A Pearl of Wisdom from Imām Jaʿfar b. Muḥammad

عن الإمام الصادق جعفر بن محمد -عليهما السلام- أنه قال: عجبت لمن فزع من أربع كيف لا يفزع إلى أرب

عجبت لمن خاف كيف لا يفزع إلى قوله عز وجل حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل فاني سمعت الله جل جلاله يقول بعقبها فانقلبوا بنعمة من الله وفضل لم يمسسهم سوء

 وعجبت لمن اغتم كيف لا يفزع إلى قوله عز وجل: لا إله إلا أنت سبحانك إني كنت من الظالمين فاني سمعت الله عز وجل يقول بعقبها فاستجبنا له ونجيناه من الغم وكذلك ننجي المؤمنين

 وعجبت لمن مكر به كيف لا يفزع إلى قوله: ﴿وأفوض أمري إلى الله إن الله بصير بالعباد﴾ فاني سمعت الله جل وتقدس يقول بعقبها فوقاه الله سيئات ما مكروا

 وعجبت لمن أراد الدنيا وزينتها كيف لا يفزع إلى قوله تبارك وتعالى: ﴿ما شاء الله لا قوة إلا بالله﴾ فاني سمعت الله عز اسمه يقول بعقبها إن ترن أنا أقل منك مالا وولدا فعسى ربي أن يؤتين خيرا من جنتك

Imām Jaʿfar b. Muḥammad (may Allāh be pleased with them) said, “I am amazed how one is frightened by four issues and does not take solace in four reminders.

(1) I am amazed by one who is afraid and does not remember the words of the most Glorious, “Allāh is sufficient for us and He is the best of patrons.” For I have heard what Allāh has said right after that! “Thus, they safely returned with blessings and favor from Allah, no evil having touched them.”

(2) I am amazed by one who is distressed does not remember the words of the most Glorious, “[When Yūnus prayed saying] There is no deity besides you, Glory be to You, indeed I am from those who have done wrong.” For I have heard what Allāh has said right after that!

“And so we answered his prayer and relieved him of his distress and in this manner we save the believers.”

(3) I am amazed that the one who finds him or herself being cornered does not remember the words of the most Glorious, “So I entrust my affair to Allāh; Allāh is well aware of His servants.” For I have heard what Allāh has said right after that!

“So Allāh protected him from the evil of what they had plotted.”

(4) I am amazed that the one who covets the worldly life does not remember the words of the most Glorious, “This is Allāh’s will. There is no power [not] given by Allāh.” For I have heard what Allāh has said right after that!

“Although you see I have less wealth and offspring than you, My Lord may well give me something better than your garden.”