Etiquette of Social Interaction in the Hadiths of Imam Ali bin Musa al-Rida (peace be upon him) – 4

In al-Kafi, from Muhammad ibn Yahya Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Ibn Abi Nasr, who said: “I asked Abu al-Hasan al-Ridha (peace be upon him) about a matter, but he refused to answer and remained silent. Then he said: ‘If we were to give you everything you desire, it would be an evil for you, and your companion would seize this matter [of leadership].’”

Abu Ja’far (peace be upon him) said: “The Wilayah (divine authority) of Allah, He confided it to Gabriel; Gabriel confided it to Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family); Muhammad confided it to Ali (peace be upon him); and Ali confided it to whomever he willed. Yet, you spread it wide: Who among you has ever withheld a single letter that he heard?” [24]

Abu Ja’far (peace be upon him) said in Hikmat Al al-Dawud: “One should be a master of himself, focused on his own affairs, and knowledgeable of the people of his time. So fear Allah and do not broadcast our discourses. If Allah were to constantly defend His allies and avenge His allies against His enemies, would you not have seen what Allah did to the House of Baramika?

And how has Allah not avenged Abu al-Hasan (peace be upon him)? The Banu al-Ash’ath were in great peril, yet Allah protected them through their allegiance to Abu al-Hasan. You in Iraq desire the actions of those Pharaohs, yet Allah did not grant them respite. Therefore, fear Allah; let not the life of this world deceive you, nor be deceived by those whom Allah has granted respite, as if the matter [of judgment] has already reached you.”

[24] al-Kafi, Vol. 2, p. 224; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 75, p. 78

10. Fulfilling the Trust (Amanah) to Brothers

In ‘Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha, from him, from his forefathers, it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: “My nation will continue to be in goodness as long as they love one another, exchange gifts, fulfill trusts, avoid the forbidden, honor the guest, establish prayer, and give Zakat. If they cease to do so, they will be afflicted with famine and years of hardship.” [25]

11. Equality in Greeting Between the Rich and the Poor

Al-Hurr al-‘Amili narrated in al-Wasa’il, from ‘Uyun al-Akhbar and al-Majalis, with his chain of transmission from Fadl ibn Kathir, from Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him), who said: “Whoever meets a poor Muslim and greets him differently than the way he greets a rich person, he will meet Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, on the Day of Resurrection while He is angry with him.” [26]

12. The Recommendation of Greeting Children

From al-Saduq, from al-Muzaffar ibn Ja’far al-‘Alawi… from al-‘Abbas ibn Hilal, from Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha, from his forefathers (peace be upon them), who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said: “There are five things I shall not abandon until death: eating from the lowest part of a dish alongside servants, riding a donkey laden with burdens, milking the animal with my own hands, wearing wool, and greeting children, so that it may become a tradition (sunnah) after me.” [27]

[25] ‘Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha, Vol. 2, p. 29; Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 75, p. 115

[26] Wasa’il al-Shi’a, Vol. 8, p. 422

[27] Ibid, p. 441