The teaching and learning of these affairs are forbidden”.

When I saw that I had reached old age, and I saw myself increase in weakness, I hastened with my will to you. I set out in it some useful points lest death overtake me without my having acquainted you with my thoughts or (lest) my mind weaken just as my body has weakened or some mastery of desire and the temptations of the world get to you before me, so that you become like a refractory camel. The heart of a young man is like empty land which accepts anything that is strewn on it.

Thus I hastened to (instruct) you in good discipline before your heart hardens and your mind is occupied, so that you may face with sound judgment the endeavours and experiences of the people of experience which are sufficient for you. Thus you will be spared the trouble of seeking and relieved of the cultivation of experience; for you receive our experiences and what may have been unclear for us will become clear to you”.

There are some significant points in the above text which deserve our scrutiny: Imam ‘Ali's Haste In Writing This Will Imam ‘Ali (as) was in a haste to write the will for the following reasons: First, he was becoming old, above 60, the age in which both brain and brawn deteriorate. At times, the spirit becomes feeble, not being able to carry out important tasks. Imam ‘Ali (as) here is concerned about his powers to handle this grave task.