Kitāb al-Zuhd 1, narration 30

Translation

4.Ḥammād ibn ʿĪsā narrated from Ibrāhīm ibn ʿUmar al-Yamānī who attributed the statement to ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (a), that he would say, “The best things through which the supplicants can entreat Allah are: faith in Allah and His Messenger, jihād in the way of Allah, acknowledgement of [His] oneness (kalimat al-ikhlāṣ) – for indeed it is something [that is embedded] in the innate nature (fiṭrah), establishing prayer – forindeed it is the [pillar of the] creed (millah), giving the zakāt (alms-tax) – for indeed it is part of what is obligatorily due to Allah, fasting in the month of Ramaḍān – forindeed it is a shield from His chastisement, pilgrimage to the House [of Allah] – forindeed it alleviates poverty and wipes away sin, maintaining ties with near of kin – for indeed it is a means of increasing one’s wealth and delaying one’s death, giving charity in secret – for indeed it does away with sin and extinguishes divine wrath, and [doing] good turns – for indeed they repel tragic death and protect [one] from falling into disrepute [and disgrace]. Ensure that you are [always] honest, for Allah is with the one who is truthful, and turn aside from falsehood, for indeed lies take one away from faith. Know that the truthful one is close to salvation and honor, while the liar is on the brink of humiliation and destruction. Speak [only] what is good and you will be known for it, act upon it and you will become one of its folk. Return the trust to the one who entrusted it to you, and keep ties with the near of kin and turn towards them in kindness.”

Translation: Shaykh Tahir Ridha Jaffer — published with the edition, reproduced verbatim.