Anecdotes From The Lives of Fourteen Masoomeen(A.S.)

(1)
The Unfixed Wages
That day Sulayman bin Ja'far Ja'fari and Emam Reza (A.S.) had gone out together for some work. It was sunset when Sulayman wanted to return home. Emam Reza (A.S.) said to him: "Come to my house and be with us tonight." Sulayman agreed and with Emam (A.S.) he went to his house.
Emam (A.S.) saw his servants busy in gardening. By the way, he saw a stranger, who was also busy in gardening with them. Emam (A.S.) asked: "Who is he?"
The servants replied: "We have hired him today so that he may help us."
Emam (A.S.): "It'a all right. How much wages have you fixed for him?"
Servants: "We will give him something and would make him satisfied."
The signs of displeasure and anger appeared on Emam Reza (A.S.) face and he wanted to punish them. Sulayman Ja'fari came forward and said:
Why do you make yourself uncomfortable?"
Emam (A.S.) said: "I have repeatedly given orders that till the work and wages are not fixed, never get the work done by anyone. First fix the wages of the person and then get the work done. Even if you have fixed the wages, you could give something extra to him after the work is over. Certainly, when he finds that you have given him more than the fixed wages, he would be thankful to you and would like you. And the affection between you and him would increase. And even if you would give him the wages you have fixed, the person would not be unhappy with you.But if you do not fix the wages and employ someone to work, whaterver you would give him after the work, he would not think that you have done a favour to him. Rather, he will think that you have given him less than his actual wages."

(2)
Mamun's Offer
On Emam Reza(A.S.) arrival in Marw(Khorasan),the seat of al-Ma'mun's caliphate, the Abbasid caliph showed him hospitality and great respect, then he said to him: "I want to get rid of myself of the caliphate and vest the office in you." But Emam Reza(A.S.) refused his offer. Then al-Ma'mun repeated his offer in a letter saying: "If you refuse what I have offered you, then you must accept being the heir after me." But again Emam Reza(A.S.) refused his offer vigorously. al-Ma'mun summoned him. He was alone with al-Fadl ibn Sahl, the Iranian noble incharge of two offices (i.e., military and civil). There was no one else in their gathering. al-Ma'mun said to Emam Reza(A.S.), "I thought it appropriate to invest authority over the Muslims in you and to relieve myself of the responsibility by giving it to you." When again Emam Reza(A.S.) refused to accept his offer, al-Ma'mun spoke to him as if threatening him for his refusal. In his speech he said, "Umar ibn al-Kahttab made a committee of consultation (shura) (to appoint a successor). Among them was your forefateher, the Commander of the faithful, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. (Umar) stipulated that any of them who opposed the decision should be executed. So there is no escape for you from accepting what I want from you. I will ignore your rejection of it."
In reply, Emam Reza (A.S.) said: "I will agree to what you want of me as far as succession is concerned on condition that I do not command, nor order, nor give legal decisions, nor judge, nor appoint, nor dismiss, nor change anything from how it is at present." al-Ma'mun accepted all of that.
On the day when al-Ma'mun ordered to make the pledge of allegiance to Emam Reza (A.S.) one of the close associates of Emam Reza (A.S.), who was present, narrates, "On that day I was in front of him. He looked at me while I was feeling happy about what had happened. He signalled me to come closer. I went closer to him and he said so that no one else could hear, 'Do not occupy your heart with this matter and do not be happy about it. It is something which will not be achieved.' "

