Muhammad b. `Ali narrated to us from his uncle Muhammad b. al-Qasim from Harun b. Muslim from Mas`ada b. Sadaqa from al-Sadiq Ja`far b. Muhammad from his father from his forefathers .

Amir al-Mu’minin delivered a sermon in Basra. After praising and commending Allah and blessing the Prophet and his Family, he said: A duration – even if it is prolonged – is short. The past is a lesson for those present. The dead are an exhortation for the living. When yesterday passes, it does not return, and a person from tomorrow is not upon stability – the first is a guide for the middle, and the middle is the leader of the last. Everyone will part from everyone, and everyone will follow everyone. Death will overcome everyone, and the colossal day is coming to everyone. It is the day in which neither wealth nor sons will benefit anyone – only those who meet Allah with a peaceable heart [will be delivered]. Then, he said: O my Shi`a! Be patient upon the deeds whose rewards you will not become needless of, and patiently refrain from the deeds whose punishment you will have no patience for. Surely, we have found that being patient upon the obedience of Allah is easier than being patient upon the punishment of Allah. Know that your time is finite, your hope is amplified, and your breaths are numbered. Your time cannot but end, your hope cannot but be extinguished, and your breaths cannot but be exhausted. Then, his eyes filled up with tears, and he recited: “While you are certainly observed by vigilant, honourable angels recording everything – they know whatever you do.” (82:10-12)