Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
30. Imam Ali (p): O you people, you must know that
perfection in learning the real values of religion lies in
seeking knowledge and acting according to it. Beware
that acquiring knowledge is much more essential for
you than seeking wealth. Wealth, the means of your
sustenance in this physical life, is earmarked and
guaranteed for you by the One who is Just (God) and
it is bound to reach you. But, seek knowledge from
those who possess it. (B2, C1, T4)
45. 2. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): There are three kinds of people: the
Scholars, the Seekers of Knowledge and the Scum of
Humanity.(B2, C3, T2)
Usul al-Kafi
Book 2: The Book of Excellence of
Knowledge
Chapter 4
Divine rewards for the learned and the
students
48. 1. Prophet Muhammad (p): One who travels in search of
knowledge, God paves his way towards Paradise and the angels
spread their wings for him to express their pleasure and
appreciation. Verily, all those in heaven and on earth, even the fish
in the ocean pray for his redemption. The superiority of the learned
person over the (mere) worshipper is like the brilliance of the full
moon among the stars during a moonlit night…(B2, C4, T1)
56. 3. Imam Ali (p): Hearken! I will tell you about a religious
scholar who is erudite in the real sense of the word. He does not
make people despair of the Mercy of God and does not let them
feel immune from the chastisement of God and does not allow
them to commit sins and does not give up the recitation of the
Noble Quran due to his temptation for something else. Beware!
There is no virtue in knowledge that is devoid of understanding.
Beware! There is no virtue in the recitation of the Noble Quran
without pondering. Beware! There is no virtue in worship that is
devoid of meditation.(B2, C5, T3)
57. 4. Imam Ali ar-Reza (p): Forbearance and Silence are among
the signs of religious knowledge.
Translator’s note: In the tradition quoted above, silence means
refraining from unnecessary gossip and superfluous talk.(B2, C5,
T4)
61. 1. Imam Ali (p): Among the rights and privileges of a learned
scholar is that you should not bother him with too many questions
and do not pull at his clothes in order to attract his attention and
when you visit him in the presence of others, greet all of them after
your special compliments to him and always sit facing him and not
behind him. Avoid gesturing with your hands and eyes in his
presence, do not indulge in lengthy talk and do not start telling him
that such and such persons have been talking against him
(repudiating his statement) and do not get irritated in case his
discourse becomes lengthy. A learned scholar is like a palm tree
and people sit under it and wait patiently for the fruits to fall. The
rewards of a learned scholar are much more than the rewards of
one who observes fast almost every day and fights in the way of
God.(B2, C6, T1)
62. 3. Imam Musa al-Kazim (p): When a learned believer dies, the
angels weep over him and so do the portions of the earth on which
he used to worship God and also the doors of heaven through
which his good deeds have ascended. His death causes such a void
in Islam that nothing can fill it because the learned believers are
fortresses of Islam like the protecting walls built around a city.(B2,
C7, T3)
63. 4. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): From among the believers, the
death of no believer pleases Satan (Iblis) more than the death of a
learned scholar of Islamic jurisprudence.(B2, C7, T4)
Company of learned men
64. 1. Luqman (p) addressing his son: O son, be on the look out for
choosing groups of people. If you see a group of people talking
about God, the Glorious, the Powerful, then sit with them. Your
knowledge will be renewed if you are aware of the subject matter
of their discussion. And if you are not aware, then their discussion
will educate you. Maybe God covers them with His mercy and you
are included among them. And if you see a group of people not
remembering God then do not sit with them because you will not
be benefited if you are aware of their topic and if you are ignorant,
your ignorance will increase and maybe God inflicts on them His
chastisement and you get included in them.(B2, C8, T1)
69. 3. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): Verily this knowledge (of religion)
is under a lock; the keys to which are questions.(B2, C9, T3)
70. 5. Prophet Muhammad (p): Woe unto him who does not
acquaint himself every Friday with religious matters in order to
renew his bond with God and does not ask questions relevant to his
religion.(B2, C9, T5)
73. 8. Prophet Muhammad (p): Get together and advise each other
and hold discussions. Such discussions refine your hearts. Hearts
become rusted like swords and their refinement lies in academic
religious discussions.(B2, C9, T8)
Dissemination of knowledge
75. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): God did not seek a
pledge from the uneducated to acquire knowledge
unless and until he had sought from the learned ones
the pledge to spread knowledge. This was so
because knowledge existed before ignorance did.(B2,
C10, T1)
Application of knowledge
87. Prophet Muhammad (p): There are two kinds of
learned men. The one who acts according to his
knowledge will be delivered (from chastisement in the
Hereafter). The other who ignores his knowledge is
destined to perish. Even the dwellers of Hell will be
tortured due to the stench emanating from the burning
body of the learned person who ignored his
knowledge. The most repentant and frustrated among
the dwellers of Hell will be the person who guided a
servant of God towards the path of God and the latter
accepted this guidance from him and obeyed God
and therefore God sent him to Paradise but, he who
showed him the path will be sent to hell because he
ignored his knowledge and acted according to his
carnal desires and high ambitions. The pursuit of evil
desires becomes a hurdle in the right path and
unwarranted ambitions make one indifferent to the life
hereafter.(B2, C13, T1)
Gems strewn
102. Imam Ali (p): Refresh your minds with marvels of
wisdom because minds too get tired as your bodies
do.(B2, C16, T1)
136. 1. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): Verily, God, the Glorious, the
Elevated, has revealed the quintessence of everything in the Noble
Quran and by God! He has not omitted anything which His
servants may need to the extent that no one can say: Would that it
had been revealed in the Noble Quran, because that has already
been revealed.
137. 2. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (p): God, the Most High, has
not left out anything which the Community, the Muslims, the
followers of Prophet Muhammad (p) need; and explained exact
interpretations of the same to His Prophet (p). He has also
prescribed specific limits for everything and set signposts for
guidance to the destinations and also specified penalties for those
who transgress (these limits).
138. 4. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): There is nothing which has not
been mentioned in the Book or in Sunnah (the way of Prophet
Muhammad (p)).
141. 7. Imam Ali (p): O people, verily God, the Glorious, the
Elevated, appointed His Prophet for you and sent down His book
with true guidance while you were unaware of the Book and the
One who revealed it… So, this is the Noble Quran. Ask it whatever
you have to ask. It will, however, never speak to you. I shall
inform you about it. It contains the knowledge of everything that
has passed and also that which is going to happen till the Day of
Judgment and is the final word on all matters between you and the
solution of all your differences, and if you ask me about it, I shall
certainly inform you.
As the subject was very delicate and abstract, the Imam (p)
explained further:
I say He is All-Hearing, but here ‘All’ does not mean that it is
composed of parts. I only wanted to explain and exemplify to you
what I had in my mind. The purpose of my statement is that He is
God cannot be recognized except through
his Own Supreme Self
165. 1. Imam Ali (p): Recognize God through God Himself and
recognize the Apostle through his Apostleship and recognize those
vested with divine authority through their religious commands,
justice and their good deeds.
Translator’s note: Imam Ali (p) says that God has created bodies
and souls and He has no resemblance to them. He has no partners
in His creation of things, persons and the law of causality. As God
has neither body nor soul, He can be recognized through His
Supreme Self only. If we attribute the slightest likeness of any of
His creations to Him, then we have not recognized Him.
166. 2. Imam Ali (p) was asked: How did you recognize your
Lord?
Imam Ali (p): I have recognized Him through what He had
Himself recognized.
He (p) was further questioned: How has God recognized Himself?
The Imam (p): God has no likeness to any form, nor can He be felt
through the senses, nor imagined by analogy with Mankind. He is
near us in spite of our distance from Him. He is farthest in spite of
being nearest. He is above everything and it cannot be said that
there is anything above Him. He is in front of everything but
cannot be said to be in the front (in the sense of direction). He is
inside everything (has created and knows the essence of
everything) but not like one (material thing) into another. He
encompasses everything but not like one (material) thing
encompassing another. Glorified is He who is like this and nothing
else is like Him.
171. 2. A person from a rather distant land came to Imam Ali ar-
Reza (p) and said: I am going to ask you a question. If your reply
tallies with the answer I have in my mind, I shall accept you as my
Imam (p).
Imam Ali ar-Reza (p): Ask whatever you like.
The person: Tell me since when and how (in what state and
condition) has your Lord-Sustainer been in existence and on what
does He subsist?
The Imam (p): Verily, God, the Blessed, is above the limitations of
the passage of time – past, present and future and has created the
modality, the sense, conception and connotation of ‘how’ and is not
governed by this conception and He subsists on His own power.
The person stood up as a mark of respect to the Imam (p) and
declared: I bear witness that there is no god save God and verily
Prophet Muhammad (p) is the Messenger of God and verily Imam
Ali (p) is the vicegerent of the Prophet Muhammad (p).
172. 4. Some Jews came to their chief, Ras al-Jalut and said: This
person (Imam Ali (p)) is a great scholar. Let us go to him so that
we may ask him some questions.
They came to see him and were informed that Imam Ali (p) was in
the Government House. They waited till the Imam (p) came out.
Ras al-Jalut: We have come to ask you some questions.
Imam Ali (p): O Jew, ask whatever you want.
Ras al-Jalut: I ask you about your Lord. Since when has He been in
existence?
The Imam (p): God has ever been (eternally) without coming into
being and without being subject to any modality (can, may, might,
must and should are all modalities). He is eternal beyond quantity
and quality. The sense of ‘before’ does not apply to Him. He is
‘before’ every ‘before’ without being before, infinite and eternal.
He is above all limits and ends. He Himself is the end of all ends.
On hearing this extraordinary discourse Ras al-Jalut told his
followers: Let us get away from this place. This person is more
learned than what they say about him.
173. 5. A Jew came to Imam Ali (p) and said: I want to ask you a
question.
Imam Ali (p): O Jew, ask whatever you want.
Jew: Since when has God been in existence?
Kinship of God
175. 1. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p): Some Jewish Rabbis came to the
Prophet Muhammad (p) and said, “Tell us the genealogy of God.”
The Prophet Muhammad (p) did not reply for three days and then
the 112th chapter (al-Ikhlas) of the Noble Quran was revealed
which runs as under:
In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
1. Say: He is God, the One and Only.
2. God is absolutely independent (self-existing).
3. He begetteth not, nor is He begotten.
4. And there is none like unto Him.
The name of father and the preceding forefathers.
177. 3. Imam Zainul Abideen (p) was asked about the Oneness of
God.
Imam Zainul Abideen (p): Verily, God, the Mighty, the Exalted,
knew that during the last days of the world, there would be groups
of people penetrating the depths of knowledge and thought, so God
revealed the verses: Say, He is God, the One and Only… (Q,
112:1-4) and also the verses of the chapter al-Hadeed of Noble
Quran up to His words: and He is aware of whatever is in the
hearts.
Translator’s note: The verses of the 57th chapter al-Hadeed
referred to by the Imam are its first six verses, which run as
416. 3. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (p) was asked by Humran about the
persecution of Imam Ali (p), Imam al-Hasan (p) and Imam al-Husayn
(p), and their steadfastness in the defence of the Religion of God. The
Imam (p) upon hearing this said: God, the Glorious and Exalted, had
destined these events to happen to them. They were aware of what the
future held for them. This information was given to them by the Prophet
Muhammad (p). Therefore, Imam Ali (p), Imam al-Hasan (p), and Imam
al-Husayn (p) remained steadfast. Among us whoever was told to
remain silent, did remain silent.
