Gems
of Wisdom by Aala Hazrat Imam Raza
RadiAllahu
Anh
¶
That person who affords the
creation of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala their dues then he would also afford his
dues to Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
¶
The person who listens to
backbiting is an accomplice to backbiting and the one who does evil deeds, he
definitely is negligent.
¶
If only the people of this World
had complete knowledge then today’s business and its present condition would be
deranged.
¶
Sometimes everything goes so
well and sometimes even with all the assistance the job still remains
incomplete.
¶
Sometimes grave damage is caused
by good news and sometimes good comes out of a bad venture.
¶
O! World –whoever is not aware
of your treachery and is not disgusted with your acquaintance then though he
many be alive yet he is dead and should be mourned.
¶
The extreme of modesty is when a
person is modest of himself also.
¶
How can anybody bring a person
back on the correct track when that person chooses to remain on the wrong
track.
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An idiot’s wisdom is behind while
an intelligent persons tongue is behind his wisdom.
¶
The beauty of a gift is this
that whatever has to be given should be given quickly and it should not be kept
waiting in anticipation.
¶
Women, Intelligent and lesson
seeking people can be lectured to, but the immature would gain no benefit from
it.
¶
That person who does contrary to
the truth, then Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala himself opposes and
confronts him.
¶
That person who resides close to
his enemy, then his body wastes away would sorrow and he becomes lean and thin.
¶
That person who always remains
unhappy, then that which makes him happy or gives him pleasure would never be
known.
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That person, who is not in the
habit of being civil, is set right by maltreatment.
¶
That person damages his faculty
of reason, who finds pleasure in everything he does.
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That person who adopts certain
principles in any big venture than those principles become established in his
life.
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Whosoever is ruled by his
tongue, then he should be made aware of his destruction and his decision of
death is made by it.
¶
That person who does not have
high hopes, his actions are true.
¶
That person who when praised is
thankful to those that praise him, in reality that is not thankfulness but a
joke.
¶
That person, who quickly answers
a question with no consideration, is generally blinded to the consequences his
actions would lead to.
¶
That person who is careless
though he has the knowledge of becoming wealthy, soon realises he can never
attain that wealth.
¶
That person, who cannot keep his
own secret, would certainly not be able to keep the secret of others.
¶
That person, who has ill
thoughts, would always look suspiciously at others.
¶
That person who does not respect
himself, then he should not expect to be respected by others.
¶
That person who cannot make
peace with himself can never bring about peace between others.
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That person, who does not
benefit from his own alertness, cannot benefit from the vigilance of his
protectors.
¶
That person who is not grateful
to the assistance of someone, then he should not expect to receive assistance
form that source again.
¶
That person who cannot see the
damage caused by evil soon finds himself caught in that same evil.
¶
That person who does not see the
advantages of being a good Samaritan, then he will not possess the strength to
do a person a good favour.
¶
It is a great misfortune upon
the virtuous and honourable people that they have to, for the sake of
hospitality and courtesy behave towards the evil and wicked people.
¶
To do good towards the creation
of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala in that manner that really portrays one
as really grateful to the Supreme Creator SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala. One cannot find
a better method.
¶
That person who is free from sin
becomes valiant and courageous, and that person who has any defect becomes a
very big coward.
¶
That person who regards tomorrow
as the day he would die, experiences no troubles when death really approaches
him.
¶
That work or action that is not
permissible in public, most likely is not permissible in private.
¶
To follow the commands of Allah
SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala cannot be obtained except by compulsion.
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The essence of knowledge is to
know while the essence of doing a person a favour is based on not reminding
that person of that favour.
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That person whose knowledge
exceeds his common sense becomes a nuisance to him.
¶
The friendship of a fickle
person becomes distant over a small and distant word.
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That difficulty that possesses
the hope of reward is better than that gift for which one is ungrateful.
¶
To distance yourself from that
Salaah (prayer) with total confidence is better than to complete the Salaah
under suspicion.
¶
Keep your distance from
mischievous women and also be wary of gentlemen.
¶
To give advice in front of
people is one form of censure.
¶
The friendship of the ignorant
is inconsistent and changeable.
¶
That poor relative that meets
his fellow relatives is better than that wealthy person who severs all ties
with his relatives.
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The soundness of religion lies
in the destruction of material values.
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Until you are totally aware of a
person’s nature do not put your trust in his nobility.
¶
Do not look down upon anyone
until you have spoken to him.
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Though one finds no joy in it,
one should continue doing good deeds.
¶
Do not think ill of that which
you have no knowledge of. It may be possible that their is still information
outstanding which had not reached you. If you cannot find a deserving person
worthy of friendship do not befriend an unworthy person.
¶
A person of knowledge, though he
may be in a despicable condition, does not think of him in a disgraceful
manner. Though a fool may be in bad company do no think bad of him.
¶
Do not show pleasure in
somebody’s downfall, for you have no knowledge of what the future holds in
store for you.
¶
Do not be trustworthy of
enemies’ good manners, for no matter how much one may use fire to heat water,
yet it is enough to douse it.
¶
There is no generosity
surrounding the circumstances of poverty, likewise there is no relationship of
greed with good health.
¶
Difficulties are confronted with
patience, and the protection of Allah ’s SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala gifts is being
grateful.
¶
There is no greater truth than
death and there is no greater lie than to raise ones hopes.
¶
There are very few that have not
caused harm to themselves by rush and hasty decisions, likewise it is a strange
occurrence when a patient person is not successful.
¶
Little knowledge is the
consequence of animosity in good deeds and sound knowledge is dependent on
sound knowledge.
¶
When one takes what rightfully
belongs to him, he should not be enraged although he should safeguard himself
from misappropriating somebody else’s rights or belonging.
¶
When a road is open towards
peace from freedom then it is foolish to stay in fear and bondage.
¶
Just as it is unpleasant to say
something ignorant, likewise there is no benefit in staying silent knowing the
truth.
¶
An honest man though the
generosity of truth reaches such a status that can never be attained by a lying
untruthful deceitful and cunning person.
¶
A person’s intelligence is
ascertained by the charm of eloquence of his speech while his respectability is
ascertained by the resolve of his actions.
¶
Seek refuge in Allah SubHanuhu
wa Ta'ala from the mischief of wealth and opulence for it is such a long
mischief, that it becomes too late when one realises it.
¶
Safeguard yourself from the
company of immorality and sin for vices very quickly become habits.
¶
The people have turned their
attention away from obtaining ilm (knowledge – in this case religious
knowledge) because they see an Alim (religious leader – priest) who does not
practise on his education.
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To bestow gifts timorously,
without delaying is the habit of the honourable, while to seek vengeance
hastily is not amongst the characteristics of the respectable.
¶
Even if the Almighty creator
Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala had not made unlawful things unlawful, the wise and
intelligent would still refrain from the unlawful.
¶
Though the World may be in the
possession of a person yet he never attains it.
¶
Speech presents itself with a
few evils. The speaker requires time and opportunity.
¶
There is offering of Alms
(sadqa) for every facet in life, and the charity of reasoning, Intelligent and
wisdom is to exercise tolerance and forbearance towards the ignorant and
foolish.
¶
That person has caused you a
great harm, who had praised you and shown you respect through you are deserving
of it.
¶
Whosoever has shown you
dishonour and contempt and if you are wise then verily that person had done you
a great favour.
¶
It is better to follow in a good
deed that to lead in a bad deed.
¶
Your nafs will do that which you
have befriended it to.
¶
That person for whom you
painstakingly go out of your way to be hospitable and entertaining cannot
really be your brother.
¶
One can never know and
understand the feeling of good fortune until he tastes misfortune.
¶
Do not exceed the boundaries of
bravery nor entirely surrender yourself by giving up hope.
¶
There is no fault or shame in
journey. The sinful thing is that a man is subjected to obligation in his own
native country.
¶
The person who exceeds the
boundaries of politeness towards you has in actuality done you a grave wrong.
¶
Make your peace with your
creator so that the hereafter becomes peaceful for you, and live harmoniously
with one another so that you do not destroy the World.
¶
Tolerance and placidity is not
that, when one is need and overpowered the he remains silent and when he
becomes powerful then he seeks vengeance.
¶
The sign that a servant is
showing pleasure towards his creator is when he shows pleasure in whatever fate
decrees to him.
¶
For the seeing there is a lesson
in every glