This is part 5 of 33 of “The Book of Belief and Disbelief”, book 6 of Al-Kafi — Hadith 1,646–1,695. The book is long enough that it is split across 33 pages so each one stays quick to load; the parts run in order and are linked at the foot of the page.
8. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sayf ibn ‘Amirah from Mansur ibn Hazim from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘In the sight of Allah there is no worship more virtuous than chastity in matters of stomach and genital organs.’”
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Dawud ibn Kathir al-Riqqi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘. . . for one who has fear of the position of his Lord there are two gardens,’ (55:46) the Imam said, ‘Whoever knows that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sees him and hears whatever he says or acts for good or evil, and it keeps him back from the evil acts, such person is the “One who has fear of the position of his Lord,” and thus he prohibits the soul from acting according to desires.’”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamani from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘On the Day of Judgment all eyes will be weeping except three kinds of eyes: the eye that spends the night awake in the way of Allah, the eye that weeps in submission before Allah and the eye that turns away from what Allah has made unlawful to look at.’”
3. Ali has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from those whom he has mentioned (in his book) from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Of the things that Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, spoke to Moses one was as follows: ‘O Moses, of those who seek nearness to Me no one is like the ones who restrain from what I have made unlawful. I, therefore, open for them the garden of Eden and will not allow anyone else to share it with them.’”
4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ مِنْ أَشَدِّ مَا فَرَضَ الله عَلَى خَلْقِهِ ذِكْرُ الله كَثِيراً ثُمَّ قَالَ لا أَعْنِي سُبْحَانَ الله وَالْحَمْدُ لله وَلا إِلَهَ إِلا الله وَالله أَكْبَرُ وَإِنْ كَانَ مِنْهُ وَلَكِنْ ذِكْرَ الله عِنْدَ مَا أَحَلَّ وَحَرَّمَ فَإِنْ كَانَ طَاعَةً عَمِلَ بِهَا وَإِنْ كَانَ مَعْصِيَةً تَرَكَهَا.
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from abu ‘Ubayda from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘The most intensive obligation Allah has placed upon His creature is to speak of Allah (remember Him) a great deal.’ The Imam then said, ‘I did not mean thereby saying, “Glory belongs to Allah, all thanks belong to Allah, no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and Allah is greater (than to be described),” even though they are a form of speaking of Allah. It is to remember Him (or speak of Him) when one encounters a lawful or an unlawful matter, thus, does not disobey Him if it is an act of worship and stays away from it if it is something unlawful to do.’”
5. Ibn abu ‘Umayr has narrated from Hisham ibn Salim from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘We shall call their deeds into Our presence and scatter them into the air as dust (turn them devoid of all virtue).’ (25:23) The Imam said, ‘I swear by Allah, even though their deeds may have been whiter than the Coptic gown, the nullification of such deed is because on their encountering an unlawful matter they did not stay away from it.’”
6ـ عَلِيٌّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) مَنْ تَرَكَ مَعْصِيَةً لله مَخَافَةَ الله تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى أَرْضَاهُ الله يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ.
6. Ali has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever stays away from disobeying Allah because of fear of Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, Allah will make him happy on the Day of Judgment.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad and Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father all from ibn Mahbub from abu Hamza al-Thumali who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘One who fulfils what Allah has made obligatory upon him is the best of people.’”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from al- Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar from ‘Abd Allah ibn abu Ya’fur from abu ‘Abd Allah who has said the following: “About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, have patience, help each other with patience, establish good relations with one another. . . .’ (3:200), the Imam said, ‘Exercise patience in fulfilling your obligations.’”
3. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ‘Abd al- Rahman ibn abu Najran from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from abu al-Safatij from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following:“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Believers, have patience, help each other with patience, establish good relations with one another. . . . (3:200) the Imam said, ‘Exercise patience in fulfilling your obligations, help each other with patience in tragedies and establish good relations with A’immah (plural of Imam), recipients of divine supreme covenant.’” In the narration of ibn Mahbub from abu al-Safatij the following is added, “Have fear of Allah, your Lord, in what He has made obligatory upon you.”
4ـ عَلِيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنِ النَّوْفَلِيِّ عَنِ السَّكُونِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الله (عَلَيهِ السَّلام) قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ الله (صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وآلِه) اعْمَلْ بِفَرَائِضِ الله تَكُنْ أَتْقَى النَّاسِ.
4. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Fulfill what Allah has made obligatory upon you. You will then be considered the most pious of the people.’”
5. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from abu Jamilah from Muhammad al-Halabi from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, ‘The most beloved matter to Me through which My servant seeks to be loved is to fulfill what 1 have made obligatory upon him.’”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabi who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If a man does a good deed, he should continue for a year before ending, if he may so wish, to perform another good deed. This is because the night of destiny comes in his year in which things that Allah wills come into being.’”
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Zurara from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The most beloved deed in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, is that which is continued even though it is very little.’”
3. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from ‘Isa ibn Ayyub from Ali ibn Mahziyar from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from Najbah from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘There is nothing more beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, than a deed that is continued by a servant (of Allah) even though it is very little.’”
4. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, ‘I love to continue a good deed even if it is very little.’”
5. It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from al-‘Ala’ from Muhammad ibn Muslim from abu la’ far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) would say, ‘I love to go before my Lord with my deeds orderly and balanced.’”
6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Muhammad ibn Isma’il from Ja’far ibn Bashir from ‘Abd al-Karim ibn ‘Amr from Sulayman ibn Khalid who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Be careful and do not give up on a good deed that you may have decided to do, before twelve lunar months end.’” Note: The good deeds and acts of worship in the above Ahadith refer to the optional acts of worship; the obligatory ones do not decrease or increase.
1. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from ‘Umar ibn Yazid from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘It is written in the Torah, “O son of Adam, devote yourself to my worship and I will fill your heart with riches and will not leave you to your own quest. It is upon Me to meet your needs and fill your heart with fear from Me. If you do not devote yourself to My worship I will fill your heart with preoccupation in worldly matters, and then I will not meet your needs and will leave you up to your own pursuit.’””
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from abu Jamilah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, has said, “O My truthful servants, enjoy the blessings of worshipping Me in this world; you will enjoy its benefits in the next life.’””
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Yunus from ‘Amr ibn Jami’ from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The best of the people are those who love worship (of Allah) intensely. They hold to it, love it in their hearts, accompany it with their body and are devoted in it. Such people are concerned no more about the world, whether it gives them comfort or difficulties.’”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Shadhan ibn al-Khalil. The narrator has said that he wrote down from his book through the chain of his narrators who narrated in a marfu’ manner from ‘Isa ibn ‘Abd Allah saying: ‘“Isa ibn ‘Abd Allah once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is worship?’ The Imam said, ‘It is good intention in obedience to Allah concerning the aspects through which He is obeyed. As for you, O ‘Isa, you will not be a believer until you can distinguish the abrogating from the abrogated.’ I then said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, what is distinguishing the abrogating from the abrogated?’ The Imam said, ‘Is it not true that you obey an Imam with good intention and in good faith, and when that Imam passes away and another Imam comes, you settle your soul on obedience to him with good intention and in good faith?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do so.’ The Imam said, ‘This is distinguishing the abrogating from the abrogated.’”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Jamil from Harun ibn Kharijah from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘There are three kinds of worship: there are people who worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, because of fear. This kind of worship is the worship of slaves. There are people who worship Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, for His rewards. This is the worship of people for hire. There are people who worship Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, for His love. This is the worship of free people and this is the best kind of worship.’”
6. Ali has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘How ugly is poverty after riches, sin in destitution and worst of all worshipping Allah and then giving up His worship.’”
7. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’ alia ibn Muhammad from al- Washsha’ from ‘Asim ibn Humayd from abu Hamza from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘One who fulfills what Allah has made obligatory upon him, he, among the people, is the one who worships the most.’”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Malik ibn ‘Atiyah from abu Hamza from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘There can be no deed without intention.’”
2. Ali has narrated from his father from al-Nawfali from al-Sakuni from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘The intention of the believer is better than his deeds, and the intention of the unbeliever is more wicked than his deeds. Everyone acts according to his intention.’”
3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Mahbub from Hisham ibn Salim from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The poor believing servant (of Allah) says, ‘O Lord bestow upon me such and such so that I can do so and so good deeds. If Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, finds that his intention is true He will write down for him a reward (just for his intention) equal to the degree of good deeds had his intention materialized; Allah is vastly generous.’”
4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ali ibn Asbat from Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn al-Husayn from Amr from Hassan ibn Aban from abu Basir who has said the following: “I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) about worship, ‘What kind of worshipping sets the worshipper free from obligations.’ The Imam said, ‘It is obedience with good intention and in good faith.’”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from al-Minqari from Ahmad ibn Yunus from abu Hashim who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘People of hell will remain in hell for ever because of their intention in this world to disobey Allah even if they lived here forever. People of paradise will live therein forever because of their intention in this world to worship Allah even if they lived here forever. Because of intentions these and those will remain therein forever. The Imam then recited the words of Allah, “Say, everyone does as he intends (shakilah). . . . ,” (17:84) the Imam said, ‘It (Shakilah) means intention.’”
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from ibn Mahbub from al-Ahwal from Salam ibn al-Mustanir from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘For every form of worship there is a strong desire and willingness, then it reduces. Whoever’ s worship falls within my tradition and practice, he has found the right guidance, and whoever is against my tradition is lost and his deeds are a total loss. I, however, pray, sleep, fast, eat, laugh and weep. Whoever dislikes my tradition and practice is not of my people.’ He has said, ‘Death is a sufficient preacher, certainty is enough wealth and worship is a complete occupation.’”
2. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hajjal from Tha’labah who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Everyone has an enthusiasm and every enthusiasm has a decline. Tuba (a tree in paradise) is for those whose decline is toward a constructive side.’”
1. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from abu al-Jarud from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘This religion is strong (and vast). Follow it with care and do not make the servants of Allah dislike the worship of Allah, lest you become like the rider who destroys his carry-animal during a journey, thus has neither reached his destination nor has any animal to ride on.’” Muhammad ibn Sinan has narrated from Muqrin from Muhammad ibn Sawqah from abu Ja’far (a.s.) a similar Hadith.
2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Isma’il from Fadl ibn Shadhan all from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not cause your souls to dislike worship.’”
3. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Isma’il from Hanan ibn Sadir who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘When Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, loves any (of His) servants who have done a little good deed, He grants him a great reward for his little deeds. He does not consider granting a great reward, for a little deed, a difficult thing at all.’”
4. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from ibn Faddal from al-Hassan ibn al-Jahm from Mansur from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Once my father passed by during my Tawaf (walking seven times around the Ka’ba). I was young and very seriously striving to worship. He saw me sweating and said to me, “O Ja’far, my son, if Allah loves any (of His) servants, He admits him in paradise and becomes happy with him even with a very little good deed.’”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hafs ibn al-Bakhtari and others from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘I strived hard in worshipping and I was young. My father said to me, “My son, I want to see you also do things other than what you are doing. Were Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, to love a servant He would become happy with him even with a very little deed.’””
6. Hamid ibn Ziyad has narrated from al-Khashshab from ibn Baqqah from Mu’adh ibn Thabit from ‘Amr ibn Jami’ from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Messenger of Allah once said, ‘O Ali, this religion is strong (and vast). Follow it with care. Do not cause your soul to hate the worship of your Lord. The extremist is like a person who during a journey destroys his riding animal and is left without any animal to ride before reaching his destination. Do good deeds like one who knows he will die very old and be cautious as one who is afraid of dying the next day.’”
1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “If one learns (from a Haditli) that for a certain act there is a certain reward and he performs that act, he will receive such reward even if, in fact, it (the Hadith) may not be as such.”
2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Imran al-Za’farani from Muhammad ibn Marwan who has said the following: “I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying, ‘If one learns that there is a certain reward from Allah for a certain act and he performs such act to receive such reward, he will be given the reward even if, in fact, the Hadith may not be as such that has come to him.’”
1. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from al-Hassan ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from ibn abu Ya’fur from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is the head of belief.”
2. Abu Ali al-Ash’ari has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Muhammad ibn Sinan from al-‘Ala’ ibn Fudayl from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is to belief as the head is to the body. If the head is gone the body is also destroyed. So also, if patience is vanished belief also goes away and is no more.’”
3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ali ibn Muhammad al-Qasani all from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Asbahani from Sulayman ibn Dawud al- Minqari from Hafs ibn Ghiyath who has said the following: “Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) said, ‘O Hafs, whoever exercises patience does so only for a short time, and whoever expresses impatience, he does so only for a short time.’ “The Imam then said, ‘You must exercise patience in all of your affairs. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent Muhammad (a.s.) and commanded him to exercise patience and kindness and said, “Bear patiently whatever they say, do not yield to them and distance them gracefully (73:10). Leave the prosperous disbelievers to Me. . . .” (73:11) ‘Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, has also said, “Virtue and evil are not equal. If you respond (to evil acts) by virtuous ones, you will certainly find that your enemies will become your intimate friends (41:34). Only those who exercise patience and who have been granted a great share of Allah’s favor can find such an opportunity.” (41:35) The Messenger of Allah exercised patience in suffering and hardships even when they (pagans) attacked him with bones (of large animals). He became very depressed, and Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to him, “We certainly know that you feel sad about what they say against you (15:97). Glorify and praise your Lord and be with those who prostrate themselves before Allah.” (15:98) They (pagans) rejected his message and caused him physical suffering so he became depressed. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, sent him these words, “We certainly know that you (Muhammad) are sad about what they (the unbelievers) say. It is not you (alone) who has been accused of lying. The unjust have always rejected Allah’s revelations. (6:33) The Messengers who lived before you were also accused of lying, but they exercised patience. They were cruelly persecuted before We gave them victory. . . .” (6:34) The Holy Prophet held to patience firmly and they (pagans) spoke of Allah, the Most Blessed, the Most High, and called His words as lies. The Messenger of Allah said, “I remained patient about myself, my family and my honor, but I cannot remain quiet when they speak ill of my Lord.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed to him these words, “We created the heavens, the earth and all that is between them in six days without experiencing any fatigue (50:38). (Muhammad), exercise patience against what they say. . . .” (50:39) The Holy Prophet thereafter exercised patience in all matters and then he was given the good news of Imamat (Divine Authority) given to his descendents who were described as (people) exercising patience. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, “We appointed from them as A ’immah (leaders) for their exercising patience to guide the others to Our commands. They had firm belief in Our revelations.” (32:24) ‘Thereupon the Messenger of Allah said, “Patience is to belief as is the head to the body.” Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, appreciated this and He, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, revealed these words: “Thus, the promises of your Lord to the children of Israel all came true because of the patience which they exercised. He destroyed all the establishments of the Pharaoh and his people.” (7:137) The Messenger of Allah said, “This is good news and compensation.” Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, then made it lawful for him to fight the pagans. Allah then revealed these words, “Slay the pagans wherever you find them. Capture, besiege and watch out for them. If they repent, perform prayers and pay the religious tax, set them free. Allah is Allforgiving and All-Merciful.” (9:5). “Then slay them for it is the recompense that the disbelievers deserve.” (2:191) ‘Allah caused them to be killed by the (forces) of the Messenger of Allah and his friends, and made it a reward for his exercising patience in addition to the rewards reserved for him in the next life. Whoever exercises patience nobly will not leave this world before Allah grants him delight to his heart in the matters of his enemies, in addition to the reward that is reserved for him in the next life.’”
4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from abu Muhammad ‘Abd Allah al-Sarraj who has narrated in a marfu’ manner from Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is to belief as the head is to the body. One who does not have patience has no belief.’”
5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Rib’ I ibn ‘Abd Allah from Fudayl ibn Yasar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Patience is to belief as the head is to the body. When the head is no more so also is the body. Similarly, when patience is no more so also is belief.”’
6. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from his father from Ali ibn al-Nu’man from ‘Abd Allah ibn Muskan from abu Basir who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) saying, ‘A free person is free in all conditions. Even if hardships strike him he exercises patience, if afflictions batter him he does not break down even if he is taken as a captive and is overpowered and his comfort and prosperity are changed into poverty and hardships, just as in the case of Yusuf (Joseph) the truthful and trustworthy one (may Allah grant him blessings), whose freedom remained unaffected even though he was enslaved, taken as a captive and overpowered. The darkness and loneliness of the well did not harm him, nor did all that he went through until Allah granted him favors. He made the insolent tyrant into a slave for him after his being his king. He set him free and made a whole nation to be kind to him. This is how patience yields goodness. You must exercise patience and settle your soul upon patience and you will, certainly, be rewarded.’”
7. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from ‘Abd Allah ibn Bukayr from Hamza ibn Humran from abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘Paradise is kept behind layers of hardship and patience. Whoever exercises patience in hardship in the worldly life will go to paradise. Hell is placed behind enjoyments and desires. Whoever allows his soul to indulge in enjoyment and desires will go to hell.’”
8. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from ‘Abd Allah ibn Marhum from abu Sayyar from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “When a believer is placed in his grave, prayer will be on his right al-Zakat (charity) on his left, and virtuous deeds will provide cover from above and patience will stay aside. When the two angels come to interrogate him, patience will say to the prayer, al-Zakat (charity) and virtuous deeds, ‘Help your friend. Were you to become helpless then I will take over.’”
9. Ali has narrated from his father from Ja’far ibn Muhammad al-Ash’ari from ‘Abd Allah ibn Maymun from abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) who has said the following: “Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) entered the Mosque and at the door of the Mosque he met a man who was depressed and sad. Amir al- Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) asked him ‘What has happened to you?’ He said, ‘It is due to the death of my father, mother and brother. O Amir al- Mu’minin, I am afraid my gall bladder may have ruptured.’ Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) said, ‘You must be pious before Allah and exercise patience. Tomorrow (on the Day of Judgment) you will proceed to Him. Patience in the issues (in life) is like a head to a body. If the head departs the body is destroyed, likewise, in the issues (of life), if patience departs the issues, all affairs (of life) are destroyed.”’
10. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Sama’a ibn Mehran who has said the following: “Once abu al-Hassan (a.s.) said to me, ‘What is holding you back from performing Hajj?’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, I am indebted a great deal and my properties are gone. It is my debt that is holding me down and is worse than the loss of my properties. If someone from our people does not help me out I will not be able to do it myself.’ The Imam said, ‘If you exercise patience you will be envied, otherwise Allah will execute his measures whether you agree or not.’”
Muwaththaq· al-Majlisi
Sunni collections: text from the open hadith-api dataset. Al-Kafi: Arabic text, Muhammad Sarwar's translation and gradings from Thaqalayn.net via the Thaqalayn API. Hadith numbering follows those editions and can differ from a printed copy — check the Arabic against a trusted edition before relying on a reference.
