Modesty & Chastity

هَبَطَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى آدَمَ ع فَقَالَ يَا آدَمُ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُخَيِّرَكَ وَاحِدَةً مِنْ ثَلَاثٍ فَاخْتَرْهَا وَ دَعِ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ آدَمُ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ مَا الثَّلَاثُ فَقَالَ الْعَقْلُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ الدِّينُ فَقَالَ آدَمُ إِنِّي قَدِ اخْتَرْتُ الْعَقْلَ فَقَالَ جَبْرَئِيلُ لِلْحَيَاءِ وَ الدِّينِ انْصَرِفَا وَ دَعَاهُ- فَقَالا يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ إِنَّا أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نَكُونَ مَعَ الْعَقْلِ ح

“Once Jibril came to Adam (as) and said, ‘I am ordered to offer you three choices. You may choose one and leave the other two. Adam then asked, “What are those three things?” Jibril replied, ‘They are intelligence, modesty and religion.’ Adam then said, “I choose Intelligence.” Jibril then asked modesty and religion to

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ فَقَالَ يَسْتَطِيعُ الْعَبْدُ بَعْدَ أَرْبَعِ خِصَالٍ أَنْ يَكُونَ مُخَلَّى السَّرْبِ صَحِيحَ الْجِسْمِ سَلِيمَ الْجَوَارِحِ- لَهُ سَبَبٌ‌ وَارِدٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ- قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَسِّرْ لِي هَذَا قَالَ أَنْ يَكُونَ الْعَبْدُ مُخَلَّى السَّرْبِ صَحِيحَ الْجِسْمِ سَلِيمَ الْجَوَارِحِ- يُرِيدُ أَنْ يَزْنِيَ فَلَا يَجِدُ امْرَأَةً ثُمَّ يَجِدُهَا فَإِم

“Once I asked Imam abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), about capability. The Imam said, ‘A servant (of Allah) has the capability if four things exist. That he is free and on his own, that he is physically well and of sound limbs and that for him there is reason and means from Allah.’ I asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in the s

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ لِلْعِبَادِ مِنَ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي إِذَا فَعَلُوا الْفِعْلَ كَانُوا مُسْتَطِيعِينَ بِالاسْتِطَاعَةِ الَّتِي جَعَلَهَا اللَّهُ فِيهِمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ الْآلَةُ مِثْلُ الزَّانِي‌[1] إِذَا زَنَى كَانَ مُسْتَطِيعاً لِلزِّنَا حِينَ زَنَى وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُ تَرَكَ الزِّنَا وَ لَمْ يَزْنِ كَانَ مُسْتَطِيعاً لِتَرْكِهِ إِذَا تَرَكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَي

“Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Do the servants (of Allah) have any capability?’ The Imam said, ‘When they act an act they do have the capability that Allah has placed in them.’ I asked, ‘What is it?’ The Imam said, ‘It is a means. In a sin like adultery when one commits such sins he has the capability when he is

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْضَحَ بِأَئِمَّةِ الْهُدَى مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ نَبِيِّنَا عَنْ دِينِهِ وَ أَبْلَجَ بِهِمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِ مِنْهَاجِهِ وَ فَتَحَ بِهِمْ عَنْ بَاطِنِ يَنَابِيعِ عِلْمِهِ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ مِنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَاجِبَ حَقِّ إِمَامِهِ وَجَدَ طَعْمَ حَلَاوَةِ إِيمَانِهِ وَ عَلِمَ فَضْلَ طُلَاوَةِ إِسْلَامِهِ‌[4] لِأَنَّ اللَّ

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ’Isa from al-Hasan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from abu ’Abdallah (a.s.) who has described the condition of the Imams (a.s.) and their attributes in one of his sermons. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has explained His religion through the Imams

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذا فَعَلُوا فاحِشَةً قالُوا وَجَدْنا عَلَيْها آباءَنا وَ اللَّهُ أَمَرَنا بِها قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشاءِ أَ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ ما لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ أَحَداً زَعَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ بِالزِّنَا وَ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَحَارِمِ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ مَا هَذِهِ الْفَاحِشَةُ الَّتِي يَدَّعُو

