Summary:
In our lives, we frequently let people lead us and consequently we get humiliated and distressed. Some Ahadith are presented here where we are advised by the Masomeen-asws to preserve our tongues, gain knowledge and understanding of the religion. And should not let people, out of politeness, to start commanding us. The submissive attitude is justifiable only under the conditions of compulsion (Taqeeya – dissimulation).
Being led brings the disgrace:
قرب الإسناد مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ أَبِي الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلِ ع قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ لِرَجُلٍ لَا تُمَكِّنِ النَّاسَ مِنْ قِيَادِكَ فَتَذِلَ.
(The book) ‘Qurb Al Asnad’ – Muhammad Bin Al-Hassan, from Usman Bin Isa,
‘From Abu Al-Hassan-asws the 1st, he (the narrator) said, ‘I heard him-asws saying to a man: ‘Do not enable people to lead you for you will be disgraced’’.[1]
Be silent, hold your tongue and don’t load people upon your necks
عَنْهُ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَلِيٍّ الْجَوَّانِيِّ قَالَ شَهِدْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) وَ هُوَ يَقُولُ لِمَوْلًى لَهُ يُقَالُ لَهُ سَالِمٌ وَ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ عَلَى شَفَتَيْهِ وَ قَالَ يَا سَالِمُ احْفَظْ لِسَانَكَ تَسْلَمْ وَ لَا تَحْمِلِ النَّاسَ عَلَى رِقَابِنَا .
From him, from Al Hassan Bin Mahboub, from Abu Ali Al Jawwany who said,
‘I witnessed Abu Abdullah-asws, and he-asws was saying to a slave of his-asws called Saalim, and he-asws placed his-asws hand upon his lips and said: ‘O Saalim! Preserve your tongue, you will be safe, and do not load the people upon our-asws necks’.[2]
عَنْهُ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى قَالَ حَضَرْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ أَوْصِنِي فَقَالَ لَهُ احْفَظْ لِسَانَكَ تُعَزَّ وَ لَا تُمَكِّنِ النَّاسَ مِنْ قِيَادِكَ فَتُذِلَّ رَقَبَتَكَ .
From him, from Usman Bin Isa who said,
‘I was present with Abu Al-Hassan-asws and a man said to him: ‘Advise me’. So he-asws said to him: ‘Preserve your tongue, you will be honoured, and do not enable the people into leading you, so your neck would be disgraced’.[3]
حُمَيْدُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ عَنِ الْخَشَّابِ عَنِ ابْنِ بَقَّاحٍ عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ جُمَيْعٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ( عليه السلام ) قَالَ كَانَ الْمَسِيحُ ( عليه السلام ) يَقُولُ لَا تُكْثِرُوا الْكَلَامَ فِي غَيْرِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ فَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُكْثِرُونَ الْكَلَامَ فِي غَيْرِ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ قَاسِيَةٌ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَ لَكِنْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ .
Humeyd Bin Ziyad, from Al Khashhab, from Ibn Baqah, from Muaz Bin Sabit, from Amro Bin Jumie,
(It has been narrated) from Abu Abdullah-asws having said: ‘The Messiah-as was saying: ‘Do not frequent with the speech in other than the Remembrance of Allah-azwj, for those who are frequenting the speech in other than the Remembrance of Allah-azwj, it is hardening their hearts, but they are not knowing’.[4]
[1] Bihar Al-Anwaar V 72 – The book of relationships – Ch 87 H 7
[2] Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 56 H 3
[3] Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 56 H 4
[4] Al Kafi V 2 – The Book Of Belief and Disbelief CH 56 H 11