On Various Traditions From Imam Ali Ibn Musa al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم

28-2 My father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ebad ibn Soleiman, on the authority of Sa’d ibn Sa’d al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Umar, “I asked Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘Will the Earth be left without a Divine Leader?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘It has been narrated for us on the authority of Abi Abdullah (as-Sadiq) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that it will not be left without one unless God deals hard with the servants.’ Then the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘The Earth will not be left without a Divine Leader, otherwise it will devour all its residents.’”

28-3 Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Masroor - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Hussein ibn Muhammad ibn Aamir quoted on the authority of al-Mo’alla ibn Muhammad al-Basri, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’, “I asked Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘Will the Earth be left without a Divine Leader?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘It has been narrated for us that it will not be left without one. Otherwise God deals hard with the servants.’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘It will not be left without a Divine Leader, otherwise it will take in all its residents.”

28-4 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Zaytooni and Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Qatada, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Hilal, on the authority of Sa’eed ibn Soleiman, on the authority of Soleiman ibn Ja’far al-Ja’fari, “I asked Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘Will the Earth be left without a Proof?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘No. If the Earth is left without a Proof for even a moment, it will take in all its residents.’”

28-5 Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Abdul Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi, “I asked Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘O son of the Prophet of God! What is your opinion about the following tradition narrated on the authority of As-Sadiq صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم? (The traditions says,) When the Riser صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم comes, he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم will kill the offspring of Al-Hussein’s صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم murderers.’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘That is right.’ Then I asked, ‘Then what is the meaning of the following which the Honorable the Exalted God says? ‘…Every soul draws the meed of its acts on none but itself:..’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘God is honest in all which He says. However, the offspring of the murderers of Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم will even be pleased with the deeds of their forefathers. They will be even proud of it. Whoever is pleased with something is like one who has actually performed that deed. If someone gets killed in the East and someone else in the West is pleased that he was killed, then he will be considered to be a partner in that crime in the sight of the Honorable the Exalted God. The Riser (Imam al-Mahdi) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم will kill them for being pleased with their forefathers’ murders when he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم rises.’ I asked, ‘What will the Riser صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم who is from you do first when he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم rises?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘At first he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم will cut off the hands of the children of Shayba since they are the thieves of the House of God - the Honorable the Exalted.’”

28-6 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Hamdani quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father that Abil Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I see my followers when they will not find the third from my progeny. They will be looking for someone to take charge of their affairs, but they will find no one to do so.” I asked, “O son of the Prophet of God! Why?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “That is because their Divine Leader will become absent.” I asked, “Why?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “That is because when he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم rises with the sword, no one’s pledge of allegiance is binding upon him.”

28-7 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja’far ibn Abi Ja’far al-Komandani quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Abdul Aziz ibn al-Mohtadi, on the authority of Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “One must only wash the outside of the mouth with soap. The inside of the mouth does not get oily.”

28-8 Al-Hussein ibn Ahmad ibn Idris - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Hashem and others, on the authority of Safwan ibn Yahya, on the authority of Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم has admonished against talking with others or answering them while one is busy in the toilet.”

28-9 The interpreter Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim al-Jurjani known as Abil Hassan - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Husseini quoted on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far al-Kadhim صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that Imam As-Sadiq صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked, “Please describe death for us.” He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Death is like a good-scented flower for a believer. He smells it and faints due to its good scent and his pains stop. However, it is like a cobra or scorpion’s bite or even worse for an unbeliever.” Then the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked, “Some people say that death is harder than being torn into pieces with a saw or scissors, being ground down into powder with stones, or having the eyes grounded in a mill.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It is so for some of the unbelievers and wrong-doers. Have you not seen any such people suffer? What is even worse than all these punishments is the chastisement of the Hereafter since it is evenharsher than the chastisements in this world.” Others asked, “Then why is it that we see some of the unbelievers die an easier death? They laugh, talk and then die. Some of the believers die in the same way. However, some of the believers and unbelievers experience these calamities at the time of death.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “The comfort for the believers is the expedition of his rewards. The hardships experienced by a believer at the time of death are in order to cleanse him of his sins, so that he may enter the Hereafter with purity and cleanliness, and deserve to receive eternal rewards without any obstacles in his way. The comfort for an unbeliever at the time of death is to achieve the granting of his rewards for his good deeds so that he may experience nothing, but chastisement when he enters the Hereafter. An unbeliever’s hardship at the time of death is a starting point for his chastisement. This is because God is Just and He does not oppress anyone.”The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم added, ‘As-Sadiq صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked about the plague. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘It is God’s punishment for some people and His Mercy upon others.’ He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked, ‘How could Punishment be Mercy?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Don’t you know that the Fire of Hell is Punishment for the atheists, but it is God’s Mercy upon the Guardians of Hell?’

28-10 Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah al-Barqi, Muhammad ibn Musa al-Barqi, Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluwayh, Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Hashem and Ali ibn Isa al-Mojawir - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad Majiluwayh quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Sayyari, on the authority of Ali ibn Asbat, “I told Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘There are times when I must know the decree on an issue which arises, but I am in another town where none of your followers are present from whom to ask.’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Go to that town’s jurisprudent and present your question. Act against whatever he decrees since that is the right thing to do.’”

28-11 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Abi Abdillah al-Barqi, on the authority of Ali ibn Ayyoub al-Madini, on the authority of Soleiman al-Ja’fari, on the authority of Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said,“White hair in front of the head is a good omen, on the side of the face it is a sign of generosity, on the forehead it is a sign of braveness, and on the back of the head it is a bad omen.”

28-12 Abul Fadhl Tamim ibn Abdullah ibn Tamim al-Qurashi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Abu Ali Ahmad ibn Ali Al-Ansari, on the authority of Abul Salt Abdul Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi that he had heard Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “The Honorable the Exalted God revealed the following to one of His Prophets, ‘When you leave the house in the morning, eat the first thing that you encounter, hide the second thing, accept the third thing, do not disappoint the fourth, and escape from the fifth. At first when he left the house in the morning, he encountered a big black mountain. He said to himself that the Exalted the Magnificent God had ordered him to eat it, and wondered how to do it. He then thought that God would not order him to do what was beyond his power. So he moved towards the mountain. The closer he got to the mountain, the smaller it became. When he finally reached it, it had turned into a small bite to eat. He ate it, and it was really delicious. He continued to go on until he reached a golden pan. He said to himself that God had ordered him to hide it. He dug a ditch, threw the golden pan in the ditch, covered it up with dirt, and started to go on his way again. But then he noticed that the pan was visible out of the ground. He said to himself that he had done what God had ordered him to and continued to go on. Then he suddenly saw a bird being pursued by a falcon trying to hunt it. The falcon was flying around the bird. The Prophet remembered that God had ordered him to accept this one. He opened his sleeve and the bird entered it. The falcon told the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘You have caught the prey that I was after for a few days.’ Then he remembered that God had ordered him not to disappoint this one. Then he cut off a piece of the bird’s leg and threw it to the falcon. He continued to go on, and saw a piece of rotten meat. He remembered that God had ordered him to escape from this one, so he escaped from it. When he had returned home he went to sleep, and had a dream. He was told, ‘You performed your mission, and did whatever you were instructed to do. Do you know what the philosophy behind all these issues is?’ He said, ‘No.’ He was told, ‘That mountain was anger. Whenever one gets angry, he does not see himself and does not realize his situation. If he restrains himself, recognizes his position and quenches his anger, the endis like a delicious bite which he eats. The golden pan is indeed man’s good deeds which are better to hide. However, God will make them apparent so that he is adorned by them, and he will receive the reward in the Hereafter. The bird, however, is like a man who advises you, and you should accept his advice. The falcon is like a man who comes to you and asks you to fulfill his needs. You should not disappoint him. The rotten meat is like gossip which you should avoid.’”

28-13 Ahmad ibn Harun al-Fami - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Ja’far ibn Botta quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahboob, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isma’il ibn Bazee’, “I heard Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, ‘Wealth cannot be accumulated unless it is a result of five deeds: extreme jealousy, great aspirations, a lot of greed, cutting off ties of kinship, and preferring this world to the Hereafter.’”

28-14 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Abi Abdillah al-Barqi, on the authority of Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani, on the authority of Abi Ayyoub al-Madini, on the authority of Soleiman ibn Ja’far al-Ja’fari, on the authority of Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم admonished against killing the following five: shrikes, hoopoes, bees, ants, and frogs, and ordered people to kill the following five: crows, kites, snakes, scorpions, and mordacious dogs.The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) said, “This is a form of permission and not an obligation.”

28-15 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Hamawayh, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa al-Yaqteeni that Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “A white cock has five of the traits of the Prophets صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم: to know the times to pray, zeal, generosity, courage and making love often.”

28-16 Al-Hussein ibn Ibrahim ibn Tatana, Al-Hussein ibn Ibrahim ibn Ahmad ibn Hisham al-Mokattib, and Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani and Ali ibn Abdullah al-Warraq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authorityof his father, on the authority of Yasir - the servant, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of the Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Ali! I asked my Lord - the Honorable the Exalted - for five things regarding you. He granted them to me. The first thing was that when the Earth is rent asunder I will be the first one to be resurrected and wipe the dirt off from my face, and you will be with me. This was accepted. The second thing I asked my Lord for was that when I am taken to the Scale for my deeds to be reckoned, you will be with me. This was accepted. The third thing that I asked my Lord - the Honorable the Exalted - for was that you will be the one carrying my flag called ‘Lewa’ Allahu Akbar’ on which it is written, ‘The prosperous ones are those who attain Paradise!’ This was accepted. The fourth thing that I asked was that you will be the one at my Pool to serve water to my nation. This was accepted. And the fifth thing that I asked my Lord for was that you will be the one leading my nation to Paradise. This was also accepted. Therefore, I praise God for what He granted me.”

28-17 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Qasim ibn Yahya, on the authority of his grandfather (Abu Ali al-Hasan bin Rashid), on the authority of Yaqoob al-Ja’fari that he had heard Abul Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “It is fine to withdraw in six cases (during intercourse): from a woman you are sure she will not get pregnant; an old woman; a lewd woman; a shameless woman; a woman who will not nurse her child; and a slave woman.”The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) said, “Abul Hassan in this tradition may refer to Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم or Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم since Yaqoob al-Ja’fari lived at the time of both of them.”

28-18 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Abdullah al-Khalnaji, on the authority of thefather of Ali Al-Hassan ibn Rashid, “I asked Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم about the number of times the opening to the call to prayer (Allahu Akbar) must be said. He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “It is seven times.” I said, “It has been narrated that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said only one.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said it loudly once and said it quietly the other six times.”

28-19 Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim al-Isterabadi - may God be pleased with him - quoted on the authority of Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers, on the authority of Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “When Gabriel brought the news of the death of al-Najashi to God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم cried very hard for him and said, “Your brother whose name is al-Najashi has died.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then went to the desert and said ‘Allahu Akbar’ seven times. Then God evened out all the hills for him so that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم could see al-Najashi’s corpse in Ethiopia.”

28-20 My father and Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar and Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Bakr ibn Salih, on the authority of Al-Ja’fari that he had heard Abul Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “Cut your nails short on Tuesdays. Take a bath on Wednesdays. Go to perform blood-letting on Thursdays and put on your best perfumes on Fridays.”

28-21 Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Mo’awiya ibn Hakim, on the authority of Mo’ammar ibn Khallad, on the authority of Abil Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “It is not proper for a man to smell bad on any day. If it is not possible for him to put perfume on everyday, he should at least do so every other day. Even if he cannot do so, he should try to do it once a week and not abandon this.”

28-22 Abul Hassan Ali ibn Isa - a neighbor of the Kufa Mosque narrated that Isma’il ibn Ali ibn Razeen ibn al-Khoza’ee - the brother of De’belal-Khoza’ee narrated that his father quoted on the authority of Imam Abul Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “After God’s Prophet recited the following verse, ‘Not equal are the Companions of the Fire and the Companions of the Garden: it is the Companions of the Garden, that will achieve Felicity’ he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘The Companions of the Garden are those who obey me, and submit to Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم after me. The Companions of the Fire are those who hate his Mastery, are jealous of him, break their covenants and fight with him after me.”

28-23 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Obayd, on the authority of Soleiman ibn Hafs al-Marwazi, “Abul Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم wrote me a letter in which he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم wrote, Say ‘Thanks Thanks’ or ‘Forgive Forgive’ one hundred times when you perform the prostration for expression of your gratitude.”The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) said, “Soleiman ibn Hafs visited both Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and I do not know from which of the two Imams صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم this tradition has been narrated on the authority of.”

28-24 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Yaqoob ibn Yazid, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Washsha’ that he had heard Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “When a servant (i.e. a person) falls asleep while he is prostrating, the Blessed the Sublime God will say, ‘I took away the spirit of My servant while he was obeying Me.’”

28-25 Ali ibn Abdullah al-Warraq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Mehrawayh al-Qazvini quoted on the authority of Dawood ibn Soleiman al-Qadhi, on the authority of Abil Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of the Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “The world is all ignorance except for the positions of knowledge. All knowledge is considered to be a proof against man,unless it is acted accordingly. All acts are out of hypocrisy, unless they are done sincerely. Sincerity is subject to danger unless a servant (i.e. a person) ponders over what his final ending will be.”

28-26 Muhammad ibn Umar al-Hafiz al-Baghdadi narrated that Abu Muhammad Al-Hassan ibn Ali al-Momatta’ quoted on the authority of Hamdan ibn al-Mokhtar, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Khalid al-Barqi, on the authority of his Master Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of al-Ajlah al-Kendi, on the authority of Abi Borayda’, on the authority of his father that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Ali is the Divine Leader for all the believers after me.”

28-27 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Taleqani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’eed al-Kufi quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father, Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Prostrating after performing the obligatory prayers is a way of expressing gratitude to God - Exalted is His Remembrance - for the servant’s success in performing the obligatory deed. The minimum that should be said while prostrating in gratitude is ‘thanks God’ three times.” I asked, “What is meant by ‘thanks God?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It means that this prostration that I perform is indeed an expression of gratitude to the Honorable the Exalted God for granting me success in serving Him and performing the obligatory deeds. Expression of gratitude will cause an increase in prayers. Indeed if there are any deficiencies in one’s prayers which have not been made up by other prayers, they will be compensated for by this act of prostration.”

28-28 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Yaqoob ibn Yazid, on the authority of Isma’il ibn Musa صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his brother Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his grandfather (Imam As-Sajjad) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “Someone asked Imam As-Sajjad, ‘Why are the people who say night prayers the most pleasant-looking people?’ Imam As-Sajjad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “It is because they have had private times at night with God and God has enveloped them in His Own Light.’”

28-29 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Al-Hussein ibn Abil Khattab, on the authority of Ali ibn Asbat, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Abi Abdullah, on the authority of Abil Hassan (Imam Ridha) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “What is meant by the following Words of the Honorable the Exalted God - ‘…But the Monasticism which they invented for themselves, We did not prescribe for them: (We commanded) only the seeking for the Good Pleasure of Allah…’ - is night prayers.”

