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Muḥammad Abū Zuhrah has praised the ethics and virtues of Imam Ṣādiq (‘a) in his book Al-Imām al-Ṣādiq (‘a). We will mention some selections from this book, inshallah:
The Ethics of Imam Ṣādiq (‘a):
‘Imam Ṣādiq (‘a) was not affected by any issues of ego and worldly desire when it came to his pursuit of the truth. He was never after worldly gain and he would not even approach things which could be considered as ‘grey areas in these matters’. He sought the clear truth and he sought it for the sake of the truth itself… Whenever he was approached by an issue which was doubtful, his sincerity guided him to the reality of that matter…
Sincerity was something which came from the very essence of Imam Ṣādiq (‘a), for he was from the tree of prophethood and the essence of this trait is established in that pure household… and these individuals verily inherited sincerity from one another. This family would love something only for the sake of God and they consider this to be from the foundations of faith and certainty. The Prophet (ṣ) is known to have said: A believer does not have faith until he loves only for the sake of God.’
The Generosity of Imam Ṣādiq (‘a):
Abū Zuhrah has written the following about the generosity of Imam Ṣādiq (‘a): Many of the Quranic commentators have mentioned that the verse: “They give food, for the love of Him, to the needy, the orphan and the prisoner”[1] is in regards to ‘Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib… What is also certain is that ‘Alī was one of the most generous people amongst the companions and indeed even amongst the Arabs. His descendents afterwards were likewise the same. ‘Alī ibn al-Ḥusayn Zayn al-‘Ābidīn (‘a) would carry sacks of food nightly on his shoulders and distribute them to the poor…
It is not surprising at all that Imam Ṣādiq (‘a), who was raised in this same household, would also be extremely generous and giving. He was an individual who would give freely to the poverty stricken and he is narrated to have said: “Good works are not made complete except by three things: by quick speed (meaning hastening in helping others), considering the action to be small and inconsequential, and in hiding it.”[2]
In line with this philosophy, he would most oftentimes hide his charity and this philosophy was something that was also practiced by his grandfather, ‘Alī ibn al-Ḥusayn (‘a). Whenever there was a famine, he would quickly fill a sack full of bread, meat, and money, and he would personally distribute these amongst the poor and needy of Medina. He would do this in a hidden way and no one knew at that time who this individual was. When the Imam (‘a) passed away, people found out that he had been that individual. In the book ḤilyaÞ al-AwlīyāÞ, it has been narrated that Ja‘far ibn Muḥammad would help the poor and needy so much that nothing would be left for his family.[3]
Abū Zuhrah has written the following on this subject: Imam Ṣādiq (‘a) was a forgiving and generous man; he would never respond to bad behavior with its like; he would always respond with a better action and he was following God’s order in the Quran which says: “…Repel [evil] with what is best. [If you do so,] behold, he between whom and you was enmity, will be as though he were a sympathetic friend.”[4] The Imam (‘a) would always be known to say: “Whenever something upsetting reaches you from your brother, do not become upset, for if what he says is true (in regards to you), then his ill words are a punishment that have been hastened towards you and if you are not as he has said, then his words will be (counted as) a good deed for you which you have not performed.”
Imam Ṣādiq (‘a) would act with kindness and moderation towards the people who worked for him and with those who socialized with him. It has been narrated that the Imam (‘a) sent one of his servants on an errand but the servant was sluggish in fulfilling his duty. The Imam (‘a) went looking for him and he came upon him while he had fallen asleep. When the Imam (‘a) saw him in this state, he stood above him and began to fan him until he woke up. When he had woken up, the Imam (‘a) said to him: You can’t sleep both during the night and during the day; let the night be for you and let the day be for us….
Whenever word reached Imam Ṣādiq (‘a) that someone had slandered him, he would stand up and prepare himself for prayer; he would then pray a very lengthy prayer and ask God not to punish that individual (for what he had done). He is also narrated to have said: “No amount of money was ever lessened by giving charity and no servant forgave but that his honor and dignity increased. And whoever is humble for the sake of God, will be raised by God.[5]
The characteristics of forbearance and forgiveness are from the trademarks of such divine leaders, just as the Quran has mentioned: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good advice and dispute with them in a manner that is best.”[6] Another verse also mentions this issue with the following words: “Adopt [a policy of] excusing [the faults of people], bid what is right, and turn away from the ignorant.”[7][8]
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