Obeying the Creature in Disobedience to the Creator

2. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Isma’il ibn Mehran from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from ‘ Amr ibn Shimr from Jabir from abu Ja’far عليه السلام who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever seeks the pleasure of people with that which angers Allah, the people praising will belittle him. Whoever gives preference to Allah’s obedience with that which angers people, Allah will suffice him against the animosity of every enemy, the envy of all enviers and the transgression of all transgressors. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will be his helper and supporter.’”

3. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Sharif ibn Sabiq from al-Fadl ibn Abu Qurrah from Abu Qurrah from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “Once, a man wrote al-Husayn عليه السلام asking, ‘Instruct me with good advice in two letters.’ The Imam wrote back to him, ‘Whoever seeks to acquire something by means of what angers Allah (his deed as such) will be most harmful to his hopes and most hastening to the coming of that which frightens him.’”

4. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far عليه السلام has said, ‘There is no religion for one who pledges obedience to someone who disobeys God, nor for one who holds to a false claim about God, nor for one who denies any of the signs of God.’”

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام from his father from Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah (al-Ansari) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever seeks the pleasure of a king by a means that anger Allah, has moved out of the religion of Allah.’”