28-30 Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim al-Isterabadi - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Sayyar quoted on the authority of their fathers, on the authority Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Al-Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his grandfather صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “A man went to see Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said, O son of the Prophet of God! Please tell me what the interpretation of the following Words of the Honorable the Exalted God is, ‘Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “My father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم narrated that my grandfather صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم quoted on the authority of the Ornament of the Worshippers (Imam as-Sajjad) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that a man went to see the Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said, ‘Please tell me what the interpretation of the following Words of the Honorable the Exalted God is, ‘Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.’ The Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “‘Praise be to Allah’ means that God has made His servants recognize some of His Blessings, since they cannot recognize all of His Blessings in detail, because they are much more than to be enumerated or recognized. Thus He says to them, ‘Say Praise be to Allah for the Blessings which the Lord of the Two Worlds has bestowed upon us.’All things consist of the created things including the animate and inanimate. He manages the animates with His Power, feeds them their sustenance, protects them behind His Own Shield and plans all of their affairs according to His Own Plans. He maintains the inanimate with His Might. He keeps what is held together from tearing apart and keeps what is in separate parts from collapsing into one. He keeps the sky from falling down except with His Own Permission, and prevents the Earthfrom sinking in except with His Own Permission, since He is Kind and Merciful to His servants.The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم continued, “‘The Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds’ means their Owner, their Creator, and the Provider of their daily bread through ways which they know of and ways which they do not know of. The daily sustenance is divided up. It will reach the Children of Adam no matter which way they go in this world. One’s piety will not cause an increase in it, neither will a wicked person’s corruption cause a decrease in his share of the daily bread. There is a veil in between one and his share of the daily bread, and he is running after his daily bread. If one tries to escape from his share of the daily bread, it will follow him just as death does. God - the Exalted the Magnificent - says, ‘Say, Praise be to Allah’ for the Blessings that He has granted us (the Divine Leaders) and because He has made a good mention of us (the Divine Leaders) in the Books of the past before we were even born. This makes it incumbent upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the nation of Muhammad and their followers to praise Him for the nobilities which God has given them. That is why God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘When the Honorable the Exalted God appointed Moses, the son of Imran صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and chose him to supplicate to Him, God rent the sea asunder for him, rescued the Children of Israel, granted him the Torah and the Tablets, Moses صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم saw his rank near his Lord - the Honorable the Exalted - and said, ‘O Lord! You have honored me in such a way that You have never honored anyone else before me.’ Then God - the Exalted the Magnificent - said, ‘O Moses! Don’t you know that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is nobler near Me than all My angels and all My creatures?’ Moses صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘O Lord! Now that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is nobler for You than all Your creatures, are there any Households among the Households of the Prophets which are nobler for You than my Household?’ Then God - the Exalted the Magnificent - said, ‘O Moses! Don’t you know that Muhammad’s Household is nobler than all the Households of the Prophets just as Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is nobler than all the Prophets صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.’ Then Moses صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘O Lord! Now that the Household of Muhammad is as such, is there any nation amongst the nations of the Prophets صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم which is nobler than my nation? You set up the clouds as shadows for them (my nation), sent down the Manna and quails for them and You rent the sea asunder for them.’ Then God the Exalted the Magnificent said, ‘O Moses! Don’t you know that the nation of Muhammadis the noblest of all My nations just as Muhammad is the noblest of all My creatures?’ Then Moses صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘O Lord! I wish I could see them.’ Then the Honorable the Exalted God revealed to Moses صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘You will not see them. It is not the time for them to come now. But you will see them in the Garden - the Eternal Garden and Paradise. You will see them in the presence of Muhammad. They will live among its Blessings and enjoy its everlasting good. Do you want Me to let you hear their words?’ Moses صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Yes, my Lord!’ God - the Exalted the Magnificent - said, ‘Stand in front of Me like a debased servant standing in front of a Magnificent King and stretch out your back.’ Then Moses صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم did that. Then our Lord - the Honorable the Exalted called out, ‘O nation of Muhammad!’ Then all of them replied from the loins of their fathers and from the wombs of their mothers, ‘Here I am at Your service, O Lord! Here I am. There are no partners for You. Here I am. Praise be to You. Blessings and the Kingdom are Yours. There are no partners for You.’Then the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم added, “The Honorable the Exalted God established this as the slogan of the Hajj pilgrims. Then our Lord - the Honorable the Exalted said, ‘O nation of Muhammad! This is My decree for you: My Mercy has overcome My Wrath, and My Forgiveness is ahead of My Chastisement. I will accept your supplications before you call Me. I will grant you (something) before you ask Me. I will take to Paradise whichever of you who visits Me having sincerely testified and practically honored that ‘There is no god but God; There are no partners for Him; Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger, and Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is Muhammad’s brother - his Trustee and Master after him. It is obligatory to obey Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم just as it is to obey Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. After the two of them (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) the Masters are the Chosen Masters, the Purified ones, the Cleansed ones, the ones who will inform (the people) about the miracles of God and express the Proofs of God’, even if his sins are as much as the foam on the sea.”Then the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم added, “When the Honorable the Exalted God appointed Muhammad to the Prophethood, He said, O Muhammad! ‘Nor wast thou at the side of (the Mountain of) Tur when we called (to Moses)…’ that is, We called your (Muhammad) nation with this honor. Then the Honorable the Exalted God told Muhammad, ‘Say, ‘Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds’ for this nobility which was granted especially to me.”

28-31 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr al-Bezanti, “I asked Abul Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم about the ‘Al-Haram (Mosque) and why some of the signs marking its boundary are closer to each other, while others are farther away from each other. The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘When the Honorable the Exalted God threw Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم out of Paradise and sent him down to Mount Abi Qobays, Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم complained to his Lord - the Honorable the Exalted - about being frightened and not hearing the sounds that he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to hear in Paradise. Then the Honorable the Exalted God sent down a red hyacinth which Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم placed at the site of the House (the Kaaba). Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to circumambulate around it and its light reached the limits of the ‘Al-Haram. The signs marking the limits of the ‘Al-Haram were thus marked based on the light from that hyacinth. Thus God established that area as the ‘Al-Haram Mosque.”The same account was narrated by Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with him - on the authority of Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan al-Saffar, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Abi Himam Isma’il ibn Himam, on the authority of Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Abbas ibn Ma’ruf quoted on the authority of Safwan ibn Yahya, “I asked Abul Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم about the ‘Al-Haram (Mosque) and its signs. He told me something similar to the above.”

28-32 Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Mutawakkil - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Al-Hussein As-Sa’dabadi quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Abi Abdillah al-Barqi, on the authority of Abdul Azeem ibn Abdullah Al-Hassani, on the authority of Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha Ali ibn Musa صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “I heard from Abul Hassan Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that Amr ibn Obayd al-Basri went to see Abi Abdullah (as-Sadiq) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. After greeting him and sitting down, Amr recited the following verse said by the Honorable the Exalted God, ‘Those who avoid great sins and shameful deeds…’ He then became quiet. Abu Abdullah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم asked himwhy he had become silent. Amr said, “I would like to get to know the great sins from the Book of the Honorable the Exalted God.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Fine. O Amr! The worst of the great sins is associating partners with God as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the Garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help.’ The next most important sin is giving up hope of receiving God’s Mercy, since the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…and never give up hope of Allah’s Soothing Mercy: truly no one despairs of Allah’s Soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith.’ And feeling secure against the plan of God is also considered to be the next most important sin as the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘Did they then feel secure against the plan of Allah - but no one can feel secure from the Plan of Allah, except those (doomed) to ruin!’ Also included among the major sins is damnation of parents. Indeed the Honorable the Exalted God has said that the result of parents’ damnation is equal to being overbearing and miserable. Jesus صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable.’ Another major sin is killing people - which God has forbidden - except in just cases - as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (Forever): And the wrath and the Curse of God are upon him, and a dreadful penalty is prepared for him.’ Another major sin is slandering chaste women as the Blessed the Sublime God says, ‘Those who slander chaste women, indiscreet but believing, are cursed in this life and in the Hereafter: for them is a grievous Penalty.’ Another major sin is unjustly eating up the property of orphans as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘Those who unjustly eat up the property of orphans, eat up a Fire into their own bodies: They will soon be enduring a Blazing Fire!’ Another major sin is escaping from battle as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own) - he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!’ Another major sin is devouring usury as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness…’ Another major sin is performing magic as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…And they knew that the buyers of (magic) would have no share in the happiness of the Hereafter…’ Another major sinis committing fornication as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…and any that does this (not only) meets punishment. (But) the Penalty on the Day of Judgment will be doubled to him, and he will dwell therein in ignominy unless he repents, believes, and works righteous deeds, for Allah will change the evil of such persons into good, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ Another major sin is false swearing as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘As for those who sell the faith they owe to Allah and their own plighted word for a small price, they shall have no portion in the Hereafter: Nor will Allah (Deign to) speak to them or look at them on the Day of Judgment, nor will He cleanse them (of sin): They shall have a grievous penalty.’ Another major sin is treason as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…If any person is so false, He shall, on the Day of Judgment, restore what he misappropriated..’ Another major sin is not paying the obligatory alms tax as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘On the Day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of Hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs. This is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!’ Another major sin is giving false testimony as the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘Those who witness no falsehood…’ And says ‘…for whoever conceals it, His heart is tainted with sin…’ Another major sin is drinking intoxicating drinks as the Honorable the Exalted God has equaled it to idol-worship. Another major sin is willingly abandoning praying or any other obligatory deeds as the Prophet of God صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘The ties with God of whoever willingly abandons praying without any reason will be cut off and God and His Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم will make no covenants with him.’ Another major sin is breaking one’s covenant and ties of kinship as the Honorable the Exalted God says the following about them, ‘…on them is the curse; for them is the terrible home!’ “The narrator added, “Amr ibn Obayd left there while he was crying and saying, ‘I swear by God that whoever debates with you (Imam As-Sadiq صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) with knowledge and nobility, and still abides by his own points of view, will surely be destroyed.’”

28-33 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Soleiman al-Razi quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Al-Hussein, on the authority of Abil Khattab, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr al-Bezanti, “I askedAbil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘How was good scent first created?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم asked me, ‘What do others say about that?’ I said, ‘They say that when Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم first descended to the Earth in India, he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم cried for Paradise. His tears flowed, dropped on the Earth and penetrated the Earth in the form of roots which then turned into good scent.’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘It is not as they say. Eve used to tie up her hair with leaves from the trees in Paradise. When she descended to the Earth and committed a sin, then she started to menstruate. She was ordered to perform the ritual ablution. She undid her hair. The Honorable the Exalted God sent a wind which caused her hair to move around. Then God had it settle down and spread the good scent wherever the Honorable the Exalted God willed. This is the root of good scent.”

28-34 Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Sinani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sahl ibn Ziyad al-Adami quoted on the authority of Abdul Azeem ibn Abdullah Al-Hassani, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Askari صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “It is not recommended to make love on the first, the middle and the last night of the month since if one does so his child will be insane. Don’t you see that those who are insane usually have an epileptic attack on the first, the middle and the last nights of the month?” He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also said, “Whoever makes love when the moon is in the position of the scorpion will not get a good result. Whoever makes love at the end of the month should expect a miscarriage.”

28-35 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Obayd who linked it up to Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “God will not divulge the theft of a servant (someone) for as long as his penalty is less than (the expiation for) his hand. However, if the expiation for the theft is as much as (the expiation for) the thief’s hand, then God will make it known.”

28-36 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Ibrahim al-Nahavandi quoted on the authority of Salih ibn Rahawayh, on the authority of Abi Hayyoon - a servant of Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority ofAl-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “Gabriel descended to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said, O Muhammad! Your Lord sends greetings to you and says that the virgin women are like fruits of the tree. When the fruits ripen there is no way but to pick them, or else the sun and the wind will ruin them. When virgin girls mature and understand what women understand, then there is no way but to marry them off or else they will not be secure from corruption.” Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم climbed up the pulpit and declared what God had ordered. The people asked, “O Prophet of God! Whom should we marry them off?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “To people who match them.” They asked, “Who would be considered to be one who matches them?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Believers match each other.” Then from the top of the pulpit the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم married off Dhuba’a - the daughter of Zobayr ibn Abdul Muttalib - to Miqdad ibn Aswad and said, “O people! I married off my uncle’s daughter to Miqdad so that marriage becomes easier to do.”

28-37 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Abdullah ibn Ja’far al-Himyari quoted on the authority of al-Ryan ibn al-Salt, “A group of people went to Khorasan to see Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. They told him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘Some of the members of your household do bad deeds. It would have been good if you had admonished them.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I will not do that.” They asked, “Why?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I heard my father say, ‘Advice is bitter.’”

28-38 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Abi Hayyoon - a servant of Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم - that Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Whoever refers to the doubtless (muhkam) in the Quran regarding the doubtful things (mutashabih) in it will be guided towards the straight path.” He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then added, “There are also some doubtful things among our traditions like the doubtful things in the Quran and there are doubtless things among our traditions like the doubtless things in the Quran. You should thus check the doubtful things against the doubtless things, and not just follow the doubtful things lest you may be misguided.”

28-39 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Taleqani narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’eed al-Hamadani quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father, on theauthority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that, “Paradise is assured for whoever fasts on the first day of the (Arabic) month of Rajab hoping to be rewarded by the Honorable the Exalted God. The intercession of whoever fasts on one of the middle days of that month on behalf of as many people as there are in the Rabee’a and Modhar tribes will be accepted. God will make whoever fasts on the last day of that month one of the kings in Paradise. Also God will accept his intercession on behalf of his father, mother, son, daughter, sister, paternal uncle, paternal aunt, maternal uncle, maternal aunt, friends and neighbors, even if some of them deserve the Fire.”

28-40 The interpreter, Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim known as Abil Hassan al-Jurjani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Sayyar quoted on the authority of their fathers, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Al-Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that one day God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم told one of his companions, “O servant of God! Love for the sake of God and hate for the sake of God. Be friends for the sake of God and be enemies for the sake of God. That is because you cannot achieve God’s Mastery over you in any other way. No one will experience the true feeling of faith unless he does so - even if he prays and fasts a lot. Nowadays, most of the friendships and animosities of the worldlings are for the sake of this world. They like each other for it and they hate each other for it. However, this will not benefit them.” That man asked, “How could I tell whether my liking and my animosity are for the sake of God or not? Who is God’s Friend so that I may be friends with him. Who are God’s enemies so that I may be their enemy?” God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then pointed at Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said, “Do you see him?” The man said, “Yes.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “This is God’s Friend! Whoever loves him is God’s friend and whoever is his enemy is God’s enemy. Therefore, love Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. Be the enemy of Ali’s enemies and be the friend of Ali’s friends. Be the friend of Ali’s friend - even if Ali’s friend may have killed your father or your son. Be the enemy of Ali’s enemy - even if he may be your father or your son.”

28-41 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority ofhis father, “I heard Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, ‘God will forgive the sins of whoever asks for forgiveness seventy times during the (Arabic) month of Ramadan even if his sins are as numerous as the stars.’”

28-42 In the (Arabic) month of Rajab of the year 339 A.H. (950 A.D.) in Qum Hamza ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn Ali ibn Al-Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted in the year 307 A.H. (918 A.D.) on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ali ibn Ma’bad, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Khalid, on the authority of Abil Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Whoever likes to board the Ship of Salvation, grab the Reliable Grip and guard himself with God’s Strong Rope, should love Ali after me and be the enemy of Ali’s enemies. He should follow the Divine Leaders to Guidance who are from Ali’s progeny and accept them as his leaders, since they are my Successors; Trustees; and God’s Proofs for the creatures; Masters of the nation and the guiders to Paradise. Their party is my party, and the party of their enemies is the party of Satan.”

28-43 Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Mutawakkil - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Al-Hussein As-Sa’dabadi quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Abi Abdillah al-Barqi, on the authority of Abdul Azeem ibn Abdullah Al-Hassani, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Al-Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “Musa ibn Ja’far (al-Kadhim) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم went to see Harun Ar-Rashid while Harun was really angry with someone. The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “You are getting angry on behalf of God. Therefore do not get more angry than God would in such a case.”

28-44 Muhammad ibn Bakran al-Naqqash and Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Mu’addib - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hamdani quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father, “I asked Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم about the night of the middle of Sha’ban. The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It is the night to get released from the Fire. On that night major sins will be forgiven.” I said, “Are there any additional prayers for that night?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It does not have any especial prayers. However, if you like to do a recommendable act on that nightyou can say the Ja’far ibn Abi Talib’s Prayer and mention the Honorable the Exalted God, ask for forgiveness and supplicate a lot. My father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Supplications are accepted (fulfilled) on that night.’ I said, “The people say that that night is the night of ‘Sekak.“ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “That is the Night of Power (‘Qadr) in the (Arabic) month of Ramadan.”

28-45 According to the same documentation, it is narrated on the authority of Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “In fact, the (Arabic) month of Ramadan is a great month. During that month, God will multiply one’s good deeds many times. He will eliminate the wicked deeds and raise the ranks during that month. God will forgive whoever gives charity during that month. God will forgive whoever treats his slaves with kindness during that month. God will forgive whoever is good-tempered during that month. God will forgive whoever quenches his wrath during that month. God will forgive whoever visits his relatives during that month.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then added, “This month is not like other months. It will bring you blessings and mercy whenever it comes, and it will go away with forgiveness of the sins when it ends. This is the month in which good deeds are multiplied by many times and in which good acts are accepted. The Honorable the Exalted God will forgive whoever says two units of prayers during that month.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then added, “One is really miserable if this month is finished and his sins are not forgiven, and is at a loss when the good-doers receive their rewards from the Benevolent Lord.”

28-46 Hamza ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Zayd ibn Ali ibn Al-Hussein ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم narrated that in the year 307 A.H. (918 A.D.) Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ali ibn Ma’bad, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Khalid, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Ali! You are my brother, my Vizier, the holder of my flag in this world and the Hereafter. You are the owner of my Pool (in Pasradise). Whoever loves you loves me, and whoever despises you despises me.”

28-47 Abu Ali Ahmad ibn Al-Hassan al-Qattan, Muhammad ibn Bakran an-Naqash, and Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Taleqani - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’eed al-Hamadani quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father that (Imam) Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “The eyes of whoever remembers our calamities, cries and makes others cry will not be crying on the Day on which all eyes will be crying. The heart of whoever attends a meeting and revives our affairs will not perish on the Day on which all hearts will perish.” The narrator added, “Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also said, ‘when the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘If ye did well, ye did well for yourselves; if ye did evil, (ye did it) against yourselves…’ it means that if you do evil there is a Lord to forgive you.’”The narrator added, “Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also said, ‘when the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘…So overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness’ it means forgiving without any reproach.’”The narrator added, “Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also said, ‘when the Honorable the Exalted God said, ‘It is He Who doth show you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope…’ it means that a traveler is afraid and hopes to stay.’”The narrator added, “Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also said, ‘whoever finds nothing to pay for expiation of his sins should send blessings upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and his Household as that will eliminate sins.’” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also said, “To the Honorable the Exalted God sending blessings upon Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and his Household is just like saying His Glorifications, saying There is no god but God or saying God is the Greatest.”

28-48 Muhammad ibn Bakran an-Naqash, Ahmad ibn Al-Hassan al-Qattan, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Mo’azi and Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Mokattib narrated that Abul Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’eed al-Hamdani - a servant of the Hashemites - quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Abil Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father As-Sadiq Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Baqir Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father the Ornament of the Worshippers Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, onthe authority of his father the Master of the Martyrs Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father the Master of the Trustees and the Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that one day God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم delivered a sermon and said, “O people! The month of God (Ramadan) has come to you with blessings, mercy, and forgiveness. This is the noblest of the months to God. Its days are the noblest of the days. Its nights are the noblest of the nights. It is the month in which you have been invited to be God’s guests. You have been established as those honored by God in that month. Your breathing in this month is considered to be saying His Glorifications. Your sleeping in it is considered to be His worshipping, your deeds are accepted by Him and your supplications to Him are fulfilled.Then ask God - your Lord - with sincere intentions and pure hearts to help you succeed in His fasting and reciting His Book. Whoever gets deprived of God’s forgiveness in this great month is at a real loss. Remember the thirst and hunger of the Resurrection Day by experiencing this thirst and hunger. Give charity to your poor and indigent ones; respect your elder ones; be kind with the younger ones; visit your relations of kin; watch your tongues; lower your eyes from what your eyes are forbidden to look at; and guard your ears from what your ears are forbidden to hear. Be kind to other people’s orphans so that others may be kind to your orphans. Repent to God for your sins. Raise up your hands towards Him in supplication at the times of saying your prayers. These times are the noblest of the hours during which the Honorable the Exalted God looks upon His servants with Mercy, responds when they make supplications, replies to them when they call Him, and fulfills for them what they ask for. O people! You are tied down by your deeds. Free yourselves with your supplications. Your backs are overburdened with your sins. Make them lighter with extended prostrations. Know that the Sublime God has sworn by His Honor that He will not punish or throw into the Fire those who pray and fall in prostration on the Day on which all the people will rise for the Lord of the Worlds. O people! The reward with the Honorable the Exalted God for whoever provides for the breaking of the fast of any believer in this month is like that of freeing a slave and the forgiveness of all past sins.”The people said, “O Prophet of God! Not all of us are able to do that.” Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Fend off the Fire from yourselves (byproviding for the breaking of the fast of any believer) - even if it be with a piece of a date. Fend off the Fire from yourselves (by providing for the breaking of the fast of any believer) even if it be with a sip of water. O people! Whoever is good-tempered in this month will easily cross the Bridge on the Day (of Judgment) on which one’s steps are not firm. God will ease the reckoning of whoever takes it easy with those whom his right hand possesses (slaves) in this month. On the Day one meets God, God will withhold His Wrath from whoever controls his wickedness in this month. On the Day one meets God, God will honor whoever honors an orphan in this month. On the Day one meets God, He will shower His Mercy upon whoever maintains family ties in this month. God will deprive from His Mercy whoever breaks off his family ties in this month. God will record freedom from the Fire for whoever says one unit of recommendable prayers. The reward of whoever performs an obligatory deed in this month is seventy times that of one who performs the same deed in other months. The Balance of Deeds of whoever sends blessings upon me a lot will be more positive on the (Judgement) Day on which the Balance of Deeds are negative. The reward of whoever recites one verse of the Quran in this month is like the reward of one who recites the whole Quran in other months. O people! The gates of Paradise are open in this month. Then ask your Lord not to close them on you. And the gates of the Fire are closed. Then ask your Lord not to open them up to you. Satan is chained down. Then ask your Lord not to let him overcome you.”The Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I stood up and said, ‘O Prophet of God! What are the noblest of the deeds in this month?’ The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Abul Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم! The noblest of the deeds in this month are abstaining from what the Honorable the Exalted God has forbidden.” Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم cried. I asked him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “O Prophet of God! Why did you cry?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Ali! I cried for what will be done to you in this month. It is as if I see you while you are praying to your Lord and the nastiest of those of old or those of later times - as nasty as he who killed the she-camel of Thamud - will stand up and deliver such a blow to your head that your beard will get stained (with blood).” The Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Prophet of God! Will my religion remain intact in this situation?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Your religion is intact.”The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then added, “O Ali! Whoever kills you has indeed killed me. Whoever despises you has indeed despised me. Whoever swears at you has indeed sworn at me. This is because you are from me and just like myself. Your spirit is from my spirit. Your clay is from my clay. In fact, the Blessed the Sublime God has created you and me, and appointed you and me. God chose me for the Prophethood and chose you for the Divine Leadership. Whoever denies your Divine Leadership has, in fact, denied my Prophethood. O Ali! You are my Trustee, the father of my grandchildren, the spouse of my daughter, the Caliph over my nation during and after my life. Your orders are just like my orders. Your admonishing is just like my admonishing. I swear by Him who has appointed me to the Prophethood and established me as the best of the people that you are God’s Proof for His creatures, the one entrusted with His Secrets and His Successor over His servants.”

28-49 The interpreter (of the Quran) Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Husseini narrated on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha Ali ibn Musa صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “The Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘There are many who are ignorant and make a piece of clothing to wear but it becomes their burial shroud, and build a house in which to live but that house will be their burial place.’”

28-50 According to the same documentation, the Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked, “What is preparedness for death?” He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Performing the obligatory deeds, avoiding the forbidden deeds, and being good-tempered. For such a person it does not make any difference whether he approaches death or death comes towards him. I swear by God that it does not make any difference for the son of Abi Talib (the Commander of the Faithful: Imam Ali) whether he goes towards death or death comes towards him.”

28-51 According to the same documentation, in one of his sermons, the Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O people! This world is to passthrough and the Hereafter is Eternal. Take things from this passage way for your Residence. Do not disclose your hidden affairs to Him for whom your secrets are not hidden. Take your hearts out of this world before your bodies are taken out of it. You live in this world but you are created for the Hereafter. This world is like poison which someone might take who does not know about it. When someone dies the angels ask, “What has he brought along with him?” and the people ask, “What has he left behind?” Send ahead nobilities from which you may benefit. Do not leave behind what might cause you sorrow. Whoever gets deprived of the good benefits of his own wealth is really deprived. He will be jealous of those who have made the balance of their deeds heavier on the side of the good deeds by giving charity and granting welfare. Their Residence is in Paradise and the Path that they will follow is good.”

28-52 Muhammad ibn Bakran al-Naqqash in the Kufa Mosque and Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Mokattib in Ray - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’eed al-Hamadani - a servant of the Hashemites - quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father that Abil Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “God will provide for the needs of this world and the Hereafter of whoever does not try to provide for his needs on the Day of Ashura. The Honorable the Exalted God will make the Resurrection Day a day of pleasure and happiness for whoever makes the Day of Ashura his day of calamity, mourning, sorrow and crying. If one considers the Day of Ashura to be a blessed day for him and hoards things up in his house on that day, whatever he hoards up will not be blessed. He will be resurrected along with Yazid, Ubaydillah ibn Ziyad and Umar ibn Sa’d - may God damn them - on the Resurrection Day.”

28-53 Muhammad Ibn Ali Majiluwayh رضي الله عنه narrated that Ali Ibn Ibrahim Ibn Hashim narrated from his father that al-Rayyan Ibn Shabeeb said: “I went to see Imam al-Ridha عليه السلام on the first day of Muharram. He said, ‘O Ibn Shabeeb! Are you fasting?’ I answered, ‘No.’ He said, ‘Today is the day on which Zakariya prayed to his Lord saying «My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication»[3:38] Then Allah accepted his Prayers and commanded His Angels to go and give him glad tidings of Yahya عليه السلام. The Angels came and called out to him while he was engaged in Prayers in the chamber. Hence the one who fasts on this day and supplicates to Allah, his Prayer will be answered as was Zakariya's.' He then said: Oh son of Shabeeb! Muharram is such a month that the Arabs of the age of ignorance (pre-Islamic) too respected its sanctity and forbade oppression and blood-shed in it. But these people (the Umayyads) did not honor the sanctity of this month nor of their Prophet. In this month they killed the son of the Prophet and imprisoned the women-folk after looting and plundering their belongings, verily Allah will never ever forgive this crime of theirs. Oh son of Shabeeb! If you wish to cry over anything , then cry over al-Husayn عليه السلام for he was beheaded like a lamb. Eighteen persons from among his family, who were unparalleled from anyone amongst this earth, were also killed along with him. The seven heavens and earths cried upon death of Husayn عليه السلام. Four thousand Angels descended from the heavens to aid him, but when they reached there they saw that he had already been killed. They all thus remain near his grave with wrinkled hair covered with dust until al-Qa'im عليه السلام rises. They will be from his supporters and their slogan will be: Ya Latharat al-Husayn (Vengeance for the blood of Husayn). Oh son of Shabeeb! My father narrated to me from his father from his grandfather (Zayn al-'Abideen) that when al-Husayn عليه السلام was killed, the skies rained with blood and red dust. Oh son Shabeeb! If you cry for al-Husayn عليه السلام in such a way that tears flow down your cheeks, then God will forgive all your sins that you have committed whether they be minor or major, whether they be a few instances or a lot. Oh son of Shabeeb! If you would like to meet Allah سبحانه وتعالى without having any sins, then go visit the grave of al-Husayn. Oh son Shabeeb! If you would like to accompany the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم in the rooms of Paradise, then curse (la'an) the killers of al-Husayn عليه السلام. Oh son of Shabeeb! If you desire to have the reward of those who were martyred along with al-Husayn عليه السلام, then whenever you remember him, say: Ya Laytani, Kuntu ma'ahum fa'afusa fawsan adheema (Oh I wish I had been with them, then I would too have won a great victory). Oh son of Shabeeb! If you would like to be in the same high ranks in Paradise with us, then be sad when we are sad and be happy when we are happy, and I urge you to remain attached to our love. For even if a person is attached to a stone in this world, Allah shall make him arise with it on the day of Judgement.'"

28-54 The Astarabadi interpreter Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Say’yar quoted on the authority of their fathers, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali (al-Askari) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha Ali ibn Musa صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that the Honorable the Exalted God said, “I have divided the Opening of the Book (Chapter ‘Al-Fatiha) between Me and My servant. Half of it is Mine and the other half belongs to My servant. My servant can get whatever he asks for. When the servant says, ‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’ God the Exalted the Magnificent will say, ‘My servant started in My Name. It is incumbent upon Me to perfect his affair and Bless his conditions. When he says, ‘Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds’ God - the Exalted the Magnificent - says, ‘My servant expressed My Praise and recognized that the blessings that he possesses are from Me and that the calamities which have been fended off from him have been fended off by My Power. I take you as witnesses that I will add the Blessings of the Hereafter to his worldly blessings, and will fend off the Calamities of the Hereafter from him just as I fended off the worldly calamities from him.’ When he says, ‘Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’ God -the Exalted the Magnificent- will say, ‘My servant testified that I am Gracious and Merciful. I take you to witness that I will increase his share of My Mercy and expand hisshare of My Grace.’ When he says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment’ God the Exalted the Magnificent will say, ‘I take you as witnesses that as he has testified that I am the Master of the Day of Judgment, I will make his reckoning easy on the Reckoning Day and I will forgive his bad deeds.’ When he says, ‘Thee do we worship…’ God the Honorable the Exalted will say, ‘My servant is right. He only worships Me. Bear witness that I will grant him such a reward for this worshipping that whoever opposes him in this worship will envy him.’ When he says, ‘…and Thine aid we seek’ God the Honorable the Exalted will say, ‘My servant is seeking My Help and is taking refuge in Me. I take you to witness that I will assist him in his affairs and will support him in times of difficulty, and rescue him on days of hardship.’ When he says, ‘Show us the straight way. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray’ God the Honorable the Exalted will say, ‘This is My servant. What My servant wants is fulfilled and whatever he wills, will be done. I will protect him against what he fears.’”Imam Al-Hassan ibn Ali Al-Askari صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم added, “And the Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! Please let us know if ‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’ is from the Opening of the Book.’ The Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, ‘Yes. God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم recited it and considered it to be a part of that verse. God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said that the Opening of the Book is the Seven Oft-repeated (verses).’”

28-55 The interpreter Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim - known as Abil Hassan al-Jurjani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Say’yar quoted on the authority of their fathers, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha Ali ibn Musa صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his brother Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that the Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali) صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’ is one of the verses from the Opening Chapter of theBook. This Chapter consists of seven verses which are perfected with ‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’ I heard God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, The Honorable the Exalted God told me, ‘O Muhammad! ‘And We have bestowed upon thee the Seven Oft-repeated (verses) and the Grand Qur’an.’’ First God honored me with the Opening Chapter and equalled it to the Grand Quran. Indeed, the Opening of the Book is the most honorable thing which exists in the Treasures of the Throne. The Honorable the Exalted God allocated it especially to Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and honored him with it. God did not make any of the other Prophets - except for Solomon - a partner in this honor. God bestowed the verse ‘In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful’ upon Solomon. Quoting Belqees (Balqees of Saba’), God says, ‘(The queen) said, ‘Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect. It is from Solomon, and is (as follows):’In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’’ The Honorable the Exalted God will grant - whoever recites it along with belief in Muhammad and his Household’s Mastery; obeys their orders; believes in their outward appearance and inner characteristics - a reward for each letter of it that is better for him than this world, and all its goods and all the wealth in it. Whoever listens to someone reciting the Quran will receive the same reward as the recitor does. Therefore, gain more and more benefits from this good which you have been granted as it is highly valuable. It may become too late and you may feel sorry in your hearts.’”

28-56 Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Mutawakkil - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of al-Ryan ibn al-Salt, on the authority of Al-Ridha Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “The Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم saw one of his followers after a very long time in whom signs of old age could be seen and who had difficulty walking. The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم asked him, ‘Have you grown old?’ The man replied, ‘In your obedience - O Commander of the Faithful!’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘I see that you still have some strength.’ The man said, ‘It is for you - O Commander of the Faithful!’”

28-57 Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ishaq al-Mu’addib - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Sa’eed al-Kufi quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Abil Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that when the time of the demise of Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم came, he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم cried. They asked him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “O son of the Prophet of God! Considering your position relative to the Prophet of God صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, your rank, what God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم has said about you, your having gone on the Hajj pilgrimage twenty times on foot, your having divided up your wealth - even your shoes - with God (in charity) three times, why are you crying?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I am crying for two reasons: fear of what I will encounter (death) and separation from the loved ones.”

28-58 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Hussein ibn Ahmad al-Maleki quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Abi Mahmood, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Ali! You are the oppressed one after me. Woe be to whoever oppresses you! Blessed be whoever follows you and does not prefer anyone else over you. O Ali! You are the one with whom others will fight with after me. Woe be to whoever fights against you and blessed be whoever fights along with you. O Ali! You are the one who will speak using my words and will talk using my tongue. Woe be to whoever rejects your words and blessed be whoever accepts your words. O Ali! You are the Master of this nation after me. You are their Divine Leader. You are their Caliph. Whoever leaves you will leave me on the Resurrection Day. Whoever stays with you will stay with me on the Resurrection Day. O Ali! You are the first man who believed in and acknowledged me. You are the first man who assisted me in my affairs and fought along with me against my enemies. You are the first man who prayed with me in the days when the people were ignorant.O Ali! You are the first one who will raise your head out of the dirt along with me on the Resurrection Day. You are the first man who will pass over the Bridge along with me. In fact, my Lord - the Honorable the Exalted - has sworn that no one will pass over the Bridge, unless he gets the pass of salvation from the Fire with the Mastery of you (Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) and the Mastery of the Divine Leaders from your progeny. You will be the first one to enter my Pool (‘Kawthar) and quench the thirst of your friends with it and drive away your enemies from it. You will accompany me when I rise at the Praised Position (‘Al-Maqam Al-Mahmood). You will intercede on behalf of our friends, and your intercession on their behalf will be accepted. You will be the first one to enter Paradise holding the Flag of Praise (‘Lewa ul-Hamd) which has seventy parts, each of which is greater than the Sun and the Moon. You are the owner of the ‘Tooba Tree in Paradise. Its root will be in your house and its branches will extend out into the homes of your lovers and followers.”Ibn Abi Mahmood added, “I told Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘O son of the Prophet of God! There are traditions with us about the nobility of the Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and the nobilities of you - the Members of the Holy Household - which I do not observe in you. Should we believe in those traditions?”The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘O Ibn Abi Mahmood! My father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم narrated that his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم quoted on the authority of his grandfather صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Whoever listens to someone’s speech is worshipping him. If the speaker is talking on behalf of God, then he has worshipped God. However, if the speaker is talking on behalf of Satan, then he has worshipped Satan.’’The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then added, ‘O Ibn Abi Mahmood! Our enemies have faked three types of traditions regarding our nobilities which are of the following types: 1- boasting 2- belittling and 3- the wickedness of our enemies and swearing at them. When the people hear their traditions boastings about us, they will denounce us and say that the Shiites believe in the divinity of their Divine Leaders. When they hear their traditions belittling us, they will believe them. They will swear at us - the Members of the Holy Household - when they hear the traditions about the wickedness of our enemies and their being sweared at, while the Honorable the Exalted God has said, ‘Revile not ye those whom they callupon besides God, lest they out of spite revile God in their ignorance….’”O Ibn Abi Mahmood! Follow our way when the people deviate to the right or left. We will be with whoever follows us. We will separate from whoever separates himself from us. The least thing that might lead one to abandon faith is to say that a pebble is an atom, believe it and stay away from those who oppose him. O Ibn Abi Mahmood! Safeguard what I have told you since I have given you what is best for you in this world and the Hereafter.”

