375- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Do not disrespect the poor followers of Ali and his children, since each one of them can intercede on behalf of two large tribes such as the Rabia and the Mezr tribes."
376- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "There are many people who look dirty, with wrinkled hair, and worn-out clothing who go to beg at the doors of houses, but can get whatever they need if they ask God."
377- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: "Whenever any of our followers stands up to pray, angels whose number equals our enemies' numbers shall stand to pray behind him, and they will pray for him until he finishes praying."
378- Jabir narrated: "One day I was with the Prophet (a.s). Then suddenly he turned his face towards Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) and said: "O' Father of Hassan! Do you want me to give you glad tidings?" (Imam) Ali (a.s) said: "Yes, O' Prophet of God!" The Prophet (a.s) continued: "God the Almighty informed me through Gabriel that He granted seven things to your lovers and your followers. They will have: 1- gentle treatment at the time of death, 2- a companion at times of fear, 3- light at times of darkness, 4- security at the time of Resurrection, 5- justice at the time of Reckoning, 6- permission to pass through the passage (to Heaven), 7- entry to Heaven before other people, with the light (of their faith) shining in front of them and on their right side."
379- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Whoever loves us- the members of the Holy Household- will praise God for the first blessing." He was asked: "What is the first blessing?" He replied: "Being born legitimately. And no one can love us unless he is born legitimately."
380- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "No one can realize true faith unless he likes me more than himself, and likes my family more than his own family and likes my children more than his own children, and likes my essence more than his own."
381- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: "Whoever lives and experiences the good feeling of our love in his heart should thank God for the first blessing." He was asked: "What do you mean by the first blessing?" He replied: "I mean being born legitimately."
( 207 )

375. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم لا تَستخفّوا بفُقراء شيعة عليٍّ وعِترته مِن بعده، فإنّ الرجل منهم لَيشفع في مثل ربيعة ومضر.

376. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم رُبّ أشعثٍ أغبر ذي طمرين مدقع بالأبواب لو أقسم على الله لأبرّه.

377. قال الباقر عليه السلام ما مِن عبدٍ مِن شيعتنا يقوم إلى الصلاة إلا اكتنفته بعدد مَن خالفه ملائكة يُصلّون خلفه، يدعون الله حتّى يفرغ مِن صلاته.

378. قال جابر: كنتُ ذاتَ يَوم عند النبيّ صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم إذ أقبل بوجهه على عليّ بن أبي طالب فقال: ألا أُبشّرك يا أبا الحسن؟ قال: بلى يا رسول الله، قال: هذا جبرئيل يُخبرني عن اللهسبحانه و تعاليأنّه أعطى شيعتك ومحبّيك سبع خصال: الرفقُ عند الموت، والأُنسُ عند الوحشة، والنورُ عند الظلمة، والأمنُ عند الفَزَع، والقسطُ عند الميزان، والجوازُ على الصراط، ودخولُ الجنّة قبل سائر الناس يَسعى نورهم بين أيديهم وبأيمانهم.

379. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم مَن أحبّنا أهل البيت فليحمد الله على أوّل النِعَم، قيل: وما أوّل النِعَم؟ قال: طيب الولادة، ولا يحبّنا إلا مَن طابت ولادته.

380. وقال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم لا يؤمن عبدٌ حتّى أكون أحبُّ إليه مِن نفسه، وأهلي أحبُّ إليه مِن أهله، وعِترتي أحبُّ إليه مِن عترته، وذاتي أحبُّ إليه مِن ذاته.

381. وقال الباقر عليه السلام مَن أصبح يجد بَرد حبّنا على قلبه فليحمد الله على بادي النِعَم، قيل: وما بادي النِعَم، قال طيب الولادة.
( 208 )
382- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Whomever God has bestowed with the love of the Imams (a.s) from my Household has received the prosperity of this world and the Hereafter. He should have no doubt that he will go to Heaven. There are twenty properties in the love for my Household: ten for this world and ten for the Hereafter. The ten for this world are: abstinence; eagerness to acquire knowledge; piety in religion; inclination to worship; repentance before death; pleasure with staying up at night (for praying or supplications); not being envious of what other people own; abiding by what is divinely right and wrong; dislike of this world; and generosity. And the ten for the Hereafter are: there is no reckoning for him; his deeds will not be measured; his record of deeds will be given to his right hand (implying that he is saved); freedom from the Fire of Hell will be prescribed for him; his face will be white; he will be wearing Heavenly garments; he will be given the right to intercede on behalf of one hundred members of his family; God the Almighty will look upon him with His Mercy; he will be wearing a crown - one of the Heavenly crowns; and he will enter Heaven without any reckoning. Then blessed be1 those who love the members of my Household."
383- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Treat the hypocrites by verbally advising them. Be truly sincere with the believers. If you are in the company of a Jew, be a good companion for him."
384- Salman Farsi said that his friend- God's Prophet (a.s) advised him to do the following acts, and stressed that he never abandon them: 1- Always consider the situation of those in a lower position, not those who are in a higher position. 2- Love the poor people and get close to them. 3- Tell the truth, even though it may be bitter. 4- Visit your kin even if they reject you. 5- Never ask the people for anything. 6- Always rely on God, and remember Him by saying: "There is no strength nor power but in, or by means of, God the High, the Great." This is one of the treasures of Heaven."
____________
1 Translators' note: For a better understanding of "blessed be" please see tradition No. 409 and the description of the Arabic word "Tooba".
( 209 )

382. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم مَن رزقه الله حبّ الأئمّة مِن أهل بيتي فقد أصاب خير الدنيا والآخرة، فلا يشكن أنّه في الجنّة، وأنّ في حبّ أهل بيتي عشرين خصلةً، عشرٌ منها في الدنيا، وعشرٌ في الآخرة، أمّا في الدنيا: فالزهد، والحرص على العلم، والورع في الدين، والرغبة في العبادة، والتوبة قبل الموت، والنشاط في قيام الليل، واليأس ممّا في أيدي الناس، والحفظ لأمر اللهسبحانه و تعاليونهيه، والتاسعة بُغْض الدنيا، والعاشرة السخاء. وأمّا في الآخرة: فلا يُنشر له ديوانٌ، ولا يُنصب له ميزانٌ، ويُعطى كتابه بيمينه، ويُكتب له براءةٌ مِن النار، ويُبيَضَّ وجهه، ويُكسى مِن حُلَل الجنّة، ويُشفَّع في مائةٍ مِن أهل بيته، ويَنظر اللهسبحانه و تعاليإليه بالرحمة، ويُتَّوج مِن تيجان الجنّة، والعاشرة يدخل الجنّة بغير حسابٍ، فطوبى لُمحِّبي أهل بيتي.

383. عن الصادق عليه السلام صانِع المنافِقَ بلسانك، وأخلِص وُدَّك للمؤمنين، وإنْ جالسك يهوديّ فأحسِن مجالسته.

384. قال سلمان؛: أوصاني خليلي رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم بسبع خصالٍ لا أدعهنّ على كلّ حالٍ: أوصاني أنْ أنظر إلى مَن هو دوني، ولا أنظر إلى مَن هو فوقي، وأنْ أُحِبّ الفقراء وأدنو منهم، وأنْ أقول الحقّ وإنْ كان مُرّا، وأنْ أصل رَحِمي وإنْ كانت مُدْبِرَةً، وأنْ لا أسأل الناس شيئاً، وأنْ أقول: "لا حَوْلَ وَلا قُوّةَ إلا بِالله"، فإنّها مِن كُنوز الجنّة.
( 210 )
385- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Properly associating with people is a sign of being born legitimately."
386- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "The one most loved by God is the one who is honest in his speech, guards his prayers, and guards what is made incumbent upon him by God, and is trustworthy."
387- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "The best of you are the most generous ones, and the worst of you are the most greedy ones. Helping your brothers and assisting them to fulfill their needs is one of the good deeds, and it will defeat Satan, and cause you to remain secure from the Fires of Hell, and enter the gardens of Heaven." He added: "O' Jamil! Please narrate this for your best companions." Jamil asked: "O' May I be your devoted servant! Who are my best companions?" Imam Sadiq (a.s) replied: "They are those who treat their brothers with kindness during times of ease and hardship." He then added: "O' Jamil! This is easy to do for a rich man, but God has praised the ones who do not have much wealth and said:
"But give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, -they are the ones that achieve prosperity." [The Holy Quran: Hashr 59:9]
388- Imam Sadiq (a.s) was asked: "What are the minimum rights of one believer over his (believing) brother?" He said: "He should give a higher priority to his brother's urgent needs than his own needs."
389- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Seek nearness to God by sympathizing with your brothers."
390- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "A believer's respect and honor is much more than that of the (Holy House of) Ka'ba."
391- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "There are certain limits to friendship. Whoever does not fall within those limits should not be considered to be a perfect friend, and whoever does not have anything that falls within those limits should not be ascribed anything related to friendship. The conditions for friendship are:
( 211 )

385. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم حُسن المحَضر مِن طيب المولد.

386. وقال الصادق عليه السلام أحبُّ العباد إلى اللهسبحانه و تعاليصَدوقٌ في حديثه، محافظٌ على صلاته وما افترض الله عليه، مع أداء الأمانة.

387. قال الصادق عليه السلام خياركم سُمَحاؤكم، وشراركم بخلاؤكم، ومِن صالح الأعمال البرّ بالإخوان والسعي في حوائجهم، وفي ذلك مرغمةٌ للشيطان، وتزحزح عن النيران، ودخول الجنان. قال عليه السلام يا جميل، أخبر بهذا الحديث غُرر أصحابك، فقال له: جعلتُ فداك مَن غُرر أصحابي؟ قال: هُم البارّون بالإخوان في العُسر واليُسر، ثمّ قال: يا جميل، أما أنّ صاحب الكثير يهون عليه ذلك، وقد مدح الله صاحب القليل ]وَيُؤْثِروُنَ عَلى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كانَ بِهِمْ خَصاصَةٌ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فأُولئِكَ هُمْ الْمُفْلِحونَ.[

388. سُئل أبو عبد الله عليه السلام ما أدنى حقُّ المؤمن على أخيه؟ قال: أنْ لا يستأثر عليه بما أحوج إليه منه.

389. وقال عليه السلام أيضا: تقرّبوا إلىَ الله بمواساة إخوانكم.

390. وقال عليه السلام أيضا: المؤمن أعظم حرمةً مِن الكعبة.

391. وقال عليه السلام الصداقة محدودةٌ، فمَن لم تكن فيه تلك الحدود فلا تنسبه إلى كمال الصداقة، ومَن لم يكن فيه شيءٌ مِن تلك الحدود لا تنسبه إلى شيءٍ مِن الصداقة.
( 212 )
1- A friend should not hide anything from you, and be the same person to you in private that he is in public; 2- He should consider your beauty as his own, and your ugliness as his own; 3- Wealth and position should not change him; 4- He should not withhold from you what he has power over, and 5- He should not abandon you during times of hardship."
392- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "The damned Satan says that there are five types of people which he cannot deceive, but he has full control over others. The first type consists of those who sincerely take refuge in God and rely on Him in all their affairs. The second type consists of those who say the praises of their Lord often in daytime and at night. The third type are those who like for their believing brothers whatever they like for themselves. The fourth type consists of those who do not lose their calmness at times of calamities. The fifth type are those who are content with what God has given them and do not grieve about their share of daily bread."
393- Imam Baqir (a.s) said: "Love your Muslim brother, and like for him what you like for yourself, and dislike for him what you dislike for yourself. Ask him for help if you need anything, and fulfill his needs if he ever asks you for help. Do not hide from him any good things, as he does not do likewise. Be his supporter just as he is your supporter. When he is not present, support him in his absence until he returns, then go to see him when he returns. Honor him and respect him since you are from him and he is from you. If he blames you do not leave him, and let him express what bothers him, and he gets relieved. Praise God the Almighty when he receives some good things, and help and support him when he suffers from a calamity."
394- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "If a rich believer humiliates his believing brother while he can help him, God will humiliate him in this world and the Hereafter."
395- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "Whoever says something about his believing brother with the intention of belittling him and damaging his honor and respect in the eyes of the people, God the Almighty will force him away from God's friendship, and push him into the domain of friendship with Satan."
( 213 )

أوّلها أنْ تكون سريرته وعلانيته لك واحدةٌ، والثانية أنْ يرى زينك زينه وشينك شينه، والثالثة أنْ لا يُغيّره مالٌ ولا ولايةٌ، والرابعة أنْ لا يمنعك شيئاً ممّا تصل إليه مقدرته، والخامسة أنْ لا يسلّمك عند النكبات.

392. قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام قال إبليس عليه اللعنة: خمسٌ ليس فيهنّ حيلةٌ وسائر الناس في قبضتي: مَن اعتصم بالله مِن نيّةٍ صادقةٍ واتّكل عليه في جميع أُموره، ومَن كثر تسبيحه في ليله ونهاره، ومَن رضيَ لأخيه المؤمن ما يرضاه لنفسه، ومَن لم يجزع علىَ المصيبة حين تصيبه، ومَن رضيَ بما قسّم الله له ولم يهتمّ لرزقه.

393. قال الباقر عليه السلام أحبب أخاك المسلم، وأحبب له ما تُحبّ لنفسك واكره له ما تُكره لنفسك، إذا احتجتَ فاسأله وإذا سألك فأعطه، ولا تدّخر عنه خيرا فإنّه لا يدّخره عنك، كُن له ظهرا فإنّه لك ظهرٌ، إنْ غاب فاحفظه في غيبته، وإنْ شهد فزُره وأجِلّه وأكرمه فإنّه منك وأنت منه، وإنْ كان عليك عاتبا فلا تُفارقه حتّى تَسلّ سخيمته وما في نفسه، وإذا أصابه خيرٌ فاحمد اللهسبحانه و تعاليعليه، وإنْ ابتُلي فاعضده وتمحّل له.

394. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: ما مِن مؤمنٍ يخذل أخاه وهو يقدر على نُصرته إلا خذله الله في الدنيا والآخرة.

395. وعنه عليه السلام قال: مَن روى على أخيه المؤمن روايةً يُريد بها شينه وهدم مروّته ليسقطه مِن أعين الناس أخرجه اللهسبحانه و تعاليمِن ولايته إلى ولاية الشيطان.
( 214 )
396- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Whoever loves us will be gathered together with us on the Resurrection Day, and whoever loves a stone, for example, will be gathered together with that stone in the Hereafter."
397- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "The best way to stick with Islam is to love for God's sake, to hate for God's sake, to give charity for God's sake, and to forbid (the wrong) for God's sake."
398- Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: "I swear by the One who sent down the Chapter "Ikhlas" and the Holy Quran that whoever associates with those who seek faults in us, or praises our enemies, or establishes ties with those who have cut off their ties with us, or stays away from our associates, or is friendly with our enemies, or is the enemy of our friends, is indeed an infidel."
399- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "I swear by the Lord who has control over my life that you shall not enter Heaven unless you believe. You will not believe unless you love each other. Do you want me to tell you what to do to help you love each other? Establish saying: "Salaam" (peace, greetings, hello) as the official way to greet each other." He added: "God will damn the people whenever they do not apply their knowledge, and just pay superficial attention to knowledge, and just like each other when speaking- and hate each other in their hearts, and break up family ties. Then God will make them deaf and blind."
400- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Extensive joking will destroy your honor. Extensive laughter will destroy your faith, and extensive lying will destroy your credibility."
401- Imam Sadiq (a.s) was asked: "How can we recognize those who will be saved?" He replied: "Whoever whose acts and words are in agreement with each other will be saved. And whoever says one thing, but acts differently has a shaky and unstable religion."
402- God's Prophet (a.s) said that God the Almighty said: "I am the Lord. There is no one else but Me to be worshipped. I created the rulers, and possess control of their hearts in My hands. I shall establish kind rulers over people who obey Me, and establish mean rulers over people who disobey Me.
( 215 )

396. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم مَن أحبّنا كان معنا يومَ القيامة، ولو أنّ رجلا أحبّ حجرا لحشره الله معه.

397. عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إنّ مِن أوثق عُرى الإسلام أنْ يحبّ في الله ويبغض في الله ويعطي في الله ويمنع في الله.

398. وعنه عليه السلام قال: مَن جالس لنا عائباً، أو مدح لنا قالياً، أو واصل لنا قاطعاً، أو قاطع لنا واصلاً، أو والى لنا عدوّاً أو عادى لنا وليّاً، فقد كفر بالّذي أنزل السبع المثاني والقرآن العظيم.

399. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم والّذي نفسي بيده، لا تدخلوا الجنّة حتّى تؤمنوا، ولا تؤمنوا حتّى تحابّوا، أوَلا أدلّكم على شيءٍ إنْ فعلتموه تحاببتم؟ أفشوا السلام بينكم.
وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم إذا الناس أظهروا العلم وضيّعوا العمل، وتحابّوا بالألسن، وتباغضوا بالقلوب وتقاطعوا في الأرحام، لعنهم الله عند ذلك وأصمّهم وأعمى أبصارهم

400. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم كثرةُ المِزاح يُذهب بماء الوجه، وكثرةُ الضِحْك يمَحو الإيمان، وكثرةُ الكذب يُذهب بالبهاء.

401. قيل لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام بِمَ يُعرف الناجي؟ فقال: مَن كان فِعله لقوله موافقا فهو ناجٍ، ومَن لم يكن فِعله لقوله موافقا فإنّما ذلك مُستودَع.

402. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم قال الله جلّ جلاله: أنا الله لا إلهَ إلا أنا، خلقتُ الملوك وقلوبهم بيدي، فأيّما قومٍ أطاعوني جعلتُ الملوك عليهم رحمةً، وأيّما قومٍ عصوني جعلتُ الملوك عليهم سخطةً.
( 216 )
Beware and do not waste your time swearing at the rulers. Return to God in repentance so that God changes the state of the rulers' hearts and makes them be kind to you."
403- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Whoever does not have an inner guide in his heart, and an inner force which would hinder his soul, and does not have a guiding companion will be overcome by his enemy."
404- God's Prophet (a.s) said that God the Almighty said: "I shall not leave alone anyone who obeys Me, and will leave alone anyone who disobeys Me, and will not worry about in which land he will perish."
405- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Knowledge is useful if you use it rather than abide by your selfish (carnal) desires. Satan will run away from the shadow of anyone who overcomes his selfish desires. God the Almighty told the Prophet David (a.s): "It is forbidden to establish anyone who possesses knowledge but loves lustfulness as the leader of the pious people."
406- Imam Reza (a.s) said: "One cannot be a true believer unless he possesses the following three traits - one from his Lord, one from his Prophet and one from his Imam. The one from his Lord is guarding secrets as God the Almighty said: "He (alone) knows the Unseen, nor does He make anyone acquainted with his Mysteries, except an Apostle whom He has chosen." [The Holy Quran: Jinn 72:25-26]
But the one from the Prophet is kind treatment with people, as God has ordered the Prophet to treat the people with kindness and patience and said: "Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; but turn away from the ignorant." [The Holy Quran: Araf 7:199]
And the one from the Imams (a.s) is patience and perseverance during times of hardship and calamities."
407- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Do not blame your believing brother during times of hardship. God might have Mercy upon him, and send down hardships upon you."
408- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: "Do not allocate most of your time for your family and children, since if they are from God's friends. God will not forget His friends, and if they are from the enemies of God, why should you worry about and work so hard for the enemies of God."
( 217 )
ألا لا تشغلوا أنفسكم بسبّ الملوك، توبوا إلىَ الله أعطف بقلوبهم عليكم.

403. وعنه صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم قال: مَن لم يكن له واعظٌ مِن قلبه وزاجرٌ مِن نفسه، ولم يكن له قرينٌ مُرشدٌ استمكن عدوّه مِن عنقه.

404. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم قال الله تعالى أيّما عبدٍ أطاعني لم أكِلْه إلى غيره وأيّما عبدٍ عصاني وكّلتُه إلى نفسه، ثمّ لم أُبال في أيّ وادٍ هلك.

405. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم مَن غلب علمه هواه فذاك علمٌ نافعٌ، ومَن جعل شهوته تحت قَدَمَيه فرّ الشيطان مِن ظلّه.
قال الله تعالى لداود عليه السلام حرامٌ على كلّ قلبٍ عالمٍ محبٍّ للشهوات أنْ أجعله إماماً للمتّقين.

406. قال الرضا عليه السلام لا يكون المؤمن مؤمناً حتّى يكون فيه ثلاثُ خصالٍ: سنّةٌ مِن ربّه، وسنّةٌ مِن نبيّه، وسنّةٌ مِن وليّه. فالسنّة مِن ربّه كتمان سرّه، قال الله تعالى: ]عالِمُ الْغَيْبِ فَلا يُظْهِرُ عَلى غَيْبِهِ أحَداً * إلا مَنِ ارْتَضَى مِنْ رَسُولٍ[. وأمّا السنّة مِن نبيّه فمُداراة الناس، فإنّ اللهسبحانه و تعاليأمر نبيّه بمداراة الناس فقال: ]خُذِ الْعَفْوَ وَاْمُرْ بِالْعُرْفِ وَأعْرِضْ عَنِ الجَّاهِلِينَ.[ وأمّا السنّة مِن وليّه فالصبر في البأساء والضرّاء.

407. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم لا تظهر الشماتة لأخيك فيرحمه الله ويبتليك.

408. قال أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام لا تجعلنّ أكثر شغلك بأهلك وولدك، فإنْ يكن أهلك وولدك أولياء الله فالله لا يضيع أولياءه، وإنْ يكونوا أعداء الله فما همّك وشغلك بأعداء الله.
( 218 )
409- Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: "Pious people can be recognized through the following signs: honesty in speech, trustworthiness, keeping their promises, minimal jealousy and sorrow, associating with relatives, being kind with the weak ones, minimal sexual intercourse with women, doing good deeds, having a good temper, having patience, and putting to use the knowledge that aids them to get nearer to God: "For those who believe and work righteousness, is (every) blessedness, and a beautiful place of (final) return." [The Holy Quran: Ra'd 13:29]
"Tooba"1 is the name of a Heavenly tree which is rooted in the Prophet's (a.s) house. There are branches of this tree in the homes of the believers. These branches will yield whatever you desire. The branches are so extensive that if someone races under them with a fast riding horse for even one hundred years, he will not leave the shade of this branch. If a crow starts from the base of the tree and tries to fly towards the top, it can never reach there until it gets old. So beware, and try to attain this boundless blessing. Indeed a believer is busy doing his work, and the people are safe from him. When the night comes, he will fall prostrate in God's worship. He will ask God who has created him to save him from the Fire of Hell. So beware and try to be this way."
410- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "The best of God's worshippers are the ones who perform the obligatory acts, and the most abstinent people are the ones who abstain from the forbidden acts. The most God-fearing man is the one who always tells the truth, whether it be in his favor or against him. The most pious people are the ones who avoid quarrelling, even if they are right. The most hard-working people are the ones who quit committing sins. The noblest people are the most pious ones. The greatest people are the ones who do not interfere in what is not related to them. The most prosperous people are the ones who associate with noble people."
____________
1 Translators' note: In the Arabic text of this verse, the word "Tooba" is used which is translated to mean "blessedness" here.
( 219 )

409. وقال عليه السلام لأهل التقوى علاماتٌ يُعرفون بها: صدق الحديث، وأداء الأمانة، والوفاء بالعهد، وقلّة الغمّ والبخل، وصلة الأرحام، ورحمة الضُعفاء، وقلّة المؤاتاة للنساء، وبذل المعروف، وحسن الخُلق، وسعة الحلم، واتّباع العلم فيما يقرّب إلى اللهسبحانه و تعالي]طُوبَى لَهُمْ وَحُسْنُ مَآب[ وطوبى شجرةٌ في الجنّة أصلها في دار رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم فليس مؤمنٌ إلا وفي داره غُصنٌ مِن أغصانها؛ لا ينوي في قلبه شيئاً إلا أتاه ذلك الغُصن به، ولو أنّ راكبا مُجدّا سار في ظلّها مائة عامٍ لم يخرج منها، ولو أنّ غُرابا طار مِن أصلها ما بلغ أعلاها حتّى صار هرما، ألا ففي هذا فارغبوا، إنّ المؤمن مِن نفسه في شغلٍ والناس منه في راحةٍ، إذا جنّ عليه الليل فرش وجهه وسجد لله تعالى ذكره بمكارم بدنه، ويناجي الّذي خلقه في فكاك رقبته، ألا فهكذا كونوا.

