Generosity

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ عِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ وَ الْجَهْلَ وَ جُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَا نَعْرِفُ إِلَّا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَ هُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ‌[1] عَ

“Once with a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant. A discussion on Intelligence and Ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon, Imam abu ‘Abd Allah said, ‘First, you must recognize Intelligence and its army as well as Ignorance and its army,

يَا مُفَضَّلُ لَا يُفْلِحُ مَنْ لَا يَعْقِلُ وَ لَا يَعْقِلُ مَنْ لَا يَعْلَمُ وَ سَوْفَ يَنْجُبُ مَنْ يَفْهَمُ‌[2] وَ يَظْفَرُ مَنْ يَحْلُمُ وَ الْعِلْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَ الصِّدْقُ عِزٌّ وَ الْجَهْلُ ذُلٌّ وَ الْفَهْمُ مَجْدٌ وَ الْجُودُ نُجْحٌ‌[1] وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ مَجْلَبَةٌ لِلْمَوَدَّةِ وَ الْعَالِمُ بِزَمَانِهِ لَا تَهْجُمُ عَلَيْهِ اللَّوَابِسُ وَ الْحَزْمُ مَسَاءَةُ الظَّنِ‌[2] وَ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَ الْحِكْمَةِ

“O Mufaddal one can never gain success until he understands and one can never understand until he acquires knowledge. One who understands can very soon excel. One who exercises patience can very soon triumph. Knowledge serves one as a shield, truth is honor, ignorance is humility, sharp-wittedness is glory, generosity

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّهُ يُسَخِّي‌[4] نَفْسِي فِي سُرْعَةِ الْمَوْتِ وَ الْقَتْلِ فِينَا قَوْلُ اللَّهِ- أَ وَ لَمْ يَرَوْا أَنَّا نَأْتِي الْأَرْضَ نَنْقُصُها مِنْ أَطْرافِها[5] وَ هُوَ ذَهَابُ الْعُلَمَاءِ.

that Ali ibn al-Husayn (as) would say, "My soul shows generosity in accepting the quickening of our death or being murdered. It is due to the words of Allah that say, 'Have they not considered that We have taken over the land and reduced its borders?' (13:41) the reference here is to the death of the scholars.”

الْمَشِيئَةُ مُحْدَثَةٌ. جُمْلَةُ الْقَوْلِ فِي صِفَاتِ الذَّاتِ وَ صِفَاتِ الْفِعْلِ‌ يقدر أن يعلم. و الحاصل أن القدرة صفة ذاتية تتعلق بالممكنات لا غير فلا تتعلق بالواجب و لا بالممتنع فكل ما هو صفة الذات فهو أزليّ غير مقدور و كل ما هو صفة الفعل فهو ممكن مقدور و بهذا يعرف الفرق بين الصفتين و قوله:« و لا يقدر أن لا يعلم» الظاهر أن« لا» لتأكيد النفي السابق أي لا يجوز أن يقال: يقدر أن لا يعلم و يمكن أن يكون من مقول القو

7. A group of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ibn ’Udhaynah from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said, “The will is created.” Summery Statements on the Attributes of His self Sifat al-Dhat and the Attributes of His Actions Sifat a

- إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ اسْماً بِالْحُرُوفِ غَيْرَ مُتَصَوِّتٍ وَ بِاللَّفْظِ غَيْرَ مُنْطَقٍ وَ بِالشَّخْصِ غَيْرَ مُجَسَّدٍ وَ بِالتَّشْبِيهِ غَيْرَ مَوْصُوفٍ وَ بِاللَّوْنِ غَيْرَ مَصْبُوغٍ مَنْفِيٌّ عَنْهُ الْأَقْطَارُ مُبَعَّدٌ عَنْهُ الْحُدُودُ مَحْجُوبٌ عَنْهُ حِسُّ كُلِّ مُتَوَهِّمٍ مُسْتَتِرٌ[1] غَيْرُ مَسْتُورٍ فَجَعَلَهُ كَلِمَةً تَامَّةً عَلَى أَرْبَعَةِ أَجْزَاءٍ مَعاً لَيْسَ مِنْهَا

1. Ali b. Muhammad has narrated from Salih b. Abi Hammad from al-Husayn ibn Yazid from al-Hassan b. Ali ibn Abi Hamzah from Ibrahim b. ‘Umar from Abi ‘Abdallah (a.s.), who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, created a name with letters that had no sound. He created it with the word that would

ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ قَوْمٌ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَنْزِلُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْزِلُ وَ لَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى أَنْ يَنْزِلَ إِنَّمَا مَنْظَرُهُ‌[1] فِي الْقُرْبِ وَ الْبُعْدِ سَوَاءٌ لَمْ يَبْعُدْ مِنْهُ قَرِيبٌ وَ لَمْ يَقْرُبْ مِنْهُ بَعِيدٌ- وَ لَمْ يَحْتَجْ إِلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ بَلْ يُحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ ذُو الطَّوْلِ‌ لا إِلهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيم

“A people was mentioned, before the Imam (a.s.), who believed that Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, comes down to the sky above the earth.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Allah does not come down and He does not need to come down. His sight for near and far is the same. Near does not become far for Him and far does not bec

لَمَّا حَضَرَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص الْوَفَاةُ دَعَا الْعَبَّاسَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ وَ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ لِلْعَبَّاسِ يَا عَمَّ مُحَمَّدٍ تَأْخُذُ تُرَاثَ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ تَقْضِي دَيْنَهُ وَ تُنْجِزُ عِدَاتِهِ‌[1] فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي إِنِّي شَيْخٌ كَثِيرُ الْعِيَالِ قَلِيلُ الْمَالِ مَنْ يُطِيقُكَ وَ أَنْتَ تُبَارِي الرِّيحَ‌[2] قَالَ فَأَطْرَقَ ص هُنَ

“When the Messenger of Allah was about to die, he called to him al-‘Abbas Bbn ‘Abd al-Muttalib and Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). He said to al-‘Abbas, “O uncle of Muhammad, will you inherit the legacy of Muhammad, pay his debts and fulfill his promises and commitments?” He responded, “O the Messenger of Allah, may Allah tak

إِنَّ الْإِمَامَةَ عَهْدٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَعْهُودٌ لِرِجَالٍ مُسَمَّيْنَ لَيْسَ لِلْإِمَامِ أَنْ يَزْوِيَهَا عَنِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَوْحَى إِلَى دَاوُدَ ع أَنِ اتَّخِذْ وَصِيّاً مِنْ أَهْلِكَ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ سَبَقَ فِي عِلْمِي أَنْ لَا أَبْعَثَ نَبِيّاً إِلَّا وَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَ كَانَ لِدَاوُدَ ع أَوْلَادٌ عِدَّةٌ وَ فِيهِمْ غُلَامٌ كَانَتْ أُ

“Imamat (leadership with Divine authority) is a covenant from Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, pledged to particularly known man. The Imam does not have the right to divert it from the succeeding Imam. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, sent inspiration to David to appoint the executor of his will from among your

الدُّنْيَا وَ مَا فِيهَا لِلَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ لِرَسُولِهِ وَ لَنَا فَمَنْ غَلَبَ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهَا فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ وَ لْيُؤَدِّ حَقَّ اللَّهِ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى وَ لْيَبَرَّ إِخْوَانَهُ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَاللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ نَحْنُ بُرَآءُ مِنْهُ.

“The world and all that is therein belong to Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, His Messenger and to us. If one would control a part of it he must maintain piety before Allah. He must pay the share of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, be generous to his brethren, otherwise, Allah, the Messenger of Allah and we wil

فِي خُطْبَةٍ لَهُ خَاصَّةً يَذْكُرُ فِيهَا حَالَ النَّبِيِّ وَ الْأَئِمَّةِ ع وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْ رَبَّنَا لِحِلْمِهِ وَ أَنَاتِهِ وَ عَطْفِهِ مَا كَانَ مِنْ عَظِيمِ جُرْمِهِمْ وَ قَبِيحِ أَفْعَالِهِمْ أَنِ انْتَجَبَ لَهُمْ أَحَبَّ أَنْبِيَائِهِ إِلَيْهِ وَ أَكْرَمَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فِي حَوْمَةِ الْعِزِّ مَوْلِدُهُ وَ فِي دَوْمَةِ الْكَرَمِ مَحْتِدُهُ غَيْرَ مَشُوبٍ حَسَبُهُ وَ

17. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ishaq ibn Ghalib from Abu ‘Abdallah (AS) in a special sermon in which he has described the The Holy Prophet (AS) and the Imams (AS), and their qualities as follows: “The great sins and people’s bad deeds did not prevent

رَأَيْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَوْمَ افْتَتَحَ الْبَصْرَةَ وَ رَكِبَ بَغْلَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ قَالَ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ الْخَلْقِ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُهُمُ اللَّهُ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ- أَبُو أَيُّوبَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ فَقَالَ بَلَى يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ حَدِّثْنَا فَإِنَّكَ كُنْتَ تَشْهَدُ وَ نَغِيبُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ خَيْرَ الْخَلْقِ يَوْمَ يَجْمَعُهُمُ اللَّهُ سَبْعَةٌ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَبْد

“Once I saw Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) on the day of victory in Basra while he was riding the on the mule of the Messenger of Allah (SAW). Then he said, ‘Oh people, do you want me to tell you who the best of the creatures of Allah will be on the Day when He will bring all of them to one place?’ Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (RA)

ضَاقَ بِنَا الْأَمْرُ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي امْضِ بِنَا حَتَّى نَصِيرَ إِلَى هَذَا الرَّجُلِ يَعْنِي أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ وُصِفَ عَنْهُ سَمَاحَةٌ فَقُلْتُ تَعْرِفُهُ فَقَالَ مَا أَعْرِفُهُ وَ لَا رَأَيْتُهُ قَطُّ قَالَ فَقَصَدْنَاهُ فَقَالَ لِي أَبِي وَ هُوَ فِي طَرِيقِهِ مَا أَحْوَجَنَا إِلَى أَنْ يَأْمُرَ لَنَا بِخَمْسِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ لِلْكِسْوَةِ وَ مِائَتَا دِرْهَمٍ لِلدَّيْنِ وَ مِائَةٌ

“We were under pressure and constraint. My father said, “Let us go to Abu Muhammad (a.s.). People describe him as very generous and considerate.” I asked, “Do you know him?” He said, “No, I do not know him and I have not seen him before.” We decided to go and meet him. My father said on the way, 'I wish he would grant

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

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

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

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

إِنَّا لَنُحِبُّ مَنْ كَانَ عَاقِلًا فَهِماً فَقِيهاً حَلِيماً مُدَارِياً صَبُوراً صَدُوقاً وَفِيّاً إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَصَّ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ بِمَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ فَمَنْ كَانَتْ فِيهِ فَلْيَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ فِيهِ فَلْيَتَضَرَّعْ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ لْيَسْأَلْهُ إِيَّاهَا قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ هُنَّ الْوَرَعُ وَ الْقَنَاعَةُ وَ الصَّبْر

“We certainly love a person of reason, of good understanding, who has good knowledge and understanding of the law, who is forbearing, who is kind, who bears patience, who is truthful and who is loyal. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has chosen the prophets for noble moral (human) qualities. Whoever has them (n

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ارْتَضَى لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِيناً فَأَحْسِنُوا صُحْبَتَهُ بِالسَّخَاءِ وَ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from certain individuals of his people from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has chosen Islam to be your religion. Keep good company with your religion by means of exer

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 الْعَبْدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ الْفَقِيرَ لَيَقُولُ يَا رَبِّ ارْزُقْنِي حَتَّى أَفْعَلَ كَذَا وَ كَذَا مِنَ الْبِرِّ وَ وُجُوهِ الْخَيْرِ فَإِذَا عَلِمَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ بِصِدْقِ نِيَّةٍ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ مِثْلَ مَا يَكْتُبُ لَهُ لَوْ عَمِلَهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ كَرِيمٌ.

