Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Alhassanain (p) Network for Islamic Heritage and Thought

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY LESSONS FOR LIFE

by :Ayatullah - Al-Ozma Naser Makarem Shirazi

Translated by:monir shafiei

www.alhassanain.org/english

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK 9

LESSON ONE: THINKING, REFLECTION, MEDITATION 10

LESSON TWO: MEASURE OF DELIBERATION 11

LESSON THREE: THEY ARE STRICT FOR BODY'S FOOD BUT 12

LESSON FOUR: ROLE OF PEN 13

LESSON FIVE: BETWEEN TWO GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES 14

LESSON SIX: CAUSES FOR DESTRUCTION OF A SOCIETY 15

LESSON SEVEN: INDOLENCE AND POVERTY 16

LESSON EIGHT: RAIN OF KNOWLEDGE ON HEARTS 17

LESSON NINE: SOURCE OF ARROGANCE 18

LESSON TEN: THREE WORTHY THINGS BEFORE GOD 19

LESSON ELEVEN: MARTYRDOM OF HOSSEIN AS 20

LESSON TWELVE: TWO SIGNS OF A REAL MOSLEM 21

LESSON THIRTEEN: FIRE OF ANGER 22

LESSON FOURTEEN: SOURCE OF WEALTH 23

LESSON FIFTEEN: THE WORST PROFESSION 24

LESSON SIXTEEN: MASTERSHIP AND CAPTIVITY 25

LESSON SEVENTEEN: HYPOCRISY AND AFFECTATION 26

LESSON EIGHTEEN: ENVY 27

LESSON NINETEEN: THOSE DEPRIVED FROM GOD'S MERCY 28

LESSON TWENTY: THE WORST FRIENDS 29

LESSON TWENTY ONE: COMPLETION OF WORKS 30

LESSON TWENTY TWO: EVERLASTING PROGRAMS 31

LESSON TWENTY THREE: THE MOST SEVERE PUNISHMENT 32

LESSON TWENTY FOUR: CALAMITY OF DEBT 33

LESSON TWENTY FIVE: A HEALTHY SOCIAL LIFE 34

LESSON TWENTY SIX: KEY OF MISFORTUNES 35

LESSON TWENTY SEVEN: SIGNS OF PEOPLE OF PARADISE 36

LESSON TWENTY EIGHT: SIGNS OF A HYPOCRITE 37

LESSON TWENTY NINE: COUNSEL 38

LESSON THIRTY: SPEECH AND SILENCE 39

LESSON THIRTY ONE: DELIGHT OF FORGIVENESS 40

LESSON THIRTY TWO: ASCETICISM IN ITS REAL SENSE 41

LESSON THIRTY THREE: COORDINATE WITH MARTYRS 42

LESSON THIRTY FOUR: THE BEST PEOPLE 43

LESSON THIRTY FIVE: WORSHIP OF FREEMEN 44

LESSON THIRTY SIX: WHAT BREAKS MAN'S BACK 45

LESSON THIRTY SEVEN: BE CLEAN 46

LESSON THIRTY EIGHT: END OF IGNORANCE 47

LESSON THIRTY NINE: FOUNDATIONS OF GUIDANCE 48

LESSON FORTY: MOURNING IS ONE OF THE DEEDS OF AGE OF IGNORANCE 49

LESSON FORTY ONE: EVERYDAY EXAMINE YOURSELF 50

LESSON FORTY TWO: IMPRESSION OF BELIEF IS HARDER THAN IRON 51

LESSON FORTY THREE: REALITY OF UNITY AND DIVINE JUSTICE 52

LESSON FORTY FOUR: SOME SIGNS OF BELIEF 53

LESSON FORTY FIVE: WORLD IS NOT THE FINAL PURPOSE, RATHER IT IS A MEANS 54

LESSON FORTY SIX: PRICE OF MAN 55

LESSON FORTY SEVEN: TRUTH AND FALSEHOOD 56

LESSON FORTY EIGHT: MOST VALUABLE HERITAGE OF ARAB 57

LESSON FORTY NINE: I DISGUST THEM 58

LESSON FIFTY: EFFORT OF WEAK PEOPLE 59

LESSON FIFTY ONE: SIGNS OF OPPRESSOR 60

LESSON FIFTY TWO: THERE IS NOT ANY INCURABLE DISEASE 61

LESSON FIFTY THREE: WHY FAVORS ARE PERISHED? 62

LESSON FIFTY FOUR: MARTYRDOM AND PURITY 63

LESSON FIFTY FIVE: SELF SACRIFICING LOVERS 64

LESSON FIFTY SIX: THE WISE AND THE FOOL 65

LESSON FIFTY SEVEN: THERE ARE A FEW REAL RELIGIOUS MEN 66

LESSON FIFTY EIGHT: JUSTICE AMONG CHILDREN 67

LESSON FIFTY NINE: YOU ARE ALWAYS UNDER CONTROL 68

LESSON SIXTY: NEITHER FLATTERY, NOR ENVY 69

LESSON SIXTY ONE: BE AT DISPOSAL OF YOUR BROTHERS 70

LESSON SIXTY TWO: MISTAKE IN LIFE 71

LESSON SIXTY THREE: ISLAM BECOMES UNIVERSAL 72

LESSON SIXTY FOUR: DO NOT ASSUME ANY SIN LITTLE! 73

LESSON SIXTY FIVE: EXCELLENCE OF KNOWLEDGE 74

LESSON SIXTY SIX: MUTUAL RIGHTS 75

LESSON SIXTY SEVEN: SPEND MONEY FOR OBEDIENCE SO YOU WOULD NOT SPEND FOR SIN 76

LESSON SIXTY EIGHT: THE GREATEST MARKET OF COMMERCE 77

LESSON SIXTY NINE: THE MOST DIGNIFIED PEOPLE 78

LESSON SEVENTY: THREE BASIC SOCIAL PRINCIPLES 79

LESSON SEVENTY ONE: HASTINESS AND PRECIPITANCE 80

LESSON SEVENTY TWO: REAL ASCETIC MEN 81

LESSON SEVENTY THREE: TRIAL OF DIGNITY 82

LESSON SEVENTY FOUR: CORRECT PROGRAM FOR WORLD AND HEREAFTER 83

LESSON SEVENTY FIVE: EFFECT OF SIN 84

LESSON SEVENTY SIX: REAL SHIITE 85

LESSON SEVENTY SEVEN: WITH WHOM WE SHALL CONSULT? 86

LESSON SEVENTY EIGHT: THE BEST FAVOR 87

LESSON SEVENTY NINE: INVISIBLE IMAM (A.S.) 88

LESSON EIGHTY: DO NOT LISTEN TO ALL UTTERANCES! 89

LESSON EIGHTY ONE: DEVILISH PEOPLE 90

LESSON EIGHTY TWO: REAL FEAST 91

LESSON EIGHTY THREE: VALUABLE CAPITALS 92

LESSON EIGHTY FOUR: TWO THINGS CAUSE DESTRUCTION OF PEOPLE 93

LESSON EIGHTY FIVE: A GOOD DEED IS NOT LITTLE 94

LESSON EIGHTY SIX: DO NOT SIN AND DO NOT APOLOGIZE 95

LESSON EIGHTY SEVEN: THE WORST METHOD OF LIFE 96

LESSON EIGHTY EIGHT: OUR PROMISES ARE OUR DEBTS 97

LESSON EIGHTY NINE: ILLEGITIMATE PROPERTIES 98

LESSON NINETY: DO NOT DEMAND ANYTHING FROM 99

LESSON NINETY ONE: WOE UNTO SUCH PERSON! 100

LESSON NINETY TWO: DO NOT HOPE IN SOLVING PROBLEM BY SIN! 101

LESSON NINETY THREE: THE SELF-CONCEITED! 102

LESSON NINETY FOUR: NEAR AND FAR KINSFOLK 103

LESSON NINETY FIVE: THROWING OFF A HABIT 104

LESSON NINETY SIX: EPIC OF KARBALA 105

LESSON NINETY SEVEN: WHO IS WISE? 106

LESSON NINETY EIGHT: CAUSE OF ENMITY 107

LESSON NINETY NINE: THE ZEALOUS 108

LESSON ONE HUNDRED: A FERTILE BEING 109

LESSON ONE HUNDRED ONE: THE BEST HANDS 110

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWO: WORSE THAN DEATH 111

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THREE: DISTINCTION BETWEEN A BELIEVERS 112

