10-26 (The compiler of the book narrated) that his father - may God be pleased with him - narrated that Sa’ed ibn Abdullah quoted Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad al-Isfahani, on the authority of Suleiman ibn Davood al-Munqeri, on the authority of Ali ibn Hashim ibn al-Barid, on the authority of his father Ali ibn al-Hussein (MGB) ,

“A man went to see Imam As-Sajjad (MGB) and asked, ‘What is abstinence?’ Imam As-Sajjad (MGB) said, "There are ten ranks of abstinence. The highest rank of abstinence is the lowest rank of piety. The highest rank of piety is the lowest rank of certitude. The highest rank of certitude is the lowest rank of contentment, and all abstinence is summarized in just one of the verses of God’s Book: ‘In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass by you, nor exult over the favors bestowed upon you. ’”