“The poor believing servant (of Allah) says, ‘O Lord bestow upon me such and such so that I can do so and so good deeds. If Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, finds that his intention is true He will write down for him a reward (just for his intention) equal to the degree of good deeds had his intention materiali

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لَا يُنَالُ الْمُلْكُ فِيهِ إِلَّا بِالْقَتْلِ وَ التَّجَبُّرِ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِالْغَصْبِ وَ الْبُخْلِ وَ لَا الْمَحَبَّةُ إِلَّا بِاسْتِخْرَاجِ الدِّينِ‌[1] وَ اتِّبَاعِ الْهَوَى- فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانَ فَصَبَرَ عَلَى الْفَقْرِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْغِنَى وَ صَبَرَ عَلَى الْبِغْضَةِ[2] وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَحَبَّةِ وَ صَبَرَ عَلَى

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A time will come upon people when kingdom can be achieved only by committing murders and tyranny. Wealth can only be achieved through usurpation and stinginess. Love and harmony can be established only by exclusion of religion and by following desires. Those living at such a time must

صَنَائِعُ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ حُسْنُ الْبِشْرِ يَكْسِبَانِ الْمَحَبَّةَ وَ يُدْخِلَانِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ الْبُخْلُ وَ عُبُوسُ الْوَجْهِ يُبْعِدَانِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ يُدْخِلَانِ النَّارَ.

“Abu Ja’far or Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) has said, ‘Doing lawful favors to others and having a delightful appearance earns love and lead one to paradise. Stinginess and a frowning face lead one away from Allah and into fire (of hell).”’

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا زَيْدُ اصْبِرْ عَلَى أَعْدَاءِ النِّعَمِ فَإِنَّكَ لَنْ تُكَافِئَ مَنْ عَصَى اللَّهَ فِيكَ بِأَفْضَلَ مِنْ أَنْ تُطِيعَ اللَّهَ فِيهِ يَا زَيْدُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى الْإِسْلَامَ وَ اخْتَارَهُ فَأَحْسِنُوا صُحْبَتَهُ بِالسَّخَاءِ وَ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ.

“Once the Imam said to me, ‘O Zayd be patient against the enemies of the bounties (jealous people). You cannot compensate (retaliate to offset your suffering) from one who disobeys Allah through causing you to suffer, in other ways more properly, than obeying Allah in his case (in not causing any suffering to him). O Z

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ‌[1] وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, opens the ability for generosity, helps one’s soul agree easily to be generous, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.”

صِلَةُ الْأَرْحَامِ‌[3] تُحَسِّنُ الْخُلُقَ وَ تُسَمِّحُ الْكَفَّ وَ تُطَيِّبُ النَّفْسَ وَ تَزِيدُ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ تُنْسِئُ فِي الْأَجَلِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Maintaining good relations with relatives improves moral behavior, strengthens the ability to be generous with the pleasure of one’s soul, increases one’s means of sustenance and delays the coming of death.’”

كَانَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ص يَقُولُ‌ عَظِّمُوا أَصْحَابَكُمْ وَ وَقِّرُوهُمْ وَ لَا يَتَجَهَّمُ‌[5] بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً وَ لَا تَضَارُّوا وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ الْبُخْلَ كُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ الْمُخْلِصِينَ.

12. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-‘Ala’ ibn Fudayl from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, ‘Dignify your people, honor them and do not be aggressive toward each other, do not harm each other and do not be jea

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَنْ زَارَ أَخَاهُ فِي اللَّهِ فِي مَرَضٍ أَوْ صِحَّةٍ لَا يَأْتِيهِ خِدَاعاً وَ لَا اسْتِبْدَالًا[2] وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ سَبْعِينَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ يُنَادُونَ فِي قَفَاهُ أَنْ طِبْتَ وَ طَابَتْ لَكَ الْجَنَّةُ فَأَنْتُمْ زُوَّارُ اللَّهِ وَ أَنْتُمْ وَفْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ‌[3] حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ مَنْزِلَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ يُسَيْرٌ[4] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ الْمَكَانُ بَعِيداً[5] ق

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah saying, ‘If one visits his brother (in belief) for the sake of Allah, in his illness or in good health, not to deceive or to receive something, Allah will appoint seventy thousand angels to applaud behind him, “How beautiful is your deed! How beautiful is paradise for you! You are the visitor of

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 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.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِأَبْعَدِكُمْ مِنِّي شَبَهاً قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ الْفَاحِشُ الْمُتَفَحِّشُ الْبَذِي‌ءُ[4] الْبَخِيلُ الْمُخْتَالُ الْحَقُودُ الْحَسُودُ الْقَاسِي الْقَلْبِ الْبَعِيدُ مِنْ كُلِّ خَيْرٍ يُرْجَى غَيْرُ الْمَأْمُونِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ يُتَّقَى.

“The Messenger of Allah once asked, ‘Should I tell you who is more dissimilar to me among you?’ They said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah, please do so.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘He is an indecent, scandalous one, foulmouthed, stingy, deceitful, hateful, envious, and hardhearted who is far from being expected to do an

مَنْ بَخِلَ بِمَعُونَةِ أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ الْقِيَامِ لَهُ فِي حَاجَتِهِ إِلَّا ابْتُلِيَ بِمَعُونَةِ مَنْ يَأْثَمُ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَا يُؤْجَرُ[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever exercises stinginess in assisting his Muslim brother and in helping him in his needs will run into an involvement of such an assistance that will make him sin and receive no rewards for it.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ دَارٌ فَاحْتَاجَ مُؤْمِنٌ إِلَى سُكْنَاهَا فَمَنَعَهُ إِيَّاهَا قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَا مَلَائِكَتِي أَ بَخِلَ عَبْدِي عَلَى عَبْدِي بِسُكْنَى الدَّارِ الدُّنْيَا وَ عِزَّتِي وَ جَلَالِي لَا يَسْكُنُ جِنَانِي أَبَداً.

‘If one has a home and a believer needs a place to live and is denied to use the house, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says, ‘O My angels. My servant has denied My other servant a living place in the worldly home, by My Majesty and Glory, he will never live in My paradise.’”

قَالَ لِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص‌ يَا بُنَيَّ انْظُرْ خَمْسَةً فَلَا تُصَاحِبْهُمْ وَ لَا تُحَادِثْهُمْ وَ لَا تُرَافِقْهُمْ فِي طَرِيقٍ‌[4] فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَهْ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ السَّرَابِ يُقَرِّبُ لَكَ الْبَعِيدَ وَ يُبَاعِدُ لَكَ الْقَرِيبَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَاحَبَةَ الْفَاسِقِ- فَإِنَّهُ بَائِعُكَ بِأُكْلَةٍ أَوْ أَقَلَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ إِيَّاكَ وَ مُصَ

“Once Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) said to me, ‘My son, beware of five kinds of people and do not associate with, speak to and accompany them on the road.’ I then asked, ‘Who are they O father?’ He then said, ‘You must not accompany a lying person; he is like a phantom. He tells you of what, in fact, is faraway to be very

قَالَ: وَ النِّفَاقُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الْهَوَى وَ الْهُوَيْنَا وَ الْحَفِيظَةِ وَ الطَّمَعِ‌[8] فَالْهَوَى عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الْبَغْيِ وَ الْعُدْوَانِ وَ الشَّهْوَةِ وَ الطُّغْيَانِ- فَمَنْ‌ بَغَى كَثُرَتْ غَوَائِلُهُ وَ تُخُلِّيَ مِنْهُ وَ قُصِرَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] وَ مَنِ اعْتَدَى لَمْ يُؤْمَنْ بَوَائِقُهُ وَ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ قَلْبُهُ وَ لَمْ يَمْلِكْ نَفْسَهُ عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يَعْذِلْ

“‘Hypocrisy has four pillars: Desire, Neglect, Resentment and Greed. “Desire is of four branches: disproportionate behavior, transgression, lust and insubordination. Whoever behaves disproportionately faces great risks, remains lonely and without supporters. Whoever transgresses does not remain immune to harmful conseq

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَا يَكُونُ سَجِيَّتُهُ الْكَذِبَ وَ الْبُخْلَ وَ الْفُجُورَ وَ رُبَّمَا أَلَمَّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ شَيْئاً لَا يَدُومُ عَلَيْهِ قِيلَ فَيَزْنِي قَالَ نَعَمْ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يُولَدُ لَهُ مِنْ تِلْكَ النُّطْفَةِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer does not have lying, stinginess or indecent acts as part of his nature and normal behavior, perhaps he may commit certain sins in which he does not continue.’ It was asked, ‘Does he commit fornication?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, but no child is beggotten from that seed.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَدْفَعُ بِمَنْ يُصَلِّي مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا عَمَّنْ لَا يُصَلِّي مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا وَ لَوْ أَجْمَعُوا عَلَى تَرْكِ الصَّلَاةِ لَهَلَكُوا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَدْفَعُ بِمَنْ يُزَكِّي مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا عَمَّنْ لَا يُزَكِّي وَ لَوْ أَجْمَعُوا عَلَى تَرْكِ الزَّكَاةِ لَهَلَكُوا وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَدْفَعُ بِمَنْ يَحُجُّ مِنْ شِيعَتِنَا عَمَّنْ لَا يَحُجُّ وَ لَوْ أَجْمَعُوا عَلَى تَرْكِ الْحَجِّ لَهَلَكُوا وَ هُو

‘‘Allah defends through those of our Shi’a (followers) who perform prayer from those of our Shi’a (followers) who do not perform prayers, and if they all stop praying all of them will face destruction. Allah defends through those of our Shi’a (followers) who pay al-Zakat (charity) from those who do not pay al-Zakat and

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا طَلَبَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَلْيُثْنِ عَلَى رَبِّهِ وَ لْيَمْدَحْهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا طَلَبَ الْحَاجَةَ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ هَيَّأَ لَهُ مِنَ الْكَلَامِ أَحْسَنَ مَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا طَلَبْتُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَمَجِّدُوا اللَّهَ الْعَزِيزَ الْجَبَّارَ وَ امْدَحُوهُ وَ أَثْنُوا عَلَيْهِ تَقُولُ- يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ يَا أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْ

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Iys ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you wishes to ask for help he should praise his Lord and thank Him. When a man wants to ask a king for something, he prepares to say the

أَرْبَعَةٌ لَا تُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ دَعْوَةٌ رَجُلٌ جَالِسٌ فِي بَيْتِهِ يَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي فَيُقَالُ لَهُ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالطَّلَبِ وَ رَجُلٌ كَانَتْ لَهُ امْرَأَةٌ فَدَعَا عَلَيْهَا فَيُقَالُ لَهُ أَ لَمْ أَجْعَلْ أَمْرَهَا إِلَيْكَ وَ رَجُلٌ كَانَ لَهُ مَالٌ فَأَفْسَدَهُ فَيَقُولُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي فَيُقَالُ لَهُ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالاقْتِصَادِ أَ لَمْ آمُرْكَ بِالْإِصْلَاحِ ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ وَ الَّذِينَ

“The prayers of four kinds of people are not heard: a man who sits home and says, ‘O Lord, grant me sustenance,’ and it is said to him, “Have I not commanded you to work?” a man who is troubled by his wife so he prays for relief, but he will be asked, ‘Have 1 not made dissolving marriage lawful?’ A man who has destroye

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَصْبَحْنَا وَ الْمُلْكُ لَهُ وَ أَصْبَحْتُ عَبْدَكَ وَ ابْنَ عَبْدِكَ وَ ابْنَ أَمَتِكَ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ رِزْقاً مِنْ حَيْثُ أَحْتَسِبُ وَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا أَحْتَسِبُ وَ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ حَيْثُ أَحْتَفِظُ وَ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا أَحْتَفِظُ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ وَ لَا تَجْعَلْ لِي حَاجَةً إِلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَلْبِسْنِي الْعَافِيَةَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) would say, ‘All praise belongs to Allah Who has given us this morning and the kingdom belongs to Him. You have brought to this morning Your servant son of Your servant and son of Your female servant under Your control. O Lord, grant me sustenance through Your generosity, a sustenance from the sou

مَهْمَا تَرَكْتَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ فَلَا تَتْرُكْ أَنْ تَقُولَ فِي كُلِّ صَبَاحٍ وَ مَسَاءٍ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ- أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ وَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ لِأَهْلِ رَحْمَتِكَ وَ أَبْرَأُ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ أَهْلِ لَعْنَتِكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَصْبَحْتُ أَبْرَأُ إِلَيْكَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ وَ فِي هَذَا الصَّبَاحِ مِمَّنْ نَحْنُ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَ مِمَّا كَانُوا يَعْبُدُونَ‌

“You may give up whatever you give up but do not give up to say every morning and in the evening the following: “O Lord, this morning I seek forgiveness from You on this day for the people of kindness and disavow the people subject to Your condemnation. “O Lord, this morning and on this day I disavow the pagans around

إِذَا خَرَجْتَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِكَ فَقُلْ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ‌ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ‌ لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا خَرَجْتُ لَهُ وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَرَجْتُ لَهُ اللَّهُمَّ أَوْسِعْ عَلَيَّ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ وَ أَتْمِمْ عَلَيَّ نِعْمَتَكَ وَ اسْتَعْمِلْنِي فِي طَاعَتِكَ وَ اجْعَلْ رَغْبَتِي فِيمَا عِنْدَكَ وَ تَوَفَّنِي عَلَى مِلَّتِكَ وَ مِلَّةِ رَسُولِكَ ص.

