Make it a substitute for all your past (shortcomings) to...

Make it a substitute for all your past (shortcomings) to take their place as a successor, and make it your supporter against every opponent. Turn your sleep into wakefulness by its help, and pass your days with it. Make it the equipment of your hearts, wash your sins with it, treat your ailments with it, and hasten towards your death with it. Take a lesson from him who neglects, so that others who follow it should not take a lesson from you.

Beware, therefore; You should take care of it and should take care of yourselves through it. Keep away from this world and proceed towards the next world infatuatedly. Do not regard humble he whom the fear of Allah has given a high position, and do not accord a high position to him whom this world has given a high position.”[^18] In another sermon, Imam Ali (AS) has said: “I advise you, O creatures of Allah, to have…