Contemplation (Thinking)

2. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from certain individuals of his people from Aban from al-Hassan al-Sayqal who has said the following: “Once I asked Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام about what people’s narration, ‘Thinking for one hour is better than worshipping a whole night,’ how should they think? The Imam said, ‘They pass by the mins of dwellings or a building and ask, “Where are your inhabitants? Where are your builders? Why do you not speak?””’

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Khalid from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn abu Nasr from certain individuals of his people from Abu ‘Abdillah عليه السلام who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام has said, ‘The most virtuous form of worship is thinking about Allah very often and about His power. ’”

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Isa from Mu’ammar ibn Khallad who has said the following: “I heard abu al-Hassan al-Rida عليه السلام saying, ‘A great deal of prayer and fasting only are not (everything in) worship. Worship is only in thinking about the affairs of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Holy.’”

5. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Isma’il ibn Sahl from Hammad from Rib’ I who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (Ali ibn abu Talib) عليه السلام has said, ‘Thinking leads to virtue and to acting virtuously.’”