Justice

جَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ هُوَ يُرِيدُ بَعْضَ غَزَوَاتِهِ فَأَخَذَ بِغَرْزِ[1] رَاحِلَتِهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي عَمَلًا أَدْخُلُ بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَالَ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْكَ‌[2] فَأْتِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ مَا كَرِهْتَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُ النَّاسُ إِلَيْكَ فَلَا تَأْتِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ خَلِّ سَبِيلَ الرَّاحِلَةِ.

“Once an Arab man came to the Holy Prophet when he was about to leave for an armed campaign. The Arab held on to the harness of the horse of the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me a deed with which I can go to paradise.’ He said, ‘Do to people what you like them to do to you, and do not do anything

الْعَدْلُ أَحْلَى مِنَ الْمَاءِ يُصِيبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَا أَوْسَعَ الْعَدْلَ إِذَا عُدِلَ فِيهِ‌[4] وَ إِنْ قَلَّ.

“Justice is sweeter than water for a thirsty man. How vast is justice if exercised on an issue, even if it is a little one!”

مَنْ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ رُضِيَ بِهِ حَكَماً لِغَيْرِهِ.

“Whoever yields to justice for people against his own soul is accepted to judge others’ cases.”

أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى آدَمَ ع أَنِّي سَأَجْمَعُ لَكَ الْكَلَامَ فِي أَرْبَعِ كَلِمَاتٍ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ وَاحِدَةٌ لِي وَ وَاحِدَةٌ لَكَ وَ وَاحِدَةٌ فِيمَا بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَكَ وَ وَاحِدَةٌ فِيمَا بَيْنَكَ وَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ بَيِّنْهُنَّ لِي حَتَّى أَعْلَمَهُنَّ قَالَ أَمَّا الَّتِي لِي فَتَعْبُدُنِي‌ لا تُشْرِكْ بِي شَيْئاً وَ أَمَّا الَّتِي لَكَ فَأَجْزِيكَ بِعَمَلِكَ

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Yusuf ibn ‘Imran ibn Maytham from Ya’qub ibn Shu’ayb from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent a revelation to Adam that said, ‘I will gather together all words fo

اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ اعْدِلُوا فَإِنَّكُمْ تَعِيبُونَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ لَا يَعْدِلُونَ.

“Be pious before Allah and practice justice; you blame other people for not doing justice to others.”

الْعَدْلُ أَحْلَى مِنَ الشَّهْدِ وَ أَلْيَنُ مِنَ الزُّبْدِ وَ أَطْيَبُ رِيحاً مِنَ الْمِسْكِ.

“Justice is sweeter than honey, softer than butter and smells sweeter than musk.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ كَانَ فِي ظِلِّ عَرْشِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ لَا ظِلَّ إِلَّا ظِلُّهُ‌[2] رَجُلٌ أَعْطَى النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ مَا هُوَ سَائِلُهُمْ وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يُقَدِّمْ رِجْلًا وَ لَمْ يُؤَخِّرْ رِجْلًا حَتَّى يَعْلَمَ أَنَّ ذَلِكَ لِلَّهِ رِضًا وَ رَجُلٌ لَمْ يَعِبْ أَخَاهُ الْمُسْلِمَ بِعَيْبٍ حَتَّى يَنْفِيَ ذَلِكَ الْعَيْبَ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ فَإِنَّهُ ل

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three things, or even one of them, will have a place under the shadow of the Throne of Allah on the Day when nothing will have any shadows (protective shelter). A man who gives to others what he asks from them, one who does not prevent another man from a forward position o

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَنْ وَاسَى الْفَقِيرَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ فَذَلِكَ الْمُؤْمِنُ حَقّاً.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comforts the poor with his property and yields to justice for people against his own soul indeed is a believer.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ مَا تَدَارَأَ[3] اثْنَانِ فِي أَمْرٍ قَطُّ فَأَعْطَى أَحَدُهُمَا النَّصَفَ صَاحِبَهُ فَلَمْ يَقْبَلْ مِنْهُ إِلَّا أُدِيلَ مِنْهُ‌[4].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘If two people disagree in something, one of them gives half as much to his companion, but if he would not accept, it will be compensated for him (recipient of more than half for his injustice).’”

إِنَّ لِلَّهِ جَنَّةً لَا يَدْخُلُهَا إِلَّا ثَلَاثَةٌ أَحَدُهُمْ مَنْ حَكَمَ فِي نَفْسِهِ بِالْحَقِّ.

‘Allah has a paradise wherein no one is admitted except three kinds of people of whom one is he who judges himself with the truth.”

الْعَدْلُ أَحْلَى مِنَ الْمَاءِ يُصِيبُهُ الظَّمْآنُ مَا أَوْسَعَ الْعَدْلَ إِذَا عُدِلَ فِيهِ وَ إِنْ قَلَ‌[1].

“Justice is sweeter than water is for a thirsty man. How vast is justice when it is practiced in an issue even though it would be very little!”

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.’

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تَكُونُ لِيَ الْقَرَابَةُ عَلَى غَيْرِ أَمْرِي أَ لَهُمْ عَلَيَّ حَقٌّ قَالَ نَعَمْ حَقُّ الرَّحِمِ لَا يَقْطَعُهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ إِذَا كَانُوا عَلَى أَمْرِكَ كَانَ لَهُمْ حَقَّانِ حَقُّ الرَّحِمِ وَ حَقُّ الْإِسْلَامِ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘I have certain relatives who are not in my way (my belief). Do they have any rights on me?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it is the right of maintaining good relations with relatives that is not cut off by any means. Had they been in the same way as your way they would have had two rights: The rig

قَالَ وَ أَنَا عِنْدَهُ لِعَبْدِ الْوَاحِدِ الْأَنْصَارِيِ‌ فِي بِرِّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً فَظَنَنَّا أَنَّهَا الْآيَةُ الَّتِي فِي بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ- وَ قَضى‌ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَ بِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً فَلَمَّا كَانَ بَعْدُ سَأَلْتُهُ فَقَالَ هِيَ الَّتِي فِي لُقْمَانَ- وَ وَصَّيْنَا الْإِنْسانَ بِوالِدَيْهِ‌ حُسْناً وَ إِنْ جاهَد

“Once the Imam spoke to ‘Abd al- Wahid al-Ansari, while I was present, about kindness to parents mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Be kind to parents.’ We thought it was the verse in Chapter Seventeen that says, ‘. . . the Lord has ordained that you must not worship anyone other than H

الْمُؤْمِنُ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ عَيْنُهُ وَ دَلِيلُهُ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَغُشُّهُ وَ لَا يَعِدُهُ عِدَةً فَيُخْلِفَهُ.

“The believer is a brother (in belief) of a believer, his eyes and his guide. He does not violate his trust, does not do injustice to him, or deceive him, and does not promise him only to ignore it later on.”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ هُوَ عَيْنُهُ وَ مِرْآتُهُ وَ دَلِيلُهُ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ لَا يَخْدَعُهُ وَ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَكْذِبُهُ وَ لَا يَغْتَابُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A Muslim is the brother (in belief) of a Muslim, he is his eyes, his mirror and his guide. He does not violate his trust, does not deceive him, does not do injustice to him, does not call him a liar and does not speak ill behind his back.’”

إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ أَخُو الْمُؤْمِنِ عَيْنُهُ وَ دَلِيلُهُ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَغُشُّهُ وَ لَا يَعِدُهُ عِدَةً فَيُخْلِفَهُ.

“The believer is the brother (in belief) of the believer, his eyes and his guide. He does not violate his trust, does not do injustice to him, does not deceive him and does not promise him only to ignore it later on.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَغْتَابُهُ وَ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ لَا يَحْرِمُهُ قَالَ رِبْعِيٌّ فَسَأَلَنِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ سَمِعْتُ فُضَيْلًا يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ نَعَمْ فَقَالَ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ- الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَغُشُّهُ وَ لَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not do injustice to him, does not betray him, does not speak ill of one behind his back, does not violate his trust and does not deprive him.’ Rib’i has said, ‘Certain individuals of our people asked me in Madina saying, “I have heard F

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ وَ سُئِلَ عَنْ إِيمَانِ مَنْ يَلْزَمُنَا حَقُّهُ وَ أُخُوَّتُهُ كَيْفَ هُوَ وَ بِمَا يَثْبُتُ وَ بِمَا يَبْطُلُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ قَدْ يُتَّخَذُ عَلَى وَجْهَيْنِ أَمَّا أَحَدُهُمَا فَهُوَ الَّذِي يَظْهَرُ لَكَ مِنْ صَاحِبِكَ فَإِذَا ظَهَرَ لَكَ مِنْهُ مِثْلُ الَّذِي تَقُولُ بِهِ أَنْتَ حَقَّتْ وَلَايَتُهُ وَ أُخُوَّتُهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَجِي‌ءَ مِنْهُ نَقْضٌ لِلَّذِي وَصَف

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, when he was asked about belief, and the rights of the believer, his brotherhood and how he is and by what means it is proved and is invalidated, ‘The belief is of two aspects. One is that which is manifested to you from your companion. If he manifests like what you believe in, his

مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يُشْبِعَ جَوْعَتَهُ وَ يُوَارِيَ عَوْرَتَهُ وَ يُفَرِّجَ عَنْهُ كُرْبَتَهُ وَ يَقْضِيَ دَيْنَهُ فَإِذَا مَاتَ خَلَفَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ وُلْدِهِ.

“Of the rights of the believer on his believing brother (in belief) is to satisfy his hunger, provide covering for his privacy, facilitate his hardships and pay off his debts. When he dies, look after his family and children.”

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ قَالَ لَهُ سَبْعُ حُقُوقٍ وَاجِبَاتٍ مَا مِنْهُنَّ حَقٌّ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ وَاجِبٌ إِنْ ضَيَّعَ مِنْهَا شَيْئاً خَرَجَ مِنْ وِلَايَةِ اللَّهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ وَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ مِنْ نَصِيبٍ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَ مَا هِيَ قَالَ يَا مُعَلَّى إِنِّي عَلَيْكَ شَفِيقٌ أَخَافُ أَنْ تُضَيِّعَ وَ لَا تَحْفَظَ وَ تَعْلَمَ وَ لَا تَعْمَلَ قَالَ قُلْتُ ل

“Once I asked the Imam, ‘What are the rights of the Muslim on the Muslim?’ The Imam said, ‘He has seven categories of rights that are obligatory, each of which is compulsory. If he jeopardizes a single one of them he is out of the domain of guardianship ( Walayah ) of Allah and obedience to Him. There will be no share

كَتَبَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا يَسْأَلُونَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ وَ أَمَرُونِي أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَلَمْ يُجِبْنِي فَلَمَّا جِئْتُ لِأُوَدِّعَهُ فَقُلْتُ سَأَلْتُكَ فَلَمْ تُجِبْنِي فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَخَافُ أَنْ تَكْفُرُوا إِنَّ مِنْ أَشَدِّ مَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى خَلْقِهِ ثَلَاثاً إِنْصَافَ الْمَرْءِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ حَتَّى لَا يَرْضَى لِأَخِيهِ مِنْ نَفْسِه

“Once certain individual of our people wrote to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking him about certain issues and they ordered me to ask the Imam about the rights of the Muslim on his Muslim brother and I asked the Imam but he did not answer me. When I went to say farewell to him I said, ‘I asked you that question but you did n

مَا عُبِدَ اللَّهُ بِشَيْ‌ءٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ أَدَاءِ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ.

“Allah the best way to worship is to fulfil (protect) the rights of the believer.”

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

لِلْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى أَخِيهِ الْمُسْلِمِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ يُسَلِّمَ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا لَقِيَهُ وَ يَعُودَهُ إِذَا مَرِضَ وَ يَنْصَحَ لَهُ‌[2] إِذَا غَابَ وَ يُسَمِّتَهُ إِذَا عَطَسَ‌[3] وَ يُجِيبَهُ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَ يَتْبَعَهُ إِذَا مَاتَ. - عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ مِثْلَهُ.

“Of the rights of Muslin on a Muslim is to offer him the greeting of peace upon meeting him, visit him when he is ill, protect his interest when he is absent, say, ‘May Allah bless you’ when he sneezes, accept his invitation and take part in the procession for his funeral.” A number of our people have narrated from Ahm

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا حَقُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ الْمَوَدَّةَ لَهُ فِي صَدْرِهِ وَ الْمُوَاسَاةَ لَهُ فِي مَالِهِ وَ الْخَلَفَ لَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ وَ النُّصْرَةَ لَهُ عَلَى مَنْ ظَلَمَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ نَافِلَةٌ فِي الْمُسْلِمِينَ‌[4] وَ كَانَ غَائِباً أَخَذَ لَهُ بِنَصِيبِهِ وَ إِذَا مَاتَ الزِّيَارَةَ إِلَى قَبْرِهِ وَ أَنْ لَا يَظْلِمَهُ وَ أ

The Imam said, ‘Of the rights of the believer on the believer is to have compassion for him in his heart, assist him with his property, protect his interests in his absence in the matters of his family and support him against those who do injustice to him. If a benefit is distributed among the Muslims in his absence hi

كُنْتُ أَطُوفُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَعَرَضَ لِي رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا كَانَ سَأَلَنِي الذَّهَابَ مَعَهُ فِي حَاجَةٍ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيَّ فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ أَدَعَ‌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَذْهَبَ إِلَيْهِ فَبَيْنَا أَنَا أَطُوفُ إِذْ أَشَارَ إِلَيَّ أَيْضاً فَرَآهُ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ يَا أَبَانُ إِيَّاكَ يُرِيدُ هَذَا قُلْتُ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَمَنْ هُوَ قُلْتُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا قَالَ هُوَ عَلَى

“Once I was performing Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba) along with Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man from our people came up asking me to go with him for a certain need and hinted to me for that purpose, but I did not like to leave Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and go with him. I was still performing Tawaf when he mad

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ طَلْحَةَ فَقَالَ ابْتِدَاءً مِنْهُ يَا ابْنَ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سِتُّ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ عَنْ يَمِينِ اللَّهِ‌[2] فَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ وَ مَا هُنَّ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قَالَ يُحِبُّ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِأَعَزِّ أَهْلِهِ وَ يَ

“Once ibn abu Ya’fur, ‘Abd Allah ibn Talha and I were in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who on his own initiation said, ‘O ibn abu Ya’fur, the Messenger of Allah has said, “There are six things that if found in a person, he will be before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to the right of Allah (to the righ

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَدَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَسَلَّمَ فَسَأَلَهُ كَيْفَ مَنْ خَلَّفْتَ مِنْ إِخْوَانِكَ قَالَ فَأَحْسَنَ الثَّنَاءَ وَ زَكَّى وَ أَطْرَى‌[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ كَيْفَ عِيَادَةُ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ عَلَى فُقَرَائِهِمْ فَقَالَ قَلِيلَةٌ قَالَ وَ كَيْفَ مُشَاهَدَةُ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ لِفُقَرَائِهِمْ‌[3] قَالَ قَلِيلَةٌ قَالَ فَكَيْفَ صِلَةُ أَغْنِيَائِهِمْ لِفُقَرَائِهِمْ فِي ذَاتِ أَيْدِيهِمْ فَقَالَ إِنَّك

