Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 11

Prohibition on Speaking without Knowledge.

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ وَعَبْدِ الله ابْنَيْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ سَيْفِ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ عَنْ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنْهَاكَ عَنْ خَصْلَتَيْنِ فِيهِمَا هَلاكُ الرِّجَالِ أَنْهَاكَ أَنْ تَدِينَ الله بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتُفْتِيَ النَّاسَ بِمَا لا تَعْلَمُ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad and ‘Abdallah (both) sons of Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Umayra from Mufaddal ibn Yazid who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.)said, ‘I would like to warn you about two forms of behavior that lead a man to destruction. I prohibit you from dealing with Allah on the basis of falsehood and from giving fatwa to people without knowledge.’”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْحَجَّاجِ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِيَّاكَ وَخَصْلَتَيْنِ فَفِيهِمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ إِيَّاكَ أَنْ تُفْتِيَ النَّاسَ بِرَأْيِكَ أَوْ تَدِينَ بِمَا لا تَعْلَمُ.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa ibn ‘Ubayd from Yunus ibn 'Abd al-Rahman from 'Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj who has said the following.

“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Beware of two forms of behavior. It is such behaviors that have lead many people to their destruction. Beware of giving fatwa to people on the basis of your own opinion and to follow a religion without knowledge.’”

3ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ الْحَذَّاءِ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ أَفْتَى النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَلا هُدًى لَعَنَتْهُ مَلائِكَةُ الرَّحْمَةِ وَمَلائِكَةُ الْعَذَابِ وَلَحِقَهُ وِزْرُ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِفُتْيَاهُ.

3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn al-Ri’ab from abu ‘Ubayda al-Hadhdha’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The angels of mercy and the angels of wickedness condemn those who give to people fatwas without knowledge and guidance. Such people will be held responsible for the sins of all those who have followed such fatwas.”

4ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَبَانٍ الاحْمَرِ عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ أَبِي رَجَاءٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا عَلِمْتُمْ فَقُولُوا وَمَا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوا فَقُولُوا الله أَعْلَمُ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَنْتَزِعُ الايَةَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ يَخِرُّ فِيهَا أَبْعَدَ مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالارْضِ.

4. A number of our people has narrated has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washshi’ from Aban al-Ahmar from Ziyad ibn abu Raja’ from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“What you know you may speak it up but what you do not know say, ‘Allah knows best’. A man refers to a verse in the holy Quran and gives it a meaning that is farther from the truth than the heavens are from earth.”

5ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ رِبْعِيِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لِلْعَالِمِ إِذَا سُئِلَ عَنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَهُوَ لا يَعْلَمُهُ أَنْ يَقُولَ الله أَعْلَمُ وَلَيْسَ لِغَيْرِ الْعَالِمِ أَنْ يَقُولَ ذَلِكَ.

5. Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ri’ab‘i ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“It is very proper for a scholar to say, ‘Allah knows best’ if he does not know. This is not for a none scholar.”

6ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ حَرِيزِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِذَا سُئِلَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْكُمْ عَمَّا لا يَعْلَمُ فَلْيَقُلْ لا أَدْرِي وَلا يَقُلْ الله أَعْلَمُ فَيُوقِعَ فِي قَلْبِ صَاحِبِهِ شَكّاً وَإِذَا قَالَ الْمَسْئُولُ لا أَدْرِي فَلا يَتَّهِمُهُ السَّائِلُ.

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz ibn ‘Abdallah from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“If one of you would be asked of what he does not know he must say, ‘I have no knowledge and he must not say, “Allah knows best” because it may create doubts in the hearts of his audience. If the person questioned would say, “I do not know his audience will not accuse him of anything.”

7ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ غَيْرِ وَاحِدٍ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَا حَقُّ الله عَلَى الْعِبَادِ قَالَ أَنْ يَقُولُوا مَا يَعْلَمُونَ وَيَقِفُوا عِنْدَ مَا لا يَعْلَمُونَ.

7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Asbat from Ja’far ibn Sama‘a from several persons, from aban, from Zurara ibn A‘yan who has said the following.

