Chapter 3 - On Abstinence

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Do not start doing something which you might stop doing before twelve month passes.”

“Abstinence is one of the means of improving religious ethics.”

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Abstinence means reducing aspirations, being grateful for all blessings and abstaining from all divinely forbidden acts.”

Imam Sajjad (a.s) was questioned about abstinence. He said: “There are ten ranks in abstinence. The highest rank of abstinence is the lowest rank of piety. The highest rank of piety is the lowest rank of certitude. The highest rank of certitude is the lowest rank of contentment, and all abstinence is summarized in just one of the verses of God's Book: “In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favors bestowed upon you.” [The Holy Quran: Hadid 57:23]

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Abstinence does not mean wasting your property, or forbidding what is allowed by God, but it means that you do not trust what is in your own hands more that what is in God's hands.

“The sign of being eager to attain divine rewards for the Hereafter is not being inclined to worldly material things in this life. Beware that even if one is abstinent, his not being inclined to material things will not cause a reduction of what material goods of this world God has allocated to him. In the same manner, the greed of a greedy man to obtain more in this world will not cause an increase in his material goods. Therefore only those who get deprived of the benefits of the Hereafter are at a loss.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “God will fill the heart of whoever is abstinent in this world with wisdom, and enable him to speak wisely. He will enable him to see the flaws in this world, their problems and treatment. God will take him out of this world healthy and deliver him to Heaven.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whenever God the Almighty wishes someone good, He will make him unattached to this world, and knowledgeable about the religion, and able to see his faults. Whoever is granted these things is granted the good of this world and the Hereafter.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “No one has found any better way than abstinence in this world to seek the truth. This is contrary to what the opponents of the truth seek.” Someone asked him why. He said: “Because they are attached to this world.” He added: “Is not there any noble, persevering person? Beware that the life of this world is only for a short time. Beware that for those of you who are not abstinent, it is forbidden to feel the taste of faith.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “Whoever struggles for this world, harms his Hereafter. But God will grant the daily bread of whoever designates the Hereafter as his priority, and he will meet his Lord in a prosperous state.”

Prophet (a.s) said: “Abstinence does not mean wearing harsh clothes or eating unpleasant foods, rather it means reducing one’s aspirations.”

“God has adorned you with an adornment, which He has not adorned anyone with something which is more loved by God- an adoration which God does not possess any higher than it- that is abstinence. God has granted it to you, and has set up the world in such a way that it will not get anything from you, and has given you a visage by which you will be known.”

“Fear what is near God, so that God loves you, and be abstinent regarding what is near the people so that the people love you.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) was questioned about abstinence in this world. He said: “It implies abstaining from the lawful for fear of reckoning, and abstaining from the forbidden for fear of punishment.”

Ameer al-Momineen (a.s) said: “Abstinence is a form of wealth. Piety is like an armor. Abstinence is best when done in private. Abstinence will make the body slim and restrict aspirations, and speeds up death and pushes away worldly desires. Whoever attains it benefits, and whoever loses it will be burdened. Nothing is nobler than piety. No trade is better than the performance of good deeds. Nothing is a better form of piety than abstaining from what is doubtful. Nothing is a better form of abstinence than abstaining from the forbidden. In short abstinence is expressed by God's statement: “In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favors bestowed upon you.” [The Holy Quran: Hadid 57:23] Therefore whoever does not worry about the past, and does not get happy about the future has realized both aspects of abstinence. O' people! Abstinence implies reducing aspirations, and thanking God for the blessings, and abstaining from the forbidden. Whenever you lose these characteristics, do not let the forbidden acts overcome your patience and do not forget being grateful for the blessings that you receive. God has left no room for any excuse for you by sending clear reasons and divine Books.”

The Prophet (a.s) said: “Approach anyone that you see has been granted abstinence in this world since he will give you wisdom.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) was questioned about abstinence in this world. He said: “God has established bounds for abstinence and has said: “In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favors bestowed upon you.” [The Holy Quran: Hadid 57:23]

“O' people! Look at the people and see how they live, each with a different situation, passing their days until the night. One is fallen down and is trying to get up. Another one is ill. That other one is about to die, and has no more hopes. The other one has died and is in the coffin about to be buried. One is seeking this world while death is seeking him. One is ignorant while he has not been ignored. Those who remain pursue what those who died before pursued. God created some people who are not attracted to this world. He made them abstinent regarding worldly goods. They got attracted to the secure house to which God called them. They were patient, and put up with the hardships in life, and were eager to attain the nobility that is near God. They gave their life to please God, and their deeds ended with martyrdom. They visited God while God was pleased with them. They realized that death is inevitable for those who lived in the past and those who will live in the future. Therefore they saved up things different from gold and silver for the Hereafter. They put on rugged clothes, and ate little, and preferred nobility. They became friends for God's sake or became enemies for the sake of God. These people are guiding lights in this world, and will be surrounded by blessings in the Hereafter. Peace be upon you!”

“You cannot experience the sweet taste of faith unless you do not worry about who mongers the world.”

The Prophet (a.s) said: “Your hearts are forbidden to experience the sweet feeling of faith unless you are abstinent in this world.”