Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPILER

All praise is due to the true Master and Deserver of all praise. Honorable blessings and peace be upon the honorable being-Mohammed the seal of the great prophets and messengers of Allah and his immaculate daughter and noble sinless successors.

So then, these are dear pearls and bright jewels. They are commandments that were produced by the head of prophecy, the core of the Divine Epistle, the zone of the divine blessings, and the revealer of the endless mercies; Allah bless him as well as his immaculate successors who are the honorable beings in the sight of Allah. Then comes the solver of the problems and the arbitrator of the issues; our master and leader Amir ul-Mu’minin -commander of the faithful believers- and the Imam of the Muslims Ali bin Abi Talib, Allah bless him as well as his sinless progeny. Blessed are those who retain the coming commandments and store them in their hearts and welcome to those who will exert efforts for retaining them by means of their sound intellect and mind.

THE PROPHET’S COMMANDMENTS FOR AMIR UL-MU’MININ

(1) Hemmad bin Amr and Anas bin Mohammed related from his father[41]from Ja’far bin Mohammed from his father from his grandfather from Ali bin Abi Talib (a) that the Prophet (s) said to him:

O Ali, I will convey to you a commandment that you should retain. You will keep up yourself in goodness as long as you follow my commandment.

O Ali, for those who suppress their anger while they are able to punish, Allah will endow them with security and tasteful faith on the Day of Resurrection.

O Ali, he who does not provide a proper will in his final hours is suffering a defect in his personality and will be deprived of the right of Intercession.[42]

O Ali, the best of jihad is to begin your day without intending to oppress anybody.

O Ali, he whose utterance is avoided by people will be an inhabitant of Hell.

O Ali, the evilest of my people are those whom people respect for avoiding their evildoings.[43]

O Ali, the evilest people are those who sold their lives to come with their worldly lives. Those who sold their lives to come with others’ worldly lives are eviler than the previous.

O Ali, he who rejects an apology, whether true or false, will be deprived of my Intercession (on the Day of Resurrection).

O Ali, Allah liked telling fibs for the purpose of conciliation and disliked telling truths for the purpose of antagonism.[44]

O Ali, for those who give up drinking wines for sake of something other than Allah, Allah will serve them with the sealed wine of Paradise.

Ali (a) wondered: “Even if it is for sake of something other than Allah?”

The Prophet (s) answered: Yes, it is. Even if he gives it up for saving himself (from its disadvantages). Allah will thank him for so.[45]

O Ali, the drinker of wines is as same as the idolater.[46]

O Ali, for the drinkers of wines, Allah will not accept their prayers for forty days. If they die in this period, they will be regarded as the atheists.

Commentary of the compiler:

(Only those who deem lawful to drink wines are included in such a ruling.)

O Ali, any intoxicating drink is haram –prohibited-. A single dose of a drink whose much amount causes intoxication is haram.

O Ali, all the sins are situated in a house whose key is drinking wines.

O Ali, an hour comes upon the drinkers of wines in which they do not realize their Almighty Lord.

O Ali, to move a mountain from its place is easier than trying to ruin a power in other than its deadline.

O Ali, it is worthless to sit with him who does not benefit by his religion and his worldly life.[47]You should not respect or honor him who did not respect and honor you.

O Ali, the (faithful) believer should enjoy eight characters; he should be venerable in shaking situations, steadfast against misfortunes, thankful in luxury, satisfied with what Allah has decided for him, avoid oppressing the enemies, avoid overtaxing the associates, should fatigue his body, and make people feel glad with him.

O Ali, the prayers of four classes of people are never refuted: the just rulers, fathers when they pray for their sons, people who pray for their brothers secretly, and the oppressed. Allah says: By My glory and majesty I take the oath, I will give triumph to the oppressed even if a long period passes.

O Ali, eight classes of people should blame no one but themselves if they are insulted: he who attends a banquet without invitation, he who behaves imperiously upon the owner, he who seeks goodness from his enemies, he who seeks favors from the mean ones, he who intrudes himself in a secret matter of two persons, he who mocks at the rulers, he who sits himself in an improper place, and he who speaks to him who does not listen to him.

O Ali, forevery obscene, indecent, and shameless individual who does not care for his speech or for what is said to him, Allah has banned him from being in Paradise.

O Ali, blessed is he whose age is long and deeds are good.

O Ali, do not joke; lest, you will lose respect, and do not tell untruths; lest, you will lose illumination. Beware of two characters: indolence and laziness, for if you are indolent, you will not stand the right and if you are lazy, you will not fulfill the right properly.

O Ali, every sin can be repented except bad mannerism. Whenever the ill-mannered quits a sin, he enters into another.

O Ali, four matters are the quickest in punishment: to recompense the favor with mistreatment, to trespass him who does not show hostility, to break the faith of the party who keeps up his faith, and to rupture the relations with the relatives who regard you properly.

O Ali, rest will depart him whomever is predominated by indolence.

O Ali, a Muslim should enjoy twelve characters in regard with sitting to the dining tables, four of which are obligatory, four are recommendable, and four are ethical.

The four obligatory characters are to know what to eat, begin withbismillahirrahmanirraheem (In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful), thank, and satisfy (yourself with the food).

The four recommendable characters are to rely on the left leg, eat with three fingers, eat from only what is before you, and suck the fingers.

The four ethical characters are to make the bite as small as possible, chew the food properly, avoid looking in people’s faces, and wash the hands.

O Ali, Allah created Paradise from two adobes: golden and silver. He created the walls from corundum, the ceiling from aquamarine, the pebbles from pearl, and the dust from saffron and odorous musk. Then Allah ordered it to speak; hence, Paradise said: “No god but Allah the Everlasting the Eternal. He who enters me will be surely happy.”

Allah then said: “By My glory and majesty I swear, the alcoholic, the talebearers, the pimps, the detectives, the effeminate, the gravediggers, the tithers, the disregarders (of their relatives), and the Qadarites[48]-all these shall not enter Paradise.”

O Ali, ten people of this umma are disbelieving in Almighty Allah: the talebearer, the sorcerer, the pimp, he who copulates with a lady annally illegally, he who copulates with an animal, he who copulates with married ladies, the agitator, he who sells weapons to the parties of war, he who refrains from defraying the zakat, and he who dies before he performs the obligatory hajj while he was wealthy enough to do so.

O Ali, banquets should be served only in five situations: wedding parties, birth of male babies, circumcision, purchase of houses, and arrival from Mecca (after performing the hajj).

Commentary of The compiler:[49]

… The Prophet (s) said: To observe fasting in winter is a blessed gain.[50]

O Ali, the intelligent should not travel except in three situations: in seeking the worldly earnings, getting supplies for the life to come, and gaining a legal pleasure.

O Ali, three manners are the charities of this world and the world to come: to pardon him who oppressed you, regard him who ruptured relations with you, and possess yourself when one’s ignorance inflicts you.

O Ali, employ four before the falling of four: employ your youth before old age comes upon you, employ your health before ailment comes upon you, employ your wealth before poverty comes upon you, and employ your life before death comes upon you.

O Ali, Allah disliked for my people to play during offering prayers, to remind those to whom alms are given of favors, to attend in mosques while being ceremonially impure, to laugh among graves, to spy on houses, and to look in women’s genitals, for this may cause blindness.

Allah also disliked (for people) to speak while copulation, for this may cause deafness.

He disliked to sleep in the period between the Maghrib Prayer and the Esha’ Prayer, for this may deprive of sustenance.

He disliked to wash oneself (naked) outdoors unless an apron is put on.

He disliked to be in rivers very naked, for they are inhabited by angels.

He disliked to be in bathrooms very naked unless an apron is put on.

He disliked to speak between the azan and iqama of the Fajr Prayer.

He disliked to embark on a ship in seaways.

He disliked to sleep on a surface (of a house) without a fence and said: “No responsibility is taken of those who sleep on a surface (of a house) without a fence.”

He disliked for men to sleep alone in a house.

He disliked for men to copulate with their menstrual women for if their babies are born mad or leprous, they should not blame anybody but themselves.

He disliked to speak with leprous people unless a distance of one cubit is left between the two.

(The Prophet (a) said: Escape the leprous people in the same way as you escape from lions.[51])[52]

Allah disliked for men who had wet dreams to copulate with their women before they wash themselves. If they copulate before washing themselves and their babies are born insane, they should blame nobody except themselves.

He disliked to urinate on the coast of a running river.

He disliked for men to excrete under a fruitful tree (including date-palm trees).

He disliked for men to excrete while they are standing up.

He disliked for men to wear sandals while they are standing up.

He disliked for men to enter dark houses unless there is a torch in the hand.

O Ali, pride is the epidemic of ancestry.

O Ali, as for him who fears Allah, Allah will make everything fear him, and will make him who does not fear Him fear everything.

O Ali, Allah will not accept the prayers of eight classes: the fugitive slaves until they return to their masters, the recalcitrant wives whose husbands are angry at them, those who refrain from defraying the zakat, those who leave the (ritual) ablution, the pubescent bondmaids who offer the prayers without veils, the imam (of a collective prayer) whose followers are not satisfied with him, the drunken, and those who resisted urination and excretion.

O Ali, Allah will establish a house in Paradise for those who enjoy four characters: to shelter the orphans, compassion the weak, treat the parents kindly, and treat the slaves leniently.

O Ali, those who meet Allah enjoying three features are the most favorable of people: the best worshipper is he who fulfills the obligatory duties of Allah properly. The most pious of people is he who abstains from the forbidden matters. The wealthiest of people is he who satisfies himself with that which Allah has given to him.

O Ali, the umma cannot stand three characters: to console the friends by offering them one’s fortune, to consider people fairly, and to mention Allah in every situation. To mention Allah does not mean to utter:subhaanallah walhamdu lillah wa la ilaha illallah wallahu akbar (All Glory is to Allah, All praise is to Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the most greatest). To mention Allah stands for leaving a prohibited matter out of fear of Allah.

O Ali, three will wrong you if you do not wrong them: the lows, the wife, and the servant.[53]

Three cannot be treated fairly by three: the masters cannot be treated fairly by the slaves, the knowledgeable cannot be treated fairly by the ignorant, and the strong cannot be treated fairly by the weak.

O Ali, the reality of faith and the portals of Paradise are perfect and opened for those who enjoy seven characters: to perform the (ritual) ablution properly, offer the prayers perfectly, defray the zakat, suppress the anger, control the tongue, seek Allah’s forgiveness for the sin, and advise for the sake of (following) the Prophet’s household.

O Ali, Allah curse three ones: those who eat their food alone, those who travel in the deserts alone, and those who pass a night in a house alone.

O Ali, insanity is expected from doing three things: to excrete among graves, to walk in a single sandal, and to sleep alone (in a house).

O Ali, lying is acceptable in three situations: in trickeries of war, promising one’s wife, and reconciliation between two parties.

O Ali, sitting with three ones deadens the heart: the mean, the rich, and to talk with women (excessively).

O Ali, within the realities of faith is to spend in times of hardship, treat people fairly, and offer knowledge to the learners.

O Ali, a man’s deed is imperfect before he enjoys three characters: piety that stops him from committing acts of disobedience to Allah, morality through which people are treated courteously, and clemency by which the ignorance of the ignorant is refuted.

O Ali, a (faithful) believer has three situations of bliss: meeting with the friends, offering food to the fasting, and practicing rites of worship in the last hours of night.

O Ali, I warn you against three characters: envy, acquisitiveness, and arrogance.

O Ali,four things are signs of unhappiness: solidity of the eye, hardheartedness, long hope, and fondness of the worldly survival.

O Ali, three characters raise the rank, three others forgive the sins, three others cause perdition, and three others achieve salvation.

The three characters that raise the rank are to perform the (ritual) ablution perfectly in biting cold, to wait for the coming prayer after accomplishing the current one, and to walk to the collective prayers in days and nights.

The three characters that cause the sins to be forgotten are to greet everybody, to offer food (to the needy), and to worship at nights when people are sleeping.

The three characters that cause perdition are the obeyed niggardliness, the pursued passion, and self-conceit.

The three characters that achieve salvation are to fear Allah, Exalted is He, openly and secretly, to be moderate in richness and poverty, and to say the right in situations of satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

O Ali, suckling after weaning is void and orphanage after puberty is meaningless.

O Ali, walk for two years so as to treat your parents piously[54], walk for one year so as to regard your relatives, walk for a mile so as to visit a sick person, walk for two miles so as to participate in a funeral ceremony, walk for three miles so as to answer an invitation, walk for four miles so as to visit a friend with whom you made friends for the sake of Allah, walk for five miles so as to aid a seeker of help, walk six miles for the sake of supporting the oppressed, and keep on seeking Allah’s forgiveness.

O Ali, there are three signs for the (faithful) believers: offering prayers, paying the zakat, and fasting.

The false believer enjoys three characteristics: he flatters slavishly when he witnesses (a situation), backbites the absent, and rejoices over the others’ misfortunes.[55]

The unjust people enjoy three characteristics: they dominate him who is less powerful than they are by means of their powers, dominate him who is more powerful than they are by means of acts of disobedience (to Allah)[56], and support the oppressors.

The showy has three characteristics: he activates among people, becomes lazy when he is alone, and desires to be praised in all situations.

The hypocrite has three characteristics: he lies in speech, breaks his promise, and breaches his trusts.

O Ali, nine things cause oblivion: to eat sour apples, to eat coriander and cheese, to eat remainders of mice, to recite the writings of the graves, to walk between two women, to kill lice, to cup in the pit of the head, and to urinate in stagnant water.

O Ali, nice life lies in three: wide house, beautiful maiden, and handsome horse.

…[57]

O Ali, if the modest, in the government of the evils, are in the bottom of a well, Allah will cause wind to blow for raising them over the good people.

O Ali, Allah curse those who claim of being the subjects of other than their (true) masters. Allah curse those who refrain from giving the wage of a hireling. Allah curse those who brings about a heresy or protect him who brings about a heresy.

‘O Allah’s Messenger,’ he was asked, ‘What is that heresy?’ He (s) answered, ‘It is killing.’

O Ali, the true believer is only he whom Muslims can trust in regard with their estates and souls. The true Muslim is only he whom Muslims are saved from his hand –physical harm- and tongue- verbal harm-. The true Muhajir –emigrant- is that who deserts the sins.

O Ali, the firmest handle of faith is to support and hate for the sake of Allah.

O Ali, for those who obey their wives, Allah will turn them on the faces in Hell.

Ali (a) asked, ‘What sort of obedience is that?’ The Prophet (s) answered:

(That obedience is) to permit her to participate the collections[58]of women, go for wedding parties, go for mourning ceremonies, and wear transparent clothes.

O Ali, by way of Islam, Allah took away the arrogance and taking pride in ancestors that were followed in the pre-Islamic era. All people are (the offspring) of Adam who was created from dust. The honorable among them in the sight of Allah is the most pious of them.

O Ali, prices of the dead animals, dogs, and wine, dowry of the fornicatress, bribe of the judge, and wages of the diviner-all these are parts of ill-gotten properties.

O Ali, as for those who learn (knowledge) for the purpose of disputing with the foolish ones, vying proudly with the scholars, or attracting people’s attentions so that they will deify them, they will be in Hell.

O Ali, when a servant (of Allah) dies, people ask about what he leaves, while the angels ask about what he has advanced.

O Ali, this world is the jail of the believer and the paradise of the atheist.

O Ali, sudden death is rest for the believers and regret for the disbelievers.

O Ali, Allah revealed to this world: “Serve him who will serve Me and disturb him who will serve you.”[59]

O Ali, Allah will not give any atheist or hypocrite a single drink of water of this world if it equals for Him the amount of a mosquito’s wing.

O Ali, on the Day of Resurrection, every individual, including all the past and the coming generations, will hope were they given only the minimum sustenance.

O Ali, the evilest of people is that who complains against the act of Allah.

O Ali, as for the believers, their moaning is (regarded as)Tasbih -sayingsubhaanallah: All glory is due to Allah-, their cries aretahlil -sayingla ilaha illallah : there is no god but Allah-, their sleep in beds is a sort of worship, and their turnings are (regarded as) jihad for Allah’s sake. If they are cured, they walk among people guiltless.

O Ali, if a foot of an animal is presented to me, I will accept it. If I am invited to a foot of a sheep[60], I will answer.

O Ali, it is not obligatory upon women to attend the Friday Prayers and the collective prayers, recite the azan or the iqama, visit the sick, participate in funeral ceremonies, roam between Safa and Marwa, kiss the Black Stone, have their hair cut (as a ritual of the hajj), assume the magistrature, be consulted, slaughter animals except in emergencies, recite thetalbiya loudly, reside near a grave, listen to the sermon (of the Friday Prayers), and manage the ceremonies of their marriage themselves. Women should not leave their husbands’ houses before they obtain their permissions; lest, Allah, Gabriel, and Michael –the angles- will curse them. They should also avoid giving anything of their husbands’ houses before they obtain their permission and avoid passing a single night while their husbands are angry at them even the husbands were the wrong.

O Ali, Islam is naked; pudency is its dress, gravity is its ornament, righteous deed is its personality, and piety is its support. Everything has its basis; the basis of Islam is to cherish us-the Prophet’s household.

O Ali, bad mannerism is evil omen and the compliance with women is regret.

O Ali, if evil omen is found in something, it will definitely be found in women’s tongues.

O Ali, the light will be saved while the heavy will lose.

O Ali, he who forges lies against me intentionally should find himself a place in Hell.

O Ali, three things better the memory and remove the phlegm: chewing gum, cleaning the teeth (with a special stick called ‘miswak’), and reciting the Quran.

O Ali, cleaning the teeth (with a special stick called ‘miswak’) is a recommendable practice, for it purifies the mouth, betters the sight, satisfies the Lord, whitens the teeth, removes the bad smell of mouth, strengthens the gums, stimulates the appetite, removes the phlegm, betters the memory, doubles the advantages, and makes the angels happy.

O Ali, sleep is of four categories: the sleep of the prophets is on their backs, the sleep of the faithful believers is on their right sides, the sleep of the atheists and the hypocrites is on their left sides, and the sleep on the devils is on their faces.

O Ali, Allah selects the progeny of every messenger that He chooses from that messenger’s descendants, but He selects my progeny from your descendants. Without you, I would not have progeny.

O Ali, four matters deal a death blow: a leader who is obeyed while he disobeys Allah, a wife who betrays her husband while he considers her, a cureless poverty, and a bad neighbor in the permanent residence.

O Ali, in the pre-Islamic era, Abdul-Muttalib passed five laws that Allah enacted in Islam. He forbade sons from marrying their fathers’ women, and Allah revealed: “Do not marry, from now on, the ex-wives of your fathers.” (4:22)

As Abdul-Muttalib found a treasure, he gave its one-fifth as alms. Allah revealed: “Know that whatever property you may gain, one fifth belongs to Allah, the Messenger, the kindred, orphans, the needy and those who need money while on a journey.” (8:41)

When he dug the Zamzam spring, he called it ‘the watering of the pilgrims’. Allah revealed: “Do you, because you served water to the pilgrims and constructed the Sacred Mosque, consider yourselves equal to those who have believed in Allah, the Day of Judgment, and have fought for the cause of Allah?” (9:19)

Abdul-Muttalib issued the law that one hundred camels should be paid as the blood money of murdering. Allah passed the same in Islam.

For the Koreishites, they did not stop at a limited number of circumambulations around the Kaaba; hence, Abdul-Muttalib decided seven circulations for them. In Islam, Allah passed this law.

O Ali, Abdul-Muttalib used to avoid dividing by casting superstitious and gambling arrows, worshipping the idols, and having the flesh of an animal that had been sacrificed on the stone blocks. He used to say: I follow the religion of my father Abraham the prophet (a).

O Ali, the people of the most admirable faith and the greatest conviction are those who will live in the last of time: they did not catch (the time) of the Prophet (s) and were not given an opportunity to meet the Representative of Allah; yet, they believed while they did not see anything.

O Ali, three matters harden the heart: listening to the unlawful amusement, seeking of hunt, and stopping at the rulers’ doors.

O Ali, do not offer prayers while you wear a skin of an animal whose milk is unlawful to drink or a skin of an animal whose meat is unlawful to eat. Do not offer prayers in Thatul-Jaysh, Thatus-Salassil, and Dhajnan.[61]

O Ali, eat only the eggs whose edges are not even, the fish who has shells, the birds whose wings are flapping and leave those whose wings are still, and the waterfowls that have gizzards or back nails.

It is unlawful to have the meat of any beast that has a canine tooth or any bird that has a claw.

O Ali, it is unacceptable to offer fruits or treasure[62]in mortmain.

O Ali, it is unacceptable for the fornicators to slaughter an animal as ransom. There is no doctrinal provision for the innuendo and there is no intercession in the execution of the doctrinal provisions. Oaths are invalid if they are taken for rupturing the relations of kinship. The oath of sons, wives, and slaves regarding their fathers, husbands, and masters is void. To observe fasting a whole day up to night is void. To fast for two (or more) days ceaselessly is void. To migrate to the non-Muslim countries -after living in a Muslim country- is void.

O Ali, retaliation is inoperative for fathers who kill their sons.

O Ali, Allah, Exalted is He, will not answer the prayer of an inattentive heart.

O Ali, the sleep of the knowledgeable is better than the rituals of the (unknowing) worshipper.

O Ali, two rak’as of the knowledgeable is better than one thousand rak’as of the (unknowing) worshipper.

O Ali, it is unacceptable for wives, slaves, and guests to offer optional prayers before they obtain the permission of the husbands, masters, and hosts (respectively).

O Ali, it is haram to fast on the days of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha. It is also haram to fast on two days continuously, fast from speaking, fast for the vow of an act of disobedience to Allah, and fast all lifetime.

O Ali, fornication causes six bad consequences; three are in this world and the others are in the world to come. Regarding the three of this world, it takes away the brightness, hastens the perdition, and stops the sustenance. Regarding the three that are in the world to come, it causes hard judgment, dissatisfaction of the Beneficent Allah, and immortality in the fire (of Hell).

O Ali, usury is of seventy parts the (punishment of the) easiest of which is as same (punishment) as perpetrating incest with one’s mother inside the Holy House of Allah.

O Ali, a single dirham of usury is more horrible in the sight of Allah than seventy times of the commitment of incest inside the Holy House of Allah.

O Ali, he who refuses to pay a single carat of the zakat of his estate is definitely neither believer nor Muslim.

O Ali, those who neglect to defray the zakat will ask Allah to take them back to the world. They are the intendeds in Allah’s saying: “ When death approaches one of them, he says, ‘Lord, send me back again so that perhaps I shall act righteously for the rest of my life.’ Although he will say so but his wish will never come true. After death they will be behind a barrier until the day of their resurrection.” (23:99-100)

O Ali, those who omit performing the hajj while they are capable enough for so are regarded as disbelievers. Allah says: “Those who have the means and ability have a duty to Allah to visit the House and perform the hajj (pilgrimage) rituals.” (3:97)

O Ali, as for him who neglects to perform the hajj until he dies, Allah will reckon him with the Jews or the Christians on the Day of Resurrection.

O Ali, almsgiving stops the act of Allah that is finally determined.

O Ali, regard of the kinship increases the age.

O Ali, begin and end your meals with salt, for it cures from seventy-two maladies.

O Ali, when I come up to the Praiseworthy Position[63], I will intercede for my father, uncle, mother, and a friend of mine in the pre-Islamic era.

O Ali, I am the son of the two slain men.[64]

O Ali, I am the pray of my father Abraham the prophet.[65]

O Ali, the best of intellect is that by which Paradise is gained and the satisfaction of the Beneficent Allah is sought.

O Ali, the first creation of Allah was the intellect. When Allah created him, He said to him: “Approach (by Me).” The intellect approached. Allah said: “Go away.” The intellect went away. Then, Allah said: “By My glory and loftiness I swear, I have never created anything that is more favorable to Me than you are. By you, I will give and take. The reward will be for you and the punishment will fall on you.”

O Ali, almsgiving (to the strangers) is unacceptable when one of the relatives is needy.

O Ali, to spend a single dirham for the dye is better than one thousand dirhams that are spend for the sake of Allah. There are fourteen characteristics in the dye: it releases the wind from the ears, betters the sight, softens the nasals, scents the flavor, strengthens the gums, dismisses feebleness, lessens the devilish inspirations, gladdens the angels, bears the good tidings to the believers, enrages the disbeliever, (it is his ornament and odor,) makes Munkar and Nakeer feel shy, and it is a document of acquittal (of sins) in the grave.

O Ali, wording is worthless unless it is applied practically. Appearances are worthless unless they agree with the reality. Wealth is worthless unless there is liberality. Truthfulness is worthless unless there is loyalty. Knowledge is worthless unless there is piety. Almsgiving is worthless unless there is good faith. Life is worthless unless there is health. Homeland is worthless unless there is security and pleasure.

O Ali, Allah deemed unlawful seven things of the sheep: the blood, genitals, urinary bladder, bone marrow, glands, spleen, and gallbladder.

O Ali, do not bargain with those from whom you want to buy a sacrifice (animal), a coffin, or a slave or when you want to hire a riding animal to Mecca.

O Ali, may I inform of the closest to my mannerism?      
“Yes, you may, Allah’s messenger,” said he. The Prophet (s) expressed:      The closest to my mannerism are the most well-mannered, the most self-possessed, the kindest to their relatives, and the fairest.

O Ali, my people will be saved from drowning if they recite the following (Quranic Verses) when they embark on ships:

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم وما قدروا الله حق قدره والأرض جميعاً قبضته يوم القيامة والسماوات مطويات بيمينه سبحانه وتعالى عما يشركون .

بسم الله مجراها ومرساها إن ربي غفور رحيم.

(In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. They have not paid due respect to Allah. The whole earth will be gripped in His hands on the Day of Judgment and the heavens will be just like a scroll in His right hand. Allah is too Glorious and High to be considered equal to their idols. 39:67

It will sail in the name of Allah, in His Name it will sail and in His Name it will cast anchor. My Lord is All-forgiving and All-merciful. 11:41)

O Ali, my people will be saved from larceny if they recite the following (Quranic Verses):

قُلِ ادْعواْ اللّهَ أَوِ ادْعُواْ الرَّحْمَنَ أَيًّا مَّا تَدْعُواْ فَلَهُ الأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى وَلاَ تَجْهَرْ بِصَلاَتِكَ وَلاَ تُخَافِتْ بِهَا وَابْتَغِ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ سَبِيلاًً وَقُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِي لَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَم يَكُن لَّهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ وَلِيٌّ مِّنَ الذُّلَّ وَكَبِّرْهُ تَكْبِيرًا.

( Muhammad, tell them, "It is all the same whether you call Him Allah or the Beneficent. All the good names belong to Him." (Muhammad), do not be too loud or slow in your prayer. Choose a moderate way of praying. Say, "It is only Allah who deserves all praise. He has not begotten a son and has no partner in His Kingdom. He does not need any guardian to help Him in His need. Proclaim His greatness. 17:110-1)

O Ali, my people will be saved from pulling down if they recite (Allah’s saying):

إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا وَلَئِن زَالَتَا إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ مِّن بَعْدِهِ إِنَّهُ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًا.

(Allah prevents the heavens and the earth from falling apart. If they do fall apart, then, no one besides Him can restore them. He is All-forbearing and All-forgiving. 35:41)

O Ali, my people will be saved from care if they recite:

لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله ، لا ملجأ ولا منجا من الله إلا إليه.

