304. Imām Ali (a.s.): “God the Glorified has put the rights of His servant ahead of His own rights (given priority to their rights). Therefore, whoever fulfils the rights of the servants of God will fulfill the rights of God.”1
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The Development of Constructive Freedom
305. Imām Ali (a.s.): “O People, verily Adam (a.s.) did not beget slave men and women; all people are free.”2
306. Imām Ali (a.s.): “And now, verily God the Blessed and the Exalted sent Muhammad (s.a.w.) so as to bring His servants out from the servitude of His servants towards the servitude of Himself, from the covenant of His servants to the covenant of Himself, from obedience to his servants towards obedience to Himself and from the guardianship of His servants toward guardianship of Himself.”3
307. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Do not be the slave of others as God has made you free.”4
308. Imām Ali (a.s.): “He who fulfils the requirements of servitude [to God] deserves freedom and he who neglects the rules of freedom will be returned to slavery.”5
309. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Beware of what infuriates your Lord and frightens people away from you! He who infuriates his Lord will be exposed to death and he who frightens people has disclaimed freedom.”6
1.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۴۷۸۰, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۲۲۳, h. ۴۳۴۷.
2.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۸, p. ۶۹, h. ۲۶, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۲, p. ۱۳۴, h. ۱۰۷.
3.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۸, p. ۳۸۶, h. ۵۸۶, Falāh al-Sālil, p. ۳۷۲, h. ۲۴۸, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۷۷, p. ۳۶۵, h. ۳۴.
4.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۳۱, Tuhaf al-`Uqul, p. ۷۷, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۵۲۶, h. ۹۵۷۲.
5.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۸۵۲۹-۳۰, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۴۵۰, h. ۸۰۰۴-۵.
6.. Ghurar al-Hikam, h. ۲۷۲۸, `Uyun al-Hikam wa al-Mawā`iz, p. ۱۰۰, h. ۲۲۹۲.
