Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

87 - ما يَنزِعُ مَهابَةَ الاُمَّةِ الإسلامِيَّةِ

87 What Takes Away the Splenodur of the Muslim Community

274. ا لملاحم و الفتن عن ثوبان مَولى‏ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : قال رسول اللَّه صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : يُوشِكُ الاُمم تَداعى‏ عَلَيْكُمْ تَداعِيَ الأكَلَةِ على‏ قَصْعَتِها

قالَ قائلٌ مِنْهُمْ : مِنْ قِلّةٍ نَحْنُ يَوْمَئذٍ ؟ قالَ : بَلْ أنْتُمْ كَثِيرٌ ، ولكنّكُمْ غُثاءٌ كَغُثاءِ السَّيْلِ ، وَليَنْزِعَنَّ اللَّهُ مِنْ عَدُوِّكُمُ المَهابةَ منهم ، ولَيَقْذِفَنَّ في قُلوبِكُمُ الوَهْنَ !

قالَ قائلٌ : يا رسولَ اللَّه ، وما الوَهْنُ ؟ قالَ : حُبُّ الدُّنيا وكَراهِيَةُ المَوتِ1

274. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Very soon other communities will attack you, like the attack of a hungry man towards a bowl of food.' One present there asked, 'Will we be a minority then?' He said, 'No, you will be the majority, but you will be like the scum of the flood. And in fact Allah will snatch away the awe that your enemy has of you, and He will cast weakness in your hearts!' One present there asked, 'And what is [that] weakness?' He said, 'Love of the world and dislike of death.'2

275. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إذا عَظَّمَتْ اُمّتي الدُّنيا نَزَعَ اللَّهُ منها هَيْبَةَ الإسلامِ3

275. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Whenever my community aggrandizes the world, Allah will remove the splendour of Islam from them.'4

(اُنظر) عنوان 69 «الجماعة» ؛ 130 «الاختلاف»

(See also: CONGREGATION 69; DIFFERENCES 130)

Notes

1. الملاحم والفتن : 307 / 428 .

2. Al-Malahim wa al-Fitan, p. 307 , no. 428

3. تنبيه الخواطر : 1 / 75 .

4. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1 , p. 75

88 - ما يَخافُ النَّبِيُّ عَلى‏ اُمَّتِهِ‏

88 The Prophet's (SAWA) Fear for His Community

276. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّما أخافُ على‏ اُمّتي ثَلاثاً : شُحّاً مُطاعاً ، وهَوىً مُتَّبعاً ، وإماماً ضالّاً1

276. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Indeed I fear three things for my community: obeying their greed, following their desires, and an astray leader.'2

277. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ثَلاثةٌ أخافُهُنَّ على‏ اُمّتي : الضَّلالةُ بَعْدَ المَعْرِفةِ، ومُضِلّاتُ الفِتَنِ ، وشَهْوَةُ البَطْنِ والفَرْجِ3

277. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'I fear three things for my community: deviation after awareness, the misleading temptations, and the desires of the stomach and the private parts.'4

278. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : أشَدُّ ما يُتَخَوَّفُ على‏ اُمّتي ثَلاثةٌ : زَلّةُ عالِمٍ ، أو جِدالُ منافقٍ بِالقرآنِ ، أو دُنيا تَقْطَعُ رِقابَكُمْ فاتَّهِمُوها على‏ أنفُسِكُمْ5

278. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The worst I fear for my community are three: the downfall of a scholar, the disputation of a hypocrite by means of the Qur'an, and the world which beheads you. So, for your own sakes, be suspicious of this world.'6

279. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ أخْوَفَ ما أتَخَوَّفُ على‏ اُمّتي مِن بَعْدي : هذهِ المَكاسِبُ المُحَرَّمةُ ، والشَّهْوَةُ الخَفِيّةُ ، والرِّبا7

279. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Verily the most dreadful things that I fear for my community after me are: these unlawful earnings, covert carnal desire [i.e. lust] and usury.'8

280. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ أخْوَفَ ما أخافُ عَلى اُمّتِي الهَوى‏ وطُولُ الأملِ ؛ أمّا الهوى‏ فَإنّهُ يَصُدُّ عَنِ الحقِّ ، وأمّا طُولُ الأملِ فَيُنْسي الآخِرَةَ9

280. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Certainly the most dreadful things I fear for my community are: [following] desires and entertaining high hopes, for desires obstruct one from the truth and high hopes make one forget the Hereafter.'10

281. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ أخْوَفَ ما أخافُ عَلَيْكُمُ الشِّرْكُ الأصْغَرُ قالُوا : وما الشِّرْكُ الأصْغَرُ يا رسولُ اللَّهِ ؟ قال : هُوَ الرِّياءُ11

281. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Certainly the most dreadful thing I fear for you is the lesser polytheism.' They asked, 'And what is the lesser polytheism, O Messenger of Allah?' He (SAWA) replied, 'It is showing off (riya').'12

282. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ أخْوَفَ ما أخافُ عَلى اُمّتِي كُلُّ مُنافقٍ عَليمِ اللِّسانِ13

282. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Verily the most dreadful thing I fear for my community is every well-spoken hypocrite.'14

283. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : أخْوَفُ ما أخافُ على‏ اُمّتي زَهْرَةُ الدُّنيا وكَثْرَتُها15

283. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The most dreadful thing I fear for my community is the splendour and abundance of worldly possessions.'16

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 161 / 178 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77 , p. 161 , no. 178

3. الأمالي للطوسي : 157 / 263 .

4. Amali al-Tusi, p. 157 , no. 263

5. الخصال : 163 / 214 .

6. al-Khisal, p. 163 , no. 214

7. بحار الأنوار : 73 / 158 / 3 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 73 , p. 158 , no. 3

9. بحار الأنوار : 70 / 75 / 3 .

10. Ibid. v. 70 , p. 75 , no. 3

11. بحار الأنوار : 72 / 303 / 50 .

12. Ibid. v. 72 , p. 303 , no. 50

13. كنز العمّال : 28969 و 28968 و 28970 .

14. Kanz al-Ummal, nos. 28969 , 28968 , 28970

15. تفسير الطبري : 13 / الجزء 25 / 30 .

16. Tafsir al-Tabari, v. 13 , part. 25 , p. 30

16 - الإمامة ( 1 )

16 LEADERSHIP ( 1 ) GENERAL LEADERSHIP (IMAMA)

1

89 - أهَمِّيَّةُ الإمامَةِ

89 The Importance of Divinely Appointed Leadership

(الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلامَ دِيناً)2

“Today I have perfected your religion for you, and I have completed My blessing upon you, and I have approved Islam as your religion.” 3

284. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الإمامةُ نِظامُ الاُمّةِ4

284. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Imama is the [structural] system of the [Muslim] community.'5

285. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : بُنِيَ الإسلامُ على‏ خَمْسٍ : عَلى الصَّلاةِ ، والزَّكاةِ ، والصَّومِ ، و الحَجِّ ، والوَلايةِ ، ولَمْ يُنادَ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ كَما نُودِيَ بالوَلايةِ6

285. Imam al-Baqir (SAWA) said, 'Islam is based on five: prayer, alms, fasting, the obligatory pilgrimage(hajj), and the divine guardianship and no other issue has been called for as much as divine guardianship.'7

286. ا لإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : الإمامةُ هِيَ النُّورُ ، وذلكَ قولُهُ عزّوجلّ: (آمِنُوا باللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ والنُّورِ الّذي أنْزَلْنا)8 ، قالَ : النُّورُ هُوَ الإمامُ9

286. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, 'Imama is the light, and that is the purport of His saying [in the Qur'an]:“So have faith in Allah and His Apostle and the light which We have sent down” . He (AS) said, 'The light is the Imam.'10

287. ا لإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام : وأنْزَلَ في حِجَّةِ الوَداعِ وَهِيَ آخِرُ عُمْرِهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله (اليَومَ أكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ) وأمرُ الإمامةِ مِنْ تَمامِ الدِّينِ11

287. Imam al-Rida (AS) said, 'And it was revealed in the Prophet's farewell pilgrimage, during the end of his life:“Today I have perfected your religion for you...” and the issue of Imama is the completion of the religion.'12

288. ا لإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام : إنَّ الإمامةَ اُسُّ الإسلامِ النّامي، وفَرْعُهُ السّامي13

288. Imam al-Rida (AS) said, 'Verily Imama is the basis of the progressive Islam, as well as its lofty branches.'14

289. ا لإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام : إنّ الإمامةَ زِمامُ الدِّينِ ، ونِظامُ المُسلِمينَ، وصَلاحُ الدُّنيا، وعِزُّالمُؤمِنينَ15

289. Imam al-Rida (AS) said, 'Verily Imama is the reins of religion, the ruling system of the Muslims, the prosperity for the world and an honour for the believers.'16

(اُنظر) الصراط : باب 1119

(See also: THE PATH: section 1119)

Notes

1. Imama in its general sense in Arabic refers to any type of leadership, positive or negative, divinely appointed or otherwise. Within general Islamic terminology, however, it has been coined to refer to leadership within a Muslim community, where an Imam is the leader of a congregation, of the congregational prayer or of a mosque. In Shia terminology and creed, in addition to the above, it also refers quite specifically to the divinely appointed leadership of the twelve Imams (AS) from the lineage of the Prophet (SAWA) for mankind's spiritual and worldly prosperity. In this chapter, where the word Imama refers to this last meaning, the word will be left as 'Imama' in order to differentiate it from other types of leadership referred to in the text. Similarly, Imam will be left as it is wherever it refers to one of the divinely appointed Imams, and will be specified as 'leader' or otherwise elsewhere. (ed.)

2. المائدة : 3 .

3. Qur'an 6 :3

4. غرر الحكم : 1095 .

5. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1095

6. الكافي : 2 / 18 / 3 .

7. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 18 , no. 3

8. التغابن : 8 .

9. الكافي : 1 / 196 / 6 .

10. Ibid. v. 1 , p. 196 , no. 6

11. الكافي : 1 / 199 / 1 .

12. Ibid. v. 1 , p. 199 , no. 1

13. الكافي : 1 / 200 / 1 .

14. Ibid. v. 1 , p. 200 , no. 1

15. الكافي : 1 / 200 / 1 .

16. Ibid.

90 - فَضلُ الإمامَةِ عَلى النُّبُوّةِ

90 The Superiority of Imama over Prophethood

(وَإِذِ ابْتَلَى‏ إِبْرَاهِيمَ رَبُّهُ بِكَلِماتٍ فَأَتَمَّهُنَّ قالَ إِنِّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنّاسِ إِماماً)1

“And when his Lord tested Abraham with certain words, and he fulfilled them, He said, 'I am making you the Imam of mankind.” 2

290. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ تبارَكَ وتعالى‏ اتَّخَذَ إبراهيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً ، وإنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً، وإنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَليلاً، وإنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ خَليلاً قَبْلَ أنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إماماً ، فَلَمّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الأشياءَ قالَ : إنّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنّاسِ إماماً3

290. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Verily Allah, Blessed and most High, took Abraham4 as a slave before He took him as a prophet, and verily Allah took him as a prophet before He took him as an apostle, And verily Allah took him as an apostle before He took him as a friend. And verily Allah took him as a friend before He made him an Imam. And when all these ranks came together in him, He said,“I am making you the Imam of mankind.” 5

Notes

1. البقرة : 124 .

2. Qur'an 2 :124

3. الكافي : 1 / 175 / 2 .

4. Prophet Abraham (AS) is known in the Arabic tradition as Ibrahim.

5. al-Kafi, v. 1 , p. 175 , no. 2

91 - الاضطِرارُ إلَى الإمامِ‏

91 The Essential Need for an Imam

291. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : لَو أنّ الإمامَ رُفِعَ مِنَ الأرضِ ساعةً لَماجَتْ بأهْلِها كَما يَمُوجُ البَحْرُ بأهلِهِ1

291. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'If the Imam was to ever be removed from the earth even for an instant, the whole earth would tremble its inhabitants the way the ocean trembles with those who are on it.'2

292. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ الأرضَ لا تَخْلُو إلّا وَفِيها إمامٌ ، كَيْما إنْ زادَ المُؤمنونَ شَيْئاً رَدَّهُمْ ، وإنْ نَقَصُوا شَيْئاً أتَمَّهُ لَهُم3

292. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The earth will never be absent of having an Imam, so that if the believers were to add something [to religion] he would refute it, and if they were to omit something from it, he would complete it by bringing it back.'4

Notes

1. الكافي : 1 / 179 / 12 .

2. Ibid. v. 1 , p. 179 , no. 12

3. الكافي : 1 / 178 / 2 .

4. Al-Kafi, v. 1 , p. 178 , no. 2

92 - الحُجَّةُ إمامٌ يُعرَفُ‏

92 The Authority is a Known Imam

293. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ الحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ للَّهِ عزّ وجلّ على‏ خَلْقِهِ إلّا بإمامٍ حتّى‏ يُعْرَفَ1

293. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Verily Allah's proof [authority] over His creation will not be established except by an Imam in order that he be known.'2

Notes

1. الكافي : 1 / 177 / 2 .

2. Ibid. v. 1 , p. 177 , no. 2

93 - قَد يَكونُ الإمامُ خائِفاً مَغموراً

93 The Imam May be Worried and Hence, Undistinguishable

294. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اللَّهُمَّ بَلى‏، لا تَخْلو الأرضُ مِنْ قائِمٍ للَّهِ بِحُجَجِهِ ، إمّا ظاهِراً مَشْهُوراً ، أو خائفاً مَغْموراً لئلّا تَبْطُلَ حُجَجُ اللَّهِ وبَيِّناتُهُ1

294. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Yes indeed, the earth will not be devoid of one who upholds the proofs for the sake of Allah - either a manifest and well-known authority, or one who is worried and undistinguishable - so that His proofs and arguments may never be invalid.'2

295. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : لا تَبْقَى الأرضُ بغيرِ إمامٍ ظاهرٍ أو باطنٍ3

295. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'The earth will never remain without an Imam, be he apparent or hidden.'4

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 46 / 91 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 23 , p. 46 , no. 91

3. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 23 / 26 .

4. Ibid. v. 23 , p. 23 , no. 26

94 - لَولَا الإمامُ لَساخَتِ الأرضُ‏

94 Were It Not For The Imam, The Earth Would Have Perished

296. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لَو بَقِيَتِ الأرضُ بِغَيْرِ إمامٍ لَسَاختْ1

296. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'If the earth were to remain without an Imam, it would perish.'2

297. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّ الأرضَ لا تكونُ إلّا وفيها حُجَّةٌ ، إنَّهُ لا يُصْلِحُ النّاسَ إلّا ذلكَ ، ولا يُصْلِحُ الأرضَ إلّا ذاكَ3

297. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Certainly the earth cannot exist without an authority [of Allah -i.e. a hujja] therein. In fact, mankind can only prosper through him, and the earth can only prosper through that.'4

(اُنظر) عنوان 88 «الحُجَّة»

(See also: THE ARGUMENT, section 88)

Notes

1. الكافي : 1 / 179 / 10 .

2. al-Kafi, v. 1 , p. 179 , no. 10

3. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 51 / 101 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 23 , p. 51 , no. 101

95 - دَعوَةُ كُلِّ اُمَّةٍ بِإمامِها

95 The Summoning of Every Nation With Their Imam

(يَوْمَ نَدْعُو كُلَّ أُناسٍ بِإِمامِهِمْ)1

“The day We shall summon every group of people with their Imam.” 2

298. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إذا كانَ يومُ القِيامةِ يَأتي النِّداءُ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ جلَّ جلالُهُ : ألَا مَنِ ائْتَمَّ بإمامٍ في دارِ الدُّنيا فَلْيَتَّبِعْهُ إلى‏ حَيْثُ يَذْهَبُ بهِ ، فَحِينَئذٍ (تَبَرَّأ الَّذينَ اتُّبِعُوا مِنَ الّذينَ اتَّبَعُوا...)3 4

298. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'When the Day of Judgment comes... an address will come from Allah, the Exalted, saying, 'Lo! whosoever accepts the leadership of an Imam in the worldly abode should follow him wherever he takes him, hence 'those who were followed will disown the followers...'5

Notes

1. الإسراء : 71 .

2. Qur'an 17 :71

3. البقرة : 166 .

4. بحار الأنوار : 8 / 10 / 3 .

5. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 8 , p. 10 , no. 3

96 - أهَمِّيَّةُ مَعرِفَةِ الإمامِ‏

96 Importance of Knowing the Imam

299. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن ماتَ وَهُوَ لا يَعرفُ إمامَهُ ماتَ مِيتةً جاهليّةً1

299. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Whoever dies without knowing his Imam has died a pagan [pre-Islamic] death.'2

300. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن ماتَ بغيرِ إمامٍ ماتَ مِيتةً جاهليّةً3 4

300. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Whoever dies without having an Imam has died a pagan [pre-Islamic] death.'5

301. ا لإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - لَمّا سُئل عَن مَعرفةِ اللَّهِ - : مَعرفةُ أهلِ كُلِّ زمانٍ إمامَهُمُ الّذي يَجِبُ عَلَيهِمْ طاعَتُهُ6

301. Imam Husayn (AS), when asked how to attain knowledge of Allah, replied, 'It is for the people of every time to know their Imam, obedience to whom is mandatory.'7

302. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في قولِهِ تعالى : (وَ منْ يُؤْتَ الحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا)8 - : طاعةُ اللَّهِ ومعرفةُ الإمامِ9

302. Imam al-Sadiq (AS), regarding Allah's verse:“and he who is given wisdom, is certainly given an abundant good.” 10 , said, '[It is] obedience to Allah and knowing one's Imam.'11

303. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : الإمامُ عَلَمٌ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ عزّ وجلّ وبَيْنَ خَلْقِهِ ، فَمَنْ عَرَفَهُ كانَ مُؤمناً ، ومَنْ أنْكَرَهُ كانَ كافراً12

303. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The Imam is a guide between Allah and His creation, therefore whoever acknowledges him is a believer, and whoever rejects him is a disbeliever.'13

304. ا لإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن لَم يَعْرِفْنا ولَم يُنْكِرْنا كانَ ضالّاً حتّى‏ يَرْجِعَ إلَى الهُدَى الّذي افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ طاعَتِنا الواجِبةِ ، فإن يَمُتْ على‏ ضَلالَتِهِ يَفْعَلِ اللَّهُ بهِ ما يَشاءُ14

304. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'He who neither knows us nor rejects us is astray, until he returns to the guidance that Allah has made incumbent upon him - that is the obligatory obedience to us. And if he dies in this deviation of his, Allah will do with him as He pleases.'15

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 76 / 1 .

2. Ibid. v. 23 , p. 76 , no. 1

3. كنز العمّال : 464 .

4. نقل ابنُ أبي الحديد أنّ عبداللَّه بنَ عُمَر امتَنَعَ مِن بَيعةِ عليٍّ عليه السلام ، وطَرَقَ علَى الحجّاجِ بابَهُ ليلاً لِيُبايعَ لعبدِ الملكِ كي لا يَبيتَ تلكَ اللّيلةَ بلا إمامٍ ، زَعَم لأنّهُ روى‏ عن النّبيٍّ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله أنّهُ قالَ : مَن ماتَ ولا إمامَ لَهُ ماتَ مِيتةَ الجاهليّةِ ، وحتّى‏ بَلَغَ مِنِ احتقارِ الحجّاجِ لهُ واسترذالِهِ حالَهُ أنْ أخرَجَ رِجْلَهُ من الفِراشِ فقالَ : اصْفِقْ بِيَدِكَ عليها ! شرح نهج البلاغة : 13 / 242 .

5. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 464

6. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 83 / 22 .

7. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 23 , p. 83 , no. 22

8. البقرة : 269 .

9. الكافي : 1 / 185 / 11 .

10. Qur'an 2 :269

11. al-Kafi, v. 1 , p. 185 , no. 11

12. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 88 / 32 .

13. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 23 , p. 88 , no. 32

14. الكافي : 1 / 187 / 11 .

15. al-Kafi, v. 1 , p. 187 , no. 11

97 - شَرائِطُ الإمامَةِ وخَصائِصُ الإمامِ‏

97 Conditions and Qualifications of the Imam

(وَجَعَلْنا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا لَمّا صَبَرُوا وَكانُوا بِآياتِنا يُوقِنوُنَ)1

“And amongst them We appointed Imams who guide [the people] by Our command, when they had been patient and had conviction in Our signs.” 2

(أَفَمَنْ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْحَقِّ أَحَقُّ أَنْ يُتَّبَعَ أَمَّنْ لا يَهِدّي إِلّا أَنْ يُهْدى‏ فَما لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ )3

“Is He who guides to the truth worthier to be followed, or he who guides not unless he is [himself] guided? What is the matter with you?” 4

305. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا يَحمِلُ هذا الأمْرَ إلّا أهلُ الصَّبْرِ والبَصَرِ والعِلْمِ بِمَواقِعِ الأمرِ5

305. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'None can bear this responsibility [Imama] except those who are patient, and have insight and knowledge of the circumstances of this issue.'6

306. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام: يَحتاجُ الإمامُ إلى‏ قلبٍ عَقُولٍ، ولسانٍ قَؤولٍ، وجَنانٍ على‏ إقامةِ الحَقِّ صَؤولٍ7

306. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The Imam needs a wise heart, an expressive tongue and a staunch soul [i.e. authority] in establishing the truth.'8

307. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن نَصَبَ نَفْسَهُ للنّاسِ إماماً فَلْيَبدأ بتعليمِ نَفْسِهِ قَبْلَ تعليمِ غيرِهِ ، ولْيَكُنْ تأديبُهُ بسِيرَتِهِ ، قبلَ تأديبِهِ بِلِسانِهِ9

307. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'One who appoints himself as a leader of the people must first begin by educating himself before educating others; he must discipline through his own behaviour, before disciplining with his tongue.'10

308. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا يُقيمُ أمْرَ اللَّهِ سُبحانَهُ إلّا مَنْ لا يُصانِعُ ولا يُضارِعُ ولا يَتَّبِعُ المَطامِعَ11

308. Imam Ali said, 'None can uphold the command of Allah, Glory be to Him, save one who can neither be bribed, nor does he give up, nor follows coveted desires.'12

309. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : كِبارُ حُدودِ وَلايةِ الإمامِ المَفْروضِ الطّاعةِ أنْ يُعْلَمَ أنَّهُ مَعْصومٌ مِنَ الخطأِ والزَّلَلِ والعَمْدِ ، ومِنَ الذُّنوبِ كُلِّها صغيرِها وكبيرِها ، لا يَزِلُّ ، ولا يُخْطئُ ، ولا يَلْهو بِشَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ الاُمورِ المُوبِقَةِ للدِّينِ ، ولا بِشَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ المَلاهي ، وأنَّهُ أعْلَمُ النّاسِ بِحَلالِ اللَّهِ وحَرامِهِ ، وفَرائضِهِ وسُنَنِهِ وأحْكامِهِ ، مُسْتَغْنٍ عَنْ جَميعِ العالَمِ ، وغَيْرُهُ مُحتاجٌ إلَيْهِ ، وأنَّهُ أسْخَى النّاسِ وأشْجَعُ النّاسِ13

309. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Among the definitions of the custodianship of an Imam whose obedience is obligatory is to know that he is immune from committing mistakes, errors, intentional wrongs, and from all sins, petty and grave. He never makes mistakes or sin, and neither is he ever diverted from the issues that endanger the religion by any sort of diversion. He is the most knowledgeable of all people about what Allah has made lawful and unlawful, His obligations, recommendations and rulings. He stands needless of the entire world whilst they all need him. And he is the most generous and courageous of men.'14

310. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : وقَدْ عَلِمْتُمْ أنَّهُ لايَنبغي أنْ يَكونَ علَى الفُروجِ والدِّماءِ والمَغانِمِ والأحْكامِ وإمامةِ المُسلِمينَ : البَخيلُ فَتَكُونَ في أموالهِمْ نُهْمَتُهُ ، ولا الجاهلُ فَيُضِلَّهُمْ بِجَهْلِهِ، ولا الجافي فَيَقْطَعَهُمْ بِجَفائهِ ، ولا الحائفُ (الجائف) للدُّولِ فَيَتَّخِذَ قوماً دُونَ قومٍ ، ولا المُرْتَشي في الحُكْمِ فَيَذْهَبَ بالحُقوقِ ويَقِفَ بها دُونَ المَقاطِعِ ، ولا المُعَطِّلُ للسُّنّةِ فَيُهْلِكَ الاُمَّةَ15

310. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'You certainly know that he who is in charge of the honour, the lives, the booty [enforcement of], the commandments and the leadership of the Muslims must not be: a miser, as he would avidly crave their wealth, nor an ignorant man as he would then mislead them with his ignorance, nor crude in his manner for he would estrange them with his crudeness, nor one who deals unjustly with the distributing of wealth thus preferring one group over another, nor one to accept bribes in his ruling lest he forfeit people's rights and pass judgments without them [their rights], nor one to suspend recommended practices whereby he would ruin the community.'16

311. ا لإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - في كتابهِ إلى‏ أهلِ الكوفةِ - : فَلَعَمْري ، ما الإمامُ إلّا الحاكمُ بالكِتابِ ، القائمُ بالقِسْطِ، الدّائنُ بِدِينِ الحَقِّ ، الحابِسُ نَفْسَهُ على‏ ذاتِ اللَّهِ17

311. Imam Husayn (AS), in his letter to the inhabitants of Kufa said, 'By my life, an Imam is only one who rules by the Book, a maintainer of justice, bound to the right religion, and controls himself for the sake of Allah.'18

312. ا لإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام - في تَبْيينِ عَلَامةِ الإمامِ - : طَهارَةُ الوِلادَةِ وحُسْنُ المَنْشأ، ولا يَلْهو ولا يَلْعبُ19

312. Imam al-Baqir (AS), explaining the traits of an Imam, said, '[He must be] of legitimate birth and well-bred, he neither gets distracted nor does he play.'20

313. ا لإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام - في صِفَةِ الإمامِ - : مُضْطَلِعٌ بالإمامةِ ، عالِمٌ بالسِّياسَةِ21

313. Imam al-Rida (AS), describing an Imam, said, 'Thoroughly proficient with leadership and well-versed in politics.'22

Notes

1. السجدة : 24 .

2. Qur'an 32 :24

3. يونس : 35 .

4. Qur'an 10 :35

5. شرح نهج البلاغة : 7 / 36 .

6. Sharh Nahj al-Balagha li Ibn Abi al-Hadid, v. 7 , p. 36

7. غرر الحكم : 11010 .

8. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 11010

9. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 73 .

10. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 73

11. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 110 .

12. Ibid. Saying 110

13. بحار الأنوار : 25 / 164 .

14. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 68 , p. 389 , no. 39

15. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 131 .

16. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 131

17. الإرشاد : 2 / 39 .

18. al-Irshad, v. 2 , p. 39

19. الكافي : 1 / 285 / 4 .

20. al-Kafi, v. 1 , p. 375 , no. 4

21. الكافي : 1 / 202 / 1 .

22. Ibid. v. 1 , p. 202 , no. 1

98 - ما فُرِضَ عَلى‏ أئِمَّةِ العَدلِ‏

98 That Which is Mandatory on Just Leaders

314. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَني إماماً لِخَلْقِهِ ، فَفَرَضَ عَلَيَّ التَّقْديرَ في نَفْسي ومَطْعَمي ومَشْرَبي ومَلْبَسي كَضُعَفاءِ النّاسِ، كَيْ‏يَقْتَديَ الفقيرُ بِفَقْري، ولا يُطْغِيَ الغَنِيَّ غِناهُ1

314. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Certainly Allah has made me an Imam for His creation, so He has made it mandatory upon me to take into consideration myself, my food, my drink, and my clothing like that of the weak people [of the community], so that the poor may follow me in my poverty and the wealth of the rich does not embolden them to intimidation.'2

315. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنَّهُ لَيسَ علَى الإمامِ إلّا ما حُمِّلَ مِنْ أمرِ رَبِّهِ : الإبلاغُ في المَوعِظةِ ، والاجتهادُ في النَّصيحةِ ، والإحْياءُ للسُّنّةِ، وإقامةُ الحُدودِ على‏ مَسْتَحِقِّيها ، وإصدارُ السُّهْمانِ على‏ أهْلِها3

315. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Verily there is no obligation on the Imam except that which has been devolved on him by Allah, namely to convey exhortations, to strive to give good counsel, to keep the prophetic practice alive, to enforce penalties on those liable to them and to issue shares [of taxes and charity] to those who deserve them.'4

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 40 / 336 / 17 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 40 , p. 336 , no. 17

3.. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 105 .

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 105

99 - الحُقوقُ المُتَبادَلَةُ بَينَ الإمامِ وَالاُمَّةِ

99 The Reciprocal Duties and Rights Between the Imam and the Community

316. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : حَقٌّ على‏ الإمامِ أنْ يَحْكُمَ بما أنْزَلَ اللَّهُ وأنْ يُؤدّيَ الأمانةَ ، فإذا فَعَلَ فَحَقٌّ علَى النّاسِ أنْ يَسْمَعوا لَهُ وأنْ يُطيعوا وأنْ يُجيبوا إذا دُعوا1

316. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'It is the duty of an Imam to rule in accordance with what Allah has revealed, and that he delivers what he has been entrusted with. If he does that, then it is the duty of the people to listen to him and to obey him and to hearken [to his call] when they are called.'2

317. ا لإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أمّا بَعْدُ ، فإنَّ حَقّاً عَلَى الوالي أَلاّ يُغَيِّرَهُ على‏ رَعِيَّتِهِ فَضْلٌ نالَهُ ، ولا طَوْلٌ خُصَّ بِهِ ، وأنْ يَزيدَهُ ما قَسَمَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنْ نِعَمِهِ دُنُوّاً مِنْ عِبادِهِ ، وعَطْفاً على‏ إخْوانِهِ

ألَا وإنَّ لَكُمْ عِندي ألّا أحْتَجِزَ دُونَكُمْ سِرّاً إلّا في حَرْبٍ ، ولا أطْويَ دُونَكُمْ أمْراً إلّا في حُكْمٍ ، ولا اُؤخِّرَ لَكُمْ حَقّاً عَنْ مَحِلِّهِ ، ولا أقِفَ بِهِ دُونَ مَقْطَعِهِ ، وأنْ تَكونوا عِندي في الحَقِّ سَواءً ، فإذا فَعَلْتُ ذلكَ وَجَبَتْ للَّهِ عَلَيْكُمُ النِّعْمَةُ ولي عَلَيْكُمُ الطّاعةُ3

317. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Now it is obligetory upon a ruler that the distinction he achieves, or the wealth with which he has been exclusively endowed, should not make him change his behaviour towards those under him. Rather the bounties that Allah has bestowed on him should increase him in nearness to his people and in kindness towards his brethren.

Beware then that it is my duty towards you that I should not keep anything secret from you except during war, nor should I decide any matter without consulting you except with regards to the commands of religion, nor should I postpone the fulfilment of any of your rights nor desist until I discharge it fully. And that all of you are equal to me in your rights. When I have done all this, it becomes obligatory upon you to thank Allah for this bounty and to obey me.'4

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 14313 .

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 14313

3.. نهج البلاغة : الكتاب 50 .

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 50

100 - أئِمَّتُكُمْ وَفدُكُم‏

100 Your Imams Are Your Representatives

318. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ أئمّتَكُمْ وَفْدُكُمْ إلَى اللَّهِ، فانْظُروا مَنْ تُوفِدونَ في دِينِكُمْ وصَلاتِكُمْ1

318. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Verily your Imams are your representatives before Allah, therefore be careful whom you follow in your religion and your prayers.'2

319. ر سولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ أئمّتَكُمْ قادَتُكمْ إلَى اللَّهِ ، فانْظُروا بِمَنْ تَقْتَدونَ في دِينِكُمْ وصَلاتِكُمْ3

319. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Your Imams are your leaders towards Allah, therefore be careful whom you follow in your religion and your prayers.'4

Notes

1.. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 30 / 46 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 23 , p. 30 , p. 46

3. بحار الأنوار : 23 / 30 / 46 .

4. Ibid.