Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

The Twenty Second Greater Sin: Khayanat

The twenty-second greater sin, according to the established opinion of Quran and hadith is defalcation or misappropriation of property in ones charge. That it is one of the greater sins, is proved from the authentic tradition related by Abdul Azeem from Imam Muhammad Taqi (a.s.) and also from other traditions from Imam Sadiq (a.s.), Imam Kazim (a.s.) and Imam Reza (a.s.)

Khayanat is itself an Arabic word. In the tradition of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) as related by Amash it is included in the list of the greater sins. Another Arabic word used for this connotation is “ghulul.” ‘Ghulul’ is used in the narration of Fazl Ibne Shazaan when he quotes Imam Reza (a.s.). This also implies “misappropriation.” According to some lexicographers ‘ghul’ denotes misappropriation of a property obtained as spoil of war against the disbelievers but not yet distributed among the Muslims. However other scholars maintain that ‘ghulul’ applies to every kind of embezzlement.

The punishment of misappropriation according to the Holy Quran

The Almighty Allah says

“...and he who eats unfaithfully shall bring that in respect of which he has acted unfaithfully on the day of resurrection; then every soul be paid fully what it has earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.

Is then he who follows the pleasure of Allah like him who has made himself deserving of displeasure from Allah, and his abode is hell; and it is an evil destination.”

  (Surah Ale Imraan 3:161-162)

In Surah Tahrim we find the verse:

“Allah sets forth an example to those who disbelieve, the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut: they were both under two of our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them so they availed them naught against Allah, and it was said: Enter both the fire with those who enter.”

  (Surah Tahrim 66:10)

Also Allah (a.j.) says:

“… Surely Allah does not love the treacherous.”

  (Surah Anfal 8:58)

and

“O you who believe! be not unfaithful to Allah and the Apostle, nor be unfaithful to your trusts while you know.”

  (Surah Anfal 8:27)

Similarly the Quran says,

“…but if one of you trusts another, then he who is trusted should deliver his trusts, and let him be careful (of his duty to) Allah, his Lord;...”

  (Surah Baqarah 2:283)

At another place the Divine Book states,

“Surely Allah commands you to make over trusts to their owners...”

  (Surah Nisa 4:58)

Breach of trust denounced in the traditions

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) says:

“One who embezzles a property in his charge and does not deliver it to its owner and dies in such a condition, then he does not die in my community (he does not die a Muslim). When such a person meets Allah, He shall be infuriated with him. And one who purchases an embezzled property knowing that it is embezzled is just like the (actual) embezzler.”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

Another tradition states,

“And it will be ordered to throw him in the fire; he will remain in the deep pit of the Hell forever.”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

The Prophet (s.a.) is also reported to have remarked,

“If one is Muslim, he must not practice deceit and defalcation. For I have heard from Jibraeel that deceit and cheating belong to hell.”

Then he (s.a.) continued,

“One who cheats a Muslim is not from us, and one who embezzles the believers is (also) not from us.”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

The following tradition is recorded in the bookAl Kafi :

“There are three qualities that are the sign of a hypocrite even if he prays and fasts and calls himself a Muslim: lying, violating promises and defalcation.”

This tradition had already been mentioned in the previous discussion.

Amirul Momineen Ali (a.s.) says;

“There are four things and even if one of them enters a house it causes economic catastrophe and it never remains blessed: defalcation, thievery, wine and adultery.

  (Wasaelush Shia)

Thus if one or more members of a household indulge in one of these sins, such a household is deprived from divine blessings. It brings about an economic ruin. It must also be clarified, however, that the house of the thief is deprived of ‘barakat’ (divine blessings) and not the place where robbery occurs.

Misappropriation causes misfortune

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) remarks,

“Trustworthiness causes one to be self sufficient (financially) and misappropriation causes poverty.”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

The narrator says that I said to Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.),

“There is a lady in Madinah, with whom people leave their daughters for training (and education). We have observed that she could maintain herself with so less, but we have never known her to have any financial problem.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) remarked,

“It is because she is truthful and trustworthy. These two qualities increase sustenance.”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

Another tradition from the same Imam (a.s.) is as follows:

“Do not be deceived by the prolonged sajda and rukoo of a man, they may be a part of his habits (that he could not avoid). See his truth and trustworthiness.”

Thus it is these qualities that prove righteousness and piety.

Anyone could be a bailor

  We have numerous traditions dealing with this subject. They emphatically state that it is wajib to guard the trust and haraam to misappropriate it, whether the bailor is a Muslim or a Kafir. It is even wajib to protect the goods entrusted by a Nasibi (those are openly inimical to Ahlul Bayt a.s.) in spite of the fact that the Nasibi are the worst kind of people.

Hazrat Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says:

“Fear Allah! And return the entrusted thing to the owner. Even if the murderer of Ali (a.s.) entrusts me with something, I shall deliver it to him (when he desires).”

Imam (a.s.) also says,

“Then fear Allah! And guard the trusts (placed by) the white as well as the black (people). Even if the bailor is from the khwarij (those who hate Ali [a.s.] or a Syrian.” (That is even if he is a confirmed enemy of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)

A man inquired from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.),

“Is it allowed to misappropriate the property of a Nasibi?”

Imam (a.s.) replied,

“Honour the trust of every person who entrusts you with it or seeks your advice. Even if it is the killer of Imam Husain (a.s.).”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

Another similar narration is as follows:

Husain Shabani says that he asked Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), “One of your follower considers the property and blood (shed) of Bani Umayya permissible for himself. He is also in possession of some property entrusted to him by the Bani Umayya?”

Imam (a.s.) replied,

“Restore the entrusted property to its owner even if they are Majoos (fireworshippers).”

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) is also reported to have said,

“Allah has not sent any messenger but (the with the order to propagate) truth and restoring of trust, whether of a righteous man or a sinner.”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

Muhammad Bin Qasim says hat he mentioned to Abul Hasan, Imam Musa Al Kazim (a.s.) regarding the person who had entrusted someone with something valuable. “The bailee is an Arab and he is competent enough not to return the trust. Whereas the bailor is a wretched Khariji (enemy of Ahlul bayt)?”

Imam (a.s.) said,

“Tell him to return the trust; because it is a divine trust that he is entrusted with.” (Meaning that it is a trust, which is to be guarded according to divine command).

Hazrat Imam Zainul Abedin (a.s.) advises his Shias:

“You must return the trusts when required. By the One who has sent Muhammad (s.a.w.s) as a messenger with trust, even if the killer of my father Husain (a.s.) had entrusted me with the sword with which he had slain him, I would have delivered it back to him.”

The Satan instigates

Satan has a tendency to instigate more if a particular duty holds a higher position in Islamic Law.

Hazrat Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says,

“If a person makes good the trust in his possession, he unties a thousand knots that had tied him to Hell. So, do not be sluggish in delivering trusts. When one becomes a bailee Iblees orders a hundred of his assistants to follow him so that they may deviate him and suggest him to defalcate. They continue to pursue him till he is doomed. Except the one who is saved by Allah (a.j.)”

Ameen (Trustworthy) – A Title of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)

Every historian has recorded that even prior to the declaration of his prophethood, the disbelievers of Quraish addressed the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) by the title of ‘Ameen’. The disbelievers trusted him to the extent that even though they did not heed his call and profess Islam, they deposited their valuables with him, and it was not restricted to the Quraish tribe. Even the people of other tribes and areas had a firm faith in his trustworthiness. When these people came to Mecca during the Hajj season they used to put their belongings in the safe custody of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). This continued after the declaration of prophethood. When the Prophet (s.a.) migrated to Madinah he gave all the things that were in his custody to Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and said:

“Proclaim loudly, every morning and evening in Mecca that whoever had kept anything with Muhammad (s.a.w.s) may collect it.”

Types of misappropriations

Defalcation is the opposite of safekeeping. It is of three types: Breach of trust with Allah, with the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and the people.

1. The trust of Allah

“Surely We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to be unfaithful to it and feared from it, and man has turned unfaithful to it; surely he is unjust, ignorant.”

  (Surah Ahzaab 33:72)

What is meant by Divine trust? The scholars have a variety of opinions in this regard. Some opine that it denotes intellect. The safekeeping of this means that man should employ it to recognise and obey his Creator. According to other scholars this trust consists of the laws of Islam that Allah has sent through His Prophet (s.a.). These laws are a Divine trust. To guard these laws means to obey them faithfully. It is obvious that the heaven, the earth and the mountains did not possess the ability to protect these trusts and hence they refrained from accepting them but man was competent and therefore he accepted the trust. Certainly man is an oppressor and the oppressed. He allows his power of emotions to subvert his intellect and as a consequence performs a breach of Divine trust and certainly man is ignorant and foolish. He permits his desires to override reason and in this way becomes oblivious of divine retribution; he thus defalcates in the trust of Allah.

The blessings of intellect and trustworthiness

Intellect or the reasoning ability is one of the greatest trusts that Allah has bestowed upon man. Safeguarding it denotes taking it as ones guide. We must not say or do anything that is against reason. If we allow our desire to conquer reason we would have committed a breach of trust. As regards the safekeeping of trust with reference to the rules of Shariat one must make it a point to learn and understand his legal obligations. He must know the laws governing every aspect of his life. He should not be ignorant of any of the rules of religion. After learning these laws he is further obliged to accept them and follow them in all sincerity.

Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) says:

“Misappropriating the trust of Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.s) is their disobedience. As far as the breach of trust is concerned, every person is the bailee of the laws revealed by Allah.”

  (Tafseer Safi)

It means that the Divine laws promulgated for men are Allah’s trust. The safekeeping of these trusts implies their obedience.

It is said that it was the time for prayers, Amirul Momineen Ali (a.s.) became pale and restless and his face became pale. People were shocked to see him thus, and asked him the reason for it. He replied,

“It is the time for prayers! It is the time of delivering the trust that Allah had offered to the heavens, the earth and the mountains, which they had refused. This is what I feared!

However, it is not restricted to prayers. All the laws of Shariat are trust of Allah but prayers occupy a more lofty position.

Propagating the laws of religion

It is pathetic that most of the people in our time are committing breach of Divine trust. People are so busy with the materialistic world and envy that they have no time to learn the basic laws of religion. Leave alone acting upon them. Day by day religion is becoming inconspicuous and less and less respect is given to the Divine laws. More than ever before, it is the necessity of the day that people should not only learn about religion but they must also propagate it to others. We must act upon the laws of shariat faithfully and also exhort others to do the same.

2. Trust of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s)

Both Shias as well as Sunnis agree that before his passing away the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) had said,

“I leave among you two weighty things, the Book of Allah and my Progeny.”

The Prophet’s words after this, according to history are,

“On the day of Qiyamat I will question you concerning them” (as to how you have safeguarded them).

According toTafseer Majmaul Bayan: The Quran and the Progeny have been referred to as “two weighty things” because to follow them is very difficult (or has much weightage). To guard them is also not an easy task. The true Muslim is one who is able to carry the weight of this responsibility. A Muslim must obey the Quranic orders and follow the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Alas! The followers of Muhammad (s.a.w.s) did not safeguard the important trusts.

“And the Apostle cried out: O my Lord! Surely my people have treated this Quran as a forsaken thing.”

(Surah Furqan 25:30).

May Allah not include us in that majority of people about whom the Prophet (s.a.) shall complain to Allah.

Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) are the Trust of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.)

Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) are themselves a trust that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) had left with us. To honour this trust is to love them (Ahlul Bayt). We must believe in their truth with a sincere heart. We must obey their commands. We must consider their orders to be the commands of Allah (a.j.) and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). They must be regarded as the Hujjat (proof) from Allah. By sending them Allah has completed the proof. We cannot say that there was no one to lead us after the death of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). They should be considered to be the link between Allah and us. We must also respect the Sadaat (the sayyeds) as they are from the Progeny of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). We should fulfill the needs of the Sadaat, for in his way we would be safeguarding the trust of their ancestors. On one hand the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) are themselves the trustee of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) after his passing away. They are the trustees of Divine laws and knowledge from the time of his death till the Day of Judgment and on the other hand they themselves are a trust of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) upon us. They are a trust like the Holy Quran. One of their rights upon us is that we consider their grief and sorrow as our own and their happiness and joy as our own. If they are alive we must go to meet them and if they pass away we should go for the ziarat of their tombs.

3. Trusts of the people.

This type of trust is also further divided into two:

(1) Trust of Property and

(2) Trust of the Shariat.

The first one denotes any goods or property that a person keeps with someone for safe custody. This again is of various forms. Sometimes one keeps a valuable with another person solely for its safekeeping. Sometimes a thing is given for use and that it may be returned after the use is over. This is also known as Ariya or Musta’ar. Another kind of trust is when a particular thing is given on hire and it’s rent is collected. For example a house. This is also a kind of property trust. Sometimes a valuable is pledged as the surety for some loan. This is also a kind of trust. If the loan taken against this surety is not repaid this item is sold to recover the dues. In the same way in transactions of Mudarabba (partnership) the property is given out for trading purpose. A loan is also a trust. Thus all these are different property trusts.

Trusts of Shariat

  By trust of shariat we mean the property which is in possession of a person not its actual owner. The owner may not have handed it over to the trustee. For example, a strong wind blew a cloth from our house to the neighbours, or someone sold to us a stray goat belonging to someone else, or we buy something but when we unpack the parcel we find that the seller has given us an extra item by mistake, or the buyer may pay the seller more than the prescribed rates, or we may find some money on the way, or one may come to acquire some stolen goods or those belonging to someone else. All these things are considered as trusts according to the shariat. It is wajib to restore them to the rightful owners. Those who have them in their possession should not use such things. Another example of this is a letter addressed to another person. It is wajib upon the person to send it to its rightful addressee. It is haraam to open or read a letter addressed to someone else.

Misappropriating other’s property

If one is in possession of a person’s property, it is haraam to embezzle it. As we have already stated, it is a greater sin. Misappropriation is a compound of three sins:

(1) Injustice

(2) Disregard of an obligatory act and

(3) Illegally using someone’s property

1. Illegally using someone’s property

It is a sort of injustice to use the property or a thing belonging to someone else without his permission. It is haraam even to borrow something without the permission of the owner. It is haraam to use the thing even for a moment. In fact, even displacing a thing without permission is haraam if there is no religious excuse but if one expects that the owner will permit it, its use is allowed but if some loss occurs or if the thing is spoilt, the user is liable for it.

But if the user has tried his best to safeguard the thing and in spite of it, it is lost or damaged, then he is not accountable.

He does not have to make good the loss but if he had been careless he has to pay for the damage. Similarly one who uses a thing without the owner’s permission is liable for any loss. Rather, he has to restore the thing immediately or obtain permission for it. The 91st verse of Surah Tauba says,

“…there is no way (to blame) against the doers of good;...”

This ayat shows that the trustee who has done a good deed by guarding a property will not be made to pay to the owner if there is any loss or damage. The bailor has no lawful recourse against the bailee.

Carelessness in guarding the trust

  If according to common sense the bailee had not taken reasonable care of the goods or had kept them in an unsafe place, he shall be made to pay in case of loss or damage. It is also not allowed to hand over the property in ones trust to someone else for safekeeping. In this case it is necessary to seek the owner’s permission. If the trust is transferred to another person and a loss occurs, then the first trustee shall be held responsible. It will amount to be a sort of carelessness on his part. Thus even if he considers someone else to be a better trustee he cannot move the goods to him without the permission of the owner. In the same way the trustee cannot carry the trust with him when he goes on a journey. The owner’s permission has to be sought in this case too. If the bailee intends to travel, he can keep the property in a safe place, but he can hand it over to another person only with the permission of the owner. However if there is a risk of loss or damage in his absence he must return the trust to its owner or his representatives. If the owner or his representatives are also not available, he can surrender the trust property to the Mujtahid or the religious judge. Or he may avoid travel altogether. But if the journey is more important than the safe-keeping of this trust; and the owner, his representative nor a Mujtahid is present then he can, to ensure its safety keep it with someone reliable. He may even carry it with himself on the journey in such circumstances.

If one is sure that he will not be able to take care of the trust, it is wajib for him to refuse to accept it. If such a person has already taken it, it is wajib for him to return it but if in spite of his inability to safeguard the trust property, the owner insists to hand over the property, it is allowed to accept it. For in this case the owner would bear the loss in the event of the goods being lost or damaged. The bailee cannot be held responsible, and also if one is compelled to become a trustee against his wish, it is better to try to take care of the goods entrusted, even in this case.

It is apparent that this transaction of (bailor and the bailee) is a legal transaction. Either party may terminate the agreement whenever he or she desires. That is, the owner may ask for his property whenever he likes. In the same way the bailee can return the goods in his trust to the owner when he wants. However, it is wajib for the bailee to return the trust when the owner demands it and the bailor cannot insist upon the bailee to continue to safe-guard his goods when he (the bailee) wishes to relieve himself from the responsibility.

3. Delay in returning the trust

If the bailor is a Kafir not living under the protection of an Islamic government,  under special circumstances it is permitted to appropriate his property, but if he entrusts this same property to us, it is not permitted to take it for ourselves. However, if a thief has stolen something, or if something is acquired illegally and kept in safe custody, it is wajib to accept it and restore it to its rightful owner.

As we have already mentioned, anything that is maintained as trust must be restored to the owner or his representative; that is, some responsible member of his family and even if they are not available, the trust could be given in charge of a Mujtahid or his representative. If even these are not available the trust must be handed over to a reliable person. Specially when one perceives the approach of death he should immediately arrange for the return of the trusts in his charge. If none of the above possibilities are present then it is wajib upon the dying person to make a will and provide the address of the owner so that the property may be restored him.

In the same way if the owner learns that the trustee is dead, it is wajib for him to go and collect the things that he had deposited as trust. If the heirs of the deceased do not recognise him he can describe the distinguishing features of the trust property and obtain it from them. Similarly if the owner dies the trustee is under obligation to return the trust to the heirs of the deceased.

Transactions of hire, ariya (free loan), mortgage and partnership

As we have already mentioned, all the goods that are the basis of the above transactions constitute a trust. Whenever the owner demands the property it has to be restored immediately. However, if a period had been agreed upon, the owner cannot demand his property before the end of the stipulated period. For example, the landlord cannot expel his tenant before the expiry of the agreement of tenancy. Similarly the pledged article cannot be taken back without the repayment of loan. The same is the case with a loaned article.

At the end of the stipulated period the trustees are obliged to return the property that had been in their possession even if the owner has not demanded it back, but if the owner extends the period it is allowed to retain it.

However, ‘Ariya’ is a transaction where the owner is at liberty to demand back his property whenever he likes. For example, someone has borrowed a book for a week but the owner demands it the same day. The borrower, in this case, is obliged to return the book immediately. ‘Ariya’ is just like the keeping of some trust. The owner can ask for it whenever he wants. Even though he may have given it for some time, he can demand it whenever he likes.

Search for the owner - Sadaqah on his behalf

The above discussion was regarding the property trusts. If someone is in possession of a sharaii trust he must return it. If the owner is not known, the finder of a property has to search for him for one whole year. He must publicise it from masjids etc. If the owner is still unlocated he must give all of the found property in charity on behalf of the owner.

The bailor and the bailee should be adults

A transaction of trust is valid only when both the parties are sane and adult. So it is not allowed for a child or an insane person to entrust his property to someone and neither is it allowed to entrust them with something. However, if the guardian of a child or an insane person permits it, it is allowed to hold their property in trust but whether the guardian permits or not, if a property of a minor or an insane is held in trust and some loss or damage occurs the trustee has to make good the loss. He has to return it to the guardian and not directly to the minor or insane person but if one finds a minor child or an insane person in possession of something and there is a risk of it being lost or damaged, he can take it from him and deliver it to his guardian.

These are thus some laws regarding trusts. For detailed laws one can refer to the books of jurisprudence. The important thing is to understand the significance of trusts and to avoid the pitfalls of a sin like misappropriation. We shall present one more ayat and a few traditions before closing this chapter.

Trustworthy people praised in the Quran

  It is mentioned in Surah Aale Imraan:

“And among the followers of the Book there are some such that if you entrust one (of them) with a heap of wealth, he shall pay it back to you; and among them there are some such that if you entrust one (of them) with a dinaar he shall not pay it back to you except so long as you remain firm in demanding it; this is because they say: There is not upon us in the matter of the unlearned people any way (to reproach); and they tell a lie against Allah while they know.”

(Surah Aale Imraan 3:75)

This verse praises those Christians who do not embezzle when something is entrusted to them by non-Christians and it denounces the Jews who consider it permissible to misappropriate the property of anyone who is not a Jew. They falsely claim that they have been given a licence by Allah to do so.   

When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) recited this ayat, he said:

“The enemies of Allah lie! I have corrected every custom and belief of the age of Jahilya (ignorance) but (the matter of) trust is as it was. Whether the trust belongs to a righteous person or an evil one, it has to be returned.”

(Tafseer Majmaul Bayan).

This shows that the embezzlers are like those Jews who defalcated and if a Muslim considers embezzlement to be permissible, he is included among the enemies of Allah.

Recovery of damages from a property in trust

The Quran and Hadith clearly state that under no circumstances is it allowed to pilfer a property held in trust. Shaykh Tusi in his book,‘Nihaya’ and other Mujtahids have also mentioned this fact.

Narrators of traditions have mentioned the following from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.):

“One person sends another with money to purchase a cloth. When the latter goes to the market he sees that he already has the same type of cloth at home. So can he come back and without saying anything give him the cloth that he was already having and retain the money?”

Imam (a.s.) continued, “He should not even think of doing this and make himself contaminated with such a sin.” Then Imam (a.s.) recited the 72nd ayat of Surah Ahzaab:

“Surely We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to be unfaithful to it and feared from it, and man has turned unfaithful to it; Surely he is unjust, ignorant;”

Then the Imam (a.s.) further said:

“Even if this man has something better than what is available in the market, he must not give it to the buyer without informing him of the fact.”

(Tafseer Safi)

This is because the actual transaction consisted of taking the person’s money to the market and purchasing a cloth. Anything contrary to this is ‘Khayanat’.

Sulayman Bin Khalid says,

I inquired from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.): “A man had borrowed some money from me. Not only did he not repay the loan but he also took an oath that he did not owe me anything. Later he kept some of his money with me as a trust. Can I recover my debt from this money?”

Imam (a.s.) replied,

“Certainly that person has betrayed you but you should not betray trust. You must not commit the same sin.”

(Nihaya of Shaykh Tusi)

As we have already mentioned, Shaykh Tusi and the other great Mujtahids have given a clear verdict in the light of the Quranic verses and unambiguous ahadith, that Khayanat is totally prohibited.

But in the bookMilhiqat Urwatul Wuthqa, the late Kazim Tabatabai says, “It is commonly believed by the Mujtahids that to recover one’s legal dues from a property held in trust is permitted.”

The fatwa of Late Kazim Tabatabai was also to this effect, but precaution dictates that one must refrain from such a course of action.

Similarly if a person gives some money to another for giving it to a poor sadaat, and the latter himself happens to be a sadaat and poor, he cannot keep the money for himself without the permission of the owner; but if it is certain that the owner will agree to it there is no harm in it.

The burden of khayanat and the Day of Judgement

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s.) has said,

“Beware! One should not commit Khayanat of even one camel! Otherwise, he will be summoned on the day of Qiyamat riding the same camel and bleating like a camel.

“Beware! One should not commit khayanat of even one horse! Otherwise he will be summoned on the day of Qiyamat riding the same horse and neighing like a horse.

He would be call me for help, ‘O Muhammad! O Muhammad!’ I will tell him that I had already warned. Now I have no responsibility concerning you against Allah.”

(Al Kafi)

Allama Majlisi has recorded a tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s):

“You must return even a needle and thread. For khayanat will cause untold degradation and exposure of defects on the day of Qiyamat.”

A man came to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) with a needle that he had taken without permission. He said, “I had taken this needle to sew a pack saddle for my camel.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) told him,

“If this needle belongs to me I have forgiven you. However, if it belongs to the other Muslims you must pay for it so that it could be included in the public treasury for equal distribution.”

“I was not aware that it was such a serious matter,” the Arab remarked, “If it is so, I will not keep the needle with me.” He handed over the needle to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and went away.

The guilty shall be recognised by their marks

According to Allama Majlisi, on the day of Qiyamat the sinner shall carry the pilfered property on his shoulders. Every type of sinner would have such distinguishing marks. Everyone will know what sin the sinner had committed. One who commits a greater sin and dies without repenting for it, the Almighty Allah will deal with him with justice on the day of Qiyamat. So much so that a mark of sin that he committed most shall be attached. For example, the drunkard would be holding a wine bottle, the terrible stench of it will cause discomfort to the people. Similarly, the musician would have the instrument stuck to his hands. The gamblers would be having the instrument of gambling with him. The same thing is alluded to in the verse:

“The guilty shall be recognised by their marks.”

(Surah Rahman 55:41)

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and his trustworthiness

One day a poor man came to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and told him of his poverty. The Prophet (s.a.) said,

“Sit down! Allah is most Powerful.”

Another beggar came and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) told him to sit down too. Then a third destitute arrived and the Prophet (s.a.w.s) told him to sit down in the same way. After some time a person came and presented four saa (approximately 12 kilos) of wheat as Zakat to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) distributed one saa (3kilos) of wheat to each of the poor men. One saa of it remained. After the Maghrib and Isha prayers the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) announced that a saa of wheat is remaining with him. Any needy person can come and collect it from him; but no one came forward. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was compelled to take this trust home. Ayesha says that, that night the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was very restless. When she inquired the reason of his restlessness he replied,

“I am fearful of the consequences in case I die today and this trust not delivered to a deserving person.”

It is also mentioned that when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) was on his deathbed, he had some amount of six or seven dinars for the poor and the needy. He sent for the money and after counting it said,

“It is possible that Muhammad (s.a.w.s) may reach the presence of his Lord while these are dinars are still in his custody!”

Then he (s.a.w.s) summoned Amirul Momineen Hazrat Ali (a.s.), and gave him the dinars for the poor and the destitutes and then said,

“Now I can rest in peace.”

(Naaseeekhut Tawarihk Vol.3, Pg544)

Secrets are also trusts

Sometimes a person is told a secret and restrained from divulging it to others. This secret is also a kind of trust. It may also be that one learns of a secret regarding another person and feels sure that that person would not prefer it to be made known to others. This secret is a trust according to Shariat. To divulge a secret that one has seen or heard is Khayanat. The following saying of Ali (a.s.) is present inGhurarul Hikam:

“To divulge a secret that you are supposed to guard is Khayanat and betrayal.”

It is absolutely haraam to betray a secret when it becomes a trust, whether of a friend or an enemy, of a righteous person or an evil one.

Private discussion is also a trust

It is mentioned by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s):

“People who sit together must be careful of safe-guarding the trust. It is not permitted for a believer to expose a secret of his believing brother.”

  (Behaarul Anwaar Vol.16)

Abu Zar has related from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) that he said:

“O Abu Zar, one who sits in company must be cautious of safeguarding trust. For if you expose a secret of your believing brother, you would have committed Khayanat. So, keep away from such things.”

  (Wasaelush Shia)

Whatever is discussed in a meeting is also a trust with the participants. Anything that is to be kept confidential must not be divulged. It is recorded in the traditions:

“One who sits in company must be careful of maintaining the trust but it is not haraam to expose the secret of three kinds of meetings: One, where an unlawful murder is planned; two, where fornication is planned; three, where it is planned to loot someone’s property. The facts of such meetings could be presented in the court for proving someone’s right. In some cases it assumes such importance that it becomes necessary to expose a secret.”

  (Behaarul Anwaar)

In Surah Tahrim the Almighty Allah flays some of the Prophet’s wives (Ayesha and Hafasa) for betraying a secret of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). Allah has advised them to repent.

“If you both turn to Allah, then indeed your hearts are already inclined (to this);”

  (Surah Tahrim 66:4)

The same chapter also mentions the wives of Hazrat Lut (a.s.) and Hazrat Nuh (a.s.) in the following words:

“Allah sets forth an example to those who disbelieve the wife of Nuh and the wife of Lut; they were both under two of Our righteous servants, but they acted treacherously towards them so they availed them naught against Allah, and it was said: Enter both the Fire with those who enter.”

Divulging secrets is khayanat

Abdullah Ibne Sinan says that he inquired from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), “Is it haraam for a believer to expose some things of another believer that deserve to be kept secret?”

“Yes,” the Imam (a.s.) replied.

The narrator further asked, “Do you mean by this the ‘private parts’?”

Imam (a.s.) explained,

“It is not what you think, (Though it is also haraam to view the ‘private parts), what I meant were the confidential matters.”

  (Al Kafi)

Imam (a.s.) has also said:

“One who washes a dead body of a believer and observes caution with regard to the trust is absolved of all his sins.”

Someone asked, “How can one maintain secrecy with regard to the washing of a believer’s corpse?”

The Imam (a.s.) answered,

“He must not tell anyone of the deformities that he might see in the dead body.”

  (Amaali)

From the foregone discussion we surmise that exposing a secret amounts to committing Khayanat. Whether the concerned person himself takes you in confidence or you come to know of the secrets by yourself. Under all circumstances a secret is a trust, and it is haraam to betray it. If the one with whom the secret is concerned does not wish that his secret should be divulged, then it is haraam and a kind of Khayanat to expose it. Such types of trusts that involve secrets have various grades and are of different types. Certain types of Khayanat are termed as tale telling and others are called backbiting. Each of these shall be elaborated ahead.

Informing disbelievers about the military secrets of the Muslims

Khayanat with Allah, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) and all the Muslims is of various grades. One type of Khayanat is when a person commits Khayanat to his own self. All these different grades of Khayanat come together when a person reveals the military secrets of Muslims to the disbelieving opponents.

If a Muslim acts as an informer for the disbelievers he has committed Khayanat not only with Allah and the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) but also towards his own self. He becomes the cause of strengthening the enemy and of the Muslim’s defeat. It could be this type of Khayanat that is alluded too in the following ayat:

“O you who believe! Be not unfaithful to Allah and the Apostle, nor be unfaithful to your trusts while you know.”

  (Surah Anfal 8:27)

In the Shaane Nuzool (circumstances of revelation) of this verse Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari says that, “One day Jibraeel (a.s.) informed the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) of the fact that Abu Sufyan is camping at a particular place with an army of polytheists. The Prophet (s.a.) must be prepared to fight with him. He must also keep it a secret so that they would be taken by surprise. However, one of the hypocrites wrote to Abu Sufyan and informed him of the Muslim’s plan. The explanation of the above verse mentions the Khayanat of Abu Lababa and his subsequent repenting.

Divine mercy upon those who maintain trusts

Maintaining secrecy is however, a formidable task. Those who possess a sense of honour perform this job successfully and they unflinchingly maintain secrets. Keeping secrets invite Divine blessings. Very few actions are so much deserving of such high rewards. The person is protected from fear on the day of Qiyamat. On the day when all the people will be gathered for accounting the trustworthy people shall be placed at the safest and the best place under the shade of Divine mercy.

Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) says,

“Three types of people will be under the shade of Divine mercy when there will be no other shade:

One, the person who arranges the marriage of his believing brother. Two, the person who procures a servant for his believing brother. Three, the person who has maintained a secret of his believing brother.”

Restrain from divulging your own secrets

  According to the traditions we must not inform anyone of our own secrets. Even if those people are our closest relatives or friends. It is possible that their friendship may not last forever. They might become our enemies in the future. It is very rare for an enemy not to expose the secrets of his opponents.

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has advised one of his followers:

“Do not tell your secrets even to your friend. But only tell him those things that will not cause any harm even if your enemy comes to know of it. Because even a friend could become your enemy one day.”

  (Behaarul Anwaar)

A reliable and pious person has related that when he intended to divorce his wife, he was asked of the defect that existed in her; that had made him take such a decision. He replied, “An intelligent person never exposes his wife and never reveals her secrets.”

Subsequently the divorce was completed and even the Iddah came to an end. Again some people asked him, “Now she is no more your wife. What was the actual defect in her, that you had to divorce?” He said, “I am not concerned with the other women.” It means is that it is the right of a wife upon her husband that he maintains her secrets even after separation and divorce.

Revealing a secret is a kind of Khayanat and every type of people consider it to be evil. It is mentioned in the book“Uqudul Farid” that even a filthy man like Ziyad (May Allah’s curse be upon him) had criticised Umar ibne Saad (May Allah’s curse be upon him too) for revealing the last wishes and the secret of Hazrat Muslim ibne Aqeel. Ibne Ziyad (l.a.) had written to Umar ibne Saad. “O Umar ibne Saad! Because you yourself have revealed the secret of Husain’s coming towards Kufa, you would have to go and fight against him.”

The bookNafsul Mahmoom and other books of Islamic history contain the following incident:

When Ibne Ziyad had Muslim Ibne Aqeel arrested, Muslim asked, “Would you murder me?”

“Yes,” replied Ibne Ziyad.

“Give me some time so that I can express my last wishes to a relative of mine.”

The accursed Ibne Ziyad permitted him to do so. Muslim searched among the people present in the court and saw Umar Ibne Saad. He told Umar Ibne Saad, “O Umar! We are related to each other. I wish something from you. It is obligatory for you to fulfill it and it is a secret that I cannot reveal to everyone.”

Umar Ibne Saad tried to shirk the responsibility but Ibne Ziyad told him, “Do not try to avoid this. Listen to what your cousin wishes.” So Umar Ibne Saad and Muslim Ibne Aqeel went into a corner.

Muslim said, “There is debt upon my neck. When I had reached Kufa, I had borrowed seven hundred Dirhams. Please sell my armour and repay the loan. When I am killed take my last remains from Ibne Ziyad and perform a proper funeral and bury me. You must also send someone to Imam Husain (a.s.) so that he can stop him from coming to Kufa. I had myself invited him towards Kufa and written that the people of Kufa are on his side. So he must have started his journey towards Kufa. Inform him of my arrest and execution so that he may turn back.”

Umar Ibne Saad immediately told Ibne Ziyad all the three things (the debt of Muslim, the burying of his corpse and the warning for Imam Husain (a.s.). Ibne Ziyad (l.a) said to Muslim Ibne Aqeel, “A trustworthy person can never betray you but the thing is that you have considered a betrayer to be your confidant.”

An exemplary confidant

It is appropriate to mention an exemplary trustworthiness at this point. When Hazrat Imam Husain (a.s.) reached a spot called, ‘Haajiz’ he wrote a letter to Muslim Ibne Aqeel and the Shias of Kufa. He wrote:

“From Husain Ibne Ali (a.s.) to his Muslim and momin brothers. Peace be upon you all. Praise be to Allah besides Him there is no deity. I have received Muslim’s letter. He has informed me of the glad news that you all are united to support me and prepared to fight for my right. I pray to Allah for your favourable consequences. May He reward you for this stand of yours. I have left Mecca on Tuesday the eighth of Zilhajj and started moving towards you. When my messenger reaches you, you must become serious and concerned in your mission. I shall come to you within a few days, InshaAllah. Peace be upon you and the Divine Mercy.”

Imam Husain (a.s.) gave this letter to Qays Ibne Musher Saidawi who set out immediately and soon reached the outskirts of Kufa. An officer of Ibne Ziyad, by the name of Haseen Ibne Tamim tried to arrest him there. He at once tore up the letter of Imam Husain (a.s.). He was then taken to Ibne Ziyad. When Ibne Ziyad told him to surrender the letter he said, “I have torn it into pieces.”

“Why?” asked Ibne Ziyad.

“So that you may not come to know what was written in it.”

“To whom was it addressed?”

“To some people I am not familiar with.”

Ibne Ziyad ordered, “If you do not reveal the name, you shall have to mount the pulpit and invoke curse upon the liars.” (Ibne Ziyad was actually referring to Imam Husain (a.s.).

Qays Ibne Musher went to the pulpit and announced, “O people! Husain Ibne Ali is the best creature of Allah, and the son of Fatemah (s.a.) the daughter of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s). I am his messenger. I have left him at place called ‘Haajiz. I have come to you so that you may respond to his call and support him wholeheartedly.”

Then Qays invoked curse upon Ibne Ziyad and his father. He then showered praises upon Amirul Momineen Hazrat Ali (a.s.).

Ibne Ziyad ordered that Qays be taken to the wall of the palace and then thrown down. When Qays was thrown from such a height, his bones shattered but he  was alive when Abdul Malik Ibne Amir beheaded him.

When Imam Husain (a.s.) learnt of Qays’s murder, his eyes were filled with tears. He recited the following ayat of the Quran:

“Of the believers are men who are true to the covenant which they made with Allah: so of them is he who accomplished his vow, and of them is he who yet waits, and they have not changed in the least.”

  (Surah Ahzaab 33:23)

An interesting incident of trustworthiness is also recorded in the book,Riayzul Hikayaat:

A man was having one thousand Tumans in a bag. He was going to the public bath, early in the morning. On the way he met a friend. He was also heading towards the public bath. When they came to a junction this person separated without informing his companion. Perchance a robber was pursuing them with the intention of stealing the moneybag. When this man reached the bath the robber followed suit. The man deposited the moneybag with the bath keeper and went inside to take a bath. The bath-keeper himself thought of taking a bath. He thought that the robber who had followed the man was the latter’s friend. So he handed him the money bag and said,

“Keep this in your custody till I return after taking a bath.”

The thief remained sitting till the bath-keeper returned. Then he gave back the moneybag to him. When the bath-keeper learnt hat he was not a friend of the first person he asked, “Then who are you?”

He replied, “I am a thief.”

“Then why did you not steal the money bag?”

The thief answered, “I may be thief, but betraying trust is against manliness. While safeguarding this trust I have also remained aloof from robbery.”

The owner of the moneybag was impressed by this magnanimity and he opened the bag and gave some money to the robber as a reward.

However, stealing is also haraam and it shall be discussed in the forthcoming chapter. The object may be expensive or it may be worthless, but stealing it is absolutely haraam.

1ـ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا مِنْهُمْ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْعَطَّارُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَمَّا خَلَقَ الله الْعَقْلَ اسْتَنْطَقَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلالِي مَا خَلَقْتُ خَلْقاً هُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْكَ وَلا أَكْمَلْتُكَ إِلا فِيمَنْ أُحِبُّ أَمَا إِنِّي إِيَّاكَ آمُرُ وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْهَى وَإِيَّاكَ أُعَاقِبُ وَإِيَّاكَ أُثِيبُ.

1. Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub has narrated from a number of our people of whom one is Muhammad ibn Yahya al-‘Attar who narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hassan ibn Mahbub from 'Ala' ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja’far (a.s) who has said the following.

“ When Allah, God, created Intelligence He made it speak and then He said to it, ‘Come forward’.

It came forward. He then said, “Go back.” It went back.

Then Allah said, “I swear by My honor and glory that I have not created any creature more beloved to Me than you. I will not perfect you in anyone except those whom I love. I, however, will command only you to do things and prohibit only you from doing certain things. I will grand blessings (rewards) to you only and will subject only you to punishments.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ صَالِحٍ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ طَرِيفٍ عَنِ الاصْبَغِ بْنِ نُبَاتَةَ عَنْ علي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ هَبَطَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى آدَمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ يَا آدَمُ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُخَيِّرَكَ وَاحِدَةً مِنْ ثَلاثٍ فَاخْتَرْهَا وَدَعِ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ آدَمُ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَمَا الثَّلاثُ فَقَالَ الْعَقْلُ وَالْحَيَاءُ وَالدِّينُ فَقَالَ آدَمُ إِنِّي قَدِ اخْتَرْتُ الْعَقْلَ فَقَالَ جَبْرَئِيلُ لِلْحَيَاءِ وَالدِّينِ انْصَرِفَا وَدَعَاهُ فَقَالا يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ إِنَّا أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نَكُونَ مَعَ الْعَقْلِ حَيْثُ كَانَ قَالَ فَشَأْنَكُمَا وَعَرَجَ.

2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from 'Amr ibn ‘Uthman, from Mufaddal ibn Salih from Sa‘d ibn Tarif from Asbagh ibn Nabatah, from Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“Once Jibril came to Adam (a.s) and said, ‘I am ordered to offer you three choices. You may chose one and leave the other two. Adam then asked, “What are those three things?”

Gibril replied, ‘They are Intelligence, bashfulness and religion.’

Adam then said, “I chose Intelligence.” Gibril then asked bashfulness and religion to return and leave Intelligence with Adam. They said to Gibril, ‘O Gibril, we are commanded to be with Intelligence wherever it may exist. Gibril then said, “It then is up to you.” He then ascended to heavens.

3ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا رَفَعَهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا الْعَقْلُ قَالَ مَا عُبِدَ بِهِ الرَّحْمَنُ وَاكْتُسِبَ بِهِ الْجِنَانُ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَالَّذِي كَانَ فِي مُعَاوِيَةَ فَقَالَ تِلْكَ النَّكْرَاءُ تِلْكَ الشَّيْطَنَةُ وَهِيَ شَبِيهَةٌ بِالْعَقْلِ وَلَيْسَتْ بِالْعَقْلِ.

3. Ahmad ibn 'Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar, from certain persons of our people in a Marfu’ manner, who have ascribed it to abu 'Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

The narrator has said, “I asked abu ‘Abdallah, “What is Intelligence?” He replied, ‘It is a fact with whose help one worships Allah, the Merciful, and attains paradise.’ I then asked, “What was the thing with Mu’awiyah?” ‘It was shrewdness. Mischief is similar to Intelligence but it is not Intelligence.’ The Imam replied.

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ صَدِيقُ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ عَقْلُهُ وَعَدُوُّهُ جَهْلُهُ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from al-Hassan ibn al-Jahm who has said the following.

“I heard (Imam) al-Rida (a.s) saying, “The friend of a person is his/her Intelligence and the enemy of a person is his/her ignorance.”

5ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا قَوْماً لَهُمْ مَحَبَّةٌ وَلَيْسَتْ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْعَزِيمَةُ يَقُولُونَ بِهَذَا الْقَوْلِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ أُولَئِكَ مِمَّنْ عَاتَبَ الله إِنَّمَا قَالَ الله فَاعْتَبِرُوا يا أُولِي الابْصارِ.

5. It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from al-Hassan ibn al-Juham who has said the following.

“I said to abu al-Hassan, “We know certain people who have a great deal of love but they don not have much determination (and understanding of the cause of Imamat).” The Imam replied, “They are not of the ones that Allah has admonished. What Allah has said is that people of Intelligence and understanding must take a lesson.”

6ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الرَّازِيِّ عَنْ سَيْفِ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَنْ كَانَ عَاقِلاً كَانَ لَهُ دِينٌ وَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ دِينٌ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.

6. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from abu Muhammad al-Razi from Sayf ibn ‘Umayra from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“One who has Intelligence he has a religion also and one who has religion he enters Paradise.”

7ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْجَارُودِ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّمَا يُدَاقُّ الله الْعِبَادَ فِي الْحِسَابِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَا آتَاهُمْ مِنَ الْعُقُولِ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

7. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Yaqtin from Muhammad ibn Sinan ibn abu al-Jarud from abu Ja‘far (a.s) who has said the following.

“Allah, on the Day of Judgment, will hold everyone accountable according to the degree of the intelligence that He had given them in their worldly life.”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ الاحْمَرِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الدَّيْلَمِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فُلانٌ مِنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَدِينِهِ وَفَضْلِهِ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ قُلْتُ لا أَدْرِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ الثَّوَابَ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْعَقْلِ إِنَّ رَجُلاً مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ الله فِي جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ خَضْرَاءَ نَضِرَةٍ كَثِيرَةِ الشَّجَرِ ظَاهِرَةِ الْمَاءِ وَإِنَّ مَلَكاً مِنَ الْمَلائِكَةِ مَرَّ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ أَرِنِي ثَوَابَ عَبْدِكَ هَذَا فَأَرَاهُ الله تَعَالَى ذَلِكَ فَاسْتَقَلَّهُ الْمَلَكُ فَأَوْحَى الله تَعَالَى إِلَيْهِ أَنِ اصْحَبْهُ فَأَتَاهُ الْمَلَكُ فِي صُورَةِ إِنْسِيٍّ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَنْ أَنْتَ قَالَ أَنَا رَجُلٌ عَابِدٌ بَلَغَنِي مَكَانُكَ وَعِبَادَتُكَ فِي هَذَا الْمَكَانِ فَأَتَيْتُكَ لاعْبُدَ الله مَعَكَ فَكَانَ مَعَهُ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ قَالَ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ إِنَّ مَكَانَكَ لَنَزِهٌ وَمَا يَصْلُحُ إِلا لِلْعِبَادَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَابِدُ إِنَّ لِمَكَانِنَا هَذَا عَيْباً فَقَالَ لَهُ وَمَا هُوَ قَالَ لَيْسَ لِرَبِّنَا بَهِيمَةٌ فَلَوْ كَانَ لَهُ حِمَارٌ رَعَيْنَاهُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا الْحَشِيشَ يَضِيعُ فَقَالَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكُ وَمَا لِرَبِّكَ حِمَارٌ فَقَالَ لَوْ كَانَ لَهُ حِمَارٌ مَا كَانَ يَضِيعُ مِثْلُ هَذَا الْحَشِيشِ فَأَوْحَى الله إِلَى الْمَلَكِ إِنَّمَا أُثِيبُهُ عَلَى قَدْرِ عَقْلِهِ.

8. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Ahmar from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylami his father who has said the following.

“Once I mentioned a certain person’s intelligence, worship and religion before Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s). The Imam (a.s) asked, “How is his intelligence? The man replied, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam then said, “The degree of reward is based on the degree of intelligence. A man of Bani Israel worshipped Allah on an island in the ocean. The island was lush green, with many trees and abundant water. Once an angels passed by the worshipper and asked Allah to show how much reward and blessings would the worshipper receive for his good deeds. Allah showed the rewards due to the worshipper to the angel and the angel considered it very little. Allah then told the angel to stay with the worshipper as a companion. The angel then appeared to the worshipper in the form of a human being. The worshipper asked, “Who are you?” ‘ I have heard about your great worships and your spiritual position at this place and I wish to join you to worship Allah along with you.” The angel said. He spent that day with the worshipper and the next day the angel said to the worshipper, “Your place is beautiful and it should only be used for worship.” ‘Yes, it is but it has one shortcoming.’ The worshipper responded. “What is that?” The angel inquired. “Our Lord does not have an animal. I whish He had a donkey so that we would look after the donkey to graze all the grass around. All these grass is a waste.” ‘Does your Lord have no donkey? Asked the angel. “Had our Lord had a donkey all this grass would not have turned into waste.” The worshipper answered with sadness. Allah then revealed to the angel, “We reward everyone according to the degree of his/her intelligence.”

9ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِذَا بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ رَجُلٍ حُسْنُ حَالٍ فَانْظُرُوا فِي حُسْنِ عَقْلِهِ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَازَى بِعَقْلِهِ.

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

“The holy Prophet said, “If you would hear good things about a man, you should examine how good his intelligence is, because he will be rewarded according to his intelligence.”

10ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ قَالَ ذَكَرْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) رَجُلاً مُبْتَلىً بِالْوُضُوءِ وَالصَّلاةِ وَقُلْتُ هُوَ رَجُلٌ عَاقِلٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله وَأَيُّ عَقْلٍ لَهُ وَهُوَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَكَيْفَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ فَقَالَ سَلْهُ هَذَا الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ هُوَ فَإِنَّهُ يَقُولُ لَكَ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said the following.

“I mentioned a person, who would overdo the deeds of his doing Wudu and prayer to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) and added that he is a man of good intelligence.” The Imam (a.s) then said, ‘What kind of intelligence is it that allows him to obey Satan.’ I then asked the Imam, “How would he be considered as obeying Satan?” The Imam (a.s) said, “Ask him wherefrom this thing comes to him. He will certainly say, “It comes from Satan.”

11ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَا قَسَمَ الله لِلْعِبَادِ شَيْئاً أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ فَنَوْمُ الْعَاقِلِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سَهَرِ الْجَاهِلِ وَإِقَامَةُ الْعَاقِلِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ شُخُوصِ الْجَاهِلِ وَلا بَعَثَ الله نَبِيّاً وَلا رَسُولاً حَتَّى يَسْتَكْمِلَ الْعَقْلَ وَيَكُونَ عَقْلُهُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ عُقُولِ أُمَّتِهِ وَمَا يُضْمِرُ النَّبِيُّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فِي نَفْسِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنِ اجْتِهَادِ الْمُجْتَهِدِينَ وَمَا أَدَّى الْعَبْدُ فَرَائِضَ الله حَتَّى عَقَلَ عَنْهُ وَلا بَلَغَ جَمِيعُ الْعَابِدِينَ فِي فَضْلِ عِبَادَتِهِمْ مَا بَلَغَ الْعَاقِلُ وَالْعُقَلاءُ هُمْ أُولُو الالْبَابِ الَّذِينَ قَالَ الله تَعَالَى وَمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ إِلا أُولُو الالْبَابِ.

11. A number of our people has narrated Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from certain persons of his people in a marfu‘ manner from the Holy Prophet (s.a) who has said the following.

“Allah has not distributed anything among people more excellent than intelligence. The sleeping of a person of intelligence is better than the worshipping of an ignorant person for the whole night. Staying of a person of intelligence at home is better than the journeying of an ignorant person in search for success and good deeds. Allah did not sent any prophet or messenger before the completion of his intelligence and to let it become better than the intelligence of all of his followers. Whatever a prophet preserves in his soul is better than the achievement of all the striving people for virtue and good deeds. People would not fulfil their obligations to Allah without having an understanding about Him. All the worshippers will not be able to achieve with the virtue of their worships what a person of intelligence achieves. It is the people of intelligence who are considered as people of proper understanding in chapter 2:269 of the holy Quran, “Only People of understanding realizes this.”

12ـ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله الاشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا رَفَعَهُ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى بَشَّرَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَالْفَهْمِ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَقَالَ فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ الله وَأُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الالْبابِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى أَكْمَلَ لِلنَّاسِ الْحُجَجَ بِالْعُقُولِ وَنَصَرَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِالْبَيَانِ وَدَلَّهُمْ عَلَى رُبُوبِيَّتِهِ بِالادِلَّةِ فَقَالَ وَإِلهُكُمْ إِلهٌ واحِدٌ لا إِلهَ إِلا هُوَ الرَّحْمنُ الرَّحِيمُ. إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّماواتِ وَالارْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِي تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِما يَنْفَعُ النَّاسَ وَما أَنْزَلَ الله مِنَ السَّماءِ مِنْ ماءٍ فَأَحْيا بِهِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِها وَبَثَّ فِيها مِنْ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّياحِ وَالسَّحابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّماءِ وَالارْضِ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ قَدْ جَعَلَ الله ذَلِكَ دَلِيلاً عَلَى مَعْرِفَتِهِ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ مُدَبِّراً فَقَالَ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهارَ وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّراتٌ بِأَمْرِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ تُرابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلاً ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوا أَشُدَّكُمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُوا شُيُوخاً وَمِنْكُمْ مَنْ يُتَوَفَّى مِنْ قَبْلُ وَلِتَبْلُغُوا أَجَلاً مُسَمًّى وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ إِنَّ فِي اخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا أَنْزَلَ الله مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِنْ رِزْقٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالارْضِ لآَيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ يُحْيِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِها قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الاياتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَجَنَّاتٌ مِنْ أَعْنابٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوانٍ يُسْقى‏ بِماءٍ واحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَها عَلى‏ بَعْضٍ فِي الاكُلِ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَمِنْ آياتِهِ يُرِيكُمُ الْبَرْقَ خَوْفاً وَطَمَعاً وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ السَّماءِ ماءً فَيُحْيِي بِهِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِها إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ قُلْ تَعالَوْا أَتْلُ ما حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَلا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئاً وَبِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً وَلا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلادَكُمْ مِنْ إِمْلاقٍ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ وَلا تَقْرَبُوا الْفَواحِشَ ما ظَهَرَ مِنْها وَما بَطَنَ وَلا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ الله إِلا بِالْحَقِّ ذلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ هَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ مِنْ شُرَكاءَ فِي ما رَزَقْناكُمْ فَأَنْتُمْ فِيهِ سَواءٌ تَخافُونَهُمْ كَخِيفَتِكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ كَذلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الاياتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ وَعَظَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَرَغَّبَهُمْ فِي الاخِرَةِ فَقَالَ وَمَا الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا إِلا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَلَلدَّارُ الاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ أَ فَلا تَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ خَوَّفَ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْقِلُونَ عِقَابَهُ فَقَالَ تَعَالَى ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا الاخَرِينَ. وَإِنَّكُمْ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مُصْبِحِينَ. وَبِاللَّيْلِ أَ فَلا تَعْقِلُونَ. وَقَالَ إِنَّا مُنْزِلُونَ عَلى‏ أَهْلِ هذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزاً مِنَ السَّماءِ بِما كانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ وَلَقَدْ تَرَكْنا مِنْها آيَةً بَيِّنَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَقْلَ مَعَ الْعِلْمِ فَقَالَ وَتِلْكَ الامْثالُ نَضْرِبُها لِلنَّاسِ وَما يَعْقِلُها إِلا الْعالِمُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ ذَمَّ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْقِلُونَ فَقَالَ وَإِذا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا ما أَنْزَلَ الله قالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ ما أَلْفَيْنا عَلَيْهِ آباءَنا أَ وَلَوْ كانَ آباؤُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئاً وَلا يَهْتَدُونَ وَقَالَ وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَنْعِقُ بِما لا يَسْمَعُ إِلا دُعاءً وَنِداءً صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ.

وَقَالَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَسْتَمِعُ إِلَيْكَ أَ فَأَنْتَ تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ وَلَوْ كانُوا لا يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ أَمْ تَحْسَبُ أَنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَسْمَعُونَ أَوْ يَعْقِلُونَ إِنْ هُمْ إِلا كَالانْعامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً وَقَالَ لا يُقاتِلُونَكُمْ جَمِيعاً إِلا فِي قُرىً مُحَصَّنَةٍ أَوْ مِنْ وَراءِ جُدُرٍ بَأْسُهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ شَدِيدٌ تَحْسَبُهُمْ جَمِيعاً وَقُلُوبُهُمْ شَتَّى ذلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لا يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَتَنْسَوْنَ أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتابَ أَ فَلا تَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ ذَمَّ الله الْكَثْرَةَ فَقَالَ وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الارْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ الله وَقَالَ وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّماواتِ وَالارْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ الله قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لله بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَقَالَ وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ نَزَّلَ مِنَ السَّماءِ ماءً فَأَحْيا بِهِ الارْضَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِها لَيَقُولُنَّ الله قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لله بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ مَدَحَ الْقِلَّةَ فَقَالَ وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبادِيَ الشَّكُورُ وَقَالَ وَقَلِيلٌ ما هُمْ وَقَالَ وَقالَ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمانَهُ أَ تَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلاً أَنْ يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ الله وَقَالَ وَمَنْ آمَنَ وَما آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلا قَلِيلٌ وَقَالَ وَلكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَقَالَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَشْعُرُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ أُولِي الالْبَابِ بِأَحْسَنِ الذِّكْرِ وَحَلاهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ الْحِلْيَةِ فَقَالَ يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَنْ يَشاءُ وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْراً كَثِيراً وَما يَذَّكَّرُ إِلا أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنا وَما يَذَّكَّرُ إِلا أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّماواتِ وَالارْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهارِ لاياتٍ لاولِي الالْبابِ وَقَالَ أَ فَمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّما أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمى‏ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ أَمَّنْ هُوَ قانِتٌ آناءَ اللَّيْلِ ساجِداً وَقائِماً يَحْذَرُ الاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ كِتابٌ أَنْزَلْناهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آياتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنا مُوسَى الْهُدى‏ وَأَوْرَثْنا بَنِي إِسْرائِيلَ الْكِتابَ هُدىً وَذِكْرى‏ لاولِي الالْبابِ وَقَالَ وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرى‏ تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله تَعَالَى يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَذِكْرى‏ لِمَنْ كانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ يَعْنِي عَقْلٌ وَقَالَ وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنا لُقْمانَ الْحِكْمَةَ قَالَ الْفَهْمَ وَالْعَقْلَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ لُقْمَانَ قَالَ لابْنِهِ تَوَاضَعْ لِلْحَقِّ تَكُنْ أَعْقَلَ النَّاسِ وَإِنَّ الْكَيِّسَ لَدَى الْحَقِّ يَسِيرٌ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا بَحْرٌ عَمِيقٌ قَدْ غَرِقَ فِيهَا عَالَمٌ كَثِيرٌ فَلْتَكُنْ سَفِينَتُكَ فِيهَا تَقْوَى الله وَحَشْوُهَا الايمَانَ وَشِرَاعُهَا التَّوَكُّلَ وَقَيِّمُهَا الْعَقْلَ وَدَلِيلُهَا الْعِلْمَ وَسُكَّانُهَا الصَّبْرَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ دَلِيلاً وَدَلِيلُ الْعَقْلِ التَّفَكُّرُ وَدَلِيلُ التَّفَكُّرِ الصَّمْتُ وَلِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ مَطِيَّةً وَمَطِيَّةُ الْعَقْلِ التَّوَاضُعُ وَكَفَى بِكَ جَهْلاً أَنْ تَرْكَبَ مَا نُهِيْتَ عَنْهُ يَا هِشَامُ مَا بَعَثَ الله أَنْبِيَاءَهُ وَرُسُلَهُ إِلَى عِبَادِهِ إِلا لِيَعْقِلُوا عَنِ الله فَأَحْسَنُهُمُ اسْتِجَابَةً أَحْسَنُهُمْ مَعْرِفَةً وَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِأَمْرِ الله أَحْسَنُهُمْ عَقْلاً وَأَكْمَلُهُمْ عَقْلاً أَرْفَعُهُمْ دَرَجَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالاخِرَةِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ لله عَلَى النَّاسِ حُجَّتَيْنِ حُجَّةً ظَاهِرَةً وَحُجَّةً بَاطِنَةً فَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَةُ فَالرُّسُلُ وَالانْبِيَاءُ وَالائِمَّةُ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) وَأَمَّا الْبَاطِنَةُ فَالْعُقُولُ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ الَّذِي لا يَشْغَلُ الْحَلالُ شُكْرَهُ وَلا يَغْلِبُ الْحَرَامُ صَبْرَهُ.

يَا هِشَامُ مَنْ سَلَّطَ ثَلاثاً عَلَى ثَلاثٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَعَانَ عَلَى هَدْمِ عَقْلِهِ مَنْ أَظْلَمَ نُورُ تَفَكُّرِهِ بِطُولِ أَمَلِهِ وَمَحَا طَرَائِفَ حِكْمَتِهِ بِفُضُولِ كَلامِهِ وَأَطْفَأَ نُورَ عِبْرَتِهِ بِشَهَوَاتِ نَفْسِهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَعَانَ هَوَاهُ عَلَى هَدْمِ عَقْلِهِ وَمَنْ هَدَمَ عَقْلَهُ أَفْسَدَ عَلَيْهِ دِينَهُ وَدُنْيَاهُ يَا هِشَامُ كَيْفَ يَزْكُو عِنْدَ الله عَمَلُكَ وَأَنْتَ قَدْ شَغَلْتَ قَلْبَكَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّكَ وَأَطَعْتَ هَوَاكَ عَلَى غَلَبَةِ عَقْلِكَ يَا هِشَامُ الصَّبْرُ عَلَى الْوَحْدَةِ عَلامَةُ قُوَّةِ الْعَقْلِ فَمَنْ عَقَلَ عَنِ الله اعْتَزَلَ أَهْلَ الدُّنْيَا وَالرَّاغِبِينَ فِيهَا وَرَغِبَ فِيمَا عِنْدَ الله وَكَانَ الله أُنْسَهُ فِي الْوَحْشَةِ وَصَاحِبَهُ فِي الْوَحْدَةِ وَغِنَاهُ فِي الْعَيْلَةِ وَمُعِزَّهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ عَشِيرَةٍ يَا هِشَامُ نَصْبُ الْحَقِّ لِطَاعَةِ الله وَلا نَجَاةَ إِلا بِالطَّاعَةِ وَالطَّاعَةُ بِالْعِلْمِ وَالْعِلْمُ بِالتَّعَلُّمِ وَالتَّعَلُّمُ بِالْعَقْلِ يُعْتَقَدُ وَلا عِلْمَ إِلا مِنْ عَالِمٍ رَبَّانِيٍّ وَمَعْرِفَةُ الْعِلْمِ بِالْعَقْلِ يَا هِشَامُ قَلِيلُ الْعَمَلِ مِنَ الْعَالِمِ مَقْبُولٌ مُضَاعَفٌ وَكَثِيرُ الْعَمَلِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْهَوَى وَالْجَهْلِ مَرْدُودٌ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ رَضِيَ بِالدُّونِ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَعَ الْحِكْمَةِ وَلَمْ يَرْضَ بِالدُّونِ مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ مَعَ الدُّنْيَا فَلِذَلِكَ رَبِحَتْ تِجَارَتُهُمْ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعُقَلاءَ تَرَكُوا فُضُولَ الدُّنْيَا فَكَيْفَ الذُّنُوبَ وَتَرْكُ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْفَضْلِ وَتَرْكُ الذُّنُوبِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ نَظَرَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا وَإِلَى أَهْلِهَا فَعَلِمَ أَنَّهَا لا تُنَالُ إِلا بِالْمَشَقَّةِ وَنَظَرَ إِلَى الاخِرَةِ فَعَلِمَ أَنَّهَا لا تُنَالُ إِلا بِالْمَشَقَّةِ فَطَلَبَ بِالْمَشَقَّةِ أَبْقَاهُمَا يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعُقَلاءَ زَهِدُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَرَغِبُوا فِي الاخِرَةِ لانَّهُمْ عَلِمُوا أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا طَالِبَةٌ مَطْلُوبَةٌ وَالاخِرَةَ طَالِبَةٌ وَمَطْلُوبَةٌ فَمَنْ طَلَبَ الاخِرَةَ طَلَبَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَسْتَوْفِيَ مِنْهَا رِزْقَهُ وَمَنْ طَلَبَ الدُّنْيَا طَلَبَتْهُ الاخِرَةُ فَيَأْتِيهِ الْمَوْتُ فَيُفْسِدُ عَلَيْهِ دُنْيَاهُ وَآخِرَتَهُ يَا هِشَامُ مَنْ أَرَادَ الْغِنَى بِلا مَالٍ وَرَاحَةَ الْقَلْبِ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ وَالسَّلامَةَ فِي الدِّينِ فَلْيَتَضَرَّعْ إِلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي مَسْأَلَتِهِ بِأَنْ يُكَمِّلَ عَقْلَهُ فَمَنْ عَقَلَ قَنِعَ بِمَا يَكْفِيهِ وَمَنْ قَنِعَ بِمَا يَكْفِيهِ اسْتَغْنَى وَمَنْ لَمْ يَقْنَعْ بِمَا يَكْفِيهِ لَمْ يُدْرِكِ الْغِنَى أَبَداً يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله حَكَى عَنْ قَوْمٍ صَالِحِينَ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا رَبَّنا لا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنا وَهَبْ لَنا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ حِينَ عَلِمُوا أَنَّ الْقُلُوبَ تَزِيغُ وَتَعُودُ إِلَى عَمَاهَا وَرَدَاهَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَخَفِ الله مَنْ لَمْ يَعْقِلْ عَنِ الله وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْقِلْ عَنِ الله لَمْ يَعْقِدْ قَلْبَهُ عَلَى مَعْرِفَةٍ ثَابِتَةٍ يُبْصِرُهَا وَيَجِدُ حَقِيقَتَهَا فِي قَلْبِهِ وَلا يَكُونُ أَحَدٌ كَذَلِكَ إِلا مَنْ كَانَ قَوْلُهُ لِفِعْلِهِ مُصَدِّقاً وَسِرُّهُ لِعَلانِيَتِهِ مُوَافِقاً لانَّ الله تَبَارَكَ اسْمُهُ لَمْ يَدُلَّ عَلَى الْبَاطِنِ الْخَفِيِّ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ إِلا بِظَاهِرٍ مِنْهُ وَنَاطِقٍ عَنْهُ يَا هِشَامُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ مَا عُبِدَ الله بِشَيْ‏ءٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ وَمَا تَمَّ عَقْلُ امْرِئٍ حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِيهِ خِصَالٌ شَتَّى الْكُفْرُ وَالشَّرُّ مِنْهُ مَأْمُونَانِ وَالرُّشْدُ وَالْخَيْرُ مِنْهُ مَأْمُولانِ وَفَضْلُ مَالِهِ مَبْذُولٌ وَفَضْلُ قَوْلِهِ مَكْفُوفٌ وَنَصِيبُهُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا الْقُوتُ لا يَشْبَعُ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ دَهْرَهُ الذُّلُّ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مَعَ الله مِنَ الْعِزِّ مَعَ غَيْرِهِ وَالتَّوَاضُعُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الشَّرَفِ يَسْتَكْثِرُ قَلِيلَ الْمَعْرُوفِ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ وَيَسْتَقِلُّ كَثِيرَ الْمَعْرُوفِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَيَرَى النَّاسَ كُلَّهُمْ خَيْراً مِنْهُ وَأَنَّهُ شَرُّهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَهُوَ تَمَامُ الامْرِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ لا يَكْذِبُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ هَوَاهُ يَا هِشَامُ لا دِينَ لِمَنْ لا مُرُوَّةَ لَهُ وَلا مُرُوَّةَ لِمَنْ لا عَقْلَ لَهُ وَإِنَّ أَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ قَدْراً الَّذِي لا يَرَى الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْسِهِ خَطَراً أَمَا إِنَّ أَبْدَانَكُمْ لَيْسَ لَهَا ثَمَنٌ إِلا الْجَنَّةُ فَلا تَبِيعُوهَا بِغَيْرِهَا يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ مِنْ عَلامَةِ الْعَاقِلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَلاثُ خِصَالٍ يُجِيبُ إِذَا سُئِلَ وَيَنْطِقُ إِذَا عَجَزَ الْقَوْمُ عَنِ الْكَلامِ وَيُشِيرُ بِالرَّأْيِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ فِيهِ صَلاحُ أَهْلِهِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالِ الثَّلاثِ شَيْ‏ءٌ فَهُوَ أَحْمَقُ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لا يَجْلِسُ فِي صَدْرِ الْمَجْلِسِ إِلا رَجُلٌ فِيهِ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالُ الثَّلاثُ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شَيْ‏ءٌ مِنْهُنَّ فَجَلَسَ فَهُوَ أَحْمَقُ وَقَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) إِذَا طَلَبْتُمُ الْحَوَائِجَ فَاطْلُبُوهَا مِنْ أَهْلِهَا قِيلَ.

يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ الله وَمَنْ أَهْلُهَا قَالَ الَّذِينَ قَصَّ الله فِي كِتَابِهِ وَذَكَرَهُمْ فَقَالَ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ قَالَ هُمْ أُولُو الْعُقُولِ وَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) مُجَالَسَةُ الصَّالِحِينَ دَاعِيَةٌ إِلَى الصَّلاحِ وَآدَابُ الْعُلَمَاءِ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْعَقْلِ وَطَاعَةُ وُلاةِ الْعَدْلِ تَمَامُ الْعِزِّ وَاسْتِثْمَارُ الْمَالِ تَمَامُ الْمُرُوءَةِ وَإِرْشَادُ الْمُسْتَشِيرِ قَضَاءٌ لِحَقِّ النِّعْمَةِ وَكَفُّ الاذَى مِنْ كَمَالِ الْعَقْلِ وَفِيهِ رَاحَةُ الْبَدَنِ عَاجِلاً وَآجِلاً يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ لا يُحَدِّثُ مَنْ يَخَافُ تَكْذِيبَهُ وَلا يَسْأَلُ مَنْ يَخَافُ مَنْعَهُ وَلا يَعِدُ مَا لا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ وَلا يَرْجُو مَا يُعَنَّفُ بِرَجَائِهِ وَلا يُقْدِمُ عَلَى مَا يَخَافُ فَوْتَهُ بِالْعَجْزِ عَنْهُ.

12. Abu ‘Abdallah al-Ash‘ari has narrated from certain persons of our people have narrated in a marfu‘ manner from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following.

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far stated the following to me. ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason and understanding in His book in the following words, “ Give the good news to those of My servants who hear certain words but follow only the good words. These are the ones whom Allah has given guidance and they are the people of understanding. 39:20 Holy Quran

“O Hisham, it is certain that Allah has established complete (legal) authority for people (to refer to) in the form of intelligence, supported the messengers through the (ability) to communicate and has guided them to His own Lordship with proofs. Saying, “Your Lord is the only Lord. There is no God but He, the Beneficent, the Merciful (2:163)

“(Of the signs of His existence are the creation of heavens and earth, the alternation of nights and days, the ships that sail in the sea for the benefit of the people. (Also of such signs are) the water that God sends from the sky to revive the dead earth where He has scattered all kinds of animals, the winds of all directions and the clouds that are rendered for service between the sky and the earth. Such are evidence (of His existence) for those who use their intelligence. (2:164)

“O Hisham, Allah has mentioned the above facts as proof of His existence and that such facts depend upon the will of one who has designed them saying:

“God has made the day and the night, the sun and the moon, and all the stars subservient to you by His command. In this there is evidence of the truth for people of understanding. (16:12)

“It is He, Who created you from clay, turning it into a living germ, then into a clot of blood, and then brings you forth as a child. He then made you grow into manhood and become old. He causes some of you to live for the appointed time and some of you to die before so that perhaps you may have understanding (40:67).

“In the heavens and the earth there is evidence (of the Truth) for the believers (45:3). In your creation and in that of the beasts living on earth there is evidence of the Truth for the people who have strong faith (45:4). In the alternation of the night and the day, the sustenance which God has sent down from the sky to revive the barren earth, and in the changing of the direction of the winds there is evidence of the truth for the people of understanding (45:5).

“Know that God brings the dead earth back to life. We have explained Our revelations to you so that you may perhaps have understanding (57:17).

“In the earth there are adjacent pieces of land, vineyards, farms, date-palms of single and many roots which are all watered by the same water. We have made some yield a better food than others. All this is evidence (of the existence of God) for the people who understand. (13:4)

“Also, of the evidence of His existence are His showing you lightening which gives you fear and hope and His sending water down from the sky which revives the earth after its death. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for the people of understanding. (30:24)

“(Muhammad), say, “Let me tell you about what your Lord has commanded: Do not consider anything equal to God; Be kind to your parents; Do not murder your children out of fear of poverty, for We give sustenance to you and to them. Do not even approach indecency either in public or in private. Take not a life, which God has made sacred except by way of justice and law. Thus does He command you that you may learn wisdom. (6:151)

“God has told you this parable about yourselves: Could your slaves share your wealth equally with you and could you fear them as you fear yourselves? Thus, do We clarify the evidence (of the truth) for the people of understanding (30:28).

“O Hisham, Allah then has given good advise to the people of intelligence and has encouraged them to become interested in the life to come saying, “The worldly life is but useless amusement and sport (compared to) the life hereafter which is far better and is only for the pious. Will you not then understand? (6:32)

“O Hisham, Allah then has given warnings to those who do not think about the punishment that may come upon them from Allah saying, “Then We totally destroyed the others (37:136). You pass by (their ruined town) in the morning and at night (37:137). Will you then not understand? (37:138)

“We will bring torment from the sky on this town because of the evil-deeds of its inhabitants” (29:34). We left manifest evidence (of the truth) there for the people of understanding. (29:35)

“O Hisham, intelligence comes with knowledge.” Allah has said, “These are parables which, We tell to human beings, but only the learned ones understand them. (29:43)

“O Hisham, Allah has then expressed dislike towards those who do not understand in the following words: “When certain people are asked to follow the revelations of God, they say, ‘We would rather follow what our fathers have followed,’ even though their fathers had no understanding and could not find the true guidance (2:170)

“Preaching to unbelievers is like talking to someone who cannot hear anything except yells and shouts. They are deaf, dumb, and blind; they have no understanding. (2:171)

“Some of them will look at you, but are you supposed to guide the blind even if they have no vision? (10:43)

“Do you think that most of them listen and understand? They are like cattle or even more, straying and confused. (25:44)

“They will not fight you united except with the protection of fortified towns or from behind walls. They are strong among themselves. You think that they are united, but in fact, their hearts are divided. They are a people who have no understanding (59:14)

“Would you order people to do good deeds and forget to do them yourselves even though you read the Book? Why do you not think?” (2:44)

“O Hisham, Allah then has expressed dislike towards the multitudes saying, “Most of the people in the land will lead you away from God's guidance if you follow them; they only follow their own conjecture and preach falsehood (6:116)

“If you ask them, “Who has created the heavens and the earth,” they will certainly say, “God has created them.” Say, “It is only God who deserves all praise, but most of them do not know” (31:25)

“If you ask them, “Who has sent down water from the sky to revive the dead earth?” They will say, “God has done it.” Say, “It is only God who deserves all praise, but many of them do not understand.” (29:63)

“O Hisham, Allah then has praised those fewer in numbers saying, “Only few of my servants are grateful.” (34:13)

He has said, “How few are they?”

“A believing person from the people of the Pharaoh who concealed his faith said, “Would you kill a man just because he says God is my Lord?” (40:28)

“No one believed in him, except a few. (11:40)

Tell them, (Muhammad), “God certainly has the Power to show such miracles but many of them are ignorant.” (6:37).

“Many of them have no understanding. (5:103)

Many of them do not realize.”

“O Hisham, Allah has mentioned the people of intelligence in the best manners with the best of characteristics saying, “God gives wisdom to the ones whom He wants. Whoever is given wisdom, has, certainly, received much good. Only people of intelligence can grasp this (2:269).

“ . those who have a firm grounding in knowledge say, “We believe in it. All its verses are from our Lord.” No one can grasp this fact except the people of Intelligence . .” (3:7)

“The creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and the night are evidence (of the existence of God) for people of Intelligence. (3:190)

“Can a person, who knows that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, be considered equal to a blind person? Only those who have understanding take heed (13:19).

“Can this one be considered equal to one who worships God during the night, prostrating and standing, who has fear of the Day of Judgment, and who has hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of Intelligence take heed” (39:9).

“It is a blessed Book which We have revealed for you so that you will reflect upon its verses and so the people of understanding will take heed (38:29).

“To Moses We had given guidance and to the children of Israel We had given the Book (40:53) as their inheritance and as a guide and a reminder to the people of understanding (40:54)

“Keep on reminding them. This benefits the believers” (51:55).

“O Hisham, Allah says in His book, “This is a reminder for the ones who understands, listens, and sees.” (50:37)

It means intelligence.

“We gave wisdom to Luqman so that he would give thanks to God . .” (31:12) Understand is intelligence.

“O Hisham, Luqman said to his son, “ Venerate the truth you will be the most intelligent among man. Cleverness before intelligence has a very small value. My son, the world is a very deep ocean in which many people have drowned. You must take piety before God as the ship, faith as supplies therein, trust in God as the sales, intelligence as the captain, knowledge as the guide and patience as passengers.”

“O Hisham, for everything there is a guide. The guide for intelligence is thinking. The guide for thinking is silence. For everything there is a means for mobility the means of mobility for intelligence is humble attitude. To disobey a prohibition is enough proof of ones ignorance.

“O Hisham, Allah send His messengers to people for no other reason but that they would have understanding about Him. Those who obey Him better have better understanding about Him. Those who are more knowledgeable in the commandment of Allah are the ones who have more powerful intelligence and those who have more powerful intelligence are at a higher degree of excellence in this world and in the next life.

“O Hisham, Allah has placed two kinds of authority over man.

The apparent and manifest authority and the internal and hidden authority The prophets and messengers are the apparent and manifest authorities and intelligence is the hidden and internal authority.

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence is one whose thankfulness doe not diminish because of a large wealth and prohibited matters can not overpower his patience.

“O Hisham, one who would support three things against an other three kinds of things he would be leading to the destruction of his own intelligence.

(1) Darkening of one’s ability to think with day dreaming, (2) the abolishment of the sparks of one’s wisdom with excessive bluffs and (3) the extinguishing of the lights of the lessons from experience by the desires of one’s soul.

It would be like supporting ones desire to destroy ones own intelligence. One who would destroy his own intelligence he has destroyed his own worldly life as well as the life to come.

“O Hisham how would you expect to have pure deeds before Allah when you have such things that keep you away from the facts that matter to Allah, your Lord, and you have obeyed your desires against your own intelligence.

“O Hisham, maintaining patience in loneliness is a sign of the strength of intelligence. One who has understanding about Allah he keeps himself aside from the people of this world and those interested in it. He becomes interested in what is with Allah. Allah then gives him comfort in his fear and company when he is lonely. Allah gives him riches in his poverty and honor without the existence of his tribesmen.

“O Hisham, truth is set up so that Allah is obeyed. There is no salvation without obedience to Allah. Obedience comes only from knowledge, which comes from learning that receives strength from intelligence. The only knowledge of value is that of one who knows about the Lord and intelligence discerns the valuable of knowledge.

“O Hisham, smaller degrees of deeds with knowledge are accepted with double value and large amounts of deeds from those who follow their desires and ignorance are rejected.

“O Hisham, a person of intelligence is pleased with little things of the world with wisdom but he does not agree with a little wisdom with all of the world and, thus, such people strike a gainful bargain.

“O Hisham, the people of intelligence stay away from what is more than the basic necessities of life how then they would not stay away from the sins in this world. To stay away from what is more than the bare necessities is only extra virtue but staying away from sins is obligatory.

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence observes the world and the people of the world and finds out that the worldly gains come only through hard works and labor. He finds out that gains of the life hereafter also come through hard work and labor he then accepts the one that is more durable.

“O Hisham, people of intelligence hold themselves back from the worldly things and strengthen interest in the gains of the life hereafter. They have learned that the worldly gains are sought after and are wanted and so also are the gains of the lifer hereafter. One who seeks the gains of the life hereafter the world will seek him to deliver to him his livelihood but one who seeks the worldly gains the hereafter would also seek to find him. Death will then approach him and it will destroy his world and leave him with no opportunity in the life hereafter (because he had gained nothing).

“O Hisham, one who wants self-sufficiency without property, comfort for his heart from the evil of jealousy and the safety of his religion he should pray to Allah, the Most Glorious, to perfect his intelligence. The person of intelligence is satisfied with the basic necessities and one who agrees with basic necessities he is self-sufficient and free of needs and one who is not satisfied with basic necessities he is never free from wants.

“O Hisham, Allah has stated the following on behalf of the people of virtue, “They say, “Lord, do not cause our hearts to deviate from Your guidance, and grant us mercy. You are the Most Awarding One.” (3:8) They know that hearts may deviate and turn towards blindness and destruction.

It is certain that those who do not fear Allah have no understanding about Him. One who does not have proper understanding about Allah one’s heart does not establish any stable gnosis about Allah with clear awareness of such gnosis that one would find in his heart. No one can be as such except those whose deeds would confirm their words and their privacy would agree with their public activities. This is because Allah, Sacrosanct are whose names, has not shown what is private and unknown form intelligence except through what is public from it and speaks for it.

“O Hisham, the commander of the true believers, Imam Ali (a.s) has said, “Allah is worshipped better by no means other than intelligence. No one’s intelligence reaches perfection until therewith is found various qualities. Disbelief and evil should not emerge therefrom. Wisdom and goodness should be expected to exist therewith. The extra of the property of a person of intelligence is given in charity, the extra of his words is restrained and his share of the worldly things is only the basic necessities. He never considers himself as to have learned enough. To be with Allah, although in a very humble state, is far better to him than to live very much honored with others. Humbleness is more beloved to him than being taken as a dignitary. He considers virtuous deeds of others a great deal and his own virtuous deeds as insignificant. He considers all the other people better than his self and his own self as the worse of all and this is the totality of all things.”

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence never speaks a lie even though it may satisfy his desires.”

“O Hisham, one who does not maintain honorable kindness he has no religion and one can not have such noble character without intelligence. A person of the greatest value among people is one who does not consider the worldly gains his fortune. Nothing can become an adequate price for your bodies other than paradise. Do not sell it for any thing other than paradise.

“O Hisham, the commander of the true believers, Imam Ali (a.s) has said, “Three noble qualities in man are of the signs of the existence of intelligence. He replies when questioned and he speaks up only when everyone else fails to speak and offers his advise when it is beneficial to his people. One who has none of these qualities is a fool.” He also has said, “No one other a person who has all of the above or some of such qualities should chair a gathering and if one does so without any of such qualities he is a fool.”

Imam Hassan ibn Ali (a.s) has said, “If you would ask for help do so from a proper source.” He was asked, “O grandson of the holy Prophet, ‘Who are the proper sources?” He replied, “They are those about whom Allah has spoken in His book saying, “Only those who have understanding will take heed and they are the people of intelligence.”

Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s) has said, “Sitting in the company of virtuous people leads one to virtue and association with the scholars is a means of strengthening one’s intelligence. Obedience to the authorities that practice justice is an honor. The investment of wealth for profit is a dignifying practice. Guiding one who asks for guidance is an expression of gratitude. To restrain ones harmful manners and deeds is because of the perfection of one’s intelligence in which there is comfort for the body in the short and long terms.”

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence does not speak to one who is feared to call him a liar. He does not ask those that he fears may deny him. He does not count on what is not within his abilities. He does not maintain any hope in that which may involve severity and harshness. He does not take any steps towards which he fears may not be achieved due to his inability.”

13ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْعَقْلُ غِطَاءٌ سَتِيرٌ وَالْفَضْلُ جَمَالٌ ظَاهِرٌ فَاسْتُرْ خَلَلَ خُلُقِكَ بِفَضْلِكَ وَقَاتِلْ هَوَاكَ بِعَقْلِكَ تَسْلَمْ لَكَ الْمَوَدَّةُ وَتَظْهَرْ لَكَ الْمَحَبَّةُ.

13. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad in a marfu‘ manner Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“Intelligence is a complete cover (protection) for one and extra knowledge and skills are evident beauty. Compensate your physical shortcomings with your extra knowledge and skills. Fight your desires with help from your intelligence and in so doing friendship is surrendered to and love becomes manifest for you.”

14ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَدِيدٍ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَعِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَالْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَجُنْدَهُ وَالْجَهْلَ وَجُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لا نَعْرِفُ إِلا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَهُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْعَرْشِ مِنْ نُورِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ فَقَالَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى خَلَقْتُكَ خَلْقاً عَظِيماً وَكَرَّمْتُكَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي قَالَ ثُمَّ خَلَقَ الْجَهْلَ مِنَ الْبَحْرِ الاجَاجِ ظُلْمَانِيّاً فَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَلَمْ يُقْبِلْ فَقَالَ لَهُ اسْتَكْبَرْتَ فَلَعَنَهُ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ لِلْعَقْلِ خَمْسَةً وَسَبْعِينَ جُنْداً فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْجَهْلُ مَا أَكْرَمَ الله بِهِ الْعَقْلَ وَمَا أَعْطَاهُ أَضْمَرَ لَهُ الْعَدَاوَةَ فَقَالَ الْجَهْلُ يَا رَبِّ هَذَا خَلْقٌ مِثْلِي خَلَقْتَهُ وَكَرَّمْتَهُ وَقَوَّيْتَهُ وَأَنَا ضِدُّهُ وَلا قُوَّةَ لِي بِهِ فَأَعْطِنِي مِنَ الْجُنْدِ مِثْلَ مَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَإِنْ عَصَيْتَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَخْرَجْتُكَ وَجُنْدَكَ مِنْ رَحْمَتِي قَالَ قَدْ رَضِيتُ فَأَعْطَاهُ خَمْسَةً وَسَبْعِينَ جُنْداً فَكَانَ مِمَّا أَعْطَى الْعَقْلَ مِنَ الْخَمْسَةِ وَالسَّبْعِينَ الْجُنْدَ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ وَزِيرُ الْعَقْلِ وَجَعَلَ ضِدَّهُ الشَّرَّ وَهُوَ وَزِيرُ الْجَهْلِ وَالايمَانُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكُفْرَ وَالتَّصْدِيقُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجُحُودَ وَالرَّجَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الْقُنُوطَ وَالْعَدْلُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجَوْرَ وَالرِّضَا وَضِدَّهُ السُّخْطَ وَالشُّكْرُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكُفْرَانَ وَالطَّمَعُ وَضِدَّهُ الْيَأْسَ وَالتَّوَكُّلُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحِرْصَ وَالرَّأْفَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْقَسْوَةَ وَالرَّحْمَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْغَضَبَ وَالْعِلْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجَهْلَ وَالْفَهْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحُمْقَ وَالْعِفَّةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّهَتُّكَ وَالزُّهْدُ وَضِدَّهُ الرَّغْبَةَ وَالرِّفْقُ وَضِدَّهُ الْخُرْقَ وَالرَّهْبَةُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجُرْأَةَ وَالتَّوَاضُعُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكِبْرَ وَالتُّؤَدَةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّسَرُّعَ وَالْحِلْمُ وَضِدَّهَا السَّفَهَ وَالصَّمْتُ وَضِدَّهُ الْهَذَرَ وَالاسْتِسْلامُ وَضِدَّهُ الاسْتِكْبَارَ وَالتَّسْلِيمُ وَضِدَّهُ الشَّكَّ وَالصَّبْرُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجَزَعَ وَالصَّفْحُ وَضِدَّهُ الانْتِقَامَ وَالْغِنَى وَضِدَّهُ الْفَقْرَ وَالتَّذَكُّرُ وَضِدَّهُ السَّهْوَ وَالْحِفْظُ وَضِدَّهُ النِّسْيَانَ وَالتَّعَطُّفُ وَضِدَّهُ الْقَطِيعَةَ وَالْقُنُوعُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحِرْصَ وَالْمُؤَاسَاةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمَنْعَ وَالْمَوَدَّةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْوَفَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الْغَدْرَ وَالطَّاعَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمَعْصِيَةَ وَالْخُضُوعُ وَضِدَّهُ التَّطَاوُلَ وَالسَّلامَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَلاءَ وَالْحُبُّ وَضِدَّهُ الْبُغْضَ وَالصِّدْقُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكَذِبَ وَالْحَقُّ وَضِدَّهُ الْبَاطِلَ وَالامَانَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْخِيَانَةَ وَالاخْلاصُ وَضِدَّهُ الشَّوْبَ وَالشَّهَامَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَلادَةَ وَالْفَهْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الْغَبَاوَةَ وَالْمَعْرِفَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الانْكَارَ وَالْمُدَارَاةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمُكَاشَفَةَ وَسَلامَةُ الْغَيْبِ وَضِدَّهَا الْمُمَاكَرَةَ وَالْكِتْمَانُ وَضِدَّهُ الافْشَاءَ وَالصَّلاةُ وَضِدَّهَا الاضَاعَةَ وَالصَّوْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الافْطَارَ وَالْجِهَادُ وَضِدَّهُ النُّكُولَ وَالْحَجُّ وَضِدَّهُ نَبْذَ الْمِيثَاقِ وَصَوْنُ الْحَدِيثِ وَضِدَّهُ النَّمِيمَةَ وَبِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَضِدَّهُ الْعُقُوقَ وَالْحَقِيقَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الرِّيَاءَ وَالْمَعْرُوفُ وَضِدَّهُ الْمُنْكَرَ وَالسَّتْرُ وَضِدَّهُ التَّبَرُّجَ وَالتَّقِيَّةُ وَضِدَّهَا الاذَاعَةَ وَالانْصَافُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحَمِيَّةَ وَالتَّهْيِئَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَغْيَ وَالنَّظَافَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْقَذَرَ وَالْحَيَاءُ وَضِدَّهَا الْجَلَعَ وَالْقَصْدُ وَضِدَّهُ الْعُدْوَانَ وَالرَّاحَةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّعَبَ وَالسُّهُولَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الصُّعُوبَةَ وَالْبَرَكَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمَحْقَ وَالْعَافِيَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَلاءَ وَالْقَوَامُ وَضِدَّهُ الْمُكَاثَرَةَ وَالْحِكْمَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْهَوَاءَ وَالْوَقَارُ وَضِدَّهُ الْخِفَّةَ وَالسَّعَادَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الشَّقَاوَةَ وَالتَّوْبَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الاصْرَارَ وَالاسْتِغْفَارُ وَضِدَّهُ الاغْتِرَارَ وَالْمُحَافَظَةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّهَاوُنَ وَالدُّعَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الاسْتِنْكَافَ وَالنَّشَاطُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكَسَلَ وَالْفَرَحُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحَزَنَ وَالالْفَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْفُرْقَةَ وَالسَّخَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الْبُخْلَ فَلا تَجْتَمِعُ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالُ كُلُّهَا مِنْ أَجْنَادِ الْعَقْلِ إِلا فِي نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ أَوْ مُؤْمِنٍ قَدِ امْتَحَنَ الله قَلْبَهُ لِلايمَانِ وَأَمَّا سَائِرُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مَوَالِينَا فَإِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لا يَخْلُو مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ بَعْضُ هَذِهِ الْجُنُودِ حَتَّى يَسْتَكْمِلَ وَيَنْقَى مِنْ جُنُودِ الْجَهْلِ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ يَكُونُ فِي الدَّرَجَةِ الْعُلْيَا مَعَ الانْبِيَاءِ وَالاوْصِيَاءِ وَإِنَّمَا يُدْرَكُ ذَلِكَ بِمَعْرِفَةِ الْعَقْلِ وَجُنُودِهِ وَبِمُجَانَبَةِ الْجَهْلِ وَجُنُودِهِ وَفَّقَنَا الله وَإِيَّاكُمْ لِطَاعَتِهِ وَمَرْضَاتِهِ.

14. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Suma’a ibn Mihran who has said the following.

“With a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s). A discussion on intelligence and ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon Imam abu ‘Abdallah said, “You, first, must recognize intelligence and its army and ignorance and its army only then you would find proper guidance.” I then asked, may Allah make my soul of service to you, we only learn what you teach us.” The Imam (a.s) said, “Allah, the Glorious, the Majestic created intelligence and it was the first creature of spiritual world on the right side of the Throne from His light. He then told him to move backwards and intelligence moved backwards. He then told him to come forwards. Intelligence came forwards. Allah, the Sacrosanct, the Most High said, “I have created you a great creature and honored you above all others of my creatures. The Imam (a.s) continued, “Allah then created ignorance from a salty dark ocean and told it, “move backwards and did move backwards. He then called it to come forwards but it did not come forwards. He then said to it, ‘Did you shun coming forwards?” He then pronounced it condemned. He then assigned seventy-five armies for intelligence. When ignorance saw all the honors Allah has granted to intelligence it bore hidden animosity towards intelligence and said, “Lord this creature is just like me. You created and honored it and gave it power. But I have no power against it. Give me also likewise armies. The Lord then said, “I will give you also an army but if you would disobey Me I will then expel you and your army from My mercy. Ignorance then said, ‘I agree.’ Allah gave it seventy-five armies and it was out of the army of intelligence.

The Army of Intelligence The Army of Ignorance

1 Goodness is the minister of Intelligence Evil is the minister of Ignorance

2 Faith Disbelief

3 Professing Refusal

4 Hope Despair

5 Justice Injustice

6 Consent Disapproval

7 Thankfulness Ungratefulness

8 Expectation Hopelessness

9 Reliance Greed

10 Soft-heartedness Hard-heartedness

11 Mercy Anger

12 Knowledge Ignorance

13 Understanding Foolishness

14 Chastity Reckless

15 Restraint Yearning

16 Relenting Relentless

17 Cautious Boldness

18 Humbleness Arrogance

19 Relax Haste

20 Forbearance Silliness

21 Quietness Bluffing

22 Peacefulness Contempt

23 Acceptance Doubt

24 Patience Impatience

25 Forgiving Revenge

26 Self-reliance Poverty

27 Remembrance Forgetfulness

28 Sympathy Detachment

29 Self-content Covetousness

30 Munificent Avaricious

31 Affection Animosity

32 Loyalty Infidelity

33 Obedience Disobedience

34 Subservience Supremacy

35 Security Affliction

36 Love Hatred

37 Truthfulness Duplicity

38 Truth Falsehood

39 Trustworthiness Treachery

40 Sincerity Distortion

41 Sharp witted Feeble-mindedness

42 Comprehension Simple-mindedness

43 Cognizance Refusal

44 Safekeeping feel evil satisfaction

45 Security unseen Intemperance

46 Protective Unmasking

47 Prayer Loosing

48 Fasting Consuming food

49 Hard work Passivity

50 Hajj Disregard of covenant

51 Soundness of words Scandalous

52 Kindness to parents Rudeness to parents

53 Factual Braggart

54 Legitimate Wickedness

55 Guarded Bedecked

56 Concealment Hatching

57 Fairness Taking-sides

58 Peaceable Rebelliousness

59 Cleanliness Filthiness

60 Bashfulness Ill-mannered

61 Impartiality Aggressive

62 Comfort Exhaustion

63 Ease Hardships

64 Blessedness Lack of blessings

65 Tranquility Suffering

66 Stability Aggrandizing

67 Wisdom Desires

68 Dignity Meanness

69 Fortunateness Unfortunateliness

70 Repentance Persistence

71 Seeking forgiveness Keeping pride

72 Conservitiveness Heedlessness

73 Invoking Withholding

74 Vitality Lethargic

75 Happiness Sorrow

Friendliness Aversion

Generosity Stinginess

No one other than a prophet or his successor or a true believer the strength of whose faith Allah has already tested can have the whole army of intelligence with all such characteristics. However, some of our followers and friends may acquire some of such characteristics so that they may reach perfection and repulse the army of ignorance and purify themselves from evil. In such case they also will step at the high degree and level of the prophets and the successors of the prophets. This progress can only be made after knowing, with certainty, intelligence and its army and ignorance and its army. May Allah provide us and you the opportunity to obey Him and work to please Him.

15ـ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا كَلَّمَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الْعِبَادَ بِكُنْهِ عَقْلِهِ قَطُّ وَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِنَّا مَعَاشِرَ الانْبِيَاءِ أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ عَلَى قَدْرِ عُقُولِهِمْ.

15. A group of our people has narrted from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Faddal from certain persons of our people from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following.

“The holy Prophet never spoke to people from the height and with the full power of his intelligence. The holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, “We the community of the Prophets are commanded to speak to people up to the level of their intelligence and understanding.”

16ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ قُلُوبَ الْجُهَّالِ تَسْتَفِزُّهَا الاطْمَاعُ وَتَرْتَهِنُهَا الْمُنَى وَتَسْتَعْلِقُهَا الْخَدَائِعُ.

16. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from Ja‘far from his father from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) who has said the following. Imam abu Ja’far has narrated from Imam Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“Greed motivates the hearts of the ignorant people, longings and yearning keep them as hostages and deceit clings to them.”

17ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الاشْعَرِيِّ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ الله الدِّهْقَانِ عَنْ دُرُسْتَ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَكْمَلُ النَّاسِ عَقْلاً أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقاً.

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari from ‘Ubaydallah al-Dihqan from Durust from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following.

“The most perfect of intelligence are those who are the best in moral discipline.”

18ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي هَاشِمٍ الْجَعْفَرِيِّ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَتَذَاكَرْنَا الْعَقْلَ وَالادَبَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ الْعَقْلُ حِبَاءٌ مِنَ الله وَالادَبُ كُلْفَةٌ فَمَنْ تَكَلَّفَ الادَبَ قَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ تَكَلَّفَ الْعَقْلَ لَمْ يَزْدَدْ بِذَلِكَ إِلا جَهْلاً.

18. Ali has narrated from his father from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following.

“We were in the presence of Imam al-Rida (a.s) that a discussion about intelligence took place and the Imam said, “O abu Hashim, intelligence is a present from Allah but discipline is a skill and burden. One who would pretend as a well disciplined one he would certainly establish full control in it. But to pretend as a person of intelligence would increase in him nothing but more ignorance.”

19ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ جَبَلَةَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي جَاراً كَثِيرَ الصَّلاةِ كَثِيرَ الصَّدَقَةِ كَثِيرَ الْحَجِّ لا بَأْسَ بِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَقْلٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لا يَرْتَفِعُ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ.

19. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Yahya ibn al-Mubarak from ‘Abdallah ibn Jubla from ibn Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) this, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have a neighbor who prays a great deal, gives much charity and very often visits Makka and he seems alright.’” The Imam (a.s) asked, “O ibn Ishaq how is his intelligence?” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, he does not have any intelligence” “Nothing from what he does will be raised up (to heavens).” Replied the Imam.

20ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ السَّيَّارِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي يَعْقُوبَ الْبَغْدَادِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ السِّكِّيتِ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لِمَا ذَا بَعَثَ الله مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِالْعَصَا وَيَدِهِ الْبَيْضَاءِ وَآلَةِ السِّحْرِ وَبَعَثَ عِيسَى بِ‏آلَةِ الطِّبِّ وَبَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ الانْبِيَاءِ بِالْكَلامِ وَالْخُطَبِ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الله لَمَّا بَعَثَ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَانَ الْغَالِبُ عَلَى أَهْلِ عَصْرِهِ السِّحْرَ فَأَتَاهُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي وُسْعِهِمْ مِثْلُهُ وَمَا أَبْطَلَ بِهِ سِحْرَهُمْ وَأَثْبَتَ بِهِ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَإِنَّ الله بَعَثَ عِيسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي وَقْتٍ قَدْ ظَهَرَتْ فِيهِ الزَّمَانَاتُ وَاحْتَاجَ النَّاسُ إِلَى الطِّبِّ فَأَتَاهُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُمْ مِثْلُهُ وَبِمَا أَحْيَا لَهُمُ الْمَوْتَى وَأَبْرَأَ الاكْمَهَ وَالابْرَصَ بِإِذْنِ الله وَأَثْبَتَ بِهِ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَإِنَّ الله بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فِي وَقْتٍ كَانَ الْغَالِبُ عَلَى أَهْلِ عَصْرِهِ الْخُطَبَ وَالْكَلامَ وَأَظُنُّهُ قَالَ الشِّعْرَ فَأَتَاهُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله مِنْ مَوَاعِظِهِ وَحِكَمِهِ مَا أَبْطَلَ بِهِ قَوْلَهُمْ وَأَثْبَتَ بِهِ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ السِّكِّيتِ تَالله مَا رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَكَ قَطُّ فَمَا الْحُجَّةُ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ الْيَوْمَ قَالَ فَقَالَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْعَقْلُ يُعْرَفُ بِهِ الصَّادِقُ عَلَى الله فَيُصَدِّقُهُ وَالْكَاذِبُ عَلَى الله فَيُكَذِّبُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ السِّكِّيتِ هَذَا وَالله هُوَ الْجَوَابُ.

20. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sayyari from abu Ya’qub al-Baghdadi who has said the following.

“Ibn Sukayt asked Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s), ‘Why did Allah sent Moses with the miracle appearing through his staff and through his hand and means of magic, Jesus with means of medical tasks and Prophet Muhammad (may Allah send blessings upon him, his family and all the prophets) with means of speech and sermons?’”

“When Moses was sent magic was very popular among the people. He showed a magic of such form that was not possible for others to perform. He was given such means that destroyed the magical effects of those people’s magic and established the truth of the message of Allah among them. Allah sent Jesus at a time when serious illnesses existed among the people and they needed medical treatment. Jesus brought from Allah what the people did not have. He brought from Allah the means to bring the dead back to life, cure the sick and the lepers by the permission of Allah and thus, establish the truthfulness of the message of Allah among the people.” The Imam explained.

Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) at a time when oratory and speech was very popular among the people –I think he said poetry. He brought from Allah to the people the good advise and wisdom that showed the falsehood in their speeches and thus established the truthfulness of the message of Allah among them.” Ibn al-Sukayt then said, “I swear by Allah that I have never seen anyone like you. What is the proof to establish the truthfulness of the message of Allah among people today?” The Imam then said, ‘It is intelligence. Through intelligence one recognizes those who speak the truth from Allah, thus, one acknowledges their truthfulness and those who lie in the name of Allah their lies come to light.” Ibn al-Sukayt then said, “This by Allah is the answer.”

21ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنِ الْمُثَنَّى الْحَنَّاطِ عَنْ قُتَيْبَةَ الاعْشَى عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ عَنْ مَوْلىً لِبَنِي شَيْبَانَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِذَا قَامَ قَائِمُنَا وَضَعَ الله يَدَهُ عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْعِبَادِ فَجَمَعَ بِهَا عُقُولَهُمْ وَكَمَلَتْ بِهِ أَحْلامُهُمْ.

21. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from al-Muthanna al-Hannat from al-Qutayba al-A 'sha’ from ibn abu Ya‘fur from a slave of clan of Shayban from abu Ja‘far (a.s) who has said the following.

“When al-Qa’im, (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) the guardian, of our family will appear from occultation, Allah will place His hand over the heads of His servants and, thus, He place their intelligence together and complete their understanding.”

22ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ حُجَّةُ الله عَلَى الْعِبَادِ النَّبِيُّ وَالْحُجَّةُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الْعِبَادِ وَبَيْنَ الله الْعَقْلُ.

22. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from Ali ibn Ibrahim from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“The authority of Allah over the people is the Prophet (s.a.) and the authority between Allah and the people is intelligence.”

23ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مُرْسَلاً قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) دِعَامَةُ الانْسَانِ الْعَقْلُ وَالْعَقْلُ مِنْهُ الْفِطْنَةُ وَالْفَهْمُ وَالْحِفْظُ وَالْعِلْمُ وَبِالْعَقْلِ يَكْمُلُ وَهُوَ دَلِيلُهُ وَمُبْصِرُهُ وَمِفْتَاحُ أَمْرِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ تَأْيِيدُ عَقْلِهِ مِنَ النُّورِ كَانَ عَالِماً حَافِظاً ذَاكِراً فَطِناً فَهِماً فَعَلِمَ بِذَلِكَ كَيْفَ وَلِمَ وَحَيْثُ وَعَرَفَ مَنْ نَصَحَهُ وَمَنْ غَشَّهُ فَإِذَا عَرَفَ ذَلِكَ عَرَفَ مَجْرَاهُ وَمَوْصُولَهُ وَمَفْصُولَهُ وَأَخْلَصَ الْوَحْدَانِيَّةَ لله وَالاقْرَارَ بِالطَّاعَةِ فَإِذَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ مُسْتَدْرِكاً لِمَا فَاتَ وَوَارِداً عَلَى مَا هُوَ آتٍ يَعْرِفُ مَا هُوَ فِيهِ وَلايِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ هُوَ هَاهُنَا وَمِنْ أَيْنَ يَأْتِيهِ وَإِلَى مَا هُوَ صَائِرٌ وَذَلِكَ كُلُّهُ مِنْ تَأْيِيدِ الْعَقْلِ.

23. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad in a mursal manner from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Intelligence is the support for man. From intelligence come intelligence, understanding, memorization and knowledge and with intelligence he gains perfection. Intelligence is his guide, his instructor and the key to his affairs. When his intelligence is supported with light he becomes a scholar, a keeper (of knowledge), an intelligent re-caller and a man of understanding. Through intelligence he learns the answer to how, why and where or when. He learns who helps and who harm him. When he learns these (facts) he learns the channels, the connections and the differentiating factors. He then establishes pure faith in the oneness of Allah and acknowledges the need to obey Him. When he does so he finds the proper remedy for what he has lost and the right approach to whatever may come in. He knows well his present involvement, for what reason is he here, wherefrom has he come and to what end is he going. He will have all these because of intelligence.”

24ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ بَعْضِ رِجَالِهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الْعَقْلُ دَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ.

24. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ’Isma‘il ibn Mihran from certain persons of his people from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Intelligence is the guide of a true believer.”

25ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنِ السَّرِيِّ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) يَا عَلِيُّ لا فَقْرَ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْجَهْلِ وَلا مَالَ أَعْوَدُ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ.

25. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Sariy ibn Khalid from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘O Ali, no poverty is more sever than ignorance and no property is more profitable than intelligence.”

26ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَمَّا خَلَقَ الله الْعَقْلَ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ فَقَالَ وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلالِي مَا خَلَقْتُ خَلْقاً أَحْسَنَ مِنْكَ إِيَّاكَ آمُرُ وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْهَى وَإِيَّاكَ أُثِيبُ وَإِيَّاكَ أُعَاقِبُ.

26. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn abu Najran from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja‘far (a.s) who has said the following.

“ When Allah, God, created intelligence He said to it, ‘Come forward’. It came forward. He then said, “Go back.” It went back. Then Allah said, “I swear by My honor and glory that I have not created any creature more beautiful than you. I will command only you to do certain things and prohibit only you from doing certain things. I will grant blessings (rewards) to you only and will subject only you to punishments.”

27ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْهَيْثَمِ بْنِ أَبِي مَسْرُوقٍ النَّهْدِيِّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الرَّجُلُ آتِيهِ وَأُكَلِّمُهُ بِبَعْضِ كَلامِي فَيَعْرِفُهُ كُلَّهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ آتِيهِ فَأُكَلِّمُهُ بِالْكَلامِ فَيَسْتَوْفِي كَلامِي كُلَّهُ ثُمَّ يَرُدُّهُ عَلَيَّ كَمَا كَلَّمْتُهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ آتِيهِ فَأُكَلِّمُهُ فَيَقُولُ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ وَمَا تَدْرِي لِمَ هَذَا قُلْتُ لا قَالَ الَّذِي تُكَلِّمُهُ بِبَعْضِ كَلامِكَ فَيَعْرِفُهُ كُلَّهُ فَذَاكَ مَنْ عُجِنَتْ نُطْفَتُهُ بِعَقْلِهِ وَأَمَّا الَّذِي تُكَلِّمُهُ فَيَسْتَوْفِي كَلامَكَ ثُمَّ يُجِيبُكَ عَلَى كَلامِكَ فَذَاكَ الَّذِي رُكِّبَ عَقْلُهُ فِيهِ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ وَأَمَّا الَّذِي تُكَلِّمُهُ بِالْكَلامِ فَيَقُولُ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ فَذَاكَ الَّذِي رُكِّبَ عَقْلُهُ فِيهِ بَعْدَ مَا كَبِرَ فَهُوَ يَقُولُ لَكَ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ.

27. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Haytham ibn abu Masruq al-Nahdi from al-Husayn ibn Khalid from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following.

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s), “A man comes to me and as soon as I speak to him only a part of what I want to say he understands it all. There are also people who come to me and I speak to them all that I want to speak and only then they understand all of my statements. And explain to me what I meant. There are still others to whom I speak at length but they ask me to repeat to them what I have already expressed to them.” The Imam (a.s) then said, “O Ishaq, do you know why is this?” I replied, “ No, I do not know.” The Imam then said the following, “Those to whom you speak only some of what you want say and they understand the rest are those whose intelligence is mixed to take shape with his nature (Nutfa). Those who understand you only when you complete your speech are those whose intelligence is mixed with them in the womb of their mothers. Those who ask you to repeat what you already said are those, whose intelligence is combined with them when they grow up. It is such people who ask you to repeat your statement.”

28ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ مَنْ رَفَعَهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الرَّجُلَ كَثِيرَ الصَّلاةِ كَثِيرَ الصِّيَامِ فَلا تُبَاهُوا بِهِ حَتَّى تَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ.

28. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from certain persons of our people in a marfu‘ manner from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“The Holy Prophet (s.a) has said, ‘When you find a man who prays and fasts a great deal do not become proud of him until you see how his intelligence is.”

29ـ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا رَفَعَهُ عَنْ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ لا يُفْلِحُ مَنْ لا يَعْقِلُ وَلا يَعْقِلُ مَنْ لا يَعْلَمُ وَسَوْفَ يَنْجُبُ مَنْ يَفْهَمُ وَيَظْفَرُ مَنْ يَحْلُمُ وَالْعِلْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَالصِّدْقُ عِزٌّ وَالْجَهْلُ ذُلٌّ وَالْفَهْمُ مَجْدٌ وَالْجُودُ نُجْحٌ وَحُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ مَجْلَبَةٌ لِلْمَوَدَّةِ وَالْعَالِمُ بِزَمَانِهِ لا تَهْجُمُ عَلَيْهِ اللَّوَابِسُ وَالْحَزْمُ مَسَاءَةُ الظَّنِّ وَبَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ نِعْمَةُ الْعَالِمِ وَالْجَاهِلُ شَقِيٌّ بَيْنَهُمَا وَالله وَلِيُّ مَنْ عَرَفَهُ وَعَدُوُّ مَنْ تَكَلَّفَهُ وَالْعَاقِلُ غَفُورٌ وَالْجَاهِلُ خَتُورٌ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ تُكْرَمَ فَلِنْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ تُهَانَ فَاخْشُنْ وَمَنْ كَرُمَ أَصْلُهُ لانَ قَلْبُهُ وَمَنْ خَشُنَ عُنْصُرُهُ غَلُظَ كَبِدُهُ وَمَنْ فَرَّطَ تَوَرَّطَ وَمَنْ خَافَ الْعَاقِبَةَ تَثَبَّتَ عَنِ التَّوَغُّلِ فِيمَا لا يَعْلَمُ وَمَنْ هَجَمَ عَلَى أَمْرٍ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ جَدَعَ أَنْفَ نَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ لَمْ يَفْهَمْ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَفْهَمْ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ لَمْ يُكْرَمْ وَمَنْ لَمْ يُكْرَمْ يُهْضَمْ وَمَنْ يُهْضَمْ كَانَ أَلْوَمَ وَمَنْ كَانَ كَذَلِكَ كَانَ أَحْرَى أَنْ يَنْدَمَ.

29. Certain persons of our people has narrated in a marfu’ manner from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“ O Mufaddal one can never gain success until he understands and one can never understand until he acquires knowledge. One who understands can very soon excel. One who exercises patience can very soon triumph. Knowledge serves one as a shield, truth is honor, ignorance is humility, sharp wittedness is glory, generosity is success and ethical excellence attracts friendship. One who possesses the know how of his time confusion does not frustrate him. Strong determination creates pessimism…. Allah is the guardian of those who know Him. He is the enemy of those who pretend to know Him. A person of intelligence is forgiving and an ignorant person is treacherous. If you like to be honored you must become kind hearted and if you like to be insulted become harsh. One whose origin is noble he is kind hearted. One whose element is rough his liver is thick. The extremist falls into crisis. One who is afraid of the consequences desists from involvement in what he has no knowledge of. One who engages in an affair without knowing anything about it he is headed to his own loss. One who does not know he does not understand and one who does not understand he does not agree and become peaceful. One who does not agree and submit he is not respected and one who is not respected is broke and one who is so broke is blamable and one who is in such a condition must become regretful for his own self.

30ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَنِ اسْتَحْكَمَتْ لِي فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْ خِصَالِ الْخَيْرِ احْتَمَلْتُهُ عَلَيْهَا وَاغْتَفَرْتُ فَقْدَ مَا سِوَاهَا وَلا أَغْتَفِرُ فَقْدَ عَقْلٍ وَلا دِينٍ لانَّ مُفَارَقَةَ الدِّينِ مُفَارَقَةُ الامْنِ فَلا يَتَهَنَّأُ بِحَيَاةٍ مَعَ مَخَافَةٍ وَفَقْدُ الْعَقْلِ فَقْدُ الْحَيَاةِ وَلا يُقَاسُ إِلا بِالامْوَاتِ.

30. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from in a marfu‘ manner from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“If one would establish firmly in himself one good quality for me I will credit him for it and forgive his other shortcomings but I will not forgive him for his losing intelligence and religion because departing religion is departing peace and security. Thus, life with fear and insecurity is unpleasant. Loss of intelligence is loss of life. A person without intelligence can be compared with no other thing but the dead.”

31ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ هَاشِمٍ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُحَارِبِيِّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُوسَى عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ مَيْمُونِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِعْجَابُ الْمَرْءِ بِنَفْسِهِ دَلِيلٌ عَلَى ضَعْفِ عَقْلِهِ.

31. Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim has narrated from Musa ibn Ibrahim from al-Muharibi from al-Hassan ibn Musa from Musa ibn ‘Abdallah from Maymun ibn Ali from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) has said, ‘Self glorification is an indication of the weakness of one’s intelligence.’”

32ـ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله الْعَاصِمِيُّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ أَصْحَابُنَا وَذُكِرَ الْعَقْلُ قَالَ فَقَالَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لا يُعْبَأُ بِأَهْلِ الدِّينِ مِمَّنْ لا عَقْلَ لَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ مِمَّنْ يَصِفُ هَذَا الامْرَ قَوْماً لا بَأْسَ بِهِمْ عِنْدَنَا وَلَيْسَتْ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْعُقُولُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَؤُلاءِ مِمَّنْ خَاطَبَ الله إِنَّ الله خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ وَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ فَقَالَ وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلالِي مَا خَلَقْتُ شَيْئاً أَحْسَنَ مِنْكَ أَوْ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْكَ بِكَ آخُذُ وَبِكَ أُعْطِي.

32. Abu ‘Abdallah al-‘Asimiy has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Asbat from al-Hassan ibn al-Juham from abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s) who has said the following.

“Our people mentioned intelligence and spoke about it in the presence of the Imam al-Rida (a.s), and he said, ‘Of the religious people those who have no intelligence deserves no credit.’ I then asked, “May Allah take my soul in your service, of such people we know a group who are considered alright in our opinion but they do not have such intelligence.” The Imam then said, ‘They are not of the people whom Allah has addressed when He created intelligence and said to it, ‘Come forward’. It came forward. He then said, “Go back.” It went back. Then Allah said, “I swear by My honor and glory that I have not created anything better and more beloved to Me than you. I will grant blessings (rewards) to you only and will subject only you to punishments.”

33ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الايمَانِ وَالْكُفْرِ إِلا قِلَّةُ الْعَقْلِ قِيلَ وَكَيْفَ ذَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ الله قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ يَرْفَعُ رَغْبَتَهُ إِلَى مَخْلُوقٍ فَلَوْ أَخْلَصَ نِيَّتَهُ لله لاتَاهُ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ فِي أَسْرَعَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ.

33. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from certain persons of our people from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“There is nothing else to distinguish belief from disbelief but lack of intelligence. People asked the Imam, “How is that, O great-great-great-great grandson of the holy Prophet.” The Imam replied, ‘Human beings center their expectations on other creatures. If they would become sincere to Allah He will grant their wish and expectations much quicker.’”

34ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ الله الدِّهْقَانِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عُمَرَ الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ بِالْعَقْلِ اسْتُخْرِجَ غَوْرُ الْحِكْمَةِ وَبِالْحِكْمَةِ اسْتُخْرِجَ غَوْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَبِحُسْنِ السِّيَاسَةِ يَكُونُ الادَبُ الصَّالِحُ قَالَ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ التَّفَكُّرُ حَيَاةُ قَلْبِ الْبَصِيرِ كَمَا يَمْشِي الْمَاشِي فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ بِالنُّورِ بِحُسْنِ التَّخَلُّصِ وَقِلَّةِ التَّرَبُّصِ.

34. A number of our people has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ‘Ubaydallah al-Dihqan from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar al-Halabi from Yahya ibn ‘Umran from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Through intelligence the depths of wisdom is discovered and with wisdom the depths of intelligence is discovered. Good policies are of the virtuous moral discipline.” He said that Imam Ali (a.s) used to say, ‘Thinking is life for the intelligent heart just as light helps one to walk in darkness with ease and without waiting for a long time.”

35ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ عَبْدِ الله الْبَزَّازِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ حَمَّادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ الامُورِ وَمَبْدَأَهَا وَقُوَّتَهَا وَعِمَارَتَهَا الَّتِي لا يُنْتَفَعُ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ إِلا بِهِ الْعَقْلُ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ الله زِينَةً لِخَلْقِهِ وَنُوراً لَهُمْ فَبِالْعَقْلِ عَرَفَ الْعِبَادُ خَالِقَهُمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ مَخْلُوقُونَ وَأَنَّهُ الْمُدَبِّرُ لَهُمْ وَأَنَّهُمُ الْمُدَبَّرُونَ وَأَنَّهُ الْبَاقِي وَهُمُ الْفَانُونَ وَاسْتَدَلُّوا بِعُقُولِهِمْ عَلَى مَا رَأَوْا مِنْ خَلْقِهِ مِنْ سَمَائِهِ وَأَرْضِهِ وَشَمْسِهِ وَقَمَرِهِ وَلَيْلِهِ وَنَهَارِهِ وَبِأَنَّ لَهُ وَلَهُمْ خَالِقاً وَمُدَبِّراً لَمْ يَزَلْ وَلا يَزُولُ وَعَرَفُوا بِهِ الْحَسَنَ مِنَ الْقَبِيحِ وَأَنَّ الظُّلْمَةَ فِي الْجَهْلِ وَأَنَّ النُّورَ فِي الْعِلْمِ فَهَذَا مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَيْهِ الْعَقْلُ قِيلَ لَهُ فَهَلْ يَكْتَفِي الْعِبَادُ بِالْعَقْلِ دُونَ غَيْرِهِ قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ لِدَلالَةِ عَقْلِهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ الله قِوَامَهُ وَزِينَتَهُ وَهِدَايَتَهُ عَلِمَ أَنَّ الله هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ رَبُّهُ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ لِخَالِقِهِ مَحَبَّةً وَأَنَّ لَهُ كَرَاهِيَةً وَأَنَّ لَهُ طَاعَةً وَأَنَّ لَهُ مَعْصِيَةً فَلَمْ يَجِدْ عَقْلَهُ يَدُلُّهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لا يُوصَلُ إِلَيْهِ إِلا بِالْعِلْمِ وَطَلَبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ لا يَنْتَفِعُ بِعَقْلِهِ إِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْ ذَلِكَ بِعِلْمِهِ فَوَجَبَ عَلَى الْعَاقِلِ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ وَالادَبِ الَّذِي لا قِوَامَ لَهُ إِلا بِهِ.

35. It is narrated from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) in a long narration, “The first, the beginning, the force and the structure of something is that without which something would be of no benefit. The thing that Allah has made beauty and light for His creatures, the people, is intelligence. With intelligence people come to know their creator and that they are created and that He is the one who has designed them and they are the ones who are being maintained. That it is the creator that is eternal and it is the creatures that are mortals. It is intelligence with which they reason from His creatures, like the heavens, the earth, and the sun the moon, night, the day. In this way they learned that they and the creatures have a creator and maintainer who is eternal. With intelligence they learn about good and bad and that darkness is in ignorance and light is in knowledge. These are facts that they learn with intelligence.”

People asked the Imam (a.s), “Can intelligence only be enough for people?” The Imam (a.s) then replied, ‘With guidance from intelligence that Allah has made him to depend on and it is, his beauty and guide, a person of intelligence learns that Allah is his creator and that He is his Lord. Through intelligence one learns that his creator loves and that He dislikes certain things, that the Lord must be obeyed and that certain acts are disobedience to Him and that nothing but intelligence shows him all these facts. One also (with intelligence) learns that only with knowledge and searching one may reach the Creator. That one may not benefit from his intelligence if he can not learn the truth about Him through his knowledge. It then is necessary for a person of intelligence to acquire knowledge and proper moral discipline without which there is nothing else so dependable.”

36ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ حُمْرَانَ وَصَفْوَانَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ الْجَمَّالِ قَالا سَمِعْنَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لا غِنَى أَخْصَبُ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ وَلا فَقْرَ أَحَطُّ مِنَ الْحُمْقِ وَلا اسْتِظْهَارَ فِي أَمْرٍ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنَ الْمَشُورَةِ فِيهِ.

36. It is narrated from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who said, “No wealth is more profitable and no poverty is more crashing than foolishness and no effort of seeking support is more supportive than seeking consultation.”

End of the book of Intelligence and Ignorance.

All praise belongs to Allah May Allah send peace and blessings upon Muhammad and his holy family.

1ـ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا مِنْهُمْ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى الْعَطَّارُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَمَّا خَلَقَ الله الْعَقْلَ اسْتَنْطَقَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلالِي مَا خَلَقْتُ خَلْقاً هُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْكَ وَلا أَكْمَلْتُكَ إِلا فِيمَنْ أُحِبُّ أَمَا إِنِّي إِيَّاكَ آمُرُ وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْهَى وَإِيَّاكَ أُعَاقِبُ وَإِيَّاكَ أُثِيبُ.

1. Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub has narrated from a number of our people of whom one is Muhammad ibn Yahya al-‘Attar who narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hassan ibn Mahbub from 'Ala' ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja’far (a.s) who has said the following.

“ When Allah, God, created Intelligence He made it speak and then He said to it, ‘Come forward’.

It came forward. He then said, “Go back.” It went back.

Then Allah said, “I swear by My honor and glory that I have not created any creature more beloved to Me than you. I will not perfect you in anyone except those whom I love. I, however, will command only you to do things and prohibit only you from doing certain things. I will grand blessings (rewards) to you only and will subject only you to punishments.”

2ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ صَالِحٍ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ طَرِيفٍ عَنِ الاصْبَغِ بْنِ نُبَاتَةَ عَنْ علي (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ هَبَطَ جَبْرَئِيلُ عَلَى آدَمَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَقَالَ يَا آدَمُ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُخَيِّرَكَ وَاحِدَةً مِنْ ثَلاثٍ فَاخْتَرْهَا وَدَعِ اثْنَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ لَهُ آدَمُ يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ وَمَا الثَّلاثُ فَقَالَ الْعَقْلُ وَالْحَيَاءُ وَالدِّينُ فَقَالَ آدَمُ إِنِّي قَدِ اخْتَرْتُ الْعَقْلَ فَقَالَ جَبْرَئِيلُ لِلْحَيَاءِ وَالدِّينِ انْصَرِفَا وَدَعَاهُ فَقَالا يَا جَبْرَئِيلُ إِنَّا أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نَكُونَ مَعَ الْعَقْلِ حَيْثُ كَانَ قَالَ فَشَأْنَكُمَا وَعَرَجَ.

2. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad, from 'Amr ibn ‘Uthman, from Mufaddal ibn Salih from Sa‘d ibn Tarif from Asbagh ibn Nabatah, from Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“Once Jibril came to Adam (a.s) and said, ‘I am ordered to offer you three choices. You may chose one and leave the other two. Adam then asked, “What are those three things?”

Gibril replied, ‘They are Intelligence, bashfulness and religion.’

Adam then said, “I chose Intelligence.” Gibril then asked bashfulness and religion to return and leave Intelligence with Adam. They said to Gibril, ‘O Gibril, we are commanded to be with Intelligence wherever it may exist. Gibril then said, “It then is up to you.” He then ascended to heavens.

3ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا رَفَعَهُ إِلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ مَا الْعَقْلُ قَالَ مَا عُبِدَ بِهِ الرَّحْمَنُ وَاكْتُسِبَ بِهِ الْجِنَانُ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَالَّذِي كَانَ فِي مُعَاوِيَةَ فَقَالَ تِلْكَ النَّكْرَاءُ تِلْكَ الشَّيْطَنَةُ وَهِيَ شَبِيهَةٌ بِالْعَقْلِ وَلَيْسَتْ بِالْعَقْلِ.

3. Ahmad ibn 'Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar, from certain persons of our people in a Marfu’ manner, who have ascribed it to abu 'Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

The narrator has said, “I asked abu ‘Abdallah, “What is Intelligence?” He replied, ‘It is a fact with whose help one worships Allah, the Merciful, and attains paradise.’ I then asked, “What was the thing with Mu’awiyah?” ‘It was shrewdness. Mischief is similar to Intelligence but it is not Intelligence.’ The Imam replied.

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ صَدِيقُ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ عَقْلُهُ وَعَدُوُّهُ جَهْلُهُ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from al-Hassan ibn al-Jahm who has said the following.

“I heard (Imam) al-Rida (a.s) saying, “The friend of a person is his/her Intelligence and the enemy of a person is his/her ignorance.”

5ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا قَوْماً لَهُمْ مَحَبَّةٌ وَلَيْسَتْ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْعَزِيمَةُ يَقُولُونَ بِهَذَا الْقَوْلِ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ أُولَئِكَ مِمَّنْ عَاتَبَ الله إِنَّمَا قَالَ الله فَاعْتَبِرُوا يا أُولِي الابْصارِ.

5. It is narrated from him from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from al-Hassan ibn al-Juham who has said the following.

“I said to abu al-Hassan, “We know certain people who have a great deal of love but they don not have much determination (and understanding of the cause of Imamat).” The Imam replied, “They are not of the ones that Allah has admonished. What Allah has said is that people of Intelligence and understanding must take a lesson.”

6ـ أَحْمَدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَسَّانَ عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ الرَّازِيِّ عَنْ سَيْفِ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَنْ كَانَ عَاقِلاً كَانَ لَهُ دِينٌ وَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ دِينٌ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ.

6. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn Hassa’n from abu Muhammad al-Razi from Sayf ibn ‘Umayra from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“One who has Intelligence he has a religion also and one who has religion he enters Paradise.”

7ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْجَارُودِ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّمَا يُدَاقُّ الله الْعِبَادَ فِي الْحِسَابِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى قَدْرِ مَا آتَاهُمْ مِنَ الْعُقُولِ فِي الدُّنْيَا.

7. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Yaqtin from Muhammad ibn Sinan ibn abu al-Jarud from abu Ja‘far (a.s) who has said the following.

“Allah, on the Day of Judgment, will hold everyone accountable according to the degree of the intelligence that He had given them in their worldly life.”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ الاحْمَرِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ الدَّيْلَمِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فُلانٌ مِنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَدِينِهِ وَفَضْلِهِ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ قُلْتُ لا أَدْرِي فَقَالَ إِنَّ الثَّوَابَ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْعَقْلِ إِنَّ رَجُلاً مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ الله فِي جَزِيرَةٍ مِنْ جَزَائِرِ الْبَحْرِ خَضْرَاءَ نَضِرَةٍ كَثِيرَةِ الشَّجَرِ ظَاهِرَةِ الْمَاءِ وَإِنَّ مَلَكاً مِنَ الْمَلائِكَةِ مَرَّ بِهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ أَرِنِي ثَوَابَ عَبْدِكَ هَذَا فَأَرَاهُ الله تَعَالَى ذَلِكَ فَاسْتَقَلَّهُ الْمَلَكُ فَأَوْحَى الله تَعَالَى إِلَيْهِ أَنِ اصْحَبْهُ فَأَتَاهُ الْمَلَكُ فِي صُورَةِ إِنْسِيٍّ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَنْ أَنْتَ قَالَ أَنَا رَجُلٌ عَابِدٌ بَلَغَنِي مَكَانُكَ وَعِبَادَتُكَ فِي هَذَا الْمَكَانِ فَأَتَيْتُكَ لاعْبُدَ الله مَعَكَ فَكَانَ مَعَهُ يَوْمَهُ ذَلِكَ فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ قَالَ لَهُ الْمَلَكُ إِنَّ مَكَانَكَ لَنَزِهٌ وَمَا يَصْلُحُ إِلا لِلْعِبَادَةِ فَقَالَ لَهُ الْعَابِدُ إِنَّ لِمَكَانِنَا هَذَا عَيْباً فَقَالَ لَهُ وَمَا هُوَ قَالَ لَيْسَ لِرَبِّنَا بَهِيمَةٌ فَلَوْ كَانَ لَهُ حِمَارٌ رَعَيْنَاهُ فِي هَذَا الْمَوْضِعِ فَإِنَّ هَذَا الْحَشِيشَ يَضِيعُ فَقَالَ لَهُ ذَلِكَ الْمَلَكُ وَمَا لِرَبِّكَ حِمَارٌ فَقَالَ لَوْ كَانَ لَهُ حِمَارٌ مَا كَانَ يَضِيعُ مِثْلُ هَذَا الْحَشِيشِ فَأَوْحَى الله إِلَى الْمَلَكِ إِنَّمَا أُثِيبُهُ عَلَى قَدْرِ عَقْلِهِ.

8. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Ahmar from Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Daylami his father who has said the following.

“Once I mentioned a certain person’s intelligence, worship and religion before Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s). The Imam (a.s) asked, “How is his intelligence? The man replied, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam then said, “The degree of reward is based on the degree of intelligence. A man of Bani Israel worshipped Allah on an island in the ocean. The island was lush green, with many trees and abundant water. Once an angels passed by the worshipper and asked Allah to show how much reward and blessings would the worshipper receive for his good deeds. Allah showed the rewards due to the worshipper to the angel and the angel considered it very little. Allah then told the angel to stay with the worshipper as a companion. The angel then appeared to the worshipper in the form of a human being. The worshipper asked, “Who are you?” ‘ I have heard about your great worships and your spiritual position at this place and I wish to join you to worship Allah along with you.” The angel said. He spent that day with the worshipper and the next day the angel said to the worshipper, “Your place is beautiful and it should only be used for worship.” ‘Yes, it is but it has one shortcoming.’ The worshipper responded. “What is that?” The angel inquired. “Our Lord does not have an animal. I whish He had a donkey so that we would look after the donkey to graze all the grass around. All these grass is a waste.” ‘Does your Lord have no donkey? Asked the angel. “Had our Lord had a donkey all this grass would not have turned into waste.” The worshipper answered with sadness. Allah then revealed to the angel, “We reward everyone according to the degree of his/her intelligence.”

9ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِذَا بَلَغَكُمْ عَنْ رَجُلٍ حُسْنُ حَالٍ فَانْظُرُوا فِي حُسْنِ عَقْلِهِ فَإِنَّمَا يُجَازَى بِعَقْلِهِ.

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

“The holy Prophet said, “If you would hear good things about a man, you should examine how good his intelligence is, because he will be rewarded according to his intelligence.”

10ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ قَالَ ذَكَرْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) رَجُلاً مُبْتَلىً بِالْوُضُوءِ وَالصَّلاةِ وَقُلْتُ هُوَ رَجُلٌ عَاقِلٌ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله وَأَيُّ عَقْلٍ لَهُ وَهُوَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَكَيْفَ يُطِيعُ الشَّيْطَانَ فَقَالَ سَلْهُ هَذَا الَّذِي يَأْتِيهِ مِنْ أَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ هُوَ فَإِنَّهُ يَقُولُ لَكَ مِنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan who has said the following.

“I mentioned a person, who would overdo the deeds of his doing Wudu and prayer to Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) and added that he is a man of good intelligence.” The Imam (a.s) then said, ‘What kind of intelligence is it that allows him to obey Satan.’ I then asked the Imam, “How would he be considered as obeying Satan?” The Imam (a.s) said, “Ask him wherefrom this thing comes to him. He will certainly say, “It comes from Satan.”

11ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) مَا قَسَمَ الله لِلْعِبَادِ شَيْئاً أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ فَنَوْمُ الْعَاقِلِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سَهَرِ الْجَاهِلِ وَإِقَامَةُ الْعَاقِلِ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ شُخُوصِ الْجَاهِلِ وَلا بَعَثَ الله نَبِيّاً وَلا رَسُولاً حَتَّى يَسْتَكْمِلَ الْعَقْلَ وَيَكُونَ عَقْلُهُ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ جَمِيعِ عُقُولِ أُمَّتِهِ وَمَا يُضْمِرُ النَّبِيُّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فِي نَفْسِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِنِ اجْتِهَادِ الْمُجْتَهِدِينَ وَمَا أَدَّى الْعَبْدُ فَرَائِضَ الله حَتَّى عَقَلَ عَنْهُ وَلا بَلَغَ جَمِيعُ الْعَابِدِينَ فِي فَضْلِ عِبَادَتِهِمْ مَا بَلَغَ الْعَاقِلُ وَالْعُقَلاءُ هُمْ أُولُو الالْبَابِ الَّذِينَ قَالَ الله تَعَالَى وَمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ إِلا أُولُو الالْبَابِ.

11. A number of our people has narrated Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from certain persons of his people in a marfu‘ manner from the Holy Prophet (s.a) who has said the following.

“Allah has not distributed anything among people more excellent than intelligence. The sleeping of a person of intelligence is better than the worshipping of an ignorant person for the whole night. Staying of a person of intelligence at home is better than the journeying of an ignorant person in search for success and good deeds. Allah did not sent any prophet or messenger before the completion of his intelligence and to let it become better than the intelligence of all of his followers. Whatever a prophet preserves in his soul is better than the achievement of all the striving people for virtue and good deeds. People would not fulfil their obligations to Allah without having an understanding about Him. All the worshippers will not be able to achieve with the virtue of their worships what a person of intelligence achieves. It is the people of intelligence who are considered as people of proper understanding in chapter 2:269 of the holy Quran, “Only People of understanding realizes this.”

12ـ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله الاشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا رَفَعَهُ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ قَالَ قَالَ لِي أَبُو الْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى بَشَّرَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَالْفَهْمِ فِي كِتَابِهِ فَقَالَ فَبَشِّرْ عِبادِ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الْقَوْلَ فَيَتَّبِعُونَ أَحْسَنَهُ أُولئِكَ الَّذِينَ هَداهُمُ الله وَأُولئِكَ هُمْ أُولُوا الالْبابِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى أَكْمَلَ لِلنَّاسِ الْحُجَجَ بِالْعُقُولِ وَنَصَرَ النَّبِيِّينَ بِالْبَيَانِ وَدَلَّهُمْ عَلَى رُبُوبِيَّتِهِ بِالادِلَّةِ فَقَالَ وَإِلهُكُمْ إِلهٌ واحِدٌ لا إِلهَ إِلا هُوَ الرَّحْمنُ الرَّحِيمُ. إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّماواتِ وَالارْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهارِ وَالْفُلْكِ الَّتِي تَجْرِي فِي الْبَحْرِ بِما يَنْفَعُ النَّاسَ وَما أَنْزَلَ الله مِنَ السَّماءِ مِنْ ماءٍ فَأَحْيا بِهِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِها وَبَثَّ فِيها مِنْ كُلِّ دَابَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّياحِ وَالسَّحابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّماءِ وَالارْضِ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ قَدْ جَعَلَ الله ذَلِكَ دَلِيلاً عَلَى مَعْرِفَتِهِ بِأَنَّ لَهُمْ مُدَبِّراً فَقَالَ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهارَ وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومُ مُسَخَّراتٌ بِأَمْرِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ تُرابٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ نُطْفَةٍ ثُمَّ مِنْ عَلَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يُخْرِجُكُمْ طِفْلاً ثُمَّ لِتَبْلُغُوا أَشُدَّكُمْ ثُمَّ لِتَكُونُوا شُيُوخاً وَمِنْكُمْ مَنْ يُتَوَفَّى مِنْ قَبْلُ وَلِتَبْلُغُوا أَجَلاً مُسَمًّى وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ إِنَّ فِي اخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ وَمَا أَنْزَلَ الله مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مِنْ رِزْقٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ وَالسَّحَابِ الْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالارْضِ لآَيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ يُحْيِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِها قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ الاياتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَجَنَّاتٌ مِنْ أَعْنابٍ وَزَرْعٌ وَنَخِيلٌ صِنْوانٌ وَغَيْرُ صِنْوانٍ يُسْقى‏ بِماءٍ واحِدٍ وَنُفَضِّلُ بَعْضَها عَلى‏ بَعْضٍ فِي الاكُلِ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَمِنْ آياتِهِ يُرِيكُمُ الْبَرْقَ خَوْفاً وَطَمَعاً وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ السَّماءِ ماءً فَيُحْيِي بِهِ الارْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِها إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لاياتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ قُلْ تَعالَوْا أَتْلُ ما حَرَّمَ رَبُّكُمْ عَلَيْكُمْ أَلا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئاً وَبِالْوالِدَيْنِ إِحْساناً وَلا تَقْتُلُوا أَوْلادَكُمْ مِنْ إِمْلاقٍ نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكُمْ وَإِيَّاهُمْ وَلا تَقْرَبُوا الْفَواحِشَ ما ظَهَرَ مِنْها وَما بَطَنَ وَلا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ الله إِلا بِالْحَقِّ ذلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ هَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ ما مَلَكَتْ أَيْمانُكُمْ مِنْ شُرَكاءَ فِي ما رَزَقْناكُمْ فَأَنْتُمْ فِيهِ سَواءٌ تَخافُونَهُمْ كَخِيفَتِكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ كَذلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ الاياتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ وَعَظَ أَهْلَ الْعَقْلِ وَرَغَّبَهُمْ فِي الاخِرَةِ فَقَالَ وَمَا الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا إِلا لَعِبٌ وَلَهْوٌ وَلَلدَّارُ الاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ أَ فَلا تَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ خَوَّفَ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْقِلُونَ عِقَابَهُ فَقَالَ تَعَالَى ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا الاخَرِينَ. وَإِنَّكُمْ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهِمْ مُصْبِحِينَ. وَبِاللَّيْلِ أَ فَلا تَعْقِلُونَ. وَقَالَ إِنَّا مُنْزِلُونَ عَلى‏ أَهْلِ هذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ رِجْزاً مِنَ السَّماءِ بِما كانُوا يَفْسُقُونَ وَلَقَدْ تَرَكْنا مِنْها آيَةً بَيِّنَةً لِقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَقْلَ مَعَ الْعِلْمِ فَقَالَ وَتِلْكَ الامْثالُ نَضْرِبُها لِلنَّاسِ وَما يَعْقِلُها إِلا الْعالِمُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ ذَمَّ الَّذِينَ لا يَعْقِلُونَ فَقَالَ وَإِذا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّبِعُوا ما أَنْزَلَ الله قالُوا بَلْ نَتَّبِعُ ما أَلْفَيْنا عَلَيْهِ آباءَنا أَ وَلَوْ كانَ آباؤُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئاً وَلا يَهْتَدُونَ وَقَالَ وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَنْعِقُ بِما لا يَسْمَعُ إِلا دُعاءً وَنِداءً صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ.

وَقَالَ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَسْتَمِعُ إِلَيْكَ أَ فَأَنْتَ تُسْمِعُ الصُّمَّ وَلَوْ كانُوا لا يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ أَمْ تَحْسَبُ أَنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ يَسْمَعُونَ أَوْ يَعْقِلُونَ إِنْ هُمْ إِلا كَالانْعامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلاً وَقَالَ لا يُقاتِلُونَكُمْ جَمِيعاً إِلا فِي قُرىً مُحَصَّنَةٍ أَوْ مِنْ وَراءِ جُدُرٍ بَأْسُهُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ شَدِيدٌ تَحْسَبُهُمْ جَمِيعاً وَقُلُوبُهُمْ شَتَّى ذلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌ لا يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَتَنْسَوْنَ أَنْفُسَكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتابَ أَ فَلا تَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ ذَمَّ الله الْكَثْرَةَ فَقَالَ وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الارْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ الله وَقَالَ وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّماواتِ وَالارْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ الله قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لله بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَقَالَ وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ نَزَّلَ مِنَ السَّماءِ ماءً فَأَحْيا بِهِ الارْضَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَوْتِها لَيَقُولُنَّ الله قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لله بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ مَدَحَ الْقِلَّةَ فَقَالَ وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبادِيَ الشَّكُورُ وَقَالَ وَقَلِيلٌ ما هُمْ وَقَالَ وَقالَ رَجُلٌ مُؤْمِنٌ مِنْ آلِ فِرْعَوْنَ يَكْتُمُ إِيمانَهُ أَ تَقْتُلُونَ رَجُلاً أَنْ يَقُولَ رَبِّيَ الله وَقَالَ وَمَنْ آمَنَ وَما آمَنَ مَعَهُ إِلا قَلِيلٌ وَقَالَ وَلكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لا يَعْلَمُونَ وَقَالَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَعْقِلُونَ وَقَالَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لا يَشْعُرُونَ يَا هِشَامُ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ أُولِي الالْبَابِ بِأَحْسَنِ الذِّكْرِ وَحَلاهُمْ بِأَحْسَنِ الْحِلْيَةِ فَقَالَ يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَنْ يَشاءُ وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْراً كَثِيراً وَما يَذَّكَّرُ إِلا أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ وَالرَّاسِخُونَ فِي الْعِلْمِ يَقُولُونَ آمَنَّا بِهِ كُلٌّ مِنْ عِنْدِ رَبِّنا وَما يَذَّكَّرُ إِلا أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّماواتِ وَالارْضِ وَاخْتِلافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهارِ لاياتٍ لاولِي الالْبابِ وَقَالَ أَ فَمَنْ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّما أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ رَبِّكَ الْحَقُّ كَمَنْ هُوَ أَعْمى‏ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ أَمَّنْ هُوَ قانِتٌ آناءَ اللَّيْلِ ساجِداً وَقائِماً يَحْذَرُ الاخِرَةَ وَيَرْجُوا رَحْمَةَ رَبِّهِ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ كِتابٌ أَنْزَلْناهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آياتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُوا الالْبابِ وَقَالَ وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنا مُوسَى الْهُدى‏ وَأَوْرَثْنا بَنِي إِسْرائِيلَ الْكِتابَ هُدىً وَذِكْرى‏ لاولِي الالْبابِ وَقَالَ وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرى‏ تَنْفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله تَعَالَى يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَذِكْرى‏ لِمَنْ كانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ يَعْنِي عَقْلٌ وَقَالَ وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنا لُقْمانَ الْحِكْمَةَ قَالَ الْفَهْمَ وَالْعَقْلَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ لُقْمَانَ قَالَ لابْنِهِ تَوَاضَعْ لِلْحَقِّ تَكُنْ أَعْقَلَ النَّاسِ وَإِنَّ الْكَيِّسَ لَدَى الْحَقِّ يَسِيرٌ يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا بَحْرٌ عَمِيقٌ قَدْ غَرِقَ فِيهَا عَالَمٌ كَثِيرٌ فَلْتَكُنْ سَفِينَتُكَ فِيهَا تَقْوَى الله وَحَشْوُهَا الايمَانَ وَشِرَاعُهَا التَّوَكُّلَ وَقَيِّمُهَا الْعَقْلَ وَدَلِيلُهَا الْعِلْمَ وَسُكَّانُهَا الصَّبْرَ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ دَلِيلاً وَدَلِيلُ الْعَقْلِ التَّفَكُّرُ وَدَلِيلُ التَّفَكُّرِ الصَّمْتُ وَلِكُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ مَطِيَّةً وَمَطِيَّةُ الْعَقْلِ التَّوَاضُعُ وَكَفَى بِكَ جَهْلاً أَنْ تَرْكَبَ مَا نُهِيْتَ عَنْهُ يَا هِشَامُ مَا بَعَثَ الله أَنْبِيَاءَهُ وَرُسُلَهُ إِلَى عِبَادِهِ إِلا لِيَعْقِلُوا عَنِ الله فَأَحْسَنُهُمُ اسْتِجَابَةً أَحْسَنُهُمْ مَعْرِفَةً وَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِأَمْرِ الله أَحْسَنُهُمْ عَقْلاً وَأَكْمَلُهُمْ عَقْلاً أَرْفَعُهُمْ دَرَجَةً فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالاخِرَةِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ لله عَلَى النَّاسِ حُجَّتَيْنِ حُجَّةً ظَاهِرَةً وَحُجَّةً بَاطِنَةً فَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَةُ فَالرُّسُلُ وَالانْبِيَاءُ وَالائِمَّةُ (عَلَيْهم السَّلام) وَأَمَّا الْبَاطِنَةُ فَالْعُقُولُ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ الَّذِي لا يَشْغَلُ الْحَلالُ شُكْرَهُ وَلا يَغْلِبُ الْحَرَامُ صَبْرَهُ.

يَا هِشَامُ مَنْ سَلَّطَ ثَلاثاً عَلَى ثَلاثٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَعَانَ عَلَى هَدْمِ عَقْلِهِ مَنْ أَظْلَمَ نُورُ تَفَكُّرِهِ بِطُولِ أَمَلِهِ وَمَحَا طَرَائِفَ حِكْمَتِهِ بِفُضُولِ كَلامِهِ وَأَطْفَأَ نُورَ عِبْرَتِهِ بِشَهَوَاتِ نَفْسِهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا أَعَانَ هَوَاهُ عَلَى هَدْمِ عَقْلِهِ وَمَنْ هَدَمَ عَقْلَهُ أَفْسَدَ عَلَيْهِ دِينَهُ وَدُنْيَاهُ يَا هِشَامُ كَيْفَ يَزْكُو عِنْدَ الله عَمَلُكَ وَأَنْتَ قَدْ شَغَلْتَ قَلْبَكَ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّكَ وَأَطَعْتَ هَوَاكَ عَلَى غَلَبَةِ عَقْلِكَ يَا هِشَامُ الصَّبْرُ عَلَى الْوَحْدَةِ عَلامَةُ قُوَّةِ الْعَقْلِ فَمَنْ عَقَلَ عَنِ الله اعْتَزَلَ أَهْلَ الدُّنْيَا وَالرَّاغِبِينَ فِيهَا وَرَغِبَ فِيمَا عِنْدَ الله وَكَانَ الله أُنْسَهُ فِي الْوَحْشَةِ وَصَاحِبَهُ فِي الْوَحْدَةِ وَغِنَاهُ فِي الْعَيْلَةِ وَمُعِزَّهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ عَشِيرَةٍ يَا هِشَامُ نَصْبُ الْحَقِّ لِطَاعَةِ الله وَلا نَجَاةَ إِلا بِالطَّاعَةِ وَالطَّاعَةُ بِالْعِلْمِ وَالْعِلْمُ بِالتَّعَلُّمِ وَالتَّعَلُّمُ بِالْعَقْلِ يُعْتَقَدُ وَلا عِلْمَ إِلا مِنْ عَالِمٍ رَبَّانِيٍّ وَمَعْرِفَةُ الْعِلْمِ بِالْعَقْلِ يَا هِشَامُ قَلِيلُ الْعَمَلِ مِنَ الْعَالِمِ مَقْبُولٌ مُضَاعَفٌ وَكَثِيرُ الْعَمَلِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْهَوَى وَالْجَهْلِ مَرْدُودٌ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ رَضِيَ بِالدُّونِ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا مَعَ الْحِكْمَةِ وَلَمْ يَرْضَ بِالدُّونِ مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ مَعَ الدُّنْيَا فَلِذَلِكَ رَبِحَتْ تِجَارَتُهُمْ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعُقَلاءَ تَرَكُوا فُضُولَ الدُّنْيَا فَكَيْفَ الذُّنُوبَ وَتَرْكُ الدُّنْيَا مِنَ الْفَضْلِ وَتَرْكُ الذُّنُوبِ مِنَ الْفَرْضِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ نَظَرَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا وَإِلَى أَهْلِهَا فَعَلِمَ أَنَّهَا لا تُنَالُ إِلا بِالْمَشَقَّةِ وَنَظَرَ إِلَى الاخِرَةِ فَعَلِمَ أَنَّهَا لا تُنَالُ إِلا بِالْمَشَقَّةِ فَطَلَبَ بِالْمَشَقَّةِ أَبْقَاهُمَا يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعُقَلاءَ زَهِدُوا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَرَغِبُوا فِي الاخِرَةِ لانَّهُمْ عَلِمُوا أَنَّ الدُّنْيَا طَالِبَةٌ مَطْلُوبَةٌ وَالاخِرَةَ طَالِبَةٌ وَمَطْلُوبَةٌ فَمَنْ طَلَبَ الاخِرَةَ طَلَبَتْهُ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يَسْتَوْفِيَ مِنْهَا رِزْقَهُ وَمَنْ طَلَبَ الدُّنْيَا طَلَبَتْهُ الاخِرَةُ فَيَأْتِيهِ الْمَوْتُ فَيُفْسِدُ عَلَيْهِ دُنْيَاهُ وَآخِرَتَهُ يَا هِشَامُ مَنْ أَرَادَ الْغِنَى بِلا مَالٍ وَرَاحَةَ الْقَلْبِ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ وَالسَّلامَةَ فِي الدِّينِ فَلْيَتَضَرَّعْ إِلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي مَسْأَلَتِهِ بِأَنْ يُكَمِّلَ عَقْلَهُ فَمَنْ عَقَلَ قَنِعَ بِمَا يَكْفِيهِ وَمَنْ قَنِعَ بِمَا يَكْفِيهِ اسْتَغْنَى وَمَنْ لَمْ يَقْنَعْ بِمَا يَكْفِيهِ لَمْ يُدْرِكِ الْغِنَى أَبَداً يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الله حَكَى عَنْ قَوْمٍ صَالِحِينَ أَنَّهُمْ قَالُوا رَبَّنا لا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنا وَهَبْ لَنا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ حِينَ عَلِمُوا أَنَّ الْقُلُوبَ تَزِيغُ وَتَعُودُ إِلَى عَمَاهَا وَرَدَاهَا إِنَّهُ لَمْ يَخَفِ الله مَنْ لَمْ يَعْقِلْ عَنِ الله وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْقِلْ عَنِ الله لَمْ يَعْقِدْ قَلْبَهُ عَلَى مَعْرِفَةٍ ثَابِتَةٍ يُبْصِرُهَا وَيَجِدُ حَقِيقَتَهَا فِي قَلْبِهِ وَلا يَكُونُ أَحَدٌ كَذَلِكَ إِلا مَنْ كَانَ قَوْلُهُ لِفِعْلِهِ مُصَدِّقاً وَسِرُّهُ لِعَلانِيَتِهِ مُوَافِقاً لانَّ الله تَبَارَكَ اسْمُهُ لَمْ يَدُلَّ عَلَى الْبَاطِنِ الْخَفِيِّ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ إِلا بِظَاهِرٍ مِنْهُ وَنَاطِقٍ عَنْهُ يَا هِشَامُ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ مَا عُبِدَ الله بِشَيْ‏ءٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ وَمَا تَمَّ عَقْلُ امْرِئٍ حَتَّى يَكُونَ فِيهِ خِصَالٌ شَتَّى الْكُفْرُ وَالشَّرُّ مِنْهُ مَأْمُونَانِ وَالرُّشْدُ وَالْخَيْرُ مِنْهُ مَأْمُولانِ وَفَضْلُ مَالِهِ مَبْذُولٌ وَفَضْلُ قَوْلِهِ مَكْفُوفٌ وَنَصِيبُهُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا الْقُوتُ لا يَشْبَعُ مِنَ الْعِلْمِ دَهْرَهُ الذُّلُّ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مَعَ الله مِنَ الْعِزِّ مَعَ غَيْرِهِ وَالتَّوَاضُعُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الشَّرَفِ يَسْتَكْثِرُ قَلِيلَ الْمَعْرُوفِ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ وَيَسْتَقِلُّ كَثِيرَ الْمَعْرُوفِ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَيَرَى النَّاسَ كُلَّهُمْ خَيْراً مِنْهُ وَأَنَّهُ شَرُّهُمْ فِي نَفْسِهِ وَهُوَ تَمَامُ الامْرِ يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ لا يَكْذِبُ وَإِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ هَوَاهُ يَا هِشَامُ لا دِينَ لِمَنْ لا مُرُوَّةَ لَهُ وَلا مُرُوَّةَ لِمَنْ لا عَقْلَ لَهُ وَإِنَّ أَعْظَمَ النَّاسِ قَدْراً الَّذِي لا يَرَى الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْسِهِ خَطَراً أَمَا إِنَّ أَبْدَانَكُمْ لَيْسَ لَهَا ثَمَنٌ إِلا الْجَنَّةُ فَلا تَبِيعُوهَا بِغَيْرِهَا يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ مِنْ عَلامَةِ الْعَاقِلِ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ ثَلاثُ خِصَالٍ يُجِيبُ إِذَا سُئِلَ وَيَنْطِقُ إِذَا عَجَزَ الْقَوْمُ عَنِ الْكَلامِ وَيُشِيرُ بِالرَّأْيِ الَّذِي يَكُونُ فِيهِ صَلاحُ أَهْلِهِ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالِ الثَّلاثِ شَيْ‏ءٌ فَهُوَ أَحْمَقُ إِنَّ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لا يَجْلِسُ فِي صَدْرِ الْمَجْلِسِ إِلا رَجُلٌ فِيهِ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالُ الثَّلاثُ أَوْ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْهُنَّ فَمَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ شَيْ‏ءٌ مِنْهُنَّ فَجَلَسَ فَهُوَ أَحْمَقُ وَقَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) إِذَا طَلَبْتُمُ الْحَوَائِجَ فَاطْلُبُوهَا مِنْ أَهْلِهَا قِيلَ.

يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ الله وَمَنْ أَهْلُهَا قَالَ الَّذِينَ قَصَّ الله فِي كِتَابِهِ وَذَكَرَهُمْ فَقَالَ إِنَّما يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُوا الالْبابِ قَالَ هُمْ أُولُو الْعُقُولِ وَقَالَ عَلِيُّ بن الحسين (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) مُجَالَسَةُ الصَّالِحِينَ دَاعِيَةٌ إِلَى الصَّلاحِ وَآدَابُ الْعُلَمَاءِ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْعَقْلِ وَطَاعَةُ وُلاةِ الْعَدْلِ تَمَامُ الْعِزِّ وَاسْتِثْمَارُ الْمَالِ تَمَامُ الْمُرُوءَةِ وَإِرْشَادُ الْمُسْتَشِيرِ قَضَاءٌ لِحَقِّ النِّعْمَةِ وَكَفُّ الاذَى مِنْ كَمَالِ الْعَقْلِ وَفِيهِ رَاحَةُ الْبَدَنِ عَاجِلاً وَآجِلاً يَا هِشَامُ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ لا يُحَدِّثُ مَنْ يَخَافُ تَكْذِيبَهُ وَلا يَسْأَلُ مَنْ يَخَافُ مَنْعَهُ وَلا يَعِدُ مَا لا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ وَلا يَرْجُو مَا يُعَنَّفُ بِرَجَائِهِ وَلا يُقْدِمُ عَلَى مَا يَخَافُ فَوْتَهُ بِالْعَجْزِ عَنْهُ.

12. Abu ‘Abdallah al-Ash‘ari has narrated from certain persons of our people have narrated in a marfu‘ manner from Hisham ibn al-Hakam who has said the following.

“Abu al-Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far stated the following to me. ‘O Hisham, Allah has given good news to the people of reason and understanding in His book in the following words, “ Give the good news to those of My servants who hear certain words but follow only the good words. These are the ones whom Allah has given guidance and they are the people of understanding. 39:20 Holy Quran

“O Hisham, it is certain that Allah has established complete (legal) authority for people (to refer to) in the form of intelligence, supported the messengers through the (ability) to communicate and has guided them to His own Lordship with proofs. Saying, “Your Lord is the only Lord. There is no God but He, the Beneficent, the Merciful (2:163)

“(Of the signs of His existence are the creation of heavens and earth, the alternation of nights and days, the ships that sail in the sea for the benefit of the people. (Also of such signs are) the water that God sends from the sky to revive the dead earth where He has scattered all kinds of animals, the winds of all directions and the clouds that are rendered for service between the sky and the earth. Such are evidence (of His existence) for those who use their intelligence. (2:164)

“O Hisham, Allah has mentioned the above facts as proof of His existence and that such facts depend upon the will of one who has designed them saying:

“God has made the day and the night, the sun and the moon, and all the stars subservient to you by His command. In this there is evidence of the truth for people of understanding. (16:12)

“It is He, Who created you from clay, turning it into a living germ, then into a clot of blood, and then brings you forth as a child. He then made you grow into manhood and become old. He causes some of you to live for the appointed time and some of you to die before so that perhaps you may have understanding (40:67).

“In the heavens and the earth there is evidence (of the Truth) for the believers (45:3). In your creation and in that of the beasts living on earth there is evidence of the Truth for the people who have strong faith (45:4). In the alternation of the night and the day, the sustenance which God has sent down from the sky to revive the barren earth, and in the changing of the direction of the winds there is evidence of the truth for the people of understanding (45:5).

“Know that God brings the dead earth back to life. We have explained Our revelations to you so that you may perhaps have understanding (57:17).

“In the earth there are adjacent pieces of land, vineyards, farms, date-palms of single and many roots which are all watered by the same water. We have made some yield a better food than others. All this is evidence (of the existence of God) for the people who understand. (13:4)

“Also, of the evidence of His existence are His showing you lightening which gives you fear and hope and His sending water down from the sky which revives the earth after its death. In this there is evidence (of the truth) for the people of understanding. (30:24)

“(Muhammad), say, “Let me tell you about what your Lord has commanded: Do not consider anything equal to God; Be kind to your parents; Do not murder your children out of fear of poverty, for We give sustenance to you and to them. Do not even approach indecency either in public or in private. Take not a life, which God has made sacred except by way of justice and law. Thus does He command you that you may learn wisdom. (6:151)

“God has told you this parable about yourselves: Could your slaves share your wealth equally with you and could you fear them as you fear yourselves? Thus, do We clarify the evidence (of the truth) for the people of understanding (30:28).

“O Hisham, Allah then has given good advise to the people of intelligence and has encouraged them to become interested in the life to come saying, “The worldly life is but useless amusement and sport (compared to) the life hereafter which is far better and is only for the pious. Will you not then understand? (6:32)

“O Hisham, Allah then has given warnings to those who do not think about the punishment that may come upon them from Allah saying, “Then We totally destroyed the others (37:136). You pass by (their ruined town) in the morning and at night (37:137). Will you then not understand? (37:138)

“We will bring torment from the sky on this town because of the evil-deeds of its inhabitants” (29:34). We left manifest evidence (of the truth) there for the people of understanding. (29:35)

“O Hisham, intelligence comes with knowledge.” Allah has said, “These are parables which, We tell to human beings, but only the learned ones understand them. (29:43)

“O Hisham, Allah has then expressed dislike towards those who do not understand in the following words: “When certain people are asked to follow the revelations of God, they say, ‘We would rather follow what our fathers have followed,’ even though their fathers had no understanding and could not find the true guidance (2:170)

“Preaching to unbelievers is like talking to someone who cannot hear anything except yells and shouts. They are deaf, dumb, and blind; they have no understanding. (2:171)

“Some of them will look at you, but are you supposed to guide the blind even if they have no vision? (10:43)

“Do you think that most of them listen and understand? They are like cattle or even more, straying and confused. (25:44)

“They will not fight you united except with the protection of fortified towns or from behind walls. They are strong among themselves. You think that they are united, but in fact, their hearts are divided. They are a people who have no understanding (59:14)

“Would you order people to do good deeds and forget to do them yourselves even though you read the Book? Why do you not think?” (2:44)

“O Hisham, Allah then has expressed dislike towards the multitudes saying, “Most of the people in the land will lead you away from God's guidance if you follow them; they only follow their own conjecture and preach falsehood (6:116)

“If you ask them, “Who has created the heavens and the earth,” they will certainly say, “God has created them.” Say, “It is only God who deserves all praise, but most of them do not know” (31:25)

“If you ask them, “Who has sent down water from the sky to revive the dead earth?” They will say, “God has done it.” Say, “It is only God who deserves all praise, but many of them do not understand.” (29:63)

“O Hisham, Allah then has praised those fewer in numbers saying, “Only few of my servants are grateful.” (34:13)

He has said, “How few are they?”

“A believing person from the people of the Pharaoh who concealed his faith said, “Would you kill a man just because he says God is my Lord?” (40:28)

“No one believed in him, except a few. (11:40)

Tell them, (Muhammad), “God certainly has the Power to show such miracles but many of them are ignorant.” (6:37).

“Many of them have no understanding. (5:103)

Many of them do not realize.”

“O Hisham, Allah has mentioned the people of intelligence in the best manners with the best of characteristics saying, “God gives wisdom to the ones whom He wants. Whoever is given wisdom, has, certainly, received much good. Only people of intelligence can grasp this (2:269).

“ . those who have a firm grounding in knowledge say, “We believe in it. All its verses are from our Lord.” No one can grasp this fact except the people of Intelligence . .” (3:7)

“The creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and the night are evidence (of the existence of God) for people of Intelligence. (3:190)

“Can a person, who knows that what is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, be considered equal to a blind person? Only those who have understanding take heed (13:19).

“Can this one be considered equal to one who worships God during the night, prostrating and standing, who has fear of the Day of Judgment, and who has hope in the mercy of his Lord? Say, “Are those who know equal to those who do not know? Only the people of Intelligence take heed” (39:9).

“It is a blessed Book which We have revealed for you so that you will reflect upon its verses and so the people of understanding will take heed (38:29).

“To Moses We had given guidance and to the children of Israel We had given the Book (40:53) as their inheritance and as a guide and a reminder to the people of understanding (40:54)

“Keep on reminding them. This benefits the believers” (51:55).

“O Hisham, Allah says in His book, “This is a reminder for the ones who understands, listens, and sees.” (50:37)

It means intelligence.

“We gave wisdom to Luqman so that he would give thanks to God . .” (31:12) Understand is intelligence.

“O Hisham, Luqman said to his son, “ Venerate the truth you will be the most intelligent among man. Cleverness before intelligence has a very small value. My son, the world is a very deep ocean in which many people have drowned. You must take piety before God as the ship, faith as supplies therein, trust in God as the sales, intelligence as the captain, knowledge as the guide and patience as passengers.”

“O Hisham, for everything there is a guide. The guide for intelligence is thinking. The guide for thinking is silence. For everything there is a means for mobility the means of mobility for intelligence is humble attitude. To disobey a prohibition is enough proof of ones ignorance.

“O Hisham, Allah send His messengers to people for no other reason but that they would have understanding about Him. Those who obey Him better have better understanding about Him. Those who are more knowledgeable in the commandment of Allah are the ones who have more powerful intelligence and those who have more powerful intelligence are at a higher degree of excellence in this world and in the next life.

“O Hisham, Allah has placed two kinds of authority over man.

The apparent and manifest authority and the internal and hidden authority The prophets and messengers are the apparent and manifest authorities and intelligence is the hidden and internal authority.

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence is one whose thankfulness doe not diminish because of a large wealth and prohibited matters can not overpower his patience.

“O Hisham, one who would support three things against an other three kinds of things he would be leading to the destruction of his own intelligence.

(1) Darkening of one’s ability to think with day dreaming, (2) the abolishment of the sparks of one’s wisdom with excessive bluffs and (3) the extinguishing of the lights of the lessons from experience by the desires of one’s soul.

It would be like supporting ones desire to destroy ones own intelligence. One who would destroy his own intelligence he has destroyed his own worldly life as well as the life to come.

“O Hisham how would you expect to have pure deeds before Allah when you have such things that keep you away from the facts that matter to Allah, your Lord, and you have obeyed your desires against your own intelligence.

“O Hisham, maintaining patience in loneliness is a sign of the strength of intelligence. One who has understanding about Allah he keeps himself aside from the people of this world and those interested in it. He becomes interested in what is with Allah. Allah then gives him comfort in his fear and company when he is lonely. Allah gives him riches in his poverty and honor without the existence of his tribesmen.

“O Hisham, truth is set up so that Allah is obeyed. There is no salvation without obedience to Allah. Obedience comes only from knowledge, which comes from learning that receives strength from intelligence. The only knowledge of value is that of one who knows about the Lord and intelligence discerns the valuable of knowledge.

“O Hisham, smaller degrees of deeds with knowledge are accepted with double value and large amounts of deeds from those who follow their desires and ignorance are rejected.

“O Hisham, a person of intelligence is pleased with little things of the world with wisdom but he does not agree with a little wisdom with all of the world and, thus, such people strike a gainful bargain.

“O Hisham, the people of intelligence stay away from what is more than the basic necessities of life how then they would not stay away from the sins in this world. To stay away from what is more than the bare necessities is only extra virtue but staying away from sins is obligatory.

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence observes the world and the people of the world and finds out that the worldly gains come only through hard works and labor. He finds out that gains of the life hereafter also come through hard work and labor he then accepts the one that is more durable.

“O Hisham, people of intelligence hold themselves back from the worldly things and strengthen interest in the gains of the life hereafter. They have learned that the worldly gains are sought after and are wanted and so also are the gains of the lifer hereafter. One who seeks the gains of the life hereafter the world will seek him to deliver to him his livelihood but one who seeks the worldly gains the hereafter would also seek to find him. Death will then approach him and it will destroy his world and leave him with no opportunity in the life hereafter (because he had gained nothing).

“O Hisham, one who wants self-sufficiency without property, comfort for his heart from the evil of jealousy and the safety of his religion he should pray to Allah, the Most Glorious, to perfect his intelligence. The person of intelligence is satisfied with the basic necessities and one who agrees with basic necessities he is self-sufficient and free of needs and one who is not satisfied with basic necessities he is never free from wants.

“O Hisham, Allah has stated the following on behalf of the people of virtue, “They say, “Lord, do not cause our hearts to deviate from Your guidance, and grant us mercy. You are the Most Awarding One.” (3:8) They know that hearts may deviate and turn towards blindness and destruction.

It is certain that those who do not fear Allah have no understanding about Him. One who does not have proper understanding about Allah one’s heart does not establish any stable gnosis about Allah with clear awareness of such gnosis that one would find in his heart. No one can be as such except those whose deeds would confirm their words and their privacy would agree with their public activities. This is because Allah, Sacrosanct are whose names, has not shown what is private and unknown form intelligence except through what is public from it and speaks for it.

“O Hisham, the commander of the true believers, Imam Ali (a.s) has said, “Allah is worshipped better by no means other than intelligence. No one’s intelligence reaches perfection until therewith is found various qualities. Disbelief and evil should not emerge therefrom. Wisdom and goodness should be expected to exist therewith. The extra of the property of a person of intelligence is given in charity, the extra of his words is restrained and his share of the worldly things is only the basic necessities. He never considers himself as to have learned enough. To be with Allah, although in a very humble state, is far better to him than to live very much honored with others. Humbleness is more beloved to him than being taken as a dignitary. He considers virtuous deeds of others a great deal and his own virtuous deeds as insignificant. He considers all the other people better than his self and his own self as the worse of all and this is the totality of all things.”

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence never speaks a lie even though it may satisfy his desires.”

“O Hisham, one who does not maintain honorable kindness he has no religion and one can not have such noble character without intelligence. A person of the greatest value among people is one who does not consider the worldly gains his fortune. Nothing can become an adequate price for your bodies other than paradise. Do not sell it for any thing other than paradise.

“O Hisham, the commander of the true believers, Imam Ali (a.s) has said, “Three noble qualities in man are of the signs of the existence of intelligence. He replies when questioned and he speaks up only when everyone else fails to speak and offers his advise when it is beneficial to his people. One who has none of these qualities is a fool.” He also has said, “No one other a person who has all of the above or some of such qualities should chair a gathering and if one does so without any of such qualities he is a fool.”

Imam Hassan ibn Ali (a.s) has said, “If you would ask for help do so from a proper source.” He was asked, “O grandson of the holy Prophet, ‘Who are the proper sources?” He replied, “They are those about whom Allah has spoken in His book saying, “Only those who have understanding will take heed and they are the people of intelligence.”

Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s) has said, “Sitting in the company of virtuous people leads one to virtue and association with the scholars is a means of strengthening one’s intelligence. Obedience to the authorities that practice justice is an honor. The investment of wealth for profit is a dignifying practice. Guiding one who asks for guidance is an expression of gratitude. To restrain ones harmful manners and deeds is because of the perfection of one’s intelligence in which there is comfort for the body in the short and long terms.”

“O Hisham, a man of intelligence does not speak to one who is feared to call him a liar. He does not ask those that he fears may deny him. He does not count on what is not within his abilities. He does not maintain any hope in that which may involve severity and harshness. He does not take any steps towards which he fears may not be achieved due to his inability.”

13ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْعَقْلُ غِطَاءٌ سَتِيرٌ وَالْفَضْلُ جَمَالٌ ظَاهِرٌ فَاسْتُرْ خَلَلَ خُلُقِكَ بِفَضْلِكَ وَقَاتِلْ هَوَاكَ بِعَقْلِكَ تَسْلَمْ لَكَ الْمَوَدَّةُ وَتَظْهَرْ لَكَ الْمَحَبَّةُ.

13. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad in a marfu‘ manner Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“Intelligence is a complete cover (protection) for one and extra knowledge and skills are evident beauty. Compensate your physical shortcomings with your extra knowledge and skills. Fight your desires with help from your intelligence and in so doing friendship is surrendered to and love becomes manifest for you.”

14ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَدِيدٍ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ قَالَ كُنْتُ عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) وَعِنْدَهُ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ مَوَالِيهِ فَجَرَى ذِكْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَالْجَهْلِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) اعْرِفُوا الْعَقْلَ وَجُنْدَهُ وَالْجَهْلَ وَجُنْدَهُ تَهْتَدُوا قَالَ سَمَاعَةُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لا نَعْرِفُ إِلا مَا عَرَّفْتَنَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ وَهُوَ أَوَّلُ خَلْقٍ مِنَ الرُّوحَانِيِّينَ عَنْ يَمِينِ الْعَرْشِ مِنْ نُورِهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ فَقَالَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى خَلَقْتُكَ خَلْقاً عَظِيماً وَكَرَّمْتُكَ عَلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِي قَالَ ثُمَّ خَلَقَ الْجَهْلَ مِنَ الْبَحْرِ الاجَاجِ ظُلْمَانِيّاً فَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَلَمْ يُقْبِلْ فَقَالَ لَهُ اسْتَكْبَرْتَ فَلَعَنَهُ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ لِلْعَقْلِ خَمْسَةً وَسَبْعِينَ جُنْداً فَلَمَّا رَأَى الْجَهْلُ مَا أَكْرَمَ الله بِهِ الْعَقْلَ وَمَا أَعْطَاهُ أَضْمَرَ لَهُ الْعَدَاوَةَ فَقَالَ الْجَهْلُ يَا رَبِّ هَذَا خَلْقٌ مِثْلِي خَلَقْتَهُ وَكَرَّمْتَهُ وَقَوَّيْتَهُ وَأَنَا ضِدُّهُ وَلا قُوَّةَ لِي بِهِ فَأَعْطِنِي مِنَ الْجُنْدِ مِثْلَ مَا أَعْطَيْتَهُ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فَإِنْ عَصَيْتَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ أَخْرَجْتُكَ وَجُنْدَكَ مِنْ رَحْمَتِي قَالَ قَدْ رَضِيتُ فَأَعْطَاهُ خَمْسَةً وَسَبْعِينَ جُنْداً فَكَانَ مِمَّا أَعْطَى الْعَقْلَ مِنَ الْخَمْسَةِ وَالسَّبْعِينَ الْجُنْدَ الْخَيْرُ وَهُوَ وَزِيرُ الْعَقْلِ وَجَعَلَ ضِدَّهُ الشَّرَّ وَهُوَ وَزِيرُ الْجَهْلِ وَالايمَانُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكُفْرَ وَالتَّصْدِيقُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجُحُودَ وَالرَّجَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الْقُنُوطَ وَالْعَدْلُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجَوْرَ وَالرِّضَا وَضِدَّهُ السُّخْطَ وَالشُّكْرُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكُفْرَانَ وَالطَّمَعُ وَضِدَّهُ الْيَأْسَ وَالتَّوَكُّلُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحِرْصَ وَالرَّأْفَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْقَسْوَةَ وَالرَّحْمَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْغَضَبَ وَالْعِلْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجَهْلَ وَالْفَهْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحُمْقَ وَالْعِفَّةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّهَتُّكَ وَالزُّهْدُ وَضِدَّهُ الرَّغْبَةَ وَالرِّفْقُ وَضِدَّهُ الْخُرْقَ وَالرَّهْبَةُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجُرْأَةَ وَالتَّوَاضُعُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكِبْرَ وَالتُّؤَدَةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّسَرُّعَ وَالْحِلْمُ وَضِدَّهَا السَّفَهَ وَالصَّمْتُ وَضِدَّهُ الْهَذَرَ وَالاسْتِسْلامُ وَضِدَّهُ الاسْتِكْبَارَ وَالتَّسْلِيمُ وَضِدَّهُ الشَّكَّ وَالصَّبْرُ وَضِدَّهُ الْجَزَعَ وَالصَّفْحُ وَضِدَّهُ الانْتِقَامَ وَالْغِنَى وَضِدَّهُ الْفَقْرَ وَالتَّذَكُّرُ وَضِدَّهُ السَّهْوَ وَالْحِفْظُ وَضِدَّهُ النِّسْيَانَ وَالتَّعَطُّفُ وَضِدَّهُ الْقَطِيعَةَ وَالْقُنُوعُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحِرْصَ وَالْمُؤَاسَاةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمَنْعَ وَالْمَوَدَّةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْعَدَاوَةَ وَالْوَفَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الْغَدْرَ وَالطَّاعَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمَعْصِيَةَ وَالْخُضُوعُ وَضِدَّهُ التَّطَاوُلَ وَالسَّلامَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَلاءَ وَالْحُبُّ وَضِدَّهُ الْبُغْضَ وَالصِّدْقُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكَذِبَ وَالْحَقُّ وَضِدَّهُ الْبَاطِلَ وَالامَانَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْخِيَانَةَ وَالاخْلاصُ وَضِدَّهُ الشَّوْبَ وَالشَّهَامَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَلادَةَ وَالْفَهْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الْغَبَاوَةَ وَالْمَعْرِفَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الانْكَارَ وَالْمُدَارَاةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمُكَاشَفَةَ وَسَلامَةُ الْغَيْبِ وَضِدَّهَا الْمُمَاكَرَةَ وَالْكِتْمَانُ وَضِدَّهُ الافْشَاءَ وَالصَّلاةُ وَضِدَّهَا الاضَاعَةَ وَالصَّوْمُ وَضِدَّهُ الافْطَارَ وَالْجِهَادُ وَضِدَّهُ النُّكُولَ وَالْحَجُّ وَضِدَّهُ نَبْذَ الْمِيثَاقِ وَصَوْنُ الْحَدِيثِ وَضِدَّهُ النَّمِيمَةَ وَبِرُّ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَضِدَّهُ الْعُقُوقَ وَالْحَقِيقَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الرِّيَاءَ وَالْمَعْرُوفُ وَضِدَّهُ الْمُنْكَرَ وَالسَّتْرُ وَضِدَّهُ التَّبَرُّجَ وَالتَّقِيَّةُ وَضِدَّهَا الاذَاعَةَ وَالانْصَافُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحَمِيَّةَ وَالتَّهْيِئَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَغْيَ وَالنَّظَافَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْقَذَرَ وَالْحَيَاءُ وَضِدَّهَا الْجَلَعَ وَالْقَصْدُ وَضِدَّهُ الْعُدْوَانَ وَالرَّاحَةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّعَبَ وَالسُّهُولَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الصُّعُوبَةَ وَالْبَرَكَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْمَحْقَ وَالْعَافِيَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْبَلاءَ وَالْقَوَامُ وَضِدَّهُ الْمُكَاثَرَةَ وَالْحِكْمَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْهَوَاءَ وَالْوَقَارُ وَضِدَّهُ الْخِفَّةَ وَالسَّعَادَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الشَّقَاوَةَ وَالتَّوْبَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الاصْرَارَ وَالاسْتِغْفَارُ وَضِدَّهُ الاغْتِرَارَ وَالْمُحَافَظَةُ وَضِدَّهَا التَّهَاوُنَ وَالدُّعَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الاسْتِنْكَافَ وَالنَّشَاطُ وَضِدَّهُ الْكَسَلَ وَالْفَرَحُ وَضِدَّهُ الْحَزَنَ وَالالْفَةُ وَضِدَّهَا الْفُرْقَةَ وَالسَّخَاءُ وَضِدَّهُ الْبُخْلَ فَلا تَجْتَمِعُ هَذِهِ الْخِصَالُ كُلُّهَا مِنْ أَجْنَادِ الْعَقْلِ إِلا فِي نَبِيٍّ أَوْ وَصِيِّ نَبِيٍّ أَوْ مُؤْمِنٍ قَدِ امْتَحَنَ الله قَلْبَهُ لِلايمَانِ وَأَمَّا سَائِرُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ مَوَالِينَا فَإِنَّ أَحَدَهُمْ لا يَخْلُو مِنْ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِيهِ بَعْضُ هَذِهِ الْجُنُودِ حَتَّى يَسْتَكْمِلَ وَيَنْقَى مِنْ جُنُودِ الْجَهْلِ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ يَكُونُ فِي الدَّرَجَةِ الْعُلْيَا مَعَ الانْبِيَاءِ وَالاوْصِيَاءِ وَإِنَّمَا يُدْرَكُ ذَلِكَ بِمَعْرِفَةِ الْعَقْلِ وَجُنُودِهِ وَبِمُجَانَبَةِ الْجَهْلِ وَجُنُودِهِ وَفَّقَنَا الله وَإِيَّاكُمْ لِطَاعَتِهِ وَمَرْضَاتِهِ.

14. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn Hadid from Suma’a ibn Mihran who has said the following.

“With a gathering of his followers I was in the presence of Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s). A discussion on intelligence and ignorance began to emerge among them. Thereupon Imam abu ‘Abdallah said, “You, first, must recognize intelligence and its army and ignorance and its army only then you would find proper guidance.” I then asked, may Allah make my soul of service to you, we only learn what you teach us.” The Imam (a.s) said, “Allah, the Glorious, the Majestic created intelligence and it was the first creature of spiritual world on the right side of the Throne from His light. He then told him to move backwards and intelligence moved backwards. He then told him to come forwards. Intelligence came forwards. Allah, the Sacrosanct, the Most High said, “I have created you a great creature and honored you above all others of my creatures. The Imam (a.s) continued, “Allah then created ignorance from a salty dark ocean and told it, “move backwards and did move backwards. He then called it to come forwards but it did not come forwards. He then said to it, ‘Did you shun coming forwards?” He then pronounced it condemned. He then assigned seventy-five armies for intelligence. When ignorance saw all the honors Allah has granted to intelligence it bore hidden animosity towards intelligence and said, “Lord this creature is just like me. You created and honored it and gave it power. But I have no power against it. Give me also likewise armies. The Lord then said, “I will give you also an army but if you would disobey Me I will then expel you and your army from My mercy. Ignorance then said, ‘I agree.’ Allah gave it seventy-five armies and it was out of the army of intelligence.

The Army of Intelligence The Army of Ignorance

1 Goodness is the minister of Intelligence Evil is the minister of Ignorance

2 Faith Disbelief

3 Professing Refusal

4 Hope Despair

5 Justice Injustice

6 Consent Disapproval

7 Thankfulness Ungratefulness

8 Expectation Hopelessness

9 Reliance Greed

10 Soft-heartedness Hard-heartedness

11 Mercy Anger

12 Knowledge Ignorance

13 Understanding Foolishness

14 Chastity Reckless

15 Restraint Yearning

16 Relenting Relentless

17 Cautious Boldness

18 Humbleness Arrogance

19 Relax Haste

20 Forbearance Silliness

21 Quietness Bluffing

22 Peacefulness Contempt

23 Acceptance Doubt

24 Patience Impatience

25 Forgiving Revenge

26 Self-reliance Poverty

27 Remembrance Forgetfulness

28 Sympathy Detachment

29 Self-content Covetousness

30 Munificent Avaricious

31 Affection Animosity

32 Loyalty Infidelity

33 Obedience Disobedience

34 Subservience Supremacy

35 Security Affliction

36 Love Hatred

37 Truthfulness Duplicity

38 Truth Falsehood

39 Trustworthiness Treachery

40 Sincerity Distortion

41 Sharp witted Feeble-mindedness

42 Comprehension Simple-mindedness

43 Cognizance Refusal

44 Safekeeping feel evil satisfaction

45 Security unseen Intemperance

46 Protective Unmasking

47 Prayer Loosing

48 Fasting Consuming food

49 Hard work Passivity

50 Hajj Disregard of covenant

51 Soundness of words Scandalous

52 Kindness to parents Rudeness to parents

53 Factual Braggart

54 Legitimate Wickedness

55 Guarded Bedecked

56 Concealment Hatching

57 Fairness Taking-sides

58 Peaceable Rebelliousness

59 Cleanliness Filthiness

60 Bashfulness Ill-mannered

61 Impartiality Aggressive

62 Comfort Exhaustion

63 Ease Hardships

64 Blessedness Lack of blessings

65 Tranquility Suffering

66 Stability Aggrandizing

67 Wisdom Desires

68 Dignity Meanness

69 Fortunateness Unfortunateliness

70 Repentance Persistence

71 Seeking forgiveness Keeping pride

72 Conservitiveness Heedlessness

73 Invoking Withholding

74 Vitality Lethargic

75 Happiness Sorrow

Friendliness Aversion

Generosity Stinginess

No one other than a prophet or his successor or a true believer the strength of whose faith Allah has already tested can have the whole army of intelligence with all such characteristics. However, some of our followers and friends may acquire some of such characteristics so that they may reach perfection and repulse the army of ignorance and purify themselves from evil. In such case they also will step at the high degree and level of the prophets and the successors of the prophets. This progress can only be made after knowing, with certainty, intelligence and its army and ignorance and its army. May Allah provide us and you the opportunity to obey Him and work to please Him.

15ـ جَمَاعَةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا كَلَّمَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) الْعِبَادَ بِكُنْهِ عَقْلِهِ قَطُّ وَقَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِنَّا مَعَاشِرَ الانْبِيَاءِ أُمِرْنَا أَنْ نُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ عَلَى قَدْرِ عُقُولِهِمْ.

15. A group of our people has narrted from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Faddal from certain persons of our people from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following.

“The holy Prophet never spoke to people from the height and with the full power of his intelligence. The holy Prophet (s.a.) has said, “We the community of the Prophets are commanded to speak to people up to the level of their intelligence and understanding.”

16ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ جَعْفَرٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ (عَلَيْهما السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ قُلُوبَ الْجُهَّالِ تَسْتَفِزُّهَا الاطْمَاعُ وَتَرْتَهِنُهَا الْمُنَى وَتَسْتَعْلِقُهَا الْخَدَائِعُ.

16. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from Ja‘far from his father from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) who has said the following. Imam abu Ja’far has narrated from Imam Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“Greed motivates the hearts of the ignorant people, longings and yearning keep them as hostages and deceit clings to them.”

17ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الاشْعَرِيِّ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ الله الدِّهْقَانِ عَنْ دُرُسْتَ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَكْمَلُ النَّاسِ عَقْلاً أَحْسَنُهُمْ خُلُقاً.

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Ash‘ari from ‘Ubaydallah al-Dihqan from Durust from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from abu ‘Abdallah who has said the following.

“The most perfect of intelligence are those who are the best in moral discipline.”

18ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ أَبِي هَاشِمٍ الْجَعْفَرِيِّ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَتَذَاكَرْنَا الْعَقْلَ وَالادَبَ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا هَاشِمٍ الْعَقْلُ حِبَاءٌ مِنَ الله وَالادَبُ كُلْفَةٌ فَمَنْ تَكَلَّفَ الادَبَ قَدَرَ عَلَيْهِ وَمَنْ تَكَلَّفَ الْعَقْلَ لَمْ يَزْدَدْ بِذَلِكَ إِلا جَهْلاً.

18. Ali has narrated from his father from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fari who has said the following.

“We were in the presence of Imam al-Rida (a.s) that a discussion about intelligence took place and the Imam said, “O abu Hashim, intelligence is a present from Allah but discipline is a skill and burden. One who would pretend as a well disciplined one he would certainly establish full control in it. But to pretend as a person of intelligence would increase in him nothing but more ignorance.”

19ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ جَبَلَةَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ لِي جَاراً كَثِيرَ الصَّلاةِ كَثِيرَ الصَّدَقَةِ كَثِيرَ الْحَجِّ لا بَأْسَ بِهِ قَالَ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَيْسَ لَهُ عَقْلٌ قَالَ فَقَالَ لا يَرْتَفِعُ بِذَلِكَ مِنْهُ.

19. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Yahya ibn al-Mubarak from ‘Abdallah ibn Jubla from ibn Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“I asked Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) this, ‘May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, I have a neighbor who prays a great deal, gives much charity and very often visits Makka and he seems alright.’” The Imam (a.s) asked, “O ibn Ishaq how is his intelligence?” I then said, “May Allah take my soul in service for your cause, he does not have any intelligence” “Nothing from what he does will be raised up (to heavens).” Replied the Imam.

20ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ السَّيَّارِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي يَعْقُوبَ الْبَغْدَادِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ السِّكِّيتِ لابِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لِمَا ذَا بَعَثَ الله مُوسَى بْنَ عِمْرَانَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِالْعَصَا وَيَدِهِ الْبَيْضَاءِ وَآلَةِ السِّحْرِ وَبَعَثَ عِيسَى بِ‏آلَةِ الطِّبِّ وَبَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ الانْبِيَاءِ بِالْكَلامِ وَالْخُطَبِ فَقَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الله لَمَّا بَعَثَ مُوسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) كَانَ الْغَالِبُ عَلَى أَهْلِ عَصْرِهِ السِّحْرَ فَأَتَاهُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ فِي وُسْعِهِمْ مِثْلُهُ وَمَا أَبْطَلَ بِهِ سِحْرَهُمْ وَأَثْبَتَ بِهِ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَإِنَّ الله بَعَثَ عِيسَى (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي وَقْتٍ قَدْ ظَهَرَتْ فِيهِ الزَّمَانَاتُ وَاحْتَاجَ النَّاسُ إِلَى الطِّبِّ فَأَتَاهُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله بِمَا لَمْ يَكُنْ عِنْدَهُمْ مِثْلُهُ وَبِمَا أَحْيَا لَهُمُ الْمَوْتَى وَأَبْرَأَ الاكْمَهَ وَالابْرَصَ بِإِذْنِ الله وَأَثْبَتَ بِهِ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَإِنَّ الله بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فِي وَقْتٍ كَانَ الْغَالِبُ عَلَى أَهْلِ عَصْرِهِ الْخُطَبَ وَالْكَلامَ وَأَظُنُّهُ قَالَ الشِّعْرَ فَأَتَاهُمْ مِنْ عِنْدِ الله مِنْ مَوَاعِظِهِ وَحِكَمِهِ مَا أَبْطَلَ بِهِ قَوْلَهُمْ وَأَثْبَتَ بِهِ الْحُجَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَالَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ السِّكِّيتِ تَالله مَا رَأَيْتُ مِثْلَكَ قَطُّ فَمَا الْحُجَّةُ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ الْيَوْمَ قَالَ فَقَالَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الْعَقْلُ يُعْرَفُ بِهِ الصَّادِقُ عَلَى الله فَيُصَدِّقُهُ وَالْكَاذِبُ عَلَى الله فَيُكَذِّبُهُ قَالَ فَقَالَ ابْنُ السِّكِّيتِ هَذَا وَالله هُوَ الْجَوَابُ.

20. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sayyari from abu Ya’qub al-Baghdadi who has said the following.

“Ibn Sukayt asked Imam abu al-Hassan (a.s), ‘Why did Allah sent Moses with the miracle appearing through his staff and through his hand and means of magic, Jesus with means of medical tasks and Prophet Muhammad (may Allah send blessings upon him, his family and all the prophets) with means of speech and sermons?’”

“When Moses was sent magic was very popular among the people. He showed a magic of such form that was not possible for others to perform. He was given such means that destroyed the magical effects of those people’s magic and established the truth of the message of Allah among them. Allah sent Jesus at a time when serious illnesses existed among the people and they needed medical treatment. Jesus brought from Allah what the people did not have. He brought from Allah the means to bring the dead back to life, cure the sick and the lepers by the permission of Allah and thus, establish the truthfulness of the message of Allah among the people.” The Imam explained.

Allah sent Prophet Muhammad (s.a.) at a time when oratory and speech was very popular among the people –I think he said poetry. He brought from Allah to the people the good advise and wisdom that showed the falsehood in their speeches and thus established the truthfulness of the message of Allah among them.” Ibn al-Sukayt then said, “I swear by Allah that I have never seen anyone like you. What is the proof to establish the truthfulness of the message of Allah among people today?” The Imam then said, ‘It is intelligence. Through intelligence one recognizes those who speak the truth from Allah, thus, one acknowledges their truthfulness and those who lie in the name of Allah their lies come to light.” Ibn al-Sukayt then said, “This by Allah is the answer.”

21ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنِ الْمُثَنَّى الْحَنَّاطِ عَنْ قُتَيْبَةَ الاعْشَى عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ عَنْ مَوْلىً لِبَنِي شَيْبَانَ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِذَا قَامَ قَائِمُنَا وَضَعَ الله يَدَهُ عَلَى رُءُوسِ الْعِبَادِ فَجَمَعَ بِهَا عُقُولَهُمْ وَكَمَلَتْ بِهِ أَحْلامُهُمْ.

21. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from al-Muthanna al-Hannat from al-Qutayba al-A 'sha’ from ibn abu Ya‘fur from a slave of clan of Shayban from abu Ja‘far (a.s) who has said the following.

“When al-Qa’im, (the one who will rise with Divine Authority) the guardian, of our family will appear from occultation, Allah will place His hand over the heads of His servants and, thus, He place their intelligence together and complete their understanding.”

22ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سُلَيْمَانَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ حُجَّةُ الله عَلَى الْعِبَادِ النَّبِيُّ وَالْحُجَّةُ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الْعِبَادِ وَبَيْنَ الله الْعَقْلُ.

22. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn Sulayman from Ali ibn Ibrahim from ‘Abdallah ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“The authority of Allah over the people is the Prophet (s.a.) and the authority between Allah and the people is intelligence.”

23ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ مُرْسَلاً قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) دِعَامَةُ الانْسَانِ الْعَقْلُ وَالْعَقْلُ مِنْهُ الْفِطْنَةُ وَالْفَهْمُ وَالْحِفْظُ وَالْعِلْمُ وَبِالْعَقْلِ يَكْمُلُ وَهُوَ دَلِيلُهُ وَمُبْصِرُهُ وَمِفْتَاحُ أَمْرِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ تَأْيِيدُ عَقْلِهِ مِنَ النُّورِ كَانَ عَالِماً حَافِظاً ذَاكِراً فَطِناً فَهِماً فَعَلِمَ بِذَلِكَ كَيْفَ وَلِمَ وَحَيْثُ وَعَرَفَ مَنْ نَصَحَهُ وَمَنْ غَشَّهُ فَإِذَا عَرَفَ ذَلِكَ عَرَفَ مَجْرَاهُ وَمَوْصُولَهُ وَمَفْصُولَهُ وَأَخْلَصَ الْوَحْدَانِيَّةَ لله وَالاقْرَارَ بِالطَّاعَةِ فَإِذَا فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ كَانَ مُسْتَدْرِكاً لِمَا فَاتَ وَوَارِداً عَلَى مَا هُوَ آتٍ يَعْرِفُ مَا هُوَ فِيهِ وَلايِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ هُوَ هَاهُنَا وَمِنْ أَيْنَ يَأْتِيهِ وَإِلَى مَا هُوَ صَائِرٌ وَذَلِكَ كُلُّهُ مِنْ تَأْيِيدِ الْعَقْلِ.

23. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad in a mursal manner from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Intelligence is the support for man. From intelligence come intelligence, understanding, memorization and knowledge and with intelligence he gains perfection. Intelligence is his guide, his instructor and the key to his affairs. When his intelligence is supported with light he becomes a scholar, a keeper (of knowledge), an intelligent re-caller and a man of understanding. Through intelligence he learns the answer to how, why and where or when. He learns who helps and who harm him. When he learns these (facts) he learns the channels, the connections and the differentiating factors. He then establishes pure faith in the oneness of Allah and acknowledges the need to obey Him. When he does so he finds the proper remedy for what he has lost and the right approach to whatever may come in. He knows well his present involvement, for what reason is he here, wherefrom has he come and to what end is he going. He will have all these because of intelligence.”

24ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ بَعْضِ رِجَالِهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الْعَقْلُ دَلِيلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ.

24. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ’Isma‘il ibn Mihran from certain persons of his people from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Intelligence is the guide of a true believer.”

25ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنِ السَّرِيِّ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) يَا عَلِيُّ لا فَقْرَ أَشَدُّ مِنَ الْجَهْلِ وَلا مَالَ أَعْوَدُ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ.

25. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu‘alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Sariy ibn Khalid from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘O Ali, no poverty is more sever than ignorance and no property is more profitable than intelligence.”

26ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ ابي جعفر (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَمَّا خَلَقَ الله الْعَقْلَ قَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ فَقَالَ وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلالِي مَا خَلَقْتُ خَلْقاً أَحْسَنَ مِنْكَ إِيَّاكَ آمُرُ وَإِيَّاكَ أَنْهَى وَإِيَّاكَ أُثِيبُ وَإِيَّاكَ أُعَاقِبُ.

26. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn abu Najran from al-‘Ala’ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu Ja‘far (a.s) who has said the following.

“ When Allah, God, created intelligence He said to it, ‘Come forward’. It came forward. He then said, “Go back.” It went back. Then Allah said, “I swear by My honor and glory that I have not created any creature more beautiful than you. I will command only you to do certain things and prohibit only you from doing certain things. I will grant blessings (rewards) to you only and will subject only you to punishments.”

27ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْهَيْثَمِ بْنِ أَبِي مَسْرُوقٍ النَّهْدِيِّ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لابِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الرَّجُلُ آتِيهِ وَأُكَلِّمُهُ بِبَعْضِ كَلامِي فَيَعْرِفُهُ كُلَّهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ آتِيهِ فَأُكَلِّمُهُ بِالْكَلامِ فَيَسْتَوْفِي كَلامِي كُلَّهُ ثُمَّ يَرُدُّهُ عَلَيَّ كَمَا كَلَّمْتُهُ وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ آتِيهِ فَأُكَلِّمُهُ فَيَقُولُ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا إِسْحَاقُ وَمَا تَدْرِي لِمَ هَذَا قُلْتُ لا قَالَ الَّذِي تُكَلِّمُهُ بِبَعْضِ كَلامِكَ فَيَعْرِفُهُ كُلَّهُ فَذَاكَ مَنْ عُجِنَتْ نُطْفَتُهُ بِعَقْلِهِ وَأَمَّا الَّذِي تُكَلِّمُهُ فَيَسْتَوْفِي كَلامَكَ ثُمَّ يُجِيبُكَ عَلَى كَلامِكَ فَذَاكَ الَّذِي رُكِّبَ عَقْلُهُ فِيهِ فِي بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ وَأَمَّا الَّذِي تُكَلِّمُهُ بِالْكَلامِ فَيَقُولُ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ فَذَاكَ الَّذِي رُكِّبَ عَقْلُهُ فِيهِ بَعْدَ مَا كَبِرَ فَهُوَ يَقُولُ لَكَ أَعِدْ عَلَيَّ.

27. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Haytham ibn abu Masruq al-Nahdi from al-Husayn ibn Khalid from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar who has said the following.

“I said to abu ‘Abdallah (a.s), “A man comes to me and as soon as I speak to him only a part of what I want to say he understands it all. There are also people who come to me and I speak to them all that I want to speak and only then they understand all of my statements. And explain to me what I meant. There are still others to whom I speak at length but they ask me to repeat to them what I have already expressed to them.” The Imam (a.s) then said, “O Ishaq, do you know why is this?” I replied, “ No, I do not know.” The Imam then said the following, “Those to whom you speak only some of what you want say and they understand the rest are those whose intelligence is mixed to take shape with his nature (Nutfa). Those who understand you only when you complete your speech are those whose intelligence is mixed with them in the womb of their mothers. Those who ask you to repeat what you already said are those, whose intelligence is combined with them when they grow up. It is such people who ask you to repeat your statement.”

28ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ مَنْ رَفَعَهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الرَّجُلَ كَثِيرَ الصَّلاةِ كَثِيرَ الصِّيَامِ فَلا تُبَاهُوا بِهِ حَتَّى تَنْظُرُوا كَيْفَ عَقْلُهُ.

28. A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from certain persons of our people in a marfu‘ manner from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“The Holy Prophet (s.a) has said, ‘When you find a man who prays and fasts a great deal do not become proud of him until you see how his intelligence is.”

29ـ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِنَا رَفَعَهُ عَنْ مُفَضَّلِ بْنِ عُمَرَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يَا مُفَضَّلُ لا يُفْلِحُ مَنْ لا يَعْقِلُ وَلا يَعْقِلُ مَنْ لا يَعْلَمُ وَسَوْفَ يَنْجُبُ مَنْ يَفْهَمُ وَيَظْفَرُ مَنْ يَحْلُمُ وَالْعِلْمُ جُنَّةٌ وَالصِّدْقُ عِزٌّ وَالْجَهْلُ ذُلٌّ وَالْفَهْمُ مَجْدٌ وَالْجُودُ نُجْحٌ وَحُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ مَجْلَبَةٌ لِلْمَوَدَّةِ وَالْعَالِمُ بِزَمَانِهِ لا تَهْجُمُ عَلَيْهِ اللَّوَابِسُ وَالْحَزْمُ مَسَاءَةُ الظَّنِّ وَبَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَالْحِكْمَةِ نِعْمَةُ الْعَالِمِ وَالْجَاهِلُ شَقِيٌّ بَيْنَهُمَا وَالله وَلِيُّ مَنْ عَرَفَهُ وَعَدُوُّ مَنْ تَكَلَّفَهُ وَالْعَاقِلُ غَفُورٌ وَالْجَاهِلُ خَتُورٌ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ تُكْرَمَ فَلِنْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ أَنْ تُهَانَ فَاخْشُنْ وَمَنْ كَرُمَ أَصْلُهُ لانَ قَلْبُهُ وَمَنْ خَشُنَ عُنْصُرُهُ غَلُظَ كَبِدُهُ وَمَنْ فَرَّطَ تَوَرَّطَ وَمَنْ خَافَ الْعَاقِبَةَ تَثَبَّتَ عَنِ التَّوَغُّلِ فِيمَا لا يَعْلَمُ وَمَنْ هَجَمَ عَلَى أَمْرٍ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ جَدَعَ أَنْفَ نَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ لَمْ يَفْهَمْ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَفْهَمْ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَسْلَمْ لَمْ يُكْرَمْ وَمَنْ لَمْ يُكْرَمْ يُهْضَمْ وَمَنْ يُهْضَمْ كَانَ أَلْوَمَ وَمَنْ كَانَ كَذَلِكَ كَانَ أَحْرَى أَنْ يَنْدَمَ.

29. Certain persons of our people has narrated in a marfu’ manner from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“ O Mufaddal one can never gain success until he understands and one can never understand until he acquires knowledge. One who understands can very soon excel. One who exercises patience can very soon triumph. Knowledge serves one as a shield, truth is honor, ignorance is humility, sharp wittedness is glory, generosity is success and ethical excellence attracts friendship. One who possesses the know how of his time confusion does not frustrate him. Strong determination creates pessimism…. Allah is the guardian of those who know Him. He is the enemy of those who pretend to know Him. A person of intelligence is forgiving and an ignorant person is treacherous. If you like to be honored you must become kind hearted and if you like to be insulted become harsh. One whose origin is noble he is kind hearted. One whose element is rough his liver is thick. The extremist falls into crisis. One who is afraid of the consequences desists from involvement in what he has no knowledge of. One who engages in an affair without knowing anything about it he is headed to his own loss. One who does not know he does not understand and one who does not understand he does not agree and become peaceful. One who does not agree and submit he is not respected and one who is not respected is broke and one who is so broke is blamable and one who is in such a condition must become regretful for his own self.

30ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) مَنِ اسْتَحْكَمَتْ لِي فِيهِ خَصْلَةٌ مِنْ خِصَالِ الْخَيْرِ احْتَمَلْتُهُ عَلَيْهَا وَاغْتَفَرْتُ فَقْدَ مَا سِوَاهَا وَلا أَغْتَفِرُ فَقْدَ عَقْلٍ وَلا دِينٍ لانَّ مُفَارَقَةَ الدِّينِ مُفَارَقَةُ الامْنِ فَلا يَتَهَنَّأُ بِحَيَاةٍ مَعَ مَخَافَةٍ وَفَقْدُ الْعَقْلِ فَقْدُ الْحَيَاةِ وَلا يُقَاسُ إِلا بِالامْوَاتِ.

30. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from in a marfu‘ manner from Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) who has said the following.

“If one would establish firmly in himself one good quality for me I will credit him for it and forgive his other shortcomings but I will not forgive him for his losing intelligence and religion because departing religion is departing peace and security. Thus, life with fear and insecurity is unpleasant. Loss of intelligence is loss of life. A person without intelligence can be compared with no other thing but the dead.”

31ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ هَاشِمٍ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْمُحَارِبِيِّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُوسَى عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ مَيْمُونِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِعْجَابُ الْمَرْءِ بِنَفْسِهِ دَلِيلٌ عَلَى ضَعْفِ عَقْلِهِ.

31. Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashim has narrated from Musa ibn Ibrahim from al-Muharibi from al-Hassan ibn Musa from Musa ibn ‘Abdallah from Maymun ibn Ali from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (a.s) has said, ‘Self glorification is an indication of the weakness of one’s intelligence.’”

32ـ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله الْعَاصِمِيُّ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْجَهْمِ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ ذُكِرَ عِنْدَهُ أَصْحَابُنَا وَذُكِرَ الْعَقْلُ قَالَ فَقَالَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) لا يُعْبَأُ بِأَهْلِ الدِّينِ مِمَّنْ لا عَقْلَ لَهُ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ مِمَّنْ يَصِفُ هَذَا الامْرَ قَوْماً لا بَأْسَ بِهِمْ عِنْدَنَا وَلَيْسَتْ لَهُمْ تِلْكَ الْعُقُولُ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ هَؤُلاءِ مِمَّنْ خَاطَبَ الله إِنَّ الله خَلَقَ الْعَقْلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَقْبِلْ فَأَقْبَلَ وَقَالَ لَهُ أَدْبِرْ فَأَدْبَرَ فَقَالَ وَعِزَّتِي وَجَلالِي مَا خَلَقْتُ شَيْئاً أَحْسَنَ مِنْكَ أَوْ أَحَبَّ إِلَيَّ مِنْكَ بِكَ آخُذُ وَبِكَ أُعْطِي.

32. Abu ‘Abdallah al-‘Asimiy has narrated from Ali ibn al-Hassan from Ali ibn Asbat from al-Hassan ibn al-Juham from abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s) who has said the following.

“Our people mentioned intelligence and spoke about it in the presence of the Imam al-Rida (a.s), and he said, ‘Of the religious people those who have no intelligence deserves no credit.’ I then asked, “May Allah take my soul in your service, of such people we know a group who are considered alright in our opinion but they do not have such intelligence.” The Imam then said, ‘They are not of the people whom Allah has addressed when He created intelligence and said to it, ‘Come forward’. It came forward. He then said, “Go back.” It went back. Then Allah said, “I swear by My honor and glory that I have not created anything better and more beloved to Me than you. I will grant blessings (rewards) to you only and will subject only you to punishments.”

33ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الايمَانِ وَالْكُفْرِ إِلا قِلَّةُ الْعَقْلِ قِيلَ وَكَيْفَ ذَاكَ يَا ابْنَ رَسُولِ الله قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ يَرْفَعُ رَغْبَتَهُ إِلَى مَخْلُوقٍ فَلَوْ أَخْلَصَ نِيَّتَهُ لله لاتَاهُ الَّذِي يُرِيدُ فِي أَسْرَعَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ.

33. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from certain persons of our people from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“There is nothing else to distinguish belief from disbelief but lack of intelligence. People asked the Imam, “How is that, O great-great-great-great grandson of the holy Prophet.” The Imam replied, ‘Human beings center their expectations on other creatures. If they would become sincere to Allah He will grant their wish and expectations much quicker.’”

34ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ الله الدِّهْقَانِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ عُمَرَ الْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عِمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ بِالْعَقْلِ اسْتُخْرِجَ غَوْرُ الْحِكْمَةِ وَبِالْحِكْمَةِ اسْتُخْرِجَ غَوْرُ الْعَقْلِ وَبِحُسْنِ السِّيَاسَةِ يَكُونُ الادَبُ الصَّالِحُ قَالَ وَكَانَ يَقُولُ التَّفَكُّرُ حَيَاةُ قَلْبِ الْبَصِيرِ كَمَا يَمْشِي الْمَاشِي فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ بِالنُّورِ بِحُسْنِ التَّخَلُّصِ وَقِلَّةِ التَّرَبُّصِ.

34. A number of our people has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ‘Ubaydallah al-Dihqan from Ahmad ibn ‘Umar al-Halabi from Yahya ibn ‘Umran from abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who has said the following.

“Through intelligence the depths of wisdom is discovered and with wisdom the depths of intelligence is discovered. Good policies are of the virtuous moral discipline.” He said that Imam Ali (a.s) used to say, ‘Thinking is life for the intelligent heart just as light helps one to walk in darkness with ease and without waiting for a long time.”

35ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ عَبْدِ الله الْبَزَّازِ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ حَمَّادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فِي حَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ الامُورِ وَمَبْدَأَهَا وَقُوَّتَهَا وَعِمَارَتَهَا الَّتِي لا يُنْتَفَعُ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ إِلا بِهِ الْعَقْلُ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ الله زِينَةً لِخَلْقِهِ وَنُوراً لَهُمْ فَبِالْعَقْلِ عَرَفَ الْعِبَادُ خَالِقَهُمْ وَأَنَّهُمْ مَخْلُوقُونَ وَأَنَّهُ الْمُدَبِّرُ لَهُمْ وَأَنَّهُمُ الْمُدَبَّرُونَ وَأَنَّهُ الْبَاقِي وَهُمُ الْفَانُونَ وَاسْتَدَلُّوا بِعُقُولِهِمْ عَلَى مَا رَأَوْا مِنْ خَلْقِهِ مِنْ سَمَائِهِ وَأَرْضِهِ وَشَمْسِهِ وَقَمَرِهِ وَلَيْلِهِ وَنَهَارِهِ وَبِأَنَّ لَهُ وَلَهُمْ خَالِقاً وَمُدَبِّراً لَمْ يَزَلْ وَلا يَزُولُ وَعَرَفُوا بِهِ الْحَسَنَ مِنَ الْقَبِيحِ وَأَنَّ الظُّلْمَةَ فِي الْجَهْلِ وَأَنَّ النُّورَ فِي الْعِلْمِ فَهَذَا مَا دَلَّهُمْ عَلَيْهِ الْعَقْلُ قِيلَ لَهُ فَهَلْ يَكْتَفِي الْعِبَادُ بِالْعَقْلِ دُونَ غَيْرِهِ قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَاقِلَ لِدَلالَةِ عَقْلِهِ الَّذِي جَعَلَهُ الله قِوَامَهُ وَزِينَتَهُ وَهِدَايَتَهُ عَلِمَ أَنَّ الله هُوَ الْحَقُّ وَأَنَّهُ هُوَ رَبُّهُ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ لِخَالِقِهِ مَحَبَّةً وَأَنَّ لَهُ كَرَاهِيَةً وَأَنَّ لَهُ طَاعَةً وَأَنَّ لَهُ مَعْصِيَةً فَلَمْ يَجِدْ عَقْلَهُ يَدُلُّهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّهُ لا يُوصَلُ إِلَيْهِ إِلا بِالْعِلْمِ وَطَلَبِهِ وَأَنَّهُ لا يَنْتَفِعُ بِعَقْلِهِ إِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْ ذَلِكَ بِعِلْمِهِ فَوَجَبَ عَلَى الْعَاقِلِ طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ وَالادَبِ الَّذِي لا قِوَامَ لَهُ إِلا بِهِ.

35. It is narrated from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) in a long narration, “The first, the beginning, the force and the structure of something is that without which something would be of no benefit. The thing that Allah has made beauty and light for His creatures, the people, is intelligence. With intelligence people come to know their creator and that they are created and that He is the one who has designed them and they are the ones who are being maintained. That it is the creator that is eternal and it is the creatures that are mortals. It is intelligence with which they reason from His creatures, like the heavens, the earth, and the sun the moon, night, the day. In this way they learned that they and the creatures have a creator and maintainer who is eternal. With intelligence they learn about good and bad and that darkness is in ignorance and light is in knowledge. These are facts that they learn with intelligence.”

People asked the Imam (a.s), “Can intelligence only be enough for people?” The Imam (a.s) then replied, ‘With guidance from intelligence that Allah has made him to depend on and it is, his beauty and guide, a person of intelligence learns that Allah is his creator and that He is his Lord. Through intelligence one learns that his creator loves and that He dislikes certain things, that the Lord must be obeyed and that certain acts are disobedience to Him and that nothing but intelligence shows him all these facts. One also (with intelligence) learns that only with knowledge and searching one may reach the Creator. That one may not benefit from his intelligence if he can not learn the truth about Him through his knowledge. It then is necessary for a person of intelligence to acquire knowledge and proper moral discipline without which there is nothing else so dependable.”

36ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ حُمْرَانَ وَصَفْوَانَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ الْجَمَّالِ قَالا سَمِعْنَا أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لا غِنَى أَخْصَبُ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ وَلا فَقْرَ أَحَطُّ مِنَ الْحُمْقِ وَلا اسْتِظْهَارَ فِي أَمْرٍ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنَ الْمَشُورَةِ فِيهِ.

36. It is narrated from Imam abu ‘Abdallah (a.s) who said, “No wealth is more profitable and no poverty is more crashing than foolishness and no effort of seeking support is more supportive than seeking consultation.”

End of the book of Intelligence and Ignorance.

All praise belongs to Allah May Allah send peace and blessings upon Muhammad and his holy family.