Translator Dedication

Contents of This Book

Biography of the Author

Lesson one: Thinking, reflection, meditation

Lesson Two: Measure of Deliberation

Lesson Three: What About the Soul's Food?

Lesson Four: Role of The Pen

Lesson Five: Between Two Great Responsibilities

Lesson Six: Causes for Destruction of a Society

Lesson Seven: Indolence and Poverty

Lesson Eight: Rain of Knowledge On Hearts

Lesson Nine: Source of Arrogance

Lesson Ten: Three Worthy Things Before God

Lesson Eleven: Martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a.s.)

Lesson Twelve: Two Signs of a Real Muslim

Lesson Thirteen: Fire of Anger

Lesson Fourteen: Source of Wealth

Lesson Fifteen: The Worst Profession

Lesson Sixteen: Mastership and Captivity

Lesson Seventeen: Hypocrisy and Affectation

Lesson Eighteen: Envy

Lesson Nineteen: Those deprived from God’s mercy

Lesson Twenty: The Worst Friends

Lesson Twenty One: Completion of work

Lesson twenty two: Everlasting Programs

Lesson Twenty Three: The Most Severe Punishment

Lesson Twenty Four: Calamity of Debt

Lesson Twenty Five: A Healthy Social Life

Lesson Twenty Six: Key of Misfortunes

Lesson Twenty Seven: Signs of the People of Paradise

Lesson Twenty Eight: Signs of a Hypocrite

Lesson Twenty Nine: Counsel

Lesson Thirty: Speech and Silence

Lesson Thirty One: Delight of Forgiveness

Lesson Thirty Two: Asceticism in its Real Sense

Lesson Thirty Three: The rank of those who refrain from sins

Lesson Thirty Four: The Best People

Lesson Thirty Five: Worship of Free Men

Lesson Thirty Six:What Breaks Man’s Back

Lesson Thirty Seven: Be clean

Lesson Thirty Eight: Consequences of Ignorance

Lesson Thirty Nine: Foundations of Guidance

Lesson Forty: Mourning

Lesson Forty One: Examine Yourself Everyday

Lesson Forty Two: Belief is Stronger than Iron

Lesson Forty Three: Reality of unity and divine justice

Lesson Forty Four: Some Signs of Belief

Lesson Forty Five: World Is Not The Final Purpose, Rather It Is A Means

Lesson Forty Six: Man, what is your price?

Lesson Forty Seven: Truth and Falsehood

Lesson Forty Eight: Most valuable heritage of Arab

Lesson Forty Nine: Those who Defraud and Cheat

Lesson Fifty: Slander

Lesson Fifty One: Signs of an Oppressor

Lesson Fifty Two: There is no incurable disease

Lesson Fifty Three: Why are Favors Lost?

Lesson Fifty Four: Martyrdom and Purity

Lesson Fifty Five: Self Sacrificing Lovers

Lesson Fifty Six: The Wise and The Fool

Lesson Fifty Seven: The Real Religious Men Are Few

Lesson Fifty Eight: Justice Among Children

Lesson Fifty Nine: You Are Always Being Watched

Lesson Sixty: Neither Flattery, Nor Envy

Lesson Sixty One: Help Your Brothers

Lesson Sixty Two: Do Not Dwell On The Past

Lesson Sixty Three: The Universality of Islam

Lesson Sixty Four: Do Not Belittle Any Sin!

Lesson Sixty Five: Excellence of a Scholar

Lesson Sixty Six: Mutual Rights

Lesson Sixty Seven: Obedience Is Less Costly

Lesson Sixty Eight: The World Is A Market

Lesson Sixty Nine: The Most Dignified People

Lesson Seventy: Three Basic Social Principles

Lesson Seventy One: Hastiness And Precipitance

Lesson Seventy Two: True Asceticism

Lesson Seventy Three: Trial Of Dignity

Lesson Seventy Four: Correct Program For World And Hereafter

Lesson Seventy Five: Effect Of Sin

Lesson Seventy Six: Shi’as And Divine Bounties

Lesson Seventy Seven: With Whom We Shall Consult?

Lesson Seventy Eight: The Best Favor

Lesson Seventy Nine: A Hidden Imam

Lesson Eighty: Do Not Listen To All Utterances!

Lesson Eighty One: Devilish People

Lesson Eighty Two: Real Feast

Lesson Eighty Three: What Has Real Value

Lesson Eighty Four: Two Things Cause Destruction Of People

Lesson Eighty Five: A Good Deed Is Never Small

Lesson Eighty Six: Sins And Apology

Lesson Eighty Seven: The Worst Method Of Life

Lesson Eighty Eight: Our Promises Are Our Debts

Lesson Eighty Nine: Illegitimate Property

Lesson Ninety: Be Self-Sufficient

Lesson Ninety One: Woe Unto Such Person!

Lesson Ninety Two: Sinful Ways Solve Nothing!

Lesson Ninety Three: The Self-Conceited!

Lesson Ninety Four: Nearer Kinsfolk

Lesson Ninety Five: Throwing Off A Habit

Lesson Ninety Six: Epic Of Karbala

Lesson Ninety Seven: Who Is Wise?

In this wonderful book compiled by Ayatullah Nasir Makarim Shirazi, the
reader learns many beautiful and beneficial narrations from the Ahlul
Bayt (as) that teach us how to live a successful life based on the true
Sunnah of the Prophet (S). The short but powerful traditions found
within this short book serve as amazing examples of Islam's morals and
attributes for those who wish to know some of this religion by means of
a brief study. The original Arabic traditions are coupled with
translation, as well as eloquent descriptions for the benefit of the
reader.


One Hundred And Fifty Lessons For Life

Lesson Thirty Two: Asceticism in its Real Sense
===============================================

Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) said:

<blockquote dir="rtl">
  <p>
اَلزَّاهِدُ فِى الدُّنْيا مَنْ لَمْ يَغْلِبِ الْحَرامُ صَبْرَهُ وَ
لَمْ يَشْغَلِ الْحَلالُ شُكْرَهُ.
  </p>
</blockquote>

Translation
-----------

The real ascetic in the world is one whose endurance is not defeated by
the temptations of unlawful wealth and who is not distracted from god’s
remembrance and duty of thanksgiving when he acquires lawful wealth.[^1]

Brief Description
-----------------

Some uninformed people have given a negative twist to the definition of
asceticism. They have interpreted asceticism as giving up divine graces
and economic pursuits and living like the poor.

This is not the case. Asceticism in its real sense is what is narrated
above from Imam ‘Ali (a.s.). And it could be summarized in two phrases:
“enduring hardship rather than resorting to illegal means of acquiring
things” and “not forgetting responsibilities and gratitude in respect of
lawful things”. With this correct interpretation, asceticism becomes a
force for self-improvement and reforms in the society rather than a
negative influence on progress and prosperity.

[^1]: Tuhaful Uqul


