Part 4: On Four-Numbered Characteristics
The four signs of misery
4-97 حدثنا محمد بن علي بن الشاه قال: حدثنا أبوحامد قال: حدثنا أبويزيد قال: حدثنا محمد بن أحمد بن الصالح التميمي، عن أبيه قال: حدثني أنس ابن محمد أبومالك، عن أبيه، عن جعفر بن محمد، عن أبيه، عن جده، عن علي عليهم السلام عن النبي صلى الله عليه وآله أنه قال: يا علي أربع خصال من الشقاء: جمود العين، وقساوة القلب وبعد الامل، وحب البقاء
4-97 Muhammad ibn Ali ibn ash-Shah narrated that Abu Hamid quoted Abu Yazid, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn al-Salih al-Tamimy, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Anas ibn Muhammad Abu Malik, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (MGB), on the authority of his father (MGB), on the authority of his grandfather (MGB), on the authority of Ali (MGB) that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “O Ali! The following are among the signs of misery: solidity of the eye, hard-heartedness, having high aspirations, and the love for a very long life.”
Part 4: On Four-Numbered Characteristics
God summarized everything in four sayings for Adam
4-98 حدثنا أبي رضي الله عنه قال: حدثنا محمد بن أحمد بن علي بن الصلت، عن أحمد بن محمد بن خالد، عن أبيه، عن محمد بن سنان، عن يوسف بن عمران، عن ميثم بن يعقوب بن شعيب، عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال: أوحى الله عز وجل إلى آدم عليه السلام أني سأجمع لك الكلام في أربع كلمات، قال: يا رب وما هن؟ قال: واحدة لي، وواحدة لك، وواحدة فيما بيني وبينك، وواحدة فيما بينك وبين الناس، فقال: يا رب بينهن لي حتى أعلمهن، فقال: أما التي لي فتعبدني [و] لا تشرك بي شيئا، وأما التي لك فاجزيك بعملك أحوج ما تكون إليه وأما التي بيني وبينك فعليك الدعاء وعلي الاجابة، وأما التي بينك وبين الناس فترضى للناس ما ترضاه لنفسك
4-98 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Ali ibn al-Salt quoted Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Sin’an, on the authority of Yusuf ibn Imran, on the authority of Maysam ibn Yaqoob ibn Shoayb that Aba Abdullah as-Sadiq (MGB) said, “The Honorable the Exalted God revealed to Adam (MGB) that He would summarize everything for him in four sayings. Adam (MGB) said, ‘O Lord! What are they?’ God said, ‘One of them is for Me; one is for you; one is between Me and you and one is between you and the people.’ Adam (MGB) said, ‘O my Lord! Please tell them to me so that I may learn them.’ God said, ‘The one that is for Me is that you should worship Me and do not ascribe any partners for Me. The one which is for you is that I will give the recompense of your work to you when you are very needy for it. The one which is between you and Me is that you should supplicate to Me and I will answer. The one that is between you and the people is that you should accept for yourself whatever you accept for the people.’”
4-99 حدثنا أحمد بن الحسن القطان، وأحمد بن محمد بن الهيثم العجلي، ومحمد ابن أحمد السناني رضي الله عنه قالوا: حدثنا أحمد بن يحيى بن زكريا القطان قال: حدثنا موسى بن إسحاق قال: حدثنا أبوإبراهيم الترجماني قال: حدثنا صالح بن بشير أبوبشر المري قال: سمعت الحسن يحدث عن أنس بن مالك قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله فيما يروي عن ربه جل جلاله أنه قال: أربع خصال واحدة لي، وواحدة لك وواحدة فيما بيني وبينك، وواحدة فيما بينك وبين عبادي، فأما التي لي فتعبدني [و] لا تشرك بي شيئا، وأما التي لك فما عملت من خير جزيتك به، وأما التي بيني وبينك فمنك الدعاء وعلي الاجابة، وأما التي بينك وبين عبادي فأن ترضى لهم ما ترضى لنفسك. ولم يذكر آدم في هذا الحديث
4-99 Ahmad ibn al-Hassan al-Qat’tan, Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Haysam al-Ajali and Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Sin’ani - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Ahmad ibn Yahya ibn Zakaria al-Qat’tan quoted Musa ibn Ishaq, on the authority of Abu Ibrahim al-Tarjomani, on the authority of Salih ibn Bashir Abu Bashar al-Mari that he had heard al-Hassan quote on the authority of Anas ibn Malik quoted that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “God - may His Majesty be Exalted - said, ‘There are four characteristics as follows: one is for Me; one is for you; one is between Me and you and one is between you and My servants. The one that is for Me is that you should worship Me and do not ascribe any partners for Me. The one which is for you is to do good deeds and I will reward you for it. The one which is between you and Me is that you should supplicate to Me and I will answer. The one that is between you and My servants is that you should accept for yourself whatever you accept for people.’ There is no mention of Adam in this tradition.”
Part 4: On Four-Numbered Characteristics
Admonishment against friendship with four people
4-100 حدثنا محمد بن الحسن رضي الله عنه قال: حدثنا سعد بن عبد الله، عن محمد بن عيسى بن عبيد، عن القاسم بن يوسف أخي أحمد بن يوسف بن القاسم الكاتب، عن حنان بن سدير الصيرفي، عن سدير الصيرفي قال: قال أبوجعفر عليه السلام: لا تقارن ولا تواخ أربعة: الاحمق والبخيل والجبان والكذاب، أما الاحمق فانه يريد أن ينفعك فيضرك، وأما البخيل فانه يأخذ منك ولا يعطيك، وأما الجبان فإنه يهرب عنك وعن والديه، وأما الكذاب فإنه يصدق ولا يصدق
4-100 Muhammad ibn al-Hassan - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’ed ibn Abdullah quoted Muhammad ibn Isa ibn Ubayd, on the authority of Al-Qasim ibn Yusuf - the brother of Ahmad ibn Yusuf ibn al-Qasim al-Katib, on the authority of Han’nan ibn Sadeer al-Sayrafi, on the authority of Sadeer al-Sayrafi that Abu Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB) said, “Do not associate or become friends with the following four people: stupid fellows; jealous people; cowards; and liars. Stupid fellows wish to help you get some benefits, but they will bring you a loss. Jealous people will take from you, but will not give anything in return. Cowards will run away when you need help. They will even run away from their own parents when they need help. Liars may often tell the truth, but no one would believe them.”
Part 4: On Four-Numbered Characteristics
Four will benefit from knowledge
4-101 حدثنا جعفر بن علي بن الحسن الكوفي رضي الله عنه قال: حدثني جدي الحسن بن علي، عن جده عبد الله بن المغيرة، عن السكوني، عن جعفر بن محمد، عن أبيه عليهما السلام قال:العلم خزائن والمفاتيح السؤال فاسألوا يرحمكم الله، فإنه يؤجر في العلم أربعة: السائل، والمتكلم، والمستمع، والمحب لهم
4-101 Ja’far ibn Ali ibn al-Hassan ibn al-Kufy - may God be pleased with him - narrated that his grandfather Al-Hassan ibn Ali quoted on the authority of his great grandfather Abdullah ibn al-Muqayrih, on the authority of Al-Sakoony, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (MGB), on the authority of his father (MGB), “Knowledge is a treasure, the key for which is asking. Therefore ask, may God have Mercy upon you. Four people shall benefit from knowledge: those who ask questions; those who respond to the questions; those who listen to them; and those who like the above three.”
Part 4: On Four-Numbered Characteristics
Do Not Tax Four Things
4-102 حدثنا أبي، ومحمد بن الحسن رضي الله عنهما قالا: حدثنا محمد بن يحيى العطار، وأحمد بن إدريس جميعا، عن محمد بن أحمد بن يحيى، عن محمد بن عيسى بإسناده يرفعه إلى أبي جعفر عليه السلام أنه قال:لا يماكس في أربعة أشياء: في الاضحية، والكفن وثمن النسمة، والكرى إلى مكة
4-102 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father and Muhammad ibn al-Hassan - may God be pleased with them - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar and Ahmad ibn Idris quoted Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa who linked it up through a chain of narrators to Abi Ja’far al-Baqir (MGB), “You should not tax four things: slaughtering; burial; buying slaves; and traveling to Mecca.”
4-103 حدثنا أبوالحسين محمد بن علي بن الشاه قال: حدثنا أبوحامد قال: حدثنا أبويزيد أحمد بن خالد الخالدي قال: حدثنا محمد بن أحمد بن صالح التميمي، عن أبيه قال: حدثنا محمد بن حاتم القطان، عن حماد بن عمرو، عن جعفر بن محمد [عن أبيه] عن جده، عن علي عليهم السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: يا علي لا تماكس في أربعة أشياء: في شراء الاضحية، والكفن، والنسمة، والكرى إلى مكة
4-103 Abul Hussein Muhammad ibn Ali ibn ash-Shah narrated that Abu Hamid quoted Abu Yazid Ahmad ibn Khalid al-Khalidy, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Salih al-Tamimy, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Hatam al-Qat’tan, on the authority of Hammad ibn Amr, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (MGB), on the authority of his father (MGB), on the authority of his grandfather (MGB), on the authority of Ali (MGB) that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “O Ali! Do not tax four things: an animal for offering; a coffin; a slave, or driving an animal to Mecca.”
Part 4: On Four-Numbered Characteristics
Four causes to grant one the permission to return a slave within one year
4-104 حدثنا محمد بن علي ماجيلويه رضي الله عنه قال: حدثنا محمد بن يحيى العطار قال: حدثني محمد بن أحمد، عن محمد بن عيسى قال: كان ابن فضال يروي عن أبي الحسن الثاني عليه السلام في أربعة أشياء خيار سنة: الجنون، والجذام، والبرص، والقرن
4-104 Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluyih - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar quoted Muhammad ibn Ahmad, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Isa, on the authority of Ibn Faz’zal who narrated that Abil Hassan - the second - that is Al-Ridha (MGB) said, “One can return a slave within one year for the following four causes: insanity; leprosy; vitiligo and blockage of the vagina. ”
Part 4: On Four-Numbered Characteristics
The best four forms of wealth
4-105 حدثنا محمد بن علي ماجيلويه رضي الله عنه قال: حدثنا محمد بن يحيى العطـار قـال: حدثنـي محمـد بن أحمد، عن إبراهيم بن هاشم، عن الحسين بن يزيدالنوفلي عن إسماعيل بن مسلم السكوني، عن جعفر بن محمد، عن أبيه، عن آبائه، عن علي عليهم السلام قال: سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: أي المال خير؟ قال: زرع زرعه صاحبه وأصلحه وأدى حقه يوم حصاده، قيل: فأي المال بعد الزرع خير؟ قال: رجل في غنمه قد تبع بها مواضع القطر يقيم الصلاة ويؤتي الزكاة، قيل: فأي المال بعد الغنم خير؟ قال: البقر تغدو بخير وتروح بخير، قيل: فأي المال بعد البقر خير؟ قال: الراسيات في الوحل والمطعمات في المحل، نعم الشئ النخل من باعه فانما ثمنه بمنزلة رماد على رأس شاهقة اشتدت به الريح في يوم عاصف إلا أن يخلف مكانها، قيل: يا رسول الله فأي المال بعد النخل خير؟ فسكت فقال له رجل: فأين الابل؟ قال: فيها الشقاء والجفاء والعناء وبعد الدار، تغدو مدبرة وتروح مدبرة، لا يأتي خيرها إلا من جانبها الاشأم أما إنها لا تعدم الاشقياء الفجرة
4-105 Muhammad ibn Ali Majiluyih - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Attar quoted Muhammad ibn Ahmad, on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Hashim, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Yazid al-Nawfaly, on the authority of Isma’il ibn Muslim al-Sakoony,on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (MGB) , on the authority of his father (MGB) , on the authority of his forefathers (MGB), on the authority of Ali (MGB), “God’s Prophet (MGB) was asked, ‘What is the best form of wealth?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘What one cultivates for himself and has paid its alms-tax when he picks it.’ The Prophet (MGB) was asked, ‘What is the next best form of wealth?’ He (MGB) replied, ‘Flocks of sheep which one herds himself in pastures where he prays, and for which he pays the alms-tax.’ He (MGB) was asked, ‘What is the best form of wealth after sheep?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘Cows which give milk in the morning and at night.’ He (MGB) was asked, ‘O Prophet of God! What is the best form of wealth after cows?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘Tall palm trees which are deeply rooted in the ground. Whoever sells these trees, what he gets in return is as the dust on top of the mountain which would scatter around with the slightest wind: unless he buys another palm field instead.’ He (MGB) was asked, ‘O Prophet of God! What is the best form of wealth after date palms?’ The Prophet (MGB) remained silent. A man asked, ‘How about camels?’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘Owning camels involves a lot of misery, hardship, and exertion. You must take it far away in the morning and night. It lives in the desert. It has no use except for its unfortunate owners to worry that it may be harmed.’”
4-106 حدثنا علي بن أحمد بن موسى رضي الله عنه قال: حدثنا محمد بن أبي عبد الله الكوفي، عن صالح بن أبي حماد قال: حدثنا إسماعيل بن مهران، عن أبيه، عن عمرو بن أبي المقدام، عن أبي عبد الله، عن أبيه، عن آبائه، عن علي عليهم السلام قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله: الغنم إذا أقبلت أقبلت وإذا أدبرت أقبلت، والبقر إذا أقبلت أقبلت وإذا أدبرت أدبرت، والابل أعنان الشياطين إذا أقبلت أدبرت وإذا أدبرت أدبرت، ولا يجئ خيرها إلا من الجانب الاشأم، قيل: يا رسول الله فمن يتخذها بعد ذا؟ قال: فأين الاشقياء الفجرةقال صالح: وأنشد إسماعيل بن مهران :هي المال لولا قلة الخفض حولهافمن شاء داراها ومن شاء باعها
4-106 Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Musa - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Muhammad ibn Aba Abdullah al-Kufy quoted Salih ibn Abi Himad, on the authority of Isma’il ibn Mihran, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Amr ibn Abil Miqdam, on the authority of Aba Abdullah as-Sadiq (MGB), on the authority of his father (MGB), on the authority of his forefathers (MGB), on the authority of Ali (MGB) that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “Sheep are profitable whether they face you or turn around . Cows are also profitable whether they face you or turn around. However, camels are from the regions of the satans. They cause a loss whether they face you or turn around. They have no use except for their unfortunate owners who worry that they may get harmed.’ The Prophet (MGB) was asked, ‘O Prophet of God! Who should then raise camels?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘Unfortunate owners!’”Salih ibn Abi Himad added, ‘And then Isma’il ibn Mihran recited a poem in this respect.’”