Humility

قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى بَشَّرَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَ الْفَهْمِ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَقَالَ‌ فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ‌ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ اللَّهُ‌ وَ أُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ‌[3] يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى أَكْمَلَ لِلنَّاسِ الْحُجَجَ بِالْعُقُولِ وَ نَصَرَ النّ

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said to me the following, ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason (intelligence) and understanding in His book in the following words, “Give the good news to those of My servants who hear certain words but follow only the good wo

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,

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ آتِيهِ وَ أُكَلِّمُهُ بِبَعْضِ كَلَامِي فَيَعْرِفُهُ كُلَّهُ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ آتِيهِ فَأُكَلِّمُهُ بِالْكَلَامِ فَيَسْتَوْفِي كَلَامِي كُلَّهُ ثُمَّ يَرُدُّهُ عَلَيَّ كَمَا كَلَّمْتُهُ وَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ آتِيهِ فَأُكَلِّمُهُ فَيَقُولُ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ وَ مَا تَدْرِي لِمَ هَذَا قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ الَّذِي تُكَلِّمُهُ بِبَعْضِ كَلَامِكَ فَيَعْرِفُهُ كُلَّهُ فَذَا

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s), “A man comes to me and as soon as I speak to him only a part of what I want to say he understands it all. There are also people who come to me and I speak to them all that I want to speak and only then they understand all of my statements. And explain to me what I meant. There are still

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اطْلُبُوا الْعِلْمَ وَ تَزَيَّنُوا مَعَهُ بِالْحِلْمِ وَ الْوَقَارِ وَ تَوَاضَعُوا لِمَنْ تُعَلِّمُونَهُ الْعِلْمَ وَ تَوَاضَعُوا لِمَنْ طَلَبْتُمْ مِنْهُ الْعِلْمَ وَ لَا تَكُونُوا عُلَمَاءَ جَبَّارِينَ فَيَذْهَبَ بَاطِلُكُمْ بِحَقِّكُمْ.

“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said. “Seek knowledge and beautify it with forbearance and dignity. Be humble to your students and to those from whom you learn. Do not be a tyrant scholar lest your falsehood would destroy the truth in you.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا يَكُونُ السَّفَهُ وَ الْغِرَّةُ فِي قَلْبِ الْعَالِمِ‌[3].

“Foolishness and arrogance are not found in the hearts of the scholars.”

قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع يَا مَعْشَرَ الْحَوَارِيِّينَ لِي إِلَيْكُمْ حَاجَةٌ اقْضُوهَا لِي قَالُوا قُضِيَتْ حَاجَتُكَ يَا رُوحَ اللَّهِ فَقَامَ فَغَسَلَ أَقْدَامَهُمْ‌[1] فَقَالُوا كُنَّا نَحْنُ أَحَقَّ بِهَذَا يَا رُوحَ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَحَقَّ النَّاسِ بِالْخِدْمَةِ الْعَالِمُ إِنَّمَا تَوَاضَعْتُ هَكَذَا لِكَيْمَا تَتَوَاضَعُوا بَعْدِي فِي النَّاسِ كَتَوَاضُعِي لَكُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ عِيسَى ع بِالتَّوَاضُعِ

Jesus son of Mary (as) has said: “O disciples, I have a need that I request you to fulfill." They said, “Your request is granted, Oh Spirit of God.” Jesus then got up and washed their feet, the disciples then said, “It was upon us to serve you, Oh Spirit of God.” So he said, “Of the people who must serve others are the

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع يَقُولُ‌ يَا طَالِبَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ ذُو فَضَائِلَ كَثِيرَةٍ فَرَأْسُهُ التَّوَاضُعُ وَ عَيْنُهُ الْبَرَاءَةُ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ وَ أُذُنُهُ الْفَهْمُ وَ لِسَانُهُ الصِّدْقُ وَ حِفْظُهُ الْفَحْصُ وَ قَلْبُهُ حُسْنُ النِّيَّةِ وَ عَقْلُهُ مَعْرِفَةُ الْأَشْيَاءِ وَ الْأُمُورِ وَ يَدُهُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَ رِجْلُهُ زِيَارَةُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَ هِمَّتُ

2. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Nuh ibn Shu‘ayb al-Naysaburi from ‘Ubaydallah ibn ‘Abdallah al-Dihqan from Durust ibn abu Mansur from ’Urwa cousin of Shu‘ayb al-’Aqarqi from Shu‘ayb from abu Basir who has said the following. “(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said that Imam Ali (a.

طَلَبَةُ الْعِلْمِ ثَلَاثَةٌ فَاعْرِفْهُمْ بِأَعْيَانِهِمْ وَ صِفَاتِهِمْ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلِاسْتِطَالَةِ وَ الْخَتْلِ وَ صِنْفٌ يَطْلُبُهُ لِلْفِقْهِ وَ الْعَقْلِ فَصَاحِبُ الْجَهْلِ وَ الْمِرَاءِ مُوذٍ مُمَارٍ مُتَعَرِّضٌ لِلْمَقَالِ فِي أَنْدِيَةِ الرِّجَالِ بِتَذَاكُرِ الْعِلْمِ وَ صِفَةِ الْحِلْمِ قَدْ تَسَرْبَلَ بِالْخُشُوعِ وَ تَخَلَّى مِنَ الْوَرَعِ فَدَقَّ الل

“The seekers of knowledge are of three kinds. The more noticeable of them in person or character are: (a) the group who seeks knowledge for ignorance and quarrel. (b) The group who seeks knowledge to dominate and cheat others. (c) The group who seeks knowledge for proper understanding, Fiqh, and power of intelligence.

إِنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ الدَّيَصَانِيَ‌[1] سَأَلَ هِشَامَ بْنَ الْحَكَمِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ لَكَ رَبٌّ فَقَالَ بَلَى قَالَ أَ قَادِرٌ هُوَ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَادِرٌ قَاهِرٌ قَالَ يَقْدِرُ أَنْ يُدْخِلَ الدُّنْيَا كُلَّهَا الْبَيْضَةَ لَا تَكْبُرُ الْبَيْضَةُ وَ لَا تَصْغُرُ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ هِشَامٌ النَّظِرَةَ[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ قَدْ أَنْظَرْتُكَ حَوْلًا ثُمَّ خَرَجَ عَنْهُ فَرَكِبَ هِشَامٌ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَاسْتَأْذَ

‘Abdallah al-Daysani asked Hisham ibn al-Hakam, ‘Do you have a God?’” He replied, “Yes, I have a God.” He then asked, “Is He powerful?” Hisham then replied, “Yes, He is powerful and the most powerful One.” The man then asked, “Can He fit the whole world inside an egg without any change in the size of either one?” Hisha

لِلزِّنْدِيقِ حِينَ سَأَلَهُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ بِخِلَافِ الْأَشْيَاءِ ارْجِعْ بِقَوْلِي إِلَى إِثْبَاتِ مَعْنًى وَ أَنَّهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ بِحَقِيقَةِ الشَّيْئِيَّةِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ لَا جِسْمٌ وَ لَا صُورَةٌ وَ لَا يُحَسُّ وَ لَا يُجَسُّ وَ لَا يُدْرَكُ بِالْحَوَاسِّ الْخَمْسِ لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَوْهَامُ وَ لَا تَنْقُصُهُ الدُّهُورُ وَ لَا تُغَيِّرُهُ الْأَزْمَانُ فَقَالَ لَهُ السَّائِلُ فَتَقُولُ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ بَ

6. It is narrated from Imam abu “Abdallah (a.s.), who said this to an atheist on being asked a question. “He (Allah) is a thing but different from all other things. I repeat my statement that speaks about Him as a thing. He is a thing in the sense of the reality of things except that He does not have a body and form. H

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

كُنَّا مَعَ الرِّضَا ع بِمَرْوَ فَاجْتَمَعْنَا فِي الْجَامِعِ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي بَدْءِ مَقْدَمِنَا فَأَدَارُوا أَمْرَ الْإِمَامَةِ وَ ذَكَرُوا كَثْرَةَ اخْتِلَافِ النَّاسِ فِيهَا فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَى سَيِّدِي ع فَأَعْلَمْتُهُ خَوْضَ النَّاسِ فِيهِ فَتَبَسَّمَ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَبْدَ الْعَزِيزِ جَهِلَ الْقَوْمُ وَ خُدِعُوا عَنْ آرَائِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَقْبِضْ نَبِيَّهُ ص حَتَّى أَكْمَلَ لَهُ ال

1. Abu Muhammad al-Qasim ibn al-’Ala’, may Allah grant him blessings, in a marfu‘ manner (rafa’abu), has narrated from ‘Ad al-’Aziz ibn Muslim the following. “We had been with al-Rida (a.s.) at Marw. During an assembly in the central mosque on Friday, we attended the gathering. It was when we had just arrived (in Marw)

أَنَّهُ كَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الرِّضَا ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص كَانَ أَمِينَ اللَّهِ فِي خَلْقِهِ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَ ص كُنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَرَثَتَهُ فَنَحْنُ أُمَنَاءُ اللَّهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ‌[1] عِنْدَنَا عِلْمُ الْبَلَايَا وَ الْمَنَايَا وَ أَنْسَابُ الْعَرَبِ‌[2] وَ مَوْلِدُ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ إِنَّا لَنَعْرِفُ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا رَأَيْنَاهُ بِحَقِيقَةِ الْإِيمَانِ وَ حَقِيقَةِ النِّفَاقِ وَ إِنَّ شِيعَتَنَا لَمَك

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn al-Muhtadi from ‘Adallah ibn Jundab to who Imam al-Rida (a.s.) wrote the following. “Thereafter, (thanking Allah) Muhammad (s.a.) was the trustee of Allah for His creatures. When he was taken away from this world we, Ahl al-Bayt inherited him, thus,

إِنِّي لَأَعْلَمُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي النَّارِ وَ أَعْلَمُ مَا كَانَ وَ مَا يَكُونُ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَكَثَ هُنَيْئَةً فَرَأَى أَنَّ ذَلِكَ كَبُرَ عَلَى مَنْ سَمِعَهُ مِنْهُ فَقَالَ عَلِمْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ فِيهِ تِبْيَانُ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ[1].

“I certainly know what is the heavens and what is in the earth. I know what is in paradise and what is the fire. I know what was there and what will be there.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) paused for a while and found that what he had just said was much heavy for the audience then he (a.s.) said, “I learn

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الدَّلَالَةِ عَلَى صَاحِبِ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ فَقَالَ الدَّلَالَةُ عَلَيْهِ الْكِبَرُ وَ الْفَضْلُ وَ الْوَصِيَّةُ إِذَا قَدِمَ الرَّكْبُ الْمَدِينَةَ فَقَالُوا إِلَى مَنْ أَوْصَى فُلَانٌ قِيلَ إِلَى فُلَانِ بْنِ فُلَانٍ وَ دُورُوا مَعَ السِّلَاحِ حَيْثُمَا دَارَ فَأَمَّا الْمَسَائِلُ فَلَيْسَ فِيهَا حُجَّةٌ.

"I asked him about the evidence for the one in charge of this matter. He said, 'The evidence for him is his seniority, virtue, and the bequest when the caravan arrives in the city. They say, 'To whom did so-and-so bequeath?' It is said, 'To so-and-so, son of so-and-so,' and they revolve with the weapons wherever they r

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ كَبِرَ سِنِّي فَخُذْ بِيَدِي مِنَ النَّارِ قَالَ فَأَشَارَ إِلَى ابْنِهِ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع فَقَالَ هَذَا صَاحِبُكُمْ مِنْ بَعْدِي.

“I said to abu Ibrahim (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have become old, take my hand out of fire.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) pointed to his son, abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and then said, “This is your guardian after me.”

لَهُمْ يَا بَيَّاعِي مُسُوخِ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَ جُنْدِ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ فَقَامَ إِلَيْهِ فُرَاتُ بْنُ أَحْنَفَ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ مَا جُنْدُ بَنِي مَرْوَانَ قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْوَامٌ حَلَقُوا اللِّحَى وَ فَتَلُوا الشَّوَارِبَ فَمُسِخُوا فَلَمْ أَرَ نَاطِقاً أَحْسَنَ نُطْقاً مِنْهُ ثُمَّ اتَّبَعْتُهُ فَلَمْ أَزَلْ أَقْفُو أَثَرَهُ حَتَّى قَعَدَ فِي رَحَبَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ

“I saw Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in the (market) place of the Shurtat al-Khamis with a two pronged whip in his had. With it he would scare the sellers of inedible fish such as eel, moray and angler etc., and say, “O sellers of metamorphosed Israelites and the army of the descendants of Marwan, do not sell (inedible fishe

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا رَجُلًا يُقَالُ لَهُ كُلَيْبٌ فَلَا يَجِي‌ءُ عَنْكُمْ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِلَّا قَالَ أَنَا أُسَلِّمُ فَسَمَّيْنَاهُ كُلَيْبَ تَسْلِيمٍ قَالَ فَتَرَحَّمَ عَلَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَ تَدْرُونَ مَا التَّسْلِيمُ فَسَكَتْنَا فَقَالَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ الْإِخْبَاتُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَ عَمِلُوا الصَّالِحاتِ وَ أَخْبَتُوا إِلى‌ رَبِّهِمْ‌[1].

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘Among us there is a man called Kulayb. Nothing comes from you but that he says, “I submit to it.” Thus, we call him, “Kulayb, the submissive.” The narrator has said that The Imam (a.s) expressed kindness towards him and prayed and then said, “Do you know what submission is?” We remaine

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- كَبُرَ عَلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ‌ بِوَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍ‌ ما تَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَيْهِ‌[4] يَا مُحَمَّدُ مِنْ وَلَايَةِ عَلِيٍّ هَكَذَا فِي الْكِتَابِ مَخْطُوطَةٌ[5].

Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from ‘Abd Allah ibn Idris from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Rida, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following “About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Gracious: ‘A grave concern it [Leadership with Divine Authority of Ali, re

لَمَّا انْقَضَى أَمْرُ الْمَخْلُوعِ‌[1] وَ اسْتَوَى الْأَمْرُ لِلْمَأْمُونِ كَتَبَ إِلَى الرِّضَا ع يَسْتَقْدِمُهُ إِلَى خُرَاسَانَ فَاعْتَلَّ عَلَيْهِ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ ع بِعِلَلٍ فَلَمْ يَزَلِ الْمَأْمُونُ يُكَاتِبُهُ فِي ذَلِكَ حَتَّى عَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لَا مَحِيصَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَكُفُّ عَنْهُ فَخَرَجَ ع وَ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع سَبْعُ سِنِينَ فَكَتَبَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَأْمُونُ لَا تَأْخُذْ عَلَى طَرِيقِ الْجَبَلِ وَ قُم

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from from Yasir al-Khadim and al-Rayyan ibn al-Salt all have said the following. “When the matter of the deposed Caliph (Amin) ended and it was established for al-Ma’mun he wrote to al-Rida asking to come to Khurasan. Abu al-Hassan (a.s.) in reply presented certain reason to justify his

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- حُنَفاءَ لِلَّهِ‌ غَيْرَ مُشْرِكِينَ بِهِ‌[3] قَالَ الْحَنِيفِيَّةُ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ اللَّهُ‌ النَّاسَ عَلَيْها لا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ‌- قَالَ فَطَرَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَعْرِفَةِ بِهِ قَالَ زُرَارَةُ وَ سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذْ أَخَذَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ مِنْ ظُهُورِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَ أَشْهَدَهُمْ عَلى‌ أَنْفُسِهِمْ

“I asked him (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘They are humble before Allah and they do not consider anything as partners of Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘Humbleness comes from the nature with which Allah has created all people and there is no change in the creation of Allah.’ The Imam also said,

خَالِصاً مُخْلِصاً لَيْسَ فِيهِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ الْأَوْثَانِ.

“About the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘. . . humble and submitted.’ (3:67), the Imam said, ‘It (humble and submitted) is one purely sincere who has nothing within him from the worship of Idols.’”

دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع وَ مَعَهُ صَحِيفَةٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ صَحِيفَةُ مُخَاصِمٍ يَسْأَلُ‌[1] عَنِ الدِّينِ الَّذِي يُقْبَلُ فِيهِ الْعَمَلُ فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ هَذَا الَّذِي أُرِيدُ فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً ص عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ تُقِرَّ بِمَا جَاءَ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ الْوَلَايَةُ لَنَ

13. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Aban from Isma’il al-Ja’fi who has said the following: “Once a man came to abu Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant. He had a book with him. Abu Ja’far said, ‘This is the book of a polemicist who wants to

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

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ مِمَّا حُفِظَ مِنْ خُطَبِ النَّبِيِّ ص أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ لَكُمْ مَعَالِمَ فَانْتَهُوا إِلَى مَعَالِمِكُمْ وَ إِنَّ لَكُمْ نِهَايَةً فَانْتَهُوا إِلَى نِهَايَتِكُمْ أَلَا إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ مَخَافَتَيْنِ بَيْنَ أَجَلٍ قَدْ مَضَى لَا يَدْرِي مَا اللَّهُ صَانِعٌ فِيهِ وَ بَيْنَ أَجَلٍ قَدْ بَقِيَ لَا يَدْرِي مَا اللَّهُ قَاضٍ فِيهِ فَل

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Of the preserved speeches of the Holy Prophet one is his words as follows: “O people, for you there are the sources of knowledge. You must reach out to them. For you there are the end goals and you must reach them. You must know that a believer works between two frightening facts.

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

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ فِي السَّمَاءِ مَلَكَيْنِ مُوَكَّلَيْنِ بِالْعِبَادِ فَمَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَاهُ وَ مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ وَضَعَاهُ.

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘In heaven there are two angels who guard the servants (of Allah). Whoever is humble before Allah, they raise him up, and whoever is arrogant, they bring him low.’”

أَفْطَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- عَشِيَّةَ خَمِيسٍ فِي مَسْجِدِ قُبَا فَقَالَ هَلْ مِنْ شَرَابٍ فَأَتَاهُ أَوْسُ بْنُ خَوَلِيٍّ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِعُسِّ مَخِيضٍ بِعَسَلٍ‌[1] فَلَمَّا وَضَعَهُ عَلَى فِيهِ نَحَّاهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ شَرَابَانِ يُكْتَفَى بِأَحَدِهِمَا مِنْ صَاحِبِهِ لَا أَشْرَبُهُ وَ لَا أُحَرِّمُهُ وَ لَكِنْ أَتَوَاضَعُ لِلَّهِ فَإِنَّ مَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ وَ مَنْ تَكَبَّرَ خَفَضَهُ اللَّهُ وَ م

‘‘In a Thursday evening the Messenger of Allah had completed his day’s fasting and dinner was served in the Mosque of Quba. He asked, ‘Is there any drink?’ Aws ibn Khuli brought him a bowl of milk mixed with honey. When he touched it with his lips he moved it away saying, ‘There are two drinks each of which is enough d

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَذْكُرُ أَنَّهُ أَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص مَلَكٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُخَيِّرُكَ أَنْ تَكُونَ عَبْداً رَسُولًا مُتَوَاضِعاً أَوْ مَلِكاً رَسُولًا قَالَ فَنَظَرَ إِلَى جَبْرَئِيلَ وَ أَوْمَأَ بِيَدِهِ‌[4] أَنْ تَوَاضَعْ فَقَالَ عَبْداً مُتَوَاضِعاً رَسُولًا فَقَالَ الرَّسُولُ‌[5] مَعَ أَنَّهُ لَا يَنْقُصُكَ مِمَّا عِنْدَ رَبِّكَ شَيْئاً قَالَ وَ مَعَهُ مَفَاتِيحُ خَزَائِنِ الْ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Once an angel came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, gives you the choice to be a servant and a humble messenger, or to be an angel and a messenger.” He looked to Jibril who made a gesture with his hand to be humble. He (the Messenger of A

