\u2018Unwaan Basri was 94 years old when he heard about Imam Sadiq\u2019s (PBUH)\nhigh level of knowledge in all matters. Therefore, he wished to acquire\nknowledge only from the Imam, who had just entered Medina. However, the surveillance\nthe government had placed upon the Imam, along with the Imam\u2019s own\noverscheduled hours, did not make it easy for \u2018Unwaan to arrange to meet with\nthe Imam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet, his love and respect toward Imam\nSadiq (PBUH) had increased so much that he could not forget about visiting the\nImam easily. And thus he prayed and requested that Allah (SWT) provide him the\nopportunity to study under the Imam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eventually, he found the opportunity\nto go to the Imam\u2019s house. He asked permission to enter. And when finally allowed,\nhe sat with the Imam and waited to taste a drop from the Imam\u2019s sea of\nknowledge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Imam said, \u201cO Aba \u2018Abdellah(1)!\nKnowledge is not (just) about studying; rather it is a light, placed within the\nheart of someone whom Allah wills to guide. Thus, if you seek knowledge, you\nmust first be a true servant and receive it by practicing what you learn. And\nask Allah for understanding so that you can comprehend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Unwaan asked,\n\u201cO Aba \u2018Abdellah(2)! What are the\ncharacteristics of a true servant of Allah?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Imam answered, \u201cThree things. The\nfirst is not to see that which Allah gave him as solely his own, for servants\nare not the true owners; rather they see their wealth (as a blessing) from\nAllah. They use it only where Allah has asked them to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The second characteristic is that a\ntrue servant does not do anything other than his duties and does not think\nabout the results of his duties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the third is that a true servant\nspends all his time obeying the commands of Allah and not doing that which Allah\nhas banned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A true servant is one who does not\nview the wealth Allah has given him as solely his. With this view in mind, it\nis thus easier for him to give what Allah has given him in charity. When a true\nservant accomplishes his duties, tragedies he faces in life become much more\nbearable for him. A servant who has occupied himself with obeying Allah will\nnot have time to argue and show off his wealth to the people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So whenever a servant acquires these\nthree characteristics, the materialistic world, Satan and people become very\nsmall for him. He does not seek worldly things or pride for others. He does not\nhave eagerness for worldly positions or luxurious life styles and thus, he does\nnot waste his time pursuing worldly affairs. This is the first level of piety,\nand Allah says, \u2018As for that future Abode, We assign it to those who have no\ndesire to exalt themselves in the earth nor to make mischief and the good end\nis for the righteous.\u201d (The Holy Quran, 28:83)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Taking a look at our lives, have we\nprepared our hearts to openly receive the holy light of wisdom and knowledge?\nAre we about to acquire more knowledge by practicing what we know? Do we ask\nAllah (SWT) to give us more understanding and wisdom?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
O Allah! We seek your refuge from a\nlife spent learning, but failing to practice it in obedience to You, and\ntherefore failing to receive any of that light in our hearts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Reference:\nHadith \u2018Unwaan Basri, Mishkaat al-Anwaar by Ali ibn Hassan Tabarsi)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roshd website gives its condolences on\nthe 25th of Shawwal, the martyrdom of the origin of knowledge, Imam Ja’far ibn\nMuhammad al-Sadiq (PBUH), to all Muslims, and especially you dear friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Footnotes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Nick name of\n\u2018Unwaan Basri<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Nick name of\nImam Sadiq (PBUH)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018Unwaan Basri was 94 years old when he heard about Imam Sadiq\u2019s (PBUH) high level of knowledge in all matters. Therefore, he wished to acquire knowledge only from the Imam, who had just entered Medina. However, the surveillance the government had placed upon the Imam, along with the Imam\u2019s own overscheduled hours, did not make […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28248],"tags":[21663,17778,20151,17964,18200,18418,21662,21665,21664],"class_list":["post-4420","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-occasional-letters","tag-2007-11-06","tag-allah","tag-imam-sadiq","tag-knowledge","tag-love","tag-occasion-letters","tag-on-the-quest-for-knowledge","tag-studying","tag-visiting"],"yoast_head":"\n