Three Things Raise the Ranks, The Three Expiations, The Three Which Destroy, The Three Which Save

“There are three ranks, three expiations, three things which destroy and three things which save. As for the three things which raise the ranks they are greeting aloud, feeding the needy, and praying in the night when the people are asleep. As for the three expiations, they are making ablutions with cold water, going on foot in the day and at night to the prayers, and attending congregational prayers. As for the three things which destroy, they are being really stingy, following selfish desires, and being haughty and selfish. As for the three things which save us, they are fearing God in private and in public; moderation in times of prosperity and poverty; and saying what is fair whether we are pleased or angry.”

There are three things which destroy and three things which save. As for the three things which save, they are fearing the Honorable the Exalted God in private and in public; moderation in times of poverty and affluence; and speaking fairly whether you are pleased or angry. As for the three things which destroy, they are being really stingy; following one’s selfish desires; and being haughty and selfish.”In another tradition that has been narrated on the authority of Imam as-Sadiq (MGB), we read, “Being really stingy implies being suspicious of the Honorable the Exalted God.” I have presented the chain of narrations of this tradition in the book Ma’ani al-Akhbar.

“O Ali! There are three ranks, three expiations, three things which destroy, and three things which save. As for the three things which raise the ranks they are making ablutions with cold water; waiting for the next prayers after you pray; and going on foot in the day and at night to the prayers; andattending congregational prayers. As for the three expiations, they are greeting aloud, feeding the needy, and spend the night in prayer when other people are asleep. As for the three things which destroy, they are being really stingy; following one’s selfish desires; and being haughty and selfish. As for the three things which save, they are fearing God in private and in public; moderation in times of affluence and poverty; and speaking fairly whether you are pleased or angry.”In another tradition from the Prophet (MGB) when he (MGB) was asked what the great angels asked him about when he was in the Ascension, the Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘They asked me about the ranks and the expiations.’ The Prophet (MGB) added, ‘They asked me about the things that raise the ranks. I told them they are making ablutions with cold water; going on foot to the congregational prayers; and waiting for the prayers after you pray, and being friends with me and the members of my Household until death.’ This is a long tradition. I have presented it along with its chain of narrations in the book Isbat al-Mi’raj.

Prophet (MGB) said, “There are three things which destroy. They are breaching transactions, abandoning traditions and leaving the society. There are three things which save. They are watching out what you say, crying over your mistakes, and staying at home.”