Chapter on Rare Cases, and it is the Last Chapter of the Book (Man La Yahduruhu Al Faqih)

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام, peace be upon him: "O' Ali عليه السلام, I advise you with a piece of advice, so preserve it, and you will remain in goodness as long as you preserve my advice. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever suppresses his anger while having the power to act upon it, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will grant him security and faith on the Day of Judgment, and he will taste its sweetness. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever does not write a good will at the time of his death, it is a deficiency in his dignity, and he shall not possess intercession. O' Ali عليه السلام, the best form of jihad is for one to begin the day without intending to oppress anyone. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever people fear due to his tongue is among the people of the Fire. O' Ali عليه السلام, the worst of people is he whom others honor out of fear of his foul language." It has also been narrated: "the worst of people is he who sells his Hereafter for his worldly life, and even worse than that is one who sells his Hereafter for the worldly life of another. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever does not accept the excuse of a person seeking forgiveness, whether he is truthful or lying, shall not attain my intercession. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, loves lying if it brings about reconciliation and hates truthfulness if it causes corruption. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever abandons intoxicants for reasons other than seeking the pleasure of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will make him drink from the sealed pure drink (rahiq Al-makhtum) in the Hereafter." Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "For other than Allah سبحانه وتعالى?" The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, replied: "Yes, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, if it is to safeguard himself, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will reward him for it. O' Ali عليه السلام, the drinker of alcohol is like an idol worshipper. O' Ali عليه السلام, the drinker of alcohol, Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Almighty will not accept his prayer for forty days; if he dies within those forty days, he dies as a disbeliever." (Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم continued); " O' Ali عليه السلام, every intoxicant is forbidden, and whatever intoxicates in large quantities, then even a sip of it is forbidden. O' Ali عليه السلام, all sins have been placed in a house, and their key is alcohol consumption. O' Ali عليه السلام, there comes a time upon the drinker of alcohol when he does not recognize his Lord عز وجل, the Almighty and Glorious. O' Ali عليه السلام, the removal of mighty mountains is easier than the removal of a kingdom whose appointed term has not yet ended. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever does not benefit you in your religion and your worldly life, there is no good for you in his companionship, and whoever does not regard you, do not regard him, and there is no honor for him. O' Ali عليه السلام, a believer should have eight qualities: dignity in times of turmoil, patience in affliction, gratitude in ease, contentment with what Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, has provided him, not oppressing enemies, not burdening friends, his body is in toil while people are at ease from him. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are four whose supplications are never rejected: a just leader, a father for his child, a person who prays for his brother in his absence, and the oppressed. Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, says, 'By My might and majesty, I shall surely grant you victory, even after some time.'" O' Ali عليه السلام, there are eight types of people who, if they are humiliated, should blame no one but themselves: the one who goes to a feast to which he was not invited, the one who interferes in the affairs of the master of the house, the one who seeks goodness from his enemies, the one who asks for favor from the miserly, the one who interferes in a secret matter between two people without being involved, the one who disrespects authority, the one who sits in a gathering where he does not belong, and the one who speaks to someone who does not listen to him. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has forbidden Paradise to every obscene and foul-mouthed person who does not care what he says or what is said to him. O' Ali عليه السلام, blessed is the one whose life is long and his deeds are good. O' Ali عليه السلام, do not joke too much, for it will take away your dignity, and do not lie, for it will take away your light. Beware of two traits: impatience and laziness. If you are impatient, you will not endure the truth, and if you are lazy, you will not fulfill your duties. O' Ali عليه السلام, every sin has a repentance except bad character, for its possessor, whenever he leaves one sin, enters into another. O' Ali عليه السلام, four types of people receive punishment the fastest: a man to whom you have done good, but he repays your kindness with evil; a man against whom you bear no ill will, but he bears ill will against you; a man with whom you made an agreement, and you fulfilled it, but he betrayed you; and a man who maintains ties of kinship, but they cut him off. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever is overwhelmed by impatience, comfort departs from him. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are twelve qualities that a Muslim man should learn regarding dining: four of them are obligatory, four are recommended practices, and four are etiquettes. As for the obligatory ones, they are: knowing what one eats, saying the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, expressing gratitude, and being content. The recommended practices are: sitting on the left leg, eating with three fingers, eating from what is in front of him, and licking the fingers. The etiquettes are: taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, avoiding looking at people's faces while eating, and washing the hands. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Glorious, created Paradise from two bricks: one of gold and one of silver, and made its walls of ruby, its roof of emerald, its pebbles of pearls, and its soil of saffron and fragrant musk. Then He سبحانه وتعالى said to it, "Speak!" and it said, There is no God but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer. Blessed is the one who enters me. Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Glorious and Majestic, said: "By My Might and My Glory, none shall enter it who is addicted to alcohol, nor the slanderer, nor the cuckold, nor the oppressor, nor the effeminate, nor the grave robber, nor the tax collector, nor the one who severs ties of kinship, nor the Qadari (who denies divine predestination)." O' Ali عليه السلام, ten people from this nation have disbelieved in Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty: the tale-bearer, the sorcerer, the cuckold, the one who engages in unlawful intercourse with a woman in her rectum, the one who has intercourse with an animal, the one who marries a woman who is forbidden to him, the one who incites discord, the one who sells weapons to the enemies in war, the one who withholds zakat, and the one who finds financial means but dies without performing Hajj. O' Ali عليه السلام, there should be no feast except in five cases: during a wedding, at the birth of a child, upon circumcision, when building or purchasing a house, and upon returning from a journey. The wedding feast is for marriage, the birth feast is for celebrating the birth of a child, the circumcision feast is for the ritual circumcision, the feast for building or buying a house is known as Wikar, and the feast upon returning from a journey is known as Rikaz. (Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم continued); O' Ali عليه السلام, it is not appropriate for an intelligent person to travel except for three reasons: to seek provision for his livelihood, to gather provisions for the Hereafter, or to enjoy a permissible pleasure. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are three noble traits in both this world and the Hereafter: to forgive those who wrong you, to maintain ties with those who cut you off, and to show patience with those who act ignorantly towards you. O' Ali عليه السلام, hasten to accomplish four things before four: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, and your life before your death. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, dislikes for my nation certain things: fidgeting during prayer, boasting about charity, entering mosques while in a state of impurity, laughing in graveyards, peeking into people's homes, and looking at the private parts of women, for it leads to blindness. Allah سبحانه وتعالى also dislikes speaking during intimacy as it leads to muteness, sleeping between the Maghrib and Isha prayers as it deprives one of sustenance, bathing under the open sky without a covering, entering rivers without a covering because they contain angels, entering bathhouses without a covering, speaking between the call to prayer (Adhan) and the Iqama in the Fajr prayer, sailing the sea when it is turbulent, and sleeping on a roof without a protective barrier. Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Whoever sleeps on a roof without a protective barrier has absolved himself of responsibility." Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم disliked a person sleeping alone in a house, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم disliked a man having relations with his wife while she is menstruating. If he does so and the child is born with leprosy or vitiligo, he should blame none but himself. Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also disliked a man speaking to a person afflicted with leprosy unless there is a distance of at least an arm's length between them." Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Flee from a leper as you would flee from a lion." Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم disliked a man approaching his wife after having a nocturnal emission until he has performed the ritual purification. If he does so and the child is born mentally impaired, he should blame none but himself. Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم disliked urinating on the bank of a flowing river, and he disliked relieving oneself under a fruit-bearing tree or palm tree. Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم disliked relieving oneself while standing, putting on shoes while standing, and entering a dark house without a lamp. O' Ali عليه السلام, the affliction of noble lineage is arrogance. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever fears Allah سبحانه وتعالى, everything will fear him, and whoever does not fear Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will make him fearful of everything. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are eight types of people whose prayers Allah سبحانه وتعالى does not accept: the runaway slave until he returns to his master, the rebellious wife whose husband is displeased with her, the one who withholds zakat, the one who neglects ablution, the mature girl who prays without a head covering, an imam who leads a congregation that dislikes him, the intoxicated person, and the one who prays while suppressing the urge to urinate or defecate. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are four qualities for which Allah سبحانه وتعالى builds a house in Paradise for the one who possesses them: one who shelters the orphan, has mercy on the weak, is compassionate toward his parents, and treats his servant with kindness. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are three things that if a person meets Allah سبحانه وتعالى with them, he will be among the best of people: whoever fulfills what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has made obligatory upon him, he will be among the most devoted worshippers; whoever abstains from what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has prohibited, he will be among the most pious; and whoever is content with what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has provided for him, he will be among the richest of people. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are three things that this nation cannot bear: sharing one's wealth with his brother, treating people with fairness from oneself, and remembering Allah سبحانه وتعالى in all circumstances. And this remembrance is not merely saying "Subhanallah سبحانه وتعالى, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illa Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Allahu Akbar," but it is when one faces something prohibited and fears Allah سبحانه وتعالى and refrains from it. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are three types of people who will wrong you if you treat them with fairness: the lowly, your family, and your servant. And three types of people will never be treated fairly by three others: a free man by a slave, a learned man by an ignorant person, and a strong person by a weak one. O' Ali عليه السلام, seven qualities, if found in a person, complete his faith, and the gates of Paradise are opened for him: one who perfects his ablution, performs his prayer properly, pays the zakat of his wealth, restrains his anger, controls his tongue, seeks forgiveness for his sins, and gives sincere advice to the family of his Prophet. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى has cursed three types of people: one who eats alone, one who travels alone in the wilderness, and one who sleeps alone in a house. O' Ali عليه السلام, three things are feared to cause madness: relieving oneself between graves, walking with only one shoe, and sleeping alone. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are three situations where lying is permissible: strategizing in war, making a promise to your wife, and reconciling between people. O' Ali عليه السلام, three things kill the heart: sitting with the lowly, associating with the wealthy, and engaging in idle talk with women. O' Ali عليه السلام, three things are among the realities of faith: spending in times of hardship, treating people with fairness, and sharing knowledge with those who seek it. O' Ali عليه السلام, three things, if a person does not possess them, his deeds will not be complete: a piety that prevents him from disobeying Allah سبحانه وتعالى, good character to interact with people, and patience to withstand the ignorance of the ignorant. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are three joys for a believer in this world: meeting his brothers in faith, breaking the fast of a fasting person, and engaging in prayer in the last part of the night. O' Ali عليه السلام, I warn you against three traits: envy, greed, and arrogance. O' Ali عليه السلام, four traits are signs of misery: dryness of the eyes (lack of tears), hardness of the heart, long aspirations, and love for staying in this world. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are three levels, three expiations, three destructive qualities, and three saving virtues. As for the levels, they are: performing ablution thoroughly in hardship, waiting for the next prayer after finishing one, and walking to congregational prayers day and night. As for the expiations, they are: spreading peace, feeding others, and praying at night while people are asleep. As for the destructive qualities, they are: obeying greed, following desires, and self-admiration. And as for the saving virtues, they are: fearing Allah سبحانه وتعالى in secret and in public, moderation in wealth and poverty, and speaking words of justice in times of pleasure and displeasure. O' Ali عليه السلام, there is no nursing after weaning, and no orphanhood after reaching maturity. O' Ali عليه السلام, travel for two years to be dutiful to your parents, travel for one year to maintain ties of kinship, travel for a mile to visit the sick, travel for two miles to follow a funeral procession, travel for three miles to accept an invitation, travel for four miles to visit a brother in faith, travel for five miles to help someone in distress, and travel for six miles to support the oppressed. And always engage in seeking forgiveness. O' Ali عليه السلام, a believer has three signs: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. A pretentious person has three signs: he flatters when present, backbites when absent, and rejoices over people's misfortunes. A tyrant has three signs: he oppresses those beneath him with force, disobeys those above him, and sides with other oppressors. A hypocrite has three signs: he lies when he speaks, breaks his promises, and betrays when entrusted. O' Ali عليه السلام, nine things cause forgetfulness: eating sour apples, eating coriander, eating cheese, drinking the leftover of a mouse, reading inscriptions on graves, walking between two women, throwing lice away, cupping at the crown of the head, and urinating in stagnant water. O' Ali عليه السلام, the essence of a good life lies in three things: a spacious home, a beautiful spouse, and a well-bred horse. (Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم continued); O' Ali عليه السلام, by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, if a lowly person were in the depths of a well, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic, would send a wind to lift him above the righteous during the rule of the wicked. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever claims affiliation to other than his masters, upon him is the curse of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Whoever withholds the wages of a hired worker, upon him is the curse of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Whoever introduces an innovation or shelters an innovator, upon him is the curse of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. (Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم continued); O' Ali عليه السلام, the believer is the one whom Muslims trust with their wealth and lives, and the Muslim is the one from whose hand and tongue other Muslims are safe, and the emigrant is the one who abandons sins. O' Ali عليه السلام, the strongest bond of faith is love for the sake of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and hatred for the sake of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever obeys his wife in matters that lead to disobedience, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Majestic, will throw him on his face into the fire. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "What kind of obedience is that?" The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم replied: "Allowing her to go to public baths, weddings, mourning gatherings, and to wear revealing clothing." O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, has abolished the arrogance and pride of pre-Islamic ignorance and its boasting about ancestors. Verily, people are from Adam, and Adam is from dust. The most honorable of them in the sight of Allah سبحانه وتعالى is the most pious. O' Ali عليه السلام, unlawful earnings include the price of a dead animal, the price of a dog, the price of alcohol, the dowry of a prostitute, a bribe in judgment, and the fee of a soothsayer. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever seeks knowledge to argue with the foolish, to debate with scholars, or to draw people to himself, he is among the people of Hellfire. O' Ali عليه السلام, when a person dies, people ask, "What has he left behind?" while the angels ask, "What has he sent ahead?" O' Ali عليه السلام, this world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever. O' Ali عليه السلام, sudden death is a relief for the believer and a regret for the disbeliever. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed to the world: "Serve those who serve Me, and exhaust those who serve you." O' Ali عليه السلام, if this world were worth the wing of a mosquito in the sight of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, He سبحانه وتعالى would not have given the disbeliever even a sip of water from it. O' Ali عليه السلام, every person from the first to the last will wish on the Day of Judgment that they had received from this world only enough to sustain them. O' Ali عليه السلام, the worst of people is the one who doubts Allah's سبحانه وتعالى decree. O' Ali عليه السلام, the groaning of the believer is glorification, his shouting is the declaration of God's oneness, his sleep on his bed is worship, and his turning from side to side is striving in the way of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. If he recovers, he walks among the people without a sin upon him. O' Ali عليه السلام, if I were given a leg of meat as a gift, I would accept it, and if I were invited to partake of a leg of meat, I would respond. O' Ali عليه السلام, women are not required to attend the Friday prayer, congregational prayers, call to prayer, Iqama, visiting the sick, following funeral processions, running between Safa and Marwa, touching the Black Stone, shaving the head, taking up judicial positions, being consulted, slaughtering animals except in necessity, raising their voices in the Talbiyah, standing by graves, listening to sermons, arranging their own marriages, or leaving their husband's house without his permission. If she leaves without his permission, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Jibril, and Mikaeel will curse her. She should not give away anything from her husband's house without his consent, nor should she sleep while he is displeased with her, even if he is unjust to her. O' Ali عليه السلام, Islam is naked; its clothing is modesty, its adornment is loyalty, its dignity is righteous deeds, and its foundation is piety. Everything has a foundation, and the foundation of Islam is love for us, the Ahlulbayt عليه السلام. O' Ali عليه السلام, bad character is an ill omen, and obeying a woman leads to regret. O' Ali عليه السلام, if there is ill fortune in anything, it is in the tongue of a woman. O' Ali عليه السلام, those who carry little burden are saved. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever deliberately lies about me, let him prepare his seat in the Fire. O' Ali عليه السلام, three things increase memory and remove phlegm: chewing frankincense, using the miswak, and reciting the Quran. O' Ali عليه السلام, the miswak is part of the Sunnah; it purifies the mouth, enhances eyesight, pleases the Most Merciful, whitens the teeth, removes tartar, strengthens the gums, increases appetite, eliminates phlegm, boosts memory, multiplies good deeds, and brings joy to the angels. O' Ali عليه السلام, sleep is of four types: the sleep of the prophets, peace be upon them, is on their backs; the sleep of the believers is on their right sides; the sleep of the disbelievers and hypocrites is on their left sides; and the sleep of the devils is on their faces. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty and Exalted, did not send any prophet except that He سبحانه وتعالى made his progeny from his own loins, but He سبحانه وتعالى made my progeny from your loins. If it were not for you عليه السلام, I صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم would have had no descendants. O' Ali عليه السلام, four things break a person's back: a leader who disobeys Allah سبحانه وتعالى, yet his orders are followed; a wife who is protected by her husband yet betrays him; poverty that leaves a person without treatment; and a bad neighbour in a permanent residence. O' Ali عليه السلام, indeed Abdul Muttalib عليه السلام, peace be upon him, established five practices during the era of ignorance (Jahiliyyah), which Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, continued in Islam. He prohibited the wives of fathers for their sons, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, revealed: "And do not marry women whom your fathers married." He discovered a treasure and took out a fifth of it and gave it in charity, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, revealed: "And know that whatever you obtain of war booty - then indeed, for Allah سبحانه وتعالى is one-fifth of it and for the Messenger..." When he dug the well of Zamzam, he named it the provision for the pilgrims, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed: "Have you made the providing of water for the pilgrim and the maintenance of Al-Masjid Al-Haram equal to [the deeds of] the one who believes in Allah سبحانه وتعالى and the Last Day?" O' Ali عليه السلام, Abdul Muttalib established the practice of a hundred camels as blood money for killing, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, continued this practice in Islam. There was no fixed number for circumambulation (Tawaf) among the Quraysh, but Abdul Muttalib prescribed seven circuits for them, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, continued this practice in Islam. O' Ali عليه السلام, Abdul Muttalib never practiced divination by arrows, nor did he worship idols, nor eat anything slaughtered on stone altars, and he used to say: "I am on the religion of my father Ibrahim, peace be upon him." O' Ali عليه السلام, the most astonishing people in faith and the greatest in certainty will be those who live in the end times; they will not have met the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم nor seen the proof, yet they will believe based on black lines on white paper. O' Ali عليه السلام, three things harden the heart: listening to idle talk, excessive hunting, and approaching the doors of rulers. O' Ali عليه السلام, do not pray in the skin of animals whose milk you do not drink and whose meat you do not eat. Do not pray in places known as Dhat Al-Jaysh, Dhat Al-Salasil, or Dhajnan. O' Ali عليه السلام, eat from eggs that have different ends, from fish that have scales, and from birds that flap their wings when they fly; avoid those that glide. Eat from water birds that have a crop or spurs. O' Ali عليه السلام, every predatory animal with fangs and every bird with talons is forbidden to eat; do not consume them. O' Ali عليه السلام, there is no punishment for stealing fruit or palm shoots. O' Ali عليه السلام, there is no blood money for a fornicator, no punishment for insinuation, no intercession in prescribed punishments, and no oath in severing family ties. A child cannot take an oath against their parent, nor can a wife against her husband, nor a servant against his master. There is no fasting from morning until night, no continuous fasting, and no reverting to a life of ignorance after migration. O' Ali عليه السلام, a parent is not to be executed for killing their child. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى does not accept the supplication of a heedless heart. O' Ali عليه السلام, the sleep of a scholar is better than the worship of a devoted worshiper. O' Ali عليه السلام, two units of prayer offered by a scholar are better than a thousand units offered by a worshiper. O' Ali عليه السلام, a woman should not observe voluntary fasting without her husband's permission, nor should a servant without their master's permission, nor should a guest without the host's permission. O' Ali عليه السلام, fasting on the day of Eid Al-Fitr is forbidden, fasting on the day of Eid Al-Adha is forbidden, continuous fasting is forbidden, silence fasting is forbidden, fasting as a vow for sin is forbidden, and perpetual fasting is forbidden. O' Ali عليه السلام, there are six consequences of fornication: three in this world and three in the Hereafter. As for those in this world, it takes away dignity, hastens death, and cuts off sustenance. As for those in the Hereafter, they result in a difficult reckoning, the wrath of the Merciful, and eternal punishment in the Fire. O' Ali عليه السلام, usury consists of seventy parts, the least of which is like a man committing fornication with his mother in the sacred House of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. O' Ali عليه السلام, one dirham gained through usury is greater in sin before Allah سبحانه وتعالى than seventy acts of fornication, all with a forbidden relative, in the sacred House of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever withholds even a small portion of the zakat due on his wealth is neither a believer nor a Muslim, and he has no honor. O' Ali عليه السلام, the one who neglects zakat will plead to Allah سبحانه وتعالى for a return to the world, as Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Almighty says: "Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, My Lord عز وجل, send me back.'" O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever is capable of performing Hajj and does not do so is considered a disbeliever, as Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Exalted says: "And pilgrimage to the House is a duty unto Allah سبحانه وتعالى for mankind, for him who can find a way there. And whoever disbelieves, then verily Allah سبحانه وتعالى is Independent of all creation." O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever postpones Hajj until he dies, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will resurrect him on the Day of Judgment as a Jew or a Christian. O' Ali عليه السلام, charity repels decrees that have been firmly established. O' Ali عليه السلام, maintaining ties of kinship increases lifespan. O' Ali عليه السلام, begin your meals with salt and end with salt, for it is a cure for seventy-two diseases. O' Ali عليه السلام, if I were to stand at the Praised Station (maqam Al Mahmoud), I would intercede for my father عليه السلام, my mother صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, my uncle عليه السلام, and a brother عليه السلام I had in the pre-Islamic era. O' Ali عليه السلام, I am the son of the two sacrifices. O' Ali عليه السلام, I am the answer to the supplication of my father Ibrahim. O' Ali عليه السلام, intellect is that by which Paradise is attained and the pleasure of the Most Merciful is sought. O' Ali عليه السلام, the first creation that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, created was the intellect. He سبحانه وتعالى said to it, "Come forward," and it came forward. Then He سبحانه وتعالى said: "Go back," and it went back. Then He سبحانه وتعالى said: "By My might and majesty, I have not created a creation more beloved to Me سبحانه وتعالى than you; by you I take, by you I give, by you I reward, and by you I punish." O' Ali عليه السلام, there is no charity when a relative is in need. O' Ali عليه السلام, a dirham spent on dyeing hair is better than a thousand dirhams spent in the way of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, for it contains fourteen benefits: it repels wind from the ears, enhances eyesight, softens the nostrils, sweetens the breath, strengthens the gums, removes weakness, reduces the whispering of Satan, delights the angels, gladdens the believer, angers the disbeliever, serves as an adornment and fragrance, causes Munkar and Nakir to feel shy of him, and it serves as a means of absolution in his grave. O' Ali عليه السلام, there is no good in speech without action, nor in appearance without substance, nor in wealth without generosity, nor in truth without loyalty, nor in jurisprudence without piety, nor in charity without intention, nor in life without health, nor in homeland without security and happiness. O' Ali عليه السلام, seven things are forbidden from the sheep: blood, male reproductive organs, the bladder, the spinal cord, the glands, the spleen, and the gall bladder. O' Ali عليه السلام, do not bargain in four things: the purchase of a sacrificial animal, a shroud, the freeing of a slave, and the fare for traveling to Mecca. O' Ali عليه السلام, shall I not inform you of the one who resembles me the most in character? Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Yes, O' Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "The one with the best character among you, the one with the greatest patience, the one who is most kind to his relatives, and the one who is most fair in dealing with others." O' Ali عليه السلام, protection for my nation from drowning when they board ships is to recite: In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and They did not appreciate Allah سبحانه وتعالى with the appreciation due to Him; and the entire earth will be in His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Glorified is He and high above what they associate with Him, and In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى shall be its course and its anchorage; surely my Lord عز وجل is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah Az-Zumar 39:67) O' Ali عليه السلام, protection for my nation from theft is to recite: Say: Call upon Allah سبحانه وتعالى, or call upon the Most Gracious; by whatever name you call upon Him, to Him belong the most beautiful names. (Surah Al Isra 17:110) O' Ali عليه السلام, protection for my nation from destruction is in reciting: Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى holds the heavens and the earth lest they move, and if they should move, no one could hold them after Him; indeed, He is Ever Forbearing, Ever Forgiving. (Surah Fatir 35:41) O' Ali عليه السلام, protection for my nation from distress is in saying: There is no power and no strength except with Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Most High, the Most Great. And 'There is no refuge and no escape from Allah سبحانه وتعالى except to Him'. (Surah At-Tawbah 9:118) O' Ali عليه السلام, protection for my nation from fire is in reciting: Indeed, my protector is Allah سبحانه وتعالى, who has sent down the Book, and He takes care of the righteous, and They did not appreciate Allah سبحانه وتعالى with the appreciation due to Him... (Surah Al-A'raf 7:196) O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever fears wild beasts should recite: Certainly, a Messenger has come to you from among yourselves; it grieves him that you should perish... until the end of the chapter. (Surah At-Tawbah 9:128) O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever finds difficulty with his mount should recite in its right ear: And to Him submits whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they shall be returned. (Surah AAl-e-Imran 3:83) O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever suffers from Abdominal dropsy should write Ayat Al-Kursi on his stomach and drink it, for he shall be cured by the permission of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever fears a sorcerer or a devil should recite: Indeed, your Lord عز وجل is Allah سبحانه وتعالى, who created the heavens and the earth... (Surah Al-A'raf 7:54) O' Ali عليه السلام, the right of the child upon his father is that he gives him a good name, teaches him good manners, and places him in a righteous environment. The right of the father upon his child is that he should not call him by his name, should not walk ahead of him, should not sit before him, and should not enter the bathhouse with him. O' Ali عليه السلام, three things are from whispers of Shaytan: eating clay, biting nails with teeth, and consuming one's beard. O' Ali عليه السلام, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى curse parents who lead their child to disobey them. O' Ali عليه السلام, parents are responsible for the disobedience of their children in the same way that children are responsible for disobeying their parents. O' Ali عليه السلام, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on parents who encourage their children to be righteous to them. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever saddens his parents has indeed disobeyed them. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever hears his Muslim brother being backbitten and has the ability to defend him but does not, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will forsake him in this world and the Hereafter. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever provides for an orphan with his wealth until the orphan becomes self-sufficient, Paradise is assured for him without doubt. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever passes his hand over an orphan's head out of compassion, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will grant him a light for every hair he touched on the Day of Judgment. O' Ali عليه السلام, there is no poverty worse than ignorance, no wealth more beneficial than intelligence, no loneliness worse than arrogance, no intellect like planning, no piety like refraining from what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has forbidden, no nobility like good character, and no worship like contemplation. O' Ali عليه السلام, the flaw of speech is lying, the flaw of knowledge is forgetfulness, the flaw of worship is laziness, the flaw of beauty is arrogance, and the flaw of knowledge is envy. O' Ali عليه السلام, four things are wasted in vain: eating when already full, lighting a lamp under the moonlight, planting crops in barren land, and doing a favor for those who are unworthy of it. O' Ali عليه السلام, whoever forgets to send blessings upon me has indeed lost the path to Paradise. O' Ali عليه السلام, beware of the pecking of the crow and the swooping of the lion. O' Ali عليه السلام, placing my hand inside the mouth of a dragon up to my elbow is more beloved to me than asking from someone who was nothing and then became something. O' Ali عليه السلام, the most rebellious people against Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, are those who kill someone other than their killer, strike someone other than their attacker, and those who align themselves with other than their rightful leaders; such a person has indeed disbelieved in what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has revealed to me. O' Ali عليه السلام, wear the ring on your right hand, for it is a virtue from Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, for those who are close to Him. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام asked: "With what should I wear the ring, O' Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى?" Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: O' Ali عليه السلام, wear a ring of red agate, for it was the first mountain to acknowledge Allah's سبحانه وتعالى Lordship عز وجل, my Prophethood, your successorship, the Imamate of your progeny, Paradise for your followers, and Hellfire for your enemies. O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Almighty, looked upon the people of the world and chose Me صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم from among them over the men of the worlds. Then, He سبحانه وتعالى looked a second time and chose you عليه السلام over the men of the worlds. Then, He سبحانه وتعالى looked a third time and chose the Imams عليه السلام from your عليه السلام progeny over the men of the worlds. Then, He سبحانه وتعالى looked a fourth time and chose (Sayyida) Fatimah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم over the women of the worlds. O' Ali عليه السلام, I have seen your name paired with mine in three places, and I was comforted by seeing it. When I reached Bayt Al-Maqdis during my ascension to the heavens, I found inscribed on its rock: 'There is no God but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. I سبحانه وتعالى have supported Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم with his minister and granted Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم victory through his minister.' I (Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) asked Jibril عليه السلام: "Who is my minister?" Jibril عليه السلام replied: "(Imam) Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام." (Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم continued); Then, when I reached the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary (Sidrat Al-Muntaha), I found written upon it: 'Indeed, I am Allah سبحانه وتعالى; there is no God but Me سبحانه وتعالى alone. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is My سبحانه وتعالى chosen one from My creation; I سبحانه وتعالى have supported Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم with his minister and granted him victory through his minister (Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام). O' Ali عليه السلام, when I passed beyond the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary, I reached the Throne of the Lord عز وجل of the Worlds, Glorified and Exalted is He سبحانه وتعالى, and I found written on its pillars: 'Indeed, I am Allah سبحانه وتعالى; there is no God but Me سبحانه وتعالى alone. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is My سبحانه وتعالى beloved; and I سبحانه وتعالى have supported him with his minister (Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام) and granted him victory through his minister (Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام). O' Ali عليه السلام, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, has granted me seven qualities concerning you. You عليه السلام will be the first to rise from your grave with me صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم. You عليه السلام will be the first to stand with Me صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم on the Sirat (bridge over Hell). You عليه السلام will be the first to be clothed when I صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم am clothed (On Day of Resurrection). You عليه السلام will live where I صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم live. You عليه السلام will be the first to dwell with Me صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم in the highest ranks of Paradise. You عليه السلام will be the first to drink with Me صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم from the sealed nectar, its seal is musk. Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said to Salman Al-Farsi, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on him: "O' Salman, when you fall ill, you are given three blessings: you are in remembrance of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted; your supplication during illness is answered; and your illness does not leave any sin upon you except that it is erased. May Allah سبحانه وتعالى grant you well-being until the end of your appointed term." Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said to Abu Dharr, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى have mercy on him: "O' Abu Dharr, beware of asking from others, for it is an immediate humiliation and hastened poverty, and it brings a lengthy reckoning on the Day of Judgment. O' Abu Dharr, you shall live alone, die alone, and enter Paradise alone. A group of people from Iraq will take care of your washing, shrouding, and burial, and they will be blessed by it. O' Abu Dharr, do not ask with your hand, but if something comes to you, accept it." Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said to his companions: "Shall I not inform you of the worst among you?" They said: "Indeed, O' Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى." Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Those who walk around spreading gossip, those who create division between loved ones, and those who seek faults in the innocent."