The Book of Belief and Disbelief

مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُسْلِمُ فَأَكْرَمَهُ فَإِنَّمَا أَكْرَمَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“One who honors his Muslim brother (in belief) who has come to him, in fact, has revered Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا فِي أُمَّتِي عَبْدٌ أَلْطَفَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ لُطْفٍ إِلَّا أَخْدَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْ خَدَمِ الْجَنَّةِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever of my followers treats his brother (in belief) with gentleness for the sake of Allah, He will provide for him servants of paradise.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَكْرَمَ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ بِكَلِمَةٍ يُلْطِفُهُ بِهَا وَ فَرَّجَ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي ظِلِّ اللَّهِ الْمَمْدُودِ عَلَيْهِ الرَّحْمَةُ مَا كَانَ فِي ذَلِكَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever receives his Muslim brother (in belief) with honor and value and relieves his suffering continues living under the extended shadow of Allah with blessings as long as he is in there.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِمَّا خَصَّ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ الْمُؤْمِنَ أَنْ يُعَرِّفَهُ بِرَّ إِخْوَانِهِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ وَ لَيْسَ الْبِرُّ بِالْكَثْرَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ يُؤْثِرُونَ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ‌ وَ لَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ وَ مَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ‌ فَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ‌[2] وَ مَنْ عَرَّفَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِذَلِكَ أَحَب

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the special characteristics that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has given to a believer is that he is the means for the recognition and identification of the good deeds of his brothers (in belief) even if such deeds are small and little. Goodness is not in plentifulne

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُتْحِفُ أَخَاهُ التُّحْفَةَ قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ التُّحْفَةُ قَالَ مِنْ مَجْلِسٍ وَ مُتَّكَإٍ وَ طَعَامٍ وَ كِسْوَةٍ وَ سَلَامٍ فَتَطَاوَلُ الْجَنَّةُ[1] مُكَافَأَةً لَهُ وَ يُوحِي اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهَا أَنِّي قَدْ حَرَّمْتُ طَعَامَكِ عَلَى أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا عَلَى نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهَا أَنْ كَاف

‘‘Believers present al-Tuhaf (gifts) to each other.’ I then asked, ‘What is al-Tuhaf!’ The Imam said, ‘It can be a seat, a pillow, food, clothes or greetings of peace. Paradise then tries to reach out to serve them food for their good deed. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, inspires it: ‘I have made your food un

يَجِبُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَسْتُرَ عَلَيْهِ سَبْعِينَ كَبِيرَةً.

“It is obligatory for a Muslim to cover for a Muslim seventy major sins.”

أَمْلَى عَلَيَّ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَحْسِنْ يَا إِسْحَاقُ إِلَى أَوْلِيَائِي مَا اسْتَطَعْتَ فَمَا أَحْسَنَ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَى مُؤْمِنٍ وَ لَا أَعَانَهُ إِلَّا خَمَشَ وَجْهَ إِبْلِيسَ‌[3] وَ قَرَّحَ قَلْبَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Be good to my friends, O Ishaq, as much as you can. No believer does something good to another believer or assists him, but that it causes a contusion to the face of Satan and injuries to his heart.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَيُّمَا مُسْلِمٍ خَدَمَ قَوْماً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ اللَّهُ‌[4] مِثْلَ عَدَدِهِمْ خُدَّاماً فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Any Muslim who serves a group of Muslims, Allah in paradise will grant him servants equal to the number of Muslims he had served.’”

يَجِبُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يُنَاصِحَهُ‌[1].

“It is of a believer’s obligations to provide good advice to another believer.”

يَجِبُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ النَّصِيحَةُ لَهُ فِي الْمَشْهَدِ وَ الْمَغِيبِ‌[2].

“It is of a believer’s obligations to provide good advice to another believer face to face or in his absence.”

يَجِبُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ النَّصِيحَةُ.

“It is of a believer’s obligations to provide good advice to another believer.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لِيَنْصَحِ الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَخَاهُ كَنَصِيحَتِهِ لِنَفْسِهِ‌[3].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Every man among you must provide advice to his brother (in belief) just like the advice for his own self.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ مَنْزِلَةً عِنْدَ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَمْشَاهُمْ فِي أَرْضِهِ‌[4] بِالنَّصِيحَةِ لِخَلْقِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the people of the greatest position before Allah on the Day of Judgment will be he who is a person walking on earth the most to provide good advice to His creatures.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالنُّصْحِ لِلَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ فَلَنْ تَلْقَاهُ بِعَمَلٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ.

