Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

183 - ما يُثَبِّتُ الإيمانَ‏

183 That Which Consolidates Faith

561. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - وقد سُئلَ عمّا يُثَبِّتُ الإيمانَ في العبدِ - : الّذي يُثَبّتُهُ فيهِ الوَرَعُ ، والّذي يُخْرِجُهُ مِنهُ الطَّمَعُ1

561. Imam al-Sadiq (AS), when asked what consolidates a servant's faith, replied, 'The thing that consolidates it in him is piety, and that which takes him out of it [i.e. faith] is greed.'2

562. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لا يَثْبُتُ لَه3 الإيمانُ إلّا بالعَمَلِ ، والعَمَلُ مِنهُ4

562. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Faith is only consolidated in him through action, and action is a part of it.'5

Notes

1. الخصال : 9 / 29 .

2. al-Khisal, p. 9 , no. 29

3. الضمير يرجع إلَى المؤمن .

4. الكافي : 2 / 38 / 6 .

5. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 38 , no. 6

184 - طَعمِ الإيمانِ‏

184 The Taste of Faith

563. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله: ثلاثٌ مَن كُنَّ فيه ذاقَ طَعْمَ الإيمانِ : مَن كانَ لا شي‏ءَ أحبُّ إلَيهِ مِن‏اللَّهِ ورسولِهِ ، ومن كان لَأنْ يُحرقَ بالنّار أحبَّ إليهِ مِن أنْ يَرْتَدَّ عن دِينِهِ ، ومن كانَ يُحبُّ للَّهِ ويُبغضُ للَّهِ1

563. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Three qualities which, when present in a person, enable him to savour the taste of faith: that nothing is more beloved to him than Allah and His Messenger, that to be burned in the Fire is more beloved to him than to denounce his religion, and that he loves for the sake of Allah and hates for the sake of Allah.'2

564. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا يجِدُ عبدٌ طعمَ الإيمانِ حتّى‏ يترُكَ الكذبَ هَزْلَهُ وجِدَّهُ3

564. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'A servant will never savour the taste of faith until he abandons lying, both in jest and earnestness.'4

565. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لايَجدُ عَبدٌ طعمَ الإيمانِ حتّى يَعلمَ أنَّ ما أصابَهُ لم يكُن لِيُخطِئَهُ ، وَأنَّ ما أخطأهُ لم يكُن ليُصيبَهُ، وَأنَّ الضّارَّ النّافِعَ هوَ اللَّهُ عزّ وجلّ5

565. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'A servant will never savour the taste of faith until he knows that that which afflicts him would never have missed him, and that that which has missed him would never have touched him, and that the only One to induce harm and benefit is Allah, Mighty and Exalted.'6

566. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا يذوقُ المَرءُ من حَقيقةِ الإيمانِ حتّى‏ يكونَ فيهِ ثلاثُ خصالٍ : الفقهُ في الدِّينِ ، والصّبرُ على المَصائبِ ، وحُسْنُ التّقديرِ في المَعاشِ7

566. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Man will never taste the reality of faith until he possesses three qualities: understanding of religion, perseverance in calamities, and a good assessment of his income.'8

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 72 .

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 72

3. بحار الأنوار : 72 / 249 / 14 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 72 , p. 249 , no. 14

5. الكافي : 2 / 58 / 7 .

6. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 58 , no. 7

7. بحار الأنوار : 71 / 85 / 29 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 71 , p. 85 , no. 29

185 - عَدَمُ تَذَوُّقِ حَلاوَةِ الإيمانِ‏

185 Inability to Taste the Sweetness of Faith

567. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن كان أكثرُ همّهِ نيلَ الشّهَواتِ نُزِعَ مِن قلبهِ حلاوةُ الإيمانِ1

567. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'He whose greatest concern is fulfilling his own desires has the sweetness of faith wrested from his heart.'2

568. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : حرامٌ على قلوبِكُم أنْ تعرِفَ حَلاوةَ الإيمانِ حتّى‏ تَزهَدَ في الدّنيا3

568. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'It is prohibited for your hearts to experience the sweetness of faith until they abstain from this world [i.e. its pleasures].'4

Notes

1. تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 116 .

2. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 6 , p. 116

3. الكافي : 2 / 128 / 2 .

4. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 128 , no. 2

186 - ما يُخرِجُ الإنسانَ مِنَ الإيمانِ‏

186 That Which Removes One from Faith

569. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : أدنَى الكفرِ أنْ يَسمعَ الرّجُلُ مِن أخيهِ الكَلِمَةَ فيَحْفَظَها علَيهِ يُريدُ أنْ يَفْضَحَهُ بها ، اُولئكَ لا خَلاقَ لَهُم1

569. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The most basic level of infidelity is for a man to hear a fellow brother say something and memorize it for future to use against him in order to shame him with it. Those are worthless people indeed.'2

570. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: قَد يَخْرُجُ [العبدُ] مِن الإيمانِ بخَمْسِ جِهاتٍ مِن الفعلِ كُلُّها مُتَشابِهاتٌ مَعروفاتٌ : الكفرُ ، والشِّركُ ، والضّلالُ ، والفِسقُ ، ورُكوبُ الكبائرِ3

570. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The servant can come out of faith through five means, all resembling each other: infidelity, polytheism [i.e. associating anything with Allah], straying from the truth, immorality, and embarking on committing grave sins.'4

(اُنظر) الشرك : باب 1023 ؛ الكفر : باب 1605

(See also: POLYTHEISM: section 1023; DISBELIEF: section 1605)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 193 / 11 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77 , p. 193 , no. 11

3. تحف العقول : 330 ، اُنظر تمام الحديث .

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 330

187 - ما يُجانِبُ الإيمانَ‏

187 That Which Repels Faith

571. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : خَصْلتانِ لا تَجتَمِعانِ في مؤمنٍ : البُخلُ ، وسُوءُ الظَّنِّ بالرِّزقِ1

571. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Two traits can never be found in a believer: miserliness and pessimism about one's sustenance.'2

572. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : خُلُقان لا يَجتَمِعانِ في مؤمنٍ : الشُّحُّ ، وسُوءُ الخُلقِ3

572. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Two traits can never be found in a believer: avarice and ill-naturedness.'4

573. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : يُطبَعُ المؤمنُ على‏ كلِّ خَصلةٍ ولا يُطبَعُ على‏ الكذبِ ولا على‏ الخِيانةِ5

573. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believer can be predisposed to any trait, but he cannot be predisposed to lying or treachery.'6

574. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ستّةٌ لا تكونُ في مؤمنٍ : العُسرُ ، والنَّكَدُ ، والحَسدُ، واللَّجاجةُ ، والكِذْبُ ، والبَغْيُ7

574. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Six things cannot be found in a believer: [a feeling of] hardship, anxiety, jealousy, disputatiousness, dishonesty, and aggression.'8

(اُنظر) الكذب : باب 1583 ؛ الأمانة : باب 199

(See also: LYING: section 1583; TRUSTWORTHINESS: section 199)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 172 / 8 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77 , p. 172 , no. 8

3. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 173 / 8 .

4. Ibid. p. 173 , no. 8

5. تحف العقول : 55 .

6. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 55

7. تحف العقول : 377 .

8. Ibid. p. 377

188 - عَظَمَةُ المُؤمِنِ‏

188 The Great Status of the Believer

575. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنَّ اللَّهَ جلّ ثَناؤهُ يقولُ : وعِزَّتي وجَلالي ، ما خَلَقتُ مِن خَلْقي خَلْقاً أحَبَّ إلَيَّ مِن عَبديَ المؤمنِ1

575. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Verily Allah, exalted be His praise, says: 'By My Might and Exaltedness, I have not created any creature more beloved to Me than My believing servant.'2

576. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المؤمنُ أكْرَمُ علَى اللَّهِ مِن ملائكتِهِ المُقَرَّبينَ3

576. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believer is dearer to Allah than His closest angels.'4

577. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ أعظمُ حُرمَةً مِن الكعبةِ5

577. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The believer is more sanctified than the Kaba.'6

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 71 / 158 / 75 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 71 , p. 158 , no. 75

3. كنز العمّال : 821 .

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 821

5. الخصال : 27 / 95 .

