3-222 Abu Ahmad al-Qasim ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abdoyeh al-Siraj in Hamedan narrated that Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Zabi quoted Muhammad ibn Abdul Aziz, on the authority of Ubaydullah ibn Musa al-Abasi, on the authority of Sufyan al-Sowri, “Once I met Ja’far ibn Muhammad as-Sadiq (MGB) and asked him, ‘O (grand)son of the Prophet of God! Please give me some advice.’ The Imam (MGB) replied, ‘O Sufyan! One who is dishonest is not chivalrous. There are no brothers for the monarchs and there is no rest for the envious. There is no mastery for the ill-natured.’ Then I asked, ‘O (grand)son of God’s Prophet! Please tell me more!’ The Imam (MGB) told me, ‘O Sufyan! Trust in God so that you maybecome a true believer. Be content with whatever God grants to you so that you may become truly needless. Treat your neighbours with kindness so that you may become a true Muslim. Do not associate with a wicked person so that you do not learn his corruption. Seek advice regarding your affairs from those who fear the Honorable the Exalted God.’Then I said, ‘O (grand)son of God’s Prophet! Tell me more.’ The Imam (MGB) told me, ‘O Sufyan! Whoever wishes to become honored should not be dependent upon his relatives. Whoever wishes to become needless should not be a captive of his desires. Whoever wishes to become majestic should not be associated with the King. He should transfer himself from the debasement of disobedience of God to the honour of His Obedience.’Then I said, ‘O (grand)son of God’s Prophet! Tell me more.’ Then the Imam (MGB) told me, ‘O Sufyan! My father (MGB) enjoined me to do three things and admonished me against doing three other things. He (MGB) told me, ‘O my son! Whoever associates with a wicked one will not remain safe. Whoever goes to wicked places will not be safe from being accused. And whoever doesn’t control his tongue will become sorry.’ Then the Imam (MGB) recited the following poem:
