I went to Amir al-Mu’minin (s) while he was in the courtyard of the Mosque of Kufa. I said: Peace be with you, Amir al-Mu’minin, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. He said: And also with you, Nawfal, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. So, I said to him: O Amir al-Mu’minin! Exhort me. So, he said: O Nawfal! Do good, and good will come to you. So, I said: Give me more, Amir al-Mu’minin. So, he said: O Nawfal! Be merciful, and you will receive mercy. So, I said: Give me more, Amir al-Mu’minin. He said: O Nawfal! Say good things, and you will be remembered in goodness. So, I said: Give me more, Amir al-Mu’minin. He said: Avoid backbiting, for it is the treat of the dogs of the Fire. Then, he said: O Nawfal! One who alleges that he had a pure birth whilst eating the flesh of the people by backbiting has lied. One who alleges that he had a pure birth whilst hating me and hating the Imams from my descendants has lied. One who alleges that he had a pure birth whilst loving adultery has lied. One who alleges that he recognizes Allah whilst continually disobeying Allah every day and every night has lied. O Nawfal! Take my advice: do not be a captain, a corporal, a tax collector, or a postman. O Nawfal! Connect with your blood-relatives, and Allah will lengthen your life, beautify your form; and Allah will ease your Judgment. O Nawfal! Your joy would be to be with me on the Day of Resurrection, so do not be a helper of the oppressors. O Nawfal! Whoever loves us will be with us on the Day of Resurrection. Even if a man loved a stone, Allah would resurrect him with it. O Nawfal! Beware of adorning yourself for the people whilst battling Allah with your disobedience, for Allah would expose you on the Day you meet Him. O Nawfal! Maintain what I say to you, and you will achieve the best of this world and the Hereafter.