Imam Al-Sadiq

forgive them their mistakes. From here, al- Sadiq, peace be on him, said: "Where do you find
a prefect brother? Which one of men is. Also he said: "Whoever does not make friends but
with him who has no defect, his friends are very few perfect?"(421)
Also he said: "Whoever does not make friends but with him who has no defect, his friends are
very few."(422)
When the person wants friendship to last he should not look for the defects of his friend, as al-
Sadiq, peace be on him, said: "Looking for (defects) is parting."(423) Also he said: "Do not
look for (the defects) of people lest you should be without friend."(424)
The experienced persons should be satisfied with the little act of his brother to continue his
friendship with him, as al- Sadiq, peace be on him, said: "It is not an act of equity to demand
the brothers to do equity, and whoever is dissatisfied with his brother unless his brother
prefers him to himself, his dissatisfaction will last."(425)
Yes, admonition does not spoil the continuation of friendship. Rather, it may remove the
hatred and hidden spites of the hearts. However, admonition should not be very much because
it brings about negative results. For this reason, al- Sadiq, peace be on him, said: "He whose
admonition is much, his friends are very few." Also he said: "Whoever admonishes his
brother for every mistake, his admonition will last."(426)
The Rights of Brothers:
Brothers have many rights. It is difficult for us to count them, and we do not want to search
what has been mentioned on them in this connection. However, we will mention only one
tradition. The tradition is enough for the brother to treat his brother kindly when he puts it
into effect. Al- Sadiq, peace be on him, said to al- Mu'alla b. Khanis that the brother has seven
rights. They are: The first right: You should love to him what you love to your self and hate to
him what you hate to your self. The second right: You should avoid making him angry,
follow his pleasure, and obey his orders. The third right: You should help him with your self,
your money, your tongue, your hand, and your leg. The fourth right: You should be his eye,
his guide, and his mirror. The fifth right: You should not be full, while he is hungry. You
should not quench your thirst, while he is thirsty. You should not clothe your self, while he is
naked. The sixth right: When you have a servant, and your brother has no servant, so you
should sent him your servant to wash his clothes, to fix his food, and to prepare his bed. The
seventh right: You carry out his oath, accept his invitation, visit his ill ones, participate in his
funeral procession. When you know that he has a need, you should hasten to fulfill it. You
should not force him to request it (the need) from you, but you should hasten to (fulfill it) of
your own accord. When you do that, you relate your friendship to his friendship, and his
friendship to your friendship."(427)