Kindness & Mercy

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

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

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

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

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَ لَا أُخْبِرُكُمْ بِخَيْرِ رِجَالِكُمْ قُلْنَا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ خَيْرِ رِجَالِكُمُ التَّقِيَّ النَّقِيَّ السَّمْحَ الْكَفَّيْنِ النَّقِيَّ الطَّرَفَيْنِ‌[1] الْبَرَّ بِوَالِدَيْهِ وَ لَا يُلْجِئُ عِيَالَهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ‌[2].

“The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘Do you want me to tell you about the best men among you?’ We said, ‘Yes, O, Messenger of Allah, do so.’ He said, ‘The best men among you are the pious, clean, of forgiving hands, clean on both ends (tongue and genitals) who is kind to his parents and does not leave out his dep

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع يَقُولُ‌ كَانَ فِي الْكَنْزِ الَّذِي قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ كانَ تَحْتَهُ كَنْزٌ لَهُما كَانَ فِيهِ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ* عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْمَوْتِ كَيْفَ يَفْرَحُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْقَدَرِ كَيْفَ يَحْزَنُ وَ عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ رَأَى الدُّنْيَا وَ تَقَلُّبَهَا بِأَهْلِهَا كَيْفَ يَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهَا[2] وَ يَنْبَغِي لِمَنْ عَقَلَ عَنِ ا

‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful, strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the coming of death but he feels happy. Strange to me is the case of a person who is certain of the strict measurement of Allah but he feels depressed. Strange to me is the case of a person who is aware of all t

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ الصِّحَّةِ فِي الْبَدَنِ فَأَبْلُوهُمْ بِالْغِنَى وَ السَّعَةِ وَ صِحَّةِ الْبَدَنِ فَيَصْلُحُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ وَ إِنَّ مِنْ عِبَادِيَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَعِبَاداً لَا يَصْلُحُ لَهُمْ أَمْرُ دِينِهِمْ إِلَّا بِالْفَاقَةِ وَ الْمَسْكَنَةِ وَ

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Dawud al-Riqqiy from ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Among My believing servants there are those whose

كُنَّا فِي مَجْلِسٍ نَطْلُبُ فِيهِ الْعِلْمَ وَ قَدْ نَفِدَتْ نَفَقَتِي فِي بَعْضِ الْأَسْفَارِ فَقَالَ لِي بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا مَنْ تُؤَمِّلُ لِمَا قَدْ نَزَلَ بِكَ فَقُلْتُ فُلَاناً فَقَالَ إِذاً وَ اللَّهِ لَا تُسْعَفُ‌[1] حَاجَتُكَ وَ لَا يَبْلُغُكَ أَمَلُكَ وَ لَا تُنْجَحُ طَلِبَتُكَ قُلْتُ وَ مَا عَلَّمَكَ رَحِمَكَ اللَّهُ قَالَ إِنَّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع حَدَّثَنِي أَنَّهُ قَرَأَ فِي بَعْضِ الْكُتُبِ أَنَّ ا

“We were in a gathering to seek knowledge and education. During one of the journeys I was left without any resources for my expenditures. A certain individual of my friends was concerned about who would look after my needs. I said, ‘So and so will look after my needs.’ He then said, ‘I swear by Allah, you will not get

قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا كَانَ فِي وَصِيَّةِ لُقْمَانَ قَالَ كَانَ فِيهَا الْأَعَاجِيبُ وَ كَانَ أَعْجَبَ مَا كَانَ فِيهَا أَنْ قَالَ لِابْنِهِ خَفِ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خِيفَةً لَوْ جِئْتَهُ بِبِرِّ الثَّقَلَيْنِ لَعَذَّبَكَ وَ ارْجُ اللَّهَ رَجَاءً لَوْ جِئْتَهُ بِذُنُوبِ الثَّقَلَيْنِ لَرَحِمَكَ‌[4] ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع كَانَ أَبِي يَقُولُ إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنْ عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلَّا [وَ] فِي قَلْبِهِ نُورَان

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘What did the will of Luqman (the person mentioned in Chapter 31 of the Holy Quran) contain?’ The Imam said, ‘It contained amazing things and the most amazing one was what he said to his son, “My son, be pious before Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, such that even if you come into H

الْمُؤْمِنُ بَيْنَ مَخَافَتَيْنِ ذَنْبٍ قَدْ مَضَى لَا يَدْرِي مَا صَنَعَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ وَ عُمُرٍ قَدْ بَقِيَ لَا يَدْرِي مَا يَكْتَسِبُ فِيهِ مِنَ الْمَهَالِكِ فَهُوَ لَا يُصْبِحُ إِلَّا خَائِفاً وَ لَا يُصْلِحُهُ إِلَّا الْخَوْفُ.

“A believer lives in two frightening conditions. In his life he is concerned about his sins of the past about which he does not know how Allah has decided. He is also worried about his future, for not knowing what kind of destructive sins he may get involved in. Therefore, he is always fearful and nothing serves his be

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لَا يَتَّكِلِ الْعَامِلُونَ عَلَى أَعْمَالِهِمُ الَّتِي يَعْمَلُونَهَا لِثَوَابِي فَإِنَّهُمْ لَوِ اجْتَهَدُوا وَ أَتْعَبُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ أَعْمَارَهُمْ فِي عِبَادَتِي كَانُوا مُقَصِّرِينَ غَيْرَ بَالِغِينَ فِي عِبَادَتِهِمْ كُنْهَ عِبَادَتِي فِيمَا يَطْلُبُونَ عِنْدِي مِنْ كَرَامَتِي وَ النَّعِيمِ فِي جَنَّاتِي وَ رَفِيعِ الدَّرَجَاتِ الْعُلَى فِي جِوَارِي

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Dawud ibn Kathir from abu ‘Ubaydah al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, “The doers of good deeds must not rely on their deed

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَذَكَرْنَا الْأَعْمَالَ فَقُلْتُ أَنَا مَا أَضْعَفَ عَمَلِي فَقَالَ مَهْ اسْتَغْفِرِ اللَّهَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي إِنَّ قَلِيلَ الْعَمَلِ مَعَ التَّقْوَى خَيْرٌ مِنْ كَثِيرِ الْعَمَلِ بِلَا تَقْوَى قُلْتُ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ كَثِيرٌ بِلَا تَقْوَى قَالَ نَعَمْ مِثْلُ الرَّجُلِ يُطْعِمُ طَعَامَهُ وَ يَرْفُقُ جِيرَانَهُ وَ يُوَطِّئُ رَحْلَهُ‌[1] فَإِذَا ارْتَفَعَ لَهُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْحَرَامِ

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). We spoke about deeds and I said, ‘My deeds are the weakest.’ The Imam said, ‘Calm down. Ask forgiveness from Allah.’ Then the Imam said to me, ‘A little deed with piety is better than a great deal of deeds without piety.’ I then asked, ‘Can there be a great deal of

قَالَ رَجُلٌ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع إِنِّي ضَعِيفُ الْعَمَلِ قَلِيلُ الصِّيَامِ وَ لَكِنِّي أَرْجُو أَنْ لَا آكُلَ إِلَّا حَلَالًا قَالَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَيُّ الِاجْتِهَادِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ عِفَّةِ بَطْنٍ وَ فَرْجٍ.

‘My deeds are weak and my fasting is very little but I hope to eat only what is lawful.’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘What kind of hard work could be considered better than chastity of stomach and chastity of genital organs?”’

