Knowing People through Reason

Buzurjmihr was asked: "What thing is most precious to a person?" He said: "As long as one is healthy, it is fulfilling the desires of the soul; if one is sick, it is health; and if one is certain of death, it is safety from punishment."

(38) Among what has been related in the firm discourse from our Master al-Sadiq, may His might be glorified, is that he said: "Let not the faith of a man impress you until you see that upon which his heart is bound."

(39) He also said: "Religion is a portion of the reason of men."

(40) He also said: "Recognize the level of reason in our Shia according to the level of their narration from us."

(41) From our master al-Mufaddal ibn Umar, from him is peace, who said: Our Master al-Sadiq, may His might be glorified, said: "Recognize the reason of the men who narrate according to their understanding of our hadiths, for narration requires comprehension (dirayah)."

(42) It has been narrated that a man used to attend the assembly of al-Sadiq, may His might be glorified. One day the Master missed him and asked about him. Some of those present said: "O our Master, he is but a Nabataean," seeking to belittle him. Our Master al-Sadiq, may His might be glorified, said: "Be silent! For a man's origin is his reason, his lineage is his religion, and his nobility is his piety."

(43) By the first chain of transmission from the trustworthy Sheikh Abi al-Husayn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Jali—upon him be the peace of the Sublime King—from his men, from the Messenger, may His might be glorified, who was asked about the Reason. He said to the questioner: "It is that which awakened you to ask about it."