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God says: “The friends shall on that day be enemies one to another, except those who guard (against evil).” [3] In this world, friendships are based on worldly gains with no real aim or they are not for the sake of God. Obviously all friendships will come to an end save those which are for the sake of God, a feature of the pious. In this relation, Imam Sadiq (AS) has been reported as saying: “Brothers are of three kinds; one who is fair to his self, and the second is such with his wealth. They are truthful in friendship. And the third kind is one who takes from you what he needs and likes you for fun. Do not trust him!” [4] [1] Ibid., P. 350. [2] Wasa’il al-Shiah, vol. 1, P. 33. [3] Qur'an, 43:67. [4] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 75, P. 35. |
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20) Piety And The Good End The Lord of the universe inspired Prophet Moses (AS) to say to his tribe: “Ask help from Allah and be patient; surely, the land is Allah’s; He causes such of His servants to inherit it as He pleases, and the end is for those who guard (against evil).” [1] Elsewhere, the Lord of the universe consoles Prophet Hud (a.s.) by saying: “Therefore be patient; surely, the end is for those who guard (against evil).” [2] In another verse, God says to the Holy prophet (SAW): “And enjoin prayer on your people, and steadily adhere to it; We do not ask you for subsistence. We do give you subsistence, and the (good) end is for guarding (against evil).” [3] Imam Sadiq (AS) has been reported as saying: “Among the children of Israel, there was a man who would repeatedly say “praise is due to the Lord of the worlds and good is for those who guard against evil.” Iblis became angry. So he assigned a Devil to go to him saying: ‘The good end is for the wealthy’, but the man did not accept it. So they decided to choose an arbiter to judge between them. Anyone against whom the judgment was passed would have one of his hands cut off. They set out till they reached a man whom they informed of their intention. That person said: ‘The good end is for the wealthy.’ One of the hands of the pious man was cut off. Yet, he would say: ‘The good end is for those who guard against evil.’ Satan said: ‘Do you still say the same thing?’ The pious man said: “I believe in what I say even if I lose the other hand!“ They set out again and reached [1] Qur'an, 7:128. [2] Qur'an, 11:49. [3] Qur'an, 20:132. |
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another person. They informed him of the story. That person too said: “The good end is for the wealthy.” The other hand of the pious man was cut off while he was saying: “The good end is for those who guard against evil!” Satan said to him: “Will you bet on your head?” The pious man said: “Yes.” They set out again and on their way, they saw a manlike shadow. They stopped before him and told him the story. That shadow touched the pious man’s hands which were restored to their normal positions and beheaded Satan saying: “… the good end is for those who guard against evil.” [1] Obviously, what lasts forever is truth and rightfulness and what perishes is injustice and falsehood. There are usually many things which have no truth or spirit. The worldly life, wealth, position, power, force, hypocritical acts, indecent words, evil acts and their likes are such. The only thing which lasts forever and makes people prosperous is the right path which is free from deviation. Piety includes all the virtues. |
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