Traits of Nobility

part 5

Mind Your Language

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (A.S) had many followers, some of which stayed with him from the time they rose to the time they went home to sleep. One such person was so attached to the Imam (A.S) that people never saw him ever absent himself from his (A.S) company, be it at home, in the mosque, in the marketplace, anywhere that the Imam (A.S) went. In spite of having a name, he was generally addressed as ‘the friend’.

One day, he was seen in the marketplace with the Imam (A.S), who wished to get his shoe stitched by the cobbler. ‘The friend’s’ bondsman was following him. As they turned a corner of the street, ‘the friend’ looked back to see if his bondsman was there behind him. He was not there. After a few minutes he turned around to see if he had returned. He was nowhere in sight. Finding him missing for the third time, he looked back the fourth time and found him standing right behind him.

‘You bastard! Where were you all this time?’ he shouted.

‘Ya ibn e RasoolAllah! My slave is a Sindhi, so was his mother. You know they are not Muslims, so my accusation is not false.’

‘His mother might have been a non-believer, but all communities have their own laws of marriage. Those laws are in keeping with their communal system and their union must not be equated with fornication, nor their children considered illegitimate.’

He then turned his face away from the friend and said, ‘Just remove yourself from my proximity this very minute, and never be seen in my company again.’

No one ever saw ‘the friend’ in the company of the Imam (A.S) after this incident.

Controlling Anger Wisely

A man of the desert of Arabia visited the Holy Prophet (s) and, after greeting him, made a request. ‘Give me some advice that I should always practice, Prophet of Allah (s).’

‘Control your anger’, he (s) replied, and offered no more.

The man returned to his tribe. On reaching home, he learnt that, in his absence, the youth of his tribe had plundered the neighbouring tribe and returned with a lot of booty. In response, the young men of that tribe plundered their tribe and absconded. This unruly behaviour continued, so much so, that now both were preparing for a bloody battle to settle accounts.

Hearing this, the man flew into a rage and, donning his armour, prepared to join his tribe in the fray.

On his way to the battleground, he was reminded of the advice given to him by the Holy Prophet(s). He slowed down and thought.

‘What is it that drove me to arm myself for battle? What made me agree to kill and be killed in this bloody way? What is it that made me so furious?’

This introspection made him conclude, ‘This is the time for me to apply the advice given to me.’ His anger disappeared and he stepped out from within the ranks of his tribe and calling out to the chief of the opposing tribe, went to him.

Speaking softly and courteously, he asked him, ‘What is the reason for this blood-shot anger on both sides? If it is the foolish plundering of your tribe by our youth, I will personally pay for the loss incurred by you. This is no great reason for us to shed blood on both sides.’

On hearing these words of wisdom, the gallantry of the people of the other tribe was aroused and they immediately retorted, ‘If you can admit your mistake, we, too, can forgive you, for we are certainly not less noble than you.’

This ended the bloodthirsty feud, and both sides returned home relieved.

To be continued ...

Source: alhassanain.com

Other Links:

Womans Role in the Islamic Civilization (part 3)

Womans Role in the Islamic Civilization (part 4)

Traits of Nobility (part 1)