The Book of Belief and Disbelief

قَالَ: مَنْ طَافَ بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ طَوَافاً وَاحِداً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ حَسَنَةٍ وَ مَحَا عَنْهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ سَيِّئَةٍ وَ رَفَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ سِتَّةَ آلَافِ دَرَجَةٍ حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَ الْمُلْتَزَمِ‌[2] فَتَحَ اللَّهُ لَهُ سَبْعَةَ أَبْوَابٍ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الْفَضْلُ كُلُّهُ فِي الطَّوَافِ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ أُخْبِرُكَ بِأَفْضَلَ مِنْ

“Whoever performs a single Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba for worship) of this House Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes down for him six thousand good deeds, deletes his six thousand sins, and raises him six thousand degrees in meritorious status until he reaches al-Multazam (a part of Ka’ba)

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ مَشَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَطْلُبُ بِذَلِكَ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ حَتَّى تُقْضَى لَهُ‌[1] كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ مِثْلَ أَجْرِ حَجَّةٍ وَ عُمْرَةٍ مَبْرُورَتَيْنِ‌[2] وَ صَوْمِ شَهْرَيْنِ مِنْ أَشْهُرِ الْحُرُمِ وَ اعْتِكَافِهِمَا فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَ مَنْ مَشَى فِيهَا بِنِيَّةٍ وَ لَمْ تُقْضَ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ مِثْلَ حَجّ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever walks to help make the wish of his believing brother (in belief) come true, seeking thereby the reward for it with Allah until he makes it happen, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes down for him a reward equal to the reward for performing Hajj and ‘Umrah that

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ تَنَافَسُوا فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ‌[3] لِإِخْوَانِكُمْ وَ كُونُوا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَإِنَّ لِلْجَنَّةِ بَاباً يُقَالُ لَهُ- الْمَعْرُوفُ لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا مَنِ اصْطَنَعَ الْمَعْرُوفَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَمْشِي فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُوَكِّلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَلَكَيْنِ وَاحِداً عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ آخَرَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ يَسْتَغْفِرَانِ لَهُ رَبَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Compete in al-Ma’ruf doing good to your brothers (in belief) and be of such people; in paradise there is a door called al-Ma’ruf through which no one can enter except those who have performed al-Ma’ruf (a virtuous deed) in the worldly life. If a servant (of Allah) walks to help his bel

وَ اللَّهِ لَأَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً وَ رَقَبَةً وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا حَتَّى بَلَغَ عَشْراً وَ مِثْلَهَا وَ مِثْلَهَا[4] حَتَّى بَلَغَ السَّبْعِينَ وَ لَأَنْ أَعُولَ أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[5] أَسُدَّ جَوْعَتَهُمْ وَ أَكْسُوَ عَوْرَتَهُمْ فَأَكُفَّ وُجُوهَهُمْ عَنِ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَحُجَّ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةً وَ مِثْلَهَا

“By Allah, performing one Hajj is more beloved to me than setting free of ten slaves and up to seventy slaves. If I look after a Muslim family, satisfy their hunger and clothe them to safeguard their dignity among the people it is more beloved to me than to perform Hajj ten times and so on up to seventy Hajj.”

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع- أَنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِي مَنْ يَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيَّ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَأُحَكِّمُهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَقَالَ مُوسَى يَا رَبِّ وَ مَا تِلْكَ الْحَسَنَةُ قَالَ يَمْشِي مَعَ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فِي قَضَاءِ حَاجَتِهِ قُضِيَتْ أَوْ لَمْ تُقْضَ‌[1].

12. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from abu Ali Sahib al-Sha’ir from Muhammad ibn Qays from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to Moses that said, ‘Of My servant there are those who perform a good deed seeking thereb

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ قَبِلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَصَلَهُ بِوَلَايَتِنَا[2] وَ هُوَ مَوْصُولٌ بِوَلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً مِنْ نَارٍ يَنْهَشُهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغْفُور

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘To whomever his believing brother (in belief) comes for help, in fact, it is a blessing from Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, that He has lead to him. If he accepts that blessing he has connected his guardianship with our guardianship ( al - Walayah ) that is connected to t

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَتَرِدُ عَلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةُ لِأَخِيهِ فَلَا تَكُونُ عِنْدَهُ فَيَهْتَمُّ بِهَا قَلْبُهُ فَيُدْخِلُهُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بِهَمِّهِ الْجَنَّةَ.

