Chapter 3 - On Shiite Manners

“O' You! The followers who are associated with us! Be a source of honor for us, not a source of infamy. Why can you not live among the people as Imam Ali's (a.s) companions did? Each one of them was the leader of the people and the one who called them to prayer where he lived. He was trustworthy and guarded their properties. Please visit the ill, participate in burial ceremonies, and pray in the mosques. Do not let others surpass you in performing good deeds. I swear by God that you are not superior to them in this regard.” He then looked at Amr ibn Aban who was the youngest man present and said: “You who are the younger people should not be lazy. Go to visit them so often that they start to become your followers. Know that God is better for you than them.”

“What is the proper way for us to treat and associate with our tribes and people who are not Shiites?” Imam Sadiq (a.s) replied: “Look at the way your leaders lived and follow them as examples. Treat others as they did. I swear by God that your leaders visit the ill, attend burial ceremonies, witness for or against them, and return the things with which they have been entrusted.”

“If there is a bad omen in anything, it is in the tongue. Watch what you say just as you guard your properties. Avoid your selfish desires just as you avoid your enemies. For a man, nothing is more lethal than following his selfish desires and the results of what he says.”

“Associate with the people since in their view the love for Imam Ali (a.s) and the Blessed Fatima (a.s) has no benefit for you, and nothing is worse in their mind than mentioning the names of Ali and Fatima.”

Marazaem said that he was appointed by Imam Sadiq (a.s) to deliver a letter. He said that once he left, the Imam (a.s) called him and said: “Marazaem. Let there be nothing but good acts between you and the people, even if they swear at me.”

“The fastest rewards granted for good deeds are related to treating the people with gentleness, and the fastest punishments that are sent are for oppression. It is bad enough for one to be picky about things which others do but to ignore them when done by himself, or blame others for doing what he cannot abandon himself, or uselessly hurt his companions.”

Zavareh said that he was accompanying Imam Baqir (a.s) once when they were escorting the body of a dead person in a funeral procession. A man called Ata was also escorting in the funeral procession. A woman started crying and Ata asked her if she would calm down or not. He said that he would quit following the procession if she did not stop crying. Ata left the funeral ceremony since that woman did not calm down. Zavareh informed the Imam (a.s) that Ata left. The Imam (a.s) asked the reason. He said it was because of a woman crying. Ata asked if she would calm down lest he would leave. The woman did not calm down and Ata left the funeral procession. Zavareh informed the Imam (a.s) that Ata had left. The Imam (a.s) said: “Let's continue. We cannot quit doing what is right because we see something that is wrong is being done. If so, we have not done what Muslims should do.” After Imam Baqir (a.s) performed the prayers over the body of the dead man, the family of the dead man thanked him and asked him to return because it was hard for him to continue walking. However, the Imam (a.s) did not agree to return. Then Zavareh asked the Imam (a.s): “Why did you not return even though they gave permission?” Imam Baqir (a.s) replied: “Let's continue. We did not come here with their permission, and do not need their permission to return. This is done for its divine reward, and God will only reward us for as much as we do.”

“A man went to see the Prophet (a.s) and said: O' Muhammad! What do you invite the people to?” The Prophet (a.s) said: “My followers and I knowingly invite the people to God. I invite you to One who will remove your difficulties from you when you call Him during times of hardship, or sorrow; One who will provide for your needs when you get poor, and will guide you safely out of the desert should you get lost there.” The man said: O' Muhammad! Please give me some advice.” The Prophet (a.s) said: “Do not get angry.” He asked for more advice. The Prophet (a.s) said: “Like for others what you like for yourself.” He asked for more advice. The Prophet (a.s) said: “Do not swear at people, since then they will become your enemies.” He asked for more advice. The Prophet (a.s) said: “Do not abandon doing good deeds for those who need you.” He asked for more advice. The Prophet (a.s) said: “Love the people so that they love you. Serve some water for your brethren to drink. Treat them with kindness and good temper. Do not be impatient since then you will lose this world and the Hereafter. Put on proper trousers and do not unbutton your shirts since this is a form of haughtiness, and God does not like a haughty person.”