Forgiveness

ثَلَاثٌ لَا يَزِيدُ اللَّهُ بِهِنَّ الْمَرْءَ الْمُسْلِمَ إِلَّا عِزّاً الصَّفْحُ عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَهُ وَ إِعْطَاءُ مَنْ حَرَمَهُ وَ الصِّلَةُ لِمَنْ قَطَعَهُ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘There are three qualities with which Allah increases the respect of a Muslim: To be lenient to those who do injustice to him, to give to tho

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ كَظَمَ غَيْظاً إِلَّا زَادَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عِزّاً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ قَدْ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ الْكاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَ الْعافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ‌ وَ اللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ‌[1] وَ أَثَابَهُ اللَّهُ مَكَانَ غَيْظِهِ ذَلِكَ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from certain individuals of his people from Malik ibn Hasin al-Sakuni who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a servant (of Allah) suppresses his anger, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, increases his respect in this world and in the next world. Allah, the

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

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

إِذَا وَقَعَ بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ مُنَازَعَةٌ نَزَلَ مَلَكَانِ فَيَقُولَانِ لِلسَّفِيهِ مِنْهُمَا قُلْتَ وَ قُلْتَ‌[2] وَ أَنْتَ أَهْلٌ لِمَا قُلْتَ سَتُجْزَى بِمَا قُلْتَ وَ يَقُولَانِ لِلْحَلِيمِ‌ مِنْهُمَا صَبَرْتَ وَ حَلُمْتَ سَيَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكَ إِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَإِنْ رَدَّ الْحَلِيمُ عَلَيْهِ ارْتَفَعَ الْمَلَكَانِ.

“When two men dispute each other, two angels come down and say to the foolish one of the two, ‘You said what you said and you were the kind to say what you said and you will be brought to account for what you have said.’ Then they will say to the forbearing one of the two men, ‘You exercised patience and forbearance. A

أَرْسَلَ النَّجَاشِيُّ إِلَى جَعْفَرِ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ‌[1] وَ أَصْحَابِهِ فَدَخَلُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ فِي بَيْتٍ لَهُ جَالِسٌ عَلَى التُّرَابِ وَ عَلَيْهِ خُلْقَانُ الثِّيَابِ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ جَعْفَرٌ ع فَأَشْفَقْنَا مِنْهُ حِينَ رَأَيْنَاهُ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَلَمَّا رَأَى مَا بِنَا وَ تَغَيُّرَ وُجُوهِنَا قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي نَصَرَ مُحَمَّداً وَ أَقَرَّ عَيْنَهُ أَ لَا أُبَشِّرُكُمْ فَقُلْتُ بَل

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once al-Najashi (a king of Abyssinia) called to his presence Ja’far ibn abu Talib and his companions. When they came in, they found the king sitting on the ground wearing two old pieces of cloth.’ The Imam said that Ja’far has said, ‘We felt compassion for him in our hearts when we saw

إِذَا هَمَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ فَلَا يُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ رُبَّمَا صَلَّى الصَّلَاةَ أَوْ صَامَ الْيَوْمَ فَيُقَالُ لَهُ اعْمَلْ مَا شِئْتَ بَعْدَهَا فَقَدْ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَكَ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When one of you intends to do a good deed, he should do it without delay; a servant (of Allah) perhaps performs a prayer or fasts for a day, thereupon, it is said to him, “Do whatever you like (other good deeds) after this act, Allah has already granted you forgiveness. (One may n

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ افْتَتِحُوا نَهَارَكُمْ بِخَيْرٍ وَ أَمْلُوا عَلَى حَفَظَتِكُمْ فِي أَوَّلِهِ خَيْراً وَ فِي آخِرِهِ خَيْراً يُغْفَرْ لَكُمْ مَا بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Begin your day with a good deed, dictate to your guards (angels on both shoulders) good in the beginning and in the end of the day, all that is in between is forgiven if Allah so wills.’”

مَنْ هَمَّ بِخَيْرٍ فَلْيُعَجِّلْهُ وَ لَا يُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ رُبَّمَا عَمِلَ الْعَمَلَ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى قَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ لَا أَكْتُبُ عَلَيْكَ شَيْئاً أَبَداً وَ مَنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَا يَعْمَلْهَا فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا عَمِلَ الْعَبْدُ السَّيِّئَةَ فَيَرَاهُ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ فَيَقُولُ لَا وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أَغْفِرُ لَكَ بَعْدَهَا أَبَداً.

