Last Wll Testament; Patience During Calamity

Son! May Allah bless you with wealth and piety. Always be patient during calamity. Allah told Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) that whenever you see the world coming towards you, recite. ‘Inna Lillahe was Inna Eleyhe Rajeoon’. ‘It is a curse which is coming towards you. Whenever you see the world turning against you, then welcome poverty. This is a sign of a good momeen. (Jam-e-us-Saadat-2, p. 76)

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) has said: Poverty is one of the wealth of nature. Poverty is such a blessing which is given to prophets and momeens. Poverty is an honour and respect from Allah. (Jame-us-saadat-2, p. 82)

Poverty is the decoration of a momeen. (Jame-us-saadat, p. 82)

Majority of those in paradise will be those who were poor in this world. Very few wealthy men and women will be in heaven. The more a man advances in ‘Imaan’, the more he experiences wealth – crunch. (Usul-e-kafi-2, p. 261)

From amongst the prophets, Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s.) will be the last to enter paradise. He will have to give account of his whole kingdom. To be patient when hungry is a ‘Jehad’ It is better than 60 years ‘Ibadaat’. Poor people will enter paradise 500 years earlier than rich people (which is half a day of ‘Kayamat’).

In paradise, there will be rooms of ‘Yaqut’. Paradise dwellers will look at them in awe and wonder. These rooms will be inhabited by prophets, shias and poor momeens. Poor people will be the king of paradise. Everyone will be anxious to enter paradise but paradise will be anxious for poor people.

Allah will behave in such a way with poor momeens as one momeen behaves with another momeen. One ‘Munadi’ will shout ‘Where are poor momeens’ Then some people will come forward. Allah will say ‘I swear by my honour, grandeur and exalted position that I had not deprived you of worldly luxuries because I considered you dishonourable. I have preserved all your ‘Nemaats’ here. See, anyone who has done a small favour to you, then you can take him to paradise with you.

Son, remember, there are certain conditions for praiseworthy poverty:

(1) First condition is that he should live such a controlled life that people consider him rich. Don’t complaint about your poverty or your needs to people. When you are desperately in need, then ask some reliable friend or brother momeen provided you hope that he will satisfy your needs. Otherwise it is better to hide your condition because in this way, the responsibility of Allah to provide you will increase. Otherwise Allah will hand you over to those to whom you had complained and people will also consider you dishonourable. (Usul-e-kafi - 2, p. 128)

Janab-e-Lukman had advised his son: Son! I have tasted worms and barks of trees but they are not as bitter as poverty. Therefore, if you become poor, don’t tell people. Otherwise they will insult you and will not be of any help to you. In such a condition, turn towards Allah. He is more powerful to improve your condition. Is there anyone who has asked Him and He has not granted his wish? Is there anyone who has put this faith in Him and He has not freed him of his calamities? (Wasaelus-shia-2, p. 54)

(2) Second condition is contentment which has been described in previous chapter.

(3) Third condition is patience and to be pleased with Allah’s will. About this, Hazrat Imam-e-Jafar-e-sadiq (a.s.) has said that Hazrat Jibrael came to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and said: “Allah has sent a present to you which He has not given to any other prophet. That preset is ‘Patience’. Better present than this is ‘contentment’ and the best present is ‘Reza’, Reza means not to be disappointed whether Allah gives or not, not to be satisfied with little effort but to strive more and more. (Wasaelus-shia-2, p. 444)

Son, it is a very big blessing to be pleased with Allah’s ‘Reza’, It is stated in Hadis-e-Qudsi that ‘One who is not patient when a calamity sent by Me befalls him, who is not happy with My will, he should search for some other god and should get out of My domain.’ (Minhajun Najat - Kashani, p. 40)

Son! Cultivate Allah’s ‘Reza’ and let your soul be pleased with this decisions. Never be displeased nor complain.

(4) The fourth condition is that you thank Allah in all conditions - in comfort and in hardship, in wealth and poverty. Allah has mentioned patience along with thankfulness in the Holy Quran. He has promised bounties and favours to those who thank him. He has warned of ‘Azaab’ to those who are ungrateful to him.

(5) Fifth condition is that he should be eager and ready for poverty and hunger. He should welcome them considering their benefits. He should also ponder over the fact that wealthy man like Qarun was devoured by earth while a poor man like Hazrat Isa (a.s.) was raised to Heaven.

(6) Sixth condition is that never make insinuations against Allah.

(7) Seventh condition is that stay away from ‘Haram’ and insincere talks. Stay away from ‘Haram’ even during poverty and hunger.

(8) Eighth condition is - Do Allah’s ‘Amr’ and ‘Nahi’. Don’t be lax in your prayers because of poverty. As far as possible do charity even when you are needy.

(9) Ninth condition is – don’t keep the company of rich people Don’t respect them because of their wealth. It is stated in the tradition that if someone respects a rich man for his wealth, his 1/3 religion is destroyed. In other traditions it is stated that may be ½ religion or 2/3 religion is destroyed. (Tafseer-e-safi, Sur-e-Hijr).

One who bows down to a rich man’s wealth, he is not entitled to paradise. But he will be called enemy of Allah’s prophet. Neither his prayers will be accepted nor his desires fulfilled.

Son! Desist from acts which bring poverty, sorrow and decrease one’s life-span. Do such deeds that increase wealth and life-span.

May Allah count you amongst momenneem and save you from the mischief of ‘Munafekeen’. Every momeen has right over other momeen. The discharge from this right is either by fulfilling your obligation or obtaining forgiveness. Otherwise you will have to answer on the day of the judgement and ‘Hashr-nashr’ will be decided accordingly.

Adopted from the book : "Wasiyatnama; Last Will Testament" by : "Sheykh Abdullah Mamkani"