28-59 Abul Hassan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Saqr al-Sa’igh and Abul Hassan Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Mehrawayh narrated that Abdurrahman ibn Abi Hatam quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Al-Fadhl Abu Muhammad - a servant of the Hashemites at Medina, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “Abu Ja’far al-Dawaniqi sent for Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم in order to kill him. He prepared the sword and a piece of special leather (which was used to put on the floor for executing people on). Al-Dawaniqi told al-Rabee’, “Chop off his head when I clap my hands after I speak with him.” Then when Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم entered, the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم looked at al-Dawaniqi from a distance and the Imam’s lips were moving. Abu Ja’far (al-Dawaniqi) was sitting in his place and was saying, ‘O Aba Abdullah! Welcome. We only sent for you to pay off your debts.’ He then gently asked about his household and added, ‘God has paid off your debts and has determined your reward. O al-Rabee’, do not do the third thing until Ja’far returns to his family.’ When al-Dawaniqi left, al-Rabee’ told the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘O Aba Abdullah! Did you see the sword and the leather that was prepared for you? What were you saying when you were moving your lips?’ Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘When I noticed the wickedness in his eyes I said, ‘The Lord suffices me - not the people. The Creator suffices me - not the creatures. The Provider suffices me - not those being provided for. God the Lord of the Two Worlds suffices me. God the Sufficer suffices for me. God who always suffices, suffices for me. God suffices for me. God suffices for me, since other than Him there are no gods. I rely upon Him and He is the Owner of the Great Throne.’”

28-60 The interpreter from Astarabad Muhammad ibn Al-Qasim - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Yusuf ibn Muhammad ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Sayyar quoted on the authority of their fathers, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha Ali ibn Musa صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “The following Words of the Honorable the Exalted God, ‘Show us the straight way’ means ‘guide us to the straight path - that is a path which will make us love You and take us to Your Religion, and hinders us from following our selfish desires which would ruin us.’”

28-61 Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ali ibn Ma’bad, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Khalid, “I asked Abul Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم about the following Words of the Honorable the Exalted God, ‘We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it;- He was indeed unjust and foolish.’“ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “The Trust is the same as the Mastery. Whoever makes a false claim of Mastery is an unbeliever.”

28-62 Abdul Wahid Muhammad ibn Ubdoos al-Neishaboori al-Attar - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Qutayba al-Neishaboori quoted on the authority of Hamdan ibn Soleiman al-Neishaboori, on the authority of Abdul Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi that he asked Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “O son of the Prophet of God! Please tell me about the tree from which Adam and Eve ate. What was it? There are differences among the people about that matter. There are some people who say it was wheat. There are others who say it was a grape vine. Still others say that it was the tree of jealousy.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “All these accounts are correct.” Al-Harawi asked, “Then what is the meaning of these various aspects?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said,”O Aba Salt! Heavenly trees produce different fruits. That was a wheat tree which also had grapes. It is not like the trees in this world. When God - High is His Remembrance - honored Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم by having the angels prostrate before him and by taking him into Paradise, he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم told himself, “Has God created any humans nobler than me?”The Honorable the Exalted God knew what Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم thought and called out, “O Adam! Raise your head up. Look at the base of the Throne.” Then Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم raised his head up and looked at the base of the Throne where he found the following written, “There is no god but God. Muhammad is the Messenger of God. Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is the Commander of the Faithful. His wife (the Blessed Lady) Fatima صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is the Master of the Women of the Two Worlds. Al-Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and Al-Hussein صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم are the two Masters of the Youth in Paradise.” Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Lord! Who are they?” The Honorable the Exalted God said, “They are your offspring. They are better than you and better than all My creatures. Were it not for them, I would neither have created you, nor would I have created the heavens, the Earth, Paradise and Hell. Do not ever look upon them with jealousy since I will then send you away from My proximity.” However, Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم became jealous of them and wished to have had their rank. Thus Satan overwhelmed Adam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and he ate of the forbidden tree. Then Satan also overwhelmed Eve because she was jealous of (the Blessed Lady) Fatima صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. She also ate of that forbidden tree. The Honorable the Exalted God sent them away from His Paradise and sent them away from His proximity down to the Earth.”

28-63 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Yaqoob ibn Yazid, on the authority of Obayd ibn Hilal that he had heard Abul Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “I like that a believer be an innovator.” Obayd ibn Hilal asked the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “What do you mean by innovator?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “I mean that he be one who understands things.”

28-64 Abdul Wahid Muhammad ibn Ubdoos al-Neishaboori al-Attar - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Qutayba al-Neishaboori quoted on the authority of Hamdan ibn Soleiman al-Neishaboori, on the authority of Abdul Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi that he had heard Abul Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “May God have Mercy upon anyone who revives our affairs.’ Al-Harawi asked the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “How can one revive your affairs?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “He can learn our knowledge and teach it to the people. If the people get informed of those good teachings, they would follow us.’”The narrator (Salih al-Harawi) added, “I said, O son of the Prophet of God! A tradition has been narrated on the authority of Abi Abdullah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلمwhich says, ‘Whoever learns things in order to argue with the ignorant ones or be haughty with the scholars, and attracts some of the people to himself, will go into the Fire.’” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “My grandfather صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم spoke the truth. Do you know who the ignorant ones are?” I said, “O son of the Prophet of God! No.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “They are our opponents who make up stories. Do you know who the scholars are?” I said, “O son of the Prophet of God! No.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “They are the scholars from the Household of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم whose obedience to the Honorable the Exalted God has made incumbent (upon the people) and God has made it obligatory upon the people to love them.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم then added, “Do you know what Abi Abdullah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم meant when he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘…attract some of the people to himself?’” I said, “No.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I swear by God that this means an undue claim to be a Divine Leader. Whoever does so will go to Hell.”

28-65 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Abu Abdullah al-Razi, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Khalid that he asked Abil Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “How much of one’s wealth should be used, if one has willed that some of his wealth be spent in a certain way?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “One-seventh of one-third.”

28-66 My father and Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar and Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Hashem, on the authority of Dawood ibn Muhammad al-Hindi, on the authority of a companion that a man named Abi Sa’eed al-Mukari went to see Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and rudely asked, “Have you reached the point at which you claim to be what your father also claimed to be?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم told him, “None of your business! May God darken your life and make you poor. Don’t you know that the Honorable the Exalted God revealed to Imran صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that He would grant him a son, but first gave him (the Blessed Baby) Mary صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and then gave Jesus صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم to (the Blessed Lady) Mary صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم? Thus Jesus صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and Mary صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم are two different people, but they are one and the same thing. I am from my father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and my father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is from me. My father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and I are also one and the samething.” Abi Sa’eed said, “Then let me ask you a question.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I do not think that you will accept my answer. You are not one of my friends or followers. However, ask anyways.” Abi Sa’eed said, “Consider someone makes a will at the time of his death and says that all his old slaves should be freed. Which of his slaves should be freed?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Yes. The Blessed the Sublime God says the following in His Book, ‘…till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.’ Therefore, whoever has been a slave for more than six months is considered an old slave and should be freed.”The narrator added, “The man left there and became poor. He was poor until he died. He did not even have enough bread to eat at night. May God damn him!”

28-67 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Ishaq, on the authority of Abdullah ibn Ahmad, on the authority of Isma’il al-Khorasani that Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Abstaining from something does not imply abandoning it. Rather it implies doing it less often.”

28-68 My father and Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan al-Waleed - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar and Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Imran al-Ash’ari that Ja’far ibn Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Hamdani - may God have Mercy upon him - who was on the Hajj pilgrimage with him - narrated that he wrote a letter to Abil Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم through my father in which I wrote, “May I be your ransom! The Shiites differ with each other regarding what a sa’ is. Some say that the alms tax for fasting should be calculated based on the Medina Sa’, while others say that it should be calculated based on the Iraqi Sa’.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم wrote me, “One ‘as-Sa equals six Medina Artals and nine Iraqi Artals.” He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also said, “It equals 1170 Dirhams.”

28-69 In the year 241 A.H. (854 A.D.) (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad al-Maliki quoted on the authority of Abdullah ibn Tawoos that he told Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “I have married off my daughter to one of my brother’s sons who drinks and often mentions divorce often.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “If he is one of the Shiites, then there is no problem.However, separate your daughter from him if he is a Sunni.” Abdullah ibn Tawoos asked, “May I be your ransom! Has it not been narrated on the authority of Abi Abdullah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that one should not marry women who have been divorced thrice at once, and that they are still considered to be married?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “That tradition applies to a woman whose husband is a Shiite - not one whose husband is a Sunni - since whoever accepts a religion is bound to abide by its rules.”

28-70 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Ali ibn al-Ryan, on the authority of Ubaydillah ibn Abdullah al-Dihqan al-Vaseti, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Khalid al-Kufi that he told Abil Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “May I be your ransom! There is a tradition which Abdullah ibn Bokayr has quoted on the authority of Obayd ibn Zorara.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “What is that tradition?” Al-Hussein ibn Khalid al-Kufi said, “He narrated on the authority of Obayd ibn Zorara that he met Aba Abdullah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم in the year in which Ibrahim ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Hassan had revolted. He told the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, ‘This man has delivered speeches and the people are joining him. What do you order?’ The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, ‘Fear God and remain calm for as long as the heavens and the Earth are calm.’ Abdullah ibn Bokayr said, ‘If Obayd ibn Zorara is right, then there will be neither a revolt nor will there be any Riser.’ Then Abil Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “The tradition is the same as narrated by Obayd. However, it does not mean the same as that which Abdullah ibn Bokayr has understood. What Imam As-Sadiq صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم meant was that one should fear God and remain calm for as long as the heavens are calm and the name of your Owner (Imam al-Mahdi) has not been called, and the Earth is calm and it has not devoured up the enemy troops.”

28-71 My father, Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar - may God be pleased with them and Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar, Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluwayh and Muhammad ibn Musa ibn al-Mutawakkil - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar and Ahmad ibn Idris quoted on the authority of Sahl ibn Ziyad al-Adami, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr al-Bezanti that he asked Abul Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم about the location of the tomb of Fatima صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “She صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was buried in her own house. When the Umayyads added onto the mosque, her grave became a part of the mosque.”

28-72 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Musa ibn Al-Qasim al-Bajali, on the authority of Ali ibn Asbat, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Al-Jahm, on the authority of Abul Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that the Commander of the Faithful صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “No one but a donkey would reject honoring and respect.” Al-Hassan ibn Al-Jahm asked, “What is mean by that?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I mean things like making room for someone in a meeting or offering someone some perfume.”

28-73 Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan al-Saffar quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Jahm that he had heard Abul Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “No one but a donkey would reject honoring and respect.” Ali ibn Al-Jahm asked the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “What kind of honoring do you mean?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “I mean things like using good scent and any other form of honoring that one man might do for another.”

28-74 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Abi Abdillah al-Barqi, on the authority of Ali ibn Muyyasir, on the authority of Abi Zayd al-Maleki that he had heard Abul Hassan Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “No one but a donkey would reject honoring and respect.” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was referring to good scent and a comfortable couch for resting on.

28-75 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Abu Himam Isma’il ibn Himam that Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم asked someone, “What do you think ‘as-Sakina is?” The people present were unable to answer. They said, “May we be your ransom! What is it?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It is a breeze that comes from Paradise. It has the looks of a man who accompanies the Prophets صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. It was descended upon Abraham صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم while he was building the Kaaba. It established the details about the location (of Kaaba) and how to build it, so Abraham صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم built it based on that.”

28-76 Abul Hasan Muhammad bin al-Qasim al-Jirjani the interpreter - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ahmad ibn Al-Hassan Al-Husseini quoted on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ali ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “As-Sadiq صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was asked about abstinence in this world.” He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It implies abstaining from the lawful for fear of the Reckoning, and abstaining from the forbidden for fear of punishment.”

28-77 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr al-Bezanti who narrated that regarding the Words of the Honorable the Exalted God, ‘Then let them complete the rites prescribed for them, perform their vows…’ Abul Hassan صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said the following, “The rites consist of cutting the nails, cleaning the body, and leaving the state of ritual consecration for the Hajj (‘Ihram).”

28-78 Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Qurashi quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of Abil Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “The diseases of the previous nations - being animosity and jealousy - have infiltrated you.”

28-79 Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluwayh - may God be pleased with him -narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Dawood ibn Soleiman, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father As-Sadiq Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “The Honorable the Exalted God revealed to David صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم: There may be that one of My servants does one good deed for which I shall take him into Paradise.” David صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “O Lord! What is that good deed?” God said, “It is causing relief from sorrow for a believer even if it be by using one date.” David صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Truly, whoever recognizes You must never lose hope of You.”

28-80 Muhammad ibn Al-Hassan ibn Ahmad ibn al-Waleed - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Al-Hussein ibn Al-Hassan ibn Aban quoted on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Sa’eed, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Bint Elias that he had heard Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “The Prophet of God صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم damned whoever causes an affliction or hides someone who has done so.” Al-Hassan ibn Bint Elias asked, “What is meant by causing an affliction here?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “Killing.”

28-81 Abul Qasim Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Imran ad-Daqqaq - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Abi Abdillah al-Kufi quoted on the authority Sahl ibn Ziyad al-Adami, on the authority of Abdul Azeem ibn Abdullah Al-Hassani, on the authority of his Master Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Muhammad ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his forefathers صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that God’s Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Abu Bakr is like my ears, Umar is like my eyes and Uthman is like my heart.”Al-Hussein ibn Ali صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم added, “The next day I went to see him when the Commander of the Faithful (Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم), Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman were present. I asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “O father Yesterday you said something about these companions. What did you mean?” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Yes.” And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم pointed at them and added, “They are my ears, eyes and heart.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم pointed at Ali ibn Abi Talib صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and said, “And they will be asked about my Trustee that is him.” Then he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم added, “Indeed the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘…for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).’ I swear by the Honor of my Lord that all my nation on will be held up on the Resurrection Day and questioned about his Mastery. That is what is meant when the Honorable the Exalted God says, ‘But stop them, for they must be asked.’ “

28-82 Ahmad ibn Ziyad ibn Ja’far al-Hamadani - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Hashem quoted on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ali ibn Ma’bad, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Khalid, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Musa ibn Ja’far صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father Ja’far ibn Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “The Blessed theSublime God despises meat and chubby people.” One of his companions said, “O son of the Prophet of God! We like meat and our homes are not without meat. What should we do?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It does not mean what you thought. What is meant by meat is a house in which the people’s flesh is eaten by gossiping behind their back, and what is meant by a chubby person is one who is haughty and walks with his nose up in the air.”

28-83 Abdul Wahid Muhammad ibn Ubdoos al-Attar al-Neishaboori - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Qutayba al-Neishaboori quoted on the authority of Hamdan ibn Soleiman al-Neishaboori, on the authority of Abdul Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi that he told Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “O son of the Prophet of God! There have been traditions on the authority of your forefathers that whoever makes love during the fasting of Ramadhan or breaks his fast should an expiation pay three times, while in other traditions it is said that he should only pay the fine. Which one must we act upon?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “Both of them. Whoever illegitimately makes love during the fasting of Ramadhan or breaks his fast using some forbidden things to eat should pay an expiation three times: free one slave; fast for two consecutive months; and feed sixty poor people. He must also make up the fasting for that day. However, if he makes love with a legitimate wife or breaks his fast by eating some legitimate meals, then he should pay a fine and make up the fasting for that day. If he does so having forgotten that he is fasting, then there is no expiation, and he must not make up the fasting for that day.”

28-84 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Al-Hassan ibn Ali ibn Fadhdhal, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Ashyam that he asked Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “May I be your ransom! Why do the Arabs put such names as Dog, Tiger, Cheetah and the like on their children?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied, “It is because the Arabs were warriors and they wanted to frighten their enemies with these names. They also used to put such names as Comfort and Blessed on their slaves and thought this was a good omen.”

28-85 Abdul Wahid Muhammad ibn Ubdoos al-Neishaburi al-Attar -may God be pleased with him - narrated that Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Qutaybaquoted on the authority of Hamdan ibn Soleiman al-Neishaboori, on the authority of Abdul Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi that he had heard Abul Hassan Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم say, “The acts of the people are created.” Abdul Salam ibn Salih al-Harawi asked the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, “O son of the Prophet of God! What does created mean?” The Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said, “It means they are destined.”

28-86 (The author of the book narrated) my father - may God be pleased with him - and Ali ibn Abdullah al-Warraq narrated that Sa’d ibn Abdullah quoted on the authority of Ali ibn Al-Hussein al-Khayyat al-Neishaboori, on the authority of Ibrahim Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Musa ibn Ja’far, on the authority of Yasir - the servant, on the authority of Abil Hassan Al-Askari صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of his father صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, on the authority of Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم that Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to put his clothes on from the right side. Whenever the Imam صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم wanted to put on a new article of clothing, he صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم asked for a bowl of water and recited the Quranic Chapter ‘Al-Qadr ten times, the Chapter ‘Al-Ikhlas ten times and the Chapter ‘Al-Kafirun ten times over it, poured the water on the piece of clothing and said, ‘Whoever does so before putting on a new item of clothing will have no difficulties in his life as long as the threads of it remain.’The author of this book (Sheikh Sadooq) said, “Yasir - the servant lived at the time of Al-Ridha صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. It is strange for him to have had narrated the above tradition on the authority of Abil Hassan Al-Askari صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم.