The Severity of a Believer’s Afflictions

The Exclusive Honors that Allah has Reserved for the Believers

The bond that Allah has set amongst the believers

The Rights of a Believer on a Fellow Believer.

The Reward of Helping a Believer, Relieving Him of Distress And Showing Him Kindness

Visiting a Believer Socially and When He is Ill

The Reward of one who Feeds a Believer, Quenches his Thirst, Clothes him or Pays off his Debt

What Allah (azwj) has Forbidden a Believer to do Against a Fellow Believer

51- عن زرارة قال: سئل أبو عبد الله (ع) وأنا جالس عنده عن قول الله تعالى﴿ من جاء بِالْحسنَة فَلَه عشْر امثَالها ومن جاء بِالسيِىة فَلا يجزى الا مثْلَها وهم لا يظْلَمونَ ( أيجرى لهؤلاء ممن لا يعرف منهم هذا الأمر؟ قال: .إنما ه للمؤمنين خاصة

51. Zurarah narrated: I was seated in the presence of Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) when he was asked concerning the words of Allah [M.G]: Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it… [Holy Quran 6/160], 'Does it apply to those whom do not confess of this affair (of Wilayah)?’'It is exclusively for believers,' he replied.

52 - عن يعقوب بن شعيب قال: سمعته يقول ليس لأحدٍ على الله ثواب على عمل إلا للمؤمنين

52. Ya'qub ibn Shu'aib reports: I heard him (Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) saying: Allah has not taken it on Himself to reward anyone for good deeds except the believers.

53 - وعن أبي عبد الله (ع) قال: إذا أحسن العبدُ المؤمن ضاعف الله له عملَه لكل عمل سبعمائة ضعف وذلك قول الله (جل جلاله) ﴿مثَل الَّذِين ينفقُونَ اموالَهم في سبِيل الله كمثَل حبة انبتَت سبع سنَابِل فى كل سنبلَة مىةُ حبة والله يضاعف لمن يشَاء والله .﴾ واسع عليم

53. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: When a believing servant does good, Allah multiplies for him his deed - for every deed seven hundred times; and that is the meaning of Allah's words: And Allah multiplies for whom He pleases. [Holy Quran 2/261]

54 - وعن أبي عبد الله(ع) قال إنّ المؤمن ليزهَرُ نورُه لأهل السماء كما تزهر نجوم السماء لأهل الأرض. وقال: إن المؤمن وليّ الله يُعينه ويصنع له ولا يقول على الله إلاّ الحق ولا يخاف غيرَه. وقال: إن المؤمنَينِ ليلتَقيان فيتصافحانِ، فلا يزالُ الله عليهما مُقبلاً بوجهِه، والذنوبُ تتحاتُّ عن وجوههما حتى يفترقا.

54. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: A believer's light shines for the inhabitants of the heavens like stars shining for the inhabitants of the earth.He also said: A believer is a friend of Allah; he helps Him and works for Him and he does not say concerning Allah anything but the truth; and he does not fear anyone other than Him. He also said: When two believers meet and shake hands, Allah does not cease looking at them and their sins continue to fall off them until they part.

55 - وعن أبي جعفر (ع) قال: إنّ الله(جل جلاله) لا يوصف ،وكيف يوصف وقد قال الله (جل جلاله): ﴿وما قَدَرواْ اله حق قَدْرِه ﴾ فلا يوصف بقدر إلا كان أعظم من ذلك، وإنّ النب) ص) لا يوصف. وكيف يوصف عبدٌ رفعه اله (جل جلاله) إليه وقربه منه وجعل طاعتَه ف الأرض كطاعته فقال (جل جلاله): ﴿وما آتَاكم الرسول فَخُذُوه وما نَهاكم عنْه فَانتَهوا ﴾ ومن أطاع هذا فقد أطاعن ،ومن عصاه فقد عصان وفوض إليه؟ وإنّا لا نوصف، وكيف يوصف قوم رفع اله عنهم الرجس؟ ‐ وهو الشّرك ‐ والمؤمن لا يوصف، وإنّ المؤمن ليلق أخاه فيصافحه، فلا يزال اله (جل جلاله) ينظر.إليهما، والذنوب تتحات عن وجوههما كما يتحات الورق عن الشجرة

55. It has been related that Abu Ja'far (a.s) said: Allah is beyond description, and how can He be described while He has said, 'And they did not estimate Allah with the estimation that is due to Him. [Holy Quran 6/91]' Thus, He is greater than any description said to Him. The Prophet (a.s) is also beyond description; how can such a servant be described while Allah [M.G] has elevated and drawn him near to Himself making obedience to him on this earth like obedience to Himself! Thus, Allah [M.G] has said, 'Whatever the Messenger gives you, accept it; and from whatever he forbids you, keep back [Holy Quran 59/7]' i.e. whoever has obeyed this (Prophet) has in fact obeyed Me and whoever has disobeyed him has disobeyed Me? We, too, are beyond description; for how can those from whom Allah has removed impurity, which is polytheism, be described? The believer is also beyond description. When a believer meets his brother in faith and shakes hands with him, Allah continues to gaze at them whilst sins fall off them like leaves falling off a tree

56- عن مالك الجهن قال: دخلت عل أب جعفر (ع)، وقد حدثت نفس بأشياء، فقال لي يا مالك! أحسن الظن باله ولا تظن أنك مفرطٌ ف أمرك. يا مالك! إنّه لا تقدر عل صفة رسول اله (ص) وكذلك لا تقدر عل صفتنا وكذلك لا تقدر عل صفة المؤمن. يا مالك! إنّ المؤمن يلق أخاه فيصافحه، فلا يزال اله (جل جلاله) ينظر إلَيهما، والذنوب تتحات عن وجوههما حت يفترقا وليس عليهما من الذنوب ش ،فيف تقدر عل صفة من هو هذا؟

56. It has been related that Malik al-Juhni said: I visited Abu Ja'far (a.s) with some thoughts in my mind. He preempted me saying: O Malik! Have a good opinion of Allah and do not imagine that you are excessive in your affair (of following the Ahl al-Bayt). O Malik, it is beyond your capacity to describe the Messenger of Allah (a.s) and similarly you cannot describe us and similarly you cannot describe a believer. O Malik, when a believer meets his brother (in faith) and shakes his hand, Allah does not stop gazing at them; and sins continue to fall off them until they part without any sins on them. How then can you possibly describe one who is (of) such (greatness before Allah)?

57- وعن أب عبد اله (ع) قال: إذا التق المؤمنانِ كان بينهما مائة رحمة؛ تسع وتسعون لأشَدّهما حباً لصاحبه

57. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: When two believers meet, one hundred mercies are showered between them—ninety nine of these go to the one who loves the other more.

58- عن أب عبيدة قال: زاملت أبا جعفر (ع) إل مة، فإن إذا نزل صافحن واذا ركب صافحن ،فقلت: جعلت ‐  فداك، كأنك ترى ف هذا شيئاً؟ فقال: نَعم، إن المؤمن إذا لق أخاه فصافحه تفرقا من غير ذنب

58. It has been reported that Abu 'Ubaydah said: I accompanied Abu Ja'far (a.s) to Makkah, and whenever he broke his journey, he shook hands with me; and when he commenced, he shook hands with me. So, I said to him, 'May I be ransomed for you! Perhaps you do this for a reason?' 'Indeed,' he replied, 'Whenever a believer meets his brother (in faith) and shakes hands with him, they are absolved of sins.'

59- وعن أب عبد اله (ع) قال: فما لا تقدر الخلائق عل كنه صفة اله (جل جلاله)، فذلك لا تقدر عل كنه صفة رسولِ اله (ص)، وكما لا تقدر عل كنه صفة الرسول (ص)، كذلك لا تقدر عل كنه صفة الإمام ،وكما لا تقدر عل كنه صفة الإمام كذلك لا يقدرون عل كنه صفة المؤمن

59. It has been narrated that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Just as people are not able to describe the real essence of Allah [M.G], similarly they cannot describe the true nature of the Messenger of Allah (a.s); and just as they are unable to describe the true nature of the Messenger of Allah (a.s), similarly they cannot possibly grasp the essential being of an Imam; and just as they cannot possibly grasp the essential being of an Imam, similarly they can never understand the true nature of a believer

60- عن صفوان الجمال قال: سمعته يقول  ما التَق مؤمنانِ قطّ فتصافحا إلا كان أفضلُهما إيماناً أشدَّهما حباًلصاحبِه. وما التق مؤمنان قطُّ فتصافحا وذكرااله فيفترقا حت يغفر اله لهما إن شاء اله

60. It has been related that Safwan al-Jammal said: I heard him (al-Sadiq (a.s)) saying: Whenever two believers meet and shake hands, the more faithful of them would be the one who loved the other more. And no two believers ever met, shook hands, remembered Allah and then parted except that Allah forgave them.

61- وعن أب عبد اله (ع) قال: نزل جبرئيل عل النب (ص) فقال يا محمد، إنّ ربك يقول: من أهان عبدي المؤمن فقد استقبلن بالمحاربة. وما تقرب إل عبدي المؤمن بمثل أداء الفرائض، وإنه ليتنفل ل حت أحبه، فإذا أحببته كنت سمعه الذي يسمع به وبصره الذي يبصر به ويدَه الت يبطش بها ورجلَه الت يمش بها. وما ترددت ف ش أنا فاعله كترددي ف موتِ عبدي المؤمن؛ يره الموت وأنا أكره مساءته. وإنّ من المؤمنين من لا يسعه إلا الفقر، ولو حولتُه إل الغن كان شراً له، ومنهم من لا يسعه إلا الغن ولو حولتُه إل الفَقر لان شراً له. وإنّ عبدي ليسألُن قَضاء الحاجة، فأمنعه إياها لما هو خير له

61. It has been related that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Archangel Gabriel descended to the Prophet (a.s) and said: O Muhammad! Your Lord says: One who humiliates My believing servant confronts Me with war. My believing servant has never drawn closer to Me with anything better than fulfilling the obligatory acts; and indeed, he performs the supererogatory acts for Me until I love him. So, when I love him, I become his ears that he hears with, his eyes that he sees with, his hands that he grasps with and his legs that he walks with. There is nothing I hesitate in doing like in taking the life of My believing servant. He dislikes death and I dislike causing him pain. Yet amongst the believers there are some who will not be well except by destitution and if I were to surround them with wealth, it would be evil for them; and amongst them are some who are not well except in affluence and if I were to surround them with poverty, it would be evil for them. Sometimes, My servant asks Me to fulfill a need (he has), but I deny him because of what is best for him.

62- وعن أبي جعفر (ع) قال: قال اله (جل جلاله) من أهان ل ولياً فقد أرصد لمحاربت .وما تقرب إل عبدٌ بمثل ما افترضت عليه، وإنّه ليتقرب إلي بالنافلة حتى أحبه، فإذا أحببتُه كنت سمعه الذي يسمع به وبصره الذي يبصر به ويدَه التي يبطش بها ورِجلَه التي يمشي بها، إن دعاني أجبتُه وإن سألن أعطيتُه. وما ترددت في شيء أنا فاعلُه كترددي في موت المؤمن؛ يكره الموت وأنا أكره.مساءته

62. It has been related that Abu Ja'far (a.s): Allah [M.G] has said: One who humiliates My friend has prepared for a battle with Me. And a servant has never drawn close to Me with anything better than what I have made obligatory on him; and indeed, he draws closer to Me with supererogatory actions until I love him. And when I love him, I become his ears that he hears with, his eyes that he sees with, his hands that he grasps with and his legs that he walks with. If he calls upon Me, I answer him; and if He asks from Me, I grant him. There is nothing I hesitate in doing like in taking the life of a believer. He dislikes death and I dislike causing him pain.

63- عن أب عبد اله (ع) قال: يقول اله (جل جلاله) من أهان ل ولياً فقد أرصد لمحاربت ،وأنا أسرع ش ف نُصرة أوليائ ،وما ترددت ف ش أنا فاعلُه كترددي ف موتِ عبدي المؤمن إن لاحب لقاءه فيره الموت فأصرفه عنه، وإنّه ليسألُن فاعطيه، وإنّه ليدعون فاجيبه، ولو لم .ين ف الدّنيا إلا عبدٌ مؤمن لاستَغنَيت به عن جميع خلق ولجعلت له من إيمانه أنساً لا يستوحش إل أحدٍ

63. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Allah [M.G] says: One who humiliates My friend has set out to fight Me; and I am the swiftest in coming to My friends' aid. I do not hesitate in doing anything except in taking the life of My believing servant. I would love to meet him but he dislikes death; so, I avert it from him (for a while). He asks Me and I give him; he calls upon Me and I answer him. And if in this world there was none but one believing servant, he would suffice Me in place of all My other creation and I would make for him his faith a companion so that he would never need the company of others.

64-وعن أبي جعفر (ع) قال لو كانت ذنوب المؤمن مثل رمل عالج ومثل زبد البحر لغفرها اله له، فلا تجتروا

64. It has been reported that Abu Ja'far (a.s) said: If the sins of a believer were as much as the sand in the desert or the froth of the sea, Allah would forgive them all; but do not become bold (in sinning, mistaking His Mercy for weakness).

وعن أبي عبد الله (ع) قال توفّ المؤمن مغفوراً له ذنوبه. ثم قال: و الله جميعا

65. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: A believer dies with his sins forgiven; by Allah, all of them.

66-وعن أبي الصامت قال: دخلت على أبي عبد الله (ع)، فقال يا أبا الصامت، أبشر ثم أبشر ثم أبشر ثم قال ل :يا أبا الصامت، إن الله (جل جلاله) يغفر للمؤمن وإنْ جاء بمثل ذا ومثل ذا (وأوم إل القباب قلت: .وإن جاء بمثل تلك القباب، فقال:) إي والله، ولو كان بمثل تلك القباب، إي واله

66. It has been related that Abu al-Samit said: I visited Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) and he said (to me), 'O Abu al-Samit, glad tidings, glad tidings again, and again glad tidings.' Then he said to me, 'O Abu al-Samit, most surely Allah forgives a believer even if he were to come (to Him) with sins like this and like that' and he pointed to the domes. 'Even if he were to come with sins of a magnitude like those domes?' I asked. 'Indeed, by Allah, even if it were like those domes, indeed, by Allah,' he repeated twice.”

67 - وعن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: قلت بمكة له: إن لي حاجة، فقال: تلقاني بمكة، فلقيته، فقلت: يا بن رسول الله إن لي حاجة؟ فقال: تلقاني بمنى،فلقيته بمنى، فقلت: يا بن رسول الله إن لي حاجة، فقال: هات حاجتك فقلت: يا بن رسول الله إني كنت أذنبت ذنبا فيما بيني وبين الله عز وجل، لم يطلع عليه أحد، و اجلك أن أستقبلك به، فقال: إذا كان يوم القيامة تجلى الله عز وجل لعبده المؤمن فيوقفه على ذنوبه ذنبا ذنبا، ثم يغفرها له، لا يطلع على ذلك ملك مقرب، ولا نبي مرسل. وفي حديث آخر: ويستر عليه من ذنوبه ما يكره أن يوقفه عليه، ثم يقول لسيئاته كوني حسنات، وذلك قول الله عز وجل: " فأولئك - الذين - يبدل الله سيئاتهم حسنات ".

67. It has been reported that a companion said: I met Abu Ja'far (a.s) and said to him, 'I have a request.' He answered, 'Meet me in Makkah.' So, I met him there and said, 'Son of Allah's Messenger, I have a request?' 'Meet me in Mina,' he replied. So, I met him in Mina and said, 'Son of Allah's Messenger, I have a request.' 'Tell me of your request', he said. 'Son of Allah's Messenger, I have committed a sin that is only between me and Allah. No one else knows of it. And I hold you in too high an esteem to reveal it before you.' 'On the Day of Resurrection', Abu Ja'far (a.s) responded, 'Allah will manifest (His Presence) to His believing servant and recount for him his sins one by one. Then He will pardon them for him. None shall know of this, neither an archangel nor a prophet ever sent.' According to another tradition, the Imam continued, 'And He will conceal for him his sins that he hates to see revealed. Then He shall say to his sins: Transform to good deeds! And that is the meaning of the words of Allah: '… So, these are they of whom Allah changes their evil deeds to good ones. [Holy Quran 25/70]'

68 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام: إن الكافر ليدعو [في حاجته] 6 فيقول الله عز وجل: عجلوا حاجته بغضا لصوته. وإن المؤمن ليدعو في حاجته، فيقول الله عز وجل: أخروا حاجته شوقا إلى صوته، فإذا كان يوم القيامة قال الله عز وجل: دعوتني في كذا وكذا فأخرت إجابتك وثوابك كذا وكذا، قال: فيتمنى المؤمن أنه لم يستجب له دعوة في الدنيا فيما يرى من حسن الثواب.

68. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: A disbeliever calls out (for his needs) and Allah says, 'Hasten his wish to him,' out of aversion for his voice. And a believer supplicates for his needs and Allah says, 'Delay his wish,' out of a longing for his voice. So, on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will say (to the believer), 'You asked Me for such-and-such and I delayed answering you; so, your reward (for the delay) is such-and-such.' A believer will at that time wish any of his supplications had been never answered in the world when he sees how excellent the reward is.

69 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن المؤمن إذا دعا الله عز وجل أجابه - فشخص بصري نحوه إعجابا بها - قال، فقال: إن الله واسع لخلقه.

69. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Indeed, when a believer calls upon Allah, He replies him. (The reporter) said: I stared at him in amazement. Then the Imam (a.s) said: Indeed, Allah bestows amply on His creatures.

70 - وعن ابن أبي البلاد، عن أبيه، عن بعض أهل العلم قال: إذا مات المؤمن صعد ملكاه، فقالا: يا رب مات فلان، فيقول: انزلا، فصليا عليه عند قبره وهللاني وكبراني إلى يوم القيامة، واكتبا ما تعملان له.

70. It has been reported that Abu al-Bilad from his father, from one of the scholars that he said: When a believer dies, his two angels ascend (to the heavens) and say, 'O Lord, so-and-so has passed away.' So He (Allah) says (to them), 'Descend and pray besides his grave, magnifying and glorifying Me until the Day of Resurrection, and record your actions for him (as his reward).'

71 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن المؤمن رؤياه جزء من سبعين جزء من النبوة ومنهم من يعطى على الثلاث .

71. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: A believer's dream is a part of seventy parts of prophethood. And amongst them are some who have been given one-third.

72 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن الله إذا أحب عبدا عصمه، وجعل غناه في نفسه، وجعل ثوابه بين عينيه وإذا أبغضه وكله إلى نفسه، وجعل فقره بين عينيه.

72. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: When Allah loves a person, He safeguards him, places contentment in his soul and sets aside reward as his lot. And when He despises him, He leaves him to his own soul and fixes want as his destiny.

73 - ابن أبي البلاد وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن العبد ليدعو، فيقول الرب عز وجل: يا جبرئيل احبسه بحاجته، فأوقفها بين السماء والأرض شوقا إلى صوته.

73. Ibn Abu al-Bilad reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: A person sometimes supplicates and the Lord [M.G] says, 'O Gabriel, withhold his need.' So, he suspends it (the prayer) between the heavens and the earth out of the yearning of Allah to hear his voice.

74 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن الله عز وجل خلق طينة المؤمن من طينة الأنبياء، فلن تخبث أبدا.

74. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Allah [M.G] created the essence of a believer from the essence of the Prophets. Thus, it can never become wicked.

75 - عن صفوان الجمال، قال: سمعت أبا عبد الله عليه السلام يقول: إن هلاك الرجل لمن ثلم الدين.

75. It has been related that Safwan al-Jammal said: I heard Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) saying: The death of a believer leaves a gap in religion.

76 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن عمل المؤمن يذهب فيمهد له في الجنة كما يرسل الرجل بغلامه فيفرش له، ثم تلا: " ومن عمل صالحا فلأنفسهم يمهدون".

76. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: The deed of a believer goes forth and makes preparations for him in Paradise just like a man who sends ahead his servant to furnish and spread out things for him.” Then he (a.s) recited Allah's saying, “And whoever does good, they prepare (good) for their own souls. [Holy Quran 30/44]”

77 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: إن الله يذود المؤمن عما يكره كما يذود الرجل البعير الغريب، ليس من إبله (أهله - البحار).

77. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Allah drives away a believer from what He dislikes just like a man who chases away a stray camel that does not belong to his flock.

78 - وعن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: إن المؤمنين إذا التقيا فتصافحا أدخل الله يده فصافح أشدهما حبا لصاحبه.

78. It has been reported that Abu Ja'far (a.s) said: When two believers meet and shake hands, Allah puts His Hand in between and it is shaken by the one who loves the other the most.

79 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام أنه قال: كما لا ينفع مع الشرك شئ، فلا يضر مع الايمان شئ.

79. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Just as there is nothing to gain from polytheism, there is nothing to lose with faith

80 - وعن أبي جعفر عليه السلام قال: يقول الله عز وجل: ما ترددت في شئ أنا فاعله كترددي على قبض روح عبدي المؤمن لأنني أحب لقاءه وهو يكره الموت، فأزويه عنه، ولو لم يكن في الأرض إلا مؤمن واحدلاكتفيت به عن جميع خلقي، وجعلت له من إيمانه انسا لا يحتاج فيه إلى أحد.

80. It has been reported that Abu Ja'far (a.s) said: Allah [M.G] says: There is nothing I hesitate to do like taking the soul of My believing servant for I would love to meet him whilst he despises death; so, I conceal it from him. If there was none on the earth except one believer, he would suffice for Me instead of all My creation and I would make for him from his faith a companion so that he too would need the company of no one.

81 - وعن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: ما من مؤمن يموت في غربة [من] 7 الأرض فيغيب عنه بواكيه إلا بكته بقاع  الأرض التي كان يعبد الله عليها وبكته أثوابه، وبكته أبواب السماء التي كان يصعد بها عمله، وبكاه الملكان الموكلان به.

81. It has been reported that Abu 'Abd Allah (a.s) said: Any believer who dies in isolation and there is no one to mourn him, that spot of the earth where he used to worship Allah mourns for him, his garments weep for him, the portals of the heavens through which his deeds used to ascend weep for him and the two angels appointed to him cry for him.

82 - وعن أحدهما عليهما السلام قال: إن ذنوب المؤمن مغفورة، فيعمل المؤمن لما يستأنف، أما إنها ليست إلا لأهل الايمان.

82. It has been narrated that one of them (al-Baqir or al-Sadiq (a.s)) said: Verily, the sins of a believer are forgiven. So, let the believer make a fresh start. But this privilege is only for the people of faith (ahl al-iman).

83 - عن إسحاق بن عمار قال: سمعته يقول: إن الله عز وجل خلق خلقا ضن بهم عن البلاء، خلقهم في عافية، وأحياهم في عافية، وأماتهم في عافية، و أدخلهم الجنة في عافية.

83. It has been reported that Ishaq ibn 'Ammar said: I heard him (al-Sadiq (a.s)) saying: Allah has (some) creatures that He keeps away from trials. He creates them in well-being, gives them life in well-being, grasps their souls in well-being and causes them to enter Paradise in well-being.

Kitāb al-Muʾmin

Book 1, Chapter 2