Hajj & Pilgrimage

كَانَ عَبْدُ الْمُطَّلِبِ يُفْرَشُ لَهُ بِفِنَاءِ الْكَعْبَةِ لَا يُفْرَشُ لِأَحَدٍ غَيْرِهِ وَ كَانَ لَهُ وُلْدٌ يَقُومُونَ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ فَيَمْنَعُونَ مَنْ دَنَا مِنْهُ فَجَاءَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ طِفْلٌ يَدْرِجُ حَتَّى جَلَسَ عَلَى فَخِذَيْهِ فَأَهْوَى بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ لِيُنَحِّيَهُ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَبْدُ الْمُطَّلِبِ دَعِ ابْنِي فَإِنَّ الْمَلَكَ قَدْ أَتَاهُ.

“At a certain place around the Ka‘ba, ‘Abd al-Muttalib’s people would spread house furnishings for him only and for no one else. His sons would stand around him for protection. Once the Messenger of Allah (sw), then a small child who had just begun to walk came to ‘Abd al-Muttalib and sat in his lap. One of the people

بَيْنَا النَّبِيُّ ص فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابٌ لَهُ جُدُدٌ فَأَلْقَى الْمُشْرِكُونَ عَلَيْهِ سَلَى نَاقَةٍ فَمَلَئُوا ثِيَابَهُ بِهَا فَدَخَلَهُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَذَهَبَ إِلَى أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا عَمِّ كَيْفَ تَرَى حَسَبِي فِيكُمْ فَقَالَ لَهُ وَ مَا ذَاكَ يَا ابْنَ أَخِي فَأَخْبَرَهُ الْخَبَرَ فَدَعَا أَبُو طَالِبٍ حَمْزَةَ وَ أَخَذَ السَّيْفَ وَ قَالَ لِحَمْزَةَ خُذِ ال

“Once when the Holy Prophet (SAW) was in The Sacred Mosque wearing new clothes, the pagans threw the contents of the stomach of a camel on him and his new clothes were ruined. Allah knows how hard it was for him. He (The Holy Prophet) went to Abu Talib and asked, ‘What is my honor worth to you?’ He asked ‘What is the m

لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ أَبُو طَالِبٍ نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ اخْرُجْ مِنْ مَكَّةَ فَلَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا نَاصِرٌ وَ ثَارَتْ قُرَيْشٌ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص فَخَرَجَ هَارِباً حَتَّى جَاءَ إِلَى جَبَلٍ بِمَكَّةَ يُقَالُ لَهُ الْحَجُونُ فَصَارَ إِلَيْهِ.

“When Abu Talib (AS) passed away, Jibrail came to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and said, ‘O Muhammad, migrate from Mecca. There is no one to help protect you.’ Quraysh revolted against the Holy Prophet (SAW) and came out of Mecca running away until he reached one of the mountains of Mecca alled al-Hajun. He went there.

إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ أَسَدٍ أُمَّ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَانَتْ أَوَّلَ امْرَأَةٍ هَاجَرَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ عَلَى قَدَمَيْهَا وَ كَانَتْ مِنْ أَبَرِّ النَّاسِ- بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَسَمِعَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يُحْشَرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عُرَاةً كَمَا وُلِدُوا فَقَالَتْ وَا سَوْأَتَاهْ فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنِّي أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ

Indeed, Fatimah daughter of Asad, the mother of the Commander of the Faithful, was the first woman to migrate on foot to the Messenger of God (s) from Mecca to Medina. She was among the people most devoted and most kind toward the Messenger of God (s). She heard the Messenger of God (s) saying, ‘People will be gathered

فِيكَ مَا قَالَ وَ قَدْ حَجَجْتَ عِشْرِينَ حَجَّةً مَاشِياً وَ قَدْ قَاسَمْتَ مَالَكَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ حَتَّى النَّعْلَ بِالنَّعْلِ فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا أَبْكِي لِخَصْلَتَيْنِ لِهَوْلِ الْمُطَّلَعِ وَ فِرَاقِ الْأَحِبَّةِ.

