عَنْ اَبِي عَبْدِ اللهِ ع قَالَ: خَالِطُوا النَّاسَ مِمَّا يَعْرِفُونَ وَ دَعُوهُمْ مِمَّا يُنْكِرُونَهُ وَ لَا تَحْمِلُوا عَلَى اَنْفُسِكُمْ وَ عَلَيْنَا اِنَ اَمْرَنَا صَعْبٌ مُسْتَصْعَبٌ لَا يَحْتَمِلُهُ اِلَّا مَلَكٌ مُقَرَّبٌ اَوْ نَبِيٌّ مُرْسَلٌ اَوْ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ امْتَحَنَ اللهُ قَلْبَهُ لِلْاِيمَانِ.
Imam Abu Abdillah al-Sadeq (peace be upon him) said,
“Interact with the people as per what they know and leave them from what they dislike. Don’t impose (people) upon yourselves and upon us. Surely, our affair (mastership) is difficult and complex. None can bear it save a proximate angel or sent prophet or a believing servant whose heart Allah has tested with faith.”
Note
This explanation emphasizes the importance of understanding the people's knowledge and limitations.
Reference
- Basaaer al-Darajaat, vol. 1, p. 26, H. 2
- Behaar al-Anwaar, vol. 2, p. 71, H. 30