The Rarity of Believers

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying, ‘The female believer is more valued than a male believer, and a male believer is more valued than red sulfur. Who among you has ever seen red sulfur?’”

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.) saying three times, ‘People are animals, people are animals, people are animals, except a few of believers. Believers are rare, believers are rare, and believers are rare, (more cherished).”’

“I heard Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) saying to abu Basir, ‘By Allah were I to find three believers among you who keep our Hadith concealed I would not have considered it lawful to conceal any Hadith from them.’”

“Once I went in the presence of Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘By Allah, it is your obligation not to sit (without proclaiming your leadership).’ The Imam asked, ‘Why O Sadir?’ I said, ‘Because your friends, Shi’a…

“A virtuous servant (of Allah) (a.s.) said to me, ‘O Sama’a, they (pretending Shi’a) found their belief in their beds and they (attempt) to frighten me (ignoring al-Taqiyah). By Allah, once of the whole world and all…

“Once I asked abu Ja’far (a.s.) ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, how small is our number! It is so small that all combined feasting on a goat cannot finish it.’ The Imam asked, ‘Do you want to hear more…

“I heard abu al-Hassan (a.s.) saying, ‘Not everyone who speaks of our Walayah (Divine Authority) is a believer. They, however, are made to serve as boasting morals of the believing people.’”