Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Alhassanain (p) Network for Islamic Heritage and Thought

A BOUNDLE OF FLOWERS

From the garden of of tradition of the prophet & Ahlul-bayt (a.s.)

Author: Ayatullah Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani

Translator: Sayyid Abbas Sadr 'Ameli

Publisher: Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (a.s) Library

Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran

First Edition: 1997-1376-1418

Second Edition: 1998-1377-1419

Fifteenth Edition: 2006-1385-1427

www.al-islam.org

www.introducingislam.org

www.alhassanain.org/english

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 6

PREFACE 8

NOW, O' DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER! 12

BUT, O' DEAR FRIEND 13

A BENEVOLENT EXPECTATION 14

AT THE END 15

THE OPENING TRADITION 16

KNOWING ALLAH, HIS GREATNESS AND HIS GRACE 18

PRAYER AND ITS EFFECTS 21

MIDNIGHT PRAYERS 26

FAITH IN ALLAH AND ATTAINING HIS PLEASURE 28

PIETY AND ITS NECESSITY IN A MUSLIM 30

INVOCATION 33

AHLUL BAYT 37

THE LOVE OF AHLUL-BAYT 40

THE ACCEPTABLE CHARACTERISTICS 41

THE REAL FOLLOWERS OF AHLUL-BAYT AND THEIR QUALITIES 44

KNOWLEDGE AND ITS VALUE 49

KNOWLEDGE AND THE VIRTUE OF LEARNING IT 52

KNOWLEDGE AND THE VIRTUE OF TEACHING IT 54

THE EXCELLENCE AND IMPORTANCE OF SCHOLARS 56

BEING ATTENTIVE TO THE HEREAFTER 59

REPENTANCE 60

PROTECTING THE HONOUR OF BELIEVERS 62

RIGHTEOUS DEEDS 64

INJUSTICE AND TRANSGRESSION 66

EXPLANATION 67

THE RIGHTS OF FELLOW MUSLIMS 68

GREETINGS 70

ENJOINING RIGHT AND FORBIDDING WRONG 71

THE TONGUE AND ITS EVILS 75

BACKBITING AND FAULTFINDING 76

TELLING LIES 78

COMPANIONS & FRIENDSHIP 80

IMMORAL FRIENDS 82

GIVING LOAN 85

HELPING THE NEEDY 86

DONATION & PLEASING THE BELIEVERS 88

CHARITY AND ALMS 90

REGARD FOR KINSHIP 92

KINDNESS TO PARENTS 93

THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN 95

SUCKLING 98

MARRIAGE, A GREAT WORSHIP 100

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MARRIAGE 102

MARRIAGE IS THE KEY TO DIVINE MERCY AND A GOOD TEMPER 103

HASTEN TO MARRY 105

INTERCESSION AND HELP IN LAWFUL MARRIAGE 106

INTERCESSION AND HELP IN LAWFUL MARRIAGE 108

WIFE AND HER DOWER 110

DOWER: THE LESS THE BETTER 111

MARRIAGE WITH REGARD TO FAITH AND HONESTY 112

MAN'S INTENTION IN MARRIAGE 114

EARNING A LIVELIHOOD 116

WIVES AND GOOD TREATMENT TO THEIR HUSBANDS 117

HONOUR YOUR WIVES 120

WIFE AND PLEASING HER HUSBAND 122

ADMIRABLE QUALITIES OF WIVES 124

DIVORCE AND ITS EFFECTS 127

LOWERING THE GAZE AND GUARDING THE MODESTY 129

WOMEN AND ORNAMENTATION 131

FORNICATION AND ITS HARMFUL EFFECTS 133

HYGIENE IN ISLAM 135

BUSINESS AND SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS 137

FRAUD IN BARGAIN 139

LUSTS 141

WORLDLY POSSESSIONS AND GREEDILY COMPILING WEALTH 143

THIS FLEETING WORLD, ITS ATTRACTIVENESS AND POISON 144

THE NEGLECTFUL SLAVES OF THIS DECEITFUL WORLD 146

GREED AND FUTILE HOPES 147

ARROGANCE AND PRIDE 148

MODERATION IN ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 149

CONSULTATION 150

ACTIVITY AND IDLENESS 151

MARTYRS AND MARTYRDOM 152

THE EXPECTED MAHDI [A.S.] AND HIS GOVERNMENT OF JUSTICE 153

THE MUSLIM UMMAH AT THE END OF THE TIME 158

LIFETIME SHOULD BE WELL SPENT 160

RELIGION AND STUDYING ITS AFFAIRS 162

GOOD TEMPER AND ITS GOOD RESULTS 164

THE DISADVANTAGES OF ANGER AND AN ILL TEMPER 166

ASKING FOR DIVINE PARDON 168

CONGREGATION PRAYER 169

SUPPLICATION 172

REFERENCES 173

Material and Tradition Sources 173

FRIENDSHIP WITH AHL-UL-BAYT (A.S.) OR WITH THEIR ENEMIES? 176

A GIFT FROM FATIMAH, THE PROPHET'S DAUGHTER (P.B.U.H.) 178

THE RECOMONDATION OF FATIMAH, THE PROPHET'S DAUGHTER (P.B.U.H.) TO PEOPLE 179

THE FIRST AND THE LAST ONE OF THE ELEVEN VICEGERENT 184

END NOTE 185

In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

بِسمِ الله الرحمنِ الرحيم

INTRODUCTION

By the grace and assistance of Allah, the translation and publication of the commentary of more than two parts of the Qur'an in English under the title of 'An Enlightening Commentary, into the Light of the Holy Qur'an' have been successfully fulfilled in three volumes. These humble volumes were ardently met and well received by many sincere believers in most parts of the world.

When the readers reflected their enthusiastic affections and we were aware of their kind, cooperative and leading points of view about the task as a helpful Islamic ideological reference for them, and they appreciated especially the involving traditions from the Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] and his AhIul-Bayt [a.s.], we understood that not only the exegesis of the verses of the Qur'an were useful for them, but the concerning Islamic traditions were also warmly embraced and utilized widely.

Besides that, via their communications, we felt their desire and the urgent need of the Age for such leading statements, too. Therefore, it was decided that the present valuable collection of holy traditions which were carefully selected by Ayatullah 'Allamah Mujahid Al-Haj Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani, to be translated into English and offered to the believing Muslims.

On the other hand, regarding the Prophet's famous tradition known as 'Thaqalayn' (two weighty causes), and putting it into action, next to the publication of the above-mentioned commentary of the Qur'an, and to provide traces in the English language from both the Holy Qur'an and AhIul-Bayt [a.s.] together before our eyes, it was thought that the translation of at least a small collection of traditions from Holy AhIul-Bayt [a.s.] would be supplied, so that these 'Two Weighty Causes' may work parallel and not to be separated from each other. Therefore, this favourable task was adventured in order that a short distance might be paved towards the path of the obedience of the godly advice of the Messenger of Allah [p.b.u.h.] in the above mentioned magnificent tradition.

So, for the present time, the very humble endeavour was prepared and entitled: 'A BundIe of flowers from the Garden of Traditions of the Holy Prophet & Ahlul Bayt [a.s.]' to indicate, firstly, the origin of the materials and, secondly, that the collection is merely a small portion of their vast ocean of varying knowledge which is linked to the illimitable knowledge of Allah, because the Holy Ahlul-Bayt [a.s.] are the same ones whom Allah has called“ar-rasikhuna fil 'ilm” (those deeply established in knowledge), where He (s.w.t.) says:

“... But no one knows its hidden meaning except Allah, and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge...” (Sura Al-I-Imran, No.3, verse 7).

However, it is certain that if this group of expressive traditions and the like of them be practically observed by receptive people, the resulting merits of those divinely-linked statements will be abundantly beneficial in every step of their lives: socially, economically, morally, ethically, and so on, Allah-Willing. So, we ask Allah (s.w.t.) to shower His ceaseless infinite mercy upon all those who study this book and try to act according to its involving reasonable ideas.

It is necessary to say, here, that some of the Arabic words involved in the traditions , such as: I na-mahram /,have rarely any equivalents in English to convey their exact meaning.