La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah, la malja’a wa la manja min allahi illa ilayh

(All power and might belong to Allah. No refuge and no escape from Allah except to Him.)

O Ali, my people will be saved from burning if they recite (Allah’s sayings):

إِنَّ وَلِيِّيَ اللّهُ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّالِحِينَ.

وما قدروا الله حق قدره والأرض جميعاً قبضته يوم القيامة والسماوات مطويات بيمينه سبحانه وتعالى عما يشركون .

(The true Guardian is certainly Allah who has revealed the Book and is the Guardian of the righteous ones. 7:196.)

(They have not paid due respect to Allah. The whole earth will be gripped in His hands on the Day of Judgment and the heavens will be just like a scroll in His right hand. Allah is too Glorious and High to be considered equal to their idols. 39:67)

O Ali, he who fears beasts should recite (Allah’s saying):

لَقدْ جاءكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَؤُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ فَإِن تَوَلَّوْاْ فَقُلْ حَسْبِيَ اللّهُ لا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَهُوَ رَبُّ الْعَرْشِ الْعَظِيم.

(A Messenger from your own people has come to you. Your destruction and suffering is extremely grievous to him. He really cares about you and is very compassionate and merciful to the believers. (Muhammad), if they turn away from you, say, "Allah is Sufficient (support) for me. There is no Allah but He. In Him do I trust and He is the Owner of the Great Throne." 9:128-9)

O Ali, he whose riding animal refuses to move should recite in its right ear (Allah’s saying):

وَلَهُ أَسْلَمَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُون.

(All that is in the heavens and the earth have submitted themselves to His will, either by their own free will or by force? To Allah do all things return. 3:83)

O Ali, he whose abdomen is affected by a yellow liquid should write the Verse of Kursi[66]on his abdomen and drink it.[67]By the will of Allah, he will be cured (if he exercise so).

O Ali, he who fears a sorcerer or a devil should recite (Allah’s saying):

إِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ اللّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ بِأَمْرِهِ أَلاَ لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ اللّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ.

(Your Lord is Allah who established His dominion over the Throne (of the realm) after having created the heavens and the earth in six days. He made the night darken the day which it pursues at a (considerable) speed and He made the sun and the moon submissive to His command. Is it not He Who creates and governs all things? Blessed is Allah, the Cherisher of the Universe. 7:54)

O Ali, the rights of sons that are imposed upon their fathers is to choose good name for them, educate them properly, and choose good positions for them. The rights of fathers that are imposed upon their sons is to avoid calling them by name, preceding them in paths, sitting before them, and entering to bathrooms with them.

O Ali, three deeds are originated from extreme solicitude: eating soil, clipping the nails with the teeth, and biting the hair of the beard.

O Ali, Allah curse the parents who encourage their sons to treat them disrespectfully.

O Ali, like sons’ treating their parents impiously, fathers may treat their sons impiously.

O Ali, Allah may have mercy upon the parents who educate their sons how to treat them respectfully.

O Ali, to depress the parents is impiety to them.

O Ali, for those who could defend their Muslim brothers whom had been backbitten but they did not, Allah will disappoint them in this world as well as the world to come.

O Ali, Paradise is unquestionably inevitable for him who meets the needs of an orphan out of his own fortune until that orphan attains maturity.

O Ali, for those who pass their hands on an orphan’s head as a sign of mercy, Allah will give them illumination for every single hair (of that head) on the Day of Resurrection.

O Ali, no poverty is harsher than ignorance, no fortune better than the intellect, no loneliness drearier than pride, no intellect like moderation, no piety like abstinence from the acts that Allah forbids, no lineage like good manners, and no worship like pondering (over things).

O Ali, untruth is the epidemic of talking, oblivion is the epidemic of knowledge, laziness is the epidemic of worship, arrogance is the epidemic of handsomeness, and envy is the epidemic of knowledge.

O Ali, four matters go uselessly: to eat after (attaining) satiety, to light a lamp in the moonlit, to seed in the briny land, and to do favors to the undeserved.

O Ali, he who forgets to seek blessings for me is missing the path to Paradise.

O Ali, beware of the knock of crow and the prey of lions.

O Ali, to put your hand to the elbow between the jaws of a dragon is better than asking those who have newly had fortune.

O Ali, the remotest people from Allah are those who avenge themselves improperly. He whoclaims of being the subject of other than his proper masters [68]is disbelieving in all that which was revealed to me by Allah, Powerful and Majestic is He.

O Ali, wear your ring in the right hand, for it is a merit of Allah for the preferential ones.

Imam Ali (a) asked: “What should I choose for the ring, Allah’s messenger?” He (s) answered:

Use the garnet, for it is the first mountain that declared its submission to Allah, Exalted is He, and confessed of my prophecy, your succession of prophecy, your sons’ imamate, your Shia’s being in Paradise, and your enemies’ being in Hell.

O Ali, as Allah, Powerful and Majestic is He, took a look at the creatures, He selected me among the men of this world. He took a second look and selected you among the men of this world. He took a third look and selected the Imams that are your descendants among the men of this world. He took a fourth look and selected Fatima among the women of this world.

O Ali, I saw your name attached to mine in four places. I was so delighted for so. When I was ascended to the heavens, I found that it was written on the Rock of the Jerusalem, ‘There is no god but Allah and Mohammed is the messenger of Allah. I support him with his successor and back him with his successor.’ I asked Gabriel (the angel) about that successor. “He is Ali bin Abi Talib,” answered the angel.

When I arrived at the Lote-tree (of the seventh heaven), I found that it was written on it, ‘I am Allah, there in no god but I exclusively. Mohammed is the choice of My creatures. I support him with his successor and back him with his successor.’ “Who is my successor?” I asked Gabriel. He answered, “He is Ali bin Abi Talib.”

When I passed by that Lote-tree, I came to the (Divine) Throne of the Lord of the worlds, Highly Exalted is He. On the supports of that Throne, I found that it was written, ‘I am Allah. There is no god but I exclusively. Mohammed is My dear. I support him with his successor and back him with his successor.’

When I raised my head to the inside of the Throne, I found that it was written, ‘I am Allah. There is no god but I exclusively. Mohammed is My slave and messenger. I support him with his successor and back him with his successor.’

O Ali, Allah gave you seven characters that are common with me. You, along with me, are the first man whose grave will be split apart (for the Resurrection). You, along with me, are the first man who will stand on the Path. You will be dressed when I will be dressed and you will be resurrected when I will be resurrected. You will be the first man who will live in Illiyyin with me. You will be the first man who will drink the sealed nectar (which is sealed by musk) of Paradise.[69]

The Prophet (s) then said to Salman al-Farsi, Allah may have mercy upon him:

O Salman, when you become sick, you win three things: you mention Allah continuously, your praying is answered, and all your sins are pardoned due to that ailment. Allah may make you enjoy good health up to the time of your death.[70]

The Prophet (s) then said to Abu Tharr, Allah may have mercy upon him:

O Abu Tharr, beware of petition, for it is present humiliation, current poverty, and will cause long judgment on the Day of Resurrection.

