The Book of Belief and Disbelief

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً فَنَدِمَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرَ وَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ نِعْمَةً فَعَرَفَ أَنَّهَا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَحْمَدَهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘If a servant commits a sin and then regrets, Allah forgives him before he asks forgiveness. If a servant receives a favor from Allah and he learns that it is from Allah, He grants him forgiveness (protection) before he offers his thanks.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِالْحَسَنَةِ يَعْدِلُ سَبْعِينَ حَسَنَةً[2] وَ الْمُذِيعُ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ مَخْذُولٌ وَ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ مَغْفُورٌ لَهُ.

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘To keep a good deed unnoticed is equal to seventy good deeds. Publicizing an evil deed brings humiliation and for its concealment one may receive forgiveness.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِالْحَسَنَةِ يَعْدِلُ سَبْعِينَ حَسَنَةً وَ الْمُذِيعُ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ مَخْذُولٌ وَ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِهَا مَغْفُورٌ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘To keep a good deed unnoticed is equal to seventy good deeds. Publicizing an evil deed brings humiliation and for its concealment one may receive forgiveness.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى جَعَلَ لآِدَمَ فِي ذُرِّيَّتِهِ مَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ وَ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ وَ مَنْ هَمَّ بِحَسَنَةٍ وَ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ بِهَا عَشْراً وَ مَنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ وَ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ مَنْ هَمَّ بِهَا وَ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةٌ.

“Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, set for Adam in his offspring the following rules about their deeds: whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it, still (the reward for) one good deed will be written for him. Whoever intends to perform a good deed and actually performs it, (the reward for) ten goo

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَهُمُّ بِالْحَسَنَةِ وَ لَا يَعْمَلُ بِهَا فَتُكْتَبُ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ وَ إِنْ هُوَ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ‌ لَيَهُمُّ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ أَنْ يَعْمَلَهَا فَلَا يَعْمَلُهَا فَلَا تُكْتَبُ عَلَيْهِ.

“A believer may intend to perform a good deed but does not do it, still (the reward for) one good deed will be written for him and if he actually completes it, (the reward for) ten good deeds will be written in his favor. A believer may intend to commit an evil deed but if he does not do it, nothing will be written aga

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْمَلَكَيْنِ هَلْ يَعْلَمَانِ بِالذَّنْبِ إِذَا أَرَادَ الْعَبْدُ أَنْ يَفْعَلَهُ أَوِ الْحَسَنَةِ فَقَالَ رِيحُ الْكَنِيفِ وَ رِيحُ الطِّيبِ سَوَاءٌ[1] قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا هَمَّ بِالْحَسَنَةِ خَرَجَ نَفَسُهُ طَيِّبَ الرِّيحِ فَقَالَ صَاحِبُ الْيَمِينِ لِصَاحِبِ الشِّمَالِ قُمْ‌[2] فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ هَمَّ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَإِذَا فَعَلَهَا كَانَ لِسَانُهُ قَلَمَهُ وَ رِيقُهُ مِدَادَهُ فَ

“Once I asked him (a.s.) if the two angels know the sin or good deed that a servant (of Allah) may intend to perform. The Imam said, ‘Are the smell of a trash collection site and a sweet smelling substance the same?’ I said, ‘No, they are not the same.’ The Imam said, ‘Whenever a servant (of Allah) intends to perform a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ لَمْ يَهْلِكْ عَلَى اللَّهِ بَعْدَهُنَّ إِلَّا هَالِكٌ‌[4]- يَهُمُّ الْعَبْدُ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَيَعْمَلُهَا فَإِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَسَنَةً بِحُسْنِ نِيَّتِهِ وَ إِنْ هُوَ عَمِلَهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَشْراً وَ يَهُمُّ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ أَنْ يَعْمَلَهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If four things are found in a person Allah will not allow his destruction to take place unless he is one of those doomed to destruction: (1) a servant (of Allah) intends to perform a good deed and actually does it, (2) even if he does not do it Allah still writes for him one good deed

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا تَابَ الْعَبْدُ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ‌[2]- فَسَتَرَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ فَقُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يَسْتُرُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يُنْسِي مَلَكَيْهِ مَا كَتَبَا عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ يُوحِي إِلَى جَوَارِحِهِ اكْتُمِي عَلَيْهِ ذُنُوبَهُ وَ يُوحِي إِلَى بِقَاعِ الْأَرْضِ اكْتُمِي مَا كَانَ يَعْمَلُ عَلَيْكِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَيَلْقَى اللَّهَ حِينَ يَل

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When a servant (of Allah) repents in the form of the repentance of Nasuh (sincere advise to one’s soul, or name of a person who repented in the real sense), Allah then loves him, covers and protects him in this world and in the next life.’ 1 then asked, ‘How will He cover him?’ Th

أن تكون عليه حتّى يكون قالعة لآثار الذنوب من القلوب بالكلية و ذلك بإذابة النفس بالحسرات و محو ظلمة السيئات بنور الحسنات. روى الشيخ الطبرسيّ (ره) عند تفسير هذه الآية عن أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام أن التوبة تجمعها ستة أشياء على الماضى من الذنوب الندامة و للفرائض الإعادة و ردّ المظالم و استحلال الخصوم و أن تعزم على أن لا تعود و أن تذيب نفسك في طاعة اللّه كما ربيتها في المعصية و أن يذيقها مرارة الطاعات كما أذقتها حلاوة ال

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً[2] قَالَ يَتُوبُ الْعَبْدُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ لَا يَعُودُ فِيهِ. - قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفُضَيْلِ‌ سَأَلْتُ عَنْهَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ يَتُوبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ لَا يَعُودُ فِيهِ وَ أَحَبُّ الْعِبَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ تَعَالَى الْمُفَتَّنُونَ التَّوَّابُونَ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, turn to Allah in repentance, in a Nasuh manner, with the intention of never repeating the same sin.’ (66:8) The Imam said, ‘It means a servant (of Allah) repents from sins and never repeats them. ’ “Muhammad ibn a

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً قَالَ هُوَ الذَّنْبُ‌[3] الَّذِي لَا يَعُودُ فِيهِ أَبَداً قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّنَا لَمْ يَعُدْ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْمُفَتَّنَ التَّوَّابَ.

“In a Nasuh manner,” with the intention of never repeating the same sin.’ (66:8) The Imam said, ‘It is the sin that one never repeats.’ I then asked, ‘Who among us does not repeat?’ The Imam said, ‘O abu Muhammad, of His servants Allah loves those who are put to trial and the ones who repent very often.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْطَى التَّائِبِينَ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَى خَصْلَةً مِنْهَا جَمِيعَ أَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ لَنَجَوْا بِهَا قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ‌[5] فَمَنْ أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَ مَنْ حَوْلَهُ‌ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ‌ ... وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِين

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from certain individuals of our people in a marfu ’ manner from the Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has given three things to the repenting people. Had any of it been given to all of those in the heaven

يَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ مُسْلِمٍ ذُنُوبُ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا تَابَ مِنْهَا مَغْفُورَةٌ لَهُ فَلْيَعْمَلِ الْمُؤْمِنُ لِمَا يَسْتَأْنِفُ بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ إِلَّا لِأَهْلِ الْإِيمَانِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ عَادَ بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ عَادَ فِي التَّوْبَةِ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ مُسْلِمٍ أَ تَرَى الْعَبْدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَنْدَمُ عَلَى ذَنْبِهِ وَ

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘O Muhammad ibn Muslim, if believing people repent for their sins they will be forgiven. Believing people must resume their good deeds after repentance and forgiveness. By Allah, this is only for the believers.’ I then asked, ‘What if he goes back to sin after repenting and asking for forg

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِذا مَسَّهُمْ طائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطانِ‌ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ‌[1] قَالَ هُوَ الْعَبْدُ يَهُمُّ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ يَتَذَكَّرُ فَيُمْسِكُ فَذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ‌ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ‌.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘When a Satanic thought starts to bother the pious ones, they understand and see the light.’ (7:201) The Imam said, ‘It means that a servant (of Allah) intends to commit an evil deed then he realizes it and holds back and tha

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى أَشَدُّ فَرَحاً بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ مِنْ رَجُلٍ أَضَلَّ رَاحِلَتَهُ وَ زَادَهُ‌[2] فِي لَيْلَةٍ ظَلْمَاءَ فَوَجَدَهَا فَاللَّهُ أَشَدُّ فَرَحاً بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلِ بِرَاحِلَتِهِ حِينَ وَجَدَهَا.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most High, is more pleased for the repentance of His servant than one who loses his animals, that carry his load and supplies, in a dark night and then finds them out. Allah is more pleased for the repentance of His servant than the person who finds his lost properties.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْعَبْدَ الْمُفَتَّنَ التَّوَّابَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ‌[3] كَانَ أَفْضَلَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah loves the servant who is put to trial (by sin) and repents, however, one without such (sinful) condition is better.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ‌[4] وَ الْمُقِيمُ عَلَى الذَّنْبِ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَغْفِرٌ مِنْهُ كَالْمُسْتَهْزِئِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘A person repenting from sins is like one who has not sinned. One who persists in sin and asks forgiveness is like one contemptuous of it (repentance).”’

