Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

295 - تِجارَةُ الآخِرَةِ

295 The Trade of the Hereafter

(يا أَيُّهَاالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هَلْ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى‏ تِجارَةٍ تُنْجِيكُمْ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ * تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَتُجاهِدُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِأَمْوَالِكُمْ وأَنْفُسِكُمْ ذلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ)1

“O you who have faith! Shall I show you a deal that will deliver you from a painful punishment? Have faith in Allah and His Apostle, and wage jihad in the way of Allah with your possessions and your persons. That is better for you, should you know.” 2

965. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : كلُّ ما أبْصَرْتَهُ بعَينِكَ واسْتَحْلاهُ‏قلبُكَ فاجعَلْهُ للَّهِ، فذلكَ تِجارةُ الآخِرَةِ، لأنَّ اللَّهَ يقولُ: (ما عِندَكُم يَنْفَدُ وماعِندَ اللَّهِ باقٍ)3 4

965. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'All that you see with your own eye and that your heart finds pleasing, make it for Allah, for this is the trade of the Hereafter. Allah says,“What is with you depletes, while what is with Allah is eternal” .'5

966. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : تاجِرُ الدُّنيا مُخاطِرٌ بنفسِهِ ومالِهِ ، وتاجِرُ الآخِرَةِ غانِمٌ رابِحٌ ، وأوَّلُ رِبْحهِ نَفسُهُ ثُمَّ جَنّةُ المَأوى‏6

966. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The merchant of this world risks his money and and his soul, while the merchant of the Hereafter is a profiting winner: his first profit is his soul and then the sublime Paradise.'7

967. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا تِجارَةَ كالعَملِ الصّالحِ ، ولا رِبحَ كالثَّوابِ8

967. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'There is no [goods for] trade like good deeds, and no profit like the [divine] reward.'9

968. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أربَحُ النّاسِ منِ اشْتَرى‏ بالدُّنيا الآخِرَةَ10

968. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The most profiting, among people, is the one who buys the Hereafter at the expense of this world.'11

969. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنَّ مَن باعَ نَفسَهُ بغيرِ الجَنّةِ فقد عَظُمَتْ علَيهِ المِحْنةُ12

969. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Whoever sells himself for [a price] less than Paradise, his ordeal is indeed severe.'13

970. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَنِ اتَّخَذَ طاعةَ اللَّهِ بِضاعةًأتَتْهُ الأرْباحُ مِن غيرِ تِجارةٍ14

970. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Whoever takes the obedience of Allah as a commodity will see profits without even trading.'15

Notes

1. الصف : 10 ، 11 .

2. Qur'an 61 :10,11

3. النحل : 96 .

4. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 106 / 1 .

5. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77 , p. 106 , no. 1

6. تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 120 .

7. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2 , p. 120

8. بحار الأنوار : 69 / 409 / 122 .

9. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 69 , p. 409 , no. 122

10. غرر الحكم : 3076 .

11. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3076

12. غرر الحكم : 3474 .

13. Ibid. no. 3474

14. غرر الحكم : 8864 .

15. Ibid. no. 8864

296 - عَدَمُ إلهاءِ التِّجارَةِ لِلمُؤمِنِ‏

296 Trading Does not Divert the Believer

(رِجالٌ لَا تُلْهِيهِمْ تِجارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتاءِ الزَّكاةِ يَخافُونَ يَوْماً تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ القُلُوبُ وَالْأَبْصارُ)1

“Men whom neither trading nor bargaining distracts from the remembrance of Allah, and the maintenance of prayer and the giving of zakat. They are fearful of a day wherein the heart and the sight will be transformed.” 2

971. ب حار الأنوار عن فقه الرضا عليه السلام : إذا كُنتَ في‏تِجارَتِكَ وحَضَرَتِ الصّلاةُ فلا يَشغَلْكَ عنها مَتْجَرُكَ، فإنَّ اللَّهَ‏وَصفَ قَوماً ومدَحَهُم فقالَ : (رِجالٌ لا تُلهيهم تِجارَةٌ وَلَا بَيْعٌ عَنْ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَإِقامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتاءِ الزَّكاةِ يَخافُونَ يَوْماً تَتَقَلَّبُ فِيهِ القُلُوبُ وَالْأَبْصارُ). وكانَ هؤلاءِ القَومُ يَتَّجِرونَ، فإذا حَضَرَتِ الصّلاةُ تَرَكوا تِجارَتَهُم‏وقاموا إلى‏ صَلاتِهِم، وكانوا أعظَمَ أجْراً مِمَّن لا يَتَّجِرُ فيُصَلّي3

971. It is narrated in Fiqh al-Rida (AS): 'When you are engaged in your trade and prayer time arrives, let not your trading divert you from it; for Allah described a certain people and praised them, saying,“Men whom neither trade nor sale can divert...” These people used to trade, but when prayer time arrived they would leave their trade and stand for their prayer. They deserved more reward than non-traders who prayed.'4

Notes

1. النور : 37 .

2. Qur'an 24 :37

3. بحار الأنوار : 103 / 100 / 40 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 69 , p. 409 , no. 122

297 - التِّجارَةُ بالدِّين !

297 Trade With Religion

972. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : المُسْتَأكِلُ بدِينِهِ حَظُّهُ مِن‏دِينِهِ ما يَأكُلُهُ1

972. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Whoever seeks to eat by sacrificing his religion will only have from his religion as much as he eats.'2

973. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن طَلبَ الدُّنيا بعَملِ الآخِرَةِ كانَ‏أبْعَدَ لَهُ مِمّا طَلَبَ3

973. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Whoever seeks this world through the work of the Hereafter will have his goal set at a greater distance.'4

Notes

1. تحف العقول : 223 .

2. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 223

3. غرر الحكم : 8901 .

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8901

56 - التوبة

56 REPENTANCE

298 - الحَثُّ عَلَى التَّوبَةِ

298 Enjoinment of Repenting

(وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيِّئاتِ وَيَعْلَمُ ما تَفْعَلُونَ)1

“It is He who accepts the repentance of His servants, and excuses their misdeeds and knows what you do.” 2

974. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : التَّوبةُ تَجُبُّ ما قَبلَها3

974. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Repentance erases whatever precedes it.'4

975. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : التّائبُ مِن الذَّنبِ كَمَنْ لا ذَنْبَ لَهُ5

975. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'He who repents for his sin is like one who has no sin.'6

976. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : التَّوبَةُ تُطهِّرُ القُلوبَ وتَغْسِلُ الذُّنوبَ7

976. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Repentance purifies the hearts and washes away the sins.'8

Notes

1. الشورى‏ : 25 .

2. Qur'an 42 :25

3. عوالي اللآلي : 1 / 237 / 150 .

4. Awali al-La'ali v 1 p 237 no 150

5. كنز العمّال : 10174 .

6. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 10174

7. غرر الحكم : 1355 .

8. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1355

299 - مَنزِلةُ التّائِبِ‏

299 The Status of One Who Repents

(إِنَّ اللَّه يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ‏وَيُحِبُ‏المُتَطَهِّرِينَ).1

“Indeed Allah loves the penitent and He loves those who keep clean.” 2

977. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ليسَ شَي‏ءٌ أحَبَّ إلى‏ اللَّهِ‏مِن مُؤمنٍ تائبٍ أو مُؤمنةٍ تائبةٍ3

977. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'There is nothing more beloved to Allah than a penitent believer - man or woman.'4

978. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : كُلُّ بَني آدمَ خَطّاءٌ، وخَيرُ الخَطّائينَ التَّوّابونَ5

978. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Every son of Adam is a sinner, but the best of them are the penitent ones.'6

979. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لَلَّهُ أفْرَحُ بتَوبةِ عبدِهِ مِن العَقيمِ‏الوالِدِ، ومِن الضّالِّ الواجِدِ ، ومِن الظّمآنِ الوارِدِ7

979. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Allah rejoices for the repentance of His servant more than the barren rejoices for having a child, and more than the lost one who finds his way, and more than the thirsty one who finds water.'8

Notes

1. البقرة : 222 .

2. Qur'an 2 :222

3. بحار الأنوار : 6 / 21 / 15 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 7 , p. 21 , no. 15

5. الدرّ المنثور : 1 / 626 .