6. al-Khisal, p. 27 , no. 90

189 - المُؤمِنونَ كَالجَسَدِ الواحِدِ

189 The Believers Are As One Body

578. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَثَلُ المُؤمِنينَ في تَوادِّهِمْ وَتَعاطُفِهِمْ وَتَراحُمِهِمْ مَثَلُ الجَسدِ ؛ إذا اشتكى‏ مِنهُ عُضوٌ تَداعى‏ سائرُ الجَسَدِ بالسَّهَرِ والحُمّى‏1

578. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The similitude of the believers in their mutual love, affection and compassion for one another is as one body - if a single limb ails then the rest of the body suffers in insomnia and fever.'2

579. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المؤمنونَ تَتَكافَأُ دِماؤهُم ، وهُم يَدٌ على‏ مَن سِواهُم ، ويَسعى‏ بذِمَّتِهم أدْناهُم3

579. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believers' blood is coequal, and they are one hand against others, the most inferior among them is empowered by their protection [of him].'4

Notes

1. مسند ابن حنبل : 6 / 379 / 18408 .

2. Musnad Ibn Hanbal, v. 6 , p. 379 , no. 18408

3. كنز العمّال : 402 .

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 402

190 - مَن هو المُؤمِنُ؟

190 Who is the Believer?

(إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ اللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ آياتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَعَلَى‏ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ * الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصَّلاةَ وَمِمّا رَزَقْناهُمْ يُنْفِقُونَ * أُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ حَقّاً لَهُمْ دَرَجاتٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ وَرِزْقٌ كَرِيمٌ)1

“The faithful are only those whose hearts tremble [with awe] when Allah is mentioned, and when His signs are recited to them, they increase their faith, and who put their trust in their Lord, maintain the prayer and spend out of what We have provided them. It is they who are truly the faithful. They shall have ranks near their Lord, forgiveness and a noble provision.” 2

(اُنظر) التوبة : 71 و يوسف : 106 و المؤمنون : 1 - 11 و القصص : 52 - 55 و السجدة : 15 - 19 و الشورى‏ : 36 - 39 و الفتح : 29 و البيّنة : 5 ، 7 - 8

(See also: Qur'an 9:71, 12:106, 23:i-11, 28:52-55, 32:15-19, 42:35-39, 48:29, 98:5, 98:7-8)

580. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المؤمنُ هَيِّنٌ لَيِّنٌ ، حتّى‏ تَخالَهُ مِن اللِّينِ أحمقَ3

580. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believer is nice and simple, such that he could be mistaken to be stupid because of his simplicity.'4

581. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المؤمنُ مَن آمَنَهُ النّاسُ على‏ دِمائهِم وأموالِهم5

581. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believer is he whom people trust with their blood and their property.'6

582. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المؤمنُ الّذي نفسُهُ مِنهُ في عَناءٍ ، والنّاسُ في راحةٍ7

582. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believer is he whose soul is inconvenienced because of him but people are at ease.'8

583. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المؤمن يَبدأ بالسَّلامِ ، والمنافقُ يقولُ : حتّى‏ يُبْدأَ بي !9

583. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believer initiates the greeting of peace (salam) whereas the hypocrite says, 'Not until it is said to me first!'10

584. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المؤمنُ يألَفُ ويُؤلَفُ ، ولا خيرَ فيمَن لا يألَفُ ولا يُؤلَفُ ، وخيرُ النّاسِ أنفَعهُمْ للنّاسِ11

584. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The believer likes others and is well-liked by them, and there is no good to be found in one who does not get along with others and whom people do not get along with. The best of people is the most useful from among them.'12

585. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن سَرَّتْهُ حَسَنتُهُ وساءَتْهُ سَيّئتُهُ فهُو مؤمنٌ13

585. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'He whose good deed pleases him and whose sin upsets him is indeed a believer.'14

586. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - يَصِفُ المؤمنَ - : لطيفُ الحَرَكاتِ ، حُلْوُ المُشاهَدةِ يَطلُبُ مِن الاُمورِ أعلاها ، ومِن الأخلاقِ أسْناها لا يَحيفُ على‏ مَن يُبغِضُ ، ولا يأثَمُ فيمَن يُحِبُّ قليلُ المؤونةِ ، كثير المَعونةِ يُحسِنُ في عملِهِ كأنّهُ ناظرٌ إلَيهِ ، غَضُّ الطَّرْفِ ، سَخِيُّ الكَفِّ ، لا يَرُدُّ سائلاً يَزِنُ كلامَهُ ، ويُخْرِسُ لسانَهُ لا يَقبَلُ الباطلَ مِن صديقِهِ ، ولا يَرُدُّ الحقَّ على‏ عدوِّهِ ، ولا يَتعلّمُ إلّا لِيَعْلمَ ، ولا يَعلمُ إلّا لِيَعْملَ إن سلَكَ مَع أهلِ الدُّنيا كانَ أكيَسَهُم ، وإنْ سَلكَ مَع أهلِ الآخرةِ كانَ أورَعَهُم15

586. The Prophet (SAWA) said, describing the believer, '[He is] subtle in his movements, sweet to look at... he seeks out the loftiest of matters, and has the most outstanding moral ethics... he is not prejudiced against he whom he does not like, nor biased in favour of one he loves... he is hardly a burden, and instead is very helpful... he perfects his actions as if he is being watched, lowers his gaze, is liberal in his giving, and never turns away a beggar... he considers his words carefully and guards his tongue... he neither accepts falsehood from a friend, nor rejects the truth from an enemy... he only learns in order that he might know, and he only seeks to know in order that he may act... When he travels with worldly people, he is the smartest of them, and when he travels with the people of the Hereafter, he is the most pious from among them.'16

587. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ بِشْرُهُ في وجهِهِ ، وحُزنُهُ في قلبِهِ ، أوسَعُ شَي‏ءٍ صَدْراً ، وأذَلُّ شَي‏ءٍ نَفْساً ، يَكْرَهُ الرِّفْعةَ ، ويَشْنَأُ السُّمْعةَ ، طويلٌ غمُّهُ ، بَعيدٌ هَمُّهُ ، كثيرٌ صَمتُهُ ، مَشغولٌ وقتُهُ ، شَكورٌ ، صَبورٌ ، مَغمورٌ بفِكرَتِهِ ، ضَنينٌ بخَلّتِهِ ، سَهلُ الخَليقةِ ، لَيِّنُ العَرِيكةِ ، نَفسُهُ أصْلَبُ مِن الصَّلْدِ ، وهُو أذَلُّ مِن العبدِ17

587. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The believer is such that his joy is evident on his face whereas his sorrow is in his heart. His breast is at its widest [i.e. biggest heart] but his ego is at its lowest. He despises high rank and shuns reputation. His grief is long-lasting and his ambition is lofty. His silence is much and his time occupied. He is grateful, extremely patient, and immersed in deep thought. He is thrifty with his needs. He is good-natured and mild-tempered. His soul is firmer than steel whilst he [i.e. his ego] remains lower than a slave.'18

588. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ شاكرٌ في السَّرّاءِ ، صابرٌ في البلاءِ ، خائفٌ في الرَّخاءِ19

588. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The believer is grateful in times of prosperity, patient during tribulation, and fearful in times of ease.'20

589. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ غِرٌّ كريمٌ ، مأمونٌ على‏ نفسِهِ ، حَذِرٌ مَحزونٌ21

589. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The believer is gullible and kind, secure from his own [lower] self, yet wary and distressed [on account of it].'22

590. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : المؤمن مَن طَهّرَ قلبَهُ مِن‏الدَّنِيَّةِ23

590. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The believer is he who has purified his heart of all that is base.'24

591. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ مَن وَقى‏ دِينَهُ بدُنياهُ ، والفاجرُ مَن وقى‏ دُنياهُ بدِينِهِ25

591. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The believer is he who protects his religion by putting his world at stake, whereas the impudent one is he who protects his worldly affairs by putting his religion at stake.'26

592. ا لإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ يَصمُتُ لِيَسْلَمَ، ويَنْطِقُ لِيَغْنَمَ27

592. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, 'The believer is silent in order that he remains safe, and speaks [only] in order to benefit.'28

593. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ حَسَنُ المَعونةِ ، خفيفُ المَؤونةِ، جَيّدُ التّدبيرِ لِمَعيشتِهِ ، لا يُلْسَعُ مِن جُحْرٍ مرّتينِ29

593. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The believer is a great helper, and a very light burden. He is good at economising for his livelihood, and is never stung twice from one hole [i.e. never makes the same mistake again].'30

594. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ لَه قوّةٌ في دِينٍ ، وحَزْمٌ في لِينٍ ، وإيمانٌ في يقينٍ ، وحِرْصٌ في فِقهٍ ، ونَشاطٌ في هُدىً وصَلاةٌ في شُغلٍ31

594. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The believer possesses strength in his religion, prudence in his leniency, faith in conviction, an avid desire for religious understanding, activity in [matters pertaining to] guidance... and prayer during times of preoccupation.'3 2

595. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ مَن طابَ مَكْسبُهُ ، وحَسُنتْ خَليقَتُه ، وصَحَّتْ سَريرَتُهُ ، وأنْفقَ الفَضلَ مِن مالِهِ ، وأمْسكَ الفَضلَ مِن كلامِهِ33

595. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The believer is he whose earnings are pure, whose character is beautiful, whose conscience is clean, who gives away whatever is surplus from his wealth, and guards whatever is surplus from his speech.'34

596. ا لإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام : لا يكونُ المؤمنُ مؤمناً حتّى‏ تكونَ فيه ثلاثُ خِصالٍ : سُنّةٌ مِن ربِّهِ ، وسُنّةٌ مِن نبيِّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله ، وسنّةٌ مِن وليِّهِ عليه السلام ؛ فأمّا السُّنَّةٌ مِن ربّهِ فكِتْمانُ السِّرِّ ، وأمّا السُّنَّةُ مِن نبيِّه صلى اللَّه عليه وآله فمُداراةُ النّاسِ ، وأمّا السُّنَّةُ مِن وليِّهِ عليه السلام فالصَّبرُ في البَأْساءِ والضَّرّاءِ35

596. Imam al-Rida (AS) said, 'The believer is not a believer until he possesses three qualities: a practice [characteristic] of his Lord, a practice of his Prophet (SAWA), and a practice of his guardian (AS). As for the practice of his Lord, it is to conceal secrets; the practice of his Prophet (SAWA) is amicableness towards people; and the practice of his guardian (AS) is patience in both times of ease and difficulty.'36

(اُنظر) الإسلام : باب 968

(See also: ISLAM: section 968)

Notes

1. الأنفال : 2 - 4 .

2. Qur'an 8 :2-4

3. كنز العمّال : 690 .

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 690

5. كنز العمّال : 739 .

6. Ibid. no. 739

7. كنز العمّال : 752 .

8. Ibid. no. 752

9. كنز العمّال : 778 .

10. Ibid. no. 778

11. كنز العمّال : 679 .

12. Ibid. no. 679

13. كنز العمّال : 700 .

14. Ibid. no. 700

15. بحار الأنوار : 67 / 71 / 34 و ص‏ 310 / 45 .

16. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 67 , p. 310 , no. 45

17. بحار الأنوار : 69 / 410 / 127 .

18. Ibid. v. 69 , p. 410 , no. 127

19. غرر الحكم : 1743 .

20. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1743

21. غرر الحكم : 1901 .

22. Ibid. no. 1901

23. غرر الحكم : 1956 .

24. Ibid. no. 1956

25. غرر الحكم : 2160 .

26. Ibid. no. 2160

27. الكافي : 2 / 231 / 3 .

28. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 231 , no. 3

29. الكافي : 2 / 241 / 38 .

30. Ibid. p. 241 , no. 38

31. الكافي : 2 / 231 / 4 .

32. Ibid. p. 231 , no. 4

33. الكافي : 2 / 235 / 18 .

34. Ibid. p. 235 , no. 18

35. تحف العقول : 442 .

36. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 442

191 - صَلابَةُ المُؤمِنِ‏

191 The Firmness of the Believer

597. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ أصْلَبُ مِن الجَبلِ ، الجَبلُ يُسْتَقَلُّ مِنه ، والمؤمنُ لا يُسْتَقَلُّ مِن دِينِه شَي‏ءٌ1

597. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'The believer is harder than a mountain, for the mountain is dispensable whereas nothing can be taken away from his religion.'2

598. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّ المؤمنَ أشدُّ مِن زُبَرِ الحديدِ ، إنّ زُبرَ الحديدِ إذا دَخلَ النّار تَغيّرَ ، وإنّ المؤمنَ لو قُتِلَ ثُمّ نُشِرَ ثُمّ قُتِلَ لم يَتغيّرْ قلبُهُ3

598. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Verily the believer is stronger than pieces of iron, for when a piece of iron enters the fire it changes, whereas the believer, were he to be killed then resurrected and then killed again, his heart would never change.'4

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 241 / 37 .

2. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 241 , no. 37

3. بحار الأنوار : 67 / 303 / 34 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 67 , p. 303 , no. 34

192 - نورُ المُؤمِنِ‏

192 The Light of the Believer

599. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : تَقولُ جَهَنَّمُ لِلمُؤمِنِ يَومَ القِيامَةِ : جُز يا مُؤمِنُ فَقَد أطفَأَ نورُكَ لَهَبي‏1

599. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Hell will say to the believer on Judgment Day: 'Pass through O Believer, because your light has extinguished my flames.'2

600. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ المُؤمِنَ لَيَزهَرُ نورُهُ لِأَهلِ السَّماءِ كَما تَزهَرُ نُجومُ السَّماءِ لِأَهلِ الأَرضِ‏3

600. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The light of a believer illuminates for the dwellers of the heavens the way the stars of the heavens illuminate for the dwellers of the earth.'4

(اُنظر) الخوف : باب 663

(See also: FEAR: section 663)

Notes

1. تاريخ بغداد : 5 / 194 و 12 / 111 .

2. Tarikh Baghdad, v. 5 , p. 194 , and v. 12 , p. 111

3. الكافي : 2 / 170 / 5 .

4. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 170 , no. 5

193 - نُدرَةُ المُؤمِنِ‏

193 The Scarcity of the [True] Believer

601. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ولَم يُخْلِ أرضَهُ مِن عالمٍ بما يَحتاجُ إليه الخَليقةُ، ومُتَعلِّمٍ على‏ سبيلِ النَّجاةٍ ، اُولئكَ هُمُ الأقلُّونَ عَدَداً ، وقد بَيّنَ اللَّهُ ذلكَ في اُمَمِ الأنبياءِ ، وجَعلَهُم مثَلاً لِمَن تأخّرَ ، مثلُ قولهِ في قومِ نوحٍ : (ومَا آمَنَ مَعَهُ إلّا قَلِيلٌ )1

601. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'He has not kept His earth free of a knowledgeable mant whom all of creation need, who is well-versed with the means of salvation. Such [people] are very few in number, and Allah has expounded this among the communities of the prophets, and made them the example for those to come after them, when He said concerning the people of Noah:“And none believed with him except a few” 2 .'3

602. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : المؤمنةُ أعَزُّ مِن المؤمنِ ، والمؤمنُ أعَزُّ مِن الكبريتِ الأحمرِ ، فمَن رأى‏ منكُمُ الكبريتَ الأحمرَ ؟!4

602. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The believing woman is scarcer than the believing man, and the believing man is scarcer than red sulphur, and who from among you has ever seen red sulphur [elixir]?!'5

Notes

1. الاحتجاج : 1 / 581 / 137 .

2. Qur'an 11 :40

3. al-Ihtijaj, v. 1 , p. 581 , no. 137

4. الكافي : 2 / 242 / 1 .

5. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 242 , no. 1

194 - عَلاماتُ المُؤمِنِ‏

194 The Signs of the Believer

603. ا لإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : عَلاماتُ المؤمنِ خَمسٌ : الوَرعُ في الخَلوةِ ، والصَّدقةُ في القِلّةِ ، والصَّبرُ عند المصيبةِ ، والحِلْمُ عند الغضبِ ، والصِّدقُ عند الخوفِ1

603. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, 'The signs of a believer are five: piety [even] when in seclusion, giving charity in spite of lack, patience in the face of calamity, clemency when angered, and truthfulness in spite of fear.'2

604. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - وقد سُئلَ : بأيِّ شي‏ءٍ يَعلَمُ المؤمنُ بأنّهُ مؤمنٌ ؟ - : بالتَّسْليمِ للَّهِ ، والرِّضا فيما وَردَ علَيهِ مِن سُرورٍ أو سُخْطٍ3

604. Imam al-Sadiq (AS), when he was asked, 'How does a believer know that he is indeed a believer?', replied, 'Through submission to Allah and satisfaction with whatever joy or [source of] annoyance comes his way.'4

(اُنظر) الشيعة : باب 1083

(See also: THE SHIA: section 1083)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 67 / 293 / 15 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 67 , p. 293 , no. 15

3. بحار الأنوار : 72 / 336 / 24 .

4. Ibid. v. 72 , p. 336 , no. 24

195 - أفضَلُ المُؤمنينَ‏

195 The Best of Believers

605. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أفضلُ المؤمنينَ أفضلُهُم تَقْدِمَةً مِن نفسِهِ وأهلِهِ ومالِهِ1

605. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The best of believers is the one who is best at dedicating himself, his family and his wealth [for Allah].'2

606. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أفضلُ المؤمنينَ إيماناً مَن كانَ للَّهِ أخْذُهُ وعَطاهُ وسَخطُهُ ورِضاهُ3

606. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The best of believers in terms of faith is he whose giving and withholding, and whose displeasure and pleasure are solely for Allah.'4

(اُنظر) الفضل : باب 1485 ؛ التقوى : باب 1871

(See also: MERIT: section 1485; GODWARINESS: section 1871)

Notes

1. نهج البلاغة : الكتاب 69 .

2. Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 69

3. غرر الحكم : 3278 .

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3278

196 - فَضلُ مَن يُؤمِنُ بِالرَّسولِ ولَم يَرَهُ‏

196 The Merit of One Who Believes in the Prophet without Having Seen Him

607. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ليسَ إيمانُ مَن رآني بعَجَبٍ ولكنّ العَجبَ كلَّ العَجبِ لِقومٍ رأَوا أوْراقاً فيها سَوادٌ فآمَنوا بهِ أوّلِهِ وآخِرهِ1

607. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The faith of one who has seen me is no great wonder, but what is truly amazing is for the people who have only seen pages with black [ink] on it [i.e. the Qur'an] and have believed in it from beginning to end.'2

608. ك نز العمّال رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : متى‏ ألْقى‏ إخْواني ؟! قالوا : ألَسْنا إخْوانَكَ؟ قالَ : بلْ أنتُم أصْحابي ، وإخْواني الّذينَ آمَنوا بِي ولَم يَرَوني ، أنا إلَيهِم بالأشْواقِ3

608. The Prophet (SAWA) said, exclaiming, 'When will I see my brothers?!' to which they replied, 'Are we not your brothers?' He said, 'No, you are my companions. My brothers are those who believe in me without having seen me, and I am filled with longing for them.'4

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 704 .

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 34582

3. كنز العمّال : 34583 .

4. Ibid. no. 34583

31 - الأمانة

31 TRUSTWORTHINESS

197 - وُجوبُ رِعايَةِ الأمانَةِ

197 The Necessity of Observing The Trust

(وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَماناتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَاعُونَ )1

“...and those who keep their trusts and covenants” 2

609. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أفضلُ الإيمانِ الأمانةُ ، أقْبَحُ الأخلاقِ الخِيانةُ3

609. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The best form of faith is trustworthiness, and the worst vice is betrayal.'4

610. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : ثلاثٌ لم يَجعلِ اللَّهُ عزّ وجلّ لأحدٍ فيهنّ رُخْصةً: أداءُ الأمانةِ إلَى البَرِّ والفاجرِ ، والوفاءُ بالعَهدِ للبَرِّ والفاجرِ ، وبِرُّ الوالِدَينِ بَرَّينِ كانا أو فاجِرَينِ‏5

610. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'There are three things regarding which Allah, the Exalted, did not allow any flexibility: returning a trust to its owner, be he good or wicked; keeping one's pact with both the good and the wicked; and kindness to one's parents whether they be good or wicked.'6

Notes

1. المؤمنون : 8 .

2. Qur'an 23 :8

3. غرر الحكم : 2905 - 2906 .

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2905-29 06

5. الكافي : 2 / 162 / 15 .

6. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 162 , no. 15

198 - إطلاقُ وُجوبِ أدائِها

198 Universality of Trustworthiness

611. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا تَخُنْ مَنِ ائْتَمَنكَ وإنْ خانَكَ ، ولا تُذِعْ سِرَّهُ وإنْ أذاعَ سِرَّكَ‏1

611. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Do not betray a man who trusts you, even if he betrays you. And do not disclose his secrets even if he discloses yours.'2

612. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : اتَّقوا اللَّهَ ، وعلَيكُم بأداءِ الأمانةِ إلى‏ مَنِ ائْتَمَنكُم ، فلَو أنّ قاتِلَ أميرِ المؤمنينَ عليه السلام ائْتَمَنني على‏ أمانةٍ لَأدّيْتُها إلَيهِ‏3

612. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Fear Allah and return the trust to he who has entrusted it to you, for verily even if the killer of the Commander of the Faithful (AS) left a trust with me, I would return it to him.'4

613. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : أدُّوا الأمانةَ ولو إلى‏ قاتِلِ الحسينِ بنِ عليٍّ عليهما السلام‏5

613. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Return the trust, even to the killer of al-Husayn b. Ali.'6

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 208 / 1 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77 , p. 208 , no. 1

3. الأمالي للصدوق : 318 / 373 .

4. Amali al-Saduq, p. 204 , no. 5

5. الأمالي للصدوق : 318 / 372 .

6. Ibid. no. 4