O son, I command you to fear God in richness and poverty, cling to the word of right in satisfaction and rage, be moderate in richness and poverty, be fair to your friends and enemies, work in activity and laziness, and satisfy yourself with Allah is crises and luxury.
O son, an evil that is followed by Paradise is not a true evil, and a welfare that is followed by Hell is not a true welfare. Every comfort other than Paradise is valueless and every misfortune other than Hell is a good health.
You should know, O my son, that he who notices his own flaws will give up chasing others’ flaws. Nothing will cover those who strip the covers of piety. He who satisfies himself with Allah’s distribution (of sustenance) will not be sad for that which misses him. He who unsheathes the sword of aggression will be killed with it. He who digs a well for his brother will fall in it. The screens of the houses of those who tear others’ screens will be exposed. He who neglects his sin will see the others’ sins as great. He who overdoes will be exhausted. He who pushes himself in the risks will be sunken. He who prefers his opinion will deviate. He who clings only to his own views will make mistakes. He who shows arrogance against people will be humiliated. He who associates with the scholars will be respected. He who associates with the mean ones will be disgraced. He who belittles people will be insulted. He who intrudes himself in evils will be accused. He who jokes will be disrespected. He who gives much of something will be known of it. Much speech leads to much erring. Much erring leads to decreased pudency. Little pudency leads to decreased piety. Little piety deadens the heart. The dead-hearted will be in Hell.
O son, the actual foolish is he who looks in people’s defects and accepts the same defects for himself. He who ponders (over things) will surely learn lessons. He who learns lessons will surely retire. He who retires will be in safe. He who neglects the passions will live in freedom. People will bear love to those who leave envy.
O son, the honor of the (faithful) believer is to dispense with people. Satisfaction is a never-ending treasure. He who mentions death frequently will satisfy himself with little worldly pleasures. He who realizes that his words are within his deeds will speak of nothing except what benefits him.
O son, how strange that who fears the punishment and does not cease –from doing evil- is! How strange that who wishes for the rewards and does not repent or work is!
O son, intelligence casts on illumination, inadvertence casts on gloom, and ignorance casts on deviation. The actual happy is that who learns lessons from the others. Morality is the best heritage. The best friend is the good mannerism. No growth can be expected from rupturing relations with the relatives and no wealth should be waited from lechery.
O son, good health is of ten parts, nine of which lies in silence except in situations of reference to Allah, and one lies in the abandonment of associating with the foolish ones.
O son, for those who dress the acts of disobedience to Allah in their meetings, Allah will cast humility on them. He who seeks studies will surely learn.
O son, lenience is the head of knowledge, and idiocy is its epidemic. Patience in misfortunes is one of the treasures of faith. Continence is the adornment of poverty. Thanking is the adornment of richness. Excessive visits create boredom. Tranquility is the opposite of prudence if it precedes awareness. Self-esteem refers to weak-mindedness.
O son, many views have brought sorrow, and many words have deprived of grace.
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, and no wealth more sufficient 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.
O son, acquisitiveness is the key to fatigue, the mount of exhaustion, and the leader to the commitment of sins. Avidity is the comprehensive of defects. The matters that you abominate from others should be sufficient discipliners for you. Your friend should enjoy the same rights that you enjoy. He who engages himself in an affair before examining the outcome will suffer misfortunes. Planning before working saves from sorrow. He who propounds the opinions will realize the places of errors. Patience is a protector against poverty. Niggardliness is the dress of misery. Acquisitiveness is the sign of destitution. A poor man who keeps good relations is better than a wealthy one who breaks his relations (with others). Everything has a food. Son of Adam –man- is the food of death.
O son, do not make a sinner despair. Many adopters of sins enjoy a happy end and many benevolent ones rupture their deeds and deserve Hell. Allah may protect us from Hell.
O son, many disobedient ones may be saved and many benevolent ones may fail. The provisions of those who adhere to honesty will be easily attainable. The good lies in defying the passions. Hours reduce the age. Woe to the aggressors, because of the presence of the best of judges and the knower of the hidden of those who hide.
O son, violence against the servants –of Allah- is the worst supplies to the world to come. Every dose has a choke and every meal has a lump in the throat. No grace can be obtained unless another is missed. Rest is very close to fatigue, misery is very close to bliss, death is very close to life, and illness is very close to health. Blessed be those who behave faithfully to Allah in action, knowledge, love, hatred, receipt, leave, speech, silence, deeds, and words. Excellent is the knowledgeable who acts seriously and gets ready as he fears death. He gives advice when he is asked, and keeps peace when he is neglected. His wording is true and his silence is an answer without exhaustion. Woe to those who suffer deprivation, disappointment, and disobedience. They satisfy themselves with what they hate from others and disgrace people for doing what they themselves do.
O son, you should know that the affection of those whose wording is lenient is obligatory.
May Allah guide you to your prosperity and reckon you with the people of his obedience, by the help of His potency. He is surely All-benevolent and All-generous.
What Shiites and Sunnis unitedly believe about Imam Ali (A.S.)
Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Verse 67 in Chapter Al-Ma’ida has been revealed on Ghadeer day and for the sake of Imam Ali’s (PBUH) guardianship (walaya)?
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 290
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Hadith 249
Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Verse 55 in Chapter Al-Ma’ida regards Imam Ali’s (PBUH) ring donation during prayers (salaah) and obliges acceptance of his guardianship (walaya)?
Shiite: Noor al-Thaghalain (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir, verse interpretation
Did you know that Verse 9 in Chapter An-Nisa urges everyone to obey Imam Ali (PBUH) and the other Imams (PBUT)?
Shiite: Kamal ad-Din, Vol. 1, Pg 222
Sunni: Shavahed Tanzil, Vol. 1, Hadith 202
Did you know that, according to Verse 3 in Chapter Al-Ma’ida, one’s faith is completed by accepting Ghadeer and Imam Ali’s (PBUH) successorship?
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 290
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Hadith 211
Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Verse 7 in Chapter al-Bayyina is about Imam Ali’s (PBUH) guardianship and that he is the best benefactor?
Shiite: Al-Burhan (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Dur al-Manthur, verse interpretation
Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis agree Verse 7 in Chapter Al-Ra’d introduces Imam Ali (PBUH) as the best guide and director for Muslims?
Shiite: Al-Burhan (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad, Chapter 2, Hadith 990
Did you know that Verse 7 in Chapter Al-Anbiya suggests Imam Ali and other Imams (PBUT) the meaning of “those who reminisce (possess) the Message?”
Shiite: Tafsir Saafi, verse interpretation
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, verse interpretation
Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis believe Imam Ali (PBUH) possesses full insight of the Holy Quran according to Verse 43 in Chapter Al-Ra’d?
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 229
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Pg 400
Did you know that “holding fast by the rope Allah (SWT) has stretched for you” in Verse 103 in Chapter Al-i-Imran means grasping on belief in Imam Ali’s and other Imams’s (PBUT) guardianship?
Shiite: Ghayba No’mani, Chapter 2, Hadith 2
Sunni: Shavahed at-Tanzil, Vol. 1, Pg 168
Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) introduced Imam Ali (PBUH) as his successor in his party after the reveal of Verse 214 in Chapter Ash-Shu’ara?
Shiite: Al-Burhan (tafsir), verse interpretation
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad, Number 841
Did you know that both Shiites and Sunnis have identically narrated the famous hadith “Whomever I am his master, this Ali is his master?”
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Pg 293
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad Hanbal, Chapter 39, Pg 297, Hadith 18497
Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) told Imam Ali (PBUH) that, “Your position to me is like Aaron’s to Moses?”
Shiite: Ershad Mofid, Vol. 1, Pg 8
Sunni: Sahih Bukhari, Chapter 13, Hadith 4064
Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) has said, “Ali is of me and I am of him; and he is the guardian of the faithful?”
Shiite: Managheb Shahr-Ashoob, Vol. 3, Pg 51
Sunni: Sunan Tirmizi, Chapter 12, Number 3653
Did you know that Holy Prophet (BUH&HF) mentioned, “My successors (imams) are only 12 ones?”
