Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

1085 - ما يَنبَغي لِلشِّيعةِ في مُواجَهَةِ النَّاسِ‏

1085. DUTIES INCUMBENT ON THE SHIA IN THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE

3430. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - لعبد الأعلى - : يا عبدَ الأعلَى فَأقرِئهُمُ السلامَ ورَحمَةَ اللَّهِ - يَعنِي الشِّيعَةَ - وقُل : قالَ لَكُم : رَحِمَ اللَّهُ عَبداً استَجَرَّ مَوَدَّةَ الناسِ إلى‏ نفسِهِ وإلَينا ، بأن يُظهِرَ لَهُم ما يَعرِفُونَ ويَكُفَّ عَنهُم ما يُنكِرُونَ1

3430. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘O Abd al-Ala, … give my greetings of peace and the mercy of Allah to my Shia, and tell them: ‘Allah has mercy on the servant who incites love in the people towards himself and towards us [when attracting them towards Islam], by displaying to them that which they already like, and keeping from them that which they would reject.’2

3431. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَعاشِرَ الشِّيعَةِ ، كُونُوا لنا زَيناً ، ولا تَكُونُوا علَينا شَيناً ، قُولُوا لِلناسِ حُسناً ، وَاحفَظُوا ألسِنَتَكُم ، وكُفُّوها عنِ الفُضُولِ وقَبيحِ القَولِ3

3431. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘O Shia community, be an adornment for us [amongst people] and not a disgrace to us. Say good words to people, guard your tongues and restrain yourselves from mindless chatter and offensive speech.’4

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 2 / 77 / 62

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 77, no. 62

3. الأمالي للصدوق : 327 / 17

4. Amali al-Saduq, p. 327, no. 17

1086 - مَقامُ الشِّيعَةِ فِي القِيامَةِ

1086. THE STATION OF THE SHIA ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

3432. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : تُوضَعُ يَومَ القِيامَةِ مَنابِرُ حَولَ العَرشِ لِشِيعَتِي وشِيعَةِ أهلِ بَيتِي المُخلِصِينَ في وَلايَتِنا ، ويقولُ اللَّهُ عَزَّوجلَّ : هَلُمُّوا يا عبادِي إلَيَّ لأَنشُرَنَّ علَيكُم كَرامَتي؛ فقد اُوذِيتُم في الدُّنيا1

3432. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘On the Day of Resurrection, pulpits will be set up around the Throne for my Shia and the Shia of my household, who are sincere in their adherence to our guardianship. Then Allah, Mighty and Exalted, will say, ‘Hurry to Me My servants that I may spread My Magnanimity over you, for you have been hurt in the world.’2

3433. الأمالي للطوسي : - وقد سَألَ رسولَ اللَّه صلى اللَّه عليه وآله ابنُ عبّاسٍ عن قولِ اللَّهِ عَزَّوجلَّ : (والسّابِقُونَ السابِقُونَ * أُولئكَ المُقَرَّبُونَ)3 - فقال : قالَ لي جَبرَئيلُ : ذاكَ عَلِيٌّ وشِيعَتُهُ ، هُمُ السابِقونَ إلَى الجَنَّةِ المُقَرَّبُونَ مِنَ اللَّهِ بكَرامَتِهِ لَهُم4

3433. The Prophet (SAWA) was asked by Ibn Abbas about the verse of Allah in the Qur’an,“And the Foremost Ones are the foremost ones: they are the ones brought near to Allah” 5 , to which he replied, ‘This refers to Ali and his Shia – they will be the foremost to enter Paradise, the ones brought near to Allah through His Magnanimity over them.’6

Notes

1. عيون أخبار الرِّضا : 2 / 60 / 232

2. Uyun Akhbar al-Rida (AS), v. 2, p. 60, no. 232

3. الواقعة : 10 و 11

4. الأمالي للطوسي : 72 / 104

5. Qur’an 56 :10,11

6. Amali al-Tusi, p. 72, no. 104

229 - الصَّبر

229. PATIENCE

1

1087 - فَضلُ الصَّبرِ

1087. The Virtue of Patience

( وَكَأيِّنْ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ قاتَلَ مَعَهُ رِبِّيُّونَ كَثِيْرٌ فَما وَهَنُوا لِما أصابَهُمْ فِي سَبِيْلِ اللَّهِ وَما ضَعُفُوا وَما اسْتَكانُوا واللَّهُ يُحِبُّ الصَّابِرِيْنَ).2

“How many a prophet there has been alongside whom a multitude of godly men fought. They did not falter for what befell them in the way of Allah, neither did they weaken, nor did they abase themselves; and Allah loves the persevering ones.” 3

( وَأطِيْعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلا تَنازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رِيْحُكُمْ وَاصْبِرُوا إنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ).4

“And obey Allah and His apostle, and do not dispute, or you will lose heart and your power will be gone. And be patient; indeed Allah is with the patient.” 5

3434. عيسى عليه السلام : إنّكُم لا تُدرِكُونَ ما تُحِبُّونَ إلّا بِصَبرِكُم على‏ ما تَكرَهُونَ6

3434. Prophet Jesus (AS) said, ‘Verily you will never be able to attain that which you love until you are able to endure that which you despise.’7

3435. مسكّن الفؤاد - لَمّا سُئلَ عن رسول اللَّه صلى اللَّه عليه وآله ماالإيمانُ - : الصَّبرُ8

3435. The Prophet (SAWA) was once asked what faith was, to which he replied, ‘Patience.’9

3436. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصَّبرُ يُهَوِّنُ الفَجِيعَةَ.10

3436. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience makes light work of calamities.’11

3437. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصَّبرُ على البَلاءِ أفضَلُ مِن العافيَةِ في الرَّخاءِ12

3437. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience in the face of tribulation is better than well-being in times of comfort.’13

3438. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : المؤمنُ يُطبَعُ عَلَى الصَّبرِ عَلَى النَّوائبِ14

3438. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The [true] believer is inherently patient against adversities.’15

3439. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : الصَّبرُ رَأسُ الإيمانِ16

3439. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Patience is the peak of faith.’17

3440. الإمامُ الجوادُ عليه السلام : الصَّبرُ عَلَى المُصيبَةِ ، مُصيبَةٌ عَلَى الشامِتِ بها18

3440. Imam al-Jawad (AS) said, ‘Patience in the face of a misfortune is itself a misfortune for the one who gloats over your bad luck.’19

Notes

1. Translator’s Note: The Arabic word sabr denotes ‘patience’ as the ability to tolerate and endure, as well as ‘perseverance’ and ‘endurance’ in the face of adversity and trial. In the text, translation has not been restricted to just one of these terms, in order to best express the purport of each tradition within its context.

2. آل عمران : 146

3. Qur’an 3 :146

4. الأنفال : 46

5. Qur’an 8 :46

6. مسكّن الفؤاد : 48

7. Musakkin al-Fu’ad, no. 48

8. مسكّن الفؤاد : 47

9. Ibid. no. 47

10. غرر الحكم : 533

11. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 533

12. غرر الحكم : 1821

13. Ibid. no. 1821

14. مشكاة الأنوار : 59 / 72

15. Mishkat al-Anwar, no. 23

16.. الكافي : 2 / 87 / 1

17. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 87, no. 1

18. كشف الغمّة : 3 / 139

19. Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 3, p. 139

1088 - الصَّبرُ ومَعالِي الاُمورِ

1088. Patience and Great Things

( وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ الْحُسْنَى‏ عَلَى‏ بَنِي إسْرائيْلَ بِما صَبَرُوا).1

“And your Lord’s best word [of promise] was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because of their patience.” 2

( وَجَعَلْنا مِنْهُم أئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأمْرِنا لَمّا صَبَرُوا وَكانُوا بِآياتِنا يُوقِنُونَ).3

“And amongst them We appointed Imams who guide [the people] by Our command, when they had been patient and had conviction in Our signs.” 4

3441. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : بالصَّبرِ تُدرَكُ مَعالِي الاُمُورِ5

3441. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Through patience are great things accomplished.’6

3442. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن صَبَرَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَصَلَ إلَيهِ7

3442. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Whoever patiently endures the path to Allah reaches Him.’8

Notes

1. الأعراف : 137

2. Qur’an 7 :137

3. السجدة : 24

4. Qur’an 32 :24

5.. غرر الحكم : 4276

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4276

7. بحار الأنوار :71 / 95 / 60

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 71, p. 95, no. 60

1089 - الصَّبرُ وَالنَّصرُ

1089. PERSEVERANCE AND VICTORY

( كَمْ مِنْ فِئَةٍ قَلِيْلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإذْنِ اللَّهِ واللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِيْنَ).1

“How many a small party has overcome a larger party by Allah’s will! And Allah is with the patient.” 2

( بَلَى‏ إنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا وَيَأْتُوكُم مِنْ فَورِهِمْ هذا يُمْدِدْكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ بِخَمْسَةِ آلافٍ مِن المَلائكَةِ مُسَوِّمِينَ).3

“Yes, if you persevere and are conscious of your duty to Allah, and should they come upon you suddenly, your Lord will aid you with five thousand marked angels.” 4

3443. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنّ النَّصرَ مَعَ الصَّبرِ ، والفَرَجَ مع الكَربِ ، وإنّ مَعَ العُسرِ يُسراً5

3443. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Verily victory comes with perseverance, and deliverance with hardship, and verily with difficulty comes ease.’6

3444. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : بِالصَّبرِ يُتَوَقَّعُ الفَرَجُ ، ومَن يُدمِنْ قَرعَ البابِ يَلِجْ7

3444. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘With perseverance, deliverance becomes possible, and whoever knocks at the door persistently will enter it.’8

Notes

1. البقرة : 249

2. Qur’an 2 :249

3. آل عمران : 125

4. Qur’an 3 :125

5. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 88 / 2

6. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 88, no. 2

7. بحار الأنوار :71 / 96 / 61

8. Ibid. v. 71, p. 96, no. 61

1090 - ثَوابُ الصّابِرِ

1090. The Reward of the Patient One

( وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ بِشَيْ‏ءٍ مِنَ الخَوْفِ والجُوْعِ وَنَقْصٍ مِنَ الْأمْوالِ والْأنْفُسِ والثَّمَراتِ وَبَشِّرِ الصَّابِرِينَ * الَّذِينَ إذا أصابَتْهُمْ مُصِيْبَةٌ قالُوا إنَّا للَّهِ‏ِ وَإنَّا إلَيهِ راجِعُونَ * أُولئكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَواتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَرَحمَةٌ وَأُولئكَ هُمُ المُهْتَدُونَ).1

“We will surely test you with a measure of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth, lives and crops; and give good news to the patient – those who when an affliction visits them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and to Him do we indeed return.’ It is they who receive the blessings of their Lord, and [His] mercy, and it is they who are the [rightly] guided.” 2

3445. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في صفةِ المتّقينَ - : صَبَرُوا أيّاماً قَصِيرَةً ، أعقَبَتهُم راحَةٌ طَويلَةٌ3

3445. Imam Ali (AS) said in his description of the Godwary ones, ‘They endured hardship for a short while, and in consequence they secured comfort for a long time.’4

3446. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَنِ ابتُلِيَ مِن شِيعَتِنا فَصَبَرَ علَيهِ كانَ لَهُ أجرُ ألفِ شَهيدٍ5

3446. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Whoever from amongst our Shia is tried with an affliction and endures it will be granted the reward of a thousand martyrs.’6

3447. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : أيُّما رَجُلٍ اشتَكى‏ فَصَبَرَ واحتَسَبَ ، كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مِنَ الأجرِ أجرَ ألفِ شَهيدٍ7

3447. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Whoever, when suffering from an ailment, patiently endures it and considers it a means of proximity to Allah, Allah writes down for him the same reward as that of a thousand martyrs.’8

Notes

1. البقرة : 155 - 157

2. Qur’an 2 :155-157

3. نهج‏البلاغة : الخطبة193

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 193

5. التمحيص : 59 / 125

6. al-Tamhis, p. 59, no. 125

7. طبّ الأئمّة لابني بسطام : 17

8. Tibb al-A'imma (AS), p. 17

1091 - تَفسيرُ الصَّبرِ

1091. THE TRUE MEANING OF PATIENCE

3448. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : الصَّبرُ رِضا1

3448. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Patience is satisfaction [with Allah’s decree].’2

3449. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصَّبرُ أن يَحتَمِلَ الرجُلُ ما يَنُوبُهُ ، ويَكظِمَ ما يُغضِبُهُ3

3449. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience is that a man bears whatever afflicts him and swallows his anger.’4

3450. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصَّبرُ صَبرانِ : صَبرٌ على‏ ما تَكرَهُ ، وصَبرٌ عمّا تُحِبُّ5

3450. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience is of two types: perseverance in the face of that which you despise, and enduring restraint against that which you love.’6

3451. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصَّبرُ : إمّا صَبرٌ على المُصيبَةِ ، أو على الطاعَةِ ، أو عنِ المَعصيَةِ ، وهذا القِسمُ الثالثُ أعلى‏ دَرجَةً مِنَ القِسمَينِ الأوَّلَينِ7

3451. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Patience comes in the form of either persevering in the face of an affliction, or enduring an act of obedience, or restraining oneself against an act of disobedience. And this third type is of a higher calibre than the first two.’8

3452. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام - لَمّا سُئلَ عن الصَّبرِ الجميلِ - : ذلكَ صَبرٌ ليسَ فيهِ شَكوى‏ إلى الناسِ9

3452. Imam al-Baqir (AS) was once asked about graceful patience10 , to which he replied, ‘That is the patience that is devoid of complaint to other people.’11

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 6499 ، 6518

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 6499

3. غرر الحكم : 1874

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1874

5. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 55

6. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 55

7.. شرح نهج البلاغة : 1 / 319

8. Sharh Nahj al-Balagha li Ibn Abi al-Hadid, v. 1, p. 319

9. الكافي : 2 / 93 / 23

10. Graceful patience (al-sabr al-jamil) – mentioned in the Qur’an 12 :18 , 12 :83 (ed.)

11. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 93, no. 23

1092 - صَبرُ شيعَةِ أهلِ البَيتِ عليهم السلام‏

1092. THE PATIENCE POSSESSED BY THE SHIA OF THE AHL AL-BAYT (AS)

3453. الكافي عن الوَشّاء عن بعضِ أصحابِهِ عن الإمامِ الصّادقِ عليه السلام: إنّا صُبَّرٌ وشِيعَتُنا أصبَرُ مِنّا ، قلتُ : جُعِلتُ فِداكَ، كيفَ صارَ شِيعَتُكُم أصبَرَ مِنكُم ؟ قالَ : لأ نّا نَصبِرُ على‏ ما نَعلَمُ ، وشِيعَتُنا يَصبِرُونَ على‏ ما لا يَعلَمُونَ1

3453. al-Kafi : Wassha narrates from one of the copanions of Imam al-Sadiq (AS) that he (AS) said:, ‘Verily we are very patient and our Shia are even more patient than us.’ His companion asked, ‘May I be your ransom, how can your Shia be more patient than yourselves?’ He replied, ‘Because we are patient alongside our knowledge [of everything], whereas our Shia are patient in spite of not knowing.’2

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 93 / 25

2. Ibid. v2 p 93 no. 25

1093 - آثارُ الجَزَعِ‏

1093. THE EFFECTS OF ANXIETY

3454. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إنّكَ إن صَبَرتَ جَرَت علَيكَ المَقادِيرُ وأنتَ مَأجُورٌ ، وإن جَزِعتَ جَرَت علَيكَ المَقادِيرُ وأنتَ مَأزُورٌ1

3454. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Verily if you are patient, the trials of destiny will befall you and you will be rewarded for them, whilst if you are anxious, not only will the trials of destiny still befall you but you will be sinful.’2

3455. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إن صَبَرتَ صَبرَ الأكارِمِ ، وإلّا سَلَوتَ سُلُوَّ البَهائمِ3

3455. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘You can either have the perseverance of noblemen or you will not taste the stuffering, like beasts.’4

3456. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن لَم يَصبِرْ على‏ كَدِّهِ صَبَرَ على الإفلاسِ5

3456. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Whoever does not endure his troubles ends up having to endure his ruin [ bankruptcy].’6

3457. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن لَم يُنْجِهِ الصَّبرُ أهلَكَهُ الجَزَعُ.7

3457. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He whose patience gives him no deliverance is destroyed by anxiety.’8

Notes

1. جامع الأخبار : 316 / 882

2. Jami al-Akhbar, p. 316, no. 882

3. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 414

4. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 414

5. غرر الحكم : 8987

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8987

7. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 189

8. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 189

1094 - ما يورِثُ الصَّبرَ

1094. FACTORS THAT BRING ABOUT PATIENCE

3458. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن يَتَصَبَّرْ يُصَبِّرْهُ اللَّهُ ، ومَن يَستَعفِفْ يُعِفَّهُ اللَّهُ ، ومَن يَستَغنِ يُغنِهِ اللَّهُ ، وما اُعطِيَ عَبدٌ عَطاءً هُو خَيرٌ وأوسَعُ مِن الصَّبرِ1

3458. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Whoever tries to be patient, Allah makes him patient, and whoever tries to remain chaste, Allah keeps him chaste, and whoever suffices himself with what he has, Allah enriches him. No servant can ever be granted something better and more sufficient than patience.’2

3459. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أصلُ الصَّبرِ حُسنُ اليَقينِ بِاللَّهِ3

3459. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The origin of patience is to have strong conviction in Allah.’4

3460. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : عَوِّدْ نَفسَكَ التَّصَبُّرَ (الصَّبرَ) على المَكروهِ ، ونِعمَ الخُلقُ التَّصَبُّرُ في الحَقِّ.5

3460. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Accustom yourself to persevering in the face of adversity, and [you will see] how well persevering with the truth will become part of your natural disposition.’6

3461. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : التَّصَبُّرُ على المَكروهِ يَعصِمُ القَلبَ7

3461. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Perseverance in the face of adversity protects the heart.’8

Notes

1. كنز العمّال : 6522

2. Kanz al-Ummal, no. 6522

3. غرر الحكم : 3084

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3084

5. نهج البلاغة : الكتاب 31

6. Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31

7. بحار الأنوار : 77 / 207 / 1

8. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, no. 207, no. 1

230 - الصِّدق‏

230. TRUTHFULNESS

1095 - فَضلُ الصِّدقِ وَالصَّادِقِ‏

1095. The Virtue of Truthfulness and the Truthful

( يا أيُّها الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ).1

“O you who have faith! Be wary of Allah and be with the truthful ones.” 2

(اُنظر) المائدة : 119 و يوسف : 70 والأنبياء : 63 و الأحزاب : 23 ، ص 24 والزمر : 33 والحشر : 8

(See also: Qur’an 5:119, 12:70, 21:63, 33:23, 33:24, 39:33, 59:8)

3462. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : علَيكُم بالصِّدقِ ؛ فإنّهُ بابٌ مِن أبوابِ الجَنَّةِ3

