The Clay from Which the Believers and Unbelievers Are Made

The Clay from Which the Believers and Unbelievers Are Made (additional)

The Clay from which the Believers and Unbelievers are made (additional)

The Messenger of Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, Was the First to Respond to the Call of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, and Testify That He Is the Lord

How They Answered While They Were as Small Particles

Creation of the Creatures with Belief in Oneness of Allah in Their Nature

Believers as Offspring of Unbelievers

When Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, Wills to Create a Believer

The Coloring (referred to in the Holy Quran) Is Islam

Serenity Is Belief

Purely Sincere

On the Shari’ a (System of Laws)

The Fundamentals of Islam

Islam Is to Spare Lives (and to Keep the Trust) But Reward Comes From Belief

Belief Is Inclusive of Islam but Islam Is Not Inclusive of Belief

Another Chapter on the Same Issue That Islam Is Before Belief

No name

Belief Spreads In all Parts of the Body

Advancement in Belief

Degrees of Belief

Degrees of Belief (Additional)

Description of Islam

Qualities of a Believer

Description of Belief

Superiority of Belief over Islam and Certainty over Belief

The Essence of Belief and Certainty

Contemplation (Thinking)

The Noble Qualities (of Man)

Excellence of Certainty

To Agree With the Decision (of Allah)

Leaving It to Allah to Be the Person in Charge of Affairs, and Having Trust in Him

Fear and Hope

Hopefulness Toward Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy

To Profess One ’s Shortcomings

Obedience and Piety

Restraint from Worldly Matters (Sins)

Chastity

Abstaining From Unlawful Matters

Fulfilling Obligations

Balanced and Continuous Good Deeds

The Worship

The Intention

Part of Previous Chapter

Moderation in Worship

One Who Has Learned to Receive Rewards from His Lord for a Certain Deed

Patience

Gratitude and Thankfulness

Excellence in Moral Behaviors

Delightful Appearance

Truthfulness and Trust

Bashfulness

Forgiveness

Suppressing one ’s Anger

Forbearance

Silence and Controlling the Tongue

Gentleness in Dealings

Friendliness

Humbleness

Love for the Sake of Allah and Hate for the Sake of Allah

Condemnation of Worldly Matters and Abstaining Thereby

Additional Ahadith on the Above Subject

Contentment

Adequacy

Promptness in Good Deeds

Fairness and Justice

Independence from People

Good Relation with Relatives

Kindness to Parents

Concern for the Affairs of the Muslims, Giving Them Good Advice and to Benefit Them

High Regards for the Elderly

The Believer’s Mutual Brotherhood

The Rights of One Who Accepts the Belief and Then Severs Away

Brotherhood in Belief is not Due to Religion it only is a Way of Recognition

The Rights of a Believer on his Brother (in belief) and his duty to observe Such Rights

Compassion and Leniency

Visiting Brothers (in belief)

Greeting with Handshake

Holding in One ’s Arm

Kissing

Speak of and Remember the Brothers (in belief)

To Please the Believers

Assisting a Believer in his Needs

Endeavor to help a Believer

Relief for the Suffering of a Believer

Providing Food for a Believer

Providing Clothes for a Believer

To Show Kindness to and Honor a Believer

In the Sen’ice of Believing People

Giving Good Advice to the Believers

Improving Good Relations Among People

To Revive the Believer

Inviting one ’s Own People to Belief

Not to Invite People to Belief

Allah Grants Religion only to Whomever He Loves

Sound Religion

Al-Taqiyyah, Guarding and Cautiousness

Silence and Restraint against Publicity

A Believer’s Signs and Qualities

The Rarity of Believers

1ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِيَّاكُمْ إِذَا أَرَادَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ مِنْ رَبِّهِ شَيْئاً مِنْ حَوَائِجِ الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ حَتَّى يَبْدَأَ بِالثَّنَاءِ عَلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَالْمَدْحِ لَهُ وَالصَّلاةِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) ثُمَّ يَسْأَلَ الله حَوَائِجَهُ.

1. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan ibn Yahya from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘You must bear in mind that whenever one of you likes to ask his Lord for help in worldly matters or of the next life, he must begin with praise of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, thank Him and ask His favors for the Holy Prophet and then ask for help.’” 

2ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنِ ابْنِ بُكَيْرٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) إِنَّ الْمِدْحَةَ قَبْلَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَإِذَا دَعَوْتَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَمَجِّدْهُ قُلْتُ كَيْفَ أُمَجِّدُهُ قَالَ تَقُولُ يَا مَنْ هُوَ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيَّ مِنْ حَبْلِ الْوَرِيدِ يَا فَعَّالاً لِمَا يُرِيدُ يَا مَنْ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ يَا مَنْ هُوَ بِالْمَنْظَرِ الأعْلَى يَا مَنْ هُوَ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‏ءٌ.

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Faddal from ibn Bukayr from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is in the book of Amir al-Mu’minin, Ali ibn abu Talib (a.s.) “praise comes before asking for favors. Whenever you like to pray and plead before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help, speak of His glory.” The narrator has said that I asked the Imam, ‘How should we speak of His glory?’ The Imam said, ‘Say, O You Who are closer to me than my jugular veins, O the One Who does without fail as He wishes, O the One Who stands between a man and his heart, O the One Who is on a high position and the One like Whom is no creature.”’ 

3ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّمَا هِيَ الْمِدْحَةُ ثُمَّ الثَّنَاءُ ثُمَّ الإقْرَارُ بِالذَّنْبِ ثُمَّ الْمَسْأَلَةُ إِنَّهُ وَالله مَا خَرَجَ عَبْدٌ مِنْ ذَنْبٍ إِلا بِالإقْرَارِ.

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from ibn Sinan from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is thanking then praising, then confession of sins then pleading before Allah for help. By Allah, no servant (of Allah) can come out of sins without confession.’” 

4ـ وَعَنْهُ عَنِ ابْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) مِثْلَهُ إِلا أَنَّهُ قَالَ ثُمَّ الثَّنَاءُ ثُمَّ الإعْتِرَافُ بِالذَّنْبِ.

4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from ibn Faddal from Tha’labah from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar the following: “Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar has narrated from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) a similar Hadith except that he said, ‘Then praising and confessing sins.’” 

5ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ مُعَلَّى بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) إِذَا أَرَدْتَ أَنْ تَدْعُوَ فَمَجِّدِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَاحْمَدْهُ وَسَبِّحْهُ وَهَلِّلْهُ وَأَثْنِ عَلَيْهِ وَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ وَآلِهِ ثُمَّ سَلْ تُعْطَ.

5. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from al- Hassan ibn Ali from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever you wish to pray and plead before Allah for help, speak of the glory of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, thank Him, speak of His Holiness, and say that no one deserves to be worshipped except Him, praise Him and ask from Him favors for Muhammad and his family and then ask Him for help, you will receive it.’” 

6ـ أَبُو عَلِيٍّ الأشْعَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْجَبَّارِ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ عَنْ عِيصِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) إِذَا طَلَبَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَلْيُثْنِ عَلَى رَبِّهِ وَلْيَمْدَحْهُ فَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا طَلَبَ الْحَاجَةَ مِنَ السُّلْطَانِ هَيَّأَ لَهُ مِنَ الْكَلامِ أَحْسَنَ مَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَإِذَا طَلَبْتُمُ الْحَاجَةَ فَمَجِّدُوا الله الْعَزِيزَ الْجَبَّارَ وَامْدَحُوهُ وَأَثْنُوا عَلَيْهِ تَقُولُ يَا أَجْوَدَ مَنْ أَعْطَى وَيَا خَيْرَ مَنْ سُئِلَ يَا أَرْحَمَ مَنِ اسْتُرْحِمَ يَا أَحَدُ يَا صَمَدُ يَا مَنْ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُواً أَحَدٌ يَا مَنْ لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ صَاحِبَةً وَلا وَلَداً يَا مَنْ يَفْعَلُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيَحْكُمُ مَا يُرِيدُ وَيَقْضِي مَا أَحَبَّ يَا مَنْ يَحُولُ بَيْنَ الْمَرْءِ وَقَلْبِهِ يَا مَنْ هُوَ بِالْمَنْظَرِ الأعْلَى يَا مَنْ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْ‏ءٌ يَا سَمِيعُ يَا بَصِيرُ وَأَكْثِرْ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَإِنَّ أَسْمَاءَ الله كَثِيرَةٌ وَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ وَقُلِ اللهمَّ أَوْسِعْ عَلَيَّ مِنْ رِزْقِكَ الْحَلالِ مَا أَكُفُّ بِهِ وَجْهِي وَأُؤَدِّي بِهِ عَنْ أَمَانَتِي وَأَصِلُ بِهِ رَحِمِي وَيَكُونُ عَوْناً لِي فِي الْحَجِّ وَالْعُمْرَةِ وَقَالَ إِنَّ رَجُلاً دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ سَأَلَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) عَجَّلَ الْعَبْدُ رَبَّهُ وَجَاءَ آخَرُ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ أَثْنَى عَلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَصَلَّى عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَآلِهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) سَلْ تُعْطَ.

6. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Abd al-Jabbar from Safwan from ‘Iys ibn al-Qasim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whenever anyone of you wishes to ask for help he should praise his Lord and thank Him. When a man wants to ask a king for something, he prepares to say the best of words that he can. When you like to ask for help, speak of the Glory of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Compelling, thank Him and praise Him saying, “O the Most Generous in granting favors and the Best to be asked for help. O the Most Kind to those who ask for kindness, O the only One and Self-sufficient. O the One Who has no children and is not born from anyone and there is no one as His partner. O the One Who has no companion and children. O the One Who does as He wishes, commands as He wills and judges as He loves. O the One Who stands between a man and his heart, O the One Who is in a high position, O the One in Whose likeness there is no creature, O the Hearing, and the Seeing.” Speak of the names of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy; they are many and ask from Him favors for Muhammad and his family and then say, ‘O Lord, extend for me of Your lawful supplies with which I can save my face, return safely what is entrusted with me, maintain good relations with relatives and be helpful in my Hajj and ‘Umrah.’ The Imam said, ‘Once a man came in the Mosque, performed two Rak’at (prayer consisting of twice kneeling) then asked Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and the Messenger of Allah said, ‘The servant (of Allah) hastened his Lord.’ Then another man came in and prayed two Rak’at then he praised Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and asked from Him favors for the Holy Prophet and his family and the Messenger of Allah said, ‘Ask for help you will receive it.’” 

7ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ أَبِي كَهْمَسٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ الْمَسْجِدَ فَابْتَدَأَ قَبْلَ الثَّنَاءِ عَلَى الله وَالصَّلاةِ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) عَاجَلَ الْعَبْدُ رَبَّهُ ثُمَّ دَخَلَ آخَرُ فَصَلَّى وَأَثْنَى عَلَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَصَلَّى عَلَى رَسُولِ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) فَقَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) سَلْ تُعْطَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِنَّ فِي كِتَابِ عَلِيٍّ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الثَّنَاءَ عَلَى الله وَالصَّلاةَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ قَبْلَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ وَإِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ لَيَأْتِي الرَّجُلَ يَطْلُبُ الْحَاجَةَ فَيُحِبُّ أَنْ يَقُولَ لَهُ خَيْراً قَبْلَ أَنْ يَسْأَلَهُ حَاجَتَهُ.

7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Kahmas who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘Once a man came to the Mosque and he began without praising Allah and asking from Him favors for the Holy Prophet. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘The servant (of Allah) hastened his Lord.’ Then another man came in and prayed, praised Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and asked favors from Him for the Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Ask for help you will receive it.’ Thereafter the Imam said, ‘It is in the book of Ali (a.s.) “Praising Allah and asking favors from Him for the Messenger of Allah should come before asking for help. When anyone comes to a man to request a favor, he loves to say to him the best words to him before asking for help.’” 

8ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَمَّنْ حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قُلْتُ آيَتَانِ فِي كِتَابِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَطْلُبُهُمَا فَلا أَجِدُهُمَا قَالَ وَمَا هُمَا قُلْتُ قَوْلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ فَنَدْعُوهُ وَلا نَرَى إِجَابَةً قَالَ أَ فَتَرَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَخْلَفَ وَعْدَهُ قُلْتُ لا قَالَ فَمِمَّ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ لا أَدْرِي قَالَ لَكِنِّي أُخْبِرُكَ مَنْ أَطَاعَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِيمَا أَمَرَهُ ثُمَّ دَعَاهُ مِنْ جِهَةِ الدُّعَاءِ أَجَابَهُ قُلْتُ وَمَا جِهَةِ الدُّعَاءِ قَالَ تَبْدَأُ فَتَحْمَدُ الله وَتَذْكُرُ نِعَمَهُ عِنْدَكَ ثُمَّ تَشْكُرُهُ ثُمَّ تُصَلِّي عَلَى النَّبِيِّ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُ ذُنُوبَكَ فَتُقِرُّ بِهَا ثُمَّ تَسْتَعِيذُ مِنْهَا فَهَذَا جِهَةُ الدُّعَاءِ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَمَا الآيَةُ الأخْرَى قُلْتُ قَوْلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَما أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ وَإِنِّي أُنْفِقُ وَلا أَرَى خَلَفاً قَالَ أَ فَتَرَى الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَخْلَفَ وَعْدَهُ قُلْتُ لا قَالَ فَمِمَّ ذَلِكَ قُلْتُ لا أَدْرِي قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ أَحَدَكُمُ اكْتَسَبَ الْمَالَ مِنْ حِلِّهِ وَأَنْفَقَهُ فِي حِلِّهِ لَمْ يُنْفِقْ دِرْهَماً إِلا أُخْلِفَ عَلَيْهِ.

8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) who has said the following: “Once I said to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘There are two verses in the book of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, that I search for but I do not find them, (their meaning).’ The Imam aked, ‘What are they?’ I said, ‘They are the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, “Call Me (for help) and I will answer you.’” (40:60) We call Him and pray to Him but do not see any answer.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you think He, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ignores His promise?’ I said, ‘No, He does not ignore it.’ The Imam asked, ‘Why is that then?’ I said, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘I will tell you about it. Whoever obeys Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, in whatever He has commanded and then prays to Him the way prayer should be done He answers them.’ I then asked, ‘What is the way of prayer?’ The Imam said, ‘Begin the prayer by praising Allah, recall His bounties with you, thank Him, ask favors from Him for the Holy Prophet, recall your sins and confess them then seek refuge against them and such is the way of praying.’ Then the Imam said, ‘What is the other verse?’ I said, ‘It is the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . .He will replace whatever you spend for His cause and He is the best provider of sustanance,’ (34:39) I spend but do not see any replacement.’ The Imam said, ‘Do you think Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has ignored His promise?’ I said, ‘No.’ The Imam asked, ‘Why is that then?’ I said, ‘I do not know.’ The Imam said, ‘If anyone of you earns something in lawful ways and spends it in a lawful way, every dirham (unit of money) is replaced.’” 

9ـ عِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَسْبَاطٍ عَمَّنْ ذَكَرَهُ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يُسْتَجَابَ لَهُ دَعْوَتُهُ فَلْيُطِبْ مَكْسَبَهُ. 

9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Whoever of you wants his prayer answered must make his earning clean.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 2

Book 2, Chapter 16