The Book of Belief and Disbelief

صَلَّى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع الْفَجْرَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ حَتَّى صَارَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَلَى قِيدِ رُمْحٍ وَ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ بِوَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَدْرَكْتُ أَقْوَاماً يَبِيتُونَ لِرَبِّهِمْ سُجَّداً وَ قِياماً يُخَالِفُونَ بَيْنَ جِبَاهِهِمْ وَ رُكَبِهِمْ كَانَ زَفِيرُ النَّارِ فِي آذَانِهِمْ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ عِنْدَهُمْ مَادُوا كَمَا يَمِيدُ الشَّجَرُ[3] كَأَنَّمَا الْقَوْمُ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) prayed the morning prayer and remained in his place until the sun rose up to the length of a spear and then turned his face to people and said, ‘By Allah I lived in the times of a people who spent the night prostrating and standing before their Lord, changing positions

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْرِفَ أَصْحَابِي فَانْظُرْ إِلَى مَنِ اشْتَدَّ وَرَعُهُ وَ خَافَ خَالِقَهُ وَ رَجَا ثَوَابَهُ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ هَؤُلَاءِ فَهَؤُلَاءِ أَصْحَابِي.

‘If you want to see my companions then look to those whose restraining from worldly attraction (sins) is intense, who fear their Creator in the hope for His rewards. If you find such people they are my companions.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شِيعَتُنَا الْمُتَبَاذِلُونَ فِي وَلَايَتِنَا الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي مَوَدَّتِنَا الْمُتَزَاوِرُونَ فِي إِحْيَاءِ أَمْرِنَا الَّذِينَ إِنْ غَضِبُوا لَمْ يَظْلِمُوا وَ إِنْ رَضُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا بَرَكَةٌ عَلَى مَنْ جَاوَرُوا سِلْمٌ لِمَنْ خَالَطُوا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Our Shi’a (followers) spend for (the cause of) our Walayah (Divine Authority), love each other for the sake of our love, and visit each other to preserve our cause. They are those who do not commit injustice when angered, and are not excessive when they agree. The

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ وَ عَظَّمَهُ مَنَعَ فَاهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ وَ بَطْنَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ عَفَا نَفْسَهُ بِالصِّيَامِ وَ الْقِيَامِ قَالُوا بِآبَائِنَا وَ أُمَّهَاتِنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَؤُلَاءِ أَوْلِيَاءُ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ سَكَتُوا فَكَانَ سُكُوتُهُمْ ذِكْراً وَ نَظَرُوا فَكَانَ نَظَرُهُمْ عِبْرَةً وَ نَطَقُوا فَكَانَ نُطْقُهُمْ حِكْمَةً وَ مَشَوْا فَكَانَ مَشْي

25. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Isa al-Nahriri from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comes to know Allah and realizes His greatness does not allow his mouth to speak or his stomach

خَطَبَ النَّاسَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ص فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ عَنْ أَخٍ لِي كَانَ مِنْ أَعْظَمِ النَّاسِ فِي عَيْنِي وَ كَانَ رَأْسُ مَا عَظُمَ بِهِ فِي عَيْنِي صِغَرَ الدُّنْيَا فِي عَيْنِهِ كَانَ خَارِجاً مِنْ سُلْطَانِ بَطْنِهِ فَلَا يَشْتَهِي مَا لَا يَجِدُ وَ لَا يُكْثِرُ إِذَا وَجَدَ كَانَ خَارِجاً مِنْ سُلْطَانِ فَرْجِهِ- فَلَا يَسْتَخِفُّ لَهُ عَقْلَهُ وَ لَا رَأْيَهُ‌[2]- كَانَ خَارِج

“Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) once addressed the people saying, ‘I like to tell you about one of my friends who was the greatest in my sight. The head of what was the greatest in my sight about him was the worthlessness of the world in his sight. He was free of the control of his stomach, thus, he did not have any appetite

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مِهْزَمُ شِيعَتُنَا مَنْ لَا يَعْدُو صَوْتُهُ سَمْعَهُ‌[4] وَ لَا شَحْنَاؤُهُ بَدَنَهُ‌[5] وَ لَا يَمْتَدِحُ بِنَا مُعْلِناً وَ لَا يُجَالِسُ لَنَا عَائِباً وَ لَا يُخَاصِمُ لَنَا قَالِياً إِنْ لَقِيَ مُؤْمِناً أَكْرَمَهُ وَ إِنْ لَقِيَ جَاهِلًا هَجَرَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَشَيِّعَةِ[6] قَالَ فِيهِمُ التَّمْيِيزُ وَ فِيهِمُ التَّبْدِيلُ وَ فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the belie

قَالَ: مَنْ عَامَلَ النَّاسَ فَلَمْ يَظْلِمْهُمْ وَ حَدَّثَهُمْ فَلَمْ يَكْذِبْهُمْ وَ وَعَدَهُمْ فَلَمْ يُخْلِفْهُمْ كَانَ مِمَّنْ حُرِّمَتْ غِيبَتُهُ وَ كَمَلَتْ مُرُوءَتُهُ وَ ظَهَرَ عَدْلُهُ وَ وَجَبَتْ أُخُوَّتُهُ.

“Whoever in his dealing with people does not do injustice to them, in his speaking does not lie to them and in his promise does not fail to keep it is among those whose backbiting is unlawful, whose kindness is complete, whose justice has become public and it is necessary to establish brotherly relations with him.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ اسْتَكْمَلَ خِصَالَ الْإِيمَانِ إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا غَضِبَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ الْغَضَبُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَ إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ يَتَعَاطَ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three qualities, the quality of his belief is complete: if he is happy it does not lead him to falsehood, his anger does not lead him out of the truth and when in power does not take hold of what is not rightfully his.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ لِأَهْلِ الدِّينِ عَلَامَاتٍ يُعْرَفُونَ بِهَا صِدْقَ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ وَفَاءً بِالْعَهْدِ وَ صِلَةَ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ رَحْمَةَ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ قِلَّةَ الْمُرَاقَبَةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ أَوْ قَالَ قِلَّةَ الْمُوَاتَاةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ[2] وَ بَذْلَ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ حُسْنَ الْخُلُقِ وَ سَعَةَ الْخُلُقِ وَ اتِّبَاعَ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَا يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ زُلْ

30. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim 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, ‘Religious people have certain signs by means of which they are recognized. Of such signs a

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص عَنْ خِيَارِ الْعِبَادِ[1] فَقَالَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَحْسَنُوا اسْتَبْشَرُوا وَ إِذَا أَسَاءُوا اسْتَغْفَرُوا وَ إِذَا أُعْطُوا شَكَرُوا وَ إِذَا ابْتُلُوا صَبَرُوا وَ إِذَا غَضِبُوا غَفَرُوا.

“The Holy Prophet was asked about the best ones among the servants (of Allah). The Holy Prophet said, ‘They are those who enjoy doing good deeds, and ask forgiveness when they do bad deeds, thank when they are favored, exercise patience when they suffer and forgive when they are subjected to anger.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ إِنَّ خِيَارَكُمْ أُولُو النُّهَى قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ أُولُو النُّهَى قَالَ هُمْ أُولُو الْأَخْلَاقِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَ الْأَحْلَامِ الرَّزِينَةِ[2] وَ صِلَةِ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ الْبَرَرَةُ بِالْأُمَّهَاتِ وَ الْآبَاءِ وَ الْمُتَعَاهِدِينَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَ الْجِيرَانِ وَ الْيَتَامَى‌ وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعامَ‌ وَ يُفْشُونَ السَّلَامَ فِي الْعَالَمِ وَ يُصَلُّونَ وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ غَافِلُون

32. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The best among you are those who possess al-Nuha’.’ He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are possessors of al-Nuha’?’ He then said, ‘They are those who possess excellent moral disci

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَيُّ الْخِصَالِ بِالْمَرْءِ أَجْمَلُ فَقَالَ وَقَارٌ بِلَا مَهَابَةٍ وَ سَمَاحٌ بِلَا طَلَبِ مُكَافَأَةٍ وَ تَشَاغُلٌ بِغَيْرِ مَتَاعِ الدُّنْيَا.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which quality is more graceful for a man?’ The Imam said, ‘Of such qualities are: reverence that is not a cause for any fear, magnanimity without expecting any recompense, and business, but not in worldly matters.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمَعْرِفَةَ بِكَمَالِ دِينِ الْمُسْلِمِ تَرْكُهُ الْكَلَامَ فِيمَا لَا يَعْنِيهِ وَ قِلَّةُ مِرَائِهِ وَ حِلْمُهُ وَ صَبْرُهُ وَ حُسْنُ خُلُقِهِ.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘Signs of perfect religion of a Muslim are his restraining from speaking things that do not concern him, his reduced disagreement, his forbearance, patience and his excellent moral behavior.’”

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَشْبَهِكُمْ بِي قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‌ قَالَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ خُلُقاً وَ أَلْيَنُكُمْ كَنَفاً وَ أَبَرُّكُمْ بِقَرَابَتِهِ وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ حُبّاً لِإِخْوَانِهِ فِي دِينِهِ وَ أَصْبَرُكُمْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَ أَكْظَمُكُمْ لِلْغَيْظِ وَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ عَفْواً وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ إِنْصَافاً فِي الرِّضَا وَ الْغَضَبِ.

35. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn ‘Arafah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet once asked, ‘Do you want me to tell you who is more similar to me? They replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘It is he whose

مِنْ أَخْلَاقِ الْمُؤْمِنِ الْإِنْفَاقُ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْإِقْتَارِ[1] وَ التَّوَسُّعُ عَلَى قَدْرِ التَّوَسُّعِ وَ إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ وَ ابْتِدَاؤُهُ إِيَّاهُمْ بِالسَّلَامِ عَلَيْهِمْ.

“It is of the moral behavior of believers to spend proportionately to their standard of living, raise such standards to what is possible, fairness to people and initiation in offering the greeting of peace.”

الْمُؤْمِنُ أَصْلَبُ مِنَ الْجَبَلِ الْجَبَلُ يُسْتَقَلُّ مِنْهُ‌[2] وَ الْمُؤْمِنُ لَا يُسْتَقَلُّ مِنْ دِينِهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ.

“A believer is stronger than a mountain. A mountain loses its parts but no loss takes place in the religion of a believer.”

الْمُؤْمِنُ حَسَنُ الْمَعُونَةِ خَفِيفُ الْمَئُونَةِ جَيِّدُ التَّدْبِيرِ لِمَعِيشَتِهِ لَا يُلْسَعُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ‌[3].

“A believer is of valuable assistance, of very light expenses, of excellent plans for living and does not allow to be bitten twice from the same opening.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَكُونُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ نَبِيِّهِ وَ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ وَلِيِّهِ فَأَمَّا السُّنَّةُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَكِتْمَانُ سِرِّهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- عالِمُ الْغَيْبِ‌ فَلا يُظْهِرُ عَلى‌ غَيْبِهِ أَحَداً إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضى‌ مِنْ رَسُولٍ‌[4] وَ أَمَّا السُّنَّةُ مِنْ نَبِيِّهِ فَمُدَارَاةُ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّ اللَّ

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer cannot become a believer unless he has three qualities: one tradition from his Lord, one from His Holy Prophet and one from His Waliyy (one who possess Divine Authority). The tradition from his Lord is to hide his secret as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنَةُ أَعَزُّ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَعَزُّ مِنَ الْكِبْرِيتِ الْأَحْمَرِ فَمَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمُ الْكِبْرِيتَ الْأَحْمَرَ[2].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The female believer is more valued than a male believer, and a male believer is more valued than red sulfur. Who among you has ever seen red sulfur?’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ بَهَائِمُ- ثَلَاثاً[3] إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُ غَرِيبٌ‌[4] ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying three times, ‘People are animals, people are animals, people are animals, except a few of believers. Believers are rare, believers are rare, and believers are rare, (more cherished).”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِأَبِي بَصِيرٍ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ أَنِّي أَجِدُ مِنْكُمْ ثَلَاثَةَ مُؤْمِنِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ حَدِيثِي مَا اسْتَحْلَلْتُ أَنْ أَكْتُمَهُمْ حَدِيثاً.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying to abu Basir, ‘By Allah were I to find three believers among you who keep our Hadith concealed I would not have considered it lawful to conceal any Hadith from them.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَ اللَّهِ مَا يَسَعُكَ الْقُعُودُ فَقَالَ وَ لِمَ يَا سَدِيرُ قُلْتُ لِكَثْرَةِ مَوَالِيكَ وَ شِيعَتِكَ وَ أَنْصَارِكَ وَ اللَّهِ لَوْ كَانَ لِأَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع مَا لَكَ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ وَ الْأَنْصَارِ وَ الْمَوَالِي مَا طَمِعَ فِيهِ تَيْمٌ وَ لَا عَدِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ وَ كَمْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا قُلْتُ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قَالَ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قُلْتُ نَعَم

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘By Allah, it is your obligation not to sit (without proclaiming your leadership).’ The Imam asked, ‘Why O Sadir?’ I said, ‘Because your friends, Shi’a (followers) and supporters are so many. By Allah, were Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to hav

قَالَ لِي عَبْدٌ صَالِحٌ ص‌ يَا سَمَاعَةُ أَمِنُوا عَلَى فُرُشِهِمْ وَ أَخَافُونِي‌[6] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا فِيهَا إِلَّا وَاحِدٌ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ وَ لَوْ كَانَ مَعَهُ غَيْرُهُ لَأَضَافَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ حَيْثُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ إِبْراهِيمَ كانَ أُمَّةً قانِتاً لِلَّهِ‌ حَنِيفاً وَ لَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ‌[7] فَغَبَرَ بِذَلِكَ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ آنَس

“A virtuous servant (of Allah) (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Sama’a, they (pretending Shi’a) found their belief in their beds and they (attempt) to frighten me (ignoring al-Taqiyah). By Allah, once of the whole world and all that is therein there was only one person who worshipped Allah. Had there been anyone else, Allah, the

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَقَلَّنَا لَوِ اجْتَمَعْنَا عَلَى شَاةٍ مَا أَفْنَيْنَاهَا فَقَالَ أَ لَا أُحَدِّثُكَ بِأَعْجَبَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ- الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَ الْأَنْصَارُ ذَهَبُوا إِلَّا وَ أَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ ثَلَاثَةً[2] قَالَ حُمْرَانُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا حَالُ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَمَّاراً أَبَا الْيَقْظَانِ بَايَعَ وَ قُتِلَ شَهِيداً فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَا شَيْ‌ءٌ أَفْضَلَ م

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how small is our number! It is so small that all combined feasting on a goat cannot finish it.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you want to hear more astonishing things? The immigrants (Muslim of Makkah) and supporters (Muslim of Madina) all went (t

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ قَالَ بِوَلَايَتِنَا مُؤْمِناً وَ لَكِنْ جُعِلُوا أُنْساً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Not everyone who speaks of our Walayah (Divine Authority) is a believer. They, however, are made to serve as boasting morals of the believing people.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا عَبْدَ الْوَاحِدِ مَا يَضُرُّ رَجُلًا إِذَا كَانَ عَلَى ذَا الرَّأْيِ‌[1] مَا قَالَ النَّاسُ لَهُ وَ لَوْ قَالُوا مَجْنُونٌ وَ مَا يَضُرُّهُ وَ لَوْ كَانَ عَلَى رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ حَتَّى يَجِيئَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘O ‘Abd al-Wahid, nothing can harm one, if he is a person of proper understanding, who believes in our (Divine Authority), no matter what people may say about him. Although they may call him insane it will not harm him even if he lives on a mountain worshipping Allah until death appr

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مُؤْمِنٌ وَاحِدٌ لَاسْتَغْنَيْتُ بِهِ عَنْ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي وَ لَجَعَلْتُ لَهُ مِنْ إِيمَانِهِ أُنْساً لَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى أَحَدٍ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, “Had there not been more than one believer on earth, he would have been sufficient for Me in place of all of My other creatures and I would have made his belief to provide him good company to help him live independent of all creatures.

مَا يُبَالِي‌[2] مَنْ عَرَّفَهُ اللَّهُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ أَنْ يَكُونَ عَلَى قُلَّةِ جَبَلٍ يَأْكُلُ مِنْ نَبَاتِ الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ.

“One to whom Allah grants belief in this cause (our Divine Authority) will have no trouble even if he were to live on top of a mountain using plants for food until approaching of one’s death.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَسْتَوْحِشَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ فَمَنْ دُونَهُ‌[3] الْمُؤْمِنُ عَزِيزٌ فِي دِينِهِ.

‘It does not benefit a believer to be apprehensive of his brother (in belief) of less perfect belief; believers are highly valued people in their religion.’”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي مَرْضَةٍ مَرِضَهَا لَمْ يَبْقَ مِنْهُ إِلَّا رَأْسُهُ‌[1] فَقَالَ يَا فُضَيْلُ إِنَّنِي كَثِيراً مَا أَقُولُ مَا عَلَى رَجُلٍ‌[2] عَرَّفَهُ اللَّهُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ لَوْ كَانَ فِي رَأْسِ جَبَلٍ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ الْمَوْتُ يَا فُضَيْلَ بْنَ يَسَارٍ إِنَّ النَّاسَ أَخَذُوا يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا وَ إِنَّا وَ شِيعَتَنَا هُدِينَا الصِّراطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ* يَا فُضَيْلَ بْنَ يَسَارٍ إ

“Once I went to see Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) in his illness that he endured and nothing was left of him except his head (due to weakness). The Imam said, I very often O Fudayl, say, ‘A man to whom Allah grants belief in this cause (our Divine Authority) will have no trouble even if he were to live on a mountain until the c

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا تَرَدَّدْتُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنَا فَاعِلُهُ كَتَرَدُّدِي فِي مَوْتِ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِ‌[4] إِنَّنِي لَأُحِبُّ لِقَاءَهُ وَ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ فَأَصْرِفُهُ عَنْهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَدْعُونِي فَأُجِيبُهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيهِ وَ لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا وَاحِدٌ مِنْ عَبِيدِي مُؤْمِنٌ لَاسْتَغْنَيْتُ بِهِ عَنْ جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي وَ لَجَعَلْتُ

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I never hesitated in doing anything as I do about the death of My believing servant. I love to meet him but he dislikes death and 1 then hold it back from him. He prays to Me and I answer his prayers, he asks Me for help and I provid

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَسْكُنُ إِلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ كَمَا يَسْكُنُ الظَّمْآنُ إِلَى الْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ.

“A believer finds comfort with another believer just as a thirsty person finds relief from cool water.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَدْفَعُ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ الْوَاحِدِ عَنِ الْقَرْيَةِ الْفَنَاءَ.

“Allah wards off destruction from a whole town just because of the existence of one believer in it.”

لَا يُصِيبُ قَرْيَةً عَذَابٌ وَ فِيهَا سَبْعَةٌ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ.

“A town in which seven believers live remains safe from torment.”

قِيلَ لَهُ فِي الْعَذَابِ إِذَا نَزَلَ بِقَوْمٍ يُصِيبُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ يَخْلُصُونَ بَعْدَهُ‌[2].

“It was asked, ‘In the case of punishment that descends upon a people, does it affect the believers also?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, but they find salvation in the hereafter.’”

الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِنَانِ فَمُؤْمِنٌ صَدَقَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَ وَفَى بِشَرْطِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رِجالٌ صَدَقُوا ما عاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي لَا تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا أَهْوَالُ الْآخِرَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ يَشْفَعُ وَ لَا يُشْفَعُ لَهُ وَ مُؤْمِنٌ كَخَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ‌[2] تَعْوَجُّ أَحْيَاناً وَ تَقُومُ أَحْيَاناً فَذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْ

“There are two kinds of believing people: one kind is true to the covenant with Allah and has kept the stipulation as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Among the believers there are people who are true in their promise to Allah. . . .’ (33:23) This kind of believing people do not become subject to any

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِنَانِ مُؤْمِنٌ وَفَى لِلَّهِ بِشُرُوطِهِ الَّتِي شَرَطَهَا عَلَيْهِ فَذَلِكَ مَعَ‌ النَّبِيِّينَ‌ وَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ وَ الشُّهَداءِ وَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ حَسُنَ أُولئِكَ رَفِيقاً وَ ذَلِكَ مَنْ يَشْفَعُ وَ لَا يُشْفَعُ لَهُ وَ ذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ لَا تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا أَهْوَالُ الْآخِرَةِ وَ مُؤْمِنٌ زَلَّتْ بِهِ قَدَمٌ فَذَلِكَ كَخَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ كَيْفَمَا كَفَأَتْه

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘There are two kinds of believing people: one kind is true to the stipulations that He has made with him. He is with the prophets, the truthful ones, the martyrs and the virtuous ones. These indeed are good companions. Such ones intercede on behalf of others but they themselves do not need any

قَامَ رَجُلٌ بِالْبَصْرَةِ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنِ الْإِخْوَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِخْوَانُ صِنْفَانِ إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ وَ إِخْوَانُ الْمُكَاشَرَةِ[3] فَأَمَّا إِخْوَانُ الثِّقَةِ فَهُمُ الْكَفُّ وَ الْجَنَاحُ وَ الْأَهْلُ وَ الْمَالُ فَإِذَا كُنْتَ مِنْ أَخِيكَ عَلَى حَدِّ الثِّقَةِ فَابْذُلْ لَهُ مَالَكَ وَ بَدَنَكَ- وَ صَافِ مَنْ صَافَاهُ‌[1] وَ عَادِ مَنْ عَاد

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Yunus ibn Ya’qub from abu Maryam al-Ansari from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once a man in Basra stood before Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) and asked, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, speak to us

أَخَذَ اللَّهُ مِيثَاقَ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى أَنْ لَا تُصَدَّقَ مَقَالَتُهُ وَ لَا يَنْتَصِفَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ‌[3] وَ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يَشْفِي نَفْسَهُ إِلَّا بِفَضِيحَتِهَا لِأَنَّ كُلَّ مُؤْمِنٍ مُلْجَمٌ‌[4].

“Allah has made a covenant with a believer (to have patience) when his words are not accepted as true and he does not avenge his enemies. A believer will not have any satisfaction without subjecting his soul to disgrace (before his own conscience); every believer is harnessed (as to his soul in the matters of worldly d

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَخَذَ مِيثَاقَ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى بَلَايَا أَرْبَعٍ أَيْسَرُهَا عَلَيْهِ‌[5] مُؤْمِنٌ يَقُولُ بِقَوْلِهِ‌[6] يَحْسُدُهُ أَوْ مُنَافِقٌ يَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ أَوْ شَيْطَانٌ يُغْوِيهِ أَوْ كَافِرٌ يَرَى جِهَادَهُ فَمَا بَقَاءُ الْمُؤْمِنِ بَعْدَ هَذَا.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah has made a covenant with a believer to exercise patience in the face of four kinds of misfortunes: the least serious of these is the envying of another believer against him who has the same belief, or a hypocrite that follows him (for hypocritical reason), Satan who tries to tem

مَا أَفْلَتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ‌[7] وَ لَرُبَّمَا اجْتَمَعَتِ الثَّلَاثُ عَلَيْهِ إِمَّا بُغْضُ مَنْ يَكُونُ مَعَهُ فِي الدَّارِ يُغْلِقُ عَلَيْهِ بَابَهُ‌ يُؤْذِيهِ أَوْ جَارٌ يُؤْذِيهِ أَوْ مَنْ فِي طَرِيقِهِ إِلَى حَوَائِجِهِ يُؤْذِيهِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ مُؤْمِناً عَلَى قُلَّةِ جَبَلٍ لَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَيْهِ شَيْطَاناً يُؤْذِيهِ وَ يَجْعَلُ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ إِيمَانِهِ أُنْساً لَا

