A Believer’s Signs and Qualities

“Once a man called Hammam, an assiduous worshipper practicing religious rules and a hardworking man came to Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) during his speech and said, ‘O Amir al-Mu’minin, describe for us the qualities of the believer as if we see him before our eyes.’ “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) said, ‘O Hammam, a believer is a smart, intelligent one whose delight is on his face and whose sadness is in his heart, his chest is vastly open, his soul is most humble, he criticizes one’s leaning to every mortal, exhorts to go for everything good. He is not hateful, quarrelsome, scandalous, faultfinding or backbiting. He dislikes high positions (of negative nature) and is an enemy of fame and publicity. His sadness remains for a long time, his ambition is far reaching. He very often remains silent, dignified, ever remembering (the Lord), exercising patience, grateful, sad due to his thoughts, happy with his poverty, easy in his nature, kindhearted, of strong loyalty, of very little trouble, not a liar or insulting. “When laughing, he does not burst. When angry he does not msh. His laughing is smiles, his question is to learn, his review is to understand, his knowledge is plentiful, his forbearance is great and his blessing is a great deal. He is not stingy, he does not hasten, irritate or act as an extremist, is not unjust in his judgment, or unfair due to his knowledge. His soul is more solid than a rock, his labor is more sweet than honey. He is not greedy, intolerant, violent, conceited, pretending or exaggerating. He is graceful in disputed matters, of honorable visitation, a man of justice when angry, a friend when asked. He is not adventurous, or insulting and coercive. His love is pure, he is of solid promise, of fulfilling commitment, affectionate, a keeper of good relations, forbearing, calm, of very little that is extraneous, happy with Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, and opposes his own desires. He is not rough toward his inferiors and does not indulge in what is not his business. He is a supporter of religion, a defender of believers, a stronghold for Muslims, and admiration does not affect him negatively, greed does not hurt his heart, playfulness does not change his judgment and ignorant ones cannot find the limits of his knowledge. “His words are many and he is a determined scholar. He is not abusive or furious. He reaches out without harshness, is generous not a spendthrift, is not deceitful or treacherous, is not a faultfinder or unjust to a human being. He is a friend of the creatures, effortful on earth, assistant of the weak and a helper of the helpless. He does not violate what is hidden or uncover secrets, his trials are a great deal and his complaints very little. He remembers the good that he had seen, covers up the evil that he may observe, hides the defects, safeguards the unseen, corrects slips and forgives mistakes. He does not walk away from an advice that he can give, and he does not give up reforming an unjust instance. He is trustworthy, steadfast, pious, clean, purified and consenting. He accepts excuses, speaks of someone with grace and he is good and expects good from people. “He accuses his soul of defects, loves for the sake of Allah with understanding and knowledge, cuts off relations for the sake of Allah with firmness and determination. Happiness does not trespass upon him and intense happiness does not make him excited. He is a reminder for the scholar and a teacher for the ignorant. He is not expected to cause a calamity. He is not feared for causing a tragedy, every effort to him is more sincere than his own and every soul is more correct than his own. He knows his defects. He is busy with his own sadness. He does not trust anyone except his Lord. He feels a stranger, lonely, dispossessed and sad. He loves for the sake of Allah, strives for the sake of Allah to follow His happiness. He does not revenge by himself for his own self. He does not make friends to make his Lord angry. He sits with the poor, is a friend of the truthful ones, a supporter of the people of truth and an assistant for those near to him. He is like a father for the orphans, like a husband for the widows, the first hope for the destitute, expected to remove every resentful matter and to relieve every difficulty. “He is light and happy, is not frowning or sly, is strong, controlling of anger, smiling, sharp-sighted and greatly cautious. He does not ignore, and if ignored, he is forbearing. He is not stingy and if stinginess, is used against him he exercises patience. He understands, thus he is bashful, is content, independent and is self-sufficient. His bashfulness is higher than his lust, his love is higher than his jealousy and his forgiveness is higher than his hate. He does not speak without correctness and does not dress unless it is economical. He walks humbly, is submissive before his Lord in obedience and is happy with Him in all conditions. His intention is pure and sincere. His deeds are free of fraud and deceit. His observations are good lessons, his silence is thoughtful and his words are wisdom. He is advising, charitable and brotherly. He gives good advice in public and in private. He does not abandon his brother, does not backbite him and does not plot against him. He does not regret what he has missed, and does not become sad for whatever befalls him. He does not hope for what is not lawful. He does not fail in hardships and does not perpetrate in comfort. He mixes forbearance with knowledge and reason with patience. He is not lazy but is always active, of very short longing and of very few slips. (Good) is expected through him, his heart is fearful, he always speaks of his Lord, his soul is content, his ignorance is negative, his affairs are easy, he is sad for his sins, his lust is dead, his anger is controlled and his moral behaviors are lucent. “His neighbors live safely with him, his pride is weak, he is content with whatever is determined for him, his patience is strong, his affair is well established and his remembering (the Lord) is a great deal. He meets people to learn and remains silent for safety, he asks questions to understand, and he trades to earn. He does not remain silent for good to be subjected to injustice, and does not speak to be used in doing injustice to others. His soul is tired of him and people are comfortable with him. He has tired his soul for the gains of the next life and has provided comfort to others by means of his soul. If rebellion is committed against him he exercises patience until Allah finds support for him. His distancing when distancing is needed comes in overlooking and in graceful disregard, and his closeness when closeness is needed comes as kindness and blessings. His distancing is not out of boastfulness or greatness and his closeness is not a plot or deceit. It is because he follows the footsteps of those before him, the people of goodness. Thus, he is the leader for those after him. “The narrator has said that Hammam breathed very deeply and fell down unconscious. Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) said, ‘By Allah I was afraid of its effect for him. This is how effective advice works on people deserving such advice. Someone said, ‘Why does it not apply to you, O Amir al-Mu’minin?’ The Imam said, ‘For everything there is an appointed time that is not surpassed and a cause that does not fail. Wait, and do not transgress. It was a blow that Satan made to flow through your tongue.’”

“It is worthwhile of a believer to have eight qualities: (a) Dignity in volatile conditions, (b) patience on facing a misfortune, (c) gratitude in comfortable conditions, (d) contentment with what Allah has given him for sustenance, (e) justice for enemies, (f) not to be a burden for the friends, (g) that his own body be tired of him and that (h) people be comfortable with him.’ “Knowledge is the friend of the believer, forbearance is his secretary, patience is the commander of his army, courteousness is his brother and speaking softly is his father.”

“The believer remains silent for safety and speaks to benefit. He does not speak of his trust to the friends and does not withhold his testimony for the people of distant relationships. He does not do anything good to show off and does not ignore it due to bashfulness. If he cleanses himself he fears what they (people) say, and asks forgiveness for what they do not know. The words (in his praise) of those who do not know do not make him boastful and he is afraid of the sum of his deeds.”

“The believer has power in religion. He is of solid determination but with soft words, his belief is in certainty, he has greed in deep understanding, is active in guidance, and virtuous in steadfastness. He has knowledge in forbearance, he is smart in friendliness, and generous in truth, modest in wealth, graceful in poverty, forgiving in power, and obedient to Allah in good advice. His desires are ending, he exsercizes restraint against desires, greed in Jihad (hard work for the cause of Allah), prayer in business, patience in hardships, dignity in volatile conditions, endurance in suffering, and gratefulness in comfortable conditions. He does not backbite or act boastfully, nor does he disregard maintaining good relations with relatives and neither is he neglectful. He is not harsh and stubborn. His eyes are not ahead of him and his stomach does not disgrace him, his private parts do not overpower him. He does not envy people; he measures but is not measured. He is not extravagant, he helps the oppressed, he has blessings for the destitute, his soul is tired of him and people receive comfort from him. He is not interested in worldly honor and does not complain because of worldly humiliation. People look forward to be closer to him but he is preoccupied with his own business. No defect is found in his judgment, no flaw is found in his opinion, and no failure takes place in his religion. He provides instruction for those who consult him and assists those who assist him. He shuns indecency and ignorance.”

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) once passed by a gathering of Quraysh where he found the people in white clothes, of clear complexion, frequently laughing and who pointed out their fingers to whoever passed (near) by. Then he passed by a gathering of al- Aws and Khazraj where he found people of worn out bodies, whose necks were thinning, their colors had turned pale and were very humble in their words. “Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) wondered about his observation, he came to the Messenger of Allah and said, ‘May Allah keep my soul and the souls of my parents in service for your cause, I passed by a gathering of the tribe of so and so.’ He described them for the Holy Prophet. He then said, T also passed by a gathering of al- Aws and al-Khazraj.’ He described them for the Holy Prophet. He then said, ‘They all are believing people. O Messenger of Allah, describe for me the qualities of the believers.’ “The Messenger of Allah bent down his head for a while, then he raised his head and said, ‘There are twenty qualities in a believer without which his belief is not complete. Of the qualities of the believing people, O Ali, is their presence in prayer, quick payment of al-Zakat (charity), feeding the destitute, placing of their hand on the heads of the orphans (to comfort them), cleansing of their clothes, and their tying up their waist with covering. They are those who do not lie when speaking, do not disregard their promise, and do not violate their trust. They tell the truth when they speak up, at night they are monks and are lions during the day. During the days they fast and stand up for worship at night. They do not harm the neighbors and the neighbors do not experience any harm from them. They are those who walk on earth in humble manners, and their steps move to the homes of the widows (to help) and in the procession for funerals. May Allah make us of the pious ones.’”

Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) has said the following: “Whoever enjoys a virtuous deed and is disgusted with a sin is a believer.”

“Our Shi’a (followers) look pale, with parched (lips), slim and they receive the darkening night with sadness.”

“Our Shi’a (followers) are people of guidance, of piety, of goodness, of belief and people of victory and triumph.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Beware of the thoughtless people. Shi’a (followers) of Ali (a.s.) are only those whose stomach and private parts are chaste, and are intensely involved in Jihad. They work for the sake of their Creator in the hope for His rewards and for fear of His punishment. If you see such people they are the Shi’a (followers) of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (a.s.).’”

“The Shi’a (followers) of Ali (a.s.) were of slim and lean bellies, and withered lips. They were people of compassion, knowledge, and forbearance. They were known as of monkish practice. You should assist each other in your cause with restraint from worldly attractions (sins) and be very hard working.”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Of believers are only those who even on becoming angry do not deviate from the truth and when they become happy it does not take them into falsehood and when in power they do not take more than what is for them.’”

“Once abu Ja’far (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Sulayman, do you know who a Muslim is?’ I said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, you know better. ’ The Imam said, ‘A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands other Muslims are safe.’ Then the Imam said, ‘Do you know who a believer is?’ I said, ‘You know better.’ The Imam said, ‘A believer is one who is an accepted trustworthy person among the Muslims in their properties and lives. It is unlawful for a Muslim to be unjust toward a Muslim, betray him or push him aside in his helplessness.’”

“A believer is one whose agreement does not lead him into sin or falsehood. When he is angry it does not take him out of speaking the words of truth, when in power it does not lead him to cross over to where he has no right.”

‘‘Believers are of serenity and soft words. They are easy to lead like the camel harnessed by the nose, who does not resist the leader who makes him sit even on a rock.”

“Three things are of the signs of a believer: having knowledge of the existence of Allah, who to love and who dislike.”

the Messenger of Allah who has said the following: “A believer is like the tree whose leaves do not fall off in summer or in winter. They asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what tree is it?’ He said, ‘It is the palm-tree.’”

“A believer is forbearing. He is not ignorant and if he is ignored he remains forbearing. He does not do injustice and if he is oppressed he forgives. He is not stingy, if stinginess is exercised against him he exercises patience.”

“A believer is one whose earning is pleasantly clean, whose moral behavior is excellent and whose conscience is not ill. He gives to charity the extra from his property and holds back the extra of his words. People do not feel threatened by his evil and he yields to justice for people against his own soul.”

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Do you want me to tell you about believers? He is one whose trustworthiness believers trust in matters of their lives and properties. Do you want me to tell you who a Muslim is? He is one from whose tongue and hands Muslims are safe. An immigrant is one who migrates from evils and desists from what Allah has prohibited. It is unlawful for believers to be unjust to a believer, betray him, backbite him or push him aside with a harmful push.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.) has said, ‘The Shi’a (followers) of Ali (a.s.) are only those who are forbearing, scholars, with parched lips and one can find signs similar to those of the monks on their faces.’”

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) prayed the morning prayer with people in Iraq. After prayer he gave a speech on having fear of Allah. He wept and made people weep. He then said, ‘By Allah, I lived with a people, in the times of my beloved one, the Messenger of Allah, who were ragged, dusty and slim-bellied. Between their eyes it looked like the hooves of a goat. They spent the night in prostration and in standing position before their Lord, only resting on their feet or forehead. They whispered to their Lord to set their necks free from the fire and, by Allah, I saw them in such condition and they still were afraid and anxious (because of the next life).”’

“Once Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) prayed the morning prayer and remained in his place until the sun rose up to the length of a spear and then turned his face to people and said, ‘By Allah I lived in the times of a people who spent the night prostrating and standing before their Lord, changing positions only to rest on their knees or forehead, as if they could hear the roaring of fire in their ears. Were Allah mentioned they swerved like branches of trees in the wind, as if the people had spent the night totally neglectful (of worship).’ The narrator has said, ‘The Imam (a.s.) thereafter was never seen laughing until he passed away.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘If you want to see my companions then look to those whose restraining from worldly attraction (sins) is intense, who fear their Creator in the hope for His rewards. If you find such people they are my companions.’”

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Our Shi’a (followers) spend for (the cause of) our Walayah (Divine Authority), love each other for the sake of our love, and visit each other to preserve our cause. They are those who do not commit injustice when angered, and are not excessive when they agree. They are blessings for the neighbors and peace for those who associate with them.’”

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever comes to know Allah and realizes His greatness does not allow his mouth to speak or his stomach to eat. He engages his soul in fasting and standing for prayer until it is clean and exhausted.’ They then said, ‘May Allah keep the souls of our parents in service for your cause, O Messenger of Allah, is it not that such people are close friends of Allah?’ The Messenger of Allah then said, ‘The close friends of Allah kept silent and it was considered speaking of Allah, they looked and it served as a good lesson, they spoke and it was wisdom, they walked and that was blessings among the people. Had it not been for the appointed time of their life span that was written down for them, their spirit would not have remained in their bodies for fear of torment and the desire for rewards.’”

“Al-Hassan ibn Ali (a.s.) once addressed the people saying, ‘I like to tell you about one of my friends who was the greatest in my sight. The head of what was the greatest in my sight about him was the worthlessness of the world in his sight. He was free of the control of his stomach, thus, he did not have any appetite for what he could not find; he, however, would not accede when he did find it. He was out of the control of his private parts and it would not weigh his reason and opinion lightly. He was out of the control of ignorance, thus, he would not extend his hands unless he was confident of its benefits. He did not desire, become angry, or disappointed. Most of the time he remained silent, and when he spoke, he surpassed the speakers. He did not enter in arguments or take part in claims. He would not testify without the presence of a judge. He was not unaware of his brothers (in belief) and did not appropriate anything for himself without them. He was the weakest of the weak people but in serious matters he acted as an advancing lion. He did not blame anyone without a good cause. He would do what he said, and would not say what he would not do. When he became attracted to two things that he did not know which is better he would ignore that which he desired most. He would not complain for any pain before anyone unless he had known that one had a cure for it and would not consult anyone unless he had hope for good advice from him. He did not become frustrated, angered, and did not complain, desire, revenge and did not remain neglectful of his enemies. Therefore, you must acquire such noble moral behaviors if you can. You must acquire the little if you cannot bear the whole. There is no means and power without Allah.”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) once said, ‘O Mehzam, our Shi’a (followers) are those whose voices do not extend farther than their ears and their animosity do not reach beyond their bodies. They do not praise us openly, associate faultfinders with us and do not argue in our defense against our enemies. When they meet the believers they respect and honor them. When they meet the ignorant they distance themselves from him.’ I (the narrator) then asked the Imam, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how should I deal with these pretending Shi’as?’ The Imam said, ‘With them there are cases of distinguishing, changes and filtrations. Certain years destroy them, plagues kill them, and schisms disintegrate them. Our Shi’a (followers) do not do the barking of a dog or the craving of a crow, do not ask our enemies for help even if he may die of hunger.’ The narrator has said that 1 then asked, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, where can I find them?’ The Imam said, ‘You may find them around the world. The standard of living of our Shi’a (followers) is low and their homes are transient. Although present in a place, they are not noticeable, in their absence they are not missed, of death they are not frightened, on the graves they visit each other and on being asked for help they show kindness. Their hearts do not have differences even if their homes might be different.’ The Imam then said, ‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “I am a city and Ali is the door. One who thinks he can enter the city but not through the door is a liar, so also is one who thinks he loves me but he hates Ali (a.s.).’”

“Whoever in his dealing with people does not do injustice to them, in his speaking does not lie to them and in his promise does not fail to keep it is among those whose backbiting is unlawful, whose kindness is complete, whose justice has become public and it is necessary to establish brotherly relations with him.”

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Whoever has three qualities, the quality of his belief is complete: if he is happy it does not lead him to falsehood, his anger does not lead him out of the truth and when in power does not take hold of what is not rightfully his.’”

“Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) (a.s.) has said, ‘Religious people have certain signs by means of which they are recognized. Of such signs are truthfulness in their words, safekeeping of trust, steadfastness in their promise, maintaining good relations with relatives, kindness to weak ones, smaller degree of expectation from women, [or he said, yield to them in smaller degrees], excellence in moral behavior, vastness of moral discipline, following knowledge and that which leads closer to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with distinction. Tuba’ is for them and the good ending. ‘Tuba’ is a tree in paradise that has its roots in the house of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (a.s.). ‘Which quality is more graceful for a man?’ The Imam said. There will be no believer with a home without a branch of that tree. No desire will emerge in their heart but that the branch will provide. A horseman may run under its shadow for a hundred years and the shadow will not end. A crow (with the longest life span in birds) may fly from its trunk upward but before reaching the top of the tree will drop death due to old age. Therefore, you must develop an interest in this. Believers are busy with themselves and people are comfortable with them. When the night grows dark they fix their faces on earth in prostration before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, with the noblest parts of their body. They whisper to the the One Who has created them, about setting free of their necks from fire and as such you must also become.’”

“The Holy Prophet was asked about the best ones among the servants (of Allah). The Holy Prophet said, ‘They are those who enjoy doing good deeds, and ask forgiveness when they do bad deeds, thank when they are favored, exercise patience when they suffer and forgive when they are subjected to anger.’”

abu Ja’far (a.s.) who has said the following: “The Holy Prophet has said, ‘The best among you are those who possess al-Nuha’.’ He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are possessors of al-Nuha’?’ He then said, ‘They are those who possess excellent moral discipline and a heavy power of reason, maintain good relations with relatives, who are kind to mothers and fathers, committed to help the poor, neighbors, orphans, who serve food (to the needy), who spread peace in the world and who pray when people sleep negligently.’”

“Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) ‘Which quality is more graceful for a man?’ The Imam said, ‘Of such qualities are: reverence that is not a cause for any fear, magnanimity without expecting any recompense, and business, but not in worldly matters.’”

“Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.) has said, ‘Signs of perfect religion of a Muslim are his restraining from speaking things that do not concern him, his reduced disagreement, his forbearance, patience and his excellent moral behavior.’”

“The Holy Prophet once asked, ‘Do you want me to tell you who is more similar to me? They replied, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ The Holy Prophet then said, ‘It is he whose moral behavior is most excellent, whose sheltering for protection is most gentle, who is most virtuous toward his relatives, of the most intense love for his brothers in religion, who bears the most patience for the truth, who suppresses his anger the most, whose forgiveness is most graceful and whose yielding to justice is most strict in both relaxed and irritated conditions.’”

“It is of the moral behavior of believers to spend proportionately to their standard of living, raise such standards to what is possible, fairness to people and initiation in offering the greeting of peace.”

“A believer is stronger than a mountain. A mountain loses its parts but no loss takes place in the religion of a believer.”

“A believer is of valuable assistance, of very light expenses, of excellent plans for living and does not allow to be bitten twice from the same opening.”

“I heard al-Rida (a.s.) saying, ‘A believer cannot become a believer unless he has three qualities: one tradition from his Lord, one from His Holy Prophet and one from His Waliyy (one who possess Divine Authority). The tradition from his Lord is to hide his secret as Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has said, ‘He knows the unseen and He does not allow anyone to know His secrets except those of His Messengers whom He chooses.’ (72:26) The tradition from the Holy Prophet is to show kindness to people. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, commanded His Holy Prophet to be kind to people saying, ‘Be forgiving, preach the truth, . . .’ (7:199) The tradition from His Waliyy is to exercise patience in harsh and difficult conditions.’”