Seeking Knowledge

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا قَوْماً لَهُمْ مَحَبَّةٌ وَ لَيْسَتْ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْعَزِيمَةُ[4] يَقُولُونَ بِهَذَا الْقَوْلِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ أُولَئِكَ مِمَّنْ عَاتَبَ اللَّهُ إِنَّمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ فَاعْتَبِرُوا يا أُولِي الْأَبْصارِ.

It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal that al-Hassan ibn al-Juham said: “I told Abul Hasan (al-Ridha) (as), 'We know of a people who have love [for the Ahlul-bayt] but they do not have much determination [in understanding their imamate], they make such claims.' He then replied, 'They are not o

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا قَسَمَ اللَّهُ لِلْعِبَادِ شَيْئاً أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ فَنَوْمُ الْعَاقِلِ‌ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سَهَرِ الْجَاهِلِ وَ إِقَامَةُ الْعَاقِلِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ شُخُوصِ الْجَاهِلِ‌[1] وَ لَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيّاً وَ لَا رَسُولًا حَتَّى يَسْتَكْمِلَ الْعَقْلَ وَ يَكُونَ عَقْلُهُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ عُقُولِ أُمَّتِهِ وَ مَا يُضْمِرُ النَّبِيُّ ص فِي نَفْسِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنِ اجْتِهَادِ الْمُجْتَهِدِي

A number of our people has narrated Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from certain persons of his people in a marfu‘ manner that Rasulullah (sw) said: “Allah has not distributed anything among the servants more excellent than intelligence. The sleeping of a person of intelligence is better than the vigil of an ignorant per

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَشَّرَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفَهْمِ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَقَالَ‌ فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ‌ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌[3] يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَكْمَلَ لِلنَّاسِ الْحُجَجَ بِالْعُقُولِ وَ نَصَرَ النّ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said to me the following, ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason (intelligence) and understanding in His book in the following words, “Give the good news to those of My servants who hear certain words but follow only the good wo

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ الْعَقْلُ غِطَاءٌ سَتِيرٌ[6] وَ الْفَضْلُ جَمَالٌ ظَاهِرٌ[7] فَاسْتُرْ خَلَلَ خُلُقِكَ بِفَضْلِكَ‌[8] وَ قَاتِلْ هَوَاكَ بِعَقْلِكَ تَسْلَمْ لَكَ الْمَوَدَّةُ وَ تَظْهَرْ لَكَ الْمَحَبَّةُ.

“Intelligence is a complete cover (protection) for one and extra knowledge and skills are evident beauty. Compensate your physical shortcomings with your extra knowledge and skills. Fight your desires with help from your intelligence and in so doing friendship is surrendered to and love becomes manifest for you.”

إِذَا قَامَ قَائِمُنَا وَضَعَ اللَّهُ يَدَهُ عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْعِبَادِ[2] فَجَمَعَ بِهَا عُقُولَهُمْ وَ كَمَلَتْ بِهِ أَحْلَامُهُمْ.

"When our Qa’im (Imam al-Mahdi) rises, Allah will place His hand over the heads of His servants and He will place their intelligence together and complete their understanding.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ دِعَامَةُ الْإِنْسَانِ الْعَقْلُ وَ الْعَقْلُ مِنْهُ الْفِطْنَةُ وَ الْفَهْمُ وَ الْحِفْظُ وَ الْعِلْمُ وَ بِالْعَقْلِ يَكْمُلُ وَ هُوَ دَلِيلُهُ وَ مُبْصِرُهُ وَ مِفْتَاحُ أَمْرِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ تَأْيِيدُ عَقْلِهِ مِنَ النُّورِ كَانَ عَالِماً حَافِظاً ذَاكِراً فَطِناً فَهِماً فَعَلِمَ بِذَلِكَ كَيْفَ وَ لِمَ وَ حَيْثُ وَ عَرَفَ مَنْ نَصَحَهُ وَ مَنْ غَشَّهُ فَإِذَا عَرَفَ ذَلِكَ عَرَفَ

“Intelligence is the support for man. From Intelligence come insightfulness, understanding, memory and knowledge; and with Intelligence he gains perfection. Intelligence is his guide, his instructor and the key to his affairs. When his Intelligence is supported with light, he becomes a scholar, a keeper (of knowledge),

يَا مُفَضَّلُ لَا يُفْلِحُ مَنْ لَا يَعْقِلُ وَ لَا يَعْقِلُ مَنْ لَا يَعْلَمُ وَ سَوْفَ يَنْجُبُ مَنْ يَفْهَمُ‌[2] وَ يَظْفَرُ مَنْ يَحْلُمُ وَ الْعِلْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَ الصِّدْقُ عِزٌّ وَ الْجَهْلُ ذُلٌّ وَ الْفَهْمُ مَجْدٌ وَ الْجُودُ نُجْحٌ‌[1] وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ مَجْلَبَةٌ لِلْمَوَدَّةِ وَ الْعَالِمُ بِزَمَانِهِ لَا تَهْجُمُ عَلَيْهِ اللَّوَابِسُ وَ الْحَزْمُ مَسَاءَةُ الظَّنِ‌[2] وَ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَ الْحِكْمَةِ

“O Mufaddal one can never gain success until he understands and one can never understand until he acquires knowledge. One who understands can very soon excel. One who exercises patience can very soon triumph. Knowledge serves one as a shield, truth is honor, ignorance is humility, sharp-wittedness is glory, generosity

فِي حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ‌ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ الْأُمُورِ وَ مَبْدَأَهَا وَ قُوَّتَهَا وَ عِمَارَتَهَا الَّتِي لَا يُنْتَفَعُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا بِهِ الْعَقْلُ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ زِينَةً لِخَلْقِهِ وَ نُوراً لَهُمْ فَبِالْعَقْلِ عَرَفَ الْعِبَادُ خَالِقَهُمْ وَ أَنَّهُمْ مَخْلُوقُونَ وَ أَنَّهُ الْمُدَبِّرُ لَهُمْ وَ أَنَّهُمُ الْمُدَبَّرُونَ وَ أَنَّهُ الْبَاقِي وَ هُمُ الْفَانُونَ وَ اسْتَدَلُّوا بِعُقُولِهِمْ عَلَى مَا رَ

The first, the beginning, the force and the structure of something is that without which something would be of no benefit. The thing that Allah has made beauty and light for His creatures, the people, is intelligence. With intelligence people come to know their creator and that they are created and that He is the one w

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَلَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ بُغَاةَ الْعِلْمِ‌[1].

"Seeking knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim. Let it be known that Allah loves those who seek knowledge."

طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ.

“Seeking knowledge is obligatory.”

سُئِلَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع هَلْ يَسَعُ النَّاسَ تَرْكُ الْمَسْأَلَةِ عَمَّا يَحْتَاجُونَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا.

"Is it permissible for people not to seek what (religious knowledge) they need?”. He replied, “No [it's not permissible]."

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَقُولُ‌ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ كَمَالَ الدِّينِ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ وَ الْعَمَلُ بِهِ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمِ أَوْجَبُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ طَلَبِ الْمَالِ إِنَّ الْمَالَ مَقْسُومٌ مَضْمُونٌ لَكُمْ قَدْ قَسَمَهُ عَادِلٌ بَيْنَكُمْ وَ ضَمِنَهُ وَ سَيَفِي لَكُمْ وَ الْعِلْمُ مَخْزُونٌ عِنْدَ أَهْلِهِ وَ قَدْ أُمِرْتُمْ بِطَلَبِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ‌[2] فَاطْلُبُوهُ.

"O people! Know that the perfection of religion is seeking knowledge and acting by it. Surely seeking knowledge is more pertinent to you than seeking wealth. Wealth is apportioned and ensured to you. A just allocator divided it amongst you, has ensured it and will be faithful to that apportionment. [Whereas] knowledge

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ بُغَاةَ الْعِلْمِ.

5. A number of our people has narrated has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Barqi from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from Abu ‘Abdillah, one of our people narrated in a marfu‘ manner from Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) that Rasulullah (sw) said: “Seeking knowledge is obligatory.” In another hadith, Abu 'Abdillah (as) narrated tha

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ تَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ لَمْ يَتَفَقَّهْ مِنْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ فَهُوَ أَعْرَابِيٌ‌[1] إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- لِيَتَفَقَّهُوا فِي الدِّينِ وَ لِيُنْذِرُوا قَوْمَهُمْ إِذا رَجَعُوا إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ‌[2].

Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn Abi Hamza that he heard Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) say, "Acquire good understanding in religion because those of you who do not have good understanding in religion are like the Bedouins. Allah has said i

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالتَّفَقُّهِ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ وَ لَا تَكُونُوا أَعْرَاباً[3] فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ لَمْ يَتَفَقَّهْ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ لَمْ يَنْظُرِ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ[4] وَ لَمْ يُزَكِّ لَهُ عَمَلًا.

"It is necessary for you to have a good understanding of the religion of Allah. Do not be like the Bedouins, because those who do not gain a good understanding of the religion, Allah will not look at them on the Day of Judgement, and none of their deeds will be cleansed."

لَوَدِدْتُ أَنَّ أَصْحَابِي ضُرِبَتْ رُءُوسُهُمْ بِالسِّيَاطِ[5] حَتَّى يَتَفَقَّهُوا.

"I would have even liked that my companions' heads are lashed with whips for them to gain a comphrensive understanding [of the religion].

قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ رَجُلٌ عَرَفَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ لَزِمَ بَيْتَهُ وَ لَمْ يَتَعَرَّفْ إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ إِخْوَانِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ يَتَفَقَّهُ هَذَا فِي دِينِهِ.

there is a man who believes in this issue (i.e. the imamah of Ahlul-bayt), but locks himself at home and does not acquaint himself with his community.” So he said, “How will he achieve a good understanding of his religion [without talking to the knowledgable people of his community]?".

دَخَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا جَمَاعَةٌ قَدْ أَطَافُوا بِرَجُلٍ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا فَقِيلَ عَلَّامَةٌ فَقَالَ وَ مَا الْعَلَّامَةُ فَقَالُوا لَهُ أَعْلَمُ النَّاسِ بِأَنْسَابِ الْعَرَبِ وَ وَقَائِعِهَا وَ أَيَّامِ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ وَ الْأَشْعَارِ الْعَرَبِيَّةِ قَالَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص ذَاكَ عِلْمٌ لَا يَضُرُّ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ وَ لَا يَنْفَعُ مَنْ عَلِمَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ ثَلَا

“Once Rasulullah (sw) entered the Mosque and found a group of people gathered around a man. He asked, 'Who is he?'. It was said that he was a Allamah. He then asked them, 'What is that?'. They replied that he is the most learned man about the genealogy, the chronology, and the history of the pre-Islamic days of darknes

إِنَّ الْعُلَمَاءَ وَرَثَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ ذَاكَ أَنَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَمْ يُورِثُوا دِرْهَماً وَ لَا دِينَاراً وَ إِنَّمَا أَوْرَثُوا أَحَادِيثَ مِنْ أَحَادِيثِهِمْ فَمَنْ أَخَذَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَقَدْ أَخَذَ حَظّاً وَافِراً فَانْظُرُوا عِلْمَكُمْ هَذَا عَمَّنْ تَأْخُذُونَهُ فَإِنَّ فِينَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فِي كُلِّ خَلَفٍ عُدُولًا يَنْفُونَ عَنْهُ تَحْرِيفَ الْغَالِينَ وَ انْتِحَالَ الْمُبْطِلِينَ وَ تَأْوِيلَ

“The scholars are the heirs of the prophets because the prophets did not leave any Dirham or Dinar, (units of money) as their legacy. What they left was certain pieces of their statements. Those who acquired anything of these pieces of their statements they have certainly gained a large share. You must be very careful,

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً فَقَّهَهُ فِي الدِّينِ.

'If Allah (swt) wants goodness for a servant, he will teach him the jurisprudence (fiqh) of religion.'

قَالَ: الْكَمَالُ كُلُّ الْكَمَالِ التَّفَقُّهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَ الصَّبْرُ عَلَى النَّائِبَةِ[4] وَ تَقْدِيرُ الْمَعِيشَةِ.

'The most perfect of all perfection is a good understanding of religion, exercising patience during affliction and setting up of means of living.'

الْعُلَمَاءُ أُمَنَاءُ وَ الْأَتْقِيَاءُ حُصُونٌ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ سَادَةٌ وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى الْعُلَمَاءُ مَنَارٌ وَ الْأَتْقِيَاءُ حُصُونٌ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ سَادَةٌ.

