1 - Maxims by Imam Hassan peace be upon him when asked what piety is , ImamHassan , peace be upon him replied : " yearning for virtue and no longing forthis world .
" 2 - When asked what manliness is .
Imam answered : " protection of religion ,self-respect , lenience , benevolence , discharging one's duties , andshowing amity towards people .
3 - When asked what generosity is , Imam said : donation before requestand feeding poeple during drought .
4 - When asked what parsimony is , Imam said : to consider what you have asdignity and what you spend as waste .
5 - When asked what freedom from want is , Imam said : Being satisfiedwith one's destiny , however maeger it may be .
6 - When asked what poverty is , Imam said : greed for everything .
7 - When asked what dignity is , Imam said : agreeing with friends andmaintaining good neighbourly relations .
8 - When asked what meanness is , Imam said : self - centredness and havingno regard for one's wife .
9 - The person who takes refuge in God is relaxed and secure where as hisenemy is fearful and friendless .
10 - Be careful with God by frequently remembering Him , and be fearfulof God by being pious , and approach God through obedience , for indeed He isnear and responsive .
11 - The greatness of those who came to know his greatness lies in theirmodesty .
The dignity of those who came to know His glory lies in theirhumbleness .
The security of those who came to know His power lies in theirsubmission to God .
12 - You should know that God has not created you for no reason and that hasnot left you to your own .
He has determined your life time and divided yoursustenance among you so that every wise man know his share and understand what-ever he recieves has been predestined and that he would not receive that whichdoes not belong to him .
God has provided you with sufficient in come tohave enough time to worship and thank Him .
He made rememberance and prayerobligatory and recommended you to be pious to gain his utmost satisfaction .
13 - O' servants of God ! Do have God fearing and do know that God enablesGod fearing persons to overcome trials , and to succeed in their affairs .
Hewill also smooth the path of right for God-fearing people .
14 - Only those people who are properly guided consult one another .
15 - Meanness is to fail to thank God for His blessing .
16 - In quest , do not take victory for granted , do not trust predestinationlike the yielding , for it is a fradition to be in quest of sustenance .
Thus ,moderation in search of one's livelihood comes from chastity which is not onthe way of sustenance .
By the same token , avarice does not increase sustenance .
In deed , sustenancehas been predestined and avarice brings about sins .
17 - One is free as long as has not promised .
However when one promises ,he shoulders responsibility and shall not be released until he fulfils hispromise .
18 - The person having confidence in God's free-will ( satisfied withdivine destiny ) dose not wish to be in a state other than the one chosen forhim by God .
19 - The good without evil is thanking for the blessing and patience inclamities and hardships .
20 - Imam , peace be upon him , said to a man just cured from a disease :God remembered you , then you remember Him .
He pardoned you , you should thank him .
21 - Whoever regularly goes to the mosque will enjoy one of the followingeight benefits : a decisive verse , access to a helpful brother , newknowledge , an expected mercy , a word leading him to the way of salvation orsalvation or saving him from death , quiting sins out of public shame , andGod-fearing .
22 - Indeed , the eyes with most clear - sightedness are those penetratinggood , the ears with sharpest hearing are those benefiting from advice , and thepurest hearts are those without any doubts .
23 - A man asked Imam Hassan peace be upon him , " I have a daughter , whom shouldshe marry ? " A man", answered the Imam , " of faith and God fearing for ifhe loves her,he will respect her , and should he hate her won't do injusticeto her".
24 - Indeed , this world offers no everlasting blessing , nor one isimmune to its damages and evils .
The world is a sham standing on the way tohappiness , an unrelieble support .
25 - O' Servants of God ! Take advice from example , be admonished by theeffects of ancients , stop disobedience by remembering His blessingsand benefit from pieces of advice .
26 - Indeed , God made Ramazan a racing field of His people so that takeprecedence to obtain His consent by obeying Him .
27 - I Swear by God , if the veil is lifted , it will be revealed thatbenefactors are engaged in benefaction and that malfactors in wickedness .
28 - O' My son Fraternize nobody before knowing his distiny or origin .
Thus , after having come to know him and after having accepted to keepcompany with him , enter in to a fraternity , provided you could pardon hisblunders and help him in hardships .
29 - When asked what fear is , Imam , peace be upon him , replied .
Showing bravery towards friends and running away from enemies .
30 - Infamy is easier than entering the Hell .
31 -Foolishness is tending to meanness and keeping company with themisguided .
32 - Imam , peace be upon him , described his benefactor brother as follows :I thought him to be the greatest of all .