6. al-Durr al-Manthur, v. 1 , p. 626

7. كنز العمّال : 10165 .

8. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 10165

300 - عَلامَةُ التّائِبِ‏

300 The Sign of a Penitent Person

980. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : أمَّا عَلامةُ التّائبِ فأربَعةٌ : النَّصيحةُ للَّهِ في عَمَلِهِ، وتَرْكُ الباطِلِ ، ولُزومُ الحَقِّ ، والحِرْصُ على‏ الخَيرِ1

980. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'There are four signs to the penitent person: sincerity in his work for the sake of Allah, avoiding misdeeds, adhering to what is right, and eagerness for what is good.'2

981. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في وَصفِ التّائبينَ - : غَرَسُوا أشْجَارَ ذُنوبِهِم نُصْبَ عُيونِهِم وقُلوبِهِم وسَقَوها بمِياهِ النَّدَمِ، فأثْمَرَتْ لهُمُ السَّلامةَ ، وأعْقَبَتْهُمُ الرِّضا والكَرامَةَ3

981. Imam Ali (AS) said, describing the penitent ones, 'They planted the trees of their sins before their eyes and hearts, and watered them with the water of remorse; thus they produced safety for them and left them with contentment and dignity.'4

982. ا لإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام - في مُناجاته - : واجْعَلْنا مِن الّذينَ قَطَعوا أسْتارَ نارِ الشَّهَواتِ بنَضْحِ ماءِ التَّوبَةِ ، وغَسَلوا أوْعِيَةَ الجَهلِ بِصَفْوِ ماءِ الحَياةِ5

982. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said in his intimate supplication, 'Place us among those who extinguish the fire of desires by shedding the water of repentance, and wash the plates of ignorance with the purity of the water of life.'6

Notes

1. تحف العقول : 20 .

2. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 20

3. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 72 / 38 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78 , p. 72 , no. 38

5. بحار الأنوار : 94 / 127 / 19 .

6. Ibid. v. 94 , p. 127 , no. 19

301 - قَبولُ التَّوبَةِ

301 The Acceptance of Repentance

(وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبادِهِ وَيَعْفُو عَنِ السَّيّئاتِ)1

“It is He who accepts the repentance of His servants, and excuses their misdeeds” 2

983. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن اُعْطِيَ التَّوبَةَ لَم يُحرَمِ القَبولَ، ومَن اُعْطِيَ الاسْتِغْفارَ لَم يُحرَمِ المَغفِرَةَ3

983. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'A man who is blessed with repentance will not be deprived of its acceptance, and a man who is blessed with seeking forgiveness will not be deprived of forgiveness.'4

Notes

1. الشورى : 25 .

2. Qur'an 42 :25

3. بحار الأنوار : 69 / 410 / 124 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 69 , p. 410 , no. 124

302 - مَتى‏ تُقبَلُ التَّوبَةُ ؟

302. When Is Repentance Accepted?

(وَلَيْسَتِ التّوْبَةُ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ حَتّى‏ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَهُمُ الْمَوْتُ قالَ إِنِّي تُبْتُ الْآنَ وَلَا الَّذِينَ يَمُوتُونَ وَهُمْ كُفّارٌ)1

“But [acceptance of] repentance is not for those who go on committing misdeeds: when death approaches any of them, he says, 'I repent now.' Nor is it for those who die while they are faithless.” 2

984. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن تابَ قَبْلَ أنْ يُعايِنَ قَبِلَ‏اللَّهُ تَوبَتَهُ3

984. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'A man who repents before he sees [the angel of death], Allah will accept his repentance.'4

985. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : إذا بَلَغتِ النّفسُ هذهِ وأهْوى‏ بيَدِهِ إلى‏ حَلْقِهِ - لَم يَكُن للعالِمِ تَوبَةٌ ، وكانتْ للجاهلِ تَوبَةٌ5

985. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'When the soul reaches this - and pointed to his throat - there will not remain a chance to repent for the knowledgeable man, but there will remain a chance for the ignorant one.'6

986. ا لإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام - وقد سُئلَ عن عِلّةِ إغْراقِ اللَّهِ فِرْعَونَ وقد آمَنَ بهِ وأقَرَّ بتَوحيدِهِ - : لأنَّهُ آمنَ عندَ رُؤيةِ البَأْسِ ، والإيمانُ عندَ رُؤيَةِ البَأْسِ غيرُ مَقبولٍ7

986. Imam al-Rida (AS), when he was asked about the reason for Allah's drowning the Pharaoh after he believed in Him and attested to His oneness, replied, 'Because he believed after he saw the wrath [of Allah], and belief at such a time is not accepted.'8

Notes

1. النساء : 18 .

