Forgiveness

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ لَا يَهُمُّ بِظُلْمِ أَحَدٍ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ مَا اجْتَرَمَ.

“The messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever rises in the morning without any intention of doing injustice to anyone, Allah forgives his sins.”

مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَظْلِمُ بِمَظْلِمَةٍ إِلَّا أَخَذَهُ اللَّهُ بِهَا فِي نَفْسِهِ وَ مَالِهِ وَ أَمَّا الظُّلْمُ الَّذِي بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ فَإِذَا تَابَ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever does injustice (financially) Allah takes it (recompense) from his life or property. However, the injustice that is between him and Allah, Allah forgives it if he repents.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ ظَلَمَ أَحَداً فَفَاتَهُ فَلْيَسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ لَهُ فَإِنَّهُ كَفَّارَةٌ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If one does injustice to a person and he passes away, he (the doer of injustice) must ask forgiveness from Allah for him (oppressed) and it will be the expiation for his injustice.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ أَصْبَحَ وَ هُوَ لَا يَهُمُّ بِظُلْمِ أَحَدٍ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا اجْتَرَمَ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever rises in the morning and has no intention to do injustice to anyone Allah forgives his sins.”

سُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ ص مَا كَفَّارَةُ الِاغْتِيَابِ قَالَ تَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِمَنِ اغْتَبْتَهُ كُلَّمَا ذَكَرْتَهُ‌[6].

“The Holy Prophet was asked, ‘What is the expiation for backbiting?’ He said, ‘It is to ask forgiveness from Allah for the person backbitten whenever one remembers him. ’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ كَانَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ مُؤْمِنٍ حِجَابٌ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ الْجَنَّةِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ سُورٍ مَا بَيْنَ السُّورِ إِلَى السُّورِ مَسِيرَةُ أَلْفِ عَامٍ.

“Once I was in the presence of al-Rida (a.s.) and he stated to me as follows: ‘O Muhammad, in the time of the children of Israel there were four believing people. One of them once went to the house where the other three had gathered together for a meeting on a certain issue among them. He knocked the door and a slave c

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

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Whoever has a brother (in belief) who comes to him for help it is a favor to him from Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, Who has sent to him. If he accepted it (the favor) he has connected his guardianship with ours, which is connected with the guardianship of Allah, the Mos

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتَّةِ أَصْنَافٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ تَأْذَنُ لِي أَنْ أَكْتُبَهَا قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا أَكْتُبُ قَالَ اكْتُبْ أَهْلَ الْوَعِيدِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَهْلِ النَّارِ[1] وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ اعْتَرَفُوا بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلًا صالِحاً وَ آخَرَ سَيِّئاً[2] قَالَ قُلْتُ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ قَالَ وَحْشِيٌّ مِنْهُمْ‌[3] قَالَ وَ اكْتُبْ‌ وَ آخَرُونَ مُرْجَوْنَ لِأ

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘People are of six categories.’ I then asked, ‘Can I write them down?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ I then asked, ‘What should I write?’ The Imam said, ‘Write down: the people promised paradise and those warned against the fire (but ignored it). Write down, “. . . others o

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ النَّاسُ عَلَى سِتِّ فِرَقٍ يَئُولُونَ‌[6] كُلُّهُمْ إِلَى ثَلَاثِ فِرَقٍ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الضَّلَالِ وَ هُمْ أَهْلُ الْوَعْدَيْنِ‌[7] الَّذِينَ وَعَدَهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ الْجَنَّةَ وَ النَّارَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَ الْكَافِرُونَ وَ الْمُسْتَضْعَفُونَ وَ الْمُرْجَوْنَ‌ لِأَمْرِ اللَّهِ‌ إِمَّا يُعَذِّبُهُمْ وَ إِمَّا يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِمْ‌ وَ الْمُعْتَرِفُونَ‌ بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلً

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Ubayd from Yunus from Hammad from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “People are of six categories. All of them come from three groups: people of belief, disbelief and straying. All three are the people of two promises.

