Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

284 - العفو

284. PARDON

1316 - فَضيلَةُ العَفوِ

1316. THE VIRTUE OF PARDON

( وَجَزاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِثْلُها فَمَنْ عَفا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأجْرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لا يُحِبُّ الظَّالِمِينَ)1

“The requital of evil is an evil like it. So whoever pardons and conciliates, his reward lies with Allah. Indeed He does not like the wrongdoers.” 2

( الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ فِي السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ وَالْكاظِمِينَ الْغَيْظَ وَالْعافِينَ عَنِ النَّاسِ وَاللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ)3

“… those who spend in ease and adversity, and suppress their anger, and pardon [the faults of] the people, and Allah loves the virtuous.” 4

4319. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله: إذا عَنَّت لَكُم غَضبَةٌ فَادرَؤوها بِالعَفوِ ؛ إنَّهُ يُنادي مُنادٍ يَومَ القِيامَةِ : مَن كانَ لَهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أجرٌ فَلْيَقُمْ ، فَلا يَقومُ إلّا العافُونَ ، ألَم تَسمَعوا قَولَهُ تَعالى‏ : (فَمَن عَفا وأصلَحَ فَأجرُهُ عَلَى اللَّهِ) ؟ !5

4319. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘If you are faced by anger, avert it through pardon, for verily a caller will call out on the Day of Resurrection: ‘Whoever has a claim for a reward from Allah should stand up’, and none will stand except the pardoners. Have you not heard the verse of Allah, most High,“So whoever pardons and conciliates, his reward lies with Allah” ?!6

4320. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنَّ اللَّهَ عَفُوٌّ يُحِبُّ العَفوَ7

4320. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Verily Allah is all-pardoning and loves pardon.’8

4321. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : عَلَيكُم بِالعَفوِ ؛ فَإنَّ العَفوَ لا يَزيدُ العَبدَ إلّا عِزّاً ، فَتَعافَوا يُعِزَّكُمُ اللَّهُ9

4321. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Pardoning is incumbent upon you, for verily pardoning [others] only increases the servant’s honour, so pardon each other’s faults and Allah will grant you honour.’10

4322. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن كَثُرَ عَفوُهُ مُدَّ في عُمرِهِ11

4322. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who pardons much is given an increase in his lifespan.’12

4323. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : تَجاوَزوا عَن عَثَراتِ الخاطِئينَ يَقيكُمُ اللَّهُ بِذلكَ سُوءَ الأقدارِ13

4323. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Excuse the lapses of those who make mistakes frequently and Allah will protect you against misfortunes.’14

4324. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : النَّدامَةُ عَلَى العَفوِ أفضَلُ وأيسَرُ مِنَ النَّدامَةِ عَلَى العُقوبَةِ15

4324. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Regret for having pardoned someone is better and easier to bear than regret for having punished them.’16

4325. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ثَلاثٌ مِن مَكارِمِ الدّنيا والآخِرَةِ : تَعفو عَمَّن ظَلَمَكَ ، وتَصِلُ مَن قَطَعَكَ ، وتَحلِمُ إذا جُهِلَ عَلَيكَ17

4325. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Three of the noble characteristics in this world and in the Hereafter are: to pardon one who has wronged you, to reconcile with one who has cut you off, and to be clement with one who has been rash towards you.’18

Notes

1. الشورى‏ : 40

2. Qur’an 42 :40

3. آل عمران : 134

4. Qur’an 3 :134

5. أعلام الدين : 337

6. Alam al-Din, no. 337

7. كنز العمّال : 7005

8. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 7005

9. الكافي : 2 / 108 / 5

10. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 108, no. 5

11. أعلام الدين : 315

12. Alam al-Din, no. 315

13. تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 120

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

15. الكافي : 2 / 108 / 6

16. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 108, no. 6

17. الكافي : 2 / 107 / 3

18. Ibid. v. 2, p. 107, no. 3

1317 - الحَثُّ عَلَى الصَّفحِ الجَميلِ‏

1317. ENJOINMENT OF GRACEFUL CONDONANCE

( وَما خَلَقْنا السَّماواتِ وَالْأرْضَ وَما بَيْنَهُما إلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَإنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَآتِيَةٌ فَاصْفَحِ الصَّفْحَ الْجَمِيلَ)1

“We did not create the heaven and the earth and whatever is between them except with the Truth, and indeed the hour is bound to come. So condone with a graceful condonance.” 2

4326. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما عَفا عَنِ الذَّنبِ مَن قَرَّعَ بِهِ3

4326. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who rebukes [someone for] a sin has not pardoned it.’4

4327. الإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام - في قَولِه تَعالى‏ : (فَاصْفَحِ الصَّفْحَ الْجَمِيلَ) - : عَفوٌ مِن غَيرِ عُقوبَةٍ، ولا تَعنيفٍ ، ولا عَتبٍ5

4327. Imam al-Rida (AS), with regards to Allah’s verse in the Qur’an:“So condone with a graceful condonance” , said, ‘It is to pardon without punishing, censuring or scolding.’6

Notes

1. الحجر : 85

2. Qur’an 15 :85

3. غرر الحكم : 9567

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9567

5. أعلام الدين : 307

6. Alam al-Din, p. 307

1318 - الحَثُّ عَلَى العَفوِ عِندَ القُدرَةِ

1318. ENJOINMENT OF PARDON IN SPITE OF ONE’S POWER (TO PUNISH)

4328. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن عَفا عِندَ القُدرَةِ عَفا اللَّهُ عَنهُ يَومَ العُسرَةِ1

4328. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who pardons when having the power to punish, Allah will pardon him on the Day of great difficulty [i.e. the Day of Resurrection].’2

4329. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إذا قَدَرتَ عَلى‏ عَدُوِّكَ فَاجعَلِ العَفوَ عَنهُ شُكراً لِلقُدرَةِ عَلَيهِ3

4329. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘When you are empowered to vanquish your enemy, let your pardon of him act as thanks for having been given power over him.’4

4330. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَفوُ زَكاةُ الظَّفَرِ5

4330. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Pardon is the zakat of triumph.’6

4331. الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنَّ أعفَى النّاسِ مَن عَفا عِندَ قُدرَتِهِ7

4331. Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘Verily the most forgiving of people is he who pardons when having the power to punish.’8

(اُنظر) المكافأة : باب 1608

(See also: RECOMPENSE: section 1608)

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 7007

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 7007

3. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 11

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 11

5. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 211

6. Ibid. Saying 211

7. الدرّة الباهرة : 24

8. al-Durra al-Bahira, p. 29

1319 - العَفوُ وإستِصلاحُ القُلوبِ‏

1319. PARDON AND IMPROVEMENT OF HEARTS

4332. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - لِرَجُلٍ شكا إليه خَدَمَه - : اُعفُ عَنهُم تَستَصلِحْ بِهِ قُلوبَهُم ، فَقالَ : يا رَسولَ اللَّهِ ، إنَّهُم يَتَفاوَتونَ في سُوءِ الأدَبِ ، فَقالَ : اُعفُ عَنهُم، فَفَعلَ1