'The scholars are the trustees [of religion], the pious ones are the strongholds [of religion] and the successors (of the Prophet) are the masters [of religion].' In an another hadith it is said, 'The scholars are the light houses [of the religion], the pious ones are the strongholds [of the religion] and the successor

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ لَا يَتَفَقَّهُ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا يَا بَشِيرُ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ مِنْهُمْ إِذَا لَمْ يَسْتَغْنِ بِفِقْهِهِ احْتَاجَ إِلَيْهِمْ‌[1] فَإِذَا احْتَاجَ إِلَيْهِمْ أَدْخَلُوهُ فِي بَابِ ضَلَالَتِهِمْ وَ هُوَ لَا يَعْلَمُ.

'There is no goodness in our people who do not learn fiqh (jurisprudence), oh Bashir. Indeed, when a man from them does not suffice himself with [knowledge] of fiqh, he becomes dependent on them (i.e. the non-shias). And when he becomes dependent on them, they lead him into the door of their misguidance, and he does no

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا خَيْرَ فِي الْعَيْشِ إِلَّا لِرَجُلَيْنِ عَالِمٍ مُطَاعٍ أَوْ مُسْتَمِعٍ وَاعٍ.

'There is no goodness in life except for two kinds of people, a scholar who is obeyed or an audience who listen carefully.'

عَالِمٌ يُنْتَفَعُ بِعِلْمِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ عَابِدٍ.

"A scholar whose knowledge benefits others is better than seventy thousand worshippers."

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ رَاوِيَةٌ لِحَدِيثِكُمْ يَبُثُّ ذَلِكَ فِي النَّاسِ وَ يُشَدِّدُهُ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ قُلُوبِ شِيعَتِكُمْ وَ لَعَلَّ عَابِداً مِنْ شِيعَتِكُمْ لَيْسَتْ لَهُ هَذِهِ الرِّوَايَةُ أَيُّهُمَا أَفْضَلُ قَالَ الرَّاوِيَةُ لِحَدِيثِنَا يَشُدُّ بِهِ قُلُوبَ شِيعَتِنَا أَفْضَلُ مِنْ أَلْفِ عَابِدٍ.

"I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as), 'There is a man who narrates your hadiths, spreads them among people, and ties them to their hearts and the hearts of your Shi'a. Also, there is perhaps a worshipper among your Shi'a who does not have your narrations. Which of the two is better?' He said, 'The one who narrates ou

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ النَّاسَ آلُوا[2]- بَعْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِلَى ثَلَاثَةٍ آلُوا إِلَى عَالِمٍ عَلَى هُدًى مِنَ اللَّهِ قَدْ أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ بِمَا عَلِمَ عَنْ عِلْمِ غَيْرِهِ وَ جَاهِلٍ مُدَّعٍ لِلْعِلْمِ لَا عِلْمَ لَهُ مُعْجَبٍ بِمَا عِنْدَهُ قَدْ فَتَنَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا وَ فَتَنَ غَيْرَهُ وَ مُتَعَلِّمٍ مِنْ عَالِمٍ عَلَى سَبِيلِ هُدًى مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ نَجَاةٍ ثُمَّ هَلَكَ مَنِ ادّ

'After the holy Prophet people become of three kinds. One group went to a divinely well guided scholar. Allah had given him such a high degree of knowledge that made him independent of the knowledge of the others. The second group was the ignorant group, who claimed to have knowledge but in fact they had no knowledge.

النَّاسُ ثَلَاثَةٌ عَالِمٌ وَ مُتَعَلِّمٌ وَ غُثَاءٌ[1].

'People are of three kinds: A scholar, a student [of knowledge] and a scum.'

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اغْدُ عَالِماً أَوْ مُتَعَلِّماً أَوْ أَحِبَّ أَهْلَ الْعِلْمِ وَ لَا تَكُنْ رَابِعاً فَتَهْلِكَ بِبُغْضِهِمْ.

"Be a scholar or a student [of knowledge] or love the scholars. Do not become of the fourth group lest you will be destroyed by their hatred."

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ يَغْدُو النَّاسُ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ أَصْنَافٍ عَالِمٍ وَ مُتَعَلِّمٍ وَ غُثَاءٍ فَنَحْنُ الْعُلَمَاءُ وَ شِيعَتُنَا الْمُتَعَلِّمُونَ وَ سَائِرُ النَّاسِ غُثَاءٌ.

"People become of three groups: Scholars, students [of knowledge] and scum. We are the scholars, our Shi'a are the students and the rest of the people are scum."

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقاً يَطْلُبُ فِيهِ عِلْماً سَلَكَ اللَّهُ بِهِ‌[3] طَرِيقاً إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَتَضَعُ أَجْنِحَتَهَا لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ رِضًا بِهِ‌[4] وَ إِنَّهُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى الْحُوتِ فِي الْبَحْرِ وَ فَضْلُ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِ الْقَمَرِ عَلَى سَائِرِ النُّجُومِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ وَ

“The holy Prophet has said, ‘If one sets out on a journey to seek knowledge Allah will lead him to the way that would take him to paradise. The angels will stretch their wings for the pleasure of the seeker of knowledge and all that is in the heavens and earth even the whales in the oceans will ask forgiveness for him

إِنَّ الَّذِي يُعَلِّمُ الْعِلْمَ مِنْكُمْ لَهُ أَجْرٌ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ الْمُتَعَلِّمِ وَ لَهُ الْفَضْلُ عَلَيْهِ فَتَعَلَّمُوا الْعِلْمَ مِنْ حَمَلَةِ الْعِلْمِ وَ عَلِّمُوهُ إِخْوَانَكُمْ كَمَا عَلَّمَكُمُوهُ الْعُلَمَاءُ.

“Those of you who teach will have the same reward as those who learn in addition to his higher position over the student. Learn knowledge from those possess knowledge and teach it to your brethren just as the scholars have taught you.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ عَلَّمَ خَيْراً فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ عَلَّمَهُ غَيْرَهُ‌[1] يَجْرِي ذَلِكَ لَهُ قَالَ إِنْ عَلَّمَهُ النَّاسَ كُلَّهُمْ جَرَى لَهُ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ مَاتَ قَالَ وَ إِنْ مَاتَ.

“Whoever teaches something good he will receive a reward for each time his student would practice such knowledge.” Abu Basir has said, “I asked the Imam, ‘Would this apply to the student if he would teach other people?’ The Imam (a.s.) replied, “Yes, it will apply to him even if all people would teach it.” I then asked

مَنْ عَلَّمَ بَابَ هُدًى فَلَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهِ وَ لَا يُنْقَصُ أُولَئِكَ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْئاً وَ مَنْ عَلَّمَ بَابَ ضَلَالٍ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِثْلُ أَوْزَارِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهِ وَ لَا يُنْقَصُ أُولَئِكَ مِنْ أَوْزَارِهِمْ شَيْئاً.

“Whoever teaches a subject of guidance he will receive a reward equal to the rewards of those who would practice such guidance without any reduction in the rewards of the later ones. Whoever would introduce a subject of misguidance he will suffer equal to the suffering due for each time it is practiced without any redu

لَوْ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ مَا فِي طَلَبِ الْعِلْمِ لَطَلَبُوهُ وَ لَوْ بِسَفْكِ الْمُهَجِ‌[3] وَ خَوْضِ اللُّجَجِ‌[4] إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى دَانِيَالَ أَنَّ أَمْقَتَ عَبِيدِي إِلَيَّ الْجَاهِلُ الْمُسْتَخِفُّ بِحَقِّ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ التَّارِكُ لِلِاقْتِدَاءِ بِهِمْ وَ أَنَّ أَحَبَّ عَبِيدِي إِلَيَّ التَّقِيُّ الطَّالِبُ لِلثَّوَابِ الْجَزِيلِ اللَّازِمُ لِلْعُلَمَاءِ التَّابِعُ لِلْحُلَمَاءِ

"If people knew the value of seeking knowledge, they would pursue it even at the cost of shedding their own blood and crossing deep waters. Indeed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed to Daniel: 'The most despised of My servants to Me is the ignorant one who belittles the rights of the scholars and neglects follow

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ تَعَلَّمَ الْعِلْمَ وَ عَمِلَ بِهِ وَ عَلَّمَ لِلَّهِ دُعِيَ فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ عَظِيماً فَقِيلَ تَعَلَّمَ لِلَّهِ وَ عَمِلَ لِلَّهِ وَ عَلَّمَ لِلَّهِ.

