Imam ‘Ali’s First Treatise On The Islamic Ethics And Education

  1. Understand my testament and do not disregard it, for indeed the best speech is that which is is beneficial. ================================================================================================================

"و تفهّم وصيّتي ولا تذهبنّ عنك صفحا فانّ خير القول ما نفع"

Sometimes the act of implementing a will is ceremonial; in such cases it does not make any difference whether the person for whom a will is drawn will understand it or not. At other times, implementing a will is a responsibility. The writer wishes to train the person; if he does not do this action properly, the writer will be responsible.

In such a case, the writer is concerned with the comprehension of the person. Imam ‘Ali (as) is one of those who is concerned. Thus, he orders his son to understand it and will not bypass it. It is because this will contains a sea of knowledge, ethics, and educational principles. Not taking it seriously clashes with the writer's intention that he had in making this will applicable and practical. Such negligence on the part of the reader is not in keeping with the writer's intentions. Therefore, Imam ‘Ali (as) emphasizes that his son should take this will seriously.