The Book of Belief and Disbelief

مُحَرَّمَةٌ الْجَنَّةُ عَلَى الْقَتَّاتِينَ الْمَشَّاءِينَ بِالنَّمِيمَةِ[3].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Entering paradise is prohibited to spies and gossip mongers.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شِرَارُكُمُ الْمَشَّاءُونَ بِالنَّمِيمَةِ- الْمُفَرِّقُونَ بَيْنَ الْأَحِبَّةِ الْمُبْتَغُونَ لِلْبُرَآءِ الْمَعَايِبَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘The evil ones among you are those who spread gossip that causes separation among the loved ones, and seek to label the innocent with defects.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَيَّرَ أَقْوَاماً بِالْإِذَاعَةِ- فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذا جاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ‌ أَذاعُوا بِهِ‌[1] فَإِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْإِذَاعَةَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has criticized people for publicizing confidential matters in His words, “When they receive any news of peace or war, they announce it in public. . . (4:83) Therefore, be on your guard against publicity of confidential matters.’”

مَنْ أَذَاعَ عَلَيْنَا حَدِيثَنَا فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ جَحَدَنَا حَقَّنَا قَالَ وَ قَالَ لِمُعَلَّى بْنِ خُنَيْسٍ الْمُذِيعُ حَدِيثَنَا كَالْجَاحِدِ لَهُ‌[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever publicizes our (confidential) Hadith is like one who has denied our rights.’ The Imam (a.s.) had also said to al-Mu’alla ibn khunays, ‘One who publicizes our Hadith is like one who rejects them.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ أَذَاعَ عَلَيْنَا حَدِيثَنَا سَلَبَهُ اللَّهُ الْإِيمَانَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever publicizes our (confidential) Hadith, Allah will take away his belief.’”

مَا قَتَلَنَا مَنْ أَذَاعَ حَدِيثَنَا قَتْلَ خَطَإٍ وَ لَكِنْ قَتَلَنَا قَتْلَ عَمْدٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever publicizes our (confidential) Hadith is like one who does not kill us by mistake but he does so on purpose.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ يُحْشَرُ الْعَبْدُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ مَا نَدِيَ دَماً فَيُدْفَعُ إِلَيْهِ شِبْهُ الْمِحْجَمَةِ[3] أَوْ فَوْقَ ذَلِكَ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ- هَذَا سَهْمُكَ مِنْ دَمِ فُلَانٍ فَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ إِنَّكَ لَتَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ قَبَضْتَنِي وَ مَا سَفَكْتُ دَماً فَيَقُولُ بَلَى سَمِعْتَ مِنْ فُلَانٍ رِوَايَةَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا فَرَوَيْتَهَا عَلَيْهِ فَنُقِلَتْ حَتَّى صَارَتْ إِلَى فُلَانٍ الْجَبّ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘A servant (of Allah) will be raised on the Day of Judgment, although he had not caused any bloodshed, something containing a dose or more blood will be given to him and he will be told, “This is your share of the blood of so and so.” He will say, ‘Lord, You know that You caused me to

وَ اللَّهِ مَا قَتَلُوهُمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ لَا ضَرَبُوهُمْ بِأَسْيَافِهِمْ وَ لَكِنَّهُمْ سَمِعُوا أَحَادِيثَهُمْ فَأَذَاعُوهَا فَأُخِذُوا عَلَيْهَا فَقُتِلُوا فَصَارَ قَتْلًا وَ اعْتِدَاءً وَ مَعْصِيَةً.

“The Imam recited this verse: . . for they denied the evidence (of the existence of Allah) and murdered His Prophets without reason; they were disobedient transgressors.’ (2:61) The Imam said, ‘By Allah they did not murder them with their hands or swords but they would hear their Hadith and publicize them, causing them

أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا قَتَلُوهُمْ بِأَسْيَافِهِمْ وَ لَكِنْ أَذَاعُوا سِرَّهُمْ وَ أَفْشَوْا عَلَيْهِمْ فَقُتِلُوا.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . for unjustly murdering the prophets . . .,’ (3:112) the Imam said, ‘By Allah, they did not murder them with their swords but they publicized their secrets, spread them against the prophets who then were murdered.’”

قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَيَّرَ قَوْماً بِالْإِذَاعَةِ فَقَالَ- وَ إِذا جاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذاعُوا بِهِ‌ فَإِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْإِذَاعَةَ.

8. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn ‘Ajlan from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in His words has criticized a people for publicizing confidential facts: ‘When they receive any news of peace or war, t

مَنْ أَذَاعَ عَلَيْنَا شَيْئاً مِنْ أَمْرِنَا فَهُوَ كَمَنْ قَتَلَنَا عَمْداً وَ لَمْ يَقْتُلْنَا خَطَأً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever publicizes our (confidential) cause is like one who murders us on purpose, and not by mistake.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مُذِيعُ السِّرِّ شَاكٌّ وَ قَائِلُهُ‌ عِنْدَ غَيْرِ أَهْلِهِ كَافِرٌ وَ مَنْ تَمَسَّكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى فَهُوَ نَاجٍ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ التَّسْلِيمُ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The propagator (of the confidential Hadith of ‘ A’immah ) is in doubt (about his belief in ‘ A’immah ) and the narrator (of confidential matter) before a stranger (unreliable audience) is an unbeliever. Whoever holds fast to the firm ring, is saved.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ الدِّينَ دَوْلَتَيْنِ دَوْلَةَ آدَمَ وَ هِيَ دَوْلَةُ اللَّهِ وَ دَوْلَةَ إِبْلِيسَ فَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ عَلَانِيَةً كَانَتْ دَوْلَةُ آدَمَ وَ إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ أَنْ يُعْبَدَ فِي السِّرِّ كَانَتْ دَوْلَةُ إِبْلِيسَ وَ الْمُذِيعُ لِمَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ سَتْرَهُ مَارِقٌ مِنَ الدِّينِ‌[3].

11. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Salih ibn abu Hammad from a man of the people of Kufah from abu Khalid al-Kabuli from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made religion into two kingdoms; the kingdom of Adam, which is the kingdom of Allah, and the kingdom

مَنِ اسْتَفْتَحَ نَهَارَهُ بِإِذَاعَةِ سِرِّنَا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ حَرَّ الْحَدِيدِ وَ ضِيقَ الْمَحَابِسِ‌[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever opens his morning activities with the publicity of our secrets Allah will make the heat of iron and the congestion of prisons dominate him.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ طَلَبَ رِضَا النَّاسِ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ حَامِدَهُ مِنَ النَّاسِ ذَامّاً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever seeks the pleasure of people to anger Allah, Allah will make the people who praise him vilify.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ طَلَبَ مَرْضَاةَ النَّاسِ بِمَا يُسْخِطُ اللَّهَ كَانَ حَامِدُهُ‌[5] مِنَ النَّاسِ ذَامّاً وَ مَنْ‌ آثَرَ طَاعَةَ اللَّهِ بِغَضَبِ النَّاسِ كَفَاهُ اللَّهُ عَدَاوَةَ كُلِّ عَدُوٍّ وَ حَسَدَ كُلِّ حَاسِدٍ وَ بَغْيَ كُلِّ بَاغٍ وَ كَانَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ نَاصِراً وَ ظَهِيراً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever seeks the pleasure of people with that which angers Allah, the people praising will belittle him. Whoever gives preference to Allah’s obedience with that which angers people, Allah will suffice him against the animosity of every enemy, the envy of all enviers and the transgres

كَتَبَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى الْحُسَيْنِ ص عِظْنِي بِحَرْفَيْنِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ مَنْ حَاوَلَ أَمْراً بِمَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ كَانَ أَفْوَتَ لِمَا يَرْجُو وَ أَسْرَعَ لِمَجِي‌ءِ مَا يَحْذَرُ[1].

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Sharif ibn Sabiq from al-Fadl ibn Abu Qurrah from Abu Qurrah from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once, a man wrote al-Husayn (a.s.) asking, ‘Instruct me with good advice in two letters.’ The Imam wrote back to him, ‘Whoever seeks to acqui

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ بِطَاعَةِ مَنْ عَصَى اللَّهَ وَ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ بِفِرْيَةِ بَاطِلٍ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ بِجُحُودِ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘There is no religion for one who pledges obedience to someone who disobeys God, nor for one who holds to a false claim about God, nor for one who denies any of the signs of God.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَرْضَى سُلْطَاناً بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ خَرَجَ مِنْ دِينِ اللَّهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever seeks the pleasure of a king by a means that anger Allah, has moved out of the religion of Allah.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَمْسٌ إِنْ أَدْرَكْتُمُوهُنَّ فَتَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِنْهُنَّ لَمْ تَظْهَرِ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي قَوْمٍ قَطُّ حَتَّى يُعْلِنُوهَا إِلَّا ظَهَرَ فِيهِمُ الطَّاعُونُ وَ الْأَوْجَاعُ الَّتِي لَمْ تَكُنْ فِي أَسْلَافِهِمُ الَّذِينَ مَضَوْا وَ لَمْ يَنْقُصُوا الْمِكْيَالَ وَ الْمِيزَانَ إِلَّا أُخِذُوا بِالسِّنِينَ‌[2] وَ شِدَّةِ الْمَئُونَةِ وَ جَوْرِ السُّلْطَانِ وَ لَمْ يَمْنَعُوا الزَّكَاةَ إِل

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "There are five things—if you encounter them, seek refuge with Allah (Mighty and Majestic) from them: No people ever manifest indecency (fāḥishah) publicly except that plague and illnesses not known to their forefathers will spread among them; They do not cheat in weights and measures

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا ظَهَرَ الزِّنَا مِنْ بَعْدِي كَثُرَ مَوْتُ الْفَجْأَةِ وَ إِذَا طُفِّفَ الْمِكْيَالُ وَ الْمِيزَانُ أَخَذَهُمُ اللَّهُ بِالسِّنِينَ وَ النَّقْصِ وَ إِذَا مَنَعُوا الزَّكَاةَ مَنَعَتِ الْأَرْضُ بَرَكَتَهَا مِنَ الزَّرْعِ وَ الثِّمَارِ وَ الْمَعَادِنِ كُلَّهَا وَ إِذَا جَارُوا فِي الْأَحْكَامِ تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الظُّلْمِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ إِذَا نَقَضُوا الْعَهْدَ سَلَّطَ ا

“We have found in the book of the Messenger of Allah the following: after my leaving this world when fornication will turn out to be apparent among people, sudden death will take place more frequently. When weighing and measurement will become light, people will face famine and shortages of livelihood. When they deny p

لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ مَجْلِساً يُعْصَى اللَّهُ فِيهِ وَ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَى تَغْيِيرِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is not proper for a believer to attend a meeting wherein Allah is disobeyed and one is not able to change it.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا لِي رَأَيْتُكَ عِنْدَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ فَقَالَ- إِنَّهُ خَالِي فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ يَقُولُ فِي اللَّهِ قَوْلًا عَظِيماً يَصِفُ اللَّهَ وَ لَا يُوصَفُ فَإِمَّا جَلَسْتَ مَعَهُ وَ تَرَكْتَنَا وَ إِمَّا جَلَسْتَ مَعَنَا وَ تَرَكْتَهُ فَقُلْتُ هُوَ يَقُولُ مَا شَاءَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُ إِذَا لَمْ أَقُلْ مَا يَقُولُ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع أَ مَا تَخَافُ أَنْ

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Why is it that I find you with ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Ya’qub?’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘It is because he is my uncle from my mother’s side.’ The Imam said, ‘He says great heavy words about Allah. He describes Allah who is beyond description. You either sit with him and leave us or

لَا تَصْحَبُوا أَهْلَ الْبِدَعِ وَ لَا تُجَالِسُوهُمْ فَتَصِيرُوا عِنْدَ النَّاسِ كَوَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص الْمَرْءُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ وَ قَرِينِهِ.

"Do not accompany the people of innovation, nor sit with them, lest you be considered by the people as one of them. The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: A person is upon the religion of their friend and companion."

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمْ أَهْلَ الرَّيْبِ وَ الْبِدَعِ مِنْ بَعْدِي فَأَظْهِرُوا الْبَرَاءَةَ مِنْهُمْ وَ أَكْثِرُوا مِنْ سَبِّهِمْ وَ الْقَوْلَ فِيهِمْ وَ الْوَقِيعَةَ وَ بَاهِتُوهُمْ‌[2] كَيْلَا يَطْمَعُوا فِي الْفَسَادِ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ وَ يَحْذَرَهُمُ النَّاسُ وَ لَا يَتَعَلَّمُوا مِنْ بِدَعِهِمْ يَكْتُبِ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ بِذَلِكَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يَرْفَعْ لَكُمْ بِهِ الدَّرَجَاتِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Dawud ibn Sarhan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When you after me find people of heresy and skepticism express your disapproval of them and increase your co

لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يُوَاخِيَ الْفَاجِرَ وَ لَا الْأَحْمَقَ وَ لَا الْكَذَّابَ.

