A Few Words

In the first part of this book, we have studied some Qur’anic verses and traditions that constitute the code of social life and now in the second part, we are presenting without any elaboration some more traditions, which talk of moral, ethical and spiritual uplift of an individual and ultimately of a society.

All the traditions collected in this part have been quoted from Tuhaful Uqul ‘Am Ale Rasid compiled by Abu Muhammad Al-Hasan Bin Sho’ba Al-Harrani, the prominent Muhaddith (traditionalist) of the fourth century Hegira.

As the name of the book suggests, all the traditions in it are narrated on the authority of Ahlul Bayt, the Chosen Descendants of the Holy Prophet, peace be on them.

Hisham Bin Salim and Hammad Bin ‘Isa narrate that Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), said: ‘‘My narration is the narration of my father, his is that of my grandfather, his is that of Husayn, his is that of Hasan, his is that of Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, his is that of the Holy Prophet and the narration of the Holy Prophet is the Command of Allah”1.

“When we reply to a question in any matter, it is from the Holy Prophet. We do not speak of our own will”.2

That is why our Holy Prophet (S), urged upon us to adhere to his Ahlul Bayt, who are purified and honored personages as ordained by Allah in the Holy Qur’an3.

The Holy Prophet (S), has said: “I leave among you two inseparable precious entities i.e. the Book of Allah and my Ahlul Bayt. Whosoever adheres to these two shall be saved from going astray”.4

We pray to Almighty Allah to grant us strength to follow in the footsteps of Ahlul Bayt so that we may be blessed in this world and the Hereafter.

Sayings Of Ahlul Bayt

Desire

Imam Ali (‘a), says: ‘‘(O Lord,) Your slave does not prolong his desire except that at last he forgets You’’.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “Allah bestows numerous blessings on His slave which he does not desire and there are many desirous persons whose desires are fulfilled by others and there are many persons who meet their death and are deprived of their share”.

Gift

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Accept gifts. The best gift is that of perfume which is comparatively light and sweet-smelling”.

Goodness

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Wearing dress reveals one’s riches and doing good to one’s servant crushes one’s enemy’’.

“Compensate one who does good to you. And if you do not compensate him praise him for praise is his reward’’.

“It is necessary for one to whom good is done to give compensation for it. And if he does not give it he should praise the person who has done good to him. If he does not do so he is guilty of ingratitude”.

Sincerity

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are four signs of a sincere person. (i) His heart is sound (ii) His limbs are harmless (iii) He does good to others iii) He refrains from doing evil “.

Good Morals

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Good behavior makes its owner attain the level of one who fasts during day-time and prays at night. He was asked: “What is the best gift which one can bestow upon one’s slave?” He replied: “Good behavior’’.

“Amongst the believers one whose morals are best possesses the most perfect faith’’.

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: “A generous person who possesses noble disposition is under the protection of Allah and He never ignores him and He takes him to Paradise. Allah never sent any prophet who was not generous. And my father always recommended to me to be generous and good-natured till he passed away”.

Management Of The Household

Imam Al-Ridha’ (‘a), says: “The reward for one who seeks sustenance to support his family is greater than one who fights for the cause of Allah”.

Perseverance

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Safety lies in perseverance, and prayer is the key to achieve blessing”.

Prodigality

The Holy Prophet (S), says: ‘‘There are four signs of a prodigal: (i) He prides himself on false things. (ii) He eats that which is not suitable for him. (iii) He is not inclined to do good. (iv) He opposes everyone from whom he cannot derive benefit”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Thrift is better than affluence and extravagance”.

Moderation

The Holy Prophet (S), says: ‘‘My Lord has recommended nine things to me: (i) To be sincere secretly as well as openly. (ii) To maintain justice, whether it is pleasant or not. (iii) To be moderate in spending, whether I am poor or rich. (iv)To forgive one who has been unjust to me. (v) To give to one who has refused to give me something. (vi)To befriend one who has severed connections with me. (vii) That I should reflect while I am quiet. (viii) That my speech should be Zikr (supplication). (ix) The aim of my seeing is to take a lesson”.

Friendship

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Blessed is he who, while being obedient to Allah, befriends the people and they befriend him”.

“The best way to win the hearts of one’s friends and remove grudge from the hearts of one’s enemies is to meet them cheerfully and enquiring about their welfare during their absence and being happy in their presence”.

Honesty

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Honesty brings sustenance and dishonesty entails poverty and indigence”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “O Kumayl! You should understand and know that none is permitted to withhold the thing entrusted to him. Whoever narrates that we have accorded such a permission says something absurd and commits a sin and will be punished by being thrown into Hell, for he tells a lie. I swear that before breathing his last the Holy Prophet, said to me thrice: O Abul Hasan, return the thing entrusted to you by a good man or a sinner whether it is big or as small as a needle and a thread”.

“Return to its owner the thing entrusted to you although he may have killed the children of the prophets”.

Equity

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “Brothers among themselves need three things to do. If they do them they remain firm, otherwise they part with one another and also become enemies. Those three things are: (i) Dealing equitably with one another. (ii) Being kind to one another. (iii) Not envying one another”.

Charity In The Path Of Allah

Imam Zaynul ‘Abidin (‘a), says: ‘‘It is one of the morals of a believer that howsoever meager his income may be he spends something in the path of Allah”.

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: “Beware of refusing to spend for the cause of Allah and then spend twice as much in disobeying Allah”.

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “The hands are of three kinds: The one that requests, the one that gives and the one which is parsimonious. And the best of the hands is the one that gives”.

“Do not wear a ring on your forefinger and middle finger……….Do not keep your little finger bare”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “Wearing a ring on one’s hand is the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet”.

Faith

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “A believer is like an ear of corn which suddenly falls on the ground and then suddenly stands erect. And an unbeliever is like a hard tree which always stands erect possessing no sense (to how his head before truth)”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: ‘‘O Kumayl! Faith is either firm or a borrowed one. Take care that you may not be one of those whose faith is a borrowed one. Indeed it is proper that your faith should be firm, for then you proceed on a lighted path and are not misled”.

“The title of the book of a believer is cheerful disposition”.

Parsimony

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “From amongst you the person most distant from me is one who is parsimonious and scurrilous”.

Imam Husayn (‘a), says: “A miser is one who shirks greeting others”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “One who hates three things acquires three other things viz: (i) One who hates doing evil deeds acquires respect. (ii) One who hates pride acquires greatness. (iii) One who hates stinginess acquires honour”.

Mistrust

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Refrain from being suspicious about the people”.

Brotherhood

Imam Ali, peace he on him, says: “How bad is falling apart after uniting, and oppression after friendship and brotherhood, and enmity after kindness”.

“The believers are brothers of one another and nothing is more dear to a brother than his brother”.

“If you do not love your brother you are not his brother because a believer is one who has faith in what we believe in and whoever goes against it is guilty as regard to us and whoever is guilty regarding us is not amongst us and whoever is not amongst us shall go to Hell”.

Forbearance

Imam Ali (‘a), says, “Learn forbearance for forbearance is the friend and helper of a believer and knowledge is his guide and modesty is his brother and wisdom is his companion and patience is the commander of his army”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “There are no other two things which associate better with each other than forbearance does with knowledge”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq peace be on him: says: “There are three persons who are not recognized except on three occasions: (i) A forbearing person is not recognized except for the time of anger. (ii) A brave man is not recognized except in the battlefield. (iii) A brother and friend is not recognized till the time when you need his help’’.

Goodness

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are ten signs of a righteous person: (i) His friendship is for the sake of Allah. (ii) His enmity is for the sake of Allah. (iii) He becomes a companion for the sake of Allah (iv) He parts for the sake of Allah. (v) He is angry for the sake of Allah. (vi) He is pleased for the sake of Allah. (vii) He works for the sake of Allah. (viii) He seeks Allah. (ix) He fears Allah at the time of danger and fear. He is pure and sincere. He is modest and vigilant. (x) He does good to others for the sake of Allah”.

“The sign of an ignorant person is that he acts sluggishly while doing something good”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “Four things are the attributes of the Prophets: (i) Righteousness (ii) Generosity (iii) Bearing unpleasant things with fortitude (iv) Standing up to defend the right of believer.

Rebellion

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “The quickest evil is the punishment for rebellion”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “The following three things, in whomsoever they are, are harmful for him: (i)Deceit (ii) Breach of promise (iii) Aggression. This is what the word of the Almighty Allah means when He says:

“Does not the evil plot recoil only on those who make it?” (35:41)

“Now see what the result of their plot was. We destroyed them and their people all together.” (27:5l)

And the Almighty Allah says:

“Men, it is your own sou1 against which you revolt. You enjoy this worldly life ouly for a while. (10:24)”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “A believer does not possess the following six attributes: (i) Severity (ii) Ignorance (iii) Jealousy (iv) Obstinacy (v) Falsehood (vi)Aggression”.

The Helpless

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq, peace be on him says: “How bad it is to take revenge from the helpless’’.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Remember Allah in respect of the helpless. Let them participate in your life”.

Independence And Poverty

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Seeking less assistance from the people is independence and seeking much help from them is abjectness and poverty”.

A man in the presence of Imam Zaynul Abidin, peace be on him: “O Lord! Make me independent of other. The Hoy Imam said: ‘‘No, it is not so, because people live in society. You should say: “O Lord! Make me independent of wicked people’’

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says “If you are satisfied to the extent you need, the smallest thing of the world will be sufficient for you. And if you are not satisfied to the extent you need there is nothing in the world which can satisfy you”.

Regret

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Regret itself is repentance”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: ‘‘Salvation lies in three things viz.: (i) You should control your tongue (ii) You should stay in your house, and (iii) You should regret your fault”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says, “Three things entail regret (i) Taking pride in something (ii) Boasting and (iii) Using violence to acquire honor”.

Resignation And Fortitude

The following is an extract from the letter of condolence sent by the Holy Prophet to Ma’az in connection with the death of his son.

“I learn that you are impatient on account of your son. Allah granted him to you till the time of his death and took away his soul at the appointed time. We are from Allah and we have to return to Him. Beware, that impatience should destroy your spiritual reward. If you attain the spiritual reward attached to your calamity you will come to know that for those who are patient and resign themselves to the Divine Will the calamity is very meager and brief as compared with the great spiritual reward of Allah. You should know that impatience does not bring back a dead person and cannot restrain the Divine decree. Be cheerful and accept the destiny. It should not be that you may grieve on account of something which is attached to you as well as to all other human beings and shall come at the time fixed for it. Peace be upon you”.

Piety

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Death is sufficient to take a lesson and piety is sufficient for being rich”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Speak truth in all circumstances, associate with the pious, shun the libertines, keep aloof from the hypocrites and do not associate with the treacherous”.

“Truly speaking everyone is proceeding towards the Hereafter and the thing on account of which we are enamored by it is the pleasure of Allah and the high ranks in Paradise which every pious person inherits”.

Pride

Imam Ali (‘a), says: ‘‘Whoever is self-conceited goes astray and whoever dispenses with his intellect stumbles and whoever treats the people arrogantly is humiliated”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “By Allah, an arrogant person quarrels with the Almighty in the Authority of His Greatness”.

Laziness

The Holy Prophet (S), says: ‘‘There are four signs of a lazy person: Sluggishness to the extent of negligence; negligence to the extent of giving up one’s duty; giving up one’s duty to the extent of committing sin and finally feeling annoyed to perform one’s duty”.

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are three signs of a lazy person: He is sluggish till he becomes negligent. He is negligent till he loses and he loses till he commits sin”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Abstain from laziness and despondency because these two are the key of all evils. One who is lazy does not pray the right of another and one who is despondent is not contented with his own right”.

Humility

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The best ornament of a believer is humility and his beauty is his modesty and his dignity lies in understanding religion and his honor is in abandoning absurd talk”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Humility is that you should agree to sit at a place which is below your dignity and salute everyone you meet and do not contend even though you may be right”.

Imam Al-Hasan Al-Askari (‘a), says: ‘‘Humility is such a blessing as on account of which the people are not jealous”.

Wealth

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Wealth does not consist of owning a large quantity of goods. On the other hand it means having a heart which is free from want”.

Repentence

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are four signs of repentant: (i) He acts only to please Allah (ii) He abandons falsehood (iii) He considers truth to be necessary (iv) He is fond of doing good deeds”.

Imam Ali (‘a), was requested to explain what sincere repentance is. He said in reply: ‘‘Heartfelt regret and asking forgiveness with the tongue and determining not to repeat the sin”.

Kumayl Bin Ziyad said to Imam Ali: “O Commander of the Faithful! A person may” commit a sin and then ask forgiveness. What is the limit of asking forgives? Imam Ali replied, O son of Ziyad! It is repentance. Kumayl asked: Is that all? The Imam replied: No. Kumayl asked: Then how is it?

The Imam replied: Whenever a person commits a sin he should say “I seek Allah forgiveness” and should move. Kumayl asked: What is meant by moving? The Imam replied: He should move his two lips and tongue with the intention that he should be followed by reality. Kumayl asked: What is reality? The Imam replied: He should repent sincerely and determine not to repeat the sin for which he asks forgiveness.

Kumayl asked: Suppose I do so, will I be forgiven? The Imam replied: No. Kumayl asked: Why is it so? The Imam said: Because you have not yet reached its root. Kumayl asked: Then what is the root of asking forgiveness?

The Imam replied: It is return to repentance from the sin for which you have asked forgiveness (and that is the first degree of the devout) and the abandonment of sin. ‘Asking forgiveness’ is a term which carries six meanings: (i) Regretting the past deeds (ii) Determination of not repeating the sin (iii) Paying the right of every creature to whom you are indebted (iv) Paying all the binding rights of Allah (v) Reducing the flesh which has grown on your body by unlawful means till your skin sticks to your bones and then fresh flesh grows between them. (vi) You should make your body taste the pain of submission as you made it taste the deliciousness of sin”.

Trust In Allah

Imam Al-Ridha’ was requested to explain what ‘trust in Allah’ means. He replied: “It means that you should not fear anyone except Allah”.

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Whoever wishes to become the most powerful person should rely on Allah”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Recite the name of Allah every day and say: La Hawla wa la Quwwata illa billah (No one possesses power and strength except Allah) and rely on Allah”.

Calumny

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “A person who suffers at the hands of a thief and continuously accuses the innocent people till his sin becomes greater than that of the thief”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Whoever makes himself the object of calumny should not reproach one who holds a pessimistic view about him and whoever keeps his secret hidden exercises control on himself”.

Peeping At The Sins Of Others

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says : “Whenever you see that a person peeps at the sins of others and has forgotten his own sins you should conclude that he has been captured by Divine plot”.

Jihad (Holy War)

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “It is not possible to do Jihad except in the company of just Imam (leader) and there is no question of booty except in the company of a learned Imam’’.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “I remind you of Allah in the matter of Jihad with your wealth, life and tongue. Indeed, only two persons perform Jihad: A true Imam and one who obeys and follows him”.

Flattery

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Flattery and envy do not form part of the morals of a believer except for acquiring knowledge”.

Love For Worldly Passions

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: ‘‘Allah sent revelation to Dawud, peace be on him: O Dawud, warn your friends against worldly passions, for the hearts of those who hanker after them are far from Me (My Mercy)”.

Jealousy

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “A jealous person has three signs: (i) Backbiting, (ii) Flattery and (iii) Taunting at the time of one’s misfortune”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The jealous persons are not happy, the kings have no friends and the liars lack courage”.

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Go ahead when you take a bad omen and do not take a decision when you are suspicious and do not be aggressive when you are jealous”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “A believer is neither a flatterer nor jealous except for acquiring knowledge”.

“I have not seen any oppressor who resembles an oppressed person more than does one who is jealous”.

Truth

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Indeed, the benefit which you derive from your world is that it should be good for your life in the Hereafter. Spend in the cause of truth and do not be a treasurer for others”.

“Recognize the right of a person who has recognized your right, whether he is exalted or unimportant”.

“You must fear Allah openly and secretly and should speak truth at the time of happiness and anger”.

Wisdom

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: “Do not teach wisdom to the ignorant for by doing so you will do injustice to it and do not withhold it from those who deserve it for in that event you will do injustice to them”.

“Just as the people have left wisdom for you, you too should leave the world for them”.

The Holy Prophet (S), said: “When you see that a believer is quiet seek his proximity so that he may teach you wisdom. A believer talks less and works much. A hypocrite is talkative and works less.”

Modesty

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Modesty emanates from faith”.

Imam Zaynul Abidin (‘a), says: “Seeking help from the people brings about abjection and destroys modesty and reduces dignity and brings poverty, and seeking less from the people is indepcndence”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Modesty and faith are tied with one string. If one of them goes the other follows it”.

Deceit

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Do not neglect the deceit of Satan and say: “Every time I see something unlawful withdraw my hand”.

‘Do not practice deceit for it is a part of the morals of mean people’’.

Intellect

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “The Almighty has divided intellect into three parts. The intellect of one who possesses all these parts is complete. And he who does not possess even one of these parts does not possess intellect. These three parts are: (i) Recognizing Allah well (ii) Obeying Allah fully (iii) Accepting Divine fate with complete patience”.

“Indeed everything good is recognized by means of intellect and whoever does not possess intellect does not possess faith”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: ‘‘There is no wealth like intellect and no poverty is worse than ignorance”.

Humility

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Let it not be that you should practice humility hypocritically which means that the body may be humble but the heart may not be humble”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Be extremely humble before your Lord when you achieve your object and are guided towards your aim”.

“O Kumayl, dignity does not lie in offering prayers, fasting, and giving alms; but dignity lies in offering prayers with a pure heart and your deeds should please Allah and your humility should be sincere. You should also see in what and on what you are offering your prayers because if they are not performed in a lawful manner they are not acceptable”.

Sincerity

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The first step of religion is to accept, understand and realize Him as the Lord; thorough understanding lies in conviction and confirmation, and the right conviction is to sincerely believe that there is no god but He. The true belief in His Oneness is to realize that He is so absolutely Pure and above nature, that nothing can be added to or subtracted from Him; because one should realize that there is no difference between His Blessing and His attributes”.

“Seek sincerely from your Lord whatever you need because to give or to withhold is in His hand”.

Cheerfulness

The Holy Prophet (S), says: ‘‘Cheerfulness destroys grudge”.

Dishonesty

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “A believer may be habituated to anything except falsehood and dishonesty”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “If one entrusts something to a dishonest person Allah does not guarantee its return”.

“A believer has not been created to tell lies or commit treachery and there are two things which cannot combine in a hypocrite; a good mien and comprehension of Islamic faith”.

Goodness

Imam Al-Hasan (‘a), says: “The goodness which has no evil about it is thanking Allah for a blessing and enduring adversities with patience”.

Imam Zaynul ‘Abidin, peace be oh him, says: “The best thing is that one should guard oneself (from sins)”.

“Help one who seeks good from you. If he deserves it you have done your duty. And even if he does not deserve it you yourself deserve it. And if a person abuses you from your right side and then turns to your left side and apologizes to you, you should accept his apology”.

Using Abusive Language

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Allah hates an impudent person who uses abusive language”.

Remembering Allah

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “The best deeds are three in number: (i) You should pay the rights of the people. (ii) You should become equal to your brother for the sake of Allah (iii) You should remember Allah in all circumstances”.

“Allah’s Zikr (Devotion to Allah) is better than only giving alms”.

“Allah rewards the person who always remembers Him’’.

Friendship

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: ‘‘Twenty years of friendship is as good as relationship”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “A friend can be tested by means of three things. If he possesses them he is a true friend, otherwise he is a friend in weal but not in woe: (i) That you may ask him to give you something. (ii) That you may entrust something to him. (iii) That you may be associated with him in adverse circumstances’’.

“If you wish to find out whether your friend is sincere you should annoy him. If he remains friends with you in spite of this he is your brother, otherwise not”.

Leniency

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: “Be lenient, for leniency is auspicious and ill-disposition is inauspicious. Indeed, leniency, goodness and cheerfulness make the houses prosper and increase sustenance”.

Hypocrisy

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are four signs of a hypocrite. (i) He is very keen to pray to Allah in the presence of others. (ii) He is lazy while alone. (iii) He seeks praise in every matter. (iv) He endeavors to pretend”.

“Do not do anything good to make a show of it and do not feel ashamed to do it”.

Piety

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “A pious person in the world is he whose patience is not out of control in the face of unlawful things and who is not prevented from thanksgiving by lawful things”.

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Piety consists of cutting short one’s desires and thanking Allah for every blessing and restraining oneself from things declared by Allah to be unlawful”.

A man asked Imam Zaynul ‘Abidin, peace be on him: “What is piety? The Imam replied: There are ten stages of piety. The highest stages of piety are the lowest stages of continence and the highest stages of continence are the lowest stages of conviction and the highest stages of conviction are the lowest stages of submission. Indeed piety has been defined very nicely in the sacred verse which says:

“You may not grieve for what you have missed, nor rejoice over what Allah has given you” (57:23)’’.

Generosity

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Indeed, Allah likes him who is generous in the discharge of his obligations’’.

“When your leaders are good and your rich are generous and every work is done in consultation with all of you, the face of the earth is better for you than its interior (graves). And when your leaders are corrupt and your rich are misers and your affairs are in the hands of your women it is better that you should be under the earth.”

“The Almighty has said: “This is a religion which I have chosen for Myself and nothing becomes it except generosity and good conduct. So long as you are by its side honor it by means of these two”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The greatest persons among the people in this world are the generous and in the Hereafter the pious”.

Salutation

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “To salute is recommended and its reply is obligatory”.

“If a person talks without having saluted first do not give a reply to him.”

“Perfect salutation for a resident of a place is shaking hands with him and complete salutation who has arrived is embracing him”.

Ill Nature

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “It is necessary for you that you should be truthful and nothing false should ever escape your lips. Never pick up courage to commit breach or trust. Fear Allah as if you were seeing Him and sacrifice your property and life for the sake of your religion. Adopt good manners and shun bad ones”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “Whoever is ill natured tortures himself”.

“Ill-nature entails adversity and indigence”.

Evil Deeds

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Indeed Allah has made and moulded the hearts of his slaves in such a way that they love a person who treats them well and hate one who harms them”.

Thanksgiving

The Holy Prophet said to Imam Ali: “O Ali! The Islam of one who possesses these four qualities is perfect: (i) Truthfulness (ii) Thankfulness (iii) Modesty and (iv) Good behavior.

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Whoever eats and thanks Allah is better than one who fasts and remains silent (does not thank Allah)”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “During indigence the right of Allah is submission to His Will and patience, and during affluence His right is that He should be praised and thanked”.

Patience

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Faith consists of two halves. One half of it is patience and the other is thanksgiving”.

“Three things form the key to goodness: (i) Possessing a generous heart (ii) Being sweet-spoken (iii) Remaining patient on being harmed”.

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: “Adversity is single for one who is patient and double for one who is impatient”.

Truth

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are four signs of one who is truthful: (i) Truthfulness (ii) Believing in the promises and threats of Allah (iii) Being faithful to one’s promises (iv) Remaining aloof from treachery”.

“On the Day of Judgement he from amongst you who is most truthful, most honest, most good-natured and nearest to the people will be nearest to me”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The substance of faith is that slave of Allah should make truthfulness his habit so that he may hate falsehood even when he stands to gain by it. And one should not consider one’s speech to be one’s distinction”.

Alms

“Do not refute the request of one who begs and give him something even though it may be a piece of a grape or a palm-date, because alms increases before Allah”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Four things form part of the treasures of goodness: (i) Keeping ones need hidden (ii) Giving the alms secretly (iii) Keeping one’s pain hidden and (iv) Keeping one’s suffering hidden”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), said: “May I tell you about a thing which, if practiced by you will keep the mischief of the king and Satan away from you? Abu Hamza said: Yes. Please tell us about it so that we may practice it. The Imam said: You should give alms in the morning because they blacken the face of Satan and keep the mischief of the king away from you on that day”.

Observation Of Friendship

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Observation of relationship increases one’s life”.

“Punishment for the following four things is awarded quickly: (i) When you do good to a person and he in return does you harm. (ii) When you do not oppress a person and he oppresses you. (iii) When you make an agreement with a person and in intend to be faithful to it, but his intention is otherwise and (iv) When you observe relationship with a person but he breaks it off”.

Imam Al-Ridha’ (‘a), said: “Observe relationship although it may be by means of a gulp of water and the best observance of it that you should refrain from doing harm to your relative”. He added: ‘‘The Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

“Do not render your charity useless with taunts”. (2:264).

Feast

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Invite others to food and do not withhold it from them, because you do not at all provide sustenance to anyone and Allah will reward you suitably for this deed. Behave well with your friend and vacate the seat for him and do not be suspicious about your servant”.

Covetousness

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “O people! The wonderful thing in the body of man is his heart. Heart has stocks of wisdom as well as of things which are its opposite. If hopefulness affords it an opportunity covetousness humiliates it and if its covetousness increases its greed kills it”.

“Covetousness plucks the hearts of the ignorant and they become pledged to desire and deceit prevails in them”.

Oppression

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The oppressor, his associate and the one who is agreeable to be oppressed are all partners of one another”.

“May it not be that you should oppress a person who has none to assist him against you except Allah”.

Welfare

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “O people! Pray to Allah for conviction and resort to welfare because it is the greatest blessing and the best doing which is firmly rooted in the heart is conviction. The cheated one is he whose faith is injured and he who possesses perfect conviction should be envied”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: ‘‘Welfare is a light blessing which is forgotten when it is in one’s possession and is missed when it is lost”.

Self-Conceit

Imam Ali (‘a), said: “Whoever is able to protect himself from four things deserves that he should not suffer any harm at all. On having been asked as to what those things were he replied: They are: Hastiness, obstinacy, self-conceit and laziness”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says; “Three things cause enmity viz. hypocrisy, oppression and self-conceit”.

‘‘Allah knows that for a believer there is no sin worse than self-conceit and if it had not been so no believer would have been polluted with sin”.

Justice

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Give your blood and wealth to your brother and be just to your enemy and deal with the people with cheerfulness and kindness and salute others so that they may salute you”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “The saddest person on the Day of Judgement will be one who praises justice but himself l acts against it”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says “Indeed, the person who orders others to do good and restrains them from evil possesses three qualities: (i) He knows what he is ordering others to do and what he is asking them not to do. (ii) He is just on what he is ordering others what to do and is also just in what he is asking them not to do. (iii) He orders others (to do good deeds) gently and also restrains them (from doing bad deeds) gently’’.

Honor

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Do not display your indigence to the people and in order to please Allah bear it patiently with honor and secrecy”.

Imam Al-Hasan (‘a), was asked: “Do you find place in greatness?” He replied: Rather (you should say) is there honor in me? Allah says:

“Honor belongs to Allah and to His Prophet and to the believers.” (63:8).

Chastity

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Indeed the best thing which the human beings will take before Allah as specimen (of their conduct) besides belief in Allah and His pious slaves is preservation of their honor, forbearance and patience”.

Imam Zaynul ‘Abidin (‘a), says: “After recognizing Allah there is nothing that Allah likes more than piety in the matter of one’s womb and private parts and there is nothing that Allah likes more than that you should make request to Him.”

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Sadness is better than begging from the people. Observing piety in privation is better than rejoicing in debauchery”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Best worship is the chastity of womb and private parts”.

Forgiveness

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “My Lord has recommended to me that I should forgive one who has oppressed me”.

“The dignity of our family lies in forgiving one who oppresses us and bestowing upon him who deprives us”.

“May I guide you to the manners which are best in this world as well as in the Hereafter? You should associate with one who severs his connection with you and give to one who deprives you and forgive one who oppresses you”.

Forgiveness And Remission

A companion of the Holy Prophet says that the Holy Prophet addressed him and said: “May I inform you about the worst human being?” I said: “Yes, O Prophet of Allah!” He said: “It is one who does not forgive and does not overlook a lapse”. Then he added: “May I inform you about one who is even worse than that?” I said: “Yes O Prophet of Allah!” He said: “It is he from whose mischief the people are not safe and is good for nothing”.

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “If Allah promises spiritual reward to anyone He honors the promise and if He threatens punishment for a deed He possesses the authority to forgive it”.

Knowledge And Learning

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Confine your knowledge in writing’’

“Knowledge is not taken away from the people but the scholars are taken away till not even remains. The people then select ignorant chiefs. They are asked to give judgements and they give judgement without requisite knowledge. They are misled themselves and also mislead others.”

“Make enquiries from the learned persons and talk with the sages and associate with the poor”.

“The treasures of knowledge are opened by asking questions. May Allah bless you. Ask questions because four persons are rewarded: the questioner, the speaker, the hearer and their friends.”

“I consider knowledge to be more valuable than worship and your best religion is humbleness and piety”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “If the bearers of knowledge bear it properly Allah, the angels and those who obey Allah love them. However, if they acquire knowledge for worldly gains Allah hates them and they become abject and despicable in the eyes of the people”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “A learned person by whose knowledge others profit is better than 70,000 worshippers.”

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: “Small deed by a wise person is accepted and its twice as much and a good deal of deeds done by the egotistic and ignorant person is rejected”.

Table Manners

The Holy Prophet (S), says: ‘‘Allah keeps seventy diseases away from a person who begins his meals with salt, the most minor of them being leprosy”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Do not finish your meals hurriedly so that your companions may also eat their fill and also enjoy the food”.

“When you have finished your meals thank Allah for His having given you your daily bread and thank Him loudly so that another person may also thank Him and your spiritual reward may increase”.

“Do not fill your belly with food but stop eating while you are still a little hungry. If you do so the food will become wholesome for you. In fact good health lies in eating less and drinking less’.

Vanity

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Those who are enamored by the world are like the people who are residing in a land of affluence (this world) and wish to go to a place of famine and suffering (grave) and there is nothing more obnoxious and dreadful for them than separation from the place where they are and from where they are proceeding to another place”.

Anger

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Do not be angry and when you are angry sit down and think about the Power which the Lord has over His slaves and how much forbearing He is with regard to them. And when you are asked to obey Allah discard your anger and return to forbearance”.

A man requested the Holy Prophet to recommend him something. He said: “Don’t be angry”. The man repeated his request and the Holy Prophet gave him the same reply. Then he added: “Braveness does not lie in making your adversary fall on the ground .On the contrary a brave is one who can control himself while he is angry”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “There are four pillars of infidelity: (i) To be enamored (ii) To be timid (iii) To be filled with fury and (iv) Anger”.

Negligence

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are four signs of a negligent person: (i) Blindness, (ii) Oversight (iii) Sportiveness and (iv) Forgetfulness”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Dear son, pondering brings light and negligence brings darkness and dispute brings deviation”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “O believers and confidants! Remind yourselves and think when the forgetful are negligent”.

Worrying For Sustenance

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Do not worry for tomorrow’s sustenance for the daily share for every following day is destined”.

Back-Biting

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “When a person co-operates with the people and does not oppress them and tells them the truth and does not tell lies and makes promises with them and does not violate it his manliness is perfect, his righteousness is evident, his spiritual reward is recorded and it is unlawful to speak ill of him in his absence”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Let it not be that you should indulge in backbiting, because a Muslim does not speak ill of his brother in his absence when the Almighty Allah has forbidden it”.

Corruption

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The lapse of one who is in the fort is most serious lapse, and falsehood is an aching malady and corruption destroys much’’.

Wickedness

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are four signs of a libertine: (i) Buffoonery (ii) Idle talk (iii) Aggression and (iv) Calumny”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Speak the truth in all circumstances and befriend the pious and shun the wicked and keep aloof from the hypocrites and do not associate with the treacherous”.

“Do not be one of them about whom Allah has said: They forgot Allah and with the result that He made them forget themselves. It is they who are wicked. (59:19)”.

Hard-Heartedness

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Four characteristics bring about adversity: (i) Dryness of the eyes (ii) Hard-heartedness (iii) Prolonged desire and (iv) Love for worldly things”.

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “Allah awards spiritual and corporeal punishment to His slaves like indigence, and laziness in the matter of worship and no punishment is worse than hard heartedness”.

Retaliation

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Whoever fears retaliation refrains from oppressing the people”.

Contentment

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Be contented so that you may become respectable”.

Falsehood

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Allah’s slave cannot relish the taste of faith unless he gives up telling lies whether by way of jest or in earnest”.

“A Muslim should not befriend a liar”.

Imam Zaynul Abidin (‘a), says: ‘‘Refrain from falsehood, whether it is small or big and whether it spoken by way of jest or in earnest, because when a person tells a small lie he picks up courage to tell a big one”.

Lawful Earning

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Worship consists of seven parts and the highest of all is lawful earning”.

Curbing One’s Anger

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “I recommend to you to fear Allah and to offer prayers at the appropriate time and pay Zakat and I recommend to you to forgive the wrongdoings to others and to curb your anger”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “One who possesses three things is the master: (i) Curbing one’s anger (ii) Forgiving an evil-doer (iii) Rendering assistance and observing relationship by means of life and wealth”.

Three things are the proof of the magnanimity of a person: (i) Good nature (ii) Curbing one’s anger and (iii) Keeping one’s eyes downward”.

Ingratitude

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Whichever habit a believer may acquire he does not acquire the habit of falsehood and treachery”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Not being thankful for a blessing is meanness and associating oneself with an ignorant person is inauspicious”.

“Do not be ungrateful to your benefactor because not being grateful for a blessing is the worst blasphemy”.

Begging

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “If the beggar knew what is in begging he would not have begged at all and if the person from whom the beggars beg knew what is in refusing a request he would not have refused a request at all.”

Obstinacy

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Refrain from obstinacy, for it begins with ignorance and ends in remorse”.

Manliness

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “The manliness of a person is not perfect unless he understands his religion, leads his life moderately, bears the ardships patiently and tolerates bitterness of his friends”.

Imam Ali (‘a), was asked: “What is manliness?” He replied: “That you should not do a thing secretly if you feel ashamed while doing it publicly”.

Imam Al-Hasan (‘a), was asked as to what is manliness. He replied: “To be anxious for religion and to reform wealth and to rise for the sake of rights”.

To Brush The Teeth

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “It is necessary for you to brush your teeth regularly because brushing the teeth is means of purity of mouth and pleasure of the Lord and light of the eyes. And your tooth-picking makes you dear to the angels because the angels are annoyed with a man with stinking mouth who does not pick his teeth after eating”.

Consultation

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “A person who thinks about or seeks good is not distressed and one who consults others in his affairs does not have to regret”.

Imam Al-Hasan (‘a), says: “People are rightly guided by holding mutual consultations”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “A person has no excuse to offer in the matter of three things: (i) Consultation with a benevolent person. (ii) Dealing leniently with a jealous person. (iii) Finding friends out of the people”.

Knowledge

Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (‘a), says: “No action is acceptable unless it is based on knowledge and knowledge is useless unless it is accompanied by action. When a person acquires knowledge it guides him to action and he who is ignorant does not perform action”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “The best worship is to recognize Allah and to be humble before Him”.

Deceit

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Let it not be that you should practice deceit for the Almighty Allah has said: Deceit does not fall except upon one who practices it”.

Hypocrisy

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “There are four signs of a hypocrite: (i) He is of dissolute nature (ii) His tongue and heart differ from each other (iii) His words are not accompanied by action (iv) His interior is different from his exterior. Woe betide the hypocrite for he will burn in the Fire or Hell”.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “In whomsoever these three qualities are found is a hypocrite although he may fast and offer prayers: (i) When he speaks he tells a lie (ii) When he makes a promise he violates it (iii) When something is entrusted to him he commits breach of trust’’.

Tale Bearing

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Telling truth in the following three matters is bad: (i) Tale-bearing. (ii) Communicating information to a man about his wife. (iii) Refuting a person who claims to be pious.”

“Refrain from backbiting and tale-bearing, because back-biting nullifies the fast and tale-bearing is the cause of torture in the grave”.

Deceit And Fraud

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “One who defrauds or harms or deceives a Muslim is not one of us”.

Keeping One’s Promise

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Whoever believes in Allah and in the Day of Judgement keeps his promise”.

Imam Ali (‘a), says: ‘‘There are certain signs of the pious by means of which they are identified: Truthfulness, repayment of trust, keeping the promise, observation of relationship, taking pity on the weak, associating less with women, being kind, good-naturedness, perfect forbearance and following knowledge which is the source of proximity to Allah. How happy they are and how good is their end”.

Imam Al-Ridha’ (‘a), says: ‘‘We are a family who consider our promise to be our debt, as was done by the Holy Prophet”.

Gift

The Holy Prophet (S), says: “Gift is of three kinds: (i) Gift for which something is given in return (ii) Gift for affinity and (iii) Gift for the sake of Allah’’.

Imam Ja’far Al-Sadiq (‘a), says: “My dearest friend is he who gives a gift of my faults to me”.

Neighbor

Imam Ali (‘a), says: “Remember Allah in the matter of your neighbors because the Holy Prophet (S), made such continuous recommendations about them as we began to think that he might make them heirs”.

Imam Musa Al-Kadhim (‘a), says: “Good neighborhood is not only harmlessness but it is observing patience on being harmed by the neighbor”.

Imam Al-Hasan Al-Askari (‘a), says: “One of the onerous misfortunes is a neighbor who hides one’s good act seen by him but divulges a bad one”.

Despair

Iman Ali (‘a), says: “O people! The most wonderful thing in the body of man is his heart. Heart has stocks of wisdom as well as of things which are its opposites. If hopefulness affords it an opportunity, covetousness humiliates it and if its covetousness increases, greed kills it. And if despair increases, regret kills it. And if its anger increases, its indignation is severe. And if it prospers it forgets self-control”.

• 1. Usul al-Kafi, vol, I. p. 53.
• 2. Basairud Darajat, pp. 300- 301.
• 3. Vide, Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:33.
• 4. Sahih Tirmizi, vol. V, p 328, printed by Darul Fikr, Beirut, Sahih Muslim, vol. V, p 362, printed by ‘Isa Al-Halabi.