Chapter 3 - On Certitude

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “There is nothing for which there is no limit.” He was asked what the limit for reliance is. He replied: “It is certitude.” He was asked about the limit for certitude. He replied: “That with God, you fear no one.”

“One of Imam Ali’s (a.s) companions named Ghays was performing his prayers. After saying one unit of prayer, a black snake came to where he wanted to prostrate. He turned his face away from the snake when he wanted to say the second unit of prayer, but the snake wrapped itself around his neck and then went inside his shirt.” The Imam (a.s) said: “One day I went to a place called Fore located between Mecca and Medina. When the time came to pray I got off my horse and went near a plant called Samameh. After I said one unit of my prayer, a boa came towards me from beneath the plant, and returned after it got close to me. I started my prayer, and did not cut it short. After finishing my prayers, I started saying supplications, and I did not cut that short either. When I finished, I told my companions to capture the boa. They captured and killed the boa. God helps whoever fears none but Him.”