Kindness & Mercy

كَانَ الْمُفَضَّلُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ الْمُفَضَّلُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ يَفْرِضُ اللَّهُ طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ وَ يَحْجُبُ عَنْهُ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ قَالَ لَا اللَّهُ أَكْرَمُ وَ أَرْحَمُ وَ أَرْأَفُ بِعِبَادِهِ مِنْ أَنْ يَفْرِضَ طَاعَةَ عَبْدٍ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ ثُمَّ يَحْجُبَ عَنْهُ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ صَبَاحاً وَ مَسَاءً.

Al-Mufaddal asked the Imam (a.s.) the following. “May Allah, take my soul in service for your cause, does Allah command (his) servants to obey a servant and hide the news of the heavens from him?” The Imam (a.s.) said, Allah is by far much honorable, kind and caring towards His servants than to command them to obey a s

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ نَزَلَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص بِرُمَّانَتَيْنِ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَقِيَهُ عَلِيٌّ ع فَقَالَ مَا هَاتَانِ الرُّمَّانَتَانِ اللَّتَانِ فِي يَدِكَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا هَذِهِ فَالنُّبُوَّةُ لَيْسَ لَكَ فِيهَا نَصِيبٌ وَ أَمَّا هَذِهِ فَالْعِلْمُ ثُمَّ فَلَقَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِنِصْفَيْنِ فَأَعْطَاهُ نِصْفَهَا وَ أَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص نِصْفَهَا ثُمَّ قَالَ أَنْتَ شَرِيكِي فِيهِ

“Once Jibril descended to Muhammad (s.a) (and) brought two pieces of pomegranate from Paradise. Ali (a.s.) meet him and asked, “What (kind of ) pomegranate are those in your hands?” He replied, “As to this one, it is the Prophet-hood in which there is no share for you. As to this one, it is knowledge. Then the Messenge

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع رُوِّينَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ عِلْمَنَا غَابِرٌ وَ مَزْبُورٌ وَ نَكْتٌ فِي الْقُلُوبِ وَ نَقْرٌ فِي الْأَسْمَاعِ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الْغَابِرُ فَمَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ عِلْمِنَا وَ أَمَّا الْمَزْبُورُ فَمَا يَأْتِينَا وَ أَمَّا النَّكْتُ فِي الْقُلُوبِ فَإِلْهَامٌ وَ أَمَّا النَّقْرُ فِي الْأَسْمَاعِ فَأَمْرُ الْمَلَكِ.

“As for that about the matters of the past is that which is passed our knowledge. That which is written is the kind that will come in future. That which is dotted into the hearts is the inspired kind and that which is struck against the ears is the order of the angel.”

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ عِلْمِ الْعَالِمِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ فِي الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْأَوْصِيَاءِ خَمْسَةَ أَرْوَاحٍ رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ وَ رُوحَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ رُوحَ الْحَيَاةِ وَ رُوحَ الْقُوَّةِ وَ رُوحَ الشَّهْوَةِ فَبِرُوحِ الْقُدُسِ يَا جَابِرُ عَرَفُوا مَا تَحْتَ الْعَرْشِ إِلَى مَا تَحْتَ الثَّرَى ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا جَابِرُ إِنَّ هَذِهِ الْأَرْبَعَةَ أَرْوَاحٌ يُصِيبُهَا الْحَدَثَانُ إِلَّا رُوحَ الْقُدُسِ فَإِنّ

“O Jabir, in the prophets and in the executors of their will there are five spirits. They are the Holy Spirit, the spirit of faith, the spirit of life, the spirit of power and the spirit of desire. Through the Holy Spirit, O Jabir, they receive the knowledge all that is below the Throne all the way to under the land.”

لَمَّا ضُرِبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع حَفَّ بِهِ الْعُوَّادُ وَ قِيلَ لَهُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَوْصِ فَقَالَ اثْنُوا لِي وِسَادَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ مُتَّبِعِينَ أَمْرَهُ وَ أَحْمَدُهُ كَمَا أَحَبَّ وَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ الْوَاحِدُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ كَمَا انْتَسَبَ‌[1] أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ لَاقٍ فِي فِرَارِهِ مَا مِنْهُ يَفِرُّ وَ الْأَجَلُ مَسَاقُ النَّفْسِ إِل

“When Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) was injured the visitors crowded around him saying, “O Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.), (please, grant us) your directive will.' The Imam then said, 'You must fold the pillow for me (to help me sit so I can speak).' He then said, 'All praise belongs to Allah, as He is worthy of it. We foll

كُنَّا بِالْمَدِينَةِ بَعْدَ وَفَاةِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ مُجْتَمِعُونَ عَلَى عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ أَنَّهُ صَاحِبُ الْأَمْرِ بَعْدَ أَبِيهِ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ أَنَا وَ صَاحِبُ الطَّاقِ وَ النَّاسُ عِنْدَهُ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُمْ رَوَوْا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ الْأَمْرَ فِي الْكَبِيرِ مَا لَمْ تَكُنْ بِهِ عَاهَةٌ فَدَخَلْنَا عَلَيْهِ نَسْأَلُهُ عَ

“We were in Medina after Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) left this world. People had gathered around ‘Abdallah ibn Ja’far thinking that he was the in charge of this task (Imamah) after his father. I and Sahib al-Taq went to see him while people were around him because of a hadith that they would narrate from Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى الرِّضَا ع وَ أَنَا يَوْمَئِذٍ وَاقِفٌ- وَ قَدْ كَانَ أَبِي سَأَلَ أَبَاهُ عَنْ سَبْعِ مَسَائِلَ فَأَجَابَهُ فِي سِتٍّ وَ أَمْسَكَ عَنِ السَّابِعَةِ فَقُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَأَسْأَلَنَّهُ عَمَّا سَأَلَ أَبِي أَبَاهُ فَإِنْ أَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ كَانَتْ دَلَالَةً فَسَأَلْتُهُ فَأَجَابَ بِمِثْلِ جَوَابِ أَبِيهِ أَبِي فِي الْمَسَائِلِ السِّتِّ فَلَمْ يَزِدْ فِي الْجَوَابِ وَاواً وَ لَا يَاءً وَ أَ

“Once I went to see Ali al-Rida (a.s.). At that time I was a memebr of Waqifi sect. My father had asked his (al-Rida’s) father seven questions. He had replied to six of them and had refrained from answering the seventh. I said to my self, “By Allah, I will ask him what my father had asked his father if his answers will

كَتَبَ يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ ع أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنِّي أُوصِي نَفْسِي بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ بِهَا أُوصِيكَ فَإِنَّهَا وَصِيَّةُ اللَّهِ فِي الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ وَصِيَّتُهُ فِي الْآخِرِينَ خَبَّرَنِي مَنْ وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ أَعْوَانِ اللَّهِ عَلَى دِينِهِ وَ نَشْرِ طَاعَتِهِ بِمَا كَانَ مِنْ تَحَنُّنِكَ مَعَ خِذْلَانِكَ وَ قَدْ شَاوَرْتُ فِي الدَّعْوَةِ لِلرِّضَا مِنْ‌ آلِ م

19. And by this chain, from Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al Ja'fari who said, ‘Yahya bin Abdullah bin Al-Hassan wrote to Musa bin Ja’far (AS), ‘Following on from that, I hereby bequeath myself to fear Allah, and by it I bequeath you, for it is a bequest of Allah among the former ones and His bequest among the later ones. They

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ قَوْلِ الْعَامَّةِ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ مَنْ مَاتَ وَ لَيْسَ لَهُ إِمَامٌ مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً فَقَالَ الْحَقُّ وَ اللَّهِ- قُلْتُ فَإِنَّ إِمَاماً هَلَكَ وَ رَجُلٌ بِخُرَاسَانَ لَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ وَصِيُّهُ لَمْ يَسَعْهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ لَا يَسَعُهُ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ إِذَا هَلَكَ وَقَعَتْ حُجَّةُ وَصِيِّهِ عَلَى مَنْ هُوَ مَعَهُ فِي الْبَلَدِ وَ حَقُّ النَّفْرِ عَلَى مَن

“I asked Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about the statement of the general populace (Sunnis) that says the Messenger of Allah (sw) has said, “If a person would die without having an Imam, his death would be as if he has died as the death of ignorance (pre-Islamic period)” The Imam (a.s.) said, “That is true, by Allah.” I then as

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع أَ كَانَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع حِينَ تَكَلَّمَ فِي الْمَهْدِ حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَهْلِ زَمَانِهِ فَقَالَ كَانَ يَوْمَئِذٍ نَبِيّاً حُجَّةَ اللَّهِ غَيْرَ مُرْسَلٍ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ لِقَوْلِهِ حِينَ قَالَ- إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ‌ آتانِيَ الْكِتابَ وَ جَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا. وَ جَعَلَنِي مُبارَكاً أَيْنَ ما كُنْتُ‌ وَ أَوْصانِي بِالصَّلاةِ وَ الزَّكاةِ ما دُمْتُ حَيًّا[2] قُلْتُ فَكَانَ يَوْمَئِ

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘Was Jesus at the time he spoke to people from the cradle a Divine authority over the people of his time?” He said, “At that time he was a prophet, a Divine authority over the people but not a Mursal (Messenger). Have you not heard the words of Allah that say, “He said, “I am the servant of

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

قَالَ: لَقَدْ خَاطَبَ اللَّهُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فِي كِتَابِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فِي أَيِّ مَوْضِعٍ قَالَ فِي قَوْلِهِ‌ وَ لَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذْ ظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ جاؤُكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ‌ وَ اسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ‌ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّاباً رَحِيماً. فَلا وَ رَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيما شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ‌ فِيمَا تَعَاقَدُوا عَلَيْهِ لَئِنْ أَمَاتَ اللَّهُ مُحَمَّداً أَلَّا يَرُ

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah has addressed Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) in His book.” The narrator has said that asked him, “where and in which passage?” He said, “It is in His words that read, “If they ever do injustice to themselves and come to you (Muhammad) asking for God’s forgiveness and if the Messenger also w

كُنْتُ لَا أَزِيدُ عَلَى أَكْلَةٍ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَرُبَّمَا اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَجِدُ الْمَائِدَةَ قَدْ رُفِعَتْ‌[2] لَعَلِّي لَا أَرَاهَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُ دَعَا بِهَا فَأُصِيبَ مَعَهُ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ لَا أَتَأَذَّى بِذَلِكَ وَ إِذَا عَقَّبْتُ بِالطَّعَامِ عِنْدَ غَيْرِهِ لَمْ أَقْدِرْ عَلَى أَنْ أَقِرَّ وَ لَمْ أَنَمْ مِنَ النَّفْخَةِ فَشَكَوْتُ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْه

“I used to eat one meal in twenty four hours. I would ask permission to see abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) at such time that I would expect that their table cloth is collected and they have fished their meal. When I would arrive he would ask to return the table cloth. I would find food in it but it would not harm me while if I w

بَيْنَا أَنَا جَالِسٌ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ عَبَّادُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ عَابِدُ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ وَ ابْنُ شُرَيْحٍ- فَقِيهُ أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ وَ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- مَيْمُونٌ الْقَدَّاحُ مَوْلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَسَأَلَهُ عَبَّادُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فِي كَمْ ثَوْبٍ كُفِّنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ فِي ثَلَاثَةِ أَثْوَابٍ ثَوْبَيْنِ صُحَارِيَّيْنِ وَ ثَوْبٍ ح

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that ‘Abbad ibn Kathir, the devoted worshipper of Basra, and Shurayh, the Faqih, (scholar of law) of the people of Makka came to see The Imam (a.s.). In the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) already there was Maymun al-Qaddah, the slave of abu Ja‘far (a.s.). ‘Abbad ibn

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ نُعِيَتْ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص نَفْسُهُ وَ هُوَ صَحِيحٌ لَيْسَ بِهِ وَجَعٌ قَالَ نَزَلَ بِهِ الرُّوحُ الْأَمِينُ- قَالَ فَنَادَى ص الصَّلَاةَ جَامِعَةً وَ أَمَرَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَ الْأَنْصَارَ بِالسِّلَاحِ وَ اجْتَمَعَ النَّاسُ فَصَعِدَ النَّبِيُّ ص الْمِنْبَرَ فَنَعَى إِلَيْهِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أُذَكِّرُ اللَّهَ الْوَالِيَ مِنْ بَعْدِي عَلَى أُمَّتِي أَلَّا يَرْحَمُ عَلَى

‘The Holy Prophet (sw) was given the news of his own death while he was in a good health and he did not suffer any pain.” He said, “The trusted Spirit came to him.” He said, “The Holy Prophet called for a prayer in congregation. He then ordered the Muhajir and Ansar (people from Makka and the people of Madina) to arm t

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا تَصْلُحُ الْإِمَامَةُ إِلَّا لِرَجُلٍ فِيهِ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ حِلْمٌ يَمْلِكُ بِهِ غَضَبَهُ‌[2] وَ حُسْنُ الْوِلَايَةِ عَلَى مَنْ يَلِي حَتَّى يَكُونَ لَهُمْ كَالْوَالِدِ الرَّحِيمِ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ حَتَّى يَكُونَ لِلرَّعِيَّةِ كَالْأَبِ الرَّحِيمِ.

"The Messenger of Allah (sw) said: 'The imamate is not suitable for anyone except for a man who possesses three qualities: piety that safeguards him from the disobedience of Allah, forbearance that controls his anger, and excellence in guardianship over those under his care, such that he treats them with the compassion

فِي احْتِجَاجِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَى عَاصِمِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ حِينَ لَبِسَ الْعَبَاءَ وَ تَرَكَ الْمُلَاءَ وَ شَكَاهُ أَخُوهُ الرَّبِيعُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ إِلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع أَنَّهُ قَدْ غَمَّ أَهْلَهُ وَ أَحْزَنَ وُلْدَهُ بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَلَيَّ بِعَاصِمِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ فَجِي‌ءَ بِهِ فَلَمَّا رَآهُ عَبَسَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَ مَا اسْتَحْيَيْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ أَ مَا رَحِمْتَ

The Hadith is about the protest of Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) against ‘Asim ibn Ziyad who had confined himself in a gown away from the people. His brother, al-Rabi‘ ibn Ziyad complained before Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) complained that his ‘Asim’s family had become depressed and his sons had been sadden because of his behavi

حَضَرْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ ذَكَرْتَ أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع كَانَ يَلْبَسُ الْخَشِنَ يَلْبَسُ الْقَمِيصَ بِأَرْبَعَةِ دَرَاهِمَ وَ مَا أَشْبَهَ ذَلِكَ وَ نَرَى عَلَيْكَ اللِّبَاسَ الْجَدِيدَ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع كَانَ يَلْبَسُ ذَلِكَ فِي زَمَانٍ لَا يُنْكَرُ عَلَيْهِ وَ لَوْ لَبِسَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ شُهِرَ بِهِ فَخَيْرُ لِبَاسِ ك

“I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that a man said to him, “May Allah grant you well being, you have mentioned that Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) would wear harsh garments. He would buy a shirt worth four Dirhams only and so on. However, we see that you have new garments.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “Ali ibn abu Tali

قُلْتُ‌ قُلْ بِفَضْلِ اللَّهِ‌ وَ بِرَحْمَتِهِ‌ فَبِذلِكَ‌ فَلْيَفْرَحُوا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُونَ‌[4] قَالَ بِوَلَايَةِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ ع هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِمَّا يَجْمَعُ هَؤُلَاءِ مِنْ دُنْيَاهُمْ.

“I asked al-Rida (a.s.) about the words of Allah. “(Muhammad), tell them, “To be happy with the favors and mercy of God is better than whatever you accumulate.” (10:58) The Imam (a.s.) said, “To acknowledge the Wilaya of the family of Muhammad (s.a.) is better than all that they accumulate of the worldly gains.”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ نَحْنُ فِي الطَّرِيقِ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْجُمُعَةِ اقْرَأْ فَإِنَّهَا لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ قُرْآناً فَقَرَأْتُ‌ إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْفَصْلِ‌ كَانَ‌ مِيقاتُهُمْ‌ أَجْمَعِينَ. يَوْمَ لا يُغْنِي‌ مَوْلًى‌ عَنْ مَوْلًى‌ شَيْئاً وَ لا هُمْ يُنْصَرُونَ. إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ اللَّهُ‌[5] فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي رَحِمَ اللَّهُ وَ نَحْنُ وَ اللَّهِ الَّذِي اسْتَثْنَى ال

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) said to me on the way home on Friday night, “Read from the Holy Quran. It is a Friday night. I then read, “The appointed time for all of them will be the Day of Judgment (44:40) (when wrong will be distinguished from right). On this day friends will be of no benefit to one another, nor will they r

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الِاسْتِطَاعَةِ وَ قَوْلِ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ وَ تَلَا هَذِهِ الْآيَةَ وَ لا يَزالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ رَبُّكَ‌ وَ لِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ‌[2] يَا أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ النَّاسُ مُخْتَلِفُونَ فِي إِصَابَةِ الْقَوْلِ وَ كُلُّهُمْ هَالِكٌ قَالَ قُلْتُ قَوْلُهُ‌ إِلَّا مَنْ رَحِمَ رَبُّكَ‌ قَالَ هُمْ شِيعَتُنَا وَ لِرَحْمَتِهِ خَلَقَهُمْ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُهُ‌ وَ لِذلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ‌ يَقُول

A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from abu ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ who has said the following. “I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the capability and the people’s words. The Imam (a.s.) recited this verse of the Holy Quran. “They still have different beliefs [11:1

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ يُؤْتِكُمْ كِفْلَيْنِ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ‌ قَالَ- الْحَسَنُ وَ الْحُسَيْنُ‌ وَ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ نُوراً تَمْشُونَ بِهِ‌[3] قَالَ إِمَامٌ تَأْتَمُّونَ بِهِ.

about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “. . God will grant you a double share of mercy, ( al-Hassan and al-Husayn ) a light by which you can walk. .” (57:28) The Imam (a.s.) said, “Light means the Imam that you would follow.”

يَعْنِي بِهِ وَلَايَةَ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قُلْتُ‌ وَ نَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ أَعْمى‌ قَالَ يَعْنِي أَعْمَى الْبَصَرِ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى الْقَلْبِ فِي الدُّنْيَا عَنْ وَلَايَةِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع قَالَ وَ هُوَ مُتَحَيِّرٌ فِي الْقِيَامَةِ يَقُولُ- لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمى‌ وَ قَدْ كُنْتُ بَصِيراً قالَ كَذلِكَ‌ أَتَتْكَ آياتُنا فَنَسِيتَها قَالَ الْآيَاتُ الْأَئِمَّةُ ع- فَنَسِيتَها وَ كَذلِكَ‌ الْ

about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious. “Whoever ignores My guidance will live a woeful life. .” (20:124) The Imam (a.s.) said, “It means ignoring Wilaya of Ali (a.s.).” I then read the words of Allah. “. . and will be brought in Our presence blind on the Day of Judgment.” (20:124) The Imam (a.s

سَأَلَ أَبُو بَصِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ فَقَالَ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَمْ عُرِجَ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ مَرَّتَيْنِ فَأَوْقَفَهُ جَبْرَئِيلُ مَوْقِفاً فَقَالَ لَهُ مَكَانَكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ فَلَقَدْ وَقَفْتَ مَوْقِفاً مَا وَقَفَهُ مَلَكٌ قَطُّ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يُصَلِّي فَقَالَ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي قَالَ يَقُولُ سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ أَنَا رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ الرُّوحِ سَبَ

“He said, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, how many times was the Messenger of Allah taken for ascension?’ The Imam (AS) said, ‘It happened twice. Jibrail asked him to stop at a place saying, ‘Wait right there, O Muhammad, you have stood at a place whereat no angel or prophet has ever stood before you

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع صِفْ لِي نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ كَانَ نَبِيُّ اللَّهِ ع أَبْيَضَ مُشْرَبَ حُمْرَةٍ أَدْعَجَ الْعَيْنَيْنِ مَقْرُونَ الْحَاجِبَيْنِ شَثْنَ الْأَطْرَافِ‌[5] كَأَنَّ الذَّهَبَ أُفْرِغَ عَلَى بَرَاثِنِهِ‌[6] عَظِيمَ مُشَاشَةِ الْمَنْكِبَيْنِ إِذَا الْتَفَتَ يَلْتَفِتُ جَمِيعاً مِنْ شِدَّةِ اسْتِرْسَالِهِ سُرْبَتُهُ سَائِلَةٌ مِنْ لَبَّتِهِ إِلَى سُرَّتِهِ كَأَنَّهَا وَسَطُ الْفِضَّةِ الْمُصَفَّ

“Once I asked Abu Ja‘far (AS), ‘Describe to me the Prophet (SAW) of Allah.’ The Imam (AS) said, “The Holy Prophet (SAW) had a white reddish complexion, large sharp black and white eyes, the eyebrows almost joined, chubby hands and feet as if gold molded as to the form of his fingers and toes and with manifest shoulder

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

لَمَّا قُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بَاتَ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ ع بِأَطْوَلِ لَيْلَةٍ حَتَّى ظَنُّوا أَنْ لَا سَمَاءَ تُظِلُّهُمْ وَ لَا أَرْضَ تُقِلُّهُمْ لِأَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص وَتَرَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ وَ الْأَبْعَدِينَ فِي اللَّهِ فَبَيْنَا هُمْ كَذَلِكَ إِذْ أَتَاهُمْ آتٍ لَا يَرَوْنَهُ وَ يَسْمَعُونَ كَلَامَهُ فَقَالَ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ إِنَّ فِي اللَّهِ عَزَاءً مِنْ كُ

19.Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Asha‘ari has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Mansur ibn al-‘Abbas from Ali ibn Asbat from Ya’qub ibn Salim from a man from Abu Ja‘far (AS) who has said the following: “When the Messenger of Allah passed away the family of Muhammad (SAW) experienced the longest night. They had a feel

إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ أَسَدٍ أُمَّ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَانَتْ أَوَّلَ امْرَأَةٍ هَاجَرَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص مِنْ مَكَّةَ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ عَلَى قَدَمَيْهَا وَ كَانَتْ مِنْ أَبَرِّ النَّاسِ- بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَسَمِعَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يُحْشَرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عُرَاةً كَمَا وُلِدُوا فَقَالَتْ وَا سَوْأَتَاهْ فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص فَإِنِّي أَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ

Indeed, Fatimah daughter of Asad, the mother of the Commander of the Faithful, was the first woman to migrate on foot to the Messenger of God (s) from Mecca to Medina. She was among the people most devoted and most kind toward the Messenger of God (s). She heard the Messenger of God (s) saying, ‘People will be gathered

لَمَّا كَانَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي قُبِضَ فِيهِ- أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع ارْتَجَ‌[2] الْمَوْضِعُ بِالْبُكَاءِ وَ دَهِشَ النَّاسُ كَيَوْمَ قُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ ص وَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ بَاكِياً وَ هُوَ مُسْرِعٌ مُسْتَرْجِعٌ وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ الْيَوْمَ انْقَطَعَتْ خِلَافَةُ النُّبُوَّةِ حَتَّى وَقَفَ عَلَى بَابِ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي فِيهِ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع فَقَالَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ يَا أَبَا الْحَسَنِ كُنْتَ أَوَّلَ الْقَوْمِ إِسْ

4. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Barqi from Ahmad ibn Zayd al-Naysaburi who has said that narrated to me ‘Umar ibn Ibrahim al-Hashimi from ‘Abd al-Malik ibn ‘Umar from ’Asid ibn Safwan the companion of the Messenger of Allah who has said the following. “On the day that Ami

كُنْتُ أَنَا وَ عَامِرٌ وَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ جُذَاعَةَ الْأَزْدِيُّ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ عَامِرٌ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع دُفِنَ بِالرَّحَبَةِ قَالَ لَا قَالَ فَأَيْنَ دُفِنَ قَالَ إِنَّهُ لَمَّا مَاتَ احْتَمَلَهُ الْحَسَنُ ع فَأَتَى بِهِ ظَهْرَ الْكُوفَةِ قَرِيباً مِنَ النَّجَفِ يَسْرَةً عَنِ الْغَرِيِّ يَمْنَةً عَنِ الْحِيرَةِ فَدَفَنَه

“Once I, ‘Amir and ‘Abdallah ibn Judha'a al-’Azdi were in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). The narrator has said that ‘Amir said to The Imam (a.s.), "May I be sacrificed for you, people think that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) was buried in al-Rahba (an open space near the mosque of Kufa).” He (a.s.) responded, “No (he

لَمَّا حَمَلَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ع بِالْحُسَيْنِ جَاءَ جَبْرَئِيلُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَ إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ ع سَتَلِدُ غُلَاماً تَقْتُلُهُ أُمَّتُكَ مِنْ بَعْدِكَ فَلَمَّا حَمَلَتْ فَاطِمَةُ بِالْحُسَيْنِ ع كَرِهَتْ حَمْلَهُ وَ حِينَ وَضَعَتْهُ كَرِهَتْ وَضْعَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع لَمْ تُرَ فِي الدُّنْيَا أُمٌّ تَلِدُ غُلَاماً تَكْرَهُهُ وَ لَكِنَّهَا كَرِهَتْهُ لِمَا عَلِمَتْ أَنَّهُ سَيُقْتَلُ قَالَ

“When Fatima (a.s.) conceived al-Husayn (a.s.) Jibril came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “Fatima will soon give birth to a son. Your ’Umma (followers) will kill him after you will die.” When Fatima had conceived al-Husayn she was unhappy and when she gave birth she was unhappy. Then The Imam (a.s.) said, “No moth

