Hadiths for Category: Imam Ali(as)
٢٤٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): اتَّقِ اللهَ بَعْضَ التُّقَى وَإِنْ قَلَّ، وَاجْعَلْ بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ اللهِ سِتْراً وَإِنْ رَقَّ.
242. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Fear Allāh to some degree (even) though it be little; and set a curtain between you and Allāh (even) though it be thin.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 242
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٢٤١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): يَوْمُ الْمَظْلُومِ عَلَى الظَّالِمِ أَشدُّ مِنْ يَوْمِ الظَّالِمِ عَلَى الْمَظْلُومِ.
241. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The day of the oppressed over the oppressor will be severer than the day of the oppressor over the oppressed. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 241
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٢٤٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْحَجَرُ الْغَصِيبُ فِي الدَّارِ رَهْنٌ عَلَى خَرَابِهَا. قال السيد الرضى: و يروى هذا الكلام عن النبى (ص) و لا عجب أن يشتبه الكلامان لأن مستقاهما من قليب و مفرغهما من ذنوب .
240. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: One ill-gotten piece of stone in a house is a guarantee for its ruin. as-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: In one tradition this saying is attributed to the Prophet. It is no wonder that the two sayings should resemble each other because they are driven from the same source and dispersed through the same means.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 240
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٢٣٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَطَاعَ التَّوَانِيَ ضَيَّعَ الْحُقُوقَ، وَمَنْ أَطَاعَ الْوَاشِيَ ضَيَّعَ الصَّدِيقَ.
239. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who is a sluggard loses his rights and he who believes in the backbiter loses his friend.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 239
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٢٣٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْمَرْأَةُ شَرٌّ كُلُّهَا، وَشَرُّ مَا فِيهَا أَنَّهُ لَا بُدَّ مِنْهَا.
238. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Woman is evil, all in all; and the worst of it is that one cannot do without her.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 238
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٢٣٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ قَوْماً عَبَدُوا اللهَ رَغْبَةً فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ التُّجَّارِ، وَإِنَّ قَوْماً عَبَدُوا اللهَ رَهْبَةً فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْعَبِيدِ، وَإِنَّ قَوْماً عَبَدُوا اللهَ شُكْراً فَتِلْكَ عِبَادَةُ الْأَحْرَارِ.
237. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: A group of people worshipped Allāh out of desire for reward surely, this is the worship of traders. Another group worshipped Allāh out of fear, this is the worship of slaves. Still another group worshipped Allāh out of gratefulness, this is the worship of free men.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 237
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٢٣٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): وَاللهِ لَدُنْيَاكُمْ هذِهِ أَهْوَنُ فِي عَيْنِي مِنْ عِرَاقِ خِنْزِيرٍ فِي يَدِ مَجْذُومٍ.
236. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: By Allāh, this world of yours is more lowly in my view than the (left over) bone of a pig in the hand of a leper.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 236
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٢٣٥. وَقِيلَ لَهُ (عليه السلام): صِفْ لَنَا الْعَاقِلَ. فَقَالَ (عليه السلام): هُوَ الِّذِي يَضَعُ الشَّيْءَ مَوَاضِعَهُ. فَقِيلَ: فَصِفْ لَنَا الْجَاهِلَ. فَقَالَ: قَدْ فَعَلْتُ. قال السيد الرضى: يعنى أن الجاهل هو الذى لا يضع الشيء مواضعه فكأن ترك صفته صفة له إذ كان بخلاف وصف العاقل.
235. It was said to Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him: Describe the wise to us; and he said: The wise is one who places things in their proper positions. Then, he was asked: Describe the ignorant to us; and he said: I have already done so. as-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: The meaning is that the ignorant is one who does not place things in their proper positions. In this way, Amīr al-mu’minīn’s abstention from describing was a way of describing him because his attributes are just the opposite of the wise.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 235
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٢٣٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): خِيَارُ خِصَالِ النِّسَاءِ شِرَارُ خِصَالِ الرِّجَالِ: الزَّهْوُ وَالْجُبْنُ وَالْبُخْلُ، فَإذَا كَانَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ مَزْهُوَّةً لَمْ تُمَكِّنْ مِنْ نَفْسِهَا، وَإِذَا كَانَتْ بِخِيلَةً حَفِظَتْ مَالَهَا وَمَالَ بَعْلِهَا، وَإِذَا كَانَتْ جَبَانَةً فَرِقَتْ مِنْ كُلِّ شِيْءٍ يَعْرِضُ لَهَا.
234. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The best traits of women are those which are the worst traits of men, namely: vanity, cowardice and miserliness. Thus, since the woman is vain, she will not allow anyone access to herself; since she is miserly, she will preserve her own property and the property of her husband; and since she is weak-hearted, she will be frightened with everything that befalls her.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 234
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٢٣٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) لِابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ (عليه السلام): لَا تَدْعُوَنَّ إِلَى مُبَارَزَةٍ وَإِنْ دُعِيتَ إِلَيْهَا فَأَجِبْ فَإِنَّ الدَّاعِيَ إِلَيْهَا بَاغٍ وَالْبَاغِيَ مَصْرُوعٌ.
233. Amīr al-mu’minīn said to his son al-Ḥasan, peace be upon them both: Do not call out for fighting, but if you are called to it do respond, because the caller to fighting is a rebel and the rebel deserves destruction. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 233
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٢٣٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ يُعْطِ بِالْيَدِ الْقَصِيرَةِ يُعْطَ بِالْيَدِ الطَّوِيلَةِ. قال السيد الرضى: ومعنى ذلك أن ما ينفقه المرء من ماله فى سبيل الخير و البر و إن كان يسيرا فإن الله تعالى يجعل الجزاء عليه عظيما كثيرا و اليدان هاهنا عبارة عن النعمتين ففرق (عليه السلام) بين نعمة العبد و نعمة الرب تعالى ذكره بالقصيرة و الطويلة فجعل تلك قصيرة و هذه طويلة لأن نعم الله أبدا تضعف على نعم المخلوق أضعافا كثيرة إذ كانت نعم الله أصل النعم كلها فكل نعمة إليها ترجع و منها تنزع .
232. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who gives with his short hand is given by a long hand. as-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: The meaning of this saying is that even though what a man spends in charity from his possessions may be small, yet Allāh, the Sublime, gives good reward for it. And the two hands referred to, here means two favours. Thus, Amīr al-mu’minīn has differentiated between the favour of man and the favour of the Lord (Allāh) — exalted be the mention of His name — since he has described the first as small and the other as big. This is because the favours of Allāh are ever multiplied manifold to the favours of man since Allāh’s favours are basic in the sense that every other favour springs from it and turns to it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 232
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٢٣١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى ﴿إِنَّ اللهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ﴾: الْعَدْلُ الْإِنْصَافُ، وَالْإِحْسَانُ التَّفَضُّلُ.
231. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said about Allāh’s saying: Verily, Allāh enjoins justice (‘adl) and benevolence (iḥsān),(Qur’ān,16:90). Here ‘adl means equidistribution and iḥsān means favour.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 231
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٢٣٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): شَارِكُوا الَّذِي قَدْ أَقْبَلَ عَلَيْهِ الرِّزْقُ، فَإِنَّهُ أَخْلَقُ لِلْغِنَى، وَأَجْدَرُ بِإِقْبَالِ الْحَظِّ عَلَيْهِ.
230. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Be a sharer with him who has an abundant livelihood because he is more probable to get more riches and likely to secure an increase of the share therein.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 230
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٢٢٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كَفَى بِالْقَنَاعَةِ مُلْكاً، وَبِحُسْنِ الْخُلُقِ نَعِيماً. وَسُئِلَ (عليه السلام) عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى ﴿فَلَنُحْيِيَنَّهُ حَيَاةً طَيِّبَةً﴾ فَقَالَ: هِيَ الْقَنَاعَةُ.
229. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Contentment is as good as estate, and goodness of moral character is as good as a blessing. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was asked about Allāh’s saying: We will certainly make him live a life good and pure. (Qur’ān, 16:97) when he said: that means contentment. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 229
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٢٢٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَصْبَحَ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا حَزِيناً فَقَدْ أَصْبَحَ لِقَضَاءِ اللهِ سَاخِطاً، وَمَنْ أَصْبَحَ يَشَكُو مُصِيبَةً نَزَلَتْ بِهِ فَقَدْ أَصْبَحَ يَشْكُو رَبَّهُ، وَمَنْ أَتى غَنِيَّاً فَتَوَاضَعَ لِغِنَاهُ ذَهَبَ ثُلُثَا دِينِهِ، وَمَنْ قَرَأَ الْقُرْآنَ فَمَاتَ فَدَخَلَ النَّارَ فَهُوَ مِمَّنْ كَانَ يَتَّخِذُ آيَاتِ اللهِ هُزُواً، وَمَنْ لَهِجَ قَلْبُهُ بِحُبِّ الدُّنْيَا الْتَاطَ قَلْبُهُ مِنْهَا بِثَلاَثٍ: هَمٍّ لَا يُغِبُّهُ، وَحِرْصٍ لَا يَتْرُكُه، وَأَمَلٍ لَا يُدْرِكُهُ.
228. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who is sorrowful for this world is in fact displeased with the dispensation of Allāh. He who complains of a calamity that befalls him complains of his Lord (Allāh). He who approaches a rich man and bends before him on account of his riches then two-third of his religion is gone. If a man reads the Qur’ān and on dying goes to Hell then it means that he was among those who treated Divine verses with mockery. If a man’s heart gets attached to the world, then it catches three things, namely worry that never leaves him, greed that does not abandon him and desire which he never fulfils.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 228
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٢٢٧. وَسُئِلَ عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ فَقَالَ الْإِيمَانُ مَعْرِفَةٌ بِالْقَلْبِ، وَإِقْرَارٌ بِاللِّسَانِ، وَعَمَلٌ بِالْأَرْكَانِ.
227. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was asked about belief (īmān) when he said: Belief means appreciation with the heart, acknowledgement with the tongue, and action with the limbs.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 227
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٢٢٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الطَّامِعُ فِي وِثَاقِ الذُّلِّ.
226. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The greedy is in the shackles of disgrace.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 226
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٢٢٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْعَجَبُ لِغَفْلَةِ الْحُسَّادِ عَنْ سَلاَمَةِ الْأَجْسَادِ.
225. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: It is strange that the jealous do not feel jealous about bodily health. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 224
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٢٢٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): بِكَثْرَةِ الصَّمْتِ تَكُونُ الْهَيْبَةُ وَبِالنَّصَفَةِ يَكْثُرُ الْمُوَاصِلُونَ وَبِالْإِفْضَالِ تَعْظُمُ الْأَقْدَارُ وَبِالتَّوَاضُعِ تَتِمُّ النِّعْمَةُ وَبِاحْتِمَالِ الْمُؤَنِ يَجِبُ السُّؤْدُدُ وَبِالسِّيرَةِ الْعَادِلَةِ يُقْهَرُ الْمُنَاوِئُ وَبِالْحِلْمِ عَنِ السَّفِيهِ تَكْثُرُ الْأَنْصَارُ عَلَيْهِ.
224. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Excess of silence produces awe; justice results in more close friends; generosity hightens position; with humility blessings abound in plenty; by facing hardships leadership is achieved; by just behaviour the adversary is overpowered; and with forbearance against a fool there is increase of one’s supporters against him.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 224
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٢٢٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ كَسَاهُ الْحَيَاءُ ثَوْبَهُ لَمْ يَرَ النَّاسُ عَيْبَهُ.
223. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whomever modesty clothes with its dress people cannot see his defects. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 223
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٢٢٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مِنْ أَشْرَفِ أَفْعَالِ الْكَرِيمِ غَفْلَتُهُ عَمَّا يَعْلَمُ.
222. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The highest act of a noble person is to ignore what he knows.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 222
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٢٢١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): بِئْسَ الزَّادُ إِلَى الْمَعَادِ الْعُدْوَانُ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ.
221. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The worst provision for the Day of Judgement is high-handedness over people.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 221
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٢٢٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَيْسَ مِنَ الْعَدْلِ الْقَضَاءُ عَلَى الثِّقَةِ بِالظَّنِّ.
220. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: There is no justice in passing a verdict by relying on probability.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 220
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٢١٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَكْثَرُ مَصَارِعِ الْعُقُولِ تَحْتَ بُرُوقِ الْمَطَامِعِ.
219. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Most of the deficiency of intelligence occurs due to the flash of greed. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 219
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٢١٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): حَسَدُ الصَّدِيقِ مِنْ سُقْمِ الْمَوَدَّةِ.
218. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Jealousy by a friend means defect in his love. 218. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Jealousy by a friend means defect in his love.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 218
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٢١٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): فِي تَقَلُّبِ الْأَحْوَالِ عِلْمُ جَوَاهِرِ الرِّجَالِ.
217. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Through change of circumstances the mettle of men is known.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 217
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٢١٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ نَالَ اسْتَطَالَ.
216. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who gives generously achieves position. (Or according to another interpretation): He who achieves position begins to make wrong use of it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 216
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٢١٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْخِلاَفُ يَهْدِمُ الرَّأْيَ.
215. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Opposition destroys good counsel.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 215
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٢١٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ لَانَ عُودُهُ كَثُفَتْ أَغْصَانُهُ.
214. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The tree whose trunk is soft has thick branches. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 214
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٢١٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَغْضِ عَلَى الْقَذَى وَالْأَلَمِ تَرْضَ أَبَداً.
213. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Ignore pain otherwise you will never be happy. [Or according to another reading): Ignore pain and grief; you will ever be happy.] [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 213
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٢١٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): عُجْبُ الْمَرْءِ بِنَفْسِهِ أَحَدُ حُسَّادِ عَقْلِهِ.
212. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: A man’s vanity for himself is one of the enemies of his intelligence. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 212
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٢١١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْجُودُ حَارِسُ الْأَعْرَاضِ وَالْحِلْمُ فِدَامُ السَّفِيهِ وَالْعَفْوُ زَكَاةُ الظَّفَرِ وَالسُّلُوُّ عِوَضُكَ مِمَّنْ غَدَرَ وَالِاسْتِشَارَةُ عَيْنُ الْهِدَايَةِ وَقَدْ خَاطَرَ مَنِ اسْتَغْنَى بِرَأْيِهِ وَالصَّبْرُ يُنَاضِلُ الْحِدْثَانَ وَالْجَزَعُ مِنْ أَعْوَانِ الزَّمَانِ وَأَشْرَفُ الْغِنَى تَرْكُ الْمُنَى وَكَمْ مِنْ عَقْلٍ أَسِيرٍ تَحْتَ هَوَى أَمِيرٍ وَمِنَ التَّوْفِيقِ حِفْظُ التَّجْرِبَةِ وَالْمَوَدَّةُ قَرَابَةٌ مُسْتَفَادَةٌ وَلَا تَأْمَنَنَّ مَلُولًا.
211. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Generosity is the protector of honour; forbearance is the bridle of the fool; forgiveness is the levy of success; disregard is the punishment of him who betrays; and consultation is the chief way of guidance. He who is content with his own opinion faces danger. Endurance braves calamities while impatience is a helper of the hardships of the world. The best contentment is to give up desires. Many a slavish mind is subservient to overpowering longings. Capability helps preservation of experience. Love means well-utilized relationship. Do not trust one who is grieved.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 211
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢١٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ تَقِيَّةَ مَنْ شَمَّرَ تَجْرِيداً وَجَدَّ تَشْمِيراً وَكَمَّشَ فِى مَهَلٍ وَبَادَرَ عَنْ وَجَلٍ وَنَظَرَ فِى كَرَّةِ الْمَوْئِلِ وَعَاقِبَةِ الْمَصْدَرِ وَمَغَبَّةِ الْمَرْجِعِ.
210. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Fear Allāh like the one who prepares himself after extracting himself (from worldly affairs) and after getting ready in this way makes effort; then he acts quickly during the period of this life, hastens in view of the dangers (of falling into error) and has his eye on proceeding towards the goal, on the end of his journey and on the place of his (eventual) return.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 210
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٢٠٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَتَعْطِفَنَّ الدُّنْيَا عَلَيْنَا بَعْدَ شِمَاسِهَا عَطْفَ الضَّرُوسِ عَلَى وَلَدِهَا. وَتَلَا عَقِيبَ ذَلِكَ: ﴿وَنُرِيدُ أَن نَّمُنَّ عَلَى الَّذِينَ اسْتُضْعِفُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ الْوَارِثِينَ﴾.
209. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him said: The world will bend towards us after having been refractory as the biting she-camel bends towards its young. Then Amīr al-mu’minīn recited the verse: And intend We to bestow (Our) favour upon those who were considered weak in the land, and to make them the Imams (guides in faith), and to make them the heirs. (Qur’ān, 28:5) [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 209
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٢٠٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ حَاسَبَ نَفْسَهُ رَبِحَ، وَمَنْ غَفَلَ عَنْهَا خَسِرَ، وَمَنْ خَافَ أَمِنَ، وَمَنِ اعْتَبَرَ أَبْصَرَ وَمَنْ أَبْصَرَ فَهِمَ وَمَنْ فَهِمَ عَلِمَ.
208. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever takes account of his self is benefited, and whoever remains neglectful of it suffers. Whoever fears remains safe; whoever takes instruction (from things around) perceives; and whoever perceives gains understanding, and whoever gains understanding secures knowledge.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 208
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٢٠٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ حَلِيماً فَتَحَلَّمْ، فَإِنَّهُ قَلَّ مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بَقَوْمٍ إِلَّا أَوْشَكَ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْهُمْ.
207. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If you cannot forbear, feign to do so because it is seldom that a man likens himself to a group and does not become as one of them. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 207
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٢٠٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَوَّلُ عِوَضِ الْحَلِيمِ مِنْ حِلْمِهِ أَنَّ النَّاسَ أَنْصَارُهُ عَلَى الْجَاهِلِ.
206. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The first reward the exerciser of forbearance gets is that people become his helpers against the ignorant.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 206
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٢٠٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كُلُّ وِعَاءٍ يَضِيقُ بِمَا جُعِلَ فِيهِ إِلَّا وِعَاءَ الْعِلْمِ، فَإِنَّهُ يَتَّسِعُ بِهِ.
205. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Every container gets narrower according to what is placed in it except the container of knowledge which expands instead.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 205
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٢٠٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يُزَهِّدَنَّكَ فِي الْمَعْرُوفِ مَنْ لَا يَشْكُرُهُ لَكَ، فَقَدْ يَشْكُرُكَ عَلَيْهِ مَنْ لَا يَسْتَمْتِعُ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْهُ، وَقَدْ تُدْرِكُ مِنْ شُكْرِ الشَّاكِرِ أَكْثَرَ مِمَّا أَضَاعَ الْكَافِرُ ﴿وَاللهُ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ﴾.
204. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If someone is not grateful to you, that should not prevent you from good actions, because (possibly) such a person will feel grateful about it who has not even drawn any benefit from it, and his gratefulness will be more than the ingratitude of the denier; And Allāh loves those who do good. (Qur’ān, 3:134,148; 5:93)
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 204
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٠٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، اتّقُوا اللهَ الَّذِي إِنْ قُلْتُمْ سمِعَ، وَإِنْ أَضْمَرْتُمْ عَلِمَ، وَبَادِرُوا الْمَوْتَ الَّذِي إِنْ هَرَبْتُمْ (مِنْهُ) أَدْرَكَكُمْ، وَإِنْ أَقَمْتُمْ أَخَذَكُمْ، وَإِنْ نَسِيتُمُوهُ ذَكَرَكُمْ.
203. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: O people, fear Allāh Who is such that when you speak He hears and when you conceal (a secret) He knows it. Prepare yourself to meet death which will overtake you even if you run away, catch you even if you stay and remember you even if you forget it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 203
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٢٠٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) وَقَدْ قَالَ لَهُ طَلْحَةُ وَالزُّبَيْرُ: نُبَايِعُكَ عَلَى أَنَّا شُرَكَاؤُكَ فِي هَذَا الْأَمْرِ: لَا، وَلكِنَّكُمَا شَرِيكَانِ فِي الْقُّوَّةَ وَالِاسْتِعَانَةِ، وَعَوْنَانِ عَلَى الْعَجْزِ وَالْأَوَدِ.
202. When Ṭalḥah and az-Zubayr said to him: We are prepared to swear allegiance to you on condition that we have a share with you in this matter (of caliphate), Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: No, but you will have a share in strengthening (the caliphate) and in affording assistance and you will both be helping me at the time of need and hardship.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 202
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٠١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ مَعَ كُلِّ إِنْسَانٍ مَلَكَيْنِ يَحْفَظَانِهِ، فَإِذَا جَاءَ الْقَدَرُ خَلَّيَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ، وَإِنَّ الْأَجَلَ جُنَّةٌ حَصِينَةٌ.
201. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: With every individual there are two angels who protect him; when destiny approaches they let it have its own way with him. Certainly, the appointed time is a protective shield (against the events which occur before it).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 201
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٢٠٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) وقد أُتي بِجَانٍ وَمَعَهُ غَوْغَاءُ: فَقَالَ : لَا مَرْحَباً بِوُجُوهٍ لَا تُرَى إِلَّا عِنْدَ كُلِّ سَوْأَةٍ .
200. An offender was brought before Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, and there was a crowd of people with the man, so Amīr al-mu’minīn remarked: Woe to the faces who are seen only on foul occasions.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 200
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٩٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) فِي صِفَةِ الْغَوْغَاءِ هُمُ الَّذِينَ إِذَا اجْتَمَعُوا غَلَبُوا، وَإِذَا تَفَرَّقُوا لَمْ يُعْرَفُوا. وَقِيلَ بَلْ قَالَ (عليه السلام): هُمُ الَّذِينَ إِذَا اجْتَمَعُوا ضَرُّوا، وَإِذَا تَفَرَّقُوا نَفَعُوا. فقيل: قَدْ عَرَفْنَا مَضَرَّةَ اجْتِمَاعِهِمْ، فَمَا مَنْفَعَةُ افْتِرَاقِهِمْ؟ فَقَالَ: يَرْجِعُ أَصْحَابُ الْمِهَنِ إِلَى مِهَنِهِمْ، فَيَنْتَفِعُ النَّاسُ بِهِمْ، كَرُجُوعِ الْبَنَّاءِ إِلَى بِنَائِهِ، وَالنَّسَّاجِ إِلَى مَنْسَجِهِ، وَالْخَبَّازِ إِلَى مَخْبَزِهِ.
199. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said about the crowd of people: These are the people who, when they assemble together, are overwhelming but when they disperse they cannot be recognized. It is related that instead of this Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: These are the people who when they assemble together cause harm but when they disperse are beneficial. It was pointed out to him: We know their harm at the time of their assembling but what is their benefit at the time of their dispersal? Then he replied: The workers return to their work and people get benefit out of them, like the return of the mason to the building site, that of the weaver to his loom, and that of the baker to his bakery.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 199
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١٩٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) لَمَّا سَمِعَ قَوْلَ الْخَوَارِجِ ـ لَا حُكْمَ إِلَّا لِلهِ ـ : كَلِمَةُ حَقٍّ يُرَادُ بِهَا بَاطِلٌ.
198. When Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, heard the slogan of the Khārijites: There is no verdict save of Allāh, he said: This sentence is true but it is interpreted wrongly.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 198
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١٩٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ هذِهِ الْقُلُوبَ تَمَلُّ كَمَا تَمَلُّ الْأَبْدَانُ، فَابْتَغُوا لَهَا طَرَائِفَ الْحِكْمَةِ.
197. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The hearts become tired as the bodies become tired. You should therefore search for beautiful sayings for them (to enjoy by way of refreshment).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 197
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١٩٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَمْ يَذْهَبْ مِنْ مَالِكَ مَا وَعَظَكَ.
196. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The wealth that teaches you lesson does not go waste. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 196
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١٩٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) وَقَدْ مَرَّ بِقَذَرٍ عَلَى مَزْبَلَةٍ: هَذَا مَا بَخِلَ بِهِ الْبَاخِلُونَ. وَرُوِيَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: هَذَا مَا كُنْتُمْ تَتَنَافَسُونَ فِيهِ بِالْأَمْسِ!
195. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, passed beside a dump of rubbish full of filth and remarked: This is what the misers used to be niggardly about. In another tradition it is related that he said: This is what you used to dispute with each other about until yesterday!
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 195
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١٩٤. وكان (عليه السلام) يقول: مَتَى أَشْفِي غَيْظِي إِذَا غَضِبْتُ؟ أَحِينَ أَعْجِزُ عَنِ الِانْتِقَامِ فَيُقَالُ لِي: لَوْ صَبَرْتَ؟ أَمْ حِينَ أَقْدِرُ عَلَيْهِ فَيُقَالُ لي: لَوْ عَفَوْتَ.
194. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, used to say: If I am angry when shall I vent my anger - when I am unable to take revenge and it be said to me, “better you endure” or when I have power to take revenge and it be said to me, “better forgive”?
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 194
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١٩٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ لِلْقُلُوبِ شَهْوَةً وَإِقْبَالًا وَإِدْبَاراً، فَأْتُوهَا مِنْ قِبَلِ شَهْوَتِهَا وَإِقْبَالِهَا، فَإِنَّ الْقَلْبَ إِذَا أُكْرِهَ عَمِيَ.
193. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Hearts are imbued with passion and the power of advancing and retreating. Therefore, approach them for action at the time of their passionateness and when they are in a mood for advancing, because if hearts are forced (to do a thing) they will be blinded.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 193
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١٩٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ مَا كَسَبْتَ فَوْقَ قُوتِكَ، فَأَنْتَ فِيهِ خَازِنٌ لِغَيْرِكَ.
192. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: O son of Adam, whatever you earn beyond your basic needs you are only a treasurer of it for others.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 192
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١٩١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّمَا الْمَرْءُ فِى الدُّنْيَا غَرَضٌ تَنْتَضِلُ فِيهِ الْمَنَايَا وَنَهْبٌ تُبَادِرُهُ الْمَصَائِبُ وَمَعَ كُلِّ جُرْعَةٍ شَرَقٌ وَفِى كُلِّ أَكْلَةٍ غَصَصٌ وَلَا يَنَالُ الْعَبْدُ نِعْمَةً إِلَّا بِفِرَاقِ أُخْرَى وَلَا يَسْتَقْبِلُ يَوْماً مِنْ عُمُرِهِ إِلَّا بِفِرَاقِ آخَرَ مِنْ أَجَلِهِ فَنَحْنُ أَعْوَانُ الْمَنُونِ وَأَنْفُسُنَا نَصْبُ الْحُتُوفِ فَمِنْ أَيْنَ نَرْجُو الْبَقَاءَ وَهَذَا اللَّيْلُ وَالنَّهَارُ لَمْ يَرْفَعَا مِنْ شَيْءٍ شَرَفاً إِلَّا أَسْرَعَا الْكَرَّةَ فِى هَدْمِ مَا بَنَيَا وَ تَفْرِيقِ مَا جَمَعَا.
191. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: In this world man is the target towards which the arrows of death fly, and is like that wealth whose destruction is quickened by hard ships. (In this world) with every drink there is suffocation and with every morsel there is choking. Here no one gets anything unless he loses something else, and not a day of his age advances till a day passes out from his life. Thus, we are helpers of death and our lives are the targets of mortality. How then can we expect everlasting life since the night and day do not raise anything high without quickly arranging for the destruction of whatever they have built and for the splitting asunder of whatever they have joined together.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 191
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٩٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): وَاعَجَبَاهُ! أَتَكُونُ الْخِلاَفَةَ بِالصَّحَابَةِ وَلاَتَكُونُ بِالصَّحَابةِ وَالْقَرَابَةِ؟ قال السيد الرضى: و روي له شعر في هذا المعنى، وهو: فَإِنْ كُنْتَ بِالشُّورَى مَلَكْتَ أُمُورَهُمْ * فَكَيْفَ بِهذَا وَالْمُشِيرُونَ غُيَّبُ وَإِنْ كنْتَ بِالْقُرْبَى حَجَجْتَ خَصِيمَهُمْ * فَغَيْرُكَ أَوْلَى بِالنَّبِيِّ وَأَقْرَبُ
190. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: How strange? Could the caliphate be through the (Prophet’s) companionship but not through (his) companionship and (his) kinship? As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: Verses have also been related from Amīr al-mu’minīn on the same matter. They are:- If you claim to have secured authority by consultation, how did it happen when those to be consulted were absent! If you have scored over your opponents by kinship then someone else has greater right for being nearer to the Holy Prophet. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 190
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١٨٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ لَمْ يُنْجِهِ الصَّبْرُ أَهْلَكَهُ الْجَزَعُ.
189. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If patience does not give relief to a man impatience kills him.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 189
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١٨٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَبْدى صَفْحَتَهُ لِلْحَقِّ هَلَكَ.
188. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever turned away from right was ruined.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 188
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١٨٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الرَّحِيلُ وَشِيكٌ.
187. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The departure (from this world) is imminent.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 187
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١٨٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لِلظَّالِمِ الْبَادِي غَداً بِكَفِّهِ عَضَّةٌ.
186. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who takes the lead in oppression has to bite his hand (in repentance) tomorrow.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 186
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٨٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَا كَذَبْتُ وَلَا كُذِّبْتُ، وَلَا ضَلَلْتُ وَلَا ضُلَّ بِي.
185. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: I have neither spoken a lie nor have I been told a lie. I have neither deviated nor have I been made to deviate (others).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 185
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٨٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَا شَكَكْتُ فِي الْحَقِّ مُذْ أُرِيتُهُ.
184. Amir al-mu'minin, peace be upon him, said: I have never entertained doubt about right since I was shown it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 184
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١٨٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَا اخْتَلَفَتْ دَعْوَتَانِ إِلَّا كَانَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا ضَلاَلَةً.
183. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If there are two different calls then one (of them) must be towards misguidance.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 183
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١٨٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا خَيْرَ فِي الصَّمْتِ عَنِ الْحُكْمِ، كَمَا أَنَّهُ لَا خَيْرَ فِي الْقوْلِ بِالْجَهْلِ.
182. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: There is no advantage ill keeping quiet about an issue of wisdom, just as there is no good in speaking out an unintelligent thing.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 182
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٨١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): ثَمَرَةُ التَّفْرِيطِ النَّدَامَةُ، وَثَمَرَةُ الْحَزْمِ السَّلاَمَةُ.
181. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The result of neglect is shame, while the result of far-sightedness is safety.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 181
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١٨٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الطَّمَعُ رِقٌّ مُؤَبَّدٌ.
180. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him said: Greed is a lasting slavery.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 180
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١٧٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): اللَّجَاجَةُ تَسُلُّ الرَّأْيَ.
179. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Stubbornness destroys (good) advice.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 179
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١٧٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): احْصُدِ الشَّرَّ مِنْ صَدْرِ غَيْرِكَ بِقَلْعِهِ مِنْ صَدْرِكَ.
178. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Cut away evil from the chest of others by snatching (it) away from your own chest. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 178
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١٧٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): ازْجُرِ الْمُسِيءَ بِثوَابِ الْـمُحْسِنِ.
177. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Rebuke the evil-doer by rewarding the good-doer. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 177
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١٧٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): آلَةُ الرِّيَاسَةِ سَعَةُ الصَّدْرِ
176. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The means to secure high authority is breadth of chest (i.e., generosity).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 176
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٧٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا هِبْتَ أَمْراًفَقَعْ فِيهِ، فَإِنَّ شِدَّةَ تَوَقِّيهِأَعْظَمُ مِمَّا تَخَافُ مِنْهُ.
175. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: When you are afraid of something dive straight into it, because the intensity of abstaining from it is greater (worse) than what you are afraid of.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 175
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٧٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَن أَحَدَّ سِنَانَ الْغَضَبِ لله قَوِيَ عَلَى قَتْلِ أَشِدَّاءِ الْبَاطِلِ.
174. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who sharpens the teeth of anger for the sake of Allāh acquires the strength to kill the stalwarts of wrong. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 174
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٧٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنِ اسْتَقْبَلَ وُجُوهَ الْآرَاءِ عَرَفَ مَوَاقِعَ الْخَطَاَ.
173. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who has several opinions understands the pitfalls.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 173
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١٧٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): النَّاسُ أَعْدَاءُ مَا جَهِلُوا.
172. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: People are enemies of what they do not know. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 172
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١٧١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كَمْ مِنْ أَكْلَةٍ مَنَعَتْ أَكَلاَتٍ.
171. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Many a single eating prevents several eatings. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 171
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١٧٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): تَرْكُ الذَّنْبِ أَهْوَنُ مِنْ طَلَبِ التَّوْبَةِ.
170. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Abstention from sin is easier than seeking forgiveness afterwards. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 170
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٦٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): قَدْ أَضَاءَ الصُّبْحُ لِذِي عَيْنَيْنِ.
169. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: For the man who has eyes the dawn has already appeared.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 169
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٦٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْأَمْرُ قَرِيبٌ وَالِْاصْطِحَابُ قَلِيلٌ.
168. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The Day of Judgement is near and our mutual company is short.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 168
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٦٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْإِعْجَابُ يَمْنَعُ الِازْدِيَادَ.
167. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Vanity prevents progress. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 167
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٦٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يُعَابُ الْمَرْءُ بِتَأْخِيرِ حَقِّهِ، إِنَّمَا يُعَابُ مَنْ أَخَذَ مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ.
166. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: No person is to be blamed for delay in (securing) his own right but blame lies on him who takes what he is not entitled to.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 166
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١٦٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا طَاعَةَ لِمخْلُوقٍ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ الْخَالِقِ.
165. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: There should be no obeying anyone against Allāh’s commands.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 165
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١٦٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ قَضَى حَقَّ مَنْ لَا يَقْضِي حَقَّهُ فَقَدْ عَبَدَهُ.
164. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who fulfils the right of a man who does not fulfil his right, (is as though he) worships him.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 164
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٦٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْفَقْرُ الْمَوْتُ الْأَكْبَرُ.
163. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Destitution is the greatest death.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 163
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٦٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ كَتَمَ سِرَّهُ كَانَتِ الْخِيرَةُ بِيَدِهِ.
162. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who guards his secrets retains control in his own hands.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 162
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١٦١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنِ اسْتَبَدَّ بِرَأْيِهِ هَلَكَ، وَمَنْ شَاوَرَ الرِّجَالَ شَارَكَهَا فِي عُقُولِهَا.
161. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who acts solely according to his own opinion gets ruined, and he who consults other people shares in their understanding.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 161
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١٦٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ مَلَكَ اسْتَأْثَرَ.
160. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever obtains authority (usually) adopts partiality.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 160
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١٥٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ وَضَعَ نَفْسَهُ مَوَاضِعَ التُّهَمَةِ فَلاَ يَلُومَنَّ مَنْ أَسَاءَ بِهِ الظَّنَّ.
159. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who puts himself in conditions of ill-repute should not blame those who entertain bad ideas about him.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 159
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١٥٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): عَاتِبْ أَخَاكَ بِالْإِحْسَانِ إِلَيْهِ، وَارْدُدْ شَرَّهُ بِالْإِنْعَامِ عَلَيْهِ.
158. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Admonish your brother (comrade) by good behaviour towards him, and ward off his evil by favouring him. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 158
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): قَدْ بُصّرْتُمْ إِنْ أَبْصَرْتُمْ وَقَدْ هُدِيتُمْ إِنِ اهْتَدَيْتُمْ، وأُسْمِعْتُمْ إِنِ اسْتَمَعْتُمْ.
157. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Surely, you have been made to see if (only) you care to see; surely, you have been guided if (only) you care to take guidance; and surely, you have been made to hear if (only) you care to lend your ears.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 157
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): عَلَيْكُمْ بِطَاعَةِ مَنْ لَا تُعْذَرُونَ بِجَهَالَتِهِ.
156. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: On you lies (the obligation of) obedience to the person about whom you cannot plead the excuse of ignorance. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 156
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): اعْتَصِمُوا بِالذِّمَمِ فِي أَوْتَادِهَا.
155. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Adhere to contracts and entrust their fulfilment to steadfast persons.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 155
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الرَّاضِي بِفِعْلِ قَوْمٍ كَالدَّاخِلِ فِيهِ مَعَهُمْ، وَعَلَى كُلِّ دَاخِلٍ فِي بَاطِلٍ إِثْمَانِ: إِثْمُ الْعَمَلِ بِهِ، وَإِثْمُ الرِّضَى بِهِ.
154. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who agrees with the action of a group of persons is as though he joins them in that action. And every one who joins in wrong commits two sins; one sin for committing the wrong and the other for agreeing with it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 154
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يَعْدَمُ الصَّبُورُ الظَّفَرَ وَإِنْ طَالَ بِهِ الزَّمَانُ.
153. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The endurer does not miss success although it may take a long time.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 153
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لِكُلِّ مُقْبِلٍ إِدْبَارٌ، وَمَا أَدْبَرَ كَأَنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ.
152. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Every comer has to return and after returning it is as though he never existed.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 152
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ عَاقِبَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ أَوْ مُرَّةٌ.
151. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Every human being has to meet the end, sweet or bitter.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 151
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) لِرَجُلٍ سَأَلَهُ أَنْ يَعِظَهُ: لَا تَكُنْ مِمَّنْ يَرْجُو الْآخِرَةَ بِغَيْرِ عَمَلٍ وَيُرَجِّي التَّوْبَةَ بِطُولِ الْأَمَلِ يَقُولُ فِي الدُّنْيَا بِقَوْلِ الزَّاهِدِينَ وَيَعْمَلُ فِيهَا بِعَمَلِ الرَّاغِبِينَ إِنْ أُعْطِيَ مِنْهَا لَمْ يَشْبَعْ وَإِنْ مُنِعَ مِنْهَا لَمْ يَقْنَعْ يَعْجِزُ عَنْ شُكْرِ مَا أُوتِيَ وَيَبْتَغِي الزِّيَادَةَ فِيمَا بَقِيَ يَنْهَى وَلَا يَنْتَهِي وَيَأْمُرُ بِمَا لَا يَأْتِي يُحِبُّ الصَّالِحِينَ وَلَا يَعْمَلُ عَمَلَهُمْ وَيُبْغِضُ الْمُذْنِبِينَ وَهُوَ أَحَدُهُمْ يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ لِكَثْرَةِ ذُنُوبِهِ وَيُقِيمُ عَلَى مَا يَكْرَهُ الْمَوْتَ مِنْ أَجْلِهِ. إِنْ سَقِمَ ظَلَّ نَادِماً وَإِنْ صَحَّ أَمِنَ، لَاهِياً يُعْجَبُ بِنَفْسِهِ إِذَا عُوفِيَ وَيَقْنَطُ إِذَا ابْتُلِيَ، إِنْ أَصَابَهُ بَلَاءٌ دَعَا مُضْطَرّاً وَإِنْ نَالَهُ رَخَاءٌ أَعْرَضَ مُغْتَرّاً، تَغْلِبُهُ نَفْسُهُ عَلَى مَا يَظُنُّ وَلَا يَغْلِبُهَا عَلَى مَا يَسْتَيْقِنُ، يَخَافُ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ بِأَدْنَى مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ وَيَرْجُو لِنَفْسِهِ بِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ عَمَلِهِ، إِنِ اسْتَغْنَى بَطِرَ وَفُتِنَ وَإِنِ افْتَقَرَ قَنِطَ وَوَهَنَ، يُقَصِّرُ إِذَا عَمِلَ وَيُبَالِغُ إِذَا سَأَلَ، إِنْ عَرَضَتْ لَهُ شَهْوَةٌ أَسْلَفَ الْمَعْصِيَةَ وَسَوَّفَ التَّوْبَةَ وَإِنْ عَرَتْهُ مِحْنَةٌ انْفَرَجَ عَنْ شَرَائِطِ الْمِلَّةِ، يَصِفُ الْعِبْرَةَ وَلَا يَعْتَبِرُ وَيُبَالِغُ فِى الْمَوْعِظَةِ وَلَا يَتَّعِظُ، فَهُوَ بِالْقَوْلِ مُدِلٌّ وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مُقِلٌّ يُنَافِسُ فِيمَا يَفْنَى وَيُسَامِحُ فِيمَا يَبْقَى يَرَى الْغُنْمَ مَغْرَماً وَالْغُرْمَ مَغْنَماً، يَخْشَى الْمَوْتَ وَلَا يُبَادِرُ الْفَوْتَ. يَسْتَعْظِمُ مِنْ مَعْصِيَةِ غَيْرِهِ مَا يَسْتَقِلُّ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ، وَيَسْتَكْثِرُ مِنْ طَاعَتِهِ مَا يَحْقِرُهُ مِنْ طَاعَةِ غَيْرِهِ، فَهُوَ عَلَى النَّاسِ طَاعِنٌ وَلِنَفْسِهِ مُدَاهِنٌ، اللَّهْوُ مَعَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنَ الذِّكْرِ مَعَ الْفُقَرَاءِ، يَحْكُمُ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ لِنَفْسِهِ وَلَا يَحْكُمُ عَلَيْهَا لِغَيْرِهِ يُرْشِدُ غَيْرَهُ وَيُغْوِى نَفْسَهُ، فَهُوَ يُطَاعُ وَيَعْصِى وَيَسْتَوْفِى وَلَا يُوفِى، وَيَخْشَى الْخَلْقَ فِى غَيْرِ رَبِّهِ وَلَا يَخْشَى رَبَّه فِى خَلْقِهِ. قال السيد الرضى: و لو لم يكن فى هذا الكتاب إلا هذا الكلام لكفى به موعظة ناجعة و حكمة بالغة و بصيرة لمبصر و عبرة لناظر مفكر.
150. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said to a man who had requested him to preach: Do not be like him who hopes for (bliss in) the next life without action, and delays repentance by lengthening desires, who utters words like ascetics in this world but acts like those who are eager for it; if he is allowed something from it he does not feel satisfied; if he is denied he is not content; he is not grateful for what he gets and covets for increase in whatever remains with him; he refrains others but not himself; he commands others for what he himself does not do; he loves the virtuous but does not behave like them; he hates the vicious but himself is one of them; he dislikes death because of the excess of his sins but adheres to that for which he is afraid of death. If he falls ill he is remorseful; if he is healthy he feels secure and indulges in amusements; when he recovers from illness he feels vain about himself; when he is afflicted he loses hope; if distress befalls him he prays like a bewildered man; when he finds ease of life he falls into deceit and turns his face away; his heart overpowers him by means of imaginary things while he cannot control his heart by his conviction; for others he is afraid of small sins, but for himself he expects more reward than his performance; if he becomes wealthy he becomes self-conceited and falls into vice; if he becomes poor he despairs and becomes weak; he falls short when doing a good thing but goes too far when he is begging; when passion overtakes him he is quick in committing sin but delays repentance; if hardship befalls him he goes beyond the cannons of the (Islamic) community; he describes instructive events but does not take instruction himself; he preaches at length but does not accept any preaching for himself; he is tall in speaking but short in action; he aspires for things that will perish and ignores things that will last for good; he regards profit as loss and loss as profit; he fears death but does nothing in its anticipation. He regards the sins of others as big but considers the same things for himself as small; if he does something in obedience to Allāh he considers it much but if others do the same he considers it small; he therefore rebukes others but flatters himself; entertainment in the company of the wealthy is dearer to him than remembrance (of Allāh) with the poor; he passes verdicts against others for his own interests and does not do so against himself for others’ interests; he guides others but misguides himself; he is obeyed by others but he himself disobeys (Allāh); he seeks fulfilment (of obligations towards himself) but does not fulfil his obligations (towards others); he fears the people (and acts) for other than his Lord (Allāh) and does not fear his Lord in his dealings with the people. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: If this book had contained nothing save this short utterance it would have sufficed as a successful piece of preaching, a specimen of high philosophy, an object of wisdom for the onlooker and a source of instruction for the meditative watcher.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 150
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): هَلَكَ امْرُؤُ لَمْ يَعْرِفْ قَدْرَهُ.
149. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who does not know his own worth is ruined.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 149
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْمَرْءُ مَخْبُوءٌ تَحْتَ لِسَانِهِ.
148. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Man is hidden under his tongue. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 148
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٧. وَمِنْ كَلَامٍ لَهُ (عليه السلام) لِكُمَيْلِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ النَّخَعِيِّ قَالَ كُمَيْلُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ: أَخَذَ بِيَدِي أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ (عليه السلام)، فَأَخْرَجَنِي إِلَى الْجَبَّانِ فَلَمَّا أَصْحَرَ تَنَفَّسَ الصُّعَدَاءَ ثُمَّ قَالَ: يَا كُمَيْل بْن زِيَادٍ، إِنَّ هذهِ الْقُلُوبَ أَوْعِيَةٌ فَخَيْرُهَا أَوْعَاهَا فَاحْفَظْ عَنِّي مَا أَقُولُ لَكَ: النَّاسُ ثَلاَثَةٌ: فَعَالِمٌ رَبَّانِيٌّ وَمُتَعَلِّمٌ عَلَى سَبِيلِ نَجَاةٍ، وَهَمَجٌ رَعَاعٌ أَتْبَاعُ كُلِّ نَاعِقٍ يَمِيلُونَ مَعَ كُلِّ رِيحٍ، لَمْ يَسْتَضِيئُوا بِنُورِ الْعِلْمِ، وَلَمْ يَلْجَؤُوا إِلَى رُكْنٍ وَثِيقٍ. يَا كُمَيْلُ، الْعِلْمُ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْمَالِ: الْعِلْمُ يَحْرُسُكَ وَأَنْتَ تَحْرُسُ المَالَ، وَالْمَالُ تَنْقُصُهُ النَّفَقَةُ، وَالْعِلْمُ يَزْكُوعَلَى الْإِنْفَاقِ، وَصَنِيعُ الْمَالِ يَزُولُ بِزَوَالِهِ. يَا كُمَيْلَ بْنَ زِيَادٍ مَعْرِفَةُ الْعِلْمِ دِينٌ يُدَانُ بِهِ بِهِ يَكْسِبُ الْإِنْسَانُ الطَّاعَةَ فِى حَيَاتِهِ وَجَمِيلَ الْأُحْدُوثَةِ بَعْدَ وَفَاتِهِ وَ الْعِلْمُ حَاكِمٌ وَالْمَالُ مَحْكُومٌ عَلَيْهِ. يَا كُمَيْلُ هَلَكَ خُزَّانُ الْأَمْوَالِ وَهُمْ أَحْيَاءٌ وَ الْعُلَمَاءُ بَاقُونَ مَا بَقِيَ الدَّهْرُ أَعْيَانُهُمْ مَفْقُودَةٌ وَأَمْثَالُهُمْ فِى الْقُلُوبِ مَوْجُودَةٌ هَا إِنَّ هَاهُنَا لَعِلْماً جَمّاً وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ إِلَى صَدْرِهِ لَوْ أَصَبْتُ لَهُ حَمَلَةً بَلَى أَصَبْتُ لَقِناً غَيْرَ مَأْمُونٍ عَلَيْهِ مُسْتَعْمِلًا آلَةَ الدِّينِ لِلدُّنْيَا وَمُسْتَظْهِراً بِنِعَمِ اللَّهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ وَبِحُجَجِهِ عَلَى أَوْلِيَائِهِ أَوْ مُنْقَاداً لِحَمَلَةِ الْحَقِّ لَا بَصِيرَةَ لَهُ فِى أَحْنَائِهِ يَنْقَدِحُ الشَّكُّ فِى قَلْبِهِ لِأَوَّلِ عَارِضٍ مِنْ شُبْهَةٍ. أَلَا لَا ذَا وَلَا ذَاكَ أَوْ مَنْهُوماً بِاللَّذَّةِ سَلِسَ الْقِيَادِ لِلشَّهْوَةِ أَوْ مُغْرَماً بِالْجَمْعِ وَالِادِّخَارِ لَيْسَا مِنْ رُعَاةِ الدِّينِ فِى شَيْءٍ أَقْرَبُ شَيْءٍ شَبَهاً بِهِمَا الْأَنْعَامُ السَّائِمَةُ كَذَلِكَ يَمُوتُ الْعِلْمُ بِمَوْتِ حَامِلِيهِ. اللَّهُمَّ بَلَى! لَا تَخْلُو الْأَرْضُ مِنْ قَائِمٍ لله بِحُجَّةٍ، إِمَّا ظَاهِراً مَشْهُوراً، وَإِمَّا خَائِفاً مَغْمُوراً لِئَلاَّ تَبْطُلَ حُجَجُ اللهِ وَبَيِّنَاتُهُ. وَكَمْ ذَا وَأَيْنَ أُولئِكَ؟ أُولئِكَ ـ وَاللَّهِ ـ الْأَقَلُّونَ عَدَداً، وَالْأَعْظَمُونَ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ قَدْراً، يَحْفَظُ اللهُ بِهِمْ حُجَجَهُ وَبَيِّنَاتِهِ، حَتَّى يُودِعُوهَا نُظَرَاءَهُمْ، وَيَزْرَعُوهَا فِي قُلُوبِ أَشْبَاهِهِمْ، هَجَمَ بِهِمُ الْعِلْمُ عَلَى حَقِيقَةِ الْبَصِيرَةِ، وَبَاشَرُوا رُوحَ الْيَقِينِ، وَاسْتَلاَنُوامَا اسْتَوْعَرَهُ الْمُتْرَفُونَ وَأَنِسُوا بِمَا اسْتَوْحَشَ مِنْهُ الْجَاهِلُونَ، وَصَحِبُوا الدُّنْيَا بِأَبْدَانٍ أَرْوَاحُهَا مُعَلَّقَةٌ بِالْـمَحَلِّ الْأَعْلَى، أُولئِكَ خُلَفَاءُ اللهِ فِي أَرْضِهِ، وَالدُّعَاةُ إِلَى دِينِهِ، آهِ آهِ شَوْقاً إِلَى رُؤْيَتِهِمْ! انْصَرِفْ (يَا كُمَيْلُ) إِذَا شِئْتَ.
147. Amīr al-mu’minīn’s Conversation with Kumayl Ibn Ziyād an-Nakha‘ī [1] Kumayl ibn Ziyād has related: Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, caught hold of my hand and took me to the graveyard. When he had passed through the graveyard and left the city behind, he breathed a deep sigh and said: O Kumayl, these hearts are containers. The best of them is that which preserves (its contents). So, preserve what I say to you: People are of three types: One is the scholar and divine; then the seeker of knowledge who is also on the way to deliverance. Then (lastly) the common rot who run after every caller and bend in the direction of every wind. They seek no light from the effulgence of knowledge and do not take protection of any reliable support. O Kumayl, knowledge is better than wealth. Knowledge guards you, while you have to guard the wealth. Wealth decreases by spending, while knowledge multiplies by spending, and the results of wealth die as wealth decays. O Kumayl, knowledge is belief which is acted upon. With it man acquires obedience during his life and a good name after his death. Knowledge is the ruler while wealth is ruled upon. O Kumayl, those who amass wealth are dead even though they may be living while those endowed with knowledge will remain as long as the world lives. Their bodies are not available but their figures exist in the hearts. Look, here is a heap of knowledge (and Amīr al-mu’minīn pointed to his bosom). I wish I could get someone to bear it. Yes, I did find (such a one); but either he was one who could not be relied upon. He would exploit the religion for worldly gains, and by virtue of Allāh’s favours on him he would domineer over the people and through Allāh’s pleas he would lord over His devotees. Or he was one who was obedient to the hearers of truth but there was no intelligence in his bosom. At the first appearance of doubt he would entertain misgivings in his heart. So, neither this nor that was good enough. Either the man is eager for pleasures, easily led away by passions, or is covetous for collecting and hoarding wealth. Neither of them has any regard for religion in any matter. The nearest example of these is the loose cattle. This is the way that knowledge dies away with the death of its bearers. O My Allāh! Yes; but the earth is never devoid of those who maintain Allāh’s plea either openly and reputedly or, being afraid, as hidden in order that Allāh’s pleas and proofs should not be rebutted. How many are they and where are they? By Allāh, they are few in number, but they are great in esteem before Allāh. Through them Allāh guards His pleas and proofs till they entrust them to others like themselves and sow the seeds thereof in the hearts of those who are similar to them. Knowledge has led them to real understanding and so they have associated themselves with the spirit of conviction. They take easy what the easygoing regard as hard. They endear what the ignorant take as strange. They live in this world with their bodies here but their spirits resting in the high above. They are the vicegerents of Allah on His earth and callers to His religion. Oh, oh, how I yearn to see them! Go away now, O Kumayl, wherever you wish!
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 147
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): سُوسُواإِيمَانَكُمْ بِالصَّدَقَةِ، وَحَصِّنُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بِالزَّكَاةِ، وَادْفَعُوا أَمْواجَ الْبَلاَءِ بِالدُّعَاءِ.
146. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Protect your belief by charity; guard your wealth by paying Allāh’s share; and ward off the waves of calamity by praying.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 146
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كَمْ مِنْ صَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ إِلَّا (الْجُوعُ وَ)الظَّمَأُ، وَكَمْ مِنْ قَائِمٍ لَيْسَ لَهُ مِنْ قِيَامِهِ إِلَّا السَّهَرُ وَالْعَنَاءُ، حَبَّذَا نَوْمُ الْأَكْيَاسِ وَإِفْطَارُهُمْ.
145. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: There is many a person who fasts whose fast is nothing but just hunger and thirst, and many an offerer of prayers whose prayer is no better than wakefulness and hardship. The sleep as well as the eating and drinking of the intelligent (God-knowing) person is far better.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 145
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): يَنْزِلُ الصَّبْرُ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْمُصِيبَةِ، وَمَنْ ضَرَبَ يَدَهُ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ عِنْدَ مُصِيبَتِهِ حَبِطَ أجْرُهُ.
144. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Endurance comes according to the affliction. He who beats his hand on the thigh in his affliction ruins all his good actions.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 144
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْهَمُّ نِصْفُ الْهَرَم.
143. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Grief is half of old age.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 143
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْتَّوَدُّدُ نِصْفُ الْعَقْل.
142. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Loving one another is half of wisdom
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 142
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): قِلَّةُ الْعِيَالِ أَحَدُ الْيَسَارَيْنِ.
141. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: A small family is one of the ways of (securing) ease.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 141
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
محمد بن الحنفية يقول: حدثني أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يوم القيامة آخذ بحجزة الله، ونحن آخذون بحجزة نبينا، و شيعتنا آخذون بحجزتنا، قلت: يا أمير المؤمنين وما الحجزة؟ قال: الله أعظم من أن يوصف بالحجزة أو غير ذلك، ولكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم آخذ بأمر الله، ونحن آل محمد آخذون بأمر نبينا وشيعتنا آخذون بأمرنا.
Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah say The Command of the Faithful (AS) related to me: “The Messenger of Allah (SA) will take hold of Allah’s Waistband [hujzah]. We will take hold of the Prophet’s Waistband, and our Shi`ites will take hold of our Waistband.” I asked, “O Commander of the Faithful, what is the Waistband.” He answered, “Allah is greater than being characterized with a waistband or other than that. However, the Messenger of Allah (SA) will take hold of Allah’s Affair [amr]. We will take hold of the Prophet’s Affair, and our followers [Shi`ah] will take hold of Our Affair.”
Ref: Al-Tawḥīd, The Meaning of the Waistband, Hadith #1
Posted By: Mazhar Ali
محمد بن الحنفية يقول: حدثني أمير المؤمنين عليه السلام أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم يوم القيامة آخذ بحجزة الله، ونحن آخذون بحجزة نبينا، و شيعتنا آخذون بحجزتنا، قلت: يا أمير المؤمنين وما الحجزة؟ قال: الله أعظم من أن يوصف بالحجزة أو غير ذلك، ولكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم آخذ بأمر الله، ونحن آل محمد آخذون بأمر نبينا وشيعتنا آخذون بأمرنا.
Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah say The Command of the Faithful (AS) related to me: “The Messenger of Allah (SA) will take hold of Allah’s Waistband [hujzah]. We will take hold of the Prophet’s Waistband, and our Shi`ites will take hold of our Waistband.” I asked, “O Commander of the Faithful, what is the Waistband.” He answered, “Allah is greater than being characterized with a waistband or other than that. However, the Messenger of Allah (SA) will take hold of Allah’s Affair [amr]. We will take hold of the Prophet’s Affair, and our followers [Shi`ah] will take hold of Our Affair.”
Ref: Al-Tawḥīd, The Meaning of the Waistband, Hadith #1
Posted By: Mazhar Ali
١٤٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَا عَالَ مَنِ اقْتَصَدَ.
140. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who is moderate does not become destitute.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 140
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): تَنْزِلُ الْمَعُونَةُ عَلَى قَدْرِ الْمَئُونَةِ.
139. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Assistance is allowed according to need.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 139
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَيْقَنَ بِالْخَلَفِ جَادَ بِالْعَطِيَّةِ.
138. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who is sure of a good return is generous in giving.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 138
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): اسْتَنْزِلُوا الرِّزْقَ بِالصَّدَقَةِ.
137. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Seek livelihood by giving alms.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 137
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الصَّلَاةُ قُرْبَانُ كُلِّ تَقِيٍّ وَالْحَجُّ جِهَادُ كُلِّ ضَعِيفٍ وَلِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ زَكَاةٌ وَ زَكَاةُ الْبَدَنِ الصِّيَامُ وَجِهَادُ الْمَرْأَةِ حُسْنُ التَّبَعُّلِ.
136. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: For the God-fearing prayers is a means of seeking nearness to Allāh; and for the weak the ḥajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) is as good as jihād (fighting in the way of Allāh). For every thing there is a levy; and the levy of the body is fasting. The jihād of a woman is to afford pleasant company to her husband.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 136
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أُعْطِيَ أَرْبَعاً لَمْ يُحْرَمْ أَرْبَعاً مَنْ أُعْطِيَ الدُّعَاءَ لَمْ يُحْرَمِ الْإِجَابَةَ وَمَنْ أُعْطِيَ التَّوْبَةَ لَمْ يُحْرَمِ الْقَبُولَ وَمَنْ أُعْطِيَ الِاسْتِغْفَارَ لَمْ يُحْرَمِ الْمَغْفِرَةَ وَمَنْ أُعْطِيَ الشُّكْرَ لَمْ يُحْرَمِ الزِّيَادَةَ. قال السيد الرضى: و تصديق ذلك كتاب الله قال الله فى الدعاء ﴿ادْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ﴾ وقال فى الاستغفار ﴿وَمَن يَعْمَلْ سُوءًا أَوْ يَظْلِمْ نَفْسَهُ ثُمَّ يَسْتَغْفِرِ اللهَ يَجِدِ اللهَ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا﴾ وقال فى الشكر ﴿لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ﴾ وقال فى التوبة ﴿إِنَّمَا التَّوْبَةُ عَلَى اللهِ لِلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ السُّوءَ بِجَهَالَةٍ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُونَ مِن قَرِيبٍ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ يَتُوبُ اللهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۗ وَكَانَ اللهُ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا﴾.
135. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who is bestowed four things is not disallowed four things: he who is allowed to pray is not deprived of the response to it; he who is allowed to offer repentance is not deprived of its acceptance; he who is allowed to seek forgiveness is not deprived of forgiveness; and he who is allowed to be grateful is not deprived of furtherance of favours. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This is confirmed by the Book of Allāh. About praying, Allāh says: “Call you to Me, I will answer you” (Qur’ān, 40:60). About forgiveness Allāh says: “And whoever does evil, or wrongs his own self and thereafter seeks pardon of Allāh, shall find Allāh Oft-forgiving, Merciful” (Qur’ān, 4:110). About gratefulness He says: “If you be grateful I will increase (my favours) to you” (Qur’ān, 14:7). About repentance He says: “Verily, repentance (acceptable) with Allāh is only for those who do evil ignorantly and then turn (to Allāh) soon (after); these (are those) Allāh will turn (merciful) to them; and Allāh is All-knowing, All-wise” (Qur’ān, 4:17).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 135
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يَكُونُ الصَّدِيقُ صَدِيقاً حَتَّى يَحْفَظَ أَخَاهُ فِى ثَلَاثٍ فِى نَكْبَتِهِ وَغَيْبَتِهِ وَوَفَاتِهِ.
134. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: A friend is not a friend unless he affords protection to his comrade on three occasions: in his adversity, in his absence and at his death.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 134
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الدُّنْيَا دَارُ مَمَرٍّ لَا دَارُ مَقَرٍّ وَالنَّاسُ فِيهَا رَجُلَانِ رَجُلٌ بَاعَ فِيهَا نَفْسَهُ فَأَوْبَقَهَا وَرَجُلٌ ابْتَاعَ نَفْسَهُ فَأَعْتَقَهَا.
133. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: This world is a place for transit, not a place for stay. The people herein are of two categories. One is the man who sold away his self (to his passions) and thus ruined it, and the other is the man who purchased his self (by control against his passions) and freed it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 133
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَلَكاً يُنَادِى فِى كُلِّ يَوْمٍ لِدُوا لِلْمَوْتِ وَاجْمَعُوا لِلْفَنَاءِ وَابْنُوا لِلْخَرَابِ.
132. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: There is an angel of Allāh who calls out every day, “Beget children for death, collect wealth for destruction, and raise construction for ruin.”
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 132
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): وَقَدْ سَمِعَ رَجُلًا يَذُمُّ الدُّنْيَا أَيُّهَا الذَّامُّ لِلدُّنْيَا الْمُغْتَرُّ بِغُرُورِهَا الْمَخْدُوعُ بِأَبَاطِيلِهَا أَ تَغْتَرُّ بِالدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ تَذُمُّهَا أَنْتَ الْمُتَجَرِّمُ عَلَيْهَا أَمْ هِيَ الْمُتَجَرِّمَةُ عَلَيْكَ مَتَى اسْتَهْوَتْكَ أَمْ مَتَى غَرَّتْكَ أَ بِمَصَارِعِ آبَائِكَ مِنَ الْبِلَى أَمْ بِمَضَاجِعِ أُمَّهَاتِكَ تَحْتَ الثَّرَى كَمْ عَلَّلْتَ بِكَفَّيْكَ وَكَمْ مَرَّضْتَ بِيَدَيْكَ تَبْتَغِى لَهُمُ الشِّفَاءَ وَتَسْتَوْصِفُ لَهُمُ الْأَطِبَّاءَ غَدَاةَ لَا يُغْنِى عَنْهُمْ دَوَاؤُكَ وَلَا يُجْدِى عَلَيْهِمْ بُكَاؤُكَ لَمْ يَنْفَعْ أَحَدَهُمْ إِشْفَاقُكَ وَلَمْ تُسْعَفْ فِيهِ بِطَلِبَتِكَ وَلَمْ تَدْفَعْ عَنْهُ بِقُوَّتِكَ وَقَدْ مَثَّلَتْ لَكَ بِهِ الدُّنْيَا نَفْسَكَ وَبِمَصْرَعِهِ مَصْرَعَكَ. إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا دَارُ صِدْقٍ لِمَنْ صَدَقَهَا وَدَارُ عَافِيَةٍ لِمَنْ فَهِمَ عَنْهَا وَدَارُ غِنًى لِمَنْ تَزَوَّدَ مِنْهَا وَدَارُ مَوْعِظَةٍ لِمَنِ اتَّعَظَ بِهَا مَسْجِدُ أَحِبَّاءِ اللَّهِ وَمُصَلَّى مَلَائِكَةِ اللَّهِ وَمَهْبِطُ وَحْيِ اللَّهِ وَمَتْجَرُ أَوْلِيَاءِ اللَّهِ اكْتَسَبُوا فِيهَا الرَّحْمَةَ وَرَبِحُوا فِيهَا الْجَنَّةَ. فَمَنْ ذَا يَذُمُّهَا وَقَدْ آذَنَتْ بِبَيْنِهَا وَنَادَتْ بِفِرَاقِهَا وَنَعَتْ نَفْسَهَا وَأَهْلَهَا فَمَثَّلَتْ لَهُمْ بِبَلَائِهَا الْبَلَاءَ وَشَوَّقَتْهُمْ بِسُرُورِهَا إِلَى السُّرُورِ رَاحَتْ بِعَافِيَةٍ وَابْتَكَرَتْ بِفَجِيعَةٍ تَرْغِيباً وَتَرْهِيباً وَتَخْوِيفاً وَتَحْذِيراً فَذَمَّهَا رِجَالٌ غَدَاةَ النَّدَامَةِ وَحَمِدَهَا آخَرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ذَكَّرَتْهُمُ الدُّنْيَا فَتَذَكَّرُوا وَحَدَّثَتْهُمْ فَصَدَّقُوا وَوَعَظَتْهُمْ فَاتَّعَظُوا.
131. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, heard a man abusing the world and said: O you who abuse the world, O you who have been deceived by its deceit and cheated by its wrongs. Do you covet the world and then abuse it? Do you accuse it or it should accuse you? When did it bewilder you or deceive you whether by the decay and fall of your forefathers, or by the sleeping places of your mothers under the ground? How much you looked after them in their illness and nursed them during sickness, desiring them to be cured and consulting physicians for them in the morning when your medicine did not avail them and your wailing for them did not benefit them. Your mourning over them did not prove useful to them and you could not achieve your aims. You could not ward off (death) from them with all your power. In fact, through the dying man the world presented an illustration for you and showed you by the example of his falling down how you would (also) fall. Certainly, this world is a house of truth for him who appreciates it; a place of safety for him who understands it; a house of riches for him who collects provision from it (for the next world); and a house of instructions for him who draws instruction from it. It is the place of worship for the lovers of Allāh; the place of praying for the angels of Allāh; the place where the revelation of Allāh descends; and the marketing place for those devoted to Allāh. Herein they earned mercy and herein they acquired Paradise by way of profit. Therefore, who can abuse it when it has announced its departure and called out that it would leave! It had given news of its own destruction and the death of its people. By its hardship it set an example of their hardships. By its pleasures it created eagerness for the pleasures (of the next world). It brings ease in the evening and grief in the morning by way of persuasion, dissuasion, alarm and warning. People abuse it on the morning of their repentance but there are others who will praise it on the Day of Judgement. The world recalled to them the next life and they bore it in mind. It related to them (things of the next life) and they acknowledged them. It preached to them and they took lesson therefrom. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 131
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) وَقَدْ رَجَعَ مِنْ صِفِّينَ فَأَشْرَفَ عَلَى الْقُبُورِ بِظَاهِرِ الْكُوفَةِ: يَا أَهْلَ الدِّيَارِ الْمُوحِشَةِ وَالْمَحَالِّ الْمُقْفِرَةِ وَالْقُبُورِ الْمُظْلِمَةِ يَا أَهْلَ التُّرْبَةِ يَا أَهْلَ الْغُرْبَةِ يَا أَهْلَ الْوَحْدَةِ يَا أَهْلَ الْوَحْشَةِ أَنْتُمْ لَنَا فَرَطٌ سَابِقٌ وَنَحْنُ لَكُمْ تَبَعٌ لَاحِقٌ أَمَّا الدُّورُ فَقَدْ سُكِنَتْ وَأَمَّا الْأَزْوَاجُ فَقَدْ نُكِحَتْ وَأَمَّا الْأَمْوَالُ فَقَدْ قُسِمَتْ هَذَا خَبَرُ مَا عِنْدَنَا فَمَا خَبَرُ مَا عِنْدَكُمْ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَى أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالَ: أَمَا لَوْ أُذِنَ لَهُمْ فِى الْكَلَامِ لَأَخْبَرُوكُمْ أَنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ التَّقْوَىٰ.
130. When Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, returned from (the battle of) Ṣiffīn and noticed the graves outside Kūfah, he said: O residents of houses which give a sense of loneliness, of depopulated areas and gloomy graves. O people of the dust, O victims of strangeness, O people of loneliness and O people of desolateness! You have gone ahead and preceded us while we are following you and will meet you. The houses (you left) have been inhabited by others; the wives (you left) have been married by others; the properties have been distributed (among heirs). This is the news about those around us; what is the news about things around you? Then Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, turned to his companions and said: Beware If they were allowed to speak they would inform you that: Verily, the best provision is fear of Allāh. (Qur’ān, 2:197)
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 130
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): عِظَمُ الْخَالِقِ عِنْدَكَ يُصَغِّرُ الْمَخْلُوقَ فِى عَيْنِكَ.
129. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Greatness of the Creator appreciated by you would belittle the creatures in your view.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 129
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): تَوَقَّوُا الْبَرْدَ فِى أَوَّلِهِ وَتَلَقَّوْهُ فِى آخِرِهِ فَإِنَّهُ يَفْعَلُ فِى الْأَبْدَانِ كَفِعْلِهِ فِى الْأَشْجَارِ أَوَّلُهُ يُحْرِقُ وَآخِرُهُ يُورِقُ.
128. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Guard against cold in its (seasonal) beginning and welcome it towards its end because it effects bodies in the same way as it effects plants. In the beginning, it destroys them but in the end it gives them fresh leaves. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 128
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ قَصَّرَ فِى الْعَمَلِ ابْتُلِيَ بِالْهَمِّ وَلَا حَاجَةَ لِلَّهِ فِيمَنْ لَيْسَ لِلَّهِ فِى مَالِهِ وَنَفْسِهِ نَصِيبٌ.
127. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever falls short of actions falls into grief, and Allāh has nothing to do with him who spares nothing from his wealth in the name of Allāh.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 127
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): عَجِبْتُ لِلْبَخِيلِ يَسْتَعْجِلُ الْفَقْرَ الَّذِى مِنْهُ هَرَبَ وَيَفُوتُهُ الْغِنَى الَّذِى إِيَّاهُ طَلَبَ فَيَعِيشُ فِى الدُّنْيَا عَيْشَ الْفُقَرَاءِ وَيُحَاسَبُ فِى الْآخِرَةِ حِسَابَ الْأَغْنِيَاءِ. وَعَجِبْتُ لِلْمُتَكَبِّرِ الَّذِى كَانَ بِالْأَمْسِ نُطْفَةً وَيَكُونُ غَداً جِيفَةً وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ شَكَّ فِى اللَّهِ وَهُوَ يَرَى خَلْقَ اللَّهِ وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ نَسِيَ الْمَوْتَ وَهُوَ يَرَى الْمَوْتَى وَعَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ أَنْكَرَ النَّشْأَةَ الْأُخْرَى وَهُوَ يَرَى النَّشْأَةَ الْأُولَى وَعَجِبْتُ لِعَامِرٍ دَارَ الْفَنَاءِ وَتَارِكٍ دَارَ الْبَقَاءِ.
126. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: I wonder at the miser who is speeding towards the very destitution from which he wants to run away and misses the very ease of life which he covets. Consequently, he passes his life in this world like the destitute, but will have to render an account in the next world like the rich. I wonder at the proud man who was just a drop of semen the other day and will turn into a corpse tomorrow. I wonder at the man who doubts Allāh although he sees His creations. I wonder at him who has forgotten death although he sees people dying. I wonder at him who denies the second life although he has seen the first life. I wonder at him who inhabits this transient abode but ignores the everlasting abode.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 126
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَأَنْسُبَنَّ الْإِسْلَامَ نِسْبَةً لَمْ يَنْسُبْهَا أَحَدٌ قَبْلِى الْإِسْلَامُ هُوَ التَّسْلِيمُ وَالتَّسْلِيمُ هُوَ الْيَقِينُ وَالْيَقِينُ هُوَ التَّصْدِيقُ وَالتَّصْدِيقُ هُوَ الْإِقْرَارُ وَالْإِقْرَارُ هُوَ الْأَدَاءُ وَالْأَدَاءُ هُوَ الْعَمَلُ.
125. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: I am defining Islam as no one has defined before me: Islam is submission, submission is conviction, conviction is affirmation, affirmation is acknowledgement, acknowledgement is discharge (of obligations), and discharge of obligations is action.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 125
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): غَيْرَةُ الْمَرْأَةِ كُفْرٌ وَغَيْرَةُ الرَّجُلِ إِيمَانٌ.
124. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The jealousy of a woman (with co-wives) is heresy, while the jealousy of a man is a part of belief.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 124
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): طُوبَى لِمَنْ ذَلَّ فِى نَفْسِهِ وَطَابَ كَسْبُهُ وَصَلَحَتْ سَرِيرَتُهُ وَحَسُنَتْ خَلِيقَتُهُ وَأَنْفَقَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ مَالِهِ وَأَمْسَكَ الْفَضْلَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَعَزَلَ عَنِ النَّاسِ شَرَّهُ وَوَسِعَتْهُ السُّنَّةُ وَلَمْ يُنْسَبْ إلَى الْبِدْعَةِ. قال السيد الرضي: أقول: ومن الناس من ينسب هذا الكلام إلى رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) و كذلك الذي قبله.
123. And he (a.s) said: Blessed be he who humbles himself, whose livelihood is pure, whose heart is chaste, whose habits are virtuous, who spends his savings (in the name of Allāh), who prevents his tongue from speaking nonsense, who keeps people safe from evil, who is pleased with the (Prophet’s) sunnah, and who is unconnected with innovation (in religion). As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: Some people attribute this and the previous saying to the Messenger of Allāh (may Allāh bless him and his descendants).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 123
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٢. وَتَبِعَ جِنَازَةً فَسَمِعَ رَجُلًا يَضْحَكُ فَقَالَ كَأَنَّ الْمَوْتَ فِيهَا عَلَى غَيْرِنَا كُتِبَ وَكَأَنَّ الْحَقَّ فِيهَا عَلَى غَيْرِنَا وَجَبَ وَكَأَنَّ الَّذِى نَرَى مِنَ الْأَمْوَاتِ سَفْرٌ عَمَّا قَلِيلٍ إِلَيْنَا رَاجِعُونَ. نُبَوِّئُهُمْ أَجْدَاثَهُمْ وَنَأْكُلُ تُرَاثَهُمْ كَأَنَّا مُخَلَّدُونَ بَعْدَهُمْ ثُمَّ قَدْ نَسِينَا كُلَّ وَاعِظٍ وَوَاعِظَةٍ وَرُمِينَا بِكُلِّ فَادِحٍ وَجَائِحَةٍ.
122. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was accompanying a funeral when he heard someone laugh. Then he said : Is it that death has been ordained only for others? Is it that right is obligatory only on others? Is it that those whom we see departing on their journey of death will come back to us? We lay them down in their graves and then enjoy their estate (as if we will live for good after them). We have ignored every preacher, man or woman, and have exposed ourselves to every catastrophe.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 122
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): شَتَّانَ مَا بَيْنَ عَمَلَيْنِ: عَمَلٍ تَذْهَبُ لَذَّتُهُ وَتَبْقَى تَبِعَتُهُ، وَعَمَلٍ تَذْهَبُ مَؤُونَتُهُ وَيَبْقَى أَجْرُهُ.
121. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: What a difference there is between two kinds of actions: an act whose pleasure passes away but its (ill) consequence remains, and. the act whose hardship passes away but its reward stays.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 121
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢٠. وَسُئِلَ (عليه السلام) عَنْ قُرَيْشٍ فَقَالَ: أَمَّا بَنُو مَخْزُومٍ فَرَيْحَانَةُ قُرَيْشٍ، نُحِبُّ حَدِيثَ رِجَالِهِمْ، وَالنِّكَاحَ فِي نِسَائِهِمْ. وَأَمَّا بَنُو عَبْدِ شَمسٍ فَأَبْعَدُهَا رَأْياً، وَأَمْنَعُهَا لِمَا وَرَاءَ ظُهُورِهَا. وَأَمَّا نَحْنُ فَأَبْذَلُ لِمَا فِي أَيْدِينَا، وَأَسْمَحُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْتِ بِنُفُوسِنَا. وَهُمْ أَكْثَرُ وَأَمْكَرُ وَأَنْكَرُ، وَنَحْنُ أَفْصَحُ وَأَنْصَحُ وَأَصْبَحُ.
120. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was asked about the Quraysh, when he replied: As for Banū Makhzūm they are the blossoms of the Quraysh. It is delightful to talk to their men and to marry their women. As for Banū ‘Abd Shams, they are farsighted and cautious about all that is hidden from them. As for ourselves (Banū Hāshim) we spend whatever we get and are very generous in offering ourselves in death. Consequently, those people are more numerous, more contriving and more ugly while we are more eloquent, well-wishing and handsome.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 120
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَثَلِ الْحَيَّةِ لَيِّنٌ مَسُّهَا وَالسَّمُّ النَّاقِعُ فِى جَوْفِهَا يَهْوِى إِلَيْهَا الْغِرُّ الْجَاهِلُ وَيَحْذَرُهَا ذُو اللُّبِّ الْعَاقِلُ.
119. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The example of the world is like a serpent. It is soft to the touch but its inside is full of venom. An ignorant person who has fallen into deceit is attracted towards it but a wise and intelligent man keeps on his guard against it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 119
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِضَاعَةُ الْفُرْصَةِ غُصَّةٌ.
118. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: To miss an opportunity brings about grief.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 118
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): هَلَكَ فِيَّ رَجُلَانِ مُحِبٌّ غَالٍ وَمُبْغِضٌ قَالٍ.
117. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Two categories of persons will face ruin on account of me: he who loves me with exaggeration, and he who hates me intensely.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 117
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كَمْ مِنْ مُسْتَدْرَجٍ بِالْإِحْسَانِ إِلَيْهِ وَمَغْرُورٍ بِالسَّتْرِ عَلَيْهِ وَمَفْتُونٍ بِحُسْنِ الْقَوْلِ فِيهِ وَمَا ابْتَلَى اللَّهُ أَحَداً بِمِثْلِ الْإِمْلَاءِ لَهُ.
116. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: There are many people who are given time (by Allāh) through good treatment towards them, and many who are deceived because their sinful activities are veiled (by Allāh), and many who are enamoured by good talk about themselves. And Allāh does not try anyone as seriously as He tries him whom He allows time (to remain sinful).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 116
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٥. وَقِيلَ لَهُ (عليه السلام): كَيْفَ نَجِدُكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كَيْفَ يَكُونُ حَالُ مَنْ يَفْنَى بِبَقَائِهِ وَيَسْقَمُ بِصِحَّتِهِ وَيُؤْتَى مِنْ مَأْمَنِهِ.
115. It was said to Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him: How are you, O Amīr al-mu’minīn? and he replied: How can he be whom life is driving towards death, whose state of healthiness can change into sickness any moment and who is to be caught (by death) from his place of safety.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 115
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا اسْتَوْلَى الصَّلَاحُ عَلَى الزَّمَانِ وَأَهْلِهِ ثُمَّ أَسَاءَ رَجُلٌ الظَّنَّ بِرَجُلٍ لَمْ تَظْهَرْ مِنْهُ حَوْبَةٌ فَقَدْ ظَلَمَ وَإِذَا اسْتَوْلَى الْفَسَادُ عَلَى الزَّمَانِ وَأَهْلِهِ فَأَحْسَنَ رَجُلٌ الظَّنَّ بِرَجُلٍ فَقَدْ غَرَّرَ.
114. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: At a time when virtue is in vogue in the world and among people, if a person entertains an evil suspicion about another person from whom nothing evil has ever been seen, then he has been unjust. And at a time when vice is in vogue in the world and among people, if a man entertains a good idea about another person he has flung himself in peril.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 114
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا مَالَ أَعْوَدُ مِنَ الْعَقْلِ، وَلَا وَحْدَةَ أَوْحَشُ مِنَ الْعُجْب، وَلَا عَقْلَ كَالتَّدْبِيرِ، وَلَا كَرَمَ كَالتَّقْوَى، وَلَا قَرين كَحُسنِ الخُلْقِ، وَلَا مِيرَاثَ كَالْأَدَبِ، وَلَا قَائِدَ كَالتَّوْفِيقِ، وَلَا تِجَارَةَ كَالْعَمَلِ الصَّالِحِ، وَلَا رِبْحَ كَالثَّوَابِ، وَلَا وَرَعَ كالْوُقُوفِ عِنْدَ الشُّبْهَةِ، وَلَا زُهْدَ كَالزُّهْدِ فِي الْحَرَامِ، وَلَا عِلْمَ كَالتَّفَكُّرِ، وَلَا عِبَادَةَ كَأَدَاءِ الْفَرائِضِ، وَلَا إِيمَانَ كَالْحَيَاءِ وَالصَّبْرِ، وَلَا حَسَبَ كَالتَّوَاضُعِ، وَلَا شَرَفَ كَالْعِلْمِ، وَلَا مُظَاهَرَةَ أَوْثَقُ مِن مُشَاوَرَةٍ.
113. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: No wealth is more profitable than wisdom, no loneliness is more estranging than vanity, no wisdom is as good as tact, no honour is like fear from Allāh, no companion is like the goodness of moral character, no inheritance is like civility, no guide is like promptitude, no trade is like virtuous acts, no profit is like Divine reward, no self-control is like inaction in time of doubt, no abstention is like that (which is) from prohibitions, no knowledge is like thinking, no worship is like the discharge of obligation, no belief is like modesty and endurance, no attainment is like humility, no honour is like knowledge, no power is like forbearance, and no support is more reliable than consultation.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 113
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٢. مَنْ أَحَبَّنَا أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ فَلْيَسْتَعِدَّ لِلْفَقْرِ جِلْبَاباً. قال السيد الرضى: وقد يؤول ذلك على معنى آخر ليس هذا موضع ذكره.
112. Whoever loves us, members of the Household (of the Prophet), should be prepared to face destitution. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This has been interpreted in a different way as well, but on this occasion is not fit to mention here. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 112
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) وَقَدْ تُوُفِّيَ سَهْلُ بْنُ حُنَيْفٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ بِالْكُوفَةِ بَعْدَ مَرْجِعِهِ مَعَهُ مِنْ صِفِّينَ، وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ النَّاسِ إِلَيْهِ: لَوْ أَحَبَّنِي جَبَلٌ لَتَهَافَتَ. قال السيد الرضى: معنى ذلك أن المحنة تغلظ عليه فتسرع المصائب إليه ولا يفعل ذلك إلا بالأتقياء الأبرار والمصطفين الأخيار وهذا مثل قوله (عليه السلام):
111. Sahl ibn Ḥunayf al-Anṣārī died at Kūfah after his return from the battle of Ṣiffīn and he was very much loved by Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him. On this occasion Amīr al-mu’minīn said: Even if a mountain had loved me, it would have crumbled down. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: The meaning of this is that since the trial of the man who loves Amīr al-mu’minīn will be so severe troubles would leap towards him, and this is not the case except with the God-fearing, the virtuous and select good. There is another similar saying of Amīr al-mu’minīn’s individuals, namely:
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 111
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يُقِيمُ أَمْرَ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَهُ إِلَّا مَنْ لَا يُصَانِعُ وَلَا يُضَارِعُ وَلَا يَتَّبِعُ الْمَطَامِعَ.
110. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: No one can establish the rule of Allāh, the Glorified, except he who shows no relenting (in the matter of right), who does not behave like wrong doers and who does not run after objects of greed.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 110
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): نَحْنُ النُّمْرُقَةُ الْوُسْطَى بِهَا يَلْحَقُ التَّالِى وَإِلَيْهَا يَرْجِعُ الْغَالِى.
109. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: We (the members of the Prophet’s family) are like the pillow in the middle. He who lags behind has to come forward to meet it while he who has exceeded the bounds has to return to it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 109
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَقَدْ عُلِّقَ بِنِيَاطِ هَذَا الْإِنْسَانِ بَضْعَةٌ هِيَ أَعْجَبُ مَا فِيهِ وَ ذَلِكَ الْقَلْبُ وَذَلِكَ أَنَّ لَهُ مَوَادَّ مِنَ الْحِكْمَةِ وَأَضْدَاداً مِنْ خِلَافِهَا فَإِنْ سَنَحَ لَهُ الرَّجَاءُ أَذَلَّهُ الطَّمَعُ وَإِنْ هَاجَ بِهِ الطَّمَعُ أَهْلَكَهُ الْحِرْصُ وَإِنْ مَلَكَهُ الْيَأْسُ قَتَلَهُ الْأَسَفُ وَإِنْ عَرَضَ لَهُ الْغَضَبُ اشْتَدَّ بِهِ الْغَيْظُ وَإِنْ أَسْعَدَهُ الرِّضَى نَسِيَ التَّحَفُّظَ وَإِنْ غَالَهُ الْخَوْفُ شَغَلَهُ الْحَذَرُ وَإِنِ اتَّسَعَ لَهُ الْأَمْرُ اسْتَلَبَتْهُ الْغِرَّةُ وَإِنْ أَفَادَ مَالًا أَطْغَاهُ الْغِنَى وَإِنْ أَصَابَتْهُ مُصِيبَةٌ فَضَحَهُ الْجَزَعُ وَإِنْ عَضَّتْهُ الْفَاقَةُ شَغَلَهُ الْبَلَاءُ وَإِنْ جَهَدَهُ الْجُوعُ قَعَدَ بِهِ الضَّعْفُ وَإِنْ أَفْرَطَ بِهِ الشِّبَعُ كَظَّتْهُ الْبِطْنَةُ فَكُلُّ تَقْصِيرٍ بِهِ مُضِرٌّ وَكُلُّ إِفْرَاطٍ لَهُ مُفْسِدٌ.
108. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: In man there is a piece of flesh attached to him with a vein and it is the strangest thing in him. It is the heart. It has a store of wisdom and things contrary to wisdom. If it sees a ray of hope, eagerness humiliates it and when eagerness increases, greed ruins it. If disappointment overtakes it, grief kills it. If anger rises in it, a serious rage develops. If it is blessed with pleasure, it forgets to be cautious. If it becomes fearing, it becomes heedless. If peace extends all round, it becomes neglectful. If it earns wealth, freedom from care puts it in the wrong. If trouble befalls it, impatience makes it humble. If it faces starvation, distress overtakes it. If hunger attacks it, weakness makes it sit down. If its eating increases, heaviness of stomach pains it. Thus, every shortness is harmful to it and every excess is injurious to it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 108
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): رُبَّ عَالِمٍ قَدْ قَتَلَهُ جَهْلُهُ وَعِلْمُهُ مَعَهُ لَا يَنْفَعُهُ.
107. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Often the ignorance of a learned man ruins him while the knowledge he has does not avail him.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 107
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يَتْرُكُ النَّاسُ شَيْئاً مِنْ أَمْرِ دِينِهِمْ لِاسْتِصْلَاحِ دُنْيَاهُمْ إِلَّا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مَا هُوَ أَضَرُّ مِنْهُ.
106. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If people give up something relating to religion to set right their worldly affairs, Allah will inflict upon them something more harmful than that.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 106
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ اللَّهَ افْتَرَضَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَرَائِضَ فَلَا تُضَيِّعُوهَا وَحَدَّ لَكُمْ حُدُوداً فَلَا تَعْتَدُوهَا وَنَهَاكُمْ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ فَلَا تَنْتَهِكُوهَا وَسَكَتَ لَكُمْ عَنْ أَشْيَاءَ وَلَمْ يَدَعْهَا نِسْيَاناً فَلَا تَتَكَلَّفُوهَا.
105. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Allah has placed on you some obligations which you should not ignore, laid down for you limits which you should not transgress and prohibited you from certain things which you should not violate. He has kept silent about certain things but has not left them out through forgetfulness, so do not burden yourself with them.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 105
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٤. وَعَنْ نَوْفٍ الْبَكَالِيِّ قَالَ: رَأَيْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (عليه السلام) ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ وَقَدْ خَرَجَ مِنْ فِرَاشِهِ فَنَظَرَ فِي النُّجُومِ، فَقَالَ لِي: يَا نَوْفُ أَ رَاقِدٌ أَنْتَ أَمْ رَامِقٌ، فَقُلْتُ بَلْ رَامِقٌ، قَالَ: يَا نَوْفُ طُوبَى لِلزَّاهِدِينَ فِى الدُّنْيَا الرَّاغِبِينَ فِى الْآخِرَةِ أُولَئِكَ قَوْمٌ اتَّخَذُوا الْأَرْضَ بِسَاطاً وَتُرَابَهَا فِرَاشاً وَمَاءَهَا طِيباً وَالْقُرْآنَ شِعَاراً وَالدُّعَاءَ دِثَاراً ثُمَّ قَرَضُوا الدُّنْيَا قَرْضاً عَلَى مِنْهَاجِ الْمَسِيحِ. يَا نَوْفُ إِنَّ دَاوُدَ (عليه السلام) قَامَ فِى مِثْلِ هَذِهِ السَّاعَةِ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَقَالَ إِنَّهَا لَسَاعَةٌ لَا يَدْعُو فِيهَا عَبْدٌ إِلَّا اسْتُجِيبَ لَهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ عَشَّاراً أَوْ عَرِيفاً أَوْ شُرْطِيّاً أَوْ صَاحِبَ عَرْطَبَةٍ ـ وَهِيَ الطُّنْبُورُ ـ أَوْ صَاحِبَ كَوْبَةٍ ـ وَهِيَ الطَّبْلُ، قال السيد الرضى: وَقَدْ قِيلَ أَيْضاً إِنَّ الْعَرْطَبَةَ الطَّبْلُ وَالْكَوْبَةَ الطُّنْبُورُ.
104. It is related by Nawf al-Bikālī that: I saw that one night Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, came out from his bed and looked at the stars, then he said to me: “O Nawf, are you awake or sleeping?” I said: “I am awake, O Amīr al-mu’minīn.” Then he said: O Nawf! Blessed be those who abstain from this world and are eager for the next world. They are the people who regard this earth as a floor; its dust as their bed-cloth; and its water as their perfume; they recite the Qur’ān in low tones and supplicate in high tones and then they are cut off from the world like ‘Īsā (Jesus). O Nawf! The prophet Dāwūd (David), peace be upon him, rose up at a similar hour one night and said, “This is the hour when whatever a person prays for is granted to him unless he is a tax-collector, an intelligence man, a police officer, a lute player or a drummer.” As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: It is also said that “‘arṭabah” means ‘ṭabl’ (drum) and “kūbah’’ means ‘lute’.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 104
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٣. وَرُئِيَ عَلَيْهِ إِزَارٌ خَلَقٌ مَرْقُوعٌ فَقِيلَ لَهُ فِى ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ: يَخْشَعُ لَهُ الْقَلْبُ وَتَذِلُّ بِهِ النَّفْسُ وَيَقْتَدِى بِهِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِنَّ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةَ عَدُوَّانِ مُتَفَاوِتَانِ وَسَبِيلَانِ مُخْتَلِفَانِ فَمَنْ أَحَبَّ الدُّنْيَا وَتَوَلَّاهَا أَبْغَضَ الْآخِرَةَ وَعَادَاهَا وَهُمَا بِمَنْزِلَةِ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ وَمَاشٍ بَيْنَهُمَا كُلَّمَا قَرُبَ مِنْ وَاحِدٍ بَعُدَ مِنَ الْآخَرِ وَهُمَا بَعْدُ ضَرَّتَانِ.
103. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was seen in worn-out clothes with patches and when it was pointed out to him he said: With it the heart fears, the mind feels humble and the believers emulate it. Certainly, this world and the next are two enemies against each other and two paths in different directions. Whoever likes this world and loves it hates the next and is its enemy. These two are like East and West. If the walker between them gets near to one, he gets farther from the other. After all, they are like two fellow-wives.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 103
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): يَأْتِى عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ لَا يُقَرَّبُ فِيهِ إِلَّا الْمَاحِلُ وَلَا يُظَرَّفُ فِيهِ إِلَّا الْفَاجِرُ وَلَا يُضَعَّفُ فِيهِ إِلَّا الْمُنْصِفُ يَعُدُّونَ الصَّدَقَةَ فِيهِ غُرْماً وَصِلَةَ الرَّحِمِ مَنّاً وَالْعِبَادَةَ اسْتِطَالَةً عَلَى النَّاسِ فَعِنْدَ ذَلِكَ يَكُونُ السُّلْطَانُ بِمَشُورَةِ النِّسَاءِ وَإِمَارَةِ الصِّبْيَانِ وَتَدْبِيرِ الْخِصْيَانِ.
102. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Shortly a time will come for people when high positions will be given only to those who defame others, when vicious people will be regarded as witty and the just will be regarded as weak. People will regard charity as a loss, consideration for kinship as an obligation, and worship grounds for claiming greatness among others. At this time, authority will be exercised through the counsel of women, the posting of young boys in high positions and the running of the administration by eunuchs.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 102
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يَسْتَقِيمُ قَضَاءُ الْحَوَائِجِ إِلَّا بِثَلَاثٍ بِاسْتِصْغَارِهَا لِتَعْظُمَ وَبِاسْتِكْتَامِهَا لِتَظْهَرَ وَبِتَعْجِيلِهَا لِتَهْنُؤَ.
101. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Fulfilment of (others’) needs becomes a lasting virtue in three ways:- regarding it small so that it attains bigness, concealing it so that it may manifest itself, and doing it quickly so that it becomes pleasant.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 101
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٠٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) وَمَدَحَهُ قَوْمٌ فِى وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ: اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ أَعْلَمُ بِى مِنْ نَفْسِى وَأَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِنَفْسِى مِنْهُمْ. اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنَا خَيْراً مِمَّا يَظُنُّونَ وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا مَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ.
100. Some people praised Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, to his face, then he said: O My God! You know me better than myself, and I know myself better than they do. O My God! Make us better than what they think and forgive us what they do not know.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 100
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٩. وَسَمِعَ رَجُلًا يَقُولُ (إِنَّا لِلهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ). فَقَالَ: إِنَّ قَوْلَنَا إِنَّا لِلهِ إِقْرَارٌ عَلَى أَنْفُسِنَا بِالْمُلْكِ وَقَوْلَنَا وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ إِقْرَارٌ عَلَى أَنْفُسِنَا بِالْهُلْكِ.
99. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, heard a man recite: Verily we are Allāh’s and verily to Him shall we return (Qur’ān, 2:156). Then he said: Our saying “innā lillāh” (Verily we are Allāh’s) is an admission of His Majesty over us and our saying “wa innā ilayhī raji‘un” (and verily to Him shall we return) is an admission of our being mortal.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 99
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): اعْقِلُوا الْخَبَرَ إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُوهُ عَقْلَ رِعَايَةٍ لَا عَقْلَ رِوَايَةٍ فَإِنَّ رُوَاةَ الْعِلْمِ كَثِيرٌ وَرُعَاتَهُ قَلِيلٌ.
98. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: When you hear a tradition test it according to the criterion of intelligence not that of mere hearing, because relaters of knowledge are numerous but those who guard it are few.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 98
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٨. سَمِعَ (عليه السلام) رَجُلًا مِنَ الْحَرُورِيَّةِ يَتَهَجَّدُ وَيَقْرَأُ فَقَالَ: نَوْمٌ عَلَى يَقِينٍ خَيْرٌ مِنْ صَلَاةٍ فِى شَكٍّ.
97. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, heard about a Kharijite who said the mid-night prayers and recited the Qur’ān, then he said: Sleeping in a state of firm belief is better than praying in a state of doubtfulness.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 97
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِالْأَنْبِيَاءِ أَعْلَمُهُمْ بِمَا جَاءُوا بِهِ، ثُمَّ تَلاَ (عليه السلام): (إِنَّ أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِإِبْرَاهِيمَ لَلَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ وَهَـٰذَا النَّبِيُّ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ۗ وَاللهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ) ثُمَّ قَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ وَلِيَّ مُحَمَّد مَنْ أَطَاعَ اللهَ وإِنْ بَعُدَتْ لُحْمَتُهُ، وَإِنَّ عَدُوَّ مُحَمَّد مَنْ عَصَى اللهَ وَإِنْ قَرُبَتْ قَرَابَتُهُ!
96. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The persons most attached to the prophets are those who know most what the prophets have brought. Then Amīr al-mu’minīn recited the verse: “Verily, of men the nearest to Abraham are surely those who followed him and this (Our) Prophet (Muḥammad) and those who believe.” (Qur’ān, 3:68) Then he said: The friend of Muḥammad is he who obeys Allāh, even though he may have no blood relationship, and the enemy of Muḥammad is he who disobeys Allāh even though he may have near kinship.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 96
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يَقِلُّ عَمَلٌ مَعَ التَّقْوَى وَكَيْفَ يَقِلُّ مَا يُتَقَبَّلُ.
95. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Action accompanied by fear for Allāh does not fail, and how can a thing fail that has been accepted. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 95
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٤. وَسُئِلَ (عليه السلام) وَعَنِ الْخَيْرِ مَا هُوَ؟ فَقَالَ لَيْسَ الْخَيْرُ أَنْ يَكْثُرَ مَالُكَ وَ وَلَدُكَ وَلَكِنَّ الْخَيْرَ أَنْ يَكْثُرَ عِلْمُكَ وَأَنْ يَعْظُمَ حِلْمُكَ وَأَنْ تُبَاهِيَ النَّاسَ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنْ أَحْسَنْتَ حَمِدْتَ اللَّهَ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتَ اسْتَغْفَرْتَ اللَّهَ وَلَا خَيْرَ فِى الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا لِرَجُلَيْنِ رَجُلٍ أَذْنَبَ ذُنُوباً فَهُوَ يَتَدَارَكُهَا بِالتَّوْبَةِ وَرَجُلٍ يُسَارِعُ فِى الْخَيْرَاتِ.
94. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was asked what is good and he replied: Good is not that your wealth and progeny should be much, but good is that your knowledge should be much, your forbearance should be great, and that you should vie with other people in worship of Allāh. If you do good deeds you thank Allāh, but if you commit evil you seek forgiveness of Allāh. In this world good is for two persons only; the man who commits sins but rectifies them by repentance; and the man who hastens towards good actions.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 94
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا يَقُولَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّى أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْفِتْنَةِ لِأَنَّهُ لَيْسَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا وَهُوَ مُشْتَمِلٌ عَلَى فِتْنَةٍ وَلَكِنْ مَنِ اسْتَعَاذَ فَلْيَسْتَعِذْ مِنْ مُضِلَّاتِ الْفِتَنِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ يَقُولُ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَأَوْلَادُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ وَمَعْنَى ذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ يَخْتَبِرُهُمْ بِالْأَمْوَالِ وَالْأَوْلَادِ لِيَتَبَيَّنَ السَّاخِطَ لِرِزْقِهِ وَالرَّاضِيَ بِقِسْمِهِ وَإِنْ كَانَ سُبْحَانَهُ أَعْلَمَ بِهِمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَكِنْ لِتَظْهَرَ الْأَفْعَالُ الَّتِى بِهَا يُسْتَحَقُّ الثَّوَابُ وَالْعِقَابُ لِأَنَّ بَعْضَهُمْ يُحِبُّ الذُّكُورَ وَيَكْرَهُ الْإِنَاثَ وَبَعْضَهُمْ يُحِبُّ تَثْمِيرَ الْمَالِ وَيَكْرَهُ انْثِلَامَ الْحَالِ. قال السيد الرضى: وهذا من غريب ما سمع منه فى التفسير.
93. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: None of you should say, “O Allāh, I seek Your protection from trouble” because there is no one who is not involved in trouble, but whoever seeks Allāh’s protection he should seek it from misguiding troubles, because Allāh, the Glorified, says: And know you that your wealth and your children are a temptation!. (Qur’ān, 8:28) and its meaning is that He tries people with wealth and progeny in order to distinguish one who is displeased with his livelihood from the one who is happy with what he has been given. Even though Allāh, the Glorified, knows them more than they know themselves yet He does so to let them perform actions with which they earn reward or punishment because some of them like to have male (children) and dislike to have female (children), and some like to amass wealth, and dislike adversity. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This is one of the wonderful interpretations related from him.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 93
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَوْضَعُ الْعِلْمِ مَا وُقِفَ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ وَأَرْفَعُهُ مَا ظَهَرَ فِي الْجَوَارِحِ وَالْأَرْكَانِ.
92. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: 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.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 92
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٩١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ هذِهِ الْقُلُوبَ تَمَلُّ كَمَا تَمَلُّ الْأَبْدَانُ، فَابْتَغُوا لَهَا طَرَائِفَ الْحِكْمَةِ.
91. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The hearts get weary as bodies get weary; so look for beautiful wise sayings for them (to dispel their weariness).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 91
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ عَطِيَّةَ عَنْ مَعْرُوفِ بْنِ خَرَّبُوذَ عَنْ أَبِي الطُّفَيْلِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (a.s) يَقُولُ الزُّهْدُ فِي الدُّنْيَا قَصْرُ الأمَلِ وَشُكْرُ كُلِّ نِعْمَةٍ وَالْوَرَعُ عَنْ كُلِّ مَا حَرَّمَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.
“I heard ‘Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s), saying, ‘Zuhd (restraint from worldly matters) in the world is to shorten one’s hopes, give thanks for every bounty and restrain from everything that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has made unlawful.’”
Ref: Al kafi vol 5, book 2 chapter 2
Posted By: Aspiring Fatimiya
قال أمير المؤمنين (عليه السلام): قولوا الخير تعرفوا به، واعملوا به تكونوا من أهله.
Ameerul Momineen(as) says: Speak good and you will be known by it, and act upon it and you will be among its people.
Ref: Wasa'il al-Shia Vol. 16, Section 2, Chapter 1, Hadith 21142
Posted By: Khadim gumnaam
٩٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْفَقِيهُ كُلُّ الْفَقِيهِ مَنْ لَمْ يُقَنِّطِ النَّاسَ مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللهِ، وَلَمْ يُؤْيِسْهُمْ مِنْ رَوْحِ اللهِ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنْهُمْ مِنْ مَكْرِ اللَّهِ.
90. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The perfect jurist of Islam is he who does not let people lose hope from the mercy of Allāh, does not make them despondent of Allāh’s kindness and does not make them feel safe from Allāh’s punishment.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 90
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَصْلَحَ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ اللهِ أَصْلَحَ اللهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ النَّاسِ، وَمَنْ أَصْلَحَ أَمْرَ آخِرَتِهِ أَصْلَحَ اللهُ لَهُ أَمْرَ دُنْيَاهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ لَهُ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ وَاعِظٌ كَانَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ اللهِ حَافِظٌ.
89. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If a man sets right matters between himself and Allāh, then Allāh sets right matters between him and other people; and if a man sets right the affairs of his next life then Allāh sets right for him the affairs of this world. Whoever is a preacher for himself is protected by Allāh.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 89
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٨. وَحَكَى عَنْهُ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْبَاقِرُ (عليه السلام) أَنَّهُ قَالَ: كَانَ فِى الْأَرْضِ أَمَانَانِ مِنْ عَذَابِ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ رُفِعَ أَحَدُهُمَا فَدُونَكُمُ الْآخَرَ فَتَمَسَّكُوا بِهِ: أَمَّا الْأَمَانُ الَّذِى رُفِعَ فَهُوَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ (ص) وَأَمَّا الْأَمَانُ الْبَاقِى فَالِاسْتِغْفَارُ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى (وَمَا كَانَ اللَّـهُ لِيُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَأَنتَ فِيهِمْ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ اللَّـهُ مُعَذِّبَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ). قال السيد الرضى: وهذا من محاسن الاستخراج ولطائف الاستنباط.
88. (Imām) Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad ibn ‘Alī al-Bāqir, peace be upon him, has related from Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, that he said: There are two sources of deliverance from the Allāh’s punishment, one of which has been raised up, while the other is before you. You should therefore adhere to it. The source of deliverance which has been raised up is the Messenger of Allāh (may He bless him and his descendants), while the source of deliverance that remains is the seeking of forgiveness. Allāh, the Glorified, has said: And Allāh is not to chastise them while you are among them, nor is Allāh to chastise them while yet they seek forgiveness. (Qur’ān, 8:33) As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This is one of the most beautiful way of deducing the meaning and the most delicate manner of interpretation.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 88
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): عَجِبْتُ لِمَنْ يَقْنَطُ وَمَعَهُ الِاسْتِغْفَارُ.
87. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: I wonder about the man who loses hope despite the possibility of seeking forgiveness.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 87
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): رَأْيُ الشَّيْخِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ جَلَدِ الْغُلاَمِ؛ وَروي: مِنْ مَشْهَدِ الْغُلاَمِ.
86. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: I love the opinion of an old man more than the determination of a young man; (or according to another version) more than the martyrdom of a young man.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 86
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ تَرَكَ قَوْلَ لَا أَدْرِي أُصِيبَتْ مَقَاتِلُهُ.
85. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever abandons saying, “I do not know” meets his destruction.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 85
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): بَقِيَّةُ السَّيْفِ أَبْقَى عَدَداً وَأَكْثَرُ وَلَداً.
84. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The survivors of the sword (from getting killed) are large in number and have a large progeny.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 84
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) لِرَجُلٍ أَفْرَطَ فِي الثَّنَاءِ عَلَيْهِ وَكَانَ لَهُ مُتَّهِماً: أَنَا دُونَ مَا تَقُولُ وَفَوْقَ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ.
83. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said about a man who praised him much, although he did not admire him: I am below what you express and above what you feel in your heart.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 83
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أُوصِيكُمْ بِخَمْسٍ لَوْ ضَرَبْتُمْ إِلَيْهَا آبَاطَ الْإِبِلِ لَكَانَتْ لِذَلِكَ أَهْلًا. لَا يَرْجُوَنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ إِلَّا رَبَّهُ وَلَا يَخَافَنَّ إِلَّا ذَنْبَهُ وَلَا يَسْتَحِيَنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ إِذَا سُئِلَ عَمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُ أَنْ يَقُولَ لَا أَعْلَمُ وَلَا يَسْتَحِيَنَّ أَحَدٌ إِذَا لَمْ يَعْلَمِ الشَّيْءَ أَنْ يَتَعَلَّمَهُ. وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالصَّبْرِ فَإِنَّ الصَّبْرَ مِنَ الْإِيمَانِ كَالرَّأْسِ مِنَ الْجَسَدِ وَلَا خَيْرَ فِي جَسَدٍ لَا رَأْسَ مَعَهُ وَلَا فِي إِيمَانٍ لَا صَبْرَ مَعَهُ.
82. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: I impart to you five things which, if you ride your camels fast in search of them, you will find them worth it. No one of you should repose hope save in his Lord (Allāh); no one of you should fear anything save his sin; no one should feel ashamed of saying “I do not know” when he is asked a matter which he does not know; no one should feel ashamed of learning a thing that he does not know; and you should practise endurance, because endurance is for belief what the head is for the body, so that just as there is no good in a body without the head there is no good in belief without endurance.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 82
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): قِيمَةُ كُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا يُحْسِنُهُ. قال السيد الرضي: وهي الكلمة التي لا تصاب لها قيمة ولا توزن بها حكمة ولا تقرن إليها كلمة.
81. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The worth of every man is in his attainments. [1] as-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This is the sentence whose value cannot be assessed, with which no wise saying can be weighed and with which no other sentence can be matched.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 81
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْحِكْمَةُ ضَالَّةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ فَخُذِ الْحِكْمَةَ وَلَوْ مِنْ أَهْلِ النِّفَاقِ.
80. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: A wise saying is a lost article of the believer. Therefore, get wise sayings even though from people of hypocrisy.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 80
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): خُذِ الْحِكْمَةَ أَنَّى كَانَتْ فَإِنَّ الْحِكْمَةَ تَكُونُ فِي صَدْرِ الْمُنَافِقِ فَتَلَجْلَجُ فِي صَدْرِهِ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ فَتَسْكُنَ إِلَى صَوَاحِبِهَا فِي صَدْرِ الْمُؤْمِن.
79. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Take wise points from wherever they may be, because if a wise saying is in the bosom of a hypocrite it flutters in his bosom till it comes out and settles with others of its own category in the bosom of the believer.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 79
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٨. وَ مِنْ كَلَامٍ لَهُ (عليه السلام) لِلسَّائِلِ الشَّامِيِّ لَمَّا سَأَلَهُ أَ كَانَ مَسِيرُنَا إِلَى الشَّامِ بِقَضَاءٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَ قَدَرٍ بَعْدَ كَلَامٍ طَوِيلٍ هَذَا مُخْتَارُهُ: وَيْحَكَ لَعَلَّكَ ظَنَنْتَ قَضَاءً لَازِماً وَقَدَراً حَاتِماً لَوْ كَانَ ذَلِكَ كَذَلِكَ لَبَطَلَ الثَّوَابُ وَالْعِقَابُ وَسَقَطَ الْوَعْدُ وَالْوَعِيدُ. إِنَّ اللَّهَ سُبْحَانَهُ أَمَرَ عِبَادَهُ تَخْيِيراً وَنَهَاهُمْ تَحْذِيراً وَكَلَّفَ يَسِيراً وَلَمْ يُكَلِّفْ عَسِيراً وَأَعْطَى عَلَى الْقَلِيلِ كَثِيراً وَلَمْ يُعْصَ مَغْلُوباً وَلَمْ يُطَعْ مُكْرِهاً وَلَمْ يُرْسِلِ الْأَنْبِيَاءَ لَعِباً وَلَمْ يُنْزِلِ الْكُتُبَ لِلْعِبَادِ عَبَثاً وَلَا خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا (ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ).
78. A Syrian enquired from Amīr al-mu’minīn: Was our going to fight against the Syrians destined by Allāh? Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, gave a detailed reply, a selection from which is hereunder: Woe to you! You take it as a final and unavoidable destiny [1] (according to which we are bound to act). If it were so, there would have been no question of reward or chastisement and there would have been no sense in Allāh’s promises or warnings. (On the other hand) Allāh, the Glorified, has ordered His people to act by free will and has cautioned them and refrained them (from evil). He has placed easy obligations on them and has not put heavy obligations. He gives them much (reward) in return for little (action). He is disobeyed, not because He is overpowered. He is obeyed but not under force. He did not send prophets just for fun. He did not send down the Book for the people without purpose. He did not create the skies, the earth and all that is in between them in vain. That is the imagination of those who disbelieve; then woe to those who disbelieve - because of the fire. (Qur’ān, 38:27)
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 78
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٧. وَمِنْ خَبَرِ ضِرَارِ بْنِ حَمْزَةَ الضَّبَائِيِّ عِنْدَ دُخُولِهِ عَلَى مُعَاوِيَةَ وَمَسْأَلَتِهِ لَهُ عَنْ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ (ع) وَقَالَ فَأَشْهَدُ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ فِى بَعْضِ مَوَاقِفِهِ وَقَدْ أَرْخَى اللَّيْلُ سُدُولَهُ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ فِى مِحْرَابِهِ قَابِضٌ عَلَى لِحْيَتِهِ يَتَمَلْمَلُ تَمَلْمُلَ السَّلِيمِ وَيَبْكِى بُكَاءَ الْحَزِينِ وَيَقُولُ: يَا دُنْيَا يَا دُنْيَا إِلَيْكِ عَنِّى، أَبِى تَعَرَّضْتِ أَمْ إِلَيَّ تَشَوَّقْتِ؟ لَا حَانَ حِينُكِ هَيْهَاتَ غُرِّى غَيْرِى لَا حَاجَةَ لِى فِيكِ قَدْ طَلَّقْتُكِ َثلَاثاً لَا رَجْعَةَ فِيهَا فَعَيْشُكِ قَصِيرٌ وَخَطَرُكِ يَسِيرٌ وَأَمَلُكِ حَقِيرٌ. آهِ مِنْ قِلَّةِ الزَّادِ وَطُولِ الطَّرِيقِ وَبُعْدِ السَّفَرِ وَعَظِيمِ الْمَوْرِدِ.
77. It is related that when Ḍirār ibn Ḥamzah (the correct: Ḍamrah) aḍ-Ḍibābī (or aṣ-Ṣudā’ī) [1] went to Mu‘āwiyah, and Mu‘āwiyah enquired from him about Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, he said: I stand witness that I have seen him on several occasions when night had spread and he was standing in the niche (of the mosque) holding his beard, groaning like a man bitten by a snake and weeping as a grieved man, saying: O world, O world! Get away from me. Why do you present yourself to me? Or are you eager for me? You may not get that opportunity to impress me. Deceive some other person. I have no concern with you. I have divorced you thrice whereafter there is no restitution. Your life is short, your importance is little and your aspirations are base. Alas! The provision is little, the way is long, the journey is far and the goal is hard to reach.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 77
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّ الْأُمُورَ إذا اشْتَبَهَتْ اعْتُبِرَ آخِرُهَا بِأَوَّلِهَا.
76. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If matters get mixed up then the last ones should be appreciated according to the previous one. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 76
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كُلُّ مَعْدُود مُنْقَض، وَكُلُّ مُتَوَقَّعٍ آتٍ.
75. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Every countable thing is to pass away and every expected thing must come about.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 75
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): نَفْسُ الْمَرْءِ خُطَاهُ إِلَى أَجَلِهِ.
74. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The breath of a man is a step towards his death. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 74
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ نَصَبَ نَفْسَهُ لِلنَّاسِ إِمَاماً فَلْيَبْدَأْ بِتَعْلِيمِ نَفْسِهِ قَبْلَ تَعْلِيمِ غَيْرِهِ، وَلْيَكُنْ تَأْدِيبُهُ بِسِيرَتِهِ قَبْلَ تَأْدِيبِهِ بِلِسَانِهِ، وَمُعَلِّمُ نَفْسِهِ وَمُؤَدِّبُهَا أَحَقُّ بِالْإِجْلَالِ مِنْ مُعَلِّمِ النَّاسِ وَمُؤَدِّبِهِمْ.
73. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever places himself as a leader of the people should commence with educating his own self before educating others; and his teaching should be by his own conduct before teaching by the tongue. The person who teaches and instructs his own self is more entitled to esteem then he who teaches and instructs others.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 73
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الدَّهرُ يُخْلِقُ الْأَبْدَانَ، وَيُجَدِّدُ الْآمَالَ، وَيُقَرِّبُ الْمَنِيَّةَ، ويُبَاعِدُ الْأُمْنِيَّةَ، مَنْ ظَفِرَ بِهِ نَصِبَ، ومَنْ فَاتَهُ تَعِبَ.
72. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Time wears our bodies, renews desires, brings death nearer and takes away aspirations. Whoever is successful with it encounters grief and whoever misses its favours also undergoes hardships.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 72
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا تَمَّ الْعَقْلُ نَقَصَ الْكَلاَمُ.
71. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: As intelligence increases, speech decreases. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 71
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا تَرَى الْجَاهِلَ إِلَّا مُفْرِطاً أَوْ مُفَرِّطاً.
70. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: You will not find an ignorant person but at one extreme or the other (i.e. a person who neglects or a person who exaggerates).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 70
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ مَا تُرِيدُ فَلَا تُبَلْ مَا كُنْتَ.
69. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If what you aim at does not come about then do not worry as to what you were.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 69
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْعَفَافُ زِينَةُ الْفَقْرِ، والشُّكْرُ زِينَةُ الغِنَى.
68. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Charity is the adornment of destitution while gratefulness (to Allāh) is the adornment of riches.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 68
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا تَسْتَحِ مِنْ إِعْطَاءِ الْقَلِيلِ، فَإِنَّ الْحِرْمَانَ أَقَلُّ مِنْهُ.
67. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Do not feel ashamed for giving little because refusal is smaller than that.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 67
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): فَوْتُ الْحَاجَةِ أَهْوَنُ مِنْ طَلَبِهَا إِلَى غَيْرِ أَهْلِهَا.
66. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: To miss what one needs is easier than to beg from an inappropriate person. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 66
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): فَقْدُ الْأَحِبَّةِ غُرْبَةٌ.
65. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: A lack of friends means strangeness.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 65
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَهْلُ الدُّنْيَا كَرَكْبٍ يُسَارُ بِهِمْ وَهُمْ نِيَامٌ.
64. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The people of the world are like travellers who are being carried while they are asleep.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 64
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الشَّفِيعُ جَنَاحُ الطَّالِبِ.
63. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The interceder is the wing of the seeker.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 63
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا حُيِّيْتَ بِتَحِيَّةٍ فَحَيِّ بِأَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا، وإِذَا أُسْدِيَتْ إِلَيْكَ يَدٌ فَكَافِئْهَا بِمَا يُرْبِي عَلَيْهَا، وَالْفَضْلُ مَعَ ذلِكَ لِلْبَادِئِ.
62. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If you are met with a greeting, give better greetings in return. If a hand of help is extended to you, do a better favour in return, although the credit would remain with the one who was first.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 62
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْمَرْأَةُ عَقْرَبٌ حُلْوَةُ اللَّسْبَةِ.
61. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Woman is a scorpion whose sting is sweet.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 61
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الِّلسَانُ سَبُعٌ، إِنْ خُلِّيَ عَنْهُ عَقَرَ.
60. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The tongue is a beast; if it is let loose, it devours.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 60
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ حَذَّرَكَ كَمَنْ بَشَّرَكَ.
59. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever warns you is like one who gives you good tidings.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 59
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْمَالُ مَادَّةُ الشَّهَوَاتِ.
58. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Wealth is the fountain head of passions.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 58
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْقَنَاعَةُ مَالٌ لَا يَنْفَدُ. قال السيد الرضي: وقد روي هذا الكلام عن النبي صلي الله عليه وآله وسلم.
57. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Contentment is wealth that does not diminish. [1] As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This saying has also been related from the Prophet, may Allāh bless him and his descendants.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 57
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْغِنَى فِي الْغُرْبَةِ وَطَنٌ، وَالْفَقْرُ فِي الْوَطَنِ غُرْبَةٌ.
56. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: With wealth a strange land is a homeland, while with destitution even a homeland is a strange land. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 56
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الصَّبْرُ صَبْرَانِ: صَبْرٌ عَلَى مَا تَكْرَهُ، وَصَبْرٌ عَمَّا تُحِبُّ.
55. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Patience is of two kinds, patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 55
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا غِنَى كَالْعَقْلِ، وَلَا فَقْرَ كَالْجَهْلِ، وَلَا مِيرَاثَ كَالْأَدَبِ، وَلَا ظَهِيرَ كَالْمُشَاوَرَةِ.
54. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: There is no wealth like wisdom, no destitution like ignorance, no inheritance like refinement and no support like consultation.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 54
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): السَّخَاءُ مَا كَانَ ابْتِدَاءً، فَأَمَّا مَا كَانَ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةِ فَحَيَاءٌ وَتَذَمُّمٌ.
53. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Generosity is that which is by one’s own initiative, because giving on being asked is either out of self-respect or to avoid rebuke.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 53
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَوْلَى النَّاسِ بِالْعَفْوِ أَقْدَرُهُمْ عَلَى الْعُقُوبَةِ.
52. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The most capable of pardoning is he who is the most powerful to punish.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 52
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٥١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): عَيْبُكَ مَسْتُورٌ مَا أَسْعَدَكَ جَدُّكَ.
51. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: So long as your position is good, your defects will remain covered.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 51
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): قُلُوبُ الرِّجَالِ وَحْشِيَّةٌ، فَمَنْ تَأَلَّفَهَا أَقْبَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ.
50. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The hearts of the people are like wild beasts. Whoever tames them, they would pounce upon him. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 50
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): احْذَرُوا صَوْلَةَ الْكَرِيمِ إذَا جَاعَ، واللَّئِيمِ إِذَا شَبِعَ.
49. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Fear the attack of a noble person when he is hungry, and that of an ignoble person when he is satiated. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 49
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الظَّفَرُ بالْحَزْمِ، وَالْحَزْمُ بِإِجَالَةِ الرَّأْيِ، وَالرَّأْيُ بِتَحْصِينِ الْأَسْرَارِ.
48. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Victory is by determination; determination is by the turning over of thoughts; and thoughts are formed by guarding secrets.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 48
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): قَدْرُ الرَّجُلِ عَلَى قَدْرِ هِمَّتِهِ، وَصِدْقُهُ عَلَى قَدْرِ مُرُوءَتِهِ، وَشَجَاعَتُهُ عَلَى قَدْرِ أَنَفَتِهِ، وَعِفَّتُهُ عَلَى قَدْرِ غَيْرَتِهِ.
47. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The worth of a man is according to his courage, his truthfulness is according to his balance of temper, his valour is according to his self-respect and his chasteness is according to his sense of shame.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 47
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): سَيِّئَةٌ تَسُوءُكَ خَيْرٌ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ حَسَنَةٍ تُعْجِبُكَ.
46. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The sin that displeases you is better in the view of Allāh than the virtue which makes you proud. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 46
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَوْ ضَرَبْتُ خَيْشُومَ الْمُؤْمِنِ بِسَيْفِي هَذَا عَلَى أَنْ يُبْغِضَنِي مَا أَبْغَضَنِي وَلَوْ صَبَبْتُ الدُّنْيَا بِجَمَّاتِهَا عَلَى الْمُنَافِقِ عَلَى أَنْ يُحِبَّنِي مَا أَحَبَّنِي. وَذَلِكَ أَنَّهُ قُضِيَ فَانْقَضَى عَلَى لِسَانِ النَّبِيِّ الْأُمِّيِّ (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) أَنَّهُ قَالَ: يَا عَلِيُّ لَا يُبْغِضُكَ مُؤْمِنٌ وَلَا يُحِبُّكَ مُنَافِقٌ.
45. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Even if I strike the nose of a believer with this, my sword, for hating me he will not hate me, and even if I pile all the wealth of the world before a hypocrite (Muslim) for loving me he will not love me. This is because it is a verdict pronounced by the tongue of the revered Prophet, may Allāh bless him and his descendants, as he said: “O ‘Alī, a believer will never hate you and a hypocrite will never love you.” [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 45
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): طُوبَى لِمَنْ ذَكَرَ الْمَعَادَ، وَعَمِلَ لِلْحِسَابِ، وَقَنِعَ بِالْكَفَافِ، وَرَضِيَ عَنِ اللهِ.
44. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Blessed is the person who kept in mind the next life, acted so as to be able to render account, remained content with what sufficed him and remained pleased with Allāh.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 44
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) فِي ذِكْرِ خَبَّابِ بْنِ الْأَرَتِّ: يَرْحَمُ اللَّهُ خَبَّابَ بْنَ الْأَرَتِّ فَلَقَدْ أَسْلَمَ رَاغِباً وَهَاجَرَ طَائِعاً وَقَنِعَ بِالْكَفَافِ وَرَضِيَ عَنِ اللَّهِ وَعَاشَ مُجَاهِداً.
43. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said about Khabbāb ibn al-Aratt [1]: May Allāh have mercy on Khabbāb ibn al-Aratt since he accepted Islam willingly, immigrated (from Mecca) obediently, remained content with what sufficed him, was pleased with Allāh and lived the life of a mujāhid (holy soldier).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 43
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) لِبَعْضِ أَصْحَابِهِ فِي عِلَّةٍ اعْتَلَّهَا: جَعَلَ اللهُ مَا كَانَ مِنْ شَكْوَاكَ حطّاً لِسَيِّئَاتِكَ، فَإِنَّ الْمَرَضَ لَا أَجْرَ فِيهِ، وَلكِنَّهُ يَحُطُّ السَّيِّئَاتِ، وَيَحُتُّهَا حَتَّ الْأَوْرَاقِ، وَإِنَّمَا الْأَجْرُ فِي الْقَوْلِ بِالّلسَانِ، وَالْعَمَلِ بِالْأَيْدِي وَالْأَقْدَامِ، وَإِنَّ اللهَ سُبْحَانَهُ يُدْخِلُ بِصِدْقِ النِّيَّةِ وَالسَّرِيرَةِ الصَّالِحَةِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ مِنْ عَبَادِهِ الْجَنَّةَ. قال السيد الرضي: و أقول: صدق (عليه السلام)، «إنّ المرض لا أجر فيه»، لانه ليس من قبيل ما يُستحَقّ عليه العوض، لان العوض يستحق على ما كان في مقابلة فعل الله تعالى بالعبد، من الآلام والأمراض، وما يجري مجرى ذلك، والأجر والثواب يستحقان على ما كان في مقابلة فعل العبد، فبينهما فرق قد بينه (عليه السلام)، كما يقتضيه علمه الثاقب ورأيه الصائب.
42. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said to one of his companions during his sickness: May Allāh make your illness a means for writing off your sins, because there is no reward for sickness but that it erases sins and makes them fall like (dried) leaves. Reward lies in saying by the tongue and doing something with the hands and feet. Certainly, Allāh, the Glorified, admits into Paradise by virtue of truthfulness of intention and chastity of heart to whomsoever He wishes from among His creatures. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: Amīr al-mu’minīn is right in saying that there is no reward for sickness as such because compensation is admissible in respect of the acts of Allāh, the Sublime, towards his creatures such as grief, illness and the like, whereas reward and recompense becomes admissible against actions by the creature. This is the difference between the two and Amīr al-mu’minīn has clarified it through his lustrous knowledge and sound view.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 42
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤١. وقد روي عنه (عليه السلام) هذا المعنى بلفظ آخر، وهو قوله: قَلبُ الْأَحْمَقِ فِي فِيهِ، وَلِسَانُ الْعَاقِلِ فِي قَلْبِهِ. ومعناهما واحد.
41. This very sense has been related from Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, in a different version as follows: The heart of a fool is in his mouth while the tongue of the wise man is in his heart. The meaning of both the sayings (40 and 41) is the same.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 41
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَشْرَفُ الْغِنَى تَرْكُ الْمُنَى.
34. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The best of riches is the abandonement of desires.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 34
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): وَقَدْ لَقِيَهُ عِنْدَ مَسِيرِهِ إِلَى الشَّامِ دَهَاقِينُ الْأَنْبَارِ فَتَرَجَّلُوا لَهُ وَاشْتَدُّوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ، فَقَالَ: مَا هذَا الَّذِي صَنَعْتُمُوهُ؟ فقالوا: خُلُقٌ مِنَّا نُعَظِّمُ بِهِ أُمَرَاءَنَا. فَقَالَ (عليه السلام) وَاللهِ مَا يَنْتَفِعُ بِهذَا أُمَرَاؤُكُمْ! وَإِنَّكُمْ لَتَشُقُّونَ عَلَى أَنْفُسِكْمْ فِي دُنْيَاكُمْ، وَتَشْقَوْنَ بِهِ فِي آخِرَتِكُمْ، وَمَا أخْسرَ الْمَشَقَّةَ وَرَاءَهَا الْعِقَابُ، وَأَرْبَحَ الدَّعَةَ مَعَهَا الْأَمَانُ مِنَ النَّارِ.
37. Once Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was proceeding towards Syria when the countrymen of al-Anbār met him. Seeing him they began to walk on foot and then ran in front of him. He enquired why they were doing so and they replied that this was the way they respected their chiefs. Then he said: By Allāh, this does not benefit your chiefs. You are belabouring yourself in this world and earning misery for the next world by it. How harmful is the labour in whose wake there is punishment and how profitable is the case with which there is deliverance from the Fire (of Hell).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 37
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٤٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) : لِسَانُ الْعَاقِلِ وَرَاءَ قَلْبِهِ، وَقَلْبُ الْأَحْمَقِ وَرَاءَ لِسَانِهِ. قال السيد الرضي: و هذا من المعاني العجيبة الشريفة، والمراد به أنّ العاقل لا يطلق لسانه إلاّ بعد مشاورة الرَّوِيّةِ ومؤامرة الفكرة، والأحمق تسبق خذفاتُ لسانه وفلتاتُ كلامه مراجعةَ فكره ومماخضة رأيه، فكأن لسان العاقل تابع لقلبه، وكأن قلب الاحمق تابع للسانه.
40. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The tongue of the wise man is behind his heart, and the heart of the fool is behind his tongue. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This sentence has a strange and beautiful meaning. It means that the wise man does not speak with his tongue except after consulting his mind and exercising his imagination, but the fool quickly utters whatever comes to his tongue without thinking. In this way, the tongue of the wise man follows his heart while the heart of the fool follows his tongue.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 40
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَا قُرْبَةَ بِالنَّوَافِلِ إِذَا أَضَرَّتْ بِالْفَرَائِضِ.
39. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace he upon him, said: Supererogatory worship cannot bring about nearness to Allāh if it hampers the obligatory.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 39
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) لِابْنِهِ الْحَسَنِ (عليه السلام): يَا بُنَيَّ، احْفَظْ عَنِّي أَرْبَعاً وَأَرْبَعاً، لَا يَضُرَّكَ مَا عَمِلْتَ مَعَهُنَّ: إِنَّ أَغْنَى الْغِنَىُ الْعَقْلُ، وَأَكْبَرَ الْفَقْرِ الْحُمْقُ، وَأَوحَشَ الْوَحْشَةِ الْعُجْبُ وَأَكْرَمَ الْحَسَبَ حُسْنُ الْخُلُقِ. يَا بُنَيَّ، إِيَّاكَ وَمُصَادَقَةَ الْأَحْمَقِ، فَإِنَّهُ يُريِدُ أَنْ يَنْفَعَكَ فَيَضُرَّكَ. وَإِيَّاكَ وَمُصَادَقَةَ الْبَخِيلِ، فَإِنَّهُ يَقْعُدُ عَنْكَ أَحْوَجَ مَا تَكُونُ إِلَيْهِ. وَإِيَّاكَ وَمُصَادَقَةَ الْفَاجِرِ، فَإِنَّهُ يَبِيعُكَ بِالتَّافِهِ وَإِيَّاكَ وَمُصَادَقَةَ الْكَذَّابِ، فَإِنَّهُ كَالسَّرَابِ يُقَرِّبُ عَلَيْكَ الْبَعِيدَ، وَيُبَعِّدُ عَلَيْكَ الْقَرِيبَ.
38. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said to his son al-Ḥasan: O my son, learn four things and (a further) four things from me. Nothing will harm you if you practise them. That the richest of riches is intelligence; the biggest destitution is foolishness; the wildest wildness is vanity and the best achievement is goodness of the moral character. O my son, you should avoid making friends with a fool because he may intend to benefit you but may harm you; you should avoid making friends with a miser because he will run away from you when you need him most; you should avoid making friends with a sinful person because he will sell you for nought; and you should avoid making friends with a liar because he is like a mirage, making you feel far things near and near things far.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 38
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَطَالَ الْأَمَلَ أَسَاءَ الْعَمَلَ.
36. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whoever prolongs his desire ruins his actions.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 36
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَسْرَعَ إِلَى النَّاسِ بِمَا يَكْرَهُونَ، قَالُوا فِيهِ بِمَا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ.
35. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: If someone is quick in saying about people what they dislike, they speak about him that about which they have no knowledge.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 35
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): كُنْ سَمَحاً وَلَا تَكُنْ مُبَذِّراً، وَكُنْ مُقَدِّراً وَلَا تَكُنْ مُقَتِّراً.
33. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Be generous but not extravagant; be thrifty but not miserly.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 33
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): فَاعِلُ الْخَيْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْهُ، وَفَاعِلُ الشَّرِّ شَرٌّ مِنْهُ.
32. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The doer of good is better than the good itself, and the doer of evil is worse than the evil itself.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 32
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣١. وسُئِلَ (عليه السلام) عَنِ الْإِيمَانِ، فَقَالَ: الْإِيمَانُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ: عَلَى الصَّبْرِ، والْيَقِينِ، وَالْعَدْلِ، وَالْجَهَادِ. وَالصَّبْرُ مِنْهَا عَلَى أَربَعِ شُعَبٍ: عَلَى الشَّوْقِ وَالشَّفَقِ وَالزُّهْدِ وَالتَّرَقُّبِ: فَمَنِ اشْتَاقَ إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ سَلاَ عَنِ الشَّهَوَاتِ، وَمَنْ أشْفَقَ مِنَ النَّارِ اجْتَنَبَ الْـمُحَرَّمَاتِ، وَمَنْ زَهِدَ فِي الدُّنْيَا اسْتَهَانَ بِالْمُصِيبَاتِ، وَمَنِ ارْتَقَبَ الْمَوْتَ سَارَعَ إِلَى الْخَيْرَاتِ. وَالْيَقِينُ مِنْهَا عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ: عَلَى تَبْصِرَةِ الْفِطْنَةِ، وَتَأَوُّلِ الْحِكْمَةِ وَمَوْعِظَةِ الْعِبْرَةِ وَسُنَّةِ الاْوَّلِينَ فَمَنْ تَبَصَّرَ فِي الْفِطْنَةِ تَبَيَّنَتْ لَهُ الْحِكْمَةُ، وَمَنْ تَبَيَّنَتْ لَهُ الْحِكْمَةُ عَرَفَ الْعِبْرَةَ، وَمَنْ عَرَفَ الْعِبْرَةَ فَكَأَنَّمَا كَانَ فِي الْأَوَّلِينَ. وَالْعَدْلُ مِنْهَا عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ: عَلَى غائِصِ الْفَهْمِ، وَغَوْرِ الْعِلْمِ وَزُهْرَةِ الْحُكْمِ،ِ، وَرَسَاخَةِ الْحِلْمِ: فَمَنْ فَهِمَ عَلِمَ غَوْرَ الْعِلْمِ، وَمَنْ عَلِمَ غَوْرَ الْعِلْمِ صَدَرَ عَنْ شَرَائِعِ الْحُكْمِ وَمَنْ حَلُمَ لَمْ يُفَرِّطْ فِي أَمْرِهِ وَعَاشَ فِي النَّاسِ حَمِيداً. وَالْجِهَادُ مِنْهَا عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَبٍ: عَلَى الْأَمْرِ بالْمَعْرُوفِ، وَالنَّهْي عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ، وَالصِّدْقِ فِي الْمَوَاطِنِ وَشَنَآنِ الْفَاسِقيِنَ: فَمَنْ أَمَرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ شَدَّ ظُهُورَ الْمُؤمِنِينَ، وَمَنْ نَهَى عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ أَرْغَمَ أُنُوفَ الْكَافِرِينَ، وَمَنْ صَدَقَ فِي الْمَوَاطِنِ قَضَى مَا عَلَيْهِ، وَمَنْ شَنِئَ الْفَاسِقِينَ وَغَضِبَ لله غَضِبَ اللهُ لَهُ وَأَرْضَاهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ. وَالْكُفْرُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ دَعَائِمَ: عَلَى التَّعَمُّقِ وَالتَّنَازُعِ وَالزَّيْغِ وَالشِّقَاقِ فَمَنْ تَعَمَّقَ لَمْ يُنِبْ إِلَى الْحَقِّ، وَمَنْ كَثُرَ نِزَاعُهُ بِالْجَهْلِ دَامَ عَمَاهُ عَنِ الْحَقِّ، وَمَنْ زَاغَ سَاءَتْ عِنْدَهُ الْحَسَنَةُ وَحَسُنَتْ عِنْدَهُ السَّيِّئَةُ وَسَكِرَ سُكْرَ الضَّلاَلَةِ، وَمَنْ شَاقَّ وَعُرَتْ عَلَيْهِ طُرُقُهُ وَأَعْضَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَمْرُهُ وَضَاقَ عَلَيْهِ مَخْرَجُهُ. وَالشَّكُّ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ شُعَب: عَلَى التَّمَارِي وَالْهَوْلِ وَالتَّرَدُّدِ وَالِاسْتِسْلَامِ فَمَنْ جَعَلَ الْمِرَاءَ دَيْدَناً لَمْ يُصْبِحْ لَيْلُهُ وَمَنْ هَالَهُ مَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ نَكَصَ عَلَى عَقِبَيْهِ وَمَن تَرَدَّدَ فِي الرَّيْبِ وَطِئَتْهُ سَنَابِكُ الشَّيَاطِينِ وَمَنِ اسْتَسْلَمَ لِهَلَكَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ هَلَكَ فِيهِمَا. قال السيد الرضي: وبعد هذا كلام تركنا ذكره خوف الإطالة والخروج عن الغرض المقصود في هذا الكتاب.
31. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was asked about faith. He said: Faith stands on four supports: on endurance, conviction, justice and jihād (fighting in the way of Allāh).Endurance again has four aspects: eagerness, fear, abstention (from the world) and anticipation (of death). So, whoever is eager for Paradise will ignore the passions; whoever fears the Fire (of Hell) will refrain from prohibited acts; whoever abstains from the world takes hardships lightly; and whoever anticipates death will hasten towards good deeds.Conviction also has four aspects: prudent perception, intelligence and understanding, drawing lessons from instructive things and following the precedents of past people. So, whoever perceives with prudence, wise knowledge will be manifest to him, and to whomsoever wise knowledge becomes manifest he appreciates instructive objects, and whoever appreciates instructive objects he is just like past people. Justice also has four aspects: keen understanding, deep knowledge, a good power of decision and firm forbearance. Therefore, whoever understands comes to acquire depth of knowledge; whoever acquires depth of knowledge drinks from the spring of judgement; and whoever exercises forbearance never commits evil actions in his affairs and leads a praiseworthy life among the people. Jihād also has four aspects: to ask others to do good, to keep away others from doing evil, to fight (in the way of Allāh) sincerely and firmly on all occasions, and to detest the vicious. So, whoever asks others to do good provides strength to the believers; whoever desists others from evil humiliates the unbelievers; whoever fights sincerely on all occasions discharges all his obligations; and whoever detests the vicious and becomes angry for the sake of Allāh, then Allāh will be angry in favour of him and will keep him and will keep him pleased on the Day of Judgement. Unbelief stands on four supports: hankering after whims, mutual quarrelling, deviation from the truth, and dissension. So, whoever hankers after whims does not incline towards right: whoever quarrels much on account of ignorance remains permanently blinded from the right; whoever deviates from truth, for him good becomes evil and evil becomes good and he remains intoxicated with misguidance; and whoever makes a breach (with Allāh and His Messenger), his path becomes difficult, his affairs become complicated and his way of escape becomes narrow. Doubt has also four aspects: unreasonableness, fear, wavering and undue submission to every thing. So, he who adopts unreasonableness as his way, for him there is no dawn after the night; he who is afraid of what befalls him has to run on his heels; he who wavers in doubt Satans trample him under their feet and he who submits to the destruction of this and the next world succumbs to it. As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: We have left out the remaining portion of this saying for fear of length and for being outside the purpose of this chapter.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 31
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْحَذَرَ! الْحَذَرَ! فَوَاللهِ لَقَدْ سَتَرَ، حتَّى كَأَنَّهُ قَدْ غَفَرَ.
30. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Fear! Fear! By Allāh, He has hidden your sins so much so as though He has forgiven.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 30
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا كُنْتَ فِي إِدْبَارٍ وَالْمَوْتُ فِي إِقْبَالٍ فَمَا أسْرَعَ الْمُلْتَقَى.
29. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: When you are running away from the world and death is approaching, there is no question of delay in the encounter.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 29
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَفْضَلُ الزُّهْدِ إِخْفَاءُ الزُّهْدِ.
28. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The best abstemiousness is to conceal it.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 28
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): امْشِ بِدَائِكَ مَا مَشَى بِكَ.
27. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Keep walking in your sickness as long as you can. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 27
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَا أَضْمَرَ أَحَدٌ شَيْئاً إِلَّا ظَهَرَ فِي فَلَتَاتِ لِسَانِهِ وَ صَفَحَاتِ وَجْهِهِ.
26. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Whenever a person conceals a thing in his heart it manifests itself through unintentional words from his tongue and (in) the expressions of his face. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 26
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): يَابْنَ آدَمَ، إِذَا رَأَيْتَ رَبَّكَ سُبْحَانَهُ يُتَابِعُ عَلَيْكَ نِعَمَهُ وَأَنْتَ تَعْصِيهِ فَاحْذَرْهُ.
25. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: O son of Adam, when you see that your Lord, the Glorified, bestows His favours on you while you are disobeying Him, you should fear Him. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 25
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مِنْ كَفَّارَاتِ الذُّنُوبِ الْعِظَامِ إِغَاثَةُ الْمَلْهُوفِ، وَالتَّنْفِيسُ عَنِ الْمكْرُوبِ.
24. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Rendering relief to the grief-stricken and providing comfort in hardship are among the means of atonement for great sins.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 24
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ أَبْطَأَ بِهِ عَمَلُهُ لَمْ يُسْرِعْ بِهِ حَسَبُهُ.
23. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He whose deeds accord (him) a back position cannot be given a front position because of his lineage.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 23
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): لَنَا حَقٌّ، فَإِنْ أُعْطِينَاهُ، وَإِلاَّ رَكِبْنَا أَعْجَازَ الاْبِلِ، وَإِنْ طَالَ السُّرَى. قال السيد الرضي: وهذا من لطيف الكلام وفصيحه ومعناه أنا إن لم نعط حقنا كنا أذلاء وذلك أن الرديف يركب عجز البعير كالعبد و الأسير و من يجري مجراهما.
22. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: We have a right. If it is allowed to us well and good, otherwise, we will ride on the hind part of the camel (like lowly people) even though the night journey may be long.As-Sayyid ar-Raḍī says: This is a very fine and eloquent expression. It means that if we are not allowed our right we will be regarded humble. This sense comes out from this expression because on the rear part of the camel only slaves, prisoners or other people of this type used to ride. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 22
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): قُرِنَتِ الْهَيْبَةُ بِالْخَيْبَةِ وَالْحَيَاءُ بِالْحِرْمَانِ وَالْفُرْصَةُ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ السَّحَابِ، فَانْتَهِزُوا فُرَصَ الْخَيْرِ.
21. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The consequence of fear is disappointment and of bashfulness is frustration. Opportunity passes away like the cloud. Therefore, make use of good opportunities. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 21
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَقِيلُوا ذَوِي الْمُرُوءَاتِ عَثَرَاتِهِمْ فَمَا يَعْثُرُ مِنْهُمْ عَاثِرٌ إِلَّا وَيَدُهُ بِيَدِ اللهِ يَرْفَعُهُ.
20. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Forgive the shortcomings of people of virtue and honor because when they fall into error Allāh raises them up.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 20
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ جَرَى فِي عِنَانِ أَمَلِهِ عَثَرَ بِأَجَلِهِ.
19. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who gallops with loose rein collides with death.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 19
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام) فِي الَّذِينَ اعْتَزَلُوا الْقِتَالَ مَعَهُ: خَذَلُوا الْحَقَّ، وَلَمْ يَنْصُرُوا الْبَاطِلَ.
18. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said about those who avoided fighting on his side: They abandoned right but did not support wrong. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 18
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٧. وَسُئِلَ (عليه السلام) عَنْ قَوْلِ الرَّسُولِ (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم): غَيِّرُوا الشَّيْبَ وَلَا تَشَبَّهُوا بِالْيَهُودِ. فَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِنَّمَا قَالَ (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) ذَلِكَ وَالدِّينُ قُلٌّ فَأَمَّا الْآنَ وَقَدِ اتَّسَعَ نِطَاقُهُ وَضَرَبَ بِجِرَانِهِ فَامْرُؤٌ وَمَا اخْتَارَ.
17. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, was asked to explain the saying of the Messenger of Allāh: “Banish your old age (by hair-dye) and do not acquire resemblance to the Jews.” Amīr al-mu’minīn replied: The Prophet (S) said this at a time when the religion was confined to a few, but now that its expanse has widened and it is firmly settled everyone is free in his action. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 17
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): تَذِلُّ الْأُمُورُ لِلْمَقَادِيرِ حَتَّى يَكُونَ الْحَتْفُ فِي التَّدْبِيرِ.
16. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: All matters are subject to destiny, so much so that sometimes death results from effort.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 16
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَا كُلُّ مَفْتُونٍ يُعَاتَبُ.
15. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Every mischief monger cannot even be reproved. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 15
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): مَنْ ضَيَّعَهُ الْأَقْرَبُ أُتِيحَ لَهُ الْأَبْعَدُ.
14. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who is abandoned by near ones is dear to remote ones.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 14
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا وَصَلَتْ إِلَيْكُمْ أَطْرَافُ النِّعَمِ فَلَا تُنَفِّرُوا أَقْصَاهَا بِقِلَّةِ الشُّكْرِ.
13. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: When you get (only) small favours do not push them away through lack of gratefulness.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 13
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَعْجَزُ النَّاسِ مَنْ عَجَزَ عَنِ اكْتِسَابِ الْإِخْوَانِ وَأَعْجَزُ مِنْهُ مَنْ ضَيَّعَ مَنْ ظَفِرَ بِهِ مِنْهُمْ.
12. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The most helpless of all men is he who cannot find a few brothers during his life, but still more helpless is he who finds such a brother but loses him. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 12
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
١١. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا قَدَرْتَ عَلَى عَدُوِّكَ فَاجْعَلِ الْعَفْوَ عَنْهُ شُكْراً لِلْقُدْرَةِ عَلَيْهِ.
11. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: When you gain power over your adversary pardon him by way of thanks for being able to overpower him. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 11
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١٠. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): خَالِطُوا النَّاسَ مُخَالَطَةً إِنْ مِتُّمْ مَعَهَا بَكَوْا عَلَيْكُمْ وَإِنْ عِشْتُمْ حَنُّوا إِلَيْكُمْ.
10. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Meet people in such a manner that if you die they should weep for you and if you live they should long for you. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 10
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٩. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): إِذَا أَقْبَلَتِ الدُّنْيَا عَلَى أَحَدٍ أَعَارَتْهُ مَحَاسِنَ غَيْرِهِ وَإِذَا أَدْبَرَتْ عَنْهُ سَلَبَتْهُ مَحَاسِنَ نَفْسِهِ.
9. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: When this world advances towards anyone (with its favours) it attributes to him other’s good; and when it turns away from him it deprives him of his own good. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 9
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٨. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): اعْجَبُوا لِهذَا الْإِنْسَانِ يَنْظُرُ بِشَحْمٍ وَيَتَكَلَّمُ بِلَحْمٍ وَيَسْمَعُ بِعَظْمٍ، وَيَتَنَفَّسُ مِنْ خَرْمٍ.
8. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: How wonderful is man that sees with fat, talks with a piece of flesh, hears with a bone and breathes through a hole.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 8
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٧. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الصَّدَقَةُ دَوَاءٌ مُنْجِحٌ، وَأَعْمَالُ الْعِبَادِ فِي عَاجِلِهِمْ، نُصْبُ أَعْيُنِهِمْ فِي آجِلِهِمْ.
7. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Charity is an effective cure, and the actions of people in their present life will be before their eyes in the next life. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah Saying 7
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٦. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): صَدْرُ الْعَاقِلِ صُنْدُوقُ سِرِّهِ وَالْبَشَاشَةُ حِبَالَةُ الْمَوَدَّةِ وَالِاحْتِمَالُ قَبْرُ الْعُيُوبِ. وَرُوِيَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ فِي الْعِبَارَةِ عَنْ هَذَا الْمَعْنَى أَيْضاً : الْمَسْأَلَةُ خِبَاءُ الْعُيُوبِ وَمَنْ رَضِيَ عَنْ نَفْسِهِ كَثُرَ السَّاخِطُ عَلَيْهِ.
6. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: The bosom of the wise is the safe of his secrets; cheerfulness is the bond of friendship; effective forbearance is the grave of short-comings. It is narrated that Amīr al-mu’minīn said in expressing this meaning that: Mutual reconciliation is the covering for short-comings; and he who admires himself attracts many opponents against him. [1]
Ref: Nahjul Balagah Saying 6
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٥. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْعِلْمُ وِرَاثَةٌ كَرِيمَةٌ وَالْآدَابُ حُلَلٌ مُجَدَّدَةٌ وَالْفِكْرُ مِرْآةٌ صَافِيَةٌ.
5. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Knowledge is a venerable estate; good manners are new dresses; and thinking is clear mirror.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah Saying 5
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٤. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْعَجْزُ آفَةٌ وَالصَّبْرُ شَجَاعَةٌ وَالزُّهْدُ ثَرْوَةٌ وَالْوَرَعُ جُنَّةٌ وَنِعْمَ الْقَرِينُ الرِّضَى.
4. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Incapability is a catastrophe; endurance is bravery; abstinence is riches; self-restraint is a shield (against sin); and the best companion is submission (to Allāh’s will).
Ref: Nahjul Balagah, Saying 4
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٣. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): الْبُخْلُ عَارٌ وَالْجُبْنُ مَنْقَصَةٌ وَالْفَقْرُ يُخْرِسُ الْفَطِنَ عَنْ حُجَّتِهِ وَالْمُقِلُّ غَرِيبٌ فِي بَلْدَتِهِ.
3. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: Miserliness is shame; cowardice is a defect; poverty disables an intelligent man from arguing his case; and a destitute person is a stranger in his home town.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah,Saying 3
Posted By: Fazil Mirza
٢. وَقَالَ (عليه السلام): أَزْرَى بِنَفْسِهِ مَنِ اسْتَشْعَرَ الطَّمَعَ وَرَضِيَ بِالذُّلِّ مَنْ كَشَفَ عَنْ ضُرِّهِ وَهَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ نَفْسُهُ مَنْ أَمَّرَ عَلَيْهَا لِسَانَهُ.
2. Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: He who adopts greed as a habit devalues himself; he who discloses his hardship agrees to humiliation; and he who allows his tongue to overpower his soul debases the soul.
Ref: Nahjul Balagah Saying 2
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قال (عليه السلام): كُنْ فِي الْفِتْنَةِ كَابْنِ اللَّبُونِ، لاَ ظَهْرٌ فَيُرْكَبَ، وَلاَ ضَرْعٌ فَيُحْلَبَ.
Amīr al-mu’minīn, peace be upon him, said: During civil disturbance be like an adolescent camel [1] who has neither a back strong enough for riding nor udders for milking.
Ref: Nahjul Balagha, Saying 1
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