(3)
Intercession
It is written in 'Dhillul Mateen' that Meer Mu'inuddin Ashraf who was one of the virtuous attendants of the shrine of Emam Ali- Ar-Reza (A.S.) says that, "Once I dreamd that I was in the shrine of Emam Reza (A.S.) and was coming out to perform ablution (Wuzu). When I came near the mound of Ameer Ali Sher, I saw a group of people entering the shrine. An eminent personality was leading them, and they all carried spades in their hands. As soon as they entered the shrine, the eminent personality pointed towards a particular grave and said, "Dig out the wretched fellow from his grave". Hearing his command they started digging the grave. I asked one of those men as to who that man was. He replied that He was the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali (A.S.). Suddenly I saw that Emam Ali- Ar-Reza (A.S.) came out of His shrine and greeted Imam Ali (A.S.). Hazrat Ali (A.S.) answered His greeting. Emam Reza (A.S.) said, "O my Respected Grandfather! I request you, and have faith, that you will forgive this person on my behalf who lies buried here under the shelter of my shrine". Amirul Mo'mineen (A.S.) answered, "O my dear son! Do you know that he was a mischief-creator, an adulteror, and a drunkard"? Emam (A.S.) replied, "I do know, but when his last moment neared he willed to be buried under the shelter of my shrine, so I request you to forgive him on my behalf." Hazrat Ali (A.S.) forgave him and left. I awoke from my sleep in awe and woke up the other attendants and related to them my dream. We all went to the place which I had seen in my dream, and found a newly constructed grave, whose mud was scattered. After inquiry we learnt that a Turkish man who had died was buried there the day before".
Haji Ali Baghdadi had the honour of meeting Imam Mahdi (A.S.) and ask him some questions. One of the questions put forward by him was that "Is it true that a person who goes for the pilgrimage (Ziyarah) to the shrine of Imam Husain (A.S.) on Friday night receives salvation"? Imam (A.S.) replied, "Yes, by Allah". Haji Ali Baghdadi says that I saw tears in the eyes of Imam (A.S.). Then I asked him another question, "In the year 1269 A.H. when we went for the pilgrimage (Ziyarah) to the shrine of Emam Reza (A.S.), we met a nomadic Arab who was a native of Najaf. We invited him for a meal and asked him his views regarding the reward of the love of Emam Reza (A.S.). He replied, "Paradise", and said, "Since the past fifteen days I have been the ZAIR(pilgrim) of Emam Reza (A.S.), do Munkir & Nakeer' have the nerve to come near me. The food which I consumed from the table of Emam Reza (A.S.) has turned into flesh and blood". I asked Imam Mahdi (A.S.) whether his claim was true. Imam (A.S.) replied, "Yes it is true. Emam Reza (A.S.) himself will come and save him for the questioning in the grave. For verily by Allah! My Grandfather is a Zamin (Surety) Imam".
(Manazile Akherah by Shaykh Abbas bin Muhammad Reza al-Qummi, pp. 62-64.)

(4)
The Holy Imam's Social Behaviour
Ibrahim bin Abbas, who was one of the high-ranking officials of the Abbasid caliphate,has left the following eyewitness account of Imam Reza's(A.S.) impeccable character.
- His Holiness never irritated others by verbal or practical teasings.
- His Holiness did not interrupt others' speeches.
- The Holy Imam (A.S.) never refused the demands of others.
- I never witnessed him to have his legs stretched out before the others.
- And I could never find him in a resting position in the presence of other people.
-His Holiness never swore at his servants.
-His Holiness never cachinnated in happy circumstances.
-I never saw him spit his saliva out.
-At dinner all his servants including porters and even the stablemen were served in his attendance.
- His Holiness used to stay up all nights invoking Allah the Almighty. The Holy Imam (A.S.) also observed regularly the religious duty of fasting and always gave alms in secret.

(5)
Fraternity and Equality
Quoting a witness from "Balkh", in his famous work entitled "Kafi", the celebrated scholar "Kulayni" relates the following:
"On the way to "Khorasan" I was among the attendants of His Holiness Imam Reza (A.S.). At dinner the Holy Imam (A.S.) invited all his men around him and asked them to have dinner with him. There a few negro servants were among those men. Declaring that they were all of the same flesh and blood the Holy Imam (A.S.) asked that the whole company should have had dinner at one table.
His Holiness practically combated against the superiority of race and colour in connexion with the distinction of the human beings. The Holy Imam (A.S.) tried to revive the Islamic precepts of fraternity and equality in the Muslim community.

(6)
Generosity
Eleisha ibn Hamza says: "I was once talking to Imam Reza (A.S.) when a large crowd of people assembled to ask him about what is permissible in Islam and what is not. A man as tall as Adam came to him and said: `Assalamo Alaikom, O Son of the Messenger of God! I am a man who loves you, your fathers and grandfathers, and I have just been on my way to perform the pilgrimage when I discovered that I had lost everything with me and now I do not have anything enough even for a leg of the trip. If you will, please help me with the expense of going back home, and I am a recipient of God's blessing (i.e. well to do). As soon as I reach there, I will give to the poor as much as you will give me, for I do not qualify to be a recipient of alms.' He said to him: `Sit, may God be merciful to you,' then he kept talking to people till they dispersed except that man, Sulaiman al-Ja'feri, Khuthai'ama and myself. Then he (Imam Reza) said: `Do you permit me to enter (the room)?' Sulaiman said to him: `May God advance your endeavour.' So he entered the room and stayed for about an hour after which he came out and closed the door behind him, stretched his hand above the door and said: `Where is the man from Khurasan?' The man answered: `Here I am!' He said: `Take these two hundred dinars, use them for your preparations for the trip; may God bring you blessings thereby, and do not spend an equal amount to it on my behalf, and leave the room in a way that I do not see you and you do not see me,' then he left. Sulaiman then said: `May my life be sacrificed for yours! You have made quite a generous offer, but why did you hide your face?' He answered: `I did so for fear of seeing the humiliation on the face of the man due to my assistance for him. Have you not heard the hadith of the Holy Messenger of Islam (S.A.W.) in which he said: `The one who hides a good deeds receives rewards equal to performing the pilgrimage seventy times; one who announces his sin is humiliated, while one who hides it is forgiven'? Have you heard the saying of the example of the first case: Whenever I approach him, one day, with a plea, I return home and my dignity is still with me. Then he hides himself from the person who appeals to him when he gives him something so that he does not see the humiliation on his face, and so that the pleading person retains his dignity when he does not see the face of the benevolent one who is giving him?"
He asks him to leave without seeing him in order to safeguard himself against feeling as having the upper hand over the pleading person, and in order to relieve the pleading person from having to show his gratitude to him.
While in Khurasan, Imam Reza(A.S.) once distributed his entire wealth to the poor on the day of Arafat, so al-Fadl ibn Sahl,the Prime Minister during Mamun's reign said to him: "Now you are bankrupt!" he said: "On the contrary! I am now wealthier than ever. Do not consider trading my wealth for God's rewards and pleasure as bankruptcy."
He does not give others in order to buy their affection or friendship; rather, he considers giving with generosity as a good trait whereby man gets nearer to his Maker by including His servants in the wealth with which He blessed him. This is the difference between his method of giving and the method of others. Ya'qub ibn Ishaq al-Nawbakhti is quoted saying:
"A man passed by Imam Reza(A.S.) and begged him to give him according to the extent of his kindness. He said: `I cannot afford that.' So he said: `Then give me according to mine,' whereupon he ordered his servant to give the man two hundred dinars."
The reason why the Imam Reza(A.S.) abstained from giving the man according to the extent of his own kindness, as the man asked him the first time, is probably due to the fact that he simply did not have as much money as he liked to give. As regarding his own affection towards the poor and the indigent, and his way of looking after them, Mu'ammar ibn Khallad narrates this anecdote:
"Whenever Imam Abul-Hassan al-Reza (A.S.) was about to eat his meal, he would bring a large platter and select the choicest food on the table and put on it, then he would order it to be given away to the poor. After that he would recite the following verse: `But he hath made no haste on the path that is steep.' After that he would say: `God, the Exalted and the Sublime, knows that not everyone has the ability to free a slave, nevertheless He found means for them to achieve Paradise (by feeding others).'"

(7)
Imam's Method of Training Others
Like all other religious leaders His Holiness Imam Ali Ibn Musa-ar- Reza (A.S.) permanently endeavoured to train and guide talented persons in appropriate opportunities.
In addition to his sermons the Holy Imam (A.S.) strived to lead others practically.
Once some of his servants took a kind of fruit and cast aside the half-eaten leavings. After praising Allah, the Holy Imam (A.S.) addressed them and said:
"If you need not this fruit any more, behold there are many people who desire to take some of this edible blessing. Then don't spoil it and proceed to feed the needy on it."
Here the Holy Imam (A.S.) has tried to enjoin people to abandon evil acts of dissipation. Unfortunately the well-to-do people of today are seriously involved in this dangerous catastrophe.These ignorant people leave behind considerable amounts of half-eaten foods carelessly and do not think of the urgent wants of the needy.