بُنِيَ الْكُفْرُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ- الْفِسْقِ‌[3] وَ الْغُلُوِّ وَ الشَّكِّ وَ الشُّبْهَةِ وَ الْفِسْقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْجَفَاءِ وَ الْعَمَى وَ الْغَفْلَةِ وَ الْعُتُوِّ[4] فَمَنْ جَفَا احْتَقَرَ الْحَقَ‌[5] وَ مَقَتَ الْفُقَهَاءَ وَ أَصَرَّ عَلَى الْحِنْثِ الْعَظِيمِ‌ وَ مَنْ عَمِيَ نَسِيَ الذِّكْرَ وَ اتَّبَعَ الظَّنَّ وَ بَارَزَ خَالِقَهُ‌[6] وَ أَلَحَّ عَلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ وَ طَلَبَ الْمَغْف

“Disbelief is established on four pillars: Sinfulness, Extremism, Doubt and Skepticism. Sinfulness has four branches: harshness of manners, blindness of heart, neglect, and arrogance. Whoever behaves in a harsh manner belittles the truth, hates the people of profound understanding and persists in great sins. Whoever be

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

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ وَ سَأَلَهُ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ فَلَمَّا هَمَّ حُمْرَانُ بِالْقِيَامِ قَالَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُخْبِرُكَ أَطَالَ اللَّهُ بَقَاءَكَ لَنَا وَ أَمْتَعَنَا بِكَ أَنَّا نَأْتِيكَ فَمَا نَخْرُجُ مِنْ عِنْدِكَ حَتَّى تَرِقَّ قُلُوبُنَا وَ تَسْلُوَ أَنْفُسُنَا[6] عَنِ‌ الدُّنْيَا وَ يَهُونَ عَلَيْنَا مَا فِي أَيْدِي النَّاسِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْأَمْوَالِ ثُمَّ ن

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Humran ibn ‘A’yan came in and asked him a few things. When Humran wanted to stand up and leave he said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘I like to tell you, may Allah grant you long life for us so we benefit from you more, whenever we come to you and then leave our hearts feel

لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى مِنَ النَّاسِ إِلَّا خَصْلَتَيْنِ أَنْ يُقِرُّوا لَهُ بِالنِّعَمِ فَيَزِيدَهُمْ وَ بِالذُّنُوبِ فَيَغْفِرَهَا لَهُمْ‌[2].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘By Allah, Allah, the Most High, wants two characteristics from people: to confess that He has granted them favors so He will increase them and to confess their sins so He will forgive them.”’

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً فَعَلِمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ مُطَّلِعٌ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُ وَ إِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُ غَفَرَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَغْفِرْ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘If one commits a sin and knows that Allah is aware of it. He punishes him if He so wills or forgives him if He so wills. In such case. He (Allah) forgives him even if he does not ask forgiveness.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً فَنَدِمَ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرَ وَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ نِعْمَةً فَعَرَفَ أَنَّهَا مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ إِلَّا غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَحْمَدَهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘If a servant commits a sin and then regrets, Allah forgives him before he asks forgiveness. If a servant receives a favor from Allah and he learns that it is from Allah, He grants him forgiveness (protection) before he offers his thanks.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِالْحَسَنَةِ يَعْدِلُ سَبْعِينَ حَسَنَةً[2] وَ الْمُذِيعُ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ مَخْذُولٌ وَ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ مَغْفُورٌ لَهُ.

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘To keep a good deed unnoticed is equal to seventy good deeds. Publicizing an evil deed brings humiliation and for its concealment one may receive forgiveness.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِالْحَسَنَةِ يَعْدِلُ سَبْعِينَ حَسَنَةً وَ الْمُذِيعُ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ مَخْذُولٌ وَ الْمُسْتَتِرُ بِهَا مَغْفُورٌ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘To keep a good deed unnoticed is equal to seventy good deeds. Publicizing an evil deed brings humiliation and for its concealment one may receive forgiveness.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ لَمْ يَهْلِكْ عَلَى اللَّهِ بَعْدَهُنَّ إِلَّا هَالِكٌ‌[4]- يَهُمُّ الْعَبْدُ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَيَعْمَلُهَا فَإِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ حَسَنَةً بِحُسْنِ نِيَّتِهِ وَ إِنْ هُوَ عَمِلَهَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ عَشْراً وَ يَهُمُّ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ أَنْ يَعْمَلَهَا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If four things are found in a person Allah will not allow his destruction to take place unless he is one of those doomed to destruction: (1) a servant (of Allah) intends to perform a good deed and actually does it, (2) even if he does not do it Allah still writes for him one good deed

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعْطَى التَّائِبِينَ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَى خَصْلَةً مِنْهَا جَمِيعَ أَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ لَنَجَوْا بِهَا قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ يُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ‌[5] فَمَنْ أَحَبَّهُ اللَّهُ لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ الَّذِينَ يَحْمِلُونَ الْعَرْشَ وَ مَنْ حَوْلَهُ‌ يُسَبِّحُونَ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ‌ ... وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ لِلَّذِين

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from certain individuals of our people in a marfu ’ manner from the Imam (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has given three things to the repenting people. Had any of it been given to all of those in the heaven

يَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ مُسْلِمٍ ذُنُوبُ الْمُؤْمِنِ إِذَا تَابَ مِنْهَا مَغْفُورَةٌ لَهُ فَلْيَعْمَلِ الْمُؤْمِنُ لِمَا يَسْتَأْنِفُ بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ إِلَّا لِأَهْلِ الْإِيمَانِ قُلْتُ فَإِنْ عَادَ بَعْدَ التَّوْبَةِ وَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَ عَادَ فِي التَّوْبَةِ فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ مُسْلِمٍ أَ تَرَى الْعَبْدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَنْدَمُ عَلَى ذَنْبِهِ وَ

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said, ‘O Muhammad ibn Muslim, if believing people repent for their sins they will be forgiven. Believing people must resume their good deeds after repentance and forgiveness. By Allah, this is only for the believers.’ I then asked, ‘What if he goes back to sin after repenting and asking for forg

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَا ذَنْبَ لَهُ‌[4] وَ الْمُقِيمُ عَلَى الذَّنْبِ وَ هُوَ مُسْتَغْفِرٌ مِنْهُ كَالْمُسْتَهْزِئِ.

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘A person repenting from sins is like one who has not sinned. One who persists in sin and asks forgiveness is like one contemptuous of it (repentance).”’

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَوْحَى إِلَى‌ دَاوُدَ ع أَنِ ائْتِ عَبْدِي دَانِيَالَ فَقُلْ لَهُ إِنَّكَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ‌[1] وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ فَإِنْ أَنْتَ عَصَيْتَنِيَ الرَّابِعَةَ لَمْ أَغْفِرْ لَكَ فَأَتَاهُ دَاوُدُ ع فَقَالَ يَا دَانِيَالُ إِنَّنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكَ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِنَّكَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَكَ وَ عَصَيْتَنِي فَغَفَرْتُ لَك

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and a number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad all from ibn Mahbub from abu Hamza from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelation to David, ‘Meet My servant Daniel and say to him, ‘You have disobe

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌[2] يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أُجِّلَ مِنْ غُدْوَةٍ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ‌[3] فَإِنِ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ‌[4].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘When a servant (of Allah) commits a sin he is given respite from morning to evening. If within such time he pleaded before Allah for forgiveness no sin will be written against him.’”

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً أُجِّلَ فِيهَا سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُ‌ الْقَيُّومُ‌ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ.

“If one commits a sin he is given seven hours respite during the day. If he says, ‘I ask forgiveness from Allah, besides Whom no one deserves to be worshipped. Who is living and controls all things, - three times - no sin will be written against him.’”

الْعَبْدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِذَا أَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ فَإِنِ اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ مَضَتِ السَّاعَاتُ وَ لَمْ يَسْتَغْفِرْ كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُذَكَّرُ ذَنْبَهُ بَعْدَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً حَتَّى يَسْتَغْفِرَ رَبَّهُ فَيَغْفِرَ لَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيَنْسَاهُ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ‌[5].

“When a believing servant (of Allah) commits a sin Allah gives him seven hours respite. If he pleads for forgiveness from Allah within such time nothing will be written against him. If the hours pass and he did not plead for forgiveness one sin will be written against him. A believer remembers his sin even after twenty

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً فَقُلْتُ أَ كَانَ يَقُولُ- أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ لَا وَ لَكِنْ كَانَ يَقُولُ- أَتُوبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ‌[1] قُلْتُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص كَانَ يَتُوبُ وَ لَا يَعُودُ وَ نَحْنُ نَتُوبُ وَ نَعُودُ فَقَالَ‌ اللَّهُ الْمُسْتَعانُ‌.

“The Messenger of Allah would plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, seventy times every day.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘Would he say, ‘I ask Allah to forgive me and I turn to Him in repentance?’ The Imam said, ‘He, however, would say, ‘I return to Allah.’ I then said, ‘The Messenger of Allah would y

مَنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئَةً أُجِّلَ فِيهَا سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ أَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ‌[2].

