The Habit

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Habit is second nature.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘A habit holds every man under its authority.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He who obeys habits does not attain high levels.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Your tongue will urge you to whatever you have accustomed it [to say], and your inner self will require you to do whatever you have made it fond of.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Do not hasten to resort to anger lest it prevail over you by becoming a habit.

Imam Ali (AS) said in his will to his son, al-Hasan (AS), ‘Verily the heart of a young person is like the untilled earth, which accepts whatever is placed therein. I, therefore, urge you to hasten to self-discipline before your heart hardens, and your mind becomes preoccupied.

Imam Ali (AS), was once offered a sweetmeat called faludhaj, so he placed it in front of him, saying, ‘Verily you have a fragrant smell, are of a beautiful colour, and taste delicious, but I hate to habituate my soul [to anything] since it has not yet formed any habits.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Habituate yourself to performing noble actions and to bear the burdensome consequences [of your actions], and your soul will be elevated as a result, your Hereafter will flourish, and your admirers will increase.

Imam al-Hasan (AS) said, ‘Habits are overpowering, for he who forms a habit to something in secret and during his free times is plagued by them in public and when occupied.