The Wise Answers

Once Taus Yemeni asked Imam MOHAMMAD BAQIR (a.s), 
“When did one-third of Adam die?”
Imam replied,“ It never happened so. Rather you should ask when did one-fourth of human population die? 
It was when Haabeel killed Qaabeel. At that time there were four human beings, Adam, Hawwa, Habeel and Qabeel.
Thus by the slaying of Qaabeel, one-fourth of the population decreased.”
Taus Yemeni asked, “ What is that, which is permitted in small quantity but prohibited in large measure. 
Imam (a.s) replied, “It was the stream of Talut, drinking more water from it was not allowed, only a handful was permitted.”
Then he asked, “Which fast was it, when it was allowed to eat and drink?” 
“It was the vow of silence that Maryam (a.s) had observed,” replied the Imam (a.s). That is she did not speak to anyone in this fast.
Taus asked, “What is that goes on decreasing and never increases?”
“Life,” replied Imam (a.s).
“What is that which goes on increasing and never decreased?”
“The sea,” replied the Imam (a.s).
Then he asked, “What is that, which became airborne only once?”
“Mount Tur, which rose up and hovered on the heads of Bani Israel,” said the Imam (a.s).
He asked, “Who are those people who gave a true testimony that ALLAH (swt) considered false?”
“It was the testimony of the hypocrites regarding the Prophethood of ALLAH"S Messenger, but ALLAH (swt) considered it false.”
It means that what they had stated was correct but their statements were considered false because they did not testify with sincerity, they only claimed so verbally.
(Reference : Akhlaq al-A’imma, Morals & Manners of the Holy Imams)

Details of a Human Face

Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s) discourse with a physician :::
A physician attached to the court of al-Mansur once and asked Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq (a.s) if he wanted to learn something in this field from him.
The Imam (a.s) said: 'No. What I have is better than what you have.' Then began a very interesting discourse, in which the Imam (a.s) asked the physician questions like these:
Why is the head covered with hair?
Why are there lines and wrinkles on the forehead?
Why are the eyes shaped like almonds?
Why has the nose been placed between the eyes?
Why are the hair and the nails without life (sensation)?
These questions moved from the head downwards, till he ended by asking:
Why do the knees fold backwards, and why is the foot hollow on oneside?
To all these questions, the physician had only one reply: 'I do not know.'
The Imam (a.s) said: 'But I do know.' Then he explained all the questions, showing the wisdom and power of the Creator.
The hair is created over the head so that oil may reach inside, and heat may go out through it, and so that it may protect the head from heat and cold.
There are lines and wrinkles on the forehead so that sweat from the head does not reach the eyes, giving the person a chance to wipe it away.
The eyes are almond-shaped so as to make it easy to put medicine inside them and remove dirt from them. Had they been square or round, both would have been difficult. The nose is put between the eyes as it helps to divide the light equally towards both eyes.
The hair and nails lack sensation to make it easier to cut and trim them. If there were life in them it would have hurt a person to cut them.
The knees fold backwards because human beings walk forward, and the foot is hollow to make movement easier.'

Muslim Always On Duty

When an European Airline was initially launched, an educated Muslim gentleman was Traveling in the first class section. An air hostess approached him with a complimentary drink, this was an alcoholic drink so that man politely refused.
The air #hostess returned but this time bought the drink on a platter, designed to appeal and impress however Muslim man again politely refused, explaining he doesn't drink alcohol.
The air hostess was concerned and informed the manager. The manager approached man with another platter, now designed with flowers, he questioned, “is there something wrong with our service? please enjoy the drink,
it is a complimentary offer.” The man replied, “I am a # Muslim and I do not drink alcohol.” Themanager still insisted that the man take the drink.
Then, the Muslim proposed that the manager should give the drink to the pilot first. The manager stated, “how can the pilot drink alcohol, he’s on duty!? And if he drinks there are all chances for the plane to crash”.
The passenger with tears in his eye, replied, “I am a Muslim and I am always on duty in order to protect my Imaan and if I drink I will crash my whole life here and hereafter.”

Decide Wage, Then Hire

One day, Imam Reza (‘a) went with his friend Suleman ibn e Jafar for some work out of town. They returned at sunset and the Imam invited Suleman to stop over for the night. He accepted. As soon as they entered the exterior of the house, the Imam (‘a) saw all his serving men busy in the garden, planting, weeding, mowing and watering the flower- beds. The Imam (‘a) noticed a stranger working besides them.
He called one of his workers and asked, ‘Who is that person?’
The man replied, ‘He is a person we hired for the day to finish all the work quickly.’
‘Good. What wages did you hire him on?’
‘We thought of paying him his due after the work was done.’
The Imam (‘a) suddenly looked very annoyed. Displeasure was written all over his face.
Sulaiman felt he would severely punish his men. He came closer and asked,’ What is it that has made you so depressed and angry?’
‘Sulaiman, I have told these people time and again, to hire a person only after deciding the day’s wages. It is unwise to hire a person without knowing what he would wish to earn at the end of the day’s work. If the wages are decided, one can pay him a little more if he has worked well. That will please him and he will leave your place happy and grateful, and always be willing to work for you in future. You will both be pleased with each other. Even if paid what was decided at the beginning, he will be satisfied. However, if the wages are not mutually agreed upon, no matter what you give him, he will not be grateful at all, in fact, he is bound to feel he deserved more than he received.’

Janabe Fatema (s.a) never demanded anything from her hus­band: 
Once Hazrat Ali (a.s.) asked Janabe Fatema (s.a), “Is there anything to eat?” 
She replied, “O my honor and by Allah, who had accorded highest priority to your right, that there is noth­ing at home that could be served, since last three days.” 
Hearing this Hazrat Ali (a.s.) asked ‘Then why did you not inform me?” 
Janabe Fatema (s.a.) replied that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.) had told her strictly not to ask nor demand anything from the son of his uncle. 
“Whatever he would give you voluntarily, you should accept it without uttering a word.”