Imam al-Sadiq (AS) in the Scale of Wisdom

A man who places his amity in the wrong place is bound to suffer abandonment.

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في قَولِهِ تَعالى‏ : (وَ يُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَى‏ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَ يَتِيمًا وَ أَسِيرًا) - : كانَ عِندَ فاطِمَةَ عليها السلام شَعيرٌ ، فَجَعَلوهُ عَصيدَةً ، فَلَمّا أنضَجوها ووَضَعوها بَينَ أيديهِم جاءَ مِسكينٌ، فَقالَ المِسكينُ : رَحِمَكُمُ اللَّهُ ! أطعِمونا مِمّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ ، فَقامَ عَلِيٌّ عليه السلام فَأَعطاهُ ثُلُثَها. فَما لَبِثَ أن جاءَ يَتيمٌ ، فَقالَ اليَتيمُ : رَحِمَكُمُ اللَّهُ ! أطعِمونا مِمّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ ، فَقامَ عَلِيٌّ عليه السلام فَأَعطاهُ ثُلُثَهَا الثّانِيَ. فَما لَبِثَ أن جاءَ أسيرٌ ، فَقالَ الأَسيرُ : يَرحَمُكُمُ اللَّهُ ! أطعِمونا مِمّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ ، فَقامَ عَلِيٌّ عليه السلام فَأعطاهُ الثُّلُثَ الباقِيَ ، وما ذاقوها. فَأَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فيهِم هذِهِ الآيَةَ إلى‏ قَولِهِ : (وَ كَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا) . تفسير القمّي : 2 / 398

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Fatima (AS) had some barley which she made into a sweet paste. When they had finished cooking it and placed it on the table, a poor man came and said, 'May Allah have mercy upon you.' Ali (AS) stood up and gave him a third of it. Soon afterwards, an orphan came and said, 'May Allah have mercy upon you.' Ali (AS) stood up and gave him a third. Soon afterwards, a prisoner of war came and said, 'May Allah have mercy upon you.' So Ali (AS) gave him the last third, and they did not even taste it. So Allah, the Exalted, sent down the Qur'anic verses honouring them, and they apply to every believer who does the same for the sake of Allah, the Exalted.' Tafsir al-Qummi, v. 2, p. 398

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في تفسيرِ الآيةِ - : الأجلُ الّذي غَيرُ مُسمّى مَوقوفٌ ، يُقدِّمُ مِنه ما شاءَ ، ويؤخِّرُ مِنه ما شاءَ ، وأمّا الأجَلُ المُسمّى‏ فهُوَ الّذي يَنزِلُ مِمّا يُريدُ أنْ يكونَ مِن ليلةِ القَدْرِ إلى‏ مِثلِها مِن قابِلٍ ، فذلك قولُ اللَّهِ: (إذا جَاء أجلُهم لا يستأخِرونَ ساعةً ولا يستقدِمون)  . بحار الأنوار : 5 / 139 / 3 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, interpreting the above verse: 'The first - undetermined - term is suspended; He can expedite and postpone it as He wishes. As for the specified term, that is what He destines during the Night of Ordainment (laylat al-qadr) to occur from that night up to the next year's Night of Ordainment; and that is Allah's statement: "when their time comes, they shall not defer it by a single hour nor shall they advance it".' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 5, p. 139, no. 3

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : يَعيشُ النّاسُ بإحسانِهِم أكثرَ مِمّا يَعيشُونَ بأعمارِهِم ، ويَموتُونَ بذُنوبِهِم أكثرَ مِمّا يَموتُونَ بآجالِهِم . بحار الأنوار : 5 / 140 / 7 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'People live by their goodness towards others more than they do according to their [predestined] life terms; they also die due to their sins more than they die due to the end of their terms.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 5, p. 140, no. 7

الامام الصادق عليه السلام : المُؤمنُ أخو المؤمنِ ، عَينُهُ ودَليلُهُ ، لا يَخونُهُ ، ولا يَظْلِمُهُ ، ولا يَغُشُّهُ ، ولا يَعِدُهُ عِدَةً فيَخْلِفَهُ . الكافي : 2 / 166 / 3 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A believer is the brother of another believer, his eye and his guide; he does not betray him, nor wrong him, nor deceive him, and nor does he rescind a promise he made to him.' al-Kafi, no. 3

الإمام الصادق عليه السلام : مِن حُبِّ الرَّجلِ دِينَه حبُّهُ أخَاهُ . الاختصاص : 31 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A man's love for his brother is part of his love for his religion.' al-Ikhtisas, no. 31

الإمام الصادق عليه السلام : يابنَ النُّعمان ، إنْ أردتَ أن يَصْفُوَ لكَ وُدُّ أخيكَ فلا تُمازِحَنَّهُ، ولا تُمارِيَنَّهُ، ولا تُباهِيَنَّهُ ، ولاتُشارَّنَّهُ . بحار الأنوار : 78 / 291 / 2 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'O Ibn al-Numan! If you want your brother's amity for you to be pure, do not make fun of him, do not dispute with him, do not exchange bragging with him, and do not vie with him in evil acts.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 291, no. 2

الإمامُ الصادق عليه السلام : مَن وضَعَ حُبَّهُ في غيرِ موضعِهِ فقد تَعرَّضَ للقَطيعةِ . المحاسن : 1 / 415 / 950 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A man who places his amity in the wrong place is bound to suffer abandonment.' al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 415, no. 950

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: الإخوانُ ثلاثةٌ: فواحِدٌ كالغِذاءِ الّذي يُحتاجُ إليهِ كلَّ وقتٍ فَهُو العاقلُ، والثّاني في‏معنَى الدّاءِ وهُو الأحْمَقُ، والثّالثُ في معنَى الدّواءِ فَهُو اللّبِيبُ . تحف العقول : 323 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Brothers are of three [kinds]: one, like food, is needed all the time and he is the wise [friend]. Another is similar to disease, and this is the fool. And the third is like medicine, and this is the tactful [friend].' Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 323

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : احذَرْ أن تُواخيَ مَن أرادَكَ لِطَمعٍ أو خَوفٍ أو مَيْلٍ أو للأكلِ والشُّرْبِ ، واطلبْ مُواخاةَ الأتقياءِ ولو في ظُلُماتِ‏الأرضِ ،وإنْ أفنيتَ عُمْرَكَ‏في طلبِهِم‏  . بحار الأنوار : 74 / 282 / 3 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Be warned against having a brother who wants you for greed, out of fear, or because of food and drink. Instead, seek the brotherhood of the pious even if they are in the darkness of the earth and even if you have to spend your life seeking them.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 282, no. 3

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن لَم يُؤاخِ إلّا مَن لا عَيبَ فيهِ قَلَّ صَديقُهُ . أعلام الدين : 304 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A man who does not befriend [anyone] unless they are flawless will have few friends.' Alam al-Din, no. 304

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : أحبُّ إخْواني إليَّ مَن أهْدَى‏ عُيُوبي إلَيَّ . بحار الأنوار : 74 / 282 / 4 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The most beloved of my brothers to me is he who confers my faults to me.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 282, no. 4

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : اختبِرُوا إخْوانَكُم بخَصلَتَينِ؛ فإنْ كانَتا فيهِم وإلّا فاعْزُبْ ثمّ اعزُبْ ثمّ اعزُبْ : محافظةٌ علَى الصّلواتِ في مَواقِيتِها ، والبِرُّ بالإخْوانِ في العُسْر واليُسرِ . الكافي : 2 / 672 / 7 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Test your brothers with two things, which they must possess; otherwise avoid them, avoid them, avoid them: observing the prayers at their prescribed times and helping brothers during hardship as well as ease.' al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 672, no. 7

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: مَن رأى‏ أخاهُ عَلى‏ أمرٍ يَكرَهُهُ فَلم يَرُدَّه عَنهُ وَهُو يَقدِرُ علَيهَ فقد خانَهُ. بحار الأنوار : 75 / 65 / 2.

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A man who observes bad behavior in his brother without forbidding him from it - whilst he is able to - has indeed betrayed him.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 75, p. 65, no. 2

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن أتاهُ أخوهُ المسلمُ فأكرَمَهُ فإنّما أكرَمَ اللَّهَ عزّ وجلّ . بحار الأنوار : 74 / 298 / 32 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A man who honours his believing brother when he comes to [visit] him is, by doing so, honouring Allah, Mighty and Exalted.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 298, no. 32

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : اللَّهُ في عَونِ المؤمنِ ما كانَ المؤمنُ في عَونِ أخيهِ . بحار الأنوار : 74 / 322 / 89 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Allah helps the believer as long as the believer helps his brother.'  Bihar al-Anwar, p. 322, no. 89

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : أدَّبَني أبي عليه السلام بثلاثٍ ... قالَ لي : يا بُنيَّ مَن يَصْحَبْ صاحبَ السَّوْءِ لا يَسْلمْ ، ومَن لا يُقيِّدْ ألفاظَهُ يَنْدَمْ ، ومَن يدخُلْ مَداخِلَ السُّوءِ يُتَّهمْ . تحف العقول : 376 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'My father (AS) refined my manners by three [statements]. He said to me: 'O son! A man who befriends a vile person cannot escape blame, and a man who does not restrain his words will live in regret, and a man who enters suspicious places will become subject to accusations.' Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 376

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لمّا نَزَلتْ هذه الآية : (يا أيُّها الّذينَ آمَنوا قُوا أنفسَكُم وأهليكُم ناراً)  قالَ النّاسُ : يا رسول اللَّه! كيفَ نَقِي أنفسَنا وَأهلِينا؟ قالَ : اعمَلُوا الخيرَ وذَكِّروا بهِ أهْلِيكُم فأدِّبُوهُم على‏ طاعةِ اللَّهِ . دعائم الإسلام : 1 / 82 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'When the verse: "O you who have faith! Protect yourselves and your kin from the Fire..."  was revealed, people asked, 'O Messenger of Allah! How do we protect ourselves and our kin?' He replied, 'Do good deeds and remind your kin about them, and discipline them to obey Allah.' Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, v. 12, p. 201, no. 13882

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: يُؤدَّبُ الصَّبيُّ علَى الصَّومِ ما بينَ خَمْسَ عَشْرةَ سَنةً إلى سِتَّ عَشرةَ سنةً . بحار الأنوار : 103 / 162 / 6 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A boy should be trained to fast between the ages of fifteen and sixteen.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 103, p. 162, no. 6

 الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: مَن ساءَ خُلُقُه فأَذِّنوا في اُذنِهِ . بحار الأنوار : 104 / 122 / 61 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'He whose manners deviate, recite the adhan in his ear.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 104, p. 122, no. 61

 الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن كَفّ يدَهُ عنِ النّاسِ فإنّما يكُفُّ عَنهُم يَداً واحدةً ويَكُفّونَ عنه أياديَ كثيرةً . الخصال : 17 / 60 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'A man who keeps his hand from harming people is keeping one hand from [harming] them, whilst they would keep many hands from [harming] him [as a result].' al-Khisal, p. 17, no. 60

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : فاز واللَّهِ الأبرارُ ، أتدري مَن هُم؟ هُمُ الّذينَ لا يُؤذُونَ الذَّرَّ . تفسير القمّي : 2 / 146 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'By Allah, the righteous have won indeed! Do you know who they are? They are the ones who do not even harm small ants.' Tafsir al-Qummi, v. 2, p. 146

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: قالَ اللَّهُ عزّ وجلّ : لِيأذَنْ بِحَربٍ منّي مَن آذى‏ عَبديَ المؤمنَ . الكافي : 2 / 350 / 1 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Allah, Mighty and Exalted, said, 'Let a man who harms a believing servant of Mine expect a war waged by Me'.' al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 350, no. 1

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لمّا بَعثَ رسولُ اللَّه صلى اللَّه عليه وآله بِبراءةٍ معَ عليٍّ عليه السلام بَعثَ مَعهُ اُناساً ، وقالَ رسولُ اللَّه صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَنِ اسْتُؤْسرَ مِنْ غيرِ جِراحةٍ مُثْقِلةٍ فليسَ مِنّا . الكافي : 5 / 34 / 2 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'When the Prophet (SAWA) sent Ali (AS) to propagate the Qur'anic chapter al-Bara'a [chapter], he sent a few men with him and told them, 'A man who surrenders himself without suffering severe wounds does not belong among us.' al-Kafi, no. 2

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إطعامُ الأسيرِ حقٌّ على‏ مَن أسَرَهُ وإن كان يُرادُ مِن الغدِ قَتْلُهُ ، فإنّه يَنبغي أن يُطعَمَ ويُسْقى‏ ويُظَلّ ويُرفَقَ بهِ ، كافراً كان أو غَيْرَهُ . الكافي : 5 / 35 / 2 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Feeding the prisoner is the obligatory duty of the person who captured him, even if he intends to execute him the next day; he must be fed, given water, sheltered, and treated well - whether he is a disbeliever or not.'  al-Kafi, v. 5, p. 35, no. 2

مصباح الشريعة - فيما نسبه إلى الإمامِ الصّادقِ عليه السلام : لَيْسَ شَيْ‏ءٌ أضَرَّ على قلب المُؤْمِنِ مِنْ كَثْرَةِ الأكْلِ ، وَهِيَ مُورِثَةٌ لِشَيْئَيْنِ: قَسْوَةِ القَلْبِ ، وَهَيَجَانِ الشَّهْوَةِ . مصباح الشريعة : 239 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Nothing is more harmful to the heart of a believer than excess food. It leaves him with two traits: hard-heartedness and burning lust.' Misbah al-Shariah, p. 239

 الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام: مَنْ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ قَبْلَ الطَّعَامِ وَبَعْدَهُ بُورِكَ لَهُ فِي أوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ ، وَعَاشَ مَاعَاشَ في سَعَةٍ، وَعُوفِيَ مِنْ بَلْوىً فِي جَسَدِهِ . المحجّة البيضاء : 3 / 6 ، اُنظر وسائل الشيعة : 16 / 470 باب 49 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'He who washes his hands before and after eating will be blessed at the beginning and at the end of his food. As long as he lives, he will be in comfort, and he will be cured of the ills of his body.'  al-Mahajjat al-Bayda', v. 3, p. 6

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ سُرْعةَ ائْتِلَافِ قُلُوبِ الأبْرَارِ إذا الْتَقَوا - وَإنْ لَمْ يُظهِرُوا التَّوَدُّدَ بأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ - كَسُرْعَةِ اخْتِلَاطِ ماءِ السَّمَاءِ بِماءِ الأنْهَارِ . وإنَّ بُعْدَ ائْتِلَافِ قُلُوبِ الفُجَّارِ إذَا الْتَقَوا - وَإنْ أظْهَرُوا التَّوَدُّدَ بأَلْسِنَتِهِمْ - كَبُعْدِ البَهَائِمِ مِنَ التَّعَاطُفِ وَإنْ طَالَ اعْتِلَافُهَا عَلى‏ مِذْوَدٍ واحِدٍ . تحف العقول : 373 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The speed of amity between the hearts of pious people when they meet - even if they do not show their mutual love on their tongues - is like the speed of the rain water when it mixes with the water of rivers. And the distance between the hearts of the wicked when they meet - even if they make a show of love on their tongues - is like the distance between beasts that cannot have mutual affection no matter how long they eat from the same trough.'  Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 373

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : كَمْ مِنْ نِعمةٍ للَّهِ على‏ عبدِهِ في غَيْرِ أملِهِ ، وكَمْ مِنْ مُؤَمِّلٍ أملاً الخِيارُ في غَيرِهِ . بحار الأنوار : 71 / 152 / 55 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'How many a favour Allah grants His servant without him having expected them, and how many a hopeful one entertains high hopes when [Allah's] choice favours others.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 71, p. 152, no. 55

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ تبارَكَ وتعالى‏ اتَّخَذَ إبراهيمَ عَبْداً قَبْلَ أنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ نَبِيّاً ، وإنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ نَبِيّاً قَبْلَ أنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ رَسُولاً، وإنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ رَسُولاً قَبْلَ أنْ يَتَّخِذَهُ خَليلاً، وإنَّ اللَّهَ اتَّخَذَهُ خَليلاً قَبْلَ أنْ يَجْعَلَهُ إماماً ، فَلَمّا جَمَعَ لَهُ الأشياءَ قالَ : إنّي جاعِلُكَ لِلنّاسِ إماماً . الكافي : 1 / 175 / 2 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Verily Allah, Blessed and most High, took Abraham  as a slave before He took him as a prophet, and verily Allah took him as a prophet before He took him as an apostle, And verily Allah took him as an apostle before He took him as a friend. And verily Allah took him as a friend before He made him an Imam. And when all these ranks came together in him, He said, "I am making you the Imam of mankind." al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 175, no. 2

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ الأرضَ لا تَخْلُو إلّا وَفِيها إمامٌ ، كَيْما إنْ زادَ المُؤمنونَ شَيْئاً رَدَّهُمْ ، وإنْ نَقَصُوا شَيْئاً أتَمَّهُ لَهُم . الكافي : 1 / 178 / 2 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'The earth will never be absent of having an Imam, so that if the believers were to add something [to religion] he would refute it, and if they were to omit something from it, he would complete it by bringing it back.' al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 178, no. 2

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنَّ الحُجَّةَ لا تَقُومُ للَّهِ عزّ وجلّ على‏ خَلْقِهِ إلّا بإمامٍ حتّى‏ يُعْرَفَ . الكافي : 1 / 177 / 2 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Verily Allah's proof [authority] over His creation will not be established except by an Imam in order that he be known.' al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 177, no. 2

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : لَو بَقِيَتِ الأرضُ بِغَيْرِ إمامٍ لَسَاختْ . الكافي : 1 / 179 / 10 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'If the earth were to remain without an Imam, it would perish.' al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 179, no. 10

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إذا كانَ يومُ القِيامةِ ... يَأتي النِّداءُ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ جلَّ جلالُهُ : ألَا مَنِ ائْتَمَّ بإمامٍ في دارِ الدُّنيا فَلْيَتَّبِعْهُ إلى‏ حَيْثُ يَذْهَبُ بهِ ، فَحِينَئذٍ (تَبَرَّأ الَّذينَ اتُّبِعُوا مِنَ الّذينَ اتَّبَعُوا...)  . بحار الأنوار : 8 / 10 / 3 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'When the Day of Judgment comes... an address will come from Allah, the Exalted, saying, 'Lo! whosoever accepts the leadership of an Imam in the worldly abode should follow him wherever he takes him, hence 'those who were followed will disown the followers...' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 8, p. 10, no. 3

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في قولِهِ تعالى : (وَ منْ يُؤْتَ الحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِىَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا)  - : طاعةُ اللَّهِ ومعرفةُ الإمامِ . الكافي : 1 / 185 / 11 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS), regarding Allah's verse: "and he who is given wisdom, is certainly given an abundant good.”, said, '[It is] obedience to Allah and knowing one's Imam.' al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 185, no. 11

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَنْ أشْرَكَ مَعَ إمامٍ إمامتُهُ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللَّهِ مَنْ لَيسَتْ إمامَتُهُ مِنَ اللَّهِ كانَ مُشْرِكاً باللَّهِ . الكافي : 1 / 373 / 6 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Whoever associates with an Imam chosen by Allah, a leader whose leadership is not endorsed by Allah, [is tantamount to having] ascribed a partner to Allah.' al-Kafi, p. 373, no. 6

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَنِ ادّعى‏ الإمامةَ ولَيسَ مِنْ أهلِها فَهُوَ كافِرٌ . بحار الأنوار : 25 / 112 / 7 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'One who claims the Imama unrightfully is an infidel.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 25, p. 112, no. 7

قالَ الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام لسدير - : واللَّهِ يا سَديرُ ، لَو كانَ لي شِيعةٌ بِعَدَدِ هذهِ الجِداءِ ما وَسِعَني القُعودُ. [ قال سدير: ]نَزَلْنا وصَلَّيْنا، فلَمّا فَرَغْنامِنَ‏الصَّلاةِ عَطَفْتُ علَى الجِداءِ، فعَدَدْتُها فإذا هِيَ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ  . الكافي : 2 / 243 / 4 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'O Sadir! By Allah, were I to have followers as many as these goats, it would not be permissible for me to desist [from revolt].' Sadir narrated, 'We disembarked and prayed, and when we finished the prayer, I looked at the goats and counted them, and there were only seventeen!' al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 243, no. 4.

الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام - في ذِكْرِ حالِ الأئمّةِ وصِفاتِهمِ - : جَعَلَهُمُ اللَّهُ حياةً للأنامِ ، ومَصابيحَ للظَّلامِ ، ومَفاتيحَ للكلامِ ، ودَعائمَ للإسلامِ . الكافي : 1 / 204 / 2 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS), mentioning the status and qualities of the Imams said, 'Allah has made them the [source of] life for mankind, the lamps in the darkness, the keys to expression and the pillars of Islam.' al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 204, no. 2

  الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إنّ علِيّاً كانَ عالِماً والعلمُ يُتوارَثُ ، ولَن يَهْلِكَ عالِمٌ إلّا بَقِيَ مِن بَعدِهِ مَن يَعلَمُ عِلمَهُ أو ما شاءَ اللَّهُ . الكافي : 1 / 221 / 1 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Verily Ali was knowledgeable and knowledge is something that is inherited. In fact, no sooner does a knowledgeable man die than there remains after him one who knows his knowledge or whatever Allah wishes.' al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 221, no. 1

الإمامِ الصادِق عليه السلام : لِفاطِمَةَ سَلامُ اللَّهِ عَلَيها تِسعَةُ أسماء عِندَ اللَّهِ عزّ وجلّ : فَاطِمَةُ وَالصِّديقَةُ والمُبارِكَةُ والطّاهِرَةُ و الزَّكيَّةُ والرَّضيَّةُ والمَرضيَّةُ والُمحَدَّثَةُ والزَّهراءُ . الأمالي للصدوق : 474 / 18 .

 Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, 'Fatima, salutetions of Allah be upon her, has nine names before Allah: Fatima, al-Siddiqa (the veracious one), al-Mubarika (the blessed), al-Tahira (the clean), al-Zakiyya (the pure), al-Radiyya (the content), al-Mardiyya (the one who pleases Allah), al-Muhadditha (the one who speaks to angels) and al-Zahra' (the radiant one).' Amali al-Saduq, p. 474, no. 18