Letter of Abi Abdillah (a. s) to a group of Shia — Hadith 1

t Might nor Strength except by Allah (azwj). Observe patience upon the afflictions in the world if you are followed by the afflictions, and intensify the obedience to Allah (azwj), and His (azwj) Wilayah, and the Wilayah of the ones (asws) He (azwj) has Commanded for, it is the better result with Allah (azwj) in the Hereafter, than the kingdom of the world, even though its bounties, and its flowers, and its affluence may be prolonged in the disobedience to Allah (azwj), and in the Wilayah of the one (asws) whom Allah (azwj) has Forbidden from being in his Wilayah, and in his obedience. Allah (azwj) has Commanded for the Wilayah of the Imams (asws) whom Allah (azwj) has Names in His (azwj) Book in His (azwj) Statement: “[21: 73] And We made them Imams who guided (people) by Our command” and they (asws) are the ones (asws) for whom (asws) Allah (azwj) has Commanded the Wilayah for, and to be in their (asws) obedience. And the ones whom Allah (azwj) has Forbidden to be in their wilayah, these are the imams of misguidance, for whom Allah (azwj) has Decreed for them the governance in the world over the friends of Allah (azwj) and the Imams (asws) from the Progeny (asws) of Muhammad (saww). <br>They act in disobedience to Allah (azwj) in their governments, and in disobedience to His (azwj) Messenger (saww) so that the Words of the Punishment become reality against them, and that you can end up being with the Prophet (saww) of Allah (azwj) Muhammad (saww) and the Messengers (as) before him (saww). So ponder over what stories Allah (azwj) has Related to you in His (azwj) Book of the trials which the His (azwj) Prophets (as) were Tested by, and the Believers followed them (sa). Then ask Allah (azwj) to Grant you patience upon the affliction in the thick and thin, and the difficulties, and the prosperity, similar to which was Given to them. And beware of debating with the people of the falsehood. And it is for you to follow the guidance of the righteous ones, and their dignified (manners), and their tranquility, and their forbearance, and their humbleness, and their distancing themselves from the Prohibitions of Allah (azwj), and their truthfulness, and their loyalty, and their struggle for the Sake of Allah (azwj) in the deeds by being obedient to Him (azwj). So if you were not to do that, then you will never rise to the status of the righteous ones from before you have with your Lord (azwj). And know that if Allah (azwj) Intends good for a servant, He (azwj) opens his ches