And on the authority of Abu al-Tahir Sabur, in his testament to his son when he questioned him, saying: "O my master, what is the sign of the sincere person, and what is the best of his deeds?" He said: "When his love and his hatred are for the sake of Allah, and he humbles himself without humiliation, and practices asceticism in the world without poverty, and his deeds are performed without any ulterior motive."

[222] And the Messenger of Allah, His glory is might, said to his companions collectively, their elite and their commoners: "If you were to pray until you became like tent-pegs, and fast until you became like bowed skins, and one of you were to die while carrying in his heart the prick of a needle of hatred toward the Commander

of the Faithful, 'Ali b. Abi Talib, Allah will cast him headlong upon the crown of his head into the Fire." Then he recited His saying, the Exalted: {Say, [O Muhammad], "If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful."} ¹