“If one commits a sin he is given seven hours time during the day. If he says, ‘I plead before Allah, besides whom no one deserves to be worshipped, the living, the controlling power (over creation) and turn to Him in repentance - three times - nothing will be written against him.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيُذَكَّرُ بَعْدَ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ فَيَغْفِرُ لَهُ وَ إِنَّمَا يُذَكِّرُهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُ وَ إِنَّ الْكَافِرَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيَنْسَاهُ مِنْ سَاعَتِهِ.

“A believer commits a sin and remembers it after twenty years, then he pleads before Allah for forgiveness, He still forgives him. He is made to remember so He may forgive him. An unbeliever commits a sin and forgets it within the same hour.’”

مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُقَارِفُ‌[3] فِي يَوْمِهِ وَ لَيْلَتِهِ أَرْبَعِينَ كَبِيرَةً فَيَقُولُ وَ هُوَ نَادِمٌ- أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ* بَدِيعُ السَّماواتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ* ذُو الْجَلالِ وَ الْإِكْرامِ‌ وَ أَسْأَلُهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ‌ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ أَنْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيَّ إِلَّا غَفَرَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ يُقَارِفُ فِي يَوْمٍ

“If a believer commits forty major sins within one day and night and then regretfully says, ‘I plead before Allah, besides Whom no one deserves to be worshipped, the living, the controlling power (over creation) the inventor of the heavens and earth, possessor of glory, and honor. I ask Him to grant favors upon Muhamma

لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ دَوَاءٌ وَ دَوَاءُ الذُّنُوبِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ[2].

“For everything there is a medicine and the medicine for sins is pleading (before Allah) for forgiveness.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْباً إِلَّا أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِنَ النَّهَارِ فَإِنْ هُوَ تَابَ لَمْ يُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِنْ هُوَ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةً فَأَتَاهُ عَبَّادٌ الْبَصْرِيُّ فَقَالَ لَهُ بَلَغَنَا أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ ذَنْباً إِلَّا أَجَّلَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ سَبْعَ سَاعَاتٍ مِن

‘If any believer commits a sin Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, gives him seven hours of a day’s respite; if he repents, nothing will be written against him but if he did not repent Allah will write only one sin against him.’ Thereafter ‘Abbad al-Basri came to him (abu ‘Abd Allah) and said, ‘We have heard that

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ قَالَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِائَةَ مَرَّةٍ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ غَفَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَهُ سَبْعَمِائَةِ ذَنْبٍ وَ لَا خَيْرَ فِي عَبْدٍ يُذْنِبُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعَمِائَةِ ذَنْبٍ‌[4].

“I plead for forgiveness before Allah” one hundred times every day, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will forgive his seven hundred sins, but there is nothing good in a servant (of Allah) who commits seven hundred sins a day.’”

إِنَّ آدَمَ ع قَالَ يَا رَبِّ سَلَّطْتَ عَلَيَّ الشَّيْطَانَ وَ أَجْرَيْتَهُ مِنِّي مَجْرَى الدَّمِ فَاجْعَلْ لِي شَيْئاً فَقَالَ يَا آدَمُ جَعَلْتُ لَكَ أَنَّ مَنْ هَمَّ مِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِكَ بِسَيِّئَةٍ لَمْ تُكْتَبْ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ عَلَيْهِ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ مَنْ هَمَّ مِنْهُمْ بِحَسَنَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَةٌ فَإِنْ هُوَ عَمِلَهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ عَشْراً قَالَ يَا رَبِّ زِدْنِي قَ

“Adam said, ‘O Lord, you have made Satan dominate me and made him flow in me like blood, so make something for me also.’ The Lord said, ‘O Adam, for your benefit I have given your offspring the advantage of not writing down against them any sin if they only intend to commit an evil deed. If they actually commit an evil

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا مِنْ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا وَ لَهُ ذَنْبٌ يَهْجُرُهُ زَمَاناً[1] ثُمَّ يُلِمُّ بِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ يَجْتَنِبُونَ كَبائِرَ الْإِثْمِ وَ الْفَواحِشَ إِلَّا اللَّمَمَ‌ قَالَ الْفَوَاحِشُ الزِّنَى وَ السَّرِقَةُ وَ اللَّمَمُ الرَّجُلُ يُلِمُّ بِالذَّنْبِ فَيَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Every believer may have a sin and he shuns it for a period of time, then he commits it again and this is that which is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic

صَعِدَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِالْكُوفَةِ الْمِنْبَرَ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَ أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ الذُّنُوبَ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ حَبَّةُ الْعُرَنِيُّ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ قُلْتَ الذُّنُوبُ ثَلَاثَةٌ ثُمَّ أَمْسَكْتَ فَقَالَ مَا ذَكَرْتُهَا إِلَّا وَ أَنَا أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُفَسِّرَهَا وَ لَكِنْ عَرَضَ لِي بُهْرٌ حَالَ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ الْكَلَامِ‌[1] نَعَمْ الذُّنُو

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) climbed the Minbar (pulpit) in al-Kufah, praised Allah and spoke of His glory and then said, ‘O people sins are of three kinds’ and he remained quiet. Habbah al-‘Arani, said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, you just said, “Sins are of three kinds, and then remained silent.’ The Ima

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيُهَوَّلُ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فِي نَوْمِهِ فَيُغْفَرُ لَهُ ذُنُوبُهُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيُمْتَهَنُ‌[2] فِي بَدَنِهِ فَيُغْفَرُ لَهُ ذُنُوبُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A believer may suffer a nightmare so his sins are forgiven or is bodily humiliated so his sins are forgiven.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ ما أَصابَكُمْ مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ فَبِما كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ‌ وَ يَعْفُوا عَنْ كَثِيرٍ[3] لَيْسَ مِنِ الْتِوَاءِ عِرْقٍ وَ لَا نَكْبَةِ حَجَرٍ[4] وَ لَا عَثْرَةِ قَدَمٍ وَ لَا خَدْشِ عُودٍ إِلَّا بِذَنْبٍ وَ لَمَا يَعْفُو اللَّهُ أَكْثَرُ[5] فَمَنْ عَجَّلَ اللَّهُ عُقُوبَةَ ذَنْبِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَجَلُّ وَ أَكْرَمُ وَ أ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) about 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) has said, ‘The spraining of one’s muscles, bumping over a stone, the slip of foot or being bruised by a piece

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ مِنْ عَبِيدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَيُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ الْعَظِيمَ مِمَّا يَسْتَوْجِبُ بِهِ عُقُوبَتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ[2] فَأَنْظُرُ لَهُ فِيمَا فِيهِ صَلَاحُهُ فِي آخِرَتِهِ فَأُعَجِّلُ لَهُ الْعُقُوبَةَ عَلَيْهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا لِأُجَازِيَهُ بِذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ وَ أُقَدِّرُ عُقُوبَةَ ذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ وَ أَقْضِيهِ وَ أَتْرُكُ

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-‘Abdi from ibn abu Ya’fur who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “A servant among My believing servants commits a great sin

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ تَرْكُ الْخَطِيئَةِ أَيْسَرُ مِنْ طَلَبِ التَّوْبَةِ وَ كَمْ مِنْ شَهْوَةِ سَاعَةٍ أَوْرَثَتْ حُزْناً طَوِيلًا وَ الْمَوْتُ فَضَحَ الدُّنْيَا فَلَمْ يَتْرُكْ لِذِي لُبٍّ فَرَحاً[4].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, “Avoiding sin is easier than pleading for forgiveness. How many are the cases of very short period of lustful activities that cause prolonged sadness. Death disgraces the world (uncovers its worthlessness) and it has not left any hap

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً فَأَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أَتْبَعَهُ بِنَقِمَةٍ وَ يُذَكِّرُهُ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ وَ إِذَا أَرَادَ بِعَبْدٍ شَرّاً فَأَذْنَبَ ذَنْباً أَتْبَعَهُ بِنِعْمَةٍ لِيُنْسِيَهُ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ وَ يَتَمَادَى بِهَا وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ‌ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[2] بِالنِّعَمِ عِنْدَ الْمَعَاصِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘When Allah wills good for a servant upon his committing a sin He causes it to be followed by a misfortune to remind him of the need to plead for forgiveness. When Allah wills evil for a servant upon his committing a sin He causes it to be followed by his gaining bounties that make him

سُئِلَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الِاسْتِدْرَاجِ فَقَالَ هُوَ الْعَبْدُ يُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَيُمْلَى لَهُ‌[3] وَ تُجَدَّدُ لَهُ عِنْدَهَا النِّعَمُ فَتُلْهِيهِ عَنِ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ فَهُوَ مُسْتَدْرَجٌ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَعْلَمُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) was asked about al-‘Istidraj, (gradual steps). The Imam said, ‘It happens when a servant (of Allah) commits a sin he is given respite, new bounties come to him and he overlooks beseeching forgiveness for sins, thus, he is taken in gradual steps but he has not taken any notice of it.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- سَنَسْتَدْرِجُهُمْ مِنْ حَيْثُ لا يَعْلَمُونَ‌[4] قَالَ هُوَ الْعَبْدُ يُذْنِبُ الذَّنْبَ فَتُجَدَّدُ لَهُ النِّعْمَةُ مَعَهُ تُلْهِيهِ تِلْكَ النِّعْمَةُ عَنِ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الذَّنْبِ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We gradually lead those who have called Our revelations mere lies to destruction. Their destruction will be such that they will not even notice how it seized them.’ (7:182) The Imam said, ‘It happens when a servant (of Allah

لَيْسَ مِنَّا مَنْ لَمْ يُحَاسِبْ نَفْسَهُ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ فَإِنْ عَمِلَ حَسَناً اسْتَزَادَ اللَّهَ وَ إِنْ عَمِلَ سَيِّئاً اسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ مِنْهُ وَ تَابَ إِلَيْهِ.

“One who does not evaluate his deeds every day is not one of us. One must evaluate his deeds and pray to Allah to increase his good deeds, plead for forgiveness to Allah due to one’s committing evil deeds and turn to Him in repentance.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ رُفِعَ عَنْ أُمَّتِي أَرْبَعُ‌ خِصَالٍ خَطَأُهَا وَ نِسْيَانُهَا وَ مَا أُكْرِهُوا عَلَيْهِ وَ مَا لَمْ يُطِيقُوا وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رَبَّنا لا تُؤاخِذْنا إِنْ نَسِينا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنا إِصْراً كَما حَمَلْتَهُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِنا رَبَّنا وَ لا تُحَمِّلْنا ما لا طاقَةَ لَنا بِهِ‌[1] وَ قَوْلُهُ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَ قَلْبُهُ مُطْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “My followers are exempt from responsibility for four things: Acting mistakenly, forgetting, being coerced and compelled, and for failing to act. This has been mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Lord, do not hold us

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع كَثِيراً مَا يَقُولُ فِي خُطْبَتِهِ‌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ دِينَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ‌[3] فَإِنَّ السَّيِّئَةَ فِيهِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْحَسَنَةِ فِي غَيْرِهِ وَ السَّيِّئَةُ فِيهِ تُغْفَرُ وَ الْحَسَنَةُ فِي غَيْرِهِ لَا تُقْبَلُ. هَذَا آخِرُ كِتَابِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْكُفْرِ وَ الطَّاعَاتِ وَ الْمَعَاصِي مِنْ كِتَابِ الْكَافِي وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَحْدَهُ وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِه

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Muhammad ibn al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt in a marfu’ manner from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would very often say about sin, ‘O people, pay attention to your religion, pay attention to your religion. An evil

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُ وَقْتٍ دَعَوْتُمُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فِيهِ الْأَسْحَارُ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ فِي قَوْلِ يَعْقُوبَ ع- سَوْفَ أَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكُمْ رَبِّي‌[2] وَ قَالَ أَخَّرَهُمْ إِلَى السَّحَرِ.

"The best time to supplicate to Allah (azwj) is during the pre-dawn hours (Al-Asḥār)." Then he recited this verse from the words of Ya'qub (as): «I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord» (12:98) and he (the Prophet) said, "He delayed them until pre-dawn hours (to pray for them)."

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The best prayer and plea before Allah for help is the plea for forgiveness and protection against the consequences of sins.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا أَكْثَرَ الْعَبْدُ مِنَ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ رُفِعَتْ صَحِيفَتُهُ وَ هِيَ تَتَلَأْلَأُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One who pleas for forgiveness often, his book of record of deeds is raised and it shines brilliantly.’”

مَثَلُ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ مَثَلُ وَرَقٍ عَلَى شَجَرَةٍ تُحَرَّكُ فَيَتَنَاثَرُ وَ الْمُسْتَغْفِرُ مِنْ ذَنْبٍ وَ يَفْعَلُهُ كَالْمُسْتَهْزِئِ بِرَبِّهِ.

“A plea for forgiveness is like shaking a tree from which leaves fall off. One who pleas forgiveness and commits sins is like one who derides his Lord.”