CHAPTER IX
SOME SCIENCES OF THE IMAM
As for the sciences of Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, they were an automatic extension to the sciences of his fathers, who inherited them from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. The historians unanimously agreed that the Ima`m was the most knowledgeable of the people in all sciences and arts. The proof of this is that the religious scholars and reporters narrated countless sciences on his authority.
1 We will briefly present some of his knowledge and sciences as follows:
The Hadith (Tradition)
As for the holy
hadith, it is of great importance in Islamic sciences, for it explains objectively and comprehensively all the religious precepts which Allah has mentioned in the Holy Qur'a`n. It mentions their kinds, which are: obligatory (
wajib), forbidden (
muharram), desirable, (
mustahab) reprehensible (
makkruh), and permissible (
mubah). It mentions their parts, their conditions, their legal impediments, and all necessary things concerning them. It specifies and limits the general (verses) of the Book. It mentions the manners of behavior and rules of morals. Moreover it gives methods that make man happy and set right his character.
Any how, Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, was the greatest and most important narrator in Islam, and his narration is of great importance with the traditionalists, especially as it concerns those traditions reported by al-Zuhri on his authority. Abu` Bakr b. Abi Shayba said: "The most authentic chain of authorities is al-Zuhri on the authority of 'Ali b. al-Husayn on the authority of his father on the
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1. Khulasat Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 23.
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authority of 'Ali.
1" The Ima`m, peace be on him, reported a large group of traditions on the authority of his grandfather, the greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, of his father Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him, and of others. We will mention some of his narrations:
His Narrations on the Authority of the
Prophet
Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, narrated a brilliant group of traditions on the authority of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. The following are some of them:
1. He, peace be on him, reported on the authority of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "Waiting for relief is worship. Whoever is satisfied with a little provision, Allah is satisfied with his little work.
2" This holy tradition urges the Muslim person in a wise manner to avoid despair of Allah's mercy; rather he/she must be patient and wait for ease, for all affairs are only in the hand of Allah, the Exalted, Who manages the affairs of His servants. This tradition also prevents man from fatiguing himself for attaining material things, for Allah divides provisions among His servants.
2. The Ima`m, peace be on him, reported on the authority of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "By Him in whose hand is my soul, nothing is better than adding clemency to knowledge.
3" The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, urged man to adopt knowledge and clemency which are among the original qualities through which man's character prospers, and through which his life and behavior develop.
____________
1. Ibid.,
2. Ibn al-Sabbagh al-Fusul al-Muhimma, p. 188.
3. Al-Khisal, p. 5.
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3. The Ima`m, peace be on him, reported on the authority of his father Ima`m, Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him, on the authority of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "Showing love to men is the head of intellect, after faith in Allah, the Great and Almighty.
1" Indeed, showing love to men and attaining their sentiments are among the most manifest qualities of man's character. They are a proof of the completion of his intellect and the abundance of his perfection and excellence, and are among the greatest earnings in his life.
4. The Ima`m, peace be on him, reported on the authority of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "Faith is words and actions.
2" Faith is not mere words that vanish in space; rather it is action and striving in life.
5. He, peace be on him, related from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "Faith is confession with the tongue, knowledge through the heart, and action with the limbs.
3"
Faith depends on three affairs:
First, it depends on confessing with the tongue which shows what has been impressed in the inner self.
Second, the heart should know in detail the thing in which it has believed. Hence, if there is no knowledge through the heart, there is no faith.
Third, faith should be accompanied by action with the limbs.
6. Al-Zuhri reported on the authority of Ima`m 'Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on him, on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "The people of two creeds do not inherit each other, nor does a Muslim inherit an unbeliever, nor does an unbeliever inherit a Muslim." Then he, may Allah bless him and
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1. Al-Huliya, vol. 3, p. 203. Al-Khisal, p. 17.
2. Al-Khisal, p. 53.
3. Tarikh Baghdad, vol. 1, p. 255. Al-Khisal, p. 165.
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his family, recited: "Those who disbelieve are friends of each other."
