THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY - PART TEN

 

How good it is for the rich to show humanity before the poor to seek reward from Allah, but better than that is the haughtiness of the poor towards the rich with trust in Allah.

Whoever clashes with Truth would be knocked down by it.

The heart is the book of the eye.

Fear of Allah is the chief trait of human character.

It is enough for your own discipline that you abstain from what you dislike from others.

The world deceives, harms, and passes away. Allah, the Sublime, did not approve it as a reward for His lovers nor as a punishment for His enemies.

Addressing his son, Imam Hasan (a.s.), he said, “O my son, do not leave anything of this world behind you, because you will be leaving it for either  two sorts of persons: Either a person who uses it in obeying Allah, in this case he will acquire virtue through what was evil for you, or it will be person who uses it in disobeying Allah and in that case he will be earning evil with what you collected for him, and so you will be assisting him in his sinfulness; and neither of these two deserve to be preferred by you over yourself.”

Someone said “Astaghirullah” in the presence of Imam Ali (a.s.), he said, “Do you know what “Istighfar” (asking Allah’s forgiveness) is? Istighfar is meant for people of an elevated position. It is a word that stands on six supports. The first is to repent over the past; the second is to make a firm determination never to revert to it; the third is to discharge all the rights of people so that you may meet Allah quite clean with nothing to account for; the fourth is to fulfill every obligation which you ignored (in the past) so that you may do justice with it; the fifth is to aim at the flesh grown as a result of unlawful earning; so that you melt it  (by grief of repentance) till the skin touches the bone and a new flesh grows between them; and the sixth is to make the body taste the pain of obedience  as you (previously) made it taste the sweetness of disobedience. On such an occasion you may say “Astghfirullah.” “

How wretched the son of Adam is! His death is hidden, his ailments are concealed, his actions are preserved, the bite of a mosquito pains him, choking causes his death, and sweat gives him an unpleasant smell.

The eyes of these men are covetous (seize greedily), and this glancing is the cause of their becoming covetous. Whenever anyone of you sees a woman who attracts him, he should meet his wife because she is a woman like his wife.

Whoever sets right his inward self, Allah sets right his outward self. Whoever performs acts for his religion, Allah accomplishes his acts of this world, whoever’s dealings between himself and Allah are good, Allah turns the dealings between him and other people good.

Forbearance is a curtain for covering, and wisdom is a sharp sword. Therefore, conceal the weakness in your conduct with forbearance and kill your desires with your wisdom.

There are some creatures of Allah whom Allah particularizes with favors for the benefit of the people, therefore He places them in their hands so long as they give them to others; bur when they deny them to others, He takes away the favors from them and sends them to others.

It does not behove a man to have trust in two positions, health, and riches, because there is many a man whom you see healthy, but he soon falls sick and many a man whom you see rich but soon turns destitute.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO THE HUMANITY

 

How many are the objects of lessons, but how few the taking of lessons.

Your messenger is the interpreter of your intelligence while your letter is more eloquent in expressing your true self.

A self-respecting man never commits adultery.

A man can sleep on the death of his child but cannot sleep at loss of property.

The belief of a person cannot be regarded as true unless his trust in what is with Allah is more than his trust in what he himself has.

Sometimes the hearts move forward and sometimes they move backward. When they move forward get them to perform the optional (as well), but when they move backward keep them confined to obligatory only.

Throw a stone in return from where it comes to you because evil can be met with evil.

I am the Ya ‘sub (leader) of the believers, while wealth is the leader of the wicked.

Beware of disobeying Allah in solitude because the witness (of that situation) is also the judge.

The age up to which Allah accepts any excuse for a human being is sixty years.

Allah, the Glorified, has fixed the livelihood of the destitute in the wealth of the rich. Consequently, whenever a destitute remains hungry because some rich person has denied (his share). Allah will question them about it.

The sovereign is the lookout guard of Allah on earth.

The person who is approached with a request is free until he promises.

Knowledge is of two kinds – that which is absorbed and that which is just heard. The one that is heard does not give benefit unless it is absorbed.

The beauty of destitution is chastity, and the beauty of riches is gratefulness.

Lack of access to sins is also a kind of chastity.

The dignity of your face is solid but begging dissolves it away: therefore, look carefully before whom you dissolve it.

Knowledge is associated with action. Therefore, he who knows should act, because knowledge calls for action, if there is a response well and good, otherwise it (i.e., knowledge) departs from him.

Certainly, right is weighty and wholesome while wrong is light and unwholesome.

Miserliness contains all other evil vices and is the rein with which one can be led to every evil.

Speak so that you may be known, since man is hidden under his tongue.

Put off boasting, give up self-conceit and remember your grave.

Nearness with people in their manners brings about safety from their evil.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY - PART EIGHT

 

Bitterness of this world is the sweetness of other world; the sweetness of this world is the bitterness of the nest one.

If you want an oppressor to take an oath, ask him to swear like this that he is out of Allah’s might and His Power, because if he swears falsely in this way he will be quickly punished, while if he swears by Allah such that there is no god but He, he will not be quickly punished since he is expressing the Unity of Allah, the Sublime.

O son of Adam, be your own representative in the matter of your property and do about it whatever you want it to be done after your death.

Anger is a madness because the victim to it repents afterwards. If he does not repent his madness is confirmed.

When you fall into destitution, trade with Allah through charity.

There is many a man gradually brought towards punishment by polite treatment with him, many a man remains in deceit because his evils are covered, many a man who is in illusion because of good talk about him, while there is no greater ordeal by Allah, the Glorified, than the giving of time.

Do good with bereaved ones of others so that good is done to your bereaved ones also.

O son of Adam do not inflict the worry of the day that has not come on the day which has already come, because if that day be in your life Allah will bestow its livelihood also.

Have love for your friend up to a limit, for it is possible that he may turn into your enemy some day; and hate your enemy up to a limit for it is possible that he may turn in to your friend someday.

Do not turn your knowledge into ignorance or your conviction into doubt. When you gain knowledge act upon it and when acquire conviction proceed (on its basis).

A small action which is continued with regularity is more beneficial than a long one performed with disgust.

When optional issues stand in the way of obligations, abandon them.

Whoever keeps in view the distance of the journey remains prepared.

Perception by the eyes is not real observation because the eyes sometimes deceive people; but wisdom does not deceive whomsoever it counsels.

He whom death overtakes early seeks time while he whose death is deferred put forth excuses for postponement.

When asked about Destiny, he said, “It is a dark path, do not tread on it, it is a deep ocean, do not dive in it, and it is a secret of Allah, do not take trouble about (knowing) it.

When Allah intends to humiliate a person, He denies him knowledge.

Your friends are three and your enemies are three. Your friends are your friend, your friend’s friend, and your enemy’s enemy. And your enemies are your enemy, your friend’s enemy, and your enemy’s friend.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY - PART SEVEN

The Day of Judgement is near, and our mutual company is short.

Abstention from sin is easier than seeking forgiveness afterwards.

People often hate those things which they do not know or cannot understand.

One who seeks advice learns to recognize mistakes.

One who fights for the cause of God secures victory over his enemies.

When you feel afraid or nervous to do a thing, then drive straight through it, because the intensity of abstaining from it is greater (worse) than the fear.

Your supremacy over others is in proportion to the extent of your knowledge and wisdom.

If you want to remove evil from the minds of others, then first give up evil intentions yourself.

Greed is a permanent slavery.

He who takes the lead in oppression and tyranny will repent soon.

O son of Adam! Whatever you earned beyond your basic needs, you are only a custodian for others.

Hearts become tired as the bodies become tired. You should therefore, search for beautiful sayings for them.

Silence will create respect and dignity; justice and fair play will bring more friends; benevolence and charity will enhance prestige; service to humanity will secure leadership; good behavior will overcome revengeful enemies.

Every container gets narrower according to what is placed inside it except the container of knowledge which expands.

The first reward of the exerciser of forbearance gets is that people become his helper against the ignorant.

A man’s vanity for himself is one of the enemies of his intelligence.

The tree whose trunk is soft has thick branches.

Jealousy by a friend means defect in his love.

There is no justice in passing a verdict by relying on probability.

It is strange that the jealous do not feel jealous about bodily health.

Charity given by a man (as a shorthand), Allah increases it (by long hand)

One ill-gotten piece of stone in a house is a guarantee for its ruin.

When capability increases, desire decreases.

The best act is that which you must force yourself to do it.

I came to know Allah, the Glorified, through the breaking of determinations, change of intentions and losing of courage. 

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY - PART SIX

 

Many persons get nothing out of their fasts but hunger and thirst; many more get nothing out of their night prayers but exertions and sleepless nights. Wise are praiseworthy even if they do not fast and do not sleep during the nights.

Defend your faith in God with the help of charity. Protect your wealth with the aid of Zakaat. Let the prayer guard you from calamities and disasters.

Remember that there are three kinds of people, one of those is learned people who are highly versed in the ethics of truth and philosophy of religions; second is the kind who are acquiring the above knowledge and the third is that class of people who are uneducated. They follow every pretender and accept every slogan. Remember, Kumail, that knowledge is better than and superior to wealth, because knowledge protects you while you have to guard wealth.; because wealth decreases with spending and knowledge increases the more you make use of it; because what you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth disappears, but what you achieve through knowledge remains even after. Knowledge is power and it can command obedience and following.

Aman is valued through his sayings. He who does not know his own worth is ruined.

Do not be among those people who want to gain hereafter without working for it, who rely on high hopes and keep on postponing repentance, who talk like pious persons but run after vicious pleasures. Do not be among those who advises to such good deeds that they themselves refrain from; who appreciate good people, but do not follow their way of life.; who hate bad and vicious people, but follow their way of life, who, on account of their excessive sins, hate death, but do not give the sinful way of life, who faced with misfortunes, turn to God and keep on beseeching Him for relief, and when relieved , they are deceived by comfortable conditions and forget God and forsake prayer. Who are quick to pass judgement against others but never judge their own vicious deeds, who are not afraid of their Lord, but fear men in power?

Everyone who is born must die, and once dead as if he had never come into existence.

One who adopts patience will never be deprived of success which may take long time to reach him.

He who agrees with the actions of a group of persons is as though he joins them in their action. Everyone who joins in wrong commits two sins: one sin for committing the wrong and other for agreeing with it.

Adhere to contracts and entrust their fulfilment to steadfast persons.

Admonish your brother by good behavior towards him, and ward off his evil by favoring him.

One who frequent places of ill repute has no right to complain against a man who talk evil of him.

Whoever obtains authority (usually) adopts partiality.

He who acts solely according to his own opinion gets ruined, and who consults other people shares in their understand.

He who guards his secrets retains control in his own hands.

Poverty is the worst form of death.

He who fulfils the rights of a man who does not fulfils his, (is as though) he worships him.

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)'S PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY

 

What difference is there between a deed whose pleasure passes away leaving behind it the pangs of pain and punishment, and the deed whose cruel severity or oppressive harshness ends leaving behind it heavenly rewards and blessings.

Blessings are for the man who humbles himself before God, whose sources of income are honest, whose intentions are always honorable, whose character is noble, whose habits are sober, who gives away in the cause of God the wealth which is lying surplus with him, who controls his tongue from vicious and useless talk, who abstains from oppression and tyranny; who carefully and faithfully follows the traditions of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and who keeps himself away from innovation in religion.

Islam means obedience to God; obedience to God means having sincere faith in Him; such a faith means to believe in His Power; a belief in His power means recognizing and accepting of His majesty; acceptance of His majesty means fulfilling the obligations laid down by Him; and fulfilment of obligations action.

I wonder at the mentality of a miser; fearing poverty he takes to stinginess and thus hastily, pushes himself head-long into the state of want and destitution; he madly desires plenty and ease, but throws it away without understanding. In this world he, at his free will, leads the life of a beggar and in the next world he, will have to submit the account like a millionaire.

I wonder at the arrogance of haughty and vain person. Yesterday he was only a cell and tomorrow he will be dead body. I wonder at the man who observes the universe created by God and doubts His being and existence. I wonder at the man who sees people dying around him yet has forgotten his end. I wonder at the man who understands the marvels of original creation and refuses to accept that he will be brought back to life again. I wonder at the man who takes great pains to decorate and to make comfortable this mortal habitat and totally forgets his permanent and immortal abode.

Whoever is not diligent in his work will suffer sorrow and loss, whoever has no share of God in his wealth and in his life, then there is no place for him in the Realm of God.

Be cautious of cold in the beginning of winter and welcome it at the close of the season. Because cold season behaves with your bodies exactly as it does with trees; in the early season its severity makes them shrivel and shed their leaves, and at the end it helps them to revive and rejuvenate.

A friend cannot be considered a friend unless he is evaluated on three occasions: in time of need, behind your back, and after your death.

If you want to pray to the Lord for better means of subsistence, then first give something in charity.

If one is sure of the returns, then he shows great liberality in donations.

One who practices moderation and temperance will never be troubled with poverty.

Half of the sagacity is to acquire friends and sympathizers.

Grief is half of old age.   

THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFULL, IMAM ALI (A.S.)' PRICELESS ADVICE TO HUMANITY

 

Success is the result of foresight and resolution; foresight depends upon deep thinking and planning to keep your secrets to yourself.

Whoever wants to be a leader and a guide, should educate himself before educating others; before teaching morality to others, he should improve his morality and character.

Interceder is the wing of the seeker.

If you are confused about good or adverse effects of an action, then study carefully the cause, and you will know the effect.

Acquire wisdom and truth from whomever you can because if a wise saying is in the bosom of a hypocrite it flutters till it comes out and settles with its own category in the bosom of the believer.

The value of a man depends upon the art and skill which he has attained.

No one should repose hope save in his Lord; no one should fear anything  save his sin; no one should feel ashamed of saying “I do not know” when he asked about a matter which he does not know; no one should feel ashamed of learning a thing which he does not know and should practice endurance, because endurance is for belief what the head is for the body, so that just there is no good in a body without the head there is no good in belief without endurance.

One who imagines himself to be all knowing will surely suffer on account of his ignorance.

I appreciate an old man’s cautious opinion more than the valor of a young man.

I wonder about a man who loses hope of salvation when the door of repentance is open for him.

There are two things in this world which softened the Wrath of God and prevented its descent upon man. The one which has been taken away is the person of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the one which is still with them is repentance and atonement for sins.

Whoever keeps his affairs in order with God (follows His orders sincerely) God will also put his affairs with men in order.

He is the wisest man who advises people not to lose hope in the mercy of God and not to be overconfident of immunity from His Wrath and punishment.

The hearts get weary as bodies get weary; so, look for beautiful wise sayings for them.

The lowest form of knowledge is that which remains on the tongue and the most superior form is that which manifests itself through (the action) of the limbs and the organs of the body.

Action accompanied by fear of Allah does not fail; and how can a thing fail which has been accepted.

Sleeping in a state of firm belief is better than praying in the state of doubtfulness.

When you hear a tradition evaluate it with the criterion of intelligence not that of mere hearing because relators of knowledge are numerous but there are few who ponder over them and try to fully grasp the meaning.

He heard a man recite, “We belong to God and our return is towards Him” He said, “Our saying, ‘Inna Lillah’ (verily we are Allah’s) is an admission of His Majesty over us and our saying ‘wa Inna ilaihi rajiun’ (and verily to Him we shall return) is an admission of our being mortal.