Hereby, we sincerely appreciate not only the estimable people who helped us with the completion of this book, but also the valuable helpful instructive views we will receive from you, dear reader, which can surely be encouraging and animating for us. Therefore, we thank you in anticipation and ask you to communicate with us by the publisher's address:

The Scientific, Religious Research Center, Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali (as.) Public Library, Isfahan, Iran.

We praise Allah and hope that may He forgive all our faults and shortcomings, and, accept this small endeavour from us with giving rewards to all those who have had a share, of any kind, in it, both in this world and the next world.

Was-Salam:

Sayyid Abbas Sadr-'ameli

Translator

August 1997

PREFACE

بِسْمِ الله الرحمنِ الرَّحيم

قالَ اللّهعزّوجل تَعالى :

... فَاسْأَلُواْ أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ

سورة النحل 16 آية 43 و سورة الانبياء… 21 آية 7

“If you do not know, ask the men of wisdom (among Ummah).” Sura Nahl, no 16, verse 43, Sura Anbiya, No. 21, verse 7

This holy verse enjoins the believers to refer to the people of dhikr i.e., the men of wisdom and the scholars of Ummah in order to recognize the right from wrong, when they (the believers) encounter with difficulties, because Allah after teaching them knowledge, chose them for that matter. Hence, they are those deeply rooted in knowledge who know how to render the Qur'an.

This verse was revealed in order to introduce Ahlul-Bayt [a.s.], viz, Muhammad [p.b.u.h.], Ali, Fatimah, Hassan and Husayn, who are called the five holy lights known as 'Al-i-'Aba' to whom, there have been added nine other blessed ones from the descendants of Imam Husayn. The Messenger of Allah, in different suitable occasions, introduced them as the guiding Imams, the torches in darknesses, and those deeply rooted in knowledge, upon whom surely Allah (s.w.t.), has bestowed 'the Knowledge of the Book'.

These facts, narrated in repeatedly stated traditions, have been precisely approved by the followers of Prophet Muhammad [p.b.u.h.]from the time of revelation up to now, and some of the scholars and commentators from Sunni school have also confessed in their books that those verses of the Qur'an were revealed about and on the virtue of Ahlul-Bayt [a.s.]. A few of the examples of their books are as follows:

1- Imam Tha'labi in his great commentary book upon the meaning of verse 42 from Sura An-Nahl, No. 16.

2- Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol.2, p. 591.

3- Tals Tabari, vol.14, p.75.

4- Tafsir-i-Alusi, known as: 'Ruhul-Bayan', vol.14, p.134.

5- Tafsir-i-Qartabi, vol.11, p.272.

6- Tafsir-i-Hakim, or Shawahid-ut-Tanzil, vol.1, p. 334.

7- Tafsir-i-Shabistary, or: Ihqaaq-ul-Haqq, vol.3, p.482.

8- Yanani-ul-Mawaddah, by Qanduzi Hanafi, p. 119.

Basing on the very reality, we must approach the Immaculate Household, Ahlul-Bayt, and practice their guiding words to instruct our lives well. In this regard, Imam al-Hadi [a.s.] says:

كَلامُكُم نُورٌ وَ اَمرُكُم رُشدٌ وَ وَصيَّتُكُم التَّقوى

من لا يحضره الفقيه و التهذيب و عيون اخبار الرضا

“Your words of wisdom give light, your administration is guidance (for people), and your recommendation is piety and equity.”

Man La Yahduruh-ul-Faqih, Tahthib & 'Uyun-i-Akhbar-ur-Rida

BEWARE O' DEAR READER!

It is via these blessed ones that the material and spiritual problems of our lives, in this world and the world to come, can be solved.

بِكُم اَخرَجَنَا اللّه مِنَ الذلِّ وَ فَرَّجَ عَنّا غَمَراتِ الكُرُوبِ وَاَنقَذَنا مِن شَفاجُرُفِ الهَلَكاتِ وَ مِنَ النّارِ

It is on account of you that Allah pulls us out of the the lowliness (of infidelity), sets us free from the clutches of hard grieves, and takes us to safety from the precipices of annihilation of the world, and from the Fire of Hell, too.

