Contentment

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع وَ أَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاقِفٌ- وَ قَدْ كَانَ أَبِي سَأَلَ أَبَاهُ عَنْ سَبْعِ مَسَائِلَ فَأَجَابَهُ فِي سِتٍّ وَ أَمْسَكَ عَنِ السَّابِعَةِ فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَأَسْأَلَنَّهُ عَمَّا سَأَلَ أَبِي أَبَاهُ فَإِنْ أَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ كَانَتْ دَلَالَةً فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَأَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ أَبِي فِي الْمَسَائِلِ السِّتِّ فَلَمْ يَزِدْ فِي الْجَوَابِ وَاواً وَ لَا يَاءً وَ أَ

“Once I went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.). At that time I was a memebr of Waqifi sect. My father had asked his (al-Rida’s) father seven questions. He had replied to six of them and had refrained from answering the seventh. I said to my self, “By Allah, I will ask him what my father had asked his father if his answers will

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُوسَى الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَكُونُ إِمَامَانِ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا وَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَامِتٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ هُوَ ذَا أَنْتَ لَيْسَ لَكَ صَامِتٌ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ وُلِدَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ بَعْدُ فَقَالَ لِي وَ اللَّهِ لَيَجْعَلَنَّ اللَّهُ مِنِّي مَا يُثْبِتُ بِهِ الْحَقَّ وَ أَهْلَهُ وَ يَمْحَقُ بِهِ الْبَاطِلَ وَ أَهْلَهُ فَوُلِدَ لَهُ بَعْدَ سَنَةٍ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقِيلَ لِابْنِ قِيَامَا أ

“Once I went to see Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (a.s.) and I said to him, “Can there be two Imams (at the same time)?” He said, “No, except if one of them would be silent.” I then said, “What about your self? There is no silent Imam with you.” His son, abu Ja’far (a.s.) was not yet born. He said, “By Allah, Allah will create

أَتَيْتُ خُرَاسَانَ وَ أَنَا وَاقِفٌ فَحَمَلْتُ مَعِي مَتَاعاً وَ كَانَ مَعِي ثَوْبٌ وَشِيٌّ فِي بَعْضِ الرِّزَمِ‌[2] وَ لَمْ أَشْعُرْ بِهِ وَ لَمْ أَعْرِفْ مَكَانَهُ فَلَمَّا قَدِمْتُ مَرْوَ وَ نَزَلْتُ فِي بَعْضِ مَنَازِلِهَا لَمْ أَشْعُرْ إِلَّا وَ رَجُلٌ مَدَنِيٌّ مِنْ بَعْضِ‌ مُوَلَّدِيهَا فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ لَكَ ابْعَثْ إِلَيَّ الثَّوْبَ الْوَشِيَّ الَّذِي عِنْدَكَ قَالَ فَقُلْ

“I came to Khurasan when I was a member of the Waqifa sect. I had certain goods with me. In these goods there was a printed piece of fabric in one of the bundles. It was misplaced and did not know where it was. When I arrived in Marv and found a lodging a man who was born in the city of Madina came by and said to me, “

كُنْتُ وَاقِفاً وَ حَجَجْتُ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَلَمَّا صِرْتُ بِمَكَّةَ خَلَجَ فِي صَدْرِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَتَعَلَّقْتُ بِالْمُلْتَزَمِ‌[1] ثُمَّ قُلْتُ اللَّهُمَّ قَدْ عَلِمْتَ طَلِبَتِي وَ إِرَادَتِي فَأَرْشِدْنِي إِلَى خَيْرِ الْأَدْيَانِ فَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي أَنْ آتِيَ الرِّضَا ع فَأَتَيْتُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَوَقَفْتُ بِبَابِهِ وَ قُلْتُ لِلْغُلَامِ قُلْ لِمَوْلَاكَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ بِالْبَابِ قَالَ فَسَمِع

“I was a member of Waqifa sect and I wen to Hajj with the same belief. When I arrived in Makka an idea began to prick my chest. I got hold of al-Multazam (the wall next to the door of Ka‘ba) and said, “O Lord, You know what I ask for and my intention. Guide me to the best of the religions. It then occurred to me to see

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[2] بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع وَ امْرَأَتَهُ وَ بَنِيهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ عَرَفَ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَلِيٍّ وَ فَاطِمَةَ ع لَمْ يَكُنْ كَالنَّاسِ.

“I heards al-Rida (a.s.) saying, “Ali ibn ‘Abdallah (or ‘Ubaydallah)ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.), his wife and childred are of the people of paradise.” He then said, “Whoever would recognize this matter (Leadership with Divine Authority) in the descendants of Ali and Fatima (a.s.) he

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع قُلْتُ لَهُ الْجَاحِدُ مِنْكُمْ وَ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ سَوَاءٌ فَقَالَ الْجَاحِدُ مِنَّا لَهُ ذَنْبَانِ وَ الْمُحْسِنُ لَهُ حَسَنَتَانِ.

He replied, “Those of our own people who would reject us (our Leadership with Divine Authority) would be considered as having committed twice as much sin and the good deed from our own people who are virtuous would also considered as of twice as much value.”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْإِمَامِ يُغَسِّلُهُ الْإِمَامُ قَالَ سُنَّةُ مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ ع‌[1].

2. It is narrated from him from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Yunus from Talha who has said the following. “Once I said to al-Rida (a.s.), ‘Is it true that only an Imam has the authority to wash the body of an Imam for burial?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Do you know who comes to wash his body for buria

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ ابْنُ فَضَّالٍ جُلُوساً إِذْ أَقْبَلَ يُونُسُ فَقَالَ: دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَدْ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسُ فِي الْعَمُودِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لِي يَا يُونُسُ مَا تَرَاهُ أَ تَرَاهُ عَمُوداً مِنْ حَدِيدٍ يُرْفَعُ لِصَاحِبِكَ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا أَدْرِي قَالَ لَكِنَّهُ مَلَكٌ مُوَكَّلٌ بِكُلِّ بَلْدَةٍ يَرْفَعُ اللَّهُ بِهِ أَعْمَالَ تِلْكَ الْبَلْدَةِ قَالَ فَقَامَ اب

“I and ibn Faddal were sitting tha Yunus came and said, ‘I went to see abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and said to him, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, “People speak so much about pillar.” He said to me, “O Yunus, what do you see? Do you see it as a pillar of iron that you would raise for your friend?”

رَأَيْتُ الرِّضَا ع وَاقِفاً عَلَى بَابِ بَيْتِ الْحَطَبِ وَ هُوَ يُنَاجِي وَ لَسْتُ أَرَى أَحَداً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي لِمَنْ تُنَاجِي فَقَالَ هَذَا عَامِرٌ الزَّهْرَائِيُّ أَتَانِي يَسْأَلُنِي وَ يَشْكُو إِلَيَّ فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَ كَلَامَهُ فَقَالَ لِي إِنَّكِ إِنْ سَمِعْتِ بِهِ حُمِمْتِ سَنَةً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَهُ- فَقَالَ لِيَ اسْمَعِي فَاسْتَمَعْتُ فَسَمِعْتُ شِ

“Once I saw al-Rida (a.s.) standing at the door of the firewood room and he was whispering but I would not see anyone else around. I then asked him, “My master, who are you talking to?” He said, “This is ‘Amir al-Zahra’i. He has come to ask a few questions and he has certain complains.” I then asked, “My master, I like

الْوَالِدَانِ اللَّذَانِ أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُمَا الشُّكْرَ هُمَا اللَّذَانِ وَلَدَا الْعِلْمَ وَ وَرَّثَا الْحُكْمَ وَ أَمَرَ النَّاسَ بِطَاعَتِهِمَا ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُ‌ إِلَيَّ الْمَصِيرُ فَمَصِيرُ الْعِبَادِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ الدَّلِيلُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ الْوَالِدَانِ ثُمَّ عَطَفَ الْقَوْلَ عَلَى ابْنِ حَنْتَمَةَ[3] وَ صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ فِي الْخَاصِّ وَ الْعَامِّ- وَ إِنْ جاهَداكَ‌ عَلى‌ أَنْ تُشْرِكَ بِي‌ يَقُولُ فِي

Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Bastam ibn Murra from ishaq ibn Hassa’n from al-Haytham ibn Waqid from Ali ibn al-Husayn al-‘Abdi from Sa‘d al-’Iskaf from Asbagh ibn Nabata that he asked Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most High. “. . to give thanks to Me first a

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ قَبْرِ فَاطِمَةَ ع فَقَالَ دُفِنَتْ فِي بَيْتِهَا فَلَمَّا زَادَتْ بَنُو أُمَيَّةَ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ صَارَتْ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ.

“I asked al-Rida (a.s.) about the grave of Fatima (a.s.). He said, “She was buried in her own house. When the Umayyads enlarged the Mosque it became part of the Mosque.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلُ هَلْ عَلِمْتَ أَحَداً مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَغْرِبِ قَدِمَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ بَلَى قَدْ قَدِمَ رَجُلٌ فَانْطَلِقْ بِنَا فَرَكِبَ وَ رَكِبْتُ مَعَهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْنَا إِلَى الرَّجُلِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ مَعَهُ رَقِيقٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ اعْرِضْ عَلَيْنَا فَعَرَضَ عَلَيْنَا سَبْعَ جَوَارٍ كُلَّ ذَلِكَ يَقُولُ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع لَا حَاجَةَ لِي فِيهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ اعْرِضْ عَل

“Once abu al-Hassan, the second asked me, “Do you know if anyone from Morocco (or the west) has arrived?” I replied, “No, no one has come.” He said, “Yes, a man has come. Come with us.” He rode and also rode and went until we reached the man. He was a man from Madina who had a few slaves with him for sale. I asked him

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع فِي بَيْتٍ دَاخِلٍ فِي جَوْفِ بَيْتٍ لَيْلًا فَرَفَعَ يَدَهُ فَكَانَتْ كَأَنَّ فِي الْبَيْتِ عَشَرَةَ مَصَابِيحَ وَ اسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَيْهِ رَجُلٌ فَخَلَّى يَدَهُ ثُمَّ أَذِنَ لَهُ.

“Once I went to see al-Rida (a.s.) in a house inside his house in the middle of the night. He raised his hand and it was as if there were ten lamps inside the house and a man asked permission for a meeting. He lowered his hand and then gave him permission.”

كَانَ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ آلِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ مَوْلَى النَّبِيِّ ص يُقَالُ لَهُ طَيْسٌ عَلَيَّ حَقٌّ فَتَقَاضَانِي وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيَّ وَ أَعَانَهُ النَّاسُ فَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُ ذَلِكَ صَلَّيْتُ الصُّبْحَ فِي مَسْجِدِ الرَّسُولِ ع ثُمَّ تَوَجَّهْتُ نَحْوَ الرِّضَا ع وَ هُوَ يَوْمَئِذٍ بِالْعُرَيْضِ فَلَمَّا قَرُبْتُ مِنْ بَابِهِ إِذَا هُوَ قَدْ طَلَعَ عَلَى حِمَارٍ وَ عَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ وَ رِدَاءٌ فَلَمَّا نَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ اسْتَح

“I owed money to a man from the family of abu Rafi‘, slave of the Holy Prophet (s.a), called Tays. He demanded payment and pressed me hard and people also assisted him. When I found myself in such condition I prayed the morning prayer in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah and then headed to al-Rida (a.s.) who was in

أَلْحَحْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ أَطْلُبُهُ مِنْهُ فَكَانَ يَعِدُنِي فَخَرَجَ ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ لِيَسْتَقْبِلَ وَالِيَ الْمَدِينَةِ وَ كُنْتُ مَعَهُ فَجَاءَ إِلَى قُرْبِ قَصْرِ فُلَانٍ فَنَزَلَ تَحْتَ شَجَرَاتٍ وَ نَزَلْتُ مَعَهُ أَنَا وَ لَيْسَ مَعَنَا ثَالِثٌ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ هَذَا الْعِيدُ قَدْ أَظَلَّنَا وَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَمْلِكُ دِرْهَماً فَمَا سِوَاهُ فَحَكَّ بِسَوْطِهِ الْأَرْضَ

“I would urge abu al-Hassan al-Rida in a matter that I would demand from him and he would ask to give him time. One day he went out to receive the governor of Madina and I was with him. He came near the castle of so and so and stopped for rest among a few trees. Just the two of us and not a third was there. I said, “Ma

لَمَّا انْقَضَى أَمْرُ الْمَخْلُوعِ‌[1] وَ اسْتَوَى الْأَمْرُ لِلْمَأْمُونِ كَتَبَ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع يَسْتَقْدِمُهُ إِلَى خُرَاسَانَ فَاعْتَلَّ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بِعِلَلٍ فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْمَأْمُونُ يُكَاتِبُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لَا مَحِيصَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَكُفُّ عَنْهُ فَخَرَجَ ع وَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع سَبْعُ سِنِينَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ لَا تَأْخُذْ عَلَى طَرِيقِ الْجَبَلِ وَ قُم

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from from Yasir al-Khadim and al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt all have said the following. “When the matter of the deposed Caliph (Amin) ended and it was established for al-Ma’mun he wrote to al-Rida asking to come to Khurasan. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in reply presented certain reason to justify his

لَمَّا خَرَجَ الْمَأْمُونُ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ يُرِيدُ بَغْدَادَ وَ خَرَجَ الْفَضْلُ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَرَدَ عَلَى الْفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ كِتَابٌ مِنْ أَخِيهِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ وَ نَحْنُ فِي بَعْضِ الْمَنَازِلِ إِنِّي نَظَرْتُ فِي تَحْوِيلِ السَّنَةِ فِي حِسَابِ النُّجُومِ فَوَجَدْتُ فِيهِ أَنَّكَ تَذُوقُ فِي شَهْرِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا- يَوْمَ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ حَرّ