“When leaving out of your house say, ‘In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah, and there are no means and no power without Allah. O Lord, I beg You for the best of that for which I have come out and I seek protection against the evil of that for which I have come out. O Lord, expand for me from Your generosity,

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنَ الزَّوَالِ‌[1]- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيْكَ بِجُودِكَ وَ كَرَمِكَ وَ أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيْكَ- بِمُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ وَ أَتَقَرَّبُ إِلَيْكَ بِمَلَائِكَتِكَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ وَ أَنْبِيَائِكَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَ بِكَ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْغَنِيُّ عَنِّي وَ بِيَ الْفَاقَةُ إِلَيْكَ أَنْتَ الْغَنِيُّ وَ أَنَا الْفَقِيرُ إِلَيْكَ أَقَلْتَنِي عَثْرَتِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) after completing the prayer at noon time would say, ‘O Lord, I seek nearness to You through Your generosity and magnanimity, I seek nearness to You through Muhammad, Your servant, and Your messenger, I seek nearness to You through Your favorite angels. Your messenger prophets

أَتَيْتُ أَبَا إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ عَلِّمْنِي دُعَاءً جَامِعاً لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ أَوْجِزْ فَقَالَ قُلْ فِي دُبُرِ الْفَجْرِ إِلَى أَنْ تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَ أَسْأَلُهُ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ قَالَ هِلْقَامٌ لَقَدْ كُنْتُ مِنْ أَسْوَإِ أَهْلِ بَيْتِي حَالًا فَمَا عَلِمْتُ حَتَّى أَتَانِي مِيرَاثٌ مِنْ قِبَلِ رَجُلٍ مَا ظَنَنْت

“Once I went in the presence of abu Ibrahim (a.s.). I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, instruct me with a supplication of universal form for this world and hereafter but very short one.’ The Imam said, ‘After the morning-prayer until sunrise say, “Glory belongs to Allah, the Great and I praise H

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنْ يُعَلِّمَنِي دُعَاءً لِلرِّزْقِ فَعَلَّمَنِي دُعَاءً مَا رَأَيْتُ أَجْلَبَ مِنْهُ لِلرِّزْقِ قَالَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْوَاسِعِ الْحَلَالِ الطَّيِّبِ رِزْقاً وَاسِعاً حَلَالًا طَيِّباً بَلَاغاً لِلدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ صَبّاً صَبّاً[2] هَنِيئاً مَرِيئاً مِنْ غَيْرِ كَدٍّ وَ لَا مَنٍّ مِنْ أَحَدِ خَلْقِكَ إِلَّا سَعَةً مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْوَاسِعِ فَإِنَّكَ قُلْ

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) to instruct me with a supplication for sustenance and he taught me one. 1 had not found anything else as attracting sustenance as this. The Imam said, ‘Say O Lord, grant me out of Your vast magnanimity, lawful and pure sustenance, that is vast, lawful, pure and sufficient for this wor

ادْعُ فِي طَلَبِ الرِّزْقِ فِي الْمَكْتُوبَةِ وَ أَنْتَ سَاجِدٌ يَا خَيْرَ الْمَسْئُولِينَ وَ يَا خَيْرَ الْمُعْطِينَ ارْزُقْنِي وَ ارْزُقْ عِيَالِي مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْوَاسِعِ فَإِنَّكَ‌ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ‌.

“When pleading for sustenance in the obligatory prayer during prostration say, ‘O the best to plead to, O the best provider, grant me and my family sustenance from Your vast munificence; You are the Great, the Generous.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع يَدْعُو بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُسْنَ الْمَعِيشَةِ مَعِيشَةً أَتَقَوَّى بِهَا عَلَى جَمِيعِ حَوَائِجِي وَ أَتَوَصَّلُ بِهَا فِي الْحَيَاةِ إِلَى آخِرَتِي مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تُتْرِفَنِي فِيهَا فَأَطْغَى أَوْ تَقْتُرَ بِهَا عَلَيَّ فَأَشْقَى- أَوْسِعْ عَلَيَّ مِنْ حَلَالِ رِزْقِكَ وَ أَفِضْ عَلَيَّ مِنْ سَيْبِ فَضْلِكَ‌[4] نِعْمَةً مِنْكَ سَابِغَةً وَ عَطَاءً غَي

13. Abu Basir has narrated from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would pray and plead before Allah for help with this supplication: ‘O Lord, I plead before You for good means of living with which I may gain power for all of my needs and continue my life to the next life, but n

كَانَ كَتَبَهُ لِي فِي قِرْطَاسٍ- اللَّهُمَّ ارْدُدْ إِلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِكَ مَظَالِمَهُمُ الَّتِي قِبَلِي صَغِيرَهَا وَ كَبِيرَهَا فِي يُسْرٍ مِنْكَ وَ عَافِيَةٍ وَ مَا لَمْ تَبْلُغْهُ قُوَّتِي وَ لَمْ تَسَعْهُ ذَاتُ يَدِي وَ لَمْ يَقْوَ عَلَيْهِ بَدَنِي وَ يَقِينِي وَ نَفْسِي‌[2] فَأَدِّهِ عَنِّي مِنْ جَزِيلِ مَا عِنْدَكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ ثُمَّ لَا تَخْلُفْ عَلَيَّ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً تَقْضِيهِ مِنْ حَسَنَاتِي يَا أَرْحَمَ

‘O Lord, return to all of such of Your creatures whose usurped belongings may exist with me, in small or large amounts, with ease and good health and for whatever of such items that my ability, body, certainty, my soul and belongings are not sufficient, enough and able, pay and fulfill them on my behalf from the abunda

عَرَضَ بِي وَجَعٌ فِي رُكْبَتِي فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ إِذَا أَنْتَ صَلَّيْتَ فَقُلْ- يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَ يَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ وَ يَا أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْحِمَ ارْحَمْ ضَعْفِي وَ قِلَّةَ حِيلَتِي وَ عَافِنِي مِنْ وَجَعِي قَالَ فَفَعَلْتُهُ فَعُوفِيتُ.

“Once my knee became painful and I complain before abu Ja’far (a.s.) and he instructed me to say after prayer, ‘O the Most Generous of the givers, O the Best of those pleaded for help, O the Most Merciful of the merciful ones, be kind to my weakness, lack of strength and grant me recovery from my pain.’ I (the narrator

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِعِزَّةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِقُدْرَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَلَالِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِعَظَمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِمَغْفِرَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِرَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِسُلْطَانِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي‌ هُوَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ* وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَرَمِ اللَّهِ وَ أَعُوذُ بِجَمْعِ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَرِّ كُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ وَ كُلِّ شَيْطَانٍ مَرِيدٍ- وَ شَرِّ كُلِّ قَر

“For protection say, ‘I seek protection with the majesty of Allah, I seek protection with the power of Allah, I seek protection with glory of Allah, I seek protection with the greatness of Allah, I seek protection with the pardoning of Allah, I seek protection with the forgiveness of Allah, I seek protection with the m

أَتَى جَبْرَئِيلُ ع إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقُولُ لَكَ إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَعْبُدَنِي يَوْماً وَ لَيْلَةً حَقَّ عِبَادَتِي فَارْفَعْ يَدَيْكَ إِلَيَّ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً خَالِداً مَعَ خُلُودِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا مُنْتَهَى لَهُ دُونَ عِلْمِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا أَمَدَ لَهُ دُونَ مَشِيئَتِكَ وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْداً لَا جَزَاءَ لِقَائِلِهِ إِلَّا رِ

16. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid in a marfu’ manner has narrated the following: “Once Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘Your Lord says to you, “When you like to worship Me a day or night a true worshipping, raise your hands to Me and say, ‘O Lord, all praise