Result of Jealousy

A poor man came to the court of the Abbasid ruler, Motasim. Seeing some special qualities in him the ruler made him his close confidante. He became so close to the king that he had the permission to even enter the harem with prior permission of Motasim. The Vizier was a very jealous person. Seeing the Arab so close respected by the king made him very furious. He told himself, “If this Arab remains alive, he will degrade me in the eyes of the ruler and I shall lose my post.” Thus he began to be apparently on friendly terms with the Arab. Till one day the vizier invited him to dinner. He had a dish prepared containing a lot of garlic and served it to the Arab. Later the vizier told him, “Do not go to the Caliph with such a smelly breath.. He does not like the smell of garlic.”

After this he went to the caliph at once and said,

“The Arab says that the caliph has a bad breath, so he is having a lot of trouble.”

The Caliph was very angry and summoned the Arab at once. The Arab came to him at once. However, fearing that he may get a whiff of garlic he put his wrist to his mouth. The caliph thought that the Vizier was right because the Arab is closing his nose so that he may not smell the foul odour of the Caliphs breath. The caliph wrote a letter to one of his executives saying. “Behead the bearer of this note at once.” Giving the letter to the Arab he said, “Go this person and get the reply of this letter as soon as possible.”

The Arab took the letter. While he was leaving the door of the palace the Vizier saw him and asked him where he was headed? The Arab replied that he was carrying a letter of the ruler. The vizier thought it must be some letter to receive payments etc and he convinced the Arab to part with the letter in return of 2000 gold coins with the condition that he will deliver the letter to the addresses but whatever gain is accrued from this shall belong to the vizier. The Arab agreed and headed over the letter in return of 2000 gold coins. The vizier himself took the letter to the executive and was immediately beheaded. After some days the caliph inquired about the Vizier and was informed of his killing. When the Arab was called he related the matter to the Caliph. The Caliph said: May Allah kill jealousy that caused the death of the Vizier. After this the Arab was appointed at the post of the Vizier.

Spiritual harm of Hypocrisy

The ayats and traditions that are recorded with regard to hypocrisy are sufficient to describe the spiritual harm of hypocrisy.

When a person reached the stage of understanding and can discriminate between good and evil, he finds himself on the crossroads. One read is treadden by animals and quadrupeds, and the other by angels. Now it is the test of his intelligence, which way he is going to choose. If from the beginning man gives in to his carnal desires and disregards the religious law and reason, it means that he has chosed the path of the beasts. He has ignored the Almighty and the Hereafter. Now there is no difference between him and animals. The only difference is that animals are restricted to this world only. There is no examination or retribution for them. While, man has to taste another life after this one.

One who submits to carnal desires, the signs of depravity automatically become apparent in him? Greed, miserliness, jealousy, evil, false praise and other vile habits destroy the soul. He becomes involved in worldly difficulties and in the Hereafter he is caught in the claws of chastisement.

One day Abu Basir asked Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.):

“What is the superiority of us (your followers) over other people? By Allah we see some of those people in greater comfort and affluence. They are spending life in much better condition than us?”

Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) delayed replying to this question till Abu Basir says, they reached the Holy city of Makkah. “We saw that people were wailing and weaping and begging for divine forgiveness.” Imam (a.s.) said,

“How numerious are the beggars (of forgiveness) and how few are the pilgrims! By the one who has appointed Muahmmas as the Prophet and sent his should the Paradise very soon, but for you and your companions. Allah does not accept the Hajj of anyone.”

Abu Basir says, “Imam Sadiq (a.s.) moved his hand across my face and I saw that most of the people were actually in the form of pigs, donkeys and monkeys. Very few retained their human shape.” The above tradition is found in the section of Imamate in Beharul Anwaar.

(Vo.27 pg. 30)

All those you see are not humans

Most of them are tailless cows, bulls and donkeys.

(Persian Couplet)

The Animal Qualities

When a man decides to tread the way of beasts, he disregards reason and shariat and hurts others with hi actions, words and deeds. Troubling people becomes his prime Quality. He becomes involved in pride and arrogance. Ridiculing others becomes his habit. The desire to spread mischief and oppression takes root in him. He becomes addicted to foul language, enmity and revenge. A person possessing animal qualities will behave like animals in the Hereafter also. It is mentioned from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that he said,

“The inmates of hell shall bark at each other like dogs.”

And just like stray dogs are chased away they shall be also chased in the same manner. The Almighty Allah shall show them in this very form.

قَالَ اخْسَؤُوا فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ

“He shall say: Go away into it and speak not to Me.”

(Surah Muminoon 23:108)

Men who are Satans

A person who begins to assume the form of Satans, that is he turns away from the obedience of Allah and His worship. He denies Allah and the Hereafter. He makes pride, arrogance, injustice and oppression a part of his life. He indulges in cheating, deceit and makes betraying trust a part of his character. He is considered as a member of the Satanic clan. Like the satans he thinks of nothing but mischief. So he enters into the army of Satans that resemble human beings. After a time this person is counted as one of the satans, who are in the form of jinns. The Holy Quran mentions the two groups of these Satans,

شَيَاطِينَ الإِنسِ وَالْجِنِّ يُوحِي بَعْضُهُمْ إِلَى بَعْضٍ زُخْرُفَ الْقَوْلِ غُرُورًا

“The Shaitans from among men and jinn, some of them suggesting to others varnished falsehood to deceive (them).”

(Surah Anam 6:112)

And

يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ قَدِ اسْتَكْثَرْتُم مِّنَ الإِنسِ

“O assembly of jinn! You took away a great part of mankind.”

(Surah Anam 6:128)

The Status of men is higher than that of Angels

But only when man treads the path of humanity. That is he subjects his carnal desires anger and other qualities like it to the Shariah and reason. He becomes perfect and qualities like chastity, contentment, piety, shame, valour, charity, magnanimity and forgiveness are nurtured in him.

Oppressing the people or cheating them is also a way of the Satan. While the way of man is worship of Allah, Obedience, recognition, truthfulness, sincerity etc. one who walks the path of humanity is imbued with qualities like knowledge, wisdom, patience and thankfulness, submission and satisfaction, love and friendship, support and well-wishing etc. Till, he reaches the pinnacle of perfection and exceeds the angels. Rather angels are ready to serve him.

Once again I will soar higher than the Angel.

Then I shall become that which cannot be imagined.

Mulla Sa’adi Shirazi Says,

The physical body can be called human only if it has signs of humanity.

It is not that the sign of humanity is a beautiful dress.

If man is man due to eyes, tongue, ears and nose then what would be the difference between humanity and designs on the wall.

This eating and drinking, sleeping the anger and animal desires. These are all the qualities of animals much less than humans. Become a real human being. Otherwise become a bird that utters only the words spoken by men.

You have the bird to fly high in the air. Just try to break the fetters of desire. Then you shall realize the flight of humanity.

Why do you remain a prisoner to a demon? Aren’t you human? See! Even the Angels cannot reach the status of man.

If the beast in your is destroyed from your nature. You shall live your whole life as a man.

O Man! You reach to a stage that apart from God no one sees.

See what is the lofty position of humanity.

Truth and Reality

So we realize that hypocrisy is a Satanic way and truth and belief is the human way. Man can spend his life in the human way. He can also achieve an exalted status in the Hereafter. He shall live forever in joy and happiness. But what greater mistake man can commit when standing on the crossroads he takes a wrong decision and leaves such a beautiful way. On the other hand he treads the path of Satan and consequently bear the untold difficulties that waylay this path. Even after death he is tied up in the chains and collars of ire, while the severe Angels will be threatening him. What defect has man seen in a life of truth and piety that he has left it? And instead of this way he has chosen the path of hypocrisy? Such a person is really like mentioned in Quran:

خَسِرَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ

“He loses this world as well as the hereafter.”

(Surah Hajj 22:11)

To give up Hypocrisy

It must also be emphasized that hypocrisy has many roots and we must assure that not a single type of it remains. One how intends to be absolutely pure from hypocrisy and become the partisan of truth he should study the words and characters of the Siddiqeen (Very truthful people). The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s) tops the list of Siddiqeen. We should make their lives as our ideals. We should walk in their footsteps. We should note that these personages were aloof from hypocritical behaviour. They did not announce anything unless they had made firm decision to do it. So that may not be contradiction between their heart and their tongue.

Here we shall be content to mention a tradition as an example:

Some customs that are against Reality

A follower of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) came to him while Ismail, the Imam’s son was also present. He saluted and sat near the Imam (a.s.). When Imam (a.s.) arose and left for his house this man also followed till they reached the door of Imam’s house. Imam (a.s.) told him to wait outside and he went in with his son. Ismail asked, “O Father! Why did you not just for courtesy sake invited him insider?”

Imam (a.s.) replied,

“I did not want him to come inside.”

“Even if you have invited he would not have entered.” Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said,

“O my son! I dislike that Allah should consider me hypocrite.”

(Beharul Anwar 16:241)

Thus I will not say anything regarding which I have no firm faith.

This an example of truthful people. Thus one who intends to step into the word of truthfulness and to refrain from even the roots of hypocrisy, he should have complete control over himself. He should not say anything he is not serious about. Thus it is only permitted during Taqaiyyah as we already explained the details in the preceding pages.