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَمَّا قُتِلَ الْحُسَيْنُ ع أَقَامَتِ امْرَأَتُهُ الْكَلْبِيَّةُ عَلَيْهِ مَأْتَماً وَ بَكَتْ وَ بَكَيْنَ النِّسَاءُ وَ الْخَدَمُ حَتَّى جَفَّتْ دُمُوعُهُنَّ وَ ذَهَبَتْ فَبَيْنَا هِيَ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا رَأَتْ جَارِيَةً مِنْ جَوَارِيهَا تَبْكِي وَ دُمُوعُهَا تَسِيلُ فَدَعَتْهَا فَقَالَتْ لَهَا مَا لَكِ أَنْتِ مِنْ بَيْنِنَا تَسِيلُ دُمُوعُكِ قَالَتْ إِنِّي لَمَّا أَصَابَنِي الْجَ

8. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from al-Hassan ibn Ali from Yunus from Masqala al-Tahhan who has said the following. “I heard abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) say, ‘When al-Husayn was murdered his wife who was from the tribe of al-Kalb began to organize a mourning gathering. She wept an

لَمَّا مَاتَ أَبِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع جَاءَتْ نَاقَةٌ لَهُ مِنَ الرَّعْيِ حَتَّى ضَرَبَتْ بِجِرَانِهَا عَلَى الْقَبْرِ وَ تَمَرَّغَتْ عَلَيْهِ فَأَمَرْتُ بِهَا فَرُدَّتْ إِلَى مَرْعَاهَا وَ إِنَّ أَبِي ع كَانَ يَحُجُّ عَلَيْهَا وَ يَعْتَمِرُ وَ لَمْ يَقْرَعْهَا قَرْعَةً قَطُّ. ابْنُ بَابَوَيْهِ‌[1].

“When my father, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) passed away the she camel that belonged to him came from the pasture and placed her neck against his grave and role her body on the ground. I commanded to return her back to her pasture. My father would take her for the journey to Hajj and 'Umra (pilgrimage to Mecca) and had ne

كَانَ لِي جَارٌ يَتَّبِعُ السُّلْطَانَ فَأَصَابَ مَالًا فَأَعَدَّ قِيَاناً وَ كَانَ يَجْمَعُ الْجَمِيعَ إِلَيْهِ وَ يَشْرَبُ الْمُسْكِرَ وَ يُؤْذِينِي فَشَكَوْتُهُ إِلَى نَفْسِهِ غَيْرَ مَرَّةٍ فَلَمْ يَنْتَهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ أَلْحَحْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ لِي يَا هَذَا أَنَا رَجُلٌ مُبْتَلًى وَ أَنْتَ رَجُلٌ مُعَافًى فَلَوْ عَرَضْتَنِي لِصَاحِبِكَ رَجَوْتُ أَنْ يُنْقِذَنِيَ اللَّهُ بِكَ فَوَقَعَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فِي قَلْبِي ف

“I had a neighbor who followed the Sultan and he gains certain properties. He would arrange parties and invite female singers. They would drink wine and would disturb me. I complained to the man several times but he would not pay any attention. When I insisted he said, “O man, “I am an addicted man and you are sober. I

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي إِبْرَاهِيمَ ع وَ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ نَجْرَانَ الْيَمَنِ مِنَ الرُّهْبَانِ وَ مَعَهُ رَاهِبَةٌ فَاسْتَأْذَنَ لَهُمَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ سَوَّارٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِذَا كَانَ غَداً فَأْتِ بِهِمَا عِنْدَ بِئْرِ أُمِّ خَيْرٍ قَالَ فَوَافَيْنَا مِنَ الْغَدِ فَوَجَدْنَا الْقَوْمَ قَدْ وَافَوْا فَأَمَرَ بِخَصَفَةِ بَوَارِيَّ ثُمَّ جَلَسَ وَ جَلَسُوا فَبَدَأَتِ الرَّاهِبَةُ بِالْمَسَائِلِ فَسَأَلَتْ عَنْ

“Once I was in the presence of abu Ibrahim (a.s.) that a monk and a nun from the people of Najran, Yemen came to see him. al-Fadl ibn Sawwar sought permission for them and the Imam (a.s.) said, “Tomorrow bring them to the well of ’Umm Khaayr.” The narrator has said that on the next day we went to see him and we found t

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع‌[3] فَقَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ حَدَثَ بِآلِ فَرَجٍ حَدَثٌ فَقُلْتُ مَاتَ عُمَرُ فَقَالَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَتَّى أَحْصَيْتُ لَهُ أَرْبَعاً وَ عِشْرِينَ مَرَّةً فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي لَوْ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ هَذَا يَسُرُّكَ لَجِئْتُ حَافِياً أَعْدُو إِلَيْكَ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ أَ وَ لَا تَدْرِي مَا قَالَ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ لِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ أَبِي قَالَ قُلْتُ لَا قَالَ خَاطَبَهُ فِي شَيْ‌ء

“Once I went to see abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He said, “O Muhammad, has something happened to the family of al-Faraj (the governor of al-Madina )?” I said, “Yes, ‘Umar (a member of al-Faraj family) has died.” The Imam (a.s.) said, “All thanks and praise belongs to Allah.” He said it twenty four times. I then said, “My mast

أَخَذْتُ نُسْخَةَ كِتَابِ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الثَّالِثِ ع مِنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَرْثَمَةَ فِي سَنَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ أَرْبَعِينَ وَ مِائَتَيْنِ وَ هَذِهِ نُسْخَتُهُ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَارِفٌ بِقَدْرِكَ رَاعٍ لِقَرَابَتِكَ مُوجِبٌ لِحَقِّكَ يُقَدِّرُ مِنَ الْأُمُورِ فِيكَ وَ فِي أَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ مَا أَصْلَحَ اللَّهُ بِهِ حَالَكَ وَ حَالَهُمْ وَ

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from a number of our people the following. “I took a copy of the letter of Al-Mutawakkil to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), the third from Yahya ibn Harthama in the year two hundred forty three that read as follows. “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Thereafter, Amir al-Mu’min

كَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ نُدَمَاءِ روزحسنى‌[2] وَ آخَرُ مَعَهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ هُوَ ذَا يَجْبِي الْأَمْوَالَ وَ لَهُ وُكَلَاءُ وَ سَمَّوْا جَمِيعَ الْوُكَلَاءِ فِي النَّوَاحِي وَ أُنْهِيَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الْوَزِيرِ فَهَمَّ الْوَزِيرُ بِالْقَبْضِ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ السُّلْطَانُ اطْلُبُوا أَيْنَ هَذَا الرَّجُلُ فَإِنَّ هَذَا أَمْرٌ غَلِيظٌ فَقَالَ عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ نَقْبِضُ عَلَى ال

30. Al-Husayn ibn al-Hassan al-‘Alawi has said the following. “A man who was an informer for Ruz Hassani with another man with him once said to Ruz, “This man (al-Mahdi (a.s.) is out there. Money is collected for him. He has representatives in many places. They mentioned his representatives by their names in different

أَقْبَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع وَ مَعَهُ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ ع وَ هُوَ مُتَّكِئٌ عَلَى يَدِ سَلْمَانَ فَدَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ فَجَلَسَ إِذْ أَقْبَلَ رَجُلٌ حَسَنُ الْهَيْئَةِ وَ اللِّبَاسِ فَسَلَّمَ عَلَى أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ- فَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامَ فَجَلَسَ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَسْأَلُكَ عَنْ‌ ثَلَاثِ مَسَائِلَ إِنْ أَخْبَرْتَنِي بِهِنَّ عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ الْقَوْمَ رَكِبُوا مِنْ

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) came with al-Hassan and al-Husayn and he was holding the hand of Salman for support. He entered the sacred Mosque in Makka and sat down. Then a good looking and well dressed man came. He offered the greeting of peace to Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who answered his greetings likewise an

قَالَ أَبِي لِجَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ- إِنَّ لِي إِلَيْكَ حَاجَةً فَمَتَى يَخِفُّ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ أَخْلُوَ بِكَ فَأَسْأَلَكَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ لَهُ جَابِرٌ أَيَّ الْأَوْقَاتِ أَحْبَبْتَهُ فَخَلَا بِهِ فِي بَعْضِ الْأَيَّامِ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا جَابِرُ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ اللَّوْحِ الَّذِي رَأَيْتَهُ فِي يَدِ أُمِّي فَاطِمَةَ ع بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ مَا أَخْبَرَتْكَ بِهِ أُمِّي أَنَّهُ فِي ذَلِكَ اللَّ

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya and Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah have narrated from ‘Abdallah ibn Ja‘far from al-Hassan ibn Zarif and Ali ibn Muhammad from Salih ibn abu Hammad from Bakr ibn Salih from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Salim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following “Once my father said to Jabir ibn ‘Abdall

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

قَدِمَ قَوْمٌ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ عَلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع فَسَأَلُوهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهُمْ فِي حِلٍّ مِنَ الْخُمُسِ فَقَالَ مَا أَمْحَلَ هَذَا[1] تَمْحَضُونَّا بِالْمَوَدَّةِ بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَ تَزْوُونَ عَنَّا حَقّاً جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لَنَا وَ جَعَلَنَا لَهُ وَ هُوَ الْخُمُسُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لَا نَجْعَلُ لِأَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ فِي حِلٍّ.

“A group of people came from Khurasan to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.). They asked him to set tehm free from the obligation of payment of al-Khums. The Imam (a.s.) said, “What kind of plan is this? Do you try to love us purely only with your tongue and withheld from us the right that Allah has set for us? That right is

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ الْمُؤْمِنَ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْجَنَّةِ وَ خَلَقَ الْكَافِرَ مِنْ طِينَةِ النَّارِ وَ قَالَ إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِعَبْدٍ خَيْراً طَيَّبَ رُوحَهُ وَ جَسَدَهُ فَلَا يَسْمَعُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْخَيْرِ إِلَّا عَرَفَهُ وَ لَا يَسْمَعُ شَيْئاً مِنَ الْمُنْكَرِ إِلَّا أَنْكَرَهُ قَالَ وَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ الطِّينَاتُ ثَلَاثٌ طِينَةُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ تِلْكَ الط

“Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, created the believers from the clay of paradise. He created the unbelievers from the clay of fire. He then said, ‘When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, decides to grant good to one of His servants. He purifies his spirit and body. Whenever he hears any good thing he recognizes it.

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ طِينَةَ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَقَالَ مِنْ طِينَةِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ فَلَمْ تَنْجَسْ أَبَداً[4].

“May Allah keep my soul of service to you, from what kind of material has Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, created the clay of the believers? He then replied, ‘He has created them with the clay from which the prophets were made. Thus, they never become unclean.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى حَيْثُ خَلَقَ الْخَلْقَ خَلَقَ مَاءً عَذْباً وَ مَاءً مَالِحاً أُجَاجاً فَامْتَزَجَ الْمَاءَانِ فَأَخَذَ طِيناً مِنْ أَدِيمِ الْأَرْضِ فَعَرَكَهُ عَرْكاً شَدِيداً فَقَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الْيَمِينِ وَ هُمْ كَالذَّرِّ يَدِبُّونَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِسَلَامٍ وَ قَالَ لِأَصْحَابِ الشِّمَالِ إِلَى النَّارِ وَ لَا أُبَالِي ثُمَّ قَالَ‌ أَ لَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ قالُوا بَلى‌ شَهِدْنا أَنْ تَقُولُو

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘As Allah, the Most Holy the Most High, created the creation. He created sweet water and a very salty water and then mixed the two together. Then He took a (kind of) clay from the surface of the earth and kneaded it intensely. He then said to the people of the right, as they crawled about l

إِنَّ [أُ] نَاساً تَكَلَّمُوا فِي هَذَا الْقُرْآنِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَ ذَلِكَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ- هُوَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلَ عَلَيْكَ الْكِتابَ مِنْهُ آياتٌ مُحْكَماتٌ‌ هُنَّ أُمُّ الْكِتابِ‌ وَ أُخَرُ مُتَشابِهاتٌ‌ فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ زَيْغٌ‌ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ ما تَشابَهَ مِنْهُ‌ ابْتِغاءَ الْفِتْنَةِ وَ ابْتِغاءَ تَأْوِيلِهِ‌ وَ ما يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُ‌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ‌[2]- الْآيَةَ فَ

Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Certain people have spoken from this Holy Quran without knowledge. It is because Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “It is Allah Who has revealed the Book to you in which certain verses are clear statements (that accept no interpretation), and these are the fundamental ideas of

قُلْتُ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْعَالِمُ أَخْبِرْنِي أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ مَا لَا يَقْبَلُ اللَّهُ شَيْئاً إِلَّا بِهِ قُلْتُ وَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ- الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ أَعْلَى الْأَعْمَالِ دَرَجَةً وَ أَشْرَفُهَا مَنْزِلَةً وَ أَسْنَاهَا حَظّاً قَالَ قُلْتُ أَ لَا تُخْبِرُنِي عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ أَ قَوْلٌ هُوَ وَ عَمَلٌ أَمْ قَوْلٌ بِلَا عَمَلٍ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ عَمَلٌ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Bakr ibn Salih from al-Qasim ibn Burayd who has said that narrated to us abu ‘Amr al-Zubayri who has said the following: “I said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘O scholar, tell me which deed is more virtuous before Allah?’ He said, ‘It is the deed without which Allah does

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّ لِلْإِيمَانِ دَرَجَاتٍ وَ مَنَازِلَ يَتَفَاضَلُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ فِيهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ صِفْهُ لِي رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ حَتَّى أَفْهَمَهُ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَبَّقَ بَيْنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كَمَا يُسَبَّقُ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ يَوْمَ الرِّهَانِ‌[1] ثُمَّ فَضَّلَهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَاتِهِمْ فِي السَّبْقِ إِلَيْهِ فَجَعَلَ كُلَّ امْرِئٍ مِنْهُمْ عَلَى دَرَجَةِ سَبْقِهِ لَا يَنْقُصُهُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَ

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Are there degrees and stages of belief in which the believers may excel in the sight of Allah?’ He said, ‘Yes, there are.’ 1 then said, ‘Explain to me, please, may Allah grant you favors, so I can understand.’ The Imam said, ‘Allah has set a contest among the believers like the contest se

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الْإِسْلَامُ عُرْيَانٌ فَلِبَاسُهُ الْحَيَاءُ وَ زِينَتُهُ الْوَقَارُ[1] وَ مُرُوءَتُهُ الْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ وَ عِمَادُهُ الْوَرَعُ وَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَسَاسٌ وَ أَسَاسُ الْإِسْلَامِ حُبُّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ‌[2]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنْ مُدْرِكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مِثْلَهُ.

2. It is narrated from him from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from Mudrik ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Islam is bare. Its dress is bashfulness, dignity is its ornament, virtuous deeds are its kindness and strict following of law i

يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَمَانِي خِصَالٍ وَقُوراً عِنْدَ الْهَزَاهِزِ[1] صَبُوراً عِنْدَ الْبَلَاءِ شَكُوراً عِنْدَ الرَّخَاءِ قَانِعاً بِمَا رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ- لَا يَظْلِمُ الْأَعْدَاءَ وَ لَا يَتَحَامَلُ لِلْأَصْدِقَاءِ بَدَنُهُ مِنْهُ فِي تَعَبٍ وَ النَّاسُ مِنْهُ فِي رَاحَةٍ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ خَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحِلْمَ وَزِيرُهُ وَ الْعَقْلَ أَمِيرُ جُنُودِهِ وَ الرِّفْقَ أَخُوهُ وَ الْبِرَّ

“A believer should have eight qualities. He is dignified in turbulent times. He is patient in afflicting conditions. He is thankful in prosperous life. He is content with what Allah has granted him. He does not do injustice to the enemies. He does not overburden friends. His own body is tired due to his efforts and peo