Contentment

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ص- لِلْحَوَارِيِّينَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ لَا تَأْسَوْا عَلَى مَا فَاتَكُمْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا لَا يَأْسَى‌[1] أَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى مَا فَاتَهُمْ مِنْ دِينِهِمْ إِذَا أَصَابُوا دُنْيَاهُمْ. بَابٌ‌

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) say, ‘Jesus son of Mary (peace be upon him) said to his disciples, “O Israelites, do not regret for what you may miss of the world, just as the people of the world (who have no religion) do not regret for what they miss of religion when they find their worldly materials.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُطْمِحَ بَصَرَكَ‌[5] إِلَى مَنْ فَوْقَكَ فَكَفَى بِمَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لِنَبِيِّهِ ص‌ فَلا تُعْجِبْكَ‌ أَمْوالُهُمْ‌ وَ لا أَوْلادُهُمْ‌[1] وَ قَالَ- وَ لا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ‌ إِلى‌ ما مَتَّعْنا بِهِ أَزْواجاً مِنْهُمْ‌ زَهْرَةَ الْحَياةِ الدُّنْيا[2] فَإِنْ دَخَلَكَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ فَاذْكُرْ عَيْشَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنَّمَا كَانَ قُوتُهُ الشَّعِيرَ وَ حَ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘You must never allow your eyes aim for one who is above you (in worldly matters that may tempt you wish for his opportunity). The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to His Messenger are enough evidence to support it. “Let not their property and children tempt you. . .

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever asks us for help, we help, and whoever shows himself as rich, even though not so in reality, Allah will make him rich.”’

مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْمَعَاشِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ.

“Whoever is happy with the little sustenance (that Allah has given him), Allah becomes happy with his little good deeds.”

مَكْتُوبٌ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ ابْنَ آدَمَ كُنْ كَيْفَ شِئْتَ كَمَا تَدِينُ تُدَانُ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بِالْقَلِيلِ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ الْيَسِيرَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَ مَنْ رَضِيَ بِالْيَسِيرِ مِنَ الْحَلَالِ خَفَّتْ مَئُونَتُهُ وَ زَكَتْ مَكْسَبَتُهُ وَ خَرَجَ مِنْ حَدِّ الْفُجُورِ.

“It is written in the Torah: ‘O sons of Adam, be as you like to be. You shall reap as you sow. Whoever becomes happy with Allah for a little amount of sustenance, Allah will accept his little good deeds. Whoever becomes happy with the little but lawful, his expenses become light, his earnings pure and he will be out of

مَنْ لَمْ يُقْنِعْهُ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ إِلَّا الْكَثِيرُ لَمْ يَكْفِهِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ إِلَّا الْكَثِيرُ وَ مَنْ كَفَاهُ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ الْقَلِيلُ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْفِيهِ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ الْقَلِيلُ.

“Whoever is not satisfied with anything but a large quantity of sustenance, his deeds will not be enough unless they are a great deal. Whoever is comfortable with little amount of sustenance, even little good deeds will be sufficient for him.”

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنْ كُنْتَ تُرِيدُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ أَيْسَرَ مَا فِيهَا يَكْفِيكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ إِنَّمَا تُرِيدُ مَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مَا فِيهَا لَا يَكْفِيكَ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘O sons of Adam, if you want from the world that much that is sufficient for you, the little that is there will suffice you. However, if you are not satisfied with basic necessities but want more than the basic needs, then the whole thing that is there will not be

اشْتَدَّتْ حَالُ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَتُهُ لَوْ أَتَيْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص فَسَأَلْتَهُ‌[1] فَجَاءَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَلَمَّا رَآهُ النَّبِيُّ ص قَالَ مَنْ سَأَلَنَا أَعْطَيْنَاهُ وَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى أَغْنَاهُ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ مَا يَعْنِي غَيْرِي فَرَجَعَ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ فَأَعْلَمَهَا فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص بَشَرٌ فَأَعْلِمْهُ‌[2] فَأَتَاهُ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ رَس

“At one time, among the companions of the Messenger of Allah, the financial conditions of one man became very difficult and his wife suggested that he see the Messenger of Allah about it. He went to the Holy Prophet and, when the Holy Prophet saw him, he said, ‘Whoever asks us for help, we help, but whoever appears to

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَرَادَ أَنْ يَكُونَ أَغْنَى النَّاسِ فَلْيَكُنْ بِمَا فِي يَدِ اللَّهِ أَوْثَقَ مِنْهُ بِمَا فِي يَدِ غَيْرِهِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever wants to be the richest among the people, what is with Allah should be more reliable to him than what is in the hands of others.’”

مَنْ قَنِعَ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ مِنْ أَغْنَى النَّاسِ.

“Whoever is content with what Allah has given him for his sustenance is the richest person of the people.”

شَكَا رَجُلٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَنَّهُ يَطْلُبُ فَيُصِيبُ وَ لَا يَقْنَعُ وَ تُنَازِعُهُ نَفْسُهُ إِلَى مَا هُوَ أَكْثَرُ مِنْهُ وَ قَالَ عَلِّمْنِي شَيْئاً أَنْتَفِعْ بِهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنْ كَانَ مَا يَكْفِيكَ يُغْنِيكَ فَأَدْنَى مَا فِيهَا يُغْنِيكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَا يَكْفِيكَ لَا يُغْنِيكَ فَكُلُّ مَا فِيهَا لَا يُغْنِيكَ.

“A man complained before Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) that he works and earns but is not content and his soul’s desires compel him to find more. The man asked the Imam to teach him something to benefit him. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘If it (earnings) is enough for your necessities then it should make you rich. Thus, the mini

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنْ رَضِيَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا يُجْزِيهِ كَانَ أَيْسَرُ مَا فِيهَا يَكْفِيهِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَرْضَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَا يُجْزِيهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ يَكْفِيهِ.

“Whoever is content, with worldly matters, with bare necessities, the minimum suffices him. Whoever is not content. with worldly matters, with bare necessities, then nothing will be able to suffice him.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَ فِي ظِلِّ عَرْشِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ مَا هُوَ سَائِلُهُمْ وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يُقَدِّمْ رِجْلًا وَ لَمْ يُؤَخِّرْ رِجْلًا حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لِلَّهِ رِضًا وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يَعِبْ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ بِعَيْبٍ حَتَّى يَنْفِيَ ذَلِكَ الْعَيْبَ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَإِنَّهُ ل

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three things, or even one of them, will have a place under the shadow of the Throne of Allah on the Day when nothing will have any shadows (protective shelter). A man who gives to others what he asks from them, one who does not prevent another man from a forward position o

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ اكْتُبْ لِي إِلَى إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ الْكَاتِبِ لَعَلِّي أُصِيبُ مِنْهُ قَالَ أَنَا أَضَنُّ بِكَ أَنْ تَطْلُبَ مِثْلَ هَذَا وَ شِبْهَهُ‌[1] وَ لَكِنْ عَوِّلْ عَلَى مَالِي‌[2].

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, please write for me to Isma’il ibn Dawud al-Katib. 1 hope I will receive something from him.’ The Imam said, ‘I resent that you ask from him or similar persons. Allow it (financial help) to be paid from my property.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌ يَكُونُ الرَّجُلُ يَصِلُ رَحِمَهُ فَيَكُونُ قَدْ بَقِيَ مِنْ عُمُرِهِ ثَلَاثُ سِنِينَ فَيُصَيِّرُهَا اللَّهُ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ ما يَشاءُ.

“Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) has said, ‘A man who maintains good relations with his relatives, if he may have only three years to live, Allah, because of his good relations with relatives, will prolong his life up to thirty years; Allah does whatever He wants.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا نَعْلَمُ شَيْئاً يَزِيدُ فِي الْعُمُرِ إِلَّا صِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ حَتَّى إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ‌ يَكُونُ أَجَلُهُ ثَلَاثَ سِنِينَ فَيَكُونُ وَصُولًا لِلرَّحِمِ فَيَزِيدُ اللَّهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً فَيَجْعَلُهَا ثَلَاثاً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَكُونُ أَجَلُهُ ثَلَاثاً وَ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً فَيَكُونُ قَاطِعاً لِلرَّحِمِ فَيَنْقُصُهُ اللَّهُ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً وَ يَجْعَلُ أَجَلَهُ إِل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘We do not know of anything that may increase one’s lifespan like maintaining good relations with relatives does. It is so much so that a man’s life span may have only three years been left, but he maintains good relations with relatives, Allah will increase his lifespan to thirty years

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَدْعُو لِوَالِدَيَّ إِذَا كَانَا لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ قَالَ ادْعُ لَهُمَا وَ تَصَدَّقْ عَنْهُمَا وَ إِنْ كَانَا حَيَّيْنِ لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ فَدَارِهِمَا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَنِي بِالرَّحْمَةِ لَا بِالْعُقُوقِ.

‘Pray for them and give charity on their behalf. If they are living and do not know the truth, be kind to them; the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah has sent me with (message of) kindness and not to punish.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ قَالَ لَهُ سَبْعُ حُقُوقٍ وَاجِبَاتٍ مَا مِنْهُنَّ حَقٌّ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَاجِبٌ إِنْ ضَيَّعَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ وِلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ مِنْ نَصِيبٍ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ يَا مُعَلَّى إِنِّي عَلَيْكَ شَفِيقٌ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُضَيِّعَ وَ لَا تَحْفَظَ وَ تَعْلَمَ وَ لَا تَعْمَلَ قَالَ قُلْتُ ل

“Once I asked the Imam, ‘What are the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim?’ The Imam said, ‘He has seven categories of rights that are obligatory, each of which is compulsory. If he jeopardizes a single one of them he is out of the domain of guardianship ( Walayah ) of Allah and obedience to Him. There will be no share

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ فَأَبَى وَ أَمْسَكَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَوْ أَعْطَيْنَاكُمْ كُلَّمَا[2] تُرِيدُونَ كَانَ شَرّاً لَكُمْ وَ أُخِذَ بِرَقَبَةِ صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع وَلَايَةُ اللَّهِ أَسَرَّهَا إِلَى جَبْرَئِيلَ ع وَ أَسَرَّهَا جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص وَ أَسَرَّهَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ ع وَ أَسَرَّهَا عَلِيٌّ إِلَى مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ أَنْتُمْ تُذِيعُون

Once I asked abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) a question. He refrained silently and said, ‘If we give you everything you want, it may become evil for you and the neck of the owner of this cause will be caught tight.’ “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘It is the guardianship of Allah, Who told it secretly to Jibril, who secretly

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَمَانُ خِصَالٍ- وَقُورٌ عِنْدَ الْهَزَاهِزِ صَبُورٌ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ شَكُورٌ عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ قَانِعٌ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ لَا يَظْلِمُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ لَا يَتَحَامَلُ لِلْأَصْدِقَاءِ[1] بَدَنُهُ مِنْهُ فِي تَعَبٍ وَ النَّاسُ مِنْهُ فِي رَاحَةٍ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ خَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَزِيرُهُ وَ الصَّبْرَ أَمِيرُ جُنُودِهِ وَ الرِّفْقَ أَخُوهُ وَ اللِّينَ وَالِ

“It is worthwhile of a believer to have eight qualities: (a) Dignity in volatile conditions, (b) patience on facing a misfortune, (c) gratitude in comfortable conditions, (d) contentment with what Allah has given him for sustenance, (e) justice for enemies, (f) not to be a burden for the friends, (g) that his own body

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَشْبَهِكُمْ بِي قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ‌ قَالَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ خُلُقاً وَ أَلْيَنُكُمْ كَنَفاً وَ أَبَرُّكُمْ بِقَرَابَتِهِ وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ حُبّاً لِإِخْوَانِهِ فِي دِينِهِ وَ أَصْبَرُكُمْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَ أَكْظَمُكُمْ لِلْغَيْظِ وَ أَحْسَنُكُمْ عَفْواً وَ أَشَدُّكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ إِنْصَافاً فِي الرِّضَا وَ الْغَضَبِ.

35. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn ‘Arafah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet once asked, ‘Do you want me to tell you who is more similar to me? They replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘It is he whose

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا يَكُونُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِ وَ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ نَبِيِّهِ وَ سُنَّةٌ مِنْ وَلِيِّهِ فَأَمَّا السُّنَّةُ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَكِتْمَانُ سِرِّهِ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- عالِمُ الْغَيْبِ‌ فَلا يُظْهِرُ عَلى‌ غَيْبِهِ أَحَداً إِلَّا مَنِ ارْتَضى‌ مِنْ رَسُولٍ‌[4] وَ أَمَّا السُّنَّةُ مِنْ نَبِيِّهِ فَمُدَارَاةُ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّ اللَّ

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer cannot become a believer unless he has three qualities: one tradition from his Lord, one from His Holy Prophet and one from His Waliyy (one who possess Divine Authority). The tradition from his Lord is to hide his secret as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ عَظِيمَ الْبَلَاءِ يُكَافَأُ بِهِ عَظِيمُ الْجَزَاءِ فَإِذَا أَحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبْداً ابْتَلَاهُ بِعَظِيمِ الْبَلَاءِ فَمَنْ رَضِيَ فَلَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ الرِّضَا وَ مَنْ سَخِطَ الْبَلَاءَ فَلَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ السَّخَطُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The great misfortunes are matched with great rewards. When Allah loves a servant He tries him with great misfortunes. Whoever accepts it, Allah accepts him and whoever becomes angry with misfortunes, with Allah for him there is anger.”’

قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ص‌ يَا مَعْشَرَ الْمَسَاكِينِ طِيبُوا نَفْساً وَ أَعْطُوا اللَّهَ الرِّضَا مِنْ قُلُوبِكُمْ يُثِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى فَقْرِكِمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَلَا ثَوَابَ لَكُمْ.

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘O destitute people, rejoice and be happy wholeheartedly with Allah. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will reward you because of your poverty, if you did not do so, you will not receive any rewards.”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلَّمَا أَحْدَثَ الْعِبَادُ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَعْمَلُونَ أَحْدَثَ اللَّهُ لَهُمْ مِنَ الْبَلَاءِ مَا لَمْ يَكُونُوا يَعْرِفُونَ.

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) saying, ‘Whenever servants commit such sins that they had not committed before, Allah creates a new misfortune against them of which they had no knowledge.’”

قَالَ لِيَ الرِّضَا ع‌ وَيْحَكَ يَا ابْنَ عَرَفَةَ اعْمَلُوا لِغَيْرِ رِيَاءٍ وَ لَا سُمْعَةٍ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ عَمِلَ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى مَا عَمِلَ‌[2] وَيْحَكَ مَا عَمِلَ أَحَدٌ عَمَلًا إِلَّا رَدَّاهُ اللَّهُ إِنْ خَيْراً فَخَيْرٌ وَ إِنْ شَرّاً فَشَرٌّ.

“Once al-Rida (a.s.) said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O ibn ‘Arafah, you must work without showing off and publicity; those who work for anyone other than Allah, He assigns him to whomever he has worked. Woe upon you, whatever one does, Allah returns it back, good (result) if it is good and evil (results) if it is bad.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ لَمْ يَتَعَزَّ بِعَزَاءِ اللَّهِ تَقَطَّعَتْ نَفْسُهُ حَسَرَاتٍ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا وَ مَنْ أَتْبَعَ بَصَرَهُ مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ كَثُرَ هَمُّهُ وَ لَمْ يُشْفَ‌ غَيْظُهُ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَرَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهِ نِعْمَةً إِلَّا فِي مَطْعَمٍ أَوْ مَشْرَبٍ أَوْ مَلْبَسٍ فَقَدْ قَصُرَ عَمَلُهُ وَ دَنَا عَذَابُهُ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘One who is not comforted and satisfied with relief from Allah, his soul will be torn in pieces due to his sorrow for the world. One who follows his eyes to what is in the hands of the people, his depressed condition will increase and his anguish will not cease. One who does not apprec

إِذَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْعَبْدَ فِي أَصْلِ الْخِلْقَةِ كَافِراً لَمْ يَمُتْ حَتَّى يُحَبِّبَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ الشَّرَّ فَيَقْرُبَ مِنْهُ فَابْتَلَاهُ بِالْكِبْرِ وَ الْجَبَرِيَّةِ[2] فَقَسَا قَلْبُهُ وَ سَاءَ خُلُقُهُ وَ غَلُظَ وَجْهُهُ وَ ظَهَرَ فُحْشُهُ وَ قَلَّ حَيَاؤُهُ وَ كَشَفَ اللَّهُ سِتْرَهُ وَ رَكِبَ الْمَحَارِمَ فَلَمْ يَنْزِعْ عَنْهَا ثُمَّ رَكِبَ مَعَاصِيَ اللَّهِ وَ أَبْغَضَ طَاعَتَهُ وَ وَثَبَ عَلَى الن

“If Allah creates a servant as an unbeliever in the beginning of his creation he will not die until He makes evil seem attractive to him so he draws nearer to evil. He then makes him turn out as arrogant and tyrannical. His heart then hardens, his behavior worsens, his face thickens (shameless), his obscenity becomes p

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا ص فَقَالَ لِي يَا مُحَمَّدُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِي زَمَنِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَرْبَعَةُ نَفَرٍ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَأَتَى وَاحِدٌ مِنْهُمُ الثَّلَاثَةَ وَ هُمْ مُجْتَمِعُونَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أَحَدِهِمْ فِي مُنَاظَرَةٍ بَيْنَهُمْ فَقَرَعَ الْبَابَ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِ الْغُلَامُ فَقَالَ أَيْنَ مَوْلَاكَ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هُوَ فِي الْبَيْتِ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ وَ دَخَلَ الْغُلَامُ إِلَى مَوْلَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ م

“If a believer creates a barrier between himself and another believer, Allah creates between him and paradise seventy thousand walls each of which will be as thick as the distance of a one thousand year journey, and of the same length will be the distance from one wall to the other wall.”

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

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

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[1] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ حَاجَةً مُنْذُ كَذَا وَ كَذَا سَنَةً وَ قَدْ دَخَلَ قَلْبِي مِنْ إِبْطَائِهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ يَا أَحْمَدُ إِيَّاكَ وَ الشَّيْطَانَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ عَلَيْكَ سَبِيلٌ حَتَّى يُقَنِّطَكَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ص‌[2] كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حَاجَةً فَيُؤَخِّرُ عَنْهُ تَعْجِيلَ إِجَابَتِهِ حُبّاً لِصَوْتِهِ

“Once I said to abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been praying to Allah for help in something from the year so and so and because of delay something is happing in my heart.’ The Imam said, ‘O Ahmad, beware of Satan! Do not allow him to find a way in you to despair

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَقَالَ لِي مَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِهِ- وَ ذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّى‌[4] قُلْتُ كُلَّمَا ذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ قَامَ فَصَلَّى فَقَالَ لِي لَقَدْ كَلَّفَ اللَّهُ- عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ هَذَا شَطَطاً[1] فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَكَيْفَ هُوَ فَقَالَ كُلَّمَا ذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ صَلَّى عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ.

“Once I went in the presence of abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.) and he asked me, ‘What is the meaning of: “. . . remember the name of the Lord, and pray to Him.” (87:15) I said, ‘Whenever he remembered the name of his Lord, he stood up and prayed.’ The Imam said to me, ‘If so, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, had

كَانَ أَبِي ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا أَصْبَحَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى مِلَّةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص اللَّهُمَّ إِلَيْكَ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي وَ إِلَيْكَ فَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي حِفْظِ الْإِيمَانِ‌[2] مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِي وَ عَنْ يَمِينِي وَ عَنْ شِمَالِي وَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وَ مِنْ تَحْتِي وَ مِنْ قِبَلِي

“My father (a.s.) in the morning would say, ‘(I begin) in the name of Allah, with Allah, and to Allah, for the cause of Allah and on the religion of the Messenger of Allah, O Lord, to You I have submitted my soul, to You I have left my affairs, before You I have placed my trust, O Lord of the worlds. O Lord, protect me

