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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Provisions for the Journey (Mishkat), Volume 2 Lesson 25: The Path towards Paradise and Manifestations of Divine Modesty The Noble Prophet (S)[^1] once more reminds us about the importance of modesty and decency and tells Abu Dharr: “O Abu Dharr!

Would you like to enter paradise?” Abu Dharr responds, “Yes, may my father be sacrificed for you.” The Noble Prophet (S) mentions three fundamental conditions with the intention of inviting Abu Dharr to heaven and eternal bliss: “Cast long-drawn-out dreams out of your mind. Always perceive your death as close at hand.

Have proper modesty towards Allah.” Disapproval of Long-Drawn-Out Dreams and the Difference between Them and Positive Hope One of the subjects upon which a lot of emphasis has been laid in the hadith s is that a believer ought to abstain from long and protracted wishes. Endless desires are a hindrance to man’s fulfilling his divine duties and pursuing his spiritual goals and impel him to abandon his religious obligations and sacred aims in the hope of attaining his cravings.

Long-drawn-out dreams cause man to become heedless about the present, thus not perceive currently available opportunities.

“They invoke none but female (deities) besides Him, and invoke none but a rebellious Satan, whom Allah has cursed, and who said, ‘I will surely take of your servants a settled share, and I will lead them astray and give them false hopes…’” [^2] It is in connection with this danger of interminable yearnings and because they infect man with erroneous doubts and thereafter impel him to perpetrate minor sins and later greater sins and crimes that Imam ‘Ali ( ‘a )[^3] perceives them as a threat: “O people!

What I fear most for you are two things—acting according to desires and extending of hopes.