But if He does not...

But if He does not, He is not to blame, because it is not He Who forces them to do it, or compels them into committing it against their will. But He does them a favor by opening their eyes, teaching, warning, ordering and prohibiting them. He does not force them to do what He orders, so as to be like the angels, not does He pressure them to keep away from what He forbids. Allah's is certainly the conclusive argument.

If Allah willed, He would have guided you to the right path...” [^1]9 By these eloquent, concise words the Imam explains one of the most complicated, and thorny matters of thought. It was so difficult, that many intellectuals were perplexed and at a loss because of it. Moreover, it gave rise to extremely fanatical groups. Imam Hasan (as), however, expressively shows his profound and pristine knowledge in Islamic sciences.

This discloses Imam Hasan's (as) firm connection with the fountainhead of the Message and its original concepts. B. “What is asceticism?” the Imam was once asked. “The desire to be pious and abstemious in this life,” he replied. “What is forbearance?” he was asked. “Restraining one's anger and controlling oneself,” he answered. “What is righteousness?” he was asked. “Replacing the bad with the good,” came the answer. “What is honor?” they asked.

“Being kind to one's relatives and shouldering people's burdens of sin.” “What is the succor?” he was asked. “Defending the neighbor, patience in war, and advance during adversities,” he said. “What is glory?” he was asked. “Giving while being in debt and forgiving others their offenses.” “What is manliness?” “Holding onto the faith, keeping one's self-respect, being merciful, being kind, giving back people's trusts, and ingratiating oneself to the people...” ^2 10 C.

A man from Syria asked Imam Hasan (as): “What distance is between the right and the falsehood?” “Four fingers,” the Imam replied. “What you see with your own eye is the right. You may hear a lot of falsehoods with your ear.” “What distance is between faith and certitude?” the Syrian asked. “Four fingers,” Imam Hasan (as) again answered. “The faith is what we hear, and certitude is what we see.” “What is the distance between the sky and the heaven?” asked the Syrian.

“The prayer of the wronged,” replied Imam. “What is the distance between the east and west?” asked the Syrian. “A day's travel of the sun,” said the Imam. [^3] D. Imam Hasan (as) is reported to have said: “O people!