The Distinctive Features of the Abstainers in the Sermon about the Pious by Commander of the Faithful; True Knowledge and Fidelity to Duty

This paper reviews the characteristics of the true Shi’ahs in the light of the words of the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (pbuh). Imam Ali recounts three of the most common and basic characteristics of the Shi’ah, including; true knowledge of God Almighty, obedience to God’s commands and showing virtuous behavior.
Recognizing the virtues reflected in the words of great scholars and pure Imams (pbuh) shows us, the supposed Shi’ah how to as a true Shi;ah. Real knowledge of God will be gained when one knows and believes in all the positive and negative attributes of God and the attributes of His Essence and action. This knowledge has such strong effect on man’s behavior that it influences his own soul. He who does not believe that God rewards or punishes man for what he does, that God is the Master of the Day of Judgment and that man’s deeds are reckoned in the Day of Resurrection, he will not watch his deeds closely. Hence, the effect of the knowledge of the true Shi’ah who have knowledge of God, should manifest itself in their behavior and deeds. Therefore, man’s behavior and traits will not be valuable without their knowledge of God.