The Book of Social Manners

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ فِي الْمَسَاجِدِ- وَ حُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ لِلنَّاسِ‌[1] وَ إِقَامَةِ الشَّهَادَةِ وَ حُضُورِ الْجَنَائِزِ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ لَكُمْ مِنَ النَّاسِ إِنَّ أَحَداً لَا يَسْتَغْنِي عَنِ النَّاسِ حَيَاتَهُ وَ النَّاسُ لَا بُدَّ لِبَعْضِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْضٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘You must pray in the Mosques, maintain good neighborly relations with people, present your testimony, and attend funeral processions. You need people. There is no one who does not need people in his life. People need each other.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَيْفَ يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَصْنَعَ فِيمَا بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا وَ فِيمَا بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ خُلَطَائِنَا مِنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ فَقَالَ تُؤَدُّونَ الْأَمَانَةَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ تُقِيمُونَ الشَّهَادَةَ لَهُمْ وَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ تَعُودُونَ مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ تَشْهَدُونَ جَنَائِزَهُمْ.

2. Muhammad ibn Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan and Abu Ali al- Ash’ari from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘What is the proper way to deal with ourselves, our people, our associates and the people

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ اشْهَدُوا الْجَنَائِزَ وَ عُودُوا الْمَرْضَى وَ احْضُرُوا مَعَ قَوْمِكُمْ مَسَاجِدَكُمْ وَ أَحِبُّوا لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّونَ لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ أَ مَا يَسْتَحْيِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَعْرِفَ جَارُهُ حَقَّهُ وَ لَا يَعْرِفَ حَقَّ جَارِهِ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al- Husayn ibn Sa’id and Muhammad ibn Khalid all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Habib al-Khath’ami who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must maintain restraint from worldly attractions (sins), maintain persistence in wor

قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ يَنْبَغِي لَنَا أَنْ نَصْنَعَ فِيمَا بَيْنَنَا وَ بَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا وَ بَيْنَ خُلَطَائِنَا مِنَ النَّاسِ مِمَّنْ لَيْسُوا عَلَى أَمْرِنَا قَالَ تَنْظُرُونَ إِلَى أَئِمَّتِكُمُ الَّذِينَ تَقْتَدُونَ بِهِمْ فَتَصْنَعُونَ مَا يَصْنَعُونَ فَوَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُمْ لَيَعُودُونَ مَرْضَاهُمْ وَ يَشْهَدُونَ جَنَائِزَهُمْ وَ يُقِيمُونَ الشَّهَادَةَ لَهُمْ وَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ يُؤَدُّونَ الْأَمَانَةَ إِلَيْهِمْ.

“Once I asked the Imam (a.s.) ‘What is the proper way to deal with ourselves and our people, our associates of the people who do not believe as we do?’ The Imam said, ‘Look to your ‘A’immah (plural of Imam) whom you follow and do what they do. By Allah, they, (‘A’immah) visit their sick people, attend their funerals, p

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اقْرَأْ عَلَى مَنْ تَرَى أَنَّهُ يُطِيعُنِي مِنْهُمْ وَ يَأْخُذُ بِقَوْلِيَ السَّلَامَ وَ أُوصِيكُمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ الْوَرَعِ فِي دِينِكُمْ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ لِلَّهِ وَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ طُولِ السُّجُودِ وَ حُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ فَبِهَذَا جَاءَ مُحَمَّدٌ ص أَدُّوا الْأَمَانَةَ إِلَى مَنِ ائْتَمَنَكُمْ عَلَيْهَا بَرّاً أَوْ فَاجِراً فَإِنَّ ر

5. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from abu ‘Usamah Zayd al-Shahham who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said to me, ‘Convey greetings of peace from me to all that you will see of those who obey me and uphold my words. Tell them that I enjoin upo

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَنْ خَالَطْتَ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ يَدُكَ الْعُلْيَا عَلَيْهِمْ فَافْعَلْ‌[1].

