Repentance

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْهُومَانِ لَا يَشْبَعَانِ‌[1] طَالِبُ دُنْيَا وَ طَالِبُ عِلْمٍ فَمَنِ اقْتَصَرَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى مَا أَحَلَّ اللَّهُ لَهُ سَلِمَ وَ مَنْ تَنَاوَلَهَا مِنْ غَيْرِ حِلِّهَا هَلَكَ إِلَّا أَنْ يَتُوبَ أَوْ يُرَاجِعَ وَ مَنْ أَخَذَ الْعِلْمَ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَ عَمِلَ بِعِلْمِهِ نَجَا وَ مَنْ أَرَادَ بِهِ الدُّنْيَا فَهِيَ حَظُّهُ.

‘Two kinds of people with great appetites do not become satisfied. A person of great appetite for the worldly gains and a person with great appetite for knowledge. In the matters of the worldly gains if one would limit himself to what Allah has made lawful form him he is saved and if one would accumulate such gains in

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ النَّفْسُ هَاهُنَا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى حَلْقِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلْعَالِمِ تَوْبَةٌ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى‌ اللَّهِ‌ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهالَةٍ[1].

“When the soul reaches here, pointing to his throat, there will be no chance for learned persons to repent. He recited this verse; “God will only accept the repentance of those who commit evil in ignorance, if they repent immediately. God is All-knowing and All-wise (4:17)”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَبَى اللَّهُ لِصَاحِبِ الْبِدْعَةِ بِالتَّوْبَةِ قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ كَيْفَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ إِنَّهُ قَدْ أُشْرِبَ قَلْبُهُ حُبَّهَا.

“Allah has rejected repentance of an innovator (in religion).” People asked the holy Prophet as to why is this. The holy Prophet replied, “He (Allah) has quenched his heart with the love of his innovation.”

إِنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ الدَّيَصَانِيَ‌[1] سَأَلَ هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَكَ رَبٌّ فَقَالَ بَلَى قَالَ أَ قَادِرٌ هُوَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَادِرٌ قَاهِرٌ قَالَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَ الدُّنْيَا كُلَّهَا الْبَيْضَةَ لَا تَكْبُرُ الْبَيْضَةُ وَ لَا تَصْغُرُ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ هِشَامٌ النَّظِرَةَ[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ أَنْظَرْتُكَ حَوْلًا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَنْهُ فَرَكِبَ هِشَامٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَ

‘Abdallah al-Daysani asked Hisham ibn al-Hakam, ‘Do you have a God?’” He replied, “Yes, I have a God.” He then asked, “Is He powerful?” Hisham then replied, “Yes, He is powerful and the most powerful One.” The man then asked, “Can He fit the whole world inside an egg without any change in the size of either one?” Hisha

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

لَقَدْ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ- لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَقَدْ خَلَقَ فِيهَا أَوَّلَ نَبِيٍّ يَكُونُ وَ أَوَّلَ وَصِيٍّ يَكُونُ وَ لَقَدْ قَضَى أَنْ يَكُونَ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ لَيْلَةٌ يَهْبِطُ فِيهَا بِتَفْسِيرِ الْأُمُورِ إِلَى مِثْلِهَا مِنَ السَّنَةِ الْمُقْبِلَةِ مَنْ جَحَدَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ رَدَّ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِلْمَهُ لِأَنَّهُ لَا يَقُومُ الْأَنْبِيَاءُ وَ الرُّسُلُ

7. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, Majestic is Whose mention, created the Night of Determination when He first created the world and created in it the first prophet that would come and the first executor of the will (of prophet) that would co

اجْتَمَعْتُ أَنَا وَ الشَّيْخُ أَبُو عَمْرٍو رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ عِنْدَ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ فَغَمَزَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنِ الْخَلَفِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَبَا عَمْرٍو إِنِّي أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ مَا أَنَا بِشَاكٍّ فِيمَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ‌ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهُ فَإِنَّ اعْتِقَادِي وَ دِينِي أَنَّ الْأَرْضَ لَا تَخْلُو مِنْ حُجَّةٍ إِلَّا إِذَا كَانَ قَبْلَ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ بِأَرْ

