أبان بن عبد الملك الثقفي

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘We begin with vinegar which is with us as you begin with salt which is with you, and vinegar strengthens the ability to understand better.’”

When Musa b. `Imran (as) wanted to part from al-Khidr (as), he said to him: Advise me. So, from among that which he advised him, he said to him: Beware of bickering, and of walking (traversing) without need, and of laughing without astonishment. Remember your mistakes and beware of [mentioning] the mistakes of the people.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.) has said, ‘Do not express joy at the trouble of your brother (in belief); Allah may grant him a favor and transfer that trouble to you.’ The Imam also said, ‘Whoever rejoices at the suffering that has come upon his brother (in belief) he will not leave this world before going through such suffering himself.’”

“Once someone came to Abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) and said, ‘May Allah keep you well, I am a man who devoutly loves you. I face a pressing need. I sought help from my family and tribe but it only has distanced me from them.’ The Imam said, ‘What Allah has given you is better than what He has taken from you.’ The man said, ‘May Allah keep my soul in service for your cause, pray for me to Allah so He will make me independent of His creatures.’ The Imam said, ‘Allah has assigned the sustenance of whomever He wanted to come through the hands of whomever He wanted, however, you can ask Allah to make you free of such needs that may force you to ask for help the ignoble ones of His creatures.’”