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Provisions for the Journey (Mishkat), Volume 1

Thehadith discussed in the text is one of the most comprehensive and rewarding exhortations of the Noble Prophet (S) to one of his most eminent companions by the name of Abu Dharr.

Author(s): Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi

Translator(s): Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Aziz)

Publisher(s): ABWA Publishing and Printing Center

Miscellaneous information:

Provisions for the Journey (Mishkat), Volume 1 Author: Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi Prepared by: Translation Unit, Central Office of Research, the Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) World Assembly. Translator: Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Aziz). Editor: Andrewpin. Proofreader: Majid Karimi. Publisher: ABWA Publishing and Printing Center.

Table of Contents

Foreword. 8

Lesson 1: The Quality of Servitude and the Path to Eternal Bliss 10

Worship and the perception of Allah. 11

Worship And Adoration Of Allah Is A Means Of Ascending And Rising Through The Stations Of Perfection For The Believers 13

The stages of worship of Allah. 14

a) Knowledge of Allah. 14

b) Belief in the Prophet (S) and acknowledgement of his divine mission. 15

c) Love for the Prophet’s Ahl al-Bayt (‘a) 15

Likening the Ahl al-Bayt to Noah’s (‘a) vessel and the gate of repentance for the Children of Israel 16

Notes 19

Lesson 2: The Need for Deriving Correct Benefit from Allah’s Blessings 20

Health and leisure, two unknown favors 20

Youth is a period of Vitality And Liveliness 22

The Need For Appreciating Health And Ability. 23

This World’s Life Is A Ground Of Choices, Growth And Spiritual Ascension  24

Notes 26

Lesson 3: Correct Perception of the Realities of Life and Making Optimum Use of [Man’s] Lifespan  27

Making Timely Use Of Opportunities And Keeping Protracted Hopes At Bay  27

The Stages Of Negligence 27

Asceticism And Wrong Interpretations 28

Asceticism and belief in the primacy of the hereafter 29

Discharging Religious Duties And Obligations Promptly. 31

The Thought Of Death Terminates Protracted Hopes 31

The Intermediary Role Of The World. 32

Notes 35

Lesson 4: The Prophet’s (S) Recommendation to Make Good Use of Present Abilities 36

The Role Of Meditation Upon Death And The Consequences Of Sin. 36

The Need For Appreciating Life 37

Discharging Duties On Time And Not Being Anxious About The Following Day  38

Notes 40

Lesson 5: Castigating the Acquisition of Knowledge for Worldly Goals 41

The Consequences Of Not Acting Upon Knowledge And Attaining Social Rank By Means Of It 41

The Consequences Of Acquiring Knowledge For The Sake Of Deceiving Others 42

Admitting Ignorance is a Quality of the Divine Scholars 43

Man’s Biggest Regret On The Day Of Resurrection. 44

The Categories Of Scholars In The Words Of ‘Ali (‘a) 45

Notes 46

Lesson 6: The Magnificence and Magnitude of the Rights of Allah’s Blessings and the Need for Attention to Obligations 47

The Greatness Of The Rights Of Allah And The Infiniteness Of His Blessings 47

The Shortness Of Life And The Immortality Of Good And Bad Works 48

a) The embodiment of man’s worldly works on the Day of Resurrection. 49

b) The Suddenness of Death is A Cause of Vigilance and Wakefulness 49

The Pre-Ordination Of Man’s Sustenance And Its Inaccessibility To Others 50

The Unity Of Divine Actions And The Source Of Allah’s Beneficence 51

Notes 52

Lesson 7: The Vigilance and Alertness of a Believer 53

Companionship with the Pious and Religious Scholars, and the Difference of Sin in the Perception of a Believer and an Infidel 53

The Need For Choosing A Worthy Friend And Perceiving Sin As Great 53

The Danger Of Unrestrained Scholars And Unwise And Foolish Ignorant People 54

Paying Heed To Sin And Conceiving It As Great Is A Result Of Allah’s Grace And Favor 56

The Need For Paying Heed To The Greatness Of The One Who Is Being Disobeyed Not The Smallness Of Sin  57

Lesson 8: The Correspondence of Words with Actions and Guarding the Tongue 60

The Effects of the Correspondence and Lack of Correspondence of Words with Actions 60

The Role of Sin in Being Deprived of Subsistence 62

Sin in the Chain of Causes 63

Guarding the Tongue and Keeping Aloof from Vain Pursuits 64

Notes of Lessons 7 and 8. 66

Lesson 9: The Value and Importance of Prayer and the Differences of Status of the Dwellers of Paradise 67

Subdividing Some of the Prophet’s (S) Advices 67

First section. 67

Section two. 67

Third section. 67

Fourth section. 67

The Station of Allah’s Devotees and Nocturnal Worshipers 68

The Differences in the Gratification Enjoyed by the Dwellers of the Different Stations of Paradise 69

The Prophet’s (S) Intense Love for Prayer 70

Prayer is the Key to Prosperity and Bliss 72

Perceiving the Sweetness of Prayer Is the Secret of Its Continuance 73

Notes 74

Lesson 10: The Leaders of Heaven and the Status of Some of the Duties and the Levels of Paradise 75

The Leaders of Paradise 75

Natural Disposition and the Search for Perfection. 75

The Status and Rank of Some Duties 77

a) The Status and Rank of Prayer 77

b) The Status and Rank of Fasting. 78

c) The Status and Rank of Jihad. 78

The Differences of Believers in Their Enjoying the Different Levels of Paradise 79

Notes 81

Lesson 11: The Importance and Role of Fear and Sorrow (1) 82

Fear and Sorrow and Abstinence from Sin. 82

Fear and Sorrow and the Spiritual Ascension and Growth of Man. 83

The Difference between Fear and Sorrow. 83

The World Is a Prison for a Believer and Paradise for an Infidel 86

Meditation about Hell Is a Cause of Fear and Sorrow for a Believer 86

Notes 89

Lesson 12: The Importance and Role of Fear and Sorrow (2) 90

Beneficial and Valuable Knowledge 90

Security and Peace in Paradise Are a Product of Fear and Dread of Allah in the World  92

The Forgiveness of Sins Is a Result of Fear of Allah. 93

Criticizing Dependence on Good Works 94

The Role of Paying Heed to Sin in Shunning the Devil 95

A Study of the Nature of Fear and Sorrow and the Meaning of Fear of Allah  96

1) Fear of Divine Retribution In Hell 96

2) Fear of Losing The Gifts Of Paradise 96

3) Fear Of Being Deprived Of The Beatific Presence And Vision Of Allah [Liqa’ Allah] 97

The Simultaneous Appearance of Opposing and Conflicting States 98

Notes 101

Lesson 13: The Insignificance and Minuteness of the World and the Importance of Perceiving the Hereafter 102

The Differences of Perception and Conduct between an Intelligent and an Unintelligent Person  102

Trustworthiness and Humility. 103

a) The Function of Trustworthiness 104

b) The Function of Humility. 105

A) In speech. 106

B) In the eyes 107

C) In the face 107

D) In prostration. 107

E) In supplication and prayer 107

F) In the heart 107

The Insignificance and Minuteness of the World in Allah’s View. 109

Notes 112

Lesson 14: Extolling Pursuit of the Hereafter, Asceticism and Spiritual Discernment in Religion and Reproaching Materialism. 113

Reproaching Materialism and Elucidating the Highness of Faith. 113

The Need for Loving the Hereafter 115

Allah’s Benevolence and Awareness of Religion and Asceticism in the World  116

Notes 121

Lesson 15: Wisdom, Foresight and an Angle of the Prophet’s (S) Way of Life 122

Wisdom and Foresight Are the Products of Asceticism. 122

Signs of the Most Ascetic People 124

1. Whoever does not Forget Graves And Decomposed Corpses 125

2. And Renounces The Adornments Of The World. 125

3. He Prefers What Is Eternal Over What Is Ephemeral 126

4. And He Does Not Look Forward To Tomorrow. 126

5. And Considers Himself Among The Dead. 126

Protracted Hopes and Procrastination of Obligations Is a Sign of Weakness of Faith and Weakness of Confidence in Allah. 127

An Angle of the Prophet’s (S) Way of Life 128

Notes 130

Lesson 16: The Danger of Loving Wealth and Position and Praising Contentment and Simple Living  131

The World, a Goal or a Means 131

The Reproached World. 132

Poor Believers Are Light-burdened on the Day of Resurrection. 133

Praising Contentment and Simple Living and Reproaching Covetousness 136

Recommending Detachment from the World and Disinclination to It 137

Notes 141

Lesson 17: The Effects of Crying for the Hereafter, the Broadness of a Believer’s Heart and Piousness 142

The Effects of Crying for the Hereafter 142

The Broadness of a Believer’s Heart and Its Signs 143

Piousness and Fleeing from Sanctimony and Hypocrisy. 145

The Intention and Its Role in the Evaluation of Works 147

Notes 149

Lesson 18: Honoring the Divine Majesty and Splendor of Allah. 150

The Status of Invocation of Allah in the Qur’an and the Hadiths 150

The Quantity and Quality of Invocation of Allah. 151

The Relationship between Invocation with Words and Invocation with the Heart 153

Two Benefits of Invocation with Words 154

Notes 157

Lesson 19: The Greatness of Allah’s Status in the Viewpoint of the Angels 158

The Role of Arousing Hope and Fear 158

The Essence of Fear and Dread of Allah. 159

The Benefit and Status of Fear of Allah. 160

The Status of the Fear of the Leaders and Saints [Awliya’] of Allah. 162

The Perfection of Man and the Feeling of Humility and Lowliness in Regard to Allah  163

Fear of Allah and Fleeing from Sin and Obsession with Popularity and Position  164

The Role of Perceiving the Status of the Fear of the Lovers of Allah and the Angels 165

Notes 167

Lesson 20: The Prophet’s (S) Description of Heaven and Hell 168

Meditation about the Greatness of Creatures 168

The Indescribable Greatness of the Resurrection. 169

Describing a Section of the Tortures of Hell 170

The Reaction of People and Angels in Face of the Clamor and Roar of Hell 172

Heaven Is the Eternal Abode of the Believers and Righteous 173

Notes 176

Lesson 21: The Importance of Meditation and the Need for Preserving Factors which Ward off Negligence 177

The Three Recommendations of the Prophet (S) 177

A) Speaking Softly At The Time Of Escorting A Funeral 177

B) Speaking Softly At The Time Of War 180

C) Speaking Softly At The Time Of Reciting The Qur’an. 181

The Consequences of Inattention to the Causes of Spiritual Wakefulness 183

Reproaching Laziness and Vain Laughing. 184

The Role of Meditation in Worship. 186

Notes 188

Lesson 22: The Realm of Right and Falsehood. 189

Right and Falsehood and the Instances of Their Application. 189

The Visible Appearance of Right and Falsehood. 190

Man and His Free Will, Volition and Allah’s Temptations 191

Man and the Two Inclinations towards Right and Falsehood. 194

The General Inclination to Sensual and Worldly Pleasures 197

Notes 200

Lesson 23: The Perfect Scholar and the Practical Appearance of Belief in the Unity of Divine Actions 201

Abraham and Belief in the Unity of Divine Actions 201

Reliance on Everything Else Other than Allah Is a Result of Lack of Belief in the Unity of Divine Actions 202

Shaykh Ansari and His Flight from the Devil’s Trap. 204

Humility Is an Agent of Dignity and Honor 205

Imam al-Sajjad (‘a) and the Perception of Spiritual Deficiency and Poverty. 207

The Fruits of True Faith in the Words of the Noble Prophet (S) 209

Notes 211

Lesson 24: The Importance of Self-examination, Comparing Works and Shame for Allah  212

Self-examination Is an Unavoidable Need. 212

Preconditioning, Watching over the Soul and Self-examination. 214

a) Preconditioning [musharitah] 214

b) Watching over the Soul [muraqibah] 215

c) Self-examination [muhasibah] 216

The Benefit of Self-examining the Soul 216

Shame as a Result of the Ugliness of Works 219

The Concept and Domain of Shame and Shyness 221

The Causes of Propagating Wrong Manners and False Customs 222

Notes 226

Foreword

In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

The invaluable legacy of the Household [Ahl al-Bayt ] of the Prophet (may peace be upon them all), as preserved by their followers, is a comprehensive school of thought that embraces all branches of Islamic knowledge. This school has produced many brilliant scholars who have drawn inspiration from this rich and pure resource. It has given many scholars to the Muslim ummah who, following in the footsteps of Imams of the Prophet’s Household (‘a), have done their best to clear up the doubts raised by various creeds and currents within and without Muslim society and to answer their questions. Throughout the past centuries, they have given well-reasoned answers and clarifications concerning these questions and doubts.

To meet the responsibilities assigned to it, theAhl al-Bayt World Assembly (ABWA) has embarked on a defence of the sanctity of the Islamic message and its verities, often obscured by the partisans of various sects and creeds as well as by currents hostile to Islam. The Assembly follows in the footsteps of theAhl al-Bayt (‘a) and the disciples of their school of thought in its readiness to confront these challenges and tries to be on the frontline in consonance with the demands of every age.

The arguments contained in the works of the scholars belonging to the School of theAhl al-Bayt (‘a) are of unique significance. That is because they are based on genuine scholarship and appeal to reason, and avoid prejudice and bias. These arguments address scholars and thinkers in a manner that appeals to healthy minds and wholesome human nature.

To assist the seekers of truth, theAhl al-Bayt World Assembly has endeavored to present a new phase of these arguments contained in the studies and translations of the works of contemporary Shi‘ah writers and those who have embraced this sublime school of thought through divine blessing.

The Assembly is also engaged in edition and publication of the valuable works of leading Shi‘ah scholars of earlier ages to assist the seekers of the truth in discovering the truths which the School of the Prophet’s Household (‘a) has offered to the entire world.

The Ahl al-Bayt World Assembly looks forward to benefit from the opinions of the readers and their suggestions and constructive criticism in this area.

We also invite scholars, translators and other institutions to assist us in propagating the genuine Islamic teachings as preached by the Prophet Muhammad (S).

We beseech God, the Most High, to accept our humble efforts and to enable us to enhance them under the auspices of Imam al-Mahdi, His vicegerent on the earth (may Allah expedite his advent).

We express our gratitude to Ayatullah Muhammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi, the author of the present book, and Mr. Kelvin Lembani (Muhammad ‘Abd al-‘Aziz), its translator. We also thank our colleagues who have participated in producing this work, especially the staff of the Translation Office.

Cultural Affairs Department

TheAhl al-Bayt (‘a) World Assembly

PRAYER AND ITS EFFECTS

10- قالَ النبيُّ صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

لَيسَ مِنّا مَنِ استَخَفّ بِصَلوتِهِ, لا يَرِدُ عَلَيَّ الحَوضَ لا وَ اللهِ

من لا يحضره الفقيه/1/206

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The one who takes prayer light is not of me. No, by Allah such a person will not reach the Haud, Pond of abundant.”

Man La Yahduruhul Faqih, vol. 1, p. 206

11- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

لَو كانَ عَلى بابِ اَحَدِكُـم نَهـرٌ فَاغتَسَلَ مِنهُ كُلّ يَـومٍ خَمـسَ مَرّاتٍ هَل كانَ يَبقى عَلى جَسَـدِهِ مِنَ الـدّرَنِ شَيء اِنّما مَثَـلُ الصّلاة مَثَلُ النّهرِ الّذي يُنقي كُلّما صَلّى صَلاة كـانَ كَفّارَة لِذُنُوبِهِ إلّا ذَنبٌ اَخرَجَهُ مِنَ الإيمانِ مُقيمٌ عليه

بحارالانوار/82/236

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“If there be a stream at the house of one of you in which the one washes himself five times a day, will there remain anything from the dirt over his body? Verily, the likeness of prayers is the same as the stream. The person who establishes ritual prayers clears out his sins thereby, except for the sin that takes him out from Faith he believes in.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 82, p. 236

12- قالَ النبيُّ صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

وَ صَلوة فَرِيضَة تَعـدِلُ عِنـدَالله اَلـفَ حِجّة وَ اَلـفَ عُمـرَة مَبرُوراتٍ مُتُقَبِّلاتٍ

بحارالانوار/99/14

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said: An obligatory prayer, with Allah, is equivalent to one thousand Hajj pilgrimages and one thousand Umrah performances (voluntary pilgrimages to Ka'ba) which are right and accepted.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 99, p. 14

13- قالَ النبيُّ صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

لا تُضَيِّعُوا صَلوتَكُـم, فَاِنّ مَن ضَيّعَ صَلاتَهُ حُشِرَ مَعَ قارُونَ وهامانَ وَ كانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللهِ اَن يُدْخِلَهُ النّارَ مَعَ المُنافِقينَ

بحارالانوار/83/14

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Do not waste your prayers, because, surely, the person who wastes them will be raised with Croesus (Qarun) and Haman so that it is rightfully certain for Allah to put the one in Hell with hypocrites.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 83, p. 14

14- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

إذا صَلّيتَ صَلاةً فَصَلِّ صَلاةَ مُوَدِّعٍ

بحارالانوار/69/408

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Say each of your prayer as if it were your last prayer.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 69, p. 408

15- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

لَو يَعلَمُ المُصَلّي ما يَغشاهُ مِنَ الرّحمَة لَما رَفَعَ رَأسَهُ مِنَ السّجُودِ

تصنيف غررالحكم/175

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said: “If a praying person knew to what extent he was surrounded by His Mercy, he would never raise his head from (the state of) prostration.

Tasnif-I-Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p. 175

16- قالَ الاِمامُ الباقِرُ عليه السلام :

اَوّلُ ما يُحاسَبُ بِهِ العَبدُ اَلصّلوةُ فَاِن قُبِلَت قُبِلَ ما سِواها

بحارالانوار/7/267

Imam Baqir [a.s.] said:“On the Reckoning Day, the first thing that a servant will be reckoned for is the prayer; therefore, if it is accepted, the rest (good actions) will be accepted, too, (otherwise, his other good deeds will not avail him).”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 7, p. 267

17- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

اِنّ شَفاعَتَنا لَن تَنالَ مُستَخِفًّا بِالصّلوةِ

بحارالانوار/82/236

At the last moments of his life, Imam Sadiq [a.s.] called his relations and companions and told them:“Verily, our intercession never reaches the one who takes prayers lightly.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 82, p. 236

18- قالَ الاِمامُ مُحَمّدٌ الباقِرُ عليه السلام :

عَشرٌ مَن لَقِىَ اللّه عَزّ وَ جَلّ بِهِنّ دَخَلَ الجَنّة: شَهادَةُ اَن لا اِلهَ إلاّ اللّه وَ اَنّ مُحَمّداً رَسُولُ الله وَ الإ ِقرارُ بِما جاء مِن عِنـدِ الله عَزّ وَ جَلّ, وَ اِقامُ الصّلوة, وَ إيتاءُ الزّكوة وَ صَومُ شَهرِ رَمَضانَ, وَ حِجُّ البَيتِ, وَ الوِلايَةُ لأَولِياء الله, وَ البَراءَ ةُ مِن اَعداءِ اللهِ, وَ اِجتِنابُ كُلِّ مُسكِرٍ

الخصال/432

Imam Baqir, the fifth Imam, [a.s.] said:“There are ten things that when a person meets Allah the Almighty and Glorious, with them, he will enter Heaven:

1- Confessing that there is no god besides Allah

2- And that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

3- Acknowledging what has come down to the Prophet [p.b.u.h.] from Allah (the Qur'an).

4- Establishing regular prayers.

5- Giving alms.

6- Fasting in Ramadan.

7- Performing the Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Sacred House.

8- Kindness to the lovers of Allah

9- Detachment from the enemies of Allah

10- And, avoiding any alcoholic beverage.”

Khisal by Saduq, p.432

19- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

الصّلوة قُربانُ كُلِّ تَقِـىٍّ, وَالحَـجّ جِهادُ كُلِّ ضَعيـفٍ, وَ لِكُـلِّ شَـيء زَكوة وَ زَكوة البَـدَنِ اَلصّيامُ, وَ جِهادُ المَـرأة حُسـنُ التّبَعّلِ

نهج البلاغه, الكلمات القصار/136

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“For the God-fearing, prayer is a means of seeking nearness to Allah and for the weak, the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) is as good as Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah). For every thing there is a levy, and the levy of the body is fasting. The Jihad of a woman is to afford pleasant company to her husband.”

Nahjul Balagha, saying 136

20- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

ما مِـن لَيلَة إلّا وَ مَلَـك المَـوتِ يُنادي يا اَهـلَ القُبُـورِ لِمَـن تَغبِطُونَ اليَومَ وَ قَد عايَنتُم هَولَ المُطّلَعِ, فَيَقُولُ المَوتى اِنّما نَغبِطُ المُؤمِنينَ في مَساجِدِهِم لاِ َنّهُـم يُصَلّـونَ وَ لا نُصَلّي, وَ يُؤتُونَ الزّكوة وَ لا نُزَكّي, وَ يَصُومُونَ شَهرَ رَمَضانَ وَ لا نَصُومُ, وَ يَتَصَدّقُونَ بِمَا فَضَلَ عَن عِيالِهِم وَ نَحنُ لا نَتَصَـدّقُ .

ارشادالقلوب/53

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said: There comes no night but that the angel of death calls to the dead in the graves and inquires what they regret for today when they have vividly seen (and known) this (the next life). Then the dead will say:“Verily, we regret and envy the believers who are in their mosques and they are praying while we are not; they give alms and we do not; they fast during Ramadan but we do not; they donate in charity what they have more than the need of their family members while we do not; ...”

Irshad-ul-Qulub, p.53

21- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

سَمِعتُ مُنادي يُنادي عِندَ حَضرَة كُلِّ صَلاة, فَيَقُولُ يا بَني آدَمَ قُومُوا فَاطفَؤوا عَنكُم ما اَوقَدتُمُوهُ عَلى اَنفُسِكُم

مستدرك الوسائل/3/102

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“At the (appointed) time of every prayer (salat), I hear a caller who calls and says: “O children of Adam! Keep up prayers in order to extinguish the fire you have lit against yourselves (by committing sins).”

Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il, vol. 3, p. 102

22- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

حافِظُـوا عَلـَى الصّلَـواتِ, فَـاِنّ اللّه تَبارَكَ وَ تَعَالى اِذا كانَ يَومُ القِيامَة يأتي بِالعَبدِ, فَاَوّلُ شَىء يَسألُـهُ عَنهُ الصّلاة, فَاِن جاء بِها تامًّا, وَ لا زُخّ فِى النّارِ

بحارالانوار/82/202

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Be careful of the prayers, for, on the Day of Resurrection, when Allah the Exalted, will bring the servant (for reckoning), the first thing that He will ask him about will be the prayer. If one brings it completely, he will be of the people of salvation, otherwise, he will be thrown into Fire.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 82, p. 202

23- عَن اَبي بَصيرٍ, قالَ دَخَلتُ عَلـى اُمِّ حَميـدَة اُعَزّيها بِأبي عَبدِ الله عليه السلام فَبَكَت وَ بَكَيتُ لِبُكائِه ثُمّ قالَت: يا اَبا مُحَمّـدٍ لَو رَاَيتَ اَبا عَبدِالله عليه السلام عِندَ المَوتِ لَرَاَيتَ عَجَبًا, فَتَحَ عَينَيهِ ثُـمّ قالَ اِجمَعُوا كُلّ مَن بَيني وَ بَينَهُ قَرابَة, قالَت: فَما تَرَكنا اَحَدًا اِلّا جَمَعْناهُ فَنَظَـرَ اِلَيهِـم ثُمّ قالَ: اِنّ شَفاعَتَنا لا تَنالُ مُستَخِفًّا بِالصّلوة

وسائل الشيعة/4/26

Abubasir said that he visited Umm Hamidah (Musa-ibn Ja'far's [a.s.] mother) in order to console her for the death of Ja'far-ibn-Muhammad [a.s.]. Then she wept and he wept because of her weeping. After that, she said:“O' Aba Muhammad! If you had seen Ja'far-ibn-Muhammad when he was on his death-bed, you would have observed a wonderful thing: he opened his eyes and said to gather all of his relatives.” Then, she continued saying that they gathered them all with no exception. Then he [a.s.] looked at them and said:“Verily, our intercession does not reach the one who takes prayers lightly” .

Wasa'il-ush-Shi'ah vol. 4, p. 26

24- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اَلعِبادَة مَعَ اَكلِ الحَرامِ كَالبِناءِ عَلَى الرّملِ

بحارالانوار/84/258

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The worship done by the one who earns his living on unlawful money is similar to a building constructed upon sand.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 84, p. 258

MIDNIGHT PRAYERS

25- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

شَرَفُ المُؤمِنِ قِيامُهُ بِاللَّيلِ وَ عِزُّهُ اِستِغنـاؤهُ عَنِ النّاسِ

بحارالانوار/77/20

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The honour of a believer lies in his vigilance at night and his esteem lies in his autonomy from people.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 77, p. 20

26- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

مَنْ كَثُرَ في لَيلِه نَومُهُ فاتَهُ مِنَ العَمَلِ ما لا يَستَدرِكُهُ في يَومِه

غررالحكم/289

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“He who sleeps too much at night, will lose something of his deeds (i.e., night prayers) which he cannot gain during the day-time.”

Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p.289

27- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام فيما ناجَى اللّهعَزَّوَجَلَّ بِه مُوسَى بنَ عِمرانَ عليه السلام قالَ :

يابنَ عِمرانَ كَذَبَ مَن زَعَمَ اَنَّهُ يُحِبُّنِى فَاِذا جَنَّهُ اللَّيلُ نامَ عَنّي

بحارالانوار/13/329

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said that Allah (s.w.t.) in a revelation told Moses, the son of 'Imran [a.s.]:“O' you son of 'Imran! Those who only claim that they love Me, tell a lie, for when the night falls they neglect Me.”

Bihar-uI-Anwar, vol. 13, p. 329

28- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

لا تَدَعْ قِيامَ اللَّيلِ فَاِنَّ المَغبُونَ مَن حُرِمَ قِيامَ اللَّيلِ

بحارالانوار/83/127

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Never miss midnight prayers, because, in fact, the real loser is he who misses (the advantage of) the midnight prayer.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 83, p. 127

29- عَن أبي عَبدِ الله عليه السلام قالَ قالَ رَسُـولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلملِجَبـرَئيلَ عِظني فَقـالَ: يا مُحَمَّـدُ عِش مـا شِئتَ فَاِنَّكَ مَيِّـتٌ, وَ اَحبِب ما شِئتَ فَاِنَّـكَ مُفارِقُهُ, وَاِعمَل مـا شِئتَ فَاِنَّكَ مُلاقيهِ, شَرَفُ المُؤمِنِ صَلوتُهُ بِاللَّيـلِ, وَ عِـزُّهُ كَفُّـهُ عَـن اَعراضِ النّاسِ

الخصال/72

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“The Messenger of Allah [p.b.u.h.] told Gabriel to preach to him, and he said: 'Live howsoever you like but you will surely die; love whatsoever you like but you will surely depart from it; do whatsoever you like but you will certainly meet it (and receive its reward). The honour of a (Muslim) believer is his midnight prayers, and his nobility is his refraining from (ruining) people's reputation”

Khisal by Saduq, p. 7

30- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

ثَلاثَةٌ هُنَّ فَخرُ المُؤمِنِ وَ زَينُـهُ فِـى الُّدنيا وَ الآخِـرَة: اَلصَّـلاة في آخِرِ اللَّيلِ, وَ يأسُهُ مِمّـا في اَيدِى النّـاسِ, وَ وِلايَة الاِمـامِ مِن آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

بحارالانوار/75/107

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“There are three things which are the honour of a believer and his ornament both in this world and the next. They are: prayers in the last part of night (night prayers), not coveting what people possess in their hands, and the love (and leadership) of an Imam from the progeny of Muhammad [p.b.u.h.].”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 107

30- قالَ الاِمامُ الجَوادُ عليه السلام :

مَن وَثِقَ بِالله اَراهُ السُّروُرَ وَ مَن تَوَكَّلَ عَلَى الله كَفاهُ الا ُمُورَ

بحارالانوار/78/79

Imam Muhammad-ibn-Ali, Jawad-ul-'A'immah, [a.s.] said:“He who has confidence in Allah, sees joy; and he who trusts on Him, He will suffice his affairs.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 79

FAITH IN ALLAH AND ATTAINING HIS PLEASURE

31- قالَ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام حَدّثَني اَبي عَن اَبيهِ عليه السلام :

اَنَّ رَجُلاً مِن اَهلِ الكُوفَة كَتَـبَ اِلى اَبِي الحُسَينِ بنِ عَلِىٍّ عليه السلام يا سَيِّدِى اَخبِرني بِخَيرِ الدنيا وَ الآ خِـرَة فَكَتَبَ صَلَـواتُ الله عليه بِسمِ الله الرحمنِ الرَّحيـمِ, اَمّا بَعدُ فَاِنَّ مَن طَلَبَ رِضَى الله بِسَخَـطِ النّاسِ كَفاهُ اللّه اُمُورَ النّاسِ, وَ مَن طَلَبَ رِضَى النّاسِ بِسَخَطِ الله وَ كَلَهَ اللّه اِلَى النّاسِ وَ السَّلامُ

بحارالانوار/71/208

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“My father said to me about his father [a.s.] that a man from Kufah wrote to his father viz. to al-Husayn-ibn-Ali [a.s.] asking him [a.s.] to imform him of the good of this world and that of the next. Then, he [a.s.] wrote (in his reply): 'In the Name Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful'. After that: 'Verily, he who seeks the pleasure of Allah even while displeasing people, He suffices him in his affairs with people. But, he who seeks the pleasure of people while Allah is displeased, he leaves him to people (and he will be far from His Grace), Wassalam'.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 71, p. 208

32- قالَ الاِمامُ السَّجّادُ عليه السلام :

مَن عَمِلَ بِما اِفتَرَضَ اللّه عليه فَهُوَ مِن خَيرِ النّاسِ

الكافي/2/81

Imam Ali ibn Husayn [a.s.] said:“He who acts according to what Allah has enjoined for him, is of the best people.”

AI-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 81

33- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

مَن اَحَبَّ لِلّهِ وَ اَبغَضَ لِلّهِ وَ اَعطى لِلّهِ فَهُوَ مِمَّن كَمُلَ اِيمَانُهُ

الكافي/2/142

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“The one who loves for Allah, hates for Allah, and donates (things) for Allah, thus he is one of those whose Faith is complete.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 124

34- قالَ الاِمامُ الحَسَنُ العَسكَرِيُّ عليه السلام :

خِصلَتانِ لَيسَ فَوقَهُما شَيئٌ: اَلايمانُ بِالله, وَ نَفعُ الاِخوانِ

بحارالانوار/17/218

Imam Hassan 'Askari, the eleventh Imam, [a.s.] said:“There are no qualities above these two: Faith in Allah and being beneficial to Muslims.”

Bihar-uI-Anwar, vol. 17, p.218

PIETY AND ITS NECESSITY IN A MUSLIM

35- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اَكثَرُ ما يُدخِلُ النّاسَ اَلجَنَّة تَقوَى اللهِ وَ حُسنُ الخُلقِ

بحارالانوار/71/373

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The most (important ) things that cause people to reach Heaven are divine piety and a good temper.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 71, p. 373

36- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اِذا هَمَمتَ بِأمـرٍ فَتَدَبَّـر عاقِبَتَهُ, فاِن يَكُ خَيرًا وَ رُشدًا فَاتَّبِعـهُ, وَ اِن يَكُ غَيًّا فدَعْهُ

بحارالانوار/77/130

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] advised:“When making a decision to do something, think about its outcome. If it is good for your advancement and development, follow it, but if it is misleading, leave it out....”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 77, p. 130

37- سُئِلَ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام عَن تَفسيرِ التقوى، فَقالَ :

اَن لا يَفقُدَكَ حَيثُ أَمَرَكَ وَ لاَ يَراكَ حَيثُ نَهاك

سفينةالبحار/2/678

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] was asked about the meaning of 'piety' when he replied:“Piety is that Allah does not miss you in the place where He has commanded you to be, and does not see (find) you where He has forbidden you from.”

Safinat-ul-Bihar, vol. 2, p. 678

38- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اِستَحيِ مِنَ اللهِ كَما تَستَحِي مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الصّـالِحِ مِن قَومِـكَ

مستدرك الوسائل/8/466 رقم 10027

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Show veneration for Allah similar to the way that you would mind your manners in front of a righteous person among your kinsmen.”

Mustadrak Al-Wasa'il-ush Shi'ah, vol. 8, p. 466, No.10027

39- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

نِعمَ صـارِفُ الشَّهَواتِ غَضُّ الأ َبصـارِ

غررالحكم/321

Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“Lowering one's eyes will serve well as a barrier against one's passions.”

Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p. 321

40- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام لِلحَسَنِ وَ الحُسَينِ عليهمَاالسَّلامُ لَما ضَرَبَهُ ابنُ مُلجَمٍ لَعَنَهُ اللّهُ :

أُوصِيكُما بِتَقـوَى الله, وَ أَلاَّ تَبغِيا الدنيا وَ اِن بَغَتكُما, وَ لاَ تَأْسَفا عَلى شَيئٍ مِنها زُوِىَ عَنكُما, وَقُـولا بِالحَـقِّ, وَاعمَلا لِلاَجَرِ, وَ كُونا لِلظّالِمِ خَصمًا, وَ لِلمَظلُومِ عَونً

نهج البلاغه الرسالة رقم/47

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said to Imam al-Hassan and Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon them) when 'Abd-ur-Rahman ibn Muljam (the curse of Allah be upon him) had struck him (fatally with a sword):

“I advise you (both) to fear Allah and that you should not hanker after the (pleasures of this) world even though it may run after you. Do not be sorry for anything of this world that you have been denied. Speak the truth and act (in expectation) for reward. Be an enemy of the oppressor and helper of the oppressed.”

Nahj-ul-Balagha, letter 47

41- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

فَاِنِّى اُوصِيكَ بِتَقوَى الله ـ أََيْ بُنَيَّ ـ وَ لُزُومِ أمـرِهِ, وَ عِمارَة قلبِكَ بِذِكـرِهِ, وَالا ِعتِصـامِ بِحَبلِهِ. وَ أَيُّ سَبَبٍ أََوْثَقُ مِن سَبَبٍ بَينَكَ وَ بَينَ الله اِن أَنتَ أَخَذتَ بِهِ !

نهج البلاغه الرسالة 31

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“I advise you to fear Allah, 'O my child, to abide by His commands, to fill your heart with remembrance of Him and to cling to hope in Him. No connection is more reliable than the connection between you and Allah provided you take hold of it.”

Nahj-ul-Balagha, letter 31

42- عَن اَبي اُسامَة قالَ: سَمِعـتُ اَبا عَبدِالله عليه السلام يَقُـولُ :

عَلَيكَ بِتَقوَى الله, وَالوَرَعِ, وَالا ِجتِهادِ, وَ صِـدقِ الحَديـثِ, وَ اَداءِ الاَمانَة, وَ حُسنِ الخُلقِ, وَ حُسنِ الجِوارِ, وَ كُونُوا دُعاة اِلى اَنفُسِكُم بِغَيرِ اَلسِنَتِكُم, وَ كُونُوا زَينـًا, وَ لا تَكُونُـوا شَينـًا, وَ عَلَيكُم بِطُولِ الرُّكُوعِ وَالسُّجُودِ, فَاِنَّ اَحَدَكُم إذا طالَ الرُّكُوعَ وَالسُّجُـودَ, هَتَفَ اِبليـسُ مِن خَلفِـهِ وَ قالَ: يا وَيلَـهُ, اَطاعَ وَ عَصَيتُ, وَ سَجَدَ وَ اَبَيتُ

الكافي/2/77

Abi-Osamah said that he had heard that Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Be aware of (the punishment of) Allah, piety, godly endeavor, saying the truth, honesty in deposition, good character, and good neighbourliness. Invite (others) to yourselves (by performing good actions), not with mere utterance. Live to be ornaments, and not to be a disgrace to us. (I advise you) to prolong the length of bowing and prostration. So, verily, when one of you prolongs bowing and prostration, Satan cries from behind one and says: Woe! He obeyed and I disobeyed; he did prostration and I refused.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 77

43- قالَ الاِمامُ الباقِرُ عليه السلام وَجَدنا في كِتابِ عَليِّ بنِ الحُسَينِ عليه السلام :

( ألا اِنَّ اَولياءَ الله لا خَـوفٌ عليهم وَلاهُم يَحزَنُونَ) إذا اَدُّوا فَرائِضَ الله وَ اَخَذُوا سُنَنَ رَسُولِ الله صَلَّى اللّه عليه وَ آلِـهِ و سلم وَ تَوَرَّعُوا عَن مَحارِمِ الله وَ زَهِـدُوا في عاجِـلِ زَهـرَة الدُّنيا وَ رَغِبُوا فيما عِندالله وَاكتَسَبُوا الطَّيِّـبَ مِن رِزقِ الله لِوِجهِ الله لا يُريدُونَ بِهِ التَّفاخُرَ وَ التَّكاثُرَ ثُـمَّ اَنفَقُـوا فيما يَلزَمُهُـم مِـن حُقُـوقٍ واجِبَة فَاوُلـئِكَ الَّذينَ بارَكَ اللّه لَهُم فيمـَا اكتَسَبوُا وَ يُثابُونَ عَلى ما قَدَّمُوا لآخِرَتِهِم

بحارالانوار/69/277

Imam Ali ibn Husayn [a.s.] said:“Behold! Verily, on the friends of Allah there will be no fear nor shall they grieve if they keep up the obligatories of Allah, follow the traditions of the Messenger Allah [p.b.u.h.], avoid the things forbidden by Allah, be pious in worldly wealth and rank and eager for what there is with Allah, strive to earn His sustenance of what is pure, and decide not to boast or compile wealth but donate and give the obligatory alms they have been enjoined to. Hence, these are those (friends of Allah!) whose earnings are divinely blessed and will be rewarded for what they have sent forth unto their next world.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 69, p. 277

44- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

إنَّ النّاس مِن عَهدِ آدَمَ إلى يَومِنا هـتذا مِثلُ أسنانِ المُشـطِ, لا فَضلَ لِلعَربِـىِّ عَلَى العَجَمِـىِّ وَ لا لِلأحمَـرِ عَلَـى الأسـوَدِ إلاّ بِالتَّقوى

مستدرك الوسائل/12/89

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Surely, human beings from the time of Adam up to now are the same as the teeth of a comb are, and there is no superiority for the Arab over non-Arab or for the red race over the black race except for piety.”

Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il , vol 12 p.89

45- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

اِنَّ قَليلَ العَمَلِ مَعَ التَّقوى خَيرٌ مِن كَثيرِ العَمَلِ بِلا تَقوى

الكافي/2/76

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Surely, a little action (of worshipping) with piety is better than many deeds with no virtue.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 76

INVOCATION

46- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

كُل دُعاءٍ يُدعَى اللّه عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَحجُوبٌ عَنِ السَّماءِ حَتّى يُصَلّى عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ الِ مُحَمَّدٍ

الكافي/2/493

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Every invocation sought from Allah, Almighty and Glorious, is barred by the sky unless it is coupled with 'Salawat', benediction upon the Prophet and his progeny.” (The expression of 'Salawat' means: O God bless Muhammad and his descendants).

Usul-i-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 493

47- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

يَتَمَنَّى المُومِنُ اَنَّهُ لَم يُستَجَب لَهُ دَعوَة فِى الدُّنيا مِمّا يَرى مِن حُسنِ الثَّوابِ

الكافي/2/491

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“The Muslim believer whose calls were not answered by Allah in this world will wish that none of them would have been accepted when, in the Hereafter, he sees the abundance of rewards (given him for their not being answered and suffering the troubles in the world).”

Usul-i-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 491

48- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُؤمنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

اَحَبُّ الأ َعمالِ اِلَى الله عَزَّوَجَـلَّ فِى الأ َرضِ الدُّعاءُ و اَفَضَلُ العِبادَة العَفافُ

بحارالانوار/93/295

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“The most beloved deed on the earth with Allah, Almighty and Glorious is invocation, and the best worship is modesty and piety.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 93, p. 295

49- عَن اَبي بَصيرٍ وَ مُحَمَّدِ بنِ مُسلِمٍ عَن اَبي عَبدِ الله عليه السلام قالَ حَدَّثَني اَبي عَن جَدّي عَن آبائِهِ اَنَّ اَميرَالمُومِنينَ عليه السلام قالَ فيما عَلَّمَ اَصحابَهُ, تُفتَحُ اَبوابُ السَّماءِ في خَمسَة مَواقيـتَ: عِندَ نُزُولِ الغَيثِ, وَ عِندَ الزَّحفِ, وَ عِندَ الأَذانِ, وَ عِنـدَ قِراءَةِ القُرآنِ وَ مَعَ زَوالِ الشَّمسِ, وَ عِندَ طُلُوعِ الفَجرِ

الخصال/302

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.], when teaching (some of) his followers, said:“The doors of heaven are opened at five times: When it is raining; at the time of Holy War; at the time of Call to prayer; at the time of recitation of the Qur'an with the setting of the sun, and at the break of dawn.”

Al-Khisal, by Saduq, p. 302

50- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

اِغتَنِمُوا الدُّعاءَ عِندَ خَمسَة مَواطِنَ: عِندَ قِراءَة القُرانِ, وَ عِندَ الأَذانِ, وَ عِندَ نُزُولِ الغَيثِ, وَ عِندَ التِقاءِ الصَّفَّينِ لِلشَّهادَة, وَ عِندَ دَعوَة المَظلُومِ فَاِنَّها لَيسَ لَها حِجابٌ دوُنَ العَرشِ

بحارالانوار/93/343

Again, Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“Avail yourselves of the invocation in five situations: At the time of recitation of the Qur'an, at the time of prayer call, when it is raining, when attending the Holy War ready for martyrdom, when an oppressed person supplicates, because, certainly, there is no barrier for it beneath the Throne.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 93, p. 343

51- قالَ الاِمامُ الحُسَينُ عليه السلام :

اَللّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ أَقربُ مَن دُعِيَ, وَ أَسـرَعُ مَن أَجابَ, وَ اَكـرَمُ مَـن عَفا, وَ أَوسَعُ مَن أَعطى, وَ أَسمَعُ مَن سُئِـلَ, يا رَحمنَ الدُّنيا وَ الآ خِرَةِ وَ رَحيمَهُما

دعاء عرفة

Imam Husayn [a.s.] said:“O Lord! You are the nearest one Whom can be requested from; You are the soonest responder, and You are the most gracious in bestowing; Whose gift is the vastest and You hearken the best to what you are asked for. I call to You, O' the Beneficent in this world and the next, and the Merciful in both of them!”

'Arafah Invocation

52- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

مَن اُعطِيَ اَربَعًا لَم يُحرَم اَربَعـًا: مَن اُعطِـيَ الدُّعاءَ لَم يُحـرَمِ الإِجابَةَ, و مَن اُعطِيَ التَّوبَةَ لَم يُحـرَمِ القَبُـولَ, وَ مَـن اُعطِـيَ الاِستِغفارَ لَم يُحـرَمِ المَغفِـرَةَ, وَمَـن اُعطِـيَ الشُّكـرَ لَم يُحرَمِ الزِّيادَةَ

نهج البلاغه, الكلمات القصار/135

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“He who is bestowed four things is not deprived of four things: he who is allowed to pray is not deprived of the response to it; he who is allowed to offer repentance is not deprived of its acceptance; he who is allowed to seek forgiveness is not deprived of forgiveness; and he who is allowed to be grateful is not deprived of furtherance of favours.”

Nahjul Balagha, Saying 135

Note:

The compiler of Nahjul Balagha, as-Sayyid ar-Radi says: This is confirmed by the Book of Allah. About praying, Allah says: “ Call You to Me, I will answer you' (the Qur'an, 4:60). About forgiveness Allah says: 'And whoever does evil, or wrongs his own self and thereafter seeks the pardon of Allah shall find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Merciful' (the Qur'an, 4:110). About gratefulness He says: 'If you be grateful, I will increase (My favours) to you' (the Qur'an, 14:7). About repentance He says: 'Verily, repentance (acceptable) with Allah is only for those who do evil ignorantly and then turn (to Allah) soon (after); these (are those whom) Allah will turn (mercifully) to; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise (the Qur'an, 4:17).

53- عَن أَبي عَبدِالله عليه السلام في رِسالَة طَويلَة :

وَاللّهُ مُصَيِّرٌ دُعاءَ المُؤمِنينَ يَومَ القِيامَة لَهُم عَمَلاً يَزيدُهُم فِى الجَنَّة

بحارالانوار/78/216

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“On the Reckoning Day, Allah will count the invocations of believers as some good actions for them and thereby He will promote their position in Heaven.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 216

54- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

داوُوا مَرضاكُم بِالصَّدَقَة وَادفَعُوا اَبوابَ البَلاءِ بِالدُّعاءِ

التهذيب/4/112

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Treat your ailments with charity and repel varieties of affliction by invocation.”

At-Tahthib, vol. 4, p.112

55- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

سَلْ حاجَتَكَ وَ اَلِحَّ فِى الطَّلَبِ فَاِنَّ اللّه يُحِبُّ اِلحاحَ المُلِحّينَ مِن عِبادِهِ المُؤمِنينَ

وسائل الشيعه/7/60

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Ask (Allah) for your requisite and insist on demanding because Allah likes the persistence of the insisting believers of His servants.”

Wasa'il-ush-Shi'ah,voI. 7, p. 60

56- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

عَلَيكُم بِالدُّعاءِ فَاِنَّكُم لا تُقَرَّبُونَ بِمِثلِهِ

الكافي/2/467

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“I recommend you to invocation, because you can not get nigh to Allah by any means like it.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 467

57- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

رُبَّما سَأَلتَ الشَّيئَ فَلَم تُعطَهُ وَ اُعطيتَ خَيراً مِنهُ

غررالحكم/185

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“It may happen that you ask (Allah) for something and He does not give it to you in order to endow you with (something) of better quality (later).”

Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p.185

AHLUL BAYT

58- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

مَثَلُ أَهلِ بَيتي في اُمَّتي مَثَلُ سَفينَة نُوحٍ مَن رَكِبَها نَجا وَ مَن رَغِبَ عَنها هَلَكَ

بحار الأنوار/27/113

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The likeness of my Ahlul-Bayt (progeny) amongst my Ummah (followers) is similar to Noah's Ark. Those who embarked on it were rescued and those who rejected it perished....”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 27, p. 113

59- قالَ الإمامُ الباقِرُ عليه السلام :

اِنَّ حَديثَنا يُحيِى القُلُوبَ

بحار الأنوار/2/144

Imam Baqir, the fifth Imam, [a.s.] said:“Our traditions (Ahlul-Bayt) survive in the hearts.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 144

60- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

زَيِّنُوا مَجالِسَكُم بِذِكرِ عَلِىِّ بنِ أَبي طالِبٍ

بحار الأنوار/38/199

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Make your gatherings lively with the remembrance of Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib.” (Talk about the excellencies of Ali [a.s.]).

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 38, p. 199

61- فِي إِكمالِ الدّينِ في حَديثٍ عَن جابِرِ الجُعفيِّ عَن جابِرِبنِ عَبـدِالله الأنصاريِّ قالَ: قُلـتُ: يا رَسُـولَ الله عَرَفنْاَ اللّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ، فَمَن اُولُوا الأمـرِ الّذي ـنَ قَرَنَ اللّه طاعَتَهُـم بِطاعتك فَقالَصلی الله عليه و آله و سلمهُم خُلَفائي يا جابِرُ، وَ اَئِمَّة المُسلِميـنَ مِن بَعـدي أَوَّلُهُم عَلِيُّ بنُ اَبي طالِبٍ، ثُمَّ الحَسَنُ وَ الحُسَينُ، ثُمَّ عَلِيُّ بـنُ الحُسَينِ، ثُمَّ مُحَمَّدُ بـنُ عَلِىٍّ اَلمَعـرُوفُ فِي التَّـوراة بِالباقِـرِ، وسَتُدرِكُهُ يا جابِرُ، فَإذا لَقَيتَهُ فَاقرَأْهُ مِنِّى السَّـلامَ، ثُمَّ الصَّادِقُ جَعفَرُ بنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، ثُمَّ مُوسَى بنُ جَعفَرٍ، ثُمَّ عَلِيُّ بنُ مُوسى، ثُـمَّ مُحَمَّدُ بنُ عَلِىٍّ، ثُمَّ عَليُّ بنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، ثُمَّ الحَسَـنُ بنُ عَلِـىٍّ، ثُـمَّ سَمِيّي وَ كَنِيّي حُجَّة الله في أَرضِهِ، وَ بَقِيَّتُـهُ في عِبادِهِ اِبـنُ الحَسَنِ بن عَلِىٍّ، ذاكَ الّذي يَفتَحُ اللّه تَعالى ذِكـرُهُ عَلى يَدَيـهِ مَشَارِقَ الأرضِ وَ مَغارِبَه، ذاكَ الّذي يَغيـبُ عَـن شيعَتِـهِ وَ اَولِيائـِهِ غَيبَةً لا يَثبُتُ فِيها عَلَى القَولِ بِاِمامَتِهِ لا مَنِ امتَحَنَ اللّه قَلبَهُ لِلاِيمانِ قالَ جابِرٌ، فَقُلتُ لَهُ: يا رَسُولَ الله فَهَـل يَقَـعُ لِشيعَتِـهِ اَلاِنتِفاعُ بِهِ في غَيبَتِهِ، فَقالَ إي وَالّذي بَعَثَني بِالنّبُوَّة اِنَّهُم يَستَضيؤُونَ بِنُورِهِ وَ يَنتَفِعُونَ بِوِلايَتِهِ في غَيبَتِهِ كَاِنتِفاعِ النّاسِ بِالشَّمسِ وَ اِن تَجَلَّلَها سَحابٌ

اكمال الدّين/1/253

In 'Ikmal-ud-Din' a tradition, through 'Jabir-il-Ju'fi', is narrated from 'Jabir-ibn-'Abdillah' thus:“I said: 'O Messenger of Allah we have known Allah and His Apostle; then who is 'Ulul-Amr', those that Allah has made their obedience the same as your obedience?' Then, the Prophet (p.h.u.h.) said: 'O' Jabir! They are, after me, my successors and the guides of Muslims; the first of them is Ali ibn Abi Talib; then (Imam) Hassan, and (Imam) Husayn; then Ali ibn Husayn; then Mohammad ibn Ali; known in the Turah as Baqir, whom you will see, O' Jabir! When you visit him, give my regards to him. After him, there is Sadiq, Ja'far ibn Muhammad; and after him Musa ibn Ja'far; then Ali ibn Musa; then Muhammad ibn Ali; then Ali ibn Muhammad, then Hassan ibn Ali; and after him (there comes) Al-Qaim, whose name and epithet is the same as mine. He is Allah's Authority on the Earth and His Remainder amongst His servants. He is the son of (Imam) Hassan-ibn-Ali (al-'Askari). This is the very personality by whose hands Allah will open the Easts and Wests of the worlds and this is the very personality who will be absent from his followers and those who love him, in which his mastership cannot be proved by a statement of anyone except for the one whose heart Allah tests for Faith.”

Jabir said: “I asked him: 'O' Messenger of Allah will his followers avail of him during his occultation?' He answered: 'Yes. By the One Who appointed me to prophethood, they will seek brightness from his light and will avail by devotion in his absence the same as the availing of people from the (glow of) sun when clouds cover it...'

(Ikmal-ud-Din, vol. 1, p. 253, with nearly similar meaning in Yanabir-ul-Mawaddah, p. 117)

62- قالَ مالِكُ بنُ أَنَسٍ عَن فَضلِ الإمامِ الصّادِقِ عليه السلام :

مَا رَأت عَينٌ وَ لا سَمِعَت اُذُنٌ وَ لا خَطَرَ عَلى قَلبِ بَشَرٍ أَفضَـلُ مِن جَعفَرٍ الصّادِقِ فَضلاً وَ عِلماً وَ عِبادَة وَ وَرَع

بحار الأنوار/47/28

Malik-ibn-Anas said about the virtue of Imam Sadiq [a.s.]:“No eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no heart (soul) has ever been striken that there can (contemporaneously) be anybody higher than (Imam) Ja'far Sadiq [a.s.] from the point of virtue, knowledge, worship, and piety.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 47, p. 28

63- قالَ الإمامُ الحُسَينُ عليه السلام :

فَلَعَمري مَا الإمامُ الّالحاكِمُ بِالكِتابِ، اَلقائِمُ بِالقِسطِ، اَلدّائِـنُ بِدينِ الحَقِّ، اَلحابِسُ نَفسَهُ عَلى ذاتِ اللهِ

الارشاد/204

Imam Husayn [a.s.] said: “By my soul, there is no Imam but he issues judgement upon the Book, establishes justice, believes in the religion of Truth, and restrains his self alongside the way of Allah.

Al-Irshad, vol. 204

PRAYER AND ITS EFFECTS

10- قالَ النبيُّ صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

لَيسَ مِنّا مَنِ استَخَفّ بِصَلوتِهِ, لا يَرِدُ عَلَيَّ الحَوضَ لا وَ اللهِ

من لا يحضره الفقيه/1/206

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The one who takes prayer light is not of me. No, by Allah such a person will not reach the Haud, Pond of abundant.”

Man La Yahduruhul Faqih, vol. 1, p. 206

11- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

لَو كانَ عَلى بابِ اَحَدِكُـم نَهـرٌ فَاغتَسَلَ مِنهُ كُلّ يَـومٍ خَمـسَ مَرّاتٍ هَل كانَ يَبقى عَلى جَسَـدِهِ مِنَ الـدّرَنِ شَيء اِنّما مَثَـلُ الصّلاة مَثَلُ النّهرِ الّذي يُنقي كُلّما صَلّى صَلاة كـانَ كَفّارَة لِذُنُوبِهِ إلّا ذَنبٌ اَخرَجَهُ مِنَ الإيمانِ مُقيمٌ عليه

بحارالانوار/82/236

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“If there be a stream at the house of one of you in which the one washes himself five times a day, will there remain anything from the dirt over his body? Verily, the likeness of prayers is the same as the stream. The person who establishes ritual prayers clears out his sins thereby, except for the sin that takes him out from Faith he believes in.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 82, p. 236

12- قالَ النبيُّ صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

وَ صَلوة فَرِيضَة تَعـدِلُ عِنـدَالله اَلـفَ حِجّة وَ اَلـفَ عُمـرَة مَبرُوراتٍ مُتُقَبِّلاتٍ

بحارالانوار/99/14

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said: An obligatory prayer, with Allah, is equivalent to one thousand Hajj pilgrimages and one thousand Umrah performances (voluntary pilgrimages to Ka'ba) which are right and accepted.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 99, p. 14

13- قالَ النبيُّ صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

لا تُضَيِّعُوا صَلوتَكُـم, فَاِنّ مَن ضَيّعَ صَلاتَهُ حُشِرَ مَعَ قارُونَ وهامانَ وَ كانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللهِ اَن يُدْخِلَهُ النّارَ مَعَ المُنافِقينَ

بحارالانوار/83/14

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Do not waste your prayers, because, surely, the person who wastes them will be raised with Croesus (Qarun) and Haman so that it is rightfully certain for Allah to put the one in Hell with hypocrites.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 83, p. 14

14- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

إذا صَلّيتَ صَلاةً فَصَلِّ صَلاةَ مُوَدِّعٍ

بحارالانوار/69/408

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Say each of your prayer as if it were your last prayer.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 69, p. 408

15- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

لَو يَعلَمُ المُصَلّي ما يَغشاهُ مِنَ الرّحمَة لَما رَفَعَ رَأسَهُ مِنَ السّجُودِ

تصنيف غررالحكم/175

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said: “If a praying person knew to what extent he was surrounded by His Mercy, he would never raise his head from (the state of) prostration.

Tasnif-I-Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p. 175

16- قالَ الاِمامُ الباقِرُ عليه السلام :

اَوّلُ ما يُحاسَبُ بِهِ العَبدُ اَلصّلوةُ فَاِن قُبِلَت قُبِلَ ما سِواها

بحارالانوار/7/267

Imam Baqir [a.s.] said:“On the Reckoning Day, the first thing that a servant will be reckoned for is the prayer; therefore, if it is accepted, the rest (good actions) will be accepted, too, (otherwise, his other good deeds will not avail him).”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 7, p. 267

17- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

اِنّ شَفاعَتَنا لَن تَنالَ مُستَخِفًّا بِالصّلوةِ

بحارالانوار/82/236

At the last moments of his life, Imam Sadiq [a.s.] called his relations and companions and told them:“Verily, our intercession never reaches the one who takes prayers lightly.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 82, p. 236

18- قالَ الاِمامُ مُحَمّدٌ الباقِرُ عليه السلام :

عَشرٌ مَن لَقِىَ اللّه عَزّ وَ جَلّ بِهِنّ دَخَلَ الجَنّة: شَهادَةُ اَن لا اِلهَ إلاّ اللّه وَ اَنّ مُحَمّداً رَسُولُ الله وَ الإ ِقرارُ بِما جاء مِن عِنـدِ الله عَزّ وَ جَلّ, وَ اِقامُ الصّلوة, وَ إيتاءُ الزّكوة وَ صَومُ شَهرِ رَمَضانَ, وَ حِجُّ البَيتِ, وَ الوِلايَةُ لأَولِياء الله, وَ البَراءَ ةُ مِن اَعداءِ اللهِ, وَ اِجتِنابُ كُلِّ مُسكِرٍ

الخصال/432

Imam Baqir, the fifth Imam, [a.s.] said:“There are ten things that when a person meets Allah the Almighty and Glorious, with them, he will enter Heaven:

1- Confessing that there is no god besides Allah

2- And that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

3- Acknowledging what has come down to the Prophet [p.b.u.h.] from Allah (the Qur'an).

4- Establishing regular prayers.

5- Giving alms.

6- Fasting in Ramadan.

7- Performing the Pilgrimage (Hajj) to the Sacred House.

8- Kindness to the lovers of Allah

9- Detachment from the enemies of Allah

10- And, avoiding any alcoholic beverage.”

Khisal by Saduq, p.432

19- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

الصّلوة قُربانُ كُلِّ تَقِـىٍّ, وَالحَـجّ جِهادُ كُلِّ ضَعيـفٍ, وَ لِكُـلِّ شَـيء زَكوة وَ زَكوة البَـدَنِ اَلصّيامُ, وَ جِهادُ المَـرأة حُسـنُ التّبَعّلِ

نهج البلاغه, الكلمات القصار/136

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“For the God-fearing, prayer is a means of seeking nearness to Allah and for the weak, the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) is as good as Jihad (fighting in the way of Allah). For every thing there is a levy, and the levy of the body is fasting. The Jihad of a woman is to afford pleasant company to her husband.”

Nahjul Balagha, saying 136

20- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

ما مِـن لَيلَة إلّا وَ مَلَـك المَـوتِ يُنادي يا اَهـلَ القُبُـورِ لِمَـن تَغبِطُونَ اليَومَ وَ قَد عايَنتُم هَولَ المُطّلَعِ, فَيَقُولُ المَوتى اِنّما نَغبِطُ المُؤمِنينَ في مَساجِدِهِم لاِ َنّهُـم يُصَلّـونَ وَ لا نُصَلّي, وَ يُؤتُونَ الزّكوة وَ لا نُزَكّي, وَ يَصُومُونَ شَهرَ رَمَضانَ وَ لا نَصُومُ, وَ يَتَصَدّقُونَ بِمَا فَضَلَ عَن عِيالِهِم وَ نَحنُ لا نَتَصَـدّقُ .

ارشادالقلوب/53

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said: There comes no night but that the angel of death calls to the dead in the graves and inquires what they regret for today when they have vividly seen (and known) this (the next life). Then the dead will say:“Verily, we regret and envy the believers who are in their mosques and they are praying while we are not; they give alms and we do not; they fast during Ramadan but we do not; they donate in charity what they have more than the need of their family members while we do not; ...”

Irshad-ul-Qulub, p.53

21- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

سَمِعتُ مُنادي يُنادي عِندَ حَضرَة كُلِّ صَلاة, فَيَقُولُ يا بَني آدَمَ قُومُوا فَاطفَؤوا عَنكُم ما اَوقَدتُمُوهُ عَلى اَنفُسِكُم

مستدرك الوسائل/3/102

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“At the (appointed) time of every prayer (salat), I hear a caller who calls and says: “O children of Adam! Keep up prayers in order to extinguish the fire you have lit against yourselves (by committing sins).”

Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il, vol. 3, p. 102

22- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

حافِظُـوا عَلـَى الصّلَـواتِ, فَـاِنّ اللّه تَبارَكَ وَ تَعَالى اِذا كانَ يَومُ القِيامَة يأتي بِالعَبدِ, فَاَوّلُ شَىء يَسألُـهُ عَنهُ الصّلاة, فَاِن جاء بِها تامًّا, وَ لا زُخّ فِى النّارِ

بحارالانوار/82/202

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Be careful of the prayers, for, on the Day of Resurrection, when Allah the Exalted, will bring the servant (for reckoning), the first thing that He will ask him about will be the prayer. If one brings it completely, he will be of the people of salvation, otherwise, he will be thrown into Fire.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 82, p. 202

23- عَن اَبي بَصيرٍ, قالَ دَخَلتُ عَلـى اُمِّ حَميـدَة اُعَزّيها بِأبي عَبدِ الله عليه السلام فَبَكَت وَ بَكَيتُ لِبُكائِه ثُمّ قالَت: يا اَبا مُحَمّـدٍ لَو رَاَيتَ اَبا عَبدِالله عليه السلام عِندَ المَوتِ لَرَاَيتَ عَجَبًا, فَتَحَ عَينَيهِ ثُـمّ قالَ اِجمَعُوا كُلّ مَن بَيني وَ بَينَهُ قَرابَة, قالَت: فَما تَرَكنا اَحَدًا اِلّا جَمَعْناهُ فَنَظَـرَ اِلَيهِـم ثُمّ قالَ: اِنّ شَفاعَتَنا لا تَنالُ مُستَخِفًّا بِالصّلوة

وسائل الشيعة/4/26

Abubasir said that he visited Umm Hamidah (Musa-ibn Ja'far's [a.s.] mother) in order to console her for the death of Ja'far-ibn-Muhammad [a.s.]. Then she wept and he wept because of her weeping. After that, she said:“O' Aba Muhammad! If you had seen Ja'far-ibn-Muhammad when he was on his death-bed, you would have observed a wonderful thing: he opened his eyes and said to gather all of his relatives.” Then, she continued saying that they gathered them all with no exception. Then he [a.s.] looked at them and said:“Verily, our intercession does not reach the one who takes prayers lightly” .

Wasa'il-ush-Shi'ah vol. 4, p. 26

24- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اَلعِبادَة مَعَ اَكلِ الحَرامِ كَالبِناءِ عَلَى الرّملِ

بحارالانوار/84/258

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The worship done by the one who earns his living on unlawful money is similar to a building constructed upon sand.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 84, p. 258

MIDNIGHT PRAYERS

25- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

شَرَفُ المُؤمِنِ قِيامُهُ بِاللَّيلِ وَ عِزُّهُ اِستِغنـاؤهُ عَنِ النّاسِ

بحارالانوار/77/20

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The honour of a believer lies in his vigilance at night and his esteem lies in his autonomy from people.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 77, p. 20

26- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

مَنْ كَثُرَ في لَيلِه نَومُهُ فاتَهُ مِنَ العَمَلِ ما لا يَستَدرِكُهُ في يَومِه

غررالحكم/289

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“He who sleeps too much at night, will lose something of his deeds (i.e., night prayers) which he cannot gain during the day-time.”

Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p.289

27- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام فيما ناجَى اللّهعَزَّوَجَلَّ بِه مُوسَى بنَ عِمرانَ عليه السلام قالَ :

يابنَ عِمرانَ كَذَبَ مَن زَعَمَ اَنَّهُ يُحِبُّنِى فَاِذا جَنَّهُ اللَّيلُ نامَ عَنّي

بحارالانوار/13/329

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said that Allah (s.w.t.) in a revelation told Moses, the son of 'Imran [a.s.]:“O' you son of 'Imran! Those who only claim that they love Me, tell a lie, for when the night falls they neglect Me.”

Bihar-uI-Anwar, vol. 13, p. 329

28- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

لا تَدَعْ قِيامَ اللَّيلِ فَاِنَّ المَغبُونَ مَن حُرِمَ قِيامَ اللَّيلِ

بحارالانوار/83/127

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Never miss midnight prayers, because, in fact, the real loser is he who misses (the advantage of) the midnight prayer.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 83, p. 127

29- عَن أبي عَبدِ الله عليه السلام قالَ قالَ رَسُـولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلملِجَبـرَئيلَ عِظني فَقـالَ: يا مُحَمَّـدُ عِش مـا شِئتَ فَاِنَّكَ مَيِّـتٌ, وَ اَحبِب ما شِئتَ فَاِنَّـكَ مُفارِقُهُ, وَاِعمَل مـا شِئتَ فَاِنَّكَ مُلاقيهِ, شَرَفُ المُؤمِنِ صَلوتُهُ بِاللَّيـلِ, وَ عِـزُّهُ كَفُّـهُ عَـن اَعراضِ النّاسِ

الخصال/72

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“The Messenger of Allah [p.b.u.h.] told Gabriel to preach to him, and he said: 'Live howsoever you like but you will surely die; love whatsoever you like but you will surely depart from it; do whatsoever you like but you will certainly meet it (and receive its reward). The honour of a (Muslim) believer is his midnight prayers, and his nobility is his refraining from (ruining) people's reputation”

Khisal by Saduq, p. 7

30- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

ثَلاثَةٌ هُنَّ فَخرُ المُؤمِنِ وَ زَينُـهُ فِـى الُّدنيا وَ الآخِـرَة: اَلصَّـلاة في آخِرِ اللَّيلِ, وَ يأسُهُ مِمّـا في اَيدِى النّـاسِ, وَ وِلايَة الاِمـامِ مِن آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

بحارالانوار/75/107

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“There are three things which are the honour of a believer and his ornament both in this world and the next. They are: prayers in the last part of night (night prayers), not coveting what people possess in their hands, and the love (and leadership) of an Imam from the progeny of Muhammad [p.b.u.h.].”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 75, p. 107

30- قالَ الاِمامُ الجَوادُ عليه السلام :

مَن وَثِقَ بِالله اَراهُ السُّروُرَ وَ مَن تَوَكَّلَ عَلَى الله كَفاهُ الا ُمُورَ

بحارالانوار/78/79

Imam Muhammad-ibn-Ali, Jawad-ul-'A'immah, [a.s.] said:“He who has confidence in Allah, sees joy; and he who trusts on Him, He will suffice his affairs.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 79

FAITH IN ALLAH AND ATTAINING HIS PLEASURE

31- قالَ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام حَدّثَني اَبي عَن اَبيهِ عليه السلام :

اَنَّ رَجُلاً مِن اَهلِ الكُوفَة كَتَـبَ اِلى اَبِي الحُسَينِ بنِ عَلِىٍّ عليه السلام يا سَيِّدِى اَخبِرني بِخَيرِ الدنيا وَ الآ خِـرَة فَكَتَبَ صَلَـواتُ الله عليه بِسمِ الله الرحمنِ الرَّحيـمِ, اَمّا بَعدُ فَاِنَّ مَن طَلَبَ رِضَى الله بِسَخَـطِ النّاسِ كَفاهُ اللّه اُمُورَ النّاسِ, وَ مَن طَلَبَ رِضَى النّاسِ بِسَخَطِ الله وَ كَلَهَ اللّه اِلَى النّاسِ وَ السَّلامُ

بحارالانوار/71/208

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“My father said to me about his father [a.s.] that a man from Kufah wrote to his father viz. to al-Husayn-ibn-Ali [a.s.] asking him [a.s.] to imform him of the good of this world and that of the next. Then, he [a.s.] wrote (in his reply): 'In the Name Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful'. After that: 'Verily, he who seeks the pleasure of Allah even while displeasing people, He suffices him in his affairs with people. But, he who seeks the pleasure of people while Allah is displeased, he leaves him to people (and he will be far from His Grace), Wassalam'.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 71, p. 208

32- قالَ الاِمامُ السَّجّادُ عليه السلام :

مَن عَمِلَ بِما اِفتَرَضَ اللّه عليه فَهُوَ مِن خَيرِ النّاسِ

الكافي/2/81

Imam Ali ibn Husayn [a.s.] said:“He who acts according to what Allah has enjoined for him, is of the best people.”

AI-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 81

33- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

مَن اَحَبَّ لِلّهِ وَ اَبغَضَ لِلّهِ وَ اَعطى لِلّهِ فَهُوَ مِمَّن كَمُلَ اِيمَانُهُ

الكافي/2/142

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“The one who loves for Allah, hates for Allah, and donates (things) for Allah, thus he is one of those whose Faith is complete.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 124

34- قالَ الاِمامُ الحَسَنُ العَسكَرِيُّ عليه السلام :

خِصلَتانِ لَيسَ فَوقَهُما شَيئٌ: اَلايمانُ بِالله, وَ نَفعُ الاِخوانِ

بحارالانوار/17/218

Imam Hassan 'Askari, the eleventh Imam, [a.s.] said:“There are no qualities above these two: Faith in Allah and being beneficial to Muslims.”

Bihar-uI-Anwar, vol. 17, p.218

PIETY AND ITS NECESSITY IN A MUSLIM

35- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اَكثَرُ ما يُدخِلُ النّاسَ اَلجَنَّة تَقوَى اللهِ وَ حُسنُ الخُلقِ

بحارالانوار/71/373

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The most (important ) things that cause people to reach Heaven are divine piety and a good temper.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 71, p. 373

36- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اِذا هَمَمتَ بِأمـرٍ فَتَدَبَّـر عاقِبَتَهُ, فاِن يَكُ خَيرًا وَ رُشدًا فَاتَّبِعـهُ, وَ اِن يَكُ غَيًّا فدَعْهُ

بحارالانوار/77/130

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] advised:“When making a decision to do something, think about its outcome. If it is good for your advancement and development, follow it, but if it is misleading, leave it out....”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 77, p. 130

37- سُئِلَ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام عَن تَفسيرِ التقوى، فَقالَ :

اَن لا يَفقُدَكَ حَيثُ أَمَرَكَ وَ لاَ يَراكَ حَيثُ نَهاك

سفينةالبحار/2/678

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] was asked about the meaning of 'piety' when he replied:“Piety is that Allah does not miss you in the place where He has commanded you to be, and does not see (find) you where He has forbidden you from.”

Safinat-ul-Bihar, vol. 2, p. 678

38- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

اِستَحيِ مِنَ اللهِ كَما تَستَحِي مِنَ الرَّجُلِ الصّـالِحِ مِن قَومِـكَ

مستدرك الوسائل/8/466 رقم 10027

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Show veneration for Allah similar to the way that you would mind your manners in front of a righteous person among your kinsmen.”

Mustadrak Al-Wasa'il-ush Shi'ah, vol. 8, p. 466, No.10027

39- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

نِعمَ صـارِفُ الشَّهَواتِ غَضُّ الأ َبصـارِ

غررالحكم/321

Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“Lowering one's eyes will serve well as a barrier against one's passions.”

Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p. 321

40- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام لِلحَسَنِ وَ الحُسَينِ عليهمَاالسَّلامُ لَما ضَرَبَهُ ابنُ مُلجَمٍ لَعَنَهُ اللّهُ :

أُوصِيكُما بِتَقـوَى الله, وَ أَلاَّ تَبغِيا الدنيا وَ اِن بَغَتكُما, وَ لاَ تَأْسَفا عَلى شَيئٍ مِنها زُوِىَ عَنكُما, وَقُـولا بِالحَـقِّ, وَاعمَلا لِلاَجَرِ, وَ كُونا لِلظّالِمِ خَصمًا, وَ لِلمَظلُومِ عَونً

نهج البلاغه الرسالة رقم/47

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said to Imam al-Hassan and Imam al-Husayn (peace be upon them) when 'Abd-ur-Rahman ibn Muljam (the curse of Allah be upon him) had struck him (fatally with a sword):

“I advise you (both) to fear Allah and that you should not hanker after the (pleasures of this) world even though it may run after you. Do not be sorry for anything of this world that you have been denied. Speak the truth and act (in expectation) for reward. Be an enemy of the oppressor and helper of the oppressed.”

Nahj-ul-Balagha, letter 47

41- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

فَاِنِّى اُوصِيكَ بِتَقوَى الله ـ أََيْ بُنَيَّ ـ وَ لُزُومِ أمـرِهِ, وَ عِمارَة قلبِكَ بِذِكـرِهِ, وَالا ِعتِصـامِ بِحَبلِهِ. وَ أَيُّ سَبَبٍ أََوْثَقُ مِن سَبَبٍ بَينَكَ وَ بَينَ الله اِن أَنتَ أَخَذتَ بِهِ !

نهج البلاغه الرسالة 31

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“I advise you to fear Allah, 'O my child, to abide by His commands, to fill your heart with remembrance of Him and to cling to hope in Him. No connection is more reliable than the connection between you and Allah provided you take hold of it.”

Nahj-ul-Balagha, letter 31

42- عَن اَبي اُسامَة قالَ: سَمِعـتُ اَبا عَبدِالله عليه السلام يَقُـولُ :

عَلَيكَ بِتَقوَى الله, وَالوَرَعِ, وَالا ِجتِهادِ, وَ صِـدقِ الحَديـثِ, وَ اَداءِ الاَمانَة, وَ حُسنِ الخُلقِ, وَ حُسنِ الجِوارِ, وَ كُونُوا دُعاة اِلى اَنفُسِكُم بِغَيرِ اَلسِنَتِكُم, وَ كُونُوا زَينـًا, وَ لا تَكُونُـوا شَينـًا, وَ عَلَيكُم بِطُولِ الرُّكُوعِ وَالسُّجُودِ, فَاِنَّ اَحَدَكُم إذا طالَ الرُّكُوعَ وَالسُّجُـودَ, هَتَفَ اِبليـسُ مِن خَلفِـهِ وَ قالَ: يا وَيلَـهُ, اَطاعَ وَ عَصَيتُ, وَ سَجَدَ وَ اَبَيتُ

الكافي/2/77

Abi-Osamah said that he had heard that Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Be aware of (the punishment of) Allah, piety, godly endeavor, saying the truth, honesty in deposition, good character, and good neighbourliness. Invite (others) to yourselves (by performing good actions), not with mere utterance. Live to be ornaments, and not to be a disgrace to us. (I advise you) to prolong the length of bowing and prostration. So, verily, when one of you prolongs bowing and prostration, Satan cries from behind one and says: Woe! He obeyed and I disobeyed; he did prostration and I refused.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 77

43- قالَ الاِمامُ الباقِرُ عليه السلام وَجَدنا في كِتابِ عَليِّ بنِ الحُسَينِ عليه السلام :

( ألا اِنَّ اَولياءَ الله لا خَـوفٌ عليهم وَلاهُم يَحزَنُونَ) إذا اَدُّوا فَرائِضَ الله وَ اَخَذُوا سُنَنَ رَسُولِ الله صَلَّى اللّه عليه وَ آلِـهِ و سلم وَ تَوَرَّعُوا عَن مَحارِمِ الله وَ زَهِـدُوا في عاجِـلِ زَهـرَة الدُّنيا وَ رَغِبُوا فيما عِندالله وَاكتَسَبُوا الطَّيِّـبَ مِن رِزقِ الله لِوِجهِ الله لا يُريدُونَ بِهِ التَّفاخُرَ وَ التَّكاثُرَ ثُـمَّ اَنفَقُـوا فيما يَلزَمُهُـم مِـن حُقُـوقٍ واجِبَة فَاوُلـئِكَ الَّذينَ بارَكَ اللّه لَهُم فيمـَا اكتَسَبوُا وَ يُثابُونَ عَلى ما قَدَّمُوا لآخِرَتِهِم

بحارالانوار/69/277

Imam Ali ibn Husayn [a.s.] said:“Behold! Verily, on the friends of Allah there will be no fear nor shall they grieve if they keep up the obligatories of Allah, follow the traditions of the Messenger Allah [p.b.u.h.], avoid the things forbidden by Allah, be pious in worldly wealth and rank and eager for what there is with Allah, strive to earn His sustenance of what is pure, and decide not to boast or compile wealth but donate and give the obligatory alms they have been enjoined to. Hence, these are those (friends of Allah!) whose earnings are divinely blessed and will be rewarded for what they have sent forth unto their next world.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 69, p. 277

44- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

إنَّ النّاس مِن عَهدِ آدَمَ إلى يَومِنا هـتذا مِثلُ أسنانِ المُشـطِ, لا فَضلَ لِلعَربِـىِّ عَلَى العَجَمِـىِّ وَ لا لِلأحمَـرِ عَلَـى الأسـوَدِ إلاّ بِالتَّقوى

مستدرك الوسائل/12/89

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Surely, human beings from the time of Adam up to now are the same as the teeth of a comb are, and there is no superiority for the Arab over non-Arab or for the red race over the black race except for piety.”

Mustadrak-ul-Wasa'il , vol 12 p.89

45- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

اِنَّ قَليلَ العَمَلِ مَعَ التَّقوى خَيرٌ مِن كَثيرِ العَمَلِ بِلا تَقوى

الكافي/2/76

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Surely, a little action (of worshipping) with piety is better than many deeds with no virtue.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 76

INVOCATION

46- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

كُل دُعاءٍ يُدعَى اللّه عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ بِهِ مَحجُوبٌ عَنِ السَّماءِ حَتّى يُصَلّى عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ الِ مُحَمَّدٍ

الكافي/2/493

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Every invocation sought from Allah, Almighty and Glorious, is barred by the sky unless it is coupled with 'Salawat', benediction upon the Prophet and his progeny.” (The expression of 'Salawat' means: O God bless Muhammad and his descendants).

Usul-i-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 493

47- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

يَتَمَنَّى المُومِنُ اَنَّهُ لَم يُستَجَب لَهُ دَعوَة فِى الدُّنيا مِمّا يَرى مِن حُسنِ الثَّوابِ

الكافي/2/491

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“The Muslim believer whose calls were not answered by Allah in this world will wish that none of them would have been accepted when, in the Hereafter, he sees the abundance of rewards (given him for their not being answered and suffering the troubles in the world).”

Usul-i-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 491

48- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُؤمنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

اَحَبُّ الأ َعمالِ اِلَى الله عَزَّوَجَـلَّ فِى الأ َرضِ الدُّعاءُ و اَفَضَلُ العِبادَة العَفافُ

بحارالانوار/93/295

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“The most beloved deed on the earth with Allah, Almighty and Glorious is invocation, and the best worship is modesty and piety.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 93, p. 295

49- عَن اَبي بَصيرٍ وَ مُحَمَّدِ بنِ مُسلِمٍ عَن اَبي عَبدِ الله عليه السلام قالَ حَدَّثَني اَبي عَن جَدّي عَن آبائِهِ اَنَّ اَميرَالمُومِنينَ عليه السلام قالَ فيما عَلَّمَ اَصحابَهُ, تُفتَحُ اَبوابُ السَّماءِ في خَمسَة مَواقيـتَ: عِندَ نُزُولِ الغَيثِ, وَ عِندَ الزَّحفِ, وَ عِندَ الأَذانِ, وَ عِنـدَ قِراءَةِ القُرآنِ وَ مَعَ زَوالِ الشَّمسِ, وَ عِندَ طُلُوعِ الفَجرِ

الخصال/302

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.], when teaching (some of) his followers, said:“The doors of heaven are opened at five times: When it is raining; at the time of Holy War; at the time of Call to prayer; at the time of recitation of the Qur'an with the setting of the sun, and at the break of dawn.”

Al-Khisal, by Saduq, p. 302

50- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

اِغتَنِمُوا الدُّعاءَ عِندَ خَمسَة مَواطِنَ: عِندَ قِراءَة القُرانِ, وَ عِندَ الأَذانِ, وَ عِندَ نُزُولِ الغَيثِ, وَ عِندَ التِقاءِ الصَّفَّينِ لِلشَّهادَة, وَ عِندَ دَعوَة المَظلُومِ فَاِنَّها لَيسَ لَها حِجابٌ دوُنَ العَرشِ

بحارالانوار/93/343

Again, Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“Avail yourselves of the invocation in five situations: At the time of recitation of the Qur'an, at the time of prayer call, when it is raining, when attending the Holy War ready for martyrdom, when an oppressed person supplicates, because, certainly, there is no barrier for it beneath the Throne.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 93, p. 343

51- قالَ الاِمامُ الحُسَينُ عليه السلام :

اَللّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ أَقربُ مَن دُعِيَ, وَ أَسـرَعُ مَن أَجابَ, وَ اَكـرَمُ مَـن عَفا, وَ أَوسَعُ مَن أَعطى, وَ أَسمَعُ مَن سُئِـلَ, يا رَحمنَ الدُّنيا وَ الآ خِرَةِ وَ رَحيمَهُما

دعاء عرفة

Imam Husayn [a.s.] said:“O Lord! You are the nearest one Whom can be requested from; You are the soonest responder, and You are the most gracious in bestowing; Whose gift is the vastest and You hearken the best to what you are asked for. I call to You, O' the Beneficent in this world and the next, and the Merciful in both of them!”

'Arafah Invocation

52- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

مَن اُعطِيَ اَربَعًا لَم يُحرَم اَربَعـًا: مَن اُعطِـيَ الدُّعاءَ لَم يُحـرَمِ الإِجابَةَ, و مَن اُعطِيَ التَّوبَةَ لَم يُحـرَمِ القَبُـولَ, وَ مَـن اُعطِـيَ الاِستِغفارَ لَم يُحـرَمِ المَغفِـرَةَ, وَمَـن اُعطِـيَ الشُّكـرَ لَم يُحرَمِ الزِّيادَةَ

نهج البلاغه, الكلمات القصار/135

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“He who is bestowed four things is not deprived of four things: he who is allowed to pray is not deprived of the response to it; he who is allowed to offer repentance is not deprived of its acceptance; he who is allowed to seek forgiveness is not deprived of forgiveness; and he who is allowed to be grateful is not deprived of furtherance of favours.”

Nahjul Balagha, Saying 135

Note:

The compiler of Nahjul Balagha, as-Sayyid ar-Radi says: This is confirmed by the Book of Allah. About praying, Allah says: “ Call You to Me, I will answer you' (the Qur'an, 4:60). About forgiveness Allah says: 'And whoever does evil, or wrongs his own self and thereafter seeks the pardon of Allah shall find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Merciful' (the Qur'an, 4:110). About gratefulness He says: 'If you be grateful, I will increase (My favours) to you' (the Qur'an, 14:7). About repentance He says: 'Verily, repentance (acceptable) with Allah is only for those who do evil ignorantly and then turn (to Allah) soon (after); these (are those whom) Allah will turn (mercifully) to; and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise (the Qur'an, 4:17).

53- عَن أَبي عَبدِالله عليه السلام في رِسالَة طَويلَة :

وَاللّهُ مُصَيِّرٌ دُعاءَ المُؤمِنينَ يَومَ القِيامَة لَهُم عَمَلاً يَزيدُهُم فِى الجَنَّة

بحارالانوار/78/216

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“On the Reckoning Day, Allah will count the invocations of believers as some good actions for them and thereby He will promote their position in Heaven.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 78, p. 216

54- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

داوُوا مَرضاكُم بِالصَّدَقَة وَادفَعُوا اَبوابَ البَلاءِ بِالدُّعاءِ

التهذيب/4/112

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Treat your ailments with charity and repel varieties of affliction by invocation.”

At-Tahthib, vol. 4, p.112

55- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

سَلْ حاجَتَكَ وَ اَلِحَّ فِى الطَّلَبِ فَاِنَّ اللّه يُحِبُّ اِلحاحَ المُلِحّينَ مِن عِبادِهِ المُؤمِنينَ

وسائل الشيعه/7/60

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Ask (Allah) for your requisite and insist on demanding because Allah likes the persistence of the insisting believers of His servants.”

Wasa'il-ush-Shi'ah,voI. 7, p. 60

56- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّادِقُ عليه السلام :

عَلَيكُم بِالدُّعاءِ فَاِنَّكُم لا تُقَرَّبُونَ بِمِثلِهِ

الكافي/2/467

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“I recommend you to invocation, because you can not get nigh to Allah by any means like it.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 467

57- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عليٌّ عليه السلام :

رُبَّما سَأَلتَ الشَّيئَ فَلَم تُعطَهُ وَ اُعطيتَ خَيراً مِنهُ

غررالحكم/185

Imam Amir ul Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“It may happen that you ask (Allah) for something and He does not give it to you in order to endow you with (something) of better quality (later).”

Ghurar-ul-Hikam, p.185

AHLUL BAYT

58- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

مَثَلُ أَهلِ بَيتي في اُمَّتي مَثَلُ سَفينَة نُوحٍ مَن رَكِبَها نَجا وَ مَن رَغِبَ عَنها هَلَكَ

بحار الأنوار/27/113

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“The likeness of my Ahlul-Bayt (progeny) amongst my Ummah (followers) is similar to Noah's Ark. Those who embarked on it were rescued and those who rejected it perished....”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 27, p. 113

59- قالَ الإمامُ الباقِرُ عليه السلام :

اِنَّ حَديثَنا يُحيِى القُلُوبَ

بحار الأنوار/2/144

Imam Baqir, the fifth Imam, [a.s.] said:“Our traditions (Ahlul-Bayt) survive in the hearts.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 2, p. 144

60- قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

زَيِّنُوا مَجالِسَكُم بِذِكرِ عَلِىِّ بنِ أَبي طالِبٍ

بحار الأنوار/38/199

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“Make your gatherings lively with the remembrance of Ali-ibn-Abi-Talib.” (Talk about the excellencies of Ali [a.s.]).

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 38, p. 199

61- فِي إِكمالِ الدّينِ في حَديثٍ عَن جابِرِ الجُعفيِّ عَن جابِرِبنِ عَبـدِالله الأنصاريِّ قالَ: قُلـتُ: يا رَسُـولَ الله عَرَفنْاَ اللّهَ وَ رَسُولَهُ، فَمَن اُولُوا الأمـرِ الّذي ـنَ قَرَنَ اللّه طاعَتَهُـم بِطاعتك فَقالَصلی الله عليه و آله و سلمهُم خُلَفائي يا جابِرُ، وَ اَئِمَّة المُسلِميـنَ مِن بَعـدي أَوَّلُهُم عَلِيُّ بنُ اَبي طالِبٍ، ثُمَّ الحَسَنُ وَ الحُسَينُ، ثُمَّ عَلِيُّ بـنُ الحُسَينِ، ثُمَّ مُحَمَّدُ بـنُ عَلِىٍّ اَلمَعـرُوفُ فِي التَّـوراة بِالباقِـرِ، وسَتُدرِكُهُ يا جابِرُ، فَإذا لَقَيتَهُ فَاقرَأْهُ مِنِّى السَّـلامَ، ثُمَّ الصَّادِقُ جَعفَرُ بنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، ثُمَّ مُوسَى بنُ جَعفَرٍ، ثُمَّ عَلِيُّ بنُ مُوسى، ثُـمَّ مُحَمَّدُ بنُ عَلِىٍّ، ثُمَّ عَليُّ بنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، ثُمَّ الحَسَـنُ بنُ عَلِـىٍّ، ثُـمَّ سَمِيّي وَ كَنِيّي حُجَّة الله في أَرضِهِ، وَ بَقِيَّتُـهُ في عِبادِهِ اِبـنُ الحَسَنِ بن عَلِىٍّ، ذاكَ الّذي يَفتَحُ اللّه تَعالى ذِكـرُهُ عَلى يَدَيـهِ مَشَارِقَ الأرضِ وَ مَغارِبَه، ذاكَ الّذي يَغيـبُ عَـن شيعَتِـهِ وَ اَولِيائـِهِ غَيبَةً لا يَثبُتُ فِيها عَلَى القَولِ بِاِمامَتِهِ لا مَنِ امتَحَنَ اللّه قَلبَهُ لِلاِيمانِ قالَ جابِرٌ، فَقُلتُ لَهُ: يا رَسُولَ الله فَهَـل يَقَـعُ لِشيعَتِـهِ اَلاِنتِفاعُ بِهِ في غَيبَتِهِ، فَقالَ إي وَالّذي بَعَثَني بِالنّبُوَّة اِنَّهُم يَستَضيؤُونَ بِنُورِهِ وَ يَنتَفِعُونَ بِوِلايَتِهِ في غَيبَتِهِ كَاِنتِفاعِ النّاسِ بِالشَّمسِ وَ اِن تَجَلَّلَها سَحابٌ

اكمال الدّين/1/253

In 'Ikmal-ud-Din' a tradition, through 'Jabir-il-Ju'fi', is narrated from 'Jabir-ibn-'Abdillah' thus:“I said: 'O Messenger of Allah we have known Allah and His Apostle; then who is 'Ulul-Amr', those that Allah has made their obedience the same as your obedience?' Then, the Prophet (p.h.u.h.) said: 'O' Jabir! They are, after me, my successors and the guides of Muslims; the first of them is Ali ibn Abi Talib; then (Imam) Hassan, and (Imam) Husayn; then Ali ibn Husayn; then Mohammad ibn Ali; known in the Turah as Baqir, whom you will see, O' Jabir! When you visit him, give my regards to him. After him, there is Sadiq, Ja'far ibn Muhammad; and after him Musa ibn Ja'far; then Ali ibn Musa; then Muhammad ibn Ali; then Ali ibn Muhammad, then Hassan ibn Ali; and after him (there comes) Al-Qaim, whose name and epithet is the same as mine. He is Allah's Authority on the Earth and His Remainder amongst His servants. He is the son of (Imam) Hassan-ibn-Ali (al-'Askari). This is the very personality by whose hands Allah will open the Easts and Wests of the worlds and this is the very personality who will be absent from his followers and those who love him, in which his mastership cannot be proved by a statement of anyone except for the one whose heart Allah tests for Faith.”

Jabir said: “I asked him: 'O' Messenger of Allah will his followers avail of him during his occultation?' He answered: 'Yes. By the One Who appointed me to prophethood, they will seek brightness from his light and will avail by devotion in his absence the same as the availing of people from the (glow of) sun when clouds cover it...'

(Ikmal-ud-Din, vol. 1, p. 253, with nearly similar meaning in Yanabir-ul-Mawaddah, p. 117)

62- قالَ مالِكُ بنُ أَنَسٍ عَن فَضلِ الإمامِ الصّادِقِ عليه السلام :

مَا رَأت عَينٌ وَ لا سَمِعَت اُذُنٌ وَ لا خَطَرَ عَلى قَلبِ بَشَرٍ أَفضَـلُ مِن جَعفَرٍ الصّادِقِ فَضلاً وَ عِلماً وَ عِبادَة وَ وَرَع

بحار الأنوار/47/28

Malik-ibn-Anas said about the virtue of Imam Sadiq [a.s.]:“No eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, and no heart (soul) has ever been striken that there can (contemporaneously) be anybody higher than (Imam) Ja'far Sadiq [a.s.] from the point of virtue, knowledge, worship, and piety.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 47, p. 28

63- قالَ الإمامُ الحُسَينُ عليه السلام :

فَلَعَمري مَا الإمامُ الّالحاكِمُ بِالكِتابِ، اَلقائِمُ بِالقِسطِ، اَلدّائِـنُ بِدينِ الحَقِّ، اَلحابِسُ نَفسَهُ عَلى ذاتِ اللهِ

الارشاد/204

Imam Husayn [a.s.] said: “By my soul, there is no Imam but he issues judgement upon the Book, establishes justice, believes in the religion of Truth, and restrains his self alongside the way of Allah.

Al-Irshad, vol. 204