Hadith 485

40. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Salih ibn abu Hammad in a marfu‘ manner has said the following: “’Amir al-Mu’minin (a. s. ), once visited Ash‘ath ibn Qays to offer condolences for the death of his brother, called, ‘Abd al-Rahman. ’Amir al-Mu’minin told him, ‘If you express grief, you have observed the right of relatives; but if you exercise patience you have observed the right of Allah. If you exercise patience, you cannot escape destiny but you will be praised, and if you express grief, still you cannot escape destiny but you will be blamed. ’ Ash‘ath then said to him, ‘We are for Allah and to Him we return. ’ ’Amir al-Mu’minin then asked, ‘Do you know what its explanation is? ’ Ash‘ath replied, ‘No, you are the end and limit of knowledge. ’ The Imam said, ‘Your saying, “we are for Allah, ” is your professing that you are owned (by Allah) and your saying, “to Him we return”, is your professing to die. ’”