تَقُولُ بَعْدَ الْفَجْرِ- اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً خَالِداً مَعَ خُلُودِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا مُنْتَهَى لَهُ دُونَ رِضَاكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا أَمَدَ لَهُ دُونَ مَشِيَّتِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا جَزَاءَ لِقَائِلِهِ إِلَّا رِضَاكَ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ إِلَيْكَ الْمُشْتَكَى وَ أَنْتَ الْمُسْتَعَانُ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ كَمَا أَنْتَ أَهْلُهُ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بِمَحَامِد

“Say after the morning prayer, ‘O Lord, to You belongs all praise, the eternal praise, with Your eternity, to You belongs all praise, the praise that does end before Your consent, to You belongs all praise, the timeless praise except as Your wish, to You belongs all praise, a praise whose speaker’s reward could be no o

كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ابْنُ الرِّضَا ع بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ وَ عَلَّمَنِيهِ‌[3] وَ قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ فِي دُبُرِ صَلَاةِ الْفَجْرِ لَمْ يَلْتَمِسْ حَاجَةً إِلَّا تَيَسَّرَتْ لَهُ وَ كَفَاهُ اللَّهُ مَا أَهَمَّهُ- بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَ بِاللَّهِ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ‌ وَ أُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَصِيرٌ بِالْعِبادِ فَوَقاهُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئاتِ ما مَكَرُوا لا إِلهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from certain individuals of his people from Muhammad ibn al-Faraj who has said the following: “Once abu Ja’far ibn al-Rida (a.s.) wrote to me and instructed me with this supplication saying, ‘Whoever recites it after the morning prayer, his wish will come true

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ‌ ص يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ مُنَّ عَلَيَّ بِالتَّوَكُّلِ عَلَيْكَ وَ التَّفْوِيضِ إِلَيْكَ وَ الرِّضَا بِقَدَرِكَ وَ التَّسْلِيمِ لِأَمْرِكَ حَتَّى لَا أُحِبَّ تَعْجِيلَ مَا أَخَّرْتَ وَ لَا تَأْخِيرَ مَا عَجَّلْتَ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ.

14. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from abu Hamza from Ali ibn al- Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would say, ‘O Lord, oblige me with the ability to place my trust in You and

ادْعُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي لَا تُنَالُ مِنْكَ إِلَّا بِرِضَاكَ وَ الْخُرُوجَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ مَعَاصِيكَ وَ الدُّخُولَ فِي كُلِّ مَا يُرْضِيكَ وَ النَّجَاةَ مِنْ كُلِّ وَرْطَةٍ وَ الْمَخْرَجَ مِنْ كُلِّ كَبِيرَةٍ أَتَى بِهَا مِنِّي عَمْدٌ أَوْ زَلَّ بِهَا مِنِّي خَطَأٌ أَوْ خَطَرَ بِهَا عَلَيَّ خَطَرَاتُ الشَّيْطَانِ أَسْأَلُكَ خَوْفاً تُوقِفُنِي بِهِ عَلَى حُدُودِ رِضَاكَ

32. Ibn Mahbub has said that Nuh ibn Yaqdan has narrated from abu ’ Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Say this prayer, ‘O Lord, I plead before You for Your favor that cannot be achieved except with Your happiness, for (Your help to) come out of all disobedience that cannot happen without Your approval, for

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الدَّوَاوِينَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ثَلَاثَةٌ دِيوَانٌ فِيهِ النِّعَمُ وَ دِيوَانٌ فِيهِ الْحَسَنَاتُ وَ دِيوَانٌ فِيهِ السَّيِّئَاتُ فَيُقَابَلُ بَيْنَ دِيوَانِ النِّعَمِ وَ دِيوَانِ الْحَسَنَاتِ فَتَسْتَغْرِقُ النِّعَمُ عَامَّةَ الْحَسَنَاتِ وَ يَبْقَى دِيوَانُ السَّيِّئَاتِ فَيُدْعَى بِابْنِ آدَمَ الْمُؤْمِنِ لِلْحِسَابِ فَيَتَقَدَّمُ الْقُرْآنُ أَمَامَهُ فِي أَحْسَنِ صُورَةٍ فَيَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment there will be three books of records: the book of the record of the good deeds, the book of the record of the bounties and the book of the record of the evil deeds. The records of the good deeds and the bounties will be compared and (in a particular case) the rec

