The Book of Belief and Disbelief

مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِجَدْيٍ أَسَكَ‌[2] مُلْقًى عَلَى مَزْبَلَةٍ مَيْتاً فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِهِ كَمْ يُسَاوِي هَذَا فَقَالُوا لَعَلَّهُ لَوْ كَانَ حَيّاً لَمْ يُسَاوِ دِرْهَماً فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ الَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَلدُّنْيَا أَهْوَنُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ هَذَا الْجَدْيِ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ‌[3].

“The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) once passed by a kid of a goat that was dead, with ears cut and was thrown on the trash collection site of a people. He asked those people how much it was worth. They replied, ‘Even when alive it was worth less than a dirham.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘I swear by the One in whose hand

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً زَهَّدَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ فَقَّهَهُ فِي الدِّينِ وَ بَصَّرَهُ عُيُوبَهَا[1] وَ مَنْ أُوتِيَهُنَّ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ قَالَ لَمْ يَطْلُبْ أَحَدٌ الْحَقَّ بِبَابٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الزُّهْدِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ هُوَ ضِدٌّ لِمَا طَلَبَ أَعْدَاءُ الْحَقِّ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مِمَّا ذَا[2] قَالَ مِنَ الرَّغْبَةِ فِيهَا وَ قَالَ أَ لَا مِنْ صَبَّارٍ كَرِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When Allah wants good for a servant (of Allah) He makes him reduce his interest in worldly matters, grants him good understanding in religion, and shows him his shortcomings. Whoever receives these things receives the good of both this and the next life.’ The Imam then said, ‘For the s

سُئِلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ مَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَةِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ مَعْرِفَةِ رَسُولِهِ ص أَفْضَلَ مِنْ بُغْضِ الدُّنْيَا وَ إِنَّ لِذَلِكَ لَشُعَباً كَثِيرَةً[5] وَ لِلْمَعَاصِي شُعَباً فَأَوَّلُ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْكِبْرُ وَ هِيَ مَعْصِيَةُ إِبْلِيسَ حِينَ‌ أَبى‌ وَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَ كانَ مِنَ الْكافِرِينَ‌ وَ الْحِرْصُ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was asked, ‘Which deed is more meritorious in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy?’ The Imam said, ‘No deed, after knowing Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and the Messenger of Allah is more meritorious than to dislike (and hate) the world. It has many branches. Sins h

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ فِي طَلَبِ الدُّنْيَا إِضْرَاراً بِالْآخِرَةِ وَ فِي طَلَبِ الْآخِرَةِ إِضْرَاراً بِالدُّنْيَا فَأَضِرُّوا بِالدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّهَا أَوْلَى بِالْإِضْرَارِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Seeking worldly benefits amounts to one’s disadvantages of the next world and seeking the advantages of the next world may become losses in the benefits of this world. You must then cause losses to worldly benefits; it is better to suffer worldly losses (than to suffer losses in the n

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع حَدِّثْنِي بِمَا أَنْتَفِعُ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ أَكْثِرْ ذِكْرَ الْمَوْتِ فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يُكْثِرْ إِنْسَانٌ ذِكْرَ الْمَوْتِ إِلَّا زَهِدَ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘(I request you to) teach me a Hadith that can benefit me.’ The Imam said, ‘O abu ‘Ubaydah, speak of death very often. No one speaks of death very often but that it reduces his interest in worldly matters.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَلَكٌ يُنَادِي كُلَّ يَوْمٍ ابْنَ آدَمَ لِدْ لِلْمَوْتِ وَ اجْمَعْ لِلْفَنَاءِ وَ ابْنِ لِلْخَرَابِ‌[6].

Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘There is an angel that announces every day, “O sons of Adam, reproduce for death, accumulate for annihilation and build for destruction.’”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص‌ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا قَدِ ارْتَحَلَتْ مُدْبِرَةً وَ إِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ قَدِ ارْتَحَلَتْ مُقْبِلَةً[7] وَ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا بَنُونَ فَكُونُوا مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ- وَ لَا تَكُونُوا مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ الدُّنْيَا أَلَا وَ كُونُوا مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ فِي الدُّنْيَا الرَّاغِبِينَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَلَا إِنَّ الزَّاهِدِينَ فِي الدُّنْيَا اتَّخَذُوا الْأَرْضَ بِسَاطاً وَ التُّرَابَ فِرَاش

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘The world has begun to move backwards and the next world is moving forward. Each world has its sons. Therefore, you must be of the sons of the next world and not the sons of this world. You must be of those who have reduced their interest in worldly matters and of those seriously in

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَمَحْزُونٌ وَ إِنِّي لَمَشْغُولُ الْقَلْبِ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا شَغَلَكَ وَ مَا حَزَنَ قَلْبَكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّهُ مَنْ دَخَلَ قَلْبَهُ صَافِي‌ خَالِصِ دِينِ اللَّهِ شُغِلَ قَلْبُهُ عَمَّا سِوَاهُ يَا جَابِرُ مَا الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا عَسَى أَنْ تَكُونَ الدُّنْيَا هَلْ هِيَ إِلَّا طَعَامٌ أَكَلْتَهُ أَوْ ثَوْبٌ لَبِسْتَهُ أَوِ امْرَ

“Once I went to visit abu la’ far (a.s.) and he said, ‘O Jabir, I swear by Allah, I am very sad and my heart is pre-occupied.’ I then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has pre-occupied your heart and what is the reason for your sadness?’ The Imam said, ‘O Jabir, if the religion of Allah in

قَالَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ جَزَى اللَّهُ الدُّنْيَا عَنِّي مَذَمَّةً بَعْدَ رَغِيفَيْنِ مِنَ الشَّعِيرِ أَتَغَدَّى بِأَحَدِهِمَا وَ أَتَعَشَّى بِالْآخَرِ وَ بَعْدَ شَمْلَتَيِ الصُّوفِ أَتَّزِرُ بِإِحْدَاهُمَا وَ أَتَرَدَّى بِالْأُخْرَى.

“Abu Dhar, may Allah grant him favors, has said, ‘May Allah renounce the world, on my behalf, except for two loaves of barley bread daily, one for my lunch and the other for my dinner and two woolen pieces of cloth which I use one as a shirt and the other as trousers.’”

كَانَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ يَقُولُ فِي خُطْبَتِهِ يَا مُبْتَغِيَ الْعِلْمِ كَأَنَّ شَيْئاً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا لَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْئاً إِلَّا مَا يَنْفَعُ خَيْرُهُ وَ يَضُرُّ شَرُّهُ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ‌[2] يَا مُبْتَغِيَ الْعِلْمِ لَا يَشْغَلُكَ أَهْلٌ وَ لَا مَالٌ عَنْ نَفْسِكَ أَنْتَ يَوْمَ تُفَارِقُهُمْ كَضَيْفٍ بِتَّ فِيهِمْ ثُمَّ غَدَوْتَ عَنْهُمْ إِلَى غَيْرِهِمْ وَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةُ كَمَنْز

“Abu Dhar, may Allah grant him favors, has said in his sermons, ‘O you who are found of knowledge, consider worldly things as nothing except what is beneficial in it, and its evil is harmful to people except those to whom Allah has done favors. O you who are found of knowledge do not allow your family and property to p

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا لِي وَ لِلدُّنْيَا[3] إِنَّمَا مَثَلِي وَ مَثَلُهَا كَمَثَلِ الرَّاكِبِ رُفِعَتْ لَهُ شَجَرَةٌ فِي يَوْمٍ صَائِفٍ فَقَالَ تَحْتَهَا[4] ثُمَّ رَاحَ وَ تَرَكَهَا.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘What do 1 have to do with the world. My case with the world is like a traveler who finds a tree in his day of journey and uses its shadow for a short rest and then continues for the rest of his journey, leaving the tree behind.’”

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 فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مُوسَى ع يَا مُوسَى لَا تَرْكَنْ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا رُكُونَ الظَّالِمِينَ وَ رُكُونَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَهَا أَباً وَ أُمّاً[6] يَا مُوسَى لَوْ وَكَلْتُكَ إِلَى نَفْسِكَ لِتَنْظُرَ لَهَا إِذاً لَغَلَبَ عَلَيْكَ حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَ زَهْرَتُهَا يَا مُوسَى نَافِسْ‌[7] فِي الْخَيْرِ أَهْلَهُ وَ اسْتَبِقْهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَإِنَّ الْخَيْرَ كَاسْمِهِ وَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the things that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, spoke to Moses was this: “O Moses, do not rely upon the world like the unjust ones or like those who take it as their parents. O Moses, were I to leave you in the care of your own soul, lover of worldly things and its att

إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ص إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ الْحَيَّةِ مَا أَلْيَنَ مَسَّهَا وَ فِي جَوْفِهَا السَّمُّ النَّاقِعُ يَحْذَرُهَا الرَّجُلُ الْعَاقِلُ وَ يَهْوِي إِلَيْهَا الصَّبِيُّ الْجَاهِلُ.

“It is in the book of Ali (a.s.) ‘The example of the world is like a snake which is of soft touch and has deadly poison inside. People of reason stay away from it and ignorant children wish to feel it.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَتَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ يَعِظُهُ أُوصِيكَ وَ نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى مَنْ لَا تَحِلُّ مَعْصِيَتُهُ وَ لَا يُرْجَى غَيْرُهُ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِهِ فَإِنَّ مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ قَوِيَ وَ شَبِعَ وَ رَوِيَ وَ رُفِعَ عَقْلُهُ عَنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا فَبَدَنُهُ مَعَ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَلْبُهُ وَ عَقْلُهُ مُعَايِنُ الْآخِرَةِ فَأَطْفَأَ بِضَوْ

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from abu Jamilah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) wrote to one of his companions to advise him. “I recommend that you and I be pious before the One whose disobedience is not lawful

مَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ مَاءِ الْبَحْرِ كُلَّمَا شَرِبَ مِنْهُ الْعَطْشَانُ ازْدَادَ عَطَشاً حَتَّى يَقْتُلَهُ.

“The case of the world is like the water of the ocean. The more a thirsty person drinks from it, the thirstier he becomes, consequently, it kills him.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ص- لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَى مَا فَاتَكُمْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا لَا يَأْسَى‌[1] أَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى مَا فَاتَهُمْ مِنْ دِينِهِمْ إِذَا أَصَابُوا دُنْيَاهُمْ. بَابٌ‌

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) say, ‘Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) said to his disciples, “O Israelites, do not regret for what you may miss of the world, just as the people of the world (who have no religion) do not regret for what they miss of religion when they find their worldly materials.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي وَ عَظَمَتِي وَ عُلُوِّي وَ ارْتِفَاعِ مَكَانِي لَا يُؤْثِرُ عَبْدٌ هَوَايَ عَلَى هَوَى نَفْسِهِ إِلَّا كَفَفْتُ عَلَيْهِ ضَيْعَتَهُ وَ ضَمَّنْتُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ‌[3] رِزْقَهُ وَ كُنْتُ لَهُ مِنْ وَرَاءِ تِجَارَةِ كُلِّ تَاجِرٍ[4].

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ari has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from abu ‘Ubaydah from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, ‘I swear by My Majesty, Glory, Greatness, Height and the height of My

قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي وَ عَظَمَتِي وَ بَهَائِي وَ عُلُوِّ ارْتِفَاعِي لَا يُؤْثِرُ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ هَوَايَ عَلَى هَوَاهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ أَمْرِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا جَعَلْتُ غِنَاهُ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَ هِمَّتَهُ فِي آخِرَتِهِ وَ ضَمَّنْتُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضَ رِزْقَهُ وَ كُنْتُ لَهُ مِنْ وَرَاءِ تِجَارَةِ كُلِّ تَاجِرٍ.

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I Swear by My Majesty, My Glory, My Greatness, Beauty and Height of My Highness, if anyone of My servant acts as I wish instead of his own wish in anything of worldly matters I will make him feel rich in his soul and concentrate on his affairs of the next life. I gua

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُطْمِحَ بَصَرَكَ‌[5] إِلَى مَنْ فَوْقَكَ فَكَفَى بِمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لِنَبِيِّهِ ص‌ فَلا تُعْجِبْكَ‌ أَمْوالُهُمْ‌ وَ لا أَوْلادُهُمْ‌[1] وَ قَالَ- وَ لا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ‌ إِلى‌ ما مَتَّعْنا بِهِ أَزْواجاً مِنْهُمْ‌ زَهْرَةَ الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا[2] فَإِنْ دَخَلَكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَاذْكُرْ عَيْشَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنَّمَا كَانَ قُوتُهُ الشَّعِيرَ وَ حَ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘You must never allow your eyes aim for one who is above you (in worldly matters that may tempt you wish for his opportunity). The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to His Messenger are enough evidence to support it. “Let not their property and children tempt you. . .

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever asks us for help, we help, and whoever shows himself as rich, even though not so in reality, Allah will make him rich.”’

مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْمَعَاشِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ.

“Whoever is happy with the little sustenance (that Allah has given him), Allah becomes happy with his little good deeds.”

مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ ابْنَ آدَمَ كُنْ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ الْيَسِيرَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ خَفَّتْ مَئُونَتُهُ وَ زَكَتْ مَكْسَبَتُهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ حَدِّ الْفُجُورِ.

“It is written in the Torah: ‘O sons of Adam, be as you like to be. You shall reap as you sow. Whoever becomes happy with Allah for a little amount of sustenance, Allah will accept his little good deeds. Whoever becomes happy with the little but lawful, his expenses become light, his earnings pure and he will be out of

مَنْ لَمْ يُقْنِعْهُ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ إِلَّا الْكَثِيرُ لَمْ يَكْفِهِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ إِلَّا الْكَثِيرُ وَ مَنْ كَفَاهُ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ الْقَلِيلُ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْفِيهِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ الْقَلِيلُ.

“Whoever is not satisfied with anything but a large quantity of sustenance, his deeds will not be enough unless they are a great deal. Whoever is comfortable with little amount of sustenance, even little good deeds will be sufficient for him.”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تُرِيدُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ أَيْسَرَ مَا فِيهَا يَكْفِيكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا تُرِيدُ مَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مَا فِيهَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘O sons of Adam, if you want from the world that much that is sufficient for you, the little that is there will suffice you. However, if you are not satisfied with basic necessities but want more than the basic needs, then the whole thing that is there will not be

اشْتَدَّتْ حَالُ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ لَوْ أَتَيْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَسَأَلْتَهُ‌[1] فَجَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَلَمَّا رَآهُ النَّبِيُّ ص قَالَ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ مَا يَعْنِي غَيْرِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ فَأَعْلَمَهَا فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بَشَرٌ فَأَعْلِمْهُ‌[2] فَأَتَاهُ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ رَس

“At one time, among the companions of the Messenger of Allah, the financial conditions of one man became very difficult and his wife suggested that he see the Messenger of Allah about it. He went to the Holy Prophet and, when the Holy Prophet saw him, he said, ‘Whoever asks us for help, we help, but whoever appears to

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَكُونَ أَغْنَى النَّاسِ فَلْيَكُنْ بِمَا فِي يَدِ اللَّهِ أَوْثَقَ مِنْهُ بِمَا فِي يَدِ غَيْرِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever wants to be the richest among the people, what is with Allah should be more reliable to him than what is in the hands of others.’”

مَنْ قَنِعَ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَغْنَى النَّاسِ.

“Whoever is content with what Allah has given him for his sustenance is the richest person of the people.”

شَكَا رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَنَّهُ يَطْلُبُ فَيُصِيبُ وَ لَا يَقْنَعُ وَ تُنَازِعُهُ نَفْسُهُ إِلَى مَا هُوَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْهُ وَ قَالَ عَلِّمْنِي شَيْئاً أَنْتَفِعْ بِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ كَانَ مَا يَكْفِيكَ يُغْنِيكَ فَأَدْنَى مَا فِيهَا يُغْنِيكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَا يَكْفِيكَ لَا يُغْنِيكَ فَكُلُّ مَا فِيهَا لَا يُغْنِيكَ.

“A man complained before Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) that he works and earns but is not content and his soul’s desires compel him to find more. The man asked the Imam to teach him something to benefit him. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘If it (earnings) is enough for your necessities then it should make you rich. Thus, the mini

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا يُجْزِيهِ كَانَ أَيْسَرُ مَا فِيهَا يَكْفِيهِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْضَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا يُجْزِيهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ يَكْفِيهِ.

“Whoever is content, with worldly matters, with bare necessities, the minimum suffices him. Whoever is not content. with worldly matters, with bare necessities, then nothing will be able to suffice him.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ أَغْبَطِ أَوْلِيَائِي عِنْدِي رَجُلًا خَفِيفَ الْحَالِ‌[1] ذَا حَظٍّ مِنْ صَلَاةٍ أَحْسَنَ عِبَادَةَ رَبِّهِ بِالْغَيْبِ وَ كَانَ غَامِضاً فِي النَّاسِ‌[2] جُعِلَ رِزْقُهُ كَفَافاً فَصَبَرَ عَلَيْهِ عَجِلَتْ مَنِيَّتُهُ‌[3] فَقَلَّ تُرَاثُهُ وَ قَلَّتْ بَوَاكِيهِ.

‘The most envied person among My servants is a man whose needs are light, has a good share in prayer, who performs the worship of his Lord unseen, is obscure among the people, whose expenses are within the limits of bare necessities with which he exercises patience, whose death is quick (like a dead person free from wo

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ طُوبَى لِمَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَ كَانَ عَيْشُهُ كَفَافاً.

“Tuba (a tree in paradise) is for those who have become Muslims and whose expenses are within the limits of bare necessities.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَفَافَ وَ الْكَفَافَ وَ ارْزُقْ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمَالَ وَ الْوَلَدَ[4].

3. Al-Nawfali has narrated from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O Allah, grant Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and those who love Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, chastity in their personality, and sustenance enough for their exact necessities. Gi

مَرَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِرَاعِي إِبِلٍ فَبَعَثَ يَسْتَسْقِيهِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا مَا فِي ضُرُوعِهَا فَصَبُوحُ الْحَيِ‌[5] وَ أَمَّا مَا فِي آنِيَتِنَا فَغَبُوقُهُمْ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- اللَّهُمَّ أَكْثِرْ مَالَهُ وَ وُلْدَهُ ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِرَاعِي غَنَمٍ فَبَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ يَسْتَسْقِيهِ فَحَلَبَ لَهُ مَا فِي ضُرُوعِهَا وَ أَكْفَأَ[1] مَا فِي إِنَائِهِ فِي إِنَاءِ- رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ بَعَثَ إِلَيْهِ بِشَاةٍ وَ قَال

“The Messenger of Allah once passed by a shepherd of camels and asked him for a drink and he said, ‘The milk in their udder is for the morning drink of the people of the village and the milk in the containers is for their evening drink.’ The Messenger of Allah then prayed, ‘O Lord, give him many children and much wealt

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ يَحْزَنُ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِنْ قَتَّرْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَقْرَبُ لَهُ مِنِّي وَ يَفْرَحُ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِنْ وَسَّعْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَبْعَدُ لَهُ مِنِّي.

5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from abu al-Bakhtari from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I find My believing servant depressed if I provide his sustenance in stringent measures; a condition that is closer to

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ أَغْبَطِ أَوْلِيَائِي عِنْدِي عَبْداً مُؤْمِناً ذَا حَظٍّ مِنْ صَلَاحٍ أَحْسَنَ عِبَادَةَ رَبِّهِ وَ عَبَدَ اللَّهَ فِي السَّرِيرَةِ وَ كَانَ غَامِضاً فِي النَّاسِ فَلَمْ يُشَرْ إِلَيْهِ بِالْأَصَابِعِ‌[4] وَ كَانَ رِزْقُهُ كَفَافاً فَصَبَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَعُجِّلَتْ بِهِ الْمَنِيَّةُ فَقَلَّ تُرَاثُهُ وَ قَلَّتْ بَوَاكِيهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘The most enviable among My friends is a believer who has his share of salvation, performs the worship of his Lord well, worships Allah privately, is obscure among people and no finger rises to point him out. His sustenance is only

إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا يُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ رُبَّمَا صَلَّى الصَّلَاةَ أَوْ صَامَ الْيَوْمَ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ اعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ بَعْدَهَا فَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When one of you intends to do a good deed, he should do it without delay; a servant (of Allah) perhaps performs a prayer or fasts for a day, thereupon, it is said to him, “Do whatever you like (other good deeds) after this act, Allah has already granted you forgiveness. (One may n

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ افْتَتِحُوا نَهَارَكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ وَ أَمْلُوا عَلَى حَفَظَتِكُمْ فِي أَوَّلِهِ خَيْراً وَ فِي آخِرِهِ خَيْراً يُغْفَرْ لَكُمْ مَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Begin your day with a good deed, dictate to your guards (angels on both shoulders) good in the beginning and in the end of the day, all that is in between is forgiven if Allah so wills.’”

كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِخَيْرٍ فَبَادِرْ فَإِنَّكَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا يَحْدُثُ.

“My father (a.s.) would say, ‘When you intend to perform a good deed, do not delay; you may not know what happens next.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ مَا يُعَجَّلُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the good deeds that Allah loves is that which is done without delays.’”

إِذَا أَرَدْتَ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَلَا تُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ يَصُومُ الْيَوْمَ الْحَارَّ يُرِيدُ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَيُعْتِقُهُ اللَّهُ بِهِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ لَا تَسْتَقِلَّ مَا يُتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لَوْ شِقَّ تَمْرَةٍ[2].

“When you intend to perform anything good, then do not delay. A man may fast on a hot day and hope thereby to receive what is with Allah, and Allah then sets him free from fire. Do not underestimate the good deeds with which one may seek nearness to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, even if it is a piece of a da

مَنْ هَمَّ بِخَيْرٍ فَلْيُعَجِّلْهُ وَ لَا يُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ رُبَّمَا عَمِلَ الْعَمَلَ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ لَا أَكْتُبُ عَلَيْكَ شَيْئاً أَبَداً وَ مَنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَا يَعْمَلْهَا فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا عَمِلَ الْعَبْدُ السَّيِّئَةَ فَيَرَاهُ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَا وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أَغْفِرُ لَكَ بَعْدَهَا أَبَداً.

“Whoever intends to perform a good deed should act fast and do not delay. Perhaps a servant (of Allah) performs a deed and Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, says, ‘I have granted you forgiveness and will never write down anything against you.’ Whoever intends to perform an evil deed he must not do it. Perhaps a m

إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَلَا تُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رُبَّمَا اطَّلَعَ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَ هُوَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُعَذِّبُكَ بَعْدَهَا أَبَداً وَ إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَا تَعْمَلْهَا فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا اطَّلَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَ هُوَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْمَعْصِيَةِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أَغْفِرُ لَك

“When you intend to perform a good deed, do not delay doing it; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, perhaps finds a servant (of Allah) during a good deed of obedience and He, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, may say, ‘I will never subject you to punishment hereafter.’ If you intend to do an evil deed, you must no

إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ أَوْ صِلَةٍ[1] فَإِنَّ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ شِمَالِهِ شَيْطَانَيْنِ فَلْيُبَادِرْ لَا يَكُفَّاهُ‌[2] عَنْ ذَلِكَ.

“When one of you intends to perform a good deed or establish good relations there will be two Satans, one on each side. He, thus, should perform it immediately before they prevent him from the good deed.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ هَمَّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَلْيُعَجِّلْهُ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ فِيهِ تَأْخِيرٌ فَإِنَّ لِلشَّيْطَانِ فِيهِ نَظْرَةً[3].

‘Whoever intends to perform a good deed he should do it without delay; Satan keeps an eye on anything that is delayed.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَقَّلَ الْخَيْرَ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا- كَثِقْلِهِ فِي مَوَازِينِهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَفَّفَ الشَّرَّ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا كَخِفَّتِهِ فِي مَوَازِينِهِمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ‘Allah has made good deeds heavy for the people of the world like its weight in their balance on the Day of Judgment. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made evil of a light weight on the people of the world just as it will be of a light weight (no value) in their balance on th

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ فِي آخِرِ خُطْبَتِهِ‌ طُوبَى لِمَنْ طَابَ خُلُقُهُ وَ طَهُرَتْ سَجِيَّتُهُ وَ صَلَحَتْ سَرِيرَتُهُ وَ حَسُنَتْ عَلَانِيَتُهُ وَ أَنْفَقَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَمْسَكَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ قَوْلِهِ وَ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Hassan ibn Hamza from his grand father from abu Hamza al-Thumali from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah at the end of his sermon would say, ‘Tuba (a tree in paradise) is for those

مَنْ يَضْمَنُ لِي أَرْبَعَةً بِأَرْبَعَةِ أَبْيَاتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ[1] أَنْفِقْ وَ لَا تَخَفْ فَقْراً وَ أَفْشِ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ اتْرُكِ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ مُحِقّاً وَ أَنْصِفِ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ.

“Whoever likes to guarantee four things for me, I guarantee four homes in paradise. (He should guarantee me) to give charity without fear from his poverty, to speak out loud the greetings of peace in the world and quit excessive argumentation even though he is on the side of right. He must yield to justice for people a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ سَيِّدُ الْأَعْمَالِ ثَلَاثَةٌ إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ حَتَّى لَا تَرْضَى بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا رَضِيتَ لَهُمْ مِثْلَهُ وَ مُوَاسَاتُكَ الْأَخَ‌[2] فِي الْمَالِ وَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ لَيْسَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ فَقَطْ وَ لَكِنْ إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ أ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The masters of good deeds are three things: To yield to justice for people against one’s own soul. So what you do not like to happen to you, do not agree to happen to people also, to cooperate with your fellow believer in matters of properties and to speak of Allah in all conditio

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كَلَامٍ لَهُ‌ أَلَا إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُنْصِفِ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ لَمْ يَزِدْهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا عِزّاً.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said in one of his speeches, ‘You must note that due to a person’s yielding to justice for people against his own self, Allah increases his respect and honor.’”