“It is not proper for the Muslim to establish brotherhood with the open sinner, the fool or the liar.”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص إِذَا صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ قَالَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَجْتَنِبَ مُوَاخَاةَ ثَلَاثَةٍ الْمَاجِنِ‌[1] وَ الْأَحْمَقِ وَ الْكَذَّابِ فَأَمَّا الْمَاجِنُ فَيُزَيِّنُ لَكَ فِعْلَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِثْلَهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُكَ عَلَى أَمْرِ دِينِكَ وَ مَعَادِكَ وَ مُقَارَنَتُهُ جَفَاءٌ وَ قَسْوَةٌ وَ مَدْخَلُهُ وَ مَخْرَجُهُ عَلَيْكَ عَارٌ وَ أَمَّا الْأَحْمَقُ فَإِنَّهُ لَا يُشِيرُ

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Amr ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Salim al-Kendi from those who narrated to him from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) from the pulpit would say, ‘It is very proper for a Muslim not to establish b

قَالَ لِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص‌ يَا بُنَيَّ انْظُرْ خَمْسَةً فَلَا تُصَاحِبْهُمْ وَ لَا تُحَادِثْهُمْ وَ لَا تُرَافِقْهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ‌[4] فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَهْ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّرَابِ يُقَرِّبُ لَكَ الْبَعِيدَ وَ يُبَاعِدُ لَكَ الْقَرِيبَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْفَاسِقِ- فَإِنَّهُ بَائِعُكَ بِأُكْلَةٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَ

“Once Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) said to me, ‘My son, beware of five kinds of people and do not associate with, speak to and accompany them on the road.’ I then asked, ‘Who are they O father?’ He then said, ‘You must not accompany a lying person; he is like a phantom. He tells you of what, in fact, is faraway to be very

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ قَدْ نَزَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الْكِتابِ‌ أَنْ إِذا سَمِعْتُمْ‌ آياتِ اللَّهِ يُكْفَرُ بِها وَ يُسْتَهْزَأُ بِها إِلَى آخِرِ الْآيَةِ[5] فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا عَنَى بِهَذَا إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الرَّجُلَ الَّذِي يَجْحَدُ الْحَقَّ وَ يُكَذِّبُ بِهِ وَ يَقَعُ فِي الْأَئِمَّةِ فَقُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ وَ لَا تُقَاعِدْهُ كَائِناً مَنْ كَانَ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Allah has told you (believers) in the Book that when you hear people disbelieving and mocking Allah’s revelations, do not sit with them unless they change the subject. You will become like them. Allah will gather all the hyp

مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَجْلِسُ مَجْلِساً يُنْتَقَصُ فِيهِ إِمَامٌ أَوْ يُعَابُ فِيهِ مُؤْمِنٌ.

“Whoever believes in Allah and in the Day of Judgment must not sit in a seat whereby an Imam is belittled or a believer is criticized.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ مَنْ كانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَقُومُ مَكَانَ رِيبَةٍ[1].

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and in the Day of Judgment must not stay in a place that casts doubt on one’s credentials and make them murky.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَ الْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلَا يَقْعُدَنَّ فِي مَجْلِسٍ يُعَابُ فِيهِ إِمَامٌ أَوْ يُنْتَقَصُ فِيهِ مُؤْمِنٌ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever believes in Allah and in the Day of Judgment must not sit in a place where an Imam is belittled or a believer is criticized.’”

ثَلَاثَةُ مَجَالِسَ يَمْقُتُهَا اللَّهُ وَ يُرْسِلُ نَقِمَتَهُ عَلَى أَهْلِهَا فَلَا تُقَاعِدُوهُمْ وَ لَا تُجَالِسُوهُمْ مَجْلِساً فِيهِ مَنْ يَصِفُ لِسَانُهُ كَذِباً فِي فُتْيَاهُ وَ مَجْلِساً ذِكْرُ أَعْدَائِنَا فِيهِ جَدِيدٌ وَ ذِكْرُنَا فِيهِ رَثٌ‌[3] وَ مَجْلِساً فِيهِ مَنْ يَصُدُّ عَنَّا وَ أَنْتَ تَعْلَمُ قَالَ ثُمَّ تَلَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع ثَلَاثَ آيَاتٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ كَأَنَّمَا كُنَّ فِي فِيهِ أ