إِنَّ الْعُبَّادَ ثَلَاثَةٌ[1] قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَوْفاً فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْعَبِيدِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى طَلَبَ الثَّوَابِ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأُجَرَاءِ وَ قَوْمٌ عَبَدُوا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ حُبّاً لَهُ فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأَحْرَارِ وَ هِيَ أَفْضَلُ الْعِبَادَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘There are three kinds of worship: there are people who worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, because of fear. This kind of worship is the worship of slaves. There are people who worship Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, for His rewards. This is the worship of people fo

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا حَفْصُ إِنَّ مَنْ صَبَرَ صَبَرَ قَلِيلًا وَ إِنَّ مَنْ جَزِعَ جَزِعَ قَلِيلًا ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ بِالصَّبْرِ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِكَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً ص فَأَمَرَهُ بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الرِّفْقِ فَقَالَ‌ وَ اصْبِرْ عَلى‌ ما يَقُولُونَ‌ وَ اهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْراً جَمِيلًا وَ ذَرْنِي وَ الْمُكَذِّبِينَ‌ أُولِي النَّعْمَةِ[1] وَ قَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى‌ ادْفَعْ‌

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Asbahani from Sulayman ibn Dawud al- Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘O Hafs, whoever exercises patience does so only for a short time, and whoeve

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْحُرَّ حُرٌّ عَلَى جَمِيعِ أَحْوَالِهِ إِنْ نَابَتْهُ نَائِبَةٌ[3] صَبَرَ لَهَا وَ إِنْ تَدَاكَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَصَائِبُ‌[4] لَمْ تَكْسِرْهُ وَ إِنْ أُسِرَ وَ قُهِرَ وَ اسْتُبْدِلَ بِالْيُسْرِ عُسْراً[5] كَمَا كَانَ يُوسُفُ الصِّدِّيقُ الْأَمِينُ ص لَمْ يَضْرُرْ حُرِّيَّتَهُ أَنِ اسْتُعْبِدَ وَ قُهِرَ وَ أُسِرَ وَ لَمْ تَضْرُرْهُ ظُلْمَةُ الْجُبِّ وَ وَحْشَتُهُ‌[6] وَ

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A free person is free in all conditions. Even if hardships strike him he exercises patience, if afflictions batter him he does not break down even if he is taken as a captive and is overpowered and his comfort and prosperity are changed into poverty and hardships, just as in the c

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ الدُّنْيَا بَيْنَ عِبَادِي قَرْضاً فَمَنْ أَقْرَضَنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً أَعْطَيْتُهُ‌ بِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ عَشْراً إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ وَ مَا شِئْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُقْرِضْنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً فَأَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً قَسْراً فَصَبَرَ أَعْطَيْتُهُ ثَلَاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَيْتُ وَاحِدَةً مِنْهُنَّ مَلَائِكَتِي لَرَضُوا بِهَا مِنِّي قَا

“The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I have made the world a borrowing (place) for My servants. Whoever gives Me a loan I will return it ten times over up to seven hundred times over, and more if I so wish. Those who do not lend Me a loan I will take something forcib

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي مَالًا فَرَزَقَنِي وَ إِنِّي سَأَلْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي وَلَداً فَرَزَقَنِي وَلَداً وَ سَأَلْتُهُ أَنْ يَرْزُقَنِي دَاراً فَرَزَقَنِي وَ قَدْ خِفْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ ذَلِكَ اسْتِدْرَاجاً[1] فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ مَعَ الْحَمْدِ فَلَا.

‘I prayed to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for property and He granted me. I prayed to Allah for a child and He granted me. I prayed to Him for a house and He granted me. I am afraid that it (coming true of my wishes) is a kind of leading me to my own destruction (gradually)’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah

قَالَ أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ حَسَنُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ الصَّيْقَلُ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ صَدَقَ لِسَانُهُ زَكَى عَمَلُهُ وَ مَنْ حَسُنَتْ نِيَّتُهُ زِيدَ فِي رِزْقِهِ وَ مَنْ حَسُنَ بِرُّهُ بِأَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ مُدَّ لَهُ فِي عُمُرِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Making one’s tongue speak the truth purifies one’s deeds. Having good intentions increases one’s livelihood. One who betters his kind deeds toward his family is granted longevity in his life.’”

