Once, one of the companions of Imam Sadiq (a.s) said to him (a.s): “My brothers and cousins have made life very difficult for me in my house, to the extent that I lead my life in only one room. If I were to even attempt to complain to them or the governor, they shall take away all the wealth and property that I possess.”
The Imam (a.s) said: “Be patient for after adversity you shall be in ease and comfort.”
Later, narrating the incident, the man said: ”(Paying heed to the Imam’s counsel) I decided against initiating legal proceedings against them. Before long plague struck the region in the year 131 ah and all those relatives, who used to trouble him died as a result of it.”
After a period he presented himself before the Imam (a.s), who inquired: “How are your relatives?” The man replied: “All of them are dead!”
The Imam (a.s) said: “They died as a result of the inconveniences that they had subjected you to; a punishment for their deeds (for severing the bonds of relationship) with respect to you – their relative.”
The Imam (a.s) then asked: “Did you want them to stay alive and inconvenience you?” Whereupon the man replied: “By Allah! No.”( Shaytan, vol. 1, pg. 515; al-Kafi )