3-11 The judge al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Sejezy narrated that Ibn Sa’ed quoted Yusuf ibn Musa al-Qat’tan and Ahmad ibn Mansoor ibn Sayyar, on the authority of Ahmad ibn Yunus, on the authority of Ayoob ibn Atabat, on the authority of Al-Fazl ibn Bakir al-Abdi , on the authority of Qatadah, on the authority of Anas that God’s Prophet (MGB) said, “There are three things which destroy and three things which save. As for the three things which save, they are fearing the Honorable the Exalted God in private and in public; moderation in times of poverty and affluence; and speaking fairly whether you are pleased or angry. As for the three things which destroy, they are being really stingy; following one’s selfish desires; and being haughty and selfish.”In another tradition that has been narrated on the authority of Imam as-Sadiq (MGB), we read, “Being really stingy implies being suspicious of the Honorable the Exalted God.” I have presented the chain of narrations of this tradition in the book Ma’ani al-Akhbar.

3-12 Abul Hassan Muhammad ibn Ali ibn ash-Shah narrated that Abu Hamid Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Hussein quoted on the authority of Abu Yazid Ahmad ibn Khalid al-Khalidy, on the authority of Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Salih al-Tamimy, on the authority of Anas ibn Muhammad Abu Malik, on the authority of his father, on the authority of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (MGB), on the authority of his father (MGB), on the authority of his grandfather (MGB), on the authority of Ali ibn Abi Talib (MGB), on the authority of God’s Prophet (MGB) in the Prophet’s will to Ali (MGB), “O Ali! There are three ranks, three expiations, three things which destroy, and three things which save. As for the three things which raise the ranks they are making ablutions with cold water; waiting for the next prayers after you pray; and going on foot in the day and at night to the prayers; andattending congregational prayers. As for the three expiations, they are greeting aloud, feeding the needy, and spend the night in prayer when other people are asleep. As for the three things which destroy, they are being really stingy; following one’s selfish desires; and being haughty and selfish. As for the three things which save, they are fearing God in private and in public; moderation in times of affluence and poverty; and speaking fairly whether you are pleased or angry.”In another tradition from the Prophet (MGB) when he (MGB) was asked what the great angels asked him about when he was in the Ascension, the Prophet (MGB) replied, ‘They asked me about the ranks and the expiations.’ The Prophet (MGB) added, ‘They asked me about the things that raise the ranks. I told them they are making ablutions with cold water; going on foot to the congregational prayers; and waiting for the prayers after you pray, and being friends with me and the members of my Household until death.’ This is a long tradition. I have presented it along with its chain of narrations in the book Isbat al-Mi’raj.