“I and shaykh abu ‘Amr, may Allah grant him blessings met each other before Ahmad ibn Ishaq. Ahmad ibn Ishaq made an eye gesture to me to ask him about the succeeding Imam. I said to him, “O abu ‘Amr, I like to ask you a question about a matter, although, I do not any doubts in the question I am about to ask. It is my

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ فَيَكْثُرُ عَجَبِي مِنْ أَقْوَامٍ لَا يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ وَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً لَهُمْ أَمَانَةٌ وَ صِدْقٌ وَ وَفَاءٌ وَ أَقْوَامٌ يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ لَا الْوَفَاءُ وَ الصِّدْقُ قَالَ فَاسْتَوَى أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَالِساً فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ كَالْغَضْبَانِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِوَلَاي

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). ’I meet people and it increases my wonders when I find people who do not consider you as their guardians and Imams but they consider so and so as their Imam. However, they are trustworthy, truthful and loyal. I also find people who consider you as their guardian and Imam but are not tha

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ هُوَ دَاخِلٌ وَ أَنَا خَارِجٌ وَ أَخَذَ بِيَدِي ثُمَ‌ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْبَيْتَ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ إِنَّمَا أُمِرَ النَّاسُ أَنْ يَأْتُوا هَذِهِ الْأَحْجَارَ فَيَطُوفُوا بِهَا ثُمَّ يَأْتُونَا فَيُعْلِمُونَا وَلَايَتَهُمْ لَنَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ‌ وَ إِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تابَ‌ وَ آمَنَ وَ عَمِلَ صالِحاً ثُمَّ اهْتَدى‌[1] ثُمَّ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ إِلَى وَلَايَتِنَا ثُمَّ

"I heard Abu Ja'far al-Baqir (as) while I was exiting, and he took my hand and faced the house (Kaaba) and said: 'O Sudair, the people were commanded to come to these stones and perform tawaf around them, then come to us and nd declare their allegiance to us. This is the word of Allah: Indeed, I am the Forgiving for wh

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى- الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ‌ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْناً[6] قَالَ هُمُ الْأَوْصِيَاءُ مِنْ مَخَافَةِ عَدُوِّهِمْ.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most High. “(Among) the servants of the Beneficent God are those who walk gently on the earth . .” (25:63) The Imam (a.s.) said, “They are the executors of the will (The Holy Prophet (s.a) who are afraid of their enemies.” Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from

أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ يَوْماً لا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْواتاً بَلْ أَحْياءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ‌ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص رَسُولُ اللَّهِ مَاتَ شَهِيداً وَ اللَّهِ لَيَأْتِيَنَّكَ فَأَيْقِنْ إِذَا جَاءَكَ فَإِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ غَيْرُ مُتَخَيِّلٍ‌[1] بِهِ فَأَخَذَ عَلِيٌّ بِيَدِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرَاهُ النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) one day said to Abu Bakr, “Do not think of those slain for the cause of God as dead. They are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him.” (3:169) I testify that Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (sw) died as a martyr. He by Allah, will come to you and do have any doubts when he will c

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.

إِنَّكُمْ لَا تَكُونُونَ صَالِحِينَ حَتَّى تَعْرِفُوا وَ لَا تَعْرِفُونَ حَتَّى تُصَدِّقُوا وَ لَا تُصَدِّقُونَ حَتَّى تُسَلِّمُوا أَبْوَاباً أَرْبَعَةً لَا يَصْلُحُ أَوَّلُهَا إِلَّا بِآخِرِهَا ضَلَّ أَصْحَابُ الثَّلَاثَةِ وَ تَاهُوا تَيْهاً بَعِيداً إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ وَ لَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْوَفَاءِ بِالشُّرُوطِ وَ الْعُهُودِ وَ مَنْ وَفَى الل