Shiite: Uyun Akhbar al-Reda, Vol. 1, Pg 64, Hadith 31
Sunni: Sahih Moslem, Vol. 9, Al-Amaarah, Hadith 3393
Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “One who passes away while does not know the Imam of his time dies as those in the Jahiliyya era?”
Shiite: Usul Kafi, Vol. 1, Chapter ‘Ma Yajibo Ala an-Nas (What people are obligated to do), Hadith 2
Sunni: Musnad Ahmad, Chapter 34, Hadith 16271
Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “I pass away while I leave two invaluable evocations: Quran and my family (Itra)?”
Shiite: Vasayel ush-Shia, Hadith 33144
Sunni: Sahih Moslem, Chapter 12, Number 4425
Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “I am the capital of insight and Ali is its portal?”
Shiite: Kamal ad-Din, Vol. 1, Chapter 22, Pg 241
Sunni: Mustadrak Hakim al-Nishaburi, Chapter 10, Number 4614
Did you know that Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) said, “Ali is with the truth and the truth is with Ali?”
Shiite: Khesal Sadugh, Chapter 2, Pg 496
Sunni: Tarikh Baghdad, Chapter 6, Section ‘al-Ya’, dekri man esmoho Yousef (the story of who whose name is Yousef), Pg 312
Did Amir al-Mu’mineen Ali (A.S.) ever depend On the Tradition of Ghadeer to Prove His Caliphate?
Question: As we know, on the day of Ghadeer, the Holy Prophet (S) announced the vicegerancy and Caliphate of Amir al-Mu’mineen (a.s.) and made obedience obligatory on all Muslims. Now the question arises: “When the successorship of Amir al-Mu’mineen (a.s.) was declared on this, why didn't he use the hadith to prove his Caliphate?”
Answer: Opposite to the assumption in the above question, Amir al-Mu’mineen (a.s.) had during his lifetime many times quoted the tradition of Ghadeer to prove his successorship. He used to mention the tradition of his Ghadeer to his opponent whenever it was appropriate according to circumstances and in this way he used to make people aware of his status.
And not only Imam (a.s.), the honorable daughter of the Holy Prophet (S), her sons, Hazrat Imam Hasan-al-Mujtaba and Chief of the Martyrs, Hazrat Imam Husain (a.s.) and many other exalted personalities like Abdullah Ibn Ja'far, Ammar Yasir, Asbagh bin Nubata, Qays bin Saad, Umar bin Abdul Aziz, the Abbaside Caliph, Mamoon and even the opponents like Amr Aas etc. had quoted this tradition.
Therefore the tradition of Ghadeer had been used since the time of Ali (a.s.) himself. In every age his followers had considered the tradition of Ghadeer to be one of the proofs of his Imamate and Wilayat (Guardianship). Here we shall mention of these instances by way of examples.
1. On the day of shura (The shura was designated by the second caliph in such a way that everyone was knowing that someone other than Ali (a.s) would become the Caliph) when the ball of Caliphate was thrown by Abdur Rahman Awf to Uthman, Ali (a.s) delivered a speech to render the decision of shura invalid: “I am presenting such an argument that none of you can deny.” Then he said: I put you under the oath of Allah and ask you is there anyone among you regarding whom the Holy Prophet (S) has said: Of whomsoever I am the master; this Ali is his master too. O Allah love those who love Ali and help those who help Ali, And those who are present here should convey this to those who are absent. [114]
On this juncture the members of shura confessed that this distinction was solely for Ali (a.s).
Without any doubt this was not the only occasion that Ali (a.s.) had argued with this tradition. He had employed this argument at other times also as mentioned below:
2. One day Amir al-Mu’mineen (a.s.) was delivering a sermon in Kufa. During the speech he turned towards the people and said: “I put you under the oath of God, if one who was present in Ghadeer must have himself heard the Holy Prophet (S) had bestowed on me the distinction of his successorship, he should stand up testify this. But only those people should stand up who had themselves heard this from the prophet (s.a.) and not those who have heard it from others.”
At this moment thirty people stood up and testified that they had heard the tradition of Ghadeer.
