Ahl al-Bayt’s culture is the most perfect moral, ideological, socio- political, educational and scientific culture, a large section of which has been compiled by the believing Shiite narrators. Such books as al-Kafi, Man-La-Yahdhuruhu-l-Faqih, Tahdhib al-Ahkam, al-Istibsar, Basair al- Darajat, al-Mahasin by al-Barqi, al-Amali by Shaykh al-Mufid, al-Amali by Shaykh al-Tusi, al-Khisal, Jami al-Akhbar, Ilal al-Sharai, al-Wafi, al-Shafi, Nur al-Thaqalayn, Bihar al-Anwar, Wasail al-Shiah, Mustadrak al-Wasail, al-Awalim, al-Mahajjah al-Baydha…. etc. contain narratives on the culture of Ahl al-Bayt, the practice of which will ensure good life in this world and the hereafter, as well as Allahss pleasure and the eternal Paradise. The Holy Prophet has said: You were not born for extinction, rather for survival. With death, you are only displaced; that is you are transferred from one house to another house.201
He has also said: I fear two things for my ummah: carnal and far-away desires.202
He has also said: A believer’s honor lies in his independence from people and his freedom and honor lie in contentment.203
Imam Ali (a.s.) has said: Man is evaluated by his words and assessed by his deeds. Therefore, say what makes your words weighty and act in such away that makes your behavior valuable.204
He has also said: Adorn yourself with moral virtues and avoid tyranny. Behave justly and be fair to all.
He further says: Man should preserve himself from being intoxicated with wealth, power, knowledge, praise, flattery and youth, for each of these intoxications are poisoned winds which obliterates wisdom and reduces a man’s dignity.205
Lady Fatimah (a.s) has said: I love three things of your world: giving away in the way of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah, and looking at the face of my father - Allah’s Messenger.206
Imam Hasan (a.s.) was asked the meaning of magnanimity; he replied: Zeal for faith, rectification of wealth, observation of Allah's and people's rights, as well as manliness and fairness.207
Addressing Imam Husayn (a.s.), a man said, “I am a sinner. I cannot refrain from committing sin. Give me an advice.” The Imam said: Do five things and then commit any sin you wish: Firstly, do not eat sustenance given by Allah and then commit any sin you wish. Secondly, come out of the guardianship of Allah and then commit any sin you wish. Thirdly, go to a place where Allah cannot see you and then commit any sin you wish. Fourthly, when the Angel of Death comes to take your life, escape from him and commit any sin you wish. Fifthly, when the gatekeeper of the Hell intends to throw you into it, do not enter and then commit any sin you wish.208
Imam Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.) has said: The right of your child is that you should know that he is from you and will be ascribed to you, through both his good and his evil, in the immediate affairs of this world. You are responsible for what has been entrusted to you, such as educating him in good conduct, pointing him in the direction of his Lord, and helping him to obey Him. So, act towards him with the action of one who knows that he will be rewarded for good doing toward him and punished for evildoing.209
Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) has said: Allah has set locks for evil things so as to protect men from their harms. Wine, this intoxicating liquid, is the key to all evil things. Telling lie is worse than drinking wine.210
Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) says: A habitual drunkard is as an idolater. One who always drinks wine will be afflicted with palsy and his morality will diminish. Drinking wine makes man so bold in committing sin that he will not refuse to shed blood nor engage in adultery.211
Imam al-Sadiq (a.s.) has said: Avoid three groups of people when associating with and making friends: traitor, oppressor, and talebearer. One who commits treason in your interest one day will commit treason against you another day. One who oppresses another for your sake will oppress you soon. One who tells tales to you about others will tell tales to others about you soon.212
Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s) passed by a dark-colored man. He saluted him, sat beside him, spoke to him for a while and expressed his readiness to meet his needs. Some people who were watching this scene, said, “O son of Allah’s Messenger! Do you associate with this person and ask about his needs?” The Imam said: He is one of the servants of Allah and based on the Holy Quran, he is our brother-in-faith and our neighbor in the cities of Allah. Adam who is the best father and Islam, which is the best religion, have linked us to him.213
Imam al-Ridha (a.s.) has said: Be moderate in your expenditures on yourself and your family.214
Imam al-Jawad (a.s.) has said: One who obeys his carnal desires has realized the desires of his enemy.215
Imam al-Hadi (a.s.) has said: When justice prevails in a society rather than injustice, it is unlawful to be suspicious of any person unless he commits an evil act. But when injustice prevails in society, it is not good to be optimistic about anyone unless his good act is witnessed.216
The Holy Prophet has said: Parents will be rewarded greatly by Allah. They say, “Our Lord! What is all this favor for? Our good deeds are not worthy of such a reward.” They will be replied, “All this reward is for teaching the Holy Quran to your children and for making them aware of Islamic culture.”217
Notes:
201. Bihar al-Anwar: 78/58
202. Al-Khisal: 51/1, H. 62
203. Waram Collection: 169/1
204. Ghurar al-Hikam: 317
205. Ghurar al-Hikam: 66
206. Musnad Fatimah al-Zahra
207. Tuhaf al-Uqul: 235
208. Jami al-Akhbar: 130
209. Man-La-Yahdhuruhul-Faqih: 621/2, H. 3214
210. Al-Kafi: 338/2, H. 3
211. Al-Amali, H. 1
212. Tuhaf al-Uqul: 315
213. Tuhaf al-Uqul: 413
214. Fiqh al-Ridha: 254, 37
215. Alam al-Din: 309
216. Alam al-Din: 312
217. Tafsir al-Imam al-Askari: 449, H. 297
