Raising children properly is an important responsibility parents have. Our pious predecessors took this responsibility seriously and carried it out in virtuous fashion. They offered various forms of advice to their children from time to time. Let us now look at what the great Imam JaꜤfar al-Ṣādiq رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه advised his son with.

Imam JaꜤfar Al-Ṣādiq’s advice to his son

A pious predecessor relates:

A student of Imam JaꜤfar al-Ṣādiq رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه informed me, “Once I was present when the Imam was advising his son, Imam Mūsā Kāẓim رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْهما, who was seated near him. These are some matters that I can recall:

“My beloved son!”, the Imam exclaimed, “Take on my advice and remember my words! If you do this, your life will pass well and your death shall be admired.”

Who is wealthy?

The first advice Imam JaꜤfar Al-Ṣādiq رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه gave was:

My dear son! The wealthy person is he who is satisfied with what Allah distributed. Whoever keeps his eye upon the wealth of others will die poor. As for someone who is not pleased with what Allah gave, it is as though he faults Allah’s decisions. Whoever considers his own mistakes to be small, considers the mistakes of others to be immense. Whoever considers his mistakes as immense, considers the mistakes of others to be small.

Dear Islamic brothers! This advice teaches us to develop contentment and satisfaction with what we have been granted, and to thank Allah Almighty in all circumstances. Wherever Allah put us, we should be happy with His decision.