The secret of his greatness lay inhis low opinion of this world .
Ignorance had no control on him .
He did nottake any action unless he made sure that the action was useful .
He nevercomplained,nor , did he get angry and distressed .
He was silent for thegreater part of his life time and when he spoke , he was the most eluquent ofall .
He looked weak ; how ever , he fought as bravely as a lion .
At theprecence of scholars , he preferred listening to speaking .
He spoke wheneverit was necessary , never saying anything he did not act upon and acting uponthings he did not speak about .
When faced with two alternatives he was notsure which one was more pleasing to God , he considered the alternative lesspleasing to himself .
He did not blame anybody for doing something forwhich there existed an acceptable excuse .
33 - An irrational person is rude , and a person with no ambition lacksmanliness , An infidel has no shame .
Wisdom causes one to keep goodcompany with people .
Happiness in both worlds is obtained by wisdom .
34 - I am astonished to see people thoughtful of their food , but unthoughtfulof their spiritual nourishment .
They protect themselves against harmfulfood , but fail to reject dirty and mean thoughts .
35 - Imam , the chosen one , peace be upon him , wore his best attire onprayers .
In response to those who had asked the reason , Imam said : " God isbeautiful and likes beauty , that is why I adorn myself at His presence .
36 - The only permanent phenomenon in this perishing world is Quran .
There-fore , let Quran be your Imam and leader to be guided .
Indeed , those whoapply the teaching of Quran to their conduct , are the most deserving of theBook , not withstanding they have not learnt it by heart .
And the farthest people from Quran are those not acting upon it's instructions ,though they are able to recite it .
37 - O' people ! whoever with sincerity and devotion towards God ,listens to His guidance , will be guided to the most righteous path and Godwill assist him in knowledge and awareness to reach a happy end .
38 - A right question is tantamount to half knowledge , tolerance of peopleis tantamount to a half of reason , and econmny is tantamount to a half ofexpenditures .
39 - The highest degree of cleverness is God-fearing and piety , and thehighest degree of ignorance is gratifying one's passions .
40 - Friday night , I saw my mother worshipping till dawn bowing down andprostrating herself .
She offered petitions to many believers mentioningtheir names , she did not offer any petition for herself , I therefore ,asked her : " Mother , why did not you not offered any petition for yourselfas you did for others ? " " My son , " replied she , " Neighbours are to begiven priority over the members of the household amd oneself .
" 41 - Messenger of Allah , peace be upon him and his progency , said :" Choose to be a friend of the Prophet's family , for whoever meets God whilebeing a friend of our household , will enter Paradise as a result of ourintercession .
42 - O' people ! I heard my grandfather , the messenger of God , say :" I am the city of knowledge and Ali , peace be upon him , is the gate to thecity .
How can one enter a city without going through its gate ? 43 - Some body asked Imam Hassan , peace be upon him , : Why are we reluctantto die , why don't we like death ?" Becaues , " replied the Imam , " You ruined your next world and developedthis one ; naturally , you do not like to be transferred from flourrishing todecline .
44 - I swear by God , whoever chooses to be our friend , no matter he iskept in captivity in such a remote place as Deylam , our friendship willbenefit him .
Indeed , our friendship removes Adam's offsprings' sins , asthe wind scatters the leaves of trees .
45 - Most inhabitants of Kufah wrote Mu'awiya letter to the effect thatthey support him and that should he wish so , they would capture Imam Hassan ,peace be upon him and bring him to Mu'awiya .
Than they plundred Imam Hassan'stent and injured him .
subsequently , Imam Hassan , peace be upon him , wroteMu'awiya the follwing letter :Indeed , this government and the Holy Prophet's succession belongs to me , andthe members of my family being forbidden to you and the members of your family ,that is what I personally heard from the Apostle of God .
I swear by God , If I could find patient friends aware of their right, I wouldnot yield to you and would deny you your requests .
46 - If I could reduce the entire world to one single mursel of food to feeda pure worshipper , I would feel negligent of my duties to wards him .
And if Icould prevent an infidel from enjoying worldly blessing , to the extent thathis life should be endangered for want of food and water , and then I hand hima glass of water , I would consider myself to be wasteful .
47 - To God , the highest - ranking man is the one most familiar withpeople's rights .
And that who is humble towards his brothers in faith , willbe put , by God , among the veracious and shi'ites of the king of theBelievers Ali , peace be upon him .
48 - The Holy Prophet said : No one is a true believer unless he does anevaluation of himself more seriously than the selting of accounts betweentwo partners or between a master and his slave .
49 - The Messenger of God , may the blessing of Allah be upon him said :" Making brothers in faith happy causes one's sins to be forgiven .
50 - This world is a trouble - some place of trail , and everything thereinwill decline , God has informed us of its situation so that we could betought a lesson there from .
He has warned us against punishment in order that , thereafter , we would notargue with him .
Consequently , be pious in this perishing world , and be interested in theenternal , and be God fearing openly and secretly .
51 - Abondon what is discretionary when it happens to be in contradiction towhat is obligatory .
52 - Three things lead people to their destruction .
pride , greed andjealousy .
Pride undermines faith , and satan was cursed and damned for thesame .
Greed is the enemy of one's soul and Adam was expelled from paradisefor the same reason , and jealousy leads to evil and misery .
Cain killed his brother Abel only because of jealousy .
53 - Transfer your knowledge to others and also learn from others to enhanceyour own knowledge and also forover coming your own short comings .
54 - Only visit those from whom you hope to be endowed or whose power youfear , or those who benefit .
you from their knowledge or those whom you hopewould pray for you , or those who are your own relatives .
55 - I have never seen a tyrant more similar to the oppressed than a jealousperson .
56 - Forget about whatever worldly things you aimed to attain but could'nt.
57 - Any one whom God blesses with an opportunity to pray , God will accepthis prayers and to whom God gives the chance to worship and be obedient , forhim He will open the doors of acceptance , and any one who is blessed by Himto thank God , He will open the doors of abundance for increasing hisblessings .
58 - This question was put forward to Imam Mojtaba .
Oh son of Prophet .
How are you ? He said : I have a God that controls me while the fire ofHell is infront of me .
Death is summoning me and I am surrounded by whatI've to give an account of on the day of final Judgement .
I'm cought andentangled between my actions and deeds .
I can't get what I like and I amunable to get away from what I despise , because all affairs are in the handsof God .
If He chooses He will forgive me .
Therefore which poorman is moreneedy than me ? 59 - Giving promises is like aphids in generosity and philanthropy , theremedy is only in fulfillment and accomplishment .
60 - Don't be too prompt in punishing wrongdoings and errors;always leavesome time for apology between the perpetration of a mistake and punishment .
61 - Disasters and hardships are keys to rewards and compensations .
62 - A blessing is a Divine test , therefore if you thank God it remains ablessing , but if you are ungrateful it turns in to God's wrath .
63 - The benefit you get from your tongue is enough for you to distinguish thepath to guidance from the route to aberration .
64 - Don't ever regret deep reflection and rationalisation because thinkingrevives the alert heart and is a key to doors of wisdom .
65 - Oh thou the son of Adam ! Since you were born you were busy destroyingyour life .
So try to provide provision for the world hereafter in the restof your life .
Indeed a true believer makes provision in this world and an unbelieverregales himself and then he recited this verse : " Make provision ( in thisworld ) indeed there is no provision better than piety .
" 66 - Some one asked Imam to give him a piece of advice .
He said :Get ready for your last journey , and before death arrives prepare yourselfsome provision and be ware that when you desire this world , death desiresfor you .
To day you shouldn't think about tomorrow's sorrows .
And be warethat whatever wealth gathered by you , if it exceeds your daily sustenance ,infact is saved for others .
And be ware for the lawful wealth of this worldwill be duly counted , and the unlawful wealth is followed by punishment ,and there is reproach in doubtful wealth .
Therefore consider this world as acarcass and take only that much that suffices you .
In this case if it islawful , you've performed a virtuous act , and if it is unlawful you haven'tcommitted any sin because it sufficed your urgent need , the same way you mayeat a carcass in exigency , and if there is any reproach in it , it will belittle and light .
67 - Behave , in this world , in such a way as if you will be livingforever , and for the world hereafter act in a way as if you'll dietomorrow .
68 - If you had to become friends due to a want with a man and associatewith him , Be friends with a person whose association adds to your dignityand when you do him a service , he supports you and when you ask him forassistance he helps you and if you say something , he confirms your words and if you attack , strengthens you in your assault and if you asked for something , assists you and if your shortcoming is revealed he covers it and if he sees any good deed performed he takes it into account .
69 - One prayer of he who recites Quran is accepted by God either immediatelyor with some delay .
70 - Imam Hassan on whom be peace : The Prophet of God ( P. B. U. H ) has said :Any one who recites " AYAT - OL - KORSI " ( verses ) after obligatory prayerwill be under the protection of God till the next prayer .
71 - Any fasting person can have one prayer accepted at the time he openshis fast .
