It is our attitudes towards life which defines our way of living and determines our value, the value which we may rarely think about. How do we view life? Do we look at it through a narrow perspective or an extensive one? What position do people hold in our eyes? Have we ever thought of this issue?
Our religion is full of elegance in regards to social issues which we are unaware of. The teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) contain numerous delicate moral points which help us with even the details of our lives. As they explain our relationship with our merciful Lord, the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) explain our attitudes and interactions with people also. Once a person intended to discover the attitude of Imam Hassan (PBUH) towards life.
He asked the Imam (PBUH), “Which person has the best living?” Imam Hassan (PBUH) replied, “The one who shares his/her joys with people”. Then, the questioning continued, “Who is the worst?” Imam Hassan (PBUH) replied, “The one who has no associate in his/her joys”. (1)
The tradition of our Imams was to teach their children and followers to help people and share personal and public lives with them.
If we focus on this statement of Imam Hassan (PBUH), we understand that the Imam (PBUH) is referring to “people in general,” not the faithful, Shiites, or Muslims. Thus, it is concluded that cooperation and assistance is related to people in general, and there is no condition on the faith or belief. Yet, assisting the knowledgeable, the faithful, and the lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUH) has a special value.
But how can we share our lives with people? Of course, the method of sharing with others differs from one person to another. For example, a physician shares his/her knowledge and ability in the field of medicine; a wealthy person shares financial support; one who has a social position helps people by solving their problems; a scholar serves people by his/her knowledge; even one may guide people towards excellent goals through counseling. These are all examples of sharing our lives with others. Sharing is the tradition of our Imams, and even their students used to do the same. The expression Imam Hassan (PBUH) used in this Hadith is “sharing”, which suggests utmost kindness and intimacy. It implies the view of Allah (SWT) and Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT) that people should be partners in their properties, which all belong to Allah (SWT).
In such a view of life, the worst of people is the one who has no associate and does not share his/her properties with others.
Now you and I should answer this question: What group do we fall in? Which way of living have we decided for ourselves?
(Selection taken from,” The Virtue of Hassan”, by Sayyid Hussain Hussaini (with some additions))
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