2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from ‘Abd Allah ibn Ghalib from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “It is worthwhile of a believer to have eight qualities: Dignity in volatile conditions, (b) patience on facing a misfortune, (c) gratitude in comfortable conditions, (d) contentment with what Allah has given him for sustenance, (e) justice for enemies, (f) not to be a burden for the friends, (g) that his own body be tired of him and that (h) people be comfortable with him.’ “Knowledge is the friend of the believer, forbearance is his secretary, patience is the commander of his army, courteousness is his brother and speaking softly is his father.”

3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from ibn Faddal from Mansur ibn Yunus from abu Hamza from Ali ibn al-Husayn who has said the following: “The believer remains silent for safety and speaks to benefit. He does not speak of his trust to the friends and does not withhold his testimony for the people of distant relationships. He does not do anything good to show off and does not ignore it due to bashfulness. If he cleanses himself he fears what they (people) say, and asks forgiveness for what they do not know. The words (in his praise) of those who do not know do not make him boastful and he is afraid of the sum of his deeds.”

4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from certain individuals who narrated to him in a marfu’ manner from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “The believer has power in religion. He is of solid determination but with soft words, his belief is in certainty, he has greed in deep understanding, is active in guidance, and virtuous in steadfastness. He has knowledge in forbearance, he is smart in friendliness, and generous in truth, modest in wealth, graceful in poverty, forgiving in power, and obedient to Allah in good advice. His desires are ending, he exsercizes restraint against desires, greed in Jihad (hard work for the cause of Allah), prayer in business, patience in hardships, dignity in volatile conditions, endurance in suffering, and gratefulness in comfortable conditions. He does not backbite or act boastfully, nor does he disregard maintaining good relations with relatives and neither is he neglectful. He is not harsh and stubborn. His eyes are not ahead of him and his stomach does not disgrace him, his private parts do not overpower him. He does not envy people; he measures but is not measured. He is not extravagant, he helps the oppressed, he has blessings for the destitute, his soul is tired of him and people receive comfort from him. He is not interested in worldly honor and does not complain because of worldly humiliation. People look forward to be closer to him but he is preoccupied with his own business. No defect is found in his judgment, no flaw is found in his opinion, and no failure takes place in his religion. He provides instruction for those who consult him and assists those who assist him. He shuns indecency and ignorance.”

5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from certain individuals of his people from in a marfu’ manner from one of them (abu Ja’far or Abu ‘Abdillah ) who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) once passed by a gathering of Quraysh where he found the people in white clothes, of clear complexion, frequently laughing and who pointed out their fingers to whoever passed (near) by. Then he passed by a gathering of al- Aws and Khazraj where he found people of worn out bodies, whose necks were thinning, their colors had turned pale and were very humble in their words. “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) wondered about his observation, he came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘May Allah keep my soul and the souls of my parents in service for your cause, I passed by a gathering of the tribe of so and so.’ He described them for the Holy Prophet. He then said, T also passed by a gathering of al- Aws and al-Khazraj.’ He described them for the Holy Prophet. He then said, ‘They all are believing people. O Messenger of Allah, describe for me the qualities of the believers.’ “The Messenger of Allah bent down his head for a while, then he raised his head and said, ‘There are twenty qualities in a believer without which his belief is not complete. Of the qualities of the believing people, O Ali, is their presence in prayer, quick payment of al-Zakat (charity), feeding the destitute, placing of their hand on the heads of the orphans (to comfort them), cleansing of their clothes, and their tying up their waist with covering. They are those who do not lie when speaking, do not disregard their promise, and do not violate their trust. They tell the truth when they speak up, at night they are monks and are lions during the day. During the days they fast and stand up for worship at night. They do not harm the neighbors and the neighbors do not experience any harm from them. They are those who walk on earth in humble manners, and their steps move to the homes of the widows (to help) and in the procession for funerals. May Allah make us of the pious ones.’”

6. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from al-Qasim ibn ‘Urwah from abu al-‘Abbas who has said that Abu ‘Abdillah has said the following: “Whoever enjoys a virtuous deed and is disgusted with a sin is a believer.”

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn (za)’lan from abu Ishaq al-Khurasani from ‘Amr ibn Jumay’ al-‘Abdi from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “Our Shi’a (followers) look pale, with parched (lips), slim and they receive the darkening night with sadness.”

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from a man from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “Our Shi’a (followers) are people of guidance, of piety, of goodness, of belief and people of victory and triumph.”

9. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn ‘Isma’il from Mansur Bazarj from Mufaddal who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah has said, ‘Beware of the thoughtless people. Shi’a (followers) of Ali are only those whose stomach and private parts are chaste, and are intensely involved in Jihad. They work for the sake of their Creator in the hope for His rewards and for fear of His punishment. If you see such people they are the Shi’a (followers) of Ja’far ibn Muhammad .’”

10. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab ibn abu Ya’fur from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “The Shi’a (followers) of Ali were of slim and lean bellies, and withered lips. They were people of compassion, knowledge, and forbearance. They were known as of monkish practice. You should assist each other in your cause with restraint from worldly attractions (sins) and be very hard working.”

11. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Safwan al-Jammal who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah has said, ‘Of believers are only those who even on becoming angry do not deviate from the truth and when they become happy it does not take them into falsehood and when in power they do not take more than what is for them.’”

12. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from ibn Muskan from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “Once abu Ja’far said to me, ‘O Sulayman, do you know who a Muslim is?’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, you know better. ’ The Imam said, ‘A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe.’ Then the Imam said, ‘Do you know who a believer is?’ I said, ‘You know better.’ The Imam said, ‘A believer is one who is an accepted trustworthy person among the Muslims in their properties and lives. It is unlawful for a Muslim to be unjust toward a Muslim, betray him or push him aside in his helplessness.’”

13. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al- Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu Ayyub from abu ‘Ubaydah from abu Ja’far who has said the following: “A believer is one whose agreement does not lead him into sin or falsehood. When he is angry it does not take him out of speaking the words of truth, when in power it does not lead him to cross over to where he has no right.”

14. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from abu al-Bakhtari in a marfu’ manner from the Imam who has said the following: ‘‘Believers are of serenity and soft words. They are easy to lead like the camel harnessed by the nose, who does not resist the leader who makes him sit even on a rock.”

15. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah Who has said the following: “Three things are of the signs of a believer: having knowledge of the existence of Allah, who to love and who dislike.”

16. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from the Messenger of Allah who has said the following: “A believer is like the tree whose leaves do not fall off in summer or in winter. They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what tree is it?’ He said, ‘It is the palm-tree.’”

17. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Muhammad ibn ‘Uramah from (abu) Ibrahim al-‘A’jami from certain individuals of our people from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “A believer is forbearing. He is not ignorant and if he is ignored he remains forbearing. He does not do injustice and if he is oppressed he forgives. He is not stingy, if stinginess is exercised against him he exercises patience.”

18. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Mundhar ibn Jayfar from Adam abu al-Husayn al- LuTu’i from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “A believer is one whose earning is pleasantly clean, whose moral behavior is excellent and whose conscience is not ill. He gives to charity the extra from his property and holds back the extra of his words. People do not feel threatened by his evil and he yields to justice for people against his own soul.”

19. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from al- Hassan ibn Ali from abu Kahmas from Sulayman ibn Khalid from abu Ja’far who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Do you want me to tell you about believers? He is one whose trustworthiness believers trust in matters of their lives and properties. Do you want me to tell you who a Muslim is? He is one from whose tongue and hands Muslims are safe. An immigrant is one who migrates from evils and desists from what Allah has prohibited. It is unlawful for believers to be unjust to a believer, betray him, backbite him or push him aside with a harmful push.’”

20. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar from abu Ayyub al-‘Attar from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far has said, ‘The Shi’a (followers) of Ali are only those who are forbearing, scholars, with parched lips and one can find signs similar to those of the monks on their faces.’”

21. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Sinan from Ma’ruf ibn Kharrabuz from abu Ja’far who has said the following: “Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) prayed the morning prayer with people in Iraq. After prayer he gave a speech on having fear of Allah. He wept and made people weep. He then said, ‘By Allah, I lived with a people, in the times of my beloved one, the Messenger of Allah, who were ragged, dusty and slim-bellied. Between their eyes it looked like the hooves of a goat. They spent the night in prostration and in standing position before their Lord, only resting on their feet or forehead. They whispered to their Lord to set their necks free from the fire and, by Allah, I saw them in such condition and they still were afraid and anxious (because of the next life).”’

22. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from al-Sindy ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn al-Salt from abu Hamza from Ali ibn al- Husayn who has said the following: “Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) prayed the morning prayer and remained in his place until the sun rose up to the length of a spear and then turned his face to people and said, ‘By Allah I lived in the times of a people who spent the night prostrating and standing before their Lord, changing positions only to rest on their knees or forehead, as if they could hear the roaring of fire in their ears. Were Allah mentioned they swerved like branches of trees in the wind, as if the people had spent the night totally neglectful (of worship).’ The narrator has said, ‘The Imam thereafter was never seen laughing until he passed away.’”

23. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Salih ibn al-Sindy from Ja’far ibn Bashir from al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah has said, ‘If you want to see my companions then look to those whose restraining from worldly attraction (sins) is intense, who fear their Creator in the hope for His rewards. If you find such people they are my companions.’”

24. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn al-Hassan ibn Shammun from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al- Ash’ath from ‘Abd Allah ibn Hammad al-Ansari from ‘Amr ibn abu al-Miqdam from his father from abu Ja’far who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) has said, ‘Our Shi’a (followers) spend for (the cause of) our Walayah (Divine Authority), love each other for the sake of our love, and visit each other to preserve our cause. They are those who do not commit injustice when angered, and are not excessive when they agree. They are blessings for the neighbors and peace for those who associate with them.’”

25. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Isa al-Nahriri from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comes to know Allah and realizes His greatness does not allow his mouth to speak or his stomach to eat. He engages his soul in fasting and standing for prayer until it is clean and exhausted.’ They then said, ‘May Allah keep the souls of our parents in service for your cause, O Messenger of Allah, is it not that such people are close friends of Allah?’ The Messenger of Allah then said, ‘The close friends of Allah kept silent and it was considered speaking of Allah, they looked and it served as a good lesson, they spoke and it was wisdom, they walked and that was blessings among the people. Had it not been for the appointed time of their life span that was written down for them, their spirit would not have remained in their bodies for fear of torment and the desire for rewards.’”

26. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from certain individuals of his people from the people of Iraq in a marfu’ manner who has said the following: “Al-Hassan ibn Ali once addressed the people saying, ‘I like to tell you about one of my friends who was the greatest in my sight. The head of what was the greatest in my sight about him was the worthlessness of the world in his sight. He was free of the control of his stomach, thus, he did not have any appetite for what he could not find; he, however, would not accede when he did find it. He was out of the control of his private parts and it would not weigh his reason and opinion lightly. He was out of the control of ignorance, thus, he would not extend his hands unless he was confident of its benefits. He did not desire, become angry, or disappointed. Most of the time he remained silent, and when he spoke, he surpassed the speakers. He did not enter in arguments or take part in claims. He would not testify without the presence of a judge. He was not unaware of his brothers (in belief) and did not appropriate anything for himself without them. He was the weakest of the weak people but in serious matters he acted as an advancing lion. He did not blame anyone without a good cause. He would do what he said, and would not say what he would not do. When he became attracted to two things that he did not know which is better he would ignore that which he desired most. He would not complain for any pain before anyone unless he had known that one had a cure for it and would not consult anyone unless he had hope for good advice from him. He did not become frustrated, angered, and did not complain, desire, revenge and did not remain neglectful of his enemies. Therefore, you must acquire such noble moral behaviors if you can. You must acquire the little if you cannot bear the whole. There is no means and power without Allah.”’

27. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Mihzam and certain individuals of our people from Muhammad ibn Ali from Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Kahili and Abu Ali al-Ash’ari from al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Kufi from al- ‘Abbas ibn ‘Amir from Rabi’ ibn Muhammad all from Mehzam al-Asadi who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the believers they respect and honor them. When they meet the ignorant they distance themselves from him.’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how should I deal with these pretending Shi’as?’ The Imam said, ‘With them there are cases of distinguishing, changes and filtrations. Certain years destroy them, plagues kill them, and schisms disintegrate them. Our Shi’a (followers) do not do the barking of a dog or the craving of a crow, do not ask our enemies for help even if he may die of hunger.’ The narrator has said that 1 then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, where can I find them?’ The Imam said, ‘You may find them around the world. The standard of living of our Shi’a (followers) is low and their homes are transient. Although present in a place, they are not noticeable, in their absence they are not missed, of death they are not frightened, on the graves they visit each other and on being asked for help they show kindness. Their hearts do not have differences even if their homes might be different.’ The Imam then said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “I am a city and Ali is the door. One who thinks he can enter the city but not through the door is a liar, so also is one who thinks he loves me but he hates Ali .’”

28. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama’a ibn Mehran from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “Whoever in his dealing with people does not do injustice to them, in his speaking does not lie to them and in his promise does not fail to keep it is among those whose backbiting is unlawful, whose kindness is complete, whose justice has become public and it is necessary to establish brotherly relations with him.”

29. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Faddal from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from abu Hamza al-Thumali from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Hassan from his mother, Fatimah bint al-Husayn ibn Ali who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three qualities, the quality of his belief is complete: if he is happy it does not lead him to falsehood, his anger does not lead him out of the truth and when in power does not take hold of what is not rightfully his.’”

30. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Qasim from abu Basir from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) has said, ‘Religious people have certain signs by means of which they are recognized. Of such signs are truthfulness in their words, safekeeping of trust, steadfastness in their promise, maintaining good relations with relatives, kindness to weak ones, smaller degree of expectation from women, [or he said, yield to them in smaller degrees], excellence in moral behavior, vastness of moral discipline, following knowledge and that which leads closer to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with distinction. Tuba’ is for them and the good ending. ‘Tuba’ is a tree in paradise that has its roots in the house of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad . ‘Which quality is more graceful for a man?’ The Imam said. There will be no believer with a home without a branch of that tree. No desire will emerge in their heart but that the branch will provide. A horseman may run under its shadow for a hundred years and the shadow will not end. A crow (with the longest life span in birds) may fly from its trunk upward but before reaching the top of the tree will drop death due to old age. Therefore, you must develop an interest in this. Believers are busy with themselves and people are comfortable with them. When the night grows dark they fix their faces on earth in prostration before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with the noblest parts of their body. They whisper to the the One Who has created them, about setting free of their necks from fire and as such you must also become.’”

31. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from Sulayman ibn ‘Amr al-Nakha’i who has said that narrated to him al-Husayn ibn Sayf from his brother Ali from Sulayman from those who he mentioned (in his book) from abu Ja’far who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet was asked about the best ones among the servants (of Allah). The Holy Prophet said, ‘They are those who enjoy doing good deeds, and ask forgiveness when they do bad deeds, thank when they are favored, exercise patience when they suffer and forgive when they are subjected to anger.’”

32. Through the same chain of narrators it is narrated from abu Ja’far who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The best among you are those who possess al-Nuha’.’ He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are possessors of al-Nuha’?’ He then said, ‘They are those who possess excellent moral discipline and a heavy power of reason, maintain good relations with relatives, who are kind to mothers and fathers, committed to help the poor, neighbors, orphans, who serve food (to the needy), who spread peace in the world and who pray when people sleep negligently.’”

33. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from al-Haytham al-Nahdi from ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn ‘Umar from certain individuals of his people from Yahya ibn ‘Imran al-Halabi who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah ‘Which quality is more graceful for a man?’ The Imam said, ‘Of such qualities are: reverence that is not a cause for any fear, magnanimity without expecting any recompense, and business, but not in worldly matters.’”

34. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from abu Wallad al-Hannat from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn has said, ‘Signs of perfect religion of a Muslim are his restraining from speaking things that do not concern him, his reduced disagreement, his forbearance, patience and his excellent moral behavior.’”

35. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from Muhammad ibn ‘Arafah from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet once asked, ‘Do you want me to tell you who is more similar to me? They replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘It is he whose moral behavior is most excellent, whose sheltering for protection is most gentle, who is most virtuous toward his relatives, of the most intense love for his brothers in religion, who bears the most patience for the truth, who suppresses his anger the most, whose forgiveness is most graceful and whose yielding to justice is most strict in both relaxed and irritated conditions.’”

36. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Malik ibn ‘Atiyyah from abu Hamza from Ali ibn al-Husayn who has said the following: “It is of the moral behavior of believers to spend proportionately to their standard of living, raise such standards to what is possible, fairness to people and initiation in offering the greeting of peace.”

37. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Zurara from abu Ja’far who has said the following: “A believer is stronger than a mountain. A mountain loses its parts but no loss takes place in the religion of a believer.”

38. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Salih ibn Sindy from Ja’far ibn Bashir from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from Abu ‘Abdillah who has said the following: “A believer is of valuable assistance, of very light expenses, of excellent plans for living and does not allow to be bitten twice from the same opening.”

39. Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Bandar has narrated from Ibrahim ibn Ishaq from Sahl ibn al-Harith from al-Dalhath servant of al-Rida who has said the following: “I heard al-Rida saying, ‘A believer cannot become a believer unless he has three qualities: one tradition from his Lord, one from His Holy Prophet and one from His Waliyy (one who possess Divine Authority). The tradition from his Lord is to hide his secret as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘He knows the unseen and He does not allow anyone to know His secrets except those of His Messengers whom He chooses.’ (72:26) The tradition from the Holy Prophet is to show kindness to people. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, commanded His Holy Prophet to be kind to people saying, ‘Be forgiving, preach the truth, . . .’ (7:199) The tradition from His Waliyy is to exercise patience in harsh and difficult conditions.’”