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from those whom he has mentioned from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “You will not become virtuous until you learn, you will not learn until you af

إِنَّ رَجُلًا رَكِبَ الْبَحْرَ بِأَهْلِهِ فَكُسِرَ بِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَنْجُ مِمَّنْ كَانَ فِي السَّفِينَةِ إِلَّا امْرَأَةُ الرَّجُلِ فَإِنَّهَا نَجَتْ عَلَى لَوْحٍ مِنْ أَلْوَاحِ السَّفِينَةِ حَتَّى أَلْجَأَتْ عَلَى جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ وَ كَانَ فِي تِلْكَ الْجَزِيرَةِ رَجُلٌ يَقْطَعُ الطَّرِيقَ وَ لَمْ يَدَعْ لِلَّهِ حُرْمَةً إِلَّا انْتَهَكَهَا فَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ إِلَّا وَ الْمَرْأَةُ قَائِمَةٌ عَلَى رَأْسِ

“A man once set sail with his people and suffered a shipwreck. Everyone on board died except his wife who clung to a board and landed on an island where there lived a robber who had left no instance of disobedience to Allah but had committed them all. Without knowing anything about the shipwreck he found the woman stan

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ وَ هُوَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِهِ وَ الَّذِي‌ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَا أُعْطِيَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَطُّ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا بِحُسْنِ ظَنِّهِ بِاللَّهِ وَ رَجَائِهِ لَهُ وَ حُسْنِ خُلُقِهِ وَ الْكَفِّ عَنِ اغْتِيَابِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَا يُعَذِّبُ اللَّهُ مُؤْمِناً بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ إِلَّا بِسُوءِ ظَنِّ

2. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from Jamil ibn Salih from Burayd ibn Mu’awiyah from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “We have found in the book of Ali (a.s.) that the Messenger of Allah said from the pulpit, ‘I swear by the One besides Whom no one else deserves to be worshipped, a believer never receives any go

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَثَلُ الْحَرِيصِ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ دُودَةِ الْقَزِّ كُلَّمَا ازْدَادَتْ عَلَى نَفْسِهَا لَفّاً كَانَ أَبْعَدَ لَهَا مِنَ الْخُرُوجِ حَتَّى تَمُوتَ غَمّاً قَالَ وَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ فِيمَا وَعَظَ بِهِ لُقْمَانُ ابْنَهُ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ النَّاسَ قَدْ جَمَعُوا قَبْلَكَ لِأَوْلَادِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَبْقَ مَا جَمَعُوا وَ لَمْ يَبْقَ مَنْ جَمَعُوا لَهُ وَ إِنَّمَا أَنْتَ عَبْدٌ

20. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yahya ibn ‘Aqaba al-Azdi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The case of a person who is greedy in worldly matters is like the case of a silkworm. The more it wraps silk around itself the more difficult it beco

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا أَذْنَبَ الرَّجُلُ خَرَجَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ فَإِنْ تَابَ انْمَحَتْ وَ إِنْ زَادَ زَادَتْ حَتَّى تَغْلِبَ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ فَلَا يُفْلِحُ بَعْدَهَا أَبَداً.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When a man commits a sin a black dot appears in his heart. If he then repents, the dot will disappear, if he commits more sins it will increase until it will take over his heart and he then will never have salvation.’”

قَالَ: مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ إِلَّا وَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةٌ بَيْضَاءُ فَإِذَا أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً خَرَجَ فِي النُّكْتَةِ نُكْتَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ فَإِنْ تَابَ ذَهَبَ ذَلِكَ السَّوَادُ وَ إِنْ تَمَادَى فِي الذُّنُوبِ‌[1] زَادَ ذَلِكَ السَّوَادُ حَتَّى يُغَطِّيَ الْبَيَاضَ فَإِذَا غَطَّى الْبَيَاضَ لَمْ يَرْجِعْ صَاحِبُهُ إِلَى خَيْرٍ أَبَداً وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- كَلَّا بَلْ رانَ عَلى‌ قُلُوبِهِمْ ما كانُوا يَكْسِب

“In the heart of every servant (of Allah) there is a white dot. When he commits a sin a black dot appears in the white one. If he repents the black dot goes away, but if he continues committing sins the black dot enlarges until it covers the white dot and when the white dot is covered the person thereafter does not ret

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

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

الْإِصْرَارُ هُوَ أَنْ يُذْنِبَ الذَّنْبَ فَلَا يَسْتَغْفِرَ اللَّهَ وَ لَا يُحَدِّثَ نَفْسَهُ بِتَوْبَةٍ فَذَلِكَ الْإِصْرَارُ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, . . and who do not knowingly persist in their mistakes,’ (3:135) the Imam said, ‘Persistence is when one commits and does not ask forgiveness from Allah nor say anything to himself about repentance. Such attitude is persistence in sin.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ لَا يَحْسُدْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً إِنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ كَانَ مِنْ شَرَائِعِهِ السَّيْحُ فِي الْبِلَادِ[2] فَخَرَجَ فِي بَعْضِ سَيْحِهِ وَ مَعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ قَصِيرٌ وَ كَانَ كَثِيرَ اللُّزُومِ لِعِيسَى ع فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى عِيسَى إِلَى الْبَحْرِ قَالَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ بِصِحَّةِ يَقِينٍ مِنْهُ فَمَشَى عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْمَاءِ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ الْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Be pious before Allah and do not envy each other. It was in the Shari’a of Jesus to travel in the land. During one of his journeys one of his companions, who was of short height, accompanied him very often. When they reached the sea, Jesus with correct certainty said, ‘(I begin) i

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ بَيْنَمَا مُوسَى ع جَالِساً إِذْ أَقْبَلَ إِبْلِيسُ وَ عَلَيْهِ بُرْنُسٌ ذُو أَلْوَانٍ فَلَمَّا دَنَا مِنْ مُوسَى ع خَلَعَ الْبُرْنُسَ وَ قَامَ إِلَى مُوسَى فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى مَنْ أَنْتَ فَقَالَ أَنَا إِبْلِيسُ قَالَ أَنْتَ فَلَا قَرَّبَ اللَّهُ دَارَكَ‌[2] قَالَ إِنِّي إِنَّمَا جِئْتُ لِأُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْكَ لِمَكَانِكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى ع فَمَا هَذَا ا

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Once Moses was sitting when Satan came to him with a many-colored hooded cloak on him. When he approached Moses he took his cloak off, stood nearby, and offered him the greeting of peace. Moses asked, ‘Who are you?’ He replied, ‘I am Satan.’ Moses said, ‘Is it you? May Allah not bring

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَبَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِصَاحِبِ الْخُلُقِ السَّيِّئِ بِالتَّوْبَةِ قِيلَ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ لِأَنَّهُ إِذَا تَابَ مِنْ ذَنْبٍ وَقَعَ فِي ذَنْبٍ أَعْظَمَ مِنْهُ.

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, refuses to accept the repentance of a person of bad conduct.’ It was asked, ‘Why is it so, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘It is because when he repents from a sin he falls into a greater sin.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي لَمْ أَزَلْ وَالِياً مُنْذُ زَمَنِ الْحَجَّاجِ إِلَى يَوْمِي هَذَا فَهَلْ لِي مِنْ تَوْبَةٍ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ ثُمَّ أَعَدْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَا حَتَّى تُؤَدِّيَ إِلَى كُلِّ ذِي حَقٍّ حَقَّهُ.

‘I have been working as a governor from the time of al-Hajjaj to this time, can my repentance be accepted?’ The Imam remained quiet. I repeated my question and then he said, ‘No, until you pay back everything that you owe to the people.’”

مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَظْلِمُ بِمَظْلِمَةٍ إِلَّا أَخَذَهُ اللَّهُ بِهَا فِي نَفْسِهِ وَ مَالِهِ وَ أَمَّا الظُّلْمُ الَّذِي بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا تَابَ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever does injustice (financially) Allah takes it (recompense) from his life or property. However, the injustice that is between him and Allah, Allah forgives it if he repents.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ أَصْنَافٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ تَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَكْتُبَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا أَكْتُبُ قَالَ اكْتُبْ أَهْلَ الْوَعِيدِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَهْلِ النَّارِ[1] وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ اعْتَرَفُوا بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلًا صالِحاً وَ آخَرَ سَيِّئاً[2] قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ وَحْشِيٌّ مِنْهُمْ‌[3] قَالَ وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لِأ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘People are of six categories.’ I then asked, ‘Can I write them down?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ I then asked, ‘What should I write?’ The Imam said, ‘Write down: the people promised paradise and those warned against the fire (but ignored it). Write down, “. . . others o

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتِّ فِرَقٍ يَئُولُونَ‌[6] كُلُّهُمْ إِلَى ثَلَاثِ فِرَقٍ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الضَّلَالِ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الْوَعْدَيْنِ‌[7] الَّذِينَ وَعَدَهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ الْجَنَّةَ وَ النَّارَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ الْكَافِرُونَ وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُونَ وَ الْمُرْجَوْنَ‌ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ‌ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَ إِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ‌ وَ الْمُعْتَرِفُونَ‌ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلً

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Ubayd from Yunus from Hammad from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “People are of six categories. All of them come from three groups: people of belief, disbelief and straying. All three are the people of two promises.

بُنِيَ الْكُفْرُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ- الْفِسْقِ‌[3] وَ الْغُلُوِّ وَ الشَّكِّ وَ الشُّبْهَةِ وَ الْفِسْقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْجَفَاءِ وَ الْعَمَى وَ الْغَفْلَةِ وَ الْعُتُوِّ[4] فَمَنْ جَفَا احْتَقَرَ الْحَقَ‌[5] وَ مَقَتَ الْفُقَهَاءَ وَ أَصَرَّ عَلَى الْحِنْثِ الْعَظِيمِ‌ وَ مَنْ عَمِيَ نَسِيَ الذِّكْرَ وَ اتَّبَعَ الظَّنَّ وَ بَارَزَ خَالِقَهُ‌[6] وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ وَ طَلَبَ الْمَغْف

“Disbelief is established on four pillars: Sinfulness, Extremism, Doubt and Skepticism. Sinfulness has four branches: harshness of manners, blindness of heart, neglect, and arrogance. Whoever behaves in a harsh manner belittles the truth, hates the people of profound understanding and persists in great sins. Whoever be

قَالَ: وَ النِّفَاقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الْهَوَى وَ الْهُوَيْنَا وَ الْحَفِيظَةِ وَ الطَّمَعِ‌[8] فَالْهَوَى عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْبَغْيِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ الشَّهْوَةِ وَ الطُّغْيَانِ- فَمَنْ‌ بَغَى كَثُرَتْ غَوَائِلُهُ وَ تُخُلِّيَ مِنْهُ وَ قُصِرَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ مَنِ اعْتَدَى لَمْ يُؤْمَنْ بَوَائِقُهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ قَلْبُهُ وَ لَمْ يَمْلِكْ نَفْسَهُ عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْذِلْ

“‘Hypocrisy has four pillars: Desire, Neglect, Resentment and Greed. “Desire is of four branches: disproportionate behavior, transgression, lust and insubordination. Whoever behaves disproportionately faces great risks, remains lonely and without supporters. Whoever transgresses does not remain immune to harmful conseq