إِذَا وَقَعَ بَيْنَ رَجُلَيْنِ مُنَازَعَةٌ نَزَلَ مَلَكَانِ فَيَقُولَانِ لِلسَّفِيهِ مِنْهُمَا قُلْتَ وَ قُلْتَ‌[2] وَ أَنْتَ أَهْلٌ لِمَا قُلْتَ سَتُجْزَى بِمَا قُلْتَ وَ يَقُولَانِ لِلْحَلِيمِ‌ مِنْهُمَا صَبَرْتَ وَ حَلُمْتَ سَيَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لَكَ إِنْ أَتْمَمْتَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ فَإِنْ رَدَّ الْحَلِيمُ عَلَيْهِ ارْتَفَعَ الْمَلَكَانِ.

“When two men dispute each other, two angels come down and say to the foolish one of the two, ‘You said what you said and you were the kind to say what you said and you will be brought to account for what you have said.’ Then they will say to the forbearing one of the two men, ‘You exercised patience and forbearance. A

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَنْ لَمْ يَكُنَّ فِيهِ لَمْ يَتِمَّ لَهُ عَمَلٌ وَرَعٌ يَحْجُزُهُ عَنْ مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ وَ خُلُقٌ يُدَارِي بِهِ النَّاسَ وَ حِلْمٌ يَرُدُّ بِهِ جَهْلَ الْجَاهِلِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things for the absence of which none of one’s deeds is complete: restraint from the worldly things to keep him from disobeying Allah, moral behavior with which one can gently deal with people and forbearance with which one can repel the ignorance of ignorant people.’”

سَمِعْتُ جَعْفَراً ع يَقُولُ‌ جَاءَ جَبْرَئِيلُ ع إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ- يَا مُحَمَّدُ رَبُّكَ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ وَ يَقُولُ لَكَ دَارِ خَلْقِي.

‘Jibril (the Archangel) once came to the Holy Prophet and said, “O Muhammad, your Lord sends you greetings of peace and says to you, ‘Be gentle and kind to My creatures.’””

فِي التَّوْرَاةِ مَكْتُوبٌ فِيمَا نَاجَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ ع يَا مُوسَى اكْتُمْ مَكْتُومَ سِرِّي فِي سَرِيرَتِكَ وَ أَظْهِرْ فِي عَلَانِيَتِكَ الْمُدَارَاةَ عَنِّي‌[1] لِعَدُوِّي وَ عَدُوِّكَ مِنْ خَلْقِي وَ لَا تَسْتَسِبَّ لِي عِنْدَهُمْ بِإِظْهَارِ مَكْتُومِ سِرِّي فَتَشْرَكَ عَدُوَّكَ وَ عَدُوِّي فِي سَبِّي.

“In the Torah it is of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to Moses ibn ‘Imran, ‘O Moses, keep My secret as secret in your secrecy. Demonstrate gentleness from Me in your public life toward your enemy and My enemy among My creatures. Do not express My secret (condemnation of the enemy) for Me before t

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَمَرَنِي رَبِّي بِمُدَارَاةِ النَّاسِ كَمَا أَمَرَنِي بِأَدَاءِ الْفَرَائِضِ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘My Lord (Allah) has commanded me to be gentle to people just as He has commanded me to fulfill my obligations.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مُدَارَاةُ النَّاسِ نِصْفُ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الرِّفْقُ بِهِمْ نِصْفُ الْعَيْشِ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع خَالِطُوا الْأَبْرَارَ سِرّاً وَ خَالِطُوا الْفُجَّارَ جِهَاراً وَ لَا تَمِيلُوا عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَظْلِمُوكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ سَيَأْتِي عَلَيْكُمْ زَمَانٌ لَا يَنْجُو فِيهِ مِنْ ذَوِي الدِّينِ إِلَّا مَنْ ظَنُّوا أَنَّهُ أَبْلَهُ وَ صَبَّرَ نَفْسَهُ عَلَى أَنْ يُقَالَ [لَهُ‌] إِنَّهُ أَبْلَه

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Dealing kindly with people is half of belief and leniency to them is half of livelihood.’ The Imam then said, ‘Meet the virtuous people privately. Meet the criminals in public and do not be attracted to them; they will do injustice to you. There will come a time when, from the religio

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنَ النَّاسِ قَلَّتْ مُدَارَاتُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ فَأُنِفُوا مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ‌[2] وَ ايْمُ اللَّهِ مَا كَانَ بِأَحْسَابِهِمْ بَأْسٌ- وَ إِنَّ قَوْماً مِنْ غَيْرِ قُرَيْشٍ حَسُنَتْ‌ مُدَارَاتُهُمْ فَأُلْحِقُوا بِالْبَيْتِ الرَّفِيعِ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ كَفَّ يَدَهُ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّمَا يَكُفُّ عَنْهُمْ يَداً وَاحِدَةً وَ يَكُفُّونَ عَنْهُ أَيْدِيَ كَثِيرَةٍ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) say, ‘Certain people lacked gentle dealings with others, they were expelled from the tribe of Quraysh. I swear by Allah, there was nothing wrong with their birth. On the other hand, certain people who were not from the tribe of Quraysh dealt with people gently and they were joined in the f

إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قُفْلًا وَ قُفْلُ الْإِيمَانِ الرِّفْقُ‌[1].

“For everything there is a lock and the lock for belief is friendliness.”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ مَنْ قُسِمَ لَهُ الرِّفْقُ قُسِمَ لَهُ الْإِيمَانُ.

“Whoever has received a share of friendliness has received a share of belief.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ فَمِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِعِبَادِهِ تَسْلِيلُهُ أَضْغَانَهُمْ‌[2] وَ مُضَادَّتَهُمْ‌[3] لِهَوَاهُمْ وَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ مِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِهِمْ أَنَّهُ يَدَعُهُمْ عَلَى الْأَمْرِ يُرِيدُ إِزَالَتَهُمْ عَنْهُ رِفْقاً بِهِمْ لِكَيْلَا يُلْقِيَ عَلَيْهِمْ عُرَى الْإِيمَانِ‌[4] وَ مُثَاقَلَتَهُ جُمْلَةً وَاحِدَةً فَيَضْعُفُوا فَإِذَا أَرَادَ ذَلِكَ نَسَخَ الْأَمْرَ بِالْآخ

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Safwan ibn Yahya from Yahya al-Azraq from Hammad ibn Bashir from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, is compassionate and He loves friendliness. Of the examples of His compassion to His worshippers is His reducing

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الرِّفْقُ يُمْنٌ وَ الْخُرْقُ شُؤْمٌ‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Friendliness is a blessing and detachment is evil.’”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَ يُعْطِي عَلَى الرِّفْقِ مَا لَا يُعْطِي عَلَى الْعُنْفِ.

5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Mahbub from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is compassionate. He loves kindheartedness and awards for it with such things that He does not give due to rudeness.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِنَّ الرِّفْقَ لَمْ يُوضَعْ عَلَى شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا زَانَهُ‌[2] وَ لَا نُزِعَ مِنْ شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا شَانَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There is nothing in which friendliness is placed but that such thing is beautified. There is nothing from which friendliness is removed but that such thing is shunned.”’

إِنَّ فِي الرِّفْقِ الزِّيَادَةَ وَ الْبَرَكَةَ وَ مَنْ يُحْرَمِ الرِّفْقَ يُحْرَمِ الْخَيْرَ.

“In friendliness, certainly, there are increased blessings. One dispossessed of (faculty) friendliness is deprived of goodness.”

مَا زُوِيَ الرِّفْقُ عَنْ أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ إِلَّا زُوِيَ عَنْهُمُ الْخَيْرُ.