“Whoever you associate with, if you can maintain an upper hand (in your dealings with him) do so (be more beneficial).”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ الْبَيْتُ غَاصٌّ بِأَهْلِهِ فِيهِ الْخُرَاسَانِيُّ وَ الشَّامِيُّ وَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْآفَاقِ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ مَوْضِعاً أَقْعُدُ فِيهِ فَجَلَسَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ كَانَ مُتَّكِئاً ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا شِيعَةَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يَمْلِكْ نَفْسَهُ عِنْدَ غَضَبِهِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُحْسِنْ صُحْبَةَ مَنْ صَحِبَهُ وَ مُخَالَقَةَ مَنْ خَالَقَهُ وَ مُرَا

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and the house was full of people. There were people from Khurasan, from al-Sham and from various horizons and I could not find a place to sit. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) sat in his place and he was leaning against a pillow. He said, ‘O Shi’a (followers) of the family of M

كَانَ يُوَسِّعُ الْمَجْلِسَ وَ يَسْتَقْرِضُ لِلْمُحْتَاجِ وَ يُعِينُ الضَّعِيفَ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We believe you to be a righteous person,’ (12:36) the Imam said, ‘He would make room for others in a gathering, lend money to the needy and assist the weak.’”

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَظِّمُوا أَصْحَابَكُمْ وَ وَقِّرُوهُمْ وَ لَا يَتَهَجَّمْ بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَ لَا تَضَارُّوا وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْبُخْلَ كُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ الصَّالِحِينَ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Ala’ ibn al-Fudayl from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, ‘Show respect for your friends and dignify them. Do not be aggressive to each other, do not harm or envy each other. Beware of

الِانْقِبَاضُ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَكْسَبَةٌ لِلْعَدَاوَةِ.

“Restraint from associating people brings in their animosity.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَصْحَبَ ذَا الْعَقْلِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَحْمَدْ كَرَمَهُ‌[1] وَ لَكِنِ انْتَفِعْ بِعَقْلِهِ وَ احْتَرِسْ مِنْ سَيِّئِ أَخْلَاقِهِ وَ لَا تَدَعَنَّ صُحْبَةَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَنْتَفِعْ بِعَقْلِهِ- وَ لَكِنِ انْتَفِعْ بِكَرَمِهِ بِعَقْلِكَ وَ افْرِرْ كُلَّ الْفِرَارِ مِنَ اللَّئِيمِ الْأَحْمَقِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘It is not against you to associate with a person of reason even though you may not appreciate his generosity but you can benefit from his reason. However, you must avoid his immoral manners. Do not ignore the association of a magnanimous person, even though you may

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا صَالِحُ اتَّبِعْ مَنْ يُبْكِيكَ وَ هُوَ لَكَ نَاصِحٌ وَ لَا تَتَّبِعْ مَنْ يُضْحِكُكَ وَ هُوَ لَكَ غَاشٌّ وَ سَتَرِدُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعاً فَتَعْلَمُونَ.

“O Salih, follow the one who makes you cry while providing good advice and do not follow the one who makes you laugh but is cheating. You will all return to Allah and will find out.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ انْظُرُوا مَنْ تُحَادِثُونَ فَإِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَنْزِلُ بِهِ الْمَوْتُ إِلَّا مُثِّلَ لَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ‌[2] إِلَى اللَّهِ إِنْ كَانُوا خِيَاراً فَخِيَاراً وَ إِنْ كَانُوا شِرَاراً فَشِرَاراً وَ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ يَمُوتُ إِلَّا تَمَثَّلْتُ لَهُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Consider who you talk to (make friendship). Everyone after death will find the forms of his associates in the presence of Allah; these forms follow the worldly origins. A good form is from a good origin and an evil form is from

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عَلَيْكَ بِالتِّلَادِ[1] وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ كُلَّ مُحْدَثٍ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ وَ لَا أَمَانَ وَ لَا ذِمَّةَ وَ لَا مِيثَاقَ وَ كُنْ عَلَى حَذَرٍ مِنْ أَوْثَقِ النَّاسِ عِنْدَكَ.

“You should maintain good relations with your old associates and friends, be cautious about a new one who does not have any protection, responsibility, or commitment and always avoid (caution) the one whom you trust the most.”

أَحَبُّ إِخْوَانِي إِلَيَّ مَنْ أَهْدَى إِلَيَّ عُيُوبِي.

“To me, the most beloved of my brethren (friends) is the one who most points out my defects to me.”

لَا تَكُونُ الصَّدَاقَةُ إِلَّا بِحُدُودِهَا فَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ هَذِهِ الْحُدُودُ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْهَا فَانْسُبْهُ إِلَى الصَّدَاقَةِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْهَا فَلَا تَنْسُبْهُ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الصَّدَاقَةِ فَأَوَّلُهَا أَنْ تَكُونَ سَرِيرَتُهُ وَ عَلَانِيَتُهُ لَكَ وَاحِدَةً وَ الثَّانِي أَنْ يَرَى زَيْنَكَ زَيْنَهُ وَ شَيْنَكَ شَيْنَهُ وَ الثَّالِثَةُ أَنْ لَا تُغَيِّرَهُ عَلَيْكَ وِلَايَةٌ وَ ل

“There can be no friendship without its rules. You may call one a friend only when he follows such rules and those who do not follow such rules cannot be called a friend. First of all a friend must be the same inside and outside. Secondly, he must consider your beauty his own beauty and your flaw as his flaw. Thirdly t

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِذَا صَعِدَ الْمِنْبَرَ قَالَ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَتَجَنَّبَ مُوَاخَاةَ ثَلَاثَةٍ الْمَاجِنِ الْفَاجِرِ وَ الْأَحْمَقِ وَ الْكَذَّابِ فَأَمَّا الْمَاجِنُ الْفَاجِرُ فَيُزَيِّنُ لَكَ فِعْلَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنَّكَ مِثْلُهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُكَ عَلَى أَمْرِ دِينِكَ وَ مَعَادِكَ وَ مُقَارَبَتُهُ جَفَاءٌ وَ قَسْوَةٌ وَ مَدْخَلُهُ وَ مَخْرَجُهُ عَارٌ عَلَيْكَ وَ أَمَّا الْأَحْمَقُ فَإِنَّ

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Amr Aban ibn ‘Uthman ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Salim al-Kindy from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) were to take his place on

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يُوَاخِيَ الْفَاجِرَ فَإِنَّهُ يُزَيِّنُ لَهُ فِعْلَهُ وَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِثْلَهُ وَ لَا يُعِينُهُ عَلَى أَمْرِ دُنْيَاهُ وَ لَا أَمْرِ مَعَادِهِ وَ مَدْخَلُهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ مَخْرَجُهُ مِنْ عِنْدِهِ شَيْنٌ عَلَيْهِ.

“It is not proper for a Muslim man to become a friend of an indecent person; he tries to make his deeds seem attractive to him and loves that one to behave like him (indecent). He does not assist him in his religious matters or the matters of the hereafter. The coming and going of an indecent person is a disgrace to on

لَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يُوَاخِيَ الْفَاجِرَ وَ لَا الْأَحْمَقَ وَ لَا الْكَذَّابَ.

“It is not proper for a Muslim man to become friends with an indecent, an idiot and a liar.”

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع إِنَّ صَاحِبَ الشَّرِّ يُعْدِي‌[3] وَ قَرِينَ السَّوْءِ يُرْدِي فَانْظُرْ مَنْ تُقَارِنُ.

4. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from certain individuals of his people from Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) who has said the following: “Jesus, son of Mary has said, ‘An evil companion commits injustice and an evil friend brings destruction. Consider who to become friends with.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا عَمَّارُ إِنْ كُنْتَ تُحِبُّ أَنْ تَسْتَتِبَ‌[4] لَكَ النِّعْمَةُ وَ تَكْمُلَ لَكَ الْمُرُوءَةُ وَ تَصْلُحَ لَكَ الْمَعِيشَةُ فَلَا تُشَارِكِ الْعَبِيدَ وَ السَّفِلَةَ فِي أَمْرِكَ- فَإِنَّكَ إِنِ ائْتَمَنْتَهُمْ خَانُوكَ وَ إِنْ حَدَّثُوكَ كَذَبُوكَ وَ إِنْ نُكِبْتَ خَذَلُوكَ وَ إِنْ وَعَدُوكَ أَخْلَفُوكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘O ‘Ammar, if you like bounties bring you delight, kindness becomes complete, and the affairs of life well- organized you then should not associate with the slaves and the lowly persons. If you trust them, they betray you, if they speak, they lie to you. If you may suffer a misfo

حُبُّ الْأَبْرَارِ لِلْأَبْرَارِ ثَوَابٌ لِلْأَبْرَارِ وَ حُبُّ الْفُجَّارِ لِلْأَبْرَارِ فَضِيلَةٌ لِلْأَبْرَارِ وَ بُغْضُ الْفُجَّارِ لِلْأَبْرَارِ زَيْنٌ لِلْأَبْرَارِ وَ بُغْضُ الْأَبْرَارِ لِلْفُجَّارِ خِزْيٌ عَلَى الْفُجَّارِ.

“The virtuous ones’ love of other virtuous ones is a rewarding deed for them. Indecent ones loving the virtuous ones is a credit for the virtuous ones. Indecent ones’ hating the virtuous ones beautifies the virtuous ones. Virtuous one’s hating the indecent ones is a loss to the indecent ones.”

قَالَ لِي أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمَا يَا بُنَيَّ انْظُرْ خَمْسَةً فَلَا تُصَاحِبْهُمْ وَ لَا تُحَادِثْهُمْ وَ لَا تُرَافِقْهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَتِ مَنْ هُمْ عَرِّفْنِيهِمْ قَالَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّرَابِ يُقَرِّبُ لَكَ الْبَعِيدَ وَ يُبَعِّدُ لَكَ الْقَرِيبَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْفَاسِقِ فَإِنَّهُ بَائِعُكَ بِأُكْلَةٍ أ

“My father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) once said to me, ‘My son, look for five kinds of people. Do not befriend them, speak to or accompany them on a road.’ 1 then asked, ‘O father, who are they? Define them for me.’ He said, ‘Never befriend a liar; he is like a mirage. He shows what is far very near and what is near, in

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ مُجَالَسَتُهُمْ تُمِيتُ الْقَلْبَ الْجُلُوسُ مَعَ الْأَنْذَالِ‌[4] وَ الْحَدِيثُ مَعَ النِّسَاءِ وَ الْجُلُوسُ مَعَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Association with three kinds of people deadens the heart (reason): association with the lowly, speaking to women and sitting with the wealthy.”’”

قَالَ لُقْمَانُ ع لِابْنِهِ‌ يَا بُنَيَّ لَا تَقْتَرِبْ فَتَكُونَ أَبْعَدَ لَكَ وَ لَا تَبْعُدْ فَتُهَانَ‌[2] كُلُّ دَابَّةٍ تُحِبُّ مِثْلَهَا وَ إِنَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ يُحِبُّ مِثْلَهُ وَ لَا تَنْشُرْ بَزَّكَ إِلَّا عِنْدَ بَاغِيهِ‌[3] كَمَا لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الذِّئْبِ وَ الْكَبْشِ خُلَّةٌ كَذَلِكَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الْبَارِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ خُلَّةٌ مَنْ يَقْتَرِبْ مِنَ الزِّفْتِ‌[4] يَعْلَقْ بِهِ بَعْضُهُ كَذَلِكَ مَنْ يُشَارِكِ

“Luqman (mentioned in Chapter 3 1 of the Holy Quran), peace be upon him, said to his son, ‘Do not become very close (to people), lest you become the farthest from them (frequent involvement may cause friction and disturbance) and do not keep very far in total isolation and oblivion. Every moving thing loves its kind an

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

“Do not befriend blasphemers and do not associate with them; people may consider you as one of them. The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A man follows the religion of his friend and associates.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَادَقَةَ الْأَحْمَقِ فَإِنَّكَ أَسَرَّ مَا تَكُونُ مِنْ نَاحِيَتِهِ أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ إِلَى مَسَاءَتِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Never befriend an idiotic person; the more delightful you may become from his side the closer it will get to your misfortune.’”

إِنَّ أَعْرَابِيّاً مِنْ بَنِي تَمِيمٍ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ أَوْصِنِي فَكَانَ مِمَّا أَوْصَاهُ تَحَبَّبْ إِلَى النَّاسِ يُحِبُّوكَ.

“Once an Arab man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘Instinct me with good advice.’ Of the good advice to him was: ‘Love people, they will love you.’”

مُجَامَلَةُ[1] النَّاسِ ثُلُثُ الْعَقْلِ.

“Dealing with people in a graceful manner is one third of (the power) reason.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ يُصْفِينَ وُدَّ الْمَرْءِ لِأَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ يَلْقَاهُ بِالْبِشْرِ إِذَا لَقِيَهُ وَ يُوَسِّعُ لَهُ فِي الْمَجْلِسِ إِذَا جَلَسَ إِلَيْهِ وَ يَدْعُوهُ بِأَحَبِّ الْأَسْمَاءِ إِلَيْهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Three things purify a Muslim’s love for his brother (in belief): meeting him in a cheerful manner, preparing for him a seat if he wants to sit down in a gathering, and calling him by his names that he loves most.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ التَّوَدُّدُ إِلَى النَّاسِ نِصْفُ الْعَقْلِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Showing that one loves people is half (the power) of reason.’”

التَّوَدُّدُ إِلَى النَّاسِ نِصْفُ الْعَقْلِ.

“Showing that one loves people is one half (the power) of reason.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ كَفَّ يَدَهُ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّمَا يَكُفُّ عَنْهُمْ يَداً وَاحِدَةً وَ يَكُفُّونَ عَنْهُ أَيْدِياً كَثِيرَةً.

‘Whoever holds his hands off the people has held back only one hand, however, they will hold many hands off of him.’”

قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع‌ الْقَرِيبُ مَنْ قَرَّبَتْهُ الْمَوَدَّةُ وَ إِنْ بَعُدَ نَسَبُهُ وَ الْبَعِيدُ مَنْ بَعَّدَتْهُ الْمَوَدَّةُ وَ إِنْ قَرُبَ نَسَبُهُ لَا شَيْ‌ءَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ يَدٍ إِلَى جَسَدٍ وَ إِنَّ الْيَدَ تَغُلُّ فَتُقْطَعُ وَ تُقْطَعُ فَتُحْسَمُ‌[2].

“Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) has said, ‘A person close to another person is one whom love has brought so close even though his lineage is far remote. A person far away is one whom love has distanced a part even though his lineage is near and close. There is nothing so close to another thing than the hands to the body, but

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَحَداً مِنْ إِخْوَانِكَ فَأَعْلِمْهُ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع قَالَ‌ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِ الْمَوْتى‌ قالَ أَ وَ لَمْ تُؤْمِنْ قالَ بَلى‌ وَ لكِنْ لِيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said to me, ‘If you love one of your brothers (in belief), tell him about it; Ibrahim said, “O Lord, show me how do You bring the dead back to life?” The Lord asked, “Do you not believe it?” He said, “Yes, I firmly believe, but it is to comfort my heart . . (2:260)

إِذَا أَحْبَبْتَ رَجُلًا فَأَخْبِرْهُ بِذَلِكَ فَإِنَّهُ أَثْبَتُ لِلْمَوَدَّةِ بَيْنَكُمَا.

“When you love a man, tell him about it; it strengthens your love for one another.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ السَّلَامُ تَطَوُّعٌ وَ الرَّدُّ فَرِيضَةٌ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Offering the greeting of peace is voluntary, but answering it is obligatory. ’”

مَنْ بَدَأَ بِالْكَلَامِ قَبْلَ السَّلَامِ فَلَا تُجِيبُوهُ وَ قَالَ ابْدَءُوا بِالسَّلَامِ قَبْلَ الْكَلَامِ فَمَنْ بَدَأَ بِالْكَلَامِ قَبْلَ السَّلَامِ فَلَا تُجِيبُوهُ.

“If one begins speaking before offering the greeting of peace, do not speak to him.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِاللَّهِ وَ بِرَسُولِهِ مَنْ بَدَأَ بِالسَّلَامِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A person who is closer to Allah and His Messenger is the one who initiates the offering of the greeting of peace.’”

كَانَ سَلْمَانُ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ يَقُولُ أَفْشُوا سَلَامَ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ سَلَامَ اللَّهِ لَا يَنَالُ الظَّالِمِينَ.

“Salman, May Allah grant him favors, would say, ‘Offer the greeting of peace from Allah openly; the unjust do not receive the greeting of peace from Allah.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ إِفْشَاءَ السَّلَامِ.

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, loves offering the greeting of peace openly, loud and clearly.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الْبَخِيلَ مَنْ يَبْخَلُ بِالسَّلَامِ.

6. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Faddal from Mu’awiyah ibn Wahab from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Really stingy is one who is stingy in offering the greeting of peace.’”

