What you say is a sign of your intellect...

What you say is a sign of your intellect, and your words inform others of the degree of your knowledge and recognition.” [^7] One of the key elements in good advice is in its not being boring. Imam Ali said: أحْسَنُ الكَلامِ ما لا تمِجُّهُ الآذانُ ولا يَتعَبُ فَهْمَهُ الأفهامُ.

“The best speech is that which the ears do not eject (through forgetfulness), and the understanding of which does not fatigue the intellect.” [^8] This has been expressed as one of the rights of him who seeks your counsel by Imam Sajjad : “And you should talk with him in such gentle words that he listens to you and you should use such words that his intellect can understand.” The Noble Prophet also said: “We the Prophets are appointed to talk to the people according to their level of intellect.” Imam Sajjad advises us to use mercy in dealing with the people we advise, and not use force, frightening or threatening.

This is because such acts have no influence on the person being advised. Mansour Seeking Advice from Imam Sadiq Mansour, the Abbasid caliph, attempted to invite Imam Sadiq to his court in order to claim to be a just ruler. He sent Imam Sadiq the following message: “Why do you not associate with us in our court as…