Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

225 - الشُّهرة

225. FAME

1070 - الشُّهرَةُ المَحمودَةُ

1070. PRAISEWORTHY FAME

( وَرَفَعْنا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ).1

“Did we not exalt your name?” 2

( واجعَلْ لِي لِسانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الآخِرِينَ).3

“Confer on me a worthy repute among the posterity.” 4

(اُنظر) مريم : 50 و طه : 39 والعنكبوت : 27 و الصافات : 78

(See also: Qur’an 19:50, 20:39, 29:27, 37:78)

3383. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - لمّا سُئلَ عنِ الرجُلِ الذي يَعمَلُ العَمَلَ مِنَ الخَيرِ، ويَحمَدُهُ الناسُ علَيهِ - : تلكَ عاجِلُ بُشرَى المؤمِنِ5

3383. The Prophet (SAWA) was once asked regarding someone who performs a good deed, and is consequently praised by people on account of it, to which he replied, ‘That [praise] is the advance glad tidings for the believer.’6

3384. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إذا أحَبَّ اللَّهُ عَبداً مِن اُمَّتِي قَذَفَ في قُلوبِ أصفِيائهِ وأرواحِ ملائكَتِهِ وسُكّانِ عَرشِهِ مَحَبَّتَهُ لِيُحِبُّوهُ ، فذلكَ المُحَبُّ حقّاً7

3384. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘When Allah loves a servant of His from among my community, He radiates love for him into the hearts of His elite servants, the spirits of the angels and the retinue of His throne, in order that they too may love him, and that is one who is truly loved.’8

Notes

1. الانشراح : 4

2. Qur’an 94 :4

3. الشعراء : 84

4. Qur’an 26 :84

5. صحيح مسلم : 4 / 2034 / 166

6. Sahih Muslim, no. 2642

7. بحار الأنوار : 70 / 24 / 23

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 70, p. 24, no. 23

1071 - الشُّهرَةُ المَذمومَةُ

1071. BLAMEWORTHY FAME

( تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُها لِلَّذِينَ لا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوّاً فِي الْأرْضِ وَلا فَساداً والْعاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ)1

“This is the abode of the Hereafter which We shall grant to those who do not desire to domineer in the earth nor to cause corruption, and the outcome will be in favour of the Godwary.” 2

3385. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : بِحَسْبِ المَرءِ مِن الشَّرِّ - إلّا مَن عَصَمَهُ اللَّهُ مِن السُّوءِ - أن يُشِيرَ الناسُ إلَيهِ بالأصابِعِ في دِينِهِ ودُنياهُ3

3385. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘It is bad enough for a man - except for one whom Allah protects from evil - that people should point the finger at him with regard to either his faith or his worldly affairs.’4

3386. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما مِن عَبدٍ يُرِيدُ أن‏يَرتَفِعَ فِي الدُّنيا دَرَجةً ، فَارتَفَعَ فِي الدُّنيا دَرَجةً ، إلّا وَضَعَهُ اللَّهُ فِي‏الآخِرَةِدَرَجَةً أكبَرَمِنها وأطوَلَ.5

3386. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Every single servant who desires to raise his own status in this world, Allah abases his status in the Hereafter by a greater and longer extent.’6

3387. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في صفةِ المؤمنِ - : لا يَرغَبُ في عِزِّ الدُّنيا ولا يَجزَعُ مِن ذُلِّها ، لِلناسِ هَمٌّ قد أقبَلُوا علَيهِ، ولَهُ هَمٌّ قد شَغَلَهُ7

3387. Imam al-Sadiq (AS), in his description of a believer, said, ‘He neither desires repute in this world, nor does he grieve at its disgrace. People have their own matters of significance that they tend to, whilst he occupies himself with his own concerns.’8

Notes

1. القصص : 83

2. Qur’an 28 :83

3. شرح نهج البلاغة : 2 / 181

4. Sharh Nahj al-Balagha li Ibn Abi al-Hadid, v. 2, p. 181

5. كنز العمّال : 6144

6. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 6144

7. بحار الأنوار : 67 / 271 / 3

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 67, p. 271, no. 3

1072 - ذَمُّ شُهرَةِ اللِّباسِ وشُهرَةِ العِبادَةِ

1072. THE CENSURE OF CLOTHING OR ACTS OF WORSHIP THAT DRAW ATTENTION

3388. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : كَفى‏ بِالمَرءِ خِزياً أن يَلبَسَ ثَوباً يَشهَرُهُ ، أو يَركَبَ دابَّةً مَشهورَةً1

3388. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘It is enough of a disgrace for a man that he should wear such clothes or ride such a beast as draws attention to himself.’2

3389. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ يُبغِضُ الشُّهرَتَينِ : شُهرَةَ اللِّباسِ وشُهرَةَ الصَّلاةِ3

3389. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily Allah despises the two forms of attention-seeking: attention-seeking clothes and attention-seeking prayer.’4

3390. الإمامُ الرِّضا عليه السلام : مَن شَهَرَ نفسَهُ بِالعِبادَةِ فاتَّهِمُوهُ على‏ دِينِهِ ؛ فإنَّ اللَّهَ عزّوجلّ يُبغِضُ شُهرَةَ العِبادَةِ وشُهرَةَ اللِّباسِ5

3390. Imam al-Rida (AS) said, ‘If someone makes himself become renown for worshipping you should doubt his religion, as Allah the Exalted dislikes fame in worshiping and fame in dressing.’6

3391. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : الشُّهرَةُ خَيرُها وشَرُّها في النارِ7

3391. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The best and worst of [seeking] fame will land one in the Fire.’8

(اُنظر) اللّباس : باب 1624 ، 1627

(See also: CLOTHES: section 1624, 1627)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 252 / 105

2. Ibid. v. 78, p. 252, no. 105

3. مشكاة الأنوار : 553 / 1864

4. Mishkat al-Anwar, no. 320

5. بحارالأنوار : 70 / 252 / 5

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 70, p. 252, no. 5

7. الكافي : 6 / 445 / 3

8. al-Kafi, v. 6, p. 445, no. 3

226 - الشُّورى‏

226. COUNSEL

1073 - الحَثُّ عَلَى المَشورَةِ

1073. Enjoinment of Consultation

( وَالَّذِينَ اسْتَجابُوا لِرَبِّهِم وَأقامُوا الصَّلاةَ وَأمرُهُمْ شُورَى‏ بَيْنَهُمْ وَمِمَّا رَزَقناهُم يُنْفِقُونَ).1

“Those who answer their Lord, maintain the prayer, and their affairs are (executed) by counsel among themselves, and they spend out of what We have provided them with.” 2

3392. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الاستِشارةُ عَينُ الهِدايَةِ، وقد خاطَرَ مَنِ استَغنى‏ بِرَأيِهِ3

3392. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Seeking to consult someone [in one’s affairs] is guidance in itself, and the one who suffices himself with his own opinion endangers himself.’4

3393. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا ظَهِيرَ كالمُشاوَرَةِ5

3393. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There is no better support than good counsel.’6

3394. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنّما حُضَّ على المُشاوَرَةِ لأنّ رَأيَ المُشيرِ صِرْفٌ ، ورَأيَ المُستَشِيرِ مَشُوبٌ بالهَوى‏.7

3394. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Seeking counsel has been highly emphasised because the opinion of the counsellor is unadulterated whereas the opinion of the one seeking counsel is polluted with his own whims.’8

Notes

1. الشورى‏ : 38

2. Qur’an 42 :38

3. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 211

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 211

5. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة54

6. Ibid. no. 54

7. غرر الحكم : 3908

8. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3908

1074 - مَن لا يَنبَغي مُشاوَرَتُهُم‏

1074. PEOPLE WHOSE COUNSEL SHOULD NOT BE SOUGHT

3395. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - للامام عليّ عليه السلام - : يا عليُّ، لا تُشاوِرْ جَباناً فإنّهُ يُضَيِّقُ علَيكَ المَخرَجَ ، ولا تُشاوِرِ البَخيلَ فإنّهُ يَقْصُرُ بكَ عن غايَتِكَ ، ولا تُشاوِرْ حَريصاً فإنّهُ يُزَيِّنُ لكَ شَرَهاً1

3395. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘O Ali, do not seek counsel from a coward for verily he will confine and narrow the way out for you, nor from the miser for verily he will hold you back from your goal, and nor from the covetous one for verily he will make greediness fair-seeming to you.’2

3396. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا تَستَشِرِ الكَذّابَ ؛ فإنّهُ كالسَّرابِ : يُقَرِّبُ علَيكَ البَعيدَ ويُبَعِّدُ علَيكَ القَريبَ3

3396. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Do not seek counsel from a liar for verily he is like a mirage – he makes that which is far appear near, and he makes that which is near appear far.’4

Notes

1. علل الشرائع : 559 / 1

2. Ilal al-Shara’i , p. 559, no. 1

3. غرر الحكم : 10351

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 10351

1075 - حُدودُ المَشوِرَةِ

1075. Boundries of counceling

3397. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّ المَشورَةَ لا تكونُ إلّا بِحُدُودِها الأربَعةِ فأوَّلُها أن يكونَ الذي تُشاوِرُهُ عاقِلاً ، والثانيةُ أن يَكونَ حُرّاً مُتَدَيِّناً ، والثالثةُ أن يكونَ صَديقاً مُواخِياً ، والرابعةُ أن تُطلِعَه على‏ سِرِّكَ فَيكونَ عِلمُهُ بهِ كَعِلمِكَ ثُمّ يُسِرَّ ذلكَ ويَكتُمَهُ1

3397. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Counsel should only be sought whilst fulfilling its four terms. Firstly that the one whose counsel you seek must be a man of intellect. Secondly that he must be a free and religious man. Thirdly, he must be brotherly and friendly, and fourthly that when you disclose your secret to him whereby he knows as much about it as you do, he would keep your secret and guard it well.’2

Notes

1. مكارم الأخلاق : 2 / 98 / 2280

2. Makarim al-Akhlaq, v. 2, p. 98, no. 2280

1076 - الحَثُّ عَلى‏ إرشادِ المُستَشيرِ

1076. ENJOINMENT OF GUIDING ONE WHO SEEKS YOUR COUNSEL

3398. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : تَصَدَّقُوا على‏ أخِيكُم بِعِلمٍ يُرشِدُهُ ورَأيٍ يُسَدِّدُهُ1

3398. The Prophet (SAWA) said:’ Be generous to your brother in faith by granting him the knowledge that guides him and the wisdom that shows him the right path.’2

3399. الإمامُ زينُ العابدينَ عليه السلام : حَقُّ المُستَشيرِ إنْ عَلِمتَ أنَّ لَهُ رَأياً3 أشَرتَ علَيهِ ، وإن لَم تَعلَمْ أرشَدتَهُ إلى‏ مَن يَعلَمُ4

3399. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, ‘The right of the one who seeks your counsel is that you point him in the right direction if you know that he is inclined towards a certain opinion, and if you do not know [which way to point out], then you must guide him to someone who does.’5

3400. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَنِ استَشارَ أخاهُ فَلَم يَنصَحْهُ مَحْضَ الرَّأيِ سَلَبَهُ اللَّهُ رَأيَهُ6

3400. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Whoever seeks counsel from a fellow brother and he refuses to advise him with even an opinion either way, Allah wrests him of his opinion.’7

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 75 / 105 / 40

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 75, p. 105, no. 40

3. في الأمالي للصدوق : 456 / 610 « . له رأياً حسناً »

4. الخصال : 570 / 1

5. al-Khisal, p. 570, no. 1

6. المحاسن : 2 / 438 / 2521

7. al-Mahasin, v. 2, p. 438, no. 2521

1077 - إستشارة الأعداء

1077. To Consult With the Enemy

3401. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اِستَشِرْ أعداءَكَ تَعرِفْ مِن رَأيِهِم مِقدارَ عَداوَتِهِم ومَواضِعَ مَقاصِدِهِم1

3401. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Take council with your enemies, so that by knowing their opinions, you be aware of their animosity, goals and intentions.’2

3402. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : اِستَشِرْ عَدُوَّكَ العاقِلَ ، واحذَرْ رَأيَ صَديقِكَ الجاهِلِ3

3402. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘ Do take councils with your wise enemy, and abstain yourself from the opinion of your ignorant friend.’4

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 2462

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2462

3. غرر الحكم : 2471

4. Ibid. no. 2471

227 - الشَّيب‏

227. OLD AGE

1078 - الشَّيبُ‏

1078. Old Age

( اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفاً وَشَيْبَةً يَخْلُقُ ما يَشاءُ وَهُوَ العَلِيمُ القَدِيرُ).1

“It is Allah who created you from [a state of] weakness, then he gave you strength after weakness. Then, after strength, He ordained weakness and old age; He creates whatever He wishes, and He is the All-knowing, the All-powerful.” 2

3403. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : الشَّيخُ شابٌّ على‏ حُبِّ أنيسٍ ، وطُولِ حَياةٍ ، وكَثرَةِ مالٍ3

3403. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The old man is a youth when it comes to his love for his intimate one, his long life and his abundant wealth.’4

3404. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام :المَشِيبُ رسولُ المَوتِ5

3404. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Gray hair is the herald of death.’6

3405. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : كَفى‏ بالشَّيبِ نَذِيراً7

3405. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Old age suffices as a warning.’8

3406. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : وَقارُ الشَّيبِ أحَبُّ إلَيَّ مِن نَضارَةِ الشَّبابِ9

3406. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The dignified bearing that comes with old age is more beloved to me than the vigour of youth.’10

3407. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إذا شابَ العاقِلُ شَبَّ عَقلُهُ ، إذا شابَ الجاهِلُ شَبَّ جَهلُهُ11

3407. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘When an intelligent man grows old, his intellect remains young [and sharp], and when the ignorant man grows old, his ignorance too remains young [and more reckless].’12

3408. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام: أصبَحَ إبراهيمُ عليه السلام فَرَأى‏ في لِحيَتِهِ شَيباً شَعرَةً بَيضاءَ ، فقالَ : الحَمدُ للَّهِ‏ِ رَبِّ العالَمينَ الذي بَلَّغَني هذَا المَبلَغَ ولَم أعصِ اللَّهَ طَرفَةَ عَينٍ13

3408. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Prophet Abraham (AS) woke up one morning to find old age in the form of a white hair in his beard, and said, ‘Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, Who has brought me to this ripe age in which I have never yet disobeyed Him for even the blink of an eye.’14

3409. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ما رَأيتُ شَيئاً أسرَعَ إلى‏ شي‏ءٍ مِن الشَّيبِ إلَى المؤمنِ ، وإنّهُ وَقارٌ للمؤمِنِ في الدنيا ، ونورُ ساطِعٌ يَومَ القِيامَةِ ، بهِ وَقَّرَ اللَّهُ تعالى‏ خَليلَهُ إبراهيمَ عليه السلام ، فقالَ : ما هذا يا رَبِّ ؟ قالَ لَهُ : هذا وَقارٌ ، فقالَ : يا رَبِّ زِدني وَقاراً15

3409. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘I have never seen anything catch up with something faster than old age catches up with a believer, for verily it is a source of dignity for the believer in this world and a brilliant light for him on the Day of Resurrection. Allah, most High, honoured Abraham (AS) with it [old age], who said, ‘What is this, my Lord?’ to which Allah replied, ‘This is dignity’, so Abraham said, ‘O my Lord, increase me in dignity then.’16

Notes

1. الروم : 54

2. Qur’an 30 :54

3. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 174 / 9

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 174, no. 9

5. غرر الحكم : 1202

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1202

7. غرر الحكم : 7019

8. Ibid. no. 7019

9. غرر الحكم : 10099

10. Ibid. no. 10099

11. غرر الحكم : 4169 - 4170

12. Ibid. nos. 4169-41 70

13. علل الشرائع : 104 / 2

14. Ilal al-Shara’i , p. 104, no. 2

15. الأمالي للطوسي : 699 / 1492

16. Amali al-Tusi, p. 699, no. 1492

1079 - الحَثُّ عَلى‏ إجلالِ الكَبيرِ

1079. ENJOINMENT OF VENERATING THE OLD

3410. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مِن إجلالِ اللَّهِ إجلالُ ذي الشَّيبَةِ المُسلمِ1

3410. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Venerating Allah includes venerating the old from among the Muslims.’2

3411. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنَّ مِن إجلالِي تَوقِيرَ الشَّيخِ مِن اُمَّتي3

3411. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Verily venerating me includes honouring the old men of my community.’4

3412. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : عَظِّمُوا كِبارَكُم وصِلُوا أرحامَكُم5

3412. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Exalt the old ones from amongst you and maintain relations between your kin.’6

3413. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ليسَ مِنّا مَن لَم يُوَقِّرْ كبيرَنا ويَرحَمْ صَغِيرَنا7

3413. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘One who neither honours our old nor has mercy on our young is not one of us.’8

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 165 / 1

2. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 165, no. 1

3. كنز العمّال : 6013

4. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 6013

5. الكافي : 2 / 165 / 3

6. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 165, no. 3

7. الكافي : 2 / 165 / 2

8. Ibid. no. 2

228 - الشِّيعة

228. THE SHIA

1

1080 - فَضلُ شِيعَةِ أهلِ البَيتِ عليهم السلام‏

1080. THE VIRTUE OF THE Shia OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF THE PROPHET

3414. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : شَكَوتُ إلى‏ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله حَسَدَ الناسِ إيَّايَ ، فقالَ : يا عليُّ ، إنّ أوَّلَ أربَعةٍ يَدخُلُونَ الجَنَّةَ أنا وأنتَ والحَسنُ والحُسينُ ، وذُرِّيَّتُنا خَلفَ ظُهُورِنا ، وأحِبّاؤنا خَلفَ ذُرِّيَّتِنا ، وأشياعُنا عَن أيمانِنا وشَمائلِنا2

3414. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘I complained to the Prophet (SAWA) about people’s jealousy towards me, so he replied, ‘O Ali, the first four people to enter Paradise will be myself, you, Hasan and Husayn. The rest of our progeny will be behind us, those who love us will be behind them, and our Shia will be on either side of us.’3

3415. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : سُئلَت اُمُّ سَلَمَةَ زَوجُ النبيِّ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله عن علِيّ بنِ أبي طالبٍ عليه السلام، فقالَت : سَمِعتُ رسولَ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله يقولُ : إنّ عليّاً وشِيعَتَهُ هُمُ الفائزونَ4

3415. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Umm Salama, the wife of the Prophet (SAWA), was once asked about [the status of] Ali b. Abu Talib (AS), to which she replied, ‘I have heard the Prophet (SAWA) say, ‘Verily Ali and his Shia are the victorious ones.’5

Notes

1. The word Shia lexically means ‘follower’, and originally referred to those who followed Imam Ali b. Abu Talib and who recognised him as the Prophet (SAWA)’s divinely appointed rightful successor. Today it generally refers to the body of Muslims who recognise the twelve Imams from Imam Ali (AS) to the rest of the Imams (AS) from his and Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter’s lineage (ed.)

2. الإرشاد : 1 / 43

3. al-Irshad, v. 1, p. 43

4. الإرشاد : 1 / 41

5. Ibid. p. 41

1081 - عَلاماتُ شيعَةِ أهلِ البَيتِ عليهم السلام‏

1081. THE SIGNS OF THE SHIA OF AHLUL-BAYT (AS)

3416. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - لِنَوفٍ البَكاليِّ - : أتَدرِي يا نَوفُ مَن شِيعَتي ؟ قالَ : لا وَاللَّهِ ، قالَ : شِيعَتي الذُّبُلُ الشِّفاهِ، الخُمصُ البُطُونِ ، الذينَ تُعرَفُ الرَّهبانيَّةُ في وُجوهِهِم ، رُهبانٌ باللَّيلِ اُسْدٌ بالنَّهارِ1

3416. Imam Ali (AS) asked Nawf al-Bakali, ‘Do you know who my Shia are, Nawf?’ to which he replied, ‘By Allah, no.’ Imam replied, ‘My Shia have parched lips and empty stomachs. They are those whose faces disclose asceticism, for they are ascetics by night, lions by day.’2

3417. الإمامُ الحسنُ عليه السلام - في جَوابِ رَجُلٍ قالَ لَهُ : إنّي مِن شِيعَتِكُم - : يا عبدَ اللَّهِ ، إن كُنتَ لَنا في أوامِرِنا وزَواجِرِنا مُطِيعاً فقد صَدَقتَ ، وإن كُنتَ بخِلافِ ذلكَ فلا تَزِدْ في ذُنوبِكَ بدَعواكَ مَرتَبةً شَرِيفَةً لَستَ مِن أهلِها ، لا تَقُلْ : أنا مِن شِيعَتِكُم ، ولكن قُل : أنا مِن مُوالِيكُم ومُحِبِّيكُم ومُعادِي أعدائكُم ، وأنتَ في خَيرٍ وإلى‏ خَيرٍ3

3417. Imam al-Hasan (AS) said in answer to a man who said to him, ‘Verily I am one of your Shia’, ‘O Abdallah, if you are truly obedient to us in our commands and prohibitions, then you are telling the truth. But if not, then do not add to your sins by falsely claiming such a dignified position that you are not worthy of. Do not say, ‘I am one of your Shia’, but say rather, ‘I am one of your adherents and one of your lovers and an enemy to your enemies.’ You are good and aiming towards good.’4

3418. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : ما شِيعَتُنا إلّا مَنِ اتَّقى‏ اللَّهَ وأطاعَهُ، وما كانوا يُعرَفُونَ إلّا بالتَّواضُعِ والتَّخَشُّعِ وأداءِ الأمانَةِ وكَثرَةِ ذِكرِ اللَّهِ5

3418. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Our Shia are none other than those who are consciously wary of their duty to Allah and obey Him. They are known solely for their humbleness, their humility, their returning promptly whatever is entrusted in their care and their abundant remembrance of Allah.’6

3419. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّما شِيعَةُ عليٍّ مَن عَفَّ بَطنُهُ وفَرجُهُ ، واشتَدَّ جِهادُهُ ، وعَمِلَ لِخالِقِهِ ، ورَجا ثَوابَهُ ، وخافَ عِقابَهُ، فإذا رأيتَ اُولئكَ فاُولئكَ شِيعَةُ جعفرٍ7

3419. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily the Shia of Ali were those who restrained their stomachs and their sexual desires, who struggled and fought intensely, who worked hard for their Creator, who hoped for His reward and feared His punishment. If you have seen such people, then they are the very Shia of Jafar.’8

3420. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : اِمتَحِنُوا شِيعَتَنا عِندَ ثَلاثٍ : عِندَ مَواقيتِ الصلَواتِ كيفَ مُحافَظَتُهُم علَيها ، وعِندَ أسرارِهِم كيفَ حِفظُهُم لَها عَن عَدُوِّنا ، وإلى‏ أموالِهِم كيفَ مُواساتُهُم لإِخوانِهم فيها9

3420. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Test our Shia with regard to three things: the prayer times to see how well they observe them, their secrets to see how well they guard them from our enemies, and their wealth to see how they help out their fellow brothers with it.’10

3421. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّما شِيعَتُنا أصحابُ الأربَعةِ الأعيُنِ : عَينانِ فِي الرَّأسِ ، وعَينانِ فِي القَلبِ ، ألَا والخلائقُ كُلُّهُم كذلكَ إلّا أنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّوجلَّ فَتَحَ أبصارَكُم وأعمى‏ أبصارَهُم11

3421. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily our Shia are those who possess four eyes: two in their head, as well as two in their heart. Actually, all people are such, except that Allah has opened their [the Shia’s] eyes, and blinded others’ [as a result of their rejection of His guidance].’12

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 28 / 95

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 28, no. 95

3. تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 106

4. Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 106

5. تحف العقول : 295

6. Tuhaf al-Uqul, p. 295

7. الكافي : 2 / 233 / 9

8. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 233, no. 9

9. بحار الأنوار : 83 / 22 / 40

10. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 83, p. 22, no. 40

11. الكافي : 8 / 215 / 260

12. al-Kafi, v. 8, p. 215, no. 260

1082 - مَن لَيسَ مِن شيعَةِ أهلِ البَيتِ عليهم السلام‏

1082. THOSE WHO ARE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE SHIA

3422. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لَيسَ مِن شِيعَتِنا مَن قالَ بِلِسانِهِ وخالَفَنا في أعمالِنا وآثارِنا1

3422. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘One who claims to follow us with his tongue, but does the opposite to our actions and deeds is not from among our Shia.’2

3423. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : قَومٌ يَزعُمُونَ أ نّي إمامُهُم ، واللَّهِ ما أنا لَهُم بِإمامٍ ، لَعَنَهُمُ اللَّهُ ، كُلَّما سَتَرتُ سِتراً هَتَكُوهُ ، أقولُ : كذا وكذا ، فيقولونَ : إنّما يَعني كذا وكذا ، إنّما أنا إمامُ مَن أطاعَني3

3423. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘There is a group of people who claim that I am their Imam, but by Allah, I am no Imam of theirs – may Allah curse them – every time I conceal a secret, they disclose it. Every time I explain a matter, they retort, saying, ‘Actually that means such and such.’ I am only the Imam of those who obey me.’4

3424. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : ليسَ مِن شِيعَتِنا مَن أنكَرَ أربَعةَ أشياءَ: المِعراجَ ، والمُساءَلَةَ فِي القَبرِ ، وخَلقَ الجَنَّةِ وَالنارِ ، وَالشَّفاعَةَ5

3424. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The one who rejects four things is not from among our Shia. They are: the Prophet’s Ascension to the heavens, the questioning in the grave, the creation of Heaven and Hell, and intercession.’6

3425. الكافي عن محمّدِ بنِ عجلان : كنتُ عِند أبي عَبدِ اللَّهِ عليه السلام فَدخلَ رَجَلٌ فَسَلَّمَ، فَسألَهُ : كيفَ مَن خُلّفْتَ مِن إخوانِكَ؟ قالَ : فأحسنَ الثناءَ وزكّى‏ وأطرى‏ قالَ لهُ : كيفَ عِيادَةُ أغنِيائهِم على‏ فُقَرائهِم ؟ فقالَ : قَليلَةٌ ، قالَ : وكيفَ مُشاهَدَةُ أغنيائهِم لِفُقَرائهِم ؟ قالَ : قَليلةٌ ، قالَ : فكيفَ صِلَةُ أغنيائهِم لِفُقَرائهِم في ذاتِ أيدِيهِم ، فقالَ : إنّك لَتَذكُرُ أخلاقاً قَلَّ ما هِي فِيمَن عِندَنا قالَ : فقالَ : فكيفَ تَزعُمُ هؤلاءِ أ نَّهُم شِيعَةٌ ؟!7

3425. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) once asked a man about his tribe and brothers whom he had left back home, which the latter replied by praising them, attesting to their integrity and extolling them. Then Imam (AS) asked, ‘Do the rich among them visit the poor when they are ill?’ He replied, ‘Not much.’ ‘Do the rich frequent the poor at all?’ asked Imam. The man replied, ‘Not much.’ ‘Then, do the rich maintain relations with the poor?’ The man replied, ‘Verily you are listing virtues that people amongst us rarely possess.’ Imam said, ‘Then how can these people claim to be Shia?!’8

3426. الإمامُ الكاظمُ عليه السلام : ليسَ مِن شيعَتِنا مَن خَلا ثُمّ لَم يَرُعْ قلبُهُ9

