Hawzah News Agency - A number of our people has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Nuh ibn Shu‘ayb al-Naysaburi from ‘Ubaydallah ibn ‘Abdallah al-Dihqan from Durust ibn abu Mansur from ’Urwa cousin of Shu‘ayb al-’Aqarqi from Shu‘ayb from abu Basir who has said the following. “(Imam) abu ‘Abdallah who has said that,

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَقُولُ يَا طَالِبَ الْعِلْمِ إِنَّ الْعِلْمَ ذُو فَضَائِلَ كَثِيرَةٍ فَرَأْسُهُ التَّوَاضُعُ وَعَيْنُهُ الْبَرَاءَةُ مِنَ الْحَسَدِ وَأُذُنُهُ الْفَهْمُ وَلِسَانُهُ الصِّدْقُ وَحِفْظُهُ الْفَحْصُ وَقَلْبُهُ حُسْنُ النِّيَّةِ وَعَقْلُهُ مَعْرِفَةُ الاشْيَاءِ وَالامُورِ وَيَدُهُ الرَّحْمَةُ وَرِجْلُهُ زِيَارَةُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَهِمَّتُهُ السَّلامَةُ وَحِكْمَتُهُ الْوَرَعُ وَمُسْتَقَرُّهُ النَّجَاةُ وَقَائِدُهُ الْعَافِيَةُ وَمَرْكَبُهُ الْوَفَاءُ وَسِلاحُهُ لِينُ الْكَلِمَةِ وَسَيْفُهُ الرِّضَا وَقَوْسُهُ الْمُدَارَاةُ وَجَيْشُهُ مُحَاوَرَةُ الْعُلَمَاءِ وَمَالُهُ الادَبُ وَذَخِيرَتُهُ اجْتِنَابُ الذُّنُوبِ وَزَادُهُ الْمَعْرُوفُ وَمَاؤُهُ الْمُوَادَعَةُ وَدَلِيلُهُ الْهُدَى وَرَفِيقُهُ مَحَبَّةُ الاخْيَارِ.

Imam Ali used to say, “O seekers of knowledge, knowledge (in a personified form) has a great deal of virtues. Humbleness is his head, freedom from jealousy forms his eyes, proper understanding shapes his ears, truthfulness constitutes his tongue, research and investigation produce his memory, optimism stands for his heart, the knowledge of facts and affairs strengthen his intellect. Intelligence and kindness are his hands, visitation of the scholars builds his legs, safety and peace emerge from his stamina, chastity develops his wisdom, salvation is his head quarters, good health and tranquility are his lead, loyalty will provide him his conveyance, politeness in communication gives him weapons, consent frames his sword, yielding to the truth stands for his bow and arrow, communication with the scholars establishes his army, proper discipline treasures his wealth, avoiding sins preserves his savings, uprightness institutes his supplies, amicable dealings supply him water, guidance determines his direction and love of virtuous people is the archetype for his friends.”

Al-Kāfi, v.1, Book 2, Chapter 16