Virtue and Excellence of Serving in the Army

Jihad of Man and Woman

Kinds of Jihad (struggle)

To Whom Does the Obligation of Jihad Apply, and to Whom it Does not Apply

Mobilization Along with People when there is Fear for al-Islam

Under Whose Command Obligatory Jihad Takes Place?

‘Amr ibn ‘Ubayd and al-Mu’taziliy Groups’ Visiting abu ‘Abd Allah ‘Alayhi al-Salam

The Recommendations of the Messenger of Allah and Amir al-Mu’minin, about Smaller Armed Expeditions

Chapter 9(a) - Granting Immunity

Chapter 9(b)

Chapter 9(c)

Challenging the Enemy for a Fight

Kindness to the Prisoners and Providing Him Food

Calling to al-Islam before Fighting

Chapter 13(a) - Matters about which Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), Recommended at the Time of War

Chapter 13(b)

It is not Lawful for a Muslim to Reside in a War Zone

Chapter 15(a) - Distribution of the Properties Captured from the Enemy

Chapter 15(b)

Chapter 15(c)

The Slogan

The Virtue of Maintaining Horses, Racing and Sharp Shooting Contests

Man’s Defending Himself Against the Thief

The Case of one Murdered over His Stolen Property

Chapter 20(a) - The Excellence of Martyrdom

Chapter 20(b)

Chapter 20(c)

Commanding others what is Obligatory and to Prohibit them from doing Evil

Chapter 22(a) - Rejecting Evil in one’s Heart

Chapter 22(b)

The Case of those who Displease the Creator to Please the Creatures

It is Detestable to Expose One’s Self to What He Cannot Endure

Al-Sufiy People’s Visiting Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam

The Meaning of Zuhd (Asceticism)

Using the Worldly Resources as Means for Success in the Hereafter

The Degree Of Efforts Which One Must Make In Search For One’s Sustenance To Follow In the Footsteps of ‘A’immah ‘Alayhim al-Salam

Promoting The Quest For Sustenance And Work To Make A Living

Al^Ibla’ (Trying) in the Work for Living

Meticulous Effort to Make a Living

Receiving Sustenance from Unexpected Sources

The Detestability of Sleeping and Passing Time without Work

Detestability of Laziness

One’s Working in His House

Amending one’s Properties and Planning for one’s Living

Hard Work for the Family

Earning Lawful kind of Sustenance

Saving for One’s Living Expenses

Detestability of Offering Oneself for Hire

Performing Personally one’s Business Tasks

Buying and Selling Real Estate

Debts and Borrowing

Payment of Debts

To Retaliate and Offset for Debts

When a Man Dies Payment of his Debts becomes Due

The Case of One Who Borrows But Does Not Intend To Pay Back

Sell off Debts in Exchange for Debts

Etiquette of Asking for Payment

The Case of Delaying Due Payment

Lodging With a Borrower When Demanding Payment

Chapter 28(a) - The Case of Gift to a Creditor

Chapter 28(b) - Bail out and Assignment or Referral

Working for al-Sultan and his Rewards

The Conditions to Work for al-Sultan

Selling Arms to al- Sultan

The Crafts (Technologies)

The Legal Status of Income from Cupping Operation

Income from Eulogizing Someone to Make People Mourn

The Legal Status of Income from Hairdressing and Circumcising

The Legal Status of the Income of Female Singer from Singing and Selling Singers (Slave-girls)

The Legal Status of Income from Teaching

The legal Status of Income from Selling Copies of the Holy Quran

Gambling and Looting

Earning in Unlawful ways

Unlawful Earnings in the form of al-Suht such as Buying and Selling of Intoxicating Liquors . . .

Consuming the Properties of Orphans

The Amount a Supervisor of the Properties of Orphans Can Lawfully Use

Using the Properties of Orphans in Business and Lending

Safe Return of Trust

A Father and Son’s Using Each Others Properties

A Husband and Wife’s Using Each Other’s Properties

Found and Lost Properties

Gifts and Presents

Rule about Unlawful Interest

Unlawful Interest Does Not Apply Between a Father and Son

The Excellence of Doing Business and Giving It Proper Attention

Etiquettes of Doing Business

Excellence of Keeping Accounts and Books

Entering the Market Before Others

Speaking of Allah, Most High, in the Market

Words to Say When Buying for Resale Purposes

People With Whom Doing Business Is Not Recommended

Using Proper and Improper Measurements in Business

Cheating in Business

Swearing at the Time of Buying and Selling

The Case of Prices of Goods

The Case of Monopolization (Hoarding) Goods in Public Demand

Another Chapter

Excellence of Buying Wheat and Food

Detestability of Estimating and Preferability of Using Measurements

Continuing Profitable Businesses

1- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ بِشْرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ أَبِي عِصْمَةَ قَاضِي مَرْوَ عَنْ جَابِرٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ قَوْمٌ يُتَّبَعُ فِيهِمْ قَوْمٌ مُرَاءُونَ يَتَقَرَّءُونَ وَيَتَنَسَّكُونَ حُدَثَاءُ سُفَهَاءُ لا يُوجِبُونَ أَمْراً بِمَعْرُوفٍ وَلا نَهْياً عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ إِلا إِذَإ؛ أَمِنُوا الضَّرَرَ يَطْلُبُونَ لأنْفُسِهِمُ الرُّخَصَ وَالْمَعَاذِيرَ يَتَّبِعُونَ زَلاتِ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَفَسَادَ عَمَلِهِمْ يُقْبِلُونَ عَلَى الصَّلاةِ وَالصِّيَامِ وَمَا لا يَكْلِمُهُمْ فِي نَفْسٍ وَلا مَالٍ وَلَوْ أَضَرَّتِ الصَّلاةُ بِسَائِرِ مَا يَعْمَلُونَ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَبْدَانِهِمْ لَرَفَضُوهَا كَمَا رَفَضُوا أَسْمَى الْفَرَائِضِ وَأَشْرَفَهَا إِنَّ الأمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ بِهَا تُقَامُ الْفَرَائِضُ هُنَالِكَ يَتِمُّ غَضَبُ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَعُمُّهُمْ بِعِقَابِهِ فَيُهْلَكُ الأبْرَارُ فِي دَارِ الْفُجَّارِ وَالصِّغَارُ فِي دَارِ الْكِبَارِ إِنَّ الأمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ سَبِيلُ الأنْبِيَاءِ وَمِنْهَاجُ الصُّلَحَاءِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَظِيمَةٌ بِهَا تُقَامُ الْفَرَائِضُ وَتَأْمَنُ الْمَذَاهِبُ وَتَحِلُّ الْمَكَاسِبُ وَتُرَدُّ الْمَظَالِمُ وَتُعْمَرُ الأرْضُ وَيُنْتَصَفُ مِنَ الأعْدَاءِ وَيَسْتَقِيمُ الأمْرُ فَأَنْكِرُوا بِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَالْفِظُوا بِأَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَصُكُّوا بِهَا جِبَاهَهُمْ وَلا تَخَافُوا فِي اللهِ لَوْمَةَ لائِمٍ فَإِنِ اتَّعَظُوا وَإِلَى الْحَقِّ رَجَعُوا فَلا سَبِيلَ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّمَا السَّبِيلُ عَلَى الَّذِينَ يَظْلِمُونَ النَّاسَ وَيَبْغُونَ فِي الأرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ أُولئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذابٌ أَلِيمٌ هُنَالِكَ فَجَاهِدُوهُمْ بِأَبْدَانِكُمْ وَأَبْغِضُوهُمْ بِقُلُوبِكُمْ غَيْرَ طَالِبِينَ سُلْطَاناً وَلا بَاغِينَ مَالا وَلا مُرِيدِينَ بِظُلْمٍ ظَفَراً حَتَّى يَفِيئُوا إِلَى أَمْرِ اللهِ وَيَمْضُوا عَلَى طَاعَتِهِ قَالَ وَأَوْحَى اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَى شُعَيْبٍ النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَنِّي مُعَذِّبٌ مِنْ قَوْمِكَ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ أَرْبَعِينَ أَلْفاً مِنْ شِرَارِهِمْ وَسِتِّينَ أَلْفاً مِنْ خِيَارِهِمْ فَقَالَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَا رَبِّ هَؤُلاءِ الأشْرَارُ فَمَا بَالُ الأخْيَارِ فَأَوْحَى اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَيْهِ دَاهَنُوا أَهْلَ الْمَعَاصِي وَلَمْ يَغْضَبُوا لِغَضَبِي.

1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from certain persons of our people from Bashir ibn ‘Abd Allah from abu ‘Ismah Qadiy of Marve from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘During the last era of time there will be a people who are followed by a certain people who just show off. They worship and perform rituals as youngsters with insufficient understanding and dimwittedness. They do not deem asking others to do good and prohibiting evil as necessary unless doing so is totally harmless for them. They seek for themselves permissions and excuses and follow the mistakes of the scholars and their invalid deeds. They go for Salat (prayer) and fasting and things that do not affect them in matters of their lives and properties. If performing Salat (prayer) would affect their other activities about their properties and persons, they disregard it just as they disregard highest quality obligations and the noblest ones. ‘Asking people to do good and to prohibit them from committing evil is a great obligation by which responsibilities are fulfilled. In such case the anger of Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, becomes complete upon them. His torment encompasses them; thus, even virtuous people are destroyed in the location of the sinful ones and the children along with the grown-up ones. Asking others to do good and prohibiting them from evil is the path of the prophets and the method of the virtuous ones. It is a great responsibility with which obligations are fulfilled and religions are protected, earnings become lawful, usurped properties are retrieved, the land is developed, justice is made available for even the enemies and the matters are kept upright. You must then dislike evil in your hearts, reject it with your tongues, strike it against their faces and do not fear anyone’s blames in matters about Allah. If people committing evil accepted your advice and returned to the truth then that is fine. “Blameworthy are those who do injustice to people and rebel in the land without any truthful cause, for them there will be painful punishment.” (42: 42) Against such people you must fight with your person and hate them in your hearts without wanting domination, gaining properties or victory through injustice. You must continue until they come to the command of Allah and to obey Him.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, sent revelation to prophet Shu’ayb ‘Alayhi al-Salam, “I want to punish one hundred thousand people from your followers, forty thousand of the evil doers and sixty thousand of the good ones.” He asked, “O Lord, these are the evil doers but what about the good ones?” Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, sent him revelation that said, “They stopped giving the good advice to the evil doers and did not become angry because of My becoming angry with them.’”” 

2- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ جَمَاعَةٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَا قُدِّسَتْ أُمَّةٌ لَمْ يُؤْخَذْ لِضَعِيفِهَا مِنْ قَوِيِّهَا بِحَقِّهِ غَيْرَ مُتَعْتَعٍ‏.

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from a group of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A people, who does not take back the rights of the weak ones among them from the stronger ones, without causing any harm, can never become holy.’” 

3- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عُمَرَ بْنِ عَرَفَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلَتَنْهُنَّ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ أَوْ لَيُسْتَعْمَلَنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ شِرَارُكُمْ فَيَدْعُو خِيَارُكُمْ فَلا يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُمْ.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn ‘Umar ibn ‘Arafah who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.), saying, ‘You must ask (command) others to do good and prohibit them to commit evil, otherwise, the evil ones among you will be made your rulers and then the virtuous ones among you pray and their prayers will not be answered.’” 

4- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ فَرْقَدٍ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ وَأَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ وَيْلٌ لِقَوْمٍ لا يَدِينُونَ اللهَ بِالأمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيِ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ.

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from Dawud ibn Farqad from abu Sa‘id al-Zuhriy from abu Ja’far and abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Woe upon a people who do not consider asking others to do good and prohibiting them from evil as part of the religion of Allah.’” 

5- وَبِإِسْنَادِهِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) بِئْسَ الْقَوْمُ قَوْمٌ يَعِيبُونَ الأمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ.

5. The narrator of the previous Hadith through his chain of narrators has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘A people, who consider asking others to do good and prohibiting them from evil, a blame-worthy act, are a terribly evil people.’” 

6- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي نَجْرَانَ عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ حُمَيْدٍ عَنْ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عُقَيْلٍ عَنْ حَسَنٍ قَالَ خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) فَحَمِدَ اللهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّهُ إِنَّمَا هَلَكَ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ حَيْثُ مَا عَمِلُوا مِنَ الْمَعَاصِي وَلَمْ يَنْهَهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالأحْبَارُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَمَّا تَمَادَوْا فِي الْمَعَاصِي وَلَمْ يَنْهَهُمُ الرَّبَّانِيُّونَ وَالأحْبَارُ عَنْ ذَلِكَ نَزَلَتْ بِهِمُ الْعُقُوبَاتُ فَأْمُرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَانْهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ الأمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ لَمْ يُقَرِّبَا أَجَلا وَلَمْ يَقْطَعَا رِزْقاً إِنَّ الأمْرَ يَنْزِلُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى الأرْضِ كَقَطْرِ الْمَطَرِ إِلَى كُلِّ نَفْسٍ بِمَا قَدَّرَ اللهُ لَهَا مِنْ زِيَادَةٍ أَوْ نُقْصَانٍ فَإِنْ أَصَابَ أَحَدَكُمْ مُصِيبَةٌ فِي أَهْلٍ أَوْ مَالٍ أَوْ نَفْسٍ وَرَأَى عِنْدَ أَخِيهِ غَفِيرَةً فِي أَهْلٍ أَوْ مَالٍ أَوْ نَفْسٍ فَلا تَكُونَنَّ عَلَيْهِ فِتْنَةً فَإِنَّ الْمَرْءَ الْمُسْلِمَ لَبَرِي‏ءٌ مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ مَا لَمْ يَغْشَ دَنَاءَةً تَظْهَرُ فَيَخْشَعُ لَهَا إِذَا ذُكِرَتْ وَيُغْرَى بِهَا لِئَامُ النَّاسِ كَانَ كَالْفَالِجِ الْيَاسِرِ الَّذِي يَنْتَظِرُ أَوَّلَ فَوْزَةٍ مِنْ قِدَاحِهِ تُوجِبُ لَهُ الْمَغْنَمَ وَيُدْفَعُ بِهَا عَنْهُ الْمَغْرَمُ وَكَذَلِكَ الْمَرْءُ الْمُسْلِمُ الْبَرِي‏ءُ مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ يَنْتَظِرُ مِنَ اللهِ تَعَالَى إِحْدَى الْحُسْنَيَيْنِ إِمَّا دَاعِيَ اللهِ فَمَا عِنْدَ اللهِ خَيْرٌ لَهُ وَإِمَّا رِزْقَ اللهِ فَإِذَا هُوَ ذُو أَهْلٍ وَمَالٍ وَمَعَهُ دِينُهُ وَحَسَبُهُ إِنَّ الْمَالَ وَالْبَنِينَ حَرْثُ الدُّنْيَا وَالْعَمَلَ الصَّالِحَ حَرْثُ الآخِرَةِ وَقَدْ يَجْمَعُهُمَا اللهُ لأقْوَامٍ فَاحْذَرُوا مِنَ اللهِ مَا حَذَّرَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَاخْشَوْهُ خَشْيَةً لَيْسَتْ بِتَعْذِيرٍ وَ اعْمَلُوا فِي غَيْرِ رِيَاءٍ وَلا سُمْعَةٍ فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَعْمَلْ لِغَيْرِ اللهِ يَكِلْهُ اللهُ إِلَى مَنْ عَمِلَ لَهُ نَسْأَلُ اللهَ مَنَازِلَ الشُّهَدَاءِ وَمُعَايَشَةَ السُّعَدَاءِ وَمُرَافَقَةَ الأنْبِيَاءِ.

6. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn abu Najran from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from abu Hamzah from Yahya ibn ‘Aqil from Hassan who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), once delivered a sermon. He first praised and glorified Allah. Thereafter he said, ‘People before were destroyed because when they committed sins the Rabbis and Monks did not stop them from committing such deeds. When they continued committing disobedience and the Rabbis and Monks did not prohibit them, torments descended upon them. They then commanded others to do good and prohibited to commit evil, they found this did not make the time of their death closer and nor did it reduce their sustenance. The command comes from the sky to the earth, like the drops of rain, to everyone as Allah measures for it (soul) in matters of increase and reduction. If one of you is affected in matters of family, property or life and finds all such things with his brother in abundance, it should not become matters of trial for him. A Muslim is free of all forms of treachery as long as acts of lowliness do not take place from him (through his hands), about the mention of which he remains fearful. On the other hand, people of lowly manners remain interested in lowly acts like a gambler who waits for the hit by the first winning arrow which brings him gains and fends off from him the loss. The Muslim who is free of treachery expects from Allah, the most High, one of the two forms of gains. It is either the call from Allah, thus what is with Allah for him is better, or sustenance from Allah. So he has a family, property with religion and valuable status. Wealth and children are worldly plantations but good deeds are plantations for the next life. At certain times Allah places both of them together for certain people. You must remain anxious about your relationship with Allah just as He has told you to be anxious about such relationship. You must worry, without shortcomings and about your status before Him. You must act without showing off and seeking popularity; those who act for something other than Allah, He leaves him to the one for whom he has acted. I pray to Allah to lead us to the destinations of the martyrs, living of those who have gained salvation and the company of the prophets (of Allah).”’ 

7- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ الْخُرَاسَانِيِّ عَنْ بَعْضِ رِجَالِهِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَوْحَى إِلَى دَاوُدَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنِّي قَدْ غَفَرْتُ ذَنْبَكَ وَجَعَلْتُ عَارَ ذَنْبِكَ عَلَى بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ يَا رَبِّ وَأَنْتَ لا تَظْلِمُ قَالَ إِنَّهُمْ لَمْ يُعَاجِلُوكَ بِالنَّكَرَةِ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Asbat from abu Ishaq al-Khurasaniy from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “He (the Imam) has said, ‘Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, sent revelation to Dawud (David) (a.s.), that said, ‘I forgave your sins and placed the blame thereof on the Israelites.’ He (Dawud) asked, ‘How can that be, O Lord? You do not do injustice. He (the Lord) replied, ‘Because they did not express disappointment for what you had done.’” (This Hadith is addressed to Dawud but it is meant to apply to others. It is one of the cases where the popular expression, ‘I address you O slave-girl, but you, the neighbor woman listen.’) 

8- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَهْزِيَارَ عَنِ النَّضْرِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ عَنْ دُرُسْتَ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بَعَثَ مَلَكَيْنِ إِلَى أَهْلِ مَدِينَةٍ لِيَقْلِبَاهَا عَلَى أَهْلِهَا فَلَمَّا انْتَهَيَا إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ وَجَدَا رَجُلا يَدْعُو اللهَ وَيَتَضَرَّعُ فَقَالَ أَحَدُ الْمَلَكَيْنِ لِصَاحِبِهِ أَمَا تَرَى هَذَا الدَّاعِيَ فَقَالَ قَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ وَلَكِنْ أَمْضِي لِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ رَبِّي فَقَالَ لا وَلَكِنْ لا أُحْدِثُ شَيْئاً حَتَّى أُرَاجِعَ رَبِّي فَعَادَ إِلَى اللهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى فَقَالَ يَا رَبِّ إِنِّي انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَى الْمَدِينَةِ فَوَجَدْتُ عَبْدَكَ فُلاناً يَدْعُوكَ وَيَتَضَرَّعُ إِلَيْكَ فَقَالَ امْضِ بِمَا أَمَرْتُكَ بِهِ فَإِنَّ ذَا رَجُلٌ لَمْ يَتَمَعَّرْ وَجْهُهُ غَيْظاً لِي قَطُّ.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Ishaq from Ali ibn Mahziyar from al-Nadr ibn al-Suwayd from Durust ibn abu Mansur from certain individuals of his people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, once sent two angels to a city to turn it upside down on the people therein. When they came to the city, they found a man praying to Allah with great concern and desperation. One of the angels then asked the other, ‘Do you see this person praying ? 5 The other angel replied, ‘Yes, I have seen him but I must obey the command which my Lord has issued . 5 The other angel said, ‘No, I will not do anything before asking my Lord about it . 5 This angel returned to the presence of Allah, the most Blessed, the most High, and said, ‘O Lord, I went to the city and found there one of Your servants, so and so praying to You and asking You in desperation and in a helpless condition . 5 The Lord said, ‘You must do as you were commanded to do; he is a man who has never even frowned for My sake as an expression of his anger against evil deeds . 55 

9- حُمَيْدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ غَيْرِ وَاحِدٍ عَنْ أَبَانِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَنَّ رَجُلا مِنْ خَثْعَمٍ جَاءَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ أَخْبِرْنِي مَا أَفْضَلُ الإسْلامِ قَالَ الإيمَانُ بِاللهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ ثُمَّ صِلَةُ الرَّحِمِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ الأمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ قَالَ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ فَأَيُّ الأعْمَالِ أَبْغَضُ إِلَى اللهِ قَالَ الشِّرْكُ بِاللهِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ قَطِيعَةُ الرَّحِمِ قَالَ ثُمَّ مَا ذَا قَالَ الأمْرُ بِالْمُنْكَرِ وَالنَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ‏.

9. Humayd ibn Ziyad has narrated from Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad from Sama‘ah from more than narrators from Aban ibn ‘Uthaman from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muhammad who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man from Khath‘am came to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is most virtuous in al-Islam ? 5 He (the Messenger of Allah) replied, ‘It is belief in Allah . 5 He then asked, ‘What is most virtuous thereafter ? 5 He, the Messenger of Allah, replied, ‘It is maintaining good relations with relatives . 5 He asked, ‘What is most important thereafter ? 5 He, the Messenger of Allah, replied, ‘It is asking others to do what is good and prohibit them to commit evil . 5 The narrator has said that the man then asked, ‘What is the most hated act in the sight of Allah ? 5 He, the Messenger of Allah, replied, ‘It is considering things as partners of Allah . 5 He then asked, ‘What is most hated thereafter ? 5 He, the Messenger of Allah, replied, ‘It is cutting off good relations with relatives . 5 He then asked, ‘What is most hated thereafter ? 5 He, the Messenger of Allah, replied, ‘It is asking people to commit evil and prohibit them from doing good . 555 

10- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) أَمَرَنَا رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) أَنْ نَلْقَى أَهْلَ الْمَعَاصِي بِوُجُوهٍ مُكْفَهِرَّةٍ.

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfaliy from al-Sakuniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu 5 minin (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, had commanded us to meet sinful people with a frowning face . 555 

11- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ يَزِيدَ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) الأمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ خَلْقَانِ مِنْ خَلْقِ اللهِ فَمَنْ نَصَرَهُمَا أَعَزَّهُ اللهُ وَمَنْ خَذَلَهُمَا خَذَلَهُ اللهُ.

11. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn ‘Abd Allah from Ya’qub ibn Yazid in a Marfu’ manner has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Asking people to do good and prohibiting them from committing evil are two creatures of the creatures of Allah. Those who support them, Allah gives them respect and Allah betrays those who betray these two creatures of Him . 55 

12- مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ غِيَاثِ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ قَالَ كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) إِذَا مَرَّ بِجَمَاعَةٍ يَخْتَصِمُونَ لا يَجُوزُهُمْ حَتَّى يَقُولَ ثَلاثاً اتَّقُوا اللهَ يَرْفَعُ بِهَا صَوْتَهُ.

12. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ghiyath ibn Ibrahim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when seeing a quarrelling group of people would not pass by without always saying three times loudly, ‘You must maintain piety in the presence of Allah . 555 

13- عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَرَفَةَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ الرِّضَا (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) يَقُولُ إِذَا أُمَّتِي تَوَاكَلَتِ الأمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ فَلْيَأْذَنُوا بِوِقَاعٍ مِنَ اللهِ تَعَالَى.

13. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn ‘Arafah who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan, al-Rida (a.s.), saying, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would say, “When my followers postpone asking others to do good and prohibit them from committing evil they, in so doing, allow affliction to befall upon them from Allah.’”” 

14- عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ مَسْعَدَةَ بْنِ صَدَقَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) كَيْفَ بِكُمْ إِذَا فَسَدَتْ نِسَاؤُكُمْ وَفَسَقَ شَبَابُكُمْ وَلَمْ تَأْمُرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَلَمْ تَنْهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ وَشَرٌّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ بِكُمْ إِذَا أَمَرْتُمْ بِالْمُنْكَرِ وَنَهَيْتُمْ عَنِ الْمَعْرُوفِ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ قَالَ نَعَمْ وَشَرٌّ مِنْ ذَلِكَ كَيْفَ بِكُمْ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الْمَعْرُوفَ مُنْكَراً وَالْمُنْكَرَ مَعْرُوفاً.

14. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “What will you do when your women will become corrupt, your young people sinful and you will not ask others to do good and prohibit them to commit evil?” They asked, “Will such things happen, O Messenger of Allah?” He, the Messenger of Allah, replied, “Yes, even worse than this will happen. What will you do when you ask others to commit evil and prohibit them from doing good?” It then was asked, “Will such things happen, O Messenger of Allah?” He, the Messenger of Allah, replied, “Yes, even worse than this will happen. What will you do when you see good things as bad and evil things as good?”’” 

15- وَبِهَذَا الإسْنَادِ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَيُبْغِضُ الْمُؤْمِنَ الضَّعِيفَ الَّذِي لا دِينَ لَهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَمَا الْمُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي لا دِينَ لَهُ قَالَ الَّذِي لإ؛ يَنْهَى عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ.

15. The narrator of the previous Hadith through his chain of narrators has said the following: “The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Allah, the most Majestic, the most Glorious, dislikes a believing, weak person who has no religion.’ It then was asked, ‘Who is a believing weak person who has no religion?’ He, the Holy Prophet, said, ‘It is he who does not prohibit committing evil.’” 

16- وَبِهَذَا الإسْنَادِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ وَسُئِلَ عَنِ الأمْرِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيِ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ أَوَاجِبٌ هُوَ عَلَى الأمَّةِ جَمِيعاً فَقَالَ لا فَقِيلَ لَهُ وَلِمَ قَالَ إِنَّمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْقَوِيِّ الْمُطَاعِ الْعَالِمِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مِنَ الْمُنْكَرِ لا عَلَى الضَّعِيفِ الَّذِي لا يَهْتَدِي سَبِيلا إِلَى أَيٍّ مِنْ أَيٍّ يَقُولُ مِنَ الْحَقِّ إِلَى الْبَاطِلِ وَالدَّلِيلُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ كِتَابُ اللهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَوْلُهُ وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ فَهَذَا خَاصٌّ غَيْرُ عَامٍّ كَمَا قَالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَمِنْ قَوْمِ مُوسى‏ أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعْدِلُونَ وَلَمْ يَقُلْ عَلَى أُمَّةِ مُوسَى وَلا عَلَى كُلِّ قَوْمِهِ وَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ أُمَمٌ مُخْتَلِفَةٌ وَالأمَّةُ وَاحِدَةٌ فَصَاعِداً كَمَا قَالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنَّ إِبْراهِيمَ كانَ أُمَّةً قانِتاً للهِ يَقُولُ مُطِيعاً للهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَلَيْسَ عَلَى مَنْ يَعْلَمُ ذَلِكَ فِي هَذِهِ الْهُدْنَةِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ إِذَا كَانَ لا قُوَّةَ لَهُ وَلا عُذْرَ وَلا طَاعَةَ قَالَ مَسْعَدَةُ وَسَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللهِ (عَلَيْهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ وَسُئِلَ عَنِ الْحَدِيثِ الَّذِي جَاءَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِه) إِنَّ أَفْضَلَ الْجِهَادِ كَلِمَةُ عَدْلٍ عِنْدَ إِمَامٍ جَائِرٍ مَا مَعْنَاهُ قَالَ هَذَا عَلَى أَنْ يَأْمُرَهُ بَعْدَ مَعْرِفَتِهِ وَهُوَ مَعَ ذَلِكَ يُقْبَلُ مِنْهُ وَإِلا فَلا. 

16. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqah who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when asked about commanding others to do what is obligatory and prohibiting them from committing what is evil, whether this is obligatory upon the whole nation, saying, ‘No, it is not obligatory up on the whole nation.’ He (the Imam) was asked, ‘Why it is not obligatory upon the whole nation?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is obligatory only upon the strong ones who are obeyed and who know well what is obligatory and what is evil. It is not obligatory upon the weak ones who are not able to find the way - about what the facts are - to the truth and falsehood. The proof thereof is in the book of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “Among you there must live a nation who must command to do what is obligatory and prohibit committing evil.” (3:104) This verse is of particular sense as opposed to a general sense, just as in the following verse: “Of the people of Moses, there is a nation who guide to the truth and with truth they issue judgments.” (7:158) Allah has not said, “It is obligatory upon the nation of Moses or upon his whole nation who in those days formed many nations.” Nation is also used to mean one person as well as to mean more than one person. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “Ibrahim was a nation (person) very obedient to Allah.” (16:119) In peace-time when one is not able to enforce such commands it does not apply to his case. . . .’” “Mas’adah has said, ‘I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), when asked about a Hadith narrated from the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, that said, “The best Jihad is saying a word of justice before an unjust Imam.” He (the Imam) said, “This is true when commanding to do good, he knows well about what is ‘good’ as well as knowing that he will accept his command in the matter, otherwise, it (asking to do good) is not obligatory.’”” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 5

Book 1, Chapter 28