Letter – dated Jumada al-Awwal 1381 (October 1961)

Letter from His Holiness Haj Sheikh Mohammad Hasan Bichareh Bidokhti Gonabadi, Saleh Ali Shah
Containing advice and guidance, at the request of Mr. Engineer Shokrollah Tabandeh for Mr. Engineer Nasrollah Tabandeh, the mentioned recipient

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In the name of the One and Unique God, the All-Seeing and Almighty, from whom all success must be sought at the beginning of every deed and word.

At the request of my son, Engineer Shokrollah—who is traveling to America—and wished to bring a gift and keepsake for his elder brother, Engineer Nasrollah, I was gladdened and hopeful by this request, which showed his willingness to hear advice and act upon it, and that he has his outwardly distant brother in mind and seeks obedience in shared spirit. Through this, I speak from afar to Engineer Nasrollah, that perhaps it may bring a little relief to his homesickness, and to convey my satisfaction and well-being, and to inform him of the health of his mother, brothers, sister, and the rest of the family.

I hope, as I reminded orally before his departure and he intended, that he travels as a faithful God-worshipping Muslim and a patriotic Iranian, and that, God willing, he returns the same. May they support each other and inspire one another in religious and moral matters. May they observe their religious practices attentively and not be negligent in matters of faith. Let them recite the Quran daily—even if briefly—and also read its translation, and especially ponder and reflect on the passages that describe the attributes of believers and legal rulings. Do not abandon the pre-dawn wakefulness, which brings clarity of thought, advancement in work, and purification of the soul.

To gain awareness of religious duties and the lives of the great figures of the faith, read religious texts, Islamic history, and the books of the mystics—such as the Masnavi and the works of the late martyr scholar. Perhaps you can set a time for these during periods with less academic workload. Treat all family members, all people—especially teachers, superiors, and friends—with kindness, for God approves of it and it leads to success, and people appreciate it as well. Be loyal to your promises, maintain friendships, and uphold honesty in word and deed. Be composed and dignified. Never respond to offense with haste. Always bear in mind that just as voices are recorded by devices, all deeds are recorded in the realm of truth and will return to the person himself.

Listen to every advisor's words and reflect; once the truth is understood, act upon it—especially the advice of one’s parents, who have given and continue to give their entire being for their child, without seeking anything for themselves. They rejoice in their child’s goodness and are pained by their child’s poor conduct. Never forget their advice, for they have stored the experiences of their lives and entrust them to their children. One must never become discouraged by someone who gives advice out of love; rather, the advisor should be cherished. Not everyone who shows affection is truly a friend; one must reflect, test, and be cautious—never revealing all of one’s inner thoughts, and always keeping in mind: أسْتُرُ ذَهَبَكَ وَ ذَهٰابَك و مَذْهَبَك (“Conceal your wealth, your travels, and your beliefs.”).

In closing, I entrust all my children to God and pray for their success in both this world and the hereafter.