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ الرِّضَا ع فَعَطَسَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ عَطَسَ فَقُلْتُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ ثُمَّ عَطَسَ فَقُلْتُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْكَ وَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِذَا عَطَسَ مِثْلُكَ‌[2] نَقُولُ لَهُ كَمَا يَقُولُ بَعْضُنَا لِبَعْضٍ يَرْحَمُكَ اللَّهُ أَوْ كَمَا نَقُولُ قَالَ نَعَمْ أَ لَيْسَ تَقُولُ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ قُلْتُ بَلَى قَالَ ارْحَمْ مُحَمَّد

“Once I was in the presence of al-Rida (a.s.) and he sneezed. I said, ‘May Allah grant you al-Salat (favors).’ He sneezed again, and said, ‘May Allah grant you favors.’ He sneezed again and I said, ‘May Allah grant you favors.’ I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, if one like you (Imam) would

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ التَّثَاؤُبُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ‌[2] وَ الْعَطْسَةُ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Once I heard al-Rida (a.s.) saying, ‘Yawning is from Satan and sneezing is from Allah.”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى رَجُلٍ أَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الْبِئْرِ تَكُونُ فِي الْمَنْزِلِ لِلْوُضُوءِ فَتَقْطُرُ فِيهَا قَطَرَاتٌ مِنْ بَوْلٍ أَوْ دَمٍ أَوْ يَسْقُطُ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ عَذِرَةٍ كَالْبَعْرَةِ وَ نَحْوِهَا مَا الَّذِي يُطَهِّرُهَا حَتَّى يَحِلَّ الْوُضُوءُ مِنْهَا لِلصَّلَاةِ فَوَقَّعَ ع بِخَطِّهِ فِي كِتَابِي تَنْزَحُ مِنْهَا دِلَاءً.

’Draw a few buckets of water from it and dispose such water away.’”

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ يُسْتَنْجَى وَ يُغْسَلُ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهُ عَلَى الشَّرْجِ‌[1] وَ لَا تُدْخَلُ فِيهِ الْأَنْمُلَةُ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), say, ‘One should get rid of remaining feces and urine by washing what is outside of the buttocks and there is no need to enter one’s fingers inside.’”

سَأَلَ الرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّ بِي جُرْحاً فِي مَقْعَدَتِي فَأَتَوَضَّأُ وَ أَسْتَنْجِي ثُمَّ أَجِدُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ النَّدَى وَ الصُّفْرَةَ مِنَ الْمَقْعَدَةِ أَ فَأُعِيدُ الْوُضُوءَ فَقَالَ وَ قَدْ أَنْقَيْتَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ رُشَّهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَ لَا تُعِدِ الْوُضُوءَ. - أَحْمَدُ عَنْ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالَ سَأَلَ الرِّضَا ع رَجُلٌ بِنَحْوِ حَدِيثِ صَفْوَانَ‌.

“Once a man asked al-Rida (a.s.), when I was present, saying, ‘There is a wound in my anus. I take Wudu and wash clean; but then I find wetness and yellowness there. Do I need to take Wudu again ? He (the Imam) said, ‘Had you cleaned it? He replied, ‘Yes, I did so.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘No, but pour water on it and you

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْوُضُوءِ فَقَالَ مَا كَانَ وُضُوءُ عَلِيٍّ ع إِلَّا مَرَّةً مَرَّةً. هَذَا دَلِيلٌ عَلَى أَنَّ الْوُضُوءَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ مَرَّةٌ مَرَّةٌ لِأَنَّهُ ص كَانَ إِذَا وَرَدَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرَانِ كِلَاهُمَا لِلَّهِ طَاعَةٌ أَخَذَ بِأَحْوَطِهِمَا وَ أَشَدِّهِمَا عَلَى بَدَنِهِ وَ إِنَّ الَّذِي جَاءَ عَنْهُمْ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ الْوُضُوءُ مَرَّتَانِ إِنَّهُ هُوَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يُقْنِعْهُ مَرَّةٌ

“I once asked abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.), about Wudu’. He (the Imam) said, ‘Wudu’ of Ali (a.s.), was once (washing of face and hands) and once (wiping of head and feet).’” This is evidence that ablution is only "once and once", because he (sw) whenever faced two matters, both of which were in obedience of Allah, he would tak

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنْ حَدِّ الْوَجْهِ فَكَتَبَ مِنْ أَوَّلِ الشَّعْرِ إِلَى آخِرِ الْوَجْهِ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْجَبِينَيْنِ.

‘It is from the hairline down to the end and (beginning of) both brows.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع‌[2] عَنِ الْكَسِيرِ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَبَائِرُ[3] أَوْ تَكُونُ بِهِ الْجِرَاحَةُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ بِالْوُضُوءِ وَ عِنْدَ غُسْلِ الْجَنَابَةِ وَ غُسْلِ الْجُمُعَةِ قَالَ يَغْسِلُ مَا وَصَلَ إِلَيْهِ الْغُسْلُ‌[4] مِمَّا ظَهَرَ مِمَّا لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ الْجَبَائِرُ وَ يَدَعُ مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ مِمَّا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُ غَسْلَهُ وَ لَا يَنْزِعُ الْجَبَائِرَ وَ لَا يَعْبَثُ بِجِرَاحَتِهِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), about how to go about for Wudu’ on a broken part (to be washed or wiped for Wudu’) with bandage or a wound on them, or when taking a Ghusl (bath) due to sexual relation or Friday Ghusl (bath). He (the Imam) said, ‘One must wash the parts that are not covered by the bandage a

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ النَّاسُورِ[1] أَ يَنْقُضُ الْوُضُوءَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا يَنْقُضُ الْوُضُوءَ ثَلَاثٌ الْبَوْلُ وَ الْغَائِطُ وَ الرِّيحُ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), about a fistula (a bad wound) if it invalidates Wudu’ or not. He (the Imam) said, ‘Only three things invalidate Wudu’: urine, feces and gas.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنْ غُسْلِ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ وَاجِبٌ عَلَى كُلِّ ذَكَرٍ وَ أُنْثَى عَبْدٍ أَوْ حُرٍّ.

“I once asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), about Ghusl (bath) on Friday. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is obligatory on every male, female, slave or free.’”

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُجَامِعُ الْمَرْأَةَ قَرِيباً مِنَ الْفَرْجِ فَلَا يُنْزِلَانِ مَتَى يَجِبُ الْغُسْلُ فَقَالَ إِذَا الْتَقَى الْخِتَانَانِ فَقَدْ وَجَبَ الْغُسْلُ فَقُلْتُ الْتِقَاءُ الْخِتَانَيْنِ هُوَ غَيْبُوبَةُ الْحَشَفَةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked al-Rida (a.s.), about a man who performs sexual relation with woman near her vagina but does not discharge, if Ghusl (bath) becomes necessary. He (the Imam) said, ‘When private parts touch each other Ghusl (bath) becomes necessary.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Is touching of private parts disappearance

سَأَلْتُ الرِّضَا ع عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَلْمِسُ فَرْجَ جَارِيَتِهِ حَتَّى تُنْزِلَ الْمَاءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يُبَاشِرَ يَعْبَثُ بِهَا بِيَدِهِ حَتَّى تُنْزِلَ قَالَ إِذَا أَنْزَلَتْ مِنْ شَهْوَةٍ فَعَلَيْهَا الْغُسْلُ.

“I once asked al-Rida, Alayhi al-Salam, about a man who touches and plays by his hand with the private parts of his slave-girl without contact of his private part until she feels discharge, is Ghusl (bath) necessary on her? He (the Imam) said, ‘Ghusl (bath) is necessary if discharge is accompanied by orgasm.’”