“There are three kinds of gatherings that Allah despises and sends His anger upon the attendance therein. You must not sit there to associate with them: a gathering wherein there is one whose tongue speaks lies in his Fatwas (legal opinion), a gathering wherein our enemies are praised freshly and we are mentioned as ol

إِذَا ابْتُلِيتَ بِأَهْلِ النَّصْبِ وَ مُجَالَسَتِهِمْ فَكُنْ كَأَنَّكَ عَلَى الرَّضْفِ حَتَّى تَقُومَ‌[1] فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَمْقُتُهُمْ وَ يَلْعَنُهُمْ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ يَخُوضُونَ فِي ذِكْرِ إِمَامٍ مِنَ الْأَئِمَّةِ فَقُمْ فَإِنَّ سَخَطَ اللَّهِ يَنْزِلُ هُنَاكَ عَلَيْهِمْ.

“If you are caught up with the people who are bitter enemies of ‘A’immah, recipients of divine supreme covenant, and you associate with them, you must act like a person on a piece of stone heated in a furnace whereby you move away as fast as you can; Allah hates them and condemns them. If you find them, speak against a

مَنْ قَعَدَ عِنْدَ سَبَّابٍ لِأَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ عَصَى اللَّهَ تَعَالَى.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever sits with those who abuse the friends of Allah has certainly disobeyed Allah,the Most High.’”

مَنْ قَعَدَ فِي مَجْلِسٍ يُسَبُّ فِيهِ إِمَامٌ مِنَ الْأَئِمَّةِ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الِانْتِصَافِ‌[2] فَلَمْ يَفْعَلْ أَلْبَسَهُ اللَّهُ الذُّلَّ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ عَذَّبَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ وَ سَلَبَهُ صَالِحَ مَا مَنَّ بِهِ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ مَعْرِفَتِنَا.

“Whoever sits in a gathering where any of A ’immah is abused and one is able to move out of such gathering, but does not do so, Allah will dress him with humiliation in this world and punish him in the next life and take away from him the goodness that was granted to him due to his acquaintance with us.’”

رَأَيْتُ يَحْيَى ابْنَ أُمِّ الطَّوِيلِ وَقَفَ‌ بِالْكُنَاسَةِ[1] ثُمَّ نَادَى بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ مَعْشَرَ أَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ إِنَّا بُرَآءُ مِمَّا تَسْمَعُونَ مَنْ سَبَّ عَلِيّاً ع فَعَلَيْهِ لَعْنَةُ اللَّهِ وَ نَحْنُ بُرَآءُ مِنْ آلِ مَرْوَانَ وَ مَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ يَخْفِضُ صَوْتَهُ فَيَقُولُ مَنْ سَبَّ أَوْلِيَاءَ اللَّهِ فَلَا تُقَاعِدُوهُ وَ مَنْ شَكَّ فِيمَا نَحْنُ عَلَيْهِ فَلَا تُفَاتِ

“I saw Yahya ibn ‘Umm Tawil standing at al-Kunasa (an open area in Kufah) calling at the peak of his voice, ‘O group of friends of Allah, I disavow whatever you hear. Whoever abuses Ali (a.s.) allow the condemnation of Allah be upon him. We renounce the people of the family of Marwan and all that they worship besides A

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ أَصْنَافٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ تَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَكْتُبَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا أَكْتُبُ قَالَ اكْتُبْ أَهْلَ الْوَعِيدِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَهْلِ النَّارِ[1] وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ اعْتَرَفُوا بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلًا صالِحاً وَ آخَرَ سَيِّئاً[2] قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ وَحْشِيٌّ مِنْهُمْ‌[3] قَالَ وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لِأ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘People are of six categories.’ I then asked, ‘Can I write them down?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ I then asked, ‘What should I write?’ The Imam said, ‘Write down: the people promised paradise and those warned against the fire (but ignored it). Write down, “. . . others o

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتِّ فِرَقٍ يَئُولُونَ‌[6] كُلُّهُمْ إِلَى ثَلَاثِ فِرَقٍ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الضَّلَالِ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الْوَعْدَيْنِ‌[7] الَّذِينَ وَعَدَهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ الْجَنَّةَ وَ النَّارَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ الْكَافِرُونَ وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُونَ وَ الْمُرْجَوْنَ‌ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ‌ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَ إِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ‌ وَ الْمُعْتَرِفُونَ‌ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلً

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Ubayd from Yunus from Hammad from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “People are of six categories. All of them come from three groups: people of belief, disbelief and straying. All three are the people of two promises.

