ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Uswat Al-Aarifeen: A Look at the Life of Ayatullah Bahjat Fountain of Wisdom, a Group of Teachings and Instructions by Grand Ayatullah Sheikh Bahjat In this section, we will discuss short statements by the sheikh that are fraught with wisdom and some of the precious brief answers which Ayatullah Bahjat presented in answer to some questions in various subjects and issues.

Treatment of Pretension and the Value of Knowledge A virtuous man in Qum’s theological seminary writes the following: “They asked Ayatullah Bahjat: ‘One may do a good deed in the way of Allah in which he conforms to all sincerity, but the insinuations of the devil, such as love for fame, showing off and reputation may find their way to his mind. Will this state of mind be regarded as pretension, and will it void the good deed?’ The sheikh answered, ‘Pretension is relevant to acts of worship.

Pretension in worship is prohibitive, and it is said it voids [good deeds], too. But there is no problem with pretension in issues other than adorations. But pretension itself can be a cure for pretension. This takes place when pretension is lifted through sound contemplation. Let me give you an example: One may need to earn the respect of the police commissioner and attract his attention.

In this case, he may go to a policeman and try to influence him to make him a link between himself and the commissioner. It is better this person must here pay attention and say to himself: ‘This policeman is only a link. Even if he writes something or mediates in the issue, the one who will put the paper in the right place and in the end settles the matter is the police commissioner.

Therefore, what is right is to attract the attention of the police commissioner directly and without an intermediary.

In other words, pretension must be applied to a higher end.’” Had this person been wise and knew that there is a higher station than that of the police commissioner, such as the minister, the prime minister or the president, for example, he will then say this to himself: It is better that I present my good deed to the minister or the prime minister or the president of the republic. That is to say, one must act upon pretension to impress the strongest ranks.

If this happens, pretension will be a cause for treatment for pretension itself.