Hardwork

We are slaves of Imam-e-Zamana (atfs) while he is our master. He is the centre of perfection while we are full of errors and mistakes. The spirit of serving him despite our incapabilities is appreciable. If we cannot serve Imam (as) like he deserves to be, atleast we can strive and work hard. Let us have a look at some traditions about hardwork so that we understand what it takes to serve hard. This discussion can be a self-appraisal for us, let us rate ourselves and our service.

a)  Why we should work hard

We are responsible and will be questioned

ـ الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ): كُلُّ امرِئٍ مَسؤولٌ عمّا مَلَكَتْ يَمِينُهُ وعِيالِهِ.

Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Every single person is answerable for all that he possesses and all who depend on him.’[Ghurar al-Hikam, no. 7254]  

            We should serve others

ـ عن جميل ـ قال الإمام الصّادقُ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ) ـ : المؤمِنونَ خَدَمٌ بَعْضُهُم لبَعْضٍ ـ [قالَ جميلٌ:] قلتُ : وكيفَ يَكونونَ خَدَماً بَعْضُهم لبَعْضٍ ؟ قالَ ـ : يُفيدُ بَعْضُهُم بَعْضاً.

Imam al-Sadiq (AS) said, ‘The believers are servants of each other’. (Jameel narrates), ‘I asked, ‘How are they servants of each other?’ The Imam replied, ‘By being of benefit to each other.’[al-Kafi, v. 2, p. 167, no. 9]  

b)  What is expected from us.

Do not care about physical exertion, pain and hard

ـ الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ): مَن أسخَطَ بَدَنَهُ أرضى رَبَّهُ ، ومَن لَم يُسخِطْ بَدَنَهُ عَصى رَبَّهُ.

Imam Ali (AS) said, 'He who dissatisfies his body earns Allah's pleasure, and he who is not willing to dissatisfy his body defies Allah.’[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 70, p. 312, no. 11 taken from Mizaanuln Hikmah]  

    Do not care about blame and displeasure of others

 الإمامُ الهاديُّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ): مَن أطاعَ الخالِقَ لَم يُبالِ بسَخَطِ المَخلوقِ .

Imam al-Hadi (AS) said, ‘He who obeys the Creator is not bothered by the displeasure of the creation [i.e. other people].’[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 366, no. 2]  

 Submission of the heart

الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ): مَن تَواضَعَ قَلبُهُ للّه‏ِِ لَم يَسأمْ بَدَنُهُ مِن طاعَةِ اللّه‏ِ .

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘He whose heart submits to Allah, his body never tires of Allah’s obedience.’[Bihar al-Anwar, v. 78, p. 90, no. 95]  

c)  What are the obstructions to hardwork

Attraction towards sins, comfort and pleasure

 الإمامُ عليٌّ (عَلَيهِ الّسَلامُ): مَن أجهَدَ نَفسَهُ في إصلاحِها سَعِدَ، مَن أهمَلَ نفسَهُ في لَذّاتِها شَقِيَ وبَعُدَ.

Imam Ali (AS) said, 'Whoever exerts his soul in a bid to improve himself prospers, and whoever neglects and abandons his soul to its pleasures attracts misfortune and becomes distant [from Allah].’[Ghurar al-Hikam, 8246-8247]