Tradition

خَيْرُ ما وَرَثَ الآباءُ لِلأَبْناءَ الأَدَبَ

Imam ‘Ali (‘a) is narrated to have said: “The best thing which parents leave behind for their children is good behavior.”1

Brief Commentary

Good behavior is defined by the positive way that we interact with others and the respect and generosity of spirit that we show to them. In some cases, good behavior is exhibited in front of God’s creation, while in other cases, it is exhibited in front of God himself. In both cases, it is one of the greatest resources which human beings possess and it is the key to their success in all aspects of life.

For this same reason, Imam ‘Ali (‘a) has considered the greatest inheritance which parents can leave for their children to be good behavior. Many times, parents think that the best inheritance they can leave is found in homes and large bank accounts, and they end up neglecting everything else. This is while good behavior is the root of love, ease in living, friendship, and even unity amongst people. It is an important factor in how effective our speech is and how well we are able to progress in our social lives. There is no doubt that it is the best inheritance which parents can leave for their children.

• 1. Ghurar al-Hikam, p. 393.