“Once, I was in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) when a man came and offered the greeting of peace. The Imam asked, ‘How are your brothers (in belief) whom you have left behind?’ He praised, admired and extolled them. The Imam asked, ‘Do their wealthy ones visit their poor ones?’ He said, ‘It is very rare.’ The Ima

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

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

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ أَ يَجِي‌ءُ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى أَخِيهِ فَيُدْخِلُ يَدَهُ فِي كِيسِهِ فَيَأْخُذُ حَاجَتَهُ فَلَا يَدْفَعُهُ فَقُلْتُ مَا أَعْرِفُ ذَلِكَ فِينَا فَقَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع فَلَا شَيْ‌ءَ إِذاً قُلْتُ فَالْهَلَاكُ إِذاً فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْقَوْمَ لَمْ يُعْطَوْا أَحْلَامَهُمْ بَعْدُ[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) once asked me, ‘Does your brother (in belief) come to you, stretch his hand in your pocket and take what he needs and you do not push him aside?’ I said, ‘I do not know that such things happen among us.’ Abu Ja’far (a.s.) then said, ‘There is nothing then.’ I said, ‘It is destruction then.’ The Imam

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ سَبْعُونَ حَقّاً لَا أُخْبِرُكَ إِلَّا بِسَبْعَةٍ فَإِنِّي عَلَيْكَ مُشْفِقٌ أَخْشَى أَلَّا تَحْتَمِلَ فَقُلْتُ بَلَى إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ لَا تَشْبَعُ وَ يَجُوعُ وَ لَا تَكْتَسِي وَ يَعْرَى وَ تَكُونُ دَلِيلَهُ وَ قَمِيصَهُ الَّذِي يَلْبَسُهُ‌[2] وَ لِسَانَهُ الَّذِي يَتَكَلَّمُ بِهِ وَ تُحِبُّ لَهُ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ لَكَ جَارِ

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan from Muhammad ibn ‘Uramah in a marfu’ manner from Mu’alla ibn Khanis who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the rights of the believer. The Imam said, ‘There are seventy categories of rights but I will only tell you of seven; I

الْمُسْلِمُ أَخُو الْمُسْلِمِ لَا يَظْلِمُهُ وَ لَا يَخْذُلُهُ وَ لَا يَخُونُهُ وَ يَحِقُّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ الِاجْتِهَادُ فِي التَّوَاصُلِ وَ التَّعَاوُنُ عَلَى التَّعَاطُفِ‌[3] وَ الْمُوَاسَاةُ لِأَهْلِ الْحَاجَةِ وَ تَعَاطُفُ بَعْضِهِمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رُحَمَاءَ بَيْنَكُمْ‌[4] مُتَرَاحِمِينَ مُغْتَمِّينَ لِمَا غَابَ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ عَلَى مَا مَضَى

“The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim (in belief). He does not do injustice to him, does not betray him, and does not violate his trust. It is worthwhile for the Muslims to be assiduous in maintaining good relations with each other, be kind to each other, assist the needy ones financially and be compassionate toward

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ حَقٌّ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَراً أَنْ يُعْلِمَ إِخْوَانَهُ وَ حَقٌّ عَلَى إِخْوَانِهِ إِذَا قَدِمَ أَنْ يَأْتُوهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘It is a right upon a Muslim to inform his brothers (in belief) of his decision to go on a journey. It is a right upon his Muslim brothers to visit him when he returns from the journey.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ لِأَصْحَابِهِ‌ اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَ كُونُوا إِخْوَةً بَرَرَةً مُتَحَابِّينَ فِي اللَّهِ مُتَوَاصِلِينَ مُتَرَاحِمِينَ تَزَاوَرُوا وَ تَلَاقَوْا وَ تَذَاكَرُوا أَمْرَنَا وَ أَحْيُوهُ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Shu’ayb al-‘Aqar Qufi who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying to his companions, ‘Be pious before Allah and be virtuous brothers who love each other for the sake of Allah, and maintain goo

تَوَاصَلُوا وَ تَبَارُّوا وَ تَرَاحَمُوا وَ كُونُوا إِخْوَةً بَرَرَةً كَمَا أَمَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“Maintain good relations among yourselves, do good to each other, be compassionate with one another and be virtuous brothers as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has commanded you to be.”

