Forgiveness

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ مَنِ اسْتَحْكَمَتْ‌[8] لِي فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْ خِصَالِ الْخَيْرِ احْتَمَلْتُهُ عَلَيْهَا وَ اغْتَفَرْتُ فَقْدَ مَا سِوَاهَا وَ لَا أَغْتَفِرُ فَقْدَ عَقْلٍ وَ لَا دِينٍ لِأَنَّ مُفَارَقَةَ الدِّينِ مُفَارَقَةُ الْأَمْنِ فَلَا يَتَهَنَّأُ بِحَيَاةٍ مَعَ مَخَافَةٍ وَ فَقْدُ الْعَقْلِ فَقْدُ الْحَيَاةِ وَ لَا يُقَاسُ إِلَّا بِالْأَمْوَاتِ.

“If one would establish firmly in himself one good quality for me I will credit him for it and forgive his other shortcomings but I will not forgive him for his losing intelligence and religion because departing religion is departing peace and security. Thus, life with fear and insecurity is unpleasant. Loss of intelli

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ سَلَكَ طَرِيقاً يَطْلُبُ فِيهِ عِلْماً سَلَكَ اللَّهُ بِهِ‌[3] طَرِيقاً إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَ إِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ لَتَضَعُ أَجْنِحَتَهَا لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ رِضًا بِهِ‌[4] وَ إِنَّهُ يَسْتَغْفِرُ لِطَالِبِ الْعِلْمِ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ حَتَّى الْحُوتِ فِي الْبَحْرِ وَ فَضْلُ الْعَالِمِ عَلَى الْعَابِدِ كَفَضْلِ الْقَمَرِ عَلَى سَائِرِ النُّجُومِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ وَ

“The holy Prophet has said, ‘If one sets out on a journey to seek knowledge Allah will lead him to the way that would take him to paradise. The angels will stretch their wings for the pleasure of the seeker of knowledge and all that is in the heavens and earth even the whales in the oceans will ask forgiveness for him

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً أَحْيَا الْعِلْمَ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا إِحْيَاؤُهُ قَالَ أَنْ يُذَاكِرَ بِهِ أَهْلَ الدِّينِ وَ أَهْلَ الْوَرَعِ.

“May Allah grant forgiveness to a man who revives knowledge.” Abu al-Jarud has said, “I asked the Imam, ‘What is reviving knowledge?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “It is his discussing knowledge among the religious people and the people of piety.”

قَالَ: يَا حَفْصُ يُغْفَرُ لِلْجَاهِلِ سَبْعُونَ ذَنْباً قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لِلْعَالِمِ ذَنْبٌ وَاحِدٌ.

“O Hafs, seventy sins of an ignorant person may be forgiven before only one sin of a learned person is forgiven.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا زِيَادُ إِيَّاكَ وَ الْخُصُومَاتِ فَإِنَّهَا تُورِثُ الشَّكَّ وَ تَهْبِطُ الْعَمَلَ وَ تُرْدِي صَاحِبَهَا وَ عَسَى أَنْ يَتَكَلَّمَ بِالشَّيْ‌ءِ فَلَا يُغْفَرَ لَهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فِيمَا مَضَى قَوْمٌ تَرَكُوا عِلْمَ مَا وُكِّلُوا بِهِ وَ طَلَبُوا عِلْمَ مَا كُفُوهُ حَتَّى انْتَهَى كَلَامُهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ فَتَحَيَّرُوا حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ الرَّجُلُ لَيُدْعَى مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ فَيُجِيبُ مِ

“O Ziyad, beware of debates because they create doubts, invalidate one’s good deeds and turn one into a complete wreck. One may say a thing, perhaps, he will not be forgiven. In the past there lived a people who ignored acquiring the necessary knowledge and instead they sought a knowledge that was not required of them.

خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع خُطْبَةً بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ فَعَجِبَ النَّاسُ مِنْ حُسْنِ صِفَتِهِ وَ مَا ذَكَرَهُ مِنْ تَعْظِيمِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ جَلَالُهُ قَالَ أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ فَقُلْتُ لِلْحَارِثِ أَ وَ مَا حَفِظْتَهَا قَالَ قَدْ كَتَبْتُهَا فَأَمْلَاهَا عَلَيْنَا مِنْ كِتَابِهِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَمُوتُ وَ لَا تَنْقَضِي عَجَائِبُهُ لِأَنَّهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ فِي شَأْنٍ مِنْ إِحْدَاثِ بَدِيعٍ لَمْ يَكُنِ الَّذِ

7. It is narrated from a number of our people from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr and others whom he mentioned from ‘Amr ibn Thabit from a man whom he mentioned from abu Ishaq al-Subay‘i from Harith al-A‘war who said the following. “Amirul Mu’minin gave a speech in the afternoon an

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع جَالِساً بِالْكُوفَةِ بَعْدَ مُنْصَرَفِهِ مِنْ صِفِّينَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ شَيْخٌ فَجَثَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ‌[1]- ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَخْبِرْنَا عَنْ مَسِيرِنَا إِلَى أَهْلِ الشَّامِ أَ بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَجَلْ يَا شَيْخُ مَا عَلَوْتُمْ تَلْعَةً وَ لَا هَبَطْتُمْ بَطْنَ وَادٍ إِلَّا بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ فَقَالَ

Ali Bin Muhammad, from Sahl Bin Ziyad and Is’haq Bin Muhammad and someone else, raising it, He asws said: ‘Amir Al-Momineen asws was seated in Al-Kufa, after his asws leaving from (the battle of) Siffeen, when an old man squatted in front of him asws , then said to him asws , ‘O Amir Al-Momineen asws ! Inform us about

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع لَقَدْ آتَى اللَّهُ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً قَالَ وَ مَا ذَاكَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى- الَّذِينَ آتَيْناهُمُ الْكِتابَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ‌ هُمْ بِهِ‌ يُؤْمِنُونَ‌ إِلَى قَوْلِهِ‌ أُولئِكَ يُؤْتَوْنَ أَجْرَهُمْ مَرَّتَيْنِ‌ بِما صَبَرُوا[4] قَالَ فَقَالَ قَدْ آتَاكُمُ اللَّهُ كَمَا آتَاهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلَا- يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ آمِنُوا بِرَسُولِهِ‌ يُؤْت

“Allah has given a great deal of good to the people of the heavenly books.” The Imam (a.s.) then asked, “What is it?” I then said it said in Holy Quran, “We sent Our guidance to them so that perhaps they might take heed. (28:51) (Some of) the followers of the Bible believe in the Quran (28:52). When it is recited to th

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[1] وَ إِنَّ الرَّوْحَ وَ الرَّاحَةَ وَ الْفَلْجَ‌[2] وَ الْعَوْنَ وَ النَّجَاحَ وَ الْبَرَكَةَ وَ الْكَرَامَةَ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَ الْمُعَافَاةَ وَ الْيُسْرَ وَ الْبُشْرَى وَ الرِّضْوَانَ وَ الْقُرْبَ وَ النَّصْرَ وَ التَّمَكُّنَ وَ الرَّجَاءَ وَ الْمَحَبَّةَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لِمَنْ تَوَلَّى عَلِيّاً وَ ائْتَمَّ بِهِ وَ بَرِئَ مِنْ عَدُوِّهِ وَ سَلَّمَ لِفَضْلِهِ وَ لِلْأَوْصِيَاءِ

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Jumhur from Fadala ibn Ayyub from al-Hassan ibn Ziyad from Fudayl ibn Yasar who has said that abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said the following. “Tranquillity, comfort, victory, support, success, blessings, honor, forgiveness, relief, ease, glad

أَوْصَى أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع إِلَى الْحَسَنِ وَ أَشْهَدَ عَلَى وَصِيَّتِهِ الْحُسَيْنَ ع وَ مُحَمَّداً وَ جَمِيعَ وُلْدِهِ وَ رُؤَسَاءَ شِيعَتِهِ وَ أَهْلَ بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ دَفَعَ إِلَيْهِ الْكِتَابَ وَ السِّلَاحَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ يَا بُنَيَّ أَمَرَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ أَنْ أُوصِيَ إِلَيْكَ وَ أَنْ أَدْفَعَ إِلَيْكَ كُتُبِي وَ سِلَاحِي كَمَا أَوْصَى إِلَيَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ دَفَعَ إِلَيَّ كُتُبَهُ و

5. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Amr ibn Shimr from Jabur from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) made his directive will to al-Hassan (a.s.) and asked al-Husayn (a.s.), Muhammad, all his sons, the

لَمَّا ضُرِبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع حَفَّ بِهِ الْعُوَّادُ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَوْصِ فَقَالَ اثْنُوا لِي وِسَادَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ مُتَّبِعِينَ أَمْرَهُ وَ أَحْمَدُهُ كَمَا أَحَبَّ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ كَمَا انْتَسَبَ‌[1] أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ لَاقٍ فِي فِرَارِهِ مَا مِنْهُ يَفِرُّ وَ الْأَجَلُ مَسَاقُ النَّفْسِ إِل

“When Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was injured the visitors crowded around him saying, “O Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.), (please, grant us) your directive will.' The Imam then said, 'You must fold the pillow for me (to help me sit so I can speak).' He then said, 'All praise belongs to Allah, as He is worthy of it. We foll

أَتَيْنَا خَدِيجَةَ بِنْتَ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع نُعَزِّيهَا بِابْنِ بِنْتِهَا فَوَجَدْنَا عِنْدَهَا مُوسَى بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ فَإِذَا هِيَ فِي نَاحِيَةٍ قَرِيباً مِنَ النِّسَاءِ فَعَزَّيْنَاهُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ يَقُولُ لِابْنَةِ أَبِي يَشْكُرَ الرَّاثِيَةِ قُولِي‌[1] فَقَالَتْ‌ اعْدُدْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ اعْدُدْ بَعْدَهُ- أَسَدَ

“We went to Khadijah, the daughter of ‘Umar ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) to offer our condolences for the death of the son of her daughter. We met at her place Musa ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Hassan. She was to one side near the ladies. We offered them our condolences to all of them. We then turned to h

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ فَيَكْثُرُ عَجَبِي مِنْ أَقْوَامٍ لَا يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ وَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً لَهُمْ أَمَانَةٌ وَ صِدْقٌ وَ وَفَاءٌ وَ أَقْوَامٌ يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ لَا الْوَفَاءُ وَ الصِّدْقُ قَالَ فَاسْتَوَى أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَالِساً فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ كَالْغَضْبَانِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِوَلَاي

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). ’I meet people and it increases my wonders when I find people who do not consider you as their guardians and Imams but they consider so and so as their Imam. However, they are trustworthy, truthful and loyal. I also find people who consider you as their guardian and Imam but are not tha

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَأُعَذِّبَنَّ كُلَّ رَعِيَّةٍ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ دَانَتْ بِوَلَايَةِ كُلِّ إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ لَيْسَ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ فِي أَعْمَالِهَا بَرَّةً تَقِيَّةً وَ لَأَعْفُوَنَّ عَنْ كُلِّ رَعِيَّةٍ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ دَانَتْ بِوَلَايَةِ كُلِّ إِمَامٍ عَادِلٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الرَّعِيَّةُ فِي أَنْفُسِهَا ظَالِمَةً مُسِيئَةً.

4. He has narrated from Hisham ibn Salim from Habib al-Sajistani from abu Ja‘far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, ’I will cause to suffer punishment all those who live a religious life in Islam under the guardianship of unjust Imams who possesses no authority from Allah

قَالَ: لَقَدْ خَاطَبَ اللَّهُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كِتَابِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ مَوْضِعٍ قَالَ فِي قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ جاؤُكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ‌ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ‌ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّاباً رَحِيماً. فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيما شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ فِيمَا تَعَاقَدُوا عَلَيْهِ لَئِنْ أَمَاتَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً أَلَّا يَرُ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah has addressed Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in His book.” The narrator has said that asked him, “where and in which passage?” He said, “It is in His words that read, “If they ever do injustice to themselves and come to you (Muhammad) asking for God’s forgiveness and if the Messenger also w

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

نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ هَكَذَا إِنَّ الَّذِينَ‌ ... ظَلَمُوا آلَ مُحَمَّدٍ حَقَّهُمْ‌ لَمْ يَكُنِ اللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَ لا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقاً. إِلَّا طَرِيقَ جَهَنَّمَ خالِدِينَ فِيها أَبَداً وَ كانَ ذلِكَ عَلَى اللَّهِ يَسِيراً[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ يا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ قَدْ جاءَكُمُ الرَّسُولُ بِالْحَقِّ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ‌ فِي وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍ‌ فَآمِنُوا خَيْراً لَكُمْ‌ وَ إِنْ تَكْفُرُوا بِوَلَا

“Jibril brought this verse. “Those who have done injustice (against the rights of the family of Muhammad (s.a.) will not receive forgiveness from Allah or guidance to any other path but that to Hell wherein they will remain forever. Then he said, “O people, the Messenger has come to you with the truth (Wilaya of Imam A

سَأَلَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَمْ عُرِجَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَأَوْقَفَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ مَوْقِفاً فَقَالَ لَهُ مَكَانَكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَلَقَدْ وَقَفْتَ مَوْقِفاً مَا وَقَفَهُ مَلَكٌ قَطُّ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يُصَلِّي فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي قَالَ يَقُولُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ أَنَا رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ سَبَ

“He said, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, how many times was the Messenger of Allah taken for ascension?’ The Imam (AS) said, ‘It happened twice. Jibrail asked him to stop at a place saying, ‘Wait right there, O Muhammad, you have stood at a place whereat no angel or prophet has ever stood before you

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَثَّلَ لِي‌ أُمَّتِي فِي الطِّينِ وَ عَلَّمَنِي أَسْمَاءَهُمْ كَمَا عَلَّمَ آدَمَ الْأَسْماءَ كُلَّها فَمَرَّ بِي أَصْحَابُ الرَّايَاتِ فَاسْتَغْفَرْتُ لِعَلِيٍّ وَ شِيعَتِهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي وَعَدَنِي فِي شِيعَةِ عَلِيٍّ خَصْلَةً قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ الْمَغْفِرَةُ لِمَنْ آمَنَ مِنْهُمْ وَ أَنْ لَا يُغَادِرَ مِنْهُمْ‌ صَغِيرَةً وَ لا كَبِيرَةً وَ لَهُمْ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah presented my ’Ummah (followers) to me in the realm of clay and taught me their names just as He had taught all the names to Adam. The (groups of) people of flags passed by and I prayed to ask forgiveness for Ali (AS) and his followers. My Lord has promised me a quality for the S

قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ كَانَتِ الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ لَمَّا غَسَّلَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ كَفَّنَهُ سَجَّاهُ ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ عَلَيْهِ عَشَرَةً فَدَارُوا حَوْلَهُ ثُمَّ وَقَفَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي وَسَطِهِمْ فَقَالَ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَ مَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيماً فَيَقُولُ الْقَوْمُ كَمَا يَقُولُ حَتَّى صَلَّى عَ

“Once I asked Abu Ja‘far (AS),’How was the prayer for the dead body of the Holy Prophet (SAW)?’ The Imam (AS) said: ‘When Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) washed his body and he placed him in the shroud and covered his body then ten persons came in and they walked around him. Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) then stood in the middle

لَمَّا قُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ ص صَلَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَ الْأَنْصَارُ فَوْجاً فَوْجاً قَالَ- وَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص يَقُولُ فِي صِحَّتِهِ وَ سَلَامَتِهِ إِنَّمَا أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةُ عَلَيَّ فِي الصَّلَاةِ عَلَيَّ بَعْدَ قَبْضِ اللَّهِ لِي- إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَ مَلائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَ سَل

“When the Holy Prophet (SAW) passed away, the angels, Al Muhajirun and Al Ansar prayed over his body group after group.” The narrator has said that Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) has said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah say in good health, “This verse is revealed to me about praying for me after Allah will take me away fro

لَمَّا قُبِضَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ع دَفَنَهَا أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ سِرّاً وَ عَفَا عَلَى مَوْضِعِ قَبْرِهَا ثُمَّ قَامَ فَحَوَّلَ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى قَبْرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ‌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَنِّي وَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ عَنِ ابْنَتِكَ وَ زَائِرَتِكَ وَ الْبَائِتَةِ فِي الثَّرَى بِبُقْعَتِكَ وَ الْمُخْتَارِ اللَّهُ لَهَا سُرْعَةَ اللَّحَاقِ بِكَ قَلَّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَنْ صَفِيَّتِكَ صَبْرِي

“When Fatima (sa) passed away, Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (as) buried her secretly and camouflaged the location of her grave. Then he stood up and turned his face towards the grave of Rasulullah (sa) and said, ‘Peace be upon you, Oh Rasullulah from me and from your daughter - your visitor, and the one who rests in the earth

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ كَانَ سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ وَ الْقَاسِمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَ أَبُو خَالِدٍ الْكَابُلِيُّ مِنْ ثِقَاتِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع قَالَ وَ كَانَتْ أُمِّي مِمَّنْ آمَنَتْ وَ اتَّقَتْ وَ أَحْسَنَتْ‌ وَ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ* قَالَ وَ قَالَتْ أُمِّي قَالَ أَبِي يَا أُمَّ فَرْوَةَ إِنِّي لَأَدْعُو اللَّهَ لِمُذْنِبِي شِيعَتِنَا فِي الْيَوْمِ وَ اللَّيْلَةِ أَلْفَ

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Sa‘id ibn al-Musayyib, al-Qasim ibn Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr and Abu al-Khalid al-Kabuli were of the trusted and reliable companions of Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.).” The Imam (a.s.) has said, “My mother was a true believer, pious and a person of good deeds. Allah loves the people of good deed

شَكَوْتُ إِلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع الْحَاجَةَ فَحَكَّ بِسَوْطِهِ الْأَرْضَ قَالَ وَ أَحْسَبُهُ غَطَّاهُ بِمِنْدِيلٍ وَ أَخْرَجَ خَمْسَمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ خُذْ وَ أَعْذِرْنَا.

“I requested abu Muhammad for something that I needed. He scratched the earth with his whip. The narrator has said that I think he then covered it with a handkerchief and then took out five hundred Dinars. He then said, “O abu Hashim take it and grants us pardon.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ يَوْماً وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ مَا أَصُوغُ بِهِ خَاتَماً أَتَبَرَّكُ بِهِ فَجَلَسْتُ وَ أُنْسِيتُ مَا جِئْتُ لَهُ فَلَمَّا وَدَّعْتُ وَ نَهَضْتُ رَمَى إِلَيَّ بِالْخَاتَمِ فَقَالَ أَرَدْتَ فِضَّةً فَأَعْطَيْنَاكَ خَاتَماً رَبِحْتَ الْفَصَّ وَ الْكِرَاءَ هَنَأَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ وَلِيُّ اللَّهِ وَ إِمَامِيَ الَّذِي أَدِينُ اللَّه

“One day I went to see abu Muhammad (a.s.) and I wanted him to give me a certain amount of silver so I can make a ring out of it and keep for blessing. I sat down but forgot to ask what I had come for. When was leaving and said farewell to him he threw a ring to me and said, “You wanted silver and we gave you and profi

كَتَبَ أَبِي بِخَطِّهِ كِتَاباً فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبْتُ بِخَطِّي فَوَرَدَ جَوَابُهُ ثُمَّ كَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ رَجُلٌ مِنْ فُقَهَاءِ أَصْحَابِنَا فَلَمْ يَرِدْ جَوَابُهُ فَنَظَرْنَا فَكَانَتِ الْعِلَّةُ أَنَّ الرَّجُلَ تَحَوَّلَ قَرْمَطِيّاً قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الْفَضْلِ فَزُرْتُ الْعِرَاقَ وَ وَرَدْتُ طُوسَ وَ عَزَمْتُ أَنْ لَا أَخْرُجَ إِلَّا عَنْ بَيِّنَةٍ مِنْ أَمْرِي وَ نَجَاحٍ مِنْ حَوَائِجِي وَ لَوِ احْ

13. Al-Hassan ibn al-Fadl ibn Yazid al-Yamani has said the following. “My father wrote in his own had writing he received back a response. I then wrote in my own hand writing I also received back a response. One of our Fuqaha’ (scholar of law) wrote in his own hand writing but he did not receive any response. We then b

لَوْ عَلِمَ النَّاسُ كَيْفَ ابْتِدَاءُ الْخَلْقِ مَا اخْتَلَفَ اثْنَانِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ الْخَلْقَ قَالَ كُنْ مَاءً عَذْباً أَخْلُقْ مِنْكَ جَنَّتِي وَ أَهْلَ طَاعَتِي وَ كُنْ مِلْحاً أُجَاجاً أَخْلُقْ مِنْكَ نَارِي وَ أَهْلَ مَعْصِيَتِي ثُمَّ أَمَرَهُمَا فَامْتَزَجَا فَمِنْ ذَلِكَ صَارَ يَلِدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْكَافِرَ وَ الْكَافِرُ الْمُؤْمِنَ ثُمَّ أَخَذَ طِيناً مِنْ أَدِيمِ الْأَرْضِ

“Had people known how the beginning of the creation was, no one would have disagreed with another person. Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, before creating the creatures said, ‘Be a sweet water so I create from you My paradise and people who obey My commands. Be very salty water; from you I create My fire and those wh

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع أَرْسَلَ الْمَاءَ عَلَى الطِّينِ ثُمَّ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً فَعَرَكَهَا ثُمَّ فَرَّقَهَا فِرْقَتَيْنِ بِيَدِهِ ثُمَّ ذَرَأَهُمْ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَدِبُّونَ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ لَهُمْ نَاراً فَأَمَرَ أَهْلَ الشِّمَالِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا إِلَيْهَا فَهَابُوهَا فَلَمْ يَدْخُلُوهَا ثُمَّ أَمَرَ أَهْلَ الْيَمِينِ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا فَذَهَبُوا فَدَخَلُوهَا فَأَمَرَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent water on the clay. He then took a handful and kneaded it and then divided it in two parts with His hands then scattered them and they began to move. He then started a fire for them and commanded the people of the left hand to enter therein. They wen

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى حَيْثُ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ خَلَقَ مَاءً عَذْباً وَ مَاءً مَالِحاً أُجَاجاً فَامْتَزَجَ الْمَاءَانِ فَأَخَذَ طِيناً مِنْ أَدِيمِ الْأَرْضِ فَعَرَكَهُ عَرْكاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ وَ هُمْ كَالذَّرِّ يَدِبُّونَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِسَلَامٍ وَ قَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ إِلَى النَّارِ وَ لَا أُبَالِي ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قالُوا بَلى‌ شَهِدْنا أَنْ تَقُولُو

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘As Allah, the Most Holy the Most High, created the creation. He created sweet water and a very salty water and then mixed the two together. Then He took a (kind of) clay from the surface of the earth and kneaded it intensely. He then said to the people of the right, as they crawled about l

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي لَأَرَى بَعْضَ أَصْحَابِنَا يَعْتَرِيهِ النَّزَقُ وَ الْحِدَّةُ وَ الطَّيْشُ‌[1] فَأَغْتَمُّ لِذَلِكَ غَمّاً شَدِيداً وَ أَرَى مَنْ خَالَفَنَا فَأَرَاهُ حَسَنَ السَّمْتِ‌[2] قَالَ لَا تَقُلْ حَسَنَ السَّمْتِ فَإِنَّ السَّمْتَ سَمْتُ الطَّرِيقِ وَ لَكِنْ قُلْ حَسَنَ السِّيمَاءِ- فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ‌ سِيماهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ مِنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I find certain persons of our people who seem light-minded and very temperamental and this extremely saddens me. On the other hand 1 find certain persons of those who do not accept our belief seem to (have very good Simt) be very di

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

كَتَبْتُ مَعَ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ مَا هُوَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيَّ مَعَ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ سَأَلْتَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ هُوَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِاللِّسَانِ وَ عَقْدٌ فِي الْقَلْبِ وَ عَمَلٌ بِالْأَرْكَانِ وَ الْإِيمَانُ بَعْضُهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ وَ هُوَ دَارٌ وَ كَذَلِكَ الْإِسْلَامُ دَارٌ وَ الْكُفْرُ دَارٌ فَقَدْ يَكُونُ الْ

“Abd al-Malik ibn A’yan and I wrote to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking him, ‘What is belief?’ He then wrote to us. ‘You, may Allah grant you favors, have asked about belief. Belief is affirmation, with the tongue, that is established in the heart and by the deeds of the body. Beliefs are from each other. Belief is a house.

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ لِلْإِيمَانِ دَرَجَاتٍ وَ مَنَازِلَ يَتَفَاضَلُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ فِيهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ صِفْهُ لِي رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ حَتَّى أَفْهَمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَبَّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَمَا يُسَبَّقُ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ يَوْمَ الرِّهَانِ‌[1] ثُمَّ فَضَّلَهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِي السَّبْقِ إِلَيْهِ فَجَعَلَ كُلَّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَةِ سَبْقِهِ لَا يَنْقُصُهُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Are there degrees and stages of belief in which the believers may excel in the sight of Allah?’ He said, ‘Yes, there are.’ 1 then said, ‘Explain to me, please, may Allah grant you favors, so I can understand.’ The Imam said, ‘Allah has set a contest among the believers like the contest se

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ الصِّحَّةِ فِي الْبَدَنِ فَأَبْلُوهُمْ بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ صِحَّةِ الْبَدَنِ فَيَصْلُحُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَعِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْفَاقَةِ وَ الْمَسْكَنَةِ وَ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Dawud al-Riqqiy from ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Among My believing servants there are those whose

كُنَّا فِي مَجْلِسٍ نَطْلُبُ فِيهِ الْعِلْمَ وَ قَدْ نَفِدَتْ نَفَقَتِي فِي بَعْضِ الْأَسْفَارِ فَقَالَ لِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا مَنْ تُؤَمِّلُ لِمَا قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ فَقُلْتُ فُلَاناً فَقَالَ إِذاً وَ اللَّهِ لَا تُسْعَفُ‌[1] حَاجَتُكَ وَ لَا يَبْلُغُكَ أَمَلُكَ وَ لَا تُنْجَحُ طَلِبَتُكَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا عَلَّمَكَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدَّثَنِي أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ فِي بَعْضِ الْكُتُبِ أَنَّ ا

“We were in a gathering to seek knowledge and education. During one of the journeys I was left without any resources for my expenditures. A certain individual of my friends was concerned about who would look after my needs. I said, ‘So and so will look after my needs.’ He then said, ‘I swear by Allah, you will not get

إِنَّ رَجُلًا رَكِبَ الْبَحْرَ بِأَهْلِهِ فَكُسِرَ بِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَنْجُ مِمَّنْ كَانَ فِي السَّفِينَةِ إِلَّا امْرَأَةُ الرَّجُلِ فَإِنَّهَا نَجَتْ عَلَى لَوْحٍ مِنْ أَلْوَاحِ السَّفِينَةِ حَتَّى أَلْجَأَتْ عَلَى جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ وَ كَانَ فِي تِلْكَ الْجَزِيرَةِ رَجُلٌ يَقْطَعُ الطَّرِيقَ وَ لَمْ يَدَعْ لِلَّهِ حُرْمَةً إِلَّا انْتَهَكَهَا فَلَمْ يَعْلَمْ إِلَّا وَ الْمَرْأَةُ قَائِمَةٌ عَلَى رَأْسِ

“A man once set sail with his people and suffered a shipwreck. Everyone on board died except his wife who clung to a board and landed on an island where there lived a robber who had left no instance of disobedience to Allah but had committed them all. Without knowing anything about the shipwreck he found the woman stan

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَتَّكِلِ الْعَامِلُونَ عَلَى أَعْمَالِهِمُ الَّتِي يَعْمَلُونَهَا لِثَوَابِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَوِ اجْتَهَدُوا وَ أَتْعَبُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ أَعْمَارَهُمْ فِي عِبَادَتِي كَانُوا مُقَصِّرِينَ غَيْرَ بَالِغِينَ فِي عِبَادَتِهِمْ كُنْهَ عِبَادَتِي فِيمَا يَطْلُبُونَ عِنْدِي مِنْ كَرَامَتِي وَ النَّعِيمِ فِي جَنَّاتِي وَ رَفِيعِ الدَّرَجَاتِ الْعُلَى فِي جِوَارِي

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Dawud ibn Kathir from abu ‘Ubaydah al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, “The doers of good deeds must not rely on their deed

وَجَدْنَا فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ ع أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ وَ هُوَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِهِ وَ الَّذِي‌ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ مَا أُعْطِيَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَطُّ خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ إِلَّا بِحُسْنِ ظَنِّهِ بِاللَّهِ وَ رَجَائِهِ لَهُ وَ حُسْنِ خُلُقِهِ وَ الْكَفِّ عَنِ اغْتِيَابِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ لَا يُعَذِّبُ اللَّهُ مُؤْمِناً بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ إِلَّا بِسُوءِ ظَنِّ

2. Ibn Mahbub has narrated from Jamil ibn Salih from Burayd ibn Mu’awiyah from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “We have found in the book of Ali (a.s.) that the Messenger of Allah said from the pulpit, ‘I swear by the One besides Whom no one else deserves to be worshipped, a believer never receives any go

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَذَكَرْنَا الْأَعْمَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا مَا أَضْعَفَ عَمَلِي فَقَالَ مَهْ اسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي إِنَّ قَلِيلَ الْعَمَلِ مَعَ التَّقْوَى خَيْرٌ مِنْ كَثِيرِ الْعَمَلِ بِلَا تَقْوَى قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ كَثِيرٌ بِلَا تَقْوَى قَالَ نَعَمْ مِثْلُ الرَّجُلِ يُطْعِمُ طَعَامَهُ وَ يَرْفُقُ جِيرَانَهُ وَ يُوَطِّئُ رَحْلَهُ‌[1] فَإِذَا ارْتَفَعَ لَهُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْحَرَامِ

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). We spoke about deeds and I said, ‘My deeds are the weakest.’ The Imam said, ‘Calm down. Ask forgiveness from Allah.’ Then the Imam said to me, ‘A little deed with piety is better than a great deal of deeds without piety.’ I then asked, ‘Can there be a great deal of

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ لَيْلَتَهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لِمَ تُتْعِبُ نَفْسَكَ وَ قَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ فَقَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ أَ لَا أَكُونُ عَبْداً شَكُوراً قَالَ وَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَقُومُ عَلَى أَطْرَافِ أَصَابِعِ رِجْلَيْهِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى- طه‌ ما أَنْزَلْنا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقى‌[1].

One night when the Messenger of Allah stayed in ‘A’isha’s chamber she asked, “O Messenger of Allah, why do you tire yourself when Allah has already forgiven all of your past and future sins (that the pagans thought you had committed against them)?” He replied, ‘O ‘A’isha, should not I be a grateful servant?’ “The Imam

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ ثَلَاثٌ لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَهُنَّ شَيْ‌ءٌ الدُّعَاءُ عِنْدَ الْكَرْبِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ عِنْدَ الذَّنْبِ وَ الشُّكْرُ عِنْدَ النِّعْمَةِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘With the existence of three factors nothing can harm one. These factors include: prayer in difficulties, asking forgiveness in sins and thankfulness for bounties.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ خَلَائِقِ‌[2] الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ الْعَفْوُ عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ وَ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ الْإِحْسَانُ إِلَى مَنْ أَسَاءَ إِلَيْكَ وَ إِعْطَاءُ مَنْ حَرَمَكَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah said in a sermon, ‘Should I tell you what is the best faculty of creatures of this world and of the next world? It is forgiveness for those who do

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى خَيْرِ أَخْلَاقِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ تُعْطِي مَنْ حَرَمَكَ وَ تَعْفُو عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ.

“I must teach you what is the best moral behavior in this world and in the next world. You must establish relations with those who disassociate with you, give to those who deprive you and forgive those who do injustice to you.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ ثَلَاثٌ مِنْ مَكَارِمِ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ تَعْفُو عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ وَ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ تَحْلُمُ إِذَا جُهِلَ عَلَيْكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Three things are of the noble qualities of this world and of the next world: to forgive those who do injustice to you, to establish relations with those who abandon you and to exercise forbearance when you are ignored.”’

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ جَمَعَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ الْآخِرِينَ‌ فِي صَعِيدٍ وَاحِدٍ ثُمَّ يُنَادِي مُنَادٍ أَيْنَ أَهْلُ الْفَضْلِ- قَالَ فَيَقُومُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ‌[1] فَتَلَقَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ فَيَقُولُونَ وَ مَا كَانَ فَضْلُكُمْ فَيَقُولُونَ كُنَّا نَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَنَا وَ نُعْطِي مَنْ حَرَمَنَا وَ نَعْفُو عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَنَا قَالَ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمْ صَدَق

“I heard him saying, “When the Day of Judgment comes, Allah, Blessed and Exalted, will gather the first and the last in a single plain. Then a caller will call out: 'Where are the people of virtue?' A group of people will rise, and the angels will meet them and say, 'What was your virtue?' They will reply, 'We used to

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ عَلَيْكُمْ بِالْعَفْوِ فَإِنَّ الْعَفْوَ لَا يَزِيدُ الْعَبْدَ إِلَّا عِزّاً فَتَعَافَوْا يُعِزَّكُمُ اللَّهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘You must forgive. Forgiving increases one’s respect, therefore, forgive so Allah may respect you.’”

النَّدَامَةُ عَلَى الْعَفْوِ أَفْضَلُ وَ أَيْسَرُ مِنَ النَّدَامَةِ عَلَى الْعُقُوبَةِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Regret for forgiving is better and easier than regret for being subjected to punishment.’”

كَانَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فِي حَائِطٍ لَهُ يَصْرِمُ‌[2] فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَى غُلَامٍ لَهُ قَدْ أَخَذَ كَارَةً[3] مِنْ تَمْرٍ فَرَمَى بِهَا وَرَاءَ الْحَائِطِ فَأَتَيْتُهُ وَ أَخَذْتُهُ وَ ذَهَبْتُ بِهِ إِلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي وَجَدْتُ هَذَا وَ هَذِهِ الْكَارَةَ فَقَالَ لِلْغُلَامِ يَا فُلَانُ قَالَ لَبَّيْكَ قَالَ أَ تَجُوعُ قَالَ لَا يَا سَيِّدِي قَالَ فَتَعْرَى قَالَ لَا يَا سَيِّدِي قَالَ فَلِأَ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) once was in his compound that had palm-trees. 1 looked at one of his slaves who had picked up a certain amount of dates. He threw it on the other side of the wall. I went and picked up what he had thrown and I brought it to the Imam. I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause,

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع‌[4] يَقُولُ‌ مَا الْتَقَتْ فِئَتَانِ قَطُّ إِلَّا نُصِرَ أَعْظَمُهُمَا عَفْواً.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Whenever two hostile parties face each other, the one who forgives to a greater degree comes out victorious.’”

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص أُتِيَ بِالْيَهُودِيَّةِ الَّتِي سَمَّتِ الشَّاةَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ لَهَا مَا حَمَلَكِ عَلَى مَا صَنَعْتِ فَقَالَتْ قُلْتُ إِنْ كَانَ نَبِيّاً لَمْ يَضُرَّهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَلِكاً أَرَحْتُ النَّاسَ مِنْهُ قَالَ فَعَفَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَنْهَا.

“The Jewish woman who had poisoned the sheep to also poison the Holy Prophet was brought before him. He asked her, ‘What made you do this?’ She said, ‘I thought that if he is a prophet it will not harm him and if he is a king people will be relieved of his troubles.’ The Messenger of Allah forgave her.’”