Chapter 8 - On Associating with Each Other

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “When an ill person sneezes it is a sign of improvement and physical health.”

“Associating with each other on Fridays is accompanied by visiting and grace. They asked him what is meant by grace. He said: “They go to visit each other after they perform the congregational prayers.”

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “You receive the reward of the pilgrims for your making associations.”

Imam Sajjad (a.s) said: “Whoever visits his believing brother for the sake of God will be accompanied by seventy thousand angels, and an angel will say “You did a good act, may you enjoy Heaven” from his behind his back. When he shakes hands with him, he will be immersed in God's Mercy.”

God's Prophet (a.s) said: “An angel saw a man standing at the door of a house, and asked: “O' Servant of God! Why are you standing here?” The man replied: “I know a believing brother in this house, and I am waiting for him to come out and greet him.” The angel asked: “Are you his relative, or do you need something?” He replied: “I do not need anything. I have made a pact of brotherhood with him in the way of God. Besides being Muslims, we have no close ties.” The angel said: “I am sent to you from God. He greets you and says: “You have indeed come to visit Me. Now I will grant entrance to Heaven to you, and save you from the Fire of Hell for your love for Me.”

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “Whoever eagerly goes to visit his believing brother for God's sake, it is as if he has visited God. God will grant him whatever he wants when he shakes hands with him.”

Hisham ibn Salim said: “One day when Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) went out along with his companions. He was riding his horse, but noticed that his companions were walking. He asked them if they had something to do with him. They replied in the negative and said that they just wanted to be with him. He then asked them to ride their horses, since accompanying one who is riding on foot will corrupt the one who is riding and humiliate those who are walking.” Hisham ibn Salim said that another time God's Prophet (a.s) left with them and they did the same thing. The Prophet (a.s) said to them: “Return since the sound of shoes stamping on the ground from behind will corrupt one’s heart if he is foolish.”

God the Almighty said: “I love those who make friends with each other, associate with each other or visit each other for My sake.”

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “God has a garden in Heaven into which no one can enter, but those who judge themselves rightly, visit their believing brothers for the sake of God, or prefer their believing brothers over themselves for God's sake.”

“Separation should not exceed three days.”

Imam Reza (a.s) said: “Imam Hassan (a.s) and Imam Hussein (a.s) were not on speaking terms with each other. Once Muhammad ibn Hanifeh went to see Imam Hussein (a.s) and asked: “Why do you not go to see Imam Hassan (a.s). He is older than you are.” Imam Hussein (a.s) said: “I heard from my grandfather-the Prophet of God- that whenever two break off relations, God will take to Heaven the one who first goes to greet the other one to make up. I do not want to go to Heaven sooner than my brother.” Then Muhammad ibn Hanifeh went to Imam Hassan (a.s) and told him what Imam Hussein (a.s) had said: “He said: “He is right. Let's go to see him.”

God's Prophet (a.s) told Abazar: “O' Abazar! Do not break up with your religious brothers, since it is not proper. Avoid it, but if you were forced to do so, do not let it exceed three full days, since whoever dies during these three days while he is not on speaking terms with his believing brother deserves the Fire (of Hell).”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whenever two men break off their relations, one or even both will deserve a divine curse. Mutab said: “May I be your devoted servant! If one is the oppressor, why should God curse the one who is oppressed?” Imam Sadiq (a.s) replied: “Because he does not try to invite the other one to improve himself. He is not ready to speak with him. I heard my father say “Whenever two people fight, and one is defeated, the one who is defeated should go to his brother and tell him that he himself is the oppressor, so that they do not break their relations. This is because God the Almighty will take the right of the oppressed one from the oppressor Himself.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “The relationship between believing brothers is established through visiting each other, and can be continued by writing letters when they travel.”