Who Is the Human Being

“He is the One Who created everything in the earth for you. Then He turned towards the heaven, forming it into seven heavens. And He has ‘perfect’ knowledge of all things.” (Quran, 2:29)

“Allah, may His remembrance be glorious and may His names be pure, created the earth before the sky…”
–Ayyashi، Mohammad ibn Masoud، also known as al-Ayyashi. Tafsir Al-Aiashi. ‎AMI Press ,30 October 2020.

“Allah has already set a measure to all things.”
(Quran, 65:3)

“[He] keeps account of everything.”
(Quran, 72:28)

“And with Him everything is determined with precision.”
(Quran, 13:8)

“That night, the angels and the ‘holy’ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ‘decreed’ matter.”
(Quran, 97:4)

“With the angels on its sides. On that Day eight ˹mighty angels˺ will bear the Throne of your Lord above them. ” (Quran, 69:17)

“If knowledge were in the Pleiades, some men from Persia would surely attain it.”
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh),
–Ala al-Din ‘Ali ibn ‘Abd-al-Malik Husam al-Din al-Muttaqi al-Hindi. Kanz al-Ummal Fee Sunan al-Aqwal wa al-Af’al. ‎Generic, 2022.

“Grief is a disease of the soul.”
-Imam Ali (pbuh)
–Tamimi Amadi, Abd-Al-Wahid. Ghurar-Al-Hikam wa Dorar-Al-Hikam, (Exalted aphorisms and pearls of speech. Ansariyan Publications – Qum.

“One who cries upon the Paradise will enter the Paradise, and one who cries upon the world will enter the Hellfire!”
-Prophet Muhammad
Al-Majlisi, Allama Baqir. Bihar al-Anwar, Vol.90, Chapter 19, Hadith 23

“Many a scholar has been destroyed by his own ignorance, and his knowledge with him is of no use.” –Nahj-ul-Balagha, Quotations of Wisdom, Wisdom 107

“Many minds are captive under the domination of desire.” –Nahj-ul-Balagha, Quotations of Wisdom, Wisdom 211

امام صادق(علیه‌السلام): «اَلْعِلْمُ نُورٌ يَقْذِفُهُ اَللَّهُ فِي قَلْبِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ.» (منسوب به جعفر بن محمد، مصباح الشریعه، بیروت، مؤسسه الأعلمی للمطبوعات، ۱۴۰۰ق، ص۱۶) (علم، نوری است که خداوند به قلب هرکس که بخواهد می‌افکند.)
“Knowledge is light”
–al-Qummi, Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Babawayh ، commonly known as Al-Shaikh Al-Saduq. Lantern of the Path. Ansariyan Publications, 2000, Qum.

“Knowledge is the greatest veil.” –Sabzavari, Hadi ibn Mahdi. Asrar al-ḥikam. 1905. ‎Generic, 2022.

He who attains inner knowledge of his self attains inner knowledge of his Lord.
-Imam Ali
Mohammadi Rayshahri, Mohammad. The Scale of Wisdom: A Compendium of Shi’a Hadith [Mizan al-Hikmah], trans. N. Virjee, A. Kadhim, M. Dasht Bozorgi, Z. Alsalami and A. Virjee (ICAS Press, n.d.), Volume 3, Hadith 4065.

“Do not be ignorant of yourself, for whoever is ignorant of oneself is ignorant of everything.”
–Tamimi Amadi, Abd-Al-Wahid. Ghurar-Al-Hikam wa Dorar-Al-Hikam, (Exalted aphorisms and pearls of speech. Ansariyan Publications – Qum.

“Do you not see that Allah is glorified by all those in the heavens and the earth, even the birds as they soar? Each ˹instinctively˺ knows their manner of prayer and glorification. And Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all they do.” (Quran, 24:41)

The Messenger of God said, “The suppliant is the messenger of the Lord of the Worlds; wherefore, he who gives to him, gives to God the Mighty and Glorious; and he who denies him, repels God, the Mighty and Glorious.”
Al-Qadi al-Nu’man. The pillars of Islam: Da’a’im al-Islam. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2002.

“Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.”
(Quran, 13:28)

stated, “I have not uttered, nor have those before me, words like ‘There is no god but Allah.'”
-Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
–Al-Saduq, Al-Shaikh. Kitab Al-tawhid. AMI Press, Al – Mahdi Institute, 2013.

“He ˹also˺ subjected for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth—all by His grace. Surely in this are signs for people who reflect.”
(Quran, 45:13)

“O He who has placed wonders in the seas.”
–A Phrase from Joshan Kabir Prayer

There is a hadith qudsi (the words of the prophet Muhammad as revealed to him by the Almighty God saying, “O My servant! I created all things for you, and I created you for Myself.”
–The Academy for Learning Islam

“The best form of worship is to say ‘There is no deity but Allah’…”
–Al-Majlisi, Allama Baqir. Bihar al-Anwar. Independently published, 16 June 2020.

“Even then your hearts became hardened like a rock or even harder, for some rocks gush rivers; others split, spilling water; while others are humbled in awe of Allah. And Allah is never unaware of what you do.” (Quran, 2:74)

“They are like cattle. In fact, they are even less guided!” (Quran, 7:179)

“And so We have made for every prophet enemies—devilish humans and jinn—whispering to one another with elegant words of deception. Had it been your Lord’s Will, they would not have done such a thing. So leave them and their deceit,” (Quran, 6:112)

“From among jinn and among people.” (Quran, 114:6)

“Is the one who is a believer equal ˹before Allah˺ to the one who is rebellious? They are not equal!” (Quran, 32:18)

“By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.” (Quran, 103:1-3)

The Holy Imam Ali Bin Al-Husayn said to Zuhry, when he was in Arafaat: ‘How many people do you think are over here?’ He replied: ‘I think there are about four and a half million, all of them Pilgrims having spent their wealth in the way of Allah supplicating to Allaha with their voices.’ The Imam said to him: ‘O Zuhry! The supplicants are numerous but the Pilgrims are few. Zuhry said: ‘They are all Pilgrims. You take them to be few?’
The Imam said to him: ‘O Zuhry! Bring your face close to me’ He came nearer and the Holy Imam touched his face with his hands and then said: ‘Look!’ He looked at the people and said: ‘I see all of these creatures to be as monkeys. I do not see among them a person except one out of ten thousand of them.’ Then the Holy Imam said to him: ‘Come close to me O Zuhry! He went near and the Imam touched his face and then said: ‘Look!’ He looked at the people and said: ‘I see all of these creatures to be as pigs.’ Then the Imam said to him: ‘Bring your face near to me. He brought his face nearer and the Imam touched his face and they all appeared to be as wolves with the exception of a few of them who had the characteristics of people.

Al-Imam Askari, Hasan bin Ali (pbuh). Tafseer-e-Imam Hassan Askari, Part XII, p.54

The more the faith of a servant increases the more his love for women increases.
The Prophet (pbuh)
–Al-Qadi, al-Nu’man. The pillars of Islam: Da’a’im al-Islam. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2002.

There is no good in a person who does not wish to earn money through lawful means to maintain their dignity, pay off their debts, and uphold family ties.
–Al-Kulayni, Abu Jafar Muhammad bin Yaqub Al-Kulayni. AL-KAFI. ‎Islamic Seminary Incorporated, The; 2nd edition, 18 January 2015.