We should remember that at this time twenty five years had passed since the event of Ghadeer and some of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (S) were not in Kufa at this time or they had died before this. It is also possible that some people had refrained from giving testimony due to various reasons; otherwise the number would have been higher.
The Late Allamah Amini has recorded numerous sources of this tradition in his flawless book, Al Ghadeer. Those who wish may refer to this book.[115]
3. During the Caliphate of Uthman two hundred senior people from the Muhajireen and Ansar were present in the Prophet's mosque and were discussing various topics. The subject of the superiority of Quraysh, their foremost position and migration came up. Thus every tribe of Quraysh began to express their superior personalities.
This gathering started from the early morning and was on till the noon. During this many people gave various statements but Amir al-Mu’mineen (a.s.) only heard their discussion and did not say anything. On this moment the people turned to him and implored him tom say something.
Due to this insistence Ali (a.s.) stood up and spoke about his relationship with the Holy Prophet (S) and his distinctions. Inter alia he said: You must remember that on the day of Ghadeer when Allah told the Holy Prophet (S) that just as he has explained the rules of Prayer, Zakat and rituals of Hajj he should declare my leadership.
And to fulfill this duty the Holy Prophet (S) delivered the following sermon: The Almighty Allah has commanded me to perform a duty and I was fearful that some people will falsify my conveying of divine command. However, the Almighty commanded me. Convey the message and also assured me security from the mischief of the people.
Yes! O People! Do you know that Allah is my master and I am the master of the believers? And I have more authority on them than they themselves have:”
On this moment the Prophet (S) said: Ali, get up! And I stood up. Then the Holy Prophet (S) turned towards the people and said: Of whomsoever I am the master; this Ali is also his master. O Allah! Love those who love Ali and hate those who hate Ali!
At that moment Salman Farsi asked the Messenger of Allah (S): What type of authority does Ali have on us?
The Prophet (S) replied: Ali's mastership on you is same as my mastership upon you. On whosoever's life I have authority, Ali also has the authority.”
4. It is not only Ali (a.s.) who had argued with the tradition of Ghadeer. The Daughter of the Messenger of Allah (S) also said on a historical day to the companions when she was demanding her rights from them: [116] “Have you forgotten the day of Ghadeer when the Prophet (s.a.) said: Of whomsoever I am the master this Ali is his master too?”
5. When Imam Hasan (a.s.) decided to make truce with Muawiyah he stood up and delivered a sermon in which he said: The Almighty Allah preferred the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) through the medium of Islam. And he selected us and kept us away from every type of impurity.
Then he said: All the people heard that the Holy Prophet (S) addressed Ali: Your position to me is as the position of Haroon with Musa (a.s.)
Everyone has heard and seen that on the day of Ghadeer the Holy Prophet (S) held the hand of Ali (a.s.) and said: Of whomsoever I am the master; this Ali is his master too. O Allah! Love those [117]
6. Hazrat Imam Husain (a.s.) addressing a large gathering at Mecca wherein some Companions of the Holy Prophet (S) were also present said: “I put you under oath of God. Do you know that on the day of Ghadeer the Holy Prophet (S) selected Ali (a.s.) for Caliphate and guardianship and said: Those who are present should convey this message to those who are not.”
All the people testified this.
In addition to this many Companions of the Prophet (S), like Ammar Yasir, Zaid bin Arqam, Abdullah bin Ja'far, Asbagh bin Nubata (may Allah be pleased with them) and other people used to argue the Caliphate and guardianship of Ali (a.s.) with the tradition of Ghadeer.[118]
Notes:
[114] Manaqib Khwarizmi p. 217 etc.
[115] Al Ghadeer vol. 1 pgs. 153-171
[116] Faraedus Simtain Chap.58 Ali (a.s.) has also quoted this tradition on the day of Rahba, the day of Jamal in the incident of hadithur Rikban and also in Siffeen.
[117] Yanabiul Mawaddah pg 482.
[118] For more information on these debates and sources refer to Al Ghadeer (vol. 1 pg. 146-195). This book has recorded 22 such debates
