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 مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي نَصْرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي الْحَسَنِ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنِّي قَدْ سَأَلْتُ الله حَاجَةً مُنْذُ كَذَا وَكَذَا سَنَةً وَقَدْ دَخَلَ قَلْبِي مِنْ إِبْطَائِهَا شَيْ‏ءٌ فَقَالَ يَا أَحْمَدُ إِيَّاكَ وَالشَّيْطَانَ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ عَلَيْكَ سَبِيلٌ حَتَّى يُقَنِّطَكَ إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) كَانَ يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ يَسْأَلُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَاجَةً فَيُؤَخِّرُ عَنْهُ تَعْجِيلَ إِجَابَتِهِ حُبّاً لِصَوْتِهِ وَاسْتِمَاعِ نَحِيبِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ وَالله مَا أَخَّرَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا يَطْلُبُونَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الدُّنْيَا خَيْرٌ لَهُمْ مِمَّا عَجَّلَ لَهُمْ فِيهَا وَأَيُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ الدُّنْيَا إِنَّ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) كَانَ يَقُولُ يَنْبَغِي لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أَنْ يَكُونَ دُعَاؤُهُ فِي الرَّخَاءِ نَحْواً مِنْ دُعَائِهِ فِي الشِّدَّةِ لَيْسَ إِذَا أُعْطِيَ فَتَرَ فَلا تَمَلَّ الدُّعَاءَ فَإِنَّهُ مِنَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِمَكَانٍ وَعَلَيْكَ بِالصَّبْرِ وَطَلَبِ الْحَلالِ وَصِلَةِ الرَّحِمِ وَإِيَّاكَ وَمُكَاشَفَةَ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ نَصِلُ مَنْ قَطَعَنَا وَنُحْسِنُ إِلَى مَنْ أَسَاءَ إِلَيْنَا فَنَرَى وَالله فِي ذَلِكَ الْعَاقِبَةَ الْحَسَنَةَ إِنَّ صَاحِبَ النِّعْمَةِ فِي الدُّنْيَا إِذَا سَأَلَ فَأُعْطِيَ طَلَبَ غَيْرَ الَّذِي سَأَلَ وَصَغُرَتِ النِّعْمَةُ فِي عَيْنِهِ فَلا يَشْبَعُ مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ وَإِذَا كَثُرَتِ النِّعَمُ كَانَ الْمُسْلِمُ مِنْ ذَلِكَ عَلَى خَطَرٍ لِلْحُقُوقِ الَّتِي تَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ وَمَا يُخَافُ مِنَ الْفِتْنَةِ فِيهَا أَخْبِرْنِي عَنْكَ لَوْ أَنِّي قُلْتُ لَكَ قَوْلاً أَ كُنْتَ تَثِقُ بِهِ مِنِّي فَقُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِذَا لَمْ أَثِقْ بِقَوْلِكَ فَبِمَنْ أَثِقُ وَأَنْتَ حُجَّةُ الله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ قَالَ فَكُنْ بِالله أَوْثَقَ فَإِنَّكَ عَلَى مَوْعِدٍ مِنَ الله أَ لَيْسَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ وَإِذا سَأَلَكَ عِبادِي عَنِّي فَإِنِّي قَرِيبٌ أُجِيبُ دَعْوَةَ الدَّاعِ إِذا دَعانِ وَقَالَ لا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ الله وَقَالَ وَالله يَعِدُكُمْ مَغْفِرَةً مِنْهُ وَفَضْلاً فَكُنْ بِالله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَوْثَقَ مِنْكَ بِغَيْرِهِ وَلا تَجْعَلُوا فِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ إِلا خَيْراً فَإِنَّهُ مَغْفُورٌ لَكُمْ.

1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr who has said the following: “Once I said to abu al-Hassan (al-Rida) (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I have been praying to Allah for help in something from the year so and so and because of delay something is happing in my heart.’ The Imam said, ‘O Ahmad, beware of Satan! Do not allow him to find a way in you to despair you. Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, “A believing person prays and pleads before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and help is delayed due to love for his voice and listening to his intense weeping.’” The Imam then said, ‘By Allah, whatever Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, delays for believing people of the help that they may ask in this world is far better for them than helping them quickly. Such a worthless world! Abu Ja’far (a.s.) would say, ‘It is very proper for a believing person to pray for help in his comfort just like in hardships. He should not grow to be lazy after receiving help to lose interest in prayer.’ You should never lose interest in prayer; it is of a very important position before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy. You should exercise patience and seek to find lawful sustenance, maintain good relations with relatives and should never make it public. We are a family who maintains good relations with those who cut off from us and do favors to those who cause us trouble. In this we find good consequences. If an affluent person in this world prays and asks for favors, his prayer receives acceptance. He may ask for more and the bounties seem insignificant to him. He does not feel satisfied with anything. When bounties are plentiful a Muslim is in a danger of violating the rights he owes and the mischief that may threaten him. Tell me about yourself. If I will say something to you, will you trust me?’ I (the narrator) said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, if I do not trust you, then whom will I trust? You possess authority from Allah over His creatures.’ The Imam said, ‘Your trust in Allah must be stronger; you have a covenant with Allah. Has Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, not said, “(Muhammad), if any of My servants ask you about Me, tell them that the Lord says, ‘I am near; I accept the prayers of those who pray.’ Allow My servants answer My call and believe in Me so that perhaps they may know the right direction.’ (2:186) ‘Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is All-Forgiving and All-Merciful.’ (39:53) ‘Allah promises you forgiveness and favors. Allah is Munificent and All-Knowing.’ (2:268) You must trust Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, more firmly than others. Do not allow anything to find a way in you except good; you are forgiven.’” 

2ـ عَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ الصَّيْقَلِ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) رُبَّمَا دَعَا الرَّجُلُ بِالدُّعَاءِ فَاسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ ثُمَّ أُخِّرَ ذَلِكَ إِلَى حِينٍ قَالَ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ وَلِمَ ذَاكَ لِيَزْدَادَ مِنَ الدُّعَاءِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

2. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Ahmad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Mansur al-Sayqal who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Is it possible that at one time a man prays and it is accepted and then is delayed for a period of time?’ The narrator has said that the Imam then said, ‘Yes, it can happen.’ I then asked, ‘Why is that? Is it because so he will increase his prayer and pleading?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, that is right.’” 

3ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ أَبِي هِلالٍ الْمَدَائِنِيِّ عَنْ حَدِيدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَدْعُو فَيَقُولُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لِلْمَلَكَيْنِ قَدِ اسْتَجَبْتُ لَهُ وَلَكِنِ احْبِسُوهُ بِحَاجَتِهِ فَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَسْمَعَ صَوْتَهُ وَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ لَيَدْعُو فَيَقُولُ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَجِّلُوا لَهُ حَاجَتَهُ فَإِنِّي أُبْغِضُ صَوْتَهُ.

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Ishaq ibn abu Hilal al-Mada’Ini from Hadid from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When a servant prays, Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, says to the two angels, ‘I have accepted his prayer, but keep it on hold; I love to hear his voice.’ It may also happen that a servant prays, but Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, says, ‘Hurry up and help him quickly; I hate his voice.’” 

4ـ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ صَاحِبِ السَّابِرِيِّ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لأبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ يُسْتَجَابُ لِلرَّجُلِ الدُّعَاءُ ثُمَّ يُؤَخَّرُ قَالَ نَعَمْ عِشْرِينَ سَنَةً.

4. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Sulayman Sahib al-Sabiri from Ishaq ibn ‘ Ammar who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Can a man’s prayer that is accepted be kept on hold and delayed?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, it can remain on hold for up to twenty years.’” 

5ـ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ كَانَ بَيْنَ قَوْلِ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قَدْ أُجِيبَتْ دَعْوَتُكُما وَبَيْنَ أَخْذِ فِرْعَوْنَ أَرْبَعِينَ عَاماً.

5. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hisham ibn Salim from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Between the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Your prayer is accepted,’ (10:89) and the time the Pharaoh was seized there was a forty-year timespan.’” 

6ـ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) يَقُولُ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَدْعُو فَيُؤَخَّرُ إِجَابَتُهُ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ.

6. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-Hamid from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘A believing person prays and its (the prayer’s) acceptance may be delayed up to the next Friday [Day of Judgment].”’ 

7ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ عَبْدِ الله بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ عَنْ غَيْرِ وَاحِدٍ مِنْ أَصْحَابِنَا قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْوَلِيَّ لله يَدْعُو الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي الأمْرِ يَنُوبُهُ فَيَقُولُ لِلْمَلَكِ الْمُوَكَّلِ بِهِ اقْضِ لِعَبْدِي حَاجَتَهُ وَلا تُعَجِّلْهَا فَإِنِّي أَشْتَهِي أَنْ أَسْمَعَ نِدَاءَهُ وَصَوْتَهُ وَإِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْعَدُوَّ لله لَيَدْعُو الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي الأمْرِ يَنُوبُهُ فَيُقَالُ لِلْمَلَكِ الْمُوَكَّلِ بِهِ اقْضِ لِعَبْدِي حَاجَتَهُ وَعَجِّلْهَا فَإِنِّي أَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَسْمَعَ نِدَاءَهُ وَصَوْتَهُ قَالَ فَيَقُولُ النَّاسُ مَا أُعْطِيَ هَذَا إِلا لِكَرَامَتِهِ وَلا مُنِعَ هَذَا إِلا لِهَوَانِهِ.

7. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from more than one individual of our people who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘A servant who is a friend of Allah may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for a matter in his intention and Allah says to the angel guarding him, “Provide help to My servant but keep it on hold and do not hurry; I desire to hear his call and voice.” On the other hand a servant who is not a friend of Allah may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for a matter in his intention and Allah says to the angel guarding him, ‘Provide him help quickly; I dislike his call and voice.’ “The Imam said, ‘People will say, “This person received help due to his merit and honor and he was denied due to his worthlessness.’” 

8ـ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنِ ابْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ لا يَزَالُ الْمُؤْمِنُ بِخَيْرٍ وَرَجَاءٍ رَحْمَةً مِنَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ مَا لَمْ يَسْتَعْجِلْ فَيَقْنَطَ وَيَتْرُكَ الدُّعَاءَ قُلْتُ لَهُ كَيْفَ يَسْتَعْجِلُ قَالَ يَقُولُ قَدْ دَعَوْتُ مُنْذُ كَذَا وَكَذَا وَمَا أَرَى الإجَابَةَ.

8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Basir from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “A believing person is fine and hopeful through the favors of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, as long as he does not msh to despair and give up prayer.’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam (a.s.) ‘How can he msh?’ The Imam said, ‘He may say, “I have been praying for such and such period of time and I do not see any sign of acceptance.’” 

9ـ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ عَنْ سَعْدَانَ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ إِنَّ الْمُؤْمِنَ لَيَدْعُو الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي حَاجَتِهِ فَيَقُولُ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ أَخِّرُوا إِجَابَتَهُ شَوْقاً إِلَى صَوْتِهِ وَدُعَائِهِ فَإِذَا كَانَ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ قَالَ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَبْدِي دَعَوْتَنِي فَأَخَّرْتُ إِجَابَتَكَ وَثَوَابُكَ كَذَا وَكَذَا وَدَعَوْتَنِي فِي كَذَا وَكَذَا فَأَخَّرْتُ إِجَابَتَكَ وَثَوَابُكَ كَذَا وَكَذَا قَالَ فَيَتَمَنَّى الْمُؤْمِنُ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يُسْتَجَبْ لَهُ دَعْوَةٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا مِمَّا يَرَى مِنْ حُسْنِ الثَّوَابِ. 

9. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Ishaq from Su’Dan ibn Muslim from Ishaq ibn ‘Ammar from Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) who has said the following: “A believing person may pray to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for help and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘Hold back the answer to his prayer for the desire in his voice and prayer.’ When it will be the Day of Judgment Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, will say, ‘My servant, you prayed to Me and I delayed your answer. So and so is your reward. You prayed to Me in such and such matters and I delayed your answer. Your reward is so and so.’ The Imam said, ‘The believing person then wishes that none of his prayers had been accepted in the worldly life. He will say so on finding such handsome rewards.’” 

Al-Kāfi - Volume 2

Book 2, Chapter 19