True Shiites; Devoted to Religion, Far-Sighted and Good-Tempered

Describing the characteristics of the pious and true Shiites in the narration of Nawf-e-Dakalī and in the sermon of the Mottaqiyan in Nahj al-Balaghah starts with mentioning three general attributes and characteristics: knowledge of God, obeying the divine orders, and practicing virtues. Then, Imam Ali elaborates on these attributes and their general examples, as well as the symbols, manifestations and behavioral signs of the attributes and moral virtues of the true Shiites. In order to explain their first and second characteristics, Imam Ali (pbuh) says: “Some of the signs of the true and righteous Shiites are that they are devoted and steadfast in religion; they are far-sighted, mild and compatible.”