100 sayings of Imam Muhammad b. Jafer As-Sadiq (A.S.)

Part 2

26- To miss a need is better than asking it from other than its people. Bad mannerism in a misfortune is more catastrophic than the misfortune itself.

27- As a man asked him a short item of instruction that collects the welfare of this world and the world to come, the Holy Imam (A.S.) said: Never tell untruths.

28- Imam As-Sadiq (A.S.) was asked about eloquence. He answered: Eloquence is to express the idea in as few as possible words. The eloquent is that who attains his demand in the least effort.

29- Debt is grief at night and humility in day.

30- If your worldly demands are attainable, you should check your religion.

31- Treat your fathers piously so that your sons will treat you piously. Keep yourselves away from the strange women so that your harem will be chaste.

32- He who entrusts a betrayer with a deposit will be deprived of Allah's warranty.

33- Imam As-Sadiq(A.S.) said to Humran-bin-A'yun: O Humran, look to him who is less powerful that you are and do not look at him who is more powerful so that you will be more satisfied with what Allah has allotted for you and will be a greater motive to deserve the Lord's increase. Know that little permanent deed with conviction is more favorable to Allah than the many deeds that are lacking conviction. You should know also that no piety is more profitable than avoiding committing the prohibited matters and the abstinence from harming and backbiting the believers. No living is more pleasant than good mannerism, no fortune is more advantageous than satisfaction with the sufficient and the little, and no ignorance is more harmful than self-conceit.

34- Pudency is of two faces: one is weakness while the other is power, submisison, and faith.

35- Negligence of others' rights is humility. Certainly, the neglector of rights needs for forgery in this regard.

36- It is sufficient for one of the group to salute. Similarly, it is sufficient for one of the group to respond the salutation.

37- Salutation is voluntary while responding is obligatory.

38- Do not answer those who speak before they greet you.

39- Shaking hands is the perfect greeting of the resident and embracement is the perfect greeting of the traveler.

40- Shake hands, because this will confiscate malice.

41- Fear Allah even if to some extent. Construct a screen between Him and you even if transparent.

42- As for those who control themselves in rage, desire, fear, and lust, Allah will prevent Hell from burning their bodies.

43- Good health is a light grace; it is forgotten when found and mentioned when missed.

44- In good days, Allah endows with the grace of consent. In distress, He endows with the grace of purification.

45- It often happens that Allah endows a servant with a grace that he does not expect. It also happens that one hopes for something while his goodness is in its opposite. It also may happen that one is running for his doom, while he goes slowly for his goodness.

46- He who does not show steadfastness against every misfortune, show gratitude for every grace, and show easiness for every complexity will surely be too short to continue. Be broad-minded whenever a misfortune inflicts you, whether in your son, wealth, or other matters. The fact of every misfortune is that Allah receives his loan and takes his gift back so as to test your tolerance and thanking.

47- Everything has limits. The limit of conviction is not to fear anything besides Allah.

48- The (Faithful) believer should enjoy eight characters; he should be venerable in shaking situations, steadfast against misfortunes, thankful in luxury, satisfied with what Allah has decided to him, avoid oppressing the enemies, avoid overtasing the associates, should fatigue his body, and make people feel glad with him.

49- Knowledge is the comrade of the faithful believer, clemency is his supporter, patience is the commander of his army, lenience is his brother, and charity is his father.

50- Imam As-Sadiq(A.S.) said to Abu-Ubayda who asked him to supplicate to Allah for saving him from making his earnings pass by the mediation of the servants: Allah has arranged to make people's earnings in other people's hands. You should supplicate to Allah to make your earnings in the hands of the charitable people, because this is a sort of happiness, and not to make your earnings in the hands of the vicious, because it is a sort of despondency.