قُلْتُ إِنَّا لَنَرَى الرَّجُلَ لَهُ عِبَادَةٌ وَ اجْتِهَادٌ وَ خُشُوعٌ وَ لَا يَقُولُ بِالْحَقِّ فَهَلْ يَنْفَعُهُ ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ أَهْلِ الْبَيْتِ مَثَلُ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ كَانُوا فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَ لَا يَجْتَهِدُ أَحَدٌ مِنْهُمْ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً إِلَّا دَعَا فَأُجِيبَ وَ إِنَّ رَجُلًا مِنْهُمُ اجْتَهَدَ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ثُمَّ دَعَا فَلَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لَهُ فَأ

“Once I said to one of (two Imam) (a.s.) ‘We find a man who worships, and strives with humility but does not believe in the truth (Shi’a belief). Will it be of any benefit for him?’ The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, the case of AM al-Bayt (of Muhammad) is like that AM al-Bayt in the family of Israel. An individual of tha

قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِي مُنَاكَحَةِ النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي قَدْ بَلَغْتُ مَا تَرَاهُ وَ مَا تَزَوَّجْتُ قَطُّ فَقَالَ وَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُنِي إِلَّا أَنَّنِي أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا تَحِلَّ لِي مُنَاكَحَتُهُمْ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي فَقَالَ فَكَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ وَ أَنْتَ شَابٌّ أَ تَصْبِرُ قُلْتُ أَتَّخِذُ الْجَوَارِيَ قَالَ فَهَاتِ الْآنَ فَبِمَا تَسْتَحِلُّ الْجَوَارِيَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ الْأَمَةَ لَيْس

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from a man from Zurara who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘What do you say about marriage of the people. I have reached this age as you can see and I am not married yet.’ The Imam asked, ‘What prevents you from becoming married?’

قَوْمٌ كَانُوا مُشْرِكِينَ فَقَتَلُوا مِثْلَ حَمْزَةَ وَ جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَشْبَاهَهُمَا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمْ دَخَلُوا فِي الْإِسْلَامِ فَوَحَّدُوا اللَّهَ وَ تَرَكُوا الشِّرْكَ وَ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا الْإِيمَانَ بِقُلُوبِهِمْ فَيَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةُ وَ لَمْ يَكُونُوا عَلَى جُحُودِهِمْ فَيَكْفُرُوا فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ النَّارُ فَهُمْ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ‌ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَ

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . there are others who have no good deeds for which they may receive any reward or sins for which they may be punished. Their fate will be in the hands of Allah. Allah is All-knowing and All-wise,’ (9:106) the Imam said, ‘Certain people were pagans. They

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ الْمُرْجَوْنَ قَوْمٌ كَانُوا مُشْرِكِينَ فَقَتَلُوا مِثْلَ حَمْزَةَ وَ جَعْفَرٍ وَ أَشْبَاهَهُمَا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمْ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ دَخَلُوا فِي الْإِسْلَامِ فَوَحَّدُوا اللَّهَ وَ تَرَكُوا الشِّرْكَ وَ لَمْ يَكُونُوا يُؤْمِنُونَ فَيَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ لَمْ يُؤْمِنُوا فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ الْجَنَّةُ وَ لَمْ يَكْفُرُوا فَتَجِبَ لَهُمُ النَّارُ فَهُمْ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Al- Murjawn were a pagan people. They murdered people like Hamza and Ja’far and similar persons from the believers. Then they accepted Islam. They accepted Allah only. They gave up paganism, but did not believe to be among believing people. They did not believe to deserve paradise. They we

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ الَّذِينَ‌ خَلَطُوا عَمَلًا صالِحاً وَ آخَرَ سَيِّئاً فَأُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ مُؤْمِنُونَ يُحْدِثُونَ فِي إِيمَانِهِمْ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ الَّتِي يَعِيبُهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ يَكْرَهُونَهَا فَأُولَئِكَ‌ عَسَى اللَّهُ أَنْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ‌[2].