4332. The Prophet (SAWA) said to a man who came to him complaining about his servants, ‘Pardon their faults and through it their hearts will improve.’ So he (SAWA) replied, ‘O Prophet of Allah, verily they vary in their bad behaviour’, so he replied, ‘Pardon them’, so he did.’2

4333. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في وَصِيَّتِهِ لِابنِهِ الحَسَنِ عليه السلام - : إذا استَحَقَّ أحَدٌ مِنهُم ذَنباً فأحسِنِ العَذلَ ؛ فإنَّ العَذلَ مَعَ العَفوِ أشَدُّ مِنَ الضَّربِ لِمَن كانَ لَهُ عَقلٌ3

4333. Imam Ali (AS) in his will to his son al-Hasan (AS), said, ‘If any of them deserves punishment for a sin, then censure gracefully, for verily censure accompanied by pardon is more severe [i.e. more effective] than striking for a person with intellect.’4

(اُنظر) العداوة : باب 1238

(See also: ENMITY: section 1238)

Notes

1. مستدرك الوسائل : 9 / 7 / 10041

2. Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, v. 9, p. 7, no. 10041

3. تحف العقول : 87

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 87

1320 - ما لا يَنبَغي مِنَ العَفوِ

1320. THAT WHICH MUST NOT BE PARDONED

4334. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَفوُ يُفسِدُ مِنَ اللَّئيمِ بِقَدرِ إصلاحِهِ مِنَ الكَريمِ1

4334. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Pardon spoils a sinful man just as much as it can reform a decent man.’2

4335. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : جازِ بِالحَسَنَةِ وتَجاوَزْ عَنِ السَّيِّئَةِ ما لَم يَكُن ثَلماً في الدِّينِ أو وَهناً في سُلطانِ الإسلامِ3

4335. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Reward the good deed and condone the misdeed as long as it is not a breach of religion or does not weaken the authority of Islam.’4

Notes

1. كنز الفوائد : 2 / 182

2. Kanz al-Fawa’id li al-Karajiki, v. 2, p. 182

3. غرر الحكم : 4788

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 4788

1321 - عَفوُ اللَّهِ‏

1321. ALLAH’S PARDON

( إنَّ اللَّهَ كانَ عَفُوَّاً غَفُوراً)1

“Indeed Allah is all-excusing, all-forgiving.” 2

4336. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - لَمّا سَألَتهُ عائشَةُ عَنِ الدُّعاءِ في لَيلَةِ القَدرِ - : تَقولينَ : اللَّهُمَّ إنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفوَ ، فَاعفُ عَنّي3

4336. The Prophet (SAWA), when A’isha asked him about what to supplicate on the grand Night of Ordainment (laylat al-qadr), replied, ‘You should say: O Allah verily you are all-pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’4

4337. تنبيه الخواطر : قالَ أعرابيٌّ : يا رَسولَ اللَّهِ، مَن يُحاسِبُ الخَلقَ يَومَ القِيامَةِ ؟ قالَ : اللَّهُ عزَّوجلَّ ، قالَ : نَجَونا ورَبِّ الكَعبَةِ ! قالَ : وكَيفَ ذاكَ يا أعرابِيُّ ؟ ! قالَ : لأِنَّ الكَريمَ إذا قَدَرَ عَفا5

4337. It is narrated in Tanbih al-Khawatir that a bedouin once asked the Prophet, ‘O Prophet of Allah, who will hold creation to account on the Day of Resurrection?’ to which he replied, ‘Allah, Mighty and Exalted.’ He said, ‘By the Lord of the Ka’ba, we will be saved indeed!’ The Prophet asked, ‘And how is that O bedouin friend?’ He replied, ‘Because the generous one pardons when he has the power.’6

4338. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ تَعالى‏ يُسائلُكُم مَعشَرَ عِبادِهِ عَنِ الصَّغيرَةِ مِن أعمالِكُم وَالكَبيرَةِ ، والظّاهِرَةِ والمَستورَةِ ، فإن يُعَذِّبْ فأنتُم أظلَمُ ، وإن يَعفُ فهُوَ أكرَمُ7

4338. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Verily Allah, most High, will certainly interrogate you, O community of His servants, about your actions, be they small or big, and be they open or secret. If He punishes you, then it because you have wronged yourselves, and if He pardons, then it is because He is too generous.’8

4339. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في المُناجاةِ - : إلهي اُفَكِّرُ في عَفوِكَ فتَهونُ عَلَيَّ خَطيئَتي ، ثُمَّ أذكُرُ العَظيمَ مِن أخذِكَ فتَعظُمُ عَلَيّ بَلِيَّتي9

4339. Imam Ali (AS) said in his intimate supplication, ‘My Lord I think about Your pardon and my mistakes seem insignificant to me, then I remember the awesomeness of Your chastisement and my tribulation seems great indeed.’10

4340. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اَللَّهُمَّ احَمِلني عَلى‏ عَفوِكَ ولا تَحمِلْني عَلى‏ عَدِلكَ11

4340. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘O Allah expose me to Your pardon but do not expose me to Your justice.’12

4341. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن تَنَزَّهَ عَن حُرُماتِ اللَّهِ سارَعَ إلَيهِ عَفوُ اللَّهِ13

4341. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who keeps himself aloof from Allah’s prohibitions is quickly embraced by Allah’s pardon.’14

4342. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ولكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَختَبِرُ عِبادَهُ بِأنواعِ الشَّدائدِ ، ويَتَعَبَّدُهُم بِأنواعِ المَجاهِدِ ، ويَبتَليهِم بِضُروبِ المَكارِهِ ؛ إخراجاً لِلتَّكَبُّرِ مِن قُلوبِهِم ، وإسكاناً لِلتَّذَلُّلِ في نُفوسِهِم ، ولِيَجعَلَ ذلكَ أبواباً فُتُحاً إلى‏ فَضلِهِ ، وأسباباً ذُلُلاً لِعَفوِهِ15

4342. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘But Allah tries His servants with various tribulations, renders them to worship Him through struggles, tests them with various types of distresses, all in order to extract pride out from their hearts, and to settle humbleness in their souls, and in order to make all these open doors to His grace an easy means to His pardon.’16

4343. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - كانَ يَقولُ - : اللَّهُمَّ إنَّكَ بِما أنتَ لَهُ أهلٌ مِنَ العَفوِ ، أولى‏ مِنّي بِما أنا لَهُ أهلٌ مِنَ العُقوبَةِ17

4343. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) used to say, ‘O Allah, verily Your worthiness of pardoning is more than my worthiness of punishment.’18

(اُنظر) الرّحمة : باب 808

(See also: MERCY: section 808)

Notes

1. النساء : 43

2. Qur’an 4 :43

3. سنن ابن ماجة : 2 / 1265 / 3850

4. Sunan Ibn Maja, no. 3850

5. تنبيه الخواطر : 1 / 9

6. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 1, p. 9

7. نهج البلاغة : الكتاب‏27

8. Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 27

9. الأمالي للصدوق : 138 / 136

10. Amali al-Saduq, p. 73, no. 9

11. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 227

12. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 227

13. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 90 / 95

14. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 90, no. 95

15. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 192

16. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 192

17. كشف الغمّة : 2 / 418

18. Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 2, p. 418

285 - العافية

285. VITALITY

1322 - قِيمَةُ العافِيَةِ

1322. THE VALUE OF VITALITY

4344. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العافِيَةُ أهنى‏ النِّعَمِ1

