For this reason each of them was an example of a spiritually...

For this reason each of them was an example of a spiritually developed man and each of them rendered a great service to the cause of human dignity and the elevation of his society. Hence moral virtue and spiritual purification are not a superfluous thing nor a matter of mere formality so that we may attend to them at our leisure and when we have settled all other affairs of our life. In fact, virtue is the builder of life, a part of it, and even much more important than life itself.

By the testimony of reason and consciousness the high qualities of moral virtue and spiritual purity are so great that under their patronage man can pass from mere appearance to the reality of his human truth and, so to say, can see what is invisible.

Evidence of the Qur'an in regard to the Spiritual Life of Man The Holy Qur'an says: " We will grant a blessed happy life to a believer, whether male or female who is virtuous, and will repay such people according to their deeds " (Surah al-Nahl, 16:97) " O you who believe! Respond to Allah and the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you (virtuous) life ". (Surah al-Anfal, 8 24) Evidently the life mentioned in the above verses is different from the ordinary life.

It can be no life other than the spiritual life which is true human life and which can be obtained only through good conduct and spiritual purification.[^1] How does Spiritual Life Come into Existence Like all other phenomena, the emergence of spiritual life also requires the fulfilment of certain conditions. It is the outcome of man's own behaviour and actions, but naturally his behaviour and action must be in conformity with the true Divine teachings.

There exist complete concord and harmony between the commands of Allah, terminologically known as Shari'ah and the realities of the world of creation and the realm of existence. Since because of the inadequacy of our intellectual faculties we are unaware of the realities of the world and the advantages and disadvantages of all that happens, we do not know what is conducive to a spiritual life.

But the Imam, like a wise and affectionate teacher, reveals these sublime realities to us and tells us what is to our advantage so that we may succeed in attaining a spiritual life. The Islamic teachings and instructions consist of the realities which may not be ordinarily grasped by us.