What are the Attributes of the Pious?

Question

Peace be upon you. What does piety mean, and what are the characteristics of a pious person? [AR_ID:1576]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

The sermon of the pious by Imam Ali (peace be upon him) is considered one of the best sources for understanding piety and recognizing the attributes of the pious. It is one of the sermons of the Commander of the Faithful in Nahj al-Balagha, delivered when Hammam, one of his loyal followers and worshippers, asked him to describe the pious. The Imam responded by describing the pious in terms of their individual, social, and worshipful behaviors. By the end of the sermon, Hammam was so deeply affected that he fell to the ground.

In this sermon, the Imam describes piety as a spiritual state characterized by self-control and mastery over one's desires. He explains that abandoning piety leads to a lack of character and weakness in the face of one's whims and desires. A person devoid of piety is like a weak rider who has no control over their mount; instead, the mount goes wherever it pleases. In contrast, piety entails strong willpower and a chosen character, akin to a skilled rider on a trained horse, guiding it with authority and ease.

In Nahj al-Balagha, piety is defined as "a spiritual strength that arises from practical training through reasonable caution against sins." This reasonable caution is a prerequisite for attaining this spiritual state and is, in turn, a result of being pious.

Regarding the attributes of the pious, the sermon focuses on describing them. The Imam clarifies the image of the pious and their behavior in society, their individual conduct, and their worship practices. To summarize, we will discuss some of these attributes, which naturally cannot be precisely categorized, as some may overlap with others. Here are some of these attributes:

Social Attributes of the Pious:

1. Good speech

2. Moderation

3. Humility

4. Lowering the gaze from what Allah has prohibited

5. Listening to beneficial knowledge

6. Eagerness to seek knowledge

7. Patience in adversity

8. Forgiveness towards those who wrong them

9. Avoidance of foul speech

10. Not neglecting what people have entrusted to them

11. Forbearance in anger

12. People feel safe from them

13. Goodness is expected from them

Individual Attributes:

1. Self-criticism

2. Fear of praise from others

3. Faith with certainty

4. Patience

5. Hope for the Hereafter and disinterest in worldly matters

Their Relationship with the Creator:

1. Night prayers and recitation of the Quran

2. Seeking healing through the Quran

3. The impact of Quranic verses on their souls

4. Humility in worship

5. Remembering and praising Allah day and night

This is a brief overview of some of the attributes of the pious mentioned in the sermon. Readers who wish to learn more about these attributes with explanations can refer to some resources such as:

1. Attributes of the Pious, by Muhammad Sharifi Ashkouri

2. Explanation of the Sermon of the Pious "Explanation of Hammam's Hadith," by Muhammad Taqi al-Majlisi, edited and annotated by Joya Jahanbakhsh.

There are also video segments by Sheikh Muhammad Taqi al-Yazdi, may Allah have mercy on him, explaining this sermon available on YouTube.

May you be successful in all that is good.