The Clay from Which the Believers and Unbelievers Are Made

The Clay from Which the Believers and Unbelievers Are Made (additional)

The Clay from which the Believers and Unbelievers are made (additional)

The Messenger of Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, Was the First to Respond to the Call of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, and Testify That He Is the Lord

How They Answered While They Were as Small Particles

Creation of the Creatures with Belief in Oneness of Allah in Their Nature

Believers as Offspring of Unbelievers

When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, Wills to Create a Believer

The Coloring (referred to in the Holy Quran) Is Islam

Serenity Is Belief

Purely Sincere

On the Shari’ a (System of Laws)

The Fundamentals of Islam

Islam Is to Spare Lives (and to Keep the Trust) But Reward Comes From Belief

Belief Is Inclusive of Islam but Islam Is Not Inclusive of Belief

Another Chapter on the Same Issue That Islam Is Before Belief

No name

Belief Spreads In all Parts of the Body

Advancement in Belief

Degrees of Belief

Degrees of Belief (Additional)

Description of Islam

Qualities of a Believer

Description of Belief

Superiority of Belief over Islam and Certainty over Belief

The Essence of Belief and Certainty

Contemplation (Thinking)

The Noble Qualities (of Man)

Excellence of Certainty

To Agree With the Decision (of Allah)

Leaving It to Allah to Be the Person in Charge of Affairs, and Having Trust in Him

Fear and Hope

Hopefulness Toward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy

To Profess One ’s Shortcomings

Obedience and Piety

Restraint from Worldly Matters (Sins)

Chastity

Abstaining From Unlawful Matters

Fulfilling Obligations

Balanced and Continuous Good Deeds

The Worship

The Intention

Part of Previous Chapter

Moderation in Worship

One Who Has Learned to Receive Rewards from His Lord for a Certain Deed

Patience

Gratitude and Thankfulness

Excellence in Moral Behaviors

Delightful Appearance

Truthfulness and Trust

Bashfulness

Forgiveness

Suppressing one ’s Anger

Forbearance

Silence and Controlling the Tongue

Gentleness in Dealings

Friendliness

Humbleness

Love for the Sake of Allah and Hate for the Sake of Allah

Condemnation of Worldly Matters and Abstaining Thereby

Additional Ahadith on the Above Subject

Contentment

Adequacy

Promptness in Good Deeds

Fairness and Justice

Independence from People

Good Relation with Relatives

Kindness to Parents

Concern for the Affairs of the Muslims, Giving Them Good Advice and to Benefit Them

High Regards for the Elderly

The Believer’s Mutual Brotherhood

The Rights of One Who Accepts the Belief and Then Severs Away

Brotherhood in Belief is not Due to Religion it only is a Way of Recognition

The Rights of a Believer on his Brother (in belief) and his duty to observe Such Rights

Compassion and Leniency

Visiting Brothers (in belief)

Greeting with Handshake

Holding in One ’s Arm

Kissing

Speak of and Remember the Brothers (in belief)

To Please the Believers

Assisting a Believer in his Needs

Endeavor to help a Believer

Relief for the Suffering of a Believer

Providing Food for a Believer

Providing Clothes for a Believer

To Show Kindness to and Honor a Believer

In the Sen’ice of Believing People

Giving Good Advice to the Believers

Improving Good Relations Among People

To Revive the Believer

Inviting one ’s Own People to Belief

Not to Invite People to Belief

Allah Grants Religion only to Whomever He Loves

Sound Religion

Al-Taqiyyah, Guarding and Cautiousness

Silence and Restraint against Publicity

A Believer’s Signs and Qualities

The Rarity of Believers

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from certain persons of his people from Adam ibn Ishaq from ‘Abd al-Razzaq from ibn Mihran from al-Husayn ibn Maymun from Muhammad ibn Salim from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Certain people have spoken from this Holy Quran without knowledge. It is because Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “It is Allah Who has revealed the Book to you in which certain verses are clear statements (that accept no interpretation), and these are the fundamental ideas of the Book, while other verses may have several possibilities. Those whose hearts are perverse follow the unclear statements in pursuit of their own mischievous goals by interpreting them in a way that will suit their own purpose. No one knows its true interpretations except Allah, and those who have a firm grounding in knowledge say, ‘We believe in it. All its verses are from our Lord.’ No one can grasp this fact except the people of reason.” (3:7) ‘The suspended verses are of the unclear ones and the verses whose meaning can clearly be understood are of the suspending ones. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent Prophet Noah to his people who said to them, “Worship Allah, have fear of Him and obey me” (71:3). He then called them to Allah alone to worship Him only and not to take any partners for Him. Thereafter He sent the prophets until (their coming ended with) Muhammad (a.s.). He invited people to worship Allah only and not to take partners for Him. And He said, “He has plainly clarified the religion which is revealed to you and that which Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus were commanded to follow (He has explained it) so that you may remain steadfast and united in your religion. What you call the pagans to is extremely grave for them. Allah attracts (to the religion) whomever He wants and guides to it whoever turns to Him with repentance.” (42:13) ‘He sent the prophets to their people with the testimony that stated, “No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and that whatever every one (of the prophets) has brought is from Allah.” Those who sincerely accepted the faith and died with what they had accepted, Allah, through this will, admit them in paradise. Allah is not unjust to His servants, and Allah will not punish a servant unless he intensely sins such as committing murder or the sins for which Allah has made it clear that perpetrators thereof go to hell. When the believers of the people of each prophet followed them He gave them a system of laws and guidance. Al-Shari’a is a system, a path and tradition. Allah said to Prophet Muhammad, “(Muhammad), We have sent revelations to you just as were sent to Noah and the prophets who lived after him . . .” (4:163). Allah commanded every prophet to follow the path and the tradition. Of the traditions that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, commanded Moses to follow was al-Sabbath. Those who observed its greatness and did not violate it out of respect for Allah, Allah admitted them to paradise. Those who violated its sanctity and considered lawful what Allah had made unlawful and prohibited, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent them to hellfire for their making fishing lawful. They captured fish and ate them on Sabbath. Allah showed anger toward them even though they had not taken anyone as partners of the Beneficent or doubted the truth of what Moses had brought. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “You certainly knew about those among you who were transgressors on the Sabbath. We commanded them, ‘Become detested apes . . (2:65) Then Allah sent Jesus with the testimony that said, “No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and all that he (Jesus) had brought was from Allah.’’ He made for them a system of law and a path. He abolished the Sabbath for which they, before, were commanded to pay respect and the ways and traditions that Moses had brought. Whoever did not follow Jesus, Allah sent them to fire, although all that the prophets had said was that no one must be considered as a partner of Allah. Then He sent Prophet Muhammad and for the ten years that he lived in Makka everyone who testified to the fact that “No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is His messenger” Allah admitted him to paradise just because of his affirmation. It was belief and affirmation. Allah did not punish anyone of those who died following Muhammad in that matter except those who took partners for the Beneficent. Evidence of this is what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has revealed in Chapter 17 in Makka). “Your Lord has ordained that you must not worship anything other than Him and that you must be kind to your parents ... He is Well-aware and watches over His servants.” (17:30) ‘It (besides belief in Allah) is discipline, advice and education. It (law) is a light prohibition and there is no warning about it and there is no warning against violating what is prohibited. He has revealed prohibitions of certain matters without warning (for issues less serious than disbelief) saying: “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We will give sustenance to all of you. To kill them is certainly a great sin. (17:31) “Do not even approach adultery. It is indecent and an evil act. (17:32) “Do not kill a respectable soul without a just cause. If anyone is wrongfully killed, We have given the heirs of that person the right (to demand satisfaction or to forgive). He must not exceed the law in having vengeance; law shall also assist his victim. (17:33) “Do not get close to the property of the orphans (unless it is for a good reason) until they are mature and strong. Keep your promise; you will be questioned about it. (17:34) “While weighing, use proper measurements in the exchange of your property. This is fair and will be better in the end. (17:35) “Do not follow what you do not know; the ears, eyes, and hearts will all be held responsible for their deeds. (17:36) “Do not walk proudly on the earth; your feet cannot tear apart the earth nor are you as tall as the mountains (17:37). All such things are sins and detestable in the sight of your Lord. (17:38) “(Muhammad), these are words of wisdom, which your Lord has revealed to you. Do not consider anything equal to Allah lest you be thrown into hell, despised, and driven away from Allah’s mercy.” (17:39) ‘(About more serious issues) Allah has also said, “By the night when it covers the day. (92:1) I have warned you about the fierce blazing fire (14) in which no one will suffer forever (15) except the wicked ones who have rejected the (Truth) and have turned away from it.” (92:16) ‘This (the wicked) is a pagan and in Chapter 84 Allah has said, “But as for those whose Book of Records will be given behind their backs, (84:10) they will say, ‘Woe to us!’ (11). They will suffer the heat of hellfire (12). They lived among their people joyfully (13) and had thought that they would never be brought back to life again.” (84:14) ‘This (one rejecting the Day of Judgment) is a pagan and in Chapter 67 Allah has said, “Whenever a group is thrown into it (hell), its keepers will ask them, ‘Did no one come to warn you? (67:8) “They will say, ‘Yes, someone did come to warn us, but we rejected him saying, “Allah has revealed nothing. You are in great error.”’ (67:9) ‘These are pagans and in Chapter 56 Allah has said, “If he is of those who have rejected the Truth and have gone astray, (56:92) the dwelling (for him) will be (in) boiling water (93) and the heat of hellfire.” (94) ‘These also are pagans. In Chapter 69 Allah has said, “However, one who will receive the book of the records of his deeds in his left hand will say, ‘I wish that this record was never given to me (69:25) and that I never known what my records contained. (26) Would that death had taken me away for good. (27) My wealth has been of no benefit to me (28) ... he did not believe in Allah, the Great . . .’ (69:33) ‘This also is a pagan, and in Chapter 26 Allah has said, “. . . hell will be left open for the rebellious ones (26:91) who will be asked, ‘What did you worship (26:92) besides Allah? Will the idols help you? Can they help themselves? (26:93). The idol worshippers, the idols, the rebellious ones, (26:94) and the army of Satan will all be thrown headlong into hell.’” (26:95) The army of Satan and his descendents are of the devils (Shayatin) ‘Allah’s words, “Only the sinful ones made us go astray,” (26:99) refers to pagans whom they had followed in their pagan manners and they were of the people of Prophet Muhammad (a.s.) of whom no one was a Jew or a Christian. Evidence of this is the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in Chapter 38 verse 12, “The people of Noah then rejected our messengers.” “The dwellers of the forest also rejected the Messengers.” (26:176) “The people of Lot rejected the Messengers.” (26:160) ‘Among them there is no one of the Jews who considered ‘Uzayr as the son of Allah or of the Christians who considered Jesus as the son of Allah. Allah will send (such) Jews and Christians to fire as well as those who had acted similarly. It comes from their own word, “Only the sinful ones made us go astray,” (26:99) they invited us to their ways. ‘Evidence of this (more serious sins) is the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, about them on their being brought together in fire, “The last group will accuse the first saying, ‘Lord, they made us go astray. Therefore, double their torment in the Fire . . .’” (7:38) They will condemn and accuse each other. They argue in the hope of winning but there will be no winning, trial or acceptance of excuses and there will be no way to safety. Such verses and similar other ones were revealed in Makka. Allah does not send to fire anyone except the pagans. ‘When Allah granted Muhammad permission to leave Makka for Madina he spoke of Islam having five principles: ‘To testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah, that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger, that performing the prayer, paying al-Zakat (charity), Hajj of the House and fasting in the month of Ramadan are obligatory. That Allah sent to him judicial rules, and the rules for the distribution of inheritance, and informed him of the sins for which Allah has made it obligatory to punish in fire those who commit such sins. About the murder He has revealed, “The punishment for one who purposely slays a believer will be to live in hellfire forever. Allah is angry with him and has condemned him. He has prepared for him a great torment.” (4:93) ‘Allah does not condemn the believers. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Allah has condemned the unbelievers and prepared for them a burning torment (33:64) wherein they will live forever without being able to find any guardian or helper.” (33:65) ‘Committing murder does not come from His wish; His anger and condemnation apply to the murderer by sending him to fire. In the book he (murderer) is condemned. About the properties of the orphans that are consumed unjustly He has said, “Those who wrongfully consume the property of orphans are, in fact, consuming fire in their bellies and they will suffer the blazing fire.” (4: 10) ‘On the Day of Judgment, those who consume such properties unjustly will come when fire will be blazing in their bellies so much so that it will come out of their mouth. All the people in the gathering will learn that they are wrongful consumer of orphan’s properties. ‘About measurement for transactions He has said, “ Wayl , a place in hell, is for those who do not maintain proper measurement.” (83:2) He has not said that Wayl is for any kinds of people other than those whom He has called to be of those who reject the faith. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Wayl ’is for those who reject faith and belief. The unbelievers shall face a woeful condition on the great Day (of Judgment).” (19:37) ‘About the covenant Allah has said: “Those who sell their covenant with Allah and their promises for a small price will have no share in the life hereafter. Allah on the Day of Judgment will not speak to them nor will He look at them nor will He purify them. They will face a painful torment.” (3:77) ‘If someone will have no share on the Day of Judgment then by what means would he enter paradise? ‘The following was revealed in Madina. “No one should marry a (male) fornicator except a (female) fornicator or a pagan woman. No one should marry a (female) fornicator except a (male) fornicator or a pagan man. Such (marriage) is unlawful to the believers.” (24:3) ‘Allah has not called a male or female fornicator a believer. People of knowledge do not doubt what the Messenger of Allah has said to them: “At the time of committing fornication a male or female is not a believer, a thief, male or female is not a believer at the time of committing theft and if one does commit theft one is devoid of belief. It is like a shirt removed from one’s body.” The following verse of the Quran was revealed in Madina: “Those who accuse married women of committing adultery, but are not able to prove their accusation by producing four witness, must be flogged eighty lashes. Never accept their testimony thereafter; they are sinful, (24:4) except that of those who afterwards repent and reform themselves; Allah is All- forgiving and All-merciful.” (24:5) ‘Allah has not called an accuser a believer. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “Is a believer equal to an evildoer? They are not equal at all.” (32:18) ‘Allah had made him a hypocrite. As Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “The hypocrites indeed are evildoers.” (9:67) ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has made them of the friends of Satan as He has said, . . except lblis. He was a Jinn and he sinned against the command of his Lord. . . .” (18:50) ‘Allah called him ‘condemned’ in his words, “Those who slander the unaware but chaste and believing women (of committing unlawful carnal relations) are condemned in this life and in the life hereafter. They will suffer a great punishment (24:23) on the day when their tongues, hands and feet will testify to what they have done.” (24:24) ‘Parts of the body do not testify against a believer. They testify against those who have become subject to punishment. However, the believers will receive the book of their account in their right hand as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “. . . those whose records of deeds are given to their right hands will read the book and the least wrong will not be done to them.” (17:71) ‘Chapter 24 was revealed after Chapter 4. There is evidence for this in what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent down to him (Muhammad) in Chapter 4 as follows: “Agaisnt those of your women who commit fornication, let four (Muslim) witness testify to their act. If there is sufficient testimony, confine them to their homes until they die, or until Allah provides a way for their freedom.” (4:15) ‘The path is what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “This is a Chapter which We have revealed to you and made obligatory for you to following its guidance. We have revealed clear verses in it so that perhaps you may take heed. (24:1) “Flog the (female) fornicator and the (male) fornicator with a hundred lashes each. Let there be no reluctance in enforcing the laws of Allah, if you have faith in Allah and the Day of Judgment. Let it take place in the presence of a group of believers.”’” (24:2) 

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ فُضَيْلٍ عَنْ أَبِي الصَّبَّاحِ الْكِنَانِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قِيلَ لأمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مَنْ شَهِدَ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) كَانَ مُؤْمِناً قَالَ فَأَيْنَ فَرَائِضُ الله قَالَ وَسَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ كَانَ عَلِيٌّ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَوْ كَانَ الإيمَانُ كَلاماً لَمْ يَنْزِلْ فِيهِ صَوْمٌ وَلا صَلاةٌ وَلا حَلالٌ وَلا حَرَامٌ قَالَ وَقُلْتُ لأبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ عِنْدَنَا قَوْماً يَقُولُونَ إِذَا شَهِدَ أَنْ لا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) فَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ قَالَ فَلِمَ يُضْرَبُونَ الْحُدُودَ وَلِمَ تُقْطَعُ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلَقَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ خَلْقاً أَكْرَمَ عَلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ لأنَّ الْمَلائِكَةَ خُدَّامُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَنَّ جِوَارَ الله لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَنَّ الْجَنَّةَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَنَّ الْحُورَ الْعِينَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ثُمَّ قَالَ فَمَا بَالُ مَنْ جَحَدَ الْفَرَائِضَ كَانَ كَافِراً.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Isma’il from Muhammad ibn Fudayl from abu al-Sabbah al- Kinani from abu la’ far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) was asked, ‘Is one who testifies that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, a believer?’ The Imam said, ‘Wherefore, then, are the obligations toward Allah?’ “I (the narrator) heard the Imam saying, ‘Ali (a.s.) would say, “Had belief been just ‘asserted words’ nothing about fasting, prayer, lawful and unlawful matters would have been needed to come down (from heaven).”’ He has said, ‘I reported to abu Ja’far (a.s.) “We know a people who say that upon saying, ‘No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,’ one becomes a believer.” The Imam said, ‘Is it then that (there is no need) to apply any judicial rules to them, like the rules about theft? Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has not created any creature more honorable to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, than a believer. The angels serve the believers; they are near Allah, that paradise is for the believers; that spouses with large black eyes are for the believers.’ He then said, ‘Do they, who reject the obligations, know that they are unbelievers?”’ 

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ يُونُسَ عَنْ سَلامٍ الْجُعْفِيِّ قَالَ سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) عَنِ الإيمَانِ فَقَالَ الإيمَانُ أَنْ يُطَاعَ الله فَلا يُعْصَى. 

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Salam al-Ju’fly who has said the following: “Once I asked abu ‘Aabd Allah (a.s.) about belief. He said, ‘Belief is whereby Allah is obeyed and (with it) one does not commit sins.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 2

Book 1, Chapter 17