Truthfulness

كَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ هُلَيْلٍ‌[2] يَقُولُ بِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ‌[3] فَصَارَ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِ[4] فَرَجَعَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَسَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ سَبَبِ رُجُوعِهِ فَقَالَ إِنِّي عَرَضْتُ لِأَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع أَنْ أَسْأَلَهُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَوَافَقَنِي فِي طَرِيقٍ ضَيِّقٍ فَمَالَ نَحْوِي حَتَّى إِذَا حَاذَانِي أَقْبَلَ نَحْوِي بِشَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ فِيهِ فَوَقَعَ عَلَى صَدْرِي فَأَخَذْتُهُ فَإِذَا هُوَ رَقٌّ فِيهِ مَكْتُوبٌ مَا كَانَ هُنَ

“‘Abdallah ibn Hulayl believe in ‘Abdallah (ibn Ja’far (a.s.) ) to be the Imam). He went to the army head quarters in Samarra, Iraq and thereafter he changed his belief. I asked him about the reason for such change. He said, “I thought (while in Samarra) I should discuss it with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) and ask him about i

جَاءَتْ أُمُّ أَسْلَمَ يَوْماً إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ هُوَ فِي مَنْزِلِ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ فَسَأَلَتْهَا عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَقَالَتْ خَرَجَ فِي بَعْضِ الْحَوَائِجِ وَ السَّاعَةَ يَجِي‌ءُ فَانْتَظَرَتْهُ عِنْدَ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ حَتَّى جَاءَ ص فَقَالَتْ‌ أُمُّ أَسْلَمَ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي قَدْ قَرَأْتُ الْكُتُبَ وَ عَلِمْتُ كُلَّ نَبِيٍّ وَ وَصِيٍّ- فَمُوسَى كَانَ لَهُ وَصِيٌّ فِي حَيَاتِه

“One day ’Umm Aslam came to the Holy Prophet (s.a) when he was in the house of ’Umm salama. She asked about the Messenger of Allah. ’Umm Salama relied that he had just went out for some thing and that he would return soon. She then waited with ’Umm Salama until he (the Messenger of Allah) came. ’Umm Aslam then said, “M

أَنَّ زَيْدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ ع دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ وَ مَعَهُ كُتُبٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ يَدْعُونَهُ فِيهَا إِلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَ يُخْبِرُونَهُ بِاجْتِمَاعِهِمْ وَ يَأْمُرُونَهُ بِالْخُرُوجِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع هَذِهِ الْكُتُبُ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنْهُمْ أَوْ جَوَابُ مَا كَتَبْتَ بِهِ إِلَيْهِمْ وَ دَعَوْتَهُمْ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ بَلِ ابْتِدَاءٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ لِمَعْرِف

16. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Husayn ibn al-Jarud from Musa ibn Bakr ibn Dab from the one who narrated to him from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following. “Once Zayd ibn Ali ibn al-Husayn went to see abu Ja’far, Muhammad ibn Ali. He carried with him l

لَمَّا خَرَجَ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْمَقْتُولُ- بِفَخٍ‌[1] وَ احْتَوَى عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ دَعَا مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ إِلَى الْبَيْعَةِ فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ لَهُ يَا ابْنَ عَمِّ لَا تُكَلِّفْنِي مَا كَلَّفَ ابْنُ عَمِّكَ عَمَّكَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ فَيَخْرُجَ مِنِّي مَا لَا أُرِيدُ كَمَا خَرَجَ مِنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يُرِيدُ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْحُسَيْنُ إِنَّمَا عَرَضْتُ عَلَيْكَ أَمْراً فَإِنْ أَرَد

“When al-Husayn ibn Ali who was killed in al-Fakhkh, began his uprising he controlled the city of Madina and called Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) to pledge allegiance for him. When he was brought before him (al-Husayn he Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) ) said, “Son of my uncle, “Do not impose on what the son of your uncle imposed on y

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

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذْ دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ مِهْزَمٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْ هَذَا الْأَمْرِ الَّذِي نَنْتَظِرُ مَتَى هُوَ فَقَالَ يَا مِهْزَمُ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ وَ هَلَكَ الْمُسْتَعْجِلُونَ وَ نَجَا الْمُسَلِّمُونَ.

“Once I was in the presence of abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) that Mihzam came in and to The Imam (a.s.), ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, enlighten me about this matter that we wait for (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine authoriiity). When it will take place?” The Imam (a.s.) said, “O Mihzam, those who give it

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ الْقَائِمِ ع فَقَالَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ إِنَّا أَهْلُ بَيْتٍ لَا نُوَقِّتُ.

“I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) , ‘I asked abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) about al-Qa’im ((the one who will rise with Divine Authority) with divine power).’ He said, “Those who give it a definite time have spoken lies. We, Ahl al-Bayt, do not set a definite time.”

قُلْتُ لِهَذَا الْأَمْرِ وَقْتٌ فَقَالَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ كَذَبَ الْوَقَّاتُونَ إِنَّ مُوسَى ع لَمَّا خَرَجَ وَافِداً إِلَى‌ رَبِّهِ وَاعَدَهُمْ ثَلَاثِينَ يَوْماً فَلَمَّا زَادَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى الثَّلَاثِينَ عَشْراً قَالَ قَوْمُهُ قَدْ أَخْلَفَنَا مُوسَى فَصَنَعُوا مَا صَنَعُوا فَإِذَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمُ الْحَدِيثَ فَجَاءَ عَلَى مَا حَدَّثْنَاكُمْ بِهِ فَقُولُوا صَدَقَ اللَّهُ وَ إِذَا حَدَّثْن

“I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ‘Is there a definite time for this matter (the rise of al-Mahdi with Divine Authority)?” He said, “Those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied, those who set a definite time have lied. When Musa (Moses) came out to delegate before his lord and gave the pe

قُلْتُ لَهُ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ‌ وُجُوهُهُمْ مُسْوَدَّةٌ[2] قَالَ مَنْ قَالَ إِنِّي إِمَامٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَوِيّاً قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ عَلَوِيّاً قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ وُلْدِ عَلِيِّ ابْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ ع قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ.

“I asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘On the Day of Judgment you will see the faces of those who had invented falsehood against God blackened. . .” (39:60). The Imam (a.s.) said, “It refers to whose who claim to be the Imam but in fact, is not the Imam.” I then aske

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ‌ وَ يَوْمَ الْقِيامَةِ تَرَى الَّذِينَ كَذَبُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ‌ قَالَ كُلُّ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ إِمَامٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِإِمَامٍ قُلْتُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَاطِمِيّاً عَلَوِيّاً قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فَاطِمِيّاً عَلَوِيّاً.

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the words of Allah, ‘On the Day of Judgment you will see the faces of those who had invented falsehood against God blackened. . .”? (39:60). He said, “Itrefers to whoever would claim to be the Imam and, in fact, is

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ إِذا فَعَلُوا فاحِشَةً قالُوا وَجَدْنا عَلَيْها آباءَنا وَ اللَّهُ أَمَرَنا بِها قُلْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَأْمُرُ بِالْفَحْشاءِ أَ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى اللَّهِ ما لا تَعْلَمُونَ‌[2] قَالَ فَقَالَ هَلْ رَأَيْتَ أَحَداً زَعَمَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ بِالزِّنَا وَ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ أَوْ شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْمَحَارِمِ فَقُلْتُ لَا فَقَالَ مَا هَذِهِ الْفَاحِشَةُ الَّتِي يَدَّعُو

“I asked (the Imam (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most gracious, ‘When (The faithless) commit indecent acts they say, “We found our fathers doing this and God has commanded us to do the same.” (Muhammad) tell them that God does not command anyone to commit indecency. Do you speak for God, sayin

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي أُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ فَيَكْثُرُ عَجَبِي مِنْ أَقْوَامٍ لَا يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ وَ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ فُلَاناً وَ فُلَاناً لَهُمْ أَمَانَةٌ وَ صِدْقٌ وَ وَفَاءٌ وَ أَقْوَامٌ يَتَوَلَّوْنَكُمْ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْأَمَانَةُ وَ لَا الْوَفَاءُ وَ الصِّدْقُ قَالَ فَاسْتَوَى أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَالِساً فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَيَّ كَالْغَضْبَانِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا دِينَ لِمَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِوَلَاي

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.). ’I meet people and it increases my wonders when I find people who do not consider you as their guardians and Imams but they consider so and so as their Imam. However, they are trustworthy, truthful and loyal. I also find people who consider you as their guardian and Imam but are not tha

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ مَنْ دَانَ اللَّهَ بِغَيْرِ سَمَاعٍ عَنْ صَادِقٍ أَلْزَمَهُ اللَّهُ الْبَتَّةَ[1] إِلَى الْعَنَاءِ- وَ مَنِ ادَّعَى سَمَاعاً مِنْ غَيْرِ الْبَابِ الَّذِي فَتَحَهُ اللَّهُ فَهُوَ مُشْرِكٌ وَ ذَلِكَ الْبَابُ الْمَأْمُونُ عَلَى سِرِّ اللَّهِ الْمَكْنُونِ.

“Abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever would follow the religion of Allah without hearing (instructions) from a truthful (Imam) person Allah will cause him, inevitably, to suffer hardships. Whoever would claim to have heard from a source other than the one Allah has opened for him, he will be considered as polytheist

قُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّهُمْ يُحَاجُّونَّا يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ الْإِمَامَ لَا يُغَسِّلُهُ إِلَّا الْإِمَامُ قَالَ فَقَالَ مَا يُدْرِيهِمْ مَنْ غَسَّلَهُ فَمَا قُلْتَ لَهُمْ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِنْ قَالَ‌ مَوْلَايَ إِنَّهُ غَسَّلَهُ تَحْتَ عَرْشِ رَبِّي فَقَدْ صَدَقَ وَ إِنْ قَالَ غَسَّلَهُ فِي تُخُومِ الْأَرْضِ فَقَدْ صَدَقَ قَالَ لَا هَكَذَا قَالَ فَقُلْتُ فَمَا أَقُولُ لَهُمْ قَالَ قُلْ لَهُمْ إِنّ

"I told him that they (al-Waqifiyya) argue with us, saying that no one can wash the body of an Imam except another Imam." Imam al-Ridha (as) replied, "How do they know who washed him (Imam al-Jawad)?" I then asked, "What should I say to them?" He instructed, "Tell them that if he (the Imam) said, 'My master, he washed

الِاقْتِرَافُ التَّسْلِيمُ لَنَا وَ الصِّدْقُ عَلَيْنَا وَ أَلَّا يَكْذِبَ عَلَيْنَا.

The Imam (a.s.) said, ‘achievement’ refers to one’s submission to us, his speaking the truth from us and not to ascribe any lies to us.”

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي الْحَسَنِ صَاحِبِ الْعَسْكَرِ ع جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ الصَّادِقِ ع حَدِيثُنَا لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللَّهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْإِيمَانِ فَجَاءَ الْجَوَابُ‌ إِنَّمَا مَعْنَى قَوْلِ الصَّادِقِ ع أَيْ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ مَلَكٌ وَ لَا نَبِيٌّ وَ لَا مُؤْمِنٌ إِنَّ الْمَلَكَ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ حَتَّى يُخْرِجَهُ إِلَى مَلَكٍ غَيْرِهِ وَ

“I wrote to Imam al-Hassan al_’Askari (a.s.) saying, May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, what is the meaning of the following Hadith of Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (a.s.)? “Our Hadith (statements) are difficult and they become difficult. No one is capable to bear them not even an angel or a prophet who is also a

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى‌ ائْتُونِي بِكِتابٍ مِنْ قَبْلِ هذا أَوْ أَثارَةٍ مِنْ عِلْمٍ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صادِقِينَ‌[4] قَالَ عَنَى بِالْكِتَابِ التَّوْرَاةَ وَ الْإِنْجِيلَ وَ أَثَارَةٍ مِنْ عِلْمٍ فَإِنَّمَا عَنَى بِذَلِكَ عِلْمَ أَوْصِيَاءِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع.

Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from abu ‘Ubayda who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja‘far, recipient of divine supreme covenant, about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most High: ‘. . . bring me a Book, revealed before this Quran, or anything remaining of knowledge

لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ‌ إِنَّما وَلِيُّكُمُ اللَّهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ وَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَ يُؤْتُونَ الزَّكاةَ وَ هُمْ راكِعُونَ‌[5] اجْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فِي مَسْجِدِ الْمَدِينَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ مَا تَقُولُونَ فِي هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ إِنْ كَفَرْنَا بِهَذِهِ الْآيَةِ نَكْفُرُ بِسَائِرِهَا وَ إِنْ آمَنَّا فَإِنَّ هَذَا ذُلٌّ حِينَ يُسَلِّطُ

The Imam (a.s.) said that once this verse was revealed. “Only God, His Messenger, and the true believers who are steadfast in prayer and pay alms, while they kneel during prayer, are your guardians” (5:55) Certain persons gathered in the Mosque of Madina. They said, ‘If we reject this verse we would have rejected the r

قِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّهُمْ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ أَبَا طَالِبٍ كَانَ كَافِراً فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا كَيْفَ يَكُونُ كَافِراً وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ‌ أَ لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنَّا وَجَدْنَا مُحَمَّداً نَبِيّاً كَمُوسَى خُطَّ فِي أَوَّلِ الْكُتُبِ‌ وَ فِي حَدِيثٍ آخَرَ كَيْفَ يَكُونُ- أَبُو طَالِبٍ كَافِراً وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ‌ لَقَدْ عَلِمُوا أَنَّ ابْنَنَا لَا مُكَذَّبٌ‌ لَدَيْنَا وَ لَا يَعْبَأُ بِقِيلِ‌[1] الْأَبَاطِلِ- وَ أَبْيَضَ يُسْتَسْقَى ا

“It was said to him (the Imam): 'people claim that Abu Talib was an unbeliever.' He (AS) said: 'They lied, how could he be an unbeliever when he would say: “Do they not know that we found Muhammad as a prophet like Musa whose name is written in the ancient books.”? According to another hadith he said, “How could Abu Ta

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

إِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ ع صِدِّيقَةٌ شَهِيدَةٌ وَ إِنَّ بَنَاتِ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ لَا يَطْمَثْنَ.

“Fatima is truthful and a martyr. The daughters of prophets do not experience menses.”

كَانَتْ أُمِّي قَاعِدَةً عِنْدَ جِدَارٍ فَتَصَدَّعَ الْجِدَارُ وَ سَمِعْنَا هَدَّةً شَدِيدَةً فَقَالَتْ بِيَدِهَا لَا وَ حَقِّ الْمُصْطَفَى مَا أَذِنَ اللَّهُ لَكَ فِي السُّقُوطِ فَبَقِيَ مُعَلَّقاً فِي الْجَوِّ حَتَّى جَازَتْهُ فَتَصَدَّقَ أَبِي عَنْهَا بِمِائَةِ دِينَارٍ قَالَ أَبُو الصَّبَّاحِ وَ ذَكَرَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع جَدَّتَهُ أُمَّ أَبِيهِ يَوْماً فَقَالَ كَانَتْ صِدِّيقَةً لَمْ تُدْرَكْ فِي آلِ الْحَسَن

“My mother was sitting by a wall when it began to crack, and we heard a loud noise. She raised her hand and said, "No, by the right of Al-Mustafa (the Prophet Muhammad), God has not permitted you to fall." The wall remained suspended in the air until she passed by. My father then gave charity on her behalf of one hundr

إِنَّ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْأَنْصَارِيَّ كَانَ آخِرَ مَنْ بَقِيَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ‌[1] وَ كَانَ رَجُلًا مُنْقَطِعاً إِلَيْنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَ كَانَ يَقْعُدُ فِي مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص وَ هُوَ مُعْتَجِرٌ[2] بِعِمَامَةٍ سَوْدَاءَ وَ كَانَ يُنَادِي يَا بَاقِرَ الْعِلْمِ يَا بَاقِرَ الْعِلْمِ فَكَانَ أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ يَقُولُونَ- جَابِرٌ يَهْجُرُ فَكَانَ يَقُولُ لَا وَ اللَّهِ مَا أَهْجُرُ

'Jabir ibn ‘Abdallah al-Ansari was last surviving of the companions of the Messenger of Allah. He was a devoted follower of us, Ahl al-Bayt. He would sit in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah, wearing a black turban. He would call, 'O Baqir al-‘Ilm, O Baqir al-‘Ilm, (a person of deep knowledge)' The people of Medina

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى ع إِذْ أَتَاهُ رَجُلٌ نَصْرَانِيٌّ وَ نَحْنُ مَعَهُ بِالْعُرَيْضِ‌[2] فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّصْرَانِيُّ أَتَيْتُكَ مِنْ بَلَدٍ بَعِيدٍ وَ سَفَرٍ شَاقٍّ وَ سَأَلْتُ رَبِّي مُنْذُ ثَلَاثِينَ سَنَةً أَنْ يُرْشِدَنِي إِلَى خَيْرِ الْأَدْيَانِ وَ إِلَى خَيْرِ الْعِبَادِ وَ أَعْلَمِهِمْ وَ أَتَانِي آتٍ فِي النَّوْمِ فَوَصَفَ لِي رَجُلًا بِعُلْيَا دِمَشْقَ فَانْطَلَقْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُهُ فَكَ

