Al-Kāfi 5, narration 59

Translation

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain individuals of his people from abu Hamzah from ‘Aqil al-Khuza’iy who has said the following: “Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), during a war recommended the Muslims with these words: ‘You must perform your Salat (prayer) regularly, preserve it, perform it very often and seek thereby nearness to Allah. It was made obligatory for the believing people. The unbelievers found out when they were asked, “What has led to Saqar?” (74:46) They replied, “We were not of those who performed Salat (prayer).” The believing people who do not become disturbed because of worldly attractions, delightfulness of their eyes because of wealth and children realize its significance and know its proper time to be performed and think of it as very graceful. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “There are men who do not become disturbed because of business and trade when they speak of Allah and performing Salat (prayer).” The Messenger of Allah after receiving the glad news of paradise had fixed himself in performing Salat (prayer). Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “Command your family to perform Salat (prayer) and exercise patience during Salat (prayer).” (20:132) ‘He would command his family to perform Salat (prayer) and himself would exercise patience during performing Salat (prayer). Thereafter Zakat along with Salat (prayer) is made a means of getting nearer to Allah for the people of al-Islam and upon the people of al-Islam. One who does not perform it with his soul delighted and then expects to receive a reward better than Salat (prayer) he is ignorant of the Sunnah, suffers loss in matters of his reward and his life ends in confusion. He remains regretful because of disregarding the command of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, and not paying attention to what the virtuous servants of Allah had great inclinations. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “We turn away whoever follows a path other than that of the believing people, to whatever he loves.” (4:115) ‘Thereafter is keeping of trust. One who is not a person of trust suffers a great loss and his deeds become confused. It was introduced to the well established heavens, well stretched earth and well fixed mountains. Other things are not taller, wider, higher and greater than them. If tallness, wideness, greatness, power and majesty were needed to refuse they could use them. They feared punishment, thus refused to accept the trust. Thereafter is Jihad. It is the noblest one of the deeds after al-Islam. It is the pillar of religion. The reward for it is great with majesty and highness. It is an opportunity in which there is goodness and glad news of paradise after martyrdom and sustenance with the Lord and honor. ‘Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “You must not think of those who are murdered for the cause of Allah as dead. . . .” (3:169) Fear and fright of doing Jihad, when there is demand for Jihad, and supporting to cause confusion is straying in religion, losses in the worldly matters, humiliation and lowliness. In it there is reason to deserve hellfire because of fleeing during advancing against the enemy and fighting. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, has said, “O believers, when you face the unbelievers during and advancing against the enemy you must not turn your backs to them.” (8: 15) ‘You must observe the commandments of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, in such conditions and exercise patience therein. It is honor, salvation and safety in this world and in the next world, which is full of frightening matters and fear. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is not concerned about what the servant commits during the nights and days although His knowledge of their activities is subtle. All of these are in the book. My Lord does not become confused and forget. You must exercise patience, encourage others to exercise patience and ask Allah for help. You must settle your souls upon fighting. Maintain piety before Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious. Allah is with those who maintain piety and those who do good deeds.”’

Translation: Muhammad Sarwar — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.