Whoever is satisfied with a little provision...

Whoever is satisfied with a little provision, Allah is satisfied with his little work.[^3]” This holy tradition urges the Muslim person in a wise manner to avoid despair of Allah’s mercy; rather he/she must be patient and wait for ease, for all affairs are only in the hand of Allah, the Exalted, Who manages the affairs of His servants. This tradition also prevents man from fatiguing himself for attaining material things, for Allah divides provisions among His servants.

The Imam, peace be on him, reported on the authority of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: “By Him in whose hand is my soul, nothing is better than adding clemency to knowledge.[^4]” The Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, urged man to adopt knowledge and clemency which are among the original qualities through which man’s character prospers, and through which his life and behavior develop.

The Imam, peace be on him, reported on the authority of his father Imam, Imam al-Husayn, peace be on him, on the authority of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: “Showing love to men is the head of intellect, after faith in Allah, the Great and Almighty.[^5]” Indeed, showing love to men and attaining their sentiments are among the most manifest qualities of man’s character.

They are a proof of the completion of his intellect and the abundance of his perfection and excellence, and are among the greatest earnings in his life. The Imam, peace be on him, reported on the authority of Allah’s Apostle, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: “Faith is words and actions.[^6]” Faith is not mere words that vanish in space; rather it is action and striving in life.

He, peace be on him, related from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and his family, who said: “Faith is confession with the tongue, knowledge through the heart, and action with the limbs.[^7]” Faith depends on three affairs: First, it depends on confessing with the tongue which shows what has been impressed in the inner self. Second, the heart should know in detail the thing in which it has believed. Hence, if there is no knowledge through the heart, there is no faith.

Third, faith should be accompanied by action with the limbs. Al-Zuhri reported on the authority of Imam ‘Ali b.