The Book of Belief and Disbelief

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ نَفَراً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ خَرَجُوا إِلَى سَفَرٍ لَهُمْ فَضَلُّوا الطَّرِيقَ فَأَصَابَهُمْ عَطَشٌ شَدِيدٌ فَتَكَفَّنُوا[2] وَ لَزِمُوا أُصُولَ الشَّجَرِ فَجَاءَهُمْ شَيْخٌ وَ عَلَيْهِ ثِيَابٌ بِيضٌ فَقَالَ قُومُوا فَلَا بَأْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَهَذَا الْمَاءُ فَقَامُوا وَ شَرِبُوا وَ ارْتَوَوْا فَقَالُوا مَنْ أَنْتَ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ أَنَا مِنَ الْجِنِّ الَّذِينَ بَايَعُو

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) say, ‘Once a few Muslims set on a journey but they lost the way and faced severe thirst. They shrouded themselves holding to the roots of a tree. Suddenly an old man in white clothes appeared and told them to get up saying that they had no problems and gave them water. They drank water to the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَغْتَابُهُ وَ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ لَا يَحْرِمُهُ قَالَ رِبْعِيٌّ فَسَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ سَمِعْتُ فُضَيْلًا يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ- الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَغُشُّهُ وَ لَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not do injustice to him, does not betray him, does not speak ill of one behind his back, does not violate his trust and does not deprive him.’ Rib’i has said, ‘Certain individuals of our people asked me in Madina saying, “I have heard F

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ سُئِلَ عَنْ إِيمَانِ مَنْ يَلْزَمُنَا حَقُّهُ وَ أُخُوَّتُهُ كَيْفَ هُوَ وَ بِمَا يَثْبُتُ وَ بِمَا يَبْطُلُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ قَدْ يُتَّخَذُ عَلَى وَجْهَيْنِ أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِكَ فَإِذَا ظَهَرَ لَكَ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الَّذِي تَقُولُ بِهِ أَنْتَ حَقَّتْ وَلَايَتُهُ وَ أُخُوَّتُهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَجِي‌ءَ مِنْهُ نَقْضٌ لِلَّذِي وَصَف

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, when he was asked about belief, and the rights of the believer, his brotherhood and how he is and by what means it is proved and is invalidated, ‘The belief is of two aspects. One is that which is manifested to you from your companion. If he manifests like what you believe in, his

لَمْ تَتَوَاخَوْا عَلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ إِنَّمَا[2] تَعَارَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ.

“You have not become brothers on the basis of this belief (of Shi’a Muslims) but you have recognized each other because of it.”’

لَمْ تَتَوَاخَوْا عَلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَ إِنَّمَا تَعَارَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ.

“You have not become brothers on the basis of this matter (Walayah the belief of the Shi’a Muslims); it is only that you have recognized each other by means of Walayah .”

مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يُشْبِعَ جَوْعَتَهُ وَ يُوَارِيَ عَوْرَتَهُ وَ يُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ وَ يَقْضِيَ دَيْنَهُ فَإِذَا مَاتَ خَلَفَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ وُلْدِهِ.

“Of the rights of the believer on his believing brother (in belief) is to satisfy his hunger, provide covering for his privacy, facilitate his hardships and pay off his debts. When he dies, look after his family and children.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ قَالَ لَهُ سَبْعُ حُقُوقٍ وَاجِبَاتٍ مَا مِنْهُنَّ حَقٌّ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَاجِبٌ إِنْ ضَيَّعَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ وِلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ مِنْ نَصِيبٍ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ يَا مُعَلَّى إِنِّي عَلَيْكَ شَفِيقٌ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُضَيِّعَ وَ لَا تَحْفَظَ وَ تَعْلَمَ وَ لَا تَعْمَلَ قَالَ قُلْتُ ل

“Once I asked the Imam, ‘What are the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim?’ The Imam said, ‘He has seven categories of rights that are obligatory, each of which is compulsory. If he jeopardizes a single one of them he is out of the domain of guardianship ( Walayah ) of Allah and obedience to Him. There will be no share

كَتَبَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا يَسْأَلُونَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ وَ أَمَرُونِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَلَمْ يُجِبْنِي فَلَمَّا جِئْتُ لِأُوَدِّعَهُ فَقُلْتُ سَأَلْتُكَ فَلَمْ تُجِبْنِي فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ تَكْفُرُوا إِنَّ مِنْ أَشَدِّ مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ ثَلَاثاً إِنْصَافَ الْمَرْءِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ حَتَّى لَا يَرْضَى لِأَخِيهِ مِنْ نَفْسِه

“Once certain individual of our people wrote to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking him about certain issues and they ordered me to ask the Imam about the rights of the Muslim on his Muslim brother and I asked the Imam but he did not answer me. When I went to say farewell to him I said, ‘I asked you that question but you did n

مَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ أَدَاءِ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ.

“Allah the best way to worship is to fulfil (protect) the rights of the believer.”

حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يَشْبَعَ وَ يَجُوعُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَرْوَى وَ يَعْطَشُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَكْتَسِيَ وَ يَعْرَى أَخُوهُ فَمَا أَعْظَمَ حَقَّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ قَالَ أَحِبَّ لِأَخِيكَ الْمُسْلِمِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِذَا احْتَجْتَ فَسَلْهُ وَ إِنْ سَأَلَكَ فَأَعْطِهِ لَا تَمَلَّهُ خَيْراً وَ لَا يَمَلَّهُ لَكَ‌[1] كُنْ لَهُ ظَهْراً فَإِنَّهُ لَكَ ظَهْرٌ إِذَا غَاب

“Of the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim is that he must not satisfy himself with food while his Muslim brother is hungry. One must not satisfy himself with water while one’s Muslim brother is thirsty, and one must not dress up in finery while his Muslim brother is in need of clothes. How great is the right of the Mu

لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا لَقِيَهُ وَ يَعُودَهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ وَ يَنْصَحَ لَهُ‌[2] إِذَا غَابَ وَ يُسَمِّتَهُ إِذَا عَطَسَ‌[3] وَ يُجِيبَهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ يَتْبَعَهُ إِذَا مَاتَ. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ مِثْلَهُ.

“Of the rights of Muslin on a Muslim is to offer him the greeting of peace upon meeting him, visit him when he is ill, protect his interest when he is absent, say, ‘May Allah bless you’ when he sneezes, accept his invitation and take part in the procession for his funeral.” A number of our people have narrated from Ahm

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا حَقُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ الْمَوَدَّةَ لَهُ فِي صَدْرِهِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةَ لَهُ فِي مَالِهِ وَ الْخَلَفَ لَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ النُّصْرَةَ لَهُ عَلَى مَنْ ظَلَمَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ نَافِلَةٌ فِي الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[4] وَ كَانَ غَائِباً أَخَذَ لَهُ بِنَصِيبِهِ وَ إِذَا مَاتَ الزِّيَارَةَ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ وَ أَنْ لَا يَظْلِمَهُ وَ أ

The Imam said, ‘Of the rights of the believer on the believer is to have compassion for him in his heart, assist him with his property, protect his interests in his absence in the matters of his family and support him against those who do injustice to him. If a benefit is distributed among the Muslims in his absence hi

كُنْتُ أَطُوفُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَعَرَضَ لِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا كَانَ سَأَلَنِي الذَّهَابَ مَعَهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيَّ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَذْهَبَ إِلَيْهِ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَطُوفُ إِذْ أَشَارَ إِلَيَّ أَيْضاً فَرَآهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَبَانُ إِيَّاكَ يُرِيدُ هَذَا قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَمَنْ هُوَ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا قَالَ هُوَ عَلَى

“Once I was performing Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba) along with Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man from our people came up asking me to go with him for a certain need and hinted to me for that purpose, but I did not like to leave Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and go with him. I was still performing Tawaf when he mad

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ طَلْحَةَ فَقَالَ ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سِتُّ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِ اللَّهِ‌[2] فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ مَا هُنَّ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ يُحِبُّ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِأَعَزِّ أَهْلِهِ وَ يَ

“Once ibn abu Ya’fur, ‘Abd Allah ibn Talha and I were in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who on his own initiation said, ‘O ibn abu Ya’fur, the Messenger of Allah has said, “There are six things that if found in a person, he will be before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to the right of Allah (to the righ

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَسَلَّمَ فَسَأَلَهُ كَيْفَ مَنْ خَلَّفْتَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِكَ قَالَ فَأَحْسَنَ الثَّنَاءَ وَ زَكَّى وَ أَطْرَى‌[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ كَيْفَ عِيَادَةُ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ فَقَالَ قَلِيلَةٌ قَالَ وَ كَيْفَ مُشَاهَدَةُ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ لِفُقَرَائِهِمْ‌[3] قَالَ قَلِيلَةٌ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ صِلَةُ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ لِفُقَرَائِهِمْ فِي ذَاتِ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنَّك

“Once, I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man came and offered the greeting of peace. The Imam asked, ‘How are your brothers (in belief) whom you have left behind?’ He praised, admired and extolled them. The Imam asked, ‘Do their wealthy ones visit their poor ones?’ He said, ‘It is very rare.’ The Ima

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الشِّيعَةَ عِنْدَنَا كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ فَهَلْ يَعْطِفُ الْغَنِيُّ عَلَى الْفَقِيرِ وَ هَلْ يَتَجَاوَزُ الْمُحْسِنُ عَنِ الْمُسِي‌ءِ وَ يَتَوَاسَوْنَ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَؤُلَاءِ شِيعَةً- الشِّيعَةُ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ هَذَا.

“Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, there is a great number of Shi’a in our area. The Imam asked, ‘Are their rich ones kind to their poor ones? Do their virtuous ones forgive their sinful ones? Do they assist each other financially?’ I said, ‘No, they do not do so.’ The

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ص يَقُولُ‌ عَظِّمُوا أَصْحَابَكُمْ وَ وَقِّرُوهُمْ وَ لَا يَتَجَهَّمُ‌[5] بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً وَ لَا تَضَارُّوا وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْبُخْلَ كُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ الْمُخْلِصِينَ.

12. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-‘Ala’ ibn Fudayl from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, ‘Dignify your people, honor them and do not be aggressive toward each other, do not harm each other and do not be jea

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ أَ يَجِي‌ءُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى أَخِيهِ فَيُدْخِلُ يَدَهُ فِي كِيسِهِ فَيَأْخُذُ حَاجَتَهُ فَلَا يَدْفَعُهُ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ فِينَا فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ إِذاً قُلْتُ فَالْهَلَاكُ إِذاً فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ لَمْ يُعْطَوْا أَحْلَامَهُمْ بَعْدُ[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) once asked me, ‘Does your brother (in belief) come to you, stretch his hand in your pocket and take what he needs and you do not push him aside?’ I said, ‘I do not know that such things happen among us.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.) then said, ‘There is nothing then.’ I said, ‘It is destruction then.’ The Imam

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ سَبْعُونَ حَقّاً لَا أُخْبِرُكَ إِلَّا بِسَبْعَةٍ فَإِنِّي عَلَيْكَ مُشْفِقٌ أَخْشَى أَلَّا تَحْتَمِلَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَ يَجُوعُ وَ لَا تَكْتَسِي وَ يَعْرَى وَ تَكُونُ دَلِيلَهُ وَ قَمِيصَهُ الَّذِي يَلْبَسُهُ‌[2] وَ لِسَانَهُ الَّذِي يَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ وَ تُحِبُّ لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَ جَارِ

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Uramah in a marfu’ manner from Mu’alla ibn Khanis who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the rights of the believer. The Imam said, ‘There are seventy categories of rights but I will only tell you of seven; I

الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ‌[3] وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رُحَمَاءَ بَيْنَكُمْ‌[4] مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى

“The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim (in belief). He does not do injustice to him, does not betray him, and does not violate his trust. It is worthwhile for the Muslims to be assiduous in maintaining good relations with each other, be kind to each other, assist the needy ones financially and be compassionate toward

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حَقٌّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَراً أَنْ يُعْلِمَ إِخْوَانَهُ وَ حَقٌّ عَلَى إِخْوَانِهِ إِذَا قَدِمَ أَنْ يَأْتُوهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘It is a right upon a Muslim to inform his brothers (in belief) of his decision to go on a journey. It is a right upon his Muslim brothers to visit him when he returns from the journey.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِأَصْحَابِهِ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا إِخْوَةً بَرَرَةً مُتَحَابِّينَ فِي اللَّهِ مُتَوَاصِلِينَ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ تَزَاوَرُوا وَ تَلَاقَوْا وَ تَذَاكَرُوا أَمْرَنَا وَ أَحْيُوهُ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Shu’ayb al-‘Aqar Qufi who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying to his companions, ‘Be pious before Allah and be virtuous brothers who love each other for the sake of Allah, and maintain goo

تَوَاصَلُوا وَ تَبَارُّوا وَ تَرَاحَمُوا وَ كُونُوا إِخْوَةً بَرَرَةً كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Maintain good relations among yourselves, do good to each other, be compassionate with one another and be virtuous brothers as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded you to be.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ تَوَاصَلُوا وَ تَبَارُّوا وَ تَرَاحَمُوا وَ تَعَاطَفُوا.

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Abd Allah ibn Yahya al-Kahili who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Maintain good relations among yourselves, do good to one another, be compassionate and lenient to each other.’”

يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ رُحَماءُ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى عَلَيْهِ مَعْشَرُ الْأَنْصَارِ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص.

“It is worthwhile for a Muslim to work assiduously to maintain good relations, to cooperate in kindness and assistance for the needy and to be compassionate to each other. Live out this so that you can be as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded you to be, ‘. . . compassionate to each other, . . .’ (48

مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ لِلَّهِ لَا لِغَيْرِهِ الْتِمَاسَ مَوْعِدِ اللَّهِ وَ تَنَجُّزَ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ يُنَادُونَهُ أَلَا طِبْتَ وَ طَابَتْ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ.

“Whoever visits his brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah and for no other reason, seeking thereby the promise of Allah, and to achieve what is with Allah, Allah will appoint seventy thousand angels who applaud, ‘How beautiful is what you have done and how beautiful is paradise (for you).”’

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُوَدِّعُهُ فَقَالَ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ أَبْلِغْ مَنْ تَرَى مِنْ مَوَالِينَا السَّلَامَ وَ أَوْصِهِمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ أَنْ يَعُودَ غَنِيُّهُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِهِمْ وَ قَوِيُّهُمْ عَلَى ضَعِيفِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ حَيُّهُمْ جِنَازَةَ مَيِّتِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَتَلَاقَوْا فِي بُيُوتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ لُقِيَّا[1] بَعْضِهِمْ بَعْضاً حَيَاةٌ لِأَمْرِنَا رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً أَحْيَا أَمْرَن

“Once I went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) to say farewell. He said, ‘O Khaythamah, convey our greeting of peace to whoever of our followers you may see and advise them to be pious before Allah, the Most Great, that their rich ones look after their poor ones, the stronger ones look after their weaker ones, that the living a

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حَدَّثَنِي جَبْرَئِيلُ ع أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَهْبَطَ إِلَى الْأَرْضِ مَلَكاً فَأَقْبَلَ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكُ يَمْشِي حَتَّى وَقَعَ‌[3] إِلَى بَابٍ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ يَسْتَأْذِنُ عَلَى رَبِّ الدَّارِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ مَا حَاجَتُكَ إِلَى رَبِّ هَذِهِ الدَّارِ قَالَ أَخٌ لِي مُسْلِمٌ زُرْتُهُ فِي اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَالَ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ مَا جَاءَ بِكَ إِلَّا ذَاكَ فَقَالَ مَا

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Jibril spoke to me that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent an angel to earth and the angel began walking until he came to a door where a man was asking for permission from the people of the house. The angel asked him, ‘What do you need from the owner of this house?’ He repl

مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِيَّايَ زُرْتَ وَ ثَوَابُكَ عَلَيَّ وَ لَسْتُ أَرْضَى لَكَ ثَوَاباً دُونَ الْجَنَّةِ.

“Whoever visits his brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, then says, ‘You in fact, have visited Me and with Me is your reward and I will not accept anything for your reward except paradise.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي جَانِبِ الْمِصْرِ[5] ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ فَهُوَ زَوْرُهُ‌[6] وَ حَقٌّ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكْرِمَ زَوْرَهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever visits his brother (in belief) in a side of the city just to please Allah, has visited Him, and it becomes a responsibility for Allah to honor His visitor.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي بَيْتِهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ أَنْتَ ضَيْفِي وَ زَائِرِي عَلَيَّ قِرَاكَ‌[1] وَ قَدْ أَوْجَبْتُ لَكَ الْجَنَّةَ بِحُبِّكَ إِيَّاهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one visits his brother (in belief) in his house, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘You are My guest and My visitor, your service is on Me and I, for your loving him, have made paradise obligatory for you.”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ فِي مَرَضٍ أَوْ صِحَّةٍ لَا يَأْتِيهِ خِدَاعاً وَ لَا اسْتِبْدَالًا[2] وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ يُنَادُونَ فِي قَفَاهُ أَنْ طِبْتَ وَ طَابَتْ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ فَأَنْتُمْ زُوَّارُ اللَّهِ وَ أَنْتُمْ وَفْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ‌[3] حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ مَنْزِلَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ يُسَيْرٌ[4] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمَكَانُ بَعِيداً[5] ق

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah saying, ‘If one visits his brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah, in his illness or in good health, not to deceive or to receive something, Allah will appoint seventy thousand angels to applaud behind him, “How beautiful is your deed! How beautiful is paradise for you! You are the visitor of

مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ وَ لِلَّهِ جَاءَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَخْطِرُ بَيْنَ قَبَاطِيَّ مِنْ نُورٍ[6] وَ لَا يَمُرُّ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا أَضَاءَ لَهُ حَتَّى يَقِفَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ مَرْحَباً وَ إِذَا قَالَ مَرْحَباً أَجْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ الْعَطِيَّةَ.

“If one visits his brother (in belief) due to Allah’s relation and for the sake of Allah, on the Day of Judgment he will come, walking elegantly in a Coptic gown of light and will not pass by anything but that it will shine until he will come before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and Allah, the Most Majestic,

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْمُسْلِمَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ بَيْتِهِ زَائِراً أَخَاهُ لِلَّهِ لَا لِغَيْرِهِ الْتِمَاسَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ رَغْبَةً فِيمَا عِنْدَهُ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ يُنَادُونَهُ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ إِلَى أَنْ يَرْجِعَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ أَلَا طِبْتَ وَ طَابَتْ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ.

“If a Muslim (believing) servant (of Allah) comes out of his house to visit his brother, due to Allah’s relation, not for any other reason and just because of Allah, with interest in what is with Allah, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, appoints seventy thousand angels who applaud behind him until he comes home, ‘How

مَا زَارَ مُسْلِمٌ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ لِلَّهِ إِلَّا نَادَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَيُّهَا الزَّائِرُ طِبْتَ وَ طَابَتْ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ

“Whenever a Muslim visits his Muslim brother, due to Allah’s relation, and for the sake of Allah, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will say, ‘O visitor, how beautiful is your deed! How beautiful is paradise as your reward! ’”

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَنَّةً لَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةٌ رَجُلٌ حَكَمَ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ بِالْحَقِّ وَ رَجُلٌ زَارَ أَخَاهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ فِي اللَّهِ وَ رَجُلٌ آثَرَ أَخَاهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ فِي اللَّهِ.

