Chapter 36

COMPOSURE

Composureisoneofthedivinenamesandattributesthathelpstowin
thebestopportunitiesandadheretovirtues.Godhasgivencomposure
exclusively to the prophets and the godly. God says:
Most surely,Abrahamwasforbearing, tenderhearted andoft-return-
ing to God. Taketo forgiveness, enjoingood, and turnaside from the
ignorant.
Composureisone ofthe mostrenowned mentalvirtuesthat achieve
board-heartedness, high self-determination, and virtuous moralities.
Many narratives refer to the adherence to this trait.
TheProphet(s)said,“OAllah!Richenmewithknowledgeandadorn
withcomposure.”“Godwillneversupportbyignoranceorhumiliateby
composure.”
Imam Ali (a) said, “The abundance of fortunes and sons is not the
goodness.Therealgoodnessistheabundanceofknowledgeandthemu-
nificence of composure.”
ImamAlibinal-Hussein(a)said,“Men,whosecomposureovercomes
theirwrath,admireme.”Imamas-Sadiq(a)said,“Composureisasuffi-
cient support.”
The Imams were highly ascribed with composure. Imam al-Hassan,
the Prophet’s grandson, was the exemplar of composure by the testi-
monyof hisenemies. Marwanbinal-Hakamtried toparticipatein the
ceremonies of Imam al-Hassan’s funeral, but Imam al-Hussein saidto
him,“Doyouintendtocarryhisfuneralwhileyouwereoneofhisulti-
mateenemieswhoragedhimtoexcess?”Themansaid,“Ididthistothe
man whose composure was as huge as mountains.”
ImamMusabinJafarwasalsooneofthemostself-possessedandbroad-
hearted.Hewasnamedal-Kadim,whichmeans‘theself-possessed.’God
praised the carriers of such elevated qualities. He said: