Chapter 6
On Thanksgiving
91- In Al-Mahasin it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Nothing has descended from Heaven as rare and as dear as the following: submission to God, piety and certitude."
92- Al-Nufli narrated that God's Prophet (a.s) said: "The one who eats and gives thanks has the same reward as the one who fasts (who will be rewarded in the Hereafter). The reward of one who is healthy and gives thanks is the same as the one who is suffering and is patient. The reward of one who gives charity and is thankful as the same as the one who is deprived but content."
93- Al-A'ala ibn Kamil narrated that once he told Imam Musa ibn Ja'far (a.s) that God had granted him so many blessings that he could not even count, and he did not know the reason for that. The Imam (a.s) asked if he really did not know the reason and told him that it was due to his thanksgiving. And in another tradition we read that the Imam (a.s) told him not to underestimate thanksgiving."
94- Imam Sadiq (a.s) quoted the Prophet of God (a.s) on the authority of his forefathers (a.s) on the authority of God's Prophet (a.s): "God will not open the doors to thanksgiving for anyone without opening up a door to increased blessings."
95- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Give thanks to God whenever you do a good deed, and seek God's forgiveness whenever you do something bad."
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الفصل السادس
في الشكر
91. من كتاب المحاسن: عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: لم ينزل من السماء شيءٌ أقلّ ولا أعزّ من ثلاثة أشياء: التسليم، والبِرّ، واليقين.
92. عن النوفلي بإسناده قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: الطاعم الشاكر له من الأجر كأجر الصائم المحتسب، والمعافي الشاكر له من الأجر كأجر المبتلي الصابر، والمعطي الشاكر له من الأجر كأجر المحروم القانع.
93. عن العلاء بن كامل قال: قلت لأبي الحسن عليه السلام: آتاني الله بأمور لا أحتسبها، لا أدري كيف وجوهها؟ قال: أوَ لا تعلم أنّ هذا من الشكر؟ وفي رواية: قال لي: لا تستصغر الحمد.
94. عن أبي عبد الله عن آبائه: قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: ما فتح الله لعبدٍ باب شكرٍ فخزن عنه باب الزيادة.
95. عنه عليه السلام قال: إذا أحسنتم فاحمدوا الله، وإذا أسأتم فاستغفروا الله.
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96- Sanan ibn Zarif said: "I told Imam Sadiq (a.s) that I am afraid to be reprimanded. He asked me why. I said I asked God for a thousand Durhams, and He granted it to me. I asked him for a servant, and He gave me one. Then Imam Sadiq (a.s) asked me what I have to say now. I said praise be to God. He said: "What you have said is better than what you have been given."
97- Sae'dan ibn Yazeed said: "I told Imam Sadiq (a.s) that I saw some one having hard times in life while I had a good life. Whatever I reach out for, I find in it what I like. Sometimes I see other people who are superior to me but they do not have these blessings. I am afraid this might be a sort of divine test for me". The Imam (a.s) said: "Have no fear as long as you give thanks for these blessings."
98- The Noble Prophet (a.s) said: "A man from among my nation goes to the bazaar, and buys a shirt-like dress for a half or a third of a Dinar, and praises God whenever he wears it. His sins are forgiven before this dress reaches down to his knees."
99- The Noble Prophet (a.s) said: "Whenever a believer gets full, stops eating and drinking and praises God, God grants him the reward of one who fasts. God is Grateful and loves to be praised."
100- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "One of the men among you will drink some water, and God will reward him with Heaven for this act." He added: "He brings the cup of water next to his lips, and calls God's name. Then he drinks some water and takes the cup away while he is still thirsty. Then he praises God and takes another sip, and he repeats this again. God will reward him with Heaven for this act."
101- Imam Sadiq (a.s) quoted on the authority of the Prophet Jesus (a.s): "People are divided into two groups. Some people are healthy, and others are in trouble. Praise God for being healthy, and ask God for His Mercy upon those in trouble."
102- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Do not look at those in trouble since this will make them sad."
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96. عن سنان بن طريف قال: قلت لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام: خشيتُ أن أكون مستَدرَجا، قال: ولِمَ؟ قلتُ: لأنّي دعوتُ الله أنْ يرزقني دارا فرزقني، ودعوتُ الله أن يرزقني ألف درهمٍ فرزقني ألفا، ودعوته أن يرزقني خادماً فرزقني خادماً، قال: فأيّ شيءٍ تقول؟ قال: أقول: الحمد لله، قال: فما أعطيتَ أفضل ممّا أعطيت!
97. عن سعدان بن يزيد قال: قلت لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام: إنّي أرى من هو شديد الحال مضيّقا عليه العيش، وأرى نفسي في سعةٍ من هذه الدنيا، لا أمُدُّ يدي إلى شيءٍ إلا رأيتُ فيه ما أُحبُّ، وقد أرى مَن هو أفضل منّي قد صُرف ذلك عنه، فقد خشيتُ أنْ يكون لي استدراجاً من الله لي بخطيئتي، فقال عليه السلام: أمّا مع الحمد فلا والله.
98. عن النبيّ صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم قال: إنّ الرجل من أمتي يخرج إلى السوق فيبتاع القميص بنصف دينارٍ أو بثلث دينارٍ فيحمد الله إذا لبس، فما يبلغ ركبته حتّى يغفر له.
99. عنه صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم قال: إنّ المؤمن لَيشبع من الطعام والشراب فيحمد الله فيعطيه الله من الأجر ما يعطي الصائم، إنّ الله شاكرٌ يحبّ أن يُحمد.
100. عن أبي عبد الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم قال: إنّ الرجل منكم لَيشرب شربةً من الماء فيوجب الله له بها الجنّة، ثمّ قال: يأخذ الإناء فيضعه على فيه فيسمّي، ثمّ يشرب فينحّيه وهو يشتهيه فيحمد الله ثمّ يعود فيشرب، ثمّ ينحّيه فيحمد الله، ثمّ يعود ويشرب، ثمّ ينحّيه فيحمد الله ثمَّ يعود ويشرب، ثمَّ ينحيّه فيحمد الله، فيوجب الله له بها الجنة.
101. عنه عليه السلام قال: كان المسيح عليه السلام يقول: الناس رجلان: مُعافى ومبتلى، فاحمدوا الله على العافية، وارحموا أهل البلاء.
102. عنه عليه السلام قال: لا تنظروا إلى أهل البلاء فإنّ ذلك يحزنهم.
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103- It has been narrated that Imam Baqir (a.s) did not like to hear those in trouble say they seek refuge in God from trouble.
104- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "God will record ten good deeds for the one who makes ablution and prostrates to thank God. He will also wipe out ten of that man's major sins."
105- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "One day when the Prophet (a.s) went to the mosque with his companions, he prostrated for so long that they suspected his health was endangered. When he finally sat up they told him that he had prostrated for such a long time that they suspected he had died. He said: "Gabriel descended to me from near God the Almighty and said: O' Muhammad! Your Lord sends His greetings and says: "I have never hurt your feelings concerning anyone of your nation who loves you. I have not done anything for a believer to please him or hurt him unless it was good for him."" The Prophet (a.s) added: "At that time I had no property to give away in charity, and no slave to free, so I fell prostrate in worship and thanked God and praised Him for this."
106- Abi Ubeydeh al-Haz'za said: "When I was accompanying Imam Baqir (a.s) on the way to Medina, he suddenly fell prostrate in worship. When he finished he stood up and asked me if was surprised. I replied: "May I be your devoted servant! Yes." He said: "I remembered a blessing that God had given me, and found it hard to go along my way without thanking God for it."
107- Hisham ibn Ahmad said: "I was accompanying Imam Kazim (a.s) around Medina when he suddenly got off his horse and fell prostrate in worship, and stayed in that position for a long time. Then he mounted his horse. I asked him: "May I be your devoted servant! Why did you prostrate for such a long time?" He said: "I remembered a blessing that God gave me, and I felt I would like to give thanks to my Lord."
108- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Whenever God grants someone some blessings and he realizes that with his heart and expresses his gratitude, God will order an increase in his blessings before he finishes his words. God the Almighty has said:
"If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you." ]The Holy Quran: Ibrahim 14:7[
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103. عن الباقر عليه السلام: إنّه كان يكره أن يسمع من المبتلى التعوّذ من البلاء.
104. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: من سجد سجدةً ليشكر نعمةً وهو متوضِئٌ كتب الله له عشر حسناتٍ، ومحا عنه عشر خطيئاتٍ عظامٍ.
105. عنه عليه السلام قال: بينما رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم مع أصحابه إذا سجد فأطال السجود حتّى ظنّوا أنّه، ثمّ رفع رأسه، فقيل: يا رسول الله، فقد أطلتَ السجود حتّى ظنّنا أنّك ممّا ذاك، فقال: أتاني جبرئيل من عند الله تبارك وتعالى فقال: يا محمّد، إنّ ربّك يقرئك السلام ويقول لك: إنّي لن أسوئك فيمن والاك من أمتك، ولن أقضي على مؤمنٍ قضاءً ساءه أو سرَّه ذلك إلا وهو خير له، قال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: فلم يكن عندي مالٌ فأتصدّق به، ولا مملوكٌ فأعتقه، فسجدتُ لله وشكرتُه وحمدتُه على ذلك.
106. عن أبي عبيدة الحذّاء قال: كنت مع أبي جعفر عليه السلام في طريق المدينة فوقع ساجدا لله، فقال لي حين استتمّ قائما: يا زياد! أنكرتَ عليَّ حين رأيتني ساجدا؟ فقلتُ: بلى جُعلتُ فداك، قال: ذكرتُ نعمةً أنعمها الله عليَّ فكرهتُ أنْ أجوز حتّى أؤدي شكرها.
