Imam al-Husayn (AS) in the Scale of Wisdom

The most communicative person is the one who maintains relations with one who cuts him off.

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنّ أوْصَلَ النّاسِ مَن وَصَلَ مَن قَطَعَهُ . بحار الأنوار : 78 / 121 / 4 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'The most communicative  person is the one who maintains relations with one who cuts him off.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 121, no. 4

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - لَمّا سُئل عَن مَعرفةِ اللَّهِ - : مَعرفةُ أهلِ كُلِّ زمانٍ إمامَهُمُ الّذي يَجِبُ عَلَيهِمْ طاعَتُهُ . بحار الأنوار : 23 / 83 / 22 .

Imam Husayn (AS), when asked how to attain knowledge of Allah, replied, 'It is for the people of every time to know their Imam, obedience to whom is mandatory.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 23, p. 83, no. 22

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - في كتابهِ إلى‏ أهلِ الكوفةِ - : فَلَعَمْري ، ما الإمامُ إلّا الحاكمُ بالكِتابِ ، القائمُ بالقِسْطِ، الدّائنُ بِدِينِ الحَقِّ ، الحابِسُ نَفْسَهُ على‏ ذاتِ اللَّهِ . الإرشاد : 2 / 39 .

Imam Husayn (AS), in his letter to the inhabitants of Kufa said, 'By my life, an Imam is only one who rules by the Book, a maintainer of justice, bound to the right religion, and controls himself for the sake of Allah.' al-Irshad, v. 2, p. 39

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام: دَخَلتُ عَلى رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله وَعِندَهُ أبي ابنُ كَعبٍ ، فَقالَ لي رسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله مَرحَباً بِكَ‏يا أبا عَبدِاللَّهِ ، يا زَينَ السَمَواتِ وَالأرَضينَ ، قالَ لَهُ أبَيٌّ : وَكَيفَ يَكونُ يا رسولَ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله زَينُ السَّماواتِ وَالأرَضينَ أحَدٌ غَيرُكَ ؟! قالَ : يا أبَيُّ وَالَّذي بَعَثَني بِالحَقِّ نَبيّاً إنَّ الحُسَينَ بنَ عَليٍّ في السَّماءِ أكبَرُ مِنهُ في الأرضِ ، وَإنَّهُ لَمَكتوبٌ عَن يَمينِ عَرشِ اللَّهِ عزّ وجلّ : مِصباحُ هُدىً وَسَفينَةُ نَجاةٍ وَإمامٌ غَيرُ وَهنٍ وَعِزٌّ وَفَخرٌ وَعَلَمٌ وَذُخرٌ . عيون أخبار الرضا : 1 / 59 / 29 .

Imam Husayn (AS) said, 'I visited the Prophet (SAWA) when Ubayy ibn Kab was with him. The Prophet greeted me, saying, 'Welcome O Aba Abdillah, O the beauty of the heavens and the earths.' So Ubayy said, 'How is it possible, O Messenger of Allah, for anyone other than you to be the beauty of the heavens and the earths?' He said, 'O Ubayy I swear by Him who has rightfully sent me down as a messenger, certainly [the worth of] Husayn b. Ali is greater in the heavens than on the earth. And verily it is written [about him] on the right side of Allah's Throne: lamp of guidance, ark of salvation, an Imam, not weak, a [source of] dignity and pride, a landmark and a great treasure.' Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, v. 1, p. 59, no. 29

الإمام الحسين عليه السلام : أيّها النّاسُ ، إنّ اللَّهَ - عزّ وجلّ ذِكْرُهُ - ما خَلقَ العِبادَ إلّا لِيَعرِفوهُ ، فإذا عَرفُوهُ عَبَدوهُ ، فإذا عَبَدوهُ اسْتَغنَوا بعِبادتِهِ عن عبادةِ ما سِواهُ . فقالَ لَه رجلٌ : يابنَ رسولِ اللَّهِ ، بأبي أنتَ واُمّي فما معرفةُ اللَّهِ؟ قالَ : معرفةُ أهلِ كلِّ زمانٍ إمامَهُمُ الّذي يَجبُ علَيهِم طاعتُهُ . بحار الأنوار : 23 / 83 / 22 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'O People! Allah, exalted be His remembrance, has only created people so that they might know Him; and when they know Him they worship Him; and when they worship Him they become needless of worshipping others by His worship.' A man asked him, 'O son of the Prophet! May my parents be your ransom, what is meant by knowing Allah?' He replied, 'It is that the people of each era must know their Imam, to whom obedience is mandatory.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 23, p. 83, no. 22

  الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - سُئِلَ عَنِ الجَهادِ: سُنَّةٌ أو فَرِيضةٌ؟ فقالَ عليه السلام - : الجِهادُ على‏ أرْبَعَةِ أوْجُهٍ : فجِهادانِ فَرْضٌ وجِهادُ سُنَّةٍ لا يُقامُ إلّا مَعَ فَرْضٍ وجِهادُ سُنَّةٍ ، فأمّا أحَدُ الفَرْضَيْنِ فجِهادُ الرَّجُلِ نَفْسَهُ عن مَعاصِي اللَّهِ وهو مِنْ أعْظَمِ الجِهادِ وَمُجاهَدَةُ الّذين يَلُونَكُمْ مِنَ الكُفّارِ فَرْضٌ . وأمّا الجِهادُ الّذي هو سُنّة لا يُقامُ إلّا مَعَ فَرْض فَإِنَّ مجاهَدَةَ العَدُوِّ فرضٌ على جميع الاُمّة لو تركوا الجهاد لَأَتاهم العَذابُ وهذا هو مِنْ عذابِ الاُمَّةِ وهُوَ سُنَّةٌ عَلَى الإمامِ وحَدُّهُ أنْ يَأتِيَ العَدُوَّ مَعَ الاُمَّةِ فيجاهِدَهم . وأمّا الجِهادُ الذي هُوَ سُنّةٌ فكُلُّ سُنّةٍ أقامَها الرَّجُلُ وجاهدَ في إقامَتِها وبُلُوغِها وإحيائِها فَالعَمَلُ والسَّعْيُ فيها مِنْ أفضلِ الأَعْمال لِأنَّها إحياءُ سُنَّةٍ وقَدْ قالَ رسولُ اللَّه صلى اللَّه عليه وآله : «مَنْ سَنَّ سُنَّةً حَسَنَةًفَلَهُ أجْرُها وأجْرُ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِها إلى‏ يَوْمِ القِيامَةِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أن يَنْقُصَ مِنْ أجُورِهِم شَيْئاً»  . تحف العقول : 243 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) was asked about jihad, as to whether it was a recommended act or an obligatory one, to which he replied, 'Jihad comes in four forms, two of which are obligetory, one of which is recommended but can only be undertaken with an obligation, and one which is recommended. The first obligetory jihad is that which a man wages against his own self in keeping away from acts of disobedience to Allah. This is one of the greatest forms of jihad. Waging jihad against those disbelievers who persecute you is also an obligation. As for the jihad which is recommended but can only be undertaken with an obligation is to fight the enemy, which is an obligation upon the whole community, and which if they abandon, they are all punishable for it. It is a recommendation upon an Imam, the limit of which is to come and face the enemy and fight them with his community. As for the jihad which is recommended, it is [embodied in] every recommended practice which a person performs and strives in its performance, its completion and its revival. Such an act, and the striving to perform it is one of the best deeds because it is a revival of the Prophetic practice, and the Prophet (SAWA) has said, 'Whoever establishes a good habitual practice, he will get his own reward for it as well as the reward of whoever performs it after him until the Day of Resurrection, without any decrease in their reward thereof.' Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 243

  الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : مَن جادَ سادَ . كشف الغمّة : 2 / 242 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'He who is open-handed rules.' Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 2, p. 242

 الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنّ أجْوَدَ النّاسِ مَن أعطى‏ مَن لا يَرجو . كشف الغمّة : 2 / 242 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'The most open-handed of people is he who gives without expectation.' Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 2, p. 242

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - في الدعاء المنسوب إليه - : أنتَ الّذي‏أزَلْتَ الأغْيارَ عن قُلوبِ أحِبّائكَ حتّى‏ لَم يُحِبّوا سِواكَ... ماذا وَجَدَ مَن فَقَدَكَ؟! وما الّذي فَقَد مَن وَجَدكَ؟! لَقد خابَ مَن‏رَضِيَ دُونَكَ‏بَدَلاً . بحار الأنوار : 98 / 226 / 3 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said in one of his supplications attributed to him, 'It is You Who removed the strangers from the hearts of Your lovers so that they never love other than You... What does the one who loses You find?! And what does the one who finds You lose?! He indeed fails who is satisfied with a substitute for You.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 98, p. 226, no. 3

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : ألا إنَّ الحَربَ شَرُّها ذَريعٌ ، وطَعْمُها فَظيعٌ ، فمَن أخَذَ لَها اُهْبَتَها ، واسْتَعدَّ لَها عُدَّتَها ، ولَم يألَمْ كُلومَها قَبلَ حُلولِها ، فذاكَ صاحِبُها ، ومَن عاجَلَها قَبلَ أوانِ فُرْصَتِها ، واسْتِبْصارِ سَعيهِ فيها ،فذاكَ قَمِنٌ ألّا يَنْفَعَ قَومَهُ ، وأنْ يُهْلِكَ نَفْسَهُ . شرح نهج البلاغة : 3 / 186 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'Know that the evil of war is swift, and its taste is bitter. Therefore, he who prepares for it, and sees to its requirements, and does not suffer its wounds before its onset, he is its master; but he who plunges into it before its proper time and before gaining insight into his own effort therein, he is fit not to benefit his people and to ruin himself.' Sharh Nahj al-Balagha li Ibn Abi al-Hadid, v. 3, p. 186

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : لَيست العِفَّةُ بِمانِعَةٍ رِزْقاً ، ولا الحِرصُ بجالِبٍ فَضْلاً ، وإنَّ الرِّزقَ مَقْسومٌ والأجَلَ مَحتومٌ ، ؤاسْتِعمالُ الحِرصِ طَالبُ المَأْثَمِ . أعلام الدين : ص 428 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'Self-restraint does not prevent [the descent of] sustenance, nor does covetousness attract any surplus [sustenance]; for indeed sustenance is allotted, and death is certain, and covetousness is only asking for sin.' Alam al-Din, no. 428

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : كانَ رَسولُ اللَّهِ صلى اللَّه عليه وآله يَرفَعُ يَدَيهِ إذا ابتَهَلَ ودَعا كَما يَستَطعِمُ المِسكينُ . مكارم الأخلاق : 2 / 8 / 1981 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'The Prophet (SAWA) used to raise his hands and implore and beg [to Allah] just like the poor man begs for food.' Makarim al-Akhlaq, v. 2, p. 8, no. 1981

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنَّ مِن هَوانِ الدنيا على‏ اللَّه تعالى‏ أنَّ رَأسَ يحيى بنِ زكريّا اُهدِيَ إلى‏ بَغِيٍّ مِن بَغايا بني إسرائيلَ . بحار الأنوار : 44 / 365 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'Verily the lowliness of this world in Allah's eyes can be seen by the fact that the head of Prophet John, son of Prophet Zacharias was gifted to a whore from the whores of the Israelites.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 44, p. 365

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : لا تَصِفَنَّ لِمَلِكٍ دواءً ، فإن نَفَعَهُ لَم يَحمَدْكَ ، وإن ضَرَّهُ اتَّهَمَكَ . بحار الأنوار : 75 / 382 / 47 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'Do not prescribe any remedy for a [arrogant] ruler, for if it benefits him, he will fail to show gratitude to you, and if it harms him he will accuse you.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 75, p. 382, no. 47

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : مَوتٌ في عِزٍّ خَيرٌ مِن حياةٍ في ذُلٍّ . وأنشَأ عليه السلام في يَومِ قَتلِهِ : الموتُ خيرٌ من رُكُوبِ العارِ والعارُ أولى‏ من دُخُولِ النارِ  واللَّهِ ما هذا وهذا جاري . المناقب لابن شهرآشوب : 4 / 68 ، بحار الأنوار : 44 / 192 / 4 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'Death with dignity is better than living with disgrace', and articulated the following couplet on the day he was martyred: 'Death is better than embarking on (a life of) indignity; And indignity is preferable over plunging into the Fire; By Allah, I will not allow myself any of the two.'  Bihar al-Anwar, v. 44, p. 192, no. 4

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : أكُونُ أوَّلَ مَن يَنشَقُّ الأرضُ عَنهُ ، فَأخرُجُ خَرجَةً يُوافِقُ ذلكَ خَرجَةَ أميرِالمؤمنينَ وقيامَ قائِمِنا . بحارالأنوار : 53 / 62 / 52 .

Imam al-Husain (AS) said, 'I will be the first to appear at the time of the splitting of the earth. I will come out at the same time of the returning of the Commander of the faithful (AS) and the rising of our Qaim.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 53, p. 62, no. 52

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : مَن سَرَّهُ أن يُنسَأ في أجَلِهِ ، ويُزادَ في رِزقِهِ ، فَلْيَصِلْ رَحِمَهُ . بحار الأنوار : 74 / 91 / 15 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'Whoever would like an increase in his lifespan and in his sustenance should maintain relations with his kin.' Bihar al-Anwar, p. 91, no. 15

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنّ أوصَلَ الناسِ مَن وَصَلَ مَن قَطَعَهُ . بحار الأنوار : 74 / 400 / 41 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'The best reconciler is he who reconciles with one who cut him off.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 74, p. 400, no. 41

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : مَن طَلَبَ رِضا اللَّهِ بِسَخَطِ الناسِ كَفاهُ اللَّهُ اُمُورَ الناسِ ، ومَن طَلَبَ رِضا الناسِ بِسَخَطِ اللَّهِ ، وَكَلَهُ اللَّهُ إلى النّاسِ . بحار الأنوار : 71 / 208 / 17 .

Imam al-Hossein (AS) said, 'He who seeks to please Allah at the expense of displeasing people, Allah suffices him in everything including his affairs with people. But the one who seeks to please people at the expense of Allah's displeasure, Allah relegates him to those very people.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 71, p. 208, no. 17

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : مَن اُحْجِمَ عن الرَّأيِ وعَيِيَتْ بِهِ الحِيَلُ ، كانَ الرِّفقُ مِفتاحَهُ . بحار الأنوار : 78 / 128 / 11 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'For him who is rendered helpless in making a decision and who is at a loss of what to do, moderation is the key.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 128, no. 11

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : صاحِبُ الحاجةِ لَم يُكرِمْ وَجهَهُ عن سُؤالِكَ فَأكرِمْ وَجهَكَ عن رَدِّهِ . كشف الغمّة : 2 / 244 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, 'The needy one loses his self-respect by asking you, so do not lose your self-respect by denying him.' Kashf al-Ghamma, v. 2, p. 244

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - لَمّا سَألَهُ أبوهُ عنِ السُّؤدُدِ - : إحشاشُ العَشِيرَةِ ، واحتِمالُ الجَرِيرَةِ . بحار الأنوار : 72 / 194 / 14 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) when asked by his father about what chiefdom involves, replied, '[The ability] To make one's tribe flourish, and [the capacity] to bear the burden of their losses.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 72, p. 194, no. 14

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - في دعاءِ يَومِ عَرَفَةَ - : اللّهُمّ اجعَلْني أخشاكَ كَأنّي أراكَ ، وأسعِدْني بتَقواكَ ، ولا تُشقِني بِمَعصِيَتِكَ . بحار الأنوار : 98 / 218 / 3 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said in his supplication of Arafa, 'O Allah, make me fear you as if I see you, let me prosper through being conscious of my duty to You, and keep me from becoming wretched as a consequence of Your disobedience.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 98, p. 218, no. 3

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إيّاكَ وما تَعتَذِرُ مِنهُ ؛ فإنَّ المُؤمِنَ لا يُسي‏ءُ ولا يَعتَذِرُ ، والمُنافِقَ كُلَّ يَومٍ يُسي‏ءُ ويَعتَذِرُ . تحف العقول : 248 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘Keep away from doing that which you must excuse yourself for, for verily the believer neither commits a wrong nor makes excuses for himself, whereas the hypocrite commits wrongs and makes excuses for them everyday.’ Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 248

 الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : دِراسَةُ العِلمِ لِقاحُ المَعرِفةِ . بحار الأنوار : 78 / 128 / 11 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘The acquisition of knowledge is the seed for [the growth of] inner knowledge.’ Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 128, no. 11

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - في الدُّعاءِ - : إلهي تَرَدُّدي في الآثارِ يُوجِبُ بُعدَ المَزارِ ، فاجمَعْني عَلَيكَ بِخِدمَةٍ تُوصِلُني إلَيكَ ، كَيفَ يُستَدَلُّ عَلَيكَ بِما هُوَ في وُجودِهِ مُفتَقِرٌ إلَيكَ ؟ ! أيَكونُ لِغَيرِكَ مِنَ الظُّهورِ ما لَيسَ لَكَ حتّى‏ يَكونَ هُوَالمُظهِرَ لَكَ ؟! متى‏ غِبتَ حتّى‏ تَحتاجَ إلى‏ دَليلٍ يَدُلُّ عَلَيكَ ؟ ! ... بِكَ أستَدِلُّ عَلَيكَ فَاهْدِني بِنورِكَ إلَيكَ . بحار الأنوار : 98 / 225 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said in one of his supplications, ‘My God! My own concentration on the signs [in nature] prevents me from seeing You, so draw me near to You through Your service that may allow me to reach You. How can something that needs You for its very existence be used to prove Your existence?! Are other things more manifest than You that they be used to point to You?! When were You ever absent that You should need anything to prove Your existence?! Through You alone do I arrive at You, so guide me with Your light to Yourself.’ Bihar al-Anwar, v. 98, p. 225

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام: الصَّمَدُ: الّذي لا جَوفَ لَهُ ، والصَّمَدُ : الّذي قَدِ انتَهى‏ سُؤدَدُهُ ، والصَّمَدُ الّذي لا يَأكُلُ ولا يَشرَبُ ، والصَّمَدُ : الّذي لا يَنامُ ، والصَّمَدُ : الدّائمُ الّذي لَم يَزَلْ ولا يَزالُ . التوحيد : 90 / 3 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘The All-embracing is the One Who has no lack within Him; the All-embracing is the One Whose mastership is complete; the All-embracing is the One Who neither eats nor drinks; the All-embracing is the One Who does not sleep; the All-embracing is the Eternal One who is and will always be.’ al-Tawhid, p. 90, no. 3

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : اعلَموا أنَّ المَعروفَ مُكِسبٌ حَمداً ، ومُعقِبٌ أجراً ، فلَو رَأيتُمُ المَعروفَ رَجُلاً لَرَأيتُموهُ حَسَناً جَميلاً يَسُرُّ النّاظِرينَ ويَفوقُ العالَمينَ ، ولَو رَأيتُمُ اللُّؤمَ رَأيتُموهُ سَمِجاً قَبيحاً مَشوماً تَنفِرُ مِنهُ القُلوبُ وتُغَضُّ دُونَهُ الأبصارُ . أعلام الدين : 298 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘Know that acts of courtesy earn praiseworthy results, and end in rewardable gains. If you were to see acts of courtesy personified as a man, you would perceive him to be good and handsome, pleasing for people to behold and transcending all the worlds. And if you were to see acts of vileness personified, you would perceive an ugly, revolting, disfigured man, whom the hearts would be averse to and whom the eyes would turn away from in disgust.’   Alam al-Din, p. 298, and Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, v. 12, p. 343, no. 14242

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : كانَ يُقالُ : لا تَحِلُّ لِعَينٍ مُؤمِنَةٍ تَرَى اللَّهَ يُعصى‏ فتَطرِفُ حتّى‏ يُغَيِّرَهُ . تنبيه الخواطر : 2 / 179 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘It is not permissible for a believing eye to watch Allah being disobeyed and close without first changing the situation.’   Tanbih al-Khawatir, v. 2, p. 179

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنَّ أعفَى النّاسِ مَن عَفا عِندَ قُدرَتِهِ . الدرّة الباهرة : 24 .

Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘Verily the most forgiving of people is he who pardons when having the power to punish.’   al-Durra al-Bahira, p. 29

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - لَمّا تَذاكَروا العَقلَ عِندَ مُعاوِيَةَ - : لا يَكمُلُ العَقلُ إلّا بِاتِّباعِ الحَقِّ ، فقالَ مُعاوِيَةُ : ما في صُدورِكُم إلّا شَي‏ءٌ واحِدٌ . أعلام الدين : 298 .

 Imam al-Husayn (AS), when he reminded Muawiya of [the use of] his intellect, said, ‘The intellect is only perfected through following the truth’, to which Muawiya replied, ‘There is only one thing in your chests [i.e. you attribute everything to the truth].’   Alam al-Din, p. 298

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : إنَّ أعمالَ هذهِ الاُمَّةِ ما مِن صَباحٍ إلّا وتُعرَضُ عَلَى اللَّهِ تَعالى‏ . عيون أخبار الرضا : 2 / 44 / 156 .

 Imam al-Husayn (AS) said, ‘Verily the deeds of this community are exposed to Allah, most High, every single morning.’ Uyun Akhbar al-Rida (AS), v. 2, p. 44, no. 156

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - لِرجُلٍ اغتابَ عِندَهُ رجُلاً - : يا هذا، كُفَّ عنِ الغِيبَةِ؛ فإنّها إدامُ كِلابِ النارِ . تحف العقول : 245 .

 Imam al-Husayn (AS) said to a man who was backbiting about a man in his presence, ‘Stop backbiting, for verily it is the food of the dogs of Hell.’ Tuhaf al-Uqul, no. 245

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام: القُنوعُ راحَةُ الأبدانِ . بحار الأنوار : 78 / 128 / 11 .

 Imam Husayn (AS) said, 'Contentment is comfort of the body.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 128, no. 11

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : مَن قَبِلَ عَطاءَكَ فقد أعانَكَ علَى الكَرَمِ . الدّرة الباهرة : 24 .

 Imam Husayn (AS) said, 'Whoever accepts what you give to them has aided you in your generosity.' al-Durra al-Bahira, p. 23

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - لابنِ عبّاسٍ - : لا تَتَكَلَّمَنَّ فيما لا يَعنيكَ فإنّي أخافُ علَيكَ الوِزرَ، ولا تَتكَلَّمَنَّ فيما يَعنيكَ حتّى‏ تَرى‏ لِلكلامِ مَوضِعاً . بحار الأنوار : 78 / 127 / 10 .

 Imam Husayn (AS) said to Ibn Abbas, 'Do not speak about things that do not concern you, for I fear for you the burden [of sin], and do not speak about things that concern you until you find speaking to be appropriate.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 127, no. 10

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : مالُكَ إن لَم يَكُنْ لَكَ كُنتَ لَهُ ، فلا تُبقِ علَيهِ فإنّهُ لا يُبقي علَيكَ ، وكُلْهُ قَبلَ أن يَأكُلَكَ  ! الدرّة الباهرة : 24 .

Imam Husayn (AS) said, 'Your wealth is such that if you do not control it, it will control you, so do not save any of it for it will not stay for you. Consume it before it consumes you.' al-Durra al-Bahira, p. 24

الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام - لرجُلٍ قالَ لَهُ : اجلِسْ حتّى‏ نَتَناظَرَ في الدِّينِ - : يا هذا أنا بَصيرٌ بدِيني مَكشوفٌ علَيَّ هُداي ، فإن كُنتَ جاهِلاً بدِينِكَ فاذهَبْ واطلُبْهُ ، ما لي ولِلمُماراةِ ؟! وإنَّ الشَّيطانَ لَيُوَسوِسُ لِلرّجُلِ ويُناجيهِ ويقولُ : ناظِرِ النّاسَ في الدِّينِ كيلا يَظُنّوا بكَ العَجزَ والجَهلَ ! بحار الأنوار : 2 / 135 / 32 .

Imam Husayn (AS) replied to a man who said, 'Sit down so we can debate about religion' - 'O you, I am aware of my religion, and my path is clear for me. So, if you are ignorant about your religion then go and seek it. What do I have to do with disputation?! Indeed, the devil tempts a person and calls him, saying, 'Debate with people regarding their religion so that they do not think of you as incapable and ignorant.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 2, p. 135, no. 32

 الإمامُ الحسينُ عليه السلام : الاستِدراجُ مِن اللَّهِ سبحانَهُ لِعَبدِهِ أن يُسبِغَ علَيهِ النِّعَمَ ويَسلُبَهُ الشُّكرَ . بحار الأنوار : 78 / 117 / 7 .

Imam Husayn (AS) said, 'Allah Almighty's gradual baiting of His servant is that He envelops him with bounties and eradicates thankfulness from him.' Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 117, no. 7

 الإمام الحسين علیه السلام: إنَّهُ ] عَلِيّاً علیه السلام [ رَكِبَ بَغلَةَ رَسولِ اللهِ صلی الله علیه وآله الشَّهباءَ بِالكوفَةِ، فَأَتى سوقاً سوقاً، فَأَتى طاقَ اللَّحّامينَ، فَقالَ بِأَعلى صَوتِهِ: يا مَعشَرَ القَصّابينَ، لا تَنخَعوا، ولا تَعجَلُوا الأَنفُسَ حَتّى تَزهَقَ، وإيّاكُم وَالنَّفخَ فِي اللَّحمِ لِلبَيعِ؛ فَإِنّي سَمِعتُ رَسولَ اللهِ صلی الله علیه وآله يَنهى عَن ذلِكَ. ثُمَّ أتَى التَّمّارينَ فَقالَ: أظهِروا مِن رَديِّ بَيعِكُم ما تُظهِرونَ مِن جَيِّدِهِ. ثُمَّ أتَى السَّمّاكينَ فَقالَ: لا تَبيعوا  إلّا طَيِّباً، وإيّاكُم وما طَفا. ثُمَّ أتَى الكُناسَةَ فَإِذا فيها أنواعُ التِّجارَةِ؛ مِن نَحّاسٍ، ومِن مائِع، ومِن قَمّاطٍ، ومِن بائِعِ إبَرٍ، ومِن صَيرَفِيٍّ، ومِن حَنّاطٍ، ومِن بَزّازٍ، فَنادى بِأَعلى صَوتِهِ: إنَّ أسواقَكُم هذِهِ يَحضُرُهَا الأَيمانُ، فَشوبوا أيمانَكُم بِالصَّدَقَةِ، وكُفّوا عَنِ الحَلفِ؛ فَإِنَّ اللهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لا يُقَدِّسُ مَن حَلَفَ بِاسمِهِ كاذِباً. الجعفريّات: ص238، دعائم الإسلام: ج2 ص538 ح1913 عن الأصبغ نحوه.

Imam Husain: “Ali (a.s.) rode on the Prophet’s (sa.w.) mule called ‘Shahbā'’ in Kufa and visited every market. He entered the butcher’s market and called out: “O group of butchers! Do not cut the spinal cord of the animal nor make haste in taking its life. Let the soul gently leave its body. Avoid from blowing into the meat when selling it for I have heard the Messenger of God (sa.w.) prohibited doing so.” Then he went to the date sellers and said: “Display the bad products just like you display the good ones.” Then he went to the fish dealers and told them: “Do not sell except good fish, and refrain from selling what is caught dead [floating].” Then he entered the Kunāsa area [in Kufa] where various transactions were being made by the copper dealers, liquid sellers, sellers of swaddling clothes and needles, and there were also exchangers and sellers of camphor and cloth. He called out loudly to them: “Swearing oaths is common in your markets; protect yourselves from your oaths with charity and avoid swearing oaths, as God Almighty will not purify he who uses His Name in oath and tells lies.” al-Ja`fariyāt, p. 238, Da`ā'im al-Islām, vol. 2, p. 538, h. 1913.