Contentment; A Requisite for Virtuous Life
A virtuous life, according to Nahj al-Balagha, means living with contentment.
Imam Ali’s (AS) principles of life were, in all aspects, based on the Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In his social life, he also acted based on the Divine orders and Nabawi Seerah, which can be considered as a perfect example for everyone.
Bakhshali Ghanbari, a Nahj al-Balagha researcher, discussed “social morality based on Nahj al-Balagha” in a series of lectures. Here are excerpts from the fourth session on “pure life”:
Before discussing Sermon 45 of Nahj al-Balagha, I refer to one of the sayings of the Imam in the book. Imam Ali (AS) was asked about the meaning of “Hayat Tayyibah” (virtuous life) which is mentioned in the Quran. “We will most certainly make him live a virtuous life.”(Surah An-Nahl, verse 97). The Imam’s answer was only one word: contentment. Therefore, “Hayat Tayyibah” in Nahj al-Balagha means to live with contentment.
There are different ways of making use of worldly possessions. Some ways are allowed, some others are good and some ways are prohibited.
If we use the world as much as it is enough, it is allowed and there is no problem. Those who use it less than what they need, the Imam calls pious. The pious make the least use of the world and Imam Ali (AS) is one of the pious.
The Imam lived a pious life and said that he contented himself with two shabby pieces of cloth out of the (comforts of the) world and two loaves for his meal.
Taking from the world not more than enough is the way the wealthy believers live, those who do not lose anything of this world. It is not prohibited. But the second way of life which is an ascetic life, is the way that the Imam selected for himself. The third way of life is the life of the public, who are neither wealthy nor pious, and the proper way of life for them is the “Hayat Tayyebah” (virtuous) life.
Imam Ali (AS) says in this sermon: “Depart from here with the best of provision available with you and do not ask herein more than what is enough and do not demand from it more than subsistence.”
In this way of life, we neither lose nor waste, but live exactly according to what we know about our needs. When I can live with a piece of cloth which covers me and provides what I need, then it is enough for me. Whatever is more than my needs should be given to the poor. Imam Ali (AS) also advises that “Hayat Tayyebah” (virtuous life) is good for the public. It means that nothing should be wasted or misused.