410. قال رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم أعبدُ الناس مَن يُقيم الفرائض، وأزهدُ الناس مَن اجتنب الحرام، وأتقىَ الناس مَن قال الحقّ فيما له وعليه، وأورعُ الناس مَن ترك المِراء وإنْ كان مُحقّاً، وأشدّ الناس اجتهاداً مَن ترك الذنوب، وأكرمُ الناس أتقاهم، وأعظم الناس قَدراً مَن ترك ما لا يُعنيه، وأسعدُ الناس من خالط كِرام الناس.
( 220 )
411- God's Prophet (a.s) told (his grandson Imam) Hassan, the son of Ali (a.s): "Perform what is divinely obligatory so that you may be one of the most God-fearing persons. Be content with God's pre-determined destiny so that you may be one of the needless people. Stay away from the divinely forbidden acts so that you may be one of the most pious persons. Treat your neighbors kindly so that you may be one of the believers, and be kind with your companions so that you may be one of the Muslims."
412- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Improving the life of the world of this nation depends on abstinence and divine certitude. Destroying the Hereafter of this nation is dependent upon jealousy and desires."
413- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "I am mostly worried about my nation following their selfish desires and having extensive desires. Selfish desires will hinder them from following what is right, and having extensive desires will make them forget the Hereafter."
414- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Whenever you see a man who is abstinent, try to approach him since he has attained wisdom."
415- It has been narrated that Osamat ibn Zayd bought a maid1 for one hundred Dinars to be paid off in one month. When the Prophet of God (a.s) heard this, he was amazed and said: "Are you not surprised that Osamat has made a one month deal? He has high aspirations. I swear by the One who possesses control over my life that I never open my eyes without thinking that I will die before I can close them again. I never look up without thinking that I will die before I can lower my eyes to look down. Whenever I pick up a bite to eat, I never think that I can manage to eat it since I might die." He then added: "O' Children of Adam! Prepare yourselves for death if you are wise. I swear by the Lord who possesses the control over my life: "All that hath been promised unto you will come to pass: Nor can ye frustrate it (in the least bit)." [The Holy Quran: An'am 6:134]
____________
1 Translators' note: slave
( 221 )

411. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم للحسن بن عليّ عليه السلام اعمل بفرائض الله تكن مِن أتقَى الناس، وارض بما قسّم الله تكن أغنىَ
الناس، وكُفّ عن محارم الله تكن أورع الناس، وأحسن مُجاورة
َمن جاوركَ تكُن مؤمنا، وأحسن مصاحبةَ مَن صاحبكَ تكن مُسلماً.

412. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم إنّ إصلاح أوّل هذه الأُمّة بالزهد واليقين، وهلاك آخرتها بالشُحّ والأمل.

413. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم إنّ أخوف ما أخاف على أُمّتي الهوى وطول الأمل، فأمّا الهوى فيصدّ عن الحقّ، وأمّا طول الأمل فيُنسي الآخرة.

414. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم إذا رأيتُم الرجل قد أُعطي الزهد في الدنيا فاقتربوا منه فإنّه يُلقي الحِكْمة.

415. ورُوي أنّ أُسامة بن زيد اشترى وَليدةً بمائة دينارٍ إلى شهرٍ، فسمع رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم فقال: ألا تَعجبون مِن أُسامة المشتري إلى شهرٍ! إنّ أُسامة لطويل الأمل، والّذي نفسي بيده ما طرفت عيناي إلا ظننت أنّ شفري لا يلتقيان حتّى يقبض الله روحي، ولا رفعت طرفي وظننتُ أنّي خافضه حتّى أُقبَض، ولا لقمتُ لقمةً إلا ظننتُ أنّي لا أُسيغها لحصرتها مِن الموت.

ثمّ قال: يا بَني آدم، إنْ كنتم تعقلون فعدّوا أنفسكم مِن الموتى، والّذي نفسي بيده ]إنَّ ما تُوُعَدُونَ لَآتٍ وَما أنْتُمْ بِمُعْجِزينَ.[
( 222 )
416- Imam Reza (a.s) said: "Whoever sees a poor person and greets him in a manner different from when he greets a rich man will visit God on the Resurrection Day while God is angry with him."
417- It has been narrated that a man went to see God's Prophet (a.s) and said: "O' Prophet of God! I swear by God that I like you for God's sake." The Prophet (a.s) told him: "If you really like me, get ready to put on the garment of poverty, since poverty will approach those who truly love me faster than a flood approaches its destination."
418- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Always consider the situation of the people who are in an inferior position than you are, not those who are in a better position than you are. This way you will be more grateful for what God has given to you."
419- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "God will keep whomever he loves hungry in this world." He was asked: "O' Prophet of God! Will God keep him hungry?" He replied: "Yes. He will not be able to get anything to eat even though there is an abundance of food and food is cheap."
420- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Do not let your hearts die by eating and drinking too much, since the hearts are similar to farms that will get ruined from too much water."
421- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "True faith is bare. Its dress is shame, its ornament is keeping one's promise, its manliness is doing good deeds, and its pillar is piety. Everything has a foundation. The foundation of Islam is the love for us- members of the Holy Household."
422- God's Prophet (a.s) was asked if a believer might become afraid. He said yes. He was asked if a believer might become jealous. He said yes. But when he was asked if a believer might become a liar he said no.
423- God's Prophet (a.s) said: "Promise me to do the following six things, then I will promise you that you will go to Heaven. Do not lie when you quote something. Do not ever break your promise. Return what you are entrusted with. Do not look at what is forbidden to see. Guard your honor. Do not bother the people physically or verbally."
( 223 )

416. قال الرضا عليه السلام مَن لقي فقيراً فسلّم خلاف سلامه علىَ الغنيّ لقي الله يوم القيامة وهو عليه غضبان.

417. وقيل: جاء رجلٌ إلى رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم فقال: يا رسول الله، إنّي والله لأُحبّك في الله، فقال النبيّ صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم فإنْ كنتَ تحبّني فأعِدَّ للفقر جَلباباً، فإنّ الفقر أسرع إلى مَن يُحبّني من السيل إلى منتهاه.

418. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم أُنظروا إلى مَن أسفل منكم، ولا تنظروا إلى مَن فوقكم، فإنّه أجدر أنْ لا تردّوا نعمة الله.

419. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم إذا أحبّ الله عبداً في دار الدنيا يُجيعه، قالوا: يا رسول الله وكيف يُجيعه؟ قال: في موضع الطعام الرخيص والخير الكثير، وليّ الله لا يجد طعاماً يملأ به بطنه.

420. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم لا تُميتوا القلوب بكثرة الطعام والشراب، فإنّ القلوب تموت كالزروع إذا كثر عليه الماء.

421. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم الإيمان عُريانٌ ولباسه الحياء، وزينته الوفاء، ومروءته العمل الصالح، وعماده الورع، ولكلّ شيءٍ أساسٌ وأساس الإسلام حبّنا أهل البيت.

422. سُئل رسول الله صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم يكون المؤمن جَباناً؟ قال: نعم، قيل: ويكون بخيلاً؟ قال: نعم، قيل: ويكون كذّاباً؟ قال: لا.

423. وقال صلي الله عليه و اله و سلم تقبّلوا إليَّ ستّ خصالٍ أتقبّل لكم الجنّة: إذا حدّثتم فلا تكذبوا، وإذا وعدتم فلا تخلفوا، وإذا ائتمنتم فلا تخونوا، وغضّوا أبصاركم، واحفظوا فروجكم، وكفّوا أيديكم وألسنتكم.
