الأخ
THE BROTHER
المُؤمِنُ أخُو المُؤمِنِ / The Believers Are Brothers
1- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : المؤمنونَ إخْوَةٌ، تَتَكافى دِماؤهُم، وَهُمْ يَدٌ على مَن سِواهُم ، يَسْعى بذِمّتِهم أدناهُم.
1- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The believers are brothers, their blood is coequal, and they are one hand against others, the most inferior among them is empowered by their protection
[of him].’
[Amali al-Mufid, p. 187, no. 13]
2- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : رُبَّ أخٍ لَم تَلِدْهُ اُمُّكَ.
2- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Many a brother was not given birth by your own mother.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5351]
الأخ
THE BROTHER
3- الإمامُ الباقرُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : المؤمنُ أخو المؤمِن لأبيهِ واُمِّهِ.
3- Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘A believer is the brother of another believer
[as if] from his own mother and father.’
[al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 166, no. 2 and 7]
4- الامام الصادق (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : المُؤمنُ أخو المؤمنِ ، عَينُهُ ودَليلُهُ ، لا يَخونُهُ ، ولا يَظْلِمُهُ ، ولا يَغُشُّهُ ، ولا يَعِدُهُ عِدَةً فيَخْلِفَهُ .
4- 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.’
[Ibid. no. 3]
5- الامام الصادق (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : المؤمنُ أخو المؤمنِ كالجَسَدِ الواحدِ، إنِ اشتكَى شيئا مِنهُ وَجَدَ ألمَ ذلكَ في سائرِ جسدِهِ ، وأرواحُهُما مِن رُوحٍ واحدةٍ .
5- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘A believer is the brother of another believer, like a single body. If any part of him suffers, he will feel its pain in his entire body; and their souls are also made of one soul.’
[Ibid. no. 4]
الاستِكثارُ مِنَ الإخوانِ / True Brothers
6- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : استكْثِروا مِن الإخوانِ ؛ فإنَّ لكلِّ مؤمنٍ شَفاعةً يومَ القيامةِ.
6- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Seek to increase your brothers
[i.e. believeing friends], for every believer will make an intercession on the Day of Judgment.’
[Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 24642]
7- الإمام عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : عَلَيكَ بإخوانِ الصِّدْقِ فأكْثِرْ مِنِ اكتِسابِهِم؛ فإنَّهُم عُدّةٌ عِندَ الرَّخاءِ ، وجُنّةٌ عِندَ البَلاءِ.
7- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Adopt
[the friendship of] true brothers and increase in your acquisition of them, for they are an asset in times of prosperity, and a shield during afflictions.’
[Amali al-Saduq, p. 250, no. 8]
مَوَدَّةُ الإخوانِ / Brothers’ Amity
8- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : لا يكونُ أخوكَ أقوى مِنكَ على مَودّتِهِ.
8- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Do not let your brother be stronger than you are in your amity for him.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 165, no. 29]
9- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : أحْبِبِ الإخْوانَ على قَدْرِ التَّقْوى.
9- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Love brothers in proportion to
[their] piety.’
[al-Ikhtisas, no. 226]
10- الإمام الصادق (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مِن حُبِّ الرَّجلِ دِينَه حبُّهُ أخَاهُ .
10- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘A man’s love for his brother is part of his love for his religion.’
[Ibid. no. 31]
ما يوجِبُ بَقاءَ المَوَدَّةِ / That Which Ensures the Endurance of Amity
11- الإمام الصادق (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : يابنَ النُّعمان ، إنْ أردتَ أن يَصْفُوَ لكَ وُدُّ أخيكَ فلا تُمازِحَنَّهُ، ولا تُمارِيَنَّهُ ، ولا تُباهِيَنَّهُ ، ولاتُشارَّنَّهُ.
11- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘O Ibn al-NuÝmÁn! 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]
12- الإمام الصادق (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : تَحتاجُ الإخْوةُ فيما بَيْنَهُم إلى ثلاثةِ أشياءَ ، فإنِ استَعمَلُوها وإلّا تَبايَنُوا وتَباغَضُوا، وهي: التَّناصُفُ ، والتَّراحُمُ، ونَفْيُ الحَسَدِ.
12- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Brothers need three things among them – they either use them, or else dispute and hate one another – fairness, benevolence, and evasion of jealousy.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 322]
الاُخُوَّةُ فِي اللّهِ / Brotherhood for the Sake of Allah
13- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : النَّظَرُ إلى الأخِ تَوَدُّهُ في اللّهِ عزّ وجلّ عِبادَةٌ.
13- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Looking at a brother you love for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, is
[an act of] worship.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 279, no. 1]
14- رسولُ اللهِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : ما استَفادَ امرؤٌ مسلمٌ فائدةً بعدَ فائدةِ الإسلام مثلَ أخٍ يَستَفيدُهُ في اللّهِ.
14- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘A Muslim cannot acquire anything as beneficial as his embracing Islam than a brother he benefits from for the sake of Allah.’
[Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 179]
15- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : على التَّواخِي في اللّهِ تَخْلُصُ الَمحَبّةُ.
15- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Love is purified through cultivating friendship for the sake of Allah.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6191]
16- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : الإخْوانُ في اللّهِ تعالى تَدُومُ مَودّتُهُم ، لِدَوامِ سَبَبِها.
16- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Brothers,
[whose brotherhood is] for the sake of Allah, enjoy an enduring amity, due to the firmness of its foundation.’
[Ibid. no. 1795]
17- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : بالتَّواخي في اللّهِ تُثْمِرُ الاُخُوّة .
17- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Brotherhood for the sake of Allah is fruitful.’
[Ibid. no. 4225]
الإخاءُ لِلدُّنيا / Brotherhood For The Sake Of This World
18- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن لَم تَكُن مَودّتُهُ في اللّهِ فاحْذَرْهُ؛ فإنّ مودّتَهُ لَئيمةٌ ، وصُحْبتَه مَشُومةٌ.
18- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A man whose friendship is not for the sake of Allah must be avoided, for his friendship is vile, and his company is doomed.’
[Ibid. no. 8978]
19- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن آخَى في اللّهِ غَنِمَ ، مَن آخى في الدُّنيا حُرِمَ .
19- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A man whose brotherhood is for the sake of Allah is bound to gain, while a man who seeks brothers for the sake of this world is bound to lose.’
[Ibid. no. 7776-7777]
20- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) :مَن وادَّكَ لأمرٍ ولّى عندَ انقِضائِهِ .
20- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A man who draws close to you for a purpose will abandon you when it is fulfilled.’
[Ibid. no. 8552]
إعلامُ الأخِ بِالحُبِّ / Informing One’s Brother Of One’s Love
[For Him]
21- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : إذا أحبَّ أحدُكُم صاحِبَهُ أو أخاهُ فليُعْلِمْهُ.
21- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘When one of you likes his companion or brother, he should let him know.’
[al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 415, no. 953]
22- بحار الأنوار : مَرّ رجلٌ في المسجدِ وأبو جعفرٍ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) جالسٌ وأبو عبدِاللّهِ، فقالَ له بعضُ جُلَسائهِ: واللّهِ، إنّي لاَُحِبُّ هذا الرّجُلَ. قالَ لَه أبوجعفرٍ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : ألاَ فأعْلِمْهُ ؛ فإنَّهُ أبقى لِلمَوَدّة ، وخَيْرٌ في الاُلْفةِ.
22- A man passed through the mosque, where AbÙ Ja‘far and AbÙ ‘AbdullÁh
[Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq (AS)] were seated, when one of the people present said, ‘By Allah, I like this man.’ AbÙ JaÝfar replied, ‘Then let him know, for this will maintain the amity and enhance the affection.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 181, no. 1]
مَوَدَّةُ الأخِ دَليلٌ عَلى مَوَدَّتِهِ لأِخيهِ / One’s Amity for Another is a Proof of Reciprocity
23- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : سَلُوا القُلوبَ عنِ المَوَدّاتِ ؛ فإنّها شَواهِدُ لا تَقْبَلُ الرُّشا.
23- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Ask your hearts about their amities, for they are witnesses that take no bribes.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5641]
24- الإمامُ الباقرُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : اعرِفِ المَودّةَ لكَ في قلبِ أخيكَ بما لَهُ في قلبِكَ.
24- Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Know the amity that your brother has for you in his heart through what you harbour of the same in your own heart.’
[Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 2, p. 331]
25- الإمامُ الهاديُّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : لا تَطلب الصَّفا ممّن كَدّرتَ علَيهِ، ولا النُّصْحَ ممّن صَرَفْتَ سُوءَ ظنِّكَ إلَيهِ، فإنّما قلبُ غيرِكَ لكَ كقلبِكَ لَهُ .
25- Imam al-Hadi (AS) said, ‘Do not seek sincere amity from a man you have insincere sentiment for, nor honest advice from someone you direct your distrust towards, for another’s feelings
[lit. heart] towards you are similar to your feelings towards him.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, no. 181]
قَطِيعَةُ الإخوانِ / Cutting Off Relations with Brothers
26- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : إنْ أرَدْتَ قَطِيعةَ أخيكَ فاستَبْقِ لَهُ مِن نفسِكَ بَقيّةً يَرجِعُ إليها إن بَدا لَه ذلكَ يوماً مّا.
26- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘If you want to cut off relations with your brother make sure to leave a place for him in your heart, so he can return to it one day when he so wishes.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31]
27- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : ما أقبحَ القَطِيعةَ بعدَ الصِّلَةِ ، والجَفاءَ بعدَ الإخاءِ ، والعَداوةَ بعدَ المَودّةِ!.
27- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘How awful it is to cut off relations after having maintained them, to turn away after brotherhood, and to have animosity after amity.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 210, no. 1]
28- الإمامُ الصادق (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن وضَعَ حُبَّهُ في غيرِ موضعِهِ فقد تَعرَّضَ للقَطيعةِ.
28- 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]
وَصلُ الإخوانِ / Maintaining Brotherhood
29- الإمام عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : لا يَكُونَنَّ أخوكَ أقوى على قَطيعتِكَ منكَ على صِلَتِهِ ، ولا تَكُونَنّ على الإساءَةِ أقوى منكَ علَى الإحسانِ.
29- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Do not let your brother be stronger in his avoidance of you than you are in your maintaing relations with him, and do not be stronger in your harm to him than in your kindness towards him.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Letter 31]
30- الإمامُ الحسينُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : إنّ أوْصَلَ النّاسِ مَن وَصَلَ مَن قَطَعَهُ.
30- Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘The best person is the one who maintains relations with one who cuts him off.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 121, no. 4]
أقسامُ الإخوانِ / Types of Brothers
31- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : أقلُّ ما يكونُ في آخِرِ الزّمانِ أخٌ يُوثَقُ بهِ أو دِرْهَمٌ من حَلالٍ.
31- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The most scarce things at the end of time will be a trustworthy brother and a legitimately earned dirham.’
[Tuhaf al-`Uqoul, no. 54]
32- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : الإخوانُ ثلاثةٌ: فواحِدٌ كالغِذاءِ الّذي يُحتاجُ إليهِ كلَّ وقتٍ فَهُو العاقلُ، والثّاني في معنَى الدّاءِ وهُو الأحْمَقُ، والثّالثُ في معنَى الدّواءِ فَهُو اللّبِيبُ.
32- 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].’
[Ibid. no. 323]
33- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : الإخْوانُ ثلاثةٌ : مُواسٍ بنفسِهِ ، وآخرُ مُواسٍ بمالِهِ ؛ وهُما الصّادقانِ في الإخاءِ ، وآخَرُ يأخذُ منكَ البُلْغَةَ ، ويُريدُكَ لِبَعضِ اللّذَّةِ ، فلا تَعُدَّه مِن أهلِ الثِّقَةِ .
33- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Brothers are three
[kinds]: one helps with his own self, and another helps with his money, and these are true in their brotherhood. A third is the one who takes from you what he needs and keeps you for some of his pleasure - do not consider him trustworthy.’
[Ibid. no. 324]
النَّهيُ عَن بَعضِ الإخاءِ / Warning Against Some Forms Of Brotherhood
34- الإمام عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : ليسَ لكَ بأخٍ مَنِ احْتَجْتَ إلى مُداراتِهِ .
34- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The one you need to safeguard yourself against is not your brother.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7503]
35- الإمام عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : لا تُواخِ مَن يَسْتُرُ مَناقِبَك، ويَنْشُرُ مَثالِبَكَ .
35- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Do not take for brother a man who hides your virtues and exposes your lapses.’
[Ibid. no. 1042]
36- الإمامُ الباقرُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : بِئسَ الأخُ أخٌ يَرعاكَ غَنِيّا وَيقطعُكَ فَقيراً.
36- Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘The worst brother is the one who stays with you in your affluence and abandons you in your poverty.’
[al-Irshad, v. 2, p. 166]
37- الإمامُ الباقرُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : لا تُـقارِنْ ولا تُـواخِ أربعةً : الأحْمَقَ ، والبَـخيلَ ، والجَبانَ ، والكَذّابَ.
37- Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Do not take for brothers or companions: the fool, the miserly, the coward, and the liar.’
[al-Khisal, p. 244, no. 100]
38- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : احذَرْ أن تُواخيَ مَن أرادَكَ لِطَمعٍ أو خَوفٍ أو مَيْلٍ أو للأكلِ والشُّرْبِ ، واطلبْ مُواخاةَ الأتقياءِ ولو في ظُلُماتِ الأرضِ ،وإنْ أفنيتَ عُمْرَكَ في طلبِهِم.
38- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Be warned against having a brother who wants you for greed, avoidance of fear, or getting 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]
المُحافَظَةُ عَلَى الاُخُوَّةِ القَديمَةِ / Preserving Old Brotherhood
39- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : إنَّ اللّهَ تعالى يُحِبُّ المُداوَمَةَ على الإخاءِ القديمِ ، فَداوِمُوا علَيهِ.
39- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Allah, the Exalted, likes the maintenance of old brotherhood, so maintain it.’
[Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 24759]
40- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : اخْتَرْ مِن كلِّ شيءٍ جَدِيدَهُ ، ومِن الإخْوانِ أقدَمَهُمْ .
40- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Choose the new of everything, but the oldest one from among brothers.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2461]
الاُخُوَّةُ الحَقيقيَّةُ / Real Brotherhood
41- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : إنَّ أخاكَ حَقّا مَن غَفَرَ زلّتَكَ ، وسَدَّ خَلّتَكَ ، وقَبِلَ عُذْرَكَ ، وسَتَرَ عَوْرَتَكَ ، ونَفى وَجلَكَ ، وحَقّقَ أملَكَ.
41- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Your true brother is the one who forgives your lapse, fulfils your need, accepts your excuse, hides your vices, removes your fear, and lives up to your expectation.’
[Ibid. no. 3645]
42- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : أخوكَ الّذي لا يَخْذُلُكَ عِندَ الشِّدَّةِ ، ولا يَغْفُلُ عنكَ عندَ الجَرِيرةِ ، ولا يَخْدَعُكَ حينَ تَسْألُهُ.
42- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Your brother is the one who does not abandon you in difficulty, does not forget you at the time of trouble, and does not cheat you when you seek his advice.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 77, p. 269, no. 1]
اختيارُ الأخِ / Choosing a Brother
43- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن جانَبَ الإخْوانَ على كُلِّ ذَنبٍ قَلَّ أصدِقاؤهُ.
43- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A man who shuns his brothers for every lapse has few friends.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 8166]
44- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن لَم يُؤاخِ إلّا مَن لا عَيبَ فيهِ قَلَّ صَديقُهُ.
44- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘A man who does not befriend
[anyone] unless they are flawless will have few friends.’
[A`alam al-Din, no. 304]
تَحَمُّلُ زِلَّةِ الأخِ / Tolerating the Lapse of a Brother
45- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : احتمِـلْ زلّـةَ وَليِّـكَ لوقتِ وَثْبَةِ عَدُوِّكَ.
45- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Tolerate the lapse of your friend for the time of your enemy’s attack.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 166, no. 29]
46- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : الاحتِمالُ زَيْنُ الرِّفاقِ.
46- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Tolerance is the splendor of companions.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 752]
47- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن لم يَحْتَمِلْ زَلَلَ الصَّديقِ ماتَ وحيداً.
47- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A man who does not endure the lapses of a friend will die in loneliness.’
[Ibid. no. 9079]
خَيرُ الإخوانِ / The Best of Brothers
48- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : خيرُ إخْوانِكَ مَن أعانَكَ على طاعةِ اللّهِ، وصَدَّكَ عن مَعاصِيهِ ، وأمَرَكَ برِضاهُ.
48- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘The best of your brothers is the one who helps you to obey Allah, prevents you from disobeying Him, and orders you to please Him.’
[Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 123]
49- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : خيرُ الإخْوانِ أقلُّهُمْ مُصانَعةً في النَّصيحَةِ.
49- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The best of brothers is the one with the least hesitance in offering
[harsh] advice.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4978]
50- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : خيرُ إخْوانِكَ مَن واساكَ ، وخيرٌ مِنه مَن كَفاكَ، وإنِ احتاجَ إليكَ أعْفاكَ.
50- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The best of your brothers is the one who stands by you, and better than him is he who suffices himself with you, and even when he is in need of you, he spares you.’
[Ibid. no. 4988]
51- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : خيرُ الإخْوانِ مَن كانتْ في اللّهِ مَودّتُهُ .
51- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The best brother is the one whose amity is for the sake of Allah.’
[Ibid. no. 5017]
52- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : خيرُ إخْوانِكَ مَن سارَعَ إلى الخيرِ وجَذَبَكَ إلَيهِ ، وأمَرَكَ بالبِرِّ وأعانَكَ علَيهِ .
52- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The best of your brothers is the one who rushes to do good and draws you alongside him, and orders you to do good and helps you with it.’
[Ibid. no. 5021]
53- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : خَيرُ إخْوانِك مَن كثُرَ إغْضابُهُ لكَ في الحقِّ.
53- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The best of your brothers is the one who is roused to anger for your sake in
[standing up for] what’s right.’
[Ibid. no. 5009]
54- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : خيرُ الإخْوانِ مَن لا يُحْوِجُ إخْوانَهُ إلى سِواهُ.
54- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The best of brothers is the one who does not let his fellow brothers need anyone other than himself.’
[Ibid. no. 4985]
55- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : أحبُّ إخْواني إليَّ مَن أهْدَى عُيُوبي إلَيَّ.
55- 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]
شَرُّ الإخوانِ / The Worst of Brothers
56- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : شَرُّ الإخْوانِ مَن تُكُلِّفَ لَهُ.
56- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The worst of brothers is he for whom one
[is made] to go out of one’s way.’
[Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 479]
57- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) ـ لَمّا سُئل : أيُّ صاحبٍ شرٌّ ؟ ـ : المُزَيِّنُ لكَ مَعصيةَ اللّهِ.
57- The Commander of the Faithful (AS) was asked, ‘Which is the worst companion?’ He replied, ‘The one who glamorizes acts of disobedience to Allah to you.’
[Ma`ani al-Akhbar, p. 198, no. 4]
اختِبارُ الإخوانِ / Testing Brothers
58- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : إذا رأيتَ مِن أخيكَ ثلاثَ خِصالٍ فارْجُهُ : الحياءُ ، والأمانةُ ، والصِّدقُ. وإذا لم تَرَها فلا تَرْجُهُ.
58- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘When you see three traits in your brother, place your hope in him: bashfulness, trustworthiness, and truthfulness. If you do not see them, do not place your hope in him.’
[Kanz al-`Ummal, no. 24755]
59- الإمام عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَنِ اتّخَذَ أخا بعدَ حُسْنِ الاختِبارِ دامَتْ صُحْبَتُهُ وتأكّدَتْ مَودّتُهُ . مَنِ اتّخَذَ أخاَ مِن غيرِ اختِبارٍ ألْجَأهُ الاضْطِـرارُ إلى مُرافَقَـةِ الأشرارِ.
59- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A man who takes a brother after careful selection is bound to have a lasting companionship and a firm amity, whereas a man who takes a brother without careful testing is bound to resort to the friendship of evil people.’
[Ghurar al-Hikam, nos. 8921 and 8923]
60- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : اختبِرُوا إخْوانَكُم بخَصلَتَينِ؛ فإنْ كانَتا فيهِم وإلّا فاعْزُبْ ثمّ اعزُبْ ثمّ اعزُبْ: محافظةٌ علَى الصّلواتِ في مَواقِيتِها ، والبِرُّ بالإخْوانِ في العُسْر واليُسرِ .
60- 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]
إرشادُ الإخوانِ / Advising Brothers
61- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : المؤمنُ مِرآةٌ لأخيهِ المؤمنِ ، يَنْصَحُهُ إذا غابَ عنه، ويُمِيطُ عنه ما يَكْرهُ إذا شَهِدَ.
61- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘A believer is a mirror for his believing brother; he stays faithful to him in his absence and spares him from what he would hate to see.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 233, no. 29]
62- الإمام عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن وَعَظَ أخاهُ سِرّا فَقَد زانَهُ ، ومَن وعَظَهُ عَلانِيَةً فَقَد شانَهُ.
62- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who advises his brother in private adorns him, and he who advises him publicly makes him look bad.’
[Ibid. p. 166, no. 29]
63- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن رأى أخاهُ عَلى أمرٍ يَكرَهُهُ فَلم يَرُدَّه عَنهُ وَهُو يَقدِرُ علَيهَ فقد خانَهُ.
63- 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.’
[Ibid. v. 75, p. 65, no. 2]
إكرامُ الإخوانِ وإعظامُهُم / Honoring and Glorifying One’s Brothers
64- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : ما في اُمّتي عبدٌ ألْطَفَ أخاهُ في اللّهِ بشيءٍ مِن لُطْفٍ إلّا أخْدَمَهُ اللّهُ مِن خَدَمِ الجنّةِ.
64- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Any person in my community who acts kindly towards his brother in faith, Allah will grant him the service of the servants of Paradise.’
[al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 206, no. 4]
65- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن أتاهُ أخوهُ المسلمُ فأكرَمَهُ فإنّما أكرَمَ اللّهَ عزّ وجلّ.
65- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘A man who honors 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]
قضاءُ حاجَةِ الإخوانِ / Fulfilling Brothers’ Needs
66- الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : لا يُكلِّفْ أحدُكُم أخاهُ الطَّلَبَ إذا عَرَفَ حاجتَهُ.
66- Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Let none of you compel his brother to ask, if you already know about his need.’
[Ibid. p. 166, no. 29]
67- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : اللّهُ في عَونِ المؤمنِ ما كانَ المؤمنُ في عَونِ أخيهِ.
67- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Allah helps the believer as long as the believer helps his brother.’
[Ibid. p. 322, no. 89]
68- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : مَن قَضى لأخيهِ المؤمنِ حاجةً قضى اللّهُ عزّوجلّ له يومَ القيامةِ مائةَ ألفِ حاجةٍ.
68- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘A man who fulfils one need of his believing brother’s Allah will fulfil one hundred thousand needs of his on the Day of Resurrection.’
[Ibid. p. 89, no. 90]
69- الإمامُ الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) : كَفى بالمَرْءِ اعتِماداً على أخيهِ أنْ يُنْزِلَ بهِ حاجتَهُ.
69- Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘It suffices for a man to depend on his brother to charge him with his need.’
[al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 198, no. 8]
أدَبُ الإخاءِ / The Etiquette of Brotherhood
70- رسولُ اللهِِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) : إذا آخى أحَدُكُم رَجُلاً فَلْيَسألْهُ عَنِ اسمِهِ وَاسمِ أبيهِ وقَبيلَتِهِ ومَنزِلِهِ ؛ فَإنّهُ مِن واجِبِ الحَقِّ وصافِي الإخاءِ ، وإلّا فَهِيَ مَوَدَّةٌ حَمْقاءُ.
70- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘When one of you takes a brother, he must ask him his name, his father’s name, his tribe and his address. This is part of true brotherhood; otherwise it is a foolish amity.’
[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 166, no. 30]
71- رسولُ اللهِ ِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ): اِلْقَ أخاكَ بوجْهٍ مُنبسِطٍ.
71- The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Meet your brother with a joyful face.’
[Ibid. p. 171, no. 38]
72- بحار الأنوار عَن أنَس : كانَ رَسولُ اللّهِ (صَلَّيَ اللهُ عَلَيهِ وَ آلِهِ) إذا فَقَدَ الرَّجُلَ مِن إخْوانِهِ ثَلاثَةَ أيّامٍ سَألَ عَنهُ ، فإنْ كانَ غائِبا دَعا لَهُ، وإنْ كانَ شاهِداً زارَهُ ، وإنْ كانَ مَريضا عادَهُ .
72- It is narrated in Bihar al-Anwar: When the Prophet (SAWA) missed the company of any of his brothers for three days, he would ask about him. If he was absent, he would pray for him; and if he was in town, he would visit him; and if he was ill, he would go to see him.’
[Ibid. v. 16, p. 233, no. 35]