Sayyid Al-Hakeem: Knowledge, Asceticism, Noble Character, Goodness Keys to Continuing Prayer Right Epistle on Rights Explanation

His Eminence Sayyid Al-Hakeem, Head of the National State Powers’ Alliance, continued His explanation of the Epistle on Rights by Imam Zain Al-Abidin Ali Ibn Al-Hussein (peace be upon him). As part of H.E.’s discussion of the tenth right—namely the right of prayer—H.E. addressed the effects of prayer, presenting fifteen of them earlier, while identifying goodness as the sixteenth effect. H.E. also referred to several verses from Holy Quran and narrations from Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) and Ahl Al-Bayt (peace be upon them) that highlight this effect and its significance.
In today’s lecture, H.E. continued presenting narrations that illustrate the importance of doing good and its practical manifestations. Among them:
The Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
“Knowledge is the foundation of all goodness, while ignorance is the foundation of all evil.”
H.E. explained that knowledge leads to wisdom, enlightens the mind, and enables a person to act with sound judgment and confidence in His path and decisions, whereas deviation, misguidance, and weakness stem from ignorance.
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:
“Vision, silence, and speech—every glance without reflection is heedlessness; every speech without remembrance is idle talk; and every silence without thought is neglect. Blessed is the one whose glance brings insight, whose silence is reflection, whose speech is remembrance, who weeps over his sins, and from whose harm people remain safe.”
He also said:
“Three qualities encompass all goodness: extending blessings to others, honoring commitments, and maintaining family ties.”
Imam Mohammed Al-Baqir (peace be upon him) said:
“Allah revealed to Prophet Adam: O Adam, I have gathered all goodness for you in four words—one for Me, one for you, one between Me and you, and one between you and people. The one for Me is that you worship Me and associate nothing with Me; the one for you is that I will reward you for your deeds when you are most in need of them; the one between Me and you is that you supplicate and I respond; and the one between you and people is that you desire for others what you desire for yourself.”
Imam Ja'far Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:
“All evil has been placed in a house whose key is love of the worldly life, while all goodness has been placed in a house whose key is detachment from the world.”
The Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) said:
“Whoever is granted four things has been granted the good of this world and the Hereafter: a patient body, a tongue engaged in remembrance, a grateful heart, and a righteous spouse.”
Imam Ali (peace be upon him) also said:
“The good of this world and the Hereafter has been gathered in guarding one’s secrets.”
He Also said:
“Whoever is granted four things has been granted the good of this world and the Hereafter: truthful speech, fulfilling trusts, chastity of the stomach, and noble character.”