“Make your brother happy so that Allah may make you happy.”

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A man came to see the Imam (as) and asked him to give him a letter to al-Najjashi, so that he omits or reduces the tax. Imam (as) wrote in brief the following words after mentioning and glorifying the name of Allah (SwT): “Make your brother so that Allah may make you happy.”

The man carried the letter and handed it to al-Najjashi. When he took it, he kissed it and put it on his eyes. Then he said: “What is your need?”

“I have to pay tax to your government,” he said.

“How much?” Al-Najjashi replied.

“Ten thousands dinars,” the man answered.

Al-Najjashi, the governor, called his accountant and commanded him to remove the name of the man from the list of those paying tax. Then, he turned to the man and kindly said: “Did I make you happy?”

“Yes, your majesty!” he answered.

He ordered to give the man a vehicle, a female slave, a slave, some dresses and other gifts and kindness. With each one of the gifts, he asked the man: “Did I make you happy?” and the man answered: “Yes!” He also gave him the carpet of the house on which he was sitting. The man left him happy hearted. He was overcome by happiness. He went to Imam al-Sadiq (as) and informed him about what al-Najjashi granted from kindness and mercy. Imam (as) was happy and said to the man: “O the son the Holy Prophet! It seems that he made you happy with what he did for me?”

Imam (as) instantly said when he saw happiness apparent on his face: “Yes! I swear by Allah! He has made Allah and His Prophet happy.”

THE LIFE OF IMAM JAF’AR AL-SADIQ (AS) – BAQIR SHARIF AL-QURASHI