ভূমিকা
Commentary In order to prepare the reader for the later guide-lines, Imam ‘Ali (as) has used seven attributes for himself and fourteen adjectives for his son, every one of which could warn the wandering souls and bring them back to reality; the secret behind the difference in the number of attributes used in this letter lies in the age of the reader as well as in the ups and downs that he would encounter in the subsequent years.[^1] Now we will discuss those seven attributes which Imam ‘Ali(as) employs for himself but are inclusive and involve all parents.
These attributes show the degree of indifference that people have shown to that; and he uses them indicating a lot of pain. Now, here are the attributes: From an Aged Father near death “من الوالد الفان” It is a fact that anything created is imperishable; this is especially true in the case of man, who, according to rational and narrative reasoning is created to stay and to be ever lasting and not to be mortal.
"قال رسول الله(ص): ما خُلقتُم لِفَناءٍ بل خُلِقتُم لِبقاء وانما تُنقَلون مِنْ دارٍ اِلى دار" Said the Prophet (S): “You have not been created for extinction; rather, you have been created for eternal life.