Truthfulness

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لَا يُنَالُ الْمُلْكُ فِيهِ إِلَّا بِالْقَتْلِ وَ التَّجَبُّرِ وَ لَا الْغِنَى إِلَّا بِالْغَصْبِ وَ الْبُخْلِ وَ لَا الْمَحَبَّةُ إِلَّا بِاسْتِخْرَاجِ الدِّينِ‌[1] وَ اتِّبَاعِ الْهَوَى- فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانَ فَصَبَرَ عَلَى الْفَقْرِ وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْغِنَى وَ صَبَرَ عَلَى الْبِغْضَةِ[2] وَ هُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَحَبَّةِ وَ صَبَرَ عَلَى

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A time will come upon people when kingdom can be achieved only by committing murders and tyranny. Wealth can only be achieved through usurpation and stinginess. Love and harmony can be established only by exclusion of religion and by following desires. Those living at such a time must

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع هَلْ لِلشُّكْرِ حَدٌّ إِذَا فَعَلَهُ الْعَبْدُ كَانَ شَاكِراً قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ مَا هُوَ قَالَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ عَلَيْهِ فِي أَهْلٍ وَ مَالٍ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِيمَا أَنْعَمَ عَلَيْهِ فِي مَالِهِ حَقٌّ أَدَّاهُ وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ جَلَّ وَ عَزَّ- سُبْحانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنا هذا وَ ما كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ‌[1] وَ مِنْهُ قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى- رَبِّ أَنْزِلْنِي مُنْزَلً

“The Imam said, ‘Yes, there is a limit.’ I then asked, ‘What is that limit?’ The Imam said, ‘One must thank Allah for every favor that He has done, such as family and properties. If on the property one has received there is a certain right it must be paid off as is mentioned in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, th

كَانَ نُوحٌ ع يَقُولُ ذَلِكَ‌[1] إِذَا أَصْبَحَ فَسُمِّيَ بِذَلِكَ عَبْداً شَكُوراً وَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص مَنْ صَدَقَ اللَّهَ نَجَا.

29. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Noah would say the prayer in the previous Hadith every morning and for that reason he is called a thankful person.’ The Imam said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “Whoever a

أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَمَلَ إِيمَانُهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ- ذُنُوباً لَمْ يَنْقُصْهُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ وَ هُوَ الصِّدْقُ وَ أَدَاءُ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ‌[1].

“Whoever has four things, his belief is complete even if he is covered with sins from his top to his toes, and it will not harm him. They are truthfulness, safe return of the trust, bashfulness and excellent moral behavior.”

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَمْ يَبْعَثْ نَبِيّاً إِلَّا بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ إِلَى الْبَرِّ وَ الْفَاجِرِ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from al-Husayn ibn abu al-‘Ala’ from abu ‘Abd Allah recipient of divine supreme covenant who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has not sent any prophet who would not be truthful in their words and t

لَا تَغْتَرُّوا بِصَلَاتِهِمْ وَ لَا بِصِيَامِهِمْ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ رُبَّمَا لَهِجَ بِالصَّلَاةِ[2] وَ الصَّوْمِ حَتَّى لَوْ تَرَكَهُ اسْتَوْحَشَ وَ لَكِنِ اخْتَبِرُوهُمْ عِنْدَ صِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْأَمَانَةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not allow their prayers or fasts mislead you. A man may develop an attachment to praying or fasting so much so that without it he may feel frightened. Try them how truthful they are in their words or how reliable they are in returning the trust.’”

مَنْ صَدَقَ لِسَانُهُ زَكَى عَمَلُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever’s tongue is truthful; his deeds are clean and pure.’”

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فِي أَوَّلِ دَخْلَةٍ دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ تَعَلَّمُوا الصِّدْقَ قَبْلَ الْحَدِيثِ.

