In our weekly ethical discussions, we have been narrating Hadith from the Noble Prophet (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) that he spoke to Amir al-Mominin “Ali ibn Abi Talib” (prayers be upon him) in which a total of one hundred and three characteristics of the true, complete believer were explained.
Those interested in having an Islamic Erfan (mysticism) can follow this hadith instead of going astray, and walk on the path towards Allah. In our previous gatherings, we discussed forty-one characteristics and today, we cover four more.
Text of the Hadith:
... وقوراً، صبوراً، رضياً، شكوراً.
Translation
… a true believer is steadfast, patient (against the adversities and unpleasant events), content with divine Qaza (destiny) and thankful (for the blessings).
Commentary of Hadith:
We can compare this Hadith with Hammam sermon, where Imam Ali (a.s.) has explained one hundred ten of characteristics of the true believers. Three characteristics mentioned in that sermon explains the Prophet’s (s.a.) above phrase:
فى الزلازل وقور و فى المكاره صبور و فى الرخاء شكور.(2)
The forty second characteristic of the true believer is "وقوراً". "وقور" means heaviness. The Holy Quran says:
و فى آذانهم وقراً (3)
God may cause heaviness in the ears of some and they can not hear the word of Truth, as a punishment for them.
In Hammam sermon, Imam Ali (a.s.) says: A true believer is steadfast against the shocking events in the life. Some weigh like a chaff, and move even with a breeze. They are not resistant at all. Some are like leave and some like branch, and some like the trees, which could be uprooted by a storm. However, a true believer is like a mountain, which not only does not move by a storm, but also it controls the storms.
و ألقى فى الارض رواسى أن تميد بكم (4)
God has created the mountains to avoid shaking of the earth by the storms.
It has been stated in the commentary of above verse, that if there were not mountains, the sand storms would have ruined the men’s life. Therefore, a believer controls disturbances and storms, and moves with them.
The shaking to which Ali (a.s.) has referred, sometimes originates from the man’s inward, like the storm of lusts, as Quran says in Joseph sura:
و لقد همت به وهم بها لولا اَن رأى برهان ربّه (5)
The divine argument prevented the storm of lust to shake Joseph.
Sometimes, the storms are outward, like the temptations of the external Shaitans.
Forty third of the characteristics of the true believer is "صبورا". Imam Ali (a.s.) says in Hammam sermon:
و فى المكاره صبور
It means that a true believer is patient against the unpleasant events in the life. The disturbance is not defined to a storm, rather, it could include disease, losing the dear friends and relatives. There are many problems and difficulties for the student, or the soldiers of Imam of the Time (a.s.) and the youths. We shall resist and be patient to achieve success. I knew some who fasted during the summer and did not have even a piece of bread for fast-breaking or did not have money to go to the bath. There are less problems today. I myself was engaged in many problems during education in Qom and Najaf.
What is the use of being impatient? Is anything changed with our impatience? How beautiful Ali (a.s.) says:
ان صبرت جرت عليك المقادير و انت مأجور و ان جزعت جرت عليك المقادير و انت مأزور (6)
Therefore, we have better to be patient to be rewarded. A learned man says: When facing with the problems, I say to myself:
ان لم اصبر فما افعل.
Forty fourth of the characteristics of the true believer is "رضیا", that is, a believer is satisfied with what God has decreed. A man shall do his best, and if still something predestined happens to him, he shall be satisfied with it. Satisfaction and submission is an important rank. Many mysteries are revealed by development of sciences. For instance, some children were afflicted with jaundice. Now, it has been proved that the disease protects the child against infectious diseases just like antibiotics, while it was considered as an involvement in the past. This is true for many of problems, that is, the man does not know their benefit.
Forty fifth of the characteristics of a true believer is "شکورا". Imam Ali (a.s.) says in Hammam sermon:
و فى الرخاء شكور
When the men are safe and healthy, they forget God, but when they are involved and engaged in the problems, they remember God. The Holy Quran says:
فلمّا نجّاهم الى البرّ اذا هم يشركون (7)
A true believer shall always remember God both at old age and youth. So, a believer thanks God even when everything is quiet and good.
We wish God to grant us success to observe these words, which suffice for the whole of our life.
… and all praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, only the mistakes are mine. (Tr.)
1 Bihar, volume 64, page 311
2 Nahjol Balaghe, sermon 193
3 People of the Cave sura, 57
4 The Bee sura, 15
5 Joseph sura, 24
6 Biharol Anwar, volume 68, page 92
7 The Spider sura, verse 65
