|
Question: The Most Honorable Imam
Ali Ibn Abi Talib said, “The best deeds are sometimes those which appeal to you
the least.” Practically speaking our best deeds are those which we do because we
love to do. So the statement seems to be in contradiction with experiential
reality . We need an explanation.
Response:
First, I would like to clarify the method by which we handle the words disclosed
to us by prophets, sages and spiritual guides. If we follow the words literally,
with no spiritual maturity, we might come up with inappropriate conclusions.
Example of that is the statement you have just mentioned. It is very justified
that you think that the best deed is what you do out of love, so how come that
someone says that “the best deeds are sometimes those which appeal to you the
least”! When we are not preoccupied with letters, when our souls and minds are
open, words can take us to a deeper level of perception.
The words of Imam Ali are directing our attention to
be watchful of our lower “self” which might deviate us from search for the
truth. For example the lower “self” might lead a person to reduce religion into
a set of ready made forms of behavior. He is more like a programmed machine. The
“self” does not want him to take the trouble of trying to distinguish or judge
what is superficial and what is discerning. To be able to distinguish, one must
be aware first that one must not follow the inspiration of the lower “self”
which capture him in the trap of being attached fully to physical and biological
desires. It is a matter of training. Being aware that the self needs to be
tamed, a Sufi, for instance, goes through some exercises; when hungry, thirsty,
or cold, he does not hurry to food, water or warmth. By so doing he builds up
strong will and self control. We are guided to this in Prophet Muhammad’s Hadith
“By thirst and hunger, block the devil’s throughways”. The point is that when
man resists his biological needs for some time, he allows his spiritual
existence to emerge. Man would then deserve to be called God’s vicegerent.
The struggle between the lower and higher levels of the self
will not necessarily continue for ever, there will be time when man feels in
peace and act as a whole. In such a situation he will act spontaneously towards
the right direction where his potentials will be fulfilled and his deeds will be
directed to serving channels. This spontaneity should not be resisted. Quite the
contrary, it is an indication of the spiritual maturity that should be a goal
for whoever is looking to be a better human being. Using Imam Ali’s saying in
this context would be void.
The starting point in deciding what to do or not to do should
never start from what you assume as the direct application of any statement,
however truthful. It should stem from your own experience. One needs to be
trained to listen to his inner guiding voice. This training should be directed.
It aims at strengthening our ability to listen and respond. Similar to what
happens to our physical bodies where an immunization system protects us from
disease, our spiritual system also needs care and training. While Love, self
denial, honesty, and other good attributes nourishes the spiritual system and
its inner guidance, selfishness, hatred , and meanness hurt the spiritual system
and weaken its voice.
In order to follow this guidance of Imam Ali, sincerity, transparency, and
willingness to be better are prerequisites. If man is honest enough he will
distinguish between what appeals to the lower “self” in him and does not follow
it. He will definitely discern what the truthful part within guides him to and
follow it.
|