“I asked Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) this, ‘What are the rights of Allah on people?’” The Imam (a.s.) replied, “They must say what they know and abstain from saying anything that they have no knowledge of.’”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ أَبِي يَعْقُوبَ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الله خَصَّ عِبَادَهُ بِ‏آيَتَيْنِ مِنْ كِتَابِهِ أَنْ لا يَقُولُوا حَتَّى يَعْلَمُوا وَلا يَرُدُّوا مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمُوا وَقَالَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَ لَمْ يُؤْخَذْ عَلَيْهِمْ مِيثاقُ الْكِتابِ أَنْ لا يَقُولُوا عَلَى الله إِلا الْحَقَّ وَقَالَ بَلْ كَذَّبُوا بِما لَمْ يُحِيطُوا بِعِلْمِهِ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِهِمْ تَأْوِيلُهُ.

Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Yunus (ibn 'Abd al-Rahman) from abu Ya’qub Ishaq ibn ‘Abdallah from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Allah has addressed His servants in two verses of the holy Quran very particularly:

Did they not make a covenant (with God) in the Book not to speak any thing other than the Truth about God and to study its contents well?

They call a lie something that is beyond the limit of their knowledge and whose interpretation has not yet been revealed . .” (10:39)

9ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ فَرْقَدٍ عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنِ ابْنِ شُبْرُمَةَ قَالَ مَا ذَكَرْتُ حَدِيثاً سَمِعْتُهُ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) إِلا كَادَ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّعَ قَلْبِي قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي عَنْ جَدِّي عَنْ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ ابْنُ شُبْرُمَةَ وَأُقْسِمُ بِالله مَا كَذَبَ أَبُوهُ عَلَى جَدِّهِ وَلا جَدُّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَنْ عَمِلَ بِالْمَقَايِيسِ فَقَدْ هَلَكَ وَأَهْلَكَ وَمَنْ أَفْتَى النَّاسَ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَهُوَ لا يَعْلَمُ النَّاسِخَ مِنَ الْمَنْسُوخِ وَالْمُحْكَمَ مِنَ الْمُتَشَابِهِ فَقَدْ هَلَكَ وَأَهْلَكَ.

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Dawad ibn Farqad from one he narrated from ibn Shubruma (a judge in al-Kufa during the rule of al-Mansur) who has said the following.

“I never heard any thing like a statement I heard from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) and it is almost as he said, ‘Pierced my heart.’” The Imam (a.s.) said, “My father narrated from my great-great-great-great grandfather, the holy Prophet (s.a.) who said, ‘Those who act on the basis of analogy will face their destruction and lead others to their destruction. Those who give fatwas without the knowledge of the abrogating and the abrogated, the clear text and that which requires interpretation, they will face destruction and lead others to their destruction.”

Chapter 12

Chapter on Those who Act without Knowledge

1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ الْعَامِلُ عَلَى غَيْرِ بَصِيرَةٍ كَالسَّائِرِ عَلَى غَيْرِ الطَّرِيقِ لا يَزِيدُهُ سُرْعَةُ السَّيْرِ إِلا بُعْداً.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Talha ibn Zayd who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, ‘Working without understanding and insight is like travelling in the wrong direction that only takes one farther away from the destination.’”

2 ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ حُسَيْنٍ الصَّيْقَلِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لا يَقْبَلُ الله عَمَلاً إِلا بِمَعْرِفَةٍ وَلا مَعْرِفَةَ إِلا بِعَمَلٍ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ دَلَّتْهُ الْمَعْرِفَةُ عَلَى الْعَمَلِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْمَلْ فَلا مَعْرِفَةَ لَهُ أَلا إِنَّ الايمَانَ بَعْضُهُ مِنْ بَعْضٍ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ibn Muskan from Hassan al-Sayqal who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said, “Allah does not accept a deed without good understanding and proper understanding does not come into being without work. One who achieves proper understanding it will guide him to good deeds and one who does not work will not have any understanding. Is it not a fact that parts of faith comes from other parts?”

3ـ عَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَمَّنْ رَوَاهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَنْ عَمِلَ عَلَى غَيْرِ عِلْمٍ كَانَ مَا يُفْسِدُ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا يُصْلِحُ.

3. It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from the one he narrated from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said that the Holy Prophet said, ‘Those who work without knowledge they destroy more than what they gain.’”

