1.
Whoever
fears Allah (adopts piety), He (Allah) paves for him a path of salvation out of
the trials, and directs him (onto the right path) in his affairs, and
facilitates his (path) of guidance.
And makes his proof (and arguments) successful. And enlightens his face,
and grants him his desires. He is
with those upon whom Allah has bestowed His favours from among the Prophets,
The Truthful, the Martyrs and the Righteous, and an excellent company are they.
2.
Piety
is the gateway to all repentance, and the principal of all wisdom, and the
distinction of all deeds
3. Whoever relies on the excellence of Allah’s choices, doesn’t wish to be in other than the situation that Allah has chosen for him.
4. The height of intelligence is associating with people amicably
5. Magnanimity is adhering to the religion, and honouring one’s self (nafs), and having a lenient conduct, and permanency of favours, and the discharging of rights.
6.
(What
is magnanimity) prudence in one’s religion, and incorruptness of his wealth,
and uprightness in (discharging) of rights.
7.
(Silence
is) concealment of ignorance, adornment of one’s self, and the one performing
it (keeps silent) is in ease, and his companion is safe
8.
How
can a believer be a believer when he is discontent with His (Allah’s)
predestination, and disparages His (Allah’s) status, when it is Allah whom
rules over him. And I guarantee,
for the one whose heart does not harbor other than satisfaction, that if he
supplicates Allah, he will be granted.
9.
One
who lacks intelligence has no decorum, and one who lacks determination has no
magnanimity, and one who has no modesty has no religion
10.
O’
Son of Adam, abstain from the unlawful and you will be a worshipper, and be
content with what Allah has predestined for you, you will be sufficient, be
benevolent to those who take up proximity in your neighbourhood, you will be a
Muslim.
11.
Do
not be hasty in punishing (someone’s) sin, and leave (room) between the two
(fault and punishment) for apology.
12.
Tolerance
of the noble is forgiving, if apologizing is difficult for the sinner,
13.
The
most preferable adornment is graceful manners
14.
The best wealth is contentment and the
worst poverty is humility
15.
Clemency
is suppression of anger and self-restraint
16.
Generosity
is giving in prosperity and adversity
17.
The
annihilation of people lies in three things: Arrogance, Greed and envy. Arrogance causes destruction of the
religion and because of it Satan was cursed, and Greed is the enemy of one’s
soul, and because of it Adam was expelled from Paradise, and envy is the guide
to wickedness, and because of it Qabil killed Habil.
18.
avariciousness
is for one to consider what he has given (away) as a loss and what he kept (for
himself) as glory
19.
I
did not witness an oppressor who is more alike to an oppressed, than the one
who is envious.
20.
Put
what you seek from this world, but you know is unattainable, in the same rank
as that which does not cross your mind.
21.
Teach
the people of your knowledge, and learn from their knowledge. Hence you would
have become adept and learnt that which you do not know.
22.
You
are the most inferior amongst a nation, when you could be on the verge of
dignity amongst another nation, therefore learn the knowledge, and those of you
who cannot memorize it, consequently,
should write it and place it in his house
23.
There
was not a nation who consulted (amongst themselves), but was directed to a path
of guidance
24.
I
wonder at a person who ponders over the things that he eats, how he does not ponder
over his reasoning. He preserves
his stomach from that which harms him, yet deposits in his breast that which is
a cause for his destruction
25.
It
is for you to ponder, for it is revitalization for the heart of the
perspicacious and the key to the gateways of wisdom.
26.
(describing
a good companion of his) He was prestigious in my view because the world was
small (insignificant) in his eyes. He was a dissident, (departing from) the
domain of ignorance. He would not extend a hand unless he is sure that benefit
would come from it. He did not
complain nor become enraged or impatient despair. Most of his life he kept silent, but when he spoke he
silenced the other speakers (surpassed them)
He was perceived weak, but at time of struggle he
was a fierce lion. In the gathering of scholars, he was more eager to observe
silence than speak. Even if he
could be exceeded in speaking, he could not be excelled in silence.
He would not say what he did not practice, but
practiced (deeds) what he did not say.
When he was confronted with two matters, not knowing which was nearer
(more pleasing) to Allah, he would ascertain of the two that which was closer
to his personal inclinations and then oppose it. He would not reproach anyone
27.
O’
Son of Adam! Since the day you
left your mother’s womb you life has been on the decrease. Therefore, avail
yourself of that between your hands for the hereafter, because the believer
takes provisions (from this world) and the disbeliever only takes his leisure
(from this world)
28.
Allah,
the Great and Al-Mighty, did not open the gateway of invocation for anyone, to
then shut off from him the gateway of response. Nor did a man open the door of action, to then have the door
of acceptance shut off from him, nor was the door of gratitude opened for the
servant, to have the door of accretion (plentiful) shut off from him.
29.
The
most discerning eye is the one that penetrates (views) into the blessings and
the most auditory ear is the one heeds reminding and benefits from it. And the most pure of hearts is the one
purified from doubt.
30.
Befriend
people in the same manner you would like them to befriend you.
31.
Brotherhood
is loyalty during adversity and during comfort.
32.
If
the recommended actions harm the obligatory actions, then abandon them.
33.
It
is incumbent on whoever stands in the presence of the Lord of Throne (Allah),
that his colour pales, and that his limbs tremble.
34.
One
is ignorant of blessing as long as they are present, but when they pass, one
becomes aware (of the value) of them.
35.
Do
not struggle hard like a successful (searcher) of material and do not depend
upon destiny like those who surrender to it. (Neither greed nor laziness). Because seeking the Grace (of Allah) is
Sunnah and not being greedy in seeking sustenance is modesty. And modesty is not the cause for the
repulsion of sustenance, nor does greed attract grace, because sustenance is
(already) apportioned, and being greedy is being sinful.
36.
Opportunities
pass away swiftly, and take longer to return
37.
Jest
eats away one’s dignity, and the one remaining silent increases in dignity.
38.
Proximate
is the one that is drawn closer by affection, even though he is a distant
relation. And the one that is far
is the one that affection distances him, even though he is a close relation.
39.
Goodness
that is free of any wickedness is, gratitude for the blessings, and patience
during misfortune.
40.
A
blessing is trial, if gratitude is shown for it, it becomes a blessing, and if
you show ingratitude for it then it becomes a wrath.