The Book of Belief and Disbelief

ثَلَاثَةٌ هُمْ أَقْرَبُ الْخَلْقِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنَ الْحِسَابِ رَجُلٌ لَمْ تَدْعُهُ قُدْرَةٌ[1] فِي حَالِ غَضَبِهِ إِلَى أَنْ يَحِيفَ عَلَى مَنْ تَحْتَ يَدِهِ وَ رَجُلٌ مَشَى بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ فَلَمْ يَمِلْ مَعَ أَحَدِهِمَا عَلَى الْآخَرِ بِشَعِيرَةٍ وَ رَجُلٌ قَالَ بِالْحَقِّ فِيمَا لَهُ وَ عَلَيْهِ.

“Three people of all creatures will be the closest to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, on the Day of Judgment until all accounting is finished: a man whose power does not lead him in anger to do injustice to his subjects, a man who mediates between two people and does not lean toward anyone of them even to the

فِي حَدِيثٍ لَهُ‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَشَدِّ مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ فَذَكَرَ ثَلَاثَةَ أَشْيَاءَ أَوَّلُهَا إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ.

“In a Hadith he has said, ‘What is the most forceful obligation from Allah upon His creatures? I must ask you.’ The Imam mentioned three things of which the first was yielding to justice for people against one’s own soul.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سَيِّدُ الْأَعْمَالِ إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ وَ مُوَاسَاةُ الْأَخِ فِي اللَّهِ‌[2] وَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى كُلِّ حَالٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The masters of deeds are yielding to justice for people against your own soul, cooperation with your fellow believers for the sake of Allah and to speak of and remember Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in all conditions.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكَ بِأَشَدِّ مَا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ ثَلَاثٌ‌[3] قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ وَ مُوَاسَاتُكَ أَخَاكَ وَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ فِي كُلِّ مَوْطِنٍ أَمَا إِنِّي لَا أَقُولُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ هَذَا مِنْ ذَاكَ وَ لَكِنْ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ فِي كُلِّ مَوْط

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘Should I tell you about what Allah has emphatically made obligatory on His creatures (are three things)?’ I said, ‘Yes, please do so.’ The Imam said, ‘You must yield to justice for people against your own soul, cooperate with your fellow believers, and speak of and remember Allah

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا ابْتُلِيَ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَشَدَّ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خِصَالٍ ثَلَاثٍ يُحْرَمُهَا قِيلَ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ فِي ذَاتِ‌ يَدِهِ وَ الْإِنْصَافُ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ كَثِيراً أَمَا إِنِّي لَا أَقُولُ- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ لَكِنْ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عِنْدَ مَا أَحَلَّ لَهُ وَ ذِكْرُ اللَّهِ عِنْدَ مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْهِ.

‘The believer is not tried with anything more difficult than three depriving things.’ It was asked, ‘What are they?’ The Imam said, ‘They are to cooperate with one who has an established relation with you with whatever financial means available, to yield to justice for people against one’s own soul and to speak of and

جَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ بَعْضَ غَزَوَاتِهِ فَأَخَذَ بِغَرْزِ[1] رَاحِلَتِهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي عَمَلًا أَدْخُلُ بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَالَ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْكَ‌[2] فَأْتِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ مَا كَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْكَ فَلَا تَأْتِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ خَلِّ سَبِيلَ الرَّاحِلَةِ.

“Once an Arab man came to the Holy Prophet when he was about to leave for an armed campaign. The Arab held on to the harness of the horse of the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me a deed with which I can go to paradise.’ He said, ‘Do to people what you like them to do to you, and do not do anything

الْعَدْلُ أَحْلَى مِنَ الْمَاءِ يُصِيبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَا أَوْسَعَ الْعَدْلَ إِذَا عُدِلَ فِيهِ‌[4] وَ إِنْ قَلَّ.

“Justice is sweeter than water for a thirsty man. How vast is justice if exercised on an issue, even if it is a little one!”

مَنْ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ رُضِيَ بِهِ حَكَماً لِغَيْرِهِ.

