Hawzah News Agency- Jonadah, who was one of the companions of Imam Hasan al-Askari (PBUH) narrates, “At the time when the Imam (PBUH) had the illness that would lead to his martyrdom, I visited him, seeing the Imam's physical condition was very distressing. The lethal poison he was made to drink had taken effect and shredded his liver. I asked why you didn’t seek treatment.”

“There is no cure for death,” His Excellency (PBUH) replied.

Jonadeh recounted, “As I realized I couldn’t be of any assistance at all, I asked the Imam to advise me.”

Those who are attentive and alert seize opportunities. Junadeh, too, took advantage of that moment for spiritual and intellectual benefit instead of weeping and lamenting. As he realized he was about to lose his master, he asked him for advice.

This advice, including several significant sections, was given at the most sensitive moment-just before the Imam’s martyrdom-making it one of the most important counsels, for if there had been anything more significant, the Imam (PBUH) would have prioritized it.

Here are the three pieces of this advice as follows:

Prepare for the journey of the Hereafter, and gather provisions for it before your time comes. Work for this world as if you will live forever, but work for the Hereafter as if you will die tomorrow. Whenever you want to become esteemed without having a large family or tribe and to obtain majesty and greatness without being king, then leave the humiliation of disobeying God and enter the dignity of obeying Him.