Imam Sadiq (as) met some of his best and holy students and said the following to one of them: “What did you learn from me?”
He answered: “My lord! There are eight.”
“Narrate them for me so that I know them” Imam (as) replied.
First: I saw all lovers left the beloved when death comes through. So I turned to the One who does not only leave me, but also entertain me in my loneliness. I believe that this is a good deed.
Second: I saw people being proud of their family and tribe and others were proud of their money and sons, while there are no prides with those. I found the great pride in the speech of Almighty Allah, Who said: “Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you” (49:13). So I attempted to be righteous from that point of view.
Imam (as) expressed his interest in that speech and said: “Well done!”
The man followed his speech, saying:
Third: I saw people’s amusement and pastime and heard the following from Almighty Allah: “And for such as had entertained the fear of standing before their Lord’s (tribunal) and had restrained (their) soul from lower desires, Their abode will be the Garden” (79:40-41). So I attempted to be away from lower desire to settle my aim on obeying Allah. Imam (as) continued, saying: “Well done!”
The man followed his speech, saying:
Fourth: I saw all those having money aiming at keeping it while I heard the speech of Almighty Allah: “Who is he that will Loan to Allah a beautiful loan? For (Allah) will increase it manifold to his credit, and he will have (besides) a liberal Reward” (57:11). So I liked the liberal rewards. I haven’t seen one who is a better keeper than Him. So, whenever I found something rewarding, I turned it to Allah (SwT) to be a saving for me when I need so. Then Imam (as) said: “Well done!”
The man followed his speech, saying:
Fifth: I saw the majesty of people measured by their wealth, but I heard the following from Almighty Allah: “It is We Who portion out between them their livelihood in the life of this world: and We raise some of them above others in ranks, so that some may command work from others. But the Mercy of thy Lord is better than the (wealth) which they amass” (43:32). So I never felt envy toward anyone at all and never felt sorry for what has gone from me. Then Imam (as) said: “Well done!”
The man followed his speech, saying:
Sixth: I saw the enmities of people toward each other in the worldly life and feuds which are in their heart, but I heard the following from Almighty Allah: “Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy.(35:6)” So I started my enmity toward Satan instead of the other. Then Imam (as) said: “Well done!”
His student continued:
Seventh: I saw people’s labours in earning their earning and I heard the following from Almighty Allah: “I have only created Jinn and men, that they may serve Me. No Sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should feed Me. For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance, Lord of Power, Steadfast (for ever)” (51:56-58). Then I learnt that his promise and speech are true. So I went after His promise and was satisfied in His speech. I became busy with what I am obligated towards Allah (SwT) instead of asking for my rights. Then Imam (as) said: “Well done!”
The student of Imam (as) continued the rest of his speech, saying:
Eighth: I saw people depending on the health of their bodies; others were depending on their wealth and the rest were depending on other people, but I heard the following from Almighty Allah: “And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him” (65:2-3). Therefore I depended on Allah (SwT) and all other dependences, which were based on others, were destroyed.
The Imam (as) admired him, saying: “I swear by Allah that Torah, Bible and Quran, meaning the Divine Books, were derived for and from these eight issues.”
This talk represented an important aspect of the spiritual upbringing, with which the Imam (as) was feeding his students in order to have them as living exemplars of the reality of Islam that does its best in elevating the intellectual and behavioral level of human beings.
THE LIFE OF IMAM JAF’AR AL-SADIQ (AS) – BAQIR SHARIF AL-QURASHI