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘Those who have mixed good deeds with bad deeds’ are a believing people. They create in their belief such things, due to sins, that believing people censure and dislike. They are as such that perhaps Allah may accept their repentance.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ لَمْ يَهْلِكْ عَلَى اللَّهِ بَعْدَهُنَّ إِلَّا هَالِكٌ‌[4]- يَهُمُّ الْعَبْدُ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَيَعْمَلُهَا فَإِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَسَنَةً بِحُسْنِ نِيَّتِهِ وَ إِنْ هُوَ عَمِلَهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَشْراً وَ يَهُمُّ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ أَنْ يَعْمَلَهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If four things are found in a person Allah will not allow his destruction to take place unless he is one of those doomed to destruction: (1) a servant (of Allah) intends to perform a good deed and actually does it, (2) even if he does not do it Allah still writes for him one good deed

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا تَابَ الْعَبْدُ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ‌[2]- فَسَتَرَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَقُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يَسْتُرُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يُنْسِي مَلَكَيْهِ مَا كَتَبَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ يُوحِي إِلَى جَوَارِحِهِ اكْتُمِي عَلَيْهِ ذُنُوبَهُ وَ يُوحِي إِلَى بِقَاعِ الْأَرْضِ اكْتُمِي مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ عَلَيْكِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَيَلْقَى اللَّهَ حِينَ يَل

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When a servant (of Allah) repents in the form of the repentance of Nasuh (sincere advise to one’s soul, or name of a person who repented in the real sense), Allah then loves him, covers and protects him in this world and in the next life.’ 1 then asked, ‘How will He cover him?’ Th

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

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً[2] قَالَ يَتُوبُ الْعَبْدُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ لَا يَعُودُ فِيهِ. - قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفُضَيْلِ‌ سَأَلْتُ عَنْهَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ يَتُوبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ لَا يَعُودُ فِيهِ وَ أَحَبُّ الْعِبَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى الْمُفَتَّنُونَ التَّوَّابُونَ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, turn to Allah in repentance, in a Nasuh manner, with the intention of never repeating the same sin.’ (66:8) The Imam said, ‘It means a servant (of Allah) repents from sins and never repeats them. ’ “Muhammad ibn a

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً قَالَ هُوَ الذَّنْبُ‌[3] الَّذِي لَا يَعُودُ فِيهِ أَبَداً قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّنَا لَمْ يَعُدْ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْمُفَتَّنَ التَّوَّابَ.

“In a Nasuh manner,” with the intention of never repeating the same sin.’ (66:8) The Imam said, ‘It is the sin that one never repeats.’ I then asked, ‘Who among us does not repeat?’ The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, of His servants Allah loves those who are put to trial and the ones who repent very often.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْطَى التَّائِبِينَ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَى خَصْلَةً مِنْهَا جَمِيعَ أَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ لَنَجَوْا بِهَا قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ‌[5] فَمَنْ أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَ مَنْ حَوْلَهُ‌ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ‌ ... وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِين

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from certain individuals of our people in a marfu ’ manner from the Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has given three things to the repenting people. Had any of it been given to all of those in the heaven

يَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ مُسْلِمٍ ذُنُوبُ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا تَابَ مِنْهَا مَغْفُورَةٌ لَهُ فَلْيَعْمَلِ الْمُؤْمِنُ لِمَا يَسْتَأْنِفُ بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ إِلَّا لِأَهْلِ الْإِيمَانِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ عَادَ بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ عَادَ فِي التَّوْبَةِ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ مُسْلِمٍ أَ تَرَى الْعَبْدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَنْدَمُ عَلَى ذَنْبِهِ وَ

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘O Muhammad ibn Muslim, if believing people repent for their sins they will be forgiven. Believing people must resume their good deeds after repentance and forgiveness. By Allah, this is only for the believers.’ I then asked, ‘What if he goes back to sin after repenting and asking for forg

