إبراهيم بن هاشم

I said to Abi Abdillah عليه السلام: what is the right of Allāh over his creation? he said: that they should only say that which they know and should remain silent over that which they do not know – so if they were to do that then they have fulfilled the right of Allāh.

I asked him about a man who is answered oppositely by two of his co-religionists (i.e. Shi’as) in regards a matter – [and] both transmit it [their answers – on your authority], one of them obligates it while the other forbids it – what should he do? he said: he withholds [doing anything] until he accesses one who will inform him (of the true position), and he is respited until such a time as he meets him. [And in another narration [the Imam said]: whichever of them he acts by – suffices him – if done in subservience (with the intention of obeying)].

I said to Abi Abdillah عليه السلام: what is my condition – I ask you about an issue so you answer me in it with a certain answer, then someone other than me comes to you so you answer him in it with a different answer? He said: we answer the people with addition (in-depth) and with deletion (in-brief). I said: so inform me about the companions of the messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه واله – were they truthful about Muhammad صلى الله عليه واله or did they lie? He said: they were truthful, I said: so what was the matter with them that they differed? He said: don’t you know that a man used to come to the messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه واله and ask him about a thing so he answers him in it with an answer, then he answers him after that with that which abrogates the former answer, so the narrations superseded one another.

Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (MGB) said, “When some of the wise men and the jurisprudents write each other they write about three things as follows. God will provide for the worldly affairs of whoever engages in preparations for the Hereafter. God will purify the appearance of whoever purifies his inner soul. God will improve the relationship between the people and whoever improves his relationship with God.”

Any good deed is a form of charity. Anyone who guides others to do good is like those who do good. God loves attending to the affairs of the needy.”

Whoever enjoins to do good or forbids to do evil or guides to goodness or points towards it is a partner in its reward. Whoever orders to do evil, guides one towards evil or points towards it is also a partner in its chastisement.”

You should not travel to any tombs other than our tombs. I have been oppressively poisoned to death and buried in a strange place. I hope the prayers of those who travel to visit my tomb are accepted and also their sins are forgiven.”

Of the following three I do not really know which one is a greater offense than the others. The first is following a funeral procession without one’s robe. The second is saying ‘be benign to him.’ And the third one is saying ‘Seek God’s forgiveness for him. May God forgive you. (when attending a funeral procession).’”

“Using good scent indicates affluence. Wearing good garments indicates beauty. Having a good temper defeats one’s enemies.”

“Whoever sends joy to the heart of a believing man, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, creates from that joy a creature that meets him at the time of his death and says to him, ‘Good news for you, O friend of Allah, with honor from Allah and His happiness with you. The form (creature) remains with him until he is placed in his grave and speaks to him of similar good tidings. When he is raised out of the grave the form meets him and speaks to him of similar good things and remains with him. On coming across frightening things of the Day of Judgment the form gives him good news. He then asks the form, ‘Who are you, may Allah grant you favors?’ The form says, ‘I am the joy that you sent to the heart of so and so.’”

“Of the most beloved deeds to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is sending joy to the heart of a believer, by means of satisfying his hunger, relief for his suffering or paying off his debt.”

‘‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent revelations to David that said, ‘One of my servants may come to Me with a good deed and I admit him in paradise.’ David asked, ‘Lord, what is that good deed?’ The Lord said, ‘It is bringing joy to the heart of my believing servant even if it is by one piece of date.’ David then said, ‘Lord, it is very true that one who comes to know You must not lose hope of Your kindness.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘One who provides financial help for his brother (in belief), Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, provides for him relief in seventy-three grievous conditions. One is for the worldly life and the other seventy-two in times of great grief and hardship (Day of Judgment), when people will be preoccupied with the problems of their own souls.’”

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever serves a drink of water to a believer who (himself) also can find water, Allah will give him seventy thousand good deeds for each drink and if he provides a drink of water when he (himself) is not able to find one it will be like setting free ten persons from the descendents of Tsma’il.’”

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Of the people of the greatest position before Allah on the Day of Judgment will be he who is a person walking on earth the most to provide good advice to His creatures.’”

“A councilor cannot lie (is not supposed to).”

“When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, wills good for a servant. He places a dot of light in his heart, which shines his ears and heart to the extent that he becomes more eager and protective of this cause than you are. When He wills evil for a servant. He places a black dot in his heart and it darkens his ears and his heart. Then he recited this verse, ‘Allah will open the hearts of whomever He wants to guide to Islam, but He will constrict the chest of one whom He has led astray, as though he were to climb high up into the sky. . . .’” (6:125)

“Soundness of religion and good health is better than property. Property is a beauty of the worldly beauties and it is a good thing.” Muhammad ibn Isma’il has narrated from Fadl ibn Shadhan from Hammad from Rib’i from al-Fudayl from abu Ja’far (a.s.) a similar Hadith.

For their patience in the face of taqiyya (dissimulation), and they repel evil with good." He said, "The good deed is taqiyya, and the evil deed is spreading rumors."

“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . virtue and evil are not equal. . . .’ , the Imam said that ‘Virtue’ refers to al-Taqiyyah and ‘Evil’ is disregarding it, and in the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘If you respond to evil with virtuous deeds . . .’, the Imam said, ‘Virtue’ refers to al-Taqiyyah, ‘. . . you will certainly find that your enemies will become your intimate friends.’” (4 1 :34)