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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Al-Siraj: The Lantern on the Path To Allah Almighty Chapter 1: The Need to Cultivate Ethics, Benefits and the Necessity to Pay Attention to It Be informed, may Allah assist you, that the Prophet (‘s) has said, ‘I was sent (to mankind) in order to perfect the virtues of ethics’ ( Bihar al-Anwar , Vol. 68, p. 382).

There is no confusion in this statement, for anything relevant to the Hereafter and to our sustenance cannot be in order, nor can its seeker be happy, except through good manners. Much of a good deed does not help without cultivating and correcting one’s conduct. Actually, a bad conduct only spoils a good deed just as vinegar spoils honey ( Usul Al-Kafi , Vol. 2, p. 32). What benefit is there in anything the outcome of which is spoilage?

Do not be misled into thinking that a great deal of knowledge without correcting and cultivating one’s conduct can be of any use. Never! (‘a) have said, ‘Do not be tyrannical scholars so your falsehood may wipe out your righteousness’ (al-Saduq’s Amali , Vol. 9, p. 294). ‘Nor should you be misled into thinking that a bad mannered person can be happy [^1] in the company of a father, a son, a spouse, a friend, a companion, a family, a teacher or a student. Nay!

They all are harmed by him, and they find his conduct offensive; so, how can he attain the means of perfection which are scattered among the people while those who are perfect shun and run away from him?!

And be further informed that anyone who discerns the path of , peace be upon them, studying their legacy, will find how they guided mankind, attracted people to the creed, all through their good manners, ordering their followers to do likewise saying, ‘Invite people [to your creed] but not with your tongues.’ ( Al-Kafi , Vol. 2, p. 46), meaning through good manners and beautiful deeds, so that they may be role models for those who emulate.

So, if it becomes obvious that seeking this life or the life to come can both be complete through good manners, and that complementing the code of ethics is the benefit of the Message without which life can never be good, it becomes also obvious that cultivating manners has a precedence over any other obligation and is more important than any obligation. It is the key to everything good, the source of everything beautiful, the one which brings about every fruit, the basis of any objective.