O Abu Tharr, you will live alone, die alone, and enter Paradise alone. Some Iraqi people will be delighted because of you. They will wash your (dead) body, arrange your funerals, and bury you.

O Abu Tharr, do not ask from people directly, but if something is offered to you, you should accept it.[71]

The Prophet (s) then said to his companions:

May I inform you of the evilest of you?

“Yes, you may, Allah’s messenger,” answered they. He (s) said:

They are the talebearers who sow enmity between the associates and stick defects to those who are acquitted of defects.[72]

Brief Sermons of the Prophet

The following are the first-time brief sermons of the Prophet (a) and his family:

(2) The high hand is better than the low.[73]

The few that is sufficient is better than the much that diverts.[74]

God-fearing is the best of provisions.[75]

The head of clemency is to fear Allah, Powerful and Majestic is He.[76]

Conviction is the best thing that is thrown in hearts.[77]

Doubt is a part of atheism.[78]

Lamentation is a non-Islamic deed.[79]

Drunkenness is the firebrand of Hell.[80]

Eblis is the source of poetry.[81]

Wine is the collector of all sins.[82]

Women are snares of Eblis.[83]

Youth is a branch of insanity.[84]

The worst of gains is the gain of usury.[85]

The worst of food is to seize the estate of an orphan wrongly.[86]

The true happy is that who learns lessons from others.[87]

The true unhappy is that who was unhappy in his mother’s womb (before he was born), and the true happy is that who was happy in his mother’s womb.[88]

The end of you all is that four cubits (grave).[89]

The worst usury is untruth.[90]

To revile at a believer is (regarded as) commitment of sins, to fight him is atheism, and to backbite him is an act of disobedience to Allah. The believers’ estates are as sanctified as their souls.[91]

Allah will reward him who suppresses his rage.[92]

Allah will recompense him who is steadfast against misfortunes.[93]

Now, the heat of battle is fiery.[94]

The believers should not be stung in the same place twice.[95]

Nothing wrongs a man except his own hand.[96]

The true strong is that who overcomes his own whims.[97]

Reporting is not like witnessing.[98]

O Allah, bless my people who wake up (or settle their needs) early on Saturdays and Thursdays.[99]

Sessions should be kept secret.[100]

The master of a people is their servant.[101]

If a mountain oppresses a mountain, Allah will turn it into dust.[102]

Begin with your dependants.[103]

(Strategies of) War is trickery.[104]

The Muslims are mirrors of each other.[105]

He died despite of his nose.[106]

Misfortunes follow the utterance.[107]

People are equal like the teeth of a comb.[108]

There is no malady more extremely than niggardliness.[109]

Pudency is good all in all.[110]

Perjury changes countries into deserted wastelands.[111]

Aggression is the quickest in punishment.[112]

Charity is the quickest in rewarding.[113]

Muslims should respect their stipulations.[114]

Some poetry is (words of) wisdom and some speech has magical influence.[115]

Compassion them who are on this earth and you will be compassioned by Him Who is in the Heavens.[116]

Those who are killed during defending their wealth are martyrs.[117]

Those who withdraw their gifts are as same as those who swallow their vomit.[118]

It is illicit for two believers to desert each other for more than three days.[119]

He who does not have mercy upon others will not enjoy others’ mercy.[120]

Sorrow is repentance.[121]

The baby is for the owner of the bed, and the share of the prostitute is the stone. [122]

The guide to a good deed is (rewarded) as same as those who fix to it. [123]

The love of something causes blindness and deafness. [124]

He who does not show gratitude to people will not show gratitude to Allah. [125]

Except the deviants, no one shelters the deviant. [126]

Guard (yourselves) against Hell even by a half of a single grain of dates (that you should give as alms). [127]

Spirits are in groups. Amicability occurs only between the spirits that are acquainted with one another while disagreement occurs between those who oppose one another. [128]

The procrastination of the wealthy is oppression. [129]

Traveling is a piece of fire. [130]

Like gold and silver, people are different metals. [131]

The owner of a session is the most meritorious of the seat of priority. [132]

Cast dust in the faces of the eulogists. [133]

Cause earnings to come down by means of almsgiving.[134]

Repeal the misfortunes by praying (to Allah).[135]

Hearts (i.e. souls) are amended to love those who do them favors and hate those who maltreat them.[136]

Almsgiving will never cause reduction of a fortune.[137]

Almsgiving (to the strangers) is unacceptable when any of the relatives is needy.[138]

Health and free time are two ignored graces.[139]

Amnesty of kings perpetuates their kingdoms.[140]

Husbands’ prestige[141]improves their wives’ chastity.[142]

No creature should be obeyed in matters that (cause or) are regarded as acts of disobedience to the Creator.[143]

Imam Ali and A Syrian Old Man

(72) Mohammed bin Ibrahim bin Ishaq related to me from Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Saeed al-Hamadani from al-Hasan bin al-Qasim from Ali bin Ibrahim bin al-Mu’alla from Abu Abdullah Mohammed bin Khalid from Abdullah bin Bakr al-Muradi from Musa bin Ja’far (Imam al-Kadhim) from his father from his father from Ali bin al-Hussein that his father (a) said:

One day, Amir ul-Mu'minin was mobilizing his companions when an old man, whose face was pale out of traveling, approached and asked: “Where is Amir ul-Mu'minin?” “Here he is,” some answered (as they pointed to Imam Ali).

The old man moved toward him, greeted him, and said: “O Amir ul-Mu'minin, I have come to you from Syria in spite of my old age because I have heard about you such innumerable virtues. I see you will be assassinated. I wish you would instruct me with items that Allah has conveyed to you.”

Imam Ali (a) said:

Yes, old man. He whose two days are moderate is wronged. He whose main concern is the worldly pleasures will suffer great regret for their departure. He whose day to come is eviler than his present day is surely deprived. He who does not care for whatever reduces from his world to come as long as his worldly life will not be influenced is surely perishing. He who does not pay attention to the defects of his own personality is overcome by passions. Death is surely better for those who are moving to the abyss.

O Old man, this world is sweet and green. It has its own people. The world to come is also has its own people whose selves are too lofty to compete with the people of this world. They neither contend with each other for gaining the worldly pleasures, nor do they feel happy for its fertility, nor do they feel sad for its misery.

O Old man, he who anticipates sudden shocks will hardly sleep. Nights and days are very quick in one’s age. Hence, control your tongue and say nothing but the good.

O Old man, you should like for people all that which you like for yourself and treat them in the same way you want them to treat you.

Imam Ali (a) then turned to his companions and said:

O people, do you not see that people in this world encountering a great variety of conditions whenever they enter into evening or morning? They are either a victim that writhes (out of pain), a visitor of a sick, a person that is visited in his ailment, a person that is dying, a person that is not expected to live any longer, or a (dead) person that is laid out. The seekers of this world are chased by death, and the negligent are not ignored. The present ones will surely face the same fate of the past ones.[144]

Zaid bin Sawhan al-Abdi asked and Amir ul-Mu'minin answered:

O Amir ul-Mu'minin, what is the most powerful and influential authority?

It is death.

What is the most degrading humility?

It is care for the worldly pleasures.

What is the harshest poverty?

It is apostasy after faith.

What is the most aberrant advocacy?

It is the advocacy to the impossible.

What is the best deed?

It is God-fearing.

What is the most successful deed?

It is to seek for that which is in the possession of Allah, Powerful and Majestic is He.

Who is the evilest companion?

The evilest companion is that who encourages you to commit acts of disobedience to Allah.

Who is the unhappiest of people?

The unhappiest of people is he who sold his religion with the worldly life of others.

Who is the most powerful of people?

The most powerful of people is the self-possessed.

Who is the stingiest of people?

The stingiest of people is he who seizes estates unlawfully and spends them unduly.

Who is the most courteous of people?

The most courteous of people is he who inclined to the right guidance after he had discriminated it from the wrong way.

Who is the most clement of people?

The clement of people is he who never becomes angry.

Who is the most resolute?

The most resolute is he who is not deceived by people in regard to his personality and is not deceived by this world and its seductive matters.

Who is the most foolish?

The most foolish is he who is deceived by this world although he is noticing the changeability of its conditions.

Who is the most regretful?

The most regretful is he who is deprived of this world as well as the world to come. This is surely the clear loss.

Who is the blindest?

The blindest is he who desired for gaining the rewards of Allah through acts that he had practiced for something other than the cause of Allah.

What is the best sort of satisfaction?

It is the satisfaction with that which Allah has given.

What is the most shattering misfortune?

It is the misfortune of the religion.

What is the most favorable deed to Allah?

It is to expect the Relief.

Who are the best people in the sight of Allah?

They are the most careful about Allah, the most observant of God-fearing, and the most abstinent in the worldly pleasures.

What is the most favorable utterance in the sight of Allah?

It is the frequent reference to Him and the reverential supplication to Him.

What is the most truthful wording?

It is the confession that there is no god but Allah.

What is the greatest deed in the sight of Allah?

It is the submission (to Him) and piety.

Who is the most truthful of people?

It is he who resists in battles.

Imam Ali (a) then turned to the old man and said:

O Old man, Allah has created some people and made the worldly affairs difficult for them. He has also induced them to abstain from the worldly pleasures and transitory wreckage. They desired from the Abode of Peace to which Allah has called them, stood the harsh livelihood and the misfortunes, and longed for the honor that is found with Allah, Powerful and Majestic is He. They therefore sacrificed themselves for the sake of Allah’s satisfaction and ended their deeds with martyrdom to meet Allah Who will be pleased with them. As they recognized that death was inevitable for the past ones as well as the present ones, they took along provisions, not gold and silver, for their lives to come, wore tough clothes, advanced charity, and loved and hated for the sake of Allah. These are surely the lanterns and people of bliss and peace in the world to come.

The old man commented: “Where should I go and how should I leave Paradise while I can see it and its people with you, Amir ul-Mu'minin? Equip me with weapons by which I can fight against your enemy.”

Hence, Imam Ali (a) equipped him with weapons and prepared a horse for him. He went on fighting in front of Amir ul-Mu'minin so bravely, and the Imam was highly admired by his fight. As the war attained its climax, the old man was advancing with his horse until he was killed. One of the companions of Amir ul-Mu'minin traced him. He found him killed and found his horse and sword still in his hand.

When the war was over, the horse and sword of the old man was put before Amir ul-Mu'minin (a) who prayed for his body and said: “This is, by Allah, the true happy. Seek Allah’s mercy for your brother.”[145]

The Commandment of Amir ul-Mu'minin for his Son Mohammed bin al-Hanafiyya

(73) In his commandment for his son Mohammed bin al-Hanafiyya, Amir ul-Mu'minin (a) said:

O son, beware of relying on hopes, for they are the goods of the foolish. They also frustrate of getting the (means of the) life to come. It is highly fortunate to have a good friend.

Sit with the people of charity and you will be one of them. Be away from those who preclude you from mentioning Allah and death by means of decorated falsities and fabricated lies and you will be discriminated from them. Do not let mistrust of Allah overcome you, for it will spoil every conciliation between your friends and you.

Kindle your heart with good manners like fire when kindled with wood, for good manners are the best support to the charitable people and experiments are the best support to the intelligent. Collect the opinions of men then choose the nearest to the reward and the remotest from suspect.

O son, there is no honor higher than Islam, no generosity more glorious than God-fearing, no fortress more protective than piety, no interceder more successful than repentance, no dress fitter than good health, no defense more shielding than safety, no treasure more sufficient than satisfaction, and no wealth more dismissive of poverty than satisfaction with the sustenance.

He who confines himself to the minimum necessity will have rest before others and will find himself a place in the tranquil life. Acquisitiveness is the key to the plunging into sins. Repeal the incoming grieves by means of the resolutions of patience. Accustom yourself to steadfastness, for it is the best of moralities and make yourself stand the worldly horrors and griefs that befall you.

The triumphant ones have won and those to whom Allah has already promised blessings have been saved, … for it is a guard from poverty. In all of your affairs, rely exclusively upon Allah, the One the Omnipotent, for, if you do so, you will entrust them to a protective cavern, defending fortress, and shielding stronghold. Pray to Allah sincerely because good, evil, giving, deprivation, granting, and divestment-all are in His hand exclusively.

In the same commandment, Imam Ali (a) said:

O son, sustenance is of two kinds-one is that which you seek and one is that which seeks you and will come to you even if you do not approach it. Do not apply the care of your year on the care of your day, for every new day will cover all your needs (of that day). If that year is decided to be within your age, Allah will take to you all that which is decided for you every new day. If it is not, what is your business with the care and grief that are not yours?

You should also know that no seeker will precede you to the sustenance that is decided for you and no one, no matter how powerful he is, will seize it against you. All that which is determined for you will not be kept against you. Many are those who fatigue themselves for seeking earnings, but their sustenance is withheld against them and many are those who are moderate (in seeking earnings), but the decrees of fate helped them (in enjoying abundant provisions). Nevertheless, everybody is subject to extinction. Today is yours, but it is uncertain that you will attain tomorrow! It often happens that an individual who begins a day cannot see its end and it often happens that an individual who is happy in the first hours of a night will shed tears in the last hours (of the same night). Do not be deceived by the long term of Allah’s showering of graces and the postponement of His punishments, for He would have anticipated the punishment before (your) death if He had expected your escape.

O son, accept the sermons of the wise people and ponder over their dicta. Precede others in applying (to yourself) the matters with which you ask people to do and stop committing the matters against which you forbid others. Enjoin good and you will be one of its people, for the perfection of matters in the sight of Allah is to enjoin good and forbid evil. Learn the religious questions, for the scholars are the heirs of the prophets. The prophets did not bequeath dinars and dirhams, but they bequeathed knowledge. He who acquires knowledge is surely acquiring great goodness.

You should also know that all those who are in the heavens and the earth, including the birds in the sky and whales in the oceans, are seeking Allah’s forgiveness to the seekers of knowledge. As a sign of submission, the angels low their wings for the seeker of knowledge, which achieves honor in this world and the obtainment of Paradise in the life to come, for the scholars are the callers to the paradises and the guide to Allah, Blessed and Exalted is He.

Treat all people kindly as long as you want them to treat you kindly. Accept for them whatever you accept for yourself, and find ugly for yourself all that which you find ugly for others. Treat all people with good manners so that they will long for you when you are absent and will weep for you and say, ‘We all are Allah’s and to Him we will return,’ (Inna lillah wa inna ilayhi raji’oun ) when you depart this life. Do not be one of those about whom people say, ‘All praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds,’ when they depart this life.

You should also know that compliance with people’s moods is the head of intelligence after believing in Allah, Powerful and Majestic is He. Those who do not associate courteously with the ones the association with whom is inescapable, until Allah makes for them a way of salvation, are worthless. I have found that all the affairs of people’s mutual association can be considered as one measure, two-thirds of which is approval and one is negligence. Wording is both the nicest and the most hideous thing that Allah has ever created.By means of wording, some faces have become white and by means of wording, some faces have become black.

You should know that wording is under your control so long as you do not say it. If you say it, you will be under its control. Save your tongue in the same way as you save your gold and currencies. The tongue is as same as a mordacious dog; if you give free rein to it, it will bite others. It happens that a single word causes the removal of a grace. He who gives full rein to his tongue will be driven to every item of misfortune and scandal. Then, he will not get rid of such consequences before he becomes the subject of the detestation of Allah and the censure of people.

He who pursues his opinions exclusively is risking. He who propounds the various opinions will realize the places of errors.He who engages himself in affairs without looking in their outcomes will suffer scandalous misfortunes. Planning before acting saves against regret. The true intelligent is he who learns lessons from (others’) experiments. In experiences lies resumed knowledge. The inwardness of men is realized in the vicissitudes of time. Days show you the hidden secrets.

You therefore should understand my commandment and avoid neglecting it. In fact, the best wording is the most useful.

Know, my son, that it will be inevitable for you to be returned and asked about your provisions. Hence, try to be light-burdened. Do not load your back beyond your power lest its weight becomes a mischief for you when you will be resurrected and interrogated on the Day of Resurrection. Violence against the servants –of Allah- is the worst supplies to the world to come. Know that in front of you lie pitfalls, abysses, bridges, and impassable valley; your terminating point at the other end of this passage will necessarily be either Paradise or Hell. Therefore, prepare the place before getting down. If a person is willing to borrow from you in the days of your affluence to pay it back to you at the time of your need then make use of this opportunity and borrow him as much as possible so long as you are able to do so. Put in that provision as much as you are able to, for it is likely that if you may need him (afterwards), you may not get hold of him. Beware of relying upon the impious and the distrustful in the question of loading your supplies. If you do it, you will be like the thirsty that is advancing to mirage; when he reached it, he found nothing. Hence, you will be alone without any supplies on the Day of Resurrection.

In the same commandment, Imam Ali (a) said:

O son, oppression takes to destruction. A man who appreciates himself very precisely will not fail. He who controls his passions will guard his prestige. The value of a man is what he does expertly. Learning lessons (from others) achieves good sense. The honorable wealth is to neglect hopes. Acquisitiveness is the permanent poverty. Affection is an advantageous kinship. Your friend is your full brother, but not every full brother is your friend. Do not befriend the enemy of your friend lest you become the enemy of your friend. Many are the remote ones who are closer than the nearer (kinship). A poor man who keeps good relations is better than a wealthy one who breaks his relations (with others).

Admonition is the haven of him who keeps it. He who reminds reproachfully of his favors is spoiling his favors. The mentality of the ill-mannered individuals is always bad and it would better to hate such ones. It is not fair to depend upon conjecture in issuing judgments.

How ugly wickedness in situations of ingratitude is! How ugly depression in excessive hardships is! How ugly severity with the neighbors is! How ugly disagreement with the (intimate) associate is! How ugly the perjury of the men of personality is! How ugly the treachery of the powerful is!

Ingratitude is foolishness. Sitting with the foolish is evil omen. Respect the rights of everybody, whether masters or humble individuals.

He who ignores moderation will wrong. He who trespasses the right will be detained in narrow courses. Many diseased persons were cured and many healthy ones passed away. Despair may be success and greed may be destruction. Blame him whom you wish to blame. Matters of cheating are rewardless. The evilest dress of Muslims is betrayal. It is quite proper to be disloyal to the betrayers. Corruption destructs the much amount while moderation causes the small to grow.

Regard of the relatives is a sing of generosity. He who is generous will be master and he who understands (something) will seek more (knowledge about it). Offer proper advice to your friends and help them in every situation except those who lead to the acts of disobedience to Allah. Follow your friends in every situation. Do not desert your friend due to suspicion and do not leave him before you blame him. Perhaps, he has his excuse while you are blaming him. Accept the apology of everyone so that you will be included with the Intercession. Honor those who support you and increase your charity, honor, respect, and reverence to them as long as you enjoy good health. It is improper for you to disregard him who respects you or injure him who covers up your defects.

Treat your companion with kindness as much as you can, for you can gain his righteous deeds if you will. He who betakes pudency as his dress will have his defects screened from eyes. The burdens of those who seek moderation are light. He who prevents his soul from its passion will gain his right guidance. Comfort lies with every hardship and choking is expected in every bite.

No grace can be obtained unless it is preceded by harm. Be lenient with him who enraged you so that you will win your need. Times of care are times of forgiveness. Hours, however, take your age to termination. The pleasure that is followed by fire (of Hell) is worthless and every good matter that is followed by fire (of Hell) is also worthless. Likewise, the evil that produces Paradise is not evil. Any bliss other than Paradise is valueless and any misfortune other than Hell is (regarded as) good health. Do not ignore your friends’ rights in reliance on your relationship, for those whose rights are ignored by you are not your true friends. Do not make the disregard of your friend control your building good relation with him and do not make his mistreatment with you control your kind act to him.

O son, if you are strong, employ your strength in the fields of acts of obedience to Allah, and if you are weak, employ your weakness to avoid the acts of disobedience to Him.  If you can deprive women of the possession of matters other than the personal, then you should do it, for this is better for achieving prosperous and peaceful life and permanent beauty with them. A woman is a flower, not an administrator. To enjoy tranquil life with a woman, treat her so kindly. Stand the satisfaction with the acts of Allah. If you want to have the good of this life and the life to come altogether, you should drive yourself to despair of all that which is in people’s possession.

Peace and Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon you.

That has been the commandment of Amir ul-Mu'minin for Mohammed bin al-Hanafiyya.[146]