20-13 Abul Hassan Ali ibn Abdullah ibn Ahmad al-Asvari narrated that Abu Yusuf Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Qays al-Sejezi al-Mozakar quoted Abul Hassan Amr ibn Hafs, on the authority of Abu Muhammad Ubaydullah ibn Muhammad ibn Asad in Baghdad, on the authority of Al-Hussein ibn Ibrahim Abu Ali, on the authority of Yahya ibn Sa’id al-Basry, on the authority of Ibn Jarih, on the authority of Ata, on the authority of Ubayd ibn Umar al-Laysee, on the authority of Abuzar,

“I went to see God’s Prophet (MGB). He (MGB) was sitting alone in the mosque. The Prophet (MGB) was alone so I enjoyed his company in private. He (MGB) told me, ‘O Abuzar! The mosque has certain salutations.’ I asked, ‘What is the mosque’s salutation?’ He (MGB) said, ‘Two units of prayers.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! You are ordering me to say prayers. What are prayers?’ He (MGB) said, ‘It is the best thing. Anyone who wants to say more of it can do so and anyone who wishes to say less of it can do so.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! What is most loved by the Honorable the Exalted God?’ He said, ‘Believing in God and participating in a holy war in His way.’ I asked, ‘What is the best time to pray?’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘In the darkness of the night.’ I asked, ‘What is the best part of praying?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘The lengthening of the Qunut . I asked, ‘What is the best form of giving charity?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘The little bit of charity that a poor man gives an old needy person.’ I asked, ‘What is fasting?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘It is an obligatory act which has a reward near God and is reckoned several-fold by God.’ I asked, ‘Which is the best form of freeing a slave?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘Freeing one who is more expensive and dearer to his family.’ I asked, ‘What is the best form of holy war?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘The one in which one rides his own horse and fights until his blood is shed.’ I asked, ‘Which of the verses of the Holy Quran which God has sent upon you is greater?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘The verse of the Throne (Ayat al-Kursi).’ Then The Prophet (MGB) added, ‘O Abuzar! The seven heavens compared to the Throne are like a ring that has fallen in a broad region of space and the size of the Empyrean Heaven compared to the Throne is like that of a desert in comparison with a ring. I asked, ‘O Prophet of God! How many Prophets were there?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘There have been one-hundred twenty-four thousand Prophets.’ I asked, ‘How many of them were Messengers?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘Three-hundred and thirteen of them that is a large number.’ I asked, ‘Who was the first Prophet?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘Adam.’ I asked, ‘Was he one of the Messengers?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘Yes. God created him with His own Hand and gave to him of His own Spirit.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) added, “O Abuzar! Four of the Prophets spoke in Syriac language namely Adam (MGB); Shees (MGB); Akhnookh - that is Idris (MGB) who is the first to inscribe with a pen and Noah (MGB). Four of the Prophets have been Arabs. They were Hood, Salih, Shoayb and your Prophet Muhammad! The first of the Prophets from the Children of Israel was Moses (MGB) and the last of them was Jesus (MGB). Six-hundred Prophets were from the Children of Israel.’ I asked, ‘O Prophet of God! How many Books did God reveal?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘God revealed one-hundred and four Books. God revealed fifty leafs (Sahifa’s) to Shees, thirty leafs (Sahifa’s) to Idris, twenty leafs (Sahifa’s) to Abraham. God also revealed the Torah, the Bible, the Psalms of David and the Quran.’ I asked, ‘O Prophet of God! What was the leaf sent to Abraham about?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘It all contained proverbs and pieces of advice such as ‘O proud king! I did not appoint you to collect worldly wealth! Rather I appointed you so that you do not let the oppressed ask me for their needs! I shall not turn down the prayers of the oppressed even if they are atheists. A wise man whose mind has not been overwhelmed should divide up his time into three portions. He should supplicate to his Honorable and the Exalted Lord in one portion of his time. He should reckon his deeds in another portion of his time. And in the third portion he should ponder over what the Honorable the Exalted God has created. He should also spent some time in private to enjoy the lawful pleasures. This would assist him in the performance of what he has to do in the other portions of his time. It would calm his heart and prepare him for the rest of his deeds. A wise man should see his life’s condition, recognize his own position and keep his tongue in his mouth. One who considers what he says as a part of his deeds would speak a little and only when it would benefit him. A wise man should always seeks three things. He should either improve his life, provide the savings for the Hereafter, or enjoy the lawful things.’ I asked, ‘O Prophet of God! What was the leaf revealed to Moses about?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘It was all in Hebrew. It contained advice such as, ‘I wonder how one who believes in death can be happy! I wonder how one who believes in the Reckoning and the Resurrection Day can laugh! I wonder how one who has seen this world and its vicissitudes can trust it! I wonder how one who believes in destiny can exert useless efforts! I wonder how one who believes in the Reckoning of deeds doesn’t do anything for his eternity?’ I asked, ‘O Prophet of God! Do we have any of what God revealed to Moses and Abraham in what God has revealed to you?’ The Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘O Abuzar! Read: ‘He is successful who growth, And remembereth the name of his Lord, so prayeth. But ye prefer the life of the world although the Hereafter is better and more lasting. Lo! This is in the former scrolls: The Book of Abraham and Moses.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me some advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you to fear God as that is the utmost important issue.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you to recite the Quran, remember God often as possible, since then you will be remembered in the Heavens and your light shall shine upon the Earth.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you to be as quiet as possible, since that would fend off Satan who is the main enemy of your religion.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I admonish you against laughing a lot, since that would cause the heart to perish and the light of your face to fade.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you to always consider the situation of the people who are in an inferior position than you are, not those who are in a better position than you are. This way you will be more grateful for what God has bestowed upon you.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you to visit your relations of kin even if they may have cut off from you.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you to like the poor and associate with them.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you to tell the truth even though it may be unpleasant.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you not to fear the blame of those who blame you for the sake of God.’ I said, ‘O Prophet of God! Please give me more advice.’ The Prophet (MGB) said, ‘I advise you that what you know about yourself should hinder you from finding faults with others.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) said, ‘It is bad enough for one to have three characteristics: to know faults in others while he himself has them and is unaware of them; to feel ashamed of what others do while he himself has those characteristics to be ashamed of; and unduly hurt his companions.’ Then the Prophet (MGB) added, ‘There is no intellect better than moderation; there is no piety like abstinence from the acts that God has forbidden; and there is no good thing like being good-tempered.’