“Whoever intends to perform a good deed should act fast and do not delay. Perhaps a servant (of Allah) performs a deed and Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, says, ‘I have granted you forgiveness and will never write down anything against you.’ Whoever intends to perform an evil deed he must not do it. Perhaps a m

إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ فَلَا تُؤَخِّرْهُ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رُبَّمَا اطَّلَعَ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَ هُوَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الطَّاعَةِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أُعَذِّبُكَ بَعْدَهَا أَبَداً وَ إِذَا هَمَمْتَ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَا تَعْمَلْهَا فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا اطَّلَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَ هُوَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنَ الْمَعْصِيَةِ فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أَغْفِرُ لَك

“When you intend to perform a good deed, do not delay doing it; Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, perhaps finds a servant (of Allah) during a good deed of obedience and He, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, may say, ‘I will never subject you to punishment hereafter.’ If you intend to do an evil deed, you must no

قَالَ بَلَغَنِي عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَهْلُ بَيْتِي أَبَوْا إِلَّا تَوَثُّباً عَلَيَّ وَ قَطِيعَةً لِي وَ شَتِيمَةً[3] فَأَرْفُضُهُمْ قَالَ إِذاً يَرْفُضَكُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعاً قَالَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ قَالَ تَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَكَ وَ تُعْطِي مَنْ حَرَمَكَ وَ تَعْفُو عَمَّنْ ظَلَمَكَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ لَكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِمْ ظَهِ

“It is narrated to me from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, my family has refused to do anything for me but to cut off and abuse me, and I also want to reject them.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) said, ‘If you do so, Allah will reject all of you.’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً[2] مَا هَذَا الْإِحْسَانُ فَقَالَ الْإِحْسَانُ أَنْ تُحْسِنَ صُحْبَتَهُمَا وَ أَنْ لَا تُكَلِّفَهُمَا أَنْ يَسْأَلَاكَ شَيْئاً مِمَّا يَحْتَاجَانِ إِلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ كَانَا مُسْتَغْنِيَيْنِ‌[3] أَ لَيْسَ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- لَنْ تَنالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ‌[4] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the meaning of ‘kindness’ in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . and that you must be kind to your parents. . . .’ (17:23) The Imam said, ‘It means to behave with them in a good manner, not to make them ask you for help, even though they are self-sufficient.

إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَكُونُ بَارّاً بِوَالِدَيْهِ فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا ثُمَّ يَمُوتَانِ فَلَا يَقْضِي عَنْهُمَا دُيُونَهُمَا وَ لَا يَسْتَغْفِرُ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَاقّاً وَ إِنَّهُ لَيَكُونُ عَاقّاً لَهُمَا فِي حَيَاتِهِمَا غَيْرَ بَارٍّ بِهِمَا فَإِذَا مَاتَا قَضَى دَيْنَهُمَا وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمَا فَيَكْتُبُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَارّاً.

“A servant (of Allah) may have been kind to his parents during their lifetime but when they die he does not pay their debts, and does not ask forgiveness for them. Allah writes him as unkind (person) to parents. One may have been unkind to parents during their lifetime but after their death, when he pays off their debt

حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ لَا يَشْبَعَ وَ يَجُوعُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَرْوَى وَ يَعْطَشُ أَخُوهُ وَ لَا يَكْتَسِيَ وَ يَعْرَى أَخُوهُ فَمَا أَعْظَمَ حَقَّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ قَالَ أَحِبَّ لِأَخِيكَ الْمُسْلِمِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِذَا احْتَجْتَ فَسَلْهُ وَ إِنْ سَأَلَكَ فَأَعْطِهِ لَا تَمَلَّهُ خَيْراً وَ لَا يَمَلَّهُ لَكَ‌[1] كُنْ لَهُ ظَهْراً فَإِنَّهُ لَكَ ظَهْرٌ إِذَا غَاب

“Of the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim is that he must not satisfy himself with food while his Muslim brother is hungry. One must not satisfy himself with water while one’s Muslim brother is thirsty, and one must not dress up in finery while his Muslim brother is in need of clothes. How great is the right of the Mu

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ الشِّيعَةَ عِنْدَنَا كَثِيرٌ فَقَالَ فَهَلْ يَعْطِفُ الْغَنِيُّ عَلَى الْفَقِيرِ وَ هَلْ يَتَجَاوَزُ الْمُحْسِنُ عَنِ الْمُسِي‌ءِ وَ يَتَوَاسَوْنَ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَؤُلَاءِ شِيعَةً- الشِّيعَةُ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ هَذَا.

“Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, there is a great number of Shi’a in our area. The Imam asked, ‘Are their rich ones kind to their poor ones? Do their virtuous ones forgive their sinful ones? Do they assist each other financially?’ I said, ‘No, they do not do so.’ The

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا الْتَقَيْتُمْ فَتَلَاقَوْا بِالتَّسْلِيمِ وَ التَّصَافُحِ وَ إِذَا تَفَرَّقْتُمْ فَتَفَرَّقُوا بِالاسْتِغْفَارِ[4].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whenever you meet, you should do so by offering the greeting of peace and shaking hands and depart each other with a plea to Allah for forgiveness.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَيْنِ إِذَا اعْتَنَقَا غَمَرَتْهُمَا الرَّحْمَةُ فَإِذَا الْتَزَمَا لَا يُرِيدَانِ بِذَلِكَ إِلَّا وَجْهَ اللَّهِ وَ لَا يُرِيدَانِ غَرَضاً مِنْ أَغْرَاضِ الدُّنْيَا قِيلَ لَهُمَا مَغْفُوراً لَكُمَا فَاسْتَأْنِفَا[4] فَإِذَا أَقْبَلَا عَلَى الْمُسَاءَلَةِ قَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ بَعْضُهَا لِبَعْضِ تَنَحَّوْا عَنْهُمَا فَإِنَّ لَهُمَا سِرّاً وَ قَدْ سَتَرَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ فَقُلْتُ جُ

“When two believing people embrace each other, blessings engulf them. When they hold each other just for the sake of Allah and for no worldly reasons, it then will be said to them, ‘You are forgiven, resume your deeds.’ When they begin asking about each other the angels will say to each other, ‘Keep away from them; the

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ رَحْمَةٌ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَ كَيْفَ ذَاكَ قَالَ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ أَتَى أَخَاهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ وَ سَبَّبَهَا لَهُ فَإِنْ قَضَى حَاجَتَهُ كَانَ قَدْ قَبِلَ الرَّحْمَةَ بِقَبُولِهَا وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا فَإِنَّمَا رَدَّ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ رَحْمَة

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, is a believer a blessing for believers?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, he is.’ I then asked, ‘How is he as such?’ The Imam said, ‘A believer who may come to his brother (in belief) for help, in fact, is a blessing from Allah whom He has lead t

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ تَنَافَسُوا فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ‌[3] لِإِخْوَانِكُمْ وَ كُونُوا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ فَإِنَّ لِلْجَنَّةِ بَاباً يُقَالُ لَهُ- الْمَعْرُوفُ لَا يَدْخُلُهُ إِلَّا مَنِ اصْطَنَعَ الْمَعْرُوفَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَمْشِي فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُوَكِّلُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَلَكَيْنِ وَاحِداً عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَ آخَرَ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ يَسْتَغْفِرَانِ لَهُ رَبَّه

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Compete in al-Ma’ruf doing good to your brothers (in belief) and be of such people; in paradise there is a door called al-Ma’ruf through which no one can enter except those who have performed al-Ma’ruf (a virtuous deed) in the worldly life. If a servant (of Allah) walks to help his bel

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَتَاهُ أَخُوهُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَإِنَّمَا هِيَ رَحْمَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى سَاقَهَا إِلَيْهِ فَإِنْ قَبِلَ ذَلِكَ فَقَدْ وَصَلَهُ بِوَلَايَتِنَا[2] وَ هُوَ مَوْصُولٌ بِوَلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ إِنْ رَدَّهُ عَنْ حَاجَتِهِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى قَضَائِهَا سَلَّطَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ شُجَاعاً مِنْ نَارٍ يَنْهَشُهُ فِي قَبْرِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ مَغْفُور

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘To whomever his believing brother (in belief) comes for help, in fact, it is a blessing from Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, that He has lead to him. If he accepts that blessing he has connected his guardianship with our guardianship ( al - Walayah ) that is connected to t

مَنْ سَعَى فِي حَاجَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ طَلَبَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ أَلْفَ أَلْفِ حَسَنَةٍ يَغْفِرُ فِيهَا لِأَقَارِبِهِ وَ جِيرَانِهِ وَ إِخْوَانِهِ‌ وَ مَعَارِفِهِ وَ مَنْ صَنَعَ إِلَيْهِ مَعْرُوفاً فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قِيلَ لَهُ ادْخُلِ النَّارَ فَمَنْ وَجَدْتَهُ فِيهَا صَنَعَ إِلَيْكَ مَعْرُوفاً فِي الدُّنْيَا فَأَخْرِجْهُ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلّ

“One who endeavors to help his Muslim brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, writes for him one million good deeds, grants forgiveness to his relatives, neighbors, brothers, those whom he knows and those who has done favors for him in the worldly life. On the Day of Judgment

مَنْ أَطْعَمَ مُؤْمِناً حَتَّى يُشْبِعَهُ لَمْ يَدْرِ أَحَدٌ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللَّهِ مَا لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ لَا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مِنْ مُوجِبَاتِ الْمَغْفِرَةِ إِطْعَامُ الْمُسْلِمِ السَّغْبَانِ‌[3] ثُمَّ تَلَا قَوْلَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- أَوْ إِطْعامٌ فِي يَوْمٍ ذِي مَسْغَبَةٍ يَتِيماً ذا مَقْرَبَةٍ أَوْ مِسْكِيناً ذا مَتْرَبَةٍ[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If one serves food to a believer to satisfy his hunger, no one of the creatures of Allah will be able to find out how much reward he will have in the hereafter for such service, not even the angels close to Allah or a prophet Divinely commissioned to preach can find out except Allah, L

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَ تُحِبُّ إِخْوَانَكَ يَا حُسَيْنُ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ تَنْفَعُ فُقَرَاءَهُمْ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ أَمَا إِنَّهُ يَحِقُّ عَلَيْكَ‌[5] أَنْ تُحِبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُ‌ اللَّهُ‌[1] أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَنْفَعُ مِنْهُمْ أَحَداً حَتَّى تُحِبَّهُ‌[2] أَ تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى مَنْزِلِكَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ مَا آكُلُ إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الرَّجُلَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ الْأَقَلُّ وَ الْأَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asked, ‘Do you love your brothers (in belief) O Husayn?’ I said, ‘Yes, 1 love them.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you provide any benefit for their poor?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘It is obligatory for you to love whoever loves Allah. By Allah you will not provide any benefit to any of t

ذُكِرَ أَصْحَابُنَا عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ مَا أَتَغَدَّى وَ لَا أَتَعَشَّى‌[4] إِلَّا وَ مَعِيَ مِنْهُمُ الِاثْنَانِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةُ وَ أَقَلُّ وَ أَكْثَرُ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَضْلُهُمْ عَلَيْكَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ وَ أَنَا أُطْعِمُهُمْ طَعَامِي وَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنْ مَالِي وَ أُخْدِمُهُمْ عِيَالِي فَقَالَ إِنَّهُمْ إِذَا دَخَلُوا عَلَي

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from abu Muhammad al-Wabishi who has said the following: “Our people were mentioned before abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. I said, ‘I do not eat lunch or dinner without two, three or more or less of them with me.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (

مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ‌ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ‌[1] أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ‌[2] مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعَةَ آلَافِ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as a reward assigns seven thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness for him up to the time of sounding off of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin that he may have committe

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ كَسَا أَحَداً مِنْ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ثَوْباً مِنْ عُرْيٍ أَوْ أَعَانَهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِمَّا يَقُوتُهُ مِنْ مَعِيشَتِهِ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِكُلِّ ذَنْبٍ عَمِلَهُ إِلَى أَنْ يُنْفَخَ فِي الصُّورِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever provides a poor Muslim with clothes for covering and assists him in means of his living, as reward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, assigns seventy thousand angels to pray and ask forgiveness up to the time of the sounding of the trumpet (Day of Judgment) for every sin

قَامَ رَجُلٌ يُقَالُ لَهُ هَمَّامٌ وَ كَانَ عَابِداً نَاسِكاً مُجْتَهِداً إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ هُوَ يَخْطُبُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صِفْ لَنَا صِفَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَأَنَّنَا نَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا هَمَّامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ هُوَ الْكَيِّسُ الْفَطِنُ بِشْرُهُ فِي وَجْهِهِ وَ حُزْنُهُ فِي قَلْبِهِ أَوْسَعُ شَيْ‌ءٍ صَدْراً[3] وَ أَذَلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ نَفْساً زَاجِرٌ عَنْ كُلِّ فَانٍ‌[4] حَاضٌّ عَلَى ك

