِيهَا وَ سَأَلَهُ آخَرُ عَنْ تِلْكَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَأَجَابَهُ بِغَيْرِ جَوَابِ الْأَوَّلِ ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ آخَرُ فَأَجَابَهُ بِغَيْرِ جَوَابِ الْأَوَّلَيْنِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هذا عَطاؤُنا فَامْنُنْ أَوْ أَعْطِ بِغَيْرِ حِسابٍ وَ هَكَذَا هِيَ فِي قِرَاءَة

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the Imam. Has Allah made him the in charge of the and in full control (over the affairs of the people) as Sulayman ibn Dawud was?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Yes, he is given control. It is because a man asked him a question and he gave the answer. Another person asked the same question

كَانَتْ أُمِّي قَاعِدَةً عِنْدَ جِدَارٍ فَتَصَدَّعَ الْجِدَارُ وَ سَمِعْنَا هَدَّةً شَدِيدَةً فَقَالَتْ بِيَدِهَا لَا وَ حَقِّ الْمُصْطَفَى مَا أَذِنَ اللَّهُ لَكَ فِي السُّقُوطِ فَبَقِيَ مُعَلَّقاً فِي الْجَوِّ حَتَّى جَازَتْهُ فَتَصَدَّقَ أَبِي عَنْهَا بِمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ قَالَ أَبُو الصَّبَّاحِ وَ ذَكَرَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَدَّتَهُ أُمَّ أَبِيهِ يَوْماً فَقَالَ كَانَتْ صِدِّيقَةً لَمْ تُدْرَكْ فِي آلِ الْحَسَن

“My mother was sitting by a wall when it began to crack, and we heard a loud noise. She raised her hand and said, "No, by the right of Al-Mustafa (the Prophet Muhammad), God has not permitted you to fall." The wall remained suspended in the air until she passed by. My father then gave charity on her behalf of one hundr

كَانَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ آلِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ مَوْلَى النَّبِيِّ ص يُقَالُ لَهُ طَيْسٌ عَلَيَّ حَقٌّ فَتَقَاضَانِي وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيَّ وَ أَعَانَهُ النَّاسُ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُ ذَلِكَ صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ع ثُمَّ تَوَجَّهْتُ نَحْوَ الرِّضَا ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِالْعُرَيْضِ فَلَمَّا قَرُبْتُ مِنْ بَابِهِ إِذَا هُوَ قَدْ طَلَعَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ وَ رِدَاءٌ فَلَمَّا نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ اسْتَح

“I owed money to a man from the family of abu Rafi‘, slave of the Holy Prophet (s.a), called Tays. He demanded payment and pressed me hard and people also assisted him. When I found myself in such condition I prayed the morning prayer in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah and then headed to al-Rida (a.s.) who was in

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ عَلَيَّ نَذْرٌ بَيْنَ الرُّكْنِ وَ الْمَقَامِ إِنْ أَنَا لَقِيتُكَ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ حَتَّى أَعْلَمَ أَنَّكَ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ أَمْ لَا فَلَمْ يُجِبْنِي بِشَيْ‌ءٍ فَأَقَمْتُ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْماً ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَنِي فِي طَرِيقٍ فَقَالَ يَا حَكَمُ وَ إِنَّكَ لَهَاهُنَا بَعْدُ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ إِنِّي أَخْبَرْتُكَ بِمَا جَعَلْتُ لِلَّهِ عَ

“I went to see abu Ja‘far (a.s.) when he was in the city of al-Madina and I said to him, “I decided to make a vow and a covenant, while I was between the corner of the Ka‘ba and the place where Abraham had prayed, that when I would meet you I would not leave al-Madina until I would know with certainty that you are Al-Q

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّ الْإِمَامَ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ[3] إِنَّمَا النَّاسُ يَحْتَاجُونَ أَنْ يَقْبَلَ مِنْهُمُ الْإِمَامُ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ‌ وَ تُزَكِّيهِمْ‌ بِها[4].

“Whoever would think that imam is needy to what people own he would become an unbeliever. It is the people who need that Imam accept from them. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, has said, “Collect religious tax (zakat) from them to purify and cleanse them and pray for them;. .” (9:103)

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

الْخُمُسُ مِنْ خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ مِنَ الْغَنَائِمِ وَ الْغَوْصِ وَ مِنَ الْكُنُوزِ وَ مِنَ الْمَعَادِنِ وَ الْمَلَّاحَةِ[4] يُؤْخَذُ مِنْ كُلِّ هَذِهِ الصُّنُوفِ الْخُمُسُ فَيُجْعَلُ لِمَنْ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ وَ يُقْسَمُ الْأَرْبَعَةُ الْأَخْمَاسِ بَيْنَ مَنْ قَاتَلَ عَلَيْهِ‌[5] وَ وَلِيَ ذَلِكَ وَ يُقْسَمُ بَيْنَهُمُ الْخُمُسُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ أَسْهُمٍ- سَهْمٌ لِلَّهِ وَ سَهْمٌ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ وَ سَهْمٌ

