Question:

What are the boundaries of faith (إيمان) according to the infallible (a.)?

Answer:

Ajlan Abu Salih reported that he said to Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (a.): “Teach me the boundaries of faith!” He said: “The profession of faith that no one is worthy of worship except God and that Muhammad is His Messenger, the recognition of what he came with from God, the five prayers, the payment of the alms, the fasting in the month of Ramadan, the pilgrimage to the house of God, the love for Him who loves us, the enmity with Him who hates us and being with the truthful.” [Al-Kafi of Al-Kulaini, Volume 2 Page 18 Hadith 2]

علي بن إبراهيم، عن محمد بن عيسى، عن يونس بن عبد الرحمن، عن عجلان أبي صالح قال: قلت لأبي عبد الله عليه السلام: أوقفني على حدود الايمان، فقال: شهادة أن لا إلة إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله والاقرار بما جاء به من عند الله وصلاة الخمس وأداء الزكاة وصوم شهر رمضان وحج البيت ووَلاية ولينا وعداوة عدونا والدخول مع الصادقين

[ 1. ] The profession of the unity (التوحيد):

“God testifies that there is no God but Him, as well as the angels and those who possess the knowledge. He stands up for justice. There is no God but He, the Mighty, the Wise.” [Al Imran 3:18]

شهد الله أنه لا إله إلا هو والملائكة وأولو العلم قائما بالقسط لا إله إلا هو العزيز الحكيم

[ 2. ] The profession of the messengership (الرسالة):

“Muhammad is the messenger of God. And those who are with him are harsh toward the unbelievers, but merciful toward one another.” [Al-Fath 48:29]

محمد رسول الله والذين معه أشداء على الكفار رحماء بينهم

[ 3. ] The recognition (الاقرار):

“And when God undertook the obligation on the prophets: “Whatever book and wisdom i give you, if after that a messenger comes to you who confirms what is with you, then you must believe in him and support him.” He said: “Do you acknowledge it and do you consider yourselves to be bound by it towards Me?” They said: “We acknowledge it.” He said: “So testify, and I am with you as one of the witnesses.” [Al Imran 3:81]

وإذ أخذ الله ميثاق النبيين لما آتيتكم من كتاب وحكمة ثم جاءكم رسول مصدق لما معكم لتؤمنن به ولتنصرنه قال أأقررتم وأخذتم على ذلكم إصري قالوا أقررنا قال فاشهدوا وأنا معكم من الشاهدين

[ 4. ] The five prayers (صلاة الخمس):

“Prayer keeps from doing the abominable and disgraceful deeds. To remember God is the highest. God knows exactly what you are doing.” [Al-ankabut 29:45]

إن الصلاة تنهى عن الفحشاء والمنكر ولذكر الله أكبر والله يعلم ما تصنعون

[ 5. ] The payment of the alms (أداء الزكاة):

“My mercy encompasses all things. I will establish it for those who fear god and pay the alms, and those who believe in Our signs.” [Al-A’raf 7:156]

ورحمتي وسعت كل شيء فسأكتبها للذين يتقون ويؤتون الزكاة والذين هم بآياتنا يؤمنون

[ 6. ] Fasting in the month of Ramadan (صوم شهر رمضان):

“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was sent down as guidance for mankind and as a clear sign of guidance and the standard of differentiation. So whoever of you is present in the month, let him fast in it. And whoever is ill or on a journey, for him is a number of other days. Allah wants ease for you, He does not want difficulty for you, and that you may complete the number (of days) and praise Allah for guiding you and that you may be grateful.” [Al-Baqarah 2:185]

شهر رمضان الذي أنزل فيه القرآن هدى للناس وبينات من الهدى والفرقان فمن شهد منكم الشهر فليصمه ومن كان مريضا أو على سفر فعدة من أيام أخر يريد الله بكم اليسر ولا يريد بكم العسر ولتكملوا العدة ولتكبروا الله على ما هداكم ولعلكم تشكرون

[ 7. ] The pilgrimage to the house of God (حج البيت):

“The first house built for men is certainly the one at Bakka; it is full of blessings and guidance for the inhabitants of the world. In it are clear signs. It is the place of Abraham, and whoever enters it is safe. And Allah has enjoined upon men the duty of pilgrimage to the house, to all who find a way to do so. And if any man disbelieve, God is not dependent on the inhabitants of the world.” [Al Imran 3:96-97]

إن أول بيت وضع للناس للذي ببكة مباركا وهدى للعالمين فيه آيات بينات مقام إبراهيم ومن دخله كان آمنا ولله على الناس حج البيت من استطاع إليه سبيلا ومن كفر فإن الله غني عن العالمين

[ 8. ] The love (الوَلاية) :

“Say: “I ask no reward from you except the love of kin.” [Ash-Shura 42:23]

قل لا أسألكم عليه أجرا إلا المودة في القربى

“And (the ones) who took their location in the Residence and in belief before them, love whomever has migrated to them” [Surah al-Hashr 59:9]

والذين تبوءوا الدار والإيمان من قبلهم يحبون من هاجر إليهم

[ 9. ] The enmity (العداوة):

“O you who believe! do not take My enemies and your enemies as your protectors by loving them when they deny what has come to you from the truth and drive out the Messenger and yourselves because you believe in God your Lord. (Keep to it) when you have really gone forth to work in My way and in pursuit of My good pleasure. You are secretly showing them love when I know better what you hide and what you reveal. And whoever of you does this has strayed from the right path.” [Al-Mumtahinah 60:1]

يا أيها الذين آمنوا لا تتخذوا عدوي وعدوكم أولياء تلقون إليهم بالمودة وقد كفروا بما جاءكم من الحق يخرجون الرسول وإياكم أن تؤمنوا بالله ربكم إن كنتم خرجتم جهادا في سبيلي وابتغاء مرضاتي تسرون إليهم بالمودة وأنا أعلم بما أخفيتم وما أعلنتم ومن يفعله منكم فقد ضل سواء السبيل

[ 10. ] Being with the truthful (الدخول مع الصادقين):

“O you who believe, fear God and be with those who are true!” [At-Tawbah 9:119]

يا أيها الذين آمنوا اتقوا الله وكونوا مع الصادقين

“And say: “My Lord! grant me a truthful entrance and a truthful exit, and create for me from You a supporting power.” [Al-Isra’ 17:80]

وقل رب أدخلني مدخل صدق وأخرجني مخرج صدق واجعل لي من لدنك سلطانا نصيرا