Speak of and Remember the Brothers (in belief)

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Our Shi’a are compassionate to each other. When alone they speak of and remember Allah. To speak of us is to speak of Allah. When we are mentioned Allah is mentioned, but when our enemies are spoken of it is like speaking of Satan.’”

“Visit each other; in it there is a revival for your hearts and a study of our Ahadith (may take place). Our Ahadith helps you to be kind to each other. If you follow them you will find guidance and salvation in them. If you disregard them you will go astray and be destroyed. Therefore, follow them and I will assure you of your salvation.”

“I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Once I passed by a storyteller who said to his audience, “This is a gathering whose attendants do not suffer wickedness.’” The narrator has said that Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) then said, ‘How extremely far is it from reality!’ You passed by the wrong gathering. (Astahahum al- Hufrah) How terribly wrong is their expresssion! Allah has certain angels who visit places, and they are other than the honorable scribes. When they pass by a people, who speak of Muhammad and Ale Muhammad, recipients of divine supreme covenant, these angels say, “Stop here. You have found what you needed.” They will sit down and begin to think and understand with them. When the gathering disperses they visit their people suffering due to ill health, attend their funerals and look after those of them who are absent. That is the gathering whose attendants do not suffer wickedness.’”

“Certain angels of heaven look at one, two or three people on earth speak of the excellence and praise of Muhammad and his family and they say, ‘Look the small number of these people, their enemies so numerous, they still speak of the praise of Muhammad and his family, recipients of divine supreme covenant.’ The Imam then said, ‘Another group of angels say to them, ‘It is a favor to them from Allah that He grants to whomever He wants, Allah possesses a great deal of favors.’”

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) asked me, ‘Do you hold private gatherings wherein you say whatever you want?’ I said, ‘Yes, I swear by Allah, we hold private gatherings and say whatever we like to say (in praise of Muhammad and his family).’ The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah, I wish I could be with you at such gatherings. I swear by Allah, I love your fragrance and your spirits. You, certainly, follow the religion of Allah, and the religion of the angels. Pay attention to restraining from the worldly attractions (sins) and assist yourselves with striving hard in work.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Wherever three or more believing people gather together an equal number of angels also attend it (gathering). If they pray for a good purpose the angels say Amen! If they seek protection (from Allah) against an evil matter, the angels pray to Allah to divert it from them. If they pray so their wishes come true, the angels intercede for them before Allah and pray to Him to grant their wishes. Wherever three or more rejectors (of belief) gather together, ten times their number, Satan also attends it. If they speak Satan also speaks likewise, if they laugh, they (Satans) laugh with them. If they succeed (in abuse) against the friends of Allah, they (Satans) do the same. If any of the believing people is trapped among them and when they involve themselves in such behaviors he should move away from them so he does not become of the attendance along with Satan; the wrath of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is insurmountable and His condemnation is irremovable.’ The Imam (a.s.) then said, ‘If he cannot do so (move away) he must condemn it in his heart and stand up even for a short while and move a little, like the time of allowing the young animal to have its share of milk while milking the mother.’”

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘There is nothing more injurious to Satan and his soldiers than believing people’s visitation of their brothers (in belief) for the sake of Allah.’ The Imam said, ‘When believing people meet each other, speak of Allah and speak of the praise and excellence of AM al-Bayt, all the flesh at the face of Satan disappear, he even cries for help due to the severity of his suffering and the angels of heaven sense it as well as the keepers of paradise and they all condemn him until all the angels close to Allah condemn him and Satan remains humiliated, frustrated and defeated.’”