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad all from ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from Muhammad ibn Qays from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has a paradise wherein no one can go except thr

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَخْرُجُ إِلَى أَخِيهِ يَزُورُهُ فَيُوَكِّلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَلَكاً فَيَضَعُ جَنَاحاً فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ جَنَاحاً فِي السَّمَاءِ يُظِلُّهُ فَإِذَا دَخَلَ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ نَادَى الْجَبَّارُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَيُّهَا الْعَبْدُ الْمُعَظِّمُ لِحَقِّي الْمُتَّبِعُ لآِثَارِ نَبِيِّي حَقٌّ عَلَيَّ إِعْظَامُكَ سَلْنِي أُعْطِكَ ادْعُنِي أُجِبْكَ اسْكُتْ أَبْتَدِئْكَ فَإِذَا انْصَرَفَ شَيَّ

“When the believer leaves home to visit his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, appoints an angel to place one wing on earth and one wing in the sky to provide him shadow. When he arrives at his house, the Almighty Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, will say, ‘O servant (of Allah) who has

لَزِيَارَةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ عِتْقِ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ وَ مَنْ أَعْتَقَ رَقَبَةً مُؤْمِنَةً وَقَى كُلُّ عُضْوٍ عُضْواً مِنَ النَّارِ حَتَّى إِنَّ الْفَرْجَ يَقِي الْفَرْجَ.

“Visiting the believing brother (in belief) is certainly better than setting free ten believing slaves. Whoever sets free a believing slave for each part of the body of the slave, one part of his body will be protected against fire, and even the private part will be protected.”

أَيُّمَا ثَلَاثَةِ مُؤْمِنِينَ اجْتَمَعُوا عِنْدَ أَخٍ لَهُمْ يَأْمَنُونَ بَوَائِقَهُ‌[1] وَ لَا يَخَافُونَ غَوَائِلَهُ وَ يَرْجُونَ مَا عِنْدَهُ إِنْ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ أَجَابَهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَأَلُوا أَعْطَاهُمْ وَ إِنِ اسْتَزَادُوا زَادَهُمْ وَ إِنْ سَكَتُوا ابْتَدَأَهُمْ.

“Whichever three believing brothers (in belief) come together to a brother (in belief) of theirs from whose evils they feel safe, who are not afraid of his rebellion, and who have good hopes in him, if they pray to Allah their prayers will be answered, if they ask, their wish will be granted, if they ask for more it wi

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا حَمْزَةَ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ الْعَبْدَ الصَّالِحَ ع‌[2] يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ لِلَّهِ لَا لِغَيْرِهِ يَطْلُبُ‌ بِهِ ثَوَابَ اللَّهِ وَ تَنَجُّزَ مَا وَعَدَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ مِنْ حِينِ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ حَتَّى يَعُودَ إِلَيْهِ يُنَادُونَهُ أَلَا طِبْتَ وَ طَابَتْ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ تَبَوَّأْتَ‌[1] مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ مَنْ

“I heard abu Hamza saying, T heard the good servant (of Allah) saying, “Whoever visits his believing brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah and for no other reason, seeking thereby the reward from Allah, the promise of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will come true and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Hol

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لِقَاءُ الْإِخْوَانِ مَغْنَمٌ جَسِيمٌ وَ إِنْ قَلُّوا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Meeting of brothers (in belief) is a great opportunity, even if they are very few.’”

كُنْتُ زَمِيلَ‌[2] أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ كُنْتُ أَبْدَأُ بِالرُّكُوبِ ثُمَّ يَرْكَبُ هُوَ فَإِذَا اسْتَوَيْنَا سَلَّمَ وَ سَاءَلَ مُسَاءَلَةَ رَجُلٍ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ بِصَاحِبِهِ وَ صَافَحَ قَالَ وَ كَانَ إِذَا نَزَلَ نَزَلَ قَبْلِي فَإِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُ أَنَا وَ هُوَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ سَلَّمَ وَ سَاءَلَ مُسَاءَلَةَ مَنْ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ بِصَاحِبِهِ- فَقُلْتُ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ لَتَفْعَلُ شَيْئاً مَا يَفْعَلُهُ

“’Ubaydah has said, ‘Once I was a partner of abu Ja’far (a.s.) on a journey. During the journey, first I would take my seat in the carriage set up on the back of the carry animal and then he would take his seat. He after settling down on his place properly would offer me the greeting of peace and ask a question like a

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا وَ تَصَافَحَا أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ يَدَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمَا فَصَافَحَ أَشَدَّهُمَا حُبّاً لِصَاحِبِهِ.

"When the believing people meet and shake hands Allah inserts His hand between their hands and shakes hands with the one whose love for his brother (in belief) is more intense.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَدْخَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَدَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمَا وَ أَقْبَلَ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَى أَشَدِّهِمَا حُبّاً لِصَاحِبِهِ فَإِذَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِوَجْهِهِ عَلَيْهِمَا تَحَاتَّتْ عَنْهُمَا الذُّنُوبُ كَمَا يَتَحَاتُّ الْوَرَقُ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ.

‘When two believing people meet and shake hands Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inserts His hand between their hands and faces the one whose love for his brother (in belief) is more intense. When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, turns His face to them their sins begin to fall like leaves from trees.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَقَيَا فَتَصَافَحَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ وَ تَسَاقَطَتْ عَنْهُمَا الذُّنُوبُ كَمَا يَتَسَاقَطُ الْوَرَقُ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ.

‘‘When two believing people meet and shake hands Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, turns His face (direction, aspect) to them and sins began to fall from them like leaves fall from trees.’”

زَامَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي شِقِّ مَحْمِلٍ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ إِلَى مَكَّةَ فَنَزَلَ فِي بَعْضِ الطَّرِيقِ فَلَمَّا قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ وَ عَادَ قَالَ هَاتِ يَدَكَ يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ فَنَاوَلْتُهُ يَدِي فَغَمَزَهَا حَتَّى وَجَدْتُ الْأَذَى فِي أَصَابِعِي ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ لَقِيَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ فَصَافَحَهُ وَ شَبَّكَ أَصَابِعَهُ‌[1] فِي أَصَابِعِهِ إِلَّا تَنَاثَرَتْ عَنْهُمَا ذُن

“Once I was a partner of abu Ja’far (a.s.) on a journey on one side of the carriage on the camel from Madina to Makka. On the way he dismounted for rest and, when he returned, he asked me for a handshake. He squeezed my hand so hard that my fingers began to hurt. He then said, ‘O abu ‘Ubaydah, when two Muslims meet, sh

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا مَالِكُ أَنْتُمْ شِيعَتُنَا أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّكَ تُفْرِطُ فِي أَمْرِنَا إِنَّهُ لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَةِ اللَّهِ فَكَمَا لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَةِ اللَّهِ كَذَلِكَ لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَتِنَا وَ كَمَا لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَتِنَا كَذَلِكَ لَا يُقْدَرُ عَلَى صِفَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَلْقَى الْمُؤْمِنَ فَيُصَافِحُهُ فَلَا يَزَالُ اللَّهُ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِمَا وَ الذُّنُوبُ تَ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) once said to me, ‘O Malik, you are of our followers (Shi’a). Are you aware that you go to extremes in our cause? No one is able to describe Allah. Just as no one is able to describe Allah, no one is able to describe us. Just as no one is able to describe us, no one is able to describe the believer. W

زَامَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع فَحَطَطْنَا الرَّحْلَ‌[3] ثُمَّ مَشَى قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ جَاءَ فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَغَمَزَهَا غَمْزَةً شَدِيدَةً فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَ وَ مَا كُنْتُ مَعَكَ فِي الْمَحْمِلِ فَقَالَ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا جَالَ جَوْلَةً ثُمَّ أَخَذَ بِيَدِ أَخِيهِ نَظَرَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ فَلَمْ يَزَلْ مُقْبِلًا عَلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ وَ يَقُولُ لِلذُّنُوبِ تَحَاتَّ عَنْهُمَا فَ

“Once I was a partner of abu Ja’far (a.s.) on a journey. On the way we unloaded our luggage and he walked a little and came back, held my hand and squeezed it hard. I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, ‘Was I not with you in the carriage?’ The Imam asked, ‘Did you not know that when the believer

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ حَدِّ الْمُصَافَحَةِ فَقَالَ دَوْرُ نَخْلَةٍ.

The Imam said, ‘It is just after going around a palm tree.’”

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا تَوَارَى أَحَدُهُمَا عَنْ صَاحِبِهِ بِشَجَرَةٍ ثُمَّ الْتَقَيَا أَنْ يَتَصَافَحَا.

“It is a good idea for the believers to shake each other’s hands after one of them remains out of sight, even because of a tree in between.”