‘You must provide good advice for the sake of Allah to His creatures; you will not meet Him with any good deed better than this.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ صَدَقَةٌ يُحِبُّهَا اللَّهُ إِصْلَاحٌ بَيْنِ النَّاسِ إِذَا تَفَاسَدُوا وَ تَقَارُبٌ بَيْنِهِمْ إِذَا تَبَاعَدُوا. - عَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ بْنِ مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

‘The charity that Allah loves is to improve good relations among the people when they cause devastation, and closeness when they get far away from each other.’” It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Hudhayfah ibn Mansur from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

لَأَنْ أُصْلِحَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِدِينَارَيْنِ.

“To improve good relations beween two people is more beloved to me than giving two Dinar in charity.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا مُنَازَعَةً فَافْتَدِهَا مِنْ مَالِي‌[1].

‘When you find two of our followers disputing, settle it between them by means of paying from my property.’”

مَرَّ بِنَا الْمُفَضَّلُ وَ أَنَا وَ خَتَنِي‌[3] نَتَشَاجَرُ فِي مِيرَاثٍ فَوَقَفَ عَلَيْنَا سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ لَنَا تَعَالَوْا إِلَى الْمَنْزِلِ فَأَتَيْنَاهُ فَأَصْلَحَ بَيْنَنَا بِأَرْبَعِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَدَفَعَهَا إِلَيْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا اسْتَوْثَقَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنَّا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ مِنْ مَالِي وَ لَكِنْ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَمَرَنِي إِذَا تَنَازَعَ رَجُلَانِ مِ

Al-Mufaddal once passed us nearby, while my daughter in-law and I were disputing about a legacy. He stood by for a while and then said to us, ‘Come to my house.’ We went there and he settled it between us for four hundred dirhams, which he paid from his own pocket until each of us was happy with the other. He then said

الْمُصْلِحُ لَيْسَ بِكَاذِبٍ‌[1].

“A councilor cannot lie (is not supposed to).”

إِذَا دُعِيتَ لِصُلْحٍ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ فَلَا تَقُلْ عَلَيَّ يَمِينٌ أَلَّا أَفْعَلَ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Do not swear (saying, ‘By Allah’) I will not do good things, or have piety, or make peace among people. . . .,’ (2:224) the Imam said, “When you are called for arbitration between two people, do not say 1 have sworn not to do it.’”

قَالَ: أَبْلِغْ عَنِّي كَذَا وَ كَذَا فِي أَشْيَاءَ أَمَرَ بِهَا قُلْتُ فَأُبَلِّغُهُمْ عَنْكَ وَ أَقُولُ عَنِّي مَا قُلْتَ لِي وَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي قُلْتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ الْمُصْلِحَ لَيْسَ بِكَذَّابٍ إِنَّمَا هُوَ الصُّلْحُ لَيْسَ بِكَذِبٍ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘Convey from me to so and so, in a few matters that he commanded me to do.’ I said, ‘Therefore I convey from you to them and say from myself only what you have told me to say and other things that you said.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, an arbitrator cannot lie. He is the councilor, not a liar

قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْساً بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ‌ فَكَأَنَّما قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً وَ مَنْ أَحْياها فَكَأَنَّما أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً[4] قَالَ مَنْ أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ ضَلَالٍ إِلَى هُدًى فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَاهَا وَ مَنْ أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ هُدًى إِلَى ضَلَالٍ فَقَدْ قَتَلَهَا.

“I asked him about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . We made it a law for the children of Israel that the killing of a person for reasons other than legal retaliation or for stopping corruption in the land is as great a sin as murdering all of mankind. However, to save a life would be as grea

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ مَنْ أَحْياها فَكَأَنَّما أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعاً- قَالَ مِنْ حَرَقٍ أَوْ غَرَقٍ قُلْتُ فَمَنْ أَخْرَجَهَا مِنْ ضَلَالٍ إِلَى هُدًى قَالَ ذَاكَ تَأْوِيلُهَا الْأَعْظَمُ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ وَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ابْنَيْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبَانٍ‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in His book, ‘ ... to save a life is as great a virtue as to save all of mankind. . . .’ (5:32) The Imam said, ‘It refers to burning or drowning someone.’ I asked, ‘What if someone takes him out of straying to guidance?’ The Imam sai

