عيسى بن الفرج

The disciples of Jesus (a.s) complained to him about the people humiliating them. He said: “Be patient. The believers always experience the animosity of others towards them. Their similitude is like that of wheat that is sweet but has lots of enemies.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “The disciples of Jesus the son of Mary (a.s) complained to him about what they had sufferred from the people. He said: “Believers are always subject to the hatred of the people. They are similar to wheat which is sweet and has many enemies.”

“O Ibn Arafat! In fact, God’s Blessings are like a camel tied up near a river where it rests. The people can gain benefits from it for as long as they treat it well. However, as soon as they mistreat it, it will leave them and they will lose it.”

Let me live since I have been grateful to you.’ He said, ‘Who are you to be grateful?’ Then Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha’ (a.s.) said, ‘O Commander of the Faithful! I adjure you by God the Highest that you appreciate what the people do - even if it is very little - since God the Highest ordered His servants to thank Him. They thanked Him and He forgave them.’”

I heard Abu Abdillah al-Rabee saying that it has been reported from al-Asmaee’, who said: Once I entered al-Basra and as I was walking along, I saw a very beautiful maid looking like a worn-out skin bag. I followed her with constraint, till she reached the graveyard and sat near a grave. Then, with a voice hardly audible, she said: "This is the abode, not like the one with which we deceive ourselves. By Allah, it is a place, which throws the lovers asunder and brings the Day of Reckoning closer; by which His grace will be known from His chastisement. O father! May Allah widen your grave and bless you with what your Prophet was blessed. As for me, I will not say against what I know! I knew you a generous, comforting whenever you came, fully reliable." Then she said: "I wish I knew how decomposition has changed you, Or what the beauty of your face has become in the dust! What a nice person! (Do they know which) elderly man they hid under the stones, that he is neither felt nor seen. Sagacious, forbearing, with the resolutions matched by bravery, bountiful when called upon to entertain; Since, you were moved to the graveyard and decay, Anxieties have come closer and my eyes have lost sleep!" And may Allah bless our master Muhammad, the Prophet and his immaculate progeny.