إِذَا سَلَّمَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَجْهَرْ بِسَلَامِهِ لَا يَقُولُ سَلَّمْتُ فَلَمْ يَرُدُّوا عَلَيَّ وَ لَعَلَّهُ يَكُونُ قَدْ سَلَّمَ وَ لَمْ يُسْمِعْهُمْ فَإِذَا رَدَّ أَحَدُكُمْ فَلْيَجْهَرْ بِرَدِّهِ وَ لَا يَقُولُ الْمُسَلِّمُ سَلَّمْتُ فَلَمْ يَرُدُّوا عَلَيَّ ثُمَّ قَالَ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ لَا تَغْضَبُوا وَ لَا تُغْضِبُوا أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ وَ أَطِيبُوا الْكَلَامَ وَ صَلُّوا بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّاسُ نِيَامٌ ت

“When anyone of you offers the greeting of peace he should say it loud and clear so he will not complain that no one answered his greeting of peace. He may have offered, but no one may have heard it and when any one of you answers the greeting he should say it loud and clear so that the one offering it will not say, ‘I

الْبَادِي بِالسَّلَامِ أَوْلَى بِاللَّهِ وَ بِرَسُولِهِ.

“The initiator of the offering of the greeting of peace is closer to Allah and His Messenger.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ قَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَهِيَ عَشْرُ حَسَنَاتٍ وَ مَنْ قَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ فَهِيَ عِشْرُونَ حَسَنَةً وَ مَنْ قَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ فَهِيَ ثَلَاثُونَ حَسَنَةً.

“(I offer) you to be in peace,” it is equal to ten good deeds. Saying, ‘(I offer) you to be in peace, and May Allah grant you favors,’ is equal to twenty good deeds. Saying, ‘(I offer) you to be in peace, and May Allah grant you favors and blessings,’ is equal to thirty good deeds.’”

ثَلَاثَةٌ تُرَدُّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَدَّ الْجَمَاعَةِ وَ إِنْ كَانَ وَاحِداً عِنْدَ الْعُطَاسِ يُقَالُ يَرْحَمُكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ مَعَهُ غَيْرُهُ وَ الرَّجُلُ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَى الرَّجُلِ فَيَقُولُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ الرَّجُلُ يَدْعُو لِلرَّجُلِ فَيَقُولُ عَافَاكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ وَاحِداً فَإِنَّ مَعَهُ غَيْرَهُ.

“In three cases the ‘greeting’ is answered in a plural case even if there is only one person: for one’s sneezing, it is said, ‘May Allah grant you (plural) favor.’ when a man offers the ‘greeting of peace’ saying, ‘(I offer you to) be in peace’, the answer is ‘(I offer you to) be in peace,’ and when a man pleads before

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ لَا يُسَلَّمُونَ الْمَاشِي مَعَ الْجَنَازَةِ وَ الْمَاشِي إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ وَ فِي بَيْتِ الْحَمَّامِ‌[1].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) would say, ‘Three kinds of people do not offer greetings: one walking in funeral procession, one walking to attend Friday prayer and in the bathing places.’”

مِنَ التَّوَاضُعِ أَنْ تُسَلِّمَ عَلَى مَنْ لَقِيتَ.

“It is of humility to offer the greeting of peace to whomever you meet.”

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيٌّ ع بِقَوْمٍ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالُوا عَلَيْكَ السَّلَامُ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ وَ مَغْفِرَتُهُ وَ رِضْوَانُهُ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع لَا تُجَاوِزُوا بِنَا مِثْلَ مَا قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ لِأَبِينَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع إِنَّمَا قَالُوا رَحْمَتُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكاتُهُ عَلَيْكُمْ- أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌.

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) passed by a people and offered them the greeting of peace and they answered, ‘(We offer) you peace, May Allah grant you favors, blessings, forgiveness and His pleasure.’ Amir al-Mu’Minin (a.s.) said to them, ‘Do not say to us more than what the angels said to Ibrahim. Th

إِنَّ مِنْ تَمَامِ التَّحِيَّةِ لِلْمُقِيمِ الْمُصَافَحَةَ وَ تَمَامِ التَّسْلِيمِ عَلَى الْمُسَافِرِ الْمُعَانَقَةَ.

“The completion of greetings of peace for one at home is to shake hands and for one on a journey it is to hold him in one’s arms.”