“Once a man called Hammam, an assiduous worshipper practicing religious rules and a hardworking man came to Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) during his speech and said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, describe for us the qualities of the believer as if we see him before our eyes.’ “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib)

الْمُؤْمِنُ يَصْمُتُ لِيَسْلَمَ وَ يَنْطِقُ لِيَغْنَمَ لَا يُحَدِّثُ أَمَانَتَهُ الْأَصْدِقَاءَ وَ لَا يَكْتُمُ شَهَادَتَهُ مِنَ الْبُعَدَاءِ[2] وَ لَا يَعْمَلُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ رِيَاءً وَ لَا يَتْرُكُهُ حَيَاءً- إِنْ زُكِّيَ خَافَ مِمَّا يَقُولُونَ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ لَا يَغُرُّهُ قَوْلُ مَنْ جَهِلَهُ وَ يَخَافُ إِحْصَاءَ مَا عَمِلَهُ.

“The believer remains silent for safety and speaks to benefit. He does not speak of his trust to the friends and does not withhold his testimony for the people of distant relationships. He does not do anything good to show off and does not ignore it due to bashfulness. If he cleanses himself he fears what they (people)

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

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

الْمُؤْمِنُ حَلِيمٌ لَا يَجْهَلُ وَ إِنْ جُهِلَ عَلَيْهِ يَحْلُمُ وَ لَا يَظْلِمُ وَ إِنْ ظُلِمَ غَفَرَ وَ لَا يَبْخَلُ وَ إِنْ بُخِلَ عَلَيْهِ صَبَرَ[3].

“A believer is forbearing. He is not ignorant and if he is ignored he remains forbearing. He does not do injustice and if he is oppressed he forgives. He is not stingy, if stinginess is exercised against him he exercises patience.”

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص عَنْ خِيَارِ الْعِبَادِ[1] فَقَالَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَحْسَنُوا اسْتَبْشَرُوا وَ إِذَا أَسَاءُوا اسْتَغْفَرُوا وَ إِذَا أُعْطُوا شَكَرُوا وَ إِذَا ابْتُلُوا صَبَرُوا وَ إِذَا غَضِبُوا غَفَرُوا.

“The Holy Prophet was asked about the best ones among the servants (of Allah). The Holy Prophet said, ‘They are those who enjoy doing good deeds, and ask forgiveness when they do bad deeds, thank when they are favored, exercise patience when they suffer and forgive when they are subjected to anger.’”

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, ‘

أَمَا إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عِرْقٍ يَضْرِبُ وَ لَا نَكْبَةٍ وَ لَا صُدَاعٍ وَ لَا مَرَضٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ‌ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَ مَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ مِمَّا يُؤَاخِذُ بِهِ.

“No vein is injured, no failure takes place, no headache or illness occurs but because of the sin. This is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Whatever hardship befalls you is the result of your own deeds. Allah pardons many of your sins.’ (42:30) The Imam then said, ‘Allah forgives more

مَا مِنْ نَكْبَةٍ تُصِيبُ الْعَبْدَ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ مَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَكْثَرُ.

“No failure ever takes place in the life of a servant (of Allah) except because of sin and that which Allah forgives him for is much more.”

الذُّنُوبُ كُلُّهَا شَدِيدَةٌ وَ أَشَدُّهَا مَا نَبَتَ عَلَيْهِ اللَّحْمُ وَ الدَّمُ لِأَنَّهُ إِمَّا مَرْحُومٌ وَ إِمَّا مُعَذَّبٌ وَ الْجَنَّةُ لَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا طَيِّبٌ‌[1]

“All sins are intense and severe. The most severe is that which increases flesh and blood (consumption of unlawful foods). Sins are either forgiven or one is punished for and paradise is only for the clean ones to enter.”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّ لَهَا طَالِباً يَقُولُ أَحَدُكُمْ أُذْنِبُ وَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ نَكْتُبُ ما قَدَّمُوا وَ آثارَهُمْ‌ وَ كُلَّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَحْصَيْناهُ فِي إِمامٍ مُبِينٍ‌[1] وَ قَالَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّها إِنْ تَكُ مِثْقالَ حَبَّةٍ مِنْ خَرْدَلٍ‌ فَتَكُنْ فِي صَخْرَةٍ أَوْ فِي السَّماواتِ أَوْ فِي الْأَرْضِ‌ يَأْتِ بِهَا اللَّهُ‌ إِ

“I heard abu la’ far (a.s.) saying, ‘Stay away from insignificant sins because there is demand for them. One of you will say, ‘I sin and ask forgiveness.’ Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘It is We who bring the dead to life and record the deeds of human beings and their consequences (of continual eff

مَنْ هَمَّ بِسَيِّئَةٍ فَلَا يَعْمَلْهَا[3] فَإِنَّهُ رُبَّمَا عَمِلَ الْعَبْدُ السَّيِّئَةَ فَيَرَاهُ الرَّبُّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى فَيَقُولُ وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا أَغْفِرُ لَكَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَبَداً.

“One who thinks to commit a sin, must not commit it; perhaps a servant (of Allah) commits a sin and the Lord, the Most Blessed, the Most High, finds him in that condition. He will say, ‘I swear by my Majesty and Glory that I will never forgive you thereafter.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ نَبِيّاً مِنْ أَنْبِيَائِهِ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ وَ أَوْحَى إِلَيْهِ أَنْ قُلْ لِقَوْمِكَ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِ قَرْيَةٍ وَ لَا أُنَاسٍ كَانُوا عَلَى طَاعَتِي فَأَصَابَهُمْ فِيهَا سَرَّاءُ فَتَحَوَّلُوا عَمَّا أُحِبُّ إِلَى مَا أَكْرَهُ إِلَّا تَحَوَّلْتُ لَهُمْ عَمَّا يُحِبُّونَ إِلَى مَا يَكْرَهُونَ وَ لَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِ قَرْيَةٍ وَ لَا أَه

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent a prophet to his people and inspired him to tell his people that the Lord says, ‘There has not been any inhabitants of a town or people who obeyed Me and lived happily and then changed from the condition that 1 loved to what I disliked

الْكَبَائِرُ الَّتِي أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَيْهَا النَّارَ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘If you avoid violating that which has been prohibited, your (lesser) sins will be forgiven and you will be admitted into a graceful dwelling,’ (4:31) the Imam said, ‘Major sins are those for which Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made it necessar

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

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

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ‌ وَ يَغْفِرُ ما دُونَ ذلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشاءُ[3] الْكَبَائِرَ فَمَا سِوَاهَا قَالَ قُلْتُ دَخَلَتِ الْكَبَائِرُ فِي الِاسْتِثْنَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‌[4].

“The Imam said that Allah has said, ‘Allah does not forgive the sin of considering others equal to Him, however. He may grant exceptions in other forms of sins that He may choose to forgive, . . .’ (4:48) It is a reference to the major sins and the lesser sins.” I (the narrator) asked the Imam, ‘Does the above exceptio

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْكَبَائِرُ فِيهَا اسْتِثْنَاءُ أَنْ يَغْفِرَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Does the exception apply to the major sins and Allah may chose to forgive (whichever He may so choose)?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it does apply.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ اتَّقُوا الْمُحَقَّرَاتِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تُغْفَرُ قُلْتُ وَ مَا الْمُحَقَّرَاتُ قَالَ الرَّجُلُ يُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيَقُولُ طُوبَى لِي لَوْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِي غَيْرُ ذَلِكَ.

“Guard against al-Muhaqqarat (sins); they will not be forgiven.’ I then asked the Imam, ‘What is al-Muhaqqarat ?’ The Imam said, ‘A man commits a sin and says, “I will have Tuba (a tree in paradise) if I did not have any other sins.’”

لَا صَغِيرَةَ مَعَ الْإِصْرَارِ وَ لَا كَبِيرَةَ مَعَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ.

“Minor sins are not minor if one persists committing such sins and major sins are not major if followed by plea for forgiveness.”

الْإِصْرَارُ هُوَ أَنْ يُذْنِبَ الذَّنْبَ فَلَا يَسْتَغْفِرَ اللَّهَ وَ لَا يُحَدِّثَ نَفْسَهُ بِتَوْبَةٍ فَذَلِكَ الْإِصْرَارُ.

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, . . and who do not knowingly persist in their mistakes,’ (3:135) the Imam said, ‘Persistence is when one commits and does not ask forgiveness from Allah nor say anything to himself about repentance. Such attitude is persistence in sin.’”

دَخَلَ رَجُلَانِ الْمَسْجِدَ أَحَدُهُمَا عَابِدٌ وَ الْآخَرُ فَاسِقٌ فَخَرَجَا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ وَ الْفَاسِقُ صِدِّيقٌ‌[1] وَ الْعَابِدُ فَاسِقٌ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ يَدْخُلُ الْعَابِدُ الْمَسْجِدَ مُدِلًّا بِعِبَادَتِهِ يُدِلُّ بِهَا فَتَكُونُ فِكْرَتُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ وَ تَكُونُ فِكْرَةُ الْفَاسِقِ فِي التَّنَدُّمِ عَلَى فِسْقِهِ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِمَّا صَنَعَ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ.

“Two people went to a Mosque. One was a worshipper and the other a sinful one. They left the Mosque. The sinner was a true believer, but the worshipper had become a sinner. It so happened, because the worshipper went to the Mosque boastful of his worshipping, thus, his thoughts were all the time on boastfulness. The si

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ بَيْنَمَا مُوسَى ع جَالِساً إِذْ أَقْبَلَ إِبْلِيسُ وَ عَلَيْهِ بُرْنُسٌ ذُو أَلْوَانٍ فَلَمَّا دَنَا مِنْ مُوسَى ع خَلَعَ الْبُرْنُسَ وَ قَامَ إِلَى مُوسَى فَسَلَّمَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى مَنْ أَنْتَ فَقَالَ أَنَا إِبْلِيسُ قَالَ أَنْتَ فَلَا قَرَّبَ اللَّهُ دَارَكَ‌[2] قَالَ إِنِّي إِنَّمَا جِئْتُ لِأُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْكَ لِمَكَانِكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ مُوسَى ع فَمَا هَذَا ا

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Once Moses was sitting when Satan came to him with a many-colored hooded cloak on him. When he approached Moses he took his cloak off, stood nearby, and offered him the greeting of peace. Moses asked, ‘Who are you?’ He replied, ‘I am Satan.’ Moses said, ‘Is it you? May Allah not bring

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لِي مُبْتَدِئاً يَا سَمَاعَةُ مَا هَذَا الَّذِي كَانَ بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ جَمَّالِكَ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ فَحَّاشاً أَوْ صَخَّاباً أَوْ لَعَّاناً[2] فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَقَدْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ ظَلَمَنِي فَقَالَ إِنْ كَانَ ظَلَمَكَ لَقَدْ أَرْبَيْتَ عَلَيْهِ‌[3] إِنَّ هَذَا لَيْسَ مِنْ فِعَالِي وَ لَا آمُرُ بِهِ شِيعَتِي اسْتَغْفِرْ رَبَّكَ وَ لَا تَعُدْ قُلْتُ أَسْتَغ

“Once I went to see abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). The Imam on his own initiation said to me, ‘O Sama’a, what was that between you and your camel man? Beware of becoming abusive, loud and using foul language.’ I (the narrator) then said, ‘By Allah, it happened but he did injustice to me.’ The Imam said, ‘If he has done injusti

الظُّلْمُ‌ ثَلَاثَةٌ ظُلْمٌ يَغْفِرُهُ اللَّهُ وَ ظُلْمٌ لَا يَغْفِرُهُ اللَّهُ وَ ظُلْمٌ لَا يَدَعُهُ اللَّهُ فَأَمَّا الظُّلْمُ الَّذِي لَا يَغْفِرُهُ فَالشِّرْكُ وَ أَمَّا الظُّلْمُ الَّذِي يَغْفِرُهُ- فَظُلْمُ الرَّجُلِ نَفْسَهُ فِيمَا بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ وَ أَمَّا الظُّلْمُ الَّذِي لَا يَدَعُهُ فَالْمُدَايَنَةُ بَيْنَ الْعِبَادِ[1].

“There are three kinds of injustice: the injustice that Allah forgives, the injustice He does not forgive and the injustices that He does not leave without His judgment. The injustice that He does not forgive is to consider things to be His partners. The one that He forgives is the injustice of people against their own

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ لَا يَنْوِي ظُلْمَ أَحَدٍ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا أَذْنَبَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ مَا لَمْ يَسْفِكْ دَماً أَوْ يَأْكُلْ مَالَ يَتِيمٍ حَرَاماً.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever rises in the morning without any intention of doing injustice to anyone, Allah forgives his sins that day unless it is a murder or consuming the property of the orphans unjustly.’”