Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

1218 - ما يَنبَغِي الاعتِبارُ بِهِ‏

1218. THINGS THAT MUST BE CONTEMPLATED UPON AND DRAWN LESSONS FROM

( لَقَدْ كانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِاُولِي الْألْبابِ)1

“There is certainly a moral in their accounts for those who possess intellect.” 2

( يُقَلِّبُ اللَّهُ الَّليْلَ وَالنَّهارَ إنَّ فِي ذلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِأُولِي الْأبْصارِ)3

“It is Allah Who alternates the night and the day: verily in that is a moral for those who have insight.” 4

3967. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : في تَصاريفِ الدّنيا اعتِبارٌ5

3967. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There is a lesson to be taken from the vicissitudes of this world.’6

3968. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لَوِ اعتَبَرتَ بِما أضَعتَ مِن ماضي عُمرِكَ لَحَفِظتَ ما بَقِيَ7

3968. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘If only you drew lessons from all that you have lost in what has passed of your life you would look after what is left of it.’8

3969. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : فاعتَبِروا بِما كانَ مِن فِعلِ اللَّهِ بِإبليسَ؛ إذ أحبَطَ عَمَلَهُ الطَّويلَ، وَجَهدَهُ الجَهيدَ (الجَميلَ)9

3969. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘So take lesson from how Allah dealt with Satan when he thwarted his long years of good deeds, and all his hard work [because of his outright defiance of Allah].’10

3970. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : فاعتَبِروا بِما أصابَ الاُمَمَ المُستَكبِرينَ مِن قَبلِكُم؛ مِن بأسِ اللَّهِ وصَوْلاتِه ووَقائعِهِ ومَثُلاتِه11

3970. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘So take lesson from Allah’s intense force, His attacks, His blows and His exemplary punishmentsisH that befell the arrogant nations before you.’12

3971. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما أكثَرَ العِبَرَ، وأقَلَّ الاعتِبارَ!13

3971. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘How many the lessons, and how little the contemplation [upon them]!’14

3972. بحار الأنوار عن الإمامِ زينِ العابدينَ عليه السلام : مِسكينٌ ابنُ آدَمَ ! لَهُ في كُلِّ يَومٍ ثَلاثُ مَصائبَ لا يَعتَبِرُ بِواحِدَةٍ مِنهُنَّ، ولَوِ اعتَبَرَ لَهانَت عَلَيهِ المَصائبُ وأمرُ الدُّنيا: فَأمّا المُصيبَةُ الاُولى‏ : فاليَومُ الَّذي يَنقُصُ مِن عُمرِهِ، وإنْ نالَهُ نُقصانٌ في مالِهِ اغتَمَّ بِهِ، والدِّرهَمُ يَخلُفُ عَنهُ وَالعُمرُ لا يَرُدُّهُ شي‏ء

والثانِيةُ : أنَّهُ يَستَوفي رِزقَهُ، فإن كانَ حَلالاً حُوسِبَ عَلَيهِ، وإن كانَ حَراماً عُوقِبَ عَلَيهِ

والثّالِثَةُ أعظَمُ مِن ذلِكَ - قيلَ : وما هِيَ؟ قالَ - : ما مِن يَومٍ يُمسي إلّا وقَد دَنا مِنَ الآخِرَةِ مَرحَلَةً، لا يَدري عَلَى الجَنَّةِ أم عَلَى النّارِ ؟!15

3972. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, ‘Poor man! Every day he is given three trials whereof he does not even take lesson from a single one. If he contemplated and drew a lesson thereof, these trials and this world would cease to be of importance to him. The first trial is the very day which is deducted from his life – if it was a loss in his wealth that befell him, he would fall into great distress, even though the dirham [i.e. money] can always be substituted but the days of his life will never again return to him. The second trial is the way in which he goes to great lengths to procure his sustenance, when he will have to account for it all if acquired by lawful means, and he will be punished for it all if acquired by unlawful means. The third trial is the greatest: every day that draws to an end has brought him a step closer to the Hereafter – whether to Paradise or Hellfire, he does not know!’16

Notes

1. يوسف : 111

2. Qur’an 12 :111

3. النور : 44

4. Qur’an 24 :44

5. غرر الحكم : 6453

6. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6453

7. غرر الحكم : 7589

8. Ibid. no. 7589

9. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 192

10. Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 192

11. نهج البلاغة : الخطبة 192

12. Ibid.

13. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 297

14. Ibid. Saying 297

15. بحار الأنوار : 78 / 160 / 20

16. Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 160, no. 20

1219 - ثَمَرَةُ الاعتِبارِ

1219. THE BENEFITS OF TAKING LESSON

3973. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الاعتِبارُ يُثمِرُ العِصمَةَ.1

3973. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Taking lesson [from past faults] results in immunity [from further faults and sins].’2

3974. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : دَوامُ الاعتِبارِ يُؤَدّي إلَى الاستِبصارِ، ويُثمِرُ الازدِجارَ3

3974. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Continuously taking lessons gives rise to the faculty of insight, and brings about self-restraint.’4

3975. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَن كَثُرَ اعتِبارُهُ قَلَّ عِثارُهُ5

3975. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who abundantly and frequently takes lessons [from his experiences] rarely stumbles.’6

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 879

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 879

3. غرر الحكم : 5150

4. Ibid. no. 5150

5. غرر الحكم : 8056

6. Ibid. no. 8056

263 - العُجب‏

263. SELF-ADMIRATION

1220 - ذَمُّ العُجبِ‏

1220. REPREHENSION OF SELF-ADMIRATION

3976. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لا وَحدَةَ أوحَشُ مِنَ العُجبِ1

3976. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘There is no loneliness more frightening than self-admiration.’2

3977. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العُجبُ يُظهِرُ النَّقيصَةَ3

3977. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Self-admiration shows up your faults.’4

3978. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العُجبُ حُمقٌ5

3978. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Self-admiration is foolishness.’6

3979. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : سَيِّئَةٌ تَسوؤكَ خَيرٌ عِندَ اللَّهِ مِن حَسَنَةٍ تُعجِبُكَ7

3979. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘An evil deed [of yours] that upsets you is better in the sight of Allah than a good deed which you feel proud about.’8

3980. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : إيّاكَ أن تَرضى‏ عَن نَفسِكَ فَيَكثُرَ السّاخِطُ عَلَيكَ9

3980. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Beware of self-satisfaction lest it increases the number of those against you.’10

3981. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ثَمَرَةُ العُجبِ البَغضاءُ11

3981. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The consequence of self-admiration is hatred [of other people towards you].’12

3982. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الإعجابُ ضِدُّ الصَّوابِ، وآفَةُ الألبابِ13

3982. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Self-admiration is the opposite of proper conduct, and is the bane of the hearts.’14

3983. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العُجبُ يُفسِدُ العَقلَ15

3983. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Self-admiration corrupts reason.’16

3984. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : الإعجابُ يَمنَعُ الازدِيادَ17

3984. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Self-admiration prevents progress.’18

3985. الإمامُ الباقرُ أو الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليهما السلام : إنَّ اللَّهَ تَبارَكَ وتَعالى‏ يَقولُ : إنَّ مِن عِبادي مَن يَسأ لُني الشَّي‏ءَ مِن طاعَتي لِاُحِبَّهُ، فأصرِفُ ذلكَ عَنهُ لِكَي لا يُعجِبَهُ عَمَلُه19

3985. Imam al-Baqir or Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Verily Allah, Blessed and most High, says, ‘Verily from among My servants is he who asks Me to enable him to perform an act of obedience to Me in order that he may procure My love, but I however, withhold that from him in order that he does not come to feel proud of that action of his.’20

3986. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَن دَخَلَهُ العُجبُ هَلَكَ21

3986. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘He who is overtaken by self-admiration perishes.’22

Notes

1. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 113

2. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 113

3. غرر الحكم : 954

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 954

5. غرر الحكم : 62

6. Ibid. no. 62

7. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 46

8. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 46

9. غرر الحكم : 2642

10. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 2642

11. غرر الحكم : 4606

12. Ibid. no. 4606

13. تحف العقول : 74

14. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 74

15. غرر الحكم : 726

16. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 726

17. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 167

18. Nahj al-Balagha, no. 167

19. الزهد للحسين بن سعيد : 68 / 179

20. al-Zuhd li al-Husayn b. Said, p. 68, no. 179

21. الكافي : 2 / 313 / 2

22. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 313, no. 2

1221 - الحَثُّ عَلَى استِقلالِ الخَيرِ مِنَ النَّفسِ‏

1221. ENJOINMENT OF UNDERVALUING THE GOOD THAT ONE DOES

3987. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله - في صِفَةِ العاقِلِ - : يَستَكثِرُ قَليلَ الخَيرِ مِن غَيرِهِ، ويَستَقِلُّ كَثيرَ الخَيرِ مِن نَفسِهِ1

3987. The Prophet (SAWA) said, describing the intelligent person, ‘He regards the little good that others do as being much and regards the abundance of good that he himself does as being little.’2

3988. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : اِستَقلِلْ مِن نَفسِكَ كَثيرَ الطّاعَةِ للَّهِ‏ِ؛ إزراءً عَلَى النَّفسِ وتَعَرُّضاً لِلعَفوِ3

3988. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Undervalue the abundant acts of obedience that you perform for Allah, in contempt of your lower self and in order to expose yourself to Allah’s pardon.’4

3989. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : قالَ إبليسُ - لَعنةُ اللَّهِ عَلَيهِ - لِجُنودِهِ : إذا استَمكَنتُ مِنِ ابنِ آدَمَ في ثَلاثٍ لَم اُبالِ ما عَمِلَ؛ فإنَّهُ غَيرُ مَقبولٍ مِنهُ : إذا استَكثَرَ عَمَلَهُ، ونَسِيَ ذَنبَهُ، ودَخَلَهُ العُجبُ5

3989. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Iblis [Satan] – may Allah’s curse be on him – says to his troops, ‘If I can gain mastery over three things in man, I will no longer care how much good he does for it will not be accepted from him: if he overrates his good deeds, forgets his sins, and is overcome by self-admiration.’6

Notes

1. الخصال : 433 / 17

2. al-Khisal, p. 433, no. 17

3. تحف العقول : 285

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 285

5. الخصال : 112 / 86

6. al-Khisal, p. 112, no. 86

1222 - مُعالَجَةُ العُجبِ‏

1222. TREATMENT OF SELF-ADMIRATION

3990. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما لِابنِ آدمَ والعُجبَ ؟! وأوَّلُهُ نُطفَةٌ مَذِرَةٌ، وآخِرُهُ جيفَةٌ قَذِرَةٌ، وَهُوَ بَينَ ذلكَ يَحمِلُ العَذِرَةَ؟!1

3990. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘What is the matter with man that he is so given to self-admiration when his origin was but a putrid droplet, and his end is as a filthy corpse, and between these states he is but a vessel for excrement?!’2

3991. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : سُدَّ سَبيلَ العُجبِ بِمَعرِفةِ النَّفسِ3

3991. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Block the path of self-admiration through self-knowledge.’4

3992. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : إن كانَ المَمَرُّ عَلَى الصِّراطِ حَقّاً فالعُجبُ لِماذا ؟!5

3992. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘If crossing the Sirat [Bridge extended over Hell] is a reality, then wherefore the need for self-admiration?!’6

(اُنظر) المعرفة (1) : باب 1248 ؛ الكبر : باب 1571

(See also: INNER KNOWLEDGE: section 1248; HAUGHTINESS: section 1571)

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 9666

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 9666

3. تحف العقول : 285

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 285

5. الأمالي للصدوق : 56 / 12

6. Amali al-Saduq, p. 16, no. 5

264 - المعجزة

264. THE MIRACLE

1223 - المُعجِزَةُ عَلامَةُ مَعرِفَةِ أنبِياءِ اللَّهِ وحُجَجِهِ‏

1223. MIRACLE IS A SIGN IN KNOWING THE MESSENGERS OF ALLAH AND THE IMAMS

3993. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : المُعجِزَةُ عَلامةٌ للَّهِ‏ِ لا يُعطيها إلّا أنبِياءَهُ ورُسُلَهُ وحُجَجَهُ؛ لِيُعرَفَ بهِ صِدقُ الصّادِقِ مِن كِذبِ الكاذِبِ1

