Ethics and Spirituality

Although the Sermon of Hammam describes the exalted qualities of the Godwary, it does not cover every aspect of taqwa. The sermon came to an end when Hammam suddenly lost consciousness, leaving Imam Ali (AS) no opportunity to discuss taqwa’s deeper, hidden wellsprings.

The daily routine of a monotheistic and sincere servant of God should include asking God for certainty and well-being. The Sermon of the Pious and Imam Ali’s letter to Imam Hasan (AS) in Nahj al-Balagha offer the best guidance on the duties of servitude throughout the day and night. One who attains certainty is to be envied, not pitied.

To break free from masturbation, turn to God and remember Him more often. Keep your heart and thoughts in check, and avoid dwelling on sexually arousing subjects. Guard your eyes and ears both offline and online, and keep away from bad influences. Make a habit of studying religion, staying occupied, remembering death, and reflecting on verses about Paradise and Hell. Also avoid foods of doubtful permissibility and take your plans for marriage seriously.

The joy of worship and obedience comes through sincere knowledge and putting it into practice. Knowledge without action is of no benefit and may even distance us from God. A true scholar is one whose good deeds speak for him, not merely his words. To attain this joy, we need wisdom, gentleness, compassion, patience, and contentment.

To protect yourself from envious, greedy people who stir others up and cause trouble, distressing the family, it is recommended that you turn to the remembrance of God and seek help through God and the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). You should also avoid behavior that provokes them.

Being intoxicated by words means allowing the mind and heart to be affected by corrupt speech—a state that Satan brings about through various stratagems. Good and truthful words do not intoxicate the mind and heart; they awaken and guide them. We must guard the mind and heart against corrupt speech, but being enraptured by words of truth is neither wrong nor undesirable.

To remain steadfast and preserve one’s faith until the end of life, one should sincerely hold fast to the Qur’an and the Prophet’s Household, entrust oneself to God, and persevere in self-examination. Staying close to the righteous and keeping away from the corrupt, avoiding settings where sin is rife, regularly reciting the Qur’an and Sūrat al-Kahf, and cultivating a close relationship with al-Ṣaḥīfa al-Sajjādiyya are among the important ways to do so.

If obsessive thoughts are causing you severe distress, it is essential to consult a qualified practitioner of spiritual and psychological care. Suggested approaches include general recommendations such as rising early, deep breathing, a healthy diet, massage, enjoying fragrances, burning esfand and frankincense, and reciting Sūrat al-Nās and Sūrat al-Falaq.

People who have the gift of persuasion should cultivate noble character and adorn themselves with piety, so that they do not fall into the traps of ostentation, seeking recognition, self-conceit and pride. A close study of religious texts and regular engagement with the Ṣaḥīfa al-Sajjādiyya are recommended as ways to nurture spiritual and emotional well-being and strengthen the heart.

Religion is the constitution of ethics and humanity, while ethics and humanity are the soul of the divinely revealed religions. Human nature inspires us to follow the path of truth, which remains ever present in the human heart. The geography of Palestine is not what makes someone Jewish, and every religion can be found throughout the world. If we study the Qur’an with sincere intent, we will find it bearing witness to this truth.

Old age is a sign of transition and the renewal of one’s garment, while a body worn down by age signals departure and the end of life’s appointed term. For a God-conscious believer who develops dementia, the true time of death is the onset of dementia; the hardships that follow serve as means of purification and refinement, and are governed by divine wisdom and purpose.

A person’s rights are not discharged except by making amends and obtaining their forgiveness. But if someone is unable to repay what is owed, God, the Absolutely Self-Sufficient, may make restitution on their behalf—provided they have fulfilled all the requirements of repentance. Taking a careless attitude toward the rights of others deprives a person of the grace to repent and the opportunity to make amends.

Sincere seeking of refuge in God and wholehearted surrender to Him are the secret of an intimate retreat with the Beloved, the Comforter of hearts. Love of this world sharpens Satan’s hearing and paves the way for his influence; rising above attachment to the world deafens his ears and blinds his eyes. Call upon God on the frequency of perfect sincerity.

Sincere repentance and making amends for unlawful earnings purify a person. Any impurity in their children is their own responsibility; the parent has merely provided the means by which it may have been passed on. If someone has raised children for years on unlawful earnings and then repents, sincere repentance and making amends will purify them.

Sincere faith, genuine God-consciousness, and following the Imams—that is, living under the Imamate, authority, and guidance of the infallible Imams (peace be upon them)—are among the conditions for receiving divine light and earning the approval of Imam al-Mahdi (AJ). These qualities are emphasised in the Quran and hadith.

We are unaware of the effects of our actions because “effects” refers to people’s ways, signs, and intentions—things anyone can discern by sharpening their perception. It is possible to attain this degree of awareness in this world, and God records both people’s actions and their effects.

A deferred need is being nurtured in God’s unseen treasuries, and God knows the best time and way to fulfill it. Impatience reflects a lack of trust in divine wisdom. Expand your capacity to receive this great blessing.

Understanding this world and the Hereafter, reflecting on creation, and recognizing the meaning of worship and servitude to God make us resilient in the face of hardship and protect us from conceit when we succeed. When our actions are directed toward God’s pleasure, neither failure nor success can halt our upward journey. We must not forget to remember God and put our trust in Him.

Intellect is the first creation of God and the commander of the seventy-five forces of noble character. A person’s rationality depends on how much they benefit from the light of intellect and distance themselves from ignorance. We should respond with patience and forbearance to those who, in our view, do not act rationally, and try to help them move toward perfection by learning about intellect and its forces and turning away from ignorance. Intellect can be strengthened through practice and understanding.

The sign that a person has completely rid themselves of a vile trait is an intense aversion to it and a strong inclination toward noble qualities—the opposite of that trait. This state is accompanied by a sense of new life, a renewed experience of being alive, and a particular eagerness to be alone with God, to pray and whisper supplications, to perform the prescribed prayers, fast, give zakat, and do good deeds.