1ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ رِئَابٍ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الصَّبْرُ رَأْسُ الإيمَانِ.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from ibn abu Ya’fur from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is the head of belief.”

2ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنِ الْعَلاءِ بْنِ فُضَيْلٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الصَّبْرُ مِنَ الإيمَانِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ مِنَ الْجَسَدِ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ الرَّأْسُ ذَهَبَ الْجَسَدُ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا ذَهَبَ الصَّبْرُ ذَهَبَ الإيمَانُ.

2. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-‘Ala’ ibn Fudayl from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is to belief as the head is to the body. If the head is gone the body is also destroyed. So also, if patience is vanished belief also goes away and is no more.’”

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَعَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْقَاسَانِيِّ جَمِيعاً عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الأصْبَهَانِيِّ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ الْمِنْقَرِيِّ عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ غِيَاثٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَا حَفْصُ إِنَّ مَنْ صَبَرَ صَبَرَ قَلِيلاً وَإِنَّ مَنْ جَزِعَ جَزِعَ قَلِيلاً ثُمَّ قَالَ عَلَيْكَ بِالصَّبْرِ فِي جَمِيعِ أُمُورِكَ فَإِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) فَأَمَرَهُ بِالصَّبْرِ وَالرِّفْقِ فَقَالَ وَاصْبِرْ عَلى‏ ما يَقُولُونَ وَاهْجُرْهُمْ هَجْراً جَمِيلاً وَذَرْنِي وَالْمُكَذِّبِينَ أُولِي النَّعْمَةِ وَقَالَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ [ السَّيِّئَةَ ] فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَداوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ وَما يُلَقَّاها إِلا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَما يُلَقَّاها إِلا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ فَصَبَرَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) حَتَّى نَالُوهُ بِالْعَظَائِمِ وَرَمَوْهُ بِهَا فَضَاقَ صَدْرُهُ فَأَنْزَلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْهِ وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِما يَقُولُونَ فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُنْ مِنَ السَّاجِدِينَ ثُمَّ كَذَّبُوهُ وَرَمَوْهُ فَحَزِنَ لِذَلِكَ فَأَنْزَلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَدْ نَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُ لَيَحْزُنُكَ الَّذِي يَقُولُونَ فَإِنَّهُمْ لا يُكَذِّبُونَكَ وَلكِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بِ‏آياتِ الله يَجْحَدُونَ وَلَقَدْ كُذِّبَتْ رُسُلٌ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ فَصَبَرُوا عَلى‏ ما كُذِّبُوا وَأُوذُوا حَتَّى أَتاهُمْ نَصْرُنا فَأَلْزَمَ النَّبِيُّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) نَفْسَهُ الصَّبْرَ فَتَعَدَّوْا فَذَكَرَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى وَكَذَّبُوهُ فَقَالَ قَدْ صَبَرْتُ فِي نَفْسِي وَأَهْلِي وَعِرْضِي وَلا صَبْرَ لِي عَلَى ذِكْرِ إِلَهِي فَأَنْزَلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا السَّماواتِ وَالأرْضَ وَما بَيْنَهُما فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَما مَسَّنا مِنْ لُغُوبٍ فَاصْبِرْ عَلى‏ ما يَقُولُونَ فَصَبَرَ النَّبِيُّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) فِي جَمِيعِ أَحْوَالِهِ ثُمَّ بُشِّرَ فِي عِتْرَتِهِ بِالأئِمَّةِ وَوُصِفُوا بِالصَّبْرِ فَقَالَ جَلَّ ثَنَاؤُهُ وَجَعَلْنا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا وَكانُوا بِ‏آياتِنا يُوقِنُونَ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) الصَّبْرُ مِنَ الإيمَانِ كَالرَّأْسِ مِنَ الْجَسَدِ فَشَكَرَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَأَنْزَلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَتُ رَبِّكَ الْحُسْنى‏ عَلى‏ بَنِي إِسْرائِيلَ بِما صَبَرُوا وَدَمَّرْنا ما كانَ يَصْنَعُ فِرْعَوْنُ وَقَوْمُهُ وَما كانُوا يَعْرِشُونَ فَقَالَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) إِنَّهُ بُشْرَى وَانْتِقَامٌ فَأَبَاحَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَهُ قِتَالَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ فَأَنْزَلَ الله فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدْتُمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَاحْصُرُوهُمْ وَاقْعُدُوا لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ وَاقْتُلُوهُمْ حَيْثُ ثَقِفْتُمُوهُمْ فَقَتَلَهُمُ الله عَلَى يَدَيْ رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) وَأَحِبَّائِهِ وَجَعَلَ لَهُ ثَوَابَ صَبْرِهِ مَعَ مَا ادَّخَرَ لَهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ فَمَنْ صَبَرَ وَاحْتَسَبَ لَمْ يَخْرُجْ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى يُقِرَّ الله لَهُ عَيْنَهُ فِي أَعْدَائِهِ مَعَ مَا يَدَّخِرُ لَهُ فِي الآخِرَةِ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Asbahani from Sulayman ibn Dawud al- Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘O Hafs, whoever exercises patience does so only for a short time, and whoever expresses impatience, he does so only for a short time.’ “The Imam then said, ‘You must exercise patience in all of your affairs. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent Muhammad (a.s.) and commanded him to exercise patience and kindness and said, “Bear patiently whatever they say, do not yield to them and distance them gracefully (73:10). Leave the prosperous disbelievers to Me. . . .” (73:11) ‘Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has also said, “Virtue and evil are not equal. If you respond (to evil acts) by virtuous ones, you will certainly find that your enemies will become your intimate friends (41:34). Only those who exercise patience and who have been granted a great share of Allah’s favor can find such an opportunity.” (41:35) The Messenger of Allah exercised patience in suffering and hardships even when they (pagans) attacked him with bones (of large animals). He became very depressed, and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to him, “We certainly know that you feel sad about what they say against you (15:97). Glorify and praise your Lord and be with those who prostrate themselves before Allah.” (15:98) They (pagans) rejected his message and caused him physical suffering so he became depressed. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent him these words, “We certainly know that you (Muhammad) are sad about what they (the unbelievers) say. It is not you (alone) who has been accused of lying. The unjust have always rejected Allah’s revelations. (6:33) The Messengers who lived before you were also accused of lying, but they exercised patience. They were cruelly persecuted before We gave them victory. . . .” (6:34) The Holy Prophet held to patience firmly and they (pagans) spoke of Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, and called His words as lies. The Messenger of Allah said, “I remained patient about myself, my family and my honor, but I cannot remain quiet when they speak ill of my Lord.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to him these words, “We created the heavens, the earth and all that is between them in six days without experiencing any fatigue (50:38). (Muhammad), exercise patience against what they say. . . .” (50:39) The Holy Prophet thereafter exercised patience in all matters and then he was given the good news of Imamat (Divine Authority) given to his descendents who were described as (people) exercising patience. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “We appointed from them as A ’immah (leaders) for their exercising patience to guide the others to Our commands. They had firm belief in Our revelations.” (32:24) ‘Thereupon the Messenger of Allah said, “Patience is to belief as is the head to the body.” Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, appreciated this and He, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed these words: “Thus, the promises of your Lord to the children of Israel all came true because of the patience which they exercised. He destroyed all the establishments of the Pharaoh and his people.” (7:137) The Messenger of Allah said, “This is good news and compensation.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, then made it lawful for him to fight the pagans. Allah then revealed these words, “Slay the pagans wherever you find them. Capture, besiege and watch out for them. If they repent, perform prayers and pay the religious tax, set them free. Allah is Allforgiving and All-Merciful.” (9:5). “Then slay them for it is the recompense that the disbelievers deserve.” (2:191) ‘Allah caused them to be killed by the (forces) of the Messenger of Allah and his friends, and made it a reward for his exercising patience in addition to the rewards reserved for him in the next life. Whoever exercises patience nobly will not leave this world before Allah grants him delight to his heart in the matters of his enemies, in addition to the reward that is reserved for him in the next life.’”

4ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِ الله السَّرَّاجِ رَفَعَهُ إِلَى عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيهِما السَّلام) قَالَ الصَّبْرُ مِنَ الإيمَانِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ مِنَ الْجَسَدِ وَلا إِيمَانَ لِمَنْ لا صَبْرَ لَهُ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Muhammad ‘Abd Allah al-Sarraj who has narrated in a marfu’ manner from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is to belief as the head is to the body. One who does not have patience has no belief.’”

5ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ رِبْعِيِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ الله عَنْ فُضَيْلِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الصَّبْرُ مِنَ الإيمَانِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ مِنَ الْجَسَدِ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ الرَّأْسُ ذَهَبَ الْجَسَدُ كَذَلِكَ إِذَا ذَهَبَ الصَّبْرُ ذَهَبَ الإيمَانُ.

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Rib’ I ibn ‘Abd Allah from Fudayl ibn Yasar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is to belief as the head is to the body. When the head is no more so also is the body. Similarly, when patience is no more so also is belief.”’

6ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْحُرَّ حُرٌّ عَلَى جَمِيعِ أَحْوَالِهِ إِنْ نَابَتْهُ نَائِبَةٌ صَبَرَ لَهَا وَإِنْ تَدَاكَّتْ عَلَيْهِ الْمَصَائِبُ لَمْ تَكْسِرْهُ وَإِنْ أُسِرَ وَقُهِرَ وَاسْتُبْدِلَ بِالْيُسْرِ عُسْراً كَمَا كَانَ يُوسُفُ الصِّدِّيقُ الأمِينُ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) لَمْ يَضْرُرْ حُرِّيَّتَهُ أَنِ اسْتُعْبِدَ وَقُهِرَ وَأُسِرَ وَلَمْ تَضْرُرْهُ ظُلْمَةُ الْجُبِّ وَوَحْشَتُهُ وَمَا نَالَهُ أَنْ مَنَّ الله عَلَيْهِ فَجَعَلَ الْجَبَّارَ الْعَاتِيَ لَهُ عَبْداً بَعْدَ إِذْ كَانَ لَهُ مَالِكاً فَأَرْسَلَهُ وَرَحِمَ بِهِ أُمَّةً وَكَذَلِكَ الصَّبْرُ يُعَقِّبُ خَيْراً فَاصْبِرُوا وَوَطِّنُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ عَلَى الصَّبْرِ تُوجَرُوا.

6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘A free person is free in all conditions. Even if hardships strike him he exercises patience, if afflictions batter him he does not break down even if he is taken as a captive and is overpowered and his comfort and prosperity are changed into poverty and hardships, just as in the case of Yusuf (Joseph) the truthful and trustworthy one (may Allah grant him blessings), whose freedom remained unaffected even though he was enslaved, taken as a captive and overpowered. The darkness and loneliness of the well did not harm him, nor did all that he went through until Allah granted him favors. He made the insolent tyrant into a slave for him after his being his king. He set him free and made a whole nation to be kind to him. This is how patience yields goodness. You must exercise patience and settle your soul upon patience and you will, certainly, be rewarded.’”

7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ حُمْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الْجَنَّةُ مَحْفُوفَةٌ بِالْمَكَارِهِ وَالصَّبْرِ فَمَنْ صَبَرَ عَلَى الْمَكَارِهِ فِي الدُّنْيَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَجَهَنَّمُ مَحْفُوفَةٌ بِاللَّذَّاتِ وَالشَّهَوَاتِ فَمَنْ أَعْطَى نَفْسَهُ لَذَّتَهَا وَشَهْوَتَهَا دَخَلَ النَّارَ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd Allah ibn Bukayr from Hamza ibn Humran from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Paradise is kept behind layers of hardship and patience. Whoever exercises patience in hardship in the worldly life will go to paradise. Hell is placed behind enjoyments and desires. Whoever allows his soul to indulge in enjoyment and desires will go to hell.’”

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مَرْحُومٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَيَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي قَبْرِهِ كَانَتِ الصَّلاةُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَالزَّكَاةُ عَنْ يَسَارِهِ وَالْبِرُّ مُطِلٌّ عَلَيْهِ وَيَتَنَحَّى الصَّبْرُ نَاحِيَةً فَإِذَا دَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ الْمَلَكَانِ اللَّذَانِ يَلِيَانِ مُسَاءَلَتَهُ قَالَ الصَّبْرُ لِلصَّلاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ وَالْبِرِّ دُونَكُمْ صَاحِبَكُمْ فَإِنْ عَجَزْتُمْ عَنْهُ فَأَنَا دُونَهُ.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Marhum from abu Sayyar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When a believer is placed in his grave, prayer will be on his right al-Zakat (charity) on his left, and virtuous deeds will provide cover from above and patience will stay aside. When the two angels come to interrogate him, patience will say to the prayer, al-Zakat (charity) and virtuous deeds, ‘Help your friend. Were you to become helpless then I will take over.’”

9ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الأشْعَرِيِّ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ دَخَلَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) الْمَسْجِدَ فَإِذَا هُوَ بِرَجُلٍ عَلَى بَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ كَئِيبٍ حَزِينٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مَا لَكَ قَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أُصِبْتُ بِأَبِي [ وَأُمِّي ] وَأَخِي وَأَخْشَى أَنْ أَكُونَ قَدْ وَجِلْتُ فَقَالَ لَهُ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) عَلَيْكَ بِتَقْوَى الله وَالصَّبْرِ تَقْدَمْ عَلَيْهِ غَداً وَالصَّبْرُ فِي الأمُورِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ مِنَ الْجَسَدِ فَإِذَا فَارَقَ الرَّأْسُ الْجَسَدَ فَسَدَ الْجَسَدُ وَإِذَا فَارَقَ الصَّبْرُ الأمُورَ فَسَدَتِ الأمُورُ.

9. Ali has narrated from his father from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ari from ‘Abd Allah ibn Maymun from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) entered the Mosque and at the door of the Mosque he met a man who was depressed and sad. Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) asked him ‘What has happened to you?’ He said, ‘It is due to the death of my father, mother and brother. O Amir al- Mu’minin, I am afraid my gall bladder may have ruptured.’ Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) said, ‘You must be pious before Allah and exercise patience. Tomorrow (on the Day of Judgment) you will proceed to Him. Patience in the issues (in life) is like a head to a body. If the head departs the body is destroyed, likewise, in the issues (of life), if patience departs the issues, all affairs (of life) are destroyed.”’

10ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ لِي مَا حَبَسَكَ عَنِ الْحَجِّ قَالَ قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ وَقَعَ عَلَيَّ دَيْنٌ كَثِيرٌ وَذَهَبَ مَالِي وَدَيْنِيَ الَّذِي قَدْ لَزِمَنِي هُوَ أَعْظَمُ مِنْ ذَهَابِ مَالِي فَلَوْ لا أَنَّ رَجُلاً مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا أَخْرَجَنِي مَا قَدَرْتُ أَنْ أَخْرُجَ فَقَالَ لِي إِنْ تَصْبِرْ تُغْتَبَطْ وَإِلا تَصْبِرْ يُنْفِذِ الله مَقَادِيرَهُ رَاضِياً كُنْتَ أَمْ كَارِهاً.

10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sama’a ibn Mehran who has said the following: “Once abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said to me, ‘What is holding you back from performing Hajj?’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I am indebted a great deal and my properties are gone. It is my debt that is holding me down and is worse than the loss of my properties. If someone from our people does not help me out I will not be able to do it myself.’ The Imam said, ‘If you exercise patience you will be envied, otherwise Allah will execute his measures whether you agree or not.’”

11ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي الْجَارُودِ عَنِ الأصْبَغِ قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ الله عَلَيْهِ الصَّبْرُ صَبْرَانِ صَبْرٌ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ حَسَنٌ جَمِيلٌ وَأَحْسَنُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ الصَّبْرُ عِنْدَ مَا حَرَّمَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْكَ وَالذِّكْرُ ذِكْرَانِ ذِكْرُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ وَأَفْضَلُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ ذِكْرُ الله عِنْدَ مَا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكَ فَيَكُونُ حَاجِزاً.

11. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Sinan form abu al-Jarud from al-Asbagh who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘There are two kinds of patience: to exercise patience in hardship which is good and graceful, yet better than this is to exercise patience against the temptation of committing what Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has prohibited one from doing. There are two ways of speaking of Allah: to speak of Allah the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in suffering hardship, yet better than this is speaking of Allah (remembering Him) when facing temptation to commit what Allah has prohibited one from doing and one’s patience serves as a barrier.’”

12ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ الْكُوفِيِّ عَنِ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ عَنِ الْعَرْزَمِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) سَيَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لا يُنَالُ الْمُلْكُ فِيهِ إِلا بِالْقَتْلِ وَالتَّجَبُّرِ وَلا الْغِنَى إِلا بِالْغَصْبِ وَالْبُخْلِ وَلا الْمَحَبَّةُ إِلا بِاسْتِخْرَاجِ الدِّينِ وَاتِّبَاعِ الْهَوَى فَمَنْ أَدْرَكَ ذَلِكَ الزَّمَانَ فَصَبَرَ عَلَى الْفَقْرِ وَهُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْغِنَى وَصَبَرَ عَلَى الْبِغْضَةِ وَهُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْمَحَبَّةِ وَصَبَرَ عَلَى الذُّلِّ وَهُوَ يَقْدِرُ عَلَى الْعِزِّ آتَاهُ الله ثَوَابَ خَمْسِينَ صِدِّيقاً مِمَّنْ صَدَّقَ بِي.

12. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-kufl from al-‘ Abbas ibn ‘Amir from al-‘Arzami from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘A time will come upon people when kingdom can be achieved only by committing murders and tyranny. Wealth can only be achieved through usurpation and stinginess. Love and harmony can be established only by exclusion of religion and by following desires. Those living at such a time must exercise patience in poverty despite the accessability of wealth to them, be patient against the hatred of people toward them even though they can establish love and harmony. They must exercise patience in humiliation even though they can rise with respectable (position). To each one of such persons Allah will grant a reward equal to the reward for fifty truthful people of those who have acknowledged my message.’”

13ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ مِهْرَانَ عَنْ دُرُسْتَ بْنِ أَبِي مَنْصُورٍ عَنْ عِيسَى بْنِ بَشِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) لَمَّا حَضَرَتْ أَبِي عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ (عَلَيهِما السَّلام) الْوَفَاةُ ضَمَّنِي إِلَى صَدْرِهِ وَقَالَ يَا بُنَيَّ أُوصِيكَ بِمَا أَوْصَانِي بِهِ أَبِي حِينَ حَضَرَتْهُ الْوَفَاةُ وَبِمَا ذَكَرَ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ أَوْصَاهُ بِهِ يَا بُنَيَّ اصْبِرْ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَإِنْ كَانَ مُرّاً.

13. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn abu ‘Abd Allah from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Durust ibn abu Mansur from ‘Isa ibn Bashir from abu Hamza who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘When my father Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) was about to leave this world he held me against his chest and said, “My son, I recommend you with the same recommendation with which he (my father) advised me at the time that he was about to leave this world and with the recommendation that his father had made to him, O my son, hold to the truth with patience even if it is very bitter.”’”

14ـ عَنْهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ رَفَعَهُ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ الصَّبْرُ صَبْرَانِ صَبْرٌ عَلَى الْبَلاءِ حَسَنٌ جَمِيلٌ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّبْرَيْنِ الْوَرَعُ عَنِ الْمَحَارِمِ.

14. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from Yunus ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman who has narrated it in a marfu’ manner from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is of two kinds: to exercise patience in hardship, which is good and graceful, yet, the best of patience is that which is exercised to stop one from committing what Allah has prohibited.”’

15ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمٍ الطَّائِفِيُّ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ شِمْرٍ الْيَمَانِيُّ يَرْفَعُ الْحَدِيثَ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) الصَّبْرُ ثَلاثَةٌ صَبْرٌ عِنْدَ الْمُصِيبَةِ وَصَبْرٌ عَلَى الطَّاعَةِ وَصَبْرٌ عَنِ الْمَعْصِيَةِ فَمَنْ صَبَرَ عَلَى الْمُصِيبَةِ حَتَّى يَرُدَّهَا بِحُسْنِ عَزَائِهَا كَتَبَ الله لَهُ ثَلاثَمِائَةِ دَرَجَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَجَةِ إِلَى الدَّرَجَةِ كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الأرْضِ وَمَنْ صَبَرَ عَلَى الطَّاعَةِ كَتَبَ الله لَهُ سِتَّمِائَةِ دَرَجَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَجَةِ إِلَى الدَّرَجَةِ كَمَا بَيْنَ تُخُومِ الأرْضِ إِلَى الْعَرْشِ وَمَنْ صَبَرَ عَنِ الْمَعْصِيَةِ كَتَبَ الله لَهُ تِسْعَمِائَةِ دَرَجَةٍ مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَجَةِ إِلَى الدَّرَجَةِ كَمَا بَيْنَ تُخُومِ الأرْضِ إِلَى مُنْتَهَى الْعَرْشِ.

15. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa who has said that reported to me Yahya ibn Salim al-Ta’ifi who has said that informed me ‘Amr ibn Shamir al-Yamani in a marfu ’ manner from Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Patience is of three kinds: patience at the time of suffering hardship, patience in performing acts of obedience (worship) and patience to stop one from committing what Allah has prohibited. For one who exercises patience at the time of suffering hardship until one passes it by with grace and goodness Allah writes down three hundred degrees. Each is distant from the other as the sky and the earth. Whoever exercises patience in performing the acts of obeying (worshipping) Allah writes for him six hundred degrees. Each is apart from the other as the core of the earth to the Throne. Whoever exercises such patience that stops one from committing what Allah has prohibited, Allah writes for him nine hundred degrees. Each is apart from the other as is the core of the earth to the end of the Throne.’”

16ـ عَنْهُ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ يُونُسَ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ قَالَ أَمَرَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) أَنْ آتِيَ الْمُفَضَّلَ وَأُعَزِّيَهُ بِإِسْمَاعِيلَ وَقَالَ أَقْرِئِ الْمُفَضَّلَ السَّلامَ وَقُلْ لَهُ إِنَّا قَدْ أُصِبْنَا بِإِسْمَاعِيلَ فَصَبَرْنَا فَاصْبِرْ كَمَا صَبَرْنَا إِنَّا أَرَدْنَا أَمْراً وَأَرَادَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَمْراً فَسَلَّمْنَا لأمْرِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

16. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Yunus ibn Ya’qub who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ordered me to meet al-Muffadal and offer him condolences for Isma’il (son of the Imam), ‘Convey my greetings of peace to him and tell him that we have suffered the death of Isma’il but have exercised patience. You must also exercise patience as we have done. We wanted one thing but Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, decided that another thing happen, and we are submissive to the command of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

17ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ سَيْفِ بْنِ عَمِيرَةَ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ الثُّمَالِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مَنِ ابْتُلِيَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِبَلاءٍ فَصَبَرَ عَلَيْهِ كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ أَلْفِ شَهِيدٍ.

17. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from abu Hamza al-Thumali who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever among the believers exercises patience at the time of suffering hardship he will have a reward equal to the reward of a thousand martyrs.’”

18ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ مَرْوَانَ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَنْعَمَ عَلَى قَوْمٍ فَلَمْ يَشْكُرُوا فَصَارَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَبَالاً وَابْتَلَى قَوْماً بِالْمَصَائِبِ فَصَبَرُوا فَصَارَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ نِعْمَةً.

18. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Ammar ibn Marwan ibn Sama’a from abu ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, granted a favor to a people but they did not appreciate it and that favor turned against them in the form of a burden. He tried another nation with hardships and sufferings but these people exercised patience and the trouble turned into bounties for them.”’

19ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ شَاذَانَ جَمِيعاً عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ أَبِي مُسَافِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) فِي قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اصْبِرُوا وَصابِرُوا قَالَ اصْبِرُوا عَلَى الْمَصَائِبِ. وَفِي رِوَايَةِ ابْنِ أَبِي يَعْفُورٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ صَابِرُوا عَلَى الْمَصَائِبِ.

19. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Isma’il from Fadl ibn Shadhan all from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from Aban ibn abu Musafir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, have patience, help each other with patience. . . .,’ (3:200) the Imam has said, ‘It means to exercise patience in suffering hardship.’” In the narration of ibn abu Ya’fur from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) it says, “Exercise patience in suffering afflictions.”

20ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي جَمِيلَةَ عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَبِي جَمِيلَةَ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ قَالَ لَوْ لا أَنَّ الصَّبْرَ خُلِقَ قَبْلَ الْبَلاءِ لَتَفَطَّرَ الْمُؤْمِنُ كَمَا تَتَفَطَّرُ الْبَيْضَةُ عَلَى الصَّفَا.

20. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn Muhammad ibn abu Jamilah from his grad father abu Jamilah from certain individuals of his people from who have said: “The Imam said, ‘Had patience not been created before misfortune, it would have torn the believer into pieces like an egg hit against a rock.’”

21ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ وَعَبْدِ الله بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنِّي جَعَلْتُ الدُّنْيَا بَيْنَ عِبَادِي قَرْضاً فَمَنْ أَقْرَضَنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً أَعْطَيْتُهُ بِكُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ عَشْراً إِلَى سَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ وَمَا شِئْتُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَمَنْ لَمْ يُقْرِضْنِي مِنْهَا قَرْضاً فَأَخَذْتُ مِنْهُ شَيْئاً قَسْراً فَصَبَرَ أَعْطَيْتُهُ ثَلاثَ خِصَالٍ لَوْ أَعْطَيْتُ وَاحِدَةً مِنْهُنَّ مَلائِكَتِي لَرَضُوا بِهَا مِنِّي قَالَ ثُمَّ تَلا أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَوْلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ الَّذِينَ إِذا أَصابَتْهُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ قالُوا إِنَّا لله وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ راجِعُونَ أُولئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ صَلَواتٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ فَهَذِهِ وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْ ثَلاثِ خِصَالٍ وَرَحْمَةٌ اثْنَتَانِ وَأُولئِكَ هُمُ الْمُهْتَدُونَ ثَلاثٌ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) هَذَا لِمَنْ أَخَذَ الله مِنْهُ شَيْئاً قَسْراً.

21. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar and ‘Abd ibn Sinan from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘I have made the world a borrowing (place) for My servants. Whoever gives Me a loan I will return it ten times over up to seven hundred times over, and more if I so wish. Those who do not lend Me a loan I will take something forcibly from them. If they then exercise patience I will give three such rewards of which if I gave only one to My angels they would all become happy with Me.’ The narrator has said that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) recited the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy: ‘. . . those who when suffering hardship say, “We are the servants of Allah and to Him we shall all return,” (2:156) it is they who will receive blessing, [one of the three rewards], and mercy from Allah, [the second of the three rewards], and who have recieved the right guidance (2:157) [the third of the three rewards]. Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) then said, ‘This is when Allah takes something from one forcibly.’”

22ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ وَعَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْقَاسَانِيِّ عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ دَاوُدَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ آدَمَ عَنْ شَرِيكٍ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مُرُوَّةُ الصَّبْرِ فِي حَالِ الْحَاجَةِ وَالْفَاقَةِ وَالتَّعَفُّفِ وَالْغِنَى أَكْثَرُ مِنْ مُرُوَّةِ الإعْطَاءِ.

22. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani fro al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Sulayman ibn Dawud form Yahya ibn Adam from Sharik from Jabir ibn Yazid from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The courage to exercise patience in times of need and poverty with chastity and self-sufficiency is more than the courage needed to give charity.’”

23ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ النَّضْرِ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شِمْرٍ عَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَرْحَمُكَ الله مَا الصَّبْرُ الْجَمِيلُ قَالَ ذَلِكَ صَبْرٌ لَيْسَ فِيهِ شَكْوَى إِلَى النَّاسِ.

23. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Ahmad ibn al-Nadr from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “Once I said to abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah grant you favors, what is graceful patience?’ The Imam said, ‘That is the patience in which there is no complaint before the people.’”

24ـ حُمَيْدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَيَابَةَ عَنْ أَبِي النُّعْمَانِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله أَوْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ لا يُعِدَّ الصَّبْرَ لِنَوَائِبِ الدَّهْرِ يَعْجِزْ.

24. Hamid ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Sama’a from certain individuals of his people from Aban from ‘ Abd al-Rahman ibn Seyabah from abu al-Nu’man from abu ‘Abd Allah or abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘One who does not prepare himself in patience to face the hardships of life, will remain helpless.’”

25ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْوَشَّاءِ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّا صُبُرٌ وَشِيعَتُنَا أَصْبَرُ مِنَّا قُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ كَيْفَ صَارَ شِيعَتُكُمْ أَصْبَرَ مِنْكُمْ قَالَ لأنَّا نَصْبِرُ عَلَى مَا نَعْلَمُ وَشِيعَتُنَا يَصْبِرُونَ عَلَى مَا لا يَعْلَمُونَ.

25. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al-Washsha’ from certain individuals of his people from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘We are strong to exercise patience, and our (Shi’a) followers are stronger than we are.’ I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how have your followers become stronger than you are?’ The Imam said, ‘It is because we exercise patience in the matters that we already know, but our (Shi’a) followers exercise patience in matters of the reality of which they have no knowledge.’”