A companion of Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) complained about the ill-treatment given to him by his relatives,
“My own brother as well as my paternal cousins are harassing me. They have snatched the house that rightfully belonged to me and have given me only a room to live in. If I complain to the government, I shall be able to recover all my property.
Imam (a.s.) said,
“Be patient, everything will be alright.”
The man returned satisfied. In the year 131 A.H. there was a terrible plague. All the relatives of the man perished. Thereafter when he arrived before Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.), he (Imam a.s.) asked,
“How are your relatives?”
The man said, “By Allah all of them are dead.” The Imam (a.s.) said,
“Their deaths have been due to their ill-treatment and Qat’a ar-Rahm of relatives like you, not recognizing your right and cutting off relationships.”