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Don’t get attracted towards the unkind? (11:113)
Doing this, one will taste the Hellfire.
Therefore, there are many traditions against maintaining closeness with such people. The person has to accede to the bad deeds of such people. This becomes an act of shirk. The person, observing the misdeeds of these people develops the proclivity to commit wrong deeds himself. He cannot sit quietly in the company of such masters and has to uphold their misdeeds. This in itself is disobedience of Allah and the Prophet (S). The person will have no power to oppose the master’s wrong deeds and, therefore, will be abandoning nahi an al munkar. For his selfish ends the person has to force himself to follow their wrong example to protect his own honor. He also turns callous hearted because of living day and night in the company of the masters.
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) that a parsimonious person is never happy. The jealous is deprived of the ordinary pleasures of life. The kings are never considerate. A lier is never thoughtful. A foolish person devoid of wisdom never achieves importance. The Imam also said that if a friend acquires power and pelf, his good behaviour towards you reduces nine times when comparing his attitude in the past. Even then, one should not deem him a bad friend!
Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) has been quoted authentically,’ Four things mar the heart and make a person unkind.
• Watching dances and listening to music
• Using foul language.
• Frequently visiting the kings and rulers.
• Being constantly in search of game.
It is narrated from the Prophet 0f Islam (S) that one who keeps company of the kings, becomes a scheming person. The closer he goes to the king, the farther away he goes from Allah.
It is authentically narrated from Amir’ul-Mu’mineen Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) that a person who perpetuates unkindness and the one who helps and abets in this act will both be sinners.
The Prophet of Allah (S) has said: A person who praises an unkind ruler and for the sake of worldly gains behaves in a submissive manner, he will be the companion of that ruler in the Hell. One who shows the way of unkindness to a tyrant, he will be thrown into the Hell with Haaman. One who picks up quarrel with others in support of an unkind person, the Malak al Maut (the angel of death) will tell him at the time of his death,’ I give you foreboding of Allah’s curse and a place in the Hell!’.
It is narrated from Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (as) that one should not go to a company where a tyrannical ruler might punish or kill people. This is advised because one will not be able to come to the rescue of the downtrodden. It is mandatory to go to the rescue of a person who is the subject of tyranny. When one is not present in such a situation, nor will there be the chance of getting news of any such harsh treatment, then the person will not be under any obligation to act.
Helpers of the Cruel People
After getting fatally struck by the assasin’s weapon, Amir’ul-Mu’mineen (as) made the following will to Imam Hasan (as), “My son! Befriend a virtuous person for the sake of his virtues; maintain acquaintance with the transgressor (faasiq) only to the extent necessary that your Faith is guarded against his evil designs.Your heart should beware of the transgressors.”
It is narrated that those who willfully help the cruel will remain under fiery curtains on the Day of Judgement. An angel will herald on the orders of Allah asking for the cruel people and their helpers and abetters who put wool (sauf) in their ink-pots, sealed their hampers of wealth and provided them with other kind of help. Such abetters too would be counted amongst the cruel.
It is also mentioned in the traditions that,’ One doesn’t come closer to a king, unless he moves away from Allah. None becomes very rich that it becomes harder for him to render account on the day of Judgement. A person doesn’t have more followers and hasn’t Satans in his following.’
It is narrated from Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as) that one should guard himself from evil by adopting piety and virtue. One should strengthen his Faith by recourse to Taqiyyah (permitted subterfuge). Instead of approaching kings for succor, one should supplicate to Allah. Learn to be contented. A Mu’min who cringes before a king or a faithless person for worldly gains, Allah considers him as His enemy! The worldly possessions of such a person lose their value. He will not get any reward for performing Haj and Umrah, nor for freeing of slaves!’
Meeting the Men in Authority
Although it is not desirable for Mu’mins to become regular retainers at the courts of kings and nobles, there are definitely certains conditions under which maintaining such contacts becomes imperative. These conditions are: If there is danger to life and property by keeping totally away from persons in authority. In such circumstances, keeping contact with them under Taqiyyah is allowed.This was the reason that the Holy Imams (as) never tried to antagonize the rulers.
Maintaining relations with rulers is allowed when securing help for a Mu’min or getting him relief from some hardship is achieved through such contacts.
If the persons in authority are cruel but are amenable to mellow their stance through good advice, then it is desirable to keep good rapport with them.
It has been narrated in the traditions that the Zakat for holding office of authority is providing help to the Mu’min brothers. As wealth increases by virtue of taking out Zakat, similarly the authority and respect of a person enhances if he helps Mu’mins through his authority and position.
In another tradition the Prophet of Islam (S) has said: I would rather fall from a hill and shatter into pieces than getting imposed on people as the representative of a tyrannical ruler or condescending to set foot in such a court. I might agree to go there only if a Mu’min finds relief with my initiative in going there or someone gets absolved of false and serious charges or his debts get cleared with my intercession.
The Prophet (S) added,’ remember! The least punishment for the abetters of the tyrants is that they will have a curtain of fire in front of them till the time when Allah Has taken the full account of their deeds.’
Further the Prophet (S) told to Ziyad bin Qalaad, ‘O Ziyaad! When you are appointed to a position of authority by cruel rulers show kindness to your Mu’min brothers. Perhaps that would become the cause of your deliverence!’
It is authentically narrated from Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (as),’ There is no cruel and unjust ruler who is not having a Mu’min administrator on his rolls. Allah administers justice to Mu’min Shi’as through him.and saves them from the cruelty of the tyrant. But the reward for that Mu’min on the day of Judgement would be the least. Of all other Mu’mins. This, because of his proximity to the tyrant during his living years!’
Luqman (as) used to visit kings and nobles to give them sermons and advice. He used to take pity on them observing them surrounded by umpteen calamities. He used to wonder over their craving for the worldly riches. He always derived lessons from the aberrations in their characters and behaviors. This way the Prophet (S) used to keep his worldly desires in control.