“When al-Ma’mun left Khurasan for Baghdad along with him came Fadl, Dhu al-Al-Ri’asatayn and we came out with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) Fadl ibn Sahl had received a letter from his brother Hassan, while we were on our journey. Hassan had said in the letter, “I studied the Zodiac changes this year according to the astrologic

لَمَّا أَرَادَ هَارُونُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ أَنْ يُوَاقِعَ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع اذْهَبْ إِلَيْهِ وَ قُلْ لَهُ لَا تَخْرُجْ غَداً فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ خَرَجْتَ غَداً هُزِمْتَ وَ قُتِلَ أَصْحَابُكَ فَإِنْ سَأَلَكَ مِنْ أَيْنَ عَلِمْتَ هَذَا فَقُلْ رَأَيْتُ فِي الْمَنَامِ قَالَ فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا تَخْرُجْ غَداً فَإِنَّكَ إِنْ خَرَجْتَ هُزِمْتَ وَ قُتِلَ أَصْحَ

“When Harun ibn al-Musayyib decided to fight Muhammad ibn Ja‘far, abu al-Hassan (a.s.) told me to go to him and say, “Do not go our tomorrow. If would do so you will be defeated and your people will be killed.” If he would ask, “How do youknow that?” Say, “I saw it in my dream.” The narrator has said that he went to hi

أَنَّهُ حَمَلَ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع مَالًا لَهُ خَطَرٌ فَلَمْ أَرَهُ سُرَّ بِهِ قَالَ فَاغْتَمَمْتُ لِذَلِكَ وَ قُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي قَدْ حَمَلْتُ هَذَا الْمَالَ وَ لَمْ يُسَرَّ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا غُلَامُ الطَّسْتَ وَ الْمَاءَ قَالَ فَقَعَدَ عَلَى كُرْسِيٍّ وَ قَالَ بِيَدِهِ وَ قَالَ لِلْغُلَامِ صُبَّ عَلَيَّ الْمَاءَ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ يَسِيلُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَصَابِعِهِ فِي الطَّسْتِ ذَهَبٌ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ

“A Certain person of our people has said that he wanted to deliver an amount of propertyto al-Rida (a.s.). It was a large amount. When he saw it he did not become happy. I became depressed and said to myself, “I delivered this property to him but he did not become happy.” The Imam (a.s.) called, “O boy, bring water and

كُنْتُ مُجَاوِراً بِالْمَدِينَةِ- مَدِينَةِ الرَّسُولِ ص وَ كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع يَجِي‌ءُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مَعَ الزَّوَالِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَيَنْزِلُ فِي الصَّحْنِ وَ يَصِيرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ يَرْجِعُ إِلَى بَيْتِ فَاطِمَةَ ع فَيَخْلَعُ نَعْلَيْهِ وَ يَقُومُ فَيُصَلِّي فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانُ فَقَالَ إِذَا نَزَلَ فَاذْهَبْ حَتَّى تَأْخُذَ مِنَ التُّرَابِ الَّذِي يَطَأُ عَلَ

“I lived in al-Madina of the Messenger of Allah. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) would come every day to the mosque at noon time. He would enter the compound and would turn to the shrine of the Messenger of Allah and offer his greeting of peace. He would then turn to the house of Fatima (a.s.), take off his shoes, stand up and pray.

مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع وَ لِيَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي ذَهَبَ مَالِي فَأَرْسَلَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِذَا كَانَ غَداً فَأْتِنِي وَ لْيَكُنْ مَعَكَ مِيزَانٌ وَ أَوْزَانٌ فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لِي مَضَى أَبُو الْحَسَنِ وَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ دِرْهَمٍ فَقُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَرَفَعَ الْمُصَلَّى الَّذِي كَانَ تَحْتَهُ فَإِذَا تَحْتَهُ دَنَانِيرُ فَد

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) passed away and owed my four thousand dirhams. I said to myself, “My money is lost.” Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) sent me a message to come to him the next day and bring with me a balance and weighing stones.” I went to see hiom and he said, “Abu al-Hassan has passed away. Did he owe you four thousan

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

كُنْتُ مَعَ أَبِي بِسُرَّ مَنْ رَأَى وَ كَانَ أَبِي يَتَعَاطَى الْبَيْطَرَةَ فِي مَرْبِطِ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ قَالَ وَ كَانَ عِنْدَ الْمُسْتَعِينِ بَغْلٌ لَمْ يُرَ مِثْلُهُ حُسْناً وَ كِبْراً وَ كَانَ يَمْنَعُ ظَهْرَهُ وَ اللِّجَامَ وَ السَّرْجَ وَ قَدْ كَانَ جَمَعَ عَلَيْهِ الرَّاضَةَ[1] فَلَمْ يُمَكِّنْ لَهُمْ حِيلَةً فِي رُكُوبِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَعْضُ نُدَمَائِهِ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَ لَا تَبْعَثُ إِلَى ا

“I was with my father in the city of Surra man Ra‘a. My father was a veterinarian at the animal farm of abu Muhammad (a.s.). Al-Musta‘in had a mule the like of which in beauty and size has not been seen. No one could touch that mule to ride, saddle or harness. He had called all the trainers and they had faild to ready

سَرَّحَ الرِّضَا ع بِصِلَةٍ إِلَى أَبِي فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ أَبِي هَلْ عَلَيَّ فِيمَا سَرَّحْتَ إِلَيَّ خُمُسٌ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ لَا خُمُسَ عَلَيْكَ فِيمَا سَرَّحَ بِهِ صَاحِبُ الْخُمُسِ.

“Al-Rida (a.s.) sent a gift to my father and my father wrote to him, “Is there al-Khums on the gift you just sent to me?” He wrote back to him in answer, “There is no al-Khums on the gift that the recipient of al-Khums has sent to you.”

كَتَبَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ تُجَّارِ فَارِسَ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَوَالِي أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَسْأَلُهُ الْإِذْنَ فِي الْخُمُسِ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ كَرِيمٌ ضَمِنَ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ الثَّوَابَ‌[4]- وَ عَلَى الضِّيقِ الْهَمَّ- لَا يَحِلُّ مَالٌ إِلَّا مِنْ وَجْهٍ أَحَلَّهُ اللَّهُ وَ إِنَّ الْخُمُسَ عَوْنُنَا عَلَى دِينِنَا وَ عَلَى عِيَالاتِنَا وَ عَلَى مَوَالِينَا وَ مَ

The Imam (a.s.) wrote. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful Allah increases people’s sustenance and He is generous. He has guaranteed rewards for work and depression in sadness. The use of a property is not lawful unless it is used in the way Allah has made lawful. Al-Khums helps us in our religion, in t

قَدِمَ قَوْمٌ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَسَأَلُوهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُمْ فِي حِلٍّ مِنَ الْخُمُسِ فَقَالَ مَا أَمْحَلَ هَذَا[1] تَمْحَضُونَّا بِالْمَوَدَّةِ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَ تَزْوُونَ عَنَّا حَقّاً جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لَنَا وَ جَعَلَنَا لَهُ وَ هُوَ الْخُمُسُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لِأَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ فِي حِلٍّ.

“A group of people came from Khurasan to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.). They asked him to set tehm free from the obligation of payment of al-Khums. The Imam (a.s.) said, “What kind of plan is this? Do you try to love us purely only with your tongue and withheld from us the right that Allah has set for us? That right is

بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسَةِ أَشْيَاءَ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَاةِ وَ الْحَجِّ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الْوَلَايَةِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ فَقُلْتُ وَ أَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَفْضَلُ فَقَالَ الْوَلَايَةُ أَفْضَلُ لِأَنَّهَا مِفْتَاحُهُنَّ وَ الْوَالِي هُوَ الدَّلِيلُ عَلَيْهِنَّ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ الَّذِي‌ يَلِي ذَلِكَ فِي الْفَضْلِ فَقَالَ الصَّلَاةُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ الصَّلَاةُ عَمُودُ دِينِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْتُ ثُم

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Islam is based on five issues. It is based on prayer, alms (al-Zakat), Hajj, Fasting and al-Wilayah.’’ Zurara has said, ‘I then asked the Imam, “Which of these is more important than the others?’” The Imam said, ‘Al-Wilayah is more important. It is the key to the others. The person who pos

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ الْعَالِمَ ع فَقَالَ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ‌ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يُقْبَلُ عَمَلٌ إِلَّا بِهِ فَقَالَ وَ مَا ذَلِكَ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً[1] وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً قُلْتُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ قَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ كُلُّهُ وَ الْقَوْ

7. Certain individuals of our people have narrated from Ali ibn ‘Abbas from Ali ibn Maysir from Hammad ibn al-Nusaybi who has said the following: “A man asked the scholar (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does not accept any deed.’ He aske

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَضَعَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى سَبْعَةِ أَسْهُمٍ عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَ الصِّدْقِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الرِّضَا وَ الْوَفَاءِ وَ الْعِلْمِ وَ الْحِلْمِ ثُمَّ قَسَمَ ذَلِكَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِ هَذِهِ السَّبْعَةَ الْأَسْهُمِ فَهُوَ كَامِلٌ مُحْتَمِلٌ وَ قَسَمَ لِبَعْضِ النَّاسِ السَّهْمَ وَ لِبَعْضٍ السَّهْمَيْنِ وَ لِبَعْضٍ الثَّلَاثَةَ حَتَّى انْتَهَوْا إِلَى السَّبْعَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief in seven shares: virtue, truthfulness, certainty, compliance, loyalty, knowledge and forbearance. He then distributed it among the people. Whoever received all seven shares is perfect and heavy. He has given to certain people one sha

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ الْإِيمَانُ لَهُ أَرْكَانٌ أَرْبَعَةٌ التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ تَفْوِيضُ الْأَمْرِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ الرِّضَا بِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Belief has four corner (stones): They are trust in Allah, having Allah as the person in charge of one’s affairs, to agree with the decision of Allah and to submit to the command of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

رَفَعَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص‌[4] قَوْمٌ فِي بَعْضِ غَزَوَاتِهِ فَقَالَ مَنِ الْقَوْمُ‌[5] فَقَالُوا مُؤْمِنُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ وَ مَا بَلَغَ مِنْ إِيمَانِكُمْ قَالُوا الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ وَ الشُّكْرُ عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ وَ الرِّضَا بِالْقَضَاءِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حُلَمَاءُ[6] عُلَمَاءُ كَادُوا مِنَ الْفِقْهِ أَنْ يَكُونُوا أَنْبِيَاءَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ كَمَا تَصِفُونَ فَلَا تَبْنُوا مَا لَا تَسْ

“A people came to the Messenger of Allah during one of the armed expeditions and he asked who are these people? They said, ‘Believers, O Messenger of Allah.’ He then asked, ‘What is the degree of your belief?’ They replied, ‘It is patience in hardships, thankfulness in prosperous life and agreement with the decision of

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ فَقَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنَّمَا هُوَ[3] الْإِسْلَامُ وَ الْإِيمَانُ فَوْقَهُ بِدَرَجَةٍ وَ التَّقْوَى فَوْقَ الْإِيمَانِ بِدَرَجَةٍ وَ الْيَقِينُ فَوْقَ التَّقْوَى بِدَرَجَةٍ وَ لَمْ يُقْسَمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَقَلُّ مِنَ الْيَقِينِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَأَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ الْيَقِينُ قَالَ التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِلَّهِ وَ الر

abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) about belief and Islam and he said, abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said the following: ‘There is Islam. Belief is one degree higher above Islam, and piety is one degree higher above belief. Certainty is by one degree higher above piety and nothing is distributed among people so little as certainty i

بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي بَعْضِ أَسْفَارِهِ إِذْ لَقِيَهُ رَكْبٌ فَقَالُوا السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ مَا أَنْتُمْ فَقَالُوا نَحْنُ مُؤْمِنُونَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَمَا حَقِيقَةُ إِيمَانِكُمْ قَالُوا الرِّضَا بِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّفْوِيضُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عُلَمَاءُ حُكَمَاءُ[1] كَادُوا أَنْ يَكُونُوا مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ أَنْبِيَ

“During one of the journeys of the Messenger of Allah a group of people who were riding came to meet him. They said, ‘Salute to you O Messenger of Allah.’ He asked, ‘Who are you?’ They replied, ‘We are believers, O Messenger of Allah.’ He then asked, ‘What is the essence of your belief?’ They replied, ‘It is to agree w

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ لَيْسَ الْعِبَادَةُ كَثْرَةَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الصَّوْمِ إِنَّمَا الْعِبَادَةُ التَّفَكُّرُ فِي أَمْرِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

‘A great deal of prayer and fasting only are not (everything in) worship. Worship is only in thinking about the affairs of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَصَّ رُسُلَهُ بِمَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ فَامْتَحِنُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ فِيكُمْ فَاحْمَدُوا اللَّهَ وَ اعْلَمُوا أَنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْ خَيْرٍ وَ إِنْ لَا تَكُنْ فِيكُمْ فَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ وَ ارْغَبُوا إِلَيْهِ فِيهَا قَالَ فَذَكَرَهَا عَشَرَةً الْيَقِينَ وَ الْقَنَاعَةَ وَ الصَّبْرَ وَ الشُّكْرَ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَ حُسْنَ الْخُلُقِ وَ السَّخَاءَ وَ الْغَيْرَةَ وَ الشَّجَاعَةَ وَ الْمُر

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, chose His messengers for noble moral (human) qualities. You must test yourselves. If you find the no

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

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ الْإِيمَانُ أَرْبَعَةُ أَرْكَانٍ الرِّضَا بِقَضَاءِ اللَّهِ وَ التَّوَكُّلُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ تَفْوِيضُ الْأَمْرِ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمُ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) has said, ‘Belief has four pillars. They consist of agreeing with the decision of Allah, trusting Allah, choosing Allah to be the person in charge o

مِنْ صِحَّةِ يَقِينِ الْمَرْءِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يُرْضِيَ النَّاسَ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ وَ لَا يَلُومَهُمْ عَلَى مَا لَمْ يُؤْتِهِ اللَّهُ فَإِنَّ الرِّزْقَ لَا يَسُوقُهُ حِرْصُ حَرِيصٍ وَ لَا يَرُدُّهُ كَرَاهِيَةُ كَارِهٍ وَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ فَرَّ مِنْ رِزْقِهِ كَمَا يَفِرُّ مِنَ الْمَوْتِ لَأَدْرَكَهُ رِزْقُهُ كَمَا يُدْرِكُهُ الْمَوْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِعَدْلِهِ وَ قِسْطِهِ جَعَلَ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّا

"'It is from the soundness of a man's certainty that he does not make people happy to anger Allah and does not blame them for what (of belongings) Allah has not given him. The share of sustenance is something that is not driven by the greed of the greedy ones and is not pushed back due to the dislike of those who disli

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ فِي الْكَنْزِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُما كَانَ فِيهِ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْمَوْتِ كَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَدَرِ كَيْفَ يَحْزَنُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ رَأَى الدُّنْيَا وَ تَقَلُّبَهَا بِأَهْلِهَا كَيْفَ يَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهَا[2] وَ يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ عَقَلَ عَنِ ا

‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the coming of death but he feels happy. Strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the strict measurement of Allah but he feels depressed. Strange to me is the case of a person who is aware of all t

رَأْسُ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ الصَّبْرُ وَ الرِّضَا عَنِ اللَّهِ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ الْعَبْدُ أَوْ كَرِهَ وَ لَا يَرْضَى عَبْدٌ عَنِ اللَّهِ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ إِلَّا كَانَ خَيْراً لَهُ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ.

“The head of obedience to Allah is patience and satisfaction with Allah in all matters whether a servant may love or dislike doing so. And a servant is not satisfied with Allah's decree in what he loves or dislikes except that it is better for him in what he loves or dislikes.”

الصَّبْرُ وَ الرِّضَا عَنِ اللَّهِ رَأْسُ طَاعَةِ اللَّهِ وَ مَنْ صَبَرَ وَ رَضِيَ عَنِ اللَّهِ فِيمَا قَضَى عَلَيْهِ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ لَمْ يَقْضِ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ فِيمَا أَحَبَّ أَوْ كَرِهَ إِلَّا مَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ.

“Patience and satisfaction with Allah is the head of obedience to Allah. If one exercises patience and satisfaction with Allah in all the matters which he loves or dislikes, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will not make any decision in any of his affairs which he loves or dislikes but that the decisions are in

أَحَقُّ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ لِمَا قَضَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَنْ عَرَفَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْقَضَاءِ أَتَى عَلَيْهِ الْقَضَاءُ وَ عَظَّمَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَهُ وَ مَنْ سَخِطَ الْقَضَاءَ مَضَى عَلَيْهِ الْقَضَاءُ وَ أَحْبَطَ اللَّهُ أَجْرَهُ.

"The most righteous people to agree with the decisions of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, are those who have recognized Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. Whoever is satisfied with the decision of Allah that is to take place anyway, Allah increases his reward. Whoever disagrees with the decision of Allah

قُلْتُ لَهُ بِأَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ يُعْلَمُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِأَنَّهُ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ بِالتَّسْلِيمِ لِلَّهِ وَ الرِّضَا فِيمَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ سُرُورٍ أَوْ سَخَطٍ.

“I (the narrator) asked him, (Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.)), ‘By what means can a believer know that he is a believer?’ The Imam said, ‘(He can find out) by means of his submitting himself to Allah, and being satisfied with whatever happiness or sadness that he may experience.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَصْبَحْتَ وَ أَمْسَيْتَ فَقُلْ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ- اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَتْ بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ أَوْ عَافِيَةٍ مِنْ دِينٍ أَوْ دُنْيَا فَمِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ لَكَ الشُّكْرُ بِهَا عَلَيَّ يَا رَبِّ حَتَّى تَرْضَى وَ بَعْدَ الرِّضَا فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا قُلْتَ ذَلِكَ كُنْتَ قَدْ أَدَّيْتَ شُكْرَ مَا أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ بِهِ عَلَيْكَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَ فِي تِلْ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘In the morning and evening say ten times: “O Lord, every morning I find myself with a favor and the well-being of the world or the hereafter. All such favors are from You, from You alone, and no one is Your partner. All praise belongs to You and thanks to You for Your favors to me, O L

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَكُونُ الرَّجُلُ عَابِداً حَتَّى يَكُونَ حَلِيماً وَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ كَانَ إِذَا تَعَبَّدَ فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَمْ يُعَدَّ عَابِداً حَتَّى يَصْمُتَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ.

‘A man cannot become a worshipper until he becomes a forbearing one. A man in the tribe of Israel wanting to become a worshipper had to keep silent for ten years before he could be considered a worshipper.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ مِنْ عَلَامَاتِ الْفِقْهِ الْحِلْمُ وَ الْعِلْمُ وَ الصَّمْتُ إِنَّ الصَّمْتَ بَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْحِكْمَةِ إِنَّ الصَّمْتَ يَكْسِبُ الْمَحَبَّةَ[1] إِنَّهُ دَلِيلٌ عَلَى كُلِّ خَيْرٍ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) has said, ‘Of the signs of one’s intelligence is forbearance, knowledge and silence. Silence is one of the doors of wisdom. Silence earns love and it, certainly, is the guide to all good.’”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِذَا أَرَادَ الْعِبَادَةَ صَمَتَ قَبْلَ ذَلِكَ عَشْرَ سِنِينَ.

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) say, ‘In the tribe of Israel if a man wanted to become a worshipper he was to keep silent for ten years before starting the deed.’”

عَشَرَةُ أَشْيَاءَ فَأَعْلَى دَرَجَةِ الزُّهْدِ أَدْنَى دَرَجَةِ الْوَرَعِ وَ أَعْلَى دَرَجَةِ الْوَرَعِ أَدْنَى دَرَجَةِ الْيَقِينِ وَ أَعْلَى دَرَجَةِ الْيَقِينِ أَدْنَى دَرَجَةِ الرِّضَا أَلَا وَ إِنَّ الزُّهْدَ فِي آيَةٍ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لِكَيْلا تَأْسَوْا عَلى‌ ما فاتَكُمْ‌ وَ لا تَفْرَحُوا بِما آتاكُمْ‌[2].

“A man asked Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) about renunciation of worldly matters. The Imam said, ‘It consists of ten issues. The highest degree of renunciation of worldly matters is the lowest stage of abstinence in worldly matters (sins). The highest stage of abstinence in worldly matters is the lowest degree of certainty.

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ وَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَمَحْزُونٌ وَ إِنِّي لَمَشْغُولُ الْقَلْبِ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا شَغَلَكَ وَ مَا حَزَنَ قَلْبَكَ فَقَالَ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّهُ مَنْ دَخَلَ قَلْبَهُ صَافِي‌ خَالِصِ دِينِ اللَّهِ شُغِلَ قَلْبُهُ عَمَّا سِوَاهُ يَا جَابِرُ مَا الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا عَسَى أَنْ تَكُونَ الدُّنْيَا هَلْ هِيَ إِلَّا طَعَامٌ أَكَلْتَهُ أَوْ ثَوْبٌ لَبِسْتَهُ أَوِ امْرَ

“Once I went to visit abu la’ far (a.s.) and he said, ‘O Jabir, I swear by Allah, I am very sad and my heart is pre-occupied.’ I then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what has pre-occupied your heart and what is the reason for your sadness?’ The Imam said, ‘O Jabir, if the religion of Allah in

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَتَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ يَعِظُهُ أُوصِيكَ وَ نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى مَنْ لَا تَحِلُّ مَعْصِيَتُهُ وَ لَا يُرْجَى غَيْرُهُ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِهِ فَإِنَّ مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ قَوِيَ وَ شَبِعَ وَ رَوِيَ وَ رُفِعَ عَقْلُهُ عَنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا فَبَدَنُهُ مَعَ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا وَ قَلْبُهُ وَ عَقْلُهُ مُعَايِنُ الْآخِرَةِ فَأَطْفَأَ بِضَوْ

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from abu Jamilah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) wrote to one of his companions to advise him. “I recommend that you and I be pious before the One whose disobedience is not lawful