Fasting

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ‌[1] عَ

“Once with a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. A discussion on Intelligence and Ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon, Imam abu ‘Abd Allah said, ‘First, you must recognize Intelligence and its army as well as Ignorance and its army,

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الرَّجُلَ كَثِيرَ الصَّلَاةِ كَثِيرَ الصِّيَامِ فَلَا تُبَاهُوا بِهِ حَتَّى تَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ.

“Rasulullah (sw) said, ‘When you find a man who prays and fasts a great deal do not become proud of him until you see how his intelligence he is.”

وَ اللَّهِ مَا صَامُوا لَهُمْ وَ لَا صَلَّوْا لَهُمْ وَ لَكِنْ أَحَلُّوا لَهُمْ حَرَاماً وَ حَرَّمُوا عَلَيْهِمْ حَلَالًا فَاتَّبَعُوهُمْ.

“They (unconditionally) obeyed the rabbis and the monks and worshipped the Messiah, son of Mary, as they should have obeyed God . (9:31).’ “By Allah, they (the people) did not pray or fast for them (rabbis and monks) but they (rabbis and monks) made lawful for the people what was unlawful and unlawful what was lawful a

إِنَّ مِنْ أَبْغَضِ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَرَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٌ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ فَهُوَ جَائِرٌ عَنْ قَصْدِ السَّبِيلِ مَشْعُوفٌ‌[1] بِكَلَامِ بِدْعَةٍ قَدْ لَهِجَ بِالصَّوْمِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ فَهُوَ فِتْنَةٌ لِمَنِ افْتَتَنَ بِهِ ضَالٌّ عَنْ هَدْيِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَهُ‌[2] مُضِلٌّ لِمَنِ اقْتَدَى بِهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِ وَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ حَمَّالٌ خَطَايَا غَيْرِهِ رَهْنٌ بِخَطِيئَتِهِ وَ رَجُلٌ

“Of the most intensely disliked men before Allah, the Majestic, the Most Glorious, are two kinds of people: A man whom Allah has left all to his own soul and he deviates from the path of justice and is intensely attracted towards the words innovation. He seems a master in performing prayer and fasting but is a mischief

إِنَّ السُّنَّةَ لَا تُقَاسُ أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّ امْرَأَةً تَقْضِي صَوْمَهَا وَ لَا تَقْضِي صَلَاتَهَا يَا أَبَانُ إِنَّ السُّنَّةَ إِذَا قِيسَتْ مُحِقَ الدِّينُ.

“The Sunnah can not be analogized (with qiyas). Don't you see that a woman has to make up for her fast (missed due to menses) but she does not have to make up for the prayers (missed due to the same)? O Aban, if the Sunnah was analogized, the religion would have been destroyed.”

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

قَالَ لِي اكْتُبْ فَأَمْلَى عَلَيَّ إِنَّ مِنْ قَوْلِنَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَحْتَجُّ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ بِمَا آتَاهُمْ وَ عَرَّفَهُمْ ثُمَّ أَرْسَلَ إِلَيْهِمْ رَسُولًا وَ أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْكِتَابَ فَأَمَرَ فِيهِ وَ نَهَى أَمَرَ فِيهِ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ فَنَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ أَنَا أُنِيمُكَ وَ أَنَا أُوقِظُكَ‌ فَإِذَا قُمْتَ فَصَلِّ لِيَعْلَمُوا إِذَا أَصَابَهُمْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ يَصْن

“Once Imam abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said to me, ‘Write down.’ He dictated to me the following. ‘It is of our Hadith that Allah will, justifiably, hold people accountable for what He has given and made known to them. Allah then sent His messenger to them and sent down books upon them in which He has commanded and prohibit

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)

وَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ لَا تَغْضَبُ عَلَيَّ قَالَ لِمَا ذَا قَالَ لِمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ قَالَ قُلْ قَالَ وَ لَا تَغْضَبُ قَالَ وَ لَا أَغْضَبُ قَالَ أَ رَأَيْتَ قَوْلَكَ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَ تَنَزُّلِ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ فِيهَا إِلَى الْأَوْصِيَاءِ يَأْتُونَهُمْ بِأَمْرٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَدْ عَلِمَهُ أَوْ يَأْتُونَهُمْ بِأَمْرٍ كَانَ رَسُو

8. The narrator has said that a man said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), “O child of the Messenger of Allah, “Please do not be angry with m.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Why should I be angry?” The man said, “It is because of the question that like to ask you.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ask your question.” He said, “Please do not be ang

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِ قَيْسٍ الْمَاصِرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَدَّبَ نَبِيَّهُ فَأَحْسَنَ أَدَبَهُ فَلَمَّا أَكْمَلَ لَهُ الْأَدَبَ قَالَ- إِنَّكَ لَعَلى‌ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ‌ ثُمَّ فَوَّضَ إِلَيْهِ أَمْرَ الدِّينِ وَ الْأُمَّةِ لِيَسُوسَ عِبَادَهُ فَقَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ما آتاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَ ما نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا وَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ مُسَدَّد

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that he heard abu ‘Abdallah say the following to some of the companions of Qays al-Masir. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, discipline and education His Messenger. He then made his discipli

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع خُذْ بِيَدِي مِنَ النَّارِ مَنْ لَنَا بَعْدَكَ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ غُلَامٌ فَقَالَ هَذَا صَاحِبُكُمْ فَتَمَسَّكْ بِهِ‌[3].

“This is your companion hold fast to him.”

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 عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُلُوساً فَقَالَ لَنَا إِنَّ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَةً الْمُتَمَسِّكُ فِيهَا بِدِينِهِ كَالْخَارِطِ لِلْقَتَادِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا بِيَدِهِ‌[2] فَأَيُّكُمْ يُمْسِكُ شَوْكَ الْقَتَادِ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ أَطْرَقَ مَلِيّاً ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَ‌ لِصَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ غَيْبَةً فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ عَبْدٌ وَ لْيَتَمَسَّكْ بِدِينِهِ.

“Once we were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and he said to us, “The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will disappear from public sight. At that time following one’s religion would like wiping the thorns of cactus plant with one’s bare. The Imam (a.s.) made certain hand gestures. Who am

أَتَيْنَا خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع نُعَزِّيهَا بِابْنِ بِنْتِهَا فَوَجَدْنَا عِنْدَهَا مُوسَى بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ فَإِذَا هِيَ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ قَرِيباً مِنَ النِّسَاءِ فَعَزَّيْنَاهُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ يَقُولُ لِابْنَةِ أَبِي يَشْكُرَ الرَّاثِيَةِ قُولِي‌[1] فَقَالَتْ‌ اعْدُدْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ اعْدُدْ بَعْدَهُ- أَسَدَ

“We went to Khadijah, the daughter of ‘Umar ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) to offer our condolences for the death of the son of her daughter. We met at her place Musa ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hassan. She was to one side near the ladies. We offered them our condolences to all of them. We then turned to h

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 أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا تَخْتَانُوا وُلَاتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَغُشُّوا هُدَاتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَجْهَلُوا أَئِمَّتَكُمْ وَ لَا تَصَدَّعُوا عَنْ حَبْلِكُمْ‌[2] فَتَفْشَلُوا وَ تَذْهَبَ رِيحُكُمْ‌ وَ عَلَى هَذَا فَلْيَكُنْ تَأْسِيسُ أُمُورِكُمْ وَ الْزَمُوا هَذِهِ الطَّرِيقَةَ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَوْ عَايَنْتُمْ مَا عَايَنَ مَنْ قَدْ مَاتَ مِنْكُمْ‌[3] مِمَّنْ خَالَفَ مَا قَدْ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَيْهِ لَبَدَرْتُمْ وَ خَرَجْتُمْ و

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) has said, ‘Do not be deceitful to your leaders, do not confuse your guides, do not be ignorant of your Imams and do not cut off the rope of your unity, least you will fail and be disgraced. On such foundation your affairs must be based and you must strictly live within such system. Had you been

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ خَلَقَ مُحَمَّداً ص وَ عِتْرَتَهُ الْهُدَاةَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ فَكَانُوا أَشْبَاحَ نُورٍ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْأَشْبَاحُ قَالَ ظِلُّ النُّورِ أَبْدَانٌ نُورَانِيَّةٌ بِلَا أَرْوَاحٍ وَ كَانَ مُؤَيَّداً بِرُوحٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَ هِيَ رُوحُ الْقُدُسِ فَبِهِ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَ عِتْرَتُهُ‌[2] وَ لِذَلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ حُلَمَاءَ عُلَمَاءَ

10. Al-Husayn has narrated from (Muhammad) b. ‘Abdallah from Muhammad b. Sinan from Al Mufaddal from Jabir b. Yazid who has said the following. “Once Abu Ja‘far (AS) said to me, ‘Oh Jabir, the first thing that Allah created was Muhammad (SAW) and his offspring who are the rightly guided guides. They existed in ’Ashbah

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

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[3] فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ حَدَثَ بِآلِ فَرَجٍ حَدَثٌ فَقُلْتُ مَاتَ عُمَرُ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَتَّى أَحْصَيْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعاً وَ عِشْرِينَ مَرَّةً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي لَوْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ هَذَا يَسُرُّكَ لَجِئْتُ حَافِياً أَعْدُو إِلَيْكَ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَ وَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا قَالَ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ لِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ أَبِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ خَاطَبَهُ فِي شَيْ‌ء

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He said, “O Muhammad, has something happened to the family of al-Faraj (the governor of al-Madina )?” I said, “Yes, ‘Umar (a member of al-Faraj family) has died.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “All thanks and praise belongs to Allah.” He said it twenty four times. I then said, “My mast

مَرِضَ الْمُتَوَكِّلُ مِنْ خُرَاجٍ خَرَجَ بِهِ وَ أَشْرَفَ مِنْهُ عَلَى الْهَلَاكِ فَلَمْ يَجْسُرْ أَحَدٌ أَنْ يَمَسَّهُ بِحَدِيدَةٍ فَنَذَرَتْ أُمُّهُ إِنْ عُوفِيَ أَنْ تَحْمِلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مَالًا جَلِيلًا مِنْ مَالِهَا وَ قَالَ لَهُ الْفَتْحُ بْنُ خَاقَانَ لَوْ بَعَثْتَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ فَسَأَلْتَهُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَخْلُو أَنْ يَكُونَ عِنْدَهُ صِفَةٌ يُفَرِّجُ بِهَا عَنْكَ فَبَع

“ Al-Mutawakkil became ill because of a boil so seriously that he was about to die and no one would have the courage to touch to operate him. His mother vowed to sent a large sum of money to abu al-Hassan (a.s.) from her own property if her son would recover. Fath ibn Khaqan had advised him to ask him (the Imam (a.s.)

دَخَلَ الْعَبَّاسِيُّونَ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ وَ دَخَلَ صَالِحُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ غَيْرُهُ مِنَ الْمُنْحَرِفِينَ عَنْ هَذِهِ النَّاحِيَةِ عَلَى صَالِحِ بْنِ وَصِيفٍ عِنْدَ مَا حَبَسَ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُمْ صَالِحٌ وَ مَا أَصْنَعُ قَدْ وَكَّلْتُ بِهِ رَجُلَيْنِ مِنْ أَشَرِّ مَنْ قَدَرْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ صَارَا مِنَ الْعِبَادَةِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصِّيَامِ إِلَى أَمْرٍ عَظِيمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُمَا مَا فِيهِ ف

“When abu Muhammad (a.s.) was imprisoned, the ‘Abbassids, Salih ibn Wasif, Salih ibn Ali and others who were not Shi‘as all came to Salih ibn Wasif asking him to exert more pressure on abu Muhammad (a.s.).Salih told them, “What should I do? I managed to find two people who were of the harshest manners and appointed the

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

إِنَّ الْحَسَنَ بْنَ النَّضْرِ وَ أَبَا صِدَامٍ وَ جَمَاعَةً تَكَلَّمُوا بَعْدَ مُضِيِّ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع فِيمَا فِي أَيْدِي الْوُكَلَاءِ وَ أَرَادُوا الْفَحْصَ‌[2] فَجَاءَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ إِلَى أَبِي الصِّدَامِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْحَجَّ فَقَالَ لَهُ- أَبُو صِدَامٍ أَخِّرْهُ هَذِهِ السَّنَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ إِنِّي أَفْزَعُ فِي الْمَنَامِ وَ لَا بُدَّ مِنَ الْخُرُوجِ وَ أَوْصَى إِل

“Al-Hassan ibn al-Nadr and abu Sidam and a group of people, after abu Muhammad (a.s.) had passed away would discuss about the property (of religious dues) in their possession and how to find out (as to who should they give it). Al-Hassan ibn al-Nadr came to abu Sidam and said, “I want to go for Hajj this year.” Abu Sid

حَلَفْتُ فِيمَا بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ نَفْسِي أَلَّا آكُلَ طَعَاماً بِنَهَارٍ أَبَداً حَتَّى يَقُومَ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ شِيعَتِكُمْ جَعَلَ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهِ أَلَّا يَأْكُلَ طَعَاماً بِنَهَارٍ أَبَداً حَتَّى يَقُومَ قَائِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ فَصُمْ إِذاً يَا كَرَّامُ وَ لَا تَصُمِ الْعِيدَيْنِ وَ لَا ثَلَاثَةَ التَّشْرِيقِ وَ لَا إِذَا كُنْتَ مُسَ

“I took an oath with my self that I will not any food during the day until the rise of Al-Qa’im (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority). I then went to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.).” The narrator has said, “A man from you Shi‘a (followers) has imposed on himself on oath not to eat any food during the day until the ris

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

كَتَبْتُ جُعِلْتُ لَكَ الْفِدَاءَ تُعَلِّمُنِي مَا الْفَائِدَةُ وَ مَا حَدُّهَا رَأْيَكَ أَبْقَاكَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى أَنْ تَمُنَّ عَلَيَّ بِبَيَانِ ذَلِكَ لِكَيْلَا أَكُونَ مُقِيماً عَلَى حَرَامٍ لَا صَلَاةَ لِي وَ لَا صَوْمَ فَكَتَبَ الْفَائِدَةُ مِمَّا يُفِيدُ إِلَيْكَ فِي تِجَارَةٍ مِنْ رِبْحِهَا وَ حَرْثٍ بَعْدَ الْغَرَامِ أَوْ جَائِزَةٍ.

He wrote to me , “Gain and profit is the income from trade from its net profit or from farming after the deduction of expenses and prizes.”

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].’”

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

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.)”’

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

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

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ لِلْإِيمَانِ دَرَجَاتٍ وَ مَنَازِلَ يَتَفَاضَلُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ فِيهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ صِفْهُ لِي رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ حَتَّى أَفْهَمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَبَّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَمَا يُسَبَّقُ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ يَوْمَ الرِّهَانِ‌[1] ثُمَّ فَضَّلَهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِي السَّبْقِ إِلَيْهِ فَجَعَلَ كُلَّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَةِ سَبْقِهِ لَا يَنْقُصُهُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Are there degrees and stages of belief in which the believers may excel in the sight of Allah?’ He said, ‘Yes, there are.’ 1 then said, ‘Explain to me, please, may Allah grant you favors, so I can understand.’ The Imam said, ‘Allah has set a contest among the believers like the contest se

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ الْعِبَادَةُ كَثْرَةَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصَّوْمِ إِنَّمَا الْعِبَادَةُ التَّفَكُّرُ فِي أَمْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

‘A great deal of prayer and fasting only are not (everything in) worship. Worship is only in thinking about the affairs of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا جَابِرُ أَ يَكْتَفِي مَنِ انْتَحَلَ التَّشَيُّعَ‌[2] أَنْ يَقُولَ بِحُبِّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا شِيعَتُنَا إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ وَ أَطَاعَهُ وَ مَا كَانُوا يُعْرَفُونَ يَا جَابِرُ إِلَّا بِالتَّوَاضُعِ وَ التَّخَشُّعِ وَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ كَثْرَةِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الْبِرِّ بِالْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ التَّعَاهُدِ لِلْجِيرَانِ مِنَ الْفُقَرَاءِ وَ أَهْلِ الْمَسْكَ

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn Salim and Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father all from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “O Jabir, do people think just claiming to be our Shi’a and saying they love us ( Ahl al-Bayt) is enough f

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي ضَعِيفُ الْعَمَلِ قَلِيلُ الصِّيَامِ وَ لَكِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ لَا آكُلَ إِلَّا حَلَالًا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّ الِاجْتِهَادِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

‘My deeds are weak and my fasting is very little but I hope to eat only what is lawful.’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘What kind of hard work could be considered better than chastity of stomach and chastity of genital organs?”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَلَا إِنَّ لِكُلِّ عِبَادَةٍ شِرَّةً[3] ثُمَّ تَصِيرُ إِلَى فَتْرَةٍ فَمَنْ صَارَتْ شِرَّةُ عِبَادَتِهِ إِلَى سُنَّتِي فَقَدِ اهْتَدَى وَ مَنْ خَالَفَ سُنَّتِي فَقَدْ ضَلَّ وَ كَانَ عَمَلُهُ فِي تَبَابٍ‌[4] أَمَا إِنِّي أُصَلِّي وَ أَنَامُ وَ أَصُومُ وَ أُفْطِرُ وَ أَضْحَكُ وَ أَبْكِي فَمَنْ رَغِبَ عَنْ مِنْهَاجِي وَ سُنَّتِي فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَ قَالَ كَفَى بِالْمَوْتِ مَوْعِظَةً وَ كَفَى بِا

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal from Salam ibn al-Mustanir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘For every form of worship there is a strong desire and willingness, then it reduces. Whoever’ s worship falls

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الطَّاعِمُ الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ كَأَجْرِ الصَّائِمِ الْمُحْتَسِبِ وَ الْمُعَافَى الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ كَأَجْرِ الْمُبْتَلَى الصَّابِرِ وَ الْمُعْطَى الشَّاكِرُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ كَأَجْرِ الْمَحْرُومِ الْقَانِعِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A person feeding (himself) with gratitude (before Allah) has a reward equal to the reward of a fasting person who brings himself to strict account. A person in good health who is grateful receives a reward equal to the reward of a person who suffers from an illness but exercises patie

هَلَكَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى عَهْدِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَأَتَى الْحَفَّارِينَ فَإِذَا بِهِمْ لَمْ يَحْفِرُوا شَيْئاً وَ شَكَوْا ذَلِكَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا يَعْمَلُ حَدِيدُنَا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا نَضْرِبُ بِهِ فِي الصَّفَا[1] فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ إِنْ كَانَ صَاحِبُكُمْ لَحَسَنَ الْخُلُقِ ائْتُونِي بِقَدَحٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ فَأَتَوْهُ بِهِ فَأَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فِيهِ ثُمَّ رَشَّهُ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ رَشّاً

“During the time of the Holy Prophet a man died. The gravediggers could not dig a grave for him. They complained to the Messenger of Allah saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our picks do not work. It is as if we hit a rock.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Why it would be as such had your man been excellent in moral behavior