(8)
Respect for Humanity
Imam Reza's (A.S.) behavior with the poor, the slaves, the servants, and the destitute, was humane in the deepest sense of the word. He looked on them as his co-religionists and brothers in humanity. One of his followers related the following:
I was with Imam Reza (A.S.) when he travelled to Khurasan. One day he laid the table-cloth and gathered all his servants. "May I be your ransom, said I, "would not it be better if you lay a separate table-cloth for these?' "Do not say that" the Holy Imam (A.S.) replied, "The Lord, the Blessed and High, is One, and all the human beings are the children of Adam and Eve, and everyone shall be rewarded or punished according to his deeds.
One of his servants Nadir, says: Imam Reza (A.S.) would never assign a task to any of us, the servants, while we were eating, until we had finished.
Another servant, Yasir, reported the same about Imam Reza (A.S.), saying, "Abul Hasan said to us: "If I request you to do something and you are eating, do not get up until you have finished". Sometimes he called for some of us, but when he was told that we were eating, he would say. "Leave them till they finish their food".
When Imam Reza (A.S.) had spare time, he would gather all his servants, and talk to them. He would show his pleasure with them, which he did to please them. And when he sat at the dining table-cloth, he would invite all those around him, to eat food with him.

(9)
Total Devotion to Allah
Imam Reza (A.S.) was the best worshipper of his time. Even his enemies acknowledged this fact and could not ignore this prominent trait of his. Mamun, the Abbasid caliph, for instance praises the virtues of Imam Reza (A.S.) in the "Covenant of Allegiance", in which he declared His Holiness as his successor.
Reja bin Zahhak, who forced Imam Reza (A.S.) into exile from Medina to Marw on the orders of Mamun, the Abbasid caliph, also describes the Holy Imam's piety and worship saying "I accompanied him from Medina to Marw. I swear by Allah! I have never seen a man who remembered Allah all the time like him, nor have I seen a man more fearing Allah, the Mighty and High, than he. At day break he would say his morning-prayers. Finishing his prayer, he would stay in his place glorifying Allah, and reciting these phrases repeatedly 'Praise is to Allah', 'Allah is Great', 'There is no god but Allah', "O Lord, Bless Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his progeny" till sunrise. Then he would go down in prostration till sunrise. Then he would go down in prostration till forenoon. Then he would see the people, asking about their concerns and enjoining them to do good. This would last till noon.
Ibrahim bin Abbas, one of the high-ranking officials during Mamun's reign, said about the Holy Imam's worship.
"He slept little at night, staying awake most of it. Most of the time, he stayed awake till the morning. He also often fasted. He used to fast three days of every month. He called this fasting "Fasting of Lifetime". He was very charitable, giving out alms in secret to the needy, often at night. Who ever claims that he has seen someone else who matches him in his virtues, do not believe him."

(10)
Humility
A guest once kept entertaining him part of the night when the lamp started fading and the guest stretched his hand to fix it, but Imam Abul-Hassan al-Reza (A.S.) swiftly checked him and fixed it himself, saying, "We are folks who do not let their guest tend on them."
Al-Manaqib states that Imam Reza (A.S.) once went to the public bath-house and someone asked him to give him a massage, so he kept giving the man a massage till someone recognized him and told that person who that dignitary was. The man felt extremely embarrassed; he apologized to the Emam (A.S.) and gave him a massage.

(11)
Imam-e- Zaamin(A.S.)
The 8th Shi'ite Imam, Imam Ali ibne Musa ar-Reza (A.S.) is also called as Imam-e-Zaamin(A.S.).When Muslims go on journeys they take with them something called Imam-e-Zaamin (another name for Imam Reza (A.S.)) which is some money tied in a cloth. This tradition probably came from the time of Imam Reza (A.S.) when people used to carry money with them especially because it had Holy Imam's (A.S.) name on it. As Ma'mun,the Abbasid caliph the contemporary of Imam Reza(A.S.), had coins minted with the name of Imam Reza (A.S.) on them, it was very easy for the Muslims to carry the name of Holy Imam (A.S.) with them, especially when they went on journeys.
Imam Reza (A.S.) is also known as Imam-e- Zaamin (A.S.). Zaamin means "The Guarantor". One day when Imam Reza (A.S.) was on his historical journey from Madina to Marw(Khurasan),while in a jungle the Holy Imam(A.S.) came across a hunter who was about to kill a deer. The deer was trying to get away and when she saw Holy Imam (A.S.), she said something to him.Holy Imam(A.S.) asked the hunter to free the deer so that she could go and feed her little baby deer who were very hungry. Imam Reza(A.S.) also told the hunter that once the deer had fed her babies she would come back. The hunter allowed the deer to go becauseHoly Imam (A.S.) had told him to, but he did not think the deer will come back. But Imam Reza (A.S.)) waited with the hunter until the deer returned with her young ones. The hunter was amazed on witnessing this miraculous event and he set the deer free as a mark of respect for Imam Reza(A.S.).After this historical event Imam Reza(A.S.) became famous as Imam Zaamin(A.S.).
The most famous artist of the contemporary world, Ustad Mahmud Farshchiyan has depicted this historical event in this beautiful masterpiece iconograph entitled "Zaamin-e-Aahu"(The Guarantor of the Deer).

(12)
Are you asleep or awake
Habbah 'Arni and Nawf Bakali were lying in the courtyard of Darul-Amarah (fort)of Kufah. After the midnight, they saw that the Leader of the Faithful,Imam 'Ali (AS), was coming from the fort towards the coutyard. But his condition was bad; he was having extraordinary fear and was unable to keep the equilibrium of his body. Keeping his hands on the wall and having his body in bent position, he was walking slowly with the support of the wall. And he was reciting the last Ayahs of Surah Al-i 'Imran as follows:
"Indeed in the creation of the heaven and the earth and alteration of the night and the day, there are signs for men of acumen. Those who extol Allah, standing, sitting and (lying) on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): 'Our Lord! You have not created this in vain! Glory is Yours; protect us against the torment of the Fire. Our Lord! indeed whomsoever You enter the Fire, You have surely disgraced him, and there shall be no helpers for the worngdoers. Our Lord! surely we have heard a caller calling to faith (saying): 'Believe in your Lord', so we did believe; Our Lord! forgive us, therefore, our sins and cover our evil deeds and recieve us with the righteous. Our Lord! grant us what You have promised us through Your messengers and do not disgrace us on the Resurrection Day; surely You do not break the promise (3: 190-194)."
As soon as he finished these Ayahs, his condition became bad; he then repeated these Ayahs again and again and his condition became bad to worse and he became almost unconscious.
Both Habbah and Nawf were witnessing this amazing scene, while lying on their beds. Habbah, while quite startled, was looking this astonishing scene.
But Nawf was unable to control his tears and he was continuously weeping. By this time, 'Imam Ali (AS) reached the bed of Habbah and said: "Are you awake or asleep?"
Habbah replied: "I am awake, O Leader of the Pious! If a person like you has such a condition with awe and fear of Allah, then what would happen to we poor people."
The Leader of the Pious looked down and wept. He then said: "O Habbah! all of us will be presented before Allah one day. And no deed of ours is hidden from Him. He is very near to you and me. Nothing can act as an obstruction between us and Allah.
Then he said to Nawf: "Are you asleep?" (Nawf replied:) "No, O Leader of the Pious! I am awake. It is for some time that I am shedding my tears."
'Imam Ali (AS) said: "O Nawf! If today you shed your tears in fear of Allah, tomorrow your eyes will glitter.
"O Nawf! No one has more respect than that person who cries in the fear of Allah and that he likes to do it only for His sake.
"O Nawf! The one who loves Allah and that whatever he loves, he does it just for the sake of Allah, does not prefer anything over love of Allah. And the one who dislikes anything, and does it for the sake of Allah, he would receive nothing except virtue for his disliking. Whenever you reach such a stage, you have attained the truths of faith to their perfection."
After this, he preached and gave a peice of advice to Habbah and Nawf. His last sentence was: "I have told you that you should fear from Allah." Then he passed by both of them and got busy with his own work. He started his prayers and while doing so, he said: "O Allah! I wish I knew that when I am neglectful towards You, do You ignore me or do You still care for me? I wish I knew that in these long neglectful dreams of mine and in my shortcomings in thanking you, what is my position before You?'
Habbah and Nawf said: "By Allah! he kept on walking and he had the same condition continuously till dawn."

(13)
Anecdotes of Pious Men by Martyr Ayatullah Murtuza Mutahhari
The Bedouin and the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.)
The Bedouin entered Madina, and went directly to the Masjid, so that he may get some money or gold from the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). When he arrived, he saw the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) sitting among his companions. He asked his need. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) gave him something. He was not content, and moreover he used harsh and inappropriate language against the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). The companions became very angry, and were ready to hurt him. But the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) prevented them from haste.
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) took the Bedouin to his home, and gave him some more. The Bedouin saw that the residence of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) wasn't like those of the heads of governments, and there is no luxury in his home.
The Bedouin became content with the share, and thanked the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.). At this time, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) asked him: "You said a harsh word yesterday, which caused anger in my companions. I fear that they will hurt you. Would you be willing to show your appreciation in front of them, so that their anger be resolved, and they don't hurt you?" The Bedouin said: "Sure."
The next day, the Bedouin came to the Masjid. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) addressed his companions: "This man says, he is content with his share, is it true?" The Bedouin said: "That is true." Then he repeated the appreciation that he had shared with Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). The companions smiled.
The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) addressed the group: "The parable of me and these types of individuals is like that of the man whose camel was running away from him. With the [thought] they could help the owner, people were running after the camel. The camel was frightened and ran faster. The owner called on the people, please leave my camel alone, I know better how to calm it. When the people stopped chasing the camel, the owner followed it calmly, with a fistful of grass. Then without the need for running, yelling, he showed the grass to it.

(14)
The Caravan to Hajj
A caravan of Muslims was headed towards Mecca. As it arrived in Madina, it rested a few days, and continued on towards Mecca.
On their way from Madina to Mecca, a man joined the group. This man noticed one of them who had the appearance of a guided person. He was eagerly busy in service of the passengers. The man recognized him. With much surprise, he asked the pilgrims if they knew this man who was at their service.
"No, we don't know him. He joined us in Madina. He is a descent and pious man. We haven't asked him for help. But he has been eager in helping us."
"Obviously you don't know him. For if you did, you would never have allowed a man like him to be at your service."
"Who is this person?"
"This is Imam'Ali ibn al-Hussein(A.S.), Zain al-'Abideen."
The group stood with shame and apologized to the Holy Imam (A.S.). Then complaining to him, they said:
"Why did you treat us as such? We may have gone beyond our bounds in our ignorance, and would have commited a big sin in being disrespectful to you."
Imam Sajjad(A.S.):
"I intentionally joined your group, for you didn't know me. When I join a group, where people know me, for the sake of theHoly Prophet (S.A.W.), they are very kind to me. They don't allow me to be of some service. Thus I was eager to join a group where I will be anonymous, so that I may have the honor of being of some service to my brethren." (1)
(1): Bihar, v.1 p.21

(15)
In the Company of the Caliph
When Imam Ali (A.S.) was coming to Kufa, he entered the city of Anbar populated by Iranians. The Iranian farmers were very happy to see their beloved caliph passing through their town. They came to his visit. When it was time for Imam Ali (A.S.) to leave, they started running infront of his horse. Imam Ali (A.S.) inquired about this behaviour.
"This is one way that we extend respect to our leaders and respectful individuals. This is our custom that has been practiced for years."
"This behaviour puts you in discomfort in this world, and brings about humiliation in the next world. Always stay away from practices that humiliate you. After all what benifit is their in such a practice to the recipients?" (1)
(1): Nahj al Balagha. Short Sayings, # 37.

(16)
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and Education
The mosque of Medina was not only a place of worship. The believers assembled here to learn. When the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) was present they heard his words of wisdom, his elucidation on the verses of the Holy Quran and benefitted from his counsel. And when he (S.A.W.) was not present, other faithful companions taught what they had heard from the Prophet of Allah(S.A.W.).
Once the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) entered the Mosque before the prayer time. He found two groups in the Mosque. One group was busy with its own act of worship, some were reading the Holy Quran while the others were supplicating. The other group was in a corner busy learning. They learnt how to read and write and discussed the teachings of Islam and their application to their daily lives.
Looking at both, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
"They are both engaged in useful pursuits. But I am a teacher. I shall join the group assembled to learn."
And so he (S.A.W.) sat with the group of students.

(17)
The Fly
It was an Abbasid court, with all the splendor. Mansoor was the King. Just as Mansoor was attending the business to state, a small fly sat on his nose. With a wave of his hand, he whisked it off. But the fly sat on his nose again. This continued till at last Mansoor felt greatly disturbed.
Turning to Imam Jafer as Sadiq(A.S.), who was present that day, he said: O Son of the Prophet(A.S.), can you tell me why Allah created these lousy flies?
"Yes", the Holy Imam, said: "So that the mighty and the proud are rendered humble and helpless."

(18)
The Gift
Whenever they reaped their first harvest, they brought early, fresh fruits to the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.). Then he would distribute them among those who sat around him. This morning, a poor man brought one fruit from his small farm and gave it to the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.).
He accepted the gift, tasted it and then went on eating it alone while the companions watched. One of those present meekly said: O Prophet of Allah, you have over looked the right of those who watch while you eat?
The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.), smiled and waited till the man who had brought the fruit had gone. He said:
I tasted the fruit and it was not yet ripe. Had I allowed you to have some of it, someone would have definitely shown his distaste, thus dissapointing the poor man who had brought the gift. Rather than make him feel bitter, my palate accepted the bitterness.

(19)
The Guests
A father and a son were once guests of Imam Ali (A.S.). As they arrived, Imam received them warmly and arranged for their comfortable accommodation. In a room where they were seated, Imam sat opposite them, engaging them in a friendly conversation. And then it was time for the meal. After food had been served and eaten, Qambar, Imam's servant, brought a basin and a pitcher full of water for washing the guests' hands. Imam took the pitcher himself and asked the father to extend his hands so that he would pour the water.
"How is it possible that my Imam serves me? It should be otherwise," the guest said.
Imam Ali(A.S.) said: "Here is your brother in faith, eager to serve his brother and to earn the pleasure of Allah. Why do you prevent him?"
But the guest hesitated. Finally Imam said: "As your Imam, I request that you allow me the honour of this service."
And when the guest complied, Imam said: "Let your hands be washed thoroughly. Do not hasten, thinking that I should be relieved of this duty early."
When it was the son's turn, Imam instructed his own son Muhammad b. Hanafiyyah, to hold the pitcher and wash the guest's hands. Looking at his son, Imam said:
I washed your father's hands. My son washed your hands. If your father had not been my guest today, I would have washed your hands myself. But Allah loves to see that when a father and a son are present in a place, the father enjoys a privilege and a priority.

(20)
A Letter to Abu Dharr (R.A.)
He knew the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.),who loved and respected Abu Dharr Ghifari. But as he was stationed far away, it was not possible to benefit from the presence of Abu Dharr. So he wrote a letter. In this letter he sought from Abu Dharr, counsel and admonition which would guide him in his behaviuor.
Abu Dharr wrote back:
Do not be an enemy of whom you love most.
And as he went through the reply, he was disappointed. What did Abu Dharr mean? How would one ever act as an enemy to the most beloved? But on the other hand, he thought, Abu Dharr was no ordinary person. There must be a deeper meaning, so he wrote to him again seeking explanation.
'The meaning is quite simple', Abu Dharr wrote, 'To every living being the most beloved is its own self. To you, your self is the most beloved and when I admonished you not to act as an enemy, I meant do not be your own enemy. Remember when a man commits a sin, and acts contrary to the behests of Allah, he harms himself.'