“If kindheartedness goes away from a family, goodness departs them also.”

أَيُّمَا أَهْلِ بَيْتٍ أُعْطُوا حَظَّهُمْ مِنَ الرِّفْقِ فَقَدْ وَسَّعَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فِي الرِّزْقِ وَ الرِّفْقُ فِي تَقْدِيرِ الْمَعِيشَةِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ السَّعَةِ فِي الْمَالِ وَ الرِّفْقُ لَا يَعْجِزُ عَنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَ التَّبْذِيرُ لَا يَبْقَى مَعَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ‌[3].

“Any family who has received their share of kindheartedness, Allah has certainly increased their livelihood. Friendliness in matters of earning a living is better than great wealth. Friendliness does not cause any weakness but a spendthrift habit leaves nothing in place. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is comp

الرِّفْقُ نِصْفُ الْعَيْشِ.

“Friendliness is half of livelihood.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَ يُعِينُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَكِبْتُمُ الدَّوَابَّ الْعُجْفَ‌[2] فَأَنْزِلُوهَا مَنَازِلَهَا- فَإِنْ كَانَتِ الْأَرْضُ مُجْدِبَةً فَانْجُوا عَنْهَا وَ إِنْ كَانَتْ مُخْصِبَةً فَأَنْزِلُوهَا مَنَازِلَهَا.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Allah, certainly, loves kindheartedness and He supports one to achieve it. If you ride a weak animal allow it to rest whenever needed. If it is a barren land pass it quickly, and if it is a fertile land, allow them to rest as they need.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَوْ كَانَ الرِّفْقُ خَلْقاً يُرَى مَا كَانَ مِمَّا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If kindheartedness were to be seen like a creature, nothing of the creatures of Allah could have been as good as kindheartedness.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ رَفِيقٌ يُحِبُّ الرِّفْقَ وَ مِنْ رِفْقِهِ بِكُمْ تَسْلِيلُ أَضْغَانِكُمْ وَ مُضَادَّةِ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَ إِنَّهُ لَيُرِيدُ تَحْوِيلَ الْعَبْدِ عَنِ الْأَمْرِ فَيَتْرُكُهُ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَوِّلَهُ بِالنَّاسِخِ كَرَاهِيَةَ تَثَاقُلِ الْحَقِّ عَلَيْهِ.

“Allah is compassionate and He loves kindheartedness. Of the examples of His compassion is His reducing and easing off of your feeling of grudge and hatred that confronts your wish and your heart. When He decides to change a worshipper’s habits He issues a command and then changes it with an abrogating command so that

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

إِذَا جَمَعَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الْأَوَّلِينَ وَ الْآخِرِينَ قَامَ مُنَادٍ فَنَادَى يُسْمِعُ النَّاسَ فَيَقُولُ أَيْنَ الْمُتَحَابُّونَ فِي اللَّهِ قَالَ فَيَقُومُ عُنُقٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ فَيُقَالُ لَهُمُ اذْهَبُوا إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ قَالَ فَتَلَقَّاهُمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ فَيَقُولُونَ إِلَى أَيْنَ فَيَقُولُونَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ قَالَ فَيَقُولُونَ فَأَيُّ ضَرْبٍ‌[3] أَنْتُمْ مِنَ النَّاسِ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, will gather together all the people of the past and the later generations, a caller whom everyone will hear will call, ‘Where are those whose love was just for the sake of Allah?’ Certain necks will rise from among the people and it will be said to them, ‘Go to paradise without

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص يَقُولُ‌ لِيَجْتَمِعْ فِي قَلْبِكَ الِافْتِقَارُ إِلَى النَّاسِ وَ الِاسْتِغْنَاءُ عَنْهُمْ فَيَكُونَ افْتِقَارُكَ إِلَيْهِمْ فِي لِينِ كَلَامِكَ وَ حُسْنِ بِشْرِكَ وَ يَكُونَ اسْتِغْنَاؤُكَ عَنْهُمْ فِي نَزَاهَةِ عِرْضِكَ وَ بَقَاءِ عِزِّكَ‌[5]. - عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَعْبَدٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَلِيُّ بْنُ عُمَرَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِ

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) would say, ‘In your heart you must have both hope in people and independence from them. Your hope and need in people must be in the form of speaking to them softly and with a delightful appearance. Your independence from them must be in the form of maintaining dignity and sa

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.

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ رَجُلًا أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ‌ لا تُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ‌ شَيْئاً وَ إِنْ حُرِّقْتَ بِالنَّارِ وَ عُذِّبْتَ إِلَّا وَ قَلْبُكَ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالْإِيمَانِ وَ وَالِدَيْكَ فَأَطِعْهُمَا[3] وَ بَرَّهُمَا حَيَّيْنِ كَانَا أَوْ مَيِّتَيْنِ وَ إِنْ أَمَرَاكَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ وَ مَالِكَ فَافْعَلْ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah, give me a good advice.” The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Do not consider anything as partner of Allah even if you are tortured with fire except when your heart is confident with belief. You must obey your parents an

يَأْتِي يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِثْلُ الْكُبَّةِ[4] فَيَدْفَعُ فِي ظَهْرِ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَيُدْخِلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ فَيُقَالُ هَذَا الْبِرُّ.

“On the Day of Judgment something will suddenly come behind the believer, rush him forward and admit him in paradise. It will be said, ‘This is kindness.’”

قُلْتُ أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ الصَّلَاةُ لِوَقْتِهَا وَ بِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ الْجِهَادُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ.

“I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which deed is the best?’ The Imam said, ‘Prayer in its proper time, kindness to parents and hard work to strive for the cause of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

سَأَلَ رَجُلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّه ص- مَا حَقُّ الْوَالِدِ عَلَى وَلَدِهِ قَالَ لَا يُسَمِّيهِ بِاسْمِهِ وَ لَا يَمْشِي بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَ لَا يَجْلِسُ قَبْلَهُ وَ لَا يَسْتَسِبُّ لَهُ‌[1].

“Once, a man asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘What is the right of the father on the son?’ The messenger of Allah said, ‘The son must not address his father by his name (first name), must not walk in front of him, must not take a seat before him, and must not cause people to abuse him.’”

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

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَا يَمْنَعُ الرَّجُلَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يَبَرَّ وَالِدَيْهِ حَيَّيْنِ وَ مَيِّتَيْنِ يُصَلِّيَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَحُجَّ عَنْهُمَا وَ يَصُومَ عَنْهُمَا فَيَكُونَ الَّذِي صَنَعَ لَهُمَا وَ لَهُ مِثْلُ ذَلِكَ فَيَزِيدَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِبِرِّهِ وَ صِلَتِهِ خَيْراً كَثِيراً.

7. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from al-Hakam ibn Miskin from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Nothing prevents any of you from doing kindness to your parents, who are living or dead, in the form of prayer for them, giving

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا ع أَدْعُو لِوَالِدَيَّ إِذَا كَانَا لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ قَالَ ادْعُ لَهُمَا وَ تَصَدَّقْ عَنْهُمَا وَ إِنْ كَانَا حَيَّيْنِ لَا يَعْرِفَانِ الْحَقَّ فَدَارِهِمَا فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَنِي بِالرَّحْمَةِ لَا بِالْعُقُوقِ.

‘Pray for them and give charity on their behalf. If they are living and do not know the truth, be kind to them; the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah has sent me with (message of) kindness and not to punish.’”

جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ أَبَرُّ قَالَ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ‌ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ أُمَّكَ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ أَبَاكَ.

“Once a man came to the Holy Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, to whom should I be kind?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Be kind to your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then whom?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then whom?’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Your mother.’ The man asked, ‘Then who