Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (A) Morals

Do not talk about other people when they are not there even if what you say is true.

Once a man who claimed to be a friend of our 4th Imam, Imam Ali Zainul Abideen (A) came to him and told him that so and so had been saying horrible things about him.

Imam (A) replied that he had not heard anything and would not have if the man had not told him. Imam (A) then continued that the person who had said the horrible things was as if he had shot an arrow and missed the target but the man who had told him was as if he had picked up the fallen arrow and hit the target (Imam (A)) with it.

Allah does not like the habit of spreading scandal and gossip even if it be true.

In the time of Prophet Musa (A), once there was a severe drought. For months there had been no rain.

The people prayed and prayed but no rain came. When Prophet Musa (A) went to mount Sinai to pray, Allah revealed to him that amongst his people there was someone who spreading scandal and because of this person Allah had not let it rain. Prophet Musa (A) asked Allah who this person was so that he could tell him off for what he had done.

Allah replied that did Prophet Musa (A) want Him to do what He had forbidden for others. (i.e. talk about others).

We should always ask Allah to judge us with His mercy.

Ultimate Reality of Material World

A wise and saintly rich man, sensing his approaching death, called his son to his side and gave him these instructions:

'My son, I shall be leaving you very shortly. On the day when I die and they have washed my body and come to wrap it in the shroud, I want you to put one of my socks on my foot. This is my final request of you.'

Soon after this, the old man did indeed die, leaving behind his goods and property, his children and his dependents. Family, friends, acquaintances and neighbours attended his funeral. The body had been washed and was almost completely wrapped in the shroud, when the son remembered his father's wish. Finding one of his old socks, he handed it to the washer of the dead, saying, 'In accordance with my father's last request, please put this sock on his foot.'

'That is quite impossible:' Said the washer of the dead. 'Such a thing is utterly impermissible in Hindu religion. I cannot act against the Sacred Law.'

Despite this valid objection, the son insisted, 'That was my father's final request; it must certainly be carried out.'

The washer of the dead was unmoved. 'If you won't take my word for it,' he said, 'go and ask the elder men. They will confirm what I tell you, that it is not permissible.'

Holding up the funeral, they consulted the elder men, religious head and scholars, all of whom declared that this was not permissible in Hindu religion.

Just then, an aged friend of the deceased interrupted the debate with these words to the son: 'My boy, your late father entrusted me with a letter which I was to hand over to you after his departure. Here, this letter belongs to you.' So saying, he gave him an envelope.

Taken by surprise, the boy opened the envelope and read out the contents of his father's letter. 'My son, all this wealth and property I have left to you. Now you see: at the last moment, they won't even let you give me an old sock to wear. When you yourself come one day to be in my condition they will also refuse to let you keep anything. Naked body that, all you will be able to carry over from this fleeting world into the Hereafter. So pull yourself together and be prepared. Spend the fortune I have left you, not for the satisfaction of vain desires, but in ways pleasing to Almighty, that you may achieve honor in both worlds.'

Qullu Nafsin Za Iqatul Maut! Everything that lives shall taste Death! Noble Qur'an, Surah Al-Imran, Verse 185

Imam Ali (as) said: "Every creature who walks on the earth has to go inside one day."

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (as) said: "Death is like sleep; the only difference is that while sleep is of a short duration, death continues till the Day of Resurrection."

Imam Muhammad at-Taqi (as) said: "Some of the faithful dislike the pangs of death, because they are not fully aware of the comfort after death. Just as children and the insane dislike to take bitter medicine and make a wry face, though the bitterness of the medicine is a forerunner of benefit (to health)."

What a beautiful advice and guidance for those who can understand! May the mercy of Almighty be upon us all.