3426. Imam al-Kazim (AS) said, ‘One who goes into retreat [in order to achieve spiritual upliftment] and who does not attain piety in his heart as a result is not from among our Shia.’10

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 68 / 164 / 13

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 68, p. 164, no. 13

3. بحار الأنوار :2 / 80 / 76

4. Ibid. v. 2, p. 80, no. 76

5. بحار الأنوار : 69 / 9 / 11

6. Ibid. v. 69, p. 9, no. 11

7. الكافي : 2 / 173 / 10

8. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 173, no. 10

9. بصائر الدرجات : 247 / 10

10. Basa’ir al-Darajat, p. 247, no. 10

1083 - أصنافُ مَن يُسَمّى‏ بِالشِّيعَةِ

1083. Types of Those Who are Called Shia

3427. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : شِيعَتُنا ثلاثةُ أصنافٍ : صِنفٌ يَأكُلُونَ الناسَ بنا ، وصِنفٌ كالزُّجاجِ يَنُمُ‏1 ، وصِنفٌ كالذَّهَبِ الأحمَرِ كُلَّما اُدخِلَ النارَ ازدادَ جَودَةً2

3427. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Our Shia are of three types: one type dupe people in our name, one type are like glass which discloses everything that is inside it3 , and one type are like red gold, which the more it is brandished in the fire, the purer it becomes.’4

3428. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : الشِّيعَةُ ثلاثٌ : مُحِبٌّ وادٌّ فهُو مِنّا ، ومُتَزَيِّنٌ بنا ونحنُ زَينٌ لِمَن تَزَيَّنَ بنا، ومُستَأكِلٌ بِنَا الناسَ ، ومَنِ استَأكَلَ بِنَا افتَقَرَ5

3428. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The Shia are of three types: one type who loves us and shows affection towards us, and he is one of us. The other type is he who adorns himself through us, and we will serve as an adornment for whoever adorns himself through us. And the third type seeks to cheat people and enrich himself in our name, and whoever does this will be impoverished.’6

Notes

1. يعني : لا يكتم السرّ ويذيع ما في باطنه من الأسرار

2. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 186 / 24

3. That they, like glass, cannot keep hidden that which is placed in their trust, like secrets (ed.)

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 186, no. 24

5. الخصال : 103 / 61

6. al-Khisal, p. 103, no. 61

1084 - نَهيُ الشِّيعَةِ عَنِ الغُلُوِّ

1084. Prohibition of Extremism for the Shia

3429. الكافي عن عَمرو بنِ خالدٍ عَن الإمامِ الباقرِ عليه السلام : يا مَعشرَ الشِّيعَةِ - شِيعَةَ آلِ محمّدٍ - كُونُوا النُّمْرُقَةَ الوُسطى‏ ، يَرجِع إليكُمُ الغالي ، ويَلحَق بِكُمُ التّالي ، فقالَ لَهُ رجُلٌ مِن الأنصارِ يقالُ لَهُ سعدٌ : جُعِلتُ فِداكَ ، مَا الغالِي ؟ قالَ : قومٌ يَقولُونَ فينا ما لا نَقُولُهُ في أنفُسِنا ، فليسَ اُولئكَ مِنّا ولَسنا مِنهُم قالَ : فَمَا التّالِي ، قالَ : المُرتادُ يُرِيدُ الخَيرَ ، يُبَلِّغُهُ الخَيرُ يُوجَرُ علَيهِ1

3429. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘O community of Shia – the Shia of the household of Muhammad – be like the middle saddle-cushion, on which the extremist who has slid forward falls back, and with which the follower who is yet to come catches up.’ Upon hearing this, a man called Sad from among the ansar asked him, ‘May I be your ransom, who is an extremist?’ He replied, ‘They are a group of people who say such things about us that we do not say about ourselves. Neither are these people from among us, nor do we associate ourselves with them.’ Then the man asked, ‘Who is the follower that is yet to come?’ He replied, ‘The one who is searching for good and wants it, and who will eventually attain it and be rewarded for it.’2

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 75 / 6

2. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 75, no. 6