1 The Muslim jurists unanimously agreed that unbelief cut off inheritance.
7. The Ima`m, peace be on him, reported on the authority of his father, on the authority of the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, on the authority of Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "The foot of a servant will not disappear on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about four (things): about his span, in what he spent it, about his youth, in what he spent it, about his possessions, where he earned them and in what he had spent them, and about the love toward us, the Household (of the Prophet).
2"
This holy Prophetic tradition shows the following affairs:
A. On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will question man: "Did you spend the days of your life in obedience to Me and in good pleasure of Mine, that I may repay you for them? Or did you spend them in disobedience to Me, that I may punish you with justice?"
B. Allah will question man: "Did you spend the days of your youth, which was the bloom of your life, in disobedience to Me, that I may punish you for them? Or did you spend them in obedience to Me, that I may repay you for them?"
C. Allah will question man: "Did you earn your possessions legally? Did you spend them in the good pleasure of Mine, that I may repay you for them? Did you earn them through illegal ways such as usury and falsehood and spent them in disobedience to Me, that I may punish you for them?"
D. Allah will question man about the love for the members of the House (ahl al-Bayt) , peace be on them, who are life-boats and security for mankind. Hence whoever loves them, his road will surely lead to the Garden, and whoever hates them, his road will certainly lead to the Fire, as the narrators have unanimously agreed on this.
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1. Ibn al-Sa'i, al-Jami' al-Mukhtasar, vol. 9, p. 87.
2. Al-Khisal.
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8. He peace be on him, reported on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "The most lovable act for Allah is making the believer pleased.
1" Islam take great care of the unity and solidarity of Muslims. Hence it urges believers to delight each other in order to spread love and friendship among them.
9. He, peace be on him, said: [The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"Nothing better than good manners will be placed in the person's scales on the Day of Resurrection.
2"
Clinging to noble moral traits is among the most valuable things which man possesses in his life and among the best works which he stores for his life in the next world. Hence Islam has summoned man to adopt them.
10. He, peace be on him, said: [ Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, would say in the end of his sermon:]
"Blessed is he whose morals are good, whose nature is pure, whose inner self is righteous, his open behavior is good, who spends the surplus of his possessions (in the way of Allah), withholds the surplus of his words, and treats people with justice.
3"
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, urged the Muslim person to follow outstanding qualities and to cling to the following:
1. Good manners.
2. The purification and righteousness of conscience.
3. Virtues and the rules of conduct
4. Spending the surplus of possessions in the way of Allah such as helping the poor and the weak.
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1. Musadaqat al-Ikhwan.
2. Usul al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 99.
3. Ibid., p. 156.
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5. Restraining the surplus of words and refraining from entering dull affairs.
6. Treating people with justice, that is through clinging to the truth even if it is against yourself.
11. He, peace be on him, said: [ Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, say:]
"Whoever wants Allah to prolong his lifetime and increase his provision, let him join his womb relatives, for womb relatives will have fluent tongues on the Day of Resurrection. They will say: O Lord, join him who had joined us, and cut him off who had cut us off.
1"
Indeed, joining womb relatives strengthens the links of the family which is the first foundation in building society. When love and friendship prevail family, society becomes righteous and united. Hence, Islam takes great care of unity and solidarity of society through summoning its followers to join each other.
12. He, peace be on him, said: [ Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, say:]
"The most lovable ways for Allah, the Great and Almighty, are two : Repelling rage with clemency and misfortune with forbearance.
2" The greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, did his best to build the Muslim's character on clemency and forbearance, which are among the most prominent qualities of man. Hence, whoever has such qualities will have a perfect character.