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِذا مَسَّهُمْ طائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطانِ‌ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ‌[1] قَالَ هُوَ الْعَبْدُ يَهُمُّ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ يَتَذَكَّرُ فَيُمْسِكُ فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ‌ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ‌.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘When a Satanic thought starts to bother the pious ones, they understand and see the light.’ (7:201) The Imam said, ‘It means that a servant (of Allah) intends to commit an evil deed then he realizes it and holds back and tha

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَشَدُّ فَرَحاً بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَضَلَّ رَاحِلَتَهُ وَ زَادَهُ‌[2] فِي لَيْلَةٍ ظَلْمَاءَ فَوَجَدَهَا فَاللَّهُ أَشَدُّ فَرَحاً بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلِ بِرَاحِلَتِهِ حِينَ وَجَدَهَا.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most High, is more pleased for the repentance of His servant than one who loses his animals, that carry his load and supplies, in a dark night and then finds them out. Allah is more pleased for the repentance of His servant than the person who finds his lost properties.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْعَبْدَ الْمُفَتَّنَ التَّوَّابَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ‌[3] كَانَ أَفْضَلَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah loves the servant who is put to trial (by sin) and repents, however, one without such (sinful) condition is better.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ‌[4] وَ الْمُقِيمُ عَلَى الذَّنْبِ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَغْفِرٌ مِنْهُ كَالْمُسْتَهْزِئِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘A person repenting from sins is like one who has not sinned. One who persists in sin and asks forgiveness is like one contemptuous of it (repentance).”’

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْحَى إِلَى‌ دَاوُدَ ع أَنِ ائْتِ عَبْدِي دَانِيَالَ فَقُلْ لَهُ إِنَّكَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ‌[1] وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ فَإِنْ أَنْتَ عَصَيْتَنِيَ الرَّابِعَةَ لَمْ أَغْفِرْ لَكَ فَأَتَاهُ دَاوُدُ ع فَقَالَ يَا دَانِيَالُ إِنَّنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنَّكَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَك

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and a number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad all from ibn Mahbub from abu Hamza from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelation to David, ‘Meet My servant Daniel and say to him, ‘You have disobe

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا تَابَ الْعَبْدُ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ فَسَتَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يَسْتُرُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يُنْسِي مَلَكَيْهِ مَا كَانَا يَكْتُبَانِ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُوحِي اللَّهُ إِلَى جَوَارِحِهِ وَ إِلَى بِقَاعِ الْأَرْضِ أَنِ اكْتُمِي عَلَيْهِ ذُنُوبَهُ فَيَلْقَى اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ يَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ‌[3

‘When a servant (of Allah) repents in the form of the repentance of Nasuh (sincerely repenting) Allah loves him and covers him up.’ I then asked, ‘How does he cover him up?’ The Imam said, ‘He makes his two angels forget whatever they have written against him and Allah sends inspiration to the parts of his body and to

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَفْرَحُ بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا تَابَ كَمَا يَفْرَحُ أَحَدُكُمْ بِضَالَّتِهِ إِذَا وَجَدَهَا[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The repentance of a servant (of Allah) from sins pleases Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, more than a person’s finding a dearly cherished thing that he has lost.’”

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَقُلْتُ أَ كَانَ يَقُولُ- أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ كَانَ يَقُولُ- أَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌[1] قُلْتُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَتُوبُ وَ لَا يَعُودُ وَ نَحْنُ نَتُوبُ وَ نَعُودُ فَقَالَ‌ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعانُ‌.

“The Messenger of Allah would plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, seventy times every day.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Would he say, ‘I ask Allah to forgive me and I turn to Him in repentance?’ The Imam said, ‘He, however, would say, ‘I return to Allah.’ I then said, ‘The Messenger of Allah would y

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً أُجِّلَ فِيهَا سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ‌[2].

“If one commits a sin he is given seven hours time during the day. If he says, ‘I plead before Allah, besides whom no one deserves to be worshipped, the living, the controlling power (over creation) and turn to Him in repentance - three times - nothing will be written against him.’”