Pearl of Wisdom
Venerate the scholar for his knowledge and abandon argumentation with him. Depreciate the ignorant man for his ignorance but do not drive him away. Rather draw him near and teach him.' Shahid al-Awwal (may Allah sanctify his soul) wrote in his al-Qg,wa'id, 'The veneration of a believer is allowed according to what is current amongst the norms of the time, even though the practice has not been handed down from our forefathers but because of the general laws indicating to it. Allah, most High, says, That, and whoever venerates the sacraments of Allah indeed that arises from the godwariness in the hearts , and He, most High, says, That, and whoever venerates the sacraments of Allah, that is better for him with his Lord. , and The Prophet (SAWA) said, 'Do not display hatred towards each other, nor be jealous of each other, nor oppose each other, nor break off relations with each other, but rather be brothers as servants of Allah.' Based on this , standing and veneration through curtsying and the like is allowed, and may even be obligatory if abandonment of it will lead to mutual hatred and breaking of relations or to the insult of a believer. It is authenticated that the Prophet (SAWA) stood up for Fatima (AS) and for Ja'far [may Allah be pleased with him) when he arrived from Abyssinia, and he said to the Ansar, 'Stand up for your leader.' It has been reported that he (SAWA) stood up for 'Ikrima b. Abi Jahl when he arrived from Yemen, gladdened by his arrival.'
Imam Musa ibn Jafar al-Kadhim [as] Bihar al-Anwar, v. 75, p. 461, no. 14
|
Social Interactions |
|
Courteous social relations with Allah's creation while avoiding all acts of disobedience to Him is a sign of Allah's excessive generosity with His bondsman. Whoever is sincere and humble before Allah in his innermost being will have good social interaction externally. Keep company with people for the sake of Allah and do not keep company merely for your own share of worldly affairs, for seeking rank, showing off, or for reputation. Do not fall below the limits of the shari'ah for the sake of social intercourse, such as trying to keep up with others, or gaining a reputation, for these things cannot make up for you, and you will miss the next world, with no recourse. Treat someone who is older than you as you would your father, someone who is younger than you as you would a son. Treat your peer as you would a brother. Do not abandon what you know to be certain within yourself for something heard from other people which you doubt. Be gentle when you enjoin good, and compassionate when you forbid evil. Never abandon good counsel in any circumstance. As Allah said,
 Speak to men good words. (2:83)
Cut yourself off from what makes you forget to remember Allah, when temptation distracts you from obedience to Him, for that comes from the friends and helpers of Satan. Do not allow the sight of them to move you to dissimulation with the truth, for that would be a terrible loss indeed. We seek refuge with Almighty Allah.
|
|