مِنَ التَّوَاضُعِ أَنْ تَرْضَى بِالْمَجْلِسِ دُونَ الْمَجْلِسِ وَ أَنْ تُسَلِّمَ عَلَى مَنْ تَلْقَى وَ أَنْ تَتْرُكَ‌ الْمِرَاءَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ مُحِقّاً وَ أَنْ لَا تُحِبَّ أَنْ تُحْمَدَ عَلَى التَّقْوَى.

“It is of humbleness to be happy with one seat instead of another seat, to initiate the greeting of peace to one who meets him and to avoid extreme argumentation even though one is right, and should not love to be praised for piety.”

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى ع أَنْ يَا مُوسَى أَ تَدْرِي لِمَ اصْطَفَيْتُكَ بِكَلَامِي دُونَ خَلْقِي قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَ لِمَ ذَاكَ قَالَ فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى إِلَيْهِ أَنْ يَا مُوسَى إِنِّي قَلَّبْتُ عِبَادِي ظَهْراً لِبَطْنٍ فَلَمْ أَجِدْ فِيهِمْ أَحَداً أَذَلَّ لِي نَفْساً مِنْكَ يَا مُوسَى إِنَّكَ إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ وَضَعْتَ خَدَّكَ عَلَى التُّرَابِ أَوْ قَالَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ.

“Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelation to Moses asking, ‘Moses, do you know why I chose you to speak to instead of My other creatures?’ He asked, ‘My Lord, why did You do so?’ The Imam said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, revealed to Moses, “Moses, I turned My creatures upside down and I di

إِنَّ مِنَ التَّوَاضُعِ أَنْ يَجْلِسَ الرَّجُلُ دُونَ شَرَفِهِ.

"Verily, humility includes a man sitting below his social rank."

فِيمَا أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى دَاوُدَ ع يَا دَاوُدُ كَمَا أَنَّ أَقْرَبَ النَّاسِ‌ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْمُتَوَاضِعُونَ كَذَلِكَ أَبْعَدُ النَّاسِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْمُتَكَبِّرُونَ.

"In what Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, revealed to David (a.s.): 'O David, just as the closest people to Allah are the humble, likewise the farthest people from Allah are the arrogant.'"

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع فِي السَّنَةِ الَّتِي قُبِضَ فِيهَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا لَكَ ذَبَحْتَ كَبْشاً وَ نَحَرَ فُلَانٌ بَدَنَةً[1] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُحَمَّدٍ إِنَّ نُوحاً ع كَانَ فِي السَّفِينَةِ وَ كَانَ فِيهَا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَ كَانَتِ السَّفِينَةُ مَأْمُورَةً فَطَافَتْ بِالْبَيْتِ وَ هُوَ طَوَافُ النِّسَاءِ وَ خَلَّى سَبِيلَهَا نُوحٌ ع فَأَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ و

“I entered upon Abu al-Hasan Musa (a.s.) in the year when Abu Abdullah (a.s.) passed away. I said, 'May I be your ransom, why did you slaughter a ram while so-and-so sacrificed a camel?' He (peace be upon him) said, 'O Abu Muhammad, Noah (a.s.) was in the Ark, and it contained what Allah willed. The Ark was commanded (

قَالَ: التَّوَاضُعُ أَنْ تُعْطِيَ النَّاسَ- مَا تُحِبُّ أَنْ تُعْطَاهُ. - وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ قَالَ قُلْتُ مَا حَدُّ التَّوَاضُعِ الَّذِي إِذَا فَعَلَهُ الْعَبْدُ كَانَ مُتَوَاضِعاً فَقَالَ التَّوَاضُعُ دَرَجَاتٌ مِنْهَا أَنْ يَعْرِفَ الْمَرْءُ قَدْرَ نَفْسِهِ فَيُنْزِلَهَا مَنْزِلَتَهَا بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ لَا يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ إِلَى أَحَدٍ إِلَّا مِثْلَ مَا يُؤْتَى إِلَيْهِ إِنْ رَأَى سَيِّئَةً دَرَأَهَا[6] بِالْ

سُئِلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ فَقَالَ مَا مِنْ عَمَلٍ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَةِ اللَّهِ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ وَ مَعْرِفَةِ رَسُولِهِ ص أَفْضَلَ مِنْ بُغْضِ الدُّنْيَا وَ إِنَّ لِذَلِكَ لَشُعَباً كَثِيرَةً[5] وَ لِلْمَعَاصِي شُعَباً فَأَوَّلُ مَا عُصِيَ اللَّهُ بِهِ الْكِبْرُ وَ هِيَ مَعْصِيَةُ إِبْلِيسَ حِينَ‌ أَبى‌ وَ اسْتَكْبَرَ وَ كانَ مِنَ الْكافِرِينَ‌ وَ الْحِرْصُ

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was asked, ‘Which deed is more meritorious in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy?’ The Imam said, ‘No deed, after knowing Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and the Messenger of Allah is more meritorious than to dislike (and hate) the world. It has many branches. Sins h

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَنْ يَرْغَبَ الْمَرْءُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ‌[3] وَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَا مَالٍ وَ وَلَدٍ وَ عَنْ مَوَدَّتِهِمْ وَ كَرَامَتِهِمْ وَ دِفَاعِهِمْ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ وَ أَلْسِنَتِهِمْ هُمْ أَشَدُّ النَّاسِ حِيطَةً[4] مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَ أَعْطَفُهُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَ أَلَمُّهُمْ لِشَعَثِهِ إِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ مُصِيبَةٌ أَوْ نَزَلَ بِهِ بَعْضُ مَكَارِهِ الْأُمُورِ وَ مَنْ يَقْبِضْ يَدَهُ عَنْ عَشِيرَتِهِ فَإِنَّمَا

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘A man must never turn away from his relatives, even if he is wealthy and has many children. He must not fail to love them, must not ignore their honor, their defense with his hands and tongue. They are the strongest defending power behind him and the most kind to

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.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ أَبِي قَدْ كَبِرَ جِدّاً وَ ضَعُفَ فَنَحْنُ نَحْمِلُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ الْحَاجَةَ فَقَالَ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَلِيَ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ فَافْعَلْ وَ لَقِّمْهُ بِيَدِكَ فَإِنَّهُ جُنَّةٌ لَكَ غَداً.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘My father has become very old and weak. We pick him up and help him for the restrooms.’ The Imam said, ‘If you can, you should do all of this for him and feed him with your own hand; it is paradise for you tomorrow. ’”

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ خَرَجَ إِلَى أَخِيهِ يَزُورُهُ‌[1] عَارِفاً بِحَقِّهِ كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَسَنَةً وَ مُحِيَتْ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَةٌ وَ رُفِعَتْ لَهُ دَرَجَةٌ وَ إِذَا طَرَقَ الْبَابَ فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ فَإِذَا الْتَقَيَا وَ تَصَافَحَا وَ تَعَانَقَا أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا بِوَجْهِهِ ثُمَّ بَاهَى بِهِمَا الْمَلَائِكَةَ فَيَقُولُ انْظُرُوا إِلَى عَبْدَيَّ تَزَاوَرَا وَ تَحَابَّا فِيّ

“Any believer who leaves (his home) to visit his brother (in belief) because of his knowledge of the importance of such person, Allah writes for him, for every step, one good deed, deletes one evil deed, and raises him one degree in meritorious status. When he knocks at his door, the doors to heaven open to him. When t

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)

