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Pearls of wisdom

By Mohammed Ansir Ahmed

Subjects are not the slaves of their rulers, they remain as free as they be when they are born to their mothers. (Hazrat Umar - radi Allahu anhu)

Moderation is most meritorious in affluence and pardon most praise-worthy in power. (Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz - radi Allahu anhu)

A student who learns half-heartedly and ungratefully can never succeed. A student who is humble and weak often reaches his goal. (Imam Shaafa'i - radi Allahu anhu)

The test of a true Muslim's mind is that it is always, and to all intents, strictly obedient to the Will of Allah, is constantly afraid of behaving in a manner which is apt to displease Him resulting in the withdrawing of His Grace. (Hazrat Kwaja Moinuddin Chisti - radi Allahu anhu)

If patience and gratitude had been two she-camels, it would have mattered little on which I rode. (Hazrat Umar Farooq - radi Allahu anhu)

A person is not worthy of leadership in any capacity at all if he has never memorised or recited the Quran on a regular basis and is not familiar with the Hadith at a recognised level. This has to be so because all knowledge for the sincere seeker is totally bound within our Holy Book and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). (Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi -radi Allahu anhu)

If you come across anyone who claims to have divine inner experiences which at the same time contravene the limits imposed by the Holy Shariah, then, ignore him and never go near him. (Hazrat Abu al-Hussain Noori - radi Allahu anhu)

The believer may be cheated out of his property, but never out of his religion. And while the religion of the hypocrite could easily be taken away from him, it is impossible to take away any of his property. (Hazrat Yahya ibn Mu'adh al-Razi - radi Allahu anhuma)

The honour of man is his learning. Wise people are the torches, lighting the path of truth. In knowledge lies man's opportunity for immortality. While man may die, wisdom lives eternally. (Hazrat Ali Murtudha radi Allahu anhu)

Sleep with the remembrance of death, and rise with the thought that you will not live long. (Hazrat Uwais al-Qarni radi Allahu anhu)

To sit in the company of pious people is better than doing good and to sit in the company of evil (immoral) people is worse than doing evil. (Hazrat Khwaja Ghareeb-un-Nawaaz radi Allahu anhu)

A person who does in secret what he would be ashamed to do in public has no self-respect; in fact, he does not even consider himself being a human being. (Hazrat Dhu Nun al-Misri radi Allahu anhu)

As long as you do not see your virtues, you are virtuous; if you see your merits, you have no merits. (Hazrat Abu Abdullah al-Sajazi radi Allahu anhu)

The first thing which a man of intelligence should see is the condition and composition of his own self and then all the creations and inventions. (Hazrat Abul Qaadir Jilaani - radi Allahu anhu)

The company of a shameless man in this world will bring shame to you on the Day of Judgement. (Imam Shafi'i - radi Allahu anhu)

A learned man who has many friends may be a fraud, because if he were to tell them the truth, they would no longer be his friends. (Hazrat Sufyan Thauri - radi Allahu anhu)

Do not regret the past and do not worry about the future. (Hazrat Dhun Nun Misri - radi Allahu anhu)

There are some people who only talk of piety but they indulge in worldly pleasures. They prevent others from loving this world but they love this world too much. (Hazrat Ali - radi Allahu anhu)

"It puzzles me that a man should perish when he possesses the means to save himself". When they asked him to explain, he said: "The Prayer for forgiveness!" (Hazrat Ali - radi Allahu anhu)

The body that has defect in it's spirit will never become sweet (even) if you smear it with honey. (Hazrat Jalaaluddin Rumi - radi Allahu anhu)

Conceal your good deeds as you conceal your evil deeds. (Hazrat Rabia Basri - radi Allahu anha)

If a person cannot be rectified by expressing good manners and behaviour, he can be rectified by ill-treatment. (Hazrat Ali al-Murtudha - radi Allahu anhu)

He is a hardened sinner who commits sins and yet simultaneously entertains the belief that he is one of Allah's "chosen few." (Hazrat Kwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti - radi Allahu anhu)

Even the Angels in the Heavens pray for him who, having performed his morning Namaaz, remains sitting there engaged in the meditation of Allah. (Kwaja Mu'inuddin Chisti - radi Allahu anhu)

The meanest of all people is one who busies himself exclusively in feeding and clothing himself. (Hazrat Baba Farid-ud-Din - radi Allahu anhu)

A pious and sincere Aalim always exercises humility but when the vulgar and wicked possesses knowledge, he begins to boast. (Hazrat Ali al-Murtuda - radi Allahu anhu)

There are three signs in a young sincere man: (1) He will praise without an ulterior motive, (2) He will give charity before being approached, (3) He will fulfil all his promises. (Sheikh Maroof Karkhi - radi Allahu anhu)

One who has not learnt the Quran and written the Hadith, that is, one who is ignorant about the Laws of Shariah, never follow him in anything pertaining to Tariqah and do not take him as your Peer because our knowledge of Tariqah is strictly in accordance with the Quran and Hadith (ie. Shariah).(Sheikh Abul Qasim Junaid Baghdadi - radi Allahu anhu)

If the destitute or needy come to you, regard it as a gift from Allah and value it by fulfilling their needs. (Hazrat Imam Hussein - radi Allahu anhu)

No virtue is greater that piety and silence, no enemy greater than ignorance and no sickness is greater than lies. (Hazrat Imam Jafer as-Sadiq - radi Allahu anhu)

The only treatment for solving grief and misfortune is concealing it by patience. (Sheikh Ma'roof Karkhi - radi Allahu anhu)

Respect and honour at all times the descendants, Ulama and Mashaa'ikhs who are on the path of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). (Hazrat Sha Ale Ahmed Ach'che Mia - radi Allahu anhu)

Keep your heart in attendance so that none else could find entrance. (Hazrat Owais Qarni - radi Allahu anhu)

Renounce the world and you will find the way of Allah paved for you. (Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi - radi Allahu anhu)

Take account of your deeds before you are accounted for them on the day of Judgement. (Hazrat Dhun Nun Misri - radi Allahu anhu)

A few days spent in the company of Friends of Allah are better than a hundred years of sincere obedience to Allah. If thy seekest Divine Vicinity, spend your time with Saints! The further thou art with them, the further thou will be from Allah. If yours is a stony heart it will turn into pearl in the company of the Ecstatics. (Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi - radi Allahu anhu)

A mystic is like a sun which shed its light on all; he is like earth which sustains the burden of all; and he is like water which enlivens the hearts. (Hazrat Sirri Saqti - radi Allahu anhu)

Anyone who is desirous of name and fame can never get peace and comfort in life. (Hazrat Bishar Hafi - radi Allahu anhu)

Do not associate with one whose association will not help you after death. (Hazrat Malik bin Dinar - radi Allahu anhu)

Weep more and laugh less; keep silent more, talk less. (Hazrat Abul Hassan Kirqani - radi Allahu anhu)

When your sustenance narrows and decreases, repent (Istighfaar) to Allah and read your Kalima, Allah will increase His bounties and sustenance for you. (Hazrat Ali al-Murtuda - radi Allahu anhu)

One who exercises love and affection for his brother today will enjoy its reward tomorrow. (Hazrat Imam Hussain - radi Allahu anhu)

Never ever go to the home of those who pass their time in play and amusement. (Hazrat Sheikh Barkatullah Sha - radi Allahu anhu)

Never make an unclear or controversial statement that can be misinterpreted thus leading to embarrassment and problems. (Hazrat Sha Ale Ahmed Ache Mia - radi Allahu anhu)

A person who is mean to part with his wealth is always first and quick in giving his honour and respect (Izzat). (Hazrat Ali al-Murtuda - radi Allahu anhu)

No virtue is greater than piety and silence, and no enemy is greater than ignorance, and no sickness is greater than lies. (Hazrat Imam Jaffer as-Sadiq - radi Allahu anhu)

Worldly people run behind the Duniya while the Duniya runs behind those who seek Allah. (Hazrat Sheikh Sayyid Abdul Qaadir Jilani -radi Allahu anhu)

Value nobleness and excellence and hasten to achieve them. (Hazrat Imam Hussein - radi Allahu anhu)

A Sufi is like the earth - even if impurities are thrown on it, it will flourish with lush greenery. (Hazrat Sheikh Abul Qasim Junaid al-Baghdadi - radi Allahu anhu)

That person can never become perfect until he does not give preference to Deen (religion) over his personal desires. (Hazrat Sheikh Sirri Saqti - radi Allahu anhu)

Guard your tongue from self-praise as you guard it from sins. (Hazrat Sheikh Ma'roof Karkhi - radi Allahu anhu)

One who cannot discipline ones self can never discipline others. (Hazrat Sheikh Sirri Saqti - radi Allahu anhu)

Always abstain from the company of five people:- 1. A liar who always keeps you in doubt. 2. An idiot who will try and do good for you that will turn out to be disastrous. 3. A miser who, for his personal insignificant gain, will put you into great problems. 4. A coward who will leave you in the lurch at the time of crisis. 5. An evil-doer or sinner who will betray you for a morsel and accept a much less reward. (Hazrat Imam Jaffer as-Sadiq - radi Allahu anhu)

A true believer (Mu'min) will never be unfaithful, treacherous or a liar. (Hazrat Imam Moosa Kazim - radi Allahu anhu)

Conceal hardship because you can achieve proximity (closeness) to Allah by it. (Hazrat Sheikh Sayyid Abdul Qaadir Jilani - radi Allahu anhu)

To seek Paradise without good practice (Amal) is a sin, to wait for intercession (Shafa'at) without practising Sunnah is a type of pride, and depending on Allah's Mercy by malpractice (disobedience) is ignorance and stupidity. (Hazrat Sheikh Ma'roof Karkhi - radi Allahu anhu)

An Arif (mystic) is he who at times cannot defend himself against a meek mosquito, but at times can carry the seven skies and earths with the tip of his eyebrow and throw them aside. (Hazrat Sheikh Jafar Abubakr Shibli - radi Allahu anhu)

Always speak softly and lovingly with the creation of Allah. (Hazrat Sheikh Barkatullah Shah - radi Allahu anhu)