"When al-Hassan was about to die he wept. He was asked, 'O son of the Messenger of Allah, why would you weep, when you have such a position with the Messenger of Allah such as you have? And all the (good things) said about you. You have performed Hajj twenty times on foot and distributed all of your belongings among th

خَرَجَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع إِلَى مَكَّةَ سَنَةً مَاشِياً فَوَرِمَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ مَوَالِيهِ لَوْ رَكِبْتَ لَسَكَنَ عَنْكَ هَذَا الْوَرَمُ فَقَالَ كَلَّا إِذَا أَتَيْنَا هَذَا الْمَنْزِلَ فَإِنَّهُ يَسْتَقْبِلُكَ أَسْوَدُ وَ مَعَهُ دُهْنٌ فَاشْتَرِ مِنْهُ وَ لَا تُمَاكِسْهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلَاهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي مَا قَدِمْنَا مَنْزِلًا فِيهِ أَحَدٌ يَبِيعُ هَذَا الدَّوَاءَ فَقَالَ لَهُ ب

“One year al-Hassan ibn Ali left for Mecca on foot. On the journey his feet swelled and his servants said, 'If you would ride the swelling will go away.' He said, 'Nay, if we reach this place of rest you will a black person who has oil with him, buy from oil without trying to reduce the price.' The servant said, 'May m

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع نَاقَةٌ حَجَّ عَلَيْهَا اثْنَتَيْنِ وَ عِشْرِينَ حَجَّةً مَا قَرَعَهَا قَرْعَةً قَطُّ قَالَ فَجَاءَتْ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهِ وَ مَا شَعَرْنَا بِهَا إِلَّا وَ قَدْ جَاءَنِي بَعْضُ خَدَمِنَا أَوْ بَعْضُ الْمَوَالِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ النَّاقَةَ قَدْ خَرَجَتْ فَأَتَتْ قَبْرَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ فَانْبَرَكَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَدَلَكَتْ بِجِرَانِهَا الْقَبْرَ وَ هِيَ

“I heard Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) say, ‘Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) had a she camel. He had taken this camel twenty two times to Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and had not used the whip against not even once. The Imam (a.s.) has said that the camel came after he passed away and we were not aware but we noticed only when one of the s

لَمَّا مَاتَ أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع جَاءَتْ نَاقَةٌ لَهُ مِنَ الرَّعْيِ حَتَّى ضَرَبَتْ بِجِرَانِهَا عَلَى الْقَبْرِ وَ تَمَرَّغَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَرْتُ بِهَا فَرُدَّتْ إِلَى مَرْعَاهَا وَ إِنَّ أَبِي ع كَانَ يَحُجُّ عَلَيْهَا وَ يَعْتَمِرُ وَ لَمْ يَقْرَعْهَا قَرْعَةً قَطُّ. ابْنُ بَابَوَيْهِ‌[1].

“When my father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) passed away the she camel that belonged to him came from the pasture and placed her neck against his grave and role her body on the ground. I commanded to return her back to her pasture. My father would take her for the journey to Hajj and 'Umra (pilgrimage to Mecca) and had ne

لَمَّا كَانَ فِي اللَّيْلَةِ الَّتِي وُعِدَ فِيهَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قَالَ لِمُحَمَّدٍ ع يَا بُنَيَّ ابْغِنِي وَضُوءاً- قَالَ فَقُمْتُ فَجِئْتُهُ بِوَضُوءٍ قَالَ لَا أَبْغِي هَذَا فَإِنَّ فِيهِ شَيْئاً مَيِّتاً قَالَ فَخَرَجْتُ فَجِئْتُ بِالْمِصْبَاحِ فَإِذَا فِيهِ فَأْرَةٌ مَيْتَةٌ فَجِئْتُهُ بِوَضُوءٍ غَيْرِهِ فَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي وُعِدْتُهَا فَأَوْصَى بِنَاقَتِهِ أَنْ يُحْظَرَ لَ

On the night when Ali ibn al-Husayn (as) was promised [his death], he said to Muhammad (as), "My son, bring me some water for ablution." So I stood up and brought him water for ablution. He said, "Not this, for there is something dead in it." So I went out and brought a lamp, and there was a dead mouse in it. I brought

كَانَ لِي جَارٌ يَتَّبِعُ السُّلْطَانَ فَأَصَابَ مَالًا فَأَعَدَّ قِيَاناً وَ كَانَ يَجْمَعُ الْجَمِيعَ إِلَيْهِ وَ يَشْرَبُ الْمُسْكِرَ وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَشَكَوْتُهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَنْتَهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ أَلْحَحْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا هَذَا أَنَا رَجُلٌ مُبْتَلًى وَ أَنْتَ رَجُلٌ مُعَافًى فَلَوْ عَرَضْتَنِي لِصَاحِبِكَ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُنْقِذَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِكَ فَوَقَعَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فِي قَلْبِي ف

“I had a neighbor who followed the Sultan and he gains certain properties. He would arrange parties and invite female singers. They would drink wine and would disturb me. I complained to the man several times but he would not pay any attention. When I insisted he said, “O man, “I am an addicted man and you are sober. I

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَنَا كَفَّنْتُ أَبِي فِي ثَوْبَيْنِ شَطَوِيَّيْنِ‌[1] كَانَ يُحْرِمُ فِيهِمَا وَ فِي قَمِيصٍ مِنْ قُمُصِهِ وَ فِي عِمَامَةٍ كَانَتْ لِعَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع وَ فِي بُرْدٍ اشْتَرَاهُ بِأَرْبَعِينَ دِينَاراً.

“I shrouded my father with two pieces of winter clothes that he had used as the clothe for Ihram (special clothes used during performing Hajj). Also a shirt of his shirts and the ‘Amama (turban) that belonged to Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) and a gown that he had bought for forty Dinars were used.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ نَجْرَانَ الْيَمَنِ مِنَ الرُّهْبَانِ وَ مَعَهُ رَاهِبَةٌ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ لَهُمَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ سَوَّارٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِذَا كَانَ غَداً فَأْتِ بِهِمَا عِنْدَ بِئْرِ أُمِّ خَيْرٍ قَالَ فَوَافَيْنَا مِنَ الْغَدِ فَوَجَدْنَا الْقَوْمَ قَدْ وَافَوْا فَأَمَرَ بِخَصَفَةِ بَوَارِيَّ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَ جَلَسُوا فَبَدَأَتِ الرَّاهِبَةُ بِالْمَسَائِلِ فَسَأَلَتْ عَنْ

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ibrahim (a.s.) that a monk and a nun from the people of Najran, Yemen came to see him. al-Fadl ibn Sawwar sought permission for them and the Imam (a.s.) said, “Tomorrow bring them to the well of ’Umm Khaayr.” The narrator has said that on the next day we went to see him and we found t

مَرَّ الْعَبْدُ الصَّالِحُ بِامْرَأَةٍ بِمِنًى وَ هِيَ تَبْكِي وَ صِبْيَانُهَا حَوْلَهَا يَبْكُونَ وَ قَدْ مَاتَتْ لَهَا بَقَرَةٌ فَدَنَا مِنْهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهَا مَا يُبْكِيكِ يَا أَمَةَ اللَّهِ قَالَتْ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ لَنَا صِبْيَاناً يَتَامَى وَ كَانَتْ لِي بَقَرَةٌ مَعِيشَتِي وَ مَعِيشَةُ صِبْيَانِي كَانَ مِنْهَا وَ قَدْ مَاتَتْ وَ بَقِيتُ مُنْقَطَعاً بِي وَ بِوُلْدِي لَا حِيلَةَ لَنَا فَقَالَ يَا أَمَة

"The pious servant of Allah (Imam Kadhim (a.s)) passed in Mina by a woman who was weeping and her children around her also were weeping because her cow was dead. He went close to her and asked, 'What has caused you to weep O slave of Allah?' She said, 'O servant of Allah, we have orphan children. Our cow that was our m

جَاءَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ‌[1] وَ قَدِ اعْتَمَرْنَا عُمْرَةَ رَجَبٍ وَ نَحْنُ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِمَكَّةَ فَقَالَ يَا عَمِّ إِنِّي أُرِيدُ بَغْدَادَ وَ قَدْ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ أُوَدِّعَ عَمِّي أَبَا الْحَسَنِ يَعْنِي مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ أَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ تَذْهَبَ مَعِي إِلَيْهِ فَخَرَجْتُ مَعَهُ نَحْوَ أَخِي وَ هُوَ فِي دَارِهِ الَّتِي بِالْحَوْبَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ بَعْدَ الْمَغْرِبِ بِقَلِيلٍ فَضَرَبْتُ الْبَابَ فَأَج

“Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il came to me when we were still in Makka after completing our ‘Umra in the month of Rajab. He said, “Uncle, I intend to go to Baghdad but I want to say farewell to my uncle, abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja‘far (a.s.) aand I would like that you also come with me.” I came with him to my brother and he was

بَانِي فَارِعٍ وَ هَادِمُهُ يُقَطَّعُ إِرْباً إِرْباً فَلَمْ نَدْرِ مَا مَعْنَى ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا وَلَّى وَافَى هَارُونُ وَ نَزَلَ بِذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعِ صَعِدَ جَعْفَرُ بْنُ يَحْيَى ذَلِكَ الْجَبَلَ وَ أَمَرَ أَنْ يُبْنَى لَهُ ثَمَّ مَجْلِسٌ فَلَمَّا رَجَعَ مِنْ مَكَّةَ صَعِدَ إِلَيْهِ فَأَمَرَ بِهَدْمِهِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ إِلَى الْعِرَاقِ قُطِّعَ إِرْباً إِرْباً.

The builder at Fari‘ and he who would demolish will be cut in pieces.” We had no idea what it meant. When he returned Harun arrived and camped at that place. Ja‘far ibn Yahya climbed the mountain and ordered to build a resting place for him. When he returned from Makka he climbed there and ordered to demolish what was

لَمَّا أَرَادَ هَارُونُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ أَنْ يُوَاقِعَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع اذْهَبْ إِلَيْهِ وَ قُلْ لَهُ لَا تَخْرُجْ غَداً فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ خَرَجْتَ غَداً هُزِمْتَ وَ قُتِلَ أَصْحَابُكَ فَإِنْ سَأَلَكَ مِنْ أَيْنَ عَلِمْتَ هَذَا فَقُلْ رَأَيْتُ فِي الْمَنَامِ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا تَخْرُجْ غَداً فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ خَرَجْتَ هُزِمْتَ وَ قُتِلَ أَصْحَ

“When Harun ibn al-Musayyib decided to fight Muhammad ibn Ja‘far, abu al-Hassan (a.s.) told me to go to him and say, “Do not go our tomorrow. If would do so you will be defeated and your people will be killed.” If he would ask, “How do youknow that?” Say, “I saw it in my dream.” The narrator has said that he went to hi

مُحَمَّدٌ وَ كَانَ زَيْدِيّاً قَالَ: كُنْتُ بِالْعَسْكَرِ فَبَلَغَنِي أَنَّ هُنَاكَ رَجُلٌ مَحْبُوسٌ أُتِيَ بِهِ مِنْ نَاحِيَةِ الشَّامِ مَكْبُولًا[2] وَ قَالُوا إِنَّهُ تَنَبَّأَ[3] قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ خَالِدٍ فَأَتَيْتُ الْبَابَ وَ دَارَيْتُ الْبَوَّابِينَ وَ الْحَجَبَةَ حَتَّى وَصَلْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ لَهُ فَهْمٌ فَقُلْتُ يَا هَذَا مَا قِصَّتُكَ وَ مَا أَمْرُكَ قَالَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ رَجُلًا بِالشَّامِ أَعْبُد

“Muhammad who belonged to Zaydi sect said to me this. “I was in the army camp and I was told that there was a prisoner brought from the area of al-Sham (Syria) tied up and that he has proclaimed himself a prophet.” Ali ibn Khalid has said, “I went to him and found my way through the guards until I reached him. I found

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَ صَلَّى بِنَا فِي مَوْضِعِ الْقِبْلَةِ سَوَاءً[2] وَ ذُكِرَ أَنَّ السِّدْرَةَ الَّتِي فِي الْمَسْجِدِ كَانَتْ يَابِسَةً لَيْسَ عَلَيْهَا وَرَقٌ فَدَعَا بِمَاءٍ وَ تَهَيَّأَ تَحْتَ السِّدْرَةِ فَعَاشَتِ السِّدْرَةُ وَ أَوْرَقَتْ وَ حَمَلَتْ مِنْ عَامِهَا.

10. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from abu Hashim Ali-Ja‘fari who has said the following. “Once I prayed with abu Ja‘far (a.s.) in the Mosque of Ali-Musayyib. He lead the prayer with us and as to the direction of Makka he stood up facing straight. He also has said that a berry tree that wa

قُبِضَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ وَ هُوَ ابْنُ خَمْسٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً- وَ ثَلَاثَةِ أَشْهُرٍ وَ اثْنَيْ عَشَرَ يَوْماً تُوُفِّيَ يَوْمَ الثَّلَاثَاءِ لِسِتٍّ خَلَوْنَ مِنْ ذِي الْحِجَّةِ[3] سَنَةَ عِشْرِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ- عَاشَ بَعْدَ أَبِيهِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً إِلَّا خَمْساً وَ عِشْرِينَ يَوْماً.

12. Sa‘d ibn ‘Abdallah and Ali-Himyari all have narrated fom Ibrahim ibn Mahziyar from his brother Ali from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Muhammad ibn Sinan who has said the following. “Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) passed away at the age of twenty five years, three months and twelve days. He died on a Tuesday on the sixth of Dhi

اشْتَرَيْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع غَنَماً كَثِيرَةً فَدَعَانِي فَأَدْخَلَنِي مِنْ إِصْطَبْلِ دَارِهِ إِلَى مَوْضِعٍ وَاسِعٍ لَا أَعْرِفُهُ فَجَعَلْتُ أُفَرِّقُ تِلْكَ الْغَنَمَ فِيمَنْ‌ أَمَرَنِي بِهِ فَبَعَثَ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ[1] وَ إِلَى وَالِدَتِهِ وَ غَيْرِهِمَا مِمَّنْ أَمَرَنِي ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنْتُهُ فِي الِانْصِرَافِ إِلَى بَغْدَادَ إِلَى وَالِدِي وَ كَانَ ذَلِكَ يَوْمَ التَّرْوِيَةِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ تُقِيمُ غ

“Once I bought a large number of sheeps for abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He called and admitted me into the barn area of his house into a vast location that I could not recognize. He ordered me to distribute the sheep among certain people and of such people were abu Ja‘far and his mother and others. Thereafter I requested per

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ سَنَةَ الْقَادِسِيَّةِ يُعْلِمُهُ انْصِرَافَ النَّاسِ وَ أَنَّهُ يَخَافُ الْعَطَشَ فَكَتَبَ ع‌ امْضُوا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَمَضَوْا سَالِمِينَ‌ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ*.

“continue your journey and you will have no fear by the will of Allah.” They continued their journey to Hajj safely and thanks to Allah.”

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

كَتَبَ أَبِي بِخَطِّهِ كِتَاباً فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِخَطِّي فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ فُقَهَاءِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمْ يَرِدْ جَوَابُهُ فَنَظَرْنَا فَكَانَتِ الْعِلَّةُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ تَحَوَّلَ قَرْمَطِيّاً قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ فَزُرْتُ الْعِرَاقَ وَ وَرَدْتُ طُوسَ وَ عَزَمْتُ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ إِلَّا عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ أَمْرِي وَ نَجَاحٍ مِنْ حَوَائِجِي وَ لَوِ احْ

13. Al-Hassan ibn al-Fadl ibn Yazid al-Yamani has said the following. “My father wrote in his own had writing he received back a response. I then wrote in my own hand writing I also received back a response. One of our Fuqaha’ (scholar of law) wrote in his own hand writing but he did not receive any response. We then b

وُلِدَ لِي وَلَدٌ فَكَتَبْتُ أَسْتَأْذِنُ فِي طُهْرِهِ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ فَوَرَدَ لَا تَفْعَلْ فَمَاتَ يَوْمَ السَّابِعِ أَوِ الثَّامِنِ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِمَوْتِهِ فَوَرَدَ سَتُخْلَفُ غَيْرَهُ وَ غَيْرَهُ تُسَمِّيهِ أَحْمَدَ وَ مِنْ بَعْدِ أَحْمَدَ جَعْفَراً فَجَاءَ كَمَا قَالَ قَالَ وَ تَهَيَّأْتُ لِلْحَجِّ وَ وَدَّعْتُ النَّاسَ وَ كُنْتُ عَلَى الْخُرُوجِ فَوَرَدَ نَحْنُ لِذَلِكَ كَارِهُونَ وَ الْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكَ قَال

“A boy was born to me. I wrote to him (al-Mahdi (a.s.) for his permission to give the baby a special bath for the ceremony on the seventh day of his birth. The answer came back and it said, “Do not do so.” The boy died on the seventh or the eighth day. I then wrote to him about the death of the boy. He wrote back to me

لَمَّا مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ ع وَرَدَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مِصْرَ بِمَالٍ إِلَى مَكَّةَ لِلنَّاحِيَةِ فَاخْتُلِفَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ النَّاسِ إِنَّ أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ ع مَضَى مِنْ غَيْرِ خَلَفٍ وَ الْخَلَفُ جَعْفَرٌ وَ قَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ مَضَى أَبُو مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ خَلَفٍ فَبَعَثَ رَجُلًا يُكَنَّى بِأَبِي طَالِبٍ فَوَرَدَ الْعَسْكَرَ وَ مَعَهُ كِتَابٌ فَصَارَ إِلَى جَعْفَرٍ وَ سَأَلَهُ عَنْ بُرْهَانٍ فَقَالَ لَا يَتَهَي

“When abu Muhammad (a.s.) passed away a man from Egypt came to Makk with a certain amount of commodities that were due to the holy location (office of the Imam (a.s.) People expressed different opinions on the issue. Certain persons said, “Abu Muhammad (a.s.) has passed away and has left no one behind as his successor.

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

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

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

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ وَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عِمْرَانَ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي مَنْزِلِهِ بِمَكَّةَ فَقَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عِمْرَانَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ- نَحْنُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ مُحَدَّثاً فَقَالَ لَهُ- أَبُو بَصِيرٍ سَمِعْتَ مِنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَحَلَّفَهُ مَرَّةً أَوْ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَهُ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ لَكِنِّي سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع.

“Once I, abu Basir and Muhammad ibn ‘Imran the slave of abu Ja‘far (a.s.) were in his house in Makka. Muhammad ibn ‘Imran said, “I have heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘We all twelve of us are Muhaddath (the ones to whom angels speak).” Abu Basir then said, “Did you hear abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say so? He made him to swea

كَتَبْتُ إِلَيْهِ يَا سَيِّدِي رَجُلٌ دُفِعَ إِلَيْهِ مَالٌ يَحُجُّ بِهِ هَلْ عَلَيْهِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْمَالِ حِينَ يَصِيرُ إِلَيْهِ الْخُمُسُ أَوْ عَلَى مَا فَضَلَ فِي يَدِهِ بَعْدَ الْحَجِّ فَكَتَبَ ع لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ الْخُمُسُ.

“I wrote to him, ‘My master, a man is given money to perform Hajj. Is there al-Khums on such money when he would receive it or there is al-Khums on what would remain extra from the expenses after Hajj?” He wrote, “There is no al-Khums on him.”

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

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.)”’

