Kids Spot

The three Most Important Signs of faith as outlined by Imam Ali (a.s.)

Imam Ali (a.s.) said that there are three most important signs of faith. One is to prefer telling the truth to telling a lie, where the truth will be detrimental to you, while the lie will benefit you. Secondly to say no more than you know and finally to fear Allah (s.w.t.) in what you say about others.

The test of faith appears to be easy in the mind and in words; one believes this characteristic of faith in one's inner self. But it is in action where the claim of true faith is to be really tested.

The love of God and true belief in the sacred teachings of Islam is a touchstone of faith. But if we yearn for worldly gains at the cost of our religious values, this means that we have a wavering faith. Hence it is better to tell the truth to telling a lie even if lying would benefit you.

The second sign of true faith is not to say more than we know. This indicates that if we do not speak beyond our knowledge, it adds to our dignity and reputation in society and at the same time saves other from being misguided through wrong information.

The role of true faith in what we say is that the more we come to know God, the more we follow the principles of religion. When one is in the dark on any subject it is despisable to pretend to know simply because one wishes to impress others. To make a parable of knowledge, especially where this is inappropriate, is despised by Islam.

The third sign of true faith is to avoid an evil tongue. That is, to fear Allah (s.w.t.) and abstain from saying malicious things about others. To slander others is a deadly sin and it also reduces one's reputation in the eyes of people.

One should remember never to be a witness against others or to speak against others if one does not have evidence of what one alleges. This incurs the wrath of God.

Another point to note is that one has to be honest when one quotes others. It is wrong to distort what others have said because misrepresentation or distortion of what others say can easily induce one person against another. This often commonly happens within a household, particularly in large families between brothers, sisters, in-laws and times even the parents. Distortion of what others say is in defiance of strict religious teachings and if the parents insist on this, children learn to follow a similar habit.

Father: My son, do you know that my hair turned white from worries over you?

Son: Now I know why grandfather's hair turned white too.

Abid: because Seven eight nine!

There were three people named Trouble, Manners and Shut Up. Trouble was lost, Manners was sitting on the bench and Shut Up went to the police where the police asked him his name.

He said, "Shut Up".

The police asked him his name again and again he said, "Shut Up".

The police asked him, "Where is your manners?"

He said " sitting on the bench"

The police replied, "are you looking for trouble?"

He said: "how did you know?"

The Child

If a child lives with Criticism,

he learns to Condemn;

If a child lives with Hostility,

he learns to Fight;

If a child lives with Ridicule,

he learns to be Shy;

If a child lives with Shame,

he learns to feel Guilty;

If a child lives with Tolerance,

he learns to be Patient;

If a child lives with Encouragement,

he learns Confidence;

If a child lives with Praise,

he learns to Appreciate;

If a child lives with Fairness,

he learns Justice;

If a child lives with Security,

he learns to have Faith;

If a child lives with Approval,

he learns to like Himself;

If a child lives with Religion,

he learns to appreciate God.