“A believer cannot escape one of three problems or perhaps all three at the same time: someone at home always bites him and closes his door to hurt him, a neighbor who annoys him, or someone on his way to work troubles him. Even if a believer may live on top of a mountain, Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, sends Satan

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَرْبَعٌ لَا يَخْلُو مِنْهُنَّ الْمُؤْمِنُ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ مُؤْمِنٌ يَحْسُدُهُ وَ هُوَ أَشَدُّهُنَّ عَلَيْهِ وَ مُنَافِقٌ يَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ أَوْ عَدُوٌّ يُجَاهِدُهُ أَوْ شَيْطَانٌ يُغْوِيهِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer is not without four things or at least one of them at a time: he suffers from the envy of a believer and it is the most difficult one, stalking of a hypocrite, the struggle of an enemy against him or the temptation of Satan.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ وَلِيَّهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا غَرَضاً لِعَدُوِّهِ‌[2].

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made His friend to become a victim of His enemy in this world.”

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَشَكَا إِلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ الْحَاجَةَ فَقَالَ لَهُ اصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سَيَجْعَلُ لَكَ فَرَجاً قَالَ ثُمَّ سَكَتَ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَقَالَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ سِجْنِ الْكُوفَةِ كَيْفَ هُوَ فَقَالَ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ ضَيِّقٌ مُنْتِنٌ وَ أَهْلُهُ بِأَسْوَإِ حَالٍ قَالَ فَإِنَّمَا أَنْتَ فِي السِّجْنِ فَتُرِيدُ أَنْ تَكُونَ فِيهِ فِي سَعَةٍ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ ا

“Once I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man complained to him about something he needed. The Imam said, ‘Be patient, Allah will make a way out for you.’ The narrator has said that he remained quiet for a while then he turned to the man and said, ‘Tell me about the jail in Kufah, how is it?’ The man s

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَأَيُّ سِجْنٍ جَاءَ مِنْهُ خَيْرٌ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘This world is a prison for believing people. Which prison is it wherein anything good may exist?”

الْمُؤْمِنُ مُكَفَّرٌ[1]. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ مَعْرُوفَهُ يَصْعَدُ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَلَا يُنْشَرُ فِي النَّاسِ وَ الْكَافِرُ مَشْكُورٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A believer is not appreciated.’ It is narrated in another Hadith : ‘This is because the virtues of a believer are taken to Allah, thus, they do not spread among the people and an unbeliever is appreciated.’”

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَرْبَعَةً شَيْطَاناً يُغْوِيهِ يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُضِلَّهُ وَ كَافِراً يَغْتَالُهُ‌[2] وَ مُؤْمِناً يَحْسُدُهُ وَ هُوَ أَشَدُّهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ مُنَافِقاً يَتَتَبَّعُ عَثَرَاتِهِ.

“To every believer Allah has assigned four things: a Satan who wants to mislead him, an unbeliever who fights him, a believer who envies him - it is the most difficult one - and a hypocrite who tracks down his mistakes (for evil purposes).”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا مَاتَ الْمُؤْمِنُ خَلَّى عَلَى جِيرَانِهِ مِنَ الشَّيَاطِينِ عَدَدَ رَبِيعَةَ وَ مُضَرَ كَانُوا مُشْتَغِلِينَ بِهِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘When a believer dies the devils working to mislead him, now released among his neighbors, number equal to all the people of the tribe of Rabi’ and Mudar.’”

مَا كَانَ وَ لَا يَكُونُ وَ لَيْسَ بِكَائِنٍ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ جَارٌ يُؤْذِيهِ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ مُؤْمِناً فِي جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ لَابْتَعَثَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَنْ يُؤْذِيهِ.

“There had never been, there is no one and will never be a believer but that a neighbor causes him suffering. Even if a believer may live on an island Allah sends someone to cause him suffering.”

مَا كَانَ فِيمَا مَضَى وَ لَا فِيمَا بَقِيَ وَ لَا فِيمَا أَنْتُمْ فِيهِ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ جَارٌ يُؤْذِيهِ.

“In the past, in future and in your time there has never been a believer, whom a neighbor did not make suffer.”