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FOUR: THE BEST HERITAGE 113

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FIVE: RESPECT TO FREEDOM OF THOUGHT 114

LESSON ONE HUNDRED SIX: THESE SIX ATTRIBUTES DO NOT 115

LESSON ONE HUNDRED SEVEN: DO NOT DISCONNECT ALL RELATIONS 116

LESSON ONE HUNDRED EIGHT: REAL WORSHIP 117

LESSON ONE HUNDRED NINE: DO NOT FORGET YOUR FAULT 118

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TEN: GREAT TORMENT 119

LESSON ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN: FRESHNESS OF QURAN 120

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWELVE: BEWARE OF SENSUALITY 121

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN: THE ONLY WAY OF BEING A SHIITE 122

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN: RELATION OF WEALTH AND EXPENDITURES! 123

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FIFTEEN: THE MOST TRUTHFUL AND WISE 124

LESSON ONE HUNDRED SIXTEEN: SIMPLE LIFE AND COOPERATION IN HOUSE-KEEPING 125

LESSON ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEEN: ONE HOUR OF JUSTICE 126

LESSON ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN: REAL PHYSICIAN 127

LESSON ONE HUNDRED NINETEEN: SUCCESSORS OF PROPHET 128

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY: SINFUL FEAST 129

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY ONE: DO PRODUCTIVE WORKS 130

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY TWO: LENGTH AND SHORTNESS OF LIFE 131

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY THREE: COOPERATION WITH SATAN! 132

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR: TAKE COUNSEL TO BE GUIDED! 133

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE: SALAM, ISLAMIC SALUTATION 134

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SIX: NON CONFORMITY OF BELIEF WITH ACTION 135

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN: DIVINE CHASTISEMENTS! 136

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT: A FORGOTTEN REALITY 137

LESSON ONE HUNDRED TWENTY NINE: PLACE OF KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM 138

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY: HEAVY DUTIES OF IMAM 139

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY ONE: CLOSED DOORS WILL BE OPENED 140

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY TWO: BEWARE OF MEAN PEOPLE! 141

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY THREE: GREAT WARFARE 142

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FOUR: OCCULTATION OF MAHDI (A.S.) 143

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY FIVE: SOURCE OF EVILS 144

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY SIX: FULFILLMENT OF OBLIGATION IS 145

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN: INHABITANTS OF STARS 146

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT: QURAN AND GRAVITY LAW 147

LESSON ONE HUNDRED THIRTY NINE: MYSTERY OF MOUNTAINS! 148

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY: MICROSCOPIC ANIMALS 149

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY ONE: ONLY A NAME FROM ISLAM 150

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY TWO: CRITERION FOR ASSESSMENT OF INTELLECT AND IGNORANCE 151

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY THREE: HIGHER THAN FAVOR 152

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR: REVIVAL OF DOCTRINE OF THE PROPHET'S HOUSEHOLD 153

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE: TRUST TO SECRECY 154

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY SIX: SIGN OF BELIEF ISLAM’S 155

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY SEVEN: FIRST CONDITION IN EACH WORK 156

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT: IMPORTANCE OF GUEST 157

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FORTY NINE: RESPECT AND AFFECTION 158

LESSON ONE HUNDRED FIFTY: RESERVE FOR YOURSELF IN THIS WAY 159

END NOTES 160

i dedicate sincerely work to my parents,zahra andabolfazl , who did not spare anything for my success.

i also acknowledge my husband,reza mohammad hosseini , who was a good incentive and help in all stage of my work.

i appreciate valuable assistance ofmr. ruinnaddaf for reviewing and editing this translation.

i wish this book to be a good reference for clarifying the attitudes ofislam towards different issues in the world and hereafter

from god success,

monir shafiei

10.12.2000

In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK

Our greatest capital after divine book, holy Quran, is practice of the prophet (s.a .) and valuable traditions of household of prophets.a ., and these are two great weights after demise of the prophet (s.a .) and resorting to them prevents man from misguidance and error.

unfortunately , these traditions which are an ocean of sciences and knowledge, are not well known yet.there are a lot of traditions in one short phrase of which a book of life lesson is hidden and can solve the problems of today's man in different issues.

this book is a selection of these traditions with a clear translation and brief description.first one tradition was stipulated weekly at the beginning of interpretation discussion meetings held onfridays in the meetings of "assembly of religion and science" in imamhossein mosque (tehran ), and everybody observed it throughout the week as a lesson, and a lot of youths, boys and girls, memorized them.

very good reception of these traditions caused to print and publish them separately.this small book could be a sample ofislam's instructions for all of those who want to knowislam better through a short study.but what seems more important is practicing these programs in the life and acting to them.thus , let us to ask success from god first for understanding and comprehending these traditions and then for observing them.

qom ,naser makarem shirazi , 1976

LESSON ONE: THINKING, REFLECTION, MEDITATION

أَلا لا خَيْرَ فى عِلم لَيْسَ فيهِ تَفَهُّمٌ، ألا لا خَيْرَ فى قرائة لَيْسَ فيها تَدَبُّرٌ، ألا لاَ خَيْرَ فى عِبادَة لَيْسَ فيها تَفَكُّرٌ

Translation

Be aware! Knowledge not furnished with thinking has no profit![1]

Be aware! Recitation of Quran not accompanied with reflection is useless!

Be aware! Worship lacking meditation has no effect!

Brief description

Filling the brain with scientific formulas, logical rules and philosophical principles, and any knowledge has a little effect as long as it is not in concordance with proper reflection, clear world- view and familiarity with fundamentals of man's life.

As reciting holy verses of Quran has a little effect when it is not accompanied with meditation and thinking about them, the worships missing the light of thinking and wisdom are like a spiritless body, and lose the high educational effects.

LESSON TWO: MEASURE OF DELIBERATION

Imamsadegh (a.s .) says:

صَلاحُ حالِ التَّعايُشِ و التَّعاشُرِ مِلاَمِكْيال ثُلْثَاهُ فِطْنَةٌ وَ ثُلْثَهُ تَغافُلٌ

Translation

Improving the situation of life and association is possible through using a measure, two third of which is vigilance and one third of which is negligence.[ 2]

Brief description

no work is started without any study, plan and vigilance, and also no work is accomplished without negligence.iis more clear and better to say if we want to work without investigation and carefulness, we will not succeed.but if we want to linger for all possible probabilities and unpredicted events when performing the works, we would not be able to do a work easily, and have to study for years to do something or to select a friend, partner, spouse and such like.so it is said two third vigilance and one-third negligence.

LESSON THREE: THEY ARE STRICT FOR BODY'S FOOD BUT...

Imamhassan (a.s .) says:

عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَتَفَكَّرُ فى مَأكُولِهِ كَيْفَ لا يَتَفَكَّرُ فى مَعْقُولِهِ، فَيُجَنِّبُ بَطْنَهُ ما يُؤذِيهِ و يُودِعُ صَدْرَهُ ما يُرْدِيهِ

Translation

I wonder those who think about their body's food, but do not think about their soul's food. They keep away disturbing food from their belly, but fill up their heart with destructive subjects.[ 3]

Brief description

As our great imam has said, our people are usually strict for their corporeal food, and do not start eating unless under the light, and do not open their mouth unless with open eyes. They avoid doubtful foods and some observe thousands of sanitary points in feeding body.

