Tafsir 9. Al Tawbah

H 6875, Ch. 29, h 1
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar ibn ‘Udhaynah who has said the following:
“I once wrote to abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about certain issues (of Fiqh) of which a few were
with ibn Bukayr, a few with abu al-‘Abbas. The answers came with his (the Imam’s) dictation, ‘You
have asked about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “People owe to Allah to
perform al-Hajj of the House, whoever is capable to do so,” (3:97) is a reference to al-Hajj and
al-‘Umrah. It refers to both of them performed together because they are obligatory.’ You have asked
about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Complete al-Hajj and al-‘Umrah for
the sake of Allah. . .’ (2:196) ‘Completing’ means fulfilling this duty during which one must abstain
from whatever a person in the state of Ihram abstains.’ I also asked him (the Imam) about the meaning
of the words of Allah, the most High, ‘Al-Hajj al-Akbar’. (9:3) He (the Imam) replied it is staying in
‘Arafat, throwing pebbles on al-Jamar and al-Hajj al-Asghar stands for al-‘Umrah.’”

H 14693 – Abu Ali Al-Ashary, from Muhammad Bin Abdul Jabbar, from Safwaan Bin yahya, from
Ibn Muskan, from Abu Baseer, who has said:
41 out of 56
One of themasws regarding the Statement of Allahazwj Mighty and Majestic: “[9:19]
What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims
and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the
latter day”. Heasws said: ‘This was Revealed regarding Hamzaas, and Aliasws, and
Ja’faras, and Al-Abbasas, and Shaeba. They prided themselves for quenching (the
thirst) of the Pilgrims. So Allahazwj Majestic and Mighty Revealed “[9:19] What! do
you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the
guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter
day”, and it was Aliasws, and Hamzaas, and Ja’faras, may greeting be upon themas are
the ones whoas believed in Allahazwj and the Last Day, and theyas fought in the Way
of Allahazwj, and (others) are not equal to themas in the Presence of Allahazwj’.

H 3043, CH 203, h 3
It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Yunus from ibn
Bukayr from abu ‘Umayyah Yusuf ibn Thabit who has said the following:
“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
saying, ‘With belief no deed can harm one and with disbelief no
deed can benefit one. Consider how Allah has said it, ‘What
prevents their offerings from acceptance is their disbelief in
Allah and His Messenger, their lack of interest in prayer and
spending for the cause of Allah reluctantly, (9:54) ‘. . . and they
die as disbelievers.’” (9:125)

H 1908, CH 59, h 1
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from
Muhammad ibn Sinan from ‘Ammar ibn Marwan from Zayd al-Shahham from ‘Amr ibn Hilal who has said the following:
“I heard abu Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
saying, ‘You must never allow your eyes aim for one who is
above you (in worldly matters that may tempt you wish for his
opportunity). The words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most
Holy, to His Messenger are enough evidence to support it. “Let
not their property and children tempt you. . . .” (9:55) ‘Do not
yearn for other people’s property and wives and do not grieve. . .
.’ (15:88) If you sense such a feeling then consider the life of
the Messenger of Allah. He lived on barley loaves and sweetness
from dates. For fuel he would use palm tree twigs if he could
find them.’”

H 2902, CH 171, h 4
Ali has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Ibrahim ibn ‘Abd al-
Hamid from Ishaq ibn Ghalib who has said the following:
“Abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, once
asked, ‘O Ishaq, how many people can you find to whom this
verse, ‘ . . . They are pleased when you give them something
from it, but if they receive nothing, they become angry with
you,’ (9:58) applies? The Imam then said, ‘They are more than
two thirds of the people.’”

H 2900, CH 171, h 2
Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from ‘Umar
ibn ‘Udhaynah from Zurara who has said the following:
“Once I asked abu Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘Al-
Mu’allafah Qulubuhum (the people with inclined hearts)’ (9:60)
the Imam said, ‘They were a people who accepted Allah, the
Most Majestic, the Most Holy, only, stopped worshipping things
that were worshipped besides Allah, they had testified that no
one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and that
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and in that condition they
had doubts about certain issue(s) that Muhammad, recipient of
divine supreme covenant, had brought. Allah, the Most Majestic,
the Most Holy, commanded His Holy Prophet to attract them
with financial means and gifts so that their Islam may improve
and they remain steadfast in their religion which they had just
accepted and professed.’
“On the day of Hunayn (a battle field) the Messenger of Allah
had a meeting with leaders of Arabs from Quraysh, and others
from the tribe of Mudar. Among such people were abu Sufyan
ibn Harb, ‘Uyaynah ibn Hasin al-Farazi and other such people.
The Ansar, people of Madina, became angry and gathered
around Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah. He went with them to see the
Messenger of Allah at al-Ja’ranah. He asked, ‘O Messenger of
Allah, can I speak?’ He said, ‘Yes, you may speak.’ He said, ‘If
the case of these goods that you have distributed among your
tribesmen is something that has come from Allah, we agree, and
if it is something else, we do not agree.’ Zurara has said, ‘I heard
abu Ja’far saying, “The Messenger of Allah asked, ‘O people of
Ansar, are all of you of the opinion of your master Sa’d?’” They
said, ‘Our master is Allah and the Messenger of Allah.’ Then
they said at the third time, ‘We are of the same opinion and
words.’ Zurara has said, ‘I heard abu Ja’far, recipient of divine
supreme covenant, saying, “For this reason Allah decreased the
light of their belief and assigned a share for people of inclined
hearts in the Holy Quran.’”

H 1059, Ch. 104, h 7
A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn
al-Hakam from Aban ibn ‘Uthman from Sabbah ibn Sayyaba from abu ‘Abd
Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said the following:
“The messenger of Allah, recipient of divine supreme
covenant, has said, ‘Whoever of the believers or Muslims dies
and on him there is a debt, not for unlawful or extravagant
reasons, it then is the responsibility of the Imam to pay it off,
otherwise, he has sinned. Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High,
says, “Welfare funds (Zakat ) are only for the poor, the destitute .
. . the debtors . . .” (9:60) For such persons (debtors) there is a
share with the Imam. If he withholds it, he has sinned.’”

H 8415, Ch. 19, h 3
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Musa ibn Bakr who has said the
following:
“Abu al-Hassan, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, said to me, ‘Whoever works to provide sustenance for himself and
his family is considered a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. If
poverty over-powers him, he then should borrow upon the responsibility of Allah and His Messenger
for his sustenance and his family. If he dies and cannot pay back, it then becomes the responsibility of
the Imam to pay it. If he did not do so, he will be held responsible. Allah, most Majestic, most
Glorious, says, ‘Charities are for the poor, destitute and the charity (tax) collectors . . . ., and those
suffering bankruptcy.’ (9:61) He is poor, destitute and bankrupt.’”

H 420, Ch. 34, h4
A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid
from Ali ibn al-Hakam from Aban al-Ahmar from Hamza ibn al-Tayyar who
said the following:
“Once Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme
covenant, said to me, ‘Write down.’ He dictated to me the
following. ‘It is of our Hadith that Allah will, justifiably, hold
people accountable for what He has given and made known to
them. Allah then sent His messenger to them and sent down
books upon them in which He has commanded and prohibited
them. He has commanded them to perform prayers and fast. The
messenger of Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
remained sleeping until the time for prayer expired and Allah
said, ‘I make you sleep and wake you up. When you wake up
then perform the prayer so that they can learn if such thing
happened to them what they should do.’

“It is not the way that they say, ‘If one remains asleep (at the
time of prayer) one is destroyed.’ In the same way is fasting. ‘I
(Allah) cause you to become ill and when I give you good health
then you will make up for the fast that you missed during your
illness.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
then said, ‘So also is, if you look at all things you will find that
Allah has caused no constrictions to anyone. You will not find
anyone against whom Allah may not have enough justification
to hold him accountable with His wish therein. I do not say that
they can do whatever they wish.
“The Imam then said, ‘Allah guides and misleads.’ He further
said, ‘People are not ordered to do what they are not capable of.
For everything that people are ordered to do they have the
capability for it and anything of which they are not capable is
removed and lifted up from them but there is not much good in
people.’ He (the Imam) then recited from the Holy Quran:
‘People who are weak or sick and those who do not have the
means to take part in the fighting are exempt from this duty . . .’
(conditions of people exempt are mentioned) ‘Righteous people
shall not be blamed. Allah is All-forgiving and All-merciful.’
(9:91) So also relieved of the duty are ‘Those who come to you
(Muhammad), asking to be taken to the battle . . .’ (9:92) they do
not have the means.’”

H 2827, CH 160, h 1
A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ali ibn Asbat
from Sulaym Mawla Tirbal who has said the Hisham narrated to him from
Hamza ibn al-Tayyar who has said the following:
“Once abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
said to me, ‘People are of six categories.’ I then asked, ‘Can I
write them down?’ The Imam said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ I then
asked, ‘What should I write?’ The Imam said, ‘Write down: the
people promised paradise and those warned against the fire (but
ignored it). Write down, “. . . others of them have already
confessed their sins and have mixed virtuous deeds with sinful
ones.”’ (9:102) I then asked, ‘Who are such people?’ The Imam
said, ‘Wahshi (assassin of Hamza) is one of them.’ The Imam
said, ‘Write down, “There are others who have no good deeds
for which they may receive any reward or sins for which they
may be punished. . . .” (9:106) The Imam said, ‘Write down,
“As for the really weak and oppressed men, women, and
children who were not able to find any means of obtaining their
freedom or of having the right guidance, (4:98) [are not able to
do anything against the unbelievers or find the right guidance]
perhaps Allah will forgive them; He is All-merciful and Allforgiving.”
(4:99) The Imam said, ‘Write down the people of
‘A’raf.’ I asked, ‘Who are they?’ The Imam said, ‘They are the
people whose good and bad deeds measure equally. If they will
be sent to the fire it will be due to their sins and if they will be
sent to paradise it will be due to His kindness.’”

H 1403, Ch. 129, h 1
Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Amir through his chain of narrators has narrated
in a marfu‘ manner the following:
“Abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, has
said, ‘Whoever thinks that the Imam is needful of what people
own he becomes an unbeliever. It is the people who need
acceptance from the Imam. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most
Gracious, has said, ‘Collect religious tax (Zakat ) from them to
purify and cleanse them and pray for them. . . .’” (9:103)

H 574, Ch. 29, h1
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from
al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamza
from abu Basir from abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who
has said the following:
“All deeds are presented before the Messenger of Allah,
recipient of divine supreme covenant. It is the deeds of all the
virtuous and the evildoing servants (of Allah) that are presented
every morning and evening (before the Messenger of Allah). So
pay proper attention to it and be very careful. The following
words of Allah are a reference to this: ‘(Muhammad), tell them,
“Act as you wish. Allah will see your deeds and so will His
Messenger . . .”’ (9:106) The Imam, recipient of divine supreme
covenant, paused at this point and did not read any further.”

H 575, Ch. 29, h2
A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from
al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd from Yahya al-Halabi from ‘Abd
al-Hamid al-Ta’i from Ya‘qub ibn Shu‘ayb who has said the following:
“Once I asked abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme
covenant, about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most
Holy, the Most High, ‘Act as you wish. Allah will see your
deeds and so will His Messenger and the believers. . . .’ (9:106)
The Imam said, ‘They (believers) are ‘A’immah, recipient of
divine supreme covenant.’”

H 2889, CH 168, h 1
Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn
al-Hakam from Musa ibn Bakr from Zurara from abu Ja’far, recipient of divine
supreme covenant, who has said the following:
“About the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, ‘.
. . there are others who have no good deeds for which they may
receive any reward or sins for which they may be punished.
Their fate will be in the hands of Allah. Allah is All-knowing
and All-wise,’ (9:106) the Imam said, ‘Certain people were
pagans. They murdered people like Hamza and Ja’far and
similar persons from the believers. Then they accepted Islam and
Allah only and gave up paganism, but did not know belief with
their heart so they could be among the believers to deserve
paradise. They were not in denial and a rejecting attitude as
unbelievers to be subjected to fire (of hell). They are in that
condition as such that it will be up to Allah to punish or accept
their repentance.’”

H 412, Ch. 32, h3

A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid
from ibn Faddal from Tha‘laba ibn Maymun from Hamza ibn Muhammad al-
Tayyar from abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant, who has said
the following about the words of Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious:
“Allah does not misguide a nation after having given them
guidance until the means of piety are made known to them . . .”
(9:115) The Imam, recipient of divine supreme covenant, said,
‘It (means of piety) means before giving the knowledge of what
He is pleased with and what He is displeased with.’ The Imam,
recipient of divine supreme covenant, said the words of Allah ‘. .
. and inspired it with knowledge of evil and piety,’ (91:8)
convey that He has explained what people must do and what
they must not do. The words of Allah, ‘We showed him the
right path whether he would be grateful or ungrateful’ (76:3),
say that Allah has given them the knowledge. They may follow
or they may ignore. About the words of Allah, ‘We sent
guidance to the people of Thamud but they preferred blindness
to guidance so a humiliating blast of torment struck them for
their evil deeds.’ (41:17) The Imam said, ‘It means that Allah
gave them the knowledge but they preferred blindness over
guidance and they knew it.’”
In another Hadith it says, “We explained to them.”

H 851, Ch. 75, h 12
Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ishaq ibn Muhammad from Shahwayh ibn
‘Abd Allah al-Jullab who has said the following:
“Once Abu al-Hassan, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
(Ali al-Hadi) wrote to me in a letter as herein below: ‘You
wanted to ask about the succeeding Imam after (the death) of
abu Ja‘far and you were anxious about it. Do not feel sad’ He
cited this: ‘Allah, the Majestic, the Glorious, does not misguide
a nation after having given them guidance until the means of
piety are made known to them. . . .’ (9:115)
“Your master Imam after me will be my son, abu Muhammad,
recipient of divine supreme covenant. With him there is
whatever you will need. Allah allows to precede whatever He
wants, and Allah allows to succeed whatever He wants as He has
said, ‘For whatever sign We change or eliminate or cause to
recede into oblivion, We bring forth a better sign, one that is
identical. . . .’ (2:106) I have written enough convincing facts
for the people of reason with awareness.”

H 531, Ch. 19, h1
Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from Mu’alla ibn Muhammad from
al-Washsha’ from Ahmad ibn ‘A’idh from ibn ’Udhayna from Burayd ibn
Mu‘awiya al-‘Ijli who has said the following:
“I asked Imam abu Ja’far, recipient of divine supreme
covenant, about the meaning of the words of Allah, the Most
Majestic, the Most Gracious, ‘Believers, be pious before Allah
and always be (friends) with the truthful ones.’ (9:119) He (the
Imam), recipient of divine supreme covenant, replied, ‘The
“truthful ones” is a reference to us.’”

H 40, Ch. 1, h6
Ali ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad
ibn Khalid from ‘Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Ali ibn abu Hamza who has said the
following:
“I heard Imam abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme
covenant, saying, ‘Acquire a good understanding of religion;
those of you who do not have good understanding in religion are
like the Bedouins. Allah has said in His book, “Why do not
certain people from each group of believers seek to become
specialists in religious learning and, after completing their
studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of Allah.’”
(9:122)

H 546, Ch. 20, h9
Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr
who has said the following:
“Once I wrote a letter to Imam al-Rida, recipient of divine
supreme covenant.. The issues for which I requested explanation
in the letter, one was about the words of Allah, the Most Holy,
the Most High, ‘Ask the people of Dhikr (people who remind of
Allah) if you do not know.’ The other question was about the
words of Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, ‘Not all believers
have to become specialists in religious learning. Why do not
certain persons from each group of believers seek to become
specialists in religious learning and, after completing their
studies, guide their group so that they will have fear of Allah?’
(9:122) The above passages say that it is made obligatory upon
them to ask but it is not made obligatory upon you to answer.’
“The Imam, recipient of divine supreme covenant, answered,
‘Allah the Most Holy, the Most High, has said, “If they do not
do what you ask them, know that they are only following their
(evil) desires. Who strays more than one who follows his desires
without guidance from Allah? . . .’” (28:50)

H 3043, CH 203, h 3
It is narrated from him (narrator of the Hadith above) from Yunus from ibn
Bukayr from abu ‘Umayyah Yusuf ibn Thabit who has said the following:
“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah, recipient of divine supreme covenant,
saying, ‘With belief no deed can harm one and with disbelief no
deed can benefit one. Consider how Allah has said it, ‘What
prevents their offerings from acceptance is their disbelief in
Allah and His Messenger, their lack of interest in prayer and
spending for the cause of Allah reluctantly, (9:54) ‘. . . and they
die as disbelievers.’” (9:125)