Chapter 2 - On Signs of the Shiites

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “The true followers of Imam Ali (a.s) are those who donate from their wealth to each other due to our friendship; become friends with each other due to our friendship; do not act oppressively if they get angry; do not waste things when they are pleased. They are blessings for their neighbors; and are a source of comfort and convenience for their associates.”

“O' Muhzam! Our true follower is one whose voice will not pass through his ears and leave his body and reach someone else. He does not like our enemies, and is not the enemy of our friends. He does not associate with those who boast about us, does not bark like dogs, and is not greedy like crows. He does not ask anyone for anything even if he is starving to death. He is aloof. If our follower's houses are distant from each other, their words are not. If they are absent, no one will look for them; and if they are present, no one will pay any attention to them. If they propose marriage, no one will marry off their daughters to them. They leave this world with their desires still in their hearts. If they see a believer, they will respect him. If they see an infidel, they will abandon him. If a needy person comes to see them, they will have mercy upon him and help him by using their own property.” Then he added: “O' Muhzam! My grandfather, the Prophet of God told Ali: 'O' Ali! One who thinks that he likes me and does not like you is a liar. I am the city, and you are its gate. How can anyone enter a city without going through its gate?” 1 In another tradition the same issues are presented until the statement “even if he is starving to death” then it is continued: Muhzam said: “May I be your devoted servant! Where can I find them?” Then Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Look for them on the Earth. They live a simple life. They move about from one town to another. They do not get in fights often. No one will visit them if they get ill. No one will follow their corpse in their funeral processions when they die. If an ignorant person addresses them, they will greet him. They are not restless when it is time for them to die. They help others with their property. If a needy person comes to see them, they will have mercy upon him and give him from what they own. Their hearts are not separate from each other even if their towns are.” Then he said: “God's Prophet (a.s) said: 'O' Ali! Whoever says that he thinks he likes me, but is your enemy is a liar.”

“O' Meysareh! Do you want me to tell you about our followers?” He said: “May I be your devoted servant! Yes.” Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “They are like strong castles in faithful hearts. They have strong ideas. They do not hide the truth. They are not vain and ostentatious people. They are worshippers at nighttime and courageous like a lion during the daytime.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Imam Ali's (a.s) followers are slim and their lips are dry due to frequent mentioning and praise of God in His remembrance.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Indeed the companions of Imam Ali (a.s) were trustworthy and trusted by the tribes. The people were pleased with them. They used to stay up at night for worshipping, and were bright sources (of guidance) in the daytime.”

he heard Imam Ali (a.s) say: “Our followers are like bees which live among birds. None of the birds recognize the bees because of their small size, and weakness. They would not treat them this way if they realized that these very small bees can carry honey which is very valuable in their stomachs.” 1 handed down to the Shiites.

“I order you to avoid the riff-raff.” He was asked who the riff-raff were. He replied: “The riff-raff are the ones who do not fear God. My followers guard their honor and watch what they eat. They serve the people for the sake of the Creator. Then whenever you see such people, know that they are my followers.”

“Those who follow us are in three groups. One group gets their respect and honor through associating themselves with us. Another group make a living through associating themselves with us. And the third group is really our followers. They work for us, and are secure if we are secure; and fear when we fear. They will not hide the truth, boast or talk in vain. They are not ostentatious. No one will look for them if they are absent, and no one will notice them if they are present. They are bright sources of guidance.”

Foruh asked Imam Sadiq (a.s): “How do you recognize your true followers?” Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Our followers are the people who follow our way.”

“There are three groups of people. One group is our followers who belong to our nation. We belong to them, too. The second group use their association with us to show off, and the third group make a living off of us.”