“Whoever yields to justice for people against his own soul is accepted to judge others’ cases.”

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى آدَمَ ع أَنِّي سَأَجْمَعُ لَكَ الْكَلَامَ فِي أَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ وَاحِدَةٌ لِي وَ وَاحِدَةٌ لَكَ وَ وَاحِدَةٌ فِيمَا بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ وَ وَاحِدَةٌ فِيمَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ بَيِّنْهُنَّ لِي حَتَّى أَعْلَمَهُنَّ قَالَ أَمَّا الَّتِي لِي فَتَعْبُدُنِي‌ لا تُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئاً وَ أَمَّا الَّتِي لَكَ فَأَجْزِيكَ بِعَمَلِكَ

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Yusuf ibn ‘Imran ibn Maytham from Ya’qub ibn Shu’ayb from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent a revelation to Adam that said, ‘I will gather together all words fo

اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ اعْدِلُوا فَإِنَّكُمْ تَعِيبُونَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ لَا يَعْدِلُونَ.

“Be pious before Allah and practice justice; you blame other people for not doing justice to others.”

الْعَدْلُ أَحْلَى مِنَ الشَّهْدِ وَ أَلْيَنُ مِنَ الزُّبْدِ وَ أَطْيَبُ رِيحاً مِنَ الْمِسْكِ.

“Justice is sweeter than honey, softer than butter and smells sweeter than musk.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَ فِي ظِلِّ عَرْشِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ مَا هُوَ سَائِلُهُمْ وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يُقَدِّمْ رِجْلًا وَ لَمْ يُؤَخِّرْ رِجْلًا حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لِلَّهِ رِضًا وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يَعِبْ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ بِعَيْبٍ حَتَّى يَنْفِيَ ذَلِكَ الْعَيْبَ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَإِنَّهُ ل

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three things, or even one of them, will have a place under the shadow of the Throne of Allah on the Day when nothing will have any shadows (protective shelter). A man who gives to others what he asks from them, one who does not prevent another man from a forward position o

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ وَاسَى الْفَقِيرَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ فَذَلِكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ حَقّاً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comforts the poor with his property and yields to justice for people against his own soul indeed is a believer.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا تَدَارَأَ[3] اثْنَانِ فِي أَمْرٍ قَطُّ فَأَعْطَى أَحَدُهُمَا النَّصَفَ صَاحِبَهُ فَلَمْ يَقْبَلْ مِنْهُ إِلَّا أُدِيلَ مِنْهُ‌[4].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘If two people disagree in something, one of them gives half as much to his companion, but if he would not accept, it will be compensated for him (recipient of more than half for his injustice).’”

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ جَنَّةً لَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةٌ أَحَدُهُمْ مَنْ حَكَمَ فِي نَفْسِهِ بِالْحَقِّ.

‘Allah has a paradise wherein no one is admitted except three kinds of people of whom one is he who judges himself with the truth.”

الْعَدْلُ أَحْلَى مِنَ الْمَاءِ يُصِيبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَا أَوْسَعَ الْعَدْلَ إِذَا عُدِلَ فِيهِ وَ إِنْ قَلَ‌[1].

“Justice is sweeter than water is for a thirsty man. How vast is justice when it is practiced in an issue even though it would be very little!”

شَرَفُ الْمُؤْمِنِ قِيَامُ اللَّيْلِ وَ عِزُّهُ اسْتِغْنَاؤُهُ عَنِ النَّاسِ.

“The nobility of the believer is in his worship at night and his honor is in his independence from people.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ لَا يَسْأَلَ رَبَّهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ فَلْيَيْأَسْ‌[2] مِنَ النَّاسِ كُلِّهِمْ وَ لَا يَكُونُ لَهُ رَجَاءٌ إِلَّا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ قَلْبِهِ لَمْ يَسْأَلِ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If any of you would like not to be rejected when asking his Lord (Allah) for something, you must abolish all of your hope in people and place your hope in no one except Allah. When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, finds this in one’s heart. He then will not reject one’s prayers

رَأَيْتُ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ قَدِ اجْتَمَعَ فِي قَطْعِ الطَّمَعِ عَمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْجُ النَّاسَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ رَدَّ أَمْرَهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِهِ اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ.

“I saw all good gathered together in cutting off of yearning for what belongs to people and in not having any hope in people in anything and in leaving his affairs in the hands of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in all matters. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will answer him in all things.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ طَلَبُ الْحَوَائِجِ إِلَى النَّاسِ اسْتِلَابٌ‌[3] لِلْعِزِّ وَ مَذْهَبَةٌ لِلْحَيَاءِ وَ الْيَأْسُ مِمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ عِزٌّ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ‌ فِي دِينِهِ وَ الطَّمَعُ هُوَ الْفَقْرُ الْحَاضِرُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘Asking people for help is seeking to abolish one’s respect, as well as one’s bashfulness. Placing no hope in what is in the hands of people is dignity for a believer in his religion and greed is poverty at hand.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ اكْتُبْ لِي إِلَى إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ الْكَاتِبِ لَعَلِّي أُصِيبُ مِنْهُ قَالَ أَنَا أَضَنُّ بِكَ أَنْ تَطْلُبَ مِثْلَ هَذَا وَ شِبْهَهُ‌[1] وَ لَكِنْ عَوِّلْ عَلَى مَالِي‌[2].

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, please write for me to Isma’il ibn Dawud al-Katib. 1 hope I will receive something from him.’ The Imam said, ‘I resent that you ask from him or similar persons. Allow it (financial help) to be paid from my property.’”

الْيَأْسُ مِمَّا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ عِزُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي دِينِهِ أَ وَ مَا سَمِعْتَ قَوْلَ حَاتِمٍ- إِذَا مَا عَزَمْتَ الْيَأْسَ أَلْفَيْتَهُ الْغِنَى‌ إِذَا عَرَّفْتَهُ النَّفْسَ وَ الطَّمَعُ الْفَقْرُ

“A believer’s having no hope in (what is in the hands of) people, is his respect and power in his religion. Have you not heard the words of Hatim, ‘When I decided not to have any hope I found it to be independence, when I made the soul to know it. Greed is poverty?”’ (The quote is due to its popularity not as evidence)

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ لِيَجْتَمِعْ فِي قَلْبِكَ الِافْتِقَارُ إِلَى النَّاسِ وَ الِاسْتِغْنَاءُ عَنْهُمْ فَيَكُونَ افْتِقَارُكَ إِلَيْهِمْ فِي لِينِ كَلَامِكَ وَ حُسْنِ بِشْرِكَ وَ يَكُونَ اسْتِغْنَاؤُكَ عَنْهُمْ فِي نَزَاهَةِ عِرْضِكَ وَ بَقَاءِ عِزِّكَ‌[5]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ عُمَرَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘In your heart you must have both hope in people and independence from them. Your hope and need in people must be in the form of speaking to them softly and with a delightful appearance. Your independence from them must be in the form of maintaining dignity and sa

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ ذِكْرُهُ- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ‌ وَ الْأَرْحامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيباً[1] قَالَ فَقَالَ هِيَ أَرْحَامُ النَّاسِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَمَرَ بِصِلَتِهَا وَ عَظَّمَهَا أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّهُ جَعَلَهَا مِنْهُ‌[2].

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, Most Glorious is Whose name, ‘. . . have fear of the One by whose name you swear to settle your differences and have respect for your relatives. Allah certainly keeps watch over you.’ (4:1) “The Imam said, ‘It refers to the relatives of people. Allah, the Most Maj

قَالَ بَلَغَنِي عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَهْلُ بَيْتِي أَبَوْا إِلَّا تَوَثُّباً عَلَيَّ وَ قَطِيعَةً لِي وَ شَتِيمَةً[3] فَأَرْفُضُهُمْ قَالَ إِذاً يَرْفُضَكُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعاً قَالَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ تُعْطِي مَنْ حَرَمَكَ وَ تَعْفُو عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ ظَهِ

“It is narrated to me from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, my family has refused to do anything for me but to cut off and abuse me, and I also want to reject them.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘If you do so, Allah will reject all of you.’

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ يَكُونُ الرَّجُلُ يَصِلُ رَحِمَهُ فَيَكُونُ قَدْ بَقِيَ مِنْ عُمُرِهِ ثَلَاثُ سِنِينَ فَيُصَيِّرُهَا اللَّهُ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ ما يَشاءُ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) has said, ‘A man who maintains good relations with his relatives, if he may have only three years to live, Allah, because of his good relations with relatives, will prolong his life up to thirty years; Allah does whatever He wants.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُزَكِّي الْأَعْمَالَ‌[4] وَ تُنْمِي الْأَمْوَالَ وَ تَدْفَعُ الْبَلْوَى وَ تُيَسِّرُ الْحِسَابَ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ‌[5].

4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Khattab al-A’War from abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Having good relations with relatives cleanses ones deeds, increases ones wealth, repulses misfortunes, makes reckoning easier and delays the comi

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أُوصِي الشَّاهِدَ مِنْ أُمَّتِي وَ الْغَائِبَ مِنْهُمْ وَ مَنْ فِي أَصْلَابِ الرِّجَالِ وَ أَرْحَامِ النِّسَاءِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ أَنْ يَصِلَ الرَّحِمَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مِنْهُ عَلَى مَسِيرَةِ سَنَةٍ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الدِّينِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘I ask my followers who are present, those who are not present, those in the back of men and in the wombs of women to the Day of Judgment to maintain good relations with their relatives even though they are far away at a distance of one year’s journey; it is part of religion.’”

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ‌[1] وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, opens the ability for generosity, helps one’s soul agree easily to be generous, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الرَّحِمَ مُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي‌[2] وَ هِيَ رَحِمُ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ‌[3] وَ رَحِمُ كُلِّ ذِي رَحِمٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Kindred relations hold fast to the Throne (of the Lord) and say, “Establish those who establish me and cut off those who cut me off. This is the kindred relation of the family of Muhammad (a.s.) that is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, . who maint

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَوَّلُ نَاطِقٍ مِنَ الْجَوَارِحِ- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الرَّحِمُ تَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي فِي الدُّنْيَا فَصِلِ الْيَوْمَ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُ وَ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي فِي الدُّنْيَا فَاقْطَعِ الْيَوْمَ مَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The first among the parts of human body that will speak on the Day of Judgment will be (that through which) kindred relation (comes into being). It will say, “O Lord, keep good relations with those who kept me properly in the worldly life, and cut off in this life Your good relations w

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صِلْ رَحِمَكَ وَ لَوْ بِشَرْبَةٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ وَ أَفْضَلُ مَا تُوصَلُ بِهِ الرَّحِمُ كَفُّ الْأَذَى عَنْهَا وَ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ مَنْسَأَةٌ فِي الْأَجَلِ مَحْبَبَةٌ فِي الْأَهْلِ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintain your kindred relations well even if it is a help with a drink of water. The best in such relations are not to cause any suffering to relatives. Keeping good relations with relatives delays the coming of death and brings love among them.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ الرَّحِمَ مُعَلَّقَةٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Kindred relation will hold to the Throne (of the Lord) on the Day of Judgment and say, “O Lord, establish good relations with those who establish me and cut off good relations with those who cut me off.’”

قَالَ أَبُو ذَرٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ‌ حَافَتَا الصِّرَاطِ[1]- يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الرَّحِمُ وَ الْأَمَانَةُ فَإِذَا مَرَّ الْوَصُولُ لِلرَّحِمِ الْمُؤَدِّي لِلْأَمَانَةِ نَفَذَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِذَا مَرَّ الْخَائِنُ لِلْأَمَانَةِ الْقَطُوعُ لِلرَّحِمِ لَمْ يَنْفَعْهُ مَعَهُمَا عَمَلٌ وَ تَكَفَّأَ بِهِ‌[2] الصِّرَاطُ فِي النَّارِ.

“Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) has said, ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah saying, “On the Day of Judgment the bridge will stand on two pillars: the kindred relations and safe keeping of trust. Those who maintain good relations with relatives and return the trust will pass the bridge safely to paradise but whe

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ‌[3] تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, strengthens the ability to be generous with the pleasure of one’s soul, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُزَكِّي الْأَعْمَالَ وَ تَدْفَعُ الْبَلْوَى وَ تُنْمِي الْأَمْوَالَ وَ تُنْسِئُ لَهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ وَ تُوَسِّعُ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ تُحَبِّبُ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَ لْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ.

13. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Khattab al-‘A’War from abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives cleanses the deeds, repulses misfortunes, increases wealth, delays the coming of death, enlarges ones

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ حُسْنُ الْجِوَارِ يَعْمُرَانِ الدِّيَارَ وَ يَزِيدَانِ فِي الْأَعْمَارِ.

‘Maintaining good relations with relatives, and keeping good neighborly relations develop towns and increase lifespans.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَعْجَلَ الْخَيْرِ ثَوَاباً صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The good deed with the quickest reward is maintaining good relations with relatives.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَرَّهُ النَّسَاءُ فِي الْأَجَلِ وَ الزِّيَادَةُ فِي الرِّزْقِ فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ.

“The messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who likes to delay the coming of his death and increase his means of living should maintain good relations with relatives.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا نَعْلَمُ شَيْئاً يَزِيدُ فِي الْعُمُرِ إِلَّا صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ حَتَّى إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ‌ يَكُونُ أَجَلُهُ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ فَيَكُونُ وَصُولًا لِلرَّحِمِ فَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً فَيَجْعَلُهَا ثَلَاثاً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَكُونُ أَجَلُهُ ثَلَاثاً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً فَيَكُونُ قَاطِعاً لِلرَّحِمِ فَيَنْقُصُهُ اللَّهُ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَجْعَلُ أَجَلَهُ إِل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘We do not know of anything that may increase one’s lifespan like maintaining good relations with relatives does. It is so much so that a man’s life span may have only three years been left, but he maintains good relations with relatives, Allah will increase his lifespan to thirty years

لَمَّا خَرَجَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يُرِيدُ الْبَصْرَةَ نَزَلَ بِالرَّبَذَةِ[1] فَأَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ مُحَارِبٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِنِّي تَحَمَّلْتُ فِي قَوْمِي حَمَالَةً[2] وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ فِي طَوَائِفَ مِنْهُمُ الْمُوَاسَاةَ وَ الْمَعُونَةَ فَسَبَقَتْ إِلَيَّ أَلْسِنَتُهُمْ بِالنَّكَدِ[3] فَمُرْهُمْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَعُونَتِي وَ حُثَّهُمْ عَلَى مُوَاسَاتِي فَقَالَ أَيْنَ هُمْ فَق

“When Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) left Madina for Basra, on his way he stopped at al-Rabadhah (a place near Jaddah). A man from Muharib (a tribe) came and said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, I have been shouldering many responsibilities for my people and I have asked quite a few of them to help and cooperate wit

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَنْ يَرْغَبَ الْمَرْءُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ‌[3] وَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَ وَلَدٍ وَ عَنْ مَوَدَّتِهِمْ وَ كَرَامَتِهِمْ وَ دِفَاعِهِمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ هُمْ أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ حِيطَةً[4] مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَ أَعْطَفُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَلَمُّهُمْ لِشَعَثِهِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ مُصِيبَةٌ أَوْ نَزَلَ بِهِ بَعْضُ مَكَارِهِ الْأُمُورِ وَ مَنْ يَقْبِضْ يَدَهُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ فَإِنَّمَا

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A man must never turn away from his relatives, even if he is wealthy and has many children. He must not fail to love them, must not ignore their honor, their defense with his hands and tongue. They are the strongest defending power behind him and the most kind to

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ آلَ فُلَانٍ يَبَرُّ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضاً وَ يَتَوَاصَلُونَ‌ فَقَالَ إِذاً تَنْمِي أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَ يَنْمُونَ فَلَا يَزَالُونَ فِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى يَتَقَاطَعُوا فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ انْقَشَعَ عَنْهُمْ‌[1].

The Imam said, ‘Their wealth will increase and their persons will increase. They will remain as such as long as they will not neglect their good relations, if they neglect then they will lose.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ لَيَكُونُونَ فَجَرَةً وَ لَا يَكُونُونَ بَرَرَةً فَيَصِلُونَ أَرْحَامَهُمْ فَتَنْمِي أَمْوَالُهُمْ وَ تَطُولُ أَعْمَارُهُمْ فَكَيْفَ إِذَا كَانُوا أَبْرَاراً بَرَرَةً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A people who are evil doers and not of the virtuous ones but maintain good relations with relatives, their wealth increases, and they live longer. Can one imagine their benefits had they been virtuous and of good deeds?”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ صِلُوا أَرْحَامَكُمْ وَ لَوْ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ وَ الْأَرْحامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيباً[2].

22. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from al-Qasim ibn Y ahya from his grandfather al-Hassan ibn Rashid from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘One must maintain good relations with relatives. Even offering the g

وَقَعَ بَيْنَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ بَيْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ كَلَامٌ حَتَّى وَقَعَتِ الضَّوْضَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَافْتَرَقَا عَشِيَّتَهُمَا بِذَلِكَ وَ غَدَوْتُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِذَا أَنَا بِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَلَى بَابِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ يَا جَارِيَةُ قُولِي لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ يَخْرُجُ قَالَ فَخَرَجَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا بَكَّرَ بِكَ‌[3

“Once a conversation took place between Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and ‘Abd Allah ibn al- Hassan and it had become quite noisy and people had gathered around. They departed from each other that evening. The next morning I was out for a task and I saw Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) at the door of ‘Abd Allah ibn al- Hassan who was sayin

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌ ع إِنَّ لِيَ ابْنَ عَمٍّ أَصِلُهُ فَيَقْطَعُنِي وَ أَصِلُهُ فَيَقْطَعُنِي حَتَّى لَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ لِقَطِيعَتِهِ إِيَّايَ أَنْ أَقْطَعَهُ أَ تَأْذَنُ لِي قَطْعَهُ قَالَ إِنَّكَ إِذَا وَصَلْتَهُ وَ قَطَعَكَ وَصَلَكُمَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَمِيعاً وَ إِنْ قَطَعْتَهُ وَ قَطَعَكَ قَطَعَكُمَا اللَّهُ.

24. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Once, I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I have a cousin and with him I maintain the good relations that should be maintained with relatives, but he cuts it off. I establish it again and

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ أَنِّي قَدْ أَذْلَلْتُ رَقَبَتِي فِي رَحِمِي وَ أَنِّي لَأُبَادِرُ أَهْلَ بَيْتِي أَصِلُهُمْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَغْنُوا عَنِّي.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘I love to show Allah humbling of my neck for my relatives and that I hasten to do good to my relatives and maintain good relations with them before they become independent of me.’”

إِنَّ رَحِمَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع- لَمُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْعَرْشِ تَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ صِلْ مَنْ وَصَلَنِي وَ اقْطَعْ مَنْ قَطَعَنِي ثُمَّ هِيَ جَارِيَةٌ بَعْدَهَا فِي أَرْحَامِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- وَ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسائَلُونَ بِهِ وَ الْأَرْحامَ‌.

“The kindred relation of the family of Muhammad, the A ’immah (people who possess Divine Authority), recipients of divine supreme covenant, holds to the Throne (of the Lord) and says, ‘O Lord establish good relations with those who establish good relations with me and cut off with those who cut off with me. ’ Thereafte

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَصِلُونَ ما أَمَرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَنْ يُوصَلَ‌[1] فَقَالَ قَرَابَتُكَ.

The Imam said, “It refers to your relatives.’”