3993. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The miracle is a sign pointing to Allah which none can produce but His prophets, His messengers and His proofs, in order that the truth of the truthful one be distinguished from the lie of the liar.’2

Notes

1. علل الشرائع : 122 / 1

2. Ilal al-Shara’i , p. 122, no. 1

1224 - حِكمَةُ اختِلافِ مُعجِزاتِ الأنبِياءِ

1224. THE WISDOM BEHIND THE DIVERSITY OF THE PROPHETS’ MIRACLES

3994. الإمامُ الهاديُّ عليه السلام - في جَوابِ ابنِ السِّكِّيتِ عَن عِلّةِ بَعثِ موسى‏ بِالعَصا ويَدِهِ البَيضاءِ وآلَةِ السِّحرِ، وبَعثِ عيسى‏ بِآلَةِ الطِّبِّ، وبَعثِ مُحمَّدٍ - صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وآلِهِ وعَلى‏ جَميعِ الأنبِياءِ - بِالكَلامِ والخُطَبِ - : إنَّ اللَّهَ لَمّا بَعَثَ موسى‏ عليه السلام كانَ الغالِبُ عَلى‏ أهلِ عَصرِهِ السِّحرَ، فأتاهُم مِن عِندِ اللَّهِ بِما لَم يَكُن في وُسعِهِم مِثلُهُ، وما أبطَلَ بِهِ سِحرَهُم، وأثبَتَ بِهِ الحُجَّةَ عَلَيهِم وإنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَ عيسى‏ عليه السلام في وَقتٍ قَد ظَهَرَت فيهِ الزَّماناتُ واحتاجَ النّاسُ إلَى الطِّبِّ ، فأتاهُم مِن عِندِ اللَّهِ بِما لَم يَكُن عِندَهُم مِثلُهُ، وبِما أحْيا لَهُمُ المَوتى‏ ، وأبرَأ الأكمَهَ والأبرَصَ بِإذنِ اللَّهِ، وأثبَتَ بِهِ الحُجَّةَ عَلَيهِم وإنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَ مُحَمَّداً صلى اللَّه عليه وآله في وَقتٍ كانَ الغالِبُ على‏ أهلِ عَصرِهِ الخُطَبَ والكَلامَ - وأظُنُّهُ قالَ : الشِّعرَ - فأتاهُم مِن عِندِ اللَّهِ مِن مَواعِظِهِ وحِكَمِهِ ما أبطَلَ بِهِ قَولَهُم، وأثبَتَ بِهِ الحُجَّةَ عَلَيهِم1

3994. Imam al-Hadi (AS) said in reply to Ibn Sikkit’s question about the reason for Allah’s sending Prophet Moses (AS) with the staff [that turned into a snake], his illuminated hand and magic as a resource, and His sending Prophet Jesus (AS) with medicine as a resource, and His sending Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) with speech and eloquence, ‘Verily when Allah sent Moses (AS), the trend prevalent among the people of the time was magic, so he brought them something from Allah the like of which they were incapable of producing, which thwarted their magic, and with which he demonstrated the proof against them. And verily Allah sent Jesus (AS) at a time when paralytic diseases were widespread and people needed medicine, so he brought them something from Allah the like of which they did not have, and with which he brought life to the dead, cured the blind and the leper with Allah’s permission, and demonstrated the proof against them. And verily Allah sent Muhammad (SAWA) at an era when the prevalent trend among the people of the time was speech and eloquence – and I think he even said poetry – so he brought to them Allah’s exhortations and wisdoms with which he thwarted their words, and with which he demonstrated the proof against them.’2

Notes

1. الكافي : 1 / 24 / 20

2. al-Kafi, v. 1, p. 24, no. 20

265 - العجلة

265. HASTE

1225 - ذَمُّ العَجَلَةِ

1225. REPROACHING HASTINESS

( خُلِقَ الإِنْسانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ سَأُرِيكُمْ آياتِي فَلا تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ)1

“Man is a creature of hastiness. Soon I will show you My signs. So do not ask Me to hasten.” 2

( وَيَدْعُ الإِنْسانُ بِالشَّرِّ دُعاءَهُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَكانَ الإِنْسانُ عَجُولاً)3

“Man prays for ill as [avidly as] he prays for good, and man is overhasty.” 4

3995. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنَّما أهلَكَ النّاسَ العَجَلَةُ، ولَو أنَّ النّاسَ تَثَبَّتوا لَم يَهلِكْ أحَدٌ5

3995. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Verily haste has ruined people, and if instead people proceeded with caution no one would be ruined.’6

3996. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : الأناةُ مِنَ اللَّهِ، والعَجَلَةُ مِنَ الشَّيطانِ7

3996. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Deliberateness is from Allah whereas haste is from Satan.’8

3997. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَجَلُ يوجِبُ العِثارَ9

3997. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Haste causes stumbling.’10

3998. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : مَعَ العَجَلِ يَكثُرُ الزَّلَلُ11

3998. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Mistakes happen frequently [when work is done] with haste.’12

3999. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : مَعَ التَّثَبُّتِ تَكونُ السَّلامَةُ، ومَعَ العَجَلَةِ تَكونُ النَّدامَةُ13

3999. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Wholesome results follow cautious procedure whereas regret follows haste.’14

Notes

1. الأنبياء : 37

2. Qur’an 31 :14

3. الإسراء : 11

4. Qur’an 17 :11

5. المحاسن : 1 / 340 / 697

6. al-Mahasin, v. 1, p. 340, no. 697

7. المحاسن : 1 / 340 / 698؛ كنز العمّال : 5674

8. Ibid. no. 698, and Kanz al-Ummal, no. 5674

9. غرر الحكم : 432

10. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 432

11. غرر الحكم : 9740

12. Ibid. no. 974

13. الخصال : 100 / 52

14. al-Khisal, p. 100, no. 52

1226 - الحَثُّ عَلَى المُبادَرَةِ إلَى الخَيراتِ‏

1226. ENJOINMENT OF RUSHING TO DO GOOD DEEDS

4000. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : إنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ مِنَ الخَيرِ ما يُعَجَّلُ1

4000. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Verily Allah loves the good that is embarked upon immediately.’2

4001. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : التُّؤَدَةُ مَمدوحَةٌ في كُلِّ شَي‏ءٍ إلّا في فُرَصِ الخَيرِ3

4001. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Deliberateness is recommended in everything except when embarking on opportunities for good-doing.’4

4002. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : إذا هَمَمتَ بِخَيرٍ فبادِرْ؛ فإنَّكَ لا تَدري ما يَحدُثُ5

4002. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘When you think of doing something good, rush to do it immediately for verily you do not know what could happen later [to prevent you from doing it].’6

(اُنظر) الخير : باب 676

(See also: GOOD: section 676)

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 142 / 4

2. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 142, no. 4

3. غرر الحكم : 1937

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 1937

5. الكافي : 2 / 142 / 3

6. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 142, no. 3

266 - العدل‏

266. JUSTICE

1227 - قيمَةُ العَدلِ‏

1227. THE IMPORTANCE OF JUSTICE

4003. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَدلُ أساسٌ بِه قِوامُ العالَمِ1

4003. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Justice is the base that supports the whole world.’2

4004. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : جَعَلَ اللَّهُ سُبحانَهُ العَدلَ قِواماً لِلأنامِ، وتَنزيهاً مِنَ المَظالِمِ والآثامِ، وتَسنِيَةً لِلإسلامِ3

4004. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Allah, Glory be to Him, made justice a support for mankind, an eliminator of wrongs and sins, and an facilitator for Islam.’4

4005. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَدلُ قِوامُ الرَّعِيَّةِ وجَمالُ الوُلاةِ5

4005. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Justice is the support of the masses and the beauty [adornment] of the governors.’6

4006. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَدلُ جُنَّةُ الدُّوَلِ7

4006. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Justice is the shield of the nations.’8

4007. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : بِالعَدلِ تَصلُحُ الرَّعِيَّةُ9

4007. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The masses behave righteously through justice.’10

4008. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : بِالعَدلِ تَتَضاعَفُ البَرَكاتُ11

4008. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Blessings are multiplied through justice.’12

4009. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : العَدلُ نِظامُ الإمرَةِ13

4009. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Justice brings about order and endurance in authority.’14

4010. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : ما عُمِّرَتِ البُلدانُ بِمِثلِ العَدلِ15

4010. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Nothing can cause nations to flourish like justice.’16

4011. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - لَمّا سُئلَ عَن أفضَلِيّةِ العَدلِ أو الجُودِ - : العَدلُ يَضَعُ الاُمورَ مَواضِعَها، والجُودُ يُخرِجُها مِن جِهَتِها، والعَدلُ سائسٌ عامٌّ، والجُودُ عارِضٌ خاصٌّ، فالعَدلُ أشرَفُهُما وأفضَلُهُما17

4011. Imam Ali (AS) was once asked which was better, justice or generosity, to which he replied, ‘Justice puts things in their rightful place, whereas generosity takes them away from their course. Justice is a general predominant state, whereas generosity is a transient characteristic. Justice is therefore the nobler and better of the two.’18

4012. فاطمةُ الزَّهراءُ عليها السلام : فَرَضَ العَدلَ تَسكيناً لِلقُلوبِ19

4012. Fatima al-Zahra’ (AS) said, ‘Allah has made justice incumbent as a source of tranquility for the hearts.’20

4013. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : العَدلُ أحلى‏ مِنَ الماءِ يُصيبُهُ الظَّمآنُ21

4013. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Justice is sweeter than water to a thirsty man.’22

4014. الإمامُ الصّادقُ عليه السلام : العَدلُ أحلى‏ مِنَ الشَّهدِ، وأليَنُ مِنَ الزُّبدِ، وأطيَبُ ريحاً مِنَ المِسكِ23

4014. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘Justice is sweeter than honey, softer than butter and smells more fragrant than musk.’24

Notes

1. مطالب السؤول : 61

2. Matalib al-Sa’ul, p. 61

3. غرر الحكم : 4789

4. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 4789

5. غرر الحكم : 1954

6. Ibid. no. 1954

7. غرر الحكم : 1873

8. Ibid. no. 1873

9. غرر الحكم : 4215

10. Ibid. no. 4215

11. غرر الحكم : 4211

12. Ibid. no. 4211

13. غررالحكم : 774

14. Ibid. no. 774

15. غررالحكم : 9543

16. Ibid. no. 9534

17. نهج البلاغة : الحكمة 437

18. Nahj al-Balagha, Saying 437

19. علل الشرائع : 248 / 2

20. Ilal al-Shara’i , p. 247, no. 2

21. الكافي : 2 / 146 / 11

22. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 146, no. 11

23. الكافي : 2 / 147 / 15

24. Ibid. p. 147, no. 15

1228 - صِفاتُ العادِلِ‏

1228. QUALITIES OF A JUST PERSON

4015. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن عامَلَ النّاسَ فلَم يَظلِمْهُم، وَحَدَّثَهُم فلَم يَكذِبْهُم، ووَعَدَهُم فلَم يُخلِفْهُم، فَهُو مِمَّن كَمُلَت مُروءَتُهُ، وظَهَرَت عَدالَتُهُ، ووَجَبَت اُخُوَّتُهُ، وحَرُمَت غِيبَتُهُ1

4015. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who treats people in such a way that he never wrongs them, and speaks to them and never lies to them, and when he makes a promise to them he never breaks it, such a person is perfect in his valorous qualities, his justice is manifest, and it becomes obligatory to consider him as one’s brother and prohibited to backbite him.’2

4016. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن صاحَبَ النّاسَ بِالَّذي يُحِبُّ أن يُصاحِبوهُ كانَ عَدلاً3

4016. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘He who associates with people as he himself would like others to associate with him is indeed just.’4

Notes

1. الخصال : 208 / 28

2. al-Khisal, p. 208, no. 28

3. كنز الفوائد : 2 / 162

4. Kanz al-Fawa’id, v. 2, p. 162

1229 - الوَصِيَّةُ بِالعَدلِ عَلَى الصَّدِيقِ وَالعَدُوِّ

1229. ADVICE TO BE JUST AND FAIR WITH ONE’S FRIEND AND ENEMY

( يا أَيُّها الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ لِلَّهِ شُهَداءَ بِالقِسْطِ وَلا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَآنُ قَوْمٍ عَلَى أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا اعْدِلُوا هُوَ أَقْرَبُ لِلتَّقْوَى وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِما تَعْمَلُونَ)1

“O you who have faith! Be maintainers of justice, as witnesses for the sake of Allah, and ill feeling for a people should never lead you to be unfair. Be fair; that is nearer to Godwariness, and be wary of Allah.’ Allah is indeed well aware of what you do.” 2

4017. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام - في وَصِيَّتِهِ لِابنِهِ الحُسَينِ عليه السلام - : اُوصيكَ بِتَقوَى اللَّهِ في الغِنى‏ والفَقرِ وبِالعَدلِ عَلَى الصَّديقِ والعَدُوِّ3

4017. Imam Ali (AS) said in his will to his son al-Husayn (AS), ‘I advise you to be wary of your duty to Allah in wealth and poverty … and [I advise you] of being just towards both friend and foe.’4

Notes

1. المائدة : 8

2. Qur’an 5 :8

3. تحف العقول : 88

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 88

1230 - أعدَلُ النّاسِ‏

1230. THE MOST JUST OF PEOPLE

4018. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أعدَلُ النّاسِ مَن أنصَفَ عَن قُوَّةٍ1

4018. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The most just person is he who uses his strength even-handedly.’2

4019. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : أعدَلُ الخَلقِ أقضاهُم بالحَقِّ3

4019. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The most just from all creation is he who judges best according to the truth.’4

4020. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : غايَةُ العَدلِ أن يَعدِلَ المَرءُ في نَفسِهِ5

4020. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The peak of justiceinately.’6

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 3242

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 3242

3. غرر الحكم : 3014

4. Ibid. no. 3014

5. غرر الحكم : 6368

6. Ibid. no. 6368

267 - العداوة

267. ENMITY

1231 - النَّهيُ عَنِ المُعاداةِ

1231. PROHIBITION OF SHOWING ENMITY TOWARD ANYONE

4021. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ما عَهِدَ إلَيَّ جَبرَئيلُ عليه السلام في شَي‏ءٍ ما عَهِدَ إلَيَّ في مُعاداةِ الرِّجالِ1

4021. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Gabriel has not exhorted me against anything like he has exhorted me against showing enmity towards people.’2

4022. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : ما نُهِيتُ عن شَي‏ءٍ بَعدَ عِبادَةِ الأوثانِ ما نُهِيتُ عَن مُلاحاةِ الرِّجالِ3

4022. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘After idol-worship, I have not been prohibited with anything as significantly as I have been prohibited hostility towards people.’4

4023. رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : مَن لاحَى الرِّجالَ سَقَطَت مُروءَتُهُ وذَهَبَت كَرامَتُهُ5

4023. The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Whoever shows hostility towards others, his gallantry wanes and his kindness vanishes.’6

4024. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : رَأسُ الجَهلِ مُعاداةُ النّاسِ7

4024. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The peak of ignorance is showing enmity towards people.’8

4025. الإمامُ الباقرُ عليه السلام : إيّاكُم والخُصومَةَ ؛ فإنَّها تُفسِدُ القَلبَ وتُورِثُ النِّفاقَ9

4025. Imam al-Baqir (AS) said, ‘Beware of antagonistic dispute for verily it corrupts the heart and engenders hypocrisy.’10

Notes

1. الكافي : 2 / 302 / 11

2. al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 202, no. 11

3. تحف العقول : 42

4. Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 42

5. الأمالي للطوسي : 512 / 1119

6. Amali al-Tusi, p. 512, no. 1119

7. غرر الحكم : 5247

8. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 5237

9. حلية الأولياء : 3 / 184 / 235

10. Hilyat al-Awliya’, v. 3, p. 184, no. 235

1232 - بَذرُ العَداوَةِ

1232. THE SEED OF ENMITY

4026. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام: عِلَّةُ المُعاداةِ قِلَّةُ المُبالاةِ1

4026. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The cause of enmity is lack of consideration [for others].’2

4027. الإمامُ عليٌّ عليه السلام : لِكُلِّ شَي‏ءٍ بَذرٌ وبَذرُ العَداوَةِ المِزاحُ3

4027. Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Everything has a seed, and the seed of enmity is mockery.’4

Notes

1. غرر الحكم : 6302

2. Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 6302

3. غرر الحكم : 7316

4. Ibid. 7316