13. He, peace be on him, reported on the authority of his fathers, on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "Indeed, Allah, the Great and Almighty, created reason from stored, hidden light through His previous knowledge with which He acquainted neither the prophets, the envoys, nor the angels brought nigh. Hence, He made knowledge its breath, understanding its soul,
____________
1. Ibid.,
2. Ibid., p. 99. Wasa'il al-Shi'a, vol. 5, p. 523.
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asceticism its head, modesty its eye, wisdom its tongue, clemency its concern, and mercy its heart. Then He strengthened and filled it (reason) with ten things: certainty, faith, truthfulness, tranquillity, sincerity, gentleness, giving, content, submission, and thanksgiving. Then He, the Great and Almighty, said to reason: Turn back, and it turned back. Then He said to it: Come, and it came. Then He said to it: Speak, and it said: Praise belongs to Allah who has neither support, nor rival, nor likeness, nor match, nor equal, toward whose mightiness all things are humble. Hence, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, said: (I swear) by My might and majesty, I have never created a creature better than you, more obedient to me than you, higher than you, nobler than you, dearer than you. Through you I will blame. Through you I will give. Through you My Unity is confessed. Through you I am worshipped. Through you I am supplicated. Through you I am hoped. Through you I am sought. Through you I am feared. Through you I am watched out. Through you I will reward, and through you I will punish.
1"
This holy tradition glorifies and magnifies reason, shows its importance and the qualities to which Allah has given. Hence reason is the best of all beings which Allah created. Allah has granted man reason and distinguished him by it from other creatures and beings. Reason is a condition for the rightness of the Islamic obligations. Hence whoever loses his reason is like an animal, and thus it is not incumbent on him to perform the obligations.
14. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his fathers that a Muslim said to Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family: "O Allah's Apostle, if you force those men, over whom you have power, our number will increase and we will be more forceful than our enemy. Hence Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: 'I do not want to meet Allah with an innovation through which nothing has happened to me, and I am not among those who oppress (people).' Hence Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, revealed: O
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1. Al-Khisal, pp. 396-397.
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Mohammed,
'And if your Lord had pleased, surely all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them,' by force as they believe (in Me) when they will see chastisement in the hereafter. If I did that against them, they would not be worthy of my reward and praise. However, I want them to believe (in Me) willingly, and not by force, that they may be worthy of My proximity, dignity, and immortality in the Immortal Garden,
'Will you then force men till they become believers?' As for these words of Him, the Great and Almighty:
'And it is not for a soul to believe except by Allah's permission,' they do not mean that it is forbidden for the soul to believe (in Allah); rather they mean that it does not believe (in Him) except with His own permission, which means that He commands it to believe (in Him) without any force.
1" The greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, refuted the suspicion of compulsion and all the imaginations concerning it. When Allah, the Exalted, created men, he gave them the freedom of choice, guided them to good deeds, and prevented them from (doing) evil deeds. Hence they do whatever they want and choose whatever they want according to their own will. They are not forced to do any deed. The narrators said: "Ima`m al-Rida` recited this tradition to al-Ma'mu`n, the Abba`side, who admired it and said: 'O Aba` al-Hasan, you have relieved me, may Allah relieve you!'
2"
15. He, peace be on him, said: [My father al-Husayn, Lord of the youths of Heaven related to me. He said: My father 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib, peace be on him, reported to me. He said: I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, say:]
"Allah, the Great and Almighty, said:
Surely, I am Allah, there is no god but I, Hence serve me. He who sincerely bears witness that there is no god but Allah will enter My fort, and he who enters My fort will be safe from My chastisement.
3"
____________
1. Al-Tawhid, p. 342.
2. Ibid.,
3. Ibid., p. 25.
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Indeed, whoever sincerely confesses the Unity of Allah and admits it because of awareness and faith will cling to Allah and enter His safe fort. Accordingly, he will be safe from the chastisement and punishment of Allah.
16. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"A defect is sufficient for person that he sees men's defects but does not see his own defects, and that he harms his friend with that which does not concern him.
1"
It is a defect that person looks for the defects of men and turns away from his own defects. Such a person has to educate himself, set right his own defects, and leave looking for the defects of men. It is also a defect that he harms his friend with that which does not concern him, for, with this, he shows enmity toward his friend, while he is in no need of this.
17. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"It is an act of the good Islam of person is that he leaves that which does not concern him.
2" This is one of the most prominent qualities of the Muslim person, for his leaving that which does not concern him is a proof of his abundant, perfect reason. As for entering into that which does not concern him, it is a proof of his shallow reason, causes to him difficulties and hardships, and throws him into great wickedness.
18. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"(There are) three degrees in the Garden and three degrees in the hereafter: The highest degree of the Garden is for him who loves us through his heart and supports us with his tongue and his hand. The second degree is for him who loves us through his heart and supports
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1. Usul al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 46.
2. Al-Durriya al-Tahira, p. 27. Al-Ma'rifa wa al-Tarikh, vol. 1, p. 360.
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us with his tongue. The third degree is for him who loves us through his heart. He who hates us through his heart and helps (against us) with his tongue is in the lowest level of the Fire. He who hates us through his heart is in the third level of the Fire.
1"
Love for the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt) , peace be on them, is salvation from ruin, and it makes man attain the highest level of Paradise. As for showing hate toward them, it is among the reasons for facing ruin and entering the lowest level of the Fire.
19. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"Love for me and my household is useful in seven situations whose terrors are great: during death, in grave, during Resurrection, during the Book, during the reckoning, during the scales, and during the Path.
2" These are the most critical situations which man will not pass but through love for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and his pure Household.
20. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"Allah and every prophet responded have cursed seven (persons): The one who increases Allah's Book. The one who accuses Allah's predetermination of laying. The one who abandons my Sunna (practices). The one who regards as lawful what Allah has forbidden concerning my Household. The one who gains power (over my community) through invincibility to make lowly those whom Allah supports and supports those whom Allah has made lowly. And the one who takes hold of the war booty gained by Muslims (without fighting) and regards it as lawful.
3"
Such kinds of people, whom Allah and every prophet cursed, have deviated from the truth and abandoned all the laws of Allah.
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1. Al-Barqi, al-Mahasin, vol. 1, p. 360.
2. Al-Khisal, p. 330.
3. Ibid., p. 308.
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Such people were the Umayyad monarchs, who destroyed Islam, showed an enmity toward the pure family (of the Prophet), and spread corruption and tyranny in the earth.
21. He, peace be on him, reported on the authority of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "Allah, the Great and Almighty, said: 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib is my proof over My creatures, My light in My earth, and entrusted by Me with My knowledge.
1"
This Holy Tradition displays the importance of Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, and his high position with Allah, for he is the greatest argument of Allah over His servants, His bright light in the earth, and entrusted by Him with His knowledge.
22. He, peace be on him, said: [My father al-Husayn told me. He said: al-Hasan b. 'Ali told me. He said: My father 'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib told me. He said: Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"I and 'Ali were created from one light.
2"
Allah, the Exalted, created the Prophet and the Trustee (of authority) from one light. Through them He enlightened intellects, made clear the path, and guided the straying.
23. He, peace be on him, reported that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: "O 'Ali, the first thing about which the servant will be questioned after his death is that he should confess that there is no god but Allah, that Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah, and that you are the Commander of the faithful because of what Allah and I have determined for you. Hence whoever confess this and believes in it will enter Paradise.
3"
All the traditions have mentioned the meaning of this tradition,
____________
1. Al-Musallsalat.
2. Al-Khisal, p. 31.
3. Al-Sayyid al-Muqaddam, al-Imam Zayn al-Abidin, p. 283.
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which is as follows: When man leaves the life in this world, he will be questioned about these three affairs, which are the first beginning about which he will be questioned and according to which he will be punished.
24. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: "Gabriel came down to me and said: 'Surely Allah recites you greetings and says: 'The Fire is forbidden for the backbone which caused you to descend, the womb which carried you, and the lap which took care of you.'
1"
Commenting on this tradition, al-Siyu`ti said: "As for the loins from which Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, was caused to descend, they were (the loins of) 'Abd Allah. As for the womb (which carried him), it was (the womb of) Amina. As for the lap (which took care of him), it was the lap of his uncle Abu` Ta`lib and of Fa`tima, daughter of Asad.
2"
25. He, peace be on him, said: [Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, came to a group of his family and said:]
"Shall I tell you about that which will be good for you in this world and the next world and with which you supplicate Allah, the Great and Almighty, and He relieves you when you become distressed and worried? They replied: 'Yes, O Allah's Apostle.' He said: 'Say: Allah, Allah, Allah is our Lord, Who has no associate! Then, supplicate (Him) with whatever you want.'
3"
26. He, peace be on him, said: "A man came to Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, and asked him: 'I have done all evil things, hence is there any repentance?' He (Allah's Apostle), may Allah bless him and his family, answered: 'Is any of your parents remaining (alive)?' 'Yes,' answered the man. He (Allah's Apostle), may Allah bless him and his family, said: 'Do good for him, may
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1. Al-Ta'zim wa al-Minna fi anna Abawai Rasul Allah fi al-Janna, p. 32.
2. Ibid., p. 32.
3. Al-Quttub al-Rawandi, Da'awat, p. 20.
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Allah pardon you.' When the man went away, He (Allah's Apostle), may Allah bless him and his family, said: 'If only it would his mother.'
1" This tradition shows that doing good for parents is among the things that make mercy obligatory and lead to forgiving sins, especially as it concerns mother.
27. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his father, Ima`m al-Husayn, peace be on him, that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said to Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him: "The Garden yearns for you, 'Amma`r, Salma`n, Abi Dharr, and al-Muqqda`d.
2"
Indeed, the Garden yearns for this believing group of people, for they did their best for Allah, and established His religion through their efforts and striving. Hence, indeed, the Garden yearns for them!
28. He, peace be on him, said: [My father related to me that his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said:]
"The most obedient of the people is he who performs the religious duties. The most generous of the people is he who pays Zaka`t (alms). The most ascetic of the people is he who refrains from (doing) forbidden things. The most pious of the people is he who believes in the truth concerning what is for him and what is against him. The most just of the people is he who accepts for the people what he accepts for himself and hates for them what he hates for himself. The most courteous of the people is he who always mentions death. The happiest of the people is he who is safe from punishment (when) he is under the earth and hopes for reward. The wisest of the people is he who learns a lesson when the world changes from state to state. The most important of the people in the world is he who does not regard the world as important. The most valuable of the people is he who is the most knowledgeable of them. The least of the people in pleasure is the envier. The least of the people in rest is the miser. The
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1. Ibid., p. 47.
2. Al-Khisal, p. 275.
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most miserly of the people is he who is miserly in that which Allah has made obligatory on him. The worthiest of the people in the truth is the most knowledgeable of them. The least of the people in sacredness is the sinner. The least of the people in sincerity are the kings. The least of the people in friendship are the kings. The poorest of the people is the greedy one. The richest of the people is he who is not the captive of stinginess. The best of the people in faith is the best of them in temper. The (wisest) of the people is the most pious of them. The greatest of the people in wariness is he who leaves that which does not concern him. The most pious of the people is he who leaves argument, even if he is right. The least of the people in generosity is the liar. The most miserable of the people are the kings. The most abominable of the people is the haughty one. The best of the people in exertion is he who refrains from sins. The most clement of the people is he who turns aside from the ignorant men. The happiest of the people is he who keeps close to generous men. The wisest of the people is he who strongly humors men. The worthiest of the people of accusation is he who sits with the people of accusation. The most tyrannical of the people is he who kills other than his killer and hits other than his hitter. The worthiest of the people of forgiveness is he who is the most capable of them of punishment. The worthiest of the people of sin is the fool, the backbiter. The lowliest of the people is he who abuses men. The most resolute of the people is he who is the best of them in restraining anger. The most righteous of the people is he who is the best of them in setting men right, and the best of the people is he whom men avail themselves of him.
1" This holy tradition sheds light on men's natures, trends, and inclinations. It shows the important methods of the inclusive reform of many educational and psychological affairs. Indeed, this Prophetic tradition is a treasure of science, wisdom, and knowledge.
29. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: "I and
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1. Ibn Babawayh al-Qummi, al-Ghayat.
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the prophets before me have been afflicted by him who harms us. If the believer is on the top of a mountain, Allah, the Great and Almighty, will sends him who harms him (the believer) to repay him (the believer) for that.
1"
The greatest Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, and all the prophets before him were persecuted by the tyrannical governments which opposed social reformers. The law of life follows this state, for evil forces always war against good forces; rather if a believer isolated himself from men on the top of a mountain, a wicked person would go there to harm him, that Allah might repay the believer for this.
30. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: "'Ali b. Abi Ta`lib is the vicegerent of Allah and is my vicegerent. He is the proof of Allah and is my proof. He is the chosen one of Allah and is my chosen one. He is the lover of Allah and is my lover. He is the friend of Allah and is my friend. He is the sword of Allah and is my sword. He is my brother, my friend, and my helper. He who loves him loves me. He who hates him hates me. He who follows him follows me. His enemy is my enemy. His wife is my daughter. His sons are my sons. His war is my war. His words are my words. His command is my command. He is the Lord of the trustees (of authority), and the best one of my community.
2"
The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, praised on many occasions the outstanding qualities of his brother and his trustee (of authority), the pioneer of the truth and social justice, Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him. It was natural for the Prophet to praise and laud Ima`m 'Ali to indicate that he was his successor after him, and that he was the general leader of the Islamic movement after his death, may Allah bless him and his family.
____________
1. Wasa'il al-Shi'a, vol. 5, p. 486.
2. Roudat al-Jinan, vol. 6, pp. 183-184. Quoted from the book 'Manaqib al-Imam Amir Al-Mu'minin' by bin Shadhan al-Qummi.
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31. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his fathers that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said to his companions: "Surely, Allah has imposed on you obedience to me. He has prevented you from disobeying me. He has imposed on you obedience to 'Ali after me. He has prevented you from disobeying him. 'Ali is my trustee (of authority), and my inheritor. He belongs to me, and I belong to him. Love for him is belief, and hatred of him is unbelief.
1"
Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, did not impose on his companions obedience to Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him; rather Allah imposed it on all the Muslims. This is clearly indicated by the Tradition of al-Ghadir,
Hadith al- Ghadir, on which all the Muslims have unanimously agreed. Without doubt, this resulted from Ima`m 'Ali's talents and great devotion to Allah, the Exalted, for there was no Muslim similar to him in outstanding qualities and laudable deeds. Al-Ja`hiz said: "When priority and precedence in Islam are mentioned, when help and protection to Islam are mentioned, when knowledge of the religion is mentioned, when renouncing possessions (for which men fight each other) is mentioned, when the giving on the plate is mentioned, none is well-known for all these qualities except 'Ali, may Allah be pleased with him.
2"
32. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: "The sick can perform the prayers standing. If they cannot (perform the prayers standing), they can perform them sitting. If they cannot prostrate, they can point to the (prostration place) and make their prostration lower than their bowing. If they cannot perform the prayers sitting, they can perform them (lying) on their right side facing the
qibla. If they cannot (perform them in this manner), they can pray laying down and their legs facing the
qibla.
3"
____________
1. Yanabi' al-Mawadda, Chapter 41.
2. Al-Tha'alibi, Thimar al-Qulub, p. 67.
3. Mizan al-I'tidal, vol. 1, pp. 484-485.
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This holy tradition and other traditions narrated on the authority of the Ima`ms of the members of the House (
ahl al-Bayt) , peace be on them, concerning this matter are among the traditions on which the jurists depend and conclude religious precepts. They say that it is not incumbent on the sick to perform the prayers standing when he/she finds difficulty in (performing) them; rather it is incumbent on him to perform them sitting, for Islam has not legislated any difficult precept.
33. He, peace be on him, narrated on the authority of his father that Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, said: "If the believer is full (of food) and thanks Allah (for this), Allah will repay him as He repays the one who fasts and stands (in prayer).
Surely, Allah loves those who thank (Him).1"
These are some traditions which Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, reported on the authority of his grandfather, Allah's Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family. He also reported some traditions on the authority of his father, on the authority of his grandfather Ima`m 'Ali, the Commander of the faithful, peace be on him, on the authority of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family. Moreover, he reported some traditions without any chain of authorities. Any how, all the traditions reported on his authority are very authentic if the chain of authorities is authentic.
