Imam Sadiq (AS) is the sixth Shiite Imam after his father Imam Baqir (AS). The Shiite school is mostly famous as “Jafari School” because Imam Sadiq (AS) played the most important role among the other Imams in explaining and spreading the Shiite teachings. Most of the Shiite hadiths are narrated from Imam Sadiq (AS). 

Enlightening people about the essential message of Islam

Some Islamic teachings and practices are considered as the outer aspect of Islam, like praying, Hajj, Zakkat and stuff like that. These are the practices which any Muslim should do and respect but all of them have a deeper meaning and a concealed message that people mostly do not get. Sometimes people get so much used to do these practices and conduct ceremonies that they forget about the original meaning of them. 
The holy Prophet (PBUH & HP) says: 
O Aba-Zar! (One of the companions of the Prophet) Allah almighty doesn’t care about your faces or your wealth, but he cares about your hearts and your actions (1)
When you pray or pay your Zakkat, it must change you and teach you that praying is for getting closer to Allah and Zakkat is for helping the needy. 
In this regard the holy Quran says:
Did you see him who denies the Religion?  That is the one, who drives away the orphan, and does not urge the feeding of the needy.  Woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayers —who show off but deny aid. (The Holy Quran 107:1-7)
Imam Sadiq (AS) in different prayers says that if you pray but still feel pride and vanity, it will be useless for you because the Satan himself prayed for Allah for 6000 years but due to his vanity and jealousy, he couldn’t stand the greatness of Adam and tried to deceive him and Allah cursed the Satan. 

Being Kind with the ones who disagree 

Once Mufazzal ibn Umar (One of the brilliant pupils of the Imam) was sitting in the Mosque of the Prophet (PBUH & HP) in Medina. Then he saw Ibn Abi al-Ouja (one of the Atheist Philosophers) who was insulting the Prophet in the mosque and telling lies to the people saying that there is no god. 
Mufazzal says that this made him so angry and he couldn’t control himself so he shouted: “O enemy of Allah! Have you become atheist and denied the God who created you?”
Ibn Abi al-Ouja replied: “If you are one of the religious scholars, I will have debate with you and if you are not, our discussion will be in vain. But if you are one of the companions of Jafar ibn Muhammad (Imam Sadiq) you must know that he wouldn’t talk to us like that and he wouldn’t have discussion with us in this way. He has heard so many more disgraceful words from us but he never has insulted us. He is so knowledgeable, patient and wise and he wouldn’t lose his control out of anger, ignorance or animosity. He always listens to us.” (2)
Imam Sadiq (AS) is famous for his numerous debates with the Sunnis, Atheists, Jews, Christians and so forth, but he would never insult them. He always would order his followers to be kind with the people. 
For example about the Sunnis Imam Sadiq (AS) says:
Participate in their funerals and visit them when they are sick, and give them their rights because if a person among you is pious, honest, trustable and good-tempered, people would say “this is a follower of Jafar” and this makes me happy! (3)

Imam Sadiq (AS) and Caring about the young people

Once Imam Sadiq (AS) asked one of his pupils who had gone to Basrah (a city in Iraq):
“How was the enthusiasm of the people for our message and converting to Shia?” Imam Sadiq (AS) asked.
He said: “The ones who want to listen to our message are so few. Some of them did but they are few”
Imam Sadiq (AS) said: “You must talk to the young ones, because they are more eager for finding everything good.” (4)
Imam Sadiq (AS) also says:
“Teach hadiths to your young children from their childhood before the time that others beat you in training them” (5)
Young Shias must set Imam Sadiq (AS) as a pattern for themselves and follow him. They should learn more and more so that the different people who have gone astray can’t deceive them. 

Resources 

1.  Al-Amali, Sheikh Toosi, Pg.536
2.  Tohid al-Mufazzal
3.  Kafi, Koleini, vol.2, pg.636
4.  Vasail ash-Shia, vol.11, pg.448
5.  Kafi, Koleini, vol.6, pg.47

1. The Taste of Water

The taste of water is the taste of life. 

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.49, p.99.

2. Cleanliness

Cleanliness is among the manners of prophets. 

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.78, p.335.

3. Halal Food

Any food that benefits the body and brings energy to it is allowed (Halal), and whatever harms the body and drains its energy is forbidden (Haram).

Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Al-Fiqh al-Radawi, p.254. 

4. A Plan for Life according to Imam Rida (AS)

Try to divide your day into four parts; a part for praying to Allah, one for providing your livelihood, one for spending time with your friends and the ones you trust to tell your mistakes and love you sincerely, and a part for enjoying Halal pleasures which gives you the ability to fulfill the other parts.

Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Al-Fiqh al-Radawi, p.337.

 5. This World and the Hereafter

The one who puts aside his/her world [ultimately] for the sake of his/her religion, or vice versa, is not among our followers. 

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.78, p.346.

6. Manners

Observe your manners in your relations with the ones older or younger than you. 

Mirza Husayn Nuri, Mustadrak al-wasa'il, vol.8, p.354. 

7. A Believer's Grief

Whoever washes away a believer's grief, Allah will save him/her from despair on the Day of Judgment.

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni,  al-Kafi, vol.2, p.200.

8. Gratitude 

Allah has commanded to express gratitude toward Himself and your parents; therefore, if you don't give thanks to your parents, you are not grateful to Allah.

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Al-Khisal, p.156.

9. Reason and Ignorance

Reason is your best friend and ignorance, your worst enemy.

Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.443. 

10. Make Attempts

You are ridiculing yourself if you ask for Allah's help, yet don't make any attempts [to reach your goal]. 

Muhammadi Reyshahri, Mizan al-Hikmah, hadith no.2790.

11. Greetings

The one who greets a poor Muslim differently than a rich person will face Allah's wrath on the Day of Judgement.  

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Uyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha, vol.2, p.59. 

12. Generosity

From the two groups who face each other, victory belongs to the one that shows more generosity. 

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.71, p.452.

13. Modesty in Imam Rida (AS)'s View

Modesty has different manifestations; one is for those who know their limitations, accept their position contently, like to treat people the way they expect to be treated, confront insult with benevolence, control their anger and forgive people. Allah loves the righteous. 

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni,  al-Kafi, vol.2, p.124.

14. Optimism 

Allah will treat the one who holds an optimistic view toward Him, the same as his/her approach. 

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni,  al-Kafi, vol.8, p.347.

15. Eating Less

Eating less and refraining from excessive use of food will protect your body against various diseases.

Al-Ma’mun ,al-Risa’la al-Dhahabiya fi al-Tibb, p.270. 

16. Sickness and Health

Two groups are always sick; A healthy person who abstains from food and a sick person who does not abstain.  

Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Al-Fiqh al-Radawi, p.340.

17. Respect Allah

Whoever respects Allah's sanctuary, he/she will be respected, and whoever obeys Allah, will be obeyed. 

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.1, p.137.

18. A Generous Person

A generous person eats from other people's food [if invited], for people to eat from his/hers, and the ungenerous does not eat from other's food, to not offer his/her own food to others. 

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Uyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha, vol.1, p.15. 

19. Children and the Elderly

Respect the elderly, be kind to children, and pay a visit to your relatives.

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Uyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha, vol.2, p.265.

20. Praying to Allah

Allah delays granting the request of a believer, since He is eager to listen to him/her praying, saying, "This is the voice I love listening to" and hasten in granting the request of a hypocrite, saying, "This is the voice I loathe hearing." 

Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Al-Fiqh al-Radawi, p.345.

21. Know Your Value

Whoever knows his/her value will never be devastated.

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.72, p.66.

22. Eid al-Fitr as Imam Rida (AS) Describes

Fitr has been appointed as Eid for Muslims to come together as a community on this day in the presence of the Lord and thank Him for His blessings.

Ibn Qūlawayh, Kamil al-Ziyarat, p.522.

23. Visiting Relatives and Friends 

Visit each other regularly to create more love between yourselves, and hold each other's hands and wipe anger away from your hearts.

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.78, p.347.

24. The Manner of Borrowing

The one who borrows something with the intention of giving it back is under Allah's protection until he does so. However, if he doesn't have the intention of paying the debt back to its owner, he is considered a thief.

Baqir Sharif al-Qurashi, Al-Fiqh al-Radawi, p.268.

25. Signs of Awareness in Imam Rida (AS)'s Words

Patience, knowledge, and silence are signs of awareness. Silence is one of the gates to wisdom. It endows human beings with tenderness and guides them toward virtues. 

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.2, p.113.

26. Perfume

Wearing perfume is one of the manners of prophets.

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.6, p.510.

27. Repenting

The one who repents from sin and repeats doing it seems like a person who is ridiculing his/her Lord. 

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.2, p.504.

28. A True Worship 

The value of worshipping does not depend on the number of prayers or fasts. Instead, true worship is pondering deeply on Allah and everything related to Him. 

Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.442.

29. Knowing Allah

The first step in serving Allah is knowing Him.

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Al-Tawhid, p.34. 

30. Allah's Reward

Whoever smiles at his/her fellow believer, will win Allah's reward. 

al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Kitāb muṣādaqat al-ikhwān, vol.1, p.157. 

31. Give Thanks

The one who doesn't gratify a kindness received by others has not given thanks to Allah Almighty. 

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Uyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha, vol.2, p.24.

32. Committing Sins

Insignificant sins lead into great sins and the one, who doesn't have any fear of Allah while committing the insignificant ones, won't feel any fear in doing the great ones. 

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.73, p.353.

33. Forbearance

You are not a devout worshipper if you do not seek forbearance. 

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub al-Kulayni, al-Kafi, vol.2, p.11.

34. Neighborhood 

If your neighbor is not safe from your harm, you are not among our followers. 

Al-Shaykh al-Saduq, Uyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha, vol.2, p.24.

35. Promises

The one who breaks promises is prone to unfortunate incidents.

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.67, p.186.

36. Relief and Despair

Verily, relief, and success comes after despair.

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.52, p.110.

37. Faith in Allah

Faith includes knowing by heart, confessing by the tongue, practicing by all parts of your body. 

Ibn Shu’bah, Tuhaf al-Uqul, p.422.

38. The Manner of a Believer

A believer does not leave aside what is right, when in anger, and does not go astray, in happiness, and does not take more than he/she deserves, while in power. 

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.75, p.355.  

39. The Stingy, The Envious, The Ruler, The Liar

There is no peace for the stingy, no pleasure for the envious, no guarantee for the rulers, and no conscience for the liar. 

Ibn Shu'bah, A Summery of Tuhaf al-Uqul, hadith no. 500249. 

40. A Deceitful Worship

Doubt the faith of the one who shows off with his/her worships to Allah, since Allah Al-mighty abhors bragging about worship and appearance. 

Mohammad-Baqer Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol.70, p.252.