“I was in the presence of abu al-Hassan Musa (a.s.) that a Christian man came to see him. At this time we were with him in al-‘Urayd. The Christian man said, “I have come to you from a far away place after a difficult journey. I have been praying to my Lord for thirty years to guide me to the best of the religions and

لَمَّا خَرَجَ الْمَأْمُونُ مِنْ خُرَاسَانَ يُرِيدُ بَغْدَادَ وَ خَرَجَ الْفَضْلُ ذُو الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ وَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ ع وَرَدَ عَلَى الْفَضْلِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ ذِي الرِّئَاسَتَيْنِ كِتَابٌ مِنْ أَخِيهِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ سَهْلٍ وَ نَحْنُ فِي بَعْضِ الْمَنَازِلِ إِنِّي نَظَرْتُ فِي تَحْوِيلِ السَّنَةِ فِي حِسَابِ النُّجُومِ فَوَجَدْتُ فِيهِ أَنَّكَ تَذُوقُ فِي شَهْرِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا- يَوْمَ الْأَرْبِعَاءِ حَرّ

“When al-Ma’mun left Khurasan for Baghdad along with him came Fadl, Dhu al-Al-Ri’asatayn and we came out with abu al-Hassan (a.s.) Fadl ibn Sahl had received a letter from his brother Hassan, while we were on our journey. Hassan had said in the letter, “I studied the Zodiac changes this year according to the astrologic

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

قَعَدْتُ لِأَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ ع عَلَى ظَهْرِ الطَّرِيقِ فَلَمَّا مَرَّ بِي شَكَوْتُ إِلَيْهِ الْحَاجَةَ وَ حَلَفْتُ لَهُ أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ عِنْدِي دِرْهَمٌ فَمَا فَوْقَهَا وَ لَا غَدَاءٌ وَ لَا عَشَاءٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ تَحْلِفُ بِاللَّهِ كَاذِباً وَ قَدْ دَفَنْتَ مِائَتَيْ دِينَارٍ وَ لَيْسَ قَوْلِي هَذَا دَفْعاً لَكَ عَنِ الْعَطِيَّةِ أَعْطِهِ يَا غُلَامُ مَا مَعَكَ فَأَعْطَانِي غُلَامُهُ مِائَةَ دِينَارٍ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَ

“Once I sat on the side of the road waiting for abu Muhammad (a.s.) to pass by so that I can present before him my complain against a need. When he was passing by I presented my complain before him and swore that I did not have even a Dirham, nothing for lunch or dinner.” The narrator has said that the Imam (a.s.) said

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَخْلُقَ آدَمَ ع بَعَثَ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع فِي أَوَّلِ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَبَضَ بِيَمِينِهِ قَبْضَةً بَلَغَتْ قَبْضَتُهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ السَّابِعَةِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا وَ أَخَذَ مِنْ كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ تُرْبَةً وَ قَبَضَ قَبْضَةً أُخْرَى مِنَ الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْعُلْيَا إِلَى الْأَرْضِ السَّابِعَةِ الْقُصْوَى فَأَمَرَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَلِمَ

“When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, willed to create Adam He sent Jibril in the first hours of the Friday. He picked up with his right hand a handful. His hand had in its reach from the seventh heavens to the heaven above earth. From each of the heavens he picked up a handful. He also picked up another handful fro

الصِّبْغَةُ هِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ وَ قَالَ فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَ يُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقى‌ قَالَ هِيَ الْإِيمَانُ.

“About the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, ‘. . . It is the coloring of Allah. Who has a better color than Allah’s color?’ (2:138), the Imam said, ‘Color stands for al-lslam, the religion.’ He, about the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, also said, ‘Whoever then rejects the Taghut (falsehood) and

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّمَا هُوَ اللَّهُ وَ الشَّيْطَانُ وَ الْحَقُّ وَ الْبَاطِلُ وَ الْهُدَى وَ الضَّلَالَةُ وَ الرُّشْدُ وَ الْغَيُّ وَ الْعَاجِلَةُ وَ الْآجِلَةُ وَ الْعَاقِبَةُ وَ الْحَسَنَاتُ وَ السَّيِّئَاتُ فَمَا كَانَ مِنْ حَسَنَاتٍ فَلِلَّهِ وَ مَا كَانَ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتٍ فَلِلشَّيْطَانِ لَعَنَهُ اللَّهُ.

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father in a Marfa* manner from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘O people, what there is, is Allah and Satan, Truth and falsehood, guidance and straying, wisdom and error, present and fut

لَيْسَ يَعْنِي أَكْثَرَ عَمَلًا وَ لَكِنْ أَصْوَبَكُمْ عَمَلًا وَ إِنَّمَا الْإِصَابَةُ خَشْيَةُ اللَّهِ وَ النِّيَّةُ الصَّادِقَةُ وَ الْحَسَنَةُ[2] ثُمَّ قَالَ الْإِبْقَاءُ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ حَتَّى يَخْلُصَ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ وَ الْعَمَلُ الْخَالِصُ الَّذِي لَا تُرِيدُ أَنْ يَحْمَدَكَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ النِّيَّةُ أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ أَلَا وَ إِنَّ النِّيَّةَ هِيَ الْعَمَلُ ثُمَّ

He said: "It does not mean the one who performs the most deeds, but rather the one whose deeds are the most correct. And correctness comes from having fear of Allah, a truthful intention, and good conduct." Then he (AS) said: "Preserving the deed until it becomes sincere is more difficult than performing the deed itsel

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَوْقِفْنِي عَلَى حُدُودِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَ الْإِقْرَارُ بِمَا جَاءَ بِهِ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ وَ صَلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسِ وَ أَدَاءُ الزَّكَاةِ وَ صَوْمُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ حِجُّ الْبَيْتِ وَ وَلَايَةُ وَلِيِّنَا وَ عَدَاوَةُ عَدُوِّنَا وَ الدُّخُولُ مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ’Isa from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al- Rahman from ’Ajlan ibn Salih who has said the following: “I requested abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘Teach me, please, the principles of beliefs. The Imam said, ‘They are: to testify and affirm that there is no one who deserves to be worshipped exce

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ قالَتِ الْأَعْرابُ آمَنَّا قُلْ لَمْ تُؤْمِنُوا وَ لكِنْ قُولُوا أَسْلَمْنا[1] فَمَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُمْ آمَنُوا فَقَدْ كَذَبَ وَ مَنْ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يُسْلِمُوا فَقَدْ كَذَبَ.

“I heard Abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘The Arabs have said, “We have established belief.” Say, “You have not established belief but say, ‘We have accepted Islam.’ Belief has not yet entered your hearts.” (49:14) Whoever thinks that they (Arabs) had belief, his thoughts are false and whoever thinks that they had not accept

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ أَ هُمَا مُخْتَلِفَانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْإِيمَانَ يُشَارِكُ الْإِسْلَامَ وَ الْإِسْلَامَ لَا يُشَارِكُ الْإِيمَانَ فَقُلْتُ فَصِفْهُمَا لِي فَقَالَ- الْإِسْلَامُ شَهَادَةُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ التَّصْدِيقُ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِهِ حُقِنَتِ الدِّمَاءُ وَ عَلَيْهِ جَرَتِ الْمَنَاكِحُ وَ الْمَوَارِيثُ وَ عَلَى ظَاهِرِهِ جَمَاعَةُ ال

“I requested Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Teach me about Islam and belief. Are they different?’ He said, ‘Belief is inclusive of Islam but Islam is not inclusive of belief.’ I then asked, ‘Please describe them to me.’ He said, ‘Islam is to testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and to affirm the truthfulne

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْإِيمَانُ مَا اسْتَقَرَّ فِي الْقَلْبِ وَ أَفْضَى بِهِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ صَدَّقَهُ الْعَمَلُ بِالطَّاعَةِ لِلَّهِ وَ التَّسْلِيمِ لِأَمْرِهِ وَ الْإِسْلَامُ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ فِعْلٍ وَ هُوَ الَّذِي عَلَيْهِ جَمَاعَةُ النَّاسِ مِنَ الْفِرَقِ كُلِّهَا وَ بِهِ حُقِنَتِ الدِّمَاءُ وَ عَلَيْهِ جَرَتِ الْمَوَارِيثُ وَ جَازَ النِّكَاحُ وَ اجْتَمَعُوا عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَ الزَّكَا

“I heard from Abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘Belief is what settles down in the heart and takes it to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. One’s deeds testify to (its existence), (deeds) that come in the form of obedience to Allah and submission to His command. Islam is what appears through one’s words or deeds and tha

كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فَقَالَ لَهُ سَلَّامٌ‌[2] إِنَّ خَيْثَمَةَ ابْنَ أَبِي خَيْثَمَةَ يُحَدِّثُنَا عَنْكَ أَنَّهُ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِسْلَامِ فَقُلْتَ لَهُ إِنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ قِبْلَتَنَا وَ شَهِدَ شَهَادَتَنَا وَ نَسَكَ نُسُكَنَا وَ وَالَى وَلِيَّنَا وَ عَادَى عَدُوَّنَا فَهُوَ مُسْلِمٌ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ خَيْثَمَةُ قُلْتُ وَ سَأَلَكَ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقُلْتَ الْإِيمَانُ بِاللَّهِ وَ التَّصْدِ

“I was in the presence of abu Ja’far (a.s.) when Salam said, ‘Khaythamah ibn abu Khaythamah narrates to us from you that you were asked about Islam and you said, ‘Islam is this: Whoever faces our Qibla (direction of Makka), testifies to our testiment of belief, practices our practice, is a friend of our friend and an e

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَضَعَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى سَبْعَةِ أَسْهُمٍ عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَ الصِّدْقِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الرِّضَا وَ الْوَفَاءِ وَ الْعِلْمِ وَ الْحِلْمِ ثُمَّ قَسَمَ ذَلِكَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَمَنْ جَعَلَ فِيهِ هَذِهِ السَّبْعَةَ الْأَسْهُمِ فَهُوَ كَامِلٌ مُحْتَمِلٌ وَ قَسَمَ لِبَعْضِ النَّاسِ السَّهْمَ وَ لِبَعْضٍ السَّهْمَيْنِ وَ لِبَعْضٍ الثَّلَاثَةَ حَتَّى انْتَهَوْا إِلَى السَّبْعَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief in seven shares: virtue, truthfulness, certainty, compliance, loyalty, knowledge and forbearance. He then distributed it among the people. Whoever received all seven shares is perfect and heavy. He has given to certain people one sha

سُئِلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ الْإِيمَانَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ عَلَى الصَّبْرِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الْعَدْلِ وَ الْجِهَادِ فَالصَّبْرُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ عَلَى الشَّوْقِ وَ الْإِشْفَاقِ‌[8] وَ الزُّهْدِ وَ التَّرَقُّبِ فَمَنِ اشْتَاقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ سَلَا[9] عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ وَ مَنْ أَشْفَقَ مِنَ النَّارِ رَجَعَ عَنِ الْمُحَرَّمَاتِ‌[10

1. Through the same chain of narrators as the above Hadith it is narrated from ibn Mahbub from Ya’qub al-Sarraj from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) was asked about belief and he said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, made belief upon four p

الْمَكَارِمُ عَشْرٌ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ تَكُونَ فِيكَ فَلْتَكُنْ فَإِنَّهَا تَكُونُ فِي الرَّجُلِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي وَلَدِهِ وَ تَكُونُ فِي الْوَلَدِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي أَبِيهِ وَ تَكُونُ فِي الْعَبْدِ وَ لَا تَكُونُ فِي الْحُرِّ قِيلَ وَ مَا هُنَّ قَالَ صِدْقُ الْبَأْسِ‌[3] وَ صِدْقُ اللِّسَانِ وَ أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ وَ إِقْرَاءُ الضَّيْفِ‌[4]- وَ إِطْعَامُ السَّائِلِ وَ الْمُكَافَأَةُ عَلَ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Noble (human) qualities are ten. If you can establish all of them so be it. Such qualities may be found in a man but may not be found in his children. They may be found in the children but not in the father. At times they are found in a slave person but not in a free one.’ It was asked

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

أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَمَلَ إِسْلَامُهُ وَ لَوْ كَانَ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ خَطَايَا لَمْ تَنْقُصْهُ الصِّدْقُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَ الشُّكْرُ.

“If four things are found in a person his Islam is perfect, even though he may be filled with sins from his head to his toes it will not harm him. They consist of Truthfulness, Bashfulness, Good Moral Behavior and Thankfulness.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَبْدِيَ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَا أَصْرِفُهُ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ إِلَّا جَعَلْتُهُ خَيْراً لَهُ فَلْيَرْضَ بِقَضَائِي وَ لْيَصْبِرْ عَلَى بَلَائِي وَ لْيَشْكُرْ نَعْمَائِي أَكْتُبْهُ يَا مُحَمَّدُ مِنَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ عِنْدِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Whatever conditions I may turn My believing servant to are for his good. He then must agree with My decisions, be patient in My trial and appreciate My favors. I will then, O Muhammad, count him among the truthful ones.”’”