Man La Yahduruh-uI-Faqih, Tahthib & 'Uyun-i-Akhbar-ur-Rida

بِمُوالاتِكُم عَلَّمَنَا اللّهُ مَعالِمَ دينِنا وَ اَصلَحَ ما كانَ فَسَدَ مِن دُنيانا

It was because of your mastership and leadership that Allah taught us the laws of our religion, put in order what had been spoiled and corrupted in our world. (And He saved us from poverty, degradation and ignorance, then, bestowed us knowledge, honour and dignity.)

Man La Yahduruh-uI-Faqih, Tahthib & 'Uyun-i-Akhbar-ur-Rida

Well, if we leave following those blessed ones, we will fail in all aspects. So, the Prophet [p.b.u.h.]has said:

قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

مَثَلُ اَهلِ بَيتي كَمَثَلِ سَفينَةِ نُوحٍ مَن رَكِبَها فَقَد نَجى وَ مَن تَخَلَّفَ عَنها فَقَد هَلَكَ

The parable of my Ahlul-Bayt is similar to that of Noah's Ark. Whosoever embarks it certainly will get rescued, but the one who opposes the boarding of it, surely gets drowned.”

روى هذا الحديث ثمانية من الصحابة و ثمانية من التابعين و ستين من الحفاظ والعلماء… و اكثر من 90 نفر من مؤلفى اهل السنة راجع مشكاة المصابيح ص 523 عن احمد بن حنبل و فرائدالسِّمطَين ج2 ص242 والصواعق المحرقه ص234 و عيون الاخبار ج1 ص211 و غيرها من مصادرالفريقين وان شئت راجع نفحات الازهار ج4 ص127

This tradition has been narrated by eight companions of the Prophet [p.b.u.h.] and eight persons from the disciples of the companions, and by sixty well-known scholars, and more than 90 authors from the brothers os Sunni school, mentioned in Mishkat-ul-Masabih, p.523, from Ahmad-ibn-Hanbal; Fara'id-us-Simtayn, vol.2, p. 242; As-Sawaiq-ul-Muharraqah, p.234; Uyun-ul-Akhbar, Vol.1, p.211; and others from the references of both schools, which if you wish to refer to, are, mentioned in Nafahat-ul-Azhar, vol.4, p.127.

قالَ رَسُولُ الله صلی الله عليه و آله و سلم :

يُوشَكُ اَن اُدعى فَاُجيبُ, اِنّي تارِك فِيكُم الثقَلَينِ كِتابَ الله وَ عِترَتي , كِتابُ الله حَبلٌ مَمـدُودٌ مِنَ السَّماءِ اِلَى الاَرضِ وَ عِترَتي أهلُ بَيتي وَ اِنّ اللّطيفَ الخَبيرَ اَخبَرَني أ نّهُما لَن يَفتَرِقا حَتّى يَـرِدا عَلَيَّ الحَـوضَ فَانظُـرُوا بِماذا تَخلُفُونّي وَ في حَديثٍ آخَر: لَن تَضِلّوا ما اِن تَمَسّكتُم بِهِما

The Messenger of Allah said:“It is probable that I be called soon and I will respond. Then, I leave behind me among you two weighty (very worthy and important) things:

The Book of Allah (i.e. the Qur'an), which is a stretched string from the heaven to the earth, and my progeny, my Ahlul-Bait; for verily Allah, The Merciful, the Aware, informed me that never, never, will these two get separated from each other until they meet me at the Houd of Kauthar (the Pond of Abundance). Therefore, be careful how you will treat due to those two in my absence.”

And, in another tradition it is added:“Never, never, shall you get astray if you attach yourselves to these TWO.”

نَقَلَ هذَا الحَديثِ اَكثَرُ مِن عِشرين صَحابيّاً وَ ما يُقارِبُ مِن 185 راوياً مِن رُواة الحَديثِ راجِع كِتاب صحيح مسلم ج 2 ص 238 و مُسند احمد بن حنبَل ج5 ص182-181 و صحيح الترمذى ج2 ص220 وغيرها مِن مصادر الفريقين و اِن شِئتَ راجع نفحات الازهار فى خلاصة عَبَقات الاَنوار ج1 ص210-199

This tradition is narrated by more than twenty persons from the companions of the Prophet [p.b.u.h.] and it is also narrated by over 185 narrators mentioned in Sahih Muslim, vol. 2, p. 238 & Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, vol.5, p. 181-182; Sahih-i-Tarmathi, vol.2, p.220, and others from the references of both schools which, if you like to see, are mentioned on pp. 199 to 210, vol. 1, in Nafahat-ul-Azhar fi Khulasat-i-Abaqat-ul-Anwar.