So when you take the first morsel to open a fast say : " In thename of God , oh God thine forgiveness is over whelming and abundant .
Pleaseforgive me .
72 - Imam Hassan on whom be peace : The Prophet of God ( P. B. U. H ) he saidafter performing morning prayers anyone who sits in the same place and keepsinvoking the name of God until sunrise will have a curtain and a barrierbetween him and the tormenting fire of God .
73 - Whoever is foud of praying , purifies and adorns himself for it.
74 - It is becoming of a man on fast to dye his beard and put perfume onhis clothes and It is becoming of a woman on fast to comb her hair and putperfume on her clothes .
75 - I heard it from my father that the messenger of God said anyone whotries to satify the need of his Muslim brother , his endeavours are equalto nine thousand years of worshipping God with days spent on fasting andnights busy with praying .
76 - Giving almstax never results in decrease of wealth .
77 - I feel ashamed of my God to meet Him while I haven't performedpilgrimae to the House of God on foot .
78 - When one of you meets his friend , you must kiss the place of lighton his forhead .
79 - He whose death is due asks for time to compensate for the misdeeds ofthe past and one whose death is not due and has time to perform good deeds ,procrastinates .
80 - Oh those who seek pleasures of the world ! You should know that theyare transitory and taking pride in a shadow that vanishes is absurdity .
81 - The greatest forgiveness and pardon of God comes when the sinner isnot able to make a pretext for his wrong doing .
82 - One who know God , loves God .
One who knows the world , the worldtries to be chaste , and a true believer never goes after useless things ,unless he is taken unawares and when he recohnizes his mistake , he feelssad .
83 - God provides everything to one who worships God .
84 - He who counts his good deeds compromises the gratitude and benedictionsthat are due to him .
85 - Some body asked Imam Hassan (PBUH ) about the virtues of reticence .
He replied .
Reticence is a cover for ignorance and beauty honor and respect .
And he who observes silence is always easy and calm and the one who associateswith him is secure .
86 - A man sought guidance of Imam Hussain .
The Imam replied : Don'tpraise me for I know myself much better than you know me and don't considerme a liar for the views of a liar are worthless and never talk light ofothers before me .
87 - Oh son of Adam , abstain from misdeeds to remain pious and be contentwith what God gives you to remain free of needs .
Recognize and implement the right of your neighbour to remain a Muslim andtreat others as you would like others to treat you , inorder to remainjust .
88 - It was asked of Imam , " Whose life is better than all ? " .
He replied : " The one who , he allows participation of people in his life .
89 - Being deprived of necessities is better than cadging from theaberrant .
90 - Having a sour disposition is worse than affliction and misfortune .
91 - Oh you people of Kufa , remember that there is beauty in forebearanceand keeping promises manliness , precipitance and haste show lake ofknowledge and lake of knowledge imprudence , Fellowship with the mean bringsdisgrace and shame , and social communication with libertines and sinnerscreates suspicion and doubt .
92 - Have experienced and those who experience have also experienced thatnothing surpasses forbearance in effectiveness and nothing is morepernicious as lack of it .
With patience all affairs are rectified andnothing else can replace it .
93 - I have never seen any right with no wrong in it but death , which is soSimilar to wrong with no right in it .
94 - Imam Hassan Mujtaba used to raise his eyes upwards before entering themosque and say : Oh creator your guest is standing in front of your house .
Oh the beneficient ! I the uncouth transgressor, have come to your threshholdto ask forgiveness for all my loathsome misdeeds from all the beauties thatabound in you, oh thou the merciful and beneficient .
95 - There are 12 Points which Should be observed about eating and that everyMuslim is required to be informed of .
Four of them are compulsory, the otherfour are the Prophets traditions, and the remaining four are in accordance withthe etiquettes and ethics .
On compulsory Points :1 ) Knowing the Person who feeds you .
2 ) Being satisfied with what is fed .
3 ) Taking the name of Good and being thankful to whatever is endowed .
On Prophet' traditions1 ) Performing one's ablution before eating .
2 ) Sitting on the left leg (Or part of the body) .
3 ) Eating with 3 fingers and licking them up .
On ettiquettes and ethics1 ) Eating What is set before you .
2 ) Having small morsels .
3 ) Chewing the food well .
4 ) Avoiding staring at the others constantly .
96 - Jesting eliminates respect and honor .
97 - A good deed is one performed without hesitation and Without remindingthat a favor has been done .
98 - The blessings of our Creator remain unknown and are taken for granted ,as long as they abound and their worth is realized , only when they are gone .