“Say, “If your parents, and your children, and your siblings, and your spouses, and your relatives, and the wealth you have acquired, and a business you worry about, and homes you love, are dearer to you than Allah, and His Messenger, and the struggle in His cause, then wait until Allah executes His judgment.” Allah does not guide the sinful people.” (Quran, 9:24)

“And do not invoke any other god with Allah. There is no god [worthy of worship] except Him. Everything is bound to perish except He Himself. All authority belongs to Him. And to Him you will [all] be returned.” (Quran, 28:88)

“Certainly, this is the true narrative, and there is no god [worthy of worship] except Allah. And indeed, Allah [alone] is the Almighty, All-Wise.” (Quran 3:62)

One who cries upon the Paradise will enter the Paradise, and one who cries upon the world will enter the Hellfire!
-Prophet Muhammad
Al-Majlisi, Allama Baqir. Bihar al-Anwar, Vol.90, Chapter 19, Hadith 23

پیامبر اکرم(صلی‌الله‌علیه‌وآله‌وسلم): «مَن ماتَ و لَم يَغْزُ و لَم يُحدِّثْ بهِ نَفسَهُ ماتَ على شُعْبَةٍ مِن نِفاقٍ.» (مسلم بن حجاج، صحیح مسلم، بیروت، دار ابن حزم، ۱۴۱۹ق، ج ۳، ص ۱۵۱۷) (كسى كه جهاد نكرده يا آرزوى جهاد نداشته باشد و بميرد، به نوعى نفاق مرده است.)
“Whoever dies and has not done jihad, and has not wished to do so dies as a hypocrite.”
-Prophet Mohammad(PBUH)
–Muslim Ben Al-Hajaj. Sahih Muslim. Dar Al Kotob Al Ilmiyah. 2011.

“Whoever meets God without having any signs Of jihad within himself, meets God with a flaw.”
Prophet Mohammad(PBUH)
–Al-Hindi, Ala al-Din ‘Ali ibn ‘Abd-al-Malik Husam al-Din al-Muttaqi. Kanz al-Ummal Fee Sunan al-Aqwal wa al-Af’al. ‎Generic, 2022

«وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً…؛ و آن زمان را یاد آر که پروردگارت به فرشتگان گفت: به یقین جانشینی در زمین قرار می‌دهم…» (البقره، ۳۰)
“[Remember] when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive [human] authority on earth….”
(Quran, 2:30)

“I did not create the jinn and the humans except to worship me.” (Quran, 51:56)

It is narrated in a hadith that when the people are placed in the Paradise, a message from the Almighty will be given to them and its purport will be as follows: “From the One who is Eternal and Immortal to him who is also eternal and immortal: Whatever I desire to bring into existence I command it to be and it comes into being; from this hour it has been decreed that you also command whatever you desire to bring into existence and your wish would be obeyed.”
Musawi Khomeini, Sayyid Ruhullah. Forty Hadiths: An Exposition of Ethical and Mystical Traditions. The Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, p.80

“[From] a spring where Allah’s servants will drink, flowing at their will.” (Quran, 76:6)

“Reclining face to face. They will be waited on by eternal youths.” (Quran 56:16-17)

O servants of God, you are like the sick, and the Lord of the worlds is like the doctor. The welfare of the patience is in what the doctor knows and manages, not in what the patient desires or suggests. So submit to God and His command and you will be among the victors.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
(Principles of Servitude and Prayer
–Al-Hilli, Fahd. Uddat al-dai wa najāh al-sai

“May be that you dislike something while it is good for you, and it may be that you like something while it is bad for you. God knows, and you do not know.” (Quran 2:216)

It is stated in Misbah ash-Shariah that Imam as-Sadiq (a) said:
“Servitude is a gem whose core is Lordship [rububiyyat]. Whatever is lost of servitude is found in the Lordship, and whatever is hidden of Lordship is obtained by servitude.”
(Musawi Khomeini, Sayyid Ruhullah. Adab aS-Salat: The Disciplines of the Prayer. The Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works, p.10)

Imam Sajjad said: When the matter of Hussain bin Ali bin Abi Talib, peace be upon them both, was intensified, those who were with him looked at him, and at sudden he was behind them, because whenever the matter intensified, their colors changed, their shoulder flanks shivered and their hearts fell, whereas Hussain, peace be upon him, and some of those who were with him of his special companions, their colors would shine, their limbs would quieten and their inner selves would calm. They said to each other: Look, he does not care about death!
Ibn Babawayh al-Qummi, Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn Ali, commonly known as Al-Shaikh Al-Saduq. Maani Al Akhbar (The Meanings of Reports)

From Abu Ja’far having said: Al-Husayn said to his companions before he was killed: The Messenger of God said to me: ‘O my son! You will be driven out to Iraq… you will be martyred at it, and a group from your companions will be martyred at it, not even feeling the pain of the touch of iron.
Qummi, Shaykh Abbas. Nafasul Mahmum (Relating to the heart rending tragedy of Karbala), Chapter 25, p.264, trans. Aejaz Ali T Bhujwala. Islamic Study Circle.

“Do not consider those killed in the cause of God, as dead. In fact, they are alive, at their Lord, well provided for.”
(Quran, 3:169)

“They will have therein whatever they desire, forever…”
(Quran, 25:16)

“There they will have fruits and whatever they desire.”
(Quran, 36:57)

“Golden trays and cups will be passed around to them. There will be whatever the souls desire and the eyes delight in. And you will be there forever.”
(Quran, 43:71)

“Whoever knows himself has indeed known his Lord.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
–Allamah Mustafawi, Hasan , Misbah al-Shari‘ah: A Commentary on Misbah al-Shari‘ah (Lantern of the Path) Attributed to Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (‘a), trans. Mansoor Limba, ElziStyle.com, 2020.

“…He is indeed Fully Aware of everything.”
(Quran, 41:54)

“Praise belongs to God, Allah is the First without a first before Him, and [He] is the Last without an end after Him.”
–Zayn Al Abidin, Ali ibn Hussain. Sahifa E Sajjadiya. Independantly Published. 2020.

امام علی(علیه‌السلام): «داخِلٌ فِی الاَشیاء لا بِالمُمازَجَه وَ خارِجٌ عَن‌ها لا بِالمُباینه.» (مازندرانی، ملاصالح بن احمد، شرح اصول الکافی، گردآورنده علی اکبر غفاری، تعلیق ابوالحسن شعرانی، تهران، المکتبة الاسلامية للنشر و التوزیع، ۱۳۴۲، ج۳، ص۸۲) (خداوند داخل همه چیز است نه به آمیختگی و خارج از همه چیز است نه به جدایی.)

“Allah is in things without mixing and is out of things without distinction.”
Imam Ali
Al-Sadouq, Shaikh, al-Tawheed, volume 1, pp. 444 and 445

“To Allah belong the east and the west, so wherever you turn you are facing [towards] Allah. Surely Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing..” (Quran, 2:115)

“Their messengers asked [them], is ther any doubt about Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth?…”
(Quran, 14:10)

“I do not worship the one whom I do not see…”
Imam Ali (pbuh)
–Al-Mufid, Shaykh. Kitab Al-Irshad: The Book of Guidance into the Lives of the Twelve Imams.‎ Al-Burāq,1982

“…Allah stands between a person and their heart…”
(Quran, 8:24)

“Have you not seen that Allah created the heavens and the earth for a reason? If He wills, He can eliminate you and produce a new creation.”
(Quran, 14:19)

“When a servant (of Allah) stands in prayer, piety is sprinkled over his head until he bows. When he bows, Allah’s mercy covers him until he prostrates. The one who is prostrating does so at the feet of Allah Most High, so let him ask and call humbly on Him.”
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Al-Hashimi, Sayed Ahmad. Selection of Prophetic Hadiths and Muhammadan Wisdoms, trans. Salama Al-Houry, Dar Al-Kotob Al-Ilmiyah.

A man said in the presence of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s):
“Allahu Akbar (God is Greater).”
The holy Imam said: “Do you know what He is greater than?!”
The man said: “He is greater than everything.”
The Imam said: “Then you limited him (as you compared Him with everything).”
He said: “So what should I say?!”
The Imam explained: “Allahu Akbar means: God is greater than being described.”

–Koleini, Sheikh. Al-Kafi. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (November 15, 2013)

Imam Ali (pbuh): “O My God! It is enough of an honor for me to worship Thee. It is enough of a source of pride for me to be nourished by You.”

“You [alone] we worship and You [alone] we ask for help.”
(Quran, 1:5)

O Lord, I ask You by all the truths with which the guardians of Your command call upon You… There is no difference between You and them except that they are Your servants and creations.
–A prayer from Imam Mahdi (PBUH) in the month of Rajab

The child is a master for seven years, a servant for seven years, and a Minister for seven years. If you are pleased with his until he reaches the age of twenty-one, keep him, otherwise, leave him for you have done your duty in the site of Allah almighty.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
–Al-Tabarsi, Hasan Ibn Al-Fadl. Makarim Al-Akhlaq (Nobilities of Character).

Imam Hussain (a.s.) became ready to move. Muhammad Ibn Hanafiya got the news. He rushed to the Imam, and held the rein of his camel saying: “Did not you promise to think over my suggestion?”
The Imam said: “Yes, I did.”
He submitted: “Then why are you so hurry for moving?”
The Imam said: “When you left, the holy Prophet appeared to tell me, ‘O Hussain! Leave this place. Allah certainly Wills to see you slain.'”
He exclaimed: “Inna lillahe wa inna ilaihe rajeoon. If it is so what is the use of taking the womenfolk with you?”
The Imam said : “The holy Prophet said, Allah desires to see them in the apparel of captives.”
Then Imam Hussain said farewell and departed.

Sayyed ibn Tawus. Lohoof (Sighs of Sorrow). Naba Cultural.

I also beseech Him to make me attain tge praiseworthy status that you enjoy with Allah.”
(Ziyarat Ashura)

“Say: He, Allah, is One.” (Quran, 112:1)

Allah is He on Whom all depend. (Quran, 112:2)

He begets not, nor is He begotten. (Quran, 112:3)

And none is like Him. (Quran, 112:4)

‘Ali( asws) Bin Al-Husayn (asws) was asked about the Tawheed (Oneness), so he (asws) said: ‘Allah (azwj) Mighty and Majestic Knows that there would happen to be a people at the end of times who would be investigating in depth. So Allah (azwj) the Exalted Revealed [112:1] Say: He Allah is One, and the Verses from Surah Al-Hadeed (Chapter 57) up to His (azwj) Words [57:6], and He is Aware of what is in the chests. So whoever aims behind (any more than) that, so he is destroyed’.
–Al-Kulayni, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub. Al Kafi, Vol. 1 – The Book Of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)

“I also beseech Him to make me attain the praiseworthy status that you enjoy with Allah.” (Ziyarat Ashura)

“To include me with you in this world and in the Hereafter” (Ziyarat Ashura)

We belong to Allah,To Him do we indeed return (Quran, 2:156)

Imam Ali (as) said: ”Alas, there is no good in reading in which there is no contemplation.” –Al-Saduq, Shaykh. Maani al-Akhbar, Book 1, Chapter 228

Abu Abdillah Ja’far ibn Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: ‘But rather, the Momineen are brethren, sons of a father and a mother.
–Al-Kulayni, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub. Al Kafi, Vol. 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief.

“and to bestow upon me with the chance to take my own vengeance with a leader of true guidance who is (Divinely) sustained and expressing the truth from among you”. (Ziyarat Ashura)

He created you ˹all˺ from a single soul. (Quran, 39:6)

“May God have mercy on a person who knows where he came from, where he is and where he will go.”
Imam Ali (pbuh)
–Al-Kashani,b, al-Fayd. Al-Wafi, vol.1

The Most Compassionate ,taught the Quran, created humanity (Quran, 55:1-3)

“May my father, mother, soul, family, and possessions be ransoms for you.” (Jamia Kabeera)

Imam Sajjad (as): “if we did not exist on the earth, the earth would have collapsed.”
–Al-Tbrisi, Abu Mansur, Ahmad b. Ali bin Abi Talib. Al-Ihtijaj

We created man in the best design. (Quran, 95:4)

“Then reduced him to the lowest of the low.” (Quran, 95:5)

“Surely we belong to God, and to Him we will return.” (Quran, 2:156)

‘Among what Yazeed Bin Sallam asked the Prophet-saww, he asked him-saww about the world, why it has been named as ‘Duniya’. He-saww said: ‘Because the world is the lowest, having been Crated below the Hereafter, and if it had been Created with the Hereafter, it’s people would not have perished, just as the people of the Hereafter will not perish’. –Al-Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir Al Majlisi , Bihar Al Anwaar – Vol. 54, The book of creation

“We do not punish until We have sent a messenger.” (Quran, 17:15)

˹through which˺ the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit1 will ascend to Him on a Day fifty thousand years in length. (Quran, 70:4)

Abu Abdillah Ja’far ibn Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: “For on the Day of Resurrection there will be fifty stations, each equal to a thousand years of your reckoning.”
–Al-Tusi, Al-Shaykh al-Tusi, Al-Amali, Thirty Third Collection.

“Within it is mercy, and outside it is agony!” (Quran, 57:13)

“Leave no malice in our hearts towards those who believe.” (Quran, 59:10)

Abu Abdillah Ja’far ibn Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: ‘the one who goes around considering himself to be better than others, so he is from the arrogant ones’.
–Al-Kulayni, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub. Al Kafi, Vol. 8 – The Book of Garden of Flowers

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “If you did not sin, I would fear upon you that which is much worse: self-conceit.”
–Al Majlisi, Muhammad Baqir ,Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 69.

˹Today˺ you have come back to Us all alone as We created you the first time—leaving behind everything We have provided you with. We do not see your intercessors with you—those you claimed were Allah’s partners ˹in worship˺. All your ties have been broken and all your claims have let you down. (Quran, 6:94)

“May God have mercy on a person who knows where he came from, where he is and where he will go.”
-Imam Ali (pbuh)
–Al-Kashani, al-Fayd. Al-Wafi, vol.1.

Imam Ali said, “If a man wants the straps of his sandals to be better than the straps of his companion’s sandals, then he is one of those referred to in the Ayah, (That is the home of the Hereafter…28:83)

The Prophet said: “Indeed, God Almighty hates anyone who is knowledgeable about this world and ignorant about the hereafter.”
–Al-Hindi, Imam al-Muttaqi. Kanz al-Amal fi Sunan al-Aqwal and al-Afwal

Imam Abu-Abdullah (‘a) is reported to have said: One day, Imam ‘All ibn
al-Husayn went out wearing fine clothes, but he returned home quickly and said to his maid, “Bring me my old or usual clothes. When I have walked
wearing these clothes, I felt I was not ‘All ibn al-Husayn.”
–al-Tabrisi, al-Fadl al-Hasan, Makarim AL-Akhlaq.

Imam Hussain (PBUH) was asked,”what does politeness mean?” He replied,” it means that when you come out of your home you consider everyone you see, better than yourself.”
–The encyclopedia of the words of Imam al-Hussain

“The Day when neither wealth nor children will help, except for him who comes to God with a sound heart.” (Quran, 88-89)

Imam sadiq (asws) said: ‘The secure heart is that which is attached to its Lord (azwj), and there is no one in it besides Him (azwj).
–Al-Kulayni, Abu Ja’far Muhammad ibn Ya’qub, Al Kafi Vol. 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief.