Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

181 - السؤال (2) (طلب الحاجة )

181 ASKING ( 2 )

[Requesting a Need]

906 - النَّهيُ عَن سُؤالِ النّاسِ‏

906 PROHIBITION OF ASKING PEOPLE

(لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْباً فِي الْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجاهِلُ أَغْنِيَاءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُمْ بِسيماهُمْ لَا يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحافاً وَما تُنفِقُوا مِنْ‏خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ)1

“[The charities are] for the poor who are straitened in the way of Allah, not capable of moving about in the land [for trade]. The unaware suppose them to be well off because of their reserve. You recognize them by their mark; they do not ask the people importunately. And whatever wealth you may spend, Allah indeed knows it.” 2

2881. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : يا أبا ذَرٍّ ، إيّاكَ والسؤالَ فإنّهُ ذُلٌّ حاضرٌ ، وفَقرٌ تَتَعَجَّلُهُ ، وفيهِ حِسابٌ طَويلٌ يَومَ القِيامَةِ.3

2881. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'O Abu Dharr, beware of asking [people] for it is ready humiliation and a poverty which you yourself hasten down [in this world], and it entails lengthy accounting on the Day of Resurrection.'4

2882. كنز العمّال : قالَ رسولُ‏اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله: مَن يَتَكَفَّلُ لِي أن لا يَسألَ الناسَ شيئاً وأتَكَفَّلُ لَهُ بالجَنَّةِ ؟ قالَ ثَوْبانُ : أنا فَكانَ ثَوْبانُ لا يَسألُ الناسَ شيئاً5

2882. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Who can give me their word that they never ask anything from people and I will guarantee them Paradise in return?' A man called Thawban said, 'I do', and indeed Thawban never used to ask people for anything.'6

2883. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ما مِن عبدٍ فَتَحَ على‏ نَفسِهِ باباً مِن المَسألَةِ إلّا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ علَيهِ سَبعينَ باباً مِنَ الفَقرِ7

2883. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'No sooner does a servant open the door of begging unto himself than Allah opens seventy doors of poverty unto him.'8

2884. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن سَألَ غيرَ اللَّهِ استَحَقَّ الحِرمانَ9

2884. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'He who asks anything of anyone other than Allah becomes deserving of deprivation.'10

2885. الإمامُ الحسنُ عليه السلام : إنّ المسألَةَ لا تَحِلُّ إلّا في إحدى‏ ثلاثٍ : دَمٍ مُفجِعٍ ، أو دَينٍ مُقرِحٍ ، أو فَقرٍ مُدقِعٍ11

2885. Imam al-Hasan (AS) said, 'Verily begging is not allowed, except in three cases: for paying a large sum of blood money, an escalating debt or an abasing poverty.'12

2886. الإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : طَلَبُ الحَوائجِ إلى الناسِ مَذَلَّةٌ للحياةِ ، ومَذهَبَةٌ للحَياءِ ، واستِخفافٌ بِالوَقارِ ، وهُو الفَقرُ الحاضِرُ ، وقِلَّةُ طَلَبِ الحوائجِ مِنَ الناسِ هُو الغِنى‏ الحاضِرُ13

2886. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, 'Asking for the fulfilment of one's needs from people degrades one's life, does away with one's modesty, and makes a mockery of one's own dignity and it is a ready poverty in itself. Refraining from seeking fulfilment of one's needs from people is ready wealth in itself.'14

2887. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : شِيعَتُنا مَن لا يَسألُ الناسَ ولَو ماتَ جُوعاً15

2887. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Our followers [Shia] are those who do not ask anything from people, even if they were to die of hunger.'16

(اُنظر) اليأس : باب 1907

(See also: DESPAIR: section 1907 )

Notes

1. البقرة : 273 .

2. Qur'an 2 :273

3. كتاب من لا يحضره الفقيه : 4 / 375 / 5762 .

4. al-Faqih, v. 4 , p. 375 , no. 5762

5. كنز العمّال : 17142 .

6. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 17142

7. جامع الأخبار : 379 / 1061 .

8. Jami al-Akhbar, p. 379 , no. 1061

9. غرر الحكم : 7993 .

10. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7993

11. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 152 / 16 .

12. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 96 , p. 152 , no. 16

13. تحف العقول : 279 .

14. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 279

15. وسائل الشيعة : 6 / 309 / 15 .

16. Wasa'il al-Shia, v. 6 , p. 309 , no. 15

907 - التَّحذيرُ مِنَ السُّؤالِ عَن ظَهرِ غِنىً‏

907 Caution Against Asking (of People) IN SPITE OF BEING WELL-OFF

2888. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن سَألَ عن ظَهرِ غِنىً فَصُداعٌ في الرأسِ وداءٌ في البَطنِ1

2888. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Whoever begs in spite of being well-off will be afflicted with headache and stomach pains.'2

2889. الإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : ضَمِنتُ على‏ رَبّي أن لايَسألَ أحَدٌ أحَداً مِن غَيرِ حاجَةٍ إلّا اضطَرَّتْهُ حاجَةٌ بالمَسألةِ يَوماً إلى‏ أن يَسألَ مِن حاجَةٍ3

2889. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, 'I assure you by My Lord that no one should ask anything from anyone else unnecessarily, until and unless he is one day compelled by his needs to ask someone for fulfilment of that need.'4

2890. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : مَن سَألَ بظَهرِ غِنىً لَقِيَ اللَّهَ مَخْموشاً وَجهُهُ يَومَ القِيامَةِ5

2890. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'He who asks others in spite of being well-off will meet Allah with a scarred face on the Day of Resurrection.'6

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 156 / 29 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 96 , p. 156 , no. 29

3. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 158 / 37 .

4. Ibid. p. 158 , no. 37

5. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 155 / 26 .

6. Ibid. p. 155 , no. 26

908 - الحَثُّ عَلَى الاستِغناءِ عَنِ النّاسِ‏

908 ENJOINMENT OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY

2891. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن سَألَنا أعطَيناهُ ، ومَنِ استَغنى‏ أغناهُ اللَّهُ1

2891. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Whoever asks of us, we give him, and whoever tries to be self-sufficient, Allah enriches him.'2

2892. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لو أنّ أحَدَكُم يَأخُذُ حَبلاً فَيَأتِي بِحُزْمَةِ حَطَبٍ على ظَهرِهِ فَيَبِيعُها فَيَكُفُّ بها وَجهَهُ خَيرٌ لَهُ مِن أن يَسألَ3

2892. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'If any of you was to take some rope and bring a bundle of firewood on his back to sell or to use as shelter, it would be better for him than to beg.'4

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 138 / 2 .

2. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 138 , no. 2

3. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 158 / 37 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 96 , p. 158 , no. 37

909 - طَلَبُ المَعروفِ مِن أهلِهِ‏

909 Asking a Favour from the Right Person

2893. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : اُطلُبُوا المَعروفَ والفَضلَ مِن رُحَماءِ اُمَّتي تَعِيشُوا في أكنافِهِم1

2893. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Seek favours and kindness from the compassionate people of my community and you will always remain under their wing of protection.'2

2894. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ماءُ وَجهِكَ جامِدٌ يُقْطِرُهُ السُّؤالُ، فَانظُرْ عِندَ مَن تُقطِرُهُ3

2894. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Your self-respect is firm and only begging causes it to yield, so be careful who you allow it to yield in front of.'4

2895. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : فَوْتُ الحاجَةِ أهوَنُ مِن طَلَبِها إلى‏ غَيرِ أهلِها5

2895. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Letting a need go unmet is easier than asking the wrong person for it.'6

(اُنظر) الحاجة : باب 592

(See also: THE NEED: section 592)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 160 / 38 .

2. Ibid. v. 96 , p. 160 , no. 38

3. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 346 .

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 346

5. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 66 .

6. Ibid. Saying 66

910 - أدَبُ السُّؤالِ‏

910 THE ETIQUETTE OF ASKING

2896. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لا تَسألْ مَن تَخافُ أن يَمنَعَكَ1

2896. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Do not ask the one who you fear will deny you.'2

2897. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ثلاثةٌ تُورِثُ الحِرمانَ : الإلحاحُ في المَسألَةِ ، والغِيبةُ ، والهُزءُ3

2897. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Three things bring about deprivation: insistence in one's asking, backbiting and mockery.'4

Notes

1. أعلام الدين : 304 .

2. Alam al-Din, no. 304

3. تحف العقول : 321 .

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 321

911 - التَّحذيرُ عَن رَدِّ السائِلِ‏

911 Warning Against Turning a Beggar AWAY EMPTY-HANDED

(وَأَمَّا السّائِلَ فَلا تَنْهَرْ)1

“And as for the beggar, do not chide him.” 2

2898. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لا تَقطَعُوا على السائلِ مَسألَتَهُ فلَولا أنَّ المَساكينَ يَكذِبُونَ ما أفلَحَ مَن رَدَّهُم3

2898. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Do not ever snub the beggar's request, for were it not for the fact that some of them do lie, those who turn beggars away would never prosper.'4

2899. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : اُنظُرُوا إلى السائلِ، فإن رَقَّتْ لَهُ قُلوبُكُم فَأعطُوهُ ، فإنّهُ صادِقٌ5

2899. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Look at the beggar and if you find your hearts softening towards him then give him for verily he is honest.'6

2900. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا تَرُدَّ سائلاً ولَو مِن شَطرِ حَبَّةِ عِنَبٍ أو شِقِّ تَمرَةٍ7

2900. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Do not turn the beggar away empty handed, even if you can give him but half a grape or a piece of a date.'8

2901. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا تَستَحِ مِن إعطاءِ القَليلِ؛ فإنَّ الحِرمانَ أقَلُّ مِنهُ9

2901. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Do not be ashamed to give little, for verily refusing to give anything at all is an act of greater shame.'10

2902. الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : صاحِبُ الحاجةِ لَم يُكرِمْ وَجهَهُ عن سُؤالِكَ فَأكرِمْ وَجهَكَ عن رَدِّهِ11

2902. Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'The needy one loses his self-respect by asking you, so do not lose your self-respect by denying him.'12

2903. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : لو يَعلَمُ السائلُ ما في المَسألَةِ ما سَألَ أحَدٌ أحَداً، ولَو يَعلَمُ المَسؤولُ ما في المَنعِ ما مَنَعَ أحَدٌ أحَداً13

2903. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'If the beggar was to know the enormity of begging, no one would ever ask anything of another, and if the one asked was to know the enormity of denying someone, no one would ever deny another again.'14

2904. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَسألُني الحاجَةَ فَاُبادِرُ بقَضائها مَخافَةَ أن يَستَغنِيَ عَنها فلا يَجِدَ لَها مَوقِعاً إذا جاءَتْهُ15

2904. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'When a man asks me to fulfil a need, I rush to fulfil it fearing lest he ceases to need it, and my assistance will no longer benefit him.'16

2905. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : أطعِمُوا ثلاثةً ثُمّ أنتُم بالخِيارِ علَيهِ ، إن شِئتُم أن تَزدادُوا فَازدادُوا وإلّا فقد أدَّيتُم حَقَّ يَومِكُم17

2905. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Feed [at least] three people. If you then wish to feed more then it is up to you, and if not then you will have at least performed your duty for the Day [of Resurrection].'18

2906. بحار الأنوار عنهم عليهم السلام : إنّا لَنُعطي غَيرَ المُستَحِقِّ حَذَراً مِن رَدِّ المُستَحِقِّ19

2906. Bihar al-Anwar: 'The Imams (AS) said, 'Verily we give to the undeserving in order to act as a deterrent from turning away the deserving.'20

(اُنظر) المعروف ( 1) : 1279

(See also: ACTS OF COMMON COURTESY: section 1279)

Notes

1. الضحى‏ : 10 .

2. Qur'an 93 :10

3. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 158 / 37 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 96 , p. 158 , no. 37

5. النوادر للراوندي : 86 / 9 .

6. Nawadir al-Rawandi, p. 3

7. تحف العقول : 172 .

8. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 172

9. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 67 .

10. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 67

11. كشف الغمّة : 2 / 244 .

12. Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 2 , p. 244

13. تحف العقول : 300 .

14. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 200

15. عيون أخبار الرِّضا : 2 / 179 / 2 .

16. Uyun Akhbar al-Rida (AS), v. 2 , p. 179 , no. 2

17. عدّة الداعي : 91 .

18. Uddat al-Dai, p. 91

19. بحار الأنوار : 96 / 159 / 37 .

20. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 96 , p. 159 , no. 37

182 - السبّ‏

182 INSULTING

912 - ذمُّ سِبابِ المُؤمنِ‏

912 Censure of Insulting the Believer

2907. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : سابُّ المُؤمِنِ كالمُشرِفِ على الهَلَكَةِ1

2907. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The one who insults a believer is as one who is on the verge of ruin.'2

2908. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : سِبابُ المؤمِنِ فُسوقٌ ، وقِتالُهُ كُفرٌ ، وأكلُ لَحمِهِ مِن مَعصيَةِ اللَّهِ3

2908. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'To insult a believer is a gross iniquity, to kill him is infidelity, and to backbite him is an act of disobedience of Allah.'4

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 8093 .

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 8093

3. بحار الأنوار : 75 / 148 / 6 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 75 , p. 148 , no. 6

913 - النَّهيُ عن سَبِّ الأصنامِ والشّيطانِ‏

913 PROHIBITION OF INSULTING EVEN IDOLS AND SATAN

(وَلا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَ عَدْواً بِغَيرِ عِلْمٍ كَذلِكَ زَيَّنَّا لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ عَمَلَهُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَى‏ رَبِّهِمْ مَّرْجِعُهُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُهُمْ بِما كانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ)1

“Do not abuse those whom they invoke besides Allah, lest they should abuse Allah out of hostility, without any knowledge. That is how to every people we have made their conduct decorous. Then their return will be to their Lord and He will inform them concerning what they used to do.'2

2909. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لا تَسُبُّوا الشَّيطانَ وتَعَوَّذُوا بِاللَّهِ مِن شَرِّهِ3

2909. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Do not insult Satan but instead seek refuge to Allah from his harm.'4

Notes

1. الأنعام : 108 .

2. Qur'an 6 :108

3. كنز العمّال : 2120 .

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 2120

914 - النَّهيُ عن سَبِّ النّاسِ‏

914 Prohibition of Insulting People

2910. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لا تَسُبُّوا الناسَ فَتَكتَسِبُوا العَداوةَ بَينَهُم1

2910. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Do not insult people lest you procure animosity from them.'2

2911. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - لِقَنْبرٍ وقد رامَ أن يَشتِمَ شاتِمَهُ - : مَهْلاً يا قَنبرُ ! دَعْ شاتِمَكَ مُهاناً تُرْضِ الرَّحمنَ وتُسخِطُ الشَّيطانَ وتُعاقِبُ عَدُوَّكَ ، فَوَالذي فَلَقَ الحَبَّةَ وبَرَأ النَّسَمَةَ ما أرضَى المؤمنُ رَبَّهُ بِمِثلِ الحِلْمِ ، ولا أسخَطَ الشَّيطانَ بِمِثلِ الصَّمتِ ، ولا عُوقِبَ الأحمَقُ بمِثلِ السُّكوتِ عَنهُ3

2911. Imam Ali (AS) said to Qanbar when he wished to insult a man who had insulted him, 'Careful Qanbar! Leave your insulter to his disdain and you will please the Beneficent Lord, displease Satan and punish thereby your enemy, for by the One who split the grain and created the breeze, there is no stance better than clemency with which a believer can please his Lord, and nothing like silence to offend Satan, and an idiot is best punished by ignoring him.'4

2912. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام - لَمّا رَأى رَجُلَينِ يَتَسابّانِ - : البادِي أظلَمُ ، ووِزرُهُ ووِزرُ صاحِبِهِ علَيهِ ما لَم يَعتَدِ المَظلومُ5

2912. Imam al-Kazim (AS) when he saw two people insulting each other, said, 'The initiator is the more unjust and bears his own sin as well as the sin of his opponent as long as the latter does not retort.'6

2913. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : ما تَسابَّ اثنانِ إلّا انحَطَّ الأعلى‏ إلى‏ مَرتَبةِ الأسفَلِ7

2913. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, 'Whenever two people insult each other, the more superior of the two sinks to the level of the more inferior one.'8

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 360 / 3 .

2. al-Kafi, v. 2 , p. 360 , no. 3

3. الأمالي للمفيد : 118 / 2 .

4. Amali al-Mufid, p. 118 , no. 2

5. تحف العقول : 412 .

6. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 412

7. أعلام الدين : 305 .

8. Alam al-Din, p. 305

915 - النَّهي عَن سَبّ الوالِدَين‏

915 THE PROHIBITION OF INSULTING PARENTS

2914. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مِن أكبَرِ الكبائرِ أن يَسُبَّ الرجُلُ والِدَيهِ ، قيلَ : وكيفَ يَسُبُّ والِدَيهِ؟! قالَ : يَسُبُّ الرجُلَ فَيَسُبُّ أباهُ واُمَّهُ1

2914. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The most severe of major sins is for a man to use obscene language at his parents.' He was asked, 'And how does he use obscene language at his parents?' He said, 'That a man uses obscene language at another, and he uses obscene language back at his father and mother.'2

2915. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لَعَنَ اللَّهُ مَن يَسُبُّ والِدَيهِ3

2915. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The curse of Allah....be upon he who uses obscene language at his parents.'4

Notes

1. بحارالأنوار : 74 / 46 / 6 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v.74 , p. 46 , no. 6

3. مسند احمد بن حنبل : 1 / 309 .

4. Musnad Ibn Hanbal, v. 1 p. 309

916 - النَّهي عَن سَبّ الأشياءِ

916 THE PROHIBITION OF INSULTING THINGS

2916. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : لا تَسُبُّوا الرِّياحَ فإنّها مَأمُورَةٌ ، ولا تَسُبُّوا الجِبالَ ولا السّاعاتِ ولا الأيّامَ ولا اللَّيالِيَ فَتَأثَمُوا وتَرجِعَ علَيكُم1

2916. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Do not insult the wind, since it is missioned, and do not insult the mountains, the hours, the days and the nights, for you will sin and it will return to you.'2

Notes

1. علل الشرائع : 577 / 1 .

2. Ilal al-Shara'i , p. 577 , no. 1

183 - السجود

183 PROSTRATION

917 - دُورُ السُّجودِ فِى التَّقَرّبِ إلَى اللَّهِ‏

917. The Role of Prostration in Proximity TO ALLAH

2917. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا يُقَرِّبُ مِنَ اللَّهِ سبحانَهُ إلّا كَثرَةُ السُّجودِ والرُّكوعِ1

2917. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Nothing can bring about proximity to Allah, Glory be to Him, except an abundance of prostration (sujud) and bowing (ruku).'2

2918. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : السُّجودُ مُنتَهى‏ العِبادَةِ مِن بَني آدَمَ3

2918. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Prostration is the highest degree of worship that man can perform.'4

2919. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - لَمّا قالَ لَهُ سعيدُ بنُ يسارٍ : أدعُو وأنا راكِعٌ أو ساجِدٌ ؟ - : نَعَم اُدْعُ وأنتَ ساجِدٌ ، فإنَّ أقرَبَ ما يَكونُ العَبدُ إلى اللَّهِ وهُو ساجِدٌ ، اُدْعُ اللَّهَ عزّوجلّ لِدُنياكَ وآخِرَتِكَ5

2919. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) was once asked by Said b. Yasar whether he should supplicate in the state of prostration or in the state of bowing, to which he replied, 'Supplicate while prostrating for verily the nearest the servant can ever be to Allah is in the state of prostration, so supplicate Allah for your worldly needs as well as for your life in the Hereafter.'6

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 10888 .

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10888

3. الدعوات : 33 / 70 .

4. al-Daawat, p. 33 , no. 70

5. بحار الأنوار : 85 / 131 / 6 .

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 85 , p. 131 , no. 6

918 - إطالَةُ السُّجودِ

918 PROLONGING ONE'S PROSTRATION

2920. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إذا أرَدتَ أن يَحشُرَكَ اللَّهُ مَعي فَأطِلِ السُّجودَ بينَ يَدَي اللَّهِ الواحِدِ القَهّارِ1

2920. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'If you want Allah to raise you [on the Day of Resurrection] with me, then prolong your prostration to Allah the One, the all-Conqueror.'2

2921. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أطِيلُوا السُّجودَ ، فما مِن عَمَلٍ أشَدَّ على‏ إبليسَ مِن أن يَرَى ابنَ آدَمَ ساجِداً ، لأ نّهُ اُمِرَ بالسُّجودِ فَعَصى‏3

2921. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Prolong your prostration, for there is no act more agonizing for Iblis [Satan] than to see man in the state of prostration, for he himself was once commanded to prostrate but refused to do so.'4

2922. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّ قَوماً أتَوا رسولَ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله فقالوا : يا رسولَ اللَّهِ، اضمَن لَنا على‏ رَبِّكَ الجَنَّةَ ، فقالَ : على‏ أن تُعِينُونِي بِطُولِ السُّجودِ5

2922. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A group of people once came to the Prophet (SAWA) saying, 'O Prophet of Allah, ask your Lord to secure us a place in Paradise', to which he replied, 'As long as you assist me with lengthy prostrations.'6

2923. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : كانَ عليُّ بنُ الحسينِ عليه السلام إذا سَجَدَ لَم يَرفَعْ رَأسَهُ حتّى‏ يَرْفَضَّ عَرَقاً7

2923. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) narrated, 'When Ali b. al-Husayn [i.e. Imam Zayn al-Abidin] (AS) used to go down in prostration, he would not raise his head up again until he was dripping with sweat.'8

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 85 / 164 / 12 .

2. Ibid. p. 164 , no. 12

3. الخصال : 616 / 10 .

4. al-Khisal, p. 616 , no. 10

5. الأمالي للطوسي : 664 / 1389 .

6. Amali al-Tusi, p. 664 , no. 1389

7. بحار الأنوار : 85 / 137 / 17 .

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 85 , p. 137 , no. 17

919 - أثرُ السُّجودِ

919 THE EFFECT OF PROSTRATION

(سِيماهُمْ فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ مِنْ أَثَرِ السُّجُودِ).1

“Their mark is [visible] on their faces, from the effect of prostration.” 2

2924. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنّي لأكرَهُ للرَّجُلِ أن تُرى‏ جَبهَتُهُ جَلحاءَ لَيسَ فيها شي‏ءٌ مِن أثَرِ السُّجودِ3

2924. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'I hate it for a man to have a smooth forehead not having any trace of prostration on it.'4

2925. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : كانَ لأبِي عليه السلام في مَوضِعِ سُجودِهِ آثارٌ ناتِيةٌ ، وكانَ يَقطَعُها في السَّنَةِ مَرَّتَينِ ، في كُلِّ مَرّةٍ خَمسَ ثَفِناتٍ فَسُمِّيَ ذا الثَّفِناتِ لذلكَ5

2925. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'My father (AS) used to have protruding marks from prostration on his forehead, which he used to cut twice a year, and every time he would do so, he would scrape off five calluses, and came to be nicknamed 'the one with calluses.'6

Notes

1. الفتح : 29 .

2. Qur'an 48 :29

3. بحار الأنوار : 71 / 344 / 4 .

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 71 , p. 344 , no. 4

5. علل الشرائع : 233 / 1 .

6. Ilal al-Shara'i , p. 233 , no. 1

920 - السُّجودُ عَلى‏ تُربَةِ الحُسَينِ عليه السلام‏

920 PROSTRATING ON THE EARTH FROM Imam Husayn (AS)'S GRAVE

2926. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : السُّجودُ على‏ تُربَةِ الحُسينِ عليه السلام يَخرُقُ الحُجُبَ السَّبعَ1

2926. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Prostrating on the soil from al-Husayn (AS)'s grave pierces the seven veils.'2

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 85 / 153 / 14 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 85 , p. 153 , no. 14

184 - المسجد

184 THE MOSQUE

921 - المَسجِدُ بَيتُ اللَّهِ‏

921 The Mosque is the House of Allah

(وَأَنَّ المَساجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَداً).1

“The places of worship belong to Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.” 2

2927. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : علَيكُم بِإتيانِ المَساجِدِ؛ فإنّها بُيوتُ اللَّهِ في الأرضِ ، ومَن أتاها مُتَطَهِّراً طَهَّرَهُ اللَّهُ مِن ذُنوبِهِ وكُتِبَ مِن زُوّارِهِ فَأكثِرُوا فيها مِن الصَّلاةِ والدُّعاءِ3

2927. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'It is incumbent upon you to attend the mosques, for verily they are the houses of Allah on earth. And whoever enters them having purified himself, Allah will purify him of his sins and will record him down as one of its frequenters, so perform many prayers and supplications therein.'4

Notes

1. الجنّ : 18 .

2. Qur'an 72 :18

3. الأمالي للصدوق : 440 / 584 .

4. Amali al-Saduq, p. 293 , no. 8

922 - عِمارَةُ المَساجِدِ

922 MAINTAINING THE MOSQUES

(إِنَّما يَعْمُرُ مَساجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَاليَومِ الْآخِرِ وَأَقامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَعَسَى‏ أُولئِكَ أَنْ يَكُونُوا مِنَ المُهْتَدِينَ).1

“Only those shall maintain Allah's mosques who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and establish the prayer and give the zakat, and fear no one except Allah. They, hopefully, will be among the guided.” 2

2928. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - وقد سَألَهُ أبو ذَرٍّ عن كَيفيّةِ عِمارَةِ المَساجِدِ - : لا تُرفَعُ فيها الأصواتُ ، ولا يُخاضُ فيها بالباطِلِ ، ولا يُشتَرى‏ فيها ولا يُباعُ ، واترُكِ اللَّغوَ ما دُمتَ فيها ، فإن لَم تَفْعَل فلا تَلُومَنَّ يَومَ القِيامَةِ إلّا نَفسَكَ3

2928. The Prophet (SAWA) was asked by Abu Dharr how to maintain the mosques, to which he replied, 'Voices should not be raised therein, nor engrossment in wrongdoing. There should be no buying or selling, and all vain talk must be shunned as long as you are inside. If you do not do this, then you will have no one to blame but yourself on the Day of Resurrection.'4

2929. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن بَنى‏ مَسجِداً بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ بَيتاً في الجَنَّةِ5

2929. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'He who builds a mosque, Allah will order a house to be built for him in Paradise.'6

Notes

1. التوبة : 18 .

2. Qur'an 9 :18

3. مكارم الأخلاق : 2 / 374 / 2661 .

4. Makarim al-Akhlaq, v. 2 , p. 374 , no. 2661

5. الكافي : 3 / 368 / 1 .

6. al-Kafi, v. 3 , p. 378 , no. 1

923 - ثَوابُ المَشيِ إلَى المَساجِدِ

923 The Reward for Walking to THE MOSQUES

2930. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن مَشى‏ إلى‏ مَسجِدٍ يَطلُبُ فيهِ الجَماعَةَ كانَ لَهُ بكُلِّ خُطوَةٍ سَبعونَ ألفَ حَسَنةٍ ، ويُرفَعُ لَهُ مِن الدَّرَجاتِ مِثلُ ذلكَ ، وإن ماتَ وهُو على‏ ذلكَ وكَّلَ اللَّهُ بهِ سَبعينَ ألفَ مَلَكٍ يَعُودُونَهُ في قَبرِهِ ، ويُؤنِسُونَهُ في وَحدَتِهِ ، ويَستَغفِرُونَ لَهُ حتّى‏ يُبعَثَ1

2930. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'He who walks to a mosque intending to join the congregation gets the equivalent of seventy thousand good deeds for every step he takes, and he is raised as many levels, and if he dies on the way, Allah assigns seventy thousand angels to visit him in his grave to keep him company in his loneliness and to seek forgiveness for him until the day he is raised again.'2

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 76 / 336 / 1 .

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 76 , p. 336 , no. 1

924 - ثَوابُ الجُلوسِ فِي المَسجِدِ

924 THE REWARD FOR SITTING IN the Mosque

2931. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : يا أبا ذَرٍّ ، إنّ اللَّهَ تعالى‏ يُعطِيكَ مادُمتَ جالِساً في المَسجِدِ بِكُلِّ نَفَسٍ تَنَفَّستَ دَرَجةً في الجَنَّةِ ، وتُصَلِّي علَيكَ الملائكةُ ، وتُكتَبُ لَكَ بِكُلِّ نَفَسٍ تَنَفَّستَ فيهِ عَشرُ حَسَناتٍ ، وتُمحى‏ عنكَ عَشرُ سَيّئاتٍ1

2931. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'O Abu Dharr, verily for as long as you remain seated in the mosque Allah, most High, will grant you an extra level in Paradise for every breath you take, the angels send salutations on you, and ten good deeds are recorded and ten evil deeds wiped away for every breath you take therein.'2

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 85 / 3 .

2. Ibid. v. 77 , p. 85 , no. 3