“A believer may find his brother (in belief) needy in a certain matter that is not available to him and he intends in his heart to meet such need, Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, admits him in paradise just because of his intention.”

قَالَ: مَشْيُ الرَّجُلِ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ يُكْتَبُ‌[4] لَهُ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ يُمْحَى عَنْهُ عَشْرُ سَيِّئَاتٍ وَ يُرْفَعُ لَهُ عَشْرُ دَرَجَاتٍ قَالَ وَ لَا أَعْلَمُهُ‌[5] إِلَّا قَالَ وَ يَعْدِلُ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ وَ أَفْضَلُ مِنِ اعْتِكَافِ شَهْرٍ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘For a believer’s walking to help a believing brother (in belief) ten good deeds are written for him, ten of his sins are deleted and he is raised ten degrees in meritorious status.’ The narrator has said, ‘I do not know what else the Imam said, but (I do know) he (the Imam) said, ‘It i

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ عِبَاداً فِي الْأَرْضِ يَسْعَوْنَ فِي حَوَائِجِ النَّاسِ هُمُ الْآمِنُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ مَنْ أَدْخَلَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ سُرُوراً فَرَّحَ‌[1] اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘There are servants of Allah on earth who endeavor to help people, these (helping ones) will be secure and safe on the Day of Judgment. Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believer, on the Day of Judgment, Allah will fill his heart with joy.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَنْ مَشَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَظَلَّهُ اللَّهُ بِخَمْسَةٍ وَ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ‌[2] وَ لَمْ يَرْفَعْ قَدَماً إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَسَنَةً وَ حَطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا سَيِّئَةً وَ يَرْفَعُ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً فَإِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ حَاجَتِهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ بِهَا أَجْرَ حَاجٍّ وَ مُعْتَمِرٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘One who walks to help his Muslim brother (in belief) Allah will make seventy-five thousand angels to provide him shadow and for each step that he walks Allah writes for him one good deed, deletes one of his sins and raises him by one degree in meritorious satus. When he completes the help,

لَأَنْ أَمْشِيَ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخٍ لِي مُسْلِمٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ أَلْفَ نَسَمَةٍ وَ أَحْمِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَلْفِ فَرَسٍ‌[4] مُسْرَجَةٍ مُلْجَمَةٍ.

“Walking to help my Muslim brother (in belief) is more beloved to me than setting free one thousand souls and donating one thousand horses, saddled and harnessed, ready for use in the way of Allah.”

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يَمْشِي لِأَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[5] فِي حَاجَةٍ إِلَّا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَسَنَةً وَ حَطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا سَيِّئَةً وَ رَفَعَ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً وَ زِيدَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ شُفِّعَ فِي عَشْرِ حَاجَاتٍ.

“Whoever of the believing people walks to help his believing brother, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes one good deed for him for every step of his walking, deletes one sin and raises him one degree in meritorious status, adds ten good deeds thereafter and accepts his intercession in ten issues.”

مَنْ سَعَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ طَلَبَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ أَلْفَ أَلْفِ حَسَنَةٍ يَغْفِرُ فِيهَا لِأَقَارِبِهِ وَ جِيرَانِهِ وَ إِخْوَانِهِ‌ وَ مَعَارِفِهِ وَ مَنْ صَنَعَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوفاً فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قِيلَ لَهُ ادْخُلِ النَّارَ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَهُ فِيهَا صَنَعَ إِلَيْكَ مَعْرُوفاً فِي الدُّنْيَا فَأَخْرِجْهُ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلّ

“One who endeavors to help his Muslim brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes for him one million good deeds, grants forgiveness to his relatives, neighbors, brothers, those whom he knows and those who has done favors for him in the worldly life. On the Day of Judgment

مَنْ سَعَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ فَاجْتَهَدَ فِيهَا فَأَجْرَى اللَّهُ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ قَضَاءَهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ حَجَّةً وَ عُمْرَةً وَ اعْتِكَافَ شَهْرَيْنِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَ صِيَامَهُمَا وَ إِنِ اجْتَهَدَ فِيهَا وَ لَمْ يُجْرِ اللَّهُ قَضَاءَهَا عَلَى يَدَيْهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ حَجَّةً وَ عُمْرَةً.

“Whoever endeavors to help his Muslim brother (in belief) and strives in it and Allah makes it (such help) possible through him, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes down for him the reward for one Hajj, one ‘Umrah and ‘l’tikaf (a certain form of worship) for two months in the Sacred Mosque with fasting. If

كَفَى بِالْمَرْءِ اعْتِمَاداً عَلَى أَخِيهِ أَنْ يُنْزِلَ بِهِ حَاجَتَهُ.

