Rasa News Agency reports – Hujjat al-Islam Dr Naser Rafiei has spoke in honour of the birth anniversary of Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb (A) at Imam Sadeq (A) University in Tehran. He explained that Imam Ali (AS) has special characteristics which no other person has ever had, including the other infallible members of the Ahlul-Bayt (A).
“We have traditions which said that whoever wants to have the determination of Noah (A), the knowledge of Adam (A), the asceticism of Jesus Christ, the patience of Moses, or the intelligence of Abraham, should look to Imam Ali (A),” he said.
Dr Rafiei explained that Imam Ali (A) has expectations from us, which we can understand by reading his sermons in Nahj al-Balaghah (The Peak of Eloquence).
He narrated a tradition from Imam Ali (A), who said: “I had a friend who passed away but he had eight outstanding characteristics and which I encourage you people to quickly gain:
1) Don’t indulge in extravagances of the stomach or lust
2) Don’t be greedy
3) Don’t speak unnecessarily
4) Don’t make excuses
5) Don’t complain unnecessarily
6) Don’t talk more than listening
7) Don’t prefer this world over those of the hereafter
8) Don’t be a scholar without action.”
“Imam Ali (A) said that if you can not gain all of these characteristics, you should at least try to gain some of them,” he explained.
Dr Rafiei concluded with this advice: “Dear brothers and sisters! The months of Rajab, Sha’ban and Ramadhan are three perfect opportunities, so please take advantage of the opportunities of these holy months.”
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