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَسْأَلُكَ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَقُلْتُ كُنْتُ عَلَى حَالٍ وَ أَنَا الْيَوْمَ عَلَى حَالٍ أُخْرَى كُنْتُ أَدْخُلُ الْأَرْضَ فَأَدْعُو الرَّجُلَ وَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَ الْمَرْأَةَ فَيُنْقِذُ اللَّهُ مَنْ شَاءَ[1] وَ أَنَا الْيَوْمَ لَا أَدْعُو أَحَداً فَقَالَ وَ مَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تُخَلِّيَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ وَ بَيْنَ رَبِّهِمْ‌[2] فَمَنْ أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُخْرِجَهُ مِنْ ظُلْ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Can I ask you a question, may Allah keep you well?’ He said, ‘Yes you may do so.’ I said, ‘I was in a particular condition and today I am in another condition. I would go in the land to invite one or two men and women (to our belief) and Allah would save whomever He wanted. Today I

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ لِي أَهْلَ بَيْتٍ وَ هُمْ يَسْمَعُونَ مِنِّي أَ فَأَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَ أَهْلِيكُمْ ناراً وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَ الْحِجارَةُ[4].

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I know a family who listens to me, should I invite them to this cause (belief of the Shi ’a Muslims)?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says in His book, ‘Believers, save yourselves and your families from the fire which is fueled with people and stones .

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ النَّاسَ‌[1] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً فَتَرَكَهُ وَ هُوَ يَجُولُ لِذَلِكَ وَ يَطْلُبُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّكُمْ إِذَا كَلَّمْتُمُ النَّاسَ قُلْتُمْ ذَهَبْنَا حَيْثُ ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ‌[2] وَ اخْتَرْنَا مَنِ اخْتَارَ اللَّهُ وَ اخْتَارَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً وَ اخْتَرْنَا- آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ و

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘Beware of people. If Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wills good for a servant, He places a dot in his heart. He then leaves him alone and for that reason he moves around and searches it (belief).’ Then he (the Imam) said, ‘Were you to talk to people, say we have gone whe

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا ثَابِتُ مَا لَكُمْ وَ لِلنَّاسِ كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا تَدْعُوا أَحَداً إِلَى أَمْرِكُمْ فَوَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنَّ أَهْلَ السَّمَاءِ وَ أَهْلَ الْأَرْضِ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى أَنْ يُضِلُّوا عَبْداً يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ هُدَاهُ مَا اسْتَطَاعُوا كُفُّوا عَنِ النَّاسِ وَ لَا يَقُولُ أَحَدُكُمْ أَخِي وَ ابْنُ عَمِّي وَ جَارِي فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً ط

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Thabit, what do you have to do with people? Leave the people alone and do not invite anyone to your cause (your belief). By Allah, if the inhabitants of heaven and the inhabitants of earth would come together to mislead a servant whom Allah wants to guide, they would not be abl

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَدْعُو النَّاسَ إِلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً أَمَرَ مَلَكاً فَأَخَذَ بِعُنُقِهِ حَتَّى أَدْخَلَهُ فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ طَائِعاً أَوْ كَارِهاً[2].

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Should we invite people to this cause (belief of Shi’a Muslims)?’ The Imam said, ‘O al-Fudayl, it is certain, when Allah wills good for a servant. He commands an angel who holds his neck until he brings him into this cause whether he likes or dislikes it.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اجْعَلُوا أَمْرَكُمْ هَذَا لِلَّهِ وَ لَا تَجْعَلُوهُ لِلنَّاسِ فَإِنَّهُ مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ فَهُوَ لِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ لِلنَّاسِ فَلَا يَصْعَدُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ لَا تُخَاصِمُوا بِدِينِكُمُ النَّاسَ فَإِنَّ الْمُخَاصَمَةَ مَمْرَضَةٌ لِلْقَلْبِ‌[3] إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ لِنَبِيِّهِ ص- إِنَّكَ لا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَ لكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشاءُ[4] وَ قَالَ‌ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘Keep your cause (belief), for the sake of Allah and do not make it for people; what is for Allah is for Allah and what is for people cannot ascend to heaven. Do not argue with people about your religion; argumentation causes sickness to the heart. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Hol

