Ma`rifat

This paper is an account of the words of Amir al-Mu'minnan Ali (pbuh) regarding the signs of the true believers. Imam introduces refraining from hypocrisy and unwarranted shyness as two other signs of the true believers. Hypocrisy in acts of worship both leads to the invalidation of action and is a great sin. In duty irrespective of intention for which the intention of closeness to God is not a condition, and in permissible acts which are not obligatory, and one has no duty to do them, it may result in some otherworldly rewards; however, since the intention of closeness to God leads to reward for one’s action, God does not accept acts that are not meant for him. Bashfulness and modesty are also among the attributes of believers. Bashfulness is of two kinds: wise bashfulness and unwise bashfulness. Unreasonable and illogical modesty and bashfulness is not commanded by God and is therefore undesirable, but wise bashfulness about doing a wrong act that will bring shame on the doer is desirable.