But for the spirit's food, they, with closed eyes and under darkness of unawareness, pour any suspicious mental food into their soul. They simply accept speeches of unsuitable friends, misleading presses and suspicious or poisonous propagation, and this is very surprising.

LESSON FOUR: ROLE OF PEN

Imamsadegh (a.s .) says:

ما رَأَيْتٌ باكِياً اَحْسَنَ تَبَسُّماً مِنَ القَلَمِ !

Translation

I have not seen any weeper nicely smiling like a pen.[ 4]

Brief description

Pen divulges the feelings and interprets the wisdom of man.

Pen is founder of civilizations and rotates the wheels of society. Pen illustrates the worrying pains of men through its continuous weeping, and also cheers of love, desire for life, mystery of life and thousands of beauties are hidden in the smile showing always within its lips.

But it is regretful that when this pen is in hands of an incompetent person, its tears will change to drops of blood, and its smile is a snicker on the utmost human credits.

LESSON FIVE: BETWEEN TWO GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES

Imamsadegh (a.s .) says:

اَلْمُؤْمِنُ بَيْنَ مَخافَتَيْنِ: ذَنْبٌ قَدْ مَضَى لايَدْرِى ما صُنْعُ اللّهُ فيه و عُمْرٌ بَقِىَ لايَدرِى ما يَكْتَسِبُ فيه

Translation

A faithful believer is always anxious for two things; for his past sins that he does not know how

God will treat with him, and for his remaining life that he does not know what he will do![ 5]

Brief description

The most manifest sign of belief is feeling responsibility, both for what have been already done and for the duties and obligations that should be done.

those having these two feelings, are always thinking about compensation of past negligence, as well as finding the best possible way for using future opportunities. These thoughts are codes of development and progress of a man or a nation. Those neither thinking to the previous actions, nor intending to build the future, are poor and miserable.

LESSON SIX: CAUSES FOR DESTRUCTION OF A SOCIETY

أَرْبَعٌ لا يَدْخُلُ بَيْتاً وَاحِدَةٌ مِنْها إلاّ خَرِبَ وَ لَمْ يَعْمُرْ بِالْبَرَكَةِ: الخِيانَةُ و السَّرِقَهُ وَ شُرْبُ الخَمْرِ و الزّنا

Translation

There are four things that when one of them enters into a home, it will be ruined, and divine blessing does not reestablish it: treachery, larceny, drinking, and adultery[6]

Brief description

Not only the homes, but also the societies are not accepted from this rule.

When treachery penetrates into a society, the spirit of confidence is disappeared thereof.

And when larceny, in its different forms, appears therein, peace will not be found anymore.

And when wine drinking becomes popular among people, they will have weak thoughts, disable children and useless youths.

And when they are stained with adultery, the foundation of families will be weakened and their next generation will be mischievous.

LESSON SEVEN: INDOLENCE AND POVERTY

Imamali (a.s .) says:

إنَّ الأشْياءَ لَمّا ازْدَوَجَتْ إزْدَوَجَ الْكَسَلُ و الْعَجْزُ فَنَتَجا بَيْنَهُمَا الْفَقْرَ

Translation

the day in which everything married with one another, "indolence" and "weakness" mingled with each other, and their child was called "poverty and indigence".[7]

Brief description

Everything is earned through attempt and endeavor. This is a reality that Islam has taught us.

Indolence, debility, weakness and escaping from hard events and problems are never compatible with spirit of belief.

They will not have any consequence save poverty in all aspects, including economical, moral and spiritual poverty.While the believers shall be self-sufficient and contented in all aspects.

LESSON EIGHT: RAIN OF KNOWLEDGE ON HEARTS

The wiseloghman said:

يا بُنَىَّ إنَّ اللّه يُحْيِى الْقُلُوبَ بِنُورِ الْحِكْمَةِ كَما يُحْيِى الأرضَ بِوابِلِ السّماءِ

Translation

My son! God revives the hearts of men with the light of knowledge as he revives dead lands with blessing rains from sky![ 8]

Brief description

The land of man's heart is like a garden in which all types of seedlings, seeds of flowers, plants and strong trees are dispersed, and if it is irrigated on time, a pleasant and fruitful area will be created.

The only irrigation means for this land is reviving drops of rain of science and knowledge. Hence the hearts lacking knowledge are dead, lightless and fruitless.

We shall always and in all conditions, keep alive our souls with the light of knowledge.

LESSON NINE: SOURCE OF ARROGANCE

It is narrated from imamsadegh as:

ما مِنْ رَجُل تَجَبَّرَ أَوْ تَكَبَّرَ إلاّ لِذِلَّة يَجِدُها فِى نَفْسِهِ

Translation

No one boasts to the others unless for the inferiority he feels in himself![ 9]

Brief description

Nowadays, psychological and psychoanalytic researches have proved that arrogance and boasting to others is nothing else than an inferiority complex. Those who are affected to this complex and suffer fromit, resort to this wrong way that is magnifying themselves artificially for compensating their deficiencies, and thereby they add to their social inferiority and make themselves more hated.

This psychological point is clearly observed in the miraculous speech narrated from imamSadegh a.s . but the faithful people are always modest before others due to their internal dignity.

LESSON TEN: THREE WORTHY THINGS BEFORE GOD

Islam’s prophet (s.a .) says:

ثَلثُ تَخْرُقُ الْحُجُبَ وَ تَنْتَهِىْ إلَى مَا بَيْنَ يَدَي اللّهِ: صَرِيْرُ أَقْلامِ الْعُلَمَاءِ، وَ وَطْىُ أَقْدامِ الُْمجَاهِديْنَ، وَ صَوْتُ مَغازِلِ الُْمحْصَناتِ

Translation

There are three things that remove the veils and approach to god's dignity:[10]

The voice of movement of scientists' pen when writing!

The voice of paces of warriors in the cause of religion in the battle field!

And the voice of spinning wheel of chaste women!

Brief description

What a strange and meaningful interpretation! there are three voices which penetrate into the depth of existence and their tingles go ahead up to the everlasting nature of the world and approach to god's dignity: voice of knowledge and pen, although it may be low and slow, voice of holy war and self-sacrifice, and voice of attempt, endeavor and work although it may be seemingly small.

And actually, these three things, knowledge, holy war, and work constitute the foundation of an honorable human community.

LESSON ELEVEN: MARTYRDOM OF HOSSEIN AS

Islam’s prophet (s.a .) says:

إنَّ لِقَتْلِ الْحُسَيْنِ حَرَارَةٌ فِى قُلُوبِ الْمُؤْمِنينَ لَنْ تَبْرُدَ أَبَداً

Translation

Martyrdom of imamhossein (a.s .) creates a fire and heat in the hearts of believers which will

Never be extinguished.[ 11]

Brief description

There have been a lot of bloody wars in the world which are forgotten by lapse of several months and years. However, the remembrance of self-sacrifice of those who devoted themselves in the way of god and freedom of men as well as honor and virtue, shall not be forgotten because god, freedom, honor and virtue do not get old. Imamhossein (a.s .) and his companions were the pioneers of these warriors for faith.

LESSON TWELVE: TWO SIGNS OF A REAL MOSLEM

Islam’s holy prophet (s.a .) says:

لاَ تَنْظُرُوا إلى كَثْرةِ صَلاتِهِمْ و صَوْمِهِمْ وَ كَثْرَةِ الْحَجِّ و الْمَعْرُوفِ و طَنْطَنَتِهمْ بِالليْلِ وَلكِنْ اُنْظُرُوا إلى صِدْق الْحَدِيْثِ وَ أَداءِ الأَمانَةِ

Translation

Do not respect only the excess of prayer, fasting, pilgrimage, righteousness with others and vigil of some people (although they are important in their own turn). Rather consider their "honesty" and "trustworthiness"![12]

Brief description

Studying Islamic documents clarifies this fact that two decisive signs of a real Moslemis being honest and trustworthy, and although Islamic services such as prayer, fasting and pilgrimage are considered as high educational programs, but they are not signs of Islam and should be completed with honesty and trustworthiness.

LESSON THIRTEEN: FIRE OF ANGER

Imambagher (a.s .) says:

إنَّ هَذا الْغَضَبَ جَمْرَةٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطانِ تُوْقَدُ فِى قَلْبِ ابْنِ آدَمَ

Translation

Anger and wrath are the burning flame of fire which is kindled inside man's heart by Satan.[13]

Brief description

When an angry man performs something or makes a decision, most often he will later repent and feel sorry because burning fire of anger causes negligence from wisdom and intellect, on the whole, and usually nervous system and muscles activate in a direction that compensation of the concerned damages would not be possible even during the life time!

We shall control and extinguish this satanic flame with the utmost precision and speed.

Otherwise, it may ruin and burn the life of others or us.

LESSON FOURTEEN: SOURCE OF WEALTH

God’s prophet (s.a .) said:

اُطْلُبُوا الرِّزْقَ في خَبايَا الأرْضِ

Translation

Seek for your sustenance in the depth of earth.[14]

Brief description

this instruction was issued by Islam’s prophet (s.a .) when the importance of mines and whatsoever existed in the depth of earth was not known, indicating that Moslems should search the depths of earth for exploiting the sources of income and whatever facilitates their life. Such instructions are both a sign of profundity of Islamic commands and also a lesson of endeavor and attempt for honorable living of Moslems!

LESSON FIFTEEN: THE WORST PROFESSION

Islam’s prophet (s.a .) said:

شَرُّ الْمَكاسِبِ كَسْبُ الرِّبا

Imamsadegh (a.s .) said:

إذا أَرادَ اللّهُ بِقَْوم هَلاكاً ظَهَرَ فِيْهِمُ الرِّبا

Translation

Prophet (s.a .) said: the worst profession is one which is mingled with usury.

ImamSadegh (a.s .) said: when god wills to perish a nation, usury becomes manifest among them.[15]

Brief description

despite of brisk market of usurers in the present world, and special dependency of this world on usury in different forms, it is evident that usury destroys financial and economical system of societies and results in terrible accumulation of wealth in the hand of limited number of people and institutions, and this unfair distribution of wealth is the source of different social misfortunes and moral corruption.

LESSON SIXTEEN: MASTERSHIP AND CAPTIVITY

Imamali (a.s .) says:

تَفَضَّلْ عَلَى مَنْ شِئْتَ تَكُنْ أَمِيرَهُ، وَاسْتَغْنِ عَمِّنْ شِئْتَ تَكُنْ نَظِيْرَهُ، وَافْتَقِرٌ إلى مَنْ شِئْتَ تَكُنْ أَسِيْرَهُ

Translation

Dofavour with whosoever you will, and then you will become his master!

Do not need whosoever you will, and then you will become alike to him!

Be in need of whosoever you will, and then you will become his captive!

Brief description

This rule powerfully governs on the social relations of individuals and nations that bountiful hands are always master and receiver hands are anyway inferior. The needy people and nations are actually the slaves who have signed their slavery through need to the others. The real Muslim is one who attempts to base his relation with others on mutual, not one-sided assistance. Receiving gratuitous support should be limited to weak and feeble persons.

LESSON SEVENTEEN: HYPOCRISY AND AFFECTATION

Imamsadegh (a.s .) said:

لا تُرّاءِ بِعَمَلِكَ مَنْ لاَ يُحْيي وَ لا يُمِيْتُ وَ لايُغْنِى عَنْكَ شَيْئاً

Translation

Do not do your good deeds for affectation and showing to the people who have no power on life, neither on death, andcan not solve any problem for you.[16]

Brief description

All appearances of the life of those who have got used to affectation and hypocrisy become hollow and empty.they are contented with spiritless appearances from civilization, imaginations and illusion from life, only fame from happiness and prosperity, and a series of ceremonies from religion, and surely the affecting people have no gain save appearances!for this reason,islam strongly criticizes this ugly attribute and says that your destiny in not under control of these people, why do you affect?