3462. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Truthfulness is incumbent upon you, for verily it is one of the doors of Paradise.’4

3463. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصِّدقُ مُطابَقَةُ المَنطِقِ للوَضعِ الإلهيِّ ، الكِذبُ زَوالُ المَنطِقِ عَنِ الوَضعِ الإلهيِّ5

3463. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Truthfulness is the congruity of speech with divine convention, whereas lying removes speech from divine convention.’6

3464. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصِّدقُ لِسانُ الحَقِّ7

3464. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Truthfulness is the tongue of the truth.’8

3465. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصِّدقُ يُنجِيكَ وإن خِفتَهُ ، الكِذبُ يُردِيكَ وإن أمِنتَهُ9

3465. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Truthfulness saves you even though you fear it whereas lying ruins you even though you feel safe from it.’10

3466. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصِّدقُ صَلاحُ كُلِّ شي‏ءٍ ، الكِذبُ فَسادُ كُلِّ شَي‏ءٍ11

3466. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Truthfulness is the goodness of everything whereas lying corrupts everything.’12

3467. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصِّدقُ أمانةٌ ، الكِذبُ خِيانَةٌ13

3467. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Truthfulness is a trust whereas lying is betrayal.’14

3468. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : قَدرُ الرَّجُلِ على‏ قَدرِ هِمَّتِهِ ، وصِدقُهُ على‏ قَدرِ مُرُوءَتِهِ15

3468. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The worth of a man is measured by the extent of his ambition, and his truthfulness is measured by his integrity.’16

3469. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الإيمانُ أن تُؤثِر الصِّدقَ حيثُ يَضُرُّكَ ، على الكِذبِ حيثُ يَنفَعُكَ.17

3469. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Faith is to prefer to tell the truth, even if it be to your detriment, over lying even though it be to your benefit.’18

3470. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصادِقُ على شَفا مَنجاةٍ وكَرامَةٍ، والكاذِبُ على‏ شَرَفِ مَهواةٍ ومَهانَةٍ19

3470. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The truthful one is at the height of salvation and dignity, whereas the liar is on the brink of ignominy and degradation.’20

3471. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : تَعَلَّمُوا الصِّدقَ قَبلَ الحَديثِ21

3471. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Learn to tell the truth before you learn to speak.’22

3472. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : الصِّدقُ عِزٌّ23

3472. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Truthfulness is an honour.’24

3473. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن صَدَقَ لِسانُهُ زَكا عَمَلُهُ25

3473. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘He whose tongue tells the truth is pure of action.’26

Notes

1. التوبة : 119

2. Qur’an 9 :119

3. تاريخ بغداد : 11 / 82

4. Tarikh Baghdad, p. 11, no. 82

5. غرر الحكم : 1552 - 1553

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, nos. 1552-1553

7. غرر الحكم : 275

8. Ibid. no. 275

9. غرر الحكم : 1118 - 1119

10. Ibid. nos. 1118-1119

11. غرر الحكم : 1115 - 1116

12. Ibid. nos. 1115-1116

13. غرر الحكم : 15

14. Ibid. no. 15

15. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 47

16. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 47

17. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 458

18. Ibid. Saying 458

19. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 86

20. Ibid. Sermon 86

21. الكافي : 2 / 104 / 4

22. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 104, no. 4

23. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 269 / 109

24. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 269, no. 109

25. الكافي : 2 / 104 / 3

26. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 104, no. 3

1096 - الإختِبارُ بِصِدقِ الحَدِيثِ‏

1096. TESTING PEOPLE THROUGH Truthfulness in Speech

3474. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لا تَغتَرُّوا بِصلاتِهِم ولا بِصِيامِهِم ؛ فإنَّ الرجُلَ ربّما لَهِجَ بِالصلاةِ والصومِ حتّى‏ لَو تَرَكَهُ استَوحَشَ ، ولكنِ اختَبِرُوهُم عِند صِدقِ الحَديثِ وأداءِ الأمانَةِ1