“Al-Khums (one fifth) is due on five categories of properties. 1 Cattle 2 Properties acquired from diving deep waters 3 The treasures 4 The mines and Salts. On each of such categories al-Khums is due. Such one fifth is distributed just as Allah has done. The remaining four portions is distributed among those who has ta

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَعْطَى مُحَمَّداً ص شَرَائِعَ نُوحٍ وَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ مُوسَى وَ عِيسَى ع التَّوْحِيدَ وَ الْإِخْلَاصَ وَ خَلْعَ الْأَنْدَادِ وَ الْفِطْرَةَ الْحَنِيفِيَّةَ السَّمْحَةَ وَ لَا رَهْبَانِيَّةَ وَ لَا سِيَاحَةَ أَحَلَّ فِيهَا الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَ حَرَّمَ فِيهَا الْخَبَائِثَ وَ وَضَعَ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَ الْأَغْلَالَ الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا الصَّلَاةَ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr. And a number of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Thaqafi from Muhammad ibn Marwan all of them have narrated from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from those whom he has mentioned from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) wh

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الصَّوْمِ‌[2] وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ لَمْ يُنَادَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ كَمَا نُودِيَ بِالْوَلَايَةِ.

‘Islam is based on five principles. It is based on Prayer, Charity (al-Zakat) Fasting, Hajj and al-Wilayah (Divine Authority of A ’immah). The call to none of the other principles has been so emphatic as it has been to al-Wilayah.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَوْقِفْنِي عَلَى حُدُودِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ صَلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسِ وَ أَدَاءُ الزَّكَاةِ وَ صَوْمُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ وَ وَلَايَةُ وَلِيِّنَا وَ عَدَاوَةُ عَدُوِّنَا وَ الدُّخُولُ مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ’Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al- Rahman from ’Ajlan ibn Salih who has said the following: “I requested abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the principles of beliefs. The Imam said, ‘They are: to testify and affirm that there is no one who deserves to be worshipped exce

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ لَمْ يُنَادَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ كَمَا نُودِيَ بِالْوَلَايَةِ فَأَخَذَ النَّاسُ بِأَرْبَعٍ وَ تَرَكُوا هَذِهِ يَعْنِي الْوَلَايَةَ.

‘Islam is based on five principles. They are: Prayer, al-Zakat (charity) fasting, Hajj and al-Wilayah. The call to none of the other principles has been so emphatic as it has been to al- Wilayah. People accepted the other four but they left aside this [al-Wilayah].’”

قَالَ: أَثَافِيُّ الْإِسْلَامِ‌[3] ثَلَاثَةٌ الصَّلَاةُ وَ الزَّكَاةُ وَ الْوَلَايَةُ لَا تَصِحُّ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ إِلَّا بِصَاحِبَتَيْهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The tripod of Islam consists of prayer, al-Zakat (charity) and al-Wilayah. No one of these can be considered correct without the other two.”

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الْوَلَايَةِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَفْضَلُ فَقَالَ الْوَلَايَةُ أَفْضَلُ لِأَنَّهَا مِفْتَاحُهُنَّ وَ الْوَالِي هُوَ الدَّلِيلُ عَلَيْهِنَّ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ الَّذِي‌ يَلِي ذَلِكَ فِي الْفَضْلِ فَقَالَ الصَّلَاةُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ الصَّلَاةُ عَمُودُ دِينِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ ثُم

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five issues. It is based on prayer, alms (al-Zakat), Hajj, Fasting and al-Wilayah.’’ Zurara has said, ‘I then asked the Imam, “Which of these is more important than the others?’” The Imam said, ‘Al-Wilayah is more important. It is the key to the others. The person who pos

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَخْبِرْنِي بِدَعَائِمِ الْإِسْلَامِ الَّتِي لَا يَسَعُ أَحَداً التَّقْصِيرُ عَنْ مَعْرِفَةِ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا الَّذِي مَنْ قَصَّرَ عَنْ مَعْرِفَةِ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَسَدَ دِينُهُ وَ لَمْ يَقْبَلِ [اللَّهُ‌] مِنْهُ عَمَلَهُ وَ مَنْ عَرَفَهَا وَ عَمِلَ بِهَا صَلَحَ لَهُ دِينُهُ وَ قَبِلَ مِنْهُ عَمَلَهُ‌ وَ لَمْ يَضِقْ‌[1] بِهِ مِمَّا هُوَ فِيهِ لِجَهْلِ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ جَهِلَهُ فَ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the basic principles of Islam that are necessary for everyone to know to his limits of understanding, and if he fails to learn them to the necessary levels his religion is destroyed and Allah does not accept his deeds. What is the limit of learning about the deeds

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ صَوْمِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ الْحَجِّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five principles. They are al-Wilayah, (accepting the Divine Authority of ‘ A’immah ), the prayer, al- Zakat (charity), fasting in the month of Ramadan and al-Hajj.’”

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الْوَلَايَةِ وَ لَمْ يُنَادَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مَا نُودِيَ بِالْوَلَايَةِ يَوْمَ الْغَدِيرِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five principles: The prayer, al-Zakat (charity), fasting, al-Hajj and al-Wilayah. The call to no one of the other principles has been so emphatic as it was for al-Wilayah on the day of al-Ghadir (name of a place between Makka and Madina.)”’

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

سَمِعْتُهُ يَسْأَلُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ مَا لَا يَسَعُهُمْ جَهْلُهُ وَ لَا يُقْبَلُ مِنْهُمْ غَيْرُهُ مَا هُوَ فَقَالَ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ فَأَعَادَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ إِقَامُ الصَّلَاةِ وَ إِيتَاءُ الزَّكَاةِ وَ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ

“Once I heard abu Basir asking Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, teach me the religion that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made obligatory for people to follow. Teach me the religion of which they must not remain ignorant and besides which no other religion is accepte

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

أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِالْإِسْلَامِ أَصْلِهِ وَ فَرْعِهِ- وَ ذِرْوَةِ سَنَامِهِ‌[1] قُلْتُ بَلَى جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ أَمَّا أَصْلُهُ فَالصَّلَاةُ وَ فَرْعُهُ الزَّكَاةُ وَ ذِرْوَةُ سَنَامِهِ الْجِهَادُ[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنْ شِئْتَ أَخْبَرْتُكَ بِأَبْوَابِ الْخَيْرِ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ الصَّوْمُ جُنَّةٌ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ الصَّدَقَةُ تَذْهَبُ بِالْخَطِيئَةِ وَ قِيَامُ الرَّجُلِ فِي جَوْفِ اللَّيْلِ بِذِكْ

“Do you want me to teach you the root of Islam, its branch and its peak? I said, ‘Yes, may Allah take my soul in service for your cause.’ The Imam said, ‘Its root is prayer, its branch is al-Zakat (charity) and its peak is Jihad (the hard work in defense and preaching of the belief).’ The Imam then said, ‘If you want 1

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَهُمَا فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ فَلَمْ يُجِبْهُ ثُمَّ الْتَقَيَا فِي الطَّرِيقِ وَ قَدْ أَزِفَ‌[4] مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الرَّحِيلُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَأَنَّهُ قَدْ أَزِفَ مِنْكَ رَحِيلٌ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ فَالْقَنِي فِي الْبَيْتِ فَلَقِيَهُ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ مَا الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَهُمَ

“Once a man asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What is the difference between Islam and belief?’ The Imam then did not answer. Again he asked and the Imam did not answer. They then met each other on the road while the man was about to leave. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘It seems as if you are about to leave.’ He said, ‘Yes, I

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْإِيمَانُ مَا اسْتَقَرَّ فِي الْقَلْبِ وَ أَفْضَى بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ صَدَّقَهُ الْعَمَلُ بِالطَّاعَةِ لِلَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمِ لِأَمْرِهِ وَ الْإِسْلَامُ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ فِعْلٍ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ جَمَاعَةُ النَّاسِ مِنَ الْفِرَقِ كُلِّهَا وَ بِهِ حُقِنَتِ الدِّمَاءُ وَ عَلَيْهِ جَرَتِ الْمَوَارِيثُ وَ جَازَ النِّكَاحُ وَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَا

“I heard from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Belief is what settles down in the heart and takes it to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. One’s deeds testify to (its existence), (deeds) that come in the form of obedience to Allah and submission to His command. Islam is what appears through one’s words or deeds and tha

إِنَّ [أُ] نَاساً تَكَلَّمُوا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتابَ مِنْهُ آياتٌ مُحْكَماتٌ‌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتابِ‌ وَ أُخَرُ مُتَشابِهاتٌ‌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ ما تَشابَهَ مِنْهُ‌ ابْتِغاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ ابْتِغاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ‌ وَ ما يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ‌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌[2]- الْآيَةَ فَ

Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Certain people have spoken from this Holy Quran without knowledge. It is because Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “It is Allah Who has revealed the Book to you in which certain verses are clear statements (that accept no interpretation), and these are the fundamental ideas of

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا بِهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ- الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ هُوَ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Qasim ibn Burayd who has said that narrated to us abu ‘Amr al-Zubayri who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does