Thus, what honour is more excellent than that the Qur'an, the Messenger of Allah [p.b.u.h.], and Ahlul-Bayt [a.s.]be our example, teacher, and leader.

That is why we, with a great mass of sincerity and devotion, say:

We are honoured that we are the followers of a religion whose founder on Allah's direction was Allah's prophet and Amir-ul-Mu'mineen 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the servant of Allah who was himself liberated from all chains and was designated, in turn, as the liberator of Mankind from all chains of slavery (to other than Allah).

We are honoured that Nahjul Balagha, which after the Qur'an is the greatest prescription for spiritual and material life, is the highest book for the liberation of mankind, and its spiritual and political prescriptions are the most valuable for liberation is authored by our Ma'sum Imam (Ali ibn Abi Talib [a.s.]).

We are honoured that Ma'sum Imam from 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib to the liberator of Mankind [a.s.] who with the power of Allah is alive and supervises all affairs, are our Imams.

We are honoured that the supplications, which are called the ascending Qur'an, are from our Ma'sum Imams. We are honoured that the intimate prayers of Sha'baniyyah, the supplications of 'Arafah of Husayn Ibn 'Ali, Sahifah Sajjaddiyah (the psalms of 'Al-i-Muhammad, and Sahifah Fatimah (which is an Allah-inspired Book to Zahra-'i-Mardiyyah).

We are honoured that Baqir-ul-'Ulum, who is the highest personality of history and no one, other than Allah Ta'ala, the Exalted, and the Prophet [S.A.W.A.W.S.]and the Ma'sum Imams, has been or will ever be able to understand his station, is from us.

And, we are honoured that our Madhhab is Ja'fari and that our Figh (Islamic Jurisprudence) which is an infinite sea (of knowledge), is one of his (Imam Sadiq's [a.s.]) contributions. And we are proud of all Ma'sum Imams [a.s.], and we are committed to following them.

We are honoured that our Ma'sum Imams [a.s.] lived in prisons and in exile because they tried to raise the status of the Deen (religion) of Islam and implement (the teaching) of the Holy Qur'an, one of whose dimensions is the formation of the Just Government, and finally became martyrs in attempts to irradicate oppressive governments and Taghut of their own time.

A part of the sayings of Hazrat Imam (May God be pleased) in Sahofah Inqilab.

NOW, O' DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER!

You are eye-witnesses, in this little globe, smaller than a village in the universe, that today, the period of the burst of imformation, the bewildered human race of our Age is burning in the thirst of the blazing desert of injustice and inequality, while man is ceaselessly sinking deeper and deeper into the swamp of impiety and inequity.

Those who boast of man's freedom and happiness are anxiously watching the descent of the moral values, the very circumstance that they themselves have created. They can afford nothing but looking at the destruction of human and humanity. But, is it really the end of the line?

The answer is surprisingly positive, unless man returns to his godly-human-nature, applying the miserable experiments of his past life as a torch for his future way and utilizing Islam as the best remedy.

In the present Age, Islam the glorious, as the best guiding prescription, better than ever in history, has stretched its kind hand to rescue him who is drowned in and overwhelmed with vices and, by the Grace of Allah has stood to cure him from the sickness of corruption.

Islam is available to quench the thirst of that wandering man in the hot desert of impiety by means of the wholesome water of its theology enlightened with the glow of the knowledge and excellences of Ahlul-Bayt, which is the reflection of bright galaxy of revelation that has ever had no err or mistake at all. It showers its light over all material and spiritual aspects of man's life totally. Thus, it has vividly opened a highway unto this deluded man that haply he goes toward reality.

BUT, O' DEAR FRIEND

The first and the most essential way of recognizing a school of idea is studying its main texts with proper understanding of the words of its sages and leaders. It is by this means that the doctrine of that school about the world and its problems upon different practical phenomena can be realized and estimated.

It has been on this foundation and under this stimulus that we have taken action in publishing a continuous commentary of the Qur'an in English under the name of 'An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an', which was faced with such a warm reception of the seekers of truth in many countries of the world that during less than three years its first two volumes were reprinted five times.

Now, at the threshold of the sixth print of those sacred commentary books, the present book as 'A bundle of

Flowers' enriched from the statements of the leaders of the instructive school of Islam, that is the very Ahlul-Bayt, is offered to all of those who seek for the Noblest and latest Divine school. We expect that with utilizing the perfum of these everlasting fresh flowers best, contemplate the following expression from the eighth Imam [a.s.]:

قالَ الاِمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام :

رَحِمَ اللّه عَبداً اَحيا اَمرَنَا فَقُلتُ لَهُ: وَ كَيفَ يُحيِي أمرَكُـم قالَ: يَتَعَلَّـمُ عُلُومَنَا وَ يُعَلِّمُهَا النّاسَ فَانِّهَم لَو عَلِمُوا مَحَاسِنَ كَلاَمِنَا لاَتّبَعُونَا

بحارالانوار/2/30 - معانى الاخبار ص180 - وسائل الشيعه 27/92

Imam Rida [a.s.] said:“May the Mercy of Allah be upon the servant who keeps alive our commandment” . I asked him [a.s.] how the one could keep your commandment alive. He [a.s.] said:“He (can) learn our sciences and teach them to people. In fact, if people knew (the merits) and goodness of our speech, surely they would follow us.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol.2, p.40; Ma'aniy-uI-Akhbar, by Saduq, p.180; and Wasa'il ush-Shi'ah, vol.27, p.92

A BENEVOLENT EXPECTATION

We hope that by reading and hearkening the noble words of those holy ones, the statement be completed to the people of the world, may be, through following the Holy Ahlul-Bayt, the youth; viz, the new generation, stand away from any religious, mental, moral, theological, social, economical, political, and educational deviation, so that each of them can grow to be an effective gentleman and also, as a devoted soldier, to be helpful for Islam and Muslims throughout the world.

AT THE END

We send our sincere and pure regards with kind greetings to those holy, excellent, purified and immaculate souls, while we say:

السّلامُ عَلى مَحالِّ مَعرِفَة الله وَ مَساكِنِ بَرَكَة اللّهِ وَ مَعادِنِ حِكمَةِ اللّهِ وَ حَفَظَة سِرِّ اللّهِ وَ حَمَلَة كِتابِ اللّهِ وَ اَوصِياءِ نَبِيِّ اللّهِ وَ ذُرّيّة رَسُولِ الله صَلّى اللّهُ عليه وَ آلِهِ وَ رَحمَة اللّهِ وَ بَرَكاتُهُ

من لا يحضره الفقيه و التهذيب و عيون اخبار الرضا

Peace be on you that your hearts aquaint with awareness of Allah, the place where there are blessings of Allah and the source of the wisdom of Allah. The secrets of Allah have been put in your safekeeping. You know the knowledge of the Book of Allah by heart. You are the successors of the Prophet of Allah [p.b.u.h.] and the children of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him and his progeny and the mercy and blessings of Allah as well.

Man La YahduruhuI Faqih, Tahthib & 'Uyun-i-Akhbar-ur-Rida

وَالسّلامُ عَلى مَنِ اتّبَعَ الهُدى

سيّد كمال فقيه ايمانى (ايران – اصفهان (

And Peace to all who follow guidance.

Sayyid Kamal Faghih Imani

Esfahan-Iran

THE OPENING TRADITION

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

1- قالَ الإمامُ السَّجّادُ عليه السلام :

أَلْحَمْدُ للّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ حَقُّهُ كَما يَسْتَحِقُّهُ حَمْداً كَثِيراً. وَأَعُوذُ بِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ نَفْسِي، إنَّ النَّفْسَ لاَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إلاَّ ما رَحِمَ رَبِّي

وَأَعُوذُ بِهِ مِنْ شَرِّ الشَّيْطَانِ الَّذِي يَزِيدُنِي ذَنْباً إلَى ذَنْبِي، وَأَحْتَرِزُ بِهِ مِنْ كُلِّ جَبَّار فاجِر، وَسُلْطان جآئر، وَعَدُوٍّ قاهِر

أَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنْ جُنْدِكَ فَإنَّ جُنْدَكَ هُمُ الْغالِبُونَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ حِزْبِكَ; فَإنَّ حِزْبَكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ أَوْلِيآئِكَ; فَإنَّ أَوْلِيَاءَكَ لا خَوْفٌ عليهمْ وَلا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

أَللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِيْنِي فَإنَّهُ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي آخِرَتِي فَإنَّهَا دارُ مَقَرِّي، وَإلَيْها مِنْ مُجاوَرَةِ اللِّئامِ مَفَرِّي، وَاجْعَلِ الْحَياةَ زِيادَةً لِي فِي كُلِّ خَيْر، وَالْوَفاةَ رَاحَةً لِي مِنْ كُلِّ شَرٍّ

أَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّد خاتَمِ النَّبِيِّينَ وَتَمَامِ عِدَّةِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ، وَأَصْحَابِهِ الْمُنْتَجَبِينَ وَهَبْ لِي فِي الثُلُثآءِ ثَلاثاً: لا تَدَعْ لِي ذَنْباً إلاَّ غَفَرْتَهُ، وَلا غَمّاً إلاَّ أَذْهَبْتَهُ، وَلا عَدُوّاً إلاَّ دَفَعْتَهُ. بِبِسْمِ اللهِ خَيْرِ الاَسْمآءِ، بِسْمِ اللهِ رَبِّ الاَرْضِ وَالسَّمآءِ

بحارالانوار/90/187 و ملحقات الصحيفة السجاديه/572

THE OPENING TRADITION

Imam Sajjad, the fourth Imam, [a.s.] said:“All Praise is only Allah's, and praise is His right: an illimitable praise that suits Him. I seek refuge in Him from my own self of evils: verily, the (human) self is certainly prone to do evil except such as my Lord has had mercy on. I see refuge in Him from the evil of Satan who always increases a sin to my sins. I seek refuge in Him from any immoral opposer, cruel king, and forceful enemy.”

“O' Lord! assign me as one of Your soldiers, because it is sure that Your troops are totally victorious; and assign me among Your party, for truly, it is Your party that will achieve Felicity; and accept me as one of Your lovers, for, certainly, on the lovers of Allah there is no fear, nor shall they grieve.”

“O' Lord! improve my religion for me, for surely it is a divine protection on all my affairs; and improve my next world for me, because, no doubt, it is my permanent abode for me to escape from the scornful people, and assign my life for me in increasing any goodness, and my death a means of my freeing from any malady.”

“O' Lord! bless Muhammad, the final prophet of all the members of Messengers, and his pure progeny, as well as his gentle companions,and bestow me three necessities today: do not hold any sin for me except that You forgive it nor a grieve but You remove it, nor any enemy but You send him away via the appellation of Allah which is the best names, i.e. By the Name of Allah, the Lord of the earth and heaven...”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 90, p. 187 & Sahifah Sajjadiyyah, p. 572

KNOWING ALLAH, HIS GREATNESS AND HIS GRACE

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

اَيّهَا النّاسُ اِنّهُ لا نَبِيَّ بَعدي وَ لا اُمّةَ بَعدَكُم ألا فَاعبُـدُوا رَبّكُـم وَصَلّوا خَمسَكُم وَصُومُوا شَهرَكُم وَ حِجُّـوا بَيتَ رَبِّكُم وَ اَدّوا زَكوةَ اَموالِكُم طيّبَةً بِها اَنفُسُكُم وَ اَطيعُوا وُلاةَ اَمرِكُم تَدخُلُـوا جَنّةَ رَبِّكُم

الخصال/322

The Holy Prophet [p.b.u.h.] said:“O' people! Verily, there is no prophet after me, nor any Ummah after you (Muslims). So, take care to worship your Lord, perform your five ritual prayers, fast in the appointed month (Ramadan), make pilgrimage to the House of your Lord (Mecca), give the alms of your wealth in order to purify your souls thereby, and obey the Holders of Authority, so that you enter the Paradise of your Lord.”