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أُوَدِّعُهُ فَقَالَ يَا خَيْثَمَةُ أَبْلِغْ مَنْ تَرَى مِنْ مَوَالِينَا السَّلَامَ وَ أَوْصِهِمْ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَ أَنْ يَعُودَ غَنِيُّهُمْ عَلَى فَقِيرِهِمْ وَ قَوِيُّهُمْ عَلَى ضَعِيفِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَشْهَدَ حَيُّهُمْ جِنَازَةَ مَيِّتِهِمْ وَ أَنْ يَتَلَاقَوْا فِي بُيُوتِهِمْ فَإِنَّ لُقِيَّا[1] بَعْضِهِمْ بَعْضاً حَيَاةٌ لِأَمْرِنَا رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبْداً أَحْيَا أَمْرَن

“Once I went to see abu Ja’far (a.s.) to say farewell. He said, ‘O Khaythamah, convey our greeting of peace to whoever of our followers you may see and advise them to be pious before Allah, the Most Great, that their rich ones look after their poor ones, the stronger ones look after their weaker ones, that the living a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنْ حَقِّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ قَالَ فَقَالَ حَقُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ لَوْ حَدَّثْتُكُمْ لَكَفَرْتُمْ‌[2] إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ مِثَالٌ مِنْ قَبْرِهِ يَقُولُ لَهُ أَبْشِرْ بِالْكَرَامَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ السُّرُورِ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ بَشَّرَكَ اللَّهُ بِخَيْرٍ قَالَ ثُمَّ يَمْضِي مَعَهُ يُبَشِّرُهُ بِمِثْلِ مَا

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about the rights of a believer on another believer. He has said that the Imam said, ‘The right of a believer on a believer is greater than that (description). If I tell you about it you will become unbelievers. When a believer comes out of his grave a form comes out with him and says,

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَفَسُ الْمَهْمُومِ لَنَا الْمُغْتَمِّ لِظُلْمِنَا تَسْبِيحٌ وَ هَمُّهُ لِأَمْرِنَا عِبَادَةٌ وَ كِتْمَانُهُ لِسِرِّنَا جِهَادٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَالَ لِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ اكْتُبْ هَذَا بِالذَّهَبِ فَمَا كَتَبْتَ شَيْئاً أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A breath with a sigh of concern and sadness due to injustice done to us is Tasbih (speaking of the glory of Allah) and one’s concern about our cause is worship, his concealing our secret is Jihad (hard work for the cause of Allah).”’ “Muhammad ibn Sa’id told me to write it down wi

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)

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَمَانُ خِصَالٍ- وَقُورٌ عِنْدَ الْهَزَاهِزِ صَبُورٌ عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ شَكُورٌ عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ قَانِعٌ بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ لَا يَظْلِمُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ لَا يَتَحَامَلُ لِلْأَصْدِقَاءِ[1] بَدَنُهُ مِنْهُ فِي تَعَبٍ وَ النَّاسُ مِنْهُ فِي رَاحَةٍ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ خَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَزِيرُهُ وَ الصَّبْرَ أَمِيرُ جُنُودِهِ وَ الرِّفْقَ أَخُوهُ وَ اللِّينَ وَالِ

“It is worthwhile of a believer to have eight qualities: (a) Dignity in volatile conditions, (b) patience on facing a misfortune, (c) gratitude in comfortable conditions, (d) contentment with what Allah has given him for sustenance, (e) justice for enemies, (f) not to be a burden for the friends, (g) that his own body

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.”