“Whoever acquires knowledge and practice what he has learned and teach it to others for the sake of Allah, among the angels of heavens he will be called a great personality. It will be said there: ‘He learned for the sake of Allah, practiced for the sake of Allah and taught it for the sake of Allah.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اطْلُبُوا الْعِلْمَ وَ تَزَيَّنُوا مَعَهُ بِالْحِلْمِ وَ الْوَقَارِ وَ تَوَاضَعُوا لِمَنْ تُعَلِّمُونَهُ الْعِلْمَ وَ تَوَاضَعُوا لِمَنْ طَلَبْتُمْ مِنْهُ الْعِلْمَ وَ لَا تَكُونُوا عُلَمَاءَ جَبَّارِينَ فَيَذْهَبَ بَاطِلُكُمْ بِحَقِّكُمْ.

“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said. “Seek knowledge and beautify it with forbearance and dignity. Be humble to your students and to those from whom you learn. Do not be a tyrant scholar lest your falsehood would destroy the truth in you.”

يَعْنِي بِالْعُلَمَاءِ مَنْ صَدَّقَ فِعْلُهُ قَوْلَهُ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُصَدِّقْ فِعْلُهُ قَوْلَهُ فَلَيْسَ بِعَالِمٍ.

"The meaning of the knowledgable ones (al-'Ulama) are those whose actions testify to the truthfulness of their words and whosever actions are not truthful to their words, then he is not a knowledgable one."

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِالْفَقِيهِ حَقِّ الْفَقِيهِ مَنْ لَمْ يُقَنِّطِ النَّاسَ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنْهُمْ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يُرَخِّصْ لَهُمْ فِي مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ لَمْ يَتْرُكِ الْقُرْآنَ رَغْبَةً عَنْهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي عِلْمٍ لَيْسَ فِيهِ تَفَهُّمٌ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي قِرَاءَةٍ لَيْسَ فِيهَا تَدَبُّرٌ أَلَا لَا خَيْرَ فِي عِبَادَةٍ لَي

“Imam Ali (a.s.) said, ‘Do you want me to describe to you the true Faqih, person who truly has a good understanding of religion? A true Faqih is one who does not cause people to despair from the mercy of Allah and does not make them to be unconcerned about the punishment of Allah, who does not allow them to consider di

إِنَّ مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الْفِقْهِ‌[2] الْحِلْمَ وَ الصَّمْتَ.

“Of the signs of Fiqh, good understanding of religion is forbearance and quietness.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا يَكُونُ السَّفَهُ وَ الْغِرَّةُ فِي قَلْبِ الْعَالِمِ‌[3].

“Foolishness and arrogance are not found in the hearts of the scholars.”

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع يَا مَعْشَرَ الْحَوَارِيِّينَ لِي إِلَيْكُمْ حَاجَةٌ اقْضُوهَا لِي قَالُوا قُضِيَتْ حَاجَتُكَ يَا رُوحَ اللَّهِ فَقَامَ فَغَسَلَ أَقْدَامَهُمْ‌[1] فَقَالُوا كُنَّا نَحْنُ أَحَقَّ بِهَذَا يَا رُوحَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَحَقَّ النَّاسِ بِالْخِدْمَةِ الْعَالِمُ إِنَّمَا تَوَاضَعْتُ هَكَذَا لِكَيْمَا تَتَوَاضَعُوا بَعْدِي فِي النَّاسِ كَتَوَاضُعِي لَكُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ عِيسَى ع بِالتَّوَاضُعِ

Jesus son of Mary (as) has said: “O disciples, I have a need that I request you to fulfill." They said, “Your request is granted, Oh Spirit of God.” Jesus then got up and washed their feet, the disciples then said, “It was upon us to serve you, Oh Spirit of God.” So he said, “Of the people who must serve others are the

