8.Al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿUlwān narrated from Saʿd ibn Ṭarīf, from Aṣbagh ibn Nubātah who said, “I was seated with Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) when a man came to him and complained about the world and spoke ill of it. So Amīr al-Muʾminīn (a) told him, ‘Verily this world is an abode of truth for the one who is veracious with it, an abode of riches for the one who takes provisions from it [for the Hereafter], and an abode of consequence for those who comprehend it. It is the place of prostration by those who love Allah, the place where the revelation of Allah descended, where His angels pray [and send salutations], where His friends conduct trade [for the Hereafter] in which they earn Paradise and profit from [Divine] mercy. So why do you criticise it when parting from it has been announced and the call to separate from it has been made, and it has informed [everyone] of its own death and the death of its inhabitants? Through its trial it exemplifies the trial [of the Hereafter] and through its delight it exemplifies the delight [of Paradise]. It departs with tragedy and arrives with wellbeing, as a warning, an enticement, and a frightening alarm. Hence, some people criticised it after their regret and others praised it. It reminded them, so they remembered and it spoke to them, so they accepted [its speech]. So O you who are criticising this world while being beset by its delusions, when did the world elicit your disdain and [how did it] deceive you? Was it by the abodes of your forefathers within the earth or the tombs of your mothers in the decrepit ruins? How many sick people did you tend to yourself and care for by your own hands? You would seek out a cure for him and consult physicians, yet neither did your concern benefit you, nor did you achieve what you sought. Through him, the world demonstrated to you your own reality, and by his demise, your own [eventual] demise. So it behoves you that your tears should never end, as you have realised that your loved ones cannot benefit you.’”
IsnādAl-Husayn ibn 'Alwan a rapporté de Sa'd ibn Tarīf, de al-Asbagh ibn Nabātah, qui a dit: J'étais assis auprès du Commandeur des croyants, que la paix et la bénédiction d'Allah soient sur lui, lorsqu'un homme vint se plaindre de ce bas monde et le critiquer.
Le Commandeur des croyants, que la paix soit sur lui, lui dit: "Ce bas monde est une demeure de vérité pour celui qui lui est sincère, une demeure de richesse pour celui qui s'y prépare, et une demeure de conséquences pour celui qui en comprend le sens. C'est le lieu de prière des amis d'Allah, le lieu de descente de la révélation divine, le lieu de prière des anges, et le marché des saints. Ils y acquièrent le Paradis et y gagnent la miséricorde. Alors pourquoi le critiquer? Il a annoncé sa clarté, proclamé sa finitude, décrit ses habitants, et présenté ses épreuves comme avertissement et encouragement. Ceux qui regrettent le matin le louent le soir, et ceux que je mentionne se souviennent, et ceux à qui je parle croient. Ô toi qui critiques ce bas monde, égaré par les illusions de mon ego, pourquoi le critiques-tu? Est-ce pour les demeures de tes ancêtres dans la terre? Ou pour les lits de tes mères dans la poussière? Combien de fois as-tu été malade de tes mains? Et combien de fois as-tu cherché des remèdes avec tes mains pour obtenir la guérison, consulté des médecins sans que ta compassion ne serve à rien et tes supplications ne soient d'aucun secours? Ce bas monde t'a montré ton propre ego et ta propre mort, alors il est digne de toi de ne pas être consumé par tes pleurs, sachant que tes proches ne te seront d'aucun secours."