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ الْإِيمَانُ أَوِ الْإِسْلَامُ فَإِنَّ مَنْ قِبَلَنَا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ أَرْفَعُ مِنَ الْإِسْلَامِ قُلْتُ فَأَوْجِدْنِي ذَلِكَ‌[2] قَالَ مَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ مُتَعَمِّداً قَالَ قُلْتُ يُضْرَبُ ضَرْباً شَدِيداً قَالَ أَصَبْتَ قَالَ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِيمَنْ أَحْدَثَ فِي الْكَعْبَة

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which is better, belief or Islam? Certain people say Islam is better than belief.’ The Imam said, ‘Belief is higher than Islam.’ I then said, ‘Help me understand it.’ He said, ‘What do you say if one commits, purposely, an act of heresy in Masjid al-Haram (Sacred Mosque)?’ I said, ‘He sho

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

كَتَبْتُ مَعَ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ مَا هُوَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مَعَ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ سَأَلْتَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ هُوَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِاللِّسَانِ وَ عَقْدٌ فِي الْقَلْبِ وَ عَمَلٌ بِالْأَرْكَانِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ بَعْضُهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ هُوَ دَارٌ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْإِسْلَامُ دَارٌ وَ الْكُفْرُ دَارٌ فَقَدْ يَكُونُ الْ

“Abd al-Malik ibn A’yan and I wrote to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking him, ‘What is belief?’ He then wrote to us. ‘You, may Allah grant you favors, have asked about belief. Belief is affirmation, with the tongue, that is established in the heart and by the deeds of the body. Beliefs are from each other. Belief is a house.

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ فَرْقٌ بَيْنَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ قَالَ فَأَضْرِبُ لَكَ مَثَلَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَوْرِدْ ذَلِكَ قَالَ مَثَلُ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ مَثَلُ الْكَعْبَةِ الْحَرَامِ مِنَ الْحَرَمِ قَدْ يَكُونُ فِي الْحَرَمِ وَ لَا يَكُونُ فِي الْكَعْبَةِ وَ لَا يَكُونُ فِي الْكَعْبَةِ حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِي الْحَرَمِ وَ قَدْ يَكُونُ مُسْلِماً وَ لَا يَكُونُ مُؤْمِناً وَ ل

“I asked the Imam about belief and Islam, inquiring, ‘Is there a difference between Islam and belief?’ The Imam said, ‘I can give an example.’ I said, ‘Please do so.’ He said, ‘The case of belief and Islam is like the Holy Ka’ba and the Sacred precinct. One may have entered the Sacred precinct but not the Holy Ka’ba. O

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلَّامٌ‌[2] إِنَّ خَيْثَمَةَ ابْنَ أَبِي خَيْثَمَةَ يُحَدِّثُنَا عَنْكَ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَقُلْتَ لَهُ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ قِبْلَتَنَا وَ شَهِدَ شَهَادَتَنَا وَ نَسَكَ نُسُكَنَا وَ وَالَى وَلِيَّنَا وَ عَادَى عَدُوَّنَا فَهُوَ مُسْلِمٌ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ خَيْثَمَةُ قُلْتُ وَ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقُلْتَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَ التَّصْدِ

“I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Salam said, ‘Khaythamah ibn abu Khaythamah narrates to us from you that you were asked about Islam and you said, ‘Islam is this: Whoever faces our Qibla (direction of Makka), testifies to our testiment of belief, practices our practice, is a friend of our friend and an e

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 جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ فَضَّلَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى الْإِسْلَامِ بِدَرَجَةٍ كَمَا فَضَّلَ الْكَعْبَةَ عَلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah has given superiority to belief over Islam by one degree just as He has given superiority to al-Ka’ba over the Sacred Mosque.’”

خَطَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ فَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُقَرِّبُكُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ وَ يُبَاعِدُكُمْ مِنَ النَّارِ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ أَمَرْتُكُمْ بِهِ وَ مَا مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُقَرِّبُكُمْ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ يُبَاعِدُكُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ نَهَيْتُكُمْ عَنْهُ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ الرُّوحَ الْأَمِينَ نَفَثَ فِي رُوعِي أَنَّهُ لَنْ تَمُوتَ نَفْسٌ حَتَّى تَسْتَكْمِلَ رِز

“The Messenger of Allah addressed the people during his farewell (last) visit to Makka, ‘O people, I swear by Allah, everything that can take you closer to paradise and farther away from hell I have commanded you all to follow. Everything that may take you closer to hell and farther away from paradise I have prohibited