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا طَالِبَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّ لِلْعَالِمِ ثَلَاثَ عَلَامَاتٍ الْعِلْمَ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَ الصَّمْتَ وَ لِلْمُتَكَلِّفِ ثَلَاثَ عَلَامَاتٍ يُنَازِعُ مَنْ فَوْقَهُ بِالْمَعْصِيَةِ وَ يَظْلِمُ مَنْ دُونَهُ بِالْغَلَبَةِ وَ يُظَاهِرُ[2] الظَّلَمَةَ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Ma‘bad from the person whom he mentioned from Mu‘awiya ibn Wahab from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following. “Imam Ali (a.s.), would often say, ‘O seekers of knowledge, (note that) a scholar has three signs: Knowledge, forbearance and quietness. An

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِنْ حَقِّ الْعَالِمِ أَنْ لَا تُكْثِرَ عَلَيْهِ السُّؤَالَ وَ لَا تَأْخُذَ بِثَوْبِهِ وَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ عَلَيْهِ وَ عِنْدَهُ قَوْمٌ فَسَلِّمْ عَلَيْهِمْ جَمِيعاً وَ خُصَّهُ بِالتَّحِيَّةِ دُونَهُمْ وَ اجْلِسْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ لَا تَجْلِسْ خَلْفَهُ وَ لَا تَغْمِزْ بِعَيْنِكَ وَ لَا تُشِرْ بِيَدِكَ‌[3] وَ لَا تُكْثِرْ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ قَالَ فُلَانٌ وَ قَالَ فُلَانٌ خِلَافا

"Among the rights of a scholar is that one must not overburden him with many questions nor should one pull on his garment (question excessively). When one would enter in his presence while other people are there one should offer general salutation to all of them and a special greeting directed towards the scholar only.

مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَمُوتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَحَبَّ إِلَى إِبْلِيسَ مِنْ مَوْتِ فَقِيهٍ.

“Of the deaths from among the believers that Satan loves most, is the death of a Faqih (a person knowledgable of islamic laws)."

إِذَا مَاتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْفَقِيهُ ثُلِمَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ ثُلْمَةٌ لَا يَسُدُّهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“When a believer who is a Faqih dies, it causes irreparable damage in the Islamic system."

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ بِقَاعُ الْأَرْضِ‌[1] الَّتِي كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَيْهَا وَ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ الَّتِي كَانَ يُصْعَدُ فِيهَا بِأَعْمَالِهِ وَ ثُلِمَ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ ثُلْمَةٌ لَا يَسُدُّهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ لِأَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الْفُقَهَاءَ حُصُونُ الْإِسْلَامِ كَحِصْنِ سُورِ الْمَدِينَةِ لَهَا.

“(Imam) abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘When a true believer dies the angels and the parts of earth where he worshipped Allah weep because of his death. Also the doors of the heavens through which his good deeds had been taken up weep and it causes an irreparable damage in the Islamic system. It is beca

مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَمُوتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَحَبَّ إِلَى إِبْلِيسَ مِنْ مَوْتِ فَقِيهٍ.

"Of the deaths of the believers that Satan loves most, is the death of a Faqih (a knowledgable person of islamic laws)."

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَبِي كَانَ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَقْبِضُ الْعِلْمَ بَعْدَ مَا يُهْبِطُهُ وَ لَكِنْ يَمُوتُ الْعَالِمُ فَيَذْهَبُ بِمَا يَعْلَمُ فَتَلِيهِمُ الْجُفَاةُ[3] فَيَضِلُّونَ وَ يُضِلُّونَ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ أَصْلٌ.

“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘My father used to say, ‘Allah does not take back the knowledge that He has sent down. But when the scholar dies it takes away his knowledge and after this the unjust ones come and they go astray and mislead people and there is no good in things without basis.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّهُ يُسَخِّي‌[4] نَفْسِي فِي سُرْعَةِ الْمَوْتِ وَ الْقَتْلِ فِينَا قَوْلُ اللَّهِ- أَ وَ لَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا نَأْتِي الْأَرْضَ نَنْقُصُها مِنْ أَطْرافِها[5] وَ هُوَ ذَهَابُ الْعُلَمَاءِ.

that Ali ibn al-Husayn (as) would say, "My soul shows generosity in accepting the quickening of our death or being murdered. It is due to the words of Allah that say, 'Have they not considered that We have taken over the land and reduced its borders?' (13:41) the reference here is to the death of the scholars.”