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْحَى إِلَى‌ دَاوُدَ ع أَنِ ائْتِ عَبْدِي دَانِيَالَ فَقُلْ لَهُ إِنَّكَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ‌[1] وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ فَإِنْ أَنْتَ عَصَيْتَنِيَ الرَّابِعَةَ لَمْ أَغْفِرْ لَكَ فَأَتَاهُ دَاوُدُ ع فَقَالَ يَا دَانِيَالُ إِنَّنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنَّكَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَك

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and a number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad all from ibn Mahbub from abu Hamza from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelation to David, ‘Meet My servant Daniel and say to him, ‘You have disobe

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا تَابَ الْعَبْدُ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ فَسَتَرَ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ يَسْتُرُ عَلَيْهِ قَالَ يُنْسِي مَلَكَيْهِ مَا كَانَا يَكْتُبَانِ عَلَيْهِ وَ يُوحِي اللَّهُ إِلَى جَوَارِحِهِ وَ إِلَى بِقَاعِ الْأَرْضِ أَنِ اكْتُمِي عَلَيْهِ ذُنُوبَهُ فَيَلْقَى اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حِينَ يَلْقَاهُ وَ لَيْسَ شَيْ‌ءٌ يَشْهَدُ عَلَيْهِ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ‌[3

‘When a servant (of Allah) repents in the form of the repentance of Nasuh (sincerely repenting) Allah loves him and covers him up.’ I then asked, ‘How does he cover him up?’ The Imam said, ‘He makes his two angels forget whatever they have written against him and Allah sends inspiration to the parts of his body and to

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَفْرَحُ بِتَوْبَةِ عَبْدِهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا تَابَ كَمَا يَفْرَحُ أَحَدُكُمْ بِضَالَّتِهِ إِذَا وَجَدَهَا[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The repentance of a servant (of Allah) from sins pleases Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, more than a person’s finding a dearly cherished thing that he has lost.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌[2] يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أُجِّلَ مِنْ غُدْوَةٍ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ‌[3] فَإِنِ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ‌[4].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When a servant (of Allah) commits a sin he is given respite from morning to evening. If within such time he pleaded before Allah for forgiveness no sin will be written against him.’”

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً أُجِّلَ فِيهَا سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُ‌ الْقَيُّومُ‌ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ.

“If one commits a sin he is given seven hours respite during the day. If he says, ‘I ask forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom no one deserves to be worshipped. Who is living and controls all things, - three times - no sin will be written against him.’”

الْعَبْدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِذَا أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ فَإِنِ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ مَضَتِ السَّاعَاتُ وَ لَمْ يَسْتَغْفِرْ كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُذَكَّرُ ذَنْبَهُ بَعْدَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً حَتَّى يَسْتَغْفِرَ رَبَّهُ فَيَغْفِرَ لَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيَنْسَاهُ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ‌[5].

“When a believing servant (of Allah) commits a sin Allah gives him seven hours respite. If he pleads for forgiveness from Allah within such time nothing will be written against him. If the hours pass and he did not plead for forgiveness one sin will be written against him. A believer remembers his sin even after twenty

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَقُلْتُ أَ كَانَ يَقُولُ- أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ كَانَ يَقُولُ- أَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌[1] قُلْتُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَتُوبُ وَ لَا يَعُودُ وَ نَحْنُ نَتُوبُ وَ نَعُودُ فَقَالَ‌ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعانُ‌.

“The Messenger of Allah would plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, seventy times every day.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Would he say, ‘I ask Allah to forgive me and I turn to Him in repentance?’ The Imam said, ‘He, however, would say, ‘I return to Allah.’ I then said, ‘The Messenger of Allah would y

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً أُجِّلَ فِيهَا سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ‌[2].

“If one commits a sin he is given seven hours time during the day. If he says, ‘I plead before Allah, besides whom no one deserves to be worshipped, the living, the controlling power (over creation) and turn to Him in repentance - three times - nothing will be written against him.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيُذَكَّرُ بَعْدَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ فَيَغْفِرُ لَهُ وَ إِنَّمَا يُذَكِّرُهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيَنْسَاهُ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ.

“A believer commits a sin and remembers it after twenty years, then he pleads before Allah for forgiveness, He still forgives him. He is made to remember so He may forgive him. An unbeliever commits a sin and forgets it within the same hour.’”

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُقَارِفُ‌[3] فِي يَوْمِهِ وَ لَيْلَتِهِ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً فَيَقُولُ وَ هُوَ نَادِمٌ- أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ* بَدِيعُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ* ذُو الْجَلالِ وَ الْإِكْرامِ‌ وَ أَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ‌ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَنْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيَّ إِلَّا غَفَرَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ يُقَارِفُ فِي يَوْمٍ

“If a believer commits forty major sins within one day and night and then regretfully says, ‘I plead before Allah, besides Whom no one deserves to be worshipped, the living, the controlling power (over creation) the inventor of the heavens and earth, possessor of glory, and honor. I ask Him to grant favors upon Muhamma

لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ دَوَاءٌ وَ دَوَاءُ الذُّنُوبِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ[2].

“For everything there is a medicine and the medicine for sins is pleading (before Allah) for forgiveness.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْباً إِلَّا أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ هُوَ تَابَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةً فَأَتَاهُ عَبَّادٌ الْبَصْرِيُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْباً إِلَّا أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِن

‘If any believer commits a sin Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, gives him seven hours of a day’s respite; if he repents, nothing will be written against him but if he did not repent Allah will write only one sin against him.’ Thereafter ‘Abbad al-Basri came to him (abu ‘Abd Allah) and said, ‘We have heard that

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ سَبْعَمِائَةِ ذَنْبٍ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِي عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعَمِائَةِ ذَنْبٍ‌[4].

“I plead for forgiveness before Allah” one hundred times every day, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will forgive his seven hundred sins, but there is nothing good in a servant (of Allah) who commits seven hundred sins a day.’”

إِنَّ آدَمَ ع قَالَ يَا رَبِّ سَلَّطْتَ عَلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانَ وَ أَجْرَيْتَهُ مِنِّي مَجْرَى الدَّمِ فَاجْعَلْ لِي شَيْئاً فَقَالَ يَا آدَمُ جَعَلْتُ لَكَ أَنَّ مَنْ هَمَّ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِكَ بِسَيِّئَةٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ مَنْ هَمَّ مِنْهُمْ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ فَإِنْ هُوَ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ عَشْراً قَالَ يَا رَبِّ زِدْنِي قَ

“Adam said, ‘O Lord, you have made Satan dominate me and made him flow in me like blood, so make something for me also.’ The Lord said, ‘O Adam, for your benefit I have given your offspring the advantage of not writing down against them any sin if they only intend to commit an evil deed. If they actually commit an evil

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِسَنَةٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ السَّنَةَ لَكَثِيرَةٌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِشَهْرٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الشَّهْرَ لَكَثِيرٌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِجُمْعَةٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْجُمْعَةَ لَكَثِيرٌ مَنْ تَابَ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ بِيَوْمٍ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ تَوْبَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ يَوْماً ل

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one repents one year before his death, Allah accepts his repentance.’ Then he said, ‘One year is a long time. Whoever repents one month before his death Allah accepts his repentance.’ Then he said, ‘One month is a long time. Whoever repents one week before his death, Allah accepts

إِذَا بَلَغَتِ النَّفْسُ هَذِهِ وَ أَهْوَى بِيَدِهِ إِلَى حَلْقِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلْعَالِمِ تَوْبَةٌ وَ كَانَتْ لِلْجَاهِلِ تَوْبَةٌ.

“When the soul reaches this - pointing to his throat - there will be no repentance for one who has knowledge, however, there will be repentance for an ignorant person.”

خَرَجْنَا إِلَى مَكَّةَ وَ مَعَنَا شَيْخٌ مُتَأَلِّهٌ مُتَعَبِّدٌ لَا يَعْرِفُ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ يُتِمُّ الصَّلَاةَ فِي‌ الطَّرِيقِ‌[1] وَ مَعَهُ ابْنُ أَخٍ لَهُ مُسْلِمٌ فَمَرِضَ الشَّيْخُ فَقُلْتُ لِابْنِ أَخِيهِ لَوْ عَرَضْتَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ عَلَى عَمِّكَ لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُخَلِّصَهُ فَقَالَ كُلُّهُمْ دَعُوا الشَّيْخَ حَتَّى يَمُوتَ عَلَى حَالِهِ فَإِنَّهُ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ فَلَمْ يَصْبِرْ ابْنُ أَخِيهِ حَتَّى

“Once we left for Makka and with us there was an old man, very religious and worshipping but did not know this cause (Shi’a Muslim belief). He would pray full (not in reduced form) on a journey and with him there was the son of his brother, also a Muslim. The old man became ill and I said to the son of his brother, ‘If

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌[2] قَالَ هُوَ الذَّنْبُ يُلِمُّ بِهِ الرَّجُلُ فَيَمْكُثُ مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ يُلِمُّ بِهِ بَعْدُ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘How do you consider the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “. . . those who avoid major sins and indecent acts except al-Lamam (sins committed from time to time). . . .” (53:33) The Imam said, ‘It is the sin that one may commit then stops it, as Allah wills, and then

قُلْتُ لَهُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ قَالَ الْهَنَةُ بَعْدَ الْهَنَةِ[3] أَيِ الذَّنْبُ بَعْدَ الذَّنْبِ يُلِمُّ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ.

“Once I read the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, before one of the two Imam (a.s.) . . those who avoid the major sins and indecent acts except the al-Lamam ones . . (53:33) The Imam said, ‘It is a thing after a thing, that is, a sin after a sin that a servant (of Allah) commits.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ يَهْجُرُهُ زَمَاناً[1] ثُمَّ يُلِمُّ بِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ قَالَ الْفَوَاحِشُ الزِّنَى وَ السَّرِقَةُ وَ اللَّمَمُ الرَّجُلُ يُلِمُّ بِالذَّنْبِ فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Every believer may have a sin and he shuns it for a period of time, then he commits it again and this is that which is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ جَاءَنَا يَلْتَمِسُ الْفِقْهَ وَ الْقُرْآنَ وَ تَفْسِيرَهُ فَدَعُوهُ وَ مَنْ جَاءَنَا يُبْدِي عَوْرَةً قَدْ سَتَرَهَا اللَّهُ فَنَحُّوهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّنِي لَمُقِيمٌ عَلَى ذَنْبٍ مُنْذُ دَهْرٍ أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَتَحَوَّلَ عَنْهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ فَمَا أَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّكَ وَ مَا ي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever comes to us seeking to learn Fiqh (laws of Shari’a) and the Holy Quran, allow him to come in. Whoever comes to us to make public what Allah has covered, you must move him away.’ A man from the people then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been invo

مَا مِنْ ذَنْبٍ إِلَّا وَ قَدْ طُبِعَ عَلَيْهِ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ يَهْجُرُهُ الزَّمَانَ ثُمَّ يُلِمُّ بِهِ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ قَالَ اللَّمَّامُ‌[3] الْعَبْدُ الَّذِي يُلِمُّ الذَّنْبَ بَعْدَ الذَّنْبِ لَيْسَ مِنْ سَلِيقَتِهِ أَيْ مِنْ طَبِيعَتِهِ.

“Any sin that may become imprinted in a believing servant (of Allah) he shuns it for a period of time then commits it again as it is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘ . . . those who avoid the major sins and the indecent acts except the al-Lamam . . .’ (53:33) The Imam said, ‘One comm

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَا يَكُونُ سَجِيَّتُهُ الْكَذِبَ وَ الْبُخْلَ وَ الْفُجُورَ وَ رُبَّمَا أَلَمَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً لَا يَدُومُ عَلَيْهِ قِيلَ فَيَزْنِي قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يُولَدُ لَهُ مِنْ تِلْكَ النُّطْفَةِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer does not have lying, stinginess or indecent acts as part of his nature and normal behavior, perhaps he may commit certain sins in which he does not continue.’ It was asked, ‘Does he commit fornication?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, but no child is beggotten from that seed.’”

صَعِدَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالْكُوفَةِ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ حَبَّةُ الْعُرَنِيُّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قُلْتَ الذُّنُوبُ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكْتَ فَقَالَ مَا ذَكَرْتُهَا إِلَّا وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُفَسِّرَهَا وَ لَكِنْ عَرَضَ لِي بُهْرٌ حَالَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ الْكَلَامِ‌[1] نَعَمْ الذُّنُو

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) climbed the Minbar (pulpit) in al-Kufah, praised Allah and spoke of His glory and then said, ‘O people sins are of three kinds’ and he remained quiet. Habbah al-‘Arani, said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, you just said, “Sins are of three kinds, and then remained silent.’ The Ima

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ رَجُلٍ أُقِيمَ عَلَيْهِ الْحَدُّ فِي الرَّجْمِ أَ يُعَاقَبُ عَلَيْهِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ أَكْرَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ‌[5].

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about a man who is convicted and punished by stoning to death whether he will be punished in the next life for that sin again, and the Imam said, ‘Allah is by far more Honorable, He will not do such a thing (punish again).”’

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِذَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ‌[1] أَنْ يُكْرِمَ عَبْداً وَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ ابْتَلَاهُ بِالسُّقْمِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ لَهُ ابْتَلَاهُ بِالْحَاجَةِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ بِهِ ذَلِكَ شَدَّدَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَوْتَ لِيُكَافِيَهُ بِذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ قَالَ وَ إِذَا كَانَ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ يُهِينَ عَبْداً وَ لَهُ عِنْدَهُ حَسَنَةٌ صَحَّحَ بَدَنَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ بِهِ ذَلِكَ وَسَّعَ عَلَيْهِ فِ

“Of the decision of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in the affairs of a servant whom He honors and who has a sin, is that Allah causes him to suffer certain illnesses. If He does not do this He causes him to become needy, if He does not do this He causes death to become very difficult for him to compensate fro

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا كَثُرَتْ ذُنُوبُهُ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا يُكَفِّرُهَا ابْتَلَاهُ بِالْحُزْنِ لِيُكَفِّرَهَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When the sins of a servant (of Allah) increase and he does not have enough good deeds to expiate them, Allah causes him to suffer sadness and depression.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُخْرِجُ عَبْداً مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَرْحَمَهُ حَتَّى أَسْتَوْفِيَ مِنْهُ كُلَّ خَطِيئَةٍ عَمِلَهَا إِمَّا بِسُقْمٍ فِي جَسَدِهِ وَ إِمَّا بِضِيقٍ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ إِمَّا بِخَوْفٍ فِي دُنْيَاهُ فَإِنْ بَقِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ بَقِيَّةٌ شَدَّدْتُ عَلَيْهِ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُخْرِجُ عَبْداً مِنَ الدُّ

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I swear by My Majesty and Glory, I will not take out of this world a servant whom I want to receive mercy until I will compensate from him for all the sins that he has committed. (I will do so) by causing illness in his body, cons

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُهَوَّلُ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فِي نَوْمِهِ فَيُغْفَرُ لَهُ ذُنُوبُهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيُمْتَهَنُ‌[2] فِي بَدَنِهِ فَيُغْفَرُ لَهُ ذُنُوبُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A believer may suffer a nightmare so his sins are forgiven or is bodily humiliated so his sins are forgiven.’”

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً عَجَّلَ لَهُ عُقُوبَتَهُ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ سُوءاً أَمْسَكَ عَلَيْهِ ذُنُوبَهُ حَتَّى يُوَافِيَ بِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.

“When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wants good for a servant He hastens his punishment in this world. When He wants evil for a servant He preserves his sins for him to find their consequences on the Day of Judgment.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] لَيْسَ مِنِ الْتِوَاءِ عِرْقٍ وَ لَا نَكْبَةِ حَجَرٍ[4] وَ لَا عَثْرَةِ قَدَمٍ وَ لَا خَدْشِ عُودٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ لَمَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ[5] فَمَنْ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ عُقُوبَةَ ذَنْبِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ وَ أ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever hardship befalls you is the result of your own deeds. Allah pardons many of your sins,’ (42:30) has said, ‘The spraining of one’s muscles, bumping over a stone, the slip of foot or being bruised by a piece

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا يَزَالُ الْهَمُّ وَ الْغَمُّ بِالْمُؤْمِنِ حَتَّى مَا يَدَعُ لَهُ ذَنْباً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Anxiety and sadness continue to trouble a believer until no sin is left in him.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَهْتَمُّ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ مِنْهَا وَ لَا ذَنْبَ عَلَيْهِ‌[6].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer continues facing anxiety and sadness in this world until he leaves it with no sins in him.’”