Warning against some Unlawful Things
The Ima`m, peace be on him, warned (the Muslims) against committing some unlawful things, for they send man away from his Lord and throw him into great evil. He, peace be on him, said: "Guard against all the unlawful things. Know that backbiting your believing brother(who is among the Shi'ites of the House of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his Household(is more unlawful than eating (meat) of the dead (animals). Allah, the Most High, said: '...nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it.
2' Drinking blood is less unlawful for you than informing an unjust sovereign of your believing brother, who is among the Shi'ites of the House of Mohammed, may Allah bless him and his Household. For you perish yourselves, you believing brother, and the sovereign. Eating the flesh of a pig is less unlawful for you than your honoring those whom Allah has belittled, naming them with our names, the Ahl al-Bayt, and giving them our nick-names, while Allah has named them the sinners, and given them the nick-name of the licentious. (The animal) over which any other
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2 Qur'a`n, 49, 12.
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(name) than (that of) Allah is invoked is less unlawful for you than making a marriage contract or performing a congregational prayer with our enemies, who have usurped our rights, unless you practice precautionary dissimulation. Allah, the Most High, says: '...but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring, nor exceeding the limit, no sin shall be on him.
1" If someone is obedient to Allah, but necessity forces him to practice one of these unlawful things, no sin shall be on him.
2The Ima`m, peace be on him, warned (the Muslims) against committing all the unlawful things, and he especially stressed refraining from the following unlawful things:
A. Backbiting, for it divides Muslims, spreads hatred and enmity among them. It is certain that he who has firm faith in Allah turns away from it. In many of his pieces of advice, the Ima`m, peace be on him, warned (the Muslims) against it. A man said to him: "Someone accuses you of misguidance and innovation." The Ima`m blamed the man for this and said to him: "You did not conform to the right of sitting with the man when you informed us of his words, nor did you conform to my right when you told me about my brother what I had not known. Death includes all of us. Resurrection will be the place of our gathering. The Day of Judgment will be our appointment, and Allah will decide among us. Beware of backbiting, for it is the food of the dogs of the people of the Fire.
3"
B. Informing an unjust sovereign against a believer: It is a serious offense, for it leads to an inclusive destruction.
C. Giving the noble nick-names of the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be on them, to those unjust who spread tyranny and corruption in that time.
D. Communicating and working with the unjust: They strengthen their position and raise up their importance. These are some contents of the words of the Ima`m, peace be on him.
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1 Ibid., 2, 173.
2 Biha`r al-Anwa`r (first edition), vol. 7, p. 331.
3 Mishka`t al-Anwa`r, p. 291. Al-Tubrisi, al-Ihtija`jj, p. 172.
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Warning against Craving
The Ima`m, peace be on him, summoned to freedom from the abasement of craving. He, peace be on him, said: "I have seen all good come together in cutting off craving for what is in men's hands. He who beseeches not men for a thing, and entrust all his affairs to Allah, Allah will respond to him in all things.
1"
Dangerous blights result from craving. They lead man to destruction and throw him into great evil. The Ima`m summoned man to free himself from craving, that he might be perfected and sublime.
Showing Gratitude toward Good-doer
The Ima`m, peace be on him, underlined the necessity for showing gratitude toward good-doers, that good deeds may not be lost. He, peace be on him, said: "Allah, the Most High, loves every sad heart and every grateful servant. On the Day of Judgment, He will say to His servant: 'Did you thank so-and-so?' The servant will say: 'I thanked You, my Lord.' Allah, the Glorified, will say to him: 'You did not thank me because you did not thank him.'"
After this the Ima`m added: "The most grateful of you (to Allah) is he who thanks the people.
2"
Giving thanks to a benefactor or a good-doer is a pressing Islamic necessity, that people may continue kind acts.
Enjoining the Good
Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil are two of the most prominent Islamic principles. Islam has positively adopted them, that social justice may spread among men, that no evil deed, no aggression, and no oppression may stay in the general life of people. In this connection many authentic traditions have been handed down from the Ima`ms of guidance, peace be on them. Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin,
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1 Usu`l al-Ka`fi, Chapter on Freedom from Need to People.
2 Usu`l al-Ka`fi, Chapter on Thanksgiving.
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peace be on him, said: "He who leaves enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is like him who leaves Allah's Book behind him, unless he shows precautionary dissimulation." The Ima`m was asked about precautionary dissimulation, and he answered: "(He practices it) when he is afraid of a tyrannical ruler.
1"
Fear of a tyrannical ruler makes it not incumbent on person to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. The jurists have mentioned in their practical treatises the conditions of performing this Islamic, important obligation.
Speech is better than Silence
A person asked the Ima`m, peace be on him: "Which is better- speech or silence?" "Each has blights," answered the Ima`m, "when they are sound of blights, speech is better."
Another person asked him: "How is this, son of Allah's Apostle?"
The Ima`m, peace be on him, replied: "Allah, the Glorified, sent the prophets and the trustees (of authority) to speak, not to keep silent. (They did not) deserve the Garden through silence; rather through speech. I cannot equate the sun with the moon.
2"
The Happiness of Man
The Ima`m, peace be on him, talked about the things which made man happy in the world. He said: "One is happy when his daily bread is in his homeland, his friends are righteous, and has a son through whom he seeks help.
3"
Indeed, he who has these things wins all the good of the world, and is therein among the happy.
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1 Hulyat al-Awliya`', vol. 3, p. 140. Ibn Sa'd, al-Tabaqa`t, p. 2135.
2 Al-Tubrisi, al-Ihtija`jj (first edition), p. 172
3 Al-Khisa`l, p. 245.
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Mutual Teachings among Religions
A man asked the Ima`m, peace be on him: "What are the common teachings among religions?" "Saying the truth, ruling with justice, and fulfilling promise," replied the Ima`m. Heavenly religions share these three items, which are the foundation of social life, and for which all the prophets and messenger sacrificed their lives.
Noble Traits
The Ima`m, peace be on him, spoke about some noble qualities by which the Muslim should be distinguished, and through which his Islam is perfect. He, peace be on him, said: "He who has four (traits), his Islam is perfect, his sins are forgiven, and he will meet his Lord, the Great and almighty, and He is satisfied with him: sincerity to Allah, the Great and almighty, through fulfilling men's rights against him, telling men the truth, shame of everything ugly in the view of Allah and of men, and showing good manners toward his family.
1" He who has these outstanding traits is in deed a believer, has perfect faith, meets Allah, and He is satisfied with him.
The Qualities of a Believer
The Ima`m, peace be on him, said: "The qualities of a believer are five." Ta`wus al-Yama`ni asked him: "What are they, son of Allah's Apostle?" He replied: "Piety in privacy, alms during paucity, patience toward misfortune, clemency during anger, and truthfulness during fear.
2" These five qualities display the faith of a believer.
Good Words
The Ima`m, peace be on him, urged his companions to say good words to men, and mentioned the profits which resulted from them. He said: "Good words increase property, develop provision, delay death, make men love each other, and lead to the Garden."
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1 Ibid., 203.
2 Ibid., p. 245.
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This tradition of the Ima`m, peace be on him, contains the outcomes of good words, of which is the following:
A. Property is developed, and provision is plentiful. This can clearly be seen through manufacturers, workmen, and traders. Men deal with those who treat them with good words, and such a treatment increases one's income. They hate those who treat them with obscene words, hence this treatment brings about business stagnancy and narrow provision.
B. Death is deferred. This is when one saves a believer from wrongdoing or does him a favor. In this state Allah repays him through prolonging his span in this world and increasing his wage in the next.
C. One is beloved and dear with his family and his relatives, for souls incline to the owner of good words and perfect moral traits.
D. Attaining the Garden. This is when good words are employed to settle enmity, to enjoin the good, and to forbid the evil.
The Classes of Men
The Ima`m, peace be on him, told Zara`ra b. Awfa` about the classes of men. He said to him: "O Zara`ra, the men in our time are six classes: Lions, wolves, foxes, dogs, pigs, and ewes. As for the lions, they are the kings of the world; they like to overcome each other. As for the wolves, they are your traders, who dispraise (commodities) when they buy them, and praise (them) when they sell (them). As for the foxes, they are those who eat through their religions, and describes through their tongues what is not in their hearts. As for the dogs, they are those who shout at people through their tongues, and men honor them out of fear of their evil tongues. As for the pigs, they are the womanlike, who respond to every atrocity when they are invited to it. As for the ewes, they are the believers whose hair is cut, whose flesh is eaten, whose bones are broken. What do the ewes do toward the lions, the wolves, the foxes, the dogs, and the pigs?
1"
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1 Al-Khisa`l, p. 308.
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The Ima`m, peace be on him, carefully considered the society in which he lived, classified it into six classes, and mentioned the appropriate characteristics of each class.
Humbleness
As for humbleness, it is among the noble moral traits through which man becomes exalted. The Ima`m, peace be on him, urged (the Muslims) to follow this trait. He said: "A Qarashi or an Arab has no lineage save through humbleness. There is no nobility but through Allah-fearingness. There is no act except through an intention. The most detestable of men in the view of Allah, the Great and Almighty, is he who follows an Ima`m's sunna (words), but does not follow his practices.
1"
Quoting Wisdom
The Ima`m, peace be on him, summoned (the Muslims) to quote wisdom even from hypocrites, for it is among the sources of thought and awareness which Islam develops. He, peace be on him, said: "Disdain not the precious pearl which you bring out of mean sweepings, for my father related to me, he said: 'The wise word frequents in the hypocrite's chest, disputing (with him for going) to those who understand it, until he says it. When a believer hears it, he takes it, and hence is worthier of it.'
2"
The Clay of Believer and Unbeliever
In a tradition of his, the Ima`m, peace be on him, spoke about the clay of a believer and an unbeliever. He said: "Allah, the Great and Almighty, created the prophets' hearts and bodies from the clay of 'Illin (the highest place). He created the hearts of believers from this clay, and created their bodies from clay other that this. He created the bodies and hearts of unbelievers from sijjin. Then He mixed the two
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1 Ibid., p. 19.
2 Al-Majjlisi, Biha`r al-Anwa`r (first edition) , vol. 1, p. 95.
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(kinds of) clay. Hence the unbeliever (woman) bears a believer; the believer (woman) bears an unbeliever. From here the unbeliever may do a good deed. The hearts of believers and of unbelievers yearn for the clay from which they were created.
1"
There are many traditions concerning that Allah, the Most High, created man from clay. Allah, the Exalted, said: "It is He who created you from clay.
2" He, the Exalted, said: "And He began the creation of man from clay.
3" He created the prophets and believers from the most sacred clay, hence they saved and freed man. He created the unbelievers from the meanest and dirtiest clay, hence they hindered the progress and development of man's social life. Through His wisdom, Allah, the Most High, decreed to mix these two kinds of clay with each other, and they produced opposites. The (wives of) the prophets and believers borne some wicked and unbelieving children. An example of is Noah, Allah's Prophet, whose wife gave birth to a son who deviated from the right path and disbelieved in his father's message. Allah drowned him along with the unbelievers. Noah felt pity for him and whispered to his Lord, and He, the Exalted, answered him: "Surely he is not of your family; surely he is (the doer of) other than good deeds." (The wives of) the unbelievers may give birth to believing, righteous children. This is among the outcomes of the mixture of the two kinds of clay, as the Ima`m, peace be on him, said.
Patience
The Ima`m, peace be on him, urged (the Muslims) to be patient. He said: "(The position of) patience in faith is like that of the head in the body, and he who has no patience has no faith.
4"
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1 Usu`l al-Ka`fi, vol. 2, p. 2.
2 Qur'a`n, 6, p. 2.
3 Ibid., 32, 7.
4 Usu`l al-Ka`fi, vol. 2, p. 89.
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The greatest thing which man uses as weapon against events and misfortunes is patience, entrusting affairs to Allah, the Most High, and pleasure with what He decrees, for this is the essence of faith.
Some Morals of Believer
The Ima`m, peace be on him, spoke a bout the noble moral traits through which a believer is exalted. He said: "Some of a believer's morals are: He spends (on his family) according to (his) narrow provision, gives (them) generously according to (his) plentiful provision, treats men with justice, and is the first to greet them.
1"
Some of a believer's morals are that he is economical(he does not spend when in narrow provision and spends generously when in plentiful one(treats men with justice even against himself, for this is a proof for his piety, and is the first to greet them, for this shows his good manners.
Fanaticism
The Ima`m, peace be on him, was asked about fanaticism, which was among the manners of those who lived before Islam, and he replied: "The fanaticism through which one commits sin is that one regards the wicked from among his people as better than the good of other people. It is not an act of fanaticism that one loves his people, but it is an act of fanaticism is that one helps his people do wrong.
2" The Ima`m, peace be on him, has wonderfully defined foolish fanaticism through which one commits sin. It is that one considers the wicked and criminal from among his people better than the good and righteous, that he helps them do wrong and show aggression and enmity toward others. In this manner one denies the truth and destroys values. As for one's love for his people, it is not fanaticism.
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1 Ibid., p. 241. Wasa`'il al-Shï'a, vol. 11, p. 149.
2 Usu`l al-Ka`fi, vol. 2, p. 308.
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Guarding against Telling Lies
The Ima`m, peace be on him, warned his children against telling lies, and said to them: "Guard against telling lies, whether small or great, during seriousness or joking, for if one tells a lie about small things, he is ready to tell a lie about great ones. Did you not know that Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, say: 'As long as the servant tells the truth, Allah writes him truthful, and as long as he tells lies, Allah writes him untruthful.
11"
The Ima`m, peace be on him, warned (the Muslims) against telling lies about all things, for lying is among the ugliest and most detestable crime in the view of Allah. He also ordered them to tell the truth, for it is the source of all virtues which lead to honor and dignity.
Certainty of Words
The Ima`m summoned his companions to be sure of their words and have knowledge of what they said, whether good or evil. He said: "One should not say good or evil words concerning another unless he has knowledge of him.
2"
Chastity
The Ima`m, peace be on him, urged his companions to be chaste, and regarded chastity as the best of all the acts of worship. He said: "The best act of worship is the chastity of stomach and private parts.
3"
Content
As for content, it is one of the excellent qualities. If man follows it, he will be free from worries. The Ima`m, peace be on him, said: "He who is content with Allah's apportionment is the richest of all the people.
4"
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1 Ibid., 223.
2 Ibn Qutayba, 'Uyyu`n al-Akhba`r, vol. 1, p. 275.
3 Al-Ikhtisa`s, p. 223.
4 Ibn al-Sabba`gh, al-Fusu`l al-Muhimma, p. 187. Jamharat al-Awliya`', vol. 2, p. 74. Wasa`'il al-Shï'a, vol. 11, p. 304.
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Content is a treasure which never comes to an end. He who is satisfied with Allah's apportionment is the richest of all the people, the greatest of them in rest, and the least of them in worry.
Some Qualities deliver the Believer
The Ima`m, peace be on him, mentioned some qualities which saved the believer. He said: "Three (qualities) deliver the believer: He should withhold his tongue from backbiting men, busy himself with that which profit him in this world and the next, and weep very much over his sin.
1
Some of the Prophets' Norms and Wise
Sayings
The Ima`m, peace be on him, told his companions about some of the prophets' norms, wise sayings, and affairs, that they might follow them and enlighten themselves with their behavior. The following is some of what has been handed down from him:
Al-Khidr's Commandments to Mu`sa`
Al-Zuhri reported that Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, said: "At last al-Khidr commanded Mu`sa`, saying: 'Blame not any person for sin. The most beloved affairs with Allah, the Great and Almighty are three: moderation when rich, pardon when powerful, and gentleness toward Allah' servants. When one is kind to others in this world, Allah, the Great and Almighty, will be kind to him on the Day of Judgment. The head of wisdom is reverential fear of Allah.
2"
How wonderful the meanings of this wisdom are! How wonderful its objectives are! It contains all the commandments which make man felicitous and sublime.
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1 Al-Durr al-Nazïm, p. 174.
2 Al-Khisa`l, p. 106. Al-Gha`ya`t (manuscript), p. 19.
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Some of Allah's Revelations to Mu`sa`
The Ima`m, peace be on him, related to his companions some of Allah's revelations to His prophet Mu`sa`, peace be on him. He said: "Allah revealed to Mu`sa`: 'Make My creatures love me, and make me love my creatures.' Mu`sa` asked: 'O My Lord, how shall I do (this)?' Allah replied: 'Remind them of My boons and favors, that they may love me. Repel not any fugitive from my gate or a straying one from my courtyard. This is better for you than a hundred year's worship, when one fasts by day and stands in prayer by night.' Mu`sa` asked: 'Who escapes from You?' Allah answered: 'The disobedient one.' Mu`sa` asked: 'Who is straying from Your courtyard?' Allah replied: 'It is he who is ignorant of the Ima`m of his time, absent from him after he has recognized him, and ignorant of the laws of his religion. Teach him the laws (of his religion), through which he worships his Lord and reaches His good pleasure.
1"
In this tradition the Ima`m, peace be on him, urged those who summoned (men) to Allah to spare no effort to save them from the acts of disobedient to Allah, to make them beseech obeying Him, and not to repel them from this. He told them that their work in this way was the most beloved worship and act of obedience to Allah.
A Wisdom in the Bible
The Ima`m, peace be on him, reported to his companions a brilliant wisdom from the Bible. He said: "It has been written in the Bible: 'Seek not the knowledge of what you do not do until you do what you come to know. If knowledge is not put into practice, it increases its possessor nothing except unbelief and remoteness from Allah.
2"
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1 Al-Majjlisi, Biha`r al-Anwa`r (first edition), vol. 1, p. 71.
2 Usu`l al-Ka`fi.
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The Ima`m, peace be on him, summoned (his companions) to put knowledge into effect. It is not an act of truth that man gets knowledge and does not put it into practice, for this increases him nothing save remoteness from Allah.
Mu`sa` and a Worshipper
The Ima`m, peace be on him, related to his companions the story of Mu`sa` with a worshipper. He said: "Mu`sa` passed by a worshipper. The worshipper was raising his hands toward the heaven and supplicating Allah, the Most High. Mu`sa` spent seven days, and then he returned to the worshipper. He saw him raising his hands toward the heaven. Hence he said: 'O Lord, this is Your servant, who has raised his hands toward You and asked You for forgiveness for seven days, while You have not responded to him.' Allah revealed to Mu`sa`: 'O Mu`sa`, if he supplicates me until his hands fall down and his tongue is cut off, I will not respond to him, unless he comes to me through the gate which I have commanded him to.
1"
As for this tradition, it summons man to turn his face toward Allah, and to seek nearness to Him through the doors which He has assigned.
Mu`sa` with Allah
The Ima`m, peace be on him, said: "Mu`sa` bin 'Umra`n asked his Lord: 'Who are Your people whom You will shade with the shade of Your Throne on the day when there is no shade save Your shade?' Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, revealed to him: 'Those whose hearts are pure, and whose hands are covered with earth, who remember My majesty, are content with obeying Me as the little (baby) who is content with milk, go to My mosques (masa`jid) as birds go to their nests, and become as angry as the tiger when (men) make lawful what I have made unlawful.'
2"
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1 Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, p. 202.
2 Ibid.
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These people, who have faith in their lord, are the best of creatures in the purity of hearts, the soundness of minds and intentions. They turn their hearts and feelings toward Allah; they see nothing except Him, and believe in nothing save Him. Hence Allah will recompense them for this when he shades them with His shade, includes them in His gentleness, and single them out for His bounty.
The Death of the Prophet
The Ima`m, peace be on him, narrated the death of his grandfather, Allah's Messenger, may Allah bless him and his family, and the events which accompanied it. The text of his narration is as follows: Ima`m Ja'far al-Sa`diq, peace be on him, reported on the authority of his father Abi Ja'far, who said: "Two men from Quraysh came to my father 'Ali b. al-Husayn, peace be on him, and he asked them: 'Shall I tell you about Allah's Messenger?' 'Yes,' they replied. He said: [I heard my father saying:] 'Gabriel came down to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, three days before his death, and said to him: 'O Ahmed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has sent me to you in (showing) preference and specialty toward you. He is asking you about what He knows better than you: 'How do you find yourself?' 'I find it grieved, O Gabriel!' replied Allah's Messenger. On the third day, Gabriel, the Angel of Death, and seventy thousand angels came down (to the Prophet). Gabriel was ahead of them and said: 'O Mohammed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has sent me to you in (showing) honor, preference and specialty toward you. He is asking you about what He knows better than you: 'How do you find yourself?' 'I find it grieved, O Gabriel!' replied Allah's Messenger.
"At the door the Angel of Death asked for permission, hence Gabriel said: 'O Ahmed, the Angel of Death is asking you for permission. He had never asked any person for permission before you, and will never ask anyone for permission after you.' The Prophet said: 'Give him permission.' Gabriel permitted the Angel of Death, and he walked toward the Prophet, stopped before him, and said to him: 'O Ahmed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has sent me to you, and
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commanded me to obey you in what you command me. If you command me to seize your soul, I will do. If you hate this, I will leave .' The Prophet asked: 'Will you do this, O Angel of Death?' 'Yes,' answered the Angel of Death, 'I have been commanded to obey you.' Hence Gabriel said: 'O Ahmed, Allah has yearned for meeting you.' The Prophet said: 'O Angel of Death, carry out (Allah's) command.' 'O Ahmed, this is the last time for me to come down to the earth,' answered Gabriel, 'You were my objective in this world.'
"When the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, passed away, a consoler came to his family. They heard his words, but did not see his person. He said to them: 'Peace, Allah's mercy and blessings be on you, every soul shall taste of death, and you shall only be paid fully your reward on the Day of Resurrection.
1 Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, is comfort against every affliction, and replacement of perishable things. Hence, trust Allah, hope for Him! The one suffering an affliction is he who is deprived from reward, peace, Allah's mercy and blessings be on you.' Ja'far said: [My father said: Ali said: 'Do you know who is this? This is al-Khidr.'
2" With this we will end our speech bout the prophets' norms, and wise sayings, which Ima`m Zayn al-'Abidin, peace be on him, related to his companions and students.
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1 Qur'a`n, 3, 185.
2 Yousif al-Ta`li, al-Tashawiq ila` Rija`l al-Tasawuf, pp. 31-32.