“I asked (the Imam (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘When (The faithless) commit indecent acts they say, “We found our fathers doing this and God has commanded us to do the same.” (Muhammad) tell them that God does not command anyone to commit indecency. Do you speak for God, sayin

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع- عَنْ شَهَادَةِ وَلَدِ الزِّنَا تَجُوزُ فَقَالَ لَا فَقُلْتُ إِنَّ الْحَكَمَ بْنَ عُتَيْبَةَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّهَا تَجُوزُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ لَا تَغْفِرْ ذَنْبَهُ مَا قَالَ اللَّهُ لِلْحَكَمِ- إِنَّهُ‌ لَذِكْرٌ لَكَ‌ وَ لِقَوْمِكَ‌[1] فَلْيَذْهَبِ الْحَكَمُ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالًا فَوَ اللَّهِ لَا يُؤْخَذُ الْعِلْمُ إِلَّا مِنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ نَزَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع.

“I askked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the permissibility of the testimony of a person born out of wedlock.” He said, “No, it is not addissible.” I then said, “Al-Hakam ibn ‘Utayba believes it is addmissible.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Lord, do not forgive his sin. Allah has not to al-Hakam, “ It (the Quran) is a reminder to

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ خَاصَّةً يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْ رَبَّنَا لِحِلْمِهِ وَ أَنَاتِهِ وَ عَطْفِهِ مَا كَانَ مِنْ عَظِيمِ جُرْمِهِمْ وَ قَبِيحِ أَفْعَالِهِمْ أَنِ انْتَجَبَ لَهُمْ أَحَبَّ أَنْبِيَائِهِ إِلَيْهِ وَ أَكْرَمَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَوْمَةِ الْعِزِّ مَوْلِدُهُ وَ فِي دَوْمَةِ الْكَرَمِ مَحْتِدُهُ غَيْرَ مَشُوبٍ حَسَبُهُ وَ

17. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from Abu ‘Abdallah (AS) in a special sermon in which he has described the The Holy Prophet (AS) and the Imams (AS), and their qualities as follows: “The great sins and people’s bad deeds did not prevent

كَانَ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ خَاقَانَ عَلَى الضِّيَاعِ وَ الْخَرَاجِ بِقُمَّ فَجَرَى فِي مَجْلِسِهِ يَوْماً ذِكْرُ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ وَ مَذَاهِبِهِمْ وَ كَانَ شَدِيدَ النَّصْبِ فَقَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ وَ لَا عَرَفْتُ بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى رَجُلًا مِنَ الْعَلَوِيَّةِ مِثْلَ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ الرِّضَا فِي هَدْيِهِ وَ سُكُونِهِ وَ عَفَافِهِ وَ نُبْلِهِ وَ كَرَمِهِ عِنْدَ أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ ب

1. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari and Muhammad ibn Yahya and others have narrated the following. “Ahmad ibn ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Khaqan was in charge of collecting property and other taxes in the city of Qumm. One day in his presence the ‘Alawids and their beliefs were mentioned. He was a staunch Nasibi (abusive of ‘Al

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِنْ أَيْنَ دَخَلَ عَلَى النَّاسِ الزِّنَا قُلْتُ لَا أَدْرِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ مِنْ قِبَلِ خُمُسِنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ إِلَّا شِيعَتَنَا الْأَطْيَبِينَ فَإِنَّهُ مُحَلَّلٌ لَهُمْ لِمِيلَادِهِمْ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said, “Why people get the course of adultery?” I said, “I do not know, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause.” He said, “It is because of not paying our al-Khums (one fifth religious dues) except our pure Shi‘a. It helps cleans their birth.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا بِهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ- الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ هُوَ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Qasim ibn Burayd who has said that narrated to us abu ‘Amr al-Zubayri who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْإِسْلَامُ عُرْيَانٌ فَلِبَاسُهُ الْحَيَاءُ وَ زِينَتُهُ الْوَقَارُ[1] وَ مُرُوءَتُهُ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ وَ عِمَادُهُ الْوَرَعُ وَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَسَاسٌ وَ أَسَاسُ الْإِسْلَامِ حُبُّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌[2]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنْ مُدْرِكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

2. It is narrated from him from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from Mudrik ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Islam is bare. Its dress is bashfulness, dignity is its ornament, virtuous deeds are its kindness and strict following of law i

إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ عَاقِلًا فَهِماً فَقِيهاً حَلِيماً مُدَارِياً صَبُوراً صَدُوقاً وَفِيّاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَصَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ بِمَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ فَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ فَلْيَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ فِيهِ فَلْيَتَضَرَّعْ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لْيَسْأَلْهُ إِيَّاهَا قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ هُنَّ الْوَرَعُ وَ الْقَنَاعَةُ وَ الصَّبْر

“We certainly love a person of reason, of good understanding, who has good knowledge and understanding of the law, who is forbearing, who is kind, who bears patience, who is truthful and who is loyal. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has chosen the prophets for noble moral (human) qualities. Whoever has them (n

أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَمَلَ إِسْلَامُهُ وَ لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ خَطَايَا لَمْ تَنْقُصْهُ الصِّدْقُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَ الشُّكْرُ.

“If four things are found in a person his Islam is perfect, even though he may be filled with sins from his head to his toes it will not harm him. They consist of Truthfulness, Bashfulness, Good Moral Behavior and Thankfulness.”

مَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘No obedience and worship in the sight of Allah is better than to be a chaste person in matters of (one’s) stomach and genital organs.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِنَّ أَفْضَلَ الْعِبَادَةِ عِفَّةُ الْبَطْنِ وَ الْفَرْجِ.

‘The best worship is to be chaste in the matters of stomach and genital organs.’”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ الْعَفَافُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘Chastity is the best worship.’”

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي ضَعِيفُ الْعَمَلِ قَلِيلُ الصِّيَامِ وَ لَكِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ لَا آكُلَ إِلَّا حَلَالًا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّ الِاجْتِهَادِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

‘My deeds are weak and my fasting is very little but I hope to eat only what is lawful.’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘What kind of hard work could be considered better than chastity of stomach and chastity of genital organs?”’

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَكْثَرُ مَا تَلِجُ بِهِ أُمَّتِي النَّارَ الْأَجْوَفَانِ الْبَطْنُ وَ الْفَرْجُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of my followers who go to hell, in the case of most of them it will so happen because of two hollow things: the stomach and the genital organs (for consuming unlawful things or committing sins)

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ أَخَافُهُنَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي الضَّلَالَةُ بَعْدَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ وَ مَضَلَّاتُ الْفِتَنِ‌[3] وَ شَهْوَةُ الْبَطْنِ وَ الْفَرْجِ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his sources of narrators who have said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things about which I am afraid for my followers after me: misguidance after recognition of the truth, confusion because of mischief and the desires of stomach and genital organs.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ عِبَادَةٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘There is no worship better than the chastity in matters of stomach and genital organs.’”

مَا مِنْ عِبَادَةٍ أَفْضَلَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from Mansur ibn Hazim from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘In the sight of Allah there is no worship more virtuous than chastity in matters of stomach and genital organs.’”

مُرُوَّةُ الصَّبْرِ[2] فِي حَالِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ الْفَاقَةِ وَ التَّعَفُّفِ وَ الْغِنَى‌[3] أَكْثَرُ مِنْ مُرُوَّةِ الْإِعْطَاءِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The courage to exercise patience in times of need and poverty with chastity and self-sufficiency is more than the courage needed to give charity.’”

أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَمَلَ إِيمَانُهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ- ذُنُوباً لَمْ يَنْقُصْهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَ هُوَ الصِّدْقُ وَ أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ‌[1].

“Whoever has four things, his belief is complete even if he is covered with sins from his top to his toes, and it will not harm him. They are truthfulness, safe return of the trust, bashfulness and excellent moral behavior.”

الْحَيَاءُ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Bashfulness is from belief and belief is in paradise.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْحَيَاءُ وَ الْعَفَافُ وَ الْعِيُ‌[1] أَعْنِي عِيَّ اللِّسَانِ لَا عِيَّ الْقَلْبِ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Bashfulness, chastity, tiredness of tongue (to shun speaking useless things), not tiredness of the heart, are from belief.’”