107. عن هشام بن أحمد قال: كنتُ أسير مع أبي الحسن في بعض أطراف المدينة، إذ ثنّى رِجله عن دابّته فخّر ساجدا فأطال وأطال، ثمّ رفع رأسه وركب دابّته، فقلت: جعلتُ فداك رأيتُك قد أطلتَ السجود؟ فقال: إنّي ذكرتُ نعمةً أنعم الله بها عليَّ فأحببتُ أن أشكر ربّي.
108. عن الصادق عليه السلام قال: أيّما عبدٍ أنعم الله عليه بنعمةٍ فعرفها بقلبه وحمد الله عليها بلسانه لم ينفذ كلامه حتّى يأمر الله [له] بالزيادة، وذلك قول الله جلّ وعزّ: [لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ]
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109- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “The thanksgiving of God's servants is non-stop.”
110- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Be a good neighbor for blessings!” He was asked what this means. He replied: “Thanking the One who has granted you the blessings.”
111- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Be a good neighbor for God's blessings, and try not to let blessings leave you and go to someone else. Beware that once blessings are gone they are hard to return.”
112- Imam Ali (a.s) said: “Lost blessings are rarely recovered.”
113- Mu'amir ibn Khal'lad narrated that Imam Reza (a.s) said: “Fear God, and be humble; grateful and give thanks to Him. There was a man among the Israelite tribe who had a dream one night. In his dream a man told him that he would only live half of his life in comfort, and asked him which half he preferred. He told the man that he had a partner. When he woke up the next morning, he told his wife about his dream. She told him to choose the first half, and he accepted. Then they got wealthy receiving constant blessings. His wife kept informing him about needy neighbors and relatives, and he would help them. They continued donating whatever they received, and giving thanks to God. One night the man had another dream and saw the same man. He told him that half of his life was now over, and asked his opinion. Again he told the man that he had a partner. When he woke up the next morning he told everything he saw in his dream to his wife. She said: “God gave us blessings, and we gave thanks, and God is most faithful.”
Then that man appeared in his dream again and said: “Now you will live in comfort all your life.”
114- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “There are three acts which will not be changed by anything: Praying during times of hardship, asking God for forgiveness, and giving thanks when receiving blessings.”
115- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said that it is written in the Old Testament: “Be thankful to whoever is kind to you, and be kind to whoever thanks you, since blessings last when you are thankful, and blessings vanish when you are ungrateful.
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109. عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: لا ينقطع الشكر من العباد.
110. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: أحسنوا جوار النِعم، قيل: وما جوار النعم؟ قال: الشكر لمن أنعم بها وأداء حقوقها.
111. عنه عليه السلام قال: أحسنوا جوار نِعَم الله واحذروا أن تنتقل عنكم إلى غيركم، أما أنّها لم تنتقل عن أحدٍ قطّ وكادت أن ترجع إليه.
112. وكان عليّ عليه السلام قال: قلّ ما أدبر شيءٌ فأقبل.
113. عن معمّر بن خلاد: قال الرضا عليه السلام: اتّقوا الله وعليكم بالتواضع والشكر والحمد، إنّه كان في بني إسرائيل رجلٌ فأتاه في منامه مَن قال له: إنّ لك نصف عمرك سعةً فاختر أيّ النصفين شئتَ؟ فقال: إنّ لي شريكا، فلمّا أصبح الرجل قال لزوجته: قد أتاني في هذه الليلة رجلٌ فأخبرني أنّ نصف عمري لي سعةً فاختر أيّ النصفين شئتَ، فقالت له زوجته: اختر النصف الأوّل، فقال: لكِ ذاك، فأقبلت عليه الدنيا، فكان كلّما كانت نعمةً قالت زوجته: جارك فلانٌ محتاجٌ فصِله، وتقول: قرابتك فلانٌ فتعطيه. وكانوا كذلك كلّما جاءتهم نعمةٌ أعطوا وتصدّقوا وشكروا، فلّما كان ليلةً من الليالي أتاه رجلٌ فقال: يا هذا، إنّ النصف قد انقضى فما رأيك؟ قال لي شريكٌ، فلّما أصبح الصبح قال لزوجته: أتاني الرجل فأعلمني أنّ النصف قد انقضى، فقالت له زوجته: قد أنعم الله علينا فشكرنا والله أولى بالوفاء، قال: فإنّ لك تمام عمرك.
114. عنه؛ قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام: ثلاثةٌ لا يضرّ معهنّ شيءٌ: الدعاء عند الكرب، والاستغفار عند الذنب، والشكر عند النعمة.
115. وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: مكتوبٌ في التوراة: أُشكر مَنْ أنعم عليك، وأنعِمْ على مَنْ شكرك، فإنّه لا زوال للنعماء إذا شُكِرَتْ، ولا بقاء لها إذا كُفِرَتْ.
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Giving thanks causes an increase in blessings, and protects from drastic changes.”
116- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whoever thanks God for what he acquires, God will increase his gain, but whoever does not thank God for what he acquires is endangering the blessings, and is not secure from revenge and changes.”
117- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “I asked God the Almighty for some property, and He granted it to me. Then I feared that this might be a cause of being tested or reprimanded.” The Imam (a.s) then continued: “I swear by God that if you give thanks, this will not be the case.”
118- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “I like to thank God one hundred times whenever a new blessing is granted to me.”
119- Imam Ali (a.s) narrated that God's Prophet (a.s) sent some people to war and said “O' God! I promise to praise You as You deserve praise if they return healthy and successful.” After some time they returned as he wished. Then the Prophet of God (a.s) said: “Thanks be to God for His various blessings.”
120- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whenever the Prophet (a.s) received a blessing which he liked he said: “Praise is for the Benevolent, the Beautiful God.” And whenever he received something that he disliked, he said: “Praise be to God in all cases, and praise be to God in this case.”
121- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whenever something pleasing came up for God's Prophet (a.s), he said: “Thanks God for this blessing.” And whenever something saddening happened, he said: “Praise be to God in all cases.”“
122- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Thanking for blessings is abstaining from the forbidden. Ultimate expression of gratitude is saying “Praise be to God, the Lord of the two worlds.”
123- Imam Reza (a.s) said: “One who praises God for His blessings has expressed his gratitude, and this praise is higher than the blessing.”
124- Imam Baqir (a.s) said that God the Almighty told Moses the son of Imran: “O' Moses! Give thanks that are due to being thankful to Me.'
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والشكر زيادةٌ في النِعَم وأمانٌ من التغيّر.
116. عنه عليه السلام قال: مَن شكر الله على ما أفيد فقد استوجب على الله المزيد، ومَن أضاع الشكر فقد خاطَرَ بالنِعَم ولم يأمن التغيّر والنقم.
117. وعنه عليه السلام قال: إنّي سألتُ الله سبحانه و تعالي أنْ يرزقني مالا فرزقني، وقد خِفتُ أنْ يكون ذلك من استدراجٍ، فقال: أما بالله مع الحمد فلا.
118. وعنه عليه السلام قال: إنّي لأُحبّ أنْ لا تجدّد لي نعمةٌ إلا حمدتُ الله عليها مائة مرّة.
119. عن عليّ عليه السلام قال: بعث رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمسريّةً فقال: اللّهمّ إنّ لك عليَّ أنْ رددتهم سالمين غانمين أنْ أشكرك أحقّ الشكر، قال: فما لبثوا أنْ جاءوا كذلك، فقال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: الحمد لله على سابغ نعِمَ الله.
120. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: كان رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمإذا أتاه ما يحبّ قال: الحمد لله الُمحسن الُمجمل، وإذا أتاه ما يكرهه قال: الحمد لله على كلّ حالٍ، والحمد لله على هذه الحال.
121. وعنه عليه السلام قال: كان رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمإذا ورد عليه أمرٌ يسرّه قال: الحمد لله على هذه النعمة، وإذا ورد أمرٌ يَغتمّ به قال: الحمد لله على كلّ حال.
122. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: الشكر للنِعَم اجتناب المحارم، وتمام الشكر قول العبد: الحمد لله ربّ العالمين.
123. عن الرضا عليه السلام قال: مَن حَمِدَ الله على النعمة فقد شكره، وكان الحمد أفضل من تلك النِعْمَة.
124. عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: قال الله سبحانه و تعالي لموسى بن عمران عليه السلام: يا موسى، اشكرني حقّ شكري.
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Moses asked “How can I give thanks that are due to being thankful to You when the blessings are yours, and being thankful for them is another blessing from You, too.” God the Almighty said: “Just realizing that being thankful for My blessings is in itself a blessing, is the right of being thankful to Me.”
125- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “One who whole-heartedly realizes a God-given blessing has expressed the due thanks.”
126- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “The steady increase of God's blessings will not be interrupted unless the gratefulness of the people stops.”
127- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whoever is granted blessings by God and feels this by his heart and gives thanks for it, then God will order an increase in his blessings before he finishes his words. This is what is meant by God the Almighty's statement:
“If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you.” [The Holy Quran: Ibrahim 148:7]
128- In Rauzat al-Vaezeen it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said that once when the Prophet (a.s) was passing by a group of people who were trying to lift a rock he asked them why they were doing so? They said that they were trying to find out who was the strongest. The Prophet (a.s) told them that he could tell them whom the strongest man was if they wished him to do so. When they said they wished to hear what the Prophet (a.s) had to say, he said the one who is the strongest is the one who does not engage in sin or do wrong deeds whenever he is satisfied; one who does not utter but what is right when he is angry; and one who does not do what is unjust when he is powerful.
129- Imam Hussein (a.s) said: “God will make you needless of the people if you prefer God's pleasure over the people's dissatisfaction. And God will leave you alone if you prefer the people's pleasure over God's dissatisfaction.”
130- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God the Almighty granted a group of people some blessings, but they did not give thanks, and it became a burden for them. God brought a calamity upon some people and they persevered. Then they got blessings from their perseverance.”
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قال: يا ربّ كيف أشكرك حقّ شكرك والنعمة منك والشكر عليها نعمةٌ منك؟ فقال الله تبارك وتعالى: إذا عرفتَ أنّ ذلك منّي فقد شكرتَني حقّ شكري.
125. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: مَن أنعم الله عليه بنعمةٍ ثمّ عرفها بقلبه فقد أدّى شكرها.
126. عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: لا ينقطع المزيد من الله حتّى ينقطع الشكر من العباد.
127. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: أيمّا عبدٍ أنعم الله عليه بنعمةٍ فعرفها بقلبه وحمد الله عليها بلسانه لم ينفذ كلامه حتّى يأمر الله له بالزيادة، وذلك قول الله سبحانه و تعالي ]لَئِنْ شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ.[
128. ومن كتاب روضة الواعظين: قال الصادق عليه السلام مرّ رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمبقومٍ يرفعون حجرا فقال: ما هذا؟ قالوا: نعرف بذلك أشدّنا وأقوانا، فقال عليه السلام: ألا أخبركم بأشدّكم وأقواكم؟ قالوا: بلى يا رسول الله، قال: أشدّكم وأقواكم الّذي إذا رضي لم يُدخله رضاه في إثمٍ ولا باطلٍ، وإذا سخط لم يُخرجه سخطه من قول الحقّ، وإذا قدر لم يتعاط ما ليس بحقّ.
129. قال الحسين بن عليّ H: مَن طلب رضا الله بسخط الناس كفاه الله أمور الناس، ومَن طلب رضا الناس بسخط الله وكله الله إلى الناس.
130. قال الصادق عليه السلام: إنّ الله سبحانه و تعالي أنعمَ على قومٍ بالمواهب فلم يشكروا فصارت عليهم وبالاً، وابتلى قوماً بالمصائب فصبروا فصارت عليهم نعمةً.
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131- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Whenever you start to get some blessings, do not lose the rest of the blessings by not giving enough thanks.”
132- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “Do not associate with the rich. Before doing so you recognize the blessings that God has given you. But if you associate with the rich, you no longer recognize the blessings that God has given you.”
133- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Complement God's blessings by submitting to your destiny and giving thanks for the blessings.”
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131. قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: إذا وصلتْ إليكم أطراف النعم فلا تنفروا أقصاها بقلّة الشكر.
132. قال الباقر عليه السلام: لا تجالس الأغنياء فإنّ العبد يجالسهم وهو يرى أنّ لله عليه نعمةٌ، فما يقوم حتّى يرى أنّه ليس لله عليه نعمةٌ.
133. عن أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام قال: استتمّوا نِعَم الله بالتسليم لقضائه والشكر على نعمائه، فمَن لم يرض بهذا فليس منّا ولا إلينا.
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Chapter 7
On Contentment
134- In Al-Mahasin it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “One who is contented with divine destiny is the one most aware of God.”
135- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “The most important aspect of obedience to God is being content with and being patient with what God has decreed whether we like it or not. And when one is content with what God has decreed for him, whether he likes it or not, that which is decreed is best for him.”
136- Imam Sadiq (a.s) zsaid: “God has placed some good in whatever He has decreed for a believer with which the believer is content.”
137- Imam Baqir (a.s) quoted on the authority of the Prophet of God (a.s) that God the Almighty said: “I swear by My Majesty and My Honor that I have not created any creature dearer to Me than a believer. That is why I put My own name (believer) on him. He should be content with My action if I deprive him of whatever lies between the East and the west, or if I bestow on him whatever exists between the East and the West. He should be patient with any catastrophes that I descend upon him, and he should be grateful for My blessings. O' Muhammad! Please record his name among the honest ones near Me.”
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الفصل السابع
في الرضا
134. من كتاب المحاسن: عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إنّ أعلم الناس بالله أرضاهم بقضاء الله.
135. عنه عليه السلام قال: رأسُ طاعة الله الصبر والرضا عن الله فيما أحبّ العبد أو كره، ولا يرضى عبدٌ عن الله فيما أحبّ أو كره إلاّ كان خيرا له فيما أحبّ أو كره.
136. عنه عليه السلام قال: ما قضىَ الله لمؤمنٍ قضاءً فرضي به إلاّ جعل الخيرة له فيما قضى.
137. عن الباقر عليه السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: إنّ الله جلّ ثناؤه يقول: وعزّتي وجلالي! ما خلقتُ مِن خَلقي خَلقا أحبّ إليَّ من عبدي المؤمن ولذلك سمّيته باسمي مؤمناً؛ لأُحرّمه ما بين المشرق والمغرب وهي خيرةٌ له منّي، وإنّي لأُملّكه ما بين المشرق والمغرب وهي خيرةٌ له منّي، فليرض بقضائي، وليصبر على بلائي، وليشكر نعمائي، أكتبه يا محمّد من الصدّيقين عندي.
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138- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said that Imam Hassan Mujtaba (a.s) met Abdullah ibn Ja'far and told him: “O' Abdullah! How can one be a believer if he is not content with what God has destined for him; and considers his position to be low even though God has destined it for him. I guarantee that the supplications of those who think only of God's pleasure will be accepted.”
139- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Comfort and convenience lie in contentment and certitude, and sorrow and sadness lie in doubt and anger.”
140- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Religious knowledge guides us towards love for God. God will honor those who were chosen by God for their contentment, and God will debase those who make Him angry. Contentment and anger are two of God's creatures, and He will increase which ever He pleases.”
141- Imam Kazim (a.s) said: “Whoever ignores God should not become upset if his daily bread is delayed. He should not accuse God regarding his destiny.”
142- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God can fulfill people's needs through means in the hands of other people. Whoever gets what he needs should be content, patient and accept it from God.”
143- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “People gather together either out of consent or displeasure. If they are pleased with an affair, they will commit themselves to it. But if they are displeased with an affair, they will abandon it.”
144- Imam Reza (a.s) quoted on the authority of his noble grandfather (a.s): “A group of people went to visit God's Prophet (a.s) in one of the battles. The Prophet (a.s) asked them from which tribe they were. They told him that they were of the believers. He asked them about the degree of their faith. They replied: “We are patient during times of hardship, we are grateful during times of poverty, and we are content with what God has destined for us.” The Prophet (a.s) said: “Those people are so wise and knowledgeable that they are nearly in the position of Prophets.” Then he faced them and said: “Then if you are what you claim to be, do not build what you will not live in; do not collect what you will not eat; and fear God to whom is your return.”
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138. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: لقيَ الحسن بن عليّ عليه السلام عبد الله بن جعفر عليه السلام فقال: يا عبد الله، كيف يكون المؤمن مؤمناً وهو يسخط قسمه ويحقّر منزلته والحاكم عليه الله؟ فأنا الضامن لمن لا يهجس في قلبه إلاّ الرضا أن يدعو الله فيستجاب له.
139. عنه عليه السلام قال: الروحُ والراحة في الرضا واليقينُ، والهمّ والحزن في الشكّ والسخط.
140. وقال عليه السلام: أُجريَ القلم في محبّة الله، فمن أصفاه الله بالرضا فقد أكرمه، ومَن ابتلاه بالسخط فقد أهانه، والرضا والسخط خَلقان مِن خلق الله، والله يزيد في الخلق ما يشاء.
141. عن أبي الحسن الأوّل عليه السلام: ينبغي لمن غفل عن الله أن لا يستبطيه في رزقه، ولا يتّهمه في قضائه.
142. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: قضاء الحوائج إلى الله سبحانه و تعالي وأسبابها إلى العباد، فمَن قُضيتْ له حاجةٌ فليقبلها عن الله بالرضا والصبر.
143. قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: إنّما يجتمع الناس بالرضا والسخط، فمن رضيَ أمراً فقد دخل فيه، ومن سخط فقد خرج منه.
144. عن الرضا عن آبائه: قال: رُفع إلى رسول اللهصلي الله عليه و اله و سلم قومٌ في بعض غزواته فقال: مَن القوم؟ فقالوا: مؤمنون يا رسول الله، قال: وما بلغ من إيمانكم؟ قالوا: الصبرُ عند البلاء، والشكرُ عند الرخاء، والرضا بالقضاء، فقال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: حُلماء عُلماء كادوا من الفقه أنْ يكونوا أنبياء، إن كنتم كما تصفون فلا تبنوا ما لا تسكنون، ولا تجمعوا ما لا تأكلون، واتّقوا الله الّذي إليه تُرجعون.
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145- Imam Sajjad (a.s) said: “Perseverance and contentment with divine destiny are the highest forms of God's worship. God will only destine what is beneficial for those who are patient and content with what God destines for them-whether they like it or not.”
146- One of the companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s) went to see him. The Imam (a.s) was seriously ill and near death. He saw that the Imam (a.s) was very weak, and he cried. Imam Sadiq (a.s) asked why he cried. He said: “Should I not cry seeing you this way?” The Imam (a.s) said: “Do not cry. Believers are always receiving what is good for them. Be it they lose a part of their body, or they become the owner of whatever lies between the East and the West, it is good for them.”
147- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Being grateful for God's blessings is not committing divinely forbidden acts.”
148- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “One night when the Prophet (a.s) was in Ayeshah's room, she asked him: “O' Prophet of God! Why is it that you always put yourself to so much trouble, even though all your past and future sins are forgiven?” He replied: “O' Ayeshah! Should I not be grateful?” Ayeshah said: “God's Prophet (a.s) always stood up on his toes.” Then the following verse was revealed:
“We have not sent down the Quran to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress.” [The Holy Quran: Ta-ha 20:2]
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145. عن عليّ بن الحسين عليه السلام قال: الصبرُ والرضا عن الله رأسُ طاعة الله، ومَن صَبر ورضيَ عن الله فيما قضى عليه فيما أحبّ أو كره لم يقض الله له فيما أحبّ أو كره إلاّ ما هو خير له.