الْمُؤْمِنُ مَنْ طَابَ مَكْسَبُهُ وَ حَسُنَتْ خَلِيقَتُهُ وَ صَحَّتْ سَرِيرَتُهُ وَ أَنْفَقَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَ أَمْسَكَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ كَلَامِهِ وَ كَفَى النَّاسَ شَرَّهُ وَ أَنْصَفَ النَّاسَ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ.

“A believer is one whose earning is pleasantly clean, whose moral behavior is excellent and whose conscience is not ill. He gives to charity the extra from his property and holds back the extra of his words. People do not feel threatened by his evil and he yields to justice for people against his own soul.”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ شِيعَتُنَا الْمُتَبَاذِلُونَ فِي وَلَايَتِنَا الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي مَوَدَّتِنَا الْمُتَزَاوِرُونَ فِي إِحْيَاءِ أَمْرِنَا الَّذِينَ إِنْ غَضِبُوا لَمْ يَظْلِمُوا وَ إِنْ رَضُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا بَرَكَةٌ عَلَى مَنْ جَاوَرُوا سِلْمٌ لِمَنْ خَالَطُوا.

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Our Shi’a (followers) spend for (the cause of) our Walayah (Divine Authority), love each other for the sake of our love, and visit each other to preserve our cause. They are those who do not commit injustice when angered, and are not excessive when they agree. The

قَالَ: مَنْ عَامَلَ النَّاسَ فَلَمْ يَظْلِمْهُمْ وَ حَدَّثَهُمْ فَلَمْ يَكْذِبْهُمْ وَ وَعَدَهُمْ فَلَمْ يُخْلِفْهُمْ كَانَ مِمَّنْ حُرِّمَتْ غِيبَتُهُ وَ كَمَلَتْ مُرُوءَتُهُ وَ ظَهَرَ عَدْلُهُ وَ وَجَبَتْ أُخُوَّتُهُ.

“Whoever in his dealing with people does not do injustice to them, in his speaking does not lie to them and in his promise does not fail to keep it is among those whose backbiting is unlawful, whose kindness is complete, whose justice has become public and it is necessary to establish brotherly relations with him.”

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

مِنْ أَخْلَاقِ الْمُؤْمِنِ الْإِنْفَاقُ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْإِقْتَارِ[1] وَ التَّوَسُّعُ عَلَى قَدْرِ التَّوَسُّعِ وَ إِنْصَافُ النَّاسِ وَ ابْتِدَاؤُهُ إِيَّاهُمْ بِالسَّلَامِ عَلَيْهِمْ.

“It is of the moral behavior of believers to spend proportionately to their standard of living, raise such standards to what is possible, fairness to people and initiation in offering the greeting of peace.”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَقالُوا رَبَّنا باعِدْ بَيْنَ أَسْفارِنا وَ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ‌ الْآيَةَ فَقَالَ هَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمٌ كَانَتْ لَهُمْ قُرًى مُتَّصِلَةٌ يَنْظُرُ بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ وَ أَنْهَارٌ جَارِيَةٌ وَ أَمْوَالٌ ظَاهِرَةٌ فَكَفَرُوا نِعَمَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ غَيَّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ مِنْ عَافِيَةِ اللَّهِ فَغَيَّرَ اللَّهُ مَا بِهِمْ مِنْ نِع

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from Sadir who has said the following: “Once a man asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘ . They said, “Lord, make the distances of our journeys longer.” They did injustice to themsel

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا تَسْتَكْثِرُوا كَثِيرَ الْخَيْرِ وَ لَا تَسْتَقِلُّوا قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ فَإِنَّ قَلِيلَ الذُّنُوبِ يَجْتَمِعُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ كَثِيراً وَ خَافُوا اللَّهَ فِي السِّرِّ حَتَّى‌ تُعْطُوا مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمُ النَّصَفَ.

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Do not consider a great deal of good a great deal, and do not consider a little sin very little; little sins accumulate and become a great deal. Have fear of Allah in private so you can yield to justice against yourselves.’”