الْحَيَاءُ وَ الْإِيمَانُ مَقْرُونَانِ فِي قَرَنٍ‌[3] فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ أَحَدُهُمَا تَبِعَهُ صَاحِبُهُ.

“Bashfulness and belief are tied with the same rope. If one of them goes away, the other also follows its companion.”

لَا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لَا حَيَاءَ لَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One has no belief if he does not have bashfulness.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْحَيَاءُ حَيَاءَانِ حَيَاءُ عَقْلٍ وَ حَيَاءُ حُمْقٍ فَحَيَاءُ الْعَقْلِ هُوَ الْعِلْمُ وَ حَيَاءُ الْحُمْقِ هُوَ الْجَهْلُ.

“There are two kinds of bashfulness: A bashfulness that comes from one’s reason and the bashfulness that comes from one’s foolishness. The bashfulness that comes from one’s reason is knowledge and the bashfulness that comes from one’s foolishness is ignorance.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ وَ كَانَ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ ذُنُوباً بَدَّلَهَا اللَّهُ حَسَنَاتٍ‌[1] الصِّدْقُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَ الشُّكْرُ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Bukayr ibn Salih from al-Hassan ibn Ali from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ibrahim from Ali ibn abu Ali al-Lahabi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If four things are found in a person, even though he may be full of

الْمُؤْمِنُ خَلَطَ عَمَلَهُ بِالْحِلْمِ‌[5] يَجْلِسُ لِيَعْلَمَ وَ يَنْطِقُ لِيَفْهَمَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ أَمَانَتَهُ‌[6] الْأَصْدِقَاءَ وَ لَا يَكْتُمُ شَهَادَتَهُ الْأَعْدَاءَ[7] وَ لَا يَفْعَلُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْحَقِّ رِيَاءً وَ لَا يَتْرُكُهُ حَيَاءً إِنْ زُكِّيَ خَافَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ مِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[8] لَا يَغُرُّهُ قَوْلُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ وَ يَخْشَى إِحْصَاءَ مَا قَدْ عَمِلَهُ.

“The believer’s deeds are mixed with forbearance. He sits to learn and speaks to understand. He does not tell his friends about his trust and he does not hide his testimony for the enemies. He does not do any true thing to show off and does not ignore it due to shyness. If he purifies himself he fears what they may say

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْحَيِيَّ الْحَلِيمَ الْعَفِيفَ الْمُتَعَفِّفَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah certainly loves the living person who is forbearing, maintains chastity and restrains from worldly matters (sins).”’

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص‌ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا قَدِ ارْتَحَلَتْ مُدْبِرَةً وَ إِنَّ الْآخِرَةَ قَدِ ارْتَحَلَتْ مُقْبِلَةً[7] وَ لِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُمَا بَنُونَ فَكُونُوا مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ- وَ لَا تَكُونُوا مِنْ أَبْنَاءِ الدُّنْيَا أَلَا وَ كُونُوا مِنَ الزَّاهِدِينَ فِي الدُّنْيَا الرَّاغِبِينَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَلَا إِنَّ الزَّاهِدِينَ فِي الدُّنْيَا اتَّخَذُوا الْأَرْضَ بِسَاطاً وَ التُّرَابَ فِرَاش

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘The world has begun to move backwards and the next world is moving forward. Each world has its sons. Therefore, you must be of the sons of the next world and not the sons of this world. You must be of those who have reduced their interest in worldly matters and of those seriously in

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ مَنْ أَحَبَّ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْعَفَافَ وَ الْكَفَافَ وَ ارْزُقْ مَنْ أَبْغَضَ مُحَمَّداً وَ آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ الْمَالَ وَ الْوَلَدَ[4].

3. Al-Nawfali has narrated from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘O Allah, grant Muhammad, the family of Muhammad and those who love Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, chastity in their personality, and sustenance enough for their exact necessities. Gi

الْمُؤْمِنُ لَهُ قُوَّةٌ فِي دِينٍ وَ حَزْمٌ فِي لِينٍ وَ إِيمَانٌ فِي يَقِينٍ وَ حِرْصٌ فِي فِقْهٍ وَ نَشَاطٌ فِي هُدًى وَ بِرٌّ فِي اسْتِقَامَةٍ وَ عِلْمٌ فِي حِلْمٍ وَ كَيْسٌ فِي رِفْقٍ وَ سَخَاءٌ فِي حَقٍّ وَ قَصْدٌ فِي غِنًى وَ تَجَمُّلٌ فِي فَاقَةٍ وَ عَفْوٌ فِي قُدْرَةٍ وَ طَاعَةٌ لِلَّهِ فِي نَصِيحَةٍ وَ انْتِهَاءٌ فِي شَهْوَةٍ وَ وَرَعٌ فِي رَغْبَةٍ وَ حِرْصٌ فِي جِهَادٍ وَ صَلَاةٌ فِي شُغُلٍ وَ صَبْرٌ فِي ش

“The believer has power in religion. He is of solid determination but with soft words, his belief is in certainty, he has greed in deep understanding, is active in guidance, and virtuous in steadfastness. He has knowledge in forbearance, he is smart in friendliness, and generous in truth, modest in wealth, graceful in

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِيَّاكَ وَ السَّفِلَةَ فَإِنَّمَا شِيعَةُ عَلِيٍّ مَنْ عَفَّ بَطْنُهُ وَ فَرْجُهُ وَ اشْتَدَّ جِهَادُهُ وَ عَمِلَ لِخَالِقِهِ وَ رَجَا ثَوَابَهُ وَ خَافَ عِقَابَهُ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ أُولَئِكَ فَأُولَئِكَ شِيعَةُ جَعْفَرٍ.

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from Mansur Bazarj from Mufaddal who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Beware of the thoughtless people. Shi’a (followers) of Ali (a.s.) are only those whose stomach and private parts are chaste, and a

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ زَنَى خَرَجَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ مَنْ شَرِبَ الْخَمْرَ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ مَنْ أَفْطَرَ يَوْماً مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مُتَعَمِّداً خَرَجَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever commits fornication suffers the loss of his belief, one who drinks wine suffers the loss of belief and one who breaks intentionally the fast in the month of Ramadhan suffers the loss of his belief.’”

الْفَوَاحِشُ الزِّنَى وَ السَّرِقَةُ وَ اللَّمَمُ الرَّجُلُ يُلِمُّ بِالذَّنْبِ فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ قُلْتُ بَيْنَ الضَّلَالِ وَ الْكُفْرِ مَنْزِلَةٌ فَقَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ‌[3].

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Those who stay away from grave sins and indecency (should know that) for their Lamam (certain sins) your Lord’s forgiveness is vast. . . .’ (53:32) the Imam said, ‘Indecency is fornication and theft. Lamam is when a man commits a sin, then regrets and asks f

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي قَوْلِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا زَنَى الرَّجُلُ فَارَقَهُ رُوحُ الْإِيمَانِ قَالَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ‌ وَ أَيَّدَهُمْ بِرُوحٍ مِنْهُ‌ ذَاكَ الَّذِي يُفَارِقُهُ.

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of the Messenger of Allah, ‘When a person commits fornication the spirit of belief departs him,’ the Imam said, ‘It is mentioned in His (Allah) words, ‘He has supported them with a spirit from Him,’ that is the spirit that departs him.’”

يُسْلَبُ مِنْهُ رُوحُ الْإِيمَانِ مَا دَامَ عَلَى بَطْنِهَا فَإِذَا نَزَلَ عَادَ الْإِيمَانُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ هَمَ‌[1] قَالَ لَا أَ رَأَيْتَ إِنْ هَمَّ أَنْ يَسْرِقَ أَ تُقْطَعُ يَدُهُ.

“The spirit of belief is moved away from him as long as he is on her belly and when he comes down the spirit returns.’ The narrator has said that he then asked, ‘What if one intends to commit fornication?’ The Imam said, ‘No, consider, if one intends to steal, will his hand be cut?”’

دَخَلَ عَمْرُو بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ[1] عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ وَ جَلَسَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ‌[2] ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا أَسْكَتَكَ قَالَ أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَعْرِفَ الْكَبَائِرَ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ يَا عَمْرُو أَكْبَرُ الْكَبَائِرِ الْإِشْرَاكُ بِاللَّهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ

24. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Abd al-‘Azim ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Hassani who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) narrated to me saying, ‘I heard my father saying, “I heard my father, Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Once ‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd came to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a

إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ هَلَاكَ عَبْدٍ نَزَعَ مِنْهُ الْحَيَاءَ[6] فَإِذَا نَزَعَ مِنْهُ الْحَيَاءَ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا خَائِناً مَخُوناً فَإِذَا كَانَ خَائِناً مَخُوناً نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَمَانَةُ فَإِذَا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ الْأَمَانَةُ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِلَّا فَظّاً غَلِيظاً فَإِذَا كَانَ فَظّاً غَلِيظاً نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ رِبْقَةُ الْإِيمَانِ‌[7] فَإِذَا نُزِعَتْ مِنْهُ رِبْقَةُ الْإِيمَانِ لَمْ تَلْقَهُ إِل

“When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wants to destroy a person He removes bashfulness from him. When bashfulness is removed, you will not find anything in him but deceit and causing deception. When one is deceitful and deceptive, no one trusts him and when he can no longer be trusted you will not find him any

كَانَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع صَدِيقٌ لَا يَكَادُ يُفَارِقُهُ إِذَا ذَهَبَ مَكَاناً فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ يَمْشِي مَعَهُ فِي الْحَذَّاءِينَ‌[2] وَ مَعَهُ غُلَامٌ لَهُ سِنْدِيٌّ يَمْشِي خَلْفَهُمَا إِذَا الْتَفَتَ الرَّجُلُ يُرِيدُ غُلَامَهُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ فَلَمْ يَرَهُ فَلَمَّا نَظَرَ فِي الرَّابِعَةِ قَالَ يَا ابْنَ الْفَاعِلَةِ أَيْنَ كُنْتَ قَالَ فَرَفَعَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدَهُ فَصَكَّ بِهَا جَبْهَةَ نَفْسِهِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) had a friend who almost all the time accompanied him whenever he went somewhere. Once he was walking with the Imam in the shoemaker’s place and his (man’s) slave from Sind was walking behind them. The man looked to find where his slave was. He could not see him. He tried three times and could not

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

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

قَالَ: وَ النِّفَاقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الْهَوَى وَ الْهُوَيْنَا وَ الْحَفِيظَةِ وَ الطَّمَعِ‌[8] فَالْهَوَى عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْبَغْيِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ الشَّهْوَةِ وَ الطُّغْيَانِ- فَمَنْ‌ بَغَى كَثُرَتْ غَوَائِلُهُ وَ تُخُلِّيَ مِنْهُ وَ قُصِرَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ مَنِ اعْتَدَى لَمْ يُؤْمَنْ بَوَائِقُهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ قَلْبُهُ وَ لَمْ يَمْلِكْ نَفْسَهُ عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْذِلْ

“‘Hypocrisy has four pillars: Desire, Neglect, Resentment and Greed. “Desire is of four branches: disproportionate behavior, transgression, lust and insubordination. Whoever behaves disproportionately faces great risks, remains lonely and without supporters. Whoever transgresses does not remain immune to harmful conseq

قُلْتُ لَهُ فَمَا تَقُولُ فِي مُنَاكَحَةِ النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي قَدْ بَلَغْتُ مَا تَرَاهُ وَ مَا تَزَوَّجْتُ قَطُّ فَقَالَ وَ مَا يَمْنَعُكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ فَقُلْتُ مَا يَمْنَعُنِي إِلَّا أَنَّنِي أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا تَحِلَّ لِي مُنَاكَحَتُهُمْ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي فَقَالَ فَكَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ وَ أَنْتَ شَابٌّ أَ تَصْبِرُ قُلْتُ أَتَّخِذُ الْجَوَارِيَ قَالَ فَهَاتِ الْآنَ فَبِمَا تَسْتَحِلُّ الْجَوَارِيَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ الْأَمَةَ لَيْس

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from a man from Zurara who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘What do you say about marriage of the people. I have reached this age as you can see and I am not married yet.’ The Imam asked, ‘What prevents you from becoming married?’

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

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

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.’”