146. دخل بعض أصحاب أبي عبد الله عليه السلام في مرضه الّذي توفّى فيه إليه وقد ذبل فلم يبق إلا رأسه فبكى، فقال: لأيّ شيءٍ تبكي؟ فقال: لا أبكي وأنا أراك على هذه الحال؟! قال: لا تفعل فإنّ المؤمن تعرّض كلّ خيرٍ؛ إنْ قطع أعضاؤه كان خيرا له، وإنْ ملك ما بين المشرق والمغرب كان خيرا له.
147. عن أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام قال: شُكرُ كلّ نعمةٍ الورع عن محارم الله.
148. عن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: كان رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم عند عائشة ليلتها، قالت: يا رسول الله، ولم تُتعِب نفسك وقد غُفِرَ لك ما تقدّم من ذنبك وما تأخّر؟ فقال: يا عائشة، ألا أكون عبداً شكوراً؟ قال: وكان رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلميقوم على أصابع رجليه؛ فأنزل الله: ]طه * ما أنزْلْنا عَلَيْكَ الْقُرْآنَ لِتَشْقى.[
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Chapter 8
On Having a Good Opinion About God
149- In Al-Mahasin it is narrated that Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “We find in (Imam) Ali ibn Abitalib's (a.s) book that God's Prophet (a.s) used to say the following when he gave a sermon on the mosque pulpit: “I swear by God who has no partners that no good of this world or the Hereafter has been granted to any believer, except due to his good opinion about God, his good behavior, and his avoidance of gossiping and slandering. And I swear by God who has no partners that God will not punish anyone after repentance and seeking forgiveness except due to his bad opinion about God, insufficient hope in God, bad behavior, and gossiping about believers. I swear by God who has no partners that there are no believers who have a good opinion about God and receive anything less than they expect from Him. This is so since God is Benevolent and has authority over all that is good, and is ashamed of one of his servants having a good opinion about Him and He acting otherwise. Therefore have a good opinion about God and be inclined to Him.”
150- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “God is present in the mind of whoever has a good opinion about Him. It is God who said: “But this thought of yours which ye did entertain concerning your Lord, hath brought you to destruction, and (now) have ye become of those utterly lost!.” [The Holy Quran: Fussilat 41:23]
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الفصل الثامن
في حسن الظنّ بالله سبحانه وتعالى
149. من كتاب المحاسن: عن أبى جعفر عليه السلام قال: وجدنا في كتاب عليّ بن أبي طالب عليه السلام أنّ رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلمقال وهو على منبره: والله الّذي لا إله إلاّ هو، ما أعطى مؤمنٌ خير الدنيا والآخرة إلاّ بحسن ظنّه بالله ورجائه له وحسن خُلقه والكفّ عن اغتياب المؤمنين، والله الّذي لا إله إلاّ هو لا يعذّب الله مؤمناً بعد التوبة والاستغفار إلاّ بسوء ظنّه بالله وتقصيرٍ من رجائه لله وسوُء خُلقه واغتيابه المؤمنين، والله الّذي لا إلهَ إلاّ هو، لا يحسن ظنّ عبدٍ مؤمنٍ بالله إلاّ كان الله عند ظنّ عبده المؤمن، لأنّ الله كريمٌ بيده الخيرات، يستحي أنْ يكون عبده المؤمن قد أحسن به الظنّ والرجاء ثمّ يخلف ظنّه ورجاءه، فأحسنوا بالله الظنّ وارغبوا إليه.
150. وقال أيضا عليه السلام: ليس من عبدٍ ظنّ به خيراً إلاّ كان عند ظنّه به وذلك قوله سبحانه و تعالي: ]وَذلِكُمُ ظَنُّكُمُ الَّذِي ظَنَنْتُمْ بِرَبِّكُمْ أرْدَاكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ مِنَ الْخاسِرينَ.[
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151- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Jesus the son of Mary once sent two of his companions out to work. One returned thin like a dried stick and the other one returned and was chubby. Jesus asked the first one why he was thin. He said it was due to his fear of God. Then Jesus asked the one who was chubby for the reason he was chubby. He said it was due to his having a good opinion about God.”
152- Imam Sadiq (a.s) quoted the following from Prophet David (a.s): “O' God! One who does not have a good opinion about You has no faith in You even if he has gotten to know you.”
153- In Rauzat al-Vaezeen it is narrated that the Prophet of God (a.s) said: “Do not die and depart from this world until you have formed a good opinion about God, since this is the price for Heaven.”
154- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Two men who were imprisoned were freed during the time of the Prophet Moses (a.s). One of them was large and chubby, and the other one was very thin. Moses asked the chubby man the reason for his being fat. He replied: “From having a good opinion about God.” Then he asked the other man the reason for being so skinny. He replied: “From fearing God.” Then Moses (a.s) raised his hands towards the sky and asked God to inform him which of the two were nobler. God revealed to him that the one who had a good opinion about God was nobler.
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151. عن أبى عبد الله عليه السلام قال: بعث عيسىَ بن مريم رَجلَين مِن أصحابه في حاجةٍ، فرجع أحدهما مثل الشنّ البالي، والآخر شَحماً وسَميناً، فقال للّذي مثل الشِنّ: ما بلغ منك ما أرى؟ قال: الخوف من الله، وقال للآخر السمين: ما بلغ بك ما أرى؟ فقال: حُسن الظنّ بالله.
152. عنه عليه السلام قال: قال النبيّ داود عليه السلام: يا ربّ ما آمنَ بك مَن عرفك فلم يحسن الظنّ بك.
153. من كتاب روضة الواعظين: قال: قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: لا يموتنّ أحدكم إلاّ وهو يحسن الظنّ بالله، فإنَّ حُسن الظنّ بالله ثَمَنُ الجنّة.
154. ومن سائر الكتب: عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: كان في زمن موسىَ بن عمران عليه السلام رجلان في الحبس فأُخرجا، فأمّا أحدهما فسَمنٌ وغَلظٌ وأمّا الآخر فنَحلٌ وصار مثل الهدبة فقال موسى بن عمران عليه السلام للمسمن: ما الّذي أرى بك من حُسن الحال في بدنك؟ قال: حسنُ الظنّ بالله، وقال للآخر: ما الّذي أرى بك من سوء الحال في بدنك؟ قال: الخوف من الله، فرفع موسى بيده إلى الله فقال: يا ربِّ قد سمعتَ مقالتهما فأعلمني أيّهما أولى؟ فأوحىَ الله إليه: صاحب حسن الظنّ بي.
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Chapter 9
On Thinking
155- In Al-Mahasin it is narrated that Imam Sadiq (a.s) quoted the following on the authority of his noble father (a.s): “Jesus, the son of Mary said: “Blessed be1 one who thinks when he is quiet; is admonished when he looks; invokes the name of God when he talks; cries over his own sins; and the people are safe from his hands and tongue.”
156- Al-Hassan al-Sayghal said that he asked Imam Sadiq (a.s) about the meaning of what people say when they state that it is better to think for one hour than pray for one whole night. The Imam (a.s) replied in the positive saying that the Prophet (a.s) had said: “It is better to think for one hour than to pray for one whole night.” Then he asked how one should think. The Imam (a.s) replied: “He should ask the following questions when he passes a house or the ruins of an old building: Where are the residents? Where are those who constructed this building? And why do they not speak?”
157- Imam Sadiq (a.s) stated that Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “O' son of Adam! Indeed thinking can attract one towards good deeds, and repentance can cause one to abandon evil deeds. Whatever is not lasting - even if it seems a lot to some people - will not harm what is lasting, even if it is rare and hard to get.”
158- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “All good is contained in three traits: looking, being quiet and talking. If one does not get admonished when he sees things, he is in error. Not thinking when you are quiet equals ignorance, and any talk in which there is no remembrance of God is in vain.
____________
1 Translators' note: See Tradition No. 409 for a description of the meaning of "blessed be" that is the translation of the Arabic word 'tooba'.
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”الفصل التاسع
في التفكر
155. كتاب المحاسن: عن أبي عبد الله عن أبيه: قال: قال عيسى بن مريم عليه السلام: طوبى لمن كان صمته فكراً، ونظره عِبَراً، وكلامه ذِكراً، وبكى على خطيئته، وسَلِمَ الناس من يده ولسانه.
156. عن الحسن الصيقل قال: سألت أبا عبد الله عليه السلام عمّا يروي الناس، تفكّرُ ساعةٍ خيرٌ من قيام ليلةٍ، قال: نعم، قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم: تفكّرُ ساعةٍ خيرٌ من قيام ليلةٍ، قلتُ: كيف يتفكّر؟ قال: يمّر بالخربة وبالدار فيتفكر يقول: أينَ ساكنوك، أين بانوك، ما لك لا تتكلمّين!
157. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام في كلام له: يا بن آدمُ! إنّ التفكّر يدعُو إلى البّر والعمل به، وإنّ الندم علىَ الشرّ يدعُو إلى تركه، وليس ما يفنى وإنْ كان كثيرا بأهلٍ أنْ يؤثر على ما يبقى وإنْ كان طلبه عزيزا.
158. وقال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام: جُمع الخير كلّه في ثلاث خصالٍ: النظرُ والسكوتُ، والكلامُ، وكلّ نظرٍ ليس فيه اعتبارٌ فهو سهوٌ، وكلّ سكوتٍ ليس فيه فكرٌ فهو غفلةٌ، وكلّ كلامٍ ليس فيه ذكرٌ فهو لغوٌ.