“The first time I met abu Ja’far (a.s.) he said to me, ‘Learn to speak the truth before narrating al-Hadith (statements of the Holy prophet and ‘ A’immah ).’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلَامَ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ وَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ إِذَا أَتَيْتَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ فَأَقْرِئْهُ السَّلَامَ وَ قُلْ لَهُ إِنَّ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ يَقُولُ لَكَ انْظُرْ مَا بَلَغَ بِهِ عَلِيٌّ ع عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص فَالْزَمْهُ فَإِنَّ عَلِيّاً ع إِنَّمَا بَلَغَ مَا بَلَغَ بِهِ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص بِصِدْقِ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءِ الْ

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) “Abd Allah ibn abu Ya’fur has sent you ( salam ) greetings.’ The Imam said, ‘May salam (peace) be with you and with him. If you meet ‘Abd Allah convey salam to him and say, ‘Ja’far, son of Muhammad, says to you, “Consider to what level Ali (Amir al-Mu’minin ibn abu Talib) had reache

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا فُضَيْلُ إِنَّ الصَّادِقَ أَوَّلُ مَنْ يُصَدِّقُهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ صَادِقٌ وَ تُصَدِّقُهُ نَفْسُهُ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ صَادِقٌ.

“Once Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Fudayl, the truthfulness of a truthful person is first verified by Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. He knows that he is truthful. Then his own soul confirms; it knows his truthfulness.’”

إِنَّمَا سُمِّيَ إِسْمَاعِيلُ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ لِأَنَّهُ وَعَدَ رَجُلًا فِي مَكَانٍ فَانْتَظَرَهُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْمَكَانِ سَنَةً[1] فَسَمَّاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ صَادِقَ الْوَعْدِ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ أَتَاهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِسْمَاعِيلُ مَا زِلْتُ مُنْتَظِراً لَكَ.

“Isma’il is called the truthful in his promises; he promised a man to meet him at a certain place and Isma’il waited for him at that place for one year. Thus, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, named him the truthful in his promise. The Imam then said, ‘The man then came at that place and Isma’il said to him, “I

قَالَ لِي أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ يَا رَبِيعُ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَصْدُقُ حَتَّى يَكْتُبَهُ اللَّهُ صِدِّيقاً[2].

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Rab’i, a man must keep speaking the truth until Allah writes him down as a truthful one.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَصْدُقُ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ وَ يَكْذِبُ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنَ الْكَاذِبِينَ فَإِذَا صَدَقَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ صَدَقَ وَ بَرَّ وَ إِذَا كَذَبَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ كَذَبَ وَ فَجَرَ[3].

9. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al- Washsha’ from Ali ibn abu Hamza from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘A servant (of Allah) may keep speaking the truth until he is written among the truthful ones before Allah or keep speaking lies unti

كُونُوا دُعَاةً لِلنَّاسِ بِالْخَيْرِ بِغَيْرِ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ لِيَرَوْا مِنْكُمُ الِاجْتِهَادَ وَ الصِّدْقَ وَ الْوَرَعَ.

10. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Mahbub from al- ‘Ala’ ibn Razin from ‘Abd Allah ibn abu Ya’fur from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Preach and call people to the good, but not with your tongues. They must see from your hard work, tru

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.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَا تَنْظُرُوا إِلَى طُولِ رُكُوعِ الرَّجُلِ وَ سُجُودِهِ فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ شَيْ‌ءٌ اعْتَادَهُ فَلَوْ تَرَكَهُ اسْتَوْحَشَ لِذَلِكَ وَ لَكِنِ انْظُرُوا إِلَى صِدْقِ حَدِيثِهِ وَ أَدَاءِ أَمَانَتِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not look to the long Ruku’ (bowing down on one’s knees for prayer) and Sajda (prostrating in prayer) of a man. It may have become his routine; without it he may feel frightened, but look to the truthfulness in his words and his credibility in keeping the trust.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ أَرْبَعٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ وَ كَانَ مِنْ قَرْنِهِ إِلَى قَدَمِهِ ذُنُوباً بَدَّلَهَا اللَّهُ حَسَنَاتٍ‌[1] الصِّدْقُ وَ الْحَيَاءُ وَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ وَ الشُّكْرُ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Bukayr ibn Salih from al-Hassan ibn Ali from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ibrahim from Ali ibn abu Ali al-Lahabi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘If four things are found in a person, even though he may be full of

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

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

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

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

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

قَالَ: أَبْلِغْ عَنِّي كَذَا وَ كَذَا فِي أَشْيَاءَ أَمَرَ بِهَا قُلْتُ فَأُبَلِّغُهُمْ عَنْكَ وَ أَقُولُ عَنِّي مَا قُلْتَ لِي وَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي قُلْتَ قَالَ نَعَمْ إِنَّ الْمُصْلِحَ لَيْسَ بِكَذَّابٍ إِنَّمَا هُوَ الصُّلْحُ لَيْسَ بِكَذِبٍ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘Convey from me to so and so, in a few matters that he commanded me to do.’ I said, ‘Therefore I convey from you to them and say from myself only what you have told me to say and other things that you said.’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, an arbitrator cannot lie. He is the councilor, not a liar

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ خَلَقَ قَوْماً لِلْحَقِ‌[2] فَإِذَا مَرَّ بِهِمُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ قَبِلَتْهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَهُ وَ إِذَا مَرَّ بِهِمُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْبَاطِلِ أَنْكَرَتْهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَهُ وَ خَلَقَ قَوْماً لِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ فَإِذَا مَرَّ بِهِمُ الْبَابُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْكَرَتْهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ إِنْ كَانُوا لَا يَعْرِفُونَهُ وَ إِذَا مَرَّ بِهِ

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Uthman from ibn ‘Udhaynah from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created a people for the truth, when they pass by the door of the truth, their hearts accept it, even though they may not know it. When they

قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَرْوُونَ أَنَّ عَلِيّاً ع قَالَ عَلَى مِنْبَرِ الْكُوفَةِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّكُمْ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى سَبِّي فَسُبُّونِي ثُمَّ تُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنِّي فَلَا تَبَرَّءُوا مِنِّي فَقَالَ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا يَكْذِبُ النَّاسُ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ ع ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّمَا قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى سَبِّي فَسُبُّونِي ثُمَّ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى الْبَرَاءَةِ مِنِّي وَ

“It was said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘People narrate that Ali (a.s.) once said from the pulpit in al-Kufah, “O people, one day you will be told to abuse me. You then will do so, then you will be told to denounce me but you will not denounce me.” The Imam said, ‘How often has this falsehood (lie) been told about Ali (a.

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي إِذَا غَضِبَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ غَضَبُهُ مِنْ حَقٍّ وَ إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ يَأْخُذْ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا لَهُ‌[3].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Of believers are only those who even on becoming angry do not deviate from the truth and when they become happy it does not take them into falsehood and when in power they do not take more than what is for them.’”

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي إِثْمٍ وَ لَا بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا سَخِطَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ سَخَطُهُ مِنْ قَوْلِ الْحَقِّ وَ الَّذِي إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ تُخْرِجْهُ قُدْرَتُهُ إِلَى التَّعَدِّي إِلَى مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ بِحَقٍّ.

“A believer is one whose agreement does not lead him into sin or falsehood. When he is angry it does not take him out of speaking the words of truth, when in power it does not lead him to cross over to where he has no right.”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا مِهْزَمُ شِيعَتُنَا مَنْ لَا يَعْدُو صَوْتُهُ سَمْعَهُ‌[4] وَ لَا شَحْنَاؤُهُ بَدَنَهُ‌[5] وَ لَا يَمْتَدِحُ بِنَا مُعْلِناً وَ لَا يُجَالِسُ لَنَا عَائِباً وَ لَا يُخَاصِمُ لَنَا قَالِياً إِنْ لَقِيَ مُؤْمِناً أَكْرَمَهُ وَ إِنْ لَقِيَ جَاهِلًا هَجَرَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَكَيْفَ أَصْنَعُ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الْمُتَشَيِّعَةِ[6] قَالَ فِيهِمُ التَّمْيِيزُ وَ فِيهِمُ التَّبْدِيلُ وَ فِي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the belie

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثُ خِصَالٍ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ اسْتَكْمَلَ خِصَالَ الْإِيمَانِ إِذَا رَضِيَ لَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ رِضَاهُ فِي بَاطِلٍ وَ إِذَا غَضِبَ لَمْ يُخْرِجْهُ الْغَضَبُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَ إِذَا قَدَرَ لَمْ يَتَعَاطَ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three qualities, the quality of his belief is complete: if he is happy it does not lead him to falsehood, his anger does not lead him out of the truth and when in power does not take hold of what is not rightfully his.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِنَّ لِأَهْلِ الدِّينِ عَلَامَاتٍ يُعْرَفُونَ بِهَا صِدْقَ الْحَدِيثِ وَ أَدَاءَ الْأَمَانَةِ وَ وَفَاءً بِالْعَهْدِ وَ صِلَةَ الْأَرْحَامِ وَ رَحْمَةَ الضُّعَفَاءِ وَ قِلَّةَ الْمُرَاقَبَةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ أَوْ قَالَ قِلَّةَ الْمُوَاتَاةِ لِلنِّسَاءِ[2] وَ بَذْلَ الْمَعْرُوفِ وَ حُسْنَ الْخُلُقِ وَ سَعَةَ الْخُلُقِ وَ اتِّبَاعَ الْعِلْمِ وَ مَا يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ زُلْ

30. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Religious people have certain signs by means of which they are recognized. Of such signs a

الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِنَانِ فَمُؤْمِنٌ صَدَقَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَ وَفَى بِشَرْطِهِ وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- رِجالٌ صَدَقُوا ما عاهَدُوا اللَّهَ عَلَيْهِ‌[1] فَذَلِكَ الَّذِي لَا تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا أَهْوَالُ الْآخِرَةِ وَ ذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ يَشْفَعُ وَ لَا يُشْفَعُ لَهُ وَ مُؤْمِنٌ كَخَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ‌[2] تَعْوَجُّ أَحْيَاناً وَ تَقُومُ أَحْيَاناً فَذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْ

“There are two kinds of believing people: one kind is true to the covenant with Allah and has kept the stipulation as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘Among the believers there are people who are true in their promise to Allah. . . .’ (33:23) This kind of believing people do not become subject to any

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِنَانِ مُؤْمِنٌ وَفَى لِلَّهِ بِشُرُوطِهِ الَّتِي شَرَطَهَا عَلَيْهِ فَذَلِكَ مَعَ‌ النَّبِيِّينَ‌ وَ الصِّدِّيقِينَ وَ الشُّهَداءِ وَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ حَسُنَ أُولئِكَ رَفِيقاً وَ ذَلِكَ مَنْ يَشْفَعُ وَ لَا يُشْفَعُ لَهُ وَ ذَلِكَ مِمَّنْ لَا تُصِيبُهُ أَهْوَالُ الدُّنْيَا وَ لَا أَهْوَالُ الْآخِرَةِ وَ مُؤْمِنٌ زَلَّتْ بِهِ قَدَمٌ فَذَلِكَ كَخَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ كَيْفَمَا كَفَأَتْه

“I heard the Imam saying, ‘There are two kinds of believing people: one kind is true to the stipulations that He has made with him. He is with the prophets, the truthful ones, the martyrs and the virtuous ones. These indeed are good companions. Such ones intercede on behalf of others but they themselves do not need any

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ عَلَى هَذَا الْأَمْرِ[2] إِنْ حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَ إِنْ وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ وَ إِنِ ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ مَا مَنْزِلَتُهُ قَالَ هِيَ أَدْنَى الْمَنَازِلِ مِنَ الْكُفْرِ وَ لَيْسَ بِكَافِرٍ.

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘A man who is in this cause (belief of Shi’a Muslims), but the words he speaks are lies, disregards his promise, and violates his trust. What is his value?’ The Imam said, ‘It is very close to disbelief but he is not an unbeliever.’”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ ثَلَاثٌ مَنْ كُنَّ فِيهِ كَانَ مُنَافِقاً- وَ إِنْ صَامَ وَ صَلَّى وَ زَعَمَ أَنَّهُ مُسْلِمٌ مَنْ إِذَا ائْتُمِنَ خَانَ وَ إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ وَ إِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ قَالَ فِي كِتَابِهِ‌ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُحِبُّ الْخائِنِينَ‌[1] وَ قَالَ‌ أَنَّ لَعْنَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِنْ كانَ مِنَ الْكاذِبِينَ‌[2] وَ فِي قَوْلِهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ اذْكُرْ فِي الْكِتابِ إِ

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘There are three things that on being found in a person prove him to be a hypocrite, even though he may fast, pray and think that he is a Muslim: Violation of trust when he is thought of as trustworthy, lying in one’s words and disregard of one’s promises. Allah, the Most Majestic, the

قَالَ لِي‌ وَيْحَكَ يَا أَبَا الرَّبِيعِ لَا تَطْلُبَنَّ الرِّئَاسَةَ وَ لَا تَكُنْ ذِئْباً[3]- وَ لَا تَأْكُلْ بِنَا النَّاسَ فَيُفْقِرَكَ اللَّهُ وَ لَا تَقُلْ فِينَا مَا لَا نَقُولُ فِي أَنْفُسِنَا فَإِنَّكَ مَوْقُوفٌ وَ مَسْئُولٌ لَا مَحَالَةَ[4] فَإِنْ كُنْتَ صَادِقاً صَدَّقْنَاكَ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ كَاذِباً كَذَّبْنَاكَ.

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘Woe upon you, O abu al-Rabi’, do not seek leadership and do not be a wolf, do not eat people (consume their properties) through us so Allah makes you poor, do not say about us what we do not say about ourselves. One day you will be made to stand up (before the Judge) and will inevit

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ أَ تَرَى لَا أَعْرِفُ خِيَارَكُمْ مِنْ شِرَارِكُمْ بَلَى وَ اللَّهِ وَ إِنَّ شِرَارَكُمْ مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُوطَأَ عَقِبُهُ إِنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْ كَذَّابٍ أَوْ عَاجِزِ الرَّأْيِ‌[1].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) asking, ‘Do you think I do not distinguish the bad from good among you? Yes, by Allah, the bad ones among you are those who love people walking behind him. Such a person is inevitably a liar or a helpless one (due to his ignorance) in his opinion.’”

مَنْ نَصَبَ اللَّهَ غَرَضاً لِلْخُصُومَاتِ أَوْشَكَ أَنْ يُكْثِرَ الِانْتِقَالَ‌[1].

“The Holy Prophet has said, ‘Whoever targets Allah in a quarrel (quarrelling with a creature is quarrelling with Him) may go through quick transitions (from truth to falsehood).”’

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص يَقُولُ لِوُلْدِهِ‌ اتَّقُوا الْكَذِبَ الصَّغِيرَ مِنْهُ وَ الْكَبِيرَ فِي كُلِّ جِدٍّ وَ هَزْلٍ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا كَذَبَ فِي الصَّغِيرِ اجْتَرَى عَلَى الْكَبِيرِ أَ مَا عَلِمْتُمْ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ مَا يَزَالُ الْعَبْدُ يَصْدُقُ حَتَّى يَكْتُبَهُ اللَّهُ صِدِّيقاً وَ مَا يَزَالُ الْعَبْدُ يَكْذِبُ حَتَّى يَكْتُبَهُ اللَّهُ كَذَّاباً.

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say to his children, ‘Be on your guard against lies, the small lies and the bigger lies in all the serious and trivial matters. If a man lies in a small matter, he grows bold to lie in a bigger one. Have you not noted that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘As long as a servant (of Allah)

إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ جَعَلَ لِلشَّرِّ أَقْفَالًا وَ جَعَلَ مَفَاتِيحَ تِلْكَ الْأَقْفَالِ الشَّرَابَ وَ الْكَذِبُ شَرٌّ مِنَ الشَّرَابِ‌[1].

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from ibn Muskan from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has created certain locks for evil. He has made wine the key to those locks. Lying is more evil than wine.

إِنَّ الْكَذِبَ هُوَ خَرَابُ الْإِيمَانِ‌[2].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Lying is the destruction ofbelief.”’

الْكَذِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ ص مِنَ الْكَبَائِرِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Forgery against Allah and the Messenger of Allah is of the major sins.”’

إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَنْ يُكَذِّبُ الْكَذَّابَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ ثُمَّ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ مَعَهُ ثُمَّ هُوَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ كَاذِبٌ.

‘The first one to rebuff the liar is Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, then the two angels who are with him, then he is the one who knows he is a liar.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْكَذَّابَ يَهْلِكُ بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَ يَهْلِكُ أَتْبَاعُهُ بِالشُّبُهَاتِ‌[3].

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A liar is destroyed by means of clear evidence (his false claims) and his followers are destroyed on ambiguous evidence (accepting a leader whose qualification is doubtful).”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ آيَةَ الْكَذَّابِ بِأَنْ يُخْبِرَكَ خَبَرَ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ وَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَ الْمَغْرِبِ فَإِذَا سَأَلْتَهُ عَنْ حَرَامِ اللَّهِ وَ حَلَالِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ[1].

‘Of the signs of lies in a liar is his telling you news of heaven, earth. East and West, but when you ask him about what Allah has made unlawful and what He has made lawful, you will find nothing with him (devoid of the knowledge of Shari’a).”’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِنَّ الْكَذِبَةَ لَتُفَطِّرُ الصَّائِمَ قُلْتُ وَ أَيُّنَا لَا يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ قَالَ لَيْسَ حَيْثُ ذَهَبْتَ إِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ الْكَذِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ وَ عَلَى الْأَئِمَّةِ ص.

‘It is certain that a lie destroys fasting (invalidates it).’ I then said, ‘Who is he among us who is not such a person?’ The Imam said, ‘It is not as you think it is. It is forging lies against Allah, the Messenger of Allah and ‘A’immah, recipients of divine supreme covenant.’”

ذُكِرَ الْحَائِكُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَّهُ مَلْعُونٌ‌[2] فَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ذَاكَ الَّذِي يَحُوكُ الْكَذِبَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ ص.

“It was mentioned before Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) that the weaver (knitting) is condemned. The Imam said, ‘It is the one who weaves and fabricates lies against Allah and the Messenger of Allah.”’

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ لَا يَجِدُ عَبْدٌ طَعْمَ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يَتْرُكَ الْكَذِبَ هَزْلَهُ وَ جِدَّهُ.

“Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) has said, ‘A servant (of Allah) does not sense the taste of belief until he stays away from lies, serious ones as well as trivial ones.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْكَذَّابُ هُوَ الَّذِي يَكْذِبُ فِي الشَّيْ‌ءِ قَالَ لَا مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلَّا يَكُونُ ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ وَ لَكِنَّ الْمَطْبُوعَ عَلَى الْكَذِبِ‌[1].

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Is a liar one who lies about something?’ The Imam said, ‘No, there is no one who does not do so. It is those in whom lying becomes a thing of second nature.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ يَنْبَغِي لِلرَّجُلِ الْمُسْلِمِ أَنْ يَجْتَنِبَ مُوَاخَاةَ الْكَذَّابِ فَإِنَّهُ يَكْذِبُ حَتَّى يَجِي‌ءَ بِالصِّدْقِ فَلَا يُصَدَّقُ.

“It is very proper for a Muslim man to avoid friendship and brotherhood with a liar; he lies and, even if he comes with truth, he is not believed and trusted.”

الْكَلَامُ ثَلَاثَةٌ صِدْقٌ وَ كَذِبٌ وَ إِصْلَاحٌ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ قِيلَ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا الْإِصْلَاحُ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ قَالَ تَسْمَعُ مِنَ الرَّجُلِ كَلَاماً يَبْلُغُهُ فَتَخْبُثُ نَفْسُهُ‌[3] فَتَلْقَاهُ فَتَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ مِنْ فُلَانٍ قَالَ فِيكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كَذَا وَ كَذَا خِلَافَ مَا سَمِعْتَ مِنْهُ.

“Statements are of three kinds: true, false and to establish truce among people.’ The narrator has said that it was asked of him, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is establishing truce among people?’ The Imam said, ‘It is when you hear something about a man that, if he himself may hear it, his so

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا قَدْ رُوِّينَا عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع فِي قَوْلِ يُوسُفَ ع- أَيَّتُهَا الْعِيرُ إِنَّكُمْ لَسارِقُونَ‌ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا سَرَقُوا وَ مَا كَذَبَ‌ وَ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ ع- بَلْ فَعَلَهُ كَبِيرُهُمْ‌ هذا فَسْئَلُوهُمْ‌ إِنْ كانُوا يَنْطِقُونَ‌ فَقَالَ وَ اللَّهِ مَا فَعَلُوا وَ مَا كَذَبَ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا عِنْدَكُمْ فِيهَا يَا صَيْقَلُ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ مَا

“Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘We narrate it from abu Ja’far (a.s.) about the words of Yusuf, “O people of the camels, you are thieves.” (12:70) The Imam said, ‘By Allah, they did not steal and he did not lie.’

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ كَذِبٍ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُ صَاحِبُهُ يَوْماً إِلَّا كَذِباً فِي ثَلَاثَةٍ رَجُلٌ كَائِدٌ فِي حَرْبِهِ فَهُوَ مَوْضُوعٌ عَنْهُ أَوْ رَجُلٌ أَصْلَحَ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ يَلْقَى هَذَا بِغَيْرِ مَا يَلْقَى بِهِ هَذَا يُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ الْإِصْلَاحَ مَا بَيْنَهُمَا أَوْ رَجُلٌ وَعَدَ أَهْلَهُ شَيْئاً وَ هُوَ لَا يُرِيدُ أَنْ يُتِمَّ لَهُمْ.

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A person lying will be held accountable for all kinds of lies except three kinds: a man plotting in his fight will not be held accountable, a man trying to establish peace between antagonistic parties who may say something other than a party may have said with the intention to est