3474. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Do not be deceived by their [lengthy] prayer or their [abundant] fasting, for verily it may be that a man becomes so attached to his prayer and his fasting that were he to stop doing them, he would be greatly disturbed. Rather test these people through the truth in their speech and their prompt return of goods entrusted in their care.’2

3475. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : أحسَنُ مِنَ الصِدقِ قائلُهُ ، وخَيرٌ مِن الخَيرِ فاعِلُهُ3

3475. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Better than the truth itself is the one who tells it, and better than the good deed itself is the one who performs it.’4

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 104 / 2

2. Ibid. v. 2, p. 104, no. 4

3. الأمالي للطوسي : 223 / 385

4. Amali al-Tusi, p. 223, no. 385

1097 - أصدَقُ الأقوالِ‏

1097. The Most Truthful of Sayings

( اللَّهُ لا إلهَ إلَّا هُوَ لَيَجْمَعَنَّكُمْ إلَى‏ يَوْمِ القِيامَةِ لا رَيْبَ فِيهِ وَمَنْ أصْدَقُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حَدِيْثاً).1

“Allah – there is no god except Him – will surely gather you on the Day of Resurrection, in which there is no doubt; and who is more truthful in speech than Allah?” 2

3476. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - لَمّا سُئلَ عن أصدَقِ الأقوالِ - : شَهادَةُ أن لا إلهَ إلّا اللَّهُ3

3476. Imam Ali (AS), when he was asked about the most truthful saying, replied, ‘The testimony that there is no god but Allah.’4

3477. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أصدَقُ المَقالِ مانَطَقَ بهِ لِسانُ الحالِ5

3477. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The most truthful of sayings is that which expresses one’s feelings.’6

Notes

1. النساء : 87

2. Qur’an 4 :87

3. بحار الأنوار :77 / 378 / 1

4. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p378, no. 1

5. غرر الحكم : 3302

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3302

231 - الصَّدِيق‏

231. THE FRIEND

1098 - أهَمِّيَّةُ الصَّدِيقِ‏

1098. The Friend

3478. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : المَرءُ على‏ دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ ، فَليَنظُر أحَدُكُم مَن يُخالِلُ1

3478. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Man follows the same creed as his friend, so consider carefully who it is you befriend.’2

3479. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الصَّديقُ أقرَبُ الأقارِبِ3

3479. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘One’s friend is the closest of one’s relations.’4

3480. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن لا صَدِيقَ لَهُ لا ذُخرَ لَهُ5

3480. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who lacks friends lacks a bare necessity.’6

3481. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الأصدِقاءُ نَفسٌ واحِدَةٌ في جُسُومٍ مُتَفَرِّقَةٍ7

3481. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Friends are a single soul divided between different bodies.’8

Notes

1. الأمالي للطوسي : 518 / 1135

2. Amali al-Tusi, p. 518, no. 1135

3. غرر الحكم : 674

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 674

5. غرر الحكم : 8760

6. Ibid. no. 8760

7. غرر الحكم : 2059

8. Ibid. no. 2059

1099 - تَشاكُلُ النُّفوسِ‏

1099. Resemblance of Souls

3482. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : النُّفُوسُ أشكالٌ ، فما تَشاكَلَ مِنها اتَّفَقَ ، والناسُ إلى‏ أشكالِهِم أميَلُ1

3482. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Souls are of different kinds. Those that resemble each other are in harmony, and people are more attracted towards those they resemble.’2

3483. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : كُلُّ امرِئٍ يَمِيلُ إلى‏ مِثلِهِ3

3483. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Every person is inclined towards one who is like him.’4

(اُنظر) الروح : باب 845

(See also: THE SPIRIT: section 845)

Notes

1. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 92 / 100

2. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 92, no. 100

3. غرر الحكم : 6865

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6865