4344. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Vitality is the most beneficial of bounties.’2

4345. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا لِباسَ أجمَلُ مِنَ العافِيَةِ3

4345. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There is no garment more beautiful than vitality.’4

4346. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : بِالعافِيَةِ تُوجَدُ لَذَّةُ الحَياةِ5

4346. Imam Ali (AS) said, The pleasure of living is to be found through vitality.’6

4347. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : العافِيَةُ نِعمَةٌ خَفِيَّةٌ ، إذا وُجِدَت نُسِيَت ، وإذا فُقِدَت ذُكِرَت7

4347. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Vitality is a subtle bounty – when present it is forgotten, and when lost it is remembered.’8

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 973

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 973

3. التوحيد : 74 / 27

4. al-Tawhid, v. 74, no. 27

5. غرر الحكم : 4207

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4207

7. كتاب من لا يحضره الفقيه : 4 / 406 / 5878

8. al-Faqih, v. 4, p. 406, no. 5878

1323 - ما يورِثُ العافِيَةَ

1323. THAT WHICH ENGENDERS VITALITY

4348. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن صَلّى‏ عَلَيَّ مَرَّةً فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيهِ باباً مِنَ العافِيَةِ1

4348. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who sends peace and blessings on me once, Allah opens for him a door of vitality.’2

4349. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العافِيَةُ عَشرَةُ أجزاءٍ ، تِسعَةٌ مِنها في الصَّمتِ إلّا بِذِكرِ اللَّهِ ، وواحِدٌ في تَركِ مُجالَسَةِ السُّفَهاءِ3

4349. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Vitality has ten parts, nine of which lie in silence except for the remembrance of Allah, and one part of which lies in abandoning the company of fools.’4

4350. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: مَن سَرَّهُ طولُ العافِيَةِ فَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ5

4350. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘He who would like extensive vitality should have piety in Allah.’6

Notes

1. جامع الأخبار : 153 / 344

2. Jami al-Akhbar, p. 152, no. 344

3. تحف العقول : 89

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 89

5. بحار الأنوار : 72 / 232 / 2

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 72, p. 232, no. 2

1324 - الحَثُّ عَلى‏ طَلَبِ العافِيَةِ مِنَ اللَّهِ‏

1324. ENJOINMENT OF SEEKING VITALITY FROM ALLAH

4351. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - لَمّا سَمِعَ رَجُلاً يَسألُ اللَّهَ الصَّبرَ - : سَألتَ اللَّهَ البَلاءَ ، فَاسألْهُ المُعافاةَ1

4351. The Prophet (SAWA), when he heard a man ask Allah for patience, said, ‘You have asked Allah to be tried, so now ask Him for the solution.’2

4352. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ما سُئلَ اللَّهُ شَيئاً أحَبَّ إلَيهِ مِن أن يُسألَ العافِيَةَ3

4352. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Allah is not asked anything more beloved to Him than to be asked for vitality.’4

4353. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : سَلُوا اللَّهَ المُعافاةَ ؛ فإنَّهُ لَم يُؤتَ أحَدٌ بَعدَ اليَقينِ خَيراً مِنَ المُعافاةِ5

4353. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Ask Allah for vitality, for verily after conviction no one is given anything better than vitality.’6

4354. الدعوات : رُويَ أنَّ النَّبيَّ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله دَخلَ عَلى‏ مَريضٍ ، قالَ : ما شأنُكَ؟ قالَ : صَلَّيتَ بِنا صلاةَ المَغربِ فقرأتَ القارِعَةَ ، فقلتُ : اللَّهمَّ إن كانَ لي عندَكَ ذَنبٌ تريدُ أن تُعذِّبني بهِ في الآخِرَةِ فَعَجِّلْ ذلكَ في الدُّنيا؛ فَصرتُ كَما ترى‏! فقال صلى اللَّه عليه وآله: بِئسَما قُلتَ ، ألا قُلتَ، رَبَّنا آتِنا في الدّنيا حَسَنَةً وفي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وقِنا عَذابَ النّارِ ؟! فَدَعا لَهُ حَتّى‏ أفاقَ7

4354. al-Daawat: ‘It is narrated that the Prophet (SAWA) visited a sick man and asked him about his health.’ The man said ‘You led us in the evening prayer and recited the chapter the Catastrophe [Quran, 101], and I said, ‘O Allah ! If I have commited a sin for which you will want to punish me in the Hereafter, hasten it in this very world, and now I am in such as you see me.’ He (SAWA) said: ‘Indeed, it was bad what you said. You should have said, ‘Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire!’ and he prayed for him until he recovered.’8

4355. الإمامُ زينَ العابدينُ عليه السلام - لَمّا ضَرَبَ عَلى‏ كَتِفِ رَجُلٍ يَطوفُ بِالكَعبَةِ ويَقولُ : اللَّهُمَّ إنّي أسألُكَ الصَّبرَ - : سَألتَ البَلاءَ ! قُلِ : اللَّهُمَّ إنّي أسألُكَ العافِيَةَ ، والشُّكرَ عَلَى العافِيَةِ9

4355. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) bumped into the shoulder of a man circumambulating the kaba saying, ‘O Allah verily I ask You for patience’, upon which the Imam said, ‘You have asked to be tried! Say instead: O Allah verily I ask You for vitality, and for the ability to thank You for my vitality.’10

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 4935 ، 3272

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 4935, 3272

3. كنز العمّال : 3130 - 3153

4. Ibid. nos. 3130-31 53

5. سنن ابن ماجة : 2 / 1265 / 3849

6. Sunan Ibn Maja, no. 3849

7. الدعوات : 114 / 262

8. al-Daawat, p. 114, no. 262

9. الدعوات : 114 / 261

10. Ibid. 11400. 261

1325 - دُعاءٌ في طَلَبِ العافِيَةِ

1325. SUPPLICATIONS TO ASK FOR VITALITY

4356. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : اللَّهُمَّ إنّي أسألُكَ العافِيَةَ ، وأسألُكَ جَميلَ العافِيَةِ ، وأسألُكَ شُكرَ العافِيَةِ ، وأسألُكَ شُكرَ شُكرِ العافِيَةِ1

4356. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘O Allah verily I ask You for vitality, and I ask You for gracious vitality, and I ask You for the ability to thank You for vitality, and I ask You for thankfulness for having granted me the ability to thank You for vitality.’2

Notes

1. الدعوات : 84 / 211

2. Ibid. p. 84, no. 211

1326 - الضَّنائِنُ‏

1326. ALLAH’S CLOSE SERVANTS

4357. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : إنَّ للَّهِ‏ِ عزَّوجلَّ ضَنائنَ يَضُنُّ بِهِم عَنِ البَلاءِ ، فيُحييهِم في عافِيَةٍ ، ويَرزُقُهُم في عافِيَةٍ ، ويُميتُهُم في عافِيَةٍ ، ويَبعَثُهُم في عافِيَةٍ ، ويُسكِنُهُمُ الجَنَّةَ في عافِيَةٍ1

4357. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Verily Allah, Mighty and Exalted, has certain protégés whom He tenaciously guards against tribulation, such that He gives them life through vitality, sustains them with vitality, causes them to die in vitality, resurrects them again in vitality, and makes them dwell in Paradise in vitality.’2

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 462 / 1

2. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 462, no. 1

286 - العقل‏

286. THE INTELLECT

1

1327 - قِيمَةُ العَقلِ‏

1327. THE VALUE OF INTELLECT

( يُؤْتِي الْحِكْمَةَ مَنْ يَشاءُ وَمَنْ يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْراً كَثِيراً وَما يَذَّكَّرُ إلَّا أُوْلُوا الْألْبابِ)2

“He gives wisdom to whomever He wishes, and He who is given wisdom, is certainly given an abundant good. But none takes admonition except those who possess intellect.” 3

( وَقالُوا لَوْ كُنّا نَسْمَعُ أوْ نَعْقِلُ ما كُنّا فِي أصْحابِ السَّعِيرِ)4

“And they will say, ‘Had we listened or applied reason, we would not have been among the inmates of the Blaze.” 5

4358. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : قِوامُ المَرءِ عَقلُهُ ، ولا دِينَ لِمَن لا عَقلَ لَهُ6

4358. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The very basis of man is his intellect, and the man devoid of intellect has no religion.’7

4359. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما استَودَعَ اللَّهُ امرَأً عَقلاً إلّا استَنقَذَهُ بِهِ يَوماً ما8

4359. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Allah has only assigned man with an intellect so that it may one day deliver him.’9

4360. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَقلُ أقوى‏ أساسٍ10

4360. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the strongest foundation.’11

4361. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَقلُ مُنَزِّهٌ عَنِ المُنكَرِ آمِرٌ بِالمَعروفِ12

4361. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is immune from wrong and commands good-doing.’13

4362. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَقلُ مُصلِحُ كُلِّ أمرٍ14

4362. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect sets right all matters.’15

4363. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَقلُ رُقِيٌّ إلى‏ عِلِّيِّينَ16

4363. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is a ladder upwards towards the Illiyyun [the loftiest heavens].’17

4364. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَقلُ رَسولُ الحَقِّ18

4364. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the messenger of the truth.’19

4365. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنَّ أغنَى الغِنَى العَقلُ20

4365. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Verily the most sufficient of riches is the intellect.’21

4366. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَقلُ خَليلُ المَرءِ22

4366. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the friend of the believer.’23

4367. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : لا مُصيبَةَ كَعَدَمِ العَقلِ24

4367. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘There is no affliction worse than a lack of intellect.’25

4368. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ جلَّ ثَناؤهُ خَلَقَ العَقلَ ، وهُوَ أوَّلُ خَلقٍ خَلَقَهُ مِنَ الرُّوحانيّينَ عَن يَمينِ العَرشِ مِن نورِهِ26

4368. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily Allah, exalted be His praise, created the intellect, and it is the very first thing He created amongst all the spiritual beings from the right hand side of His Throne out of His Light.’27

4369. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : خَلَقَ اللَّهُ تَعالى‏ العَقلَ مِن أربَعَةِ أشياءَ : مِنَ العِلمِ ، والقُدرَةِ ، والنّورِ ، والمَشيئَةِ بِالأمرِ ، فجَعَلَهُ قائماً بِالعِلمِ ، دائماً في المَلَكوتِ28

4369. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Allah created the intellect out of four things: from knowledge, power, light and volition. Then He caused it to subsist through knowledge and be eternal in the divine Dominion.’29

4370. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لا غِنى‏ أخصَبُ مِنَ العَقلِ ، ولا فَقرَ أحَطُّ مِنَ الحُمقِ30

4370. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘There is no wealth more productive than the intellect and no poverty lower than stupidity.’31

4371. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لا مالَ أعوَدُ مِنَ العَقلِ32

4371. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘There is no wealth more profiting than the intellect.’33

4372. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : العَقلُ دَليلُ المُؤمِنِ34

4372. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The intellect is the guide of the believer.’35

4373. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام - في وَصِيَّتِهِ لِهِشامِ ابنِ الحَكَمِ - : يا هِشامُ ، ما قُسِّمَ بَينَ العِبادِ أفضَلُ مِنَ العَقلِ ؛ نَومُ العاقِلِ أفضَلُ مِن سَهَرِ الجاهِلِ ، وما بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيّاً إلّا عاقِلاً حَتّى‏ يَكونَ عَقلُهُ أفضَلَ مِن جَميعِ جَهدِ المُجتَهِدينَ ، وما أدَّى العَبدُ فَريضَةً مِن فَرائضِ اللَّهِ حَتّى‏ عَقَلَ عَنهُ36

4373. Imam al-Kazim (AS), in his advice to Hisham b. al-Hakam, said, ‘O Hisham, nothing has been bestowed upon the servants better than the intellect. The sleep of a man of intellect is better than the night vigil of an ignorant man. Every single prophet that Allah has sent down has been a man of intellect, whose intellect supercedes the labour of all diligent workers. The servant is not considered as having fulfilled an obligatory act from among the acts made incumbent by Allah until he understands it.’37

4374. الإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام : صَديقُ كُلِّ امرِئٍ عَقلُهُ وعَدُوُّهُ جَهلُهُ38

4374. Imam al-Rida (AS) said, ‘The friend of every man is his intellect and his enemy is his ignorance.’39

Notes

1. In this chapter the Arabic word ‘aql has been translated as ‘intellect’ to denote one’s mental ability to think, reason and understand (ed.)

2. البقرة : 269

3. Qur’an 2 :269

4. الملك : 10

5. Qur’an 67 :10

6. روضة الواعظين : 9

7. Rawdat al-Waizin, p. 9

8. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 407

9. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 407

10. غرر الحكم : 475

11. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 475

12. غرر الحكم : 1250

13. Ibid. no. 1250

14. غرر الحكم : 404

15. Ibid. no. 404

16. غرر الحكم : 1325

17. Ibid. no. 1325

18. غرر الحكم : 272

19. Ibid. no. 272

20. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 38

21. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 38

22. الأمالي للطوسي : 146 / 240

23. Amali al-Tusi p146 n0 240 Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 203

24. تحف العقول : 286

25. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 286

26. الخصال : 589 / 13

27. al-Khisal, p. 589, no. 13

28. الاختصاص : 244

29. al-Ikhtisas, p. 244

30. الكافي : 1 / 29 / 34

31. al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 29, no. 34

32. الاختصاص : 246

33. al-Ikhtisas, no. 244

34. الكافي : 1 / 25 / 24

35. al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 25, no. 24

36. تحف العقول : 397

37. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 397

38. الكافي : 1 / 11 / 4

39. al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 11, no. 4

1021 - أدنَى الشِّركِ‏

1021. The Minimum Degree of Polytheism

3242. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام - لَمّا سُئلَ عن أدنَى الشِّركِ - : مَن قالَ لِلنَّواةِ : إنَّها حَصاةٌ ، ولِلحَصاةِ : إنّها نَواةٌ ، ثُمّ دانَ بهِ1

3242. Imam al-Baqir (AS) was once asked what the absolute minimum of polytheism was, to which he replied, 'It is to call fruit kernels stones and vice versa, and to believe them as such.'2

3243. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - لمّا سُئل عَن أدنَى الشرك - : مَنِ ابتَدَعَ رَأياً فَأحَبَّ علَيهِ أو أبغَضَ علَيهِ3

3243. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) was once asked what the absolute minimum of polytheism was, to which he replied, 'It is to contrive a ruling and because of it take side with people or against them.'4

(اُنظر) الإيمان : باب 186 ؛ الكفر : باب 1605

(See also: FAITH: section 186; DISBELIEF: section 1605)

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 397 / 1

2. Ibid. p. 397, no. 1

3. الكافي : 2 / 397 / 2

4. Ibid. no. 2

1022 - الشِّركُ الخَفِيُ‏

1022. Hidden Polytheism

( وَما يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلّا وَهُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ).1

“And most of them do not believe in Allah without ascribing partners to Him.” 2

3244. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إيّاكَ وما يُعتَذَرُ مِنهُ ، فإنَّ فيهِ الشِّركَ الخَفِيَّ3

3244. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Beware of committing anything that warrants justification, for verily that is where hidden polytheism is.'4

3245. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في قولِهِ تعالى‏ : (وَما يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ...) - : هُو الرَّجُلُ يقولُ : لَولا فُلانٌ لَهَلَكتُ ، ولَولا فُلانٌ لَأصَبتُ كذا وكذا ، ولَولا فُلانٌ لَضاعَ عِيالي ، ألا تَرى‏ أ نّهُ قد جَعَلَ للَّهِ‏ِ شَريكاً في مُلكِهِ يَرزُقُهُ ويَدفَعُ عَنهُ ؟!قالَ [ الراوي ] : قلتُ : فيقولُ : لَولا أنَّ اللَّهَ مَنَّ عَليَّ بِفلانٍ لَهَلَكتُ ؟ قال : نَعَم ، لا بَأسَ بهذا5

3245. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said when interpreting the Qur'anic verse:“And most of them do not believe in Allah without ascribing partners to Him” , 'This is in reference to man's statement:“Were it not for 'x' I would surely have perished” , or“Were it not for 'x' I would indeed have been afflicted” or“Were it not for 'x' my family would be at a loss.” Do you not see that he has associated a partner to Allah in His Kingdom giving him sustenance and repelling misfortune from him?' He was subsequently asked, 'What if one were to say,“Were it not for Allah granting me x's help, I would have perished...?” Imam replied, 'There is nothing wrong with saying things like this.'6

3246. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - أيضاً - : شِركُ طاعَةٍ ولَيسَ شِركَ عِبادَةٍ7

3246. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said when interpreting the Qur'anic verse:“And most of them do not believe in Allah without ascribing partners to Him” , 'This refers to ascribing partners in Allah's obedience, not [just] in His worship.'8

3247. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ الشِّركَ أخفى‏ مِن دَبِيبِ النَّملِ وقالَ : مِنهُ تَحويلُ الخاتَمِ لِيَذكُرَ الحاجَةَ وشِبهُ هذا9

3247. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Polytheism is more discreet than the crawling of an ant, and includes things like turning one's ring to remind onself [if he believes in it independently from the will of Allah], and other such [superstitions].'10

3248. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في قولِهِ تعالى‏ : (وما يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللَّهِ إِلّا وَهُمْ مُشْرِكُونَ) - : كانُوا يَقولونَ : نُمطَرُ بِنَوءِ كذا ، وبِنَوءِ كذا ، ومِنها أ نّهُم كانوا يَأتُونَ الكُهّانَ فَيُصَدِّقُونَهُم بما يَقولونَ11

3248. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said when interpreting the Qur'anic verse:“And most of them do not believe in Allah without ascribing partners to Him” , 'This refers to when people used to say, 'We are being rained on from the storm of x, or the storm of y [referring to various false gods]. And they used to consult soothsayers and believe whatever they told them.'12

(اُنظر) الرياء : باب 787

(See also: SHOWING OFF: section 787)

Notes

1. يوسف : 106

2. Qur'an 12 :106

3. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 200 / 28

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 200, no. 28

5. تفسير العيّاشيّ : 2 / 200 / 96

6. Tafsir al-Ayyashi, v. 2, p. 200, no. 96

7. الكافي : 2 / 397 / 4

8. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 397, no. 4

9. معاني الأخبار : 379 / 1

10. Maani al-Akhbar, p. 379, no. 1

11. بحار الأنوار : 58 / 317 / 8

12. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 58, p. 317, no. 8

216 - الشَّيطان‏

216. SATAN

1023 - الاعتِبارُ بِما فَعَلَ اللَّهُ بِإبليسَ‏

1023. THE LESSON TO BE LEARNED FROM HOW ALLAH DEALT WITH SATAN

3249. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : فاعتَبِرُوا بما كانَ مِن فِعلِ اللَّهِ بِإبليسَ ؛ إذ أحبَطَ عَمَلَهُ الطَّويلَ وجَهدَهُ الجَهِيدَ (الجميلَ) وكانَ قد عَبَدَ اللَّهَ سِتَّةَ آلافِ سَنَةٍ ، لايُدرى‏ أمِن سِني الدُّنيا أم مِن سِني الآخِرَةِ عن كِبْرِ ساعَةٍ واحِدَةٍ1

3249. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'So take a lesson from how Allah dealt with Iblis [Satan], when He thwarted his great works and his extensive efforts, and he had been worshipping Allah for six thousand years, each hour of which was so long that it is not known whether they were years by the reckoning of this world or the next.'2

Notes

1. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 192

2. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 192

1024 - الاستِعاذَةُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيطانِ‏

1024. SEEKING REFUGE IN ALLAH FROM SATAN

( وَقُلْ رَبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزاتِ الشَّياطِينِ * وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ).1

“And say, 'My Lord! I seek Your protection from the promptings of the devils; and I seek Your protection, my Lord, from their presence near me.'2

( فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ القُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطانِ الرَّجِيمِ).3

“When you recite the Qur'an, seek the protection of Allah against the outcast Satan.” 4

3250. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أحمَدُ اللَّهَ وأستَعِينُهُ على‏ مَداحِرِ الشَّيطانِ ومَزاجِرِهِ (مَزاحِرِهِ) ، والاعتِصامِ مِن حَبائلِهِ ومَخاتِلِهِ5

3250. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'I praise Allah and seek His aid against the acts that led to Satan's banishment and his eviction, and [I seek] His protection from his snares and his deceitful ways.'6

Notes

1. المؤمنون : 97 ، 98

2. Qur'an 23 :97,98

3. النحل : 98

4. Qur'an 16 :98

5. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 151

6. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 151

1025 - عَداوَةُ الشَّيطانِ لِلإنسانِ‏

1025. Satan's Enmity Towards Man

( إِنَّ الشَّيْطانَ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ فَاتَّخِذُوهُ عَدُوّاً إِنَّما يَدْعُو حِزْبَهُ لِيَكُونُوا مِنْ أَصْحابِ السَّعِيرِ).1

“Satan is indeed your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his confederates so that they may be among the inmates of the Blaze.” 2

3251. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اِحذَرُوا عَدوّاً نَفَذَ في الصُّدورِ خَفِيّاً ، ونَفَثَ في الآذانِ نَجِيّاً3

3251. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Be on your guard against the enemy who covertly penetrates into your hearts and secretly whispers into your ears.'4

3252. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لقد نَصَبَ إبليسُ حَبائلَهُ في دارِ الغُرورِ ، فما يَقصِدُ فيها إلّا أولِياءَنا5

3252. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Iblis [Satan] lays out his traps in the Abode of Delusion, intending to ensnare none but our friends [i.e. lovers of the Ahl al-bayt].'6

3253. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام - لمّا سُئلَ عن أوجَبِ الأعداءِ مُجاهَدةً - : أقرَبُهم إلَيكَ وأعداهُم لَكَ... ومَن يُحَرِّضُ أعداءَكَ علَيكَ ، وهُو إبليسُ7

3253. Imam al-Kazim (AS) was once asked who one's archenemy is that one must fight, to which he replied, 'It is he who is closest to you and yet harbours the most enmity towards you and he who provokes all your enemies against you, and he is Iblis [Satan].'8

Notes

1. فاطر : 6

2. Qur'an 35 :6

3. غرر الحكم : 2623

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2633

5. تحف العقول : 301

6. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 301

7. تحف العقول : 399

8. Ibid. no. 399

1026 - التَّحذيرُ مِن فِتَنِ الشَّيطانِ‏

1026. CAUTION AGAINST SATAN'S TEMPTATIONS

( يا بَنِي آدَمَ لا يَفْتِنَنَّكُمُ الشَّيْطانُ كَما أَخْرَجَ أَبَوَيْكُمْ مِنَ الجَنَّةِ يَنْزِعُ عَنْهُما لِباسَهُما لِيُرِيَهُما سَوْآتِهِما إِنَّهُ يَراكُمْ هُوَ وَقَبِيلُهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا تَرَوْنَهُمْ إِنَّا جَعَلْنا الشَّياطِينَ أَوْلِياءَ لِلَّذِينَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ).1

“O Children of Adam! Do not let Satan tempt you, like he expelled your parents from paradise, stripping them of their garments to expose to them their nakedness. Indeed he sees you - he and his hosts - whence you do not see them. We have indeed made the devils friends of those who have no faith.” 2

3254. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الفِتَنُ ثلاثٌ : حُبُّ النِّساءِ وهُو سَيفُ الشَّيطانِ ، وشُربُ الخَمرِ وهُو فَخُّ الشَّيطانِ ، وحُبُّ الدِّينارِ والدِّرهَمِ وهُو سَهمُ الشَّيطانِ3

3254. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'There are three types of temptation: the love of women, which Satan uses as his sword; drinking wine, which Satan uses as his snare; and love of the dinar and the dirham [symbols of wealth], which Satan uses as his arrow.'4

(اُنظر) عنوان 312 «الفتنة»

(See also: TRIAL AND TEMPTATION 312)

Notes

1. الأعراف : 27

2. Qur'an 7 :27

3. الخصال : 113 / 91

4. al-Khisal, p. 113, no. 91

1027 - عَبَدَةُ الشَّيطانِ‏

1027. Satan Worshippers

( أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يا بَني آدَمَ أَنْ لا تَعْبُدُوا الشَّيْطانَ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُبِينٌ).1

“Did I not exhort you, O children of Adam, saying, “Do not worship Satan. He is indeed your manifest enemy.” 2

3255. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في ذَمِّ أتباعِ الشَّيطانِ - : اِتَّخَذُوا الشَّيطانَ لِأمرِهِم مِلاكاً ، واتَّخَذَهُم لَهُ أشراكاً ، فَباضَ وفَرَّخَ في صُدُورِهِم ، وَدَبَّ ودَرَجَ في حُجُورِهم ، فَنَظَرَ بِأعيُنِهِم ، ونَطَقَ بِألسِنَتِهِم ، فَرَكِبَ بِهِمُ الزَّلَلَ ، وزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الخَطَلَ ، فِعلَ مَن قد شَرِكَهُ الشَّيطانُ في سُلطانِهِ ، ونَطَقَ بالباطِلِ عَلى‏ لِسانِهِ !3

3255. Imam Ali (AS) said, condemning those who follow Satan, 'They have taken Satan as the controller for their affairs, and he has in turn adopted them as his partners [ used them as his traps]. He has laid eggs and hatched them in their bosoms, and crawled into their laps, until he saw through their eyes and spoke with their tongues. Thus does he lead them to commit errors and glamorizes their own foolish deeds to them, like the act of one whom Satan has made partner in his domain, speaking lies through his tongue.'4

Notes

1. يس : 60

2. Qur'an 36 :60

3. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 7

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 7

1028 - غَواياتُ الشَّيطانِ‏

1028. Satan's Allurements

( الشَّيْطانُ يَعِدُكُمُ الفَقْرَ وَيَأْمُرُكُمْ بِالفَحْشاءِ وَاللَّهُ يَعِدُكُمْ مَغْفِرَةً مِنْهُ وَفَضْلاً وَاللَّهُ واسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ).1

“Satan threatens you with poverty and prompts you to [commit] indecent acts. But Allah promises you His forgiveness and grace, and Allah is all-bounteous, all-knowing.” 2

( يَعِدُهُمْ وَيُمَنِّيهِمْ وَما يَعِدُهُمُ الشَّيْطانُ إِلَّا غُرُوراً).3

“He makes them promises and gives them false hopes, yet Satan does not promise them anything but delusion.” 4

( فَلَولَا إِذْ جاءَهُمْ بَأْسُنا تَضَرَّعُوا وَلكِنْ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطانُ ما كانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ).5

“Why did they not entreat when Our might overtook them! But their hearts had hardened and Satan had made to seem decorous to them what they had been doing.” 6

3256. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - لكميل بن زياد - : يا كُمَيلُ ، إنَّ إبليسَ لا يَعِدُ عن نفسِهِ ، وإنّما يَعِدُ عن رَبِّهِ لِيَحمِلَهُم على‏ مَعصِيَتِهِ فَيُوَرِّطَهُم7

3256. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'O Kumayl! Verily Iblis [Satan] does not promise them in his own name, rather he promises them in Allah's name in order to cause them to disobey Him, and thus does he entangle them in difficulties.'8

3257. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الشَّيطانُ مُوَكَّلٌ به [أي بالعَبدِ ]يُزَيِّنُ لَهُ المَعصيَةَ لِيَركَبَها ، ويُمَنِّيهِ التَّوبَةَ لِيُسَوِّفَها9

3257. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Satan takes charge of him [the servant] and glamorizes the sin to him in order that he commit it, and makes him indulge false hopes of forgiveness in order that he delay it.'10

3258. الإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام - في دعائهِ - : فلَولا أنَّ الشَّيطانَ يَختَدِعُهُم عَن طاعَتِكَ ما عَصاكَ عاصٍ ، ولَولا أ نّهُ صَوَّرَ لَهُمُ الباطِلَ في مِثالِ الحَقِّ ما ضَلَّ عَن طَرِيقِكَ ضالٌّ11

3258. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said in one of his supplications, 'Were it not for the fact that Satan misleads them from Your obedience, no disobeyer would have ever disobeyed You, and were it not for the fact that he portrays falsehood to them in the likeness of truth, no strayer would have ever strayed from Your path.'12

3259. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : يقولُ إبليسُ لِجُنُودِهِ : ألقُوا بَينَهُمُ الحَسَدَ والبَغيَ ؛ فإنّهُما يَعدِلانِ عِندَ اللَّهِ الشِّركَ13

3259. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Iblis [Satan] addresses his troops saying, 'Sow jealousy and dissention between them, for verily these are tantamount to polytheism in the sight of Allah.'14

Notes

1. البقرة : 268

2. Qur'an 2 :268

3. النساء : 120

4. Qur'an 4 :120

5. الأنعام : 43

6. Qur'an 6 :43

7. بشارة المصطفى‏ : 27

8. Basharat al-Mustafa, p. 27

9. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 64

10. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 64

11. الصحيفة السجّاديّة : الدعاء 37

12. al-Sahifat al-Sajjadiyya, supplication 37, line 144

13. الكافي : 2 / 327 / 2

14. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 327, no. 2

1029 - ما يَعصِمُ مِنَ الشَّيطانِ‏

1029. That Which Renders One IMMUNE FROM SATAN

( إِنَّهُ لَيْسَ لَهُ سُلْطانٌ عَلَى‏ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَلَى‏ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ).1

“Indeed he does not have any authority over those who have faith and put their trust in their Lord.” 2

( إِنَّ عِبادِي لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطانٌ إِلّا مَنِ اتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ الغاوِينَ).3

“Indeed as for My servants, you do not have any authority over them except the perverse who follow you.” 4

3260. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أكثِرِ الدُّعاءَ تَسلَمْ مِن سَورَةِ الشَّيطانِ5

3260. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Increase in your supplication and you will be secure from Satan's force.'6

3261. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : تَحَرَّزْ مِن إبليسَ بالخَوفِ الصادِقِ7

3261. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, 'Guard yourself against Iblis [Satan] with true dread.'8

3262. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : قالَ إبليسُ : خَمسَةٌ ليسَ لي فيهِنَّ حِيلَةٌ وسائرُ الناسِ في قَبضَتي : مَنِ اعتَصَمَ بِاللَّهِ عن نيّةٍ صادِقَةٍ واتَّكَلَ علَيهِ في جَميعِ اُمُورِهِ ، ومَن كَثُرَ تَسبيحُهُ في لَيلِهِ ونَهارِهِ ، ومَن رَضِيَ لأخِيهِ المؤمِنِ بما يَرضاهُ لنفسِهِ ، ومَن لَم يَجزَعْ على المُصيبةِ حينَ تُصِيبُهُ ، ومَن رَضِيَ بما قَسَمَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ولَم يَهتَمَّ لِرِزقِهِ9

3262. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Iblis [Satan] said, 'There are five types of people against whom I have no stratagem, whilst I have the rest of people firmly in my grasp: he who clings fast to Allah with a true intention and relies solely on Him in all his affairs, he who is in constant and abundant glorification of Allah day and night, he who pleases for his brother in faith whatever he pleases for himself, he who does not feel anxious about an affliction when it befalls him, and he who is satisfied with whatever Allah has allotted to him and does not worry about his sustenance.'10

Notes

1. النحل : 99

2. Qur'an 16 :99

3. الحِجر : 42

4. Qur'an 15 :42

5. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 9 / 64

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 9, no. 64

7. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 164 / 1

8. Ibid. p. 164, no. 1

9. الخصال : 285 / 37

10. al-Khisal, p. 285, no. 37

1030 - ما يُسَلِّطُ الشَّيطانَ‏

1030. THAT WHICH BRINGS ONE UNDER SATAN'S AUTHORITY

( وَمَن يَعْشُ عَنْ ذِكْرِ الرَّحْمنِ نُقَيِّضْ لَهُ شَيْطاناً فَهُوَ لَهُ قَرِينٌ).1

“Whoever turns a blind eye to the remembrance of the All-beneficent, We assign him a devil who remains his companion.” 2

(اُنظر) آل عمران : 155 والأعراف : 27 و مريم: 83

(See also: Qur'an 3:155, 7:27, 19:83)

3263. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : بَينَما موسى‏ عليه السلام جالِساً إذ أقبَلَ إبليسُ... قالَ موسى‏ : فَأخبِرْني بِالذَّنبِ الذي إذا أذنَبَهُ ابنُ آدَمَ استَحوَذتَ علَيهِ قالَ : إذا أعجَبَتهُ نَفسُهُ ، واستَكثَرَ عَمَلَهُ ، وصَغُرَ في عَينِهِ ذَنبُهُ3

3263. The Prophet (SAWA) narrated, 'Moses (AS) was once sitting down when Iblis [Satan] approached him Moses asked him, 'So inform me about the sin which if the son of Adam were to commit would give you mastery over him.' He replied, 'When he feels proud of himself [for a particular action], and continues to perform that action, deeming his sin insignificant.'4

3264. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مُجالَسَةُ أهلِ الهَوى‏ مَنساةٌ للإيمانِ ومَحضَرَةٌ للشَّيطانِ5

3264. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Sitting in the company of people who are driven by their base desires is the key to obliviousness of one's faith and is the very seat of Satan's presence.'6

3265. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ليسَ لِإبليسَ جُندٌ أشَدَّ مِنَ النِّساءِ والغَضَبِ7

3265. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Satan's strongest forces are [mobilized through] women and anger.'8

Notes

1. الزخرف : 36

2. Qur'an 43 :36

3. الكافي : 2 / 314 / 8

4. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 314, no. 8

5. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 86

6. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 86

7. تحف العقول : 363

8. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 363

217 - الشِّعر

217. POETRY

1031 - تَفسيرُ ما وَرَدَ في ذَمِّ الشُّعَراءِ

1031. EXPLANATION OF THE VERSE OF THE QUR'AN CONDEMNING POETS

( وَالشُّعَراءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الغاوُونَ * ألَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِي كُلِّ وادٍ يَهِيمُونَ * وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ ما لا يَفْعَلُونَ * إِلّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحاتِ وَذَكَرُوا اللَّهَ كَثيراً وَانْتَصَرُوا مِنْ بَعدِ ما ظُلِمُوا).1

“As for the poets, [only] the perverse follow them. Have you not regarded that they rove in every valley, and that they say what they do not do? Barring those who have faith and do righteous deeds and remember Allah greatly, and aid each other after they have been wronged. And the wrongdoers will soon know at what goal they will end up.” 2

3266. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام - في قولِهِ تعالى‏ : (والشُّعَراءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الغاوُونَ) - : هل رَأيتَ شاعراً يَتَّبِعُهُ أحَدٌ ؟! إنّما هُم قَومٌ تَفَقَّهُوا لِغَيرِ الدِّينِ فَضَلُّوا وأضَلُّوا3

3266. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said with regards to Allah's verse in the Qur'an:“As for the poets...” , 'Have you ever seen a poet being followed by anyone?! They are only people who have devoted themselves to works aside from religion, and hence have strayed and led others astray.'4

Notes

1. الشعراء : 224 - 227

2. Qur'an 26 :224 -227

3. معاني‏الأخبار : 385 / 19

4. Maani al-Akhbar, p. 385, no. 19

1032 - الشِّعرُ جِهادٌ بِاللِّسانِ‏

1032. Poetry is Jihad With the Tongue

3267. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - لَمّا سُئلَ عنِ الشِّعرِ - : إنّ المُؤمِنَ مُجاهِدٌ بِسَيفِهِ ولِسانِهِ ، والذي نَفسي بيدِهِ لَكأنّما يَنضِحُونَهم بِالنَّبلِ1

3267. The Prophet (SAWA) was once asked about the poets, to which he replied, 'Verily the believer can either fight the enemy with his sword or his tongue, and by the One who has my soul in His Hand, it is as if they [the poets] shower them with arrows [by means of their defamatory poetry].'2

3268. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - لحَسّانَ بنِ ثابتٍ - : اُهجُ المُشركينَ؛ فإنّ جَبرئيلَ مَعَكَ3

3268. The Prophet (SAWA) told Hassan b. Thabit [who used to write poetry in praise of the Prophet and in defamation of the polytheists], 'Compose defamatory poetry against the polytheists for verily the archangel Gabriel is with you.'4

3269. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ مِنَ الشِّعرِ لَحِكَماً ، وإنّ مِنَ البَيانِ لَسِحراً5

3269. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Verily poetry can contain words of wisdom, and verily eloquent rhetoric speech can contain words of enchantment.'6

3270. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن قالَ فِينا بَيتَ شِعرٍ بَنَى اللَّهُ تعالى‏ لَهُ بَيتاً في الجَنَّةِ7

3270. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Whoever recites a single verse of poetry praising us [the Ahl al-bayt], Allah, most High, builds a house for him in Paradise.'8

3271. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ما قالَ فِينا قائلٌ بَيتاً مِن الشِّعرِ حتّى‏ يُؤَيَّدَ بِرُوحِ القُدُسِ9

3271. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'No sooner does someone recite a verse of poetry praising us than he is strengthened by the Holy Spirit.'10

Notes

1. مجمع البيان : 7 / 326

2. Majma al-Bayan, v. 7, p. 326

3. الدرّ المنثور : 6 / 336

4. al-Durr al-Manthur, v. 6, p. 336

5. الأمالي للصدوق : 718 / 987 ، سنن أبي داوود : 4 / 303 / 5011 نحوه

6. Amali al-Saduq, p. 495, no. 6, and Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 5011

7. عيون أخبار الرِّضا : 1 / 7 / 1

8. Uyun Akhbar al-Rida (AS), v. 1, p. 7, no. 1

9. عيون أخبار الرِّضا : 1 / 7 / 2

10. Ibid. no. 2

218 - الشِّعار

218. THE BATTLE CRY

1033 - الشِّعارُ فِى الحَرْبِ‏

1033. The Battle Cry

3272. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - لَمّا أمَرَ بِالشِّعارِ قَبلَ الحَربِ - : ليَكُنْ في شِعارِكُم اسمٌ مِن أسماءِ اللَّهِ1

3272. The Prophet (SAWA) said, commanding his troops to chant a slogan before a battle, 'Make sure your slogan includes one of the Names of Allah, the most High.'2

3273. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : كانَ شِعارُ أصحابِ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله يومَ بَدرٍ : يا مَنصورُ أمِتْ3

3273. Imam Ali (AS) said, 'The battle cry of the Prophet's companions at the Battle of Badr was, 'O victorious one, put them to death!'4

3274. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في شِعارٍ لَهُ لِيَومٍ مِن أيَّامِ واقِعَةِ الجَمَلِ - : حم لا يُنْصَرُونَ ، اللّهُمّ انصُرْنا على القَومِ الناكِثِينَ5

3274. Imam Ali (AS) - One of his battle cries on the day of the Battle of the Camel was, 'It is decreed that they will not be victorious! O Allah grant us victory over the treacherous people.'6

3275. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : شِعارُنا يَومَ بَدرٍ : يا نَصرَ اللَّهِ اقتَرِبْ اقتَرِبْ شِعارُ الحُسينِ عليه السلام : يا محمّدُ ، وشِعارُنا : يا محمّدُ7

3275. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Our battle cry on the day of the Battle of Badr was, 'Come to us O victory of Allah, come to us!' Husayn (AS)'s battle cry was, 'O Muhammad', and our battle cry is also, 'O Muhammad.'8

Notes

1. دعائم الإسلام : 1 / 370

2. Daa'im al-Islam, v. 1, p. 370

3. الجعفريّات : 84

4. al-Jafariyat, p. 84

5. شرح نهج البلاغة : 1 / 262

6. Sharh Nahj al-Balagha li Ibn Abi al-Hadid, v. 1, p. 262

7. الكافي : 5 / 47 / 1

8. al-Kafi, v. 5, p. 47, no. 1

1034 - شِعارُ المُسلِمينَ فِي القِيامَةِ

1034. THE MUSLIMS' VICTORY CRY ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

3276. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : شِعارُ المُسلمينَ على الصِّراطِ يَومَ القِيامَةِ : لا إلهَ إلّا اللَّهُ وعلى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ المُتَوكِّلُونَ1

3276. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The Muslims' victory cry as they cross the Bridge (Sirat) on the Day of Resurrection will be, 'There is no god but Allah and on Allah do the trusting ones place their trust.'2

3277. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : شِعارُ المؤمنينَ على الصِّراطِ يَومَ القِيامَةِ : رَبِّ ، سَلِّمْ سَلِّمْ3

3277. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The Muslims' victory cry as they cross the Bridge (Sirat) on the Day of Resurrection will be, 'Lord! Protect us, protect us.'4

3278. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : شِعارُ المؤمنينَ يومَ القِيامَةِ في ظُلَمِ القِيامَةِ : لا إلهَ إلّا أنتَ5

3278. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'The Muslims' victory cry on the Day of Resurrection, during the darkness of resurrection, will be, 'There is no god but You.'6

Notes

1. جامع الأحاديث للقمّي : 89

2. Jami al-Ahadith al-Qummi, p. 89

3. كنز العمّال : 39030

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 39030

5. كنز العمّال : 39033

6. Ibid. no. 39033

219 - الشفاعة

219. INTERCESSION

1035 - الشَّفاعَةُ فِي الدُّنيا

1035. Intercession in the Life of THIS WORLD

3279. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : اِشفَعُوا تُؤجَرُوا1

3279. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Intercede for someone and you will be rewarded.'2

3280. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله: مَن شَفَعَ شَفاعَةً يَدفَعُ بها مَغرَماً أو يُحيِي بها مَغنَماً ، ثَبَّتَ اللَّهُ تعالى‏ قَدَمَيهِ حِينَ تَدحَضُ الأقدامُ3

3280. The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Whoever intercedes for someone settling thereby a financial liability or procuring someone's due profit, Allah will give him a firm footing on the day that feet will stumble.'4

3281. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : الشَّفاعَةُ زَكاةُ الجاهِ5

3281. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Intercession is the zakat of high rank.'6

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 6489

2. Ibid. no. 6489

3. كنز العمّال : 6496

4. Ibid. no. 6496

5. تحف العقول : 381

6. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 381