أَنَّ فِيمَا أَوْحَى اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ إِلَى مُوسَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ ع يَا مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ مَا خَلَقْتُ خَلْقاً أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ عَبْدِيَ‌ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَإِنِّي إِنَّمَا أَبْتَلِيهِ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أُعَافِيهِ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أَزْوِي‌[1] عَنْهُ مَا هُوَ شَرٌّ لَهُ لِمَا هُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصْلُحُ عَلَيْهِ عَبْدِي فَلْيَصْبِرْ عَلَى بَلَائِي وَ لْيَشْكُرْ نَعْمَائِ

"Of the revelations that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent to Musa ibn ‘Imran was as follows: ‘O Musa ibn ‘Imran, I have not created anything more beloved to Me than My believing servant. I try him only because it is for his good. I give him good health just for his good. I hold back what is evil for him in

خَرَجْتُ حَتَّى انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى هَذَا الْحَائِطِ فَاتَّكَأْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ عَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ أَبْيَضَانِ‌[5] يَنْظُرُ فِي تُجَاهِ وَجْهِي‌[6] ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ مَا لِي أَرَاكَ كَئِيباً حَزِيناً أَ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا فَرِزْقُ اللَّهِ حَاضِرٌ لِلْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ قُلْتُ مَا عَلَى هَذَا أَحْزَنُ وَ إِنَّهُ لَكَمَا تَقُولُ قَالَ فَعَلَى الْآخِرَةِ فَوَعْدٌ صَادِقٌ يَحْكُمُ فِيهِ مَلِ

“Once I walked out unil I reached this wall and leaned against it. At that time a man wearing only two pieces of white cloth was looking toward my face. He then said, ‘O, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), why do I see you gloomy and depressed? Is it over the world? Surely the sustenance from Allah is available for both the goo

قَالَ لِي‌ يَا جَابِرُ أَ يَكْتَفِي مَنِ انْتَحَلَ التَّشَيُّعَ‌[2] أَنْ يَقُولَ بِحُبِّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَوَ اللَّهِ مَا شِيعَتُنَا إِلَّا مَنِ اتَّقَى اللَّهَ وَ أَطَاعَهُ وَ مَا كَانُوا يُعْرَفُونَ يَا جَابِرُ إِلَّا بِالتَّوَاضُعِ وَ التَّخَشُّعِ وَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ كَثْرَةِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَ الصَّوْمِ وَ الصَّلَاةِ وَ الْبِرِّ بِالْوَالِدَيْنِ وَ التَّعَاهُدِ لِلْجِيرَانِ مِنَ الْفُقَرَاءِ وَ أَهْلِ الْمَسْكَ

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn Salim and Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from his father all from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “O Jabir, do people think just claiming to be our Shi’a and saying they love us ( Ahl al-Bayt) is enough f

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَ الْوَرَعِ وَ الِاجْتِهَادِ وَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ حُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ وَ حُسْنِ الْجِوَارِ وَ كُونُوا دُعَاةً إِلَى أَنْفُسِكُمْ بِغَيْرِ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَ كُونُوا زَيْناً وَ لَا تَكُونُوا شَيْناً وَ عَلَيْكُمْ بِطُولِ الرُّكُوعِ وَ السُّجُودِ فَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا أَطَالَ الرُّكُوعَ وَ السُّجُودَ هَتَفَ إِبْلِيسُ مِنْ خَل

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from abu ‘Usama who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must be pious before Allah, restrain yourself against worldly matters, work hard, speak the truth, keep the trust, have good moral behaviors,

أَعِينُونَا بِالْوَرَعِ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنْكُمْ بِالْوَرَعِ كَانَ لَهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَرَجاً وَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- مَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَ الرَّسُولَ‌ فَأُولئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ وَ الشُّهَداءِ وَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ حَسُنَ أُولئِكَ رَفِيقاً[3] فَمِنَّا النَّبِيُّ وَ مِنَّا الصِّدِّيقُ وَ الشُّهَدَاءُ وَ الصَّ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Support us by means of restraint from worldly matters; whoever of you will meet Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with the quality of restraint from worldly matters will have enough good news from Allah. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “One who obeys Allah and the

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى يَا عِبَادِيَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ تَنَعَّمُوا بِعِبَادَتِي فِي الدُّنْيَا[2] فَإِنَّكُمْ تَتَنَعَّمُونَ بِهَا فِي الْآخِرَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, “O My truthful servants, enjoy the blessings of worshipping Me in this world; you will enjoy its benefits in the next life.’””

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