Hawzah News Agency – The Almighty God says in the Holy Qur’an:
«مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا وَمَنْ جَاءَ بِالسَّیِّئَةِ فَلَا یُجْزَی إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُونَ.»
"Whoever brings virtue shall receive [a reward] ten times its like; but whoever brings vice shall not be requited except with its like, and they will not be wronged." (An'am, 6:160)
Explanation:
In this world, a person is often known by his friends and companions. Indeed, in numerous narrations, the standard by which a person’s character and worth are assessed is said to be the company he keeps.
In a narration, Prophet Solomon, peace be upon him, is reported to have said:
«لاَ تَحْکُمُوا عَلَی رَجُلٍ بِشَیْءٍ حَتَّی تَنْظُرُوا إِلَی مَنْ یُصَاحِبُ فَإِنَّمَا یُعْرَفُ اَلرَّجُلُ بِأَشْکَالِهِ وَ أَقْرَانِهِ وَ یُنْسَبُ إِلَی أَصْحَابِهِ وَ أَخْدَانِهِ.»
Do not judge a person until you have looked at his friends, for a person is known through his peers, companions, associates, and friends. (Bihar al-Anwar, v. 71, p. 188)
In the Hereafter as well, the standard by which we are judged is the same: the companion and the company we have chosen. We will be judged according to what we have brought with us, just as the Holy Qur’an says:
«مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا وَمَنْ جَاءَ بِالسَّیِّئَةِ فَلَا یُجْزَی إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا یُظْلَمُونَ.»
"Whoever brings virtue shall receive [a reward] ten times its like; but whoever brings vice shall not be requited except with its like, and they will not be wronged." (An'am, 6:160)
It is for this reason that Imam Ali, peace be upon him, using a beautiful analogy, says:
«لاَ یُعْرَفُ اَلرَّجُلُ إِلاَّ بِعَمَلِهِ کَمَا لاَ یُعْرَفُ اَلْغَرِیبُ مِنَ اَلشَّجَرِ إِلاَّ عِنْدَ حُضُورِ اَلثَّمَرِ.»
No one is known except through his deeds, just as an unknown tree cannot be known except when its fruit appears. (Gurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 700)
One point worth contemplating is that separation from a friend and companion is possible in this world, but in the Hereafter, it is never possible. As Imam Ali, peace be upon him, says:
«أَعْمَالُ اَلْعِبَادِ فِی اَلدُّنْیَا نُصْبُ أَعْیُنِهِمْ فِی اَلْآخِرَةِ.»
On the Day of Judgment, the deeds of God’s servants in this world will be brought before their eyes. (Gurar al-Hikam, v. 1, p. 103)
Therefore, from this very moment, we must think about our companion in the Hereafter—the companion who will be a perfect reflection of who we are, the companion who will remain with us through all the difficult passages of the Day of Judgment.
That is why Imam Ali, peace be upon him, warns us:
«عِبَادَ اللَّهِ، الْآنَ فَاعْلَمُوا [فَاعمَلوا]، وَ الْأَلْسُنُ مُطْلَقَةٌ وَ الْأَبْدَانُ صَحِیحَةٌ وَ الْأَعْضَاءُ لَدْنَةٌ وَ الْمُنْقَلَبُ فَسِیحٌ وَ الْمَجَالُ عَرِیضٌ، قَبْلَ إِرْهَاقِ الْفَوْتِ وَ حُلُولِ الْمَوْتِ.»
O servants of God! Now, while your tongues are free, your bodies are healthy, your limbs are flexible and ready, the field of action is wide open, and the opportunity still remains, hasten to perform righteous deeds. Do so before this opportunity is lost and death arrives. (Nahj al-Balaqah, Sermon no. 196)
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