Chapter 13

Chapter on Utilization of Knowledge

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ أَبِي عَيَّاشٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ الْهِلالِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَنَّهُ قَالَ فِي كَلامٍ لَهُ الْعُلَمَاءُ رَجُلانِ رَجُلٌ عَالِمٌ آخِذٌ بِعِلْمِهِ فَهَذَا نَاجٍ وَعَالِمٌ تَارِكٌ لِعِلْمِهِ فَهَذَا هَالِكٌ وَإِنَّ أَهْلَ النَّارِ لَيَتَأَذَّوْنَ مِنْ رِيحِ الْعَالِمِ التَّارِكِ لِعِلْمِهِ وَإِنَّ أَشَدَّ أَهْلِ النَّارِ نَدَامَةً وَحَسْرَةً رَجُلٌ دَعَا عَبْداً إِلَى الله فَاسْتَجَابَ لَهُ وَقَبِلَ مِنْهُ فَأَطَاعَ الله فَأَدْخَلَهُ الله الْجَنَّةَ وَأَدْخَلَ الدَّاعِيَ النَّارَ بِتَرْكِهِ عِلْمَهُ وَاتِّبَاعِهِ الْهَوَى وَطُولِ الامَلِ أَمَّا اتِّبَاعُ الْهَوَى فَيَصُدُّ عَنِ الْحَقِّ وَطُولُ الامَلِ يُنْسِي الاخِرَةَ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Hammed from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Aban ibn abu ‘Ayyash from Sulaym ibn Qays al-Hilali who has said the following.

“I heard Imam Ali (a.s.) narrate from the Holy Prophet (s.a.) who said, ‘The scholars are of two kinds: One kind consists of those who uphold their knowledge and they gain their salvation. The other kind consists of those who disregard their knowledge and they face their destruction. The people of hell will suffer from the bad odor of the scholars who do not act according to their knowledge. Of the people of hell the one who will regret most will be a man who teaches someone and shows him the way of Allah. The student accepts and acts according to such teachings and consequently Allah takes him to paradise but the teacher is sent to hell because of ignoring his knowledge, following his desires and entertaining long hopes. Following ones’ desires bars one from the truth. And cherishing long hopes causes one to forget the next life.’”

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الْعِلْمُ مَقْرُونٌ إِلَى الْعَمَلِ فَمَنْ عَلِمَ عَمِلَ وَمَنْ عَمِلَ عَلِمَ وَالْعِلْمُ يَهْتِفُ بِالْعَمَلِ فَإِنْ أَجَابَهُ وَإِلا ارْتَحَلَ عَنْهُ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Isma’il ibn Jabir from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Knowledge and work are closely related. One who has knowledge he works and one who works he learns. Knowledge invites work and if it is not accepted knowledge departs the deeds.”

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْقَاسَانِيِّ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ الْجَعْفَرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَالِمَ إِذَا لَمْ يَعْمَلْ بِعِلْمِهِ زَلَّتْ مَوْعِظَتُهُ عَنِ الْقُلُوبِ كَمَا يَزِلُّ الْمَطَرُ عَنِ الصَّفَا.

3. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani from one he mentioned from ‘Abdallah ibn Qasim al-Ja’fari from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“If a scholar preaches and does not practice his words bounce away from the hearts of the audience like rains that bounce away off the rocks.”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْمِنْقَرِيِّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ هَاشِمِ بْنِ الْبَرِيدِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) فَسَأَلَهُ عَنْ مَسَائِلَ فَأَجَابَ ثُمَّ عَادَ لِيَسْأَلَ عَنْ مِثْلِهَا فَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) مَكْتُوبٌ فِي الانْجِيلِ لا تَطْلُبُوا عِلْمَ مَا لا تَعْلَمُونَ وَلَمَّا تَعْمَلُوا بِمَا عَلِمْتُمْ فَإِنَّ الْعِلْمَ إِذَا لَمْ يُعْمَلْ بِهِ لَمْ يَزْدَدْ صَاحِبُهُ إِلا كُفْراً وَلَمْ يَزْدَدْ مِنَ الله إِلا بُعْداً.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqari from Ali ibn Hashim ibn al-Burayd from his father who has said the following.

