Imam Zainul Abidin’s Wording of Admonition and Wisdom

Just as many of the pious deeds begin with a hearty motion-which is superior
in rank to action-like jihad, which originates from the love of sacrifice for a
cause, and the attention during meditation, which originates from the love of
meeting with The Divine, likewise many forbidden practices begin with a
deviation in the heart’s axis. Therefore, the origin of what we are seeing of
the forms of moral deviation is the forbidden passion.

Just as many of the pious deeds begin with a hearty motion-which is superior
in rank to action-like jihad, which originates from the love of sacrifice for a
cause, and the attention during meditation, which originates from the love of
meeting with The Divine, likewise many forbidden practices begin with a
deviation in the heart’s axis. Therefore, the origin of what we are seeing of
the forms of moral deviation is the forbidden passion.

The objectionable passion is the intense hearty attraction towards some person,
with the tendency to reach him by any means, even if it was on the expense of
reason, the norm, and the sharia. Because it affects the behaviour, originates
from greed and ceases by intercourse [reunion of lovers], wise men designated it
as a "melancholic" malady. This is the origin of the saying that “Intercourse is
the burying ground of passion”! In other words, its origin is the love of the
character and it is known that the fairness of the character dies down with
repeatedly looking at it.

The original cause of the false passion is the spiritual emptiness and idleness.
The heart in every state and by its nature needs something to cling to and if
that vacancy is not filled with the right thing, inevitably it will be filled
with the wrong thing. The best way to depict this notion is Imam Sadiq’s(as)
saying: " Those are hearts devoid of the love for Allah, therefore, He let them
taste the sweetness of the love for others".

We have to watch the adolescent’s conduct, because in this age each of the sexes
looks for a close friend from the other sex to fill the gap. It is however known
that whoever moves to fill this gap, wants-in most cases-nothing but the
physical intimacy, which only further debases the soul. Whosoever submits their
body to the lover will get used to doing it every time, even if they claim
honest love. The proof of that is the briefness of the relationship, the
changing of the partner’s attitude and the “"evaporation" of the claimed love at
the first quarrel.

It is really strange to clear the heart-which was created to be a sanctum for
Allah-for anyone who claims love, as soon as talking through air starts or even
receiving a photo by mail. Where then is the reliable test on the basis of which
man attaches his heart to someone from among the competent and honest people who
deserves it? Looking for the life partner through visiting chatting websites is
an illusion-a mirage-that is not to be trusted. For whomsoever expose themselves
to the public, must be concealing something wrong. Where then is the Koranic
command not to be abject in speech especially in a time where there is an
abundance of those in whose hearts is sickness?

He who passionately loves someone must ask, without misleading himself, about
the objective justification for that and the reason behind insisting on
something the advantage of which is not absolutely certain! He must lastly look
for other alternatives, with the lack of firm conviction in the restriction of
achieving the goal to what or whom he passionately loved because insistence is
always the derivative of conviction.

The Koran explicitly threatens, {Then wait till Allah brings His command}, those
who prefer the love of fathers, sons, brothers, the clan, possessions, dwellings
and commerce to loving Him and His Messenger. Is this threat not enough for us
to check the corners of our hearts for the love that has sneaked into the wrong
kingdom (place)? Let it be known that loving the Creator of love begins
reluctantly only to transform into a passionate love that makes man despise
everything that turns him away from his Lord. Did Joseph not say: {My Lord, the
prison is dearer to me.}. Hence, being alone with the Beloved is dearer to him
than being alone with the mortal, even if it was a princess in her castle.

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