2. Qur'an 4 :18

3. الكافي : 2 / 440 / 2 .

4. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 440 , no. 2

5. الكافي : 2 / 440 / 3 .

6. Ibid. no. 3

7. بحار الأنوار : 6 / 23 / 25 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 6 , p. 23 , no. 25

303 - النَّدَمُ تَوبَةٌ

303 Remorse Is Repentance

987. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : النَّدَمُ تَوبَةٌ1

987. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Remorse is repentance.'2

988. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : النَّدَمُ على‏ الخَطيئةِ اسْتِغْفارٌ3

988. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Remorse for a sin counts as seeking forgiveness.'4

989. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : نَدمُ القلبِ يُكَفِّرُ الذَّنبَ5

989. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Remorse of the heart offsets the sin.'6

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 10301 .

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 10301

3. غرر الحكم : 1211 .

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1211

5. غرر الحكم : 9973 .

6. Ibid. 9973

304 - حُسنُ الاعتِرافِ‏

304 Appropriate Confession [of One's Sins]

(وَآخَرُونَ اعْتَرَفُوا بِذُنُوبِهِمْ خَلَطُوا عَمَلاً صَالِحاً وَآخَرَ سَيِّئاً عَسَى‏ اللَّهُ أنْ يَتُوبَ عَلَيْهِمْ)1

“[There are] others who have confessed to their sins, having mixed up righteous conduct with other that was evil. Maybe Allah will accept their repentance.” 2

990. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : عاصٍ يُقِرُّ بذَنبِهِ خَيرٌ مِن مُطيعٍ يَفتَخِرُ بعَملِهِ3

990. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'A sinner who confesses to his sin is better than an obedient man who brags about his deed.'4

991. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : واللَّهِ ، ما يَنْجو مِن الذَّنْبِ إلّا مَن أقَرَّ بهِ5

991. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'By Allah! None will be safe from his sin except the one who admits it.'6

992. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : لا واللَّهِ ما أرادَ اللَّهُ تَعالى‏ مِن النّاسِ إلّا خَصْلَتَينِ : أنْ يُقِرّوا لَهُ بالنِّعَمِ فيَزيدَهُم ، وبالذُّنوبِ فَيَغفِرَها لَهُم7

992. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'By Allah! Allah wants but two traits to be present in people: to acknowledge His favors so that He may increase them, and to confess their sins so that He may forgive them.'8

Notes

1. التوبة : 102 .

2. Qur'an 9 :102

3. غرر الحكم : 6334 .

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6334

5. بحار الأنوار : 6 / 36 / 56 .

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 6 , p. 36 , no. 56

7. الكافي : 2 / 426 / 2 .

8. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 426 , no. 2

305 - دَعائِمُ التَّوبَةِ

305 The Pillars of Repentance

(فَمَنْ تَابَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ظُلْمِهِ وَأَصْلَحَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ)1

“But whoever repents after his wrongdoing, and reforms, then Allah shall accept his repentance. Indeed Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful.” 2

(وَإِنِّي لَغَفَّارٌ لِمَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحاً ثُمَّ اهْتَدى‏)3

“Indeed I am all-forgiving toward him who repents, becomes faithful and acts righteously, and then follows guidance.” 4

993. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : التَّوبَةُ على‏ أربَعةِ دَعائِمَ :نَدَمٌ بالقَلبِ ، واسْتِغفَارٌ باللِّسانِ ، وعَملٌ بالجَوارِحِ ، وعَزْمُ أنْ لا يَعودَ5

993. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Repentance stands on four pillars: remorse with the heart, asking for forgiveness with the tongue, work with the limbs, and resolve not to repeat [the offense].'6

994. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام - وقد سألَهُ شَيخٌ مِن النَّخَعِ : إنّي لَم أزَلْ والِياً مُنذُ زَمنِ‏الحَجّاجِ إلى‏ يَومي هذا، فهَلْ لي مِن‏تَوبةٍ ؟ قالَ : فَسَكتَ، ثُمّ أعَدْتُ علَيهِ، فقالَ - : لا ، حتّى‏ تُؤَدّيَ إلى‏ كُلِّ ذي‏حَقٍّ حقَّهُ7

994. Wahab b. Abdi-Rabbih narrated on the authority of a shaykh from Nakha tribe, who said, 'I asked Abu Jafar [al-Baqir] (AS), 'I have been a governor since the time of al-Hajjaj until this very day, so is repentance possible for me?' The Imam remained silent, and when I repeated the question, he said, 'No, until you compensate everyone for his lost rights.'8

(اُنظر) الذنب : باب 775 ؛ الاستغفار : باب 1433

(See also: SINNING: section 775; SEEKING FORGIVENESS: section 1433)

Notes

1. المائدة : 39 .

2. Qur'an 5 :39

3. طه : 82 .

4. Qur'an 20 :82

5. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 81 / 74 .

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78 , p. 81 , no. 74

7. الكافي : 2 / 331 / 3 .

8. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 331 , no. 3

306 - أنواعُ التَّوبَةِ

306 Types of Repentance

995. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : أحْدِثْ لكُلِّ ذَنبٍ تَوبَةً ، السِّرُّ بالسِّرِّ والعَلانِيَةُ بالعَلانِيَةِ1

995. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Make a repentance for every sin; public [repentance] for public [sins] and private [repentance] for private [sins].'2

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 127 / 33 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77 , p. 127 , no. 33

307 - التَّوبَةُ النَّصوحُ‏

307 Sincere Repentance

(يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى‏ اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَصُوحاً)1

“O you who have faith! Repent to Allah with sincere repentance!” 2

996. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - وقد سُئلَ عنِ التَّوبةِ النَّصوحِ - : هُو النَّدمُ على‏ الذّنبِ حينَ يَفْرُطُ مِنكَ، فتَسْتَغفِرُ اللَّهَ بِنَدامَتِكَ عِند الحافِرِ ، ثُمَّ لا تَعودُ إلَيهِ أبَداً3

996. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Sincere repentance is remorse for the sin as soon as it slips out from you; then you ask Allah for forgiveness, then you never return to it.'4

997. ا لإمامُ الهاديُّ عليه السلام - وقد سُئلَ عنِ التّوبةِالنَّصُوحِ - : أنْ يَكونَ الباطِنُ كالظّاهِرِ وأفْضَلَ مِن ذلكَ5

997. Imam al-Hadi (AS) when he was asked about sincere repentance, said, ' [It is] when the inner self becomes identical to the outer behavior, and even better than it.'6

Notes

1. التحريم : 8 .

2. Qur'an 65 :8

3. كنز العمّال : 10427 .

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 10302

5. بحار الأنوار : 6 / 22 / 20 .

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 6 , p. 22 , no. 20

308 - تَأخيرُ التَّوبَةِ

308 Postponing Repentance

998. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنْ قارَفْتَ سَيّئةً فعَجِّلْ مَحْوَها بالتَّوبةِ1

998. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'If you commit a misdeed, hasten to erase it with repentance.'2

999. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مُسَوِّفُ نَفسِهِ بالتَّوبةِ ، مِن هُجومِ الأجَلِ على‏ أعظَمِ الخَطَرِ3

999. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The one who procrastinates in repenting for himself faces the greatest danger from the [sudden] attack of death.'4

1000. الإمامُ الجوادُ عليه السلام : تأخِيرُ التَّوبةِ اغْتِرارٌ، وطُولُ التّسْويفِ حَيْرَةٌ5

1000. Imam al-Jawad (AS) said, 'Postponing repentance is an illusion, and long procrastination is perplexity.'6

(اُنظر) عنوان 207 «التسويف»

(See also: PROCRASTINATION)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 208 / 1 .

2. Ibid. v. 77 , p. 208 , no. 1

3. غرر الحكم : 9876 .

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9876

5. تحف العقول : 456 .

6. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 456

309 - الأهوَنُ مِن التَّوبَةِ

309 What Is Easier Than Repentance

1001. المسيح عليه السلام: إنَّ مَن‏لَيس علَيهِ‏دَيْنٌ مِن النّاسِ أروَحُ وأقَلُّ هَمّاً مِمَّن علَيهِ الدَّينُ وإنْ أحسَنَ القَضاءَ ، وكذلكَ مَن لَم يَعمَلِ الخَطيئةَ أرْوَحُ هَمّاً مِمَّن عَمِلَ الخَطيئَةَ وإنْ أخْلصَ التّوبَةَ وأنابَ1

1001. Prophet Jesus (AS) said, 'The man who has no debt to people is more comfortable than the one indebted, even if he repayed his debt; and similarly the man who has not committed any sins is more comfortable than he who has committed sins, even if he has sincerely repented and returned [to the right path].'2

1002. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : تَرْكُ الذَّنبِ أهْوَنُ مِن طَلبِ التَّوبةِ3

1002. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Abandoning sin is easier than asking for forgiveness.'4

Notes

1. تحف العقول : 392 .

2. Ibid. no. 392

3. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 364 / 96 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73 , p. 364 , no. 96

310 - سَتر اللَّهِ عَلَى التّائِبِ‏

310 Allah Conceals the Sin of the Penitent One

1003. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن تابَ تابَ اللَّهُ علَيهِ، واُمِرَتْ جَوارِحُهُ أنْ تَسْتُرَ علَيهِ ، وبِقاعُ الأرضِ أنْ تَكْتُمَ علَيهِ ، واُنْسِيَتِ الحَفَظَةُ ما كانتْ تَكتُبُ علَيهِ1

1003. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Allah turns mercifully to the one who repents, and his limbs are ordered to keep his secret, and all the places on earth to conceal for him [his sin], and the record-keeping angels to forget whatever they wrote about him.'2

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 6 / 28 / 32 .

2. Ibid. v. 6 , p. 28 , no. 32

311 - تَبديلُ السَّيِّئاتِ حَسَناتٍ‏

311 Changing Sins Into Good Deeds

(إِلّا مَنْ تَابَ وَآمَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلاً صَالِحاً فَأُولئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ اللَّهُ سَيِّئاتِهِمْ حَسَنَاتٍ وَكانَ اللَّهُ غَفُوراً رَحِيماً)1

“excepting those who repent, attain faith, and act righteously. For such, Allah will replace their misdeeds with good deeds, and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful.” 2

1004. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : أوحى‏ اللَّهُ عزّ وجلّ‏إلى‏ داوودَ النَّبيِّ على‏ نبيّنا وآلهِ وعلَيهِ السّلامُ : يا داوودُ ، إنّ عَبديَ المؤمنَ إذا أذْنَبَ ذَنباً ثُمّ رَجعَ وتابَ مِن ذلكَ الذَّنبِ واسْتَحيى‏ مِنّي عندَ ذِكْرِهِ غَفَرْتُ لَهُ ، وأنسَيْتُهُ الحَفَظَةَ وأبْدَلْتُهُ الحسَنَةَ ، ولا اُبالي وأنا أرْحَمُ الرّاحِمينَ3

1004. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) narrated, 'Allah, the Exalted, revealed to Prophet David4 - peace be upon him and on our Prophet, 'O David! When My believing servant commits a sin and then returns [to Me] and repents for that sin and is ashamed in My presence every time he remembers it, I will forgive him and cause the recording angels to forget it and change it to count as a good deed, and I will not care about it further, for I am the most Merciful.'5

(اُنظر) المعاد : باب 1395

(See also: RESURRECTION: section 1395 )

Notes

1. الفرقان : 70 .

2. Qur'an 25 :70

3. بحار الأنوار : 6 / 28 / 30 .

4. Prophet David (AS) is known in the Arabic tradition as Dawud (ed.)

5. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 6 , p. 28 , no. 30

312 - التَّأ لِّي عَلَى اللَّهِ‏

312 Speculating on Allah's Judgment

1005. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : وَيْلٌ للمُتَأ لِّينَ من اُمَّتي ، الَّذينَ يقولونَ : فُلانٌ في الجَنّةِ ، وفُلانٌ في النّارِ1

1005. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Woe to those who foretell [about Allah's actions] from among my community - those who proclaim that x will go to Paradise, but y will go to the Fire.'2

1006. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنَّ رجُلاً قالَ يوماً : واللَّهِ، لا يَغفِرُاللَّهُ لفُلانٍ! فقالَ اللَّهُ عزّ وجلّ : مَنْ ذا الّذي تَأَلّى‏ علَيَّ أنْ لاأغفِرَ لفُلانٍ؟! فإنِّي قد غَفَرتُ لِفُلانٍ ، وأحْبَطْتُ عَملَ الثّاني بقولهِ: لا يَغفِرُ اللَّهُ لفُلانٍ3

1006. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'A man said one day, 'I swear by Allah that He will not forgive so and so.' Allah, the Exalted, said, 'Who is he to foretell about what I will do - that I will not forgive this man? I indeed have forgiven him and annulled the work of the foretelling man because of his saying, 'Allah will not forgive him.'4

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 7902 .

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 7902

3. وسائل الشيعة : 11 / 267 / 13 .

4. Wasa'il al-Shia, v. 11 , p. 267 , no. 13

57 - الثواب‏

57 THE REWARD

313 - ثَوابُ العَمَلِ الصّالِحِ‏

313 The Reward for a Rightous Deed

1007. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَوابُ عَملِكَ أفضَلُ مِن عَملِكَ1

1007. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The reward for your work is better than your work itself.'2

1008. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثوَابُ الآخِرَةِ يُنْسي مَشَقَّةَ الدُّنيا3

1008. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The reward of the Hereafter causes one to forget the toil of this world.'4

1009. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ سُبحانَهُ وَضَعَ الثّوابَ على‏ طاعَتِهِ والعِقابَ على‏ مَعصِيَتِهِ ذِيادَةً لِعبادِهِ عَن نِقْمَتِهِ ، وحِياشَةً لَهُم إلى‏ جَنَّتِهِ5

1009. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Allah, the Exalted, decreed reward for obeying Him and chastisement for disobeying Him, in order to protect His servants against His wrath and to herd them to His Paradise.'6

1010. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَوابُ العَملِ على‏ قَدْرِ المَشَقَّةِ فيهِ7

1010. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The reward for any work is proportionate to the toil of performing it.'8

(اُنظر) عنوان 65 «الجزاء»

(See also: REQUITA L 65)

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 4688 .

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4688

3. غرر الحكم : 4692 .

4. Ibid. no. 4692

5. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 368 .

6. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 368

7. غرر الحكم : 4690 .

8. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4690

314 - أعظَمُ المَثوبَةِ

314 The Greatest Reward

1011. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام: إنَّ أعظَمَ المَثوبَةِ مَثوبَةُالإنْصافِ1

1011. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The greatest reward is the reward [dealt] by fairness.'2

1012. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَوابُ الجهادِ أعظَمُ الثَّوابِ3

1012. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The reward for jihad is the greatest reward.'4

1013. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : شَيْئان لا يُوزَنُ ثَوابُهُما : العَفوُ ، والعَدلُ5

1013. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'There are two things the reward for which is beyond measure: pardon and justice.'6

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 3387 .

2. Ibid. no. 3387

3. غرر الحكم : 4695 .

4. Ibid. no. 4695

5. غرر الحكم : 5769 .

6. Ibid. no. 5769

315 - مَن بَلَغَهُ ثَوابٌ عَلى‏ عَمَلٍ‏

315 A Man Who Hears About the Reward For a Particular Action

1014. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : مَن بَلَغهُ ثَوابٌ مِن اللَّهِ على‏ عَمل، فعَمِلَ ذلكَ العَملَ الْتِماسَ‏ذلكَ الثَّوابِ اُوتِيَهُ وإنْ لَم يَكُنِ الحَديثُ كَما بَلَغَهُ1

1014. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'If a man hears about Allah's reward for a particular action, and subsequently performs it in order to attain that reward, he will receive it - even if the actual report was contrary to what he had heard.'2

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 87 / 2 .

2. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 87 , no. 2