مَرَّ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع بِمَجْلِسٍ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِقَوْمٍ بِيضٍ ثِيَابُهُمْ‌[1] صَافِيَةٍ أَلْوَانُهُمْ كَثِيرٍ ضِحْكُهُمْ يُشِيرُونَ بِأَصَابِعِهِمْ إِلَى مَنْ يَمُرُّ بِهِمْ‌[2] ثُمَّ مَرَّ بِمَجْلِسٍ لِلْأَوْسِ وَ الْخَزْرَجِ فَإِذَا قَوْمٌ بُلِيَتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَبْدَانُ وَ دَقَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الرِّقَابُ وَ اصْفَرَّتْ مِنْهُمُ الْأَلْوَانُ وَ قَدْ تَوَاضَعُوا بِالْكَلَامِ فَتَعَجَّبَ عَلِيٌّ ع مِن

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once passed by a gathering of Quraysh where he found the people in white clothes, of clear complexion, frequently laughing and who pointed out their fingers to whoever passed (near) by. Then he passed by a gathering of al- Aws and Khazraj where he found people of worn out bo

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ لَا يَحْسُدْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً إِنَّ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ كَانَ مِنْ شَرَائِعِهِ السَّيْحُ فِي الْبِلَادِ[2] فَخَرَجَ فِي بَعْضِ سَيْحِهِ وَ مَعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِهِ قَصِيرٌ وَ كَانَ كَثِيرَ اللُّزُومِ لِعِيسَى ع فَلَمَّا انْتَهَى عِيسَى إِلَى الْبَحْرِ قَالَ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ بِصِحَّةِ يَقِينٍ مِنْهُ فَمَشَى عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْمَاءِ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ الْ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Be pious before Allah and do not envy each other. It was in the Shari’a of Jesus to travel in the land. During one of his journeys one of his companions, who was of short height, accompanied him very often. When they reached the sea, Jesus with correct certainty said, ‘(I begin) i

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ آفَةُ الدِّينِ الْحَسَدُ وَ الْعُجْبُ وَ الْفَخْرُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Among the tragedies for religion is envy, feeling self- important and proud.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَدْنَى الْإِلْحَادِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْكِبْرَ أَدْنَاهُ.

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about a minimum degree of atheism and the Imam said, ‘Arrogance is its minimum.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْكِبْرُ قَدْ يَكُونُ فِي شِرَارِ النَّاسِ مِنْ كُلِّ جِنْسٍ وَ الْكِبْرُ رِدَاءُ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ نَازَعَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رِدَاءَهُ لَمْ يَزِدْهُ اللَّهُ إِلَّا سَفَالًا[1] إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص مَرَّ فِي بَعْضِ طُرُقِ الْمَدِينَةِ وَ سَوْدَاءُ تَلْقُطُ السِّرْقِينَ‌[2] فَقِيلَ لَهَا تَنَحَّيْ عَنْ طَرِيقِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَتْ إِنَّ الطَّرِيقَ لَمُعْرَضٌ‌[3] فَهَمَّ بِهَا بَعْضُ الْق

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Arrogance can be found in mischievous people of all sexes. Pride is the gown of Allah. Therefore, whoever disputes Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, about His gown; it will only bring him low. Once, the Messenger of Allah was passing through one of the streets of Madina. On the w

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ الْعِزُّ رِدَاءُ اللَّهِ وَ الْكِبْرُ إِزَارُهُ فَمَنْ تَنَاوَلَ شَيْئاً مِنْهُ أَكَبَّهُ اللَّهُ فِي جَهَنَّمَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Majesty is the gown of Allah and pride is His loin clothe, therefore, whoever holds to any of these, Allah will throw him in hell.’”

الْكِبْرُ رِدَاءُ اللَّهِ وَ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ يُنَازِعُ اللَّهَ رِدَاءَهُ.

“Pride is the gown of Allah. An arrogant person (assuming arrogance) disputes Allah about His gown.”

الْكِبْرُ رِدَاءُ اللَّهِ فَمَنْ نَازَعَ اللَّهَ شَيْئاً مِنْ ذَلِكَ أَكَبَّهُ اللَّهُ فِي النَّارِ.

“Pride is the gown of Allah and whoever disputes Allah in anything about it, Allah will throw him into the fire.”