الضحاك

About those who found pretexts at the time of jihād

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘It is astonishing how one acts boastfully and arrogantly, when it is a fact that he is created from sperm and he will soon turn into a carcass and, in between, he does not know what may happen to him.’”

Having a large house, a good neighbor and a good vehicle makes for prosperity for a Muslim.”

Qusay b. Kilab deputed his son and said: “O my son! Beware of drinking wine, for even if it rectifies the bodies, it corrupts the minds.”

I brought some money to Abu Ibrahim [Imam Musa Kadhim (a.s)]. He took some of it and left some of it. “May God set you right,” I said, “Why have you left it with me?” “The one who will be in charge of the authority will ask you for it,” he told. When the news of his death came, Abul Hasan, Ridha (a.s) summoned me and asked me for that money and I paid it to him.

“Once I went to deliver some property to abu Ibrahim (a.s.). He accepted some of it and left the others. I asked him, “May Allah keep you well, why have you left it with me?” He said, “The in charge of this task (Leadership with Divine Authority) will demand it from you.” When we heard the news of his (abu Ibrahim’s) death, abu al-Hassan sent his son to me asking for that property and I delivered it to him.”

The Messenger of Allah (s) said: The nobles of my Nation are those who carry the Quran and the companions of the night [prayer].

The most honorable people in my nation are those who have memorized the Quran, and those who are the people of the night .”

The Messenger of Allah, Allah’s blessings be upon him and his Family, said: The nobles of my nation are the carriers of the Qur’an and the people of the night.

Commander of the Faithful (AS) was asked: “Shall we not guard you?” He (AS) said: “The guardian of every man is his death.”

A king initiated the celebration of Meherjan festival (spring feast). He lived for 2500 years after which he disappeared from his people for 600 years. In addition, there are those mentioned in the history of Iranians and their books and we will not prolong this book by quoting them. Thus [with attention to all these long-lived persons] how can it be said that the long lifespan of the Master of the Age (a.s) is extraordinary?

“The hasteners will perish and those nearest to Allah will be saved! Keep to your homes because seditions will be against those, who cause them! Whenever they wish you a distress, Allah afflicts them with what makes them busy away from you except those, who follow them.”

“As-Sufyani is red, blond and blue. He has never worshipped Allah at all. He has seen neither Mecca nor Medina. He says: O my God, I take revenge even if I go to hell! O my God, I take revenge even if I go to Hell!”

Sulayman b. al-Rabi` narrated to us. He said: I heard Kudah b. Ahmad say: I heard Muqatil b. Sulayman say: I heard al-Dahhak say: A man asked Ibn `Abbas: What has Allah concealed regarding Paradise? He has informed us about its wives, its servants, its good things, its drinks, its fruits, and that which Allah mentioned regarding its matters and revealed in His Book. So, Ibn `Abbas said: It is the Paradise of Eden. Allah created it on Friday, then He sealed it. No creature in the heavens nor the Earth will see it until its people enter it. He said to it three times: “Speak.” Then, it said: “Tuba is for the believers.” He said: “Tuba is for the believers, and Tuba is for you.” Muqatil said: al-Dahhak said: Ibn al-`Abbas said: So, the Prophet (s) said: A believer is not but one who has six characteristics: (1) he speaks truthfully, (2) he fulfills his promises, (3) he fulfills his trusts, (4) he is good to his parents, (5) he connects with his blood-relatives, and (6) he repents from his sins.

I wonder about six things. Three of them make me cry and the other three make me laugh. The three which make me cry are: separation from the friends of Muhammad (MGB) and his fans; fear of death; and the Resurrection and standing in front of the Honorable the Exalted God. The three which make me laugh are: the state of the one who seeks this world, while death pursues him; the state of an ignorant one who is being watched over by the guardians; and the state of the one who laughs while he doesn’t know whether God is satisfied with him or is angry at him.”

I asked the Prophet. Peace be upon him and his progeny, about the verse of the Quran: ’And those foremost in faith, are the foremost, those are the ones brought near, in the garden of bliss...’ (56:10,11,12). He said: Jibraeel told me: "That refers to ‘Ali and his Shi’ahs. They are the foremost towards Paradise, brought closer to Allah, Most High, by the special honour bestowed upon them."

The Prophet, peace be upon him and his progeny said: "Whoever doubts the excellence of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, peace be upon him, will rise from his grave on the Day of Reckoning, with a collar of fire around his neck, having three hundred prongs. On each prong, there will be a Satan frowning upon him, spitting at his face."

Prophet (MGB) said, “I shall be assisted by Ali (MGB) in five circumstances. The first circumstance is that he will be the one who buries me. The second one is that he will be the one who pays back my debts. The third is that he will be the one who helps me in the long line on the Resurrection Day. And the fourth circumstance is that he will be the one who will assist me next to my Pool (Al-Kauthar)! And the fifth is that he is the only one I have no fear of becoming an infidel after he believes, or committing adultery.”

`Ali (as) was mentioned in the presence of Ibn `Abbas after his death, so he said: How tragic is what happened to Abi’l Hasan! He passed away, and by Allah, he did not change anything, nor did he exchange anything, nor did he shorten anything, nor did he join anything, nor did he prevent anything, nor did he affect anything except for the sake of Allah. By Allah, this world was less significant to him than the sole of his sandal. He was a lion in battle, an ocean in gatherings, and a sage among the sages. Alas, he has passed onto the exalted ranks.

“O Messenger of Allah! Teach me the wonders of knowledge.” The Prophet (sw) asked, “Before you ask about the wonders of knowledge, do you know about the beginning of knowledge?” The man enquired, “What is the beginning of knowledge, O Messenger of Allah?” Hence, he (sw) replied, “Recognizing Allah the way He deserves to be recognized.” The Bedouin further asked, “And how does Allah deserve to be recognized?” He answered, You have recognized Allah as He deserves to be recognized when you recognize that nothing resembles Him, that He has no compeer, and without any equal, that He is One, Alone, Manifest, the First and the Last, without parallel and without a rival. This is how He deserves to be recognized.“