Etiquette of Social Interaction in the Hadiths of Imam Ali bin Musa al-Rida (peace be upon him) – 3

The Etiquette of Social Interaction in the Hadiths of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him) — Part 3

7. The Recommendation of Eating in the Home of a Believing Brother

Al-Barqi narrated in al-Mahasin: from Yasir al-Khadim, from Abu al-Hasan al-Ridha (peace be upon him), who said: “The charitable person eats from the food of people so that they may eat from his food.” [16]

And he (peace be upon him) said: “The generous person eats from the food of people so that they may eat from his food, while the miser does not eat from the food of people lest they eat from his food.” [17]

8. Upholding Justice and Fairness with People

Al-Saduq narrated in al-‘Uyun from Abu ‘Abdus, from Abu Qutaybah, from al-Fadl, from al-Ridha (peace be upon him), who said: “The practice of justice and benevolence is a herald of enduring blessings.” [18]

And from al-Amali by al-Tusi, from Abu al-Fadl, from Muhammad ibn Ja’far al-Razzar, from his grandfather Muhammad ibn ‘Isa al-Qaysi, from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl al-Sayrafi, from al-Ridha, from his forefathers, from the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), who said: A man said to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family): “Teach me a deed that will not stand between me and Paradise.”

The Prophet said: “Do not become angry, do not ask people for anything, and be content for people with what you are content for yourself.” [19]

[16] al-Mahasin, Vol. 2, p. 449; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 75, p. 450

[17] Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, p. 470

[18] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 75, p. 28

[19] Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 75, p. 28

9. Keeping the Secrets of Brothers

In al-Khisal and al-‘Uyun, from Ahmad ibn Idris, from al-Ash’ari, from Sahl, from al-Harith ibn al-Dalhat, from al-Ridha (peace be upon him), who said: “A believer is not truly a believer until three characteristics are present in him: a tradition (sunnah) from his Lord, a tradition from his Prophet, and a tradition from his Wali (Guardian/Imam).”

“The tradition from his Lord is the keeping of His secrets; for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, is the Knower of the Unseen, and He does not reveal His unseen to anyone except a Messenger whom He has chosen.” [20]

“As for the tradition from his Prophet, it is the gentle treatment of people, for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, commanded His Prophet to treat people with gentleness, saying: ‘Hold to forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.’” [21]

“As for the tradition from his Wali, it is patience during hardship and adversity, for Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, says: ‘…and the patient in poverty and hardship.’” [22]

And in al-‘Uyun, from Ibn al-Mutawakkil, Ibn ‘Issam, al-Maktab, al-Warraq, and al-Daqqaq, all from al-Kulayni, from ‘Ali ibn Ibrahim al-‘Alawi, from Musa ibn Muhammad al-Muharibi, from a man who said: Al-Ma’mun said to al-Ridha (peace be upon him): “Recite to me the most beautiful thing you have narrated regarding the keeping of secrets.” He (peace be upon him) replied:

I intentionally forget the secret, lest I let it slip,

So let him who sees a secret be protected by forgetting;

For I fear its mention might cross my mind,

And my heart might cast it out to the depths of my soul,

Thus, he who does not reveal a secret, yet lets it wander

In his thoughts, will find no love for it to endure. [23]

[20] Surah Al-Jinn, Verse 26

[21] Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 199

[22] Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 177

[23] Tuhaf al-‘Uqul, p. 465