Where are the dwellers of the cities of Rass who killed the...

Where are the dwellers of the cities of Rass who killed the Prophets and stifled the traditions of the Messengers, and who revived the practices of the tyrants? Where are those who went with troops, defeated thousands, mobilized armies and built cities?”[^7] C) Time The lapse of time, which sometimes makes one nation prosperous and another miserable, could be a good source of admonition.

Imam Musa Ibn Ja’far (as), giving advice to his intelligent student Hisham, says: "Take your advice from the world and its inhabitants." This might be one of the reasons why the Holy Qur’an swears by the Time or “ wa’l ‘Asr ”.

Imam ‘Ali (as), considering the time as the best advice-giver and teacher, emphasizes the point at issue: "اَبلَغُ نَاصِحٍ لَكَ الدُّنيا لَو اِنتَصحْتَ بِمَا تُرِيكَ مِن تَغايُرِ الحَالاتِ وَتُؤذِنُكَ بِالبَينِ وَالشَتَاتِ" "The world is the most effective counselor for you if you accept its advice in what it shows you of the changing conditions and what it informs you of separation and dispersion." [^8] What is disturbing is the fact that the lessons to be taken are numerous but the number of people who take advice is few.[^9] It is narrated: when Imam ‘Ali (as) was passing Mada’in, he observed Noushirvan's castle which was in a dilapidated state.

Imam ‘Ali (as) said: “Why do you not read Surah al-Dukhan's verses 25-29 from the Qur’an which say: "كَمْ تَرَكُوا مِنْ جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ وَزُرُوعٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ وَنَعْمَةٍ كَانُوا فِيهَا فَاكِهِينَ كَذَلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَاهَا قَوْمًا آخَرِينَ فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ السَّمَاءُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا مُنظَرِينَ" "How many of the gardens and fountains have they left? And cornfields and noble places!

And goodly things wherein they rejoiced; thus it was, and We gave them a heritage to another people. So the heaven and the earth did not weep for them, nor were they respited. [Qur’an 44:25-29] [^10] D) Experiences As we know, one of the safe ways of acquiring knowledge is to use other people's experiences.

Concerning this, Imam (as) in his letter says: "Peruse diligently and decidedly those affairs which scholars have painstakingly gathered and have freed you from further attempts." In ethics and advice as well, our experience is the best friend and agent for adopting the right way and avoiding the improper methods.

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