Musa al-Kazim Quotes

Cheerfulness and good nature, purge hatred and rancour.

"Little work from a scholar is doubly accepted; much work from the men of low desire and ignorance is refused."^:309

"The occultation of the Lord of this Cause (Sahib al-zaman, i.e., Muhammad al-Mahdi) is inevitable so that those who profess this cause may withdraw from it. This is a painful test that God has given to His creatures."^:114

Association with a learned one in the slums, is by far better than sitting with an ignorant person on sumptuous and luxurious carpets.

The best means by which a slave seeks proximity to God after recognising Him, is praying, benevolence to the parents, and abandonment of envy, self-conceit and vaunting.

Consultation with a wise advisor is a blessing, grace, guidance and success.

The sleep of a wise man is far better than the worship of an ignorant one during the night.

"Our Shias [i.e., followers] see through the light (nur) of God and move through the mercy of God and succeed through the grace (beneficence, karama) of God."^:171

Quoting Ali ibn Abi Talib, "God is not served through a thing better than reason. Man's reason is not perfect unless it has various qualities: unbelief and evil from him are safe [nonexistent]. Reason and good from him are hoped. The surplus of his money is spent [on charity]. The surplus of his speech is prevented. His share of the world is only daily bread. ... Abasement along with God is more beloved to him than exaltedness along with other than Him. Humbleness is more beloved to him than high rank. He regards as much the little good from other than him and as little his own good. He sees all men better than him, and that he is the most wicked of them in his soul."^:132

Anger is the key to any evil.

Human beings have not been given anything higher than wisdom and intellect.

Save yourself from the wrath of Allah (swt), and do not abandon speaking the truth, even though it (apparently) causes your destruction. Know that truth does not lead into your annihilation; rather it is a saviour. Always let go of the untruth; even though it (apparently) saves you. Untruth is never a saviour, and it eventually leads into annihilation.

The likeness of this world is as the water of the sea - however much a thirsty person drinks from it, his thirst increases so much so that the water kills him.

"Silence is among the doors to wisdom; it brings about love and is a proof of all good things."^:151