“A believer’s asking help from his brother (in belief) is enough proof of the former’s trust in the latter.”

كُنْتُ جَالِساً مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ يُقَالُ لَهُ مَيْمُونٌ فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ تَعَذُّرَ الْكِرَاءِ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فَقَالَ لِي قُمْ فَأَعِنْ أَخَاكَ فَقُمْتُ مَعَهُ فَيَسَّرَ اللَّهُ كِرَاهُ فَرَجَعْتُ إِلَى مَجْلِسِي فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا صَنَعْتَ فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيكَ فَقُلْتُ قَضَاهَا اللَّهُ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي فَقَالَ أَمَا إِنَّكَ أَنْ تُعِينَ‌[

“Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man from the people of Makkah called Maymun came in and complained to him about his difficulty paying his rent. The Imam said to me, ‘Stand up and help your brother (in belief).’ I then left with him and Allah facilitated payment for his rent and I returned to

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْخَلْقُ عِيَالِي فَأَحَبُّهُمْ إِلَيَّ أَلْطَفُهُمْ بِهِمْ وَ أَسْعَاهُمْ فِي حَوَائِجِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Creatures are My dependents. The most beloved among them to Me is the most compassionate of them toward the others and who endeavors the most to help them.’”

كَانَ حَمَّادُ بْنُ أَبِي حَنِيفَةَ إِذَا لَقِيَنِي قَالَ كَرِّرْ عَلَيَّ حَدِيثَكَ فَأُحَدِّثَهُ قُلْتُ رُوِّينَا أَنَّ عَابِدَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَ إِذَا بَلَغَ الْغَايَةَ فِي الْعِبَادَةِ صَارَ مَشَّاءً فِي حَوَائِجِ النَّاسِ عَانِياً بِمَا يُصْلِحُهُمْ.

‘It is narrated to us that the worshippers of Israelites on reaching the perfect stage of worshipping would become the walkers to help meet the needs of people and paid proper attention to benefit them.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَغَاثَ أَخَاهُ الْمُؤْمِنَ اللَّهْفَانَ اللَّهْثَانَ‌[2] عِنْدَ جَهْدِهِ فَنَفَّسَ كُرْبَتَهُ وَ أَعَانَهُ عَلَى نَجَاحِ حَاجَتِهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ بِذَلِكَ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ سَبْعِينَ رَحْمَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ يُعَجِّلُ لَهُ مِنْهَا وَاحِدَةً يُصْلِحُ بِهَا أَمْرَ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَ يَدَّخِرُ لَهُ إِحْدَى وَ سَبْعِينَ رَحْمَةً لِأَفْزَاعِ يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ أَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘One who helps his brother (in belief) who is grieved and exhausted in his suffering, relieves him of his hardships and helps him to meet his needs, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes for this seventy-two blessings from Allah of which one is an immediate facilitation o

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَعَانَ مُؤْمِناً نَفَّسَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَنْهُ ثَلَاثاً وَ سَبْعِينَ كُرْبَةً وَاحِدَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ ثِنْتَيْنِ وَ سَبْعِينَ كُرْبَةً عِنْدَ كُرَبِهِ الْعُظْمَى قَالَ حَيْثُ يَتَشَاغَلُ النَّاسُ بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One who provides financial help for his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, provides for him relief in seventy-three grievous conditions. One is for the worldly life and the other seventy-two in times of great grief and hardship (Day of Judgment), when people

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً نَفَّسَ‌ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ كُرَبَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ وَ هُوَ ثَلِجُ الْفُؤَادِ[1] وَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَهُ مِنْ جُوعٍ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثِمَارِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ سَقَاهُ شَرْبَةً سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ‌[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘For one who provides relief for his brother (in belief), Allah provides him relief in hardship in the life hereafter. He will come out of his grave with a comfortable heart. Whoever satisfies his (a believers’s) hunger Allah will feed him from the fruits of paradise. One who provi

مَنْ فَرَّجَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ فَرَّجَ اللَّهُ عَنْ قَلْبِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Whoever relieves a believer from suffering, Allah will provide relief for his (helper’s) heart on the Day of Judgment.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ نَفَّسَ عَنْ مُؤْمِنٍ كُرْبَةً وَ هُوَ مُعْسِرٌ يَسَّرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَوَائِجَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ قَالَ وَ مَنْ سَتَرَ عَلَى مُؤْمِنٍ عَوْرَةً يَخَافُهَا سَتَرَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ سَبْعِينَ عَوْرَةً مِنْ عَوْرَاتِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ قَالَ وَ اللَّهُ فِي عَوْنِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي عَوْنِ أَخِيهِ فَانْتَفِعُوا بِالْعِظَةِ وَ ار

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Any believer who relieves a believer from his hardships in a constraining condition Allah will make his (helper’s) needs easily met in this world and in the next.’ The Imam said, ‘Whoever provides cover for the private matters of a believer for which he is afraid, Allah will provi

مَنْ أَشْبَعَ مُؤْمِناً وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةُ وَ مَنْ أَشْبَعَ كَافِراً كَانَ حَقّاً عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يَمْلَأَ جَوْفَهُ مِنَ الزَّقُّومِ مُؤْمِناً كَانَ أَوْ كَافِراً[4].

“Paradise becomes necessary for one who satisfies the hunger of a believer. For one who satisfies the hunger of an unbeliever (for his disbelief) it becomes necessary for Allah to fill his belly with al-Zaqum, the fruit of hell, regardless of his being a believer or unbeliever.”

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ رَجُلًا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُطْعِمَ أُفُقاً مِنَ النَّاسِ‌[5] قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْأُفُقُ قَالَ مِائَةُ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Satisfying the hunger of a Muslim is more beloved to me than feeding a whole horizon of people.’ 1 then asked, ‘What is a horizon?’ The Imam said, ‘It is one hundred thousand or more people.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ ثَلَاثَةَ نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثَلَاثِ جِنَانٍ- فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ الْفِرْدَوْسِ وَ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ وَ طُوبَى [وَ] شَجَرَةٍ تَخْرُجُ مِنْ جَنَّةِ عَدْنٍ غَرَسَهَا رَبُّنَا بِيَدِهِ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever, feeds three Muslims, Allah will feed him from three gardens in the Kingdom of the heaven, the garden of al-Firdaws, (paradise), the garden of Eden and Tuba’, the tree that comes out of the garden of Eden is planted by our Lord with His own hands.’”

مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يُدْخِلُ بَيْتَهُ مُؤْمِنَيْنِ فَيُطْعِمُهُمَا شِبَعَهُمَا[2] إِلَّا كَانَ ذَلِكَ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ عِتْقِ نَسَمَةٍ.

“The serving of a man’s food at his home to two of the believing people to their satisfaction is more meritorious than the setting free of a human soul.”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مِنْ جُوعٍ أَطْعَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ ثِمَارِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ سَقَى مُؤْمِناً مِنْ ظَمَإٍ سَقَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الرَّحِيقِ الْمَخْتُومِ.

“Whoever provides food to a believer to satisfy his hunger Allah will feed him with the fruits of paradise and whoever provides water to quench the thirst of a believer Allah will quench his thirst from the wine of paradise which is in sealed containers.”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يُشْبِعَهُ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَحَدٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ مَا لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ الْمَغْفِرَةِ إِطْعَامُ الْمُسْلِمِ السَّغْبَانِ‌[3] ثُمَّ تَلَا قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَوْ إِطْعامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ يَتِيماً ذا مَقْرَبَةٍ أَوْ مِسْكِيناً ذا مَتْرَبَةٍ[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If one serves food to a believer to satisfy his hunger, no one of the creatures of Allah will be able to find out how much reward he will have in the hereafter for such service, not even the angels close to Allah or a prophet Divinely commissioned to preach can find out except Allah, L

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَقَى مُؤْمِناً شَرْبَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ مِنْ حَيْثُ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَرْبَةٍ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ حَسَنَةٍ وَ إِنْ سَقَاهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَعْتَقَ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever serves a drink of water to a believer who (himself) also can find water, Allah will give him seventy thousand good deeds for each drink and if he provides a drink of water when he (himself) is not able to find one it will be like setting free ten persons from the descendents o

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ تُحِبُّ إِخْوَانَكَ يَا حُسَيْنُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَنْفَعُ فُقَرَاءَهُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَحِقُّ عَلَيْكَ‌[5] أَنْ تُحِبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُ‌ اللَّهُ‌[1] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَنْفَعُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً حَتَّى تُحِبَّهُ‌[2] أَ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى مَنْزِلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ مَا آكُلُ إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الرَّجُلَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ الْأَقَلُّ وَ الْأَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked, ‘Do you love your brothers (in belief) O Husayn?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 love them.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you provide any benefit for their poor?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘It is obligatory for you to love whoever loves Allah. By Allah you will not provide any benefit to any of t

ذُكِرَ أَصْحَابُنَا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ مَا أَتَغَدَّى وَ لَا أَتَعَشَّى‌[4] إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الِاثْنَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ أَقَلُّ وَ أَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَضْلُهُمْ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ وَ أَنَا أُطْعِمُهُمْ طَعَامِي وَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ مَالِي وَ أُخْدِمُهُمْ عِيَالِي فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ إِذَا دَخَلُوا عَلَي

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Muhammad al-Wabishi who has said the following: “Our people were mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. I said, ‘I do not eat lunch or dinner without two, three or more or less of them with me.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ رَجُلًا مُسْلِماً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ أُفُقاً[5] مِنَ النَّاسِ قُلْتُ وَ كَمِ الْأُفُقُ فَقَالَ عَشَرَةُ آلَافٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Feeding a Muslim man is more beloved to me than setting free a horizon (full) of people.’ I then asked, ‘How many is a horizon of people?’ The Imam said, ‘It is ten thousand people.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلُ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ فِئَاماً مِنَ النَّاسِ‌[6] قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْفِئَامُ مِنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ مِائَةُ أَلْفٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Whoever feeds his Muslim brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah his reward will be like the reward of a person who feeds a Fi’Am, (whole group) of people.’ 1 then asked, ‘How many is a Fi’am of people?’ The Imam said, ‘It is one hundred thousand people.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تُعْتِقَ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ نَسَمَةً قُلْتُ‌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُ مَالِي ذَلِكَ قَالَ تُطْعِمُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ مُسْلِماً فَقُلْتُ مُوسِراً أَوْ مُعْسِراً قَالَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْمُوسِرَ قَدْ يَشْتَهِي الطَّعَامَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has asked, ‘What prevents you from setting free a soul every day?’ I said, ‘My property is not enough to bear it.’ The Imam said, ‘Feed a Muslim every day.’ I asked, ‘Is it so, regardless, of his being affluent or poor?’ The Imam said, ‘Affluent people also desire food.’”

أَكْلَةٌ[1] يَأْكُلُهَا أَخِي الْمُسْلِمُ عِنْدِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ رَقَبَةً.

“A meal that (I may provide) for a Muslim brother (in belief) is more beloved to me than setting free a slave.”

لَأَنْ أُشْبِعَ رَجُلًا مِنْ إِخْوَانِي أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَدْخُلَ سُوقَكُمْ هَذَا فَأَبْتَاعَ مِنْهَا رَأْساً فَأُعْتِقَهُ.

“Feeding one of my brothers (in belief) to his satisfaction is more beloved to me than entering your market to buy a slave and set him free.”

لَأَنْ آخُذَ خَمْسَةَ دَرَاهِمَ وَ أَدْخُلَ إِلَى سُوقِكُمْ هَذَا فَأَبْتَاعَ بِهَا الطَّعَامَ وَ أَجْمَعَ نَفَراً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ نَسَمَةً.

“With five Dirhams, if I enter your market to buy food to feed a few Muslim people is more beloved to me than setting free of a slave.”

سُئِلَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ص مَا يَعْدِلُ عِتْقَ رَقَبَةٍ قَالَ إِطْعَامُ رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ.

“Muhammad ibn Ali (a.s.) asked, ‘How much is the value of setting free a slave?’ The Imam said, ‘It is equal to feeding a Muslim man to his satisfaction.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا أَرَى شَيْئاً يَعْدِلُ زِيَارَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِلَّا إِطْعَامَهُ وَ حَقٌّ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُطْعِمَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مِنْ طَعَامِ الْجَنَّةِ.

“I do not find anything equal in reward to visiting a believer except feeding him. Allah considers it His responsibility to feed, from the food of paradise, one who feeds a believer.”

لَأَنْ أُطْعِمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَزُورَهُ وَ لَأَنْ أَزُورَهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُعْتِقَ عَشْرَ رِقَابٍ.

“Feeding a needy believer is more beloved to me than visiting him, and to visit him is more beloved to me than setting free of ten slaves.”

