What to Remember When Encountered With Hostile Verbal Assaults

Many of us, who have chosen to research and learn about our faith actively and willingly, have encountered many online and offline sources and individuals that very aggressively push their agenda and views against the school of Ahlul Bayt.   These sources and individuals, instead of supplying intellectually honest information have chosen to spread untruthful disinformation.  What is more disappointing is that such disinformation is often accompanied with ill manners and belligerent language.

            When encountered with such vulgar and indecent aggression, as the followers of Ahlul Bayt, it is our duty to remain patient, to speak wisely and concisely, and to respond decently and courteously.  We must strive to not debase ourselves and to not stoop low by responding similarly to their hostilities. This is very important, since at all times, as the followers of Ahlul Bayt, we represent their teachings.  Thus, we need to be constantly vigilant and behave properly according to the teachings of Ahlul Bayt.

            However, in order to remain calm in the face of calamity, one must have the right vision in his or her mind. The most important vision that one must have and keep in mind is the vision of the hereafter. Remembering death, remembering the upcoming events after death, and remembering God’s absolute justice alleviates the irritated heart.  Remembering that God is constantly watching over our deeds and the deeds that are being done against us combined with the remembrance of God’s authority in this world and the next, help us remain composed in the face of belligerent verbal assaults. 

            In this post, I present a Reliable tradition that delivers to the followers of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them) a soothing vision of the hereafter.

            However, I must be quick to mention that knowing this tradition comes with a catch. We must continuously and perhaps on a daily basis ask ourselves, “am I a true follower of Ahlul Bayt?” “Do I know and follow their teachings properly and honestly?” “What must I do to be counted as a follower of Ahlul Bayt?”  “How must I behave, at all times, to be considered a follower of Ahlul Bayt?”

            As most of us are aware, or should be aware, our beliefs are manifested via our actions.  It is not sufficient to merely claim to be a lover or a follower of Ahlul Bayt. Our actions must vividly display our affection and love for them.  Therefore, let us ask ourselves often, “do my actions, not words, demonstrate my obedience to Ahlul Bayt?”  “Do my actions complement my words and beliefs?”

If so, if you are confident in your beliefs, and if you are confident in your love, then knowing and believing the following Reliable tradition will keep you composed and calm when you encounter indecent and hostile language against your faith.   

Arabic Text:

عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُيَسِّرٍ قَالَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَقَالَ كَيْفَ أَصْحَابُكَ فَقُلْتُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ لَنَحْنُ عِنْدَهُمْ أَشَرُّ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ وَ النَّصَارَى وَ الْمَجُوسِ وَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا قَالَ وَ كَانَ مُتَّكِئاً فَاسْتَوَى جَالِساً ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ قُلْتَ قُلْتُ وَ اللَّهِ لَنَحْنُ عِنْدَهُمْ أَشَرُّ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ وَ النَّصَارَى وَ الْمَجُوسِ وَ الَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا فَقَالَ أَمَا وَ اللَّهِ لَا تَدْخُلُ النَّارَ مِنْكُمُ اثْنَانِ لَا وَ اللَّهِ وَ لَا وَاحِدٌ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكُمُ الَّذِينَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ قالُوا ما لَنا لا نَرى‏ رِجالًا كُنَّا نَعُدُّهُمْ مِنَ الْأَشْرارِ أَتَّخَذْناهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا أَمْ زاغَتْ عَنْهُمُ الْأَبْصارُ إِنَّ ذلِكَ لَحَقٌّ تَخاصُمُ أَهْلِ النَّارِ (ص: 62-64) ثُمَّ قَالَ طَلَبُوكُمْ وَ اللَّهِ فِي النَّارِ فَمَا وَجَدُوا مِنْكُمْ أَحَداً

Farsi Translation:

ميسر گويد: خدمت امام صادق عليه السّلام شرفياب شدم حضرت فرمود: حال ياران و هم‏مسلكان تو (يعنى شيعيان) چگونه است؟ عرضكردم: قربانت ما در پيش مردم (يعنى جماعت) از يهود و نصارى و مجوس و مشركان بدتريم! گويد: حضرت در آن وقت (كه من اين سخن را گفتم) تكيه كرده بود پس برخاست و نشست و فرمود: چه گفتى؟ گفتم: بخدا ما در نزد مردم از يهود و نصارى و مجوس و مشركان بدتريم! فرمود: هان! بخدا سوگند بدوزخ نرود از شما دو نفر نه و اللَّه بلكه يكنفر هم از شما بدوزخ نرود، بخدا سوگند شمائيد كسانى كه خداى عز و جل (در باره‏تان) فرموده:

 «و گويند چيست كه نمى‏بينيم مردانى را كه آنها را از بدان ميشمرديم، ما آنها را بمسخره گرفته بوديم يا ديدگان از ديدنشان خيره گشته، اين درست مناقشه و ستيزه دوزخيان است» (ص64-62:) سپس فرمود: آنان شما را در دوزخ ميجويند ولى يكتن از شما را در آنجا نيابند.

English Translation:

Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ahmed ibn Abu Abd Allah from Othman ibn Eissa from Moyassar who has said: 
I visited Abu Abdullah, peace be upon him, who asked me: How are your friends?

He (Moyassar) said: May I be your sacrifice. They (the general public) are considering us worse than Jewish, Christians, Magians and polytheists. He (Moyassar) said: And he was lying down then changed his position to the sitting position and said: What did you say? He said: I swear that they are considering us worse than Jewish, Christians, Magians and polytheists. He said: I swear that not even a couple of you will enter hell, no, by God, not even one of you [will enter the fire].  It is (about) you that Allah the Almighty has said: "And they [the inmates of hell] shall say: "What is the matter with us that we do not see men whom we used to count among the wicked? Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing-stock, or have our eyes missed them?"  Surely, this is the truth - the disputing together of the dwellers in the Fire."(Saad : 62-64) Then he (peace be upon him) said: They seek you in hell but they find none of you."

Source:

Al-Kafi, Volume 8, Page 78, Tradition #32