654. 1. Imam Ali (p): Keep your heart active and alive to remember God, leave your bed
in the nights (to offer the midnight prayers) and fear your Lord-Sustainer
God.(B5,C28,T1)
658. 5. Imam Ali (p): Meditation draws people towards virtue and encourages them to
act on it.(B5,C28,T5)
664. 7. Imam Ali (p): A person will never enjoy the ecstasy of belief unless and until he
realises that nothing can stop whatever has been destined for him and he will never get
whatever has not been destined for him. The loss of this world which becomes a profit in
the hereafter is better in the eyes of God.(B5,C30,T7)
740. 11. Imam Ali (p): Patience is of two kinds, patience during the times of troubles and
misfortunes, and the other one is superior to it, which is patience on what God has
forbidden you from …(B5,C47,T11)
835. 6. Imam Ali (p): The sign of the person who is interested in the reward of the
hereafter is that he avoids all the transitory pleasures of this world. One, who becomes an
ascetic, is never at a loss because the reward of the hereafter is much more than the
advantages of this world. A greedy person does not get anything except the results of his
greed. He is deprived of the reward of the hereafter.(B5,C61,T6)
848. 6. Imam Ali (p): O son of Adam (p), if you intend to remain content with worldly
assets, then only a small quantity will be sufficient for you, and if you do not intend to
remain content then even all the worldly assets will not suffice for you.(B5,C63,T6)
852. 11. Imam Ali (p): One who is content with the worldly possessions which are just
sufficient for him, will be comfortable and happy. Otherwise nothing in this world will
satisfy him.(B5,C63,T11)
859. 4. Prophet Muhammad (p): God likes a good deed which is done spontaneously.
1001. 1. Imam Ali (p) quoted Prophet Muhammad (p): If any Muslim serves a group of
Muslims, God will provide him in the hereafter with servants equal in number to the
group.(B5,C89,T1)
1041. 1. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p) said that once while Imam Ali (p) was delivering a
sermon, a person by name Hammam, who was virtuous and righteous, and used to work
hard for the religion and was a sincere worshipper, stood up and asked Imam Ali (p): O
Commander of the Faithful, tell us about the characteristics and attributes of a believer to
enable us to recognise him.
(Imam Ali (p) described the characteristics and attributes of a believer in a lengthy
discourse and on the authority of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (p); an excerpt from this discourse
is reported).
Imam Ali (p): He (a believer) is extremely intelligent, has a cheerful countenance and a
sorrowful heart (due to fear of God and the Hereafter), is not interested in perishable or
transient things and is desirous of everything which is good. He is neither spiteful nor
envious. He is neither quarrelsome nor abusive. He does not find fault with others or
speak ill of them in their absence. He remains silent, maintains his dignity, behaves
gently, remains steadfast and always remembers God. He is thankful to God, remains
thoughtful and is content with his poverty, has good manners and mild temper, keeps his
promises and causes minimum pain to others and does not slander or insult others. If he
laughs, he does not widen his mouth awkwardly, and when he is angry, he does not
become reckless. His laughter is a serene smile. His questions are for adding to his
knowledge, and his attention towards others is for increasing his own understanding. His
knowledge is vast. His forbearance is great. He is very sympathetic and is not a miser. He
is not hasty or fretful, and never swaggers around. His verdict is impartial and he never
oppresses anyone intentionally. He is just even when he is angry. He never speaks in a
rash manner, never insults anyone and never compels anyone. He is pure and sincere in
his love and honours his promises and commitments. He is kind to people and available
to them in their need. He is forbearing and humble and avoids aimless talk. He remains
satisfied with God, the Almighty, the Glorious, and resists his desires, is not hard on his
juniors or inferiors and does not indulge in matters or situations that do not concern him.
Serves the religion, is a defender of the believers and a refuge for Muslims, hearing his
praise does not exhilarate him and greed does not dominate his heart. Recreation does not
deprive him of his wisdom, and the ignorant has no estimation of his knowledge. He
speaks enthusiastically and is an activist in the cause of religion. He has vast knowledge
and is prudent. He does not use obscene language and is not rash and reckless. He meets
people without being a burden on them and spends without being extravagant and never
cheats and betrays anyone … He is trustworthy, calm and sedate, God-fearing, pure and
clean … and does not rely on anyone except his Lord-Sustainer. He loves people for the
sake of God and strives for the pleasure of God. He helps his relatives and is like a father
to an orphan, a guardian of widows and poor people. He is the hope of those who are in
distress. He is not a miser but if anyone acts as a miser with him, he remains calm and
steadfast. His modesty dominates his desires. He bows to his Lord in worship and
remains contented with Him under all circumstances. His intentions are pure and sincere
and his actions are free from cheating and betrayal. He renders good advice privately and
openly. He follows in the footsteps of the good people who existed before him and
becomes a leader of those who come after him…(B5,C99,T1)
1056. 29. Prophet Muhammad (p): One who has three characteristics has all the
qualities of faith. First, when he is pleased, his pleasure does not lead him into falsehood.
Second, when he is angry, his anger does not divert him from righteousness and third,
when he is in a position to acquire something, he does not take more than his due
share.(B5,C99,T29)
1057. 30. Imam Ali (p): Verily, religious people have certain characteristics on the basis
of which they are identified. They are truthful when they talk, they render back the trusts
to their owners, they honour their commitments, protect the bonds of sympathy, they are
kind to poor people, and do not spend much time with women. They grant favours to
others, and behave politely with them and do whatever brings them near God…
(B5,C99,T30)
1122. 11. Prophet Muhammad (p): Wretched is the person who has
three evil habits: Firstly, defecating at a place where travellers relax;
secondly, preventing people from drinking water from a natural source;
and thirdly, preventing people from using public
highways.(B5,C115,T11)
1123. 13. Prophet Muhammad (p) asked his companions: Shall I tell
you who the most wretched person among the people is?
The companions: Of course, O Prophet of God.
The Prophet (p): One, who slanders people, brazenly commits sins, is
foul-mouthed, is selfish in his eating habits, does not lend his support to
the needy, beats his slave, and puts the burden of supporting his
dependents on others.(B5,C115,T13)
1124. 14. Prophet Muhammad (p): I and all the prophets curse five
kinds of men. They are:
a. Those who interpolate in the Book of God (interpret the verses
according to their own desires),
b. The one who gives up my way of life,
c. The one who denies the authority of God,
d. The one who desecrates the honour of my progeny, and
e. The one who consumes what God has bestowed on him without
paying out Khums.(B5,C115,T14)
1127. 8. Imam Ali (p): There are three signs of hypocrisy: When a
believer feels pleasure that people are seeing him doing a good deed,
and acts with lethargy when he is doing that act in privacy, and expects
praise for all his actions.(B5,C116,T8)
1143. 2. Prophet Muhammad (p): One who meets God, the Almighty,
the Glorious, with three characteristics in him, will have the choice of
entering Paradise from any of its gates. Firstly, he should be well-
behaved. Secondly, he should fear God privately and publicly. Thirdly,
one who refrains from qurrels with others even if he is
right.(B5,C120,T2)
1142. 1. Imam Ali (p): Beware of picking up quarrels and enmity with
others because they create disease in the heart and develop
hypocrisy..(B5,C120,T1)
1147. 1. Prophet Muhammad (p): Fury spoils the faith as vinegar spoils
the honey.(B5,C121,T1)
1216. 3. Imam Ali (p): I warn you against two things; Pursuing evil desires and high
expectations. The pursuance of desires becomes a hurdle in the Right Path and high
expectations cause one to forget the Hereafter.(B5,C137,T3)