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُوسِراً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ رَقَبَةً مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهُ مِنَ الذَّبْحِ وَ مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً مُحْتَاجاً كَانَ لَهُ يَعْدِلُ مِائَةَ رَقَبَةٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ يُنْقِذُهَا مِنَ الذَّبْحِ.

“Whoever feeds an affluent believer it is equal to setting free a slave from the descendents of Isma’il and rescuing him from slaughter. Whoever feeds a needy believer, it is equal in reward for him to set free one hundred slaves from the descendents of Isma’il and rescue them from being slaughtered.”

لَإِطْعَامُ مُؤْمِنٍ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ عِتْقِ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَ عَشْرِ حِجَجٍ‌[1] قَالَ قُلْتُ عَشْرِ رِقَابٍ وَ عَشْرِ حِجَجٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا نَصْرُ إِنْ لَمْ تُطْعِمُوهُ مَاتَ أَوْ تَدُلُّونَهُ‌[2] فَيَجِي‌ءُ إِلَى نَاصِبٍ فَيَسْأَلُهُ وَ الْمَوْتُ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ مَسْأَلَةِ نَاصِبٍ يَا نَصْرُ مَنْ أَحْيَا مُؤْمِناً فَكَأَنَّما أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً فَإِنْ لَمْ تُطْعِمُوهُ فَقَدْ أَمَتُّمُوهُ وَ إِنْ أَطْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Feeding a believer is, indeed, more beloved to me than setting free ten slaves and performing ten Hajj.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Is it like setting free ten slaves and performing ten Hajj?’ He has said that the Imam said, ‘O Nasr, if you do not feed him he will die or you will hu

مَنْ كَسَا أَخَاهُ كِسْوَةَ شِتَاءٍ أَوْ صَيْفٍ كَانَ حَقّاً عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يَكْسُوَهُ مِنْ ثِيَابِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَنْ يُهَوِّنَ عَلَيْهِ سَكَرَاتِ الْمَوْتِ وَ أَنْ يُوَسِّعَ عَلَيْهِ فِي قَبْرِهِ وَ أَنْ يَلْقَى الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ بِالْبُشْرَى وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ تَتَلَقَّاهُمُ الْمَلائِكَةُ هذا يَوْمُكُمُ‌ الَّذِي كُنْتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ‌[3].

“If a beleiver provides clothes for his brother (in belief) to use in winter or summer, it becomes a right with Allah to dress him with the dresses of paradise, to ease off the agony of death for him, make his grave greatly roomy. On coming out of his grave he meets the angels who give him the good news as Allah, the M

مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ‌ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ‌[1] أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ‌[2] مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعَةَ آلَافِ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as a reward assigns seven thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness for him up to the time of sounding off of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin that he may have committe

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, as reward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, assigns seventy thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness up to the time of the sounding of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin

مَنْ كَسَا مُؤْمِناً كَسَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الثِّيَابِ الْخُضْرِ وَ قَالَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ لَا يَزَالُ فِي ضَمَانِ اللَّهِ مَا دَامَ عَلَيْهِ سِلْكٌ‌[3].

’Whoever provides clothes for a believer, for his reward Allah will dress him all in green.’ In another Hadith he said, ‘He will live under the protection of Allah as long as a fiber of that clothes is on him (believer).’”

أَنَّهُ كَانَ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ كَسَا مُؤْمِناً ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ كَسَاهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ إِسْتَبْرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ مَنْ كَسَا مُؤْمِناً ثَوْباً مِنْ غِنًى لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي سِتْرٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الثَّوْبِ خِرْقَةٌ

“Whoever provides clothes for a believer (while in need) for covering, Allah will dress up the former with Istabraq (a kind of fine clothing) of paradise. Whoever provides clothes for a believer (while he already has enough) for covering he will live under the protection of Allah as long as anything is left of that clo

مَنْ أَخَذَ مِنْ وَجْهِ‌[4] أَخِيهِ‌ الْمُؤْمِنِ قَذَاةً[1] كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ عَشْرَ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ مَنْ تَبَسَّمَ فِي وَجْهِ أَخِيهِ كَانَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ.

“Whoever removes a speck from the face of his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, then will write down for the former ten good deeds and whoever smiles to his brother (in belief) earns one good deed.”

مَنْ قَالَ لِأَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَرْحَباً كَتَبَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لَهُ مَرْحَباً إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“Whoever says ‘Welcome’ to his brother (in belief) Allah then writes down for him ‘Welcome’ up to the Day of Judgment.”