Khisal-al-Saduq, p. 152

3- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عَلِيّ عليه السلام :

عِظَمُ الخالِقِ عِندكَ يُصَغِّرُ المَخلُوقَ في عَينك

نهج البلاغه الكلمات القصار 129

Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“Having the Greatness of the Creator in your mind would make you

realize the insignificance of the creatures in your view.”

Nahjul-Balagha, Statement 129

4- قالَ الاِمامُ اَميرُالمُومنينَ عَلِيّ عليه السلام :

طُوبى لِمَن اَخلَصَ لِلّهِ عَمَلَهُ وَ عِلْمَهُ وَ حُبّهُ وَ بُغْضَـهُ وَ اَخْذَهُ وَ تَرْكَهُ وَ كَلامَهُ وَ صَمْتَهُ وَ فِعْلَهُ وَ قَوْلَهُ

بحارالانوار/77/289

Imam Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Ali [a.s.] said:“ Blessed is he who sincerely devotes the entirety of his actions, knowledge, love, hatred, receiving, relinquishing, speech, silence, deeds, and statements absolutely to Allah.”

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 77, p. 289

5- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

اَلقَلبُ حَرَمُ الله فَلا تُسكِنْ حَرَمَ اللهِ غَيرَ اللهِ

بحارالانوار/70/25

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said: “The heart is the sanctuary of Allah, therefore, do not settle therein anything but Allah (The sacred place of the heart belongs to and Him alone. Therefore, keep the love of the world out of it.)

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 70, p. 25

6- قالَ الاِمامُ الصّـادِقُ عليه السلام :

شيعَتُنَا الّذينَ اِذا خَلَوا ذَكَرُوا اللّهَ كَثيرًا

بحارالانوار/93/162

Imam Sadiq [a.s.] said:“Our true followers are those who, when they are alone, remember Allah abundantly.” (That is, they avoid committing vices in private where there is no barrier for them to commit sin by the mere remembrance of Allah.)

Bihar-ul-Anwar, vol. 93, p. 162

7- قالَ الاِمامُ البـاقِرُ عليه السلام :

لا وَاللهِ ما اَرادَ اللّهُ تَعالى مِنَ النّاسِ إلّا خَصلَتَينِ: اَن يُقِرّوا لَهُ بِالنِّعَمِ فَيَزيدَهُم وَ بِالذُّنُوبِ فَيَغفِرَها لَهُم

الكافي/2/426

Imam Baqir [a.s.] said:“By Allah, He, the Exalted, expects of people but two traits: that they confess for Him the blessings in order that He increases His bounties for them; and that they make confessions about their evil actions and then He forgives those sins for them.”

Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 426

8- قالَ الاِمامُ الحُسَينُ عليه السلام :

اِنّ اللّه جَـلّ ذِكـرُهُ ما خَلَـقَ العِبـادَ إلّا لِيَعرِفُـوهُ فَـاِذا عَرَفُوهُ عَبدُوهُ، فاِذا عَبَدُوهُ اِستَغنَوْا بِعِبادَتِهِ عَن عِبَادَة ما سِواهُ

سفينةالبحار/2/180

Imam Husayn ibn Ali [a.s.] said:“Verily, Allah, the Exalted, has not created human beings except for recognizing Him and worshipping Him as (the consequence of) knowing Him; and when they worship Him they would lack the need of adoring any human being (or things) other than Him because of that worship.”

Safinat-ul-Bihar, vol. 2, p. 180

9- قالَ الامامُ عَلِيّ بنُ الحُسَينِ عليه السلام :

لا يُهلَكُ مُؤمِنٌ بَينَ ثَلاثِ خِصـالٍ: شَهـادَةِ اَن لا اِلهَ إلّاَ اللهُ وَحدَهُ لا شَريك لَهُ, وَ شَفاعَةِ رَسُولِ الله, وَ سِعَةِ رَحمَةِ الله

سفينةالبحار/517

The fourth Imam, Ali ibn Husayn [a.s.] said: “There is no destruction (Hell) for a believer having three qualities:

Confessing that there is no god besides Allah, the One Who has no partner; the intercession of the Messenger of Allah and the vastness of the Grace of Allah.

Safinat-ul-Bihar, p. 517

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