دَخَلْتُ أَنَا وَ حُمْرَانُ أَوْ أَنَا وَ بُكَيْرٌ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّا نَمُدُّ الْمِطْمَارَ قَالَ وَ مَا الْمِطْمَارُ قُلْتُ التُّرُّ[2] فَمَنْ وَافَقَنَا مِنْ عَلَوِيٍّ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ تَوَلَّيْنَاهُ وَ مَنْ خَالَفَنَا مِنْ عَلَوِيٍّ أَوْ غَيْرِهِ بَرِئْنَا مِنْهُ فَقَالَ لِي يَا زُرَارَةُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ‌ أَصْدَقُ مِنْ قَوْلِكَ فَأَيْنَ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِلَّا الْمُسْ

“Once Humran and I or Bukayr and I went in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) and I said, ‘We use the Mitmar.’ The Imam said, ‘What is the Mitmar?’ I said, ‘It is a measuring device. Whoever of ‘Alawi or none ‘Alawi agrees with us we love them and whoever, ‘Alawi or none ‘Alawi opposes us, we disavow them.’ The Imam sai

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع سُنَنُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص كَفَرَائِضِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَرَضَ فَرَائِضَ مُوجَبَاتٍ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ فَمَنْ تَرَكَ فَرِيضَةً مِنَ الْمُوجَبَاتِ فَلَمْ يَعْمَلْ بِهَا وَ جَحَدَهَا كَانَ كَافِراً وَ أَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ بِأُمُورٍ كُلُّهَا حَسَنَةٌ فَلَيْسَ مَنْ تَرَكَ بَعْضَ مَا أَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ عِبَادَهُ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ بِكَاف

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Are the traditions, Sunan of the Messenger of Allah like the obligations Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has sanctioned?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has sanctioned obligations that are compulsory for the servants (of Allah). Whoever ignores an o

وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْكُفْرَ لَأَقْدَمُ مِنَ الشِّرْكِ وَ أَخْبَثُ وَ أَعْظَمُ قَالَ‌ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ كُفْرَ إِبْلِيسَ حِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ لَهُ اسْجُدْ لآِدَمَ فَأَبَى أَنْ يَسْجُدَ فَالْكُفْرُ أَعْظَمُ مِنَ الشِّرْكِ فَمَنِ اخْتَارَ عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ أَبَى الطَّاعَةَ وَ أَقَامَ عَلَى الْكَبَائِرِ فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ وَ مَنْ نَصَبَ دِيناً غَيْرَ دِينِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَهُوَ مُشْرِكٌ.

“By Allah, disbelief is older than polytheism and more vile and greater (in filth.) The narrator has said that the Imam then mentioned the disbelief of Iblis when Allah said to him: 'Prostrate to Adam,' but he refused to prostrate. Thus, disbelief is greater than polytheism. So, whoever chooses anything over Allah, Exa

ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ سَالِمُ بْنُ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ وَ أَصْحَابُهُ‌[1] فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ يُنْكِرُونَ أَنْ يَكُونَ مَنْ حَارَبَ عَلِيّاً ع مُشْرِكِينَ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَإِنَّهُمْ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّهُمْ كُفَّارٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي إِنَّ الْكُفْرَ أَقْدَمُ مِنَ الشِّرْكِ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ كُفْرَ إِبْلِيسَ حِينَ قَالَ لَهُ اسْجُدْ فَأَبَى أَنْ يَسْجُدَ وَ قَالَ الْكُفْرُ أَقْدَمُ مِنَ الشِّرْكِ فَمَنِ اجْتَرَى عَلَى اللَّهِ فَأَ

“The narrator has said that once Salim ibn abu Hafs and his companions were mentioned before abu Ja’far (a.s.) and that they denied that those who waged war against Ali (a.s.) are of the people who consider things as partners of Allah ( Mushrik ). Abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘So they think such people are unbelievers.’ The

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّا هَدَيْناهُ السَّبِيلَ‌ إِمَّا شاكِراً وَ إِمَّا كَفُوراً[2] قَالَ إِمَّا آخِذٌ فَهُوَ شَاكِرٌ وَ إِمَّا تَارِكٌ فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We showed him the right path, whether he would be grateful or ungrateful.’ (76:3) The Imam said, ‘If he accepts it (belief), he is then grateful or rejects it; he then is an unbeliever.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ مَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالْإِيمانِ‌ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ‌[4] قَالَ تَرْكُ الْعَمَلِ الَّذِي أَقَرَّ بِهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَنْ يَتْرُكَ الصَّلَاةَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُقْمٍ وَ لَا شُغُلٍ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘The deeds of anyone who rejects belief, certainly, become fruitless. He, on the Day of Judgment will be of those who lose.’ (5:5) The Imam said, ‘It is disregarding the deeds that he has confessed to be true. Of such deeds i

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْكُفْرِ وَ الشِّرْكِ أَيُّهُمَا أَقْدَمُ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي مَا عَهْدِي بِكَ تُخَاصِمُ النَّاسَ‌[1] قُلْتُ أَمَرَنِي هِشَامُ بْنُ سَالِمٍ أَنْ أَسْأَلَكَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي الْكُفْرُ أَقْدَمُ وَ هُوَ الْجُحُودُ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبى‌ وَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَ كانَ مِنَ الْكافِرِينَ‌[2].

“Once I asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.) about disbelief and al-Shirk (paganism) as to which is before. The Imam said to me, ‘I have not experienced your involvement in polemics among the people.’ I then said, ‘Hisham ibn Salim has ordered me to ask you this question.’ The Imam said, ‘Disbelief is before and it is denial and

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع يَدْخُلُ النَّارَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ قُلْتُ فَمَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا كَافِرٌ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَلَمَّا رَدَدْتُ عَلَيْهِ مِرَاراً قَالَ لِي أَيْ زُرَارَةُ إِنِّي أَقُولُ لَا وَ أَقُولُ إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَ أَنْتَ تَقُولُ لَا وَ لَا تَقُولُ إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ قَالَ فَحَدَّثَنِي‌[3] هِشَامُ بْنُ الْحَكَمِ وَ حَمَّادٌ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘Will a believer go in the fire?’ The Imam said, ‘No, by Allah.’ I then asked, ‘So no one will be sent in the fire except the unbelievers?’ The Imam said, ‘No, except whoever Allah wills.’ I (the narrator) repeated my question several times and the Imam said, ‘O Zurara, I say, “No,” and

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْكُفْرِ وَ الشِّرْكِ أَيُّهُمَا أَقْدَمُ فَقَالَ الْكُفْرُ أَقْدَمُ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ إِبْلِيسَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ كَفَرَ وَ كَانَ كُفْرُهُ غَيْرَ شِرْكٍ لِأَنَّهُ لَمْ يَدْعُ إِلَى عِبَادَةِ غَيْرِ اللَّهِ وَ إِنَّمَا دَعَا إِلَى ذَلِكَ بَعْدُ فَأَشْرَكَ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, when he was asked about disbelief and paganism which one was first, ‘Disbelief is first. Satan was the first to become an unbeliever and his disbelief was something other than al-Shirk (paganism) he did not invite to worship anyone other than Allah, he invited to such worship after

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ سُئِلَ مَا بَالُ الزَّانِي لَا تُسَمِّيهِ كَافِراً وَ تَارِكُ الصَّلَاةِ قَدْ سَمَّيْتَهُ كَافِراً وَ مَا الْحُجَّةُ فِي ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لِأَنَّ الزَّانِيَ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَهُ إِنَّمَا يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ لِمَكَانِ الشَّهْوَةِ لِأَنَّهَا تَغْلِبُهُ وَ تَارِكُ الصَّلَاةِ لَا يَتْرُكُهَا إِلَّا اسْتِخْفَافاً بِهَا وَ ذَلِكَ لِأَنَّكَ لَا تَجِدُ الزَّانِيَ يَأْتِي الْمَرْأَةَ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when he was asked, ‘Why is it that a fornicator is not considered an unbeliever as one ignoring the prayer is? What is the reason and evidence?’ The Imam said, ‘A fornicator and so forth commits such act due to lust that influences him, while one ignoring the prayer does so due to his cons

مَنْ شَكَّ فِي اللَّهِ وَ فِي رَسُولِهِ ص فَهُوَ كَافِرٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever doubts Allah and the Messenger of Allah is an unbeliever.’”