100. The Rarity of Believers
Back to book1ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ قُتَيْبَةَ الأعْشَى قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ الْمُؤْمِنَةُ أَعَزُّ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَالْمُؤْمِنُ أَعَزُّ مِنَ الْكِبْرِيتِ الأحْمَرِ فَمَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمُ الْكِبْرِيتَ الأحْمَرَ.
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Qutaybah al-‘A’sha’ who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘The female believer is more valued than a male believer and a male believer is more valued than alchemy. Who among you has ever seen alchemy?’”
Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi: ضعيف على المشهور - Mir‘at al ‘Uqul Fi Sharh Akhbar Al al Rasul (285/ 9)
2ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنْ مُثَنًّى الْحَنَّاطِ عَنْ كَامِلٍ التَّمَّارِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ النَّاسُ كُلُّهُمْ بَهَائِمُ ثَلاثاً إِلا قَلِيلاً مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنُ غَرِيبٌ ثَلاثَ مَرَّاتٍ.
2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn abu Najaran from Muthanna al-Hannat from Kamil al-Tammar who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying three times, ‘People are animals, people are animals, people are animals, except a few of believers. Believers are rare, believers are rare, and believers are rare, (more cherished).”’
Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi: ضعيف على المشهور - Mir‘at al ‘Uqul Fi Sharh Akhbar Al al Rasul (285/ 9)
3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ ابْنِ رِئَابٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لأبِي بَصِيرٍ أَمَا وَالله لَوْ أَنِّي أَجِدُ مِنْكُمْ ثَلاثَةَ مُؤْمِنِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ حَدِيثِي مَا اسْتَحْلَلْتُ أَنْ أَكْتُمَهُمْ حَدِيثاً.
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from ibn Ri’ab who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying to abu Basir, ‘By Allah were I to find three believers among you who keep our Hadith concealed I would not have considered it lawful to conceal any Hadith from them.’”
Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi: حسن كالصحيح - Mir‘at al ‘Uqul Fi Sharh Akhbar Al al Rasul (9/286)
4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بُنْدَارَ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ حَمَّادٍ الأنْصَارِيِّ عَنْ سَدِيرٍ الصَّيْرَفِيِّ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) فَقُلْتُ لَهُ وَالله مَا يَسَعُكَ الْقُعُودُ فَقَالَ وَلِمَ يَا سَدِيرُ قُلْتُ لِكَثْرَةِ مَوَالِيكَ وَشِيعَتِكَ وَأَنْصَارِكَ وَالله لَوْ كَانَ لأمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مَا لَكَ مِنَ الشِّيعَةِ وَالأنْصَارِ وَالْمَوَالِي مَا طَمِعَ فِيهِ تَيْمٌ وَلا عَدِيٌّ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ وَكَمْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونُوا قُلْتُ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قَالَ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ وَمِائَتَيْ أَلْفٍ قَالَ مِائَتَيْ أَلْفٍ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ وَنِصْفَ الدُّنْيَا قَالَ فَسَكَتَ عَنِّي ثُمَّ قَالَ يَخِفُّ عَلَيْكَ أَنْ تَبْلُغَ مَعَنَا إِلَى يَنْبُعَ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَأَمَرَ بِحِمَارٍ وَبَغْلٍ أَنْ يُسْرَجَا فَبَادَرْتُ فَرَكِبْتُ الْحِمَارَ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ أَ تَرَى أَنْ تُؤْثِرَنِي بِالْحِمَارِ قُلْتُ الْبَغْلُ أَزْيَنُ وَأَنْبَلُ قَالَ الْحِمَارُ أَرْفَقُ بِي فَنَزَلْتُ فَرَكِبَ الْحِمَارَ وَرَكِبْتُ الْبَغْلَ فَمَضَيْنَا فَحَانَتِ الصَّلاةُ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ انْزِلْ بِنَا نُصَلِّ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَذِهِ أَرْضٌ سَبِخَةٌ لا تَجُوزُ الصَّلاةُ فِيهَا فَسِرْنَا حَتَّى صِرْنَا إِلَى أَرْضٍ حَمْرَاءَ وَنَظَرَ إِلَى غُلامٍ يَرْعَى جِدَاءً فَقَالَ وَالله يَا سَدِيرُ لَوْ كَانَ لِي شِيعَةٌ بِعَدَدِ هَذِهِ الْجِدَاءِ مَا وَسِعَنِي الْقُعُودُ وَنَزَلْنَا وَصَلَّيْنَا فَلَمَّا فَرَغْنَا مِنَ الصَّلاةِ عَطَفْتُ عَلَى الْجِدَاءِ فَعَدَدْتُهَا فَإِذَا هِيَ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ.
4. Muhammad ibn al-Hassan and Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar have narrated from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq from ‘Abd Allah ibn Hammad al-Ansari from Sadir al- Sayrafi who has said the following: “Once I went in the presence of abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) and said, ‘By Allah, it is your obligation not to sit (without proclaiming your leadership).’ The Imam asked, ‘Why O Sadir?’ I said, ‘Because your friends, Shi’a (followers) and supporters are so many. By Allah, were Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) to have that many Shi’a (followers) as your Shi’a, friends and supporters, no one of the tribe of Tamim or ‘Ady could dare to disturb him.’ The Imam said, ‘O Sadir, how many do you think they are?’ I said, ‘One hundred thousand.’ The Imam said, ‘One hundred thousand!’ I said, ‘Yes, in fact, they are up to two hundred thousand, and I said, ‘Half of the world (population) is your Shi’a.’ “The narrator has said that the Imam remained calm and then said, ‘Is it possible to come with us to Yanbu’?’ I said, ‘It is fine with me.’ He then asked to bring a donkey and a mule already saddled. 1 hurried to ride the donkey and he said, ‘O Sadir, can you consider to allow me ride the donkey?’ I said, ‘The mule is more beautiful and noble.’ He said, ‘The donkey is friendlier for me.’ I then dismounted and he rode the donkey and I rode the mule. We traveled until it was time for prayer. He said, ‘O Sadir, dismount and we should pray.’ Then he said, ‘This ground is soft, prayer is not permissible here.’ We moved to a red ground and he looked to a boy who shepherded goats. He said, ‘O Sadir, were I to have as many Shi’a (followers) as the number of these goats, then it would not have been permissible for me to sit (without proclaiming my leadership).’ We dismounted and prayed. When we finished the prayer 1 turned to the goats and counted them. There were seventeen heads of goats in the flock.’”
Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi: ضعيف - Mir‘at al ‘Uqul Fi Sharh Akhbar Al al Rasul (9/287)
5ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ قَالَ قَالَ لِي عَبْدٌ صَالِحٌ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) يَا سَمَاعَةُ أَمِنُوا عَلَى فُرُشِهِمْ وَأَخَافُونِي أَمَا وَالله لَقَدْ كَانَتِ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا إِلا وَاحِدٌ يَعْبُدُ الله وَلَوْ كَانَ مَعَهُ غَيْرُهُ لأضَافَهُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَيْهِ حَيْثُ يَقُولُ إِنَّ إِبْراهِيمَ كانَ أُمَّةً قانِتاً لله حَنِيفاً وَلَمْ يَكُ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ فَغَبَرَ بِذَلِكَ مَا شَاءَ الله ثُمَّ إِنَّ الله آنَسَهُ بِإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَإِسْحَاقَ فَصَارُوا ثَلاثَةً أَمَا وَالله إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَقَلِيلٌ وَإِنَّ أَهْلَ الْكُفْرِ لَكَثِيرٌ أَ تَدْرِي لِمَ ذَاكَ فَقُلْتُ لا أَدْرِي جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ فَقَالَ صُيِّرُوا أُنْساً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَبُثُّونَ إِلَيْهِمْ مَا فِي صُدُورِهِمْ فَيَسْتَرِيحُونَ إِلَى ذَلِكَ وَيَسْكُنُونَ إِلَيْهِ.
5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Ammar ibn Marwan from Sama’a ibn Mehran who has said the following: “A virtuous servant (of Allah) (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Sama’a, they (pretending Shi’a) found their belief in their beds and they (attempt) to frighten me (ignoring al-Taqiyah). By Allah, once of the whole world and all that is therein there was only one person who worshipped Allah. Had there been anyone else, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, would have mentioned him with him in His words, ‘Abraham was, certainly, a nation, (in terms of having a whole culture and tradition) obedient and upright person. He was not a pagan.’ ( 16 : 120 ) “Time passed as Allah willed. Allah then provided him comfort with Isma’il and Ishaq and they numbered three. By Allah, believers are very few and unbelievers (people of imperfect belief) are many. Do you know why that is?’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘They (less perfect believers) have become a source of comfort for the believers who spread their secrets to the hearts (of less perfect believers) to find relief and in this they do find relief.”
Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi: ضعيف على المشهور - Mir‘at al ‘Uqul Fi Sharh Akhbar Al al Rasul (9/288)
6ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أُورَمَةَ عَنِ النَّضْرِ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي خَالِدٍ الْقَمَّاطِ عَنْ حُمْرَانَ بْنِ أَعْيَنَ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا أَقَلَّنَا لَوِ اجْتَمَعْنَا عَلَى شَاةٍ مَا أَفْنَيْنَاهَا فَقَالَ أَ لا أُحَدِّثُكَ بِأَعْجَبَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ وَالأنْصَارُ ذَهَبُوا إِلا وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ ثَلاثَةً قَالَ حُمْرَانُ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا حَالُ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ رَحِمَ الله عَمَّاراً أَبَا الْيَقْظَانِ بَايَعَ وَقُتِلَ شَهِيداً فَقُلْتُ فِي نَفْسِي مَا شَيْءٌ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الشَّهَادَةِ فَنَظَرَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ لَعَلَّكَ تَرَى أَنَّهُ مِثْلُ الثَّلاثَةِ أَيْهَاتَ أَيْهَاتَ.
6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Uramah from al-Nadr from Yahya ibn abu Khalid al-Qammat from Humran ibn ‘Ayun who has said the following: “Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how small is our number! It is so small that all combined feasting on a goat cannot finish it.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you want to hear more astonishing things? The immigrants (Muslim of Makkah) and supporters (Muslim of Madina) all went (to abu Bakr).’ He (the Imam) pointed with his hands, ‘except three, (Salman, abu Dhar and Miqdad) who remained as true supporters of Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib, recipient of divine supreme covenant).’ I (Humran) then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what about ‘Ammar?’ The Imam said, ‘May Allah grant him favors, the alert man pledged allegiance (to abu Bakr) but he died as a martyr.’ I (Humran) then said to myself that there is nothing better than martyrdom. The Imam looked at me and said, ‘Perhaps you thought he was like one of the three. That is far remote from reality.’”
Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi: ضعيف - Mir‘at al ‘Uqul Fi Sharh Akhbar Al al Rasul (9/290)
7ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَيْسَ كُلُّ مَنْ قَالَ بِوَلايَتِنَا مُؤْمِناً وَلَكِنْ جُعِلُوا أُنْساً لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ.
7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah from Ali ibn Ja’far who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Not everyone who speaks of our Walayah (Divine Authority) is a believer. They, however, are made to serve as boasting morals of the believing people.’”
Allamah Baqir al-Majlisi: ضعيف - Mir‘at al ‘Uqul Fi Sharh Akhbar Al al Rasul (9/291)