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ قَوْماً لِلْحَقِ‌[2] فَإِذَا مَرَّ بِهِمُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ قَبِلَتْهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَهُ وَ إِذَا مَرَّ بِهِمُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ أَنْكَرَتْهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَهُ وَ خَلَقَ قَوْماً لِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا مَرَّ بِهِمُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْكَرَتْهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَهُ وَ إِذَا مَرَّ بِهِ

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Uthman from ibn ‘Udhaynah from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created a people for the truth, when they pass by the door of the truth, their hearts accept it, even though they may not know it. When they

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً مِنْ نُورٍ فَأَضَاءَ لَهَا سَمْعُهُ وَ قَلْبُهُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ أَحْرَصَ عَلَى مَا فِي أَيْدِيكُمْ مِنْكُمْ وَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ سُوءاً- نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً سَوْدَاءَ فَأَظْلَمَ لَهَا سَمْعُهُ وَ قَلْبُهُ ثُمَّ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهْدِيَهُ‌ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلامِ‌ وَ مَنْ يُرِد

“When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wills good for a servant. He places a dot of light in his heart, which shines his ears and heart to the extent that he becomes more eager and protective of this cause than you are. When He wills evil for a servant. He places a black dot in his heart and it darkens his ears

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً بَيْضَاءَ وَ فَتَحَ مَسَامِعَ قَلْبِهِ وَ وَكَّلَ بِهِ مَلَكاً يُسَدِّدُهُ وَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ سُوءاً نَكَتَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُكْتَةً سَوْدَاءَ وَ سَدَّ مَسَامِعَ قَلْبِهِ وَ وَكَّلَ بِهِ شَيْطَاناً يُضِلُّهُ.

“When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wills good for a servant. He places a white dot on his heart, opens up his ears and heart and assigns an angel to keep him on the right path. When He wills evil for a servant. He places a black dot in his heart and shuts down his ears and heart and assigns a Satan to misle

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا الصَّخْرِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُعْطِي الدُّنْيَا مَنْ يُحِبُّ وَ يُبْغِضُ وَ لَا يُعْطِي هَذَا الْأَمْرَ إِلَّا صَفْوَتَهُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ أَنْتُمْ وَ اللَّهِ‌ عَلَى دِينِي وَ دِينِ آبَائِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ إِسْمَاعِيلَ لَا أَعْنِي عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ وَ لَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيٍّ وَ إِنْ كَانَ هَؤُلَاءِ عَلَى دِينِ هَؤُلَاءِ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O abu al-Sakhr, Allah indeed grants the world to whoever He loves or hates. He does not grant this cause (belief) but to the chosen ones of His creatures. You, by Allah, follow my religion and the religion of my predecessors, Ibrahim and Isma’il. I do not mean thereby Ali ibn al-

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا مَالِكُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُعْطِي الدُّنْيَا مَنْ يُحِبُّ وَ يُبْغِضُ وَ لَا يُعْطِي دِينَهُ إِلَّا مَنْ يُحِبُّ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘O Malik, Allah grants the world to those whom He loves, and those whom He hates, but He grants His religion only to those whom He loves.’”

إِنَّ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا يُعْطِيهَا اللَّهُ الْبَرَّ وَ الْفَاجِرَ وَ لَا يُعْطِي الْإِيمَانَ إِلَّا صَفْوَتَهُ مِنْ خَلْقِهِ.

“Allah gives this world to both the virtuous and evil-doing people, but He does not give belief to anyone except to His chosen creatures.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا يُعْطِيهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْ أَحَبَّ وَ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ وَ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ لَا يُعْطِيهِ إِلَّا مَنْ أَحَبَّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, gives the world to those He loves as well as to those He hates, but He does not give belief to anyone except those He loves.”

أَمَا لَقَدْ بَسَطُوا عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ قَتَلُوهُ وَ لَكِنْ أَ تَدْرُونَ مَا وَقَاهُ وَقَاهُ أَنْ يَفْتِنُوهُ فِي دِينِهِ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Allah protected him against their evil plans. . . .,’ (40:45) the Imam said, ‘In fact, they perpetrated and murdered him but do you know what was protected? He (Allah) protected him against confusion in his religion.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لِأَصْحَابِهِ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْقُرْآنَ هُدَى اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ وَ نُورُ اللَّيْلِ الْمُظْلِمِ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنْ جَهْدٍ وَ فَاقَةٍ فَإِذَا حَضَرَتْ بَلِيَّةٌ فَاجْعَلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ دُونَ أَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ إِذَا نَزَلَتْ نَازِلَةٌ فَاجْعَلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ دُونَ دِينِكُمْ وَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الْهَالِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ دِينُهُ وَ الْحَرِيبَ

“Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) has said, ‘It was in the will of Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to his companions, “You must know that this Quran is guidance day and night and it is the light in the dark night that is due to hardships and destitution. When misfortune befalls, protect yourselves with your properties.

سَلَامَةُ الدِّينِ وَ صِحَّةُ الْبَدَنِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَالِ وَ الْمَالُ زِينَةٌ مِنْ زِينَةِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ. - مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ رِبْعِيٍّ عَنِ الْفُضَيْلِ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

“Soundness of religion and good health is better than property. Property is a beauty of the worldly beauties and it is a good thing.” Muhammad ibn Isma’il has narrated from Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammad from Rib’i from al-Fudayl from abu Ja’far (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

كَانَ رَجُلٌ يَدْخُلُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ فَغَبَرَ زَمَاناً[4] لَا يَحُجُّ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ بَعْضُ مَعَارِفِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ فُلَانٌ مَا فَعَلَ‌[5] قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يُضَجِّعُ الْكَلَامَ‌[6] يَظُنُّ أَنَّهُ إِنَّمَا يَعْنِي الْمَيْسَرَةَ وَ الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ دِينُهُ فَقَالَ كَمَا تُحِبُّ فَقَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ الْغِنَى.

“A man, of the companions of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) would very often attend the gathering with the Imam. He remained absent for a certain time and did not attend Hajj also. Once a certain individual of his people who knew him came in and the Imam asked, ‘How so and so is doing?’ The narrator has said that the man then be

بِمَا صَبَرُوا عَلَى التَّقِيَّةِ- وَ يَدْرَؤُنَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ السَّيِّئَةَ[1] قَالَ الْحَسَنَةُ التَّقِيَّةُ وَ السَّيِّئَةُ الْإِذَاعَةُ.

"For their patience in the face of taqiyya (dissimulation), and they repel evil with good." He said, "The good deed is taqiyya, and the evil deed is spreading rumors."

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا عُمَرَ إِنَّ تِسْعَةَ أَعْشَارِ الدِّينِ فِي التَّقِيَّةِ وَ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ لَا تَقِيَّةَ لَهُ وَ التَّقِيَّةُ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا فِي النَّبِيذِ وَ الْمَسْحِ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ‌[2].

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O abu ‘Umar, nine tenths of religion is in al- Taqiyyah (cautious measures). One who does not observe al- Taqiyyah has no religion. Al-Taqiyyah must be observed in all matters except wine and wiping (a part of Wuzu) over the socks.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ التَّقِيَّةُ مِنْ دِينِ اللَّهِ- قُلْتُ مِنْ دِينِ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِي وَ اللَّهِ مِنْ دِينِ اللَّهِ وَ لَقَدْ قَالَ يُوسُفُ ع- أَيَّتُهَا الْعِيرُ إِنَّكُمْ لَسارِقُونَ‌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَانُوا سَرَقُوا شَيْئاً وَ لَقَدْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع‌ إِنِّي سَقِيمٌ‌ وَ اللَّهِ مَا كَانَ سَقِيماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Al-Taqiyyah is of the religion of Allah.’ I asked, ‘Is it of the religion of Allah?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, by Allah, it is of the religion of Allah. Yusuf (the prophet) had said, ‘O people of the caravan of camels, you are thieves.’ By Allah, they had not stolen anything and Ibrahim had

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يَقُولُ‌ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا عَلَى وَجْهِ الْأَرْضِ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنَ التَّقِيَّةِ يَا حَبِيبُ إِنَّهُ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ تَقِيَّةٌ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ يَا حَبِيبُ مَنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ تَقِيَّةٌ وَضَعَهُ اللَّهُ يَا حَبِيبُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ إِنَّمَا هُمْ فِي هُدْنَةٍ[3] فَلَوْ قَدْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ هَذَا[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘I heard my father saying, “By Allah, there is nothing on the face of earth more beloved to me than observing al-Taqiyyah (cautious protective measures).” O Habib, whoever observes al- Taqiyyah Allah raises him up. O Habib, whoever does not observe al-Taqiyyah Allah brings him low. O Ha

اتَّقُوا عَلَى دِينِكُمْ فَاحْجُبُوهُ بِالتَّقِيَّةِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا تَقِيَّةَ لَهُ إِنَّمَا أَنْتُمْ فِي النَّاسِ كَالنَّحْلِ فِي الطَّيْرِ لَوْ أَنَّ الطَّيْرَ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي أَجْوَافِ النَّحْلِ مَا بَقِيَ مِنْهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا أَكَلَتْهُ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ النَّاسَ عَلِمُوا مَا فِي أَجْوَافِكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُحِبُّونَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ لَأَكَلُوكُمْ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ وَ لَنَحَلُوكُمْ‌[1] فِي السِّرِّ

“Protect your religion and veil it with al-Taqiyyah (protective measures); one who does not observe al-Taqiyyah has no belief. You in the people are like honeybees, in birds. Had birds known what is inside honeybees no honeybee would have been left and it all would have been consumed. Had people known that you love Ahl

الْحَسَنَةُ التَّقِيَّةُ وَ السَّيِّئَةُ الْإِذَاعَةُ[2] وَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ‌ السَّيِّئَةَ[3] قَالَ الَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ التَّقِيَّةُ- فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَهُ عَداوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ‌[4].

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . virtue and evil are not equal. . . .’ , the Imam said that ‘Virtue’ refers to al-Taqiyyah and ‘Evil’ is disregarding it, and in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘If you respond to evil with virtuous deeds . . .’, the Imam said, ‘Vi

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا عَمْرٍو أَ رَأَيْتَكَ لَوْ حَدَّثْتُكَ بِحَدِيثٍ أَوْ أَفْتَيْتُكَ بِفُتْيَا ثُمَّ جِئْتَنِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَسَأَلْتَنِي عَنْهُ فَأَخْبَرْتُكَ بِخِلَافِ مَا كُنْتُ أَخْبَرْتُكَ أَوْ أَفْتَيْتُكَ بِخِلَافِ ذَلِكَ بِأَيِّهِمَا كُنْتَ تَأْخُذُ قُلْتُ بِأَحْدَثِهِمَا وَ أَدَعُ الْآخَرَ فَقَالَ قَدْ أَصَبْتَ يَا أَبَا عَمْرٍو أَبَى اللَّهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يُعْبَدَ سِرّاً[5] أَمَا وَ الل

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said, ‘O abu ‘Amr, what would you do, were I to narrate a Hadith to you or give you a Fatwa (a legal opinion), and you came to me sometimes later to ask about the same issues, but I gave you a Hadith or a Fatwa that contradicts the first one, which one would you follow?’ I said, ‘I will follo

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا بَلَغَتْ تَقِيَّةُ أَحَدٍ تَقِيَّةَ أَصْحَابِ الْكَهْفِ إِنْ كَانُوا لَيَشْهَدُونَ الْأَعْيَادَ وَ يَشُدُّونَ الزَّنَانِيرَ[6] فَأَعْطَاهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ أَجْرَهُمْ مَرَّتَيْنِ‌.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘No one’s al-Taqiyyah reached the level of strictness to that of the people of the Cave who would attend the festivities while wearing neck ties, thus, Allah gave them twice as many rewards.”

اسْتَقْبَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي طَرِيقٍ فَأَعْرَضْتُ عَنْهُ بِوَجْهِي وَ مَضَيْتُ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي لَأَلْقَاكَ فَأَصْرِفُ وَجْهِي كَرَاهَةَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَيْكَ فَقَالَ لِي رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ وَ لَكِنَّ رَجُلًا لَقِيَنِي أَمْسِ فِي مَوْضِعِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَقَالَ عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا أَحْسَنَ وَ لَا أَجْمَلَ‌[1].

“Once I came face to face to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) on a road and I turned my face away and passed him by. Later I went to see him and said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I sometimes may turn my face away and pass you so as not to cause you any trouble. ’ The Imam said, ‘May Allah grant you blessings

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع قَالَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِ الْكُوفَةِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّكُمْ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى سَبِّي فَسُبُّونِي ثُمَّ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنِّي فَلَا تَبَرَّءُوا مِنِّي فَقَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا يَكْذِبُ النَّاسُ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى سَبِّي فَسُبُّونِي ثُمَّ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنِّي وَ

“It was said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘People narrate that Ali (a.s.) once said from the pulpit in al-Kufah, “O people, one day you will be told to abuse me. You then will do so, then you will be told to denounce me but you will not denounce me.” The Imam said, ‘How often has this falsehood (lie) been told about Ali (a.