Humbleness — report 1

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Harun ibn Muslim from Mas’adah ibn Sadaqa from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام has said, ‘Once al-Najashi (a king of Abyssinia) called to his presence Ja’far ibn abu Talib and his companions. When they came in, they found the king sitting on the ground wearing two old pieces of cloth.’ The Imam said that Ja’far has said, ‘We felt compassion for him in our hearts when we saw him in that condition. When he noticed our feelings from our faces he said, “All praise is due to Allah for his giving victory to Muhammad and delight to his heart. Should I give you good news?” I said, “Yes, O King.” He then said, “This hour my informant people have come from your land and have informed me that Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has granted victory to His prophet, Muhammad عليه السلام and has destroyed his enemies. So and so are taken captive when they met each other in a land called Badr, which has a great many bushes of Arak as if I can see it, because I was a shepherd grazing the herd for my master who was from the tribe of Damrah.” Ja’far then said to him, “O king, why do you sit on the ground wearing two pieces of old cloth?” He then said, “O Ja’far, we find in what Allah had revealed to Jesus that of the rights of Allah on his servants is to show humbleness when He does a favor for them. Since Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy, has done a favor for me by means of granting victory to Muhammad عليه السلام 1 show humility.’” When this was mentioned to the Holy Prophet he said to his companions, ‘Charity increases the wealth of the donor, therefore, give charity. Humbleness elevates the position of a person, therefore, be humble, Allah will raise your degree in meritorious status. Forgiveness increases the respect of a person, therefore, forgive, Allah will grant you respect.’”