“A man came to (Imam) Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) and asked him certain questions and the Imam answered his questions. The man then wanted to ask similar questions but the Imam said, “It is written in the Gospel, ‘Do not inquire to know what you do not know until you practice what you know because not practicing what one knows does not increase to one anything but disbelief and nor it increases anything to one’s relation with Allah but alienation.”

5ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنِ الْمُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ بِمَ يُعْرَفُ النَّاجِي قَالَ مَنْ كَانَ فِعْلُهُ لِقَوْلِهِ مُوَافِقاً فَأَثْبَتَ لَهُ الشَّهَادَةَ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِعْلُهُ لِقَوْلِهِ مُوَافِقاً فَإِنَّمَا ذَلِكَ مُسْتَوْدَعٌ.

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following.

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.), ‘What are the facts that help one know those who have gained their salvation?’ The Imam replied, “One whose words agree with his deeds you must consider his testimony as valid and one whose words do not agree with his deeds (if he may have faith) it is temporarily.’”

6ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي كَلامٍ لَهُ خَطَبَ بِهِ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِذَا عَلِمْتُمْ فَاعْمَلُوا بِمَا عَلِمْتُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ إِنَّ الْعَالِمَ الْعَامِلَ بِغَيْرِهِ كَالْجَاهِلِ الْحَائِرِ الَّذِي لا يَسْتَفِيقُ عَنْ جَهْلِهِ بَلْ قَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَنَّ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِ أَعْظَمُ وَالْحَسْرَةُ أَدْوَمُ عَلَى هَذَا الْعَالِمِ الْمُنْسَلِخِ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ مِنْهَا عَلَى هَذَا الْجَاهِلِ الْمُتَحَيِّرِ فِي جَهْلِهِ وَكِلاهُمَا حَائِرٌ بَائِرٌ لا تَرْتَابُوا فَتَشُكُّوا وَلا تَشُكُّوا فَتَكْفُرُوا وَلا تُرَخِّصُوا لانْفُسِكُمْ فَتُدْهِنُوا وَلا تُدْهِنُوا فِي الْحَقِّ فَتَخْسَرُوا وَإِنَّ مِنَ الْحَقِّ أَنْ تَفَقَّهُوا وَمِنَ الْفِقْهِ أَنْ لا تَغْتَرُّوا وَإِنَّ أَنْصَحَكُمْ لِنَفْسِهِ أَطْوَعُكُمْ لِرَبِّهِ وَأَغَشَّكُمْ لِنَفْسِهِ أَعْصَاكُمْ لِرَبِّهِ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ الله يَأْمَنْ وَيَسْتَبْشِرْ وَمَنْ يَعْصِ الله يَخِبْ وَيَنْدَمْ.

6. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father in a marfu‘ manner (rafa'ahu) from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Once Imam Ali (a.s.) said in one of his sermons, ‘O people, if you learn and gain knowledge you must act accordingly so that you may have guidance. A learned person who disregards his knowledge is like a lost and ignorant person who never comes to the right path due to his ignorance. In fact, you will find the case against such the learned that disregards his knowledge more sever and his regret more prolonged, compared to the ignorant person who wonders about in it. Both people stray and are devoid of goodness. Do not hesitate lest you will doubt and do not doubt lest you will disbelieve. Do not be lenient to your souls to play lazy. Do not trivialize the truth lest you will lose badly. It is of the truth to learn Fiqh, proper understanding of religion. It is of Fiqh, proper understanding of religion not to suffer deceit. The wisest for ones self among you is the one most obedient to his Lord. The most deceitful to himself among you is the disobedient one to his Lord. One who obeys Allah is safe and glad news awaits him but one who disobeys his Allah he loses and regrets.’”

7ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْعِلْمَ فَاسْتَعْمِلُوهُ وَلْتَتَّسِعْ قُلُوبُكُمْ فَإِنَّ الْعِلْمَ إِذَا كَثُرَ فِي قَلْبِ رَجُلٍ لا يَحْتَمِلُهُ قَدَرَ الشَّيْطَانُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا خَاصَمَكُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ فَأَقْبِلُوا عَلَيْهِ بِمَا تَعْرِفُونَ فَإِنَّ كَيْدَ الشَّيْطَانِ كَانَ ضَعِيفاً فَقُلْتُ وَمَا الَّذِي نَعْرِفُهُ قَالَ خَاصِمُوهُ بِمَا ظَهَرَ لَكُمْ مِنْ قُدْرَةِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

7. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from the one mentioned from Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Layla from his father who has said the following.

“Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said, ‘When you hear knowledge you must utilize it and your hearts must become more open. When knowledge increases in one’s heart it becomes harder to bear and Satan may over power him. If Satan would dispute with you move on him with whatever you know. The plots of Satan are weak.” I asked the Imam (a.s.) “What is it that we know?’” The Imam replied, “Fight him with whatever of the power of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, has come to light before you.”

Chapter 14

Chapter on Those who use their Knowledge to Fill their Stomach and are Boastful for it

1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ جَمِيعاً عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ أُذَيْنَةَ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ أَبِي عَيَّاشٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَنْهُومَانِ لا يَشْبَعَانِ طَالِبُ دُنْيَا وَطَالِبُ عِلْمٍ فَمَنِ اقْتَصَرَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى مَا أَحَلَّ الله لَهُ سَلِمَ وَمَنْ تَنَاوَلَهَا مِنْ غَيْرِ حِلِّهَا هَلَكَ إِلا أَنْ يَتُوبَ أَوْ يُرَاجِعَ وَمَنْ أَخَذَ الْعِلْمَ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ وَعَمِلَ بِعِلْمِهِ نَجَا وَمَنْ أَرَادَ بِهِ الدُّنْيَا فَهِيَ حَظُّهُ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa and Ali ibn Ibrahim from his father, both of them from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from ‘Umar ibn ’Udhayna from Aban ibn abu ‘Ayyash from Sulaym ibn Qays who has said the following.

“(Imam) Ali (a.s.) narrated from the holy Prophet who said, ‘Two kinds of people with great appetites do not become satisfied. A person of great appetite for the worldly gains and a person with great appetite for knowledge. In the matters of the worldly gains if one would limit himself to what Allah has made lawful form him he is saved and if one would accumulate such gains in unlawful ways he is destroyed unless he repents and changes his ways. In the matters of knowledge if one would acquire it from the people of knowledge and practice accordingly he is saved and if one would use it for the worldly gains then that is what one gets.’”

2ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عَائِذٍ عَنْ أَبِي خَدِيجَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ أَرَادَ الْحَدِيثَ لِمَنْفَعَةِ الدُّنْيَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ فِي الاخِرَةِ نَصِيبٌ وَمَنْ أَرَادَ بِهِ خَيْرَ الاخِرَةِ أَعْطَاهُ الله خَيْرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالاخِرَةِ.

2. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Amir has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washshi’ from Ahmad ibn ‘A’idh from abu Khadija from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“If one would want al-Hadith for the worldly benefits he will have no share for it in the next life but if one would want al-Hadith for the good of the next life, Allah will give him the good of both this and the next life.”

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الاصْبَهَانِيِّ عَنِ الْمِنْقَرِيِّ عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ أَرَادَ الْحَدِيثَ لِمَنْفَعَةِ الدُّنْيَا لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ فِي الاخِرَةِ نَصِيبٌ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Isbahani from al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Whoever would want al-Hadith for the worldly gains he will have no share for it in the next life.”

4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ عَنِ الْمِنْقَرِيِّ عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الْعَالِمَ مُحِبّاً لِدُنْيَاهُ فَاتَّهِمُوهُ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ فَإِنَّ كُلَّ مُحِبٍّ لِشَيْ‏ءٍ يَحُوطُ مَا أَحَبَّ وَقَالَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَوْحَى الله إِلَى دَاوُدَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لا تَجْعَلْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَكَ عَالِماً مَفْتُوناً بِالدُّنْيَا فَيَصُدَّكَ عَنْ طَرِيقِ مَحَبَّتِي فَإِنَّ أُولَئِكَ قُطَّاعُ طَرِيقِ عِبَادِيَ الْمُرِيدِينَ إِنَّ أَدْنَى مَا أَنَا صَانِعٌ بِهِمْ أَنْ أَنْزِعَ حَلاوَةَ مُنَاجَاتِي عَنْ قُلُوبِهِمْ.

4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim from al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“If you would find a learned person who loves the worldly gains you must not trust him in the matters of your religion because whoever would love something it will encompass and entangle him. The holy Prophet has said, ‘Allah sent wahy, revelation to David (a.s.) and told him, “Do not set between Me and yourself a learned person who loves the worldly gains lest he will bar you from the way to My love. Such people are bandits who ambush my servants who want Me. The least that I will do to such bandits is to take away from them the sweetness of their private conversations and prayers with Me.”

5ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الْفُقَهَاءُ أُمَنَاءُ الرُّسُلِ مَا لَمْ يَدْخُلُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ الله وَمَا دُخُولُهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا قَالَ اتِّبَاعُ السُّلْطَانِ فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ فَاحْذَرُوهُمْ عَلَى دِينِكُمْ.

5. Ali from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“The holy Prophet has said, Al-Fuqaha, the scholars of the Fiqh, Islamic laws are the trustees of the prophets until they are not involved in the worldly matters.” People asked, “What is their ‘entering in the worldly matters, O the holy Prophet of Allah?” “Their following the kings is entering in the worldly matters. When they follow the kings then you must be very careful in involving them in your religion.” Replied the holy Prophet (s.a.)

6 ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ رِبْعِيِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمَ لِيُبَاهِيَ بِهِ الْعُلَمَاءَ أَوْ يُمَارِيَ بِهِ السُّفَهَاءَ أَوْ يَصْرِفَ بِهِ وُجُوهَ النَّاسِ إِلَيْهِ فَلْيَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَهُ مِنَ النَّارِ إِنَّ الرِّئَاسَةَ لا تَصْلُحُ إِلا لاهْلِهَا.

6. Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il has narrated from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammed ibn ‘Isa from Ri’ab‘i ibn ‘Abdallah from one he narrated from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Whoever would seek knowledge to show off to the scholars or to engage in arguments with fools or to attract people to himself he should know that in so doing he has prepare his seat in the fire. Leadership does not suite anyone besides those qualified for it.”

Chapter 15

Chapter on the Need for the Existence of a Divine Authority in the World and the Seriousness of this Matter

1ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ هَاشِمٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْمِنْقَرِيِّ عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ يَا حَفْصُ يُغْفَرُ لِلْجَاهِلِ سَبْعُونَ ذَنْباً قَبْلَ أَنْ يُغْفَرَ لِلْعَالِمِ ذَنْبٌ وَاحِدٌ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“O Hafs, seventy sins of an ignorant person may be forgiven before only one sin of a learned person is forgiven.”

2ـ وَبِهَذَا الاسْنَادِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ عَلَى نَبِيِّنَا وَآلِهِ وَعَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ وَيْلٌ لِلْعُلَمَاءِ السَّوْءِ كَيْفَ تَلَظَّى عَلَيْهِمُ النَّارُ.

2. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Jesus son of Mary (s.a.) said, ‘Woe to bad scholars! If only they knew how raging fire will engulf them.’”

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ جَمِيعاً عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ جَمِيلِ بْنِ دَرَّاجٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ النَّفْسُ هَاهُنَا وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى حَلْقِهِ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِلْعَالِمِ تَوْبَةٌ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى الله لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهالَةٍ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn ’Isma‘il from al-Fadl ibn Shadhan, both from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj who has said the following.

“(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah (a.s.) has said, “When the soul reaches here, pointing to his throat, there will be no chance for learned persons to repent. He recited this verse; “God will only accept the repentance of those who commit evil in ignorance, if they repent immediately. God is All-knowing and All-wise (4:17)”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ يَحْيَى الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمُكَارِي عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَكُبْكِبُوا فِيها هُمْ وَالْغاوُونَ قَالَ هُمْ قَوْمٌ وَصَفُوا عَدْلاً بِأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ ثُمَّ خَالَفُوهُ إِلَى غَيْرِهِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from abu Sa‘id al-Mukari from abu Basir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following.

“Imam abu Ja‘far (a.s.) has said about the words of Allah in the holy Quran, ‘The idol worshippers, the idols, the rebellious ones, (26:94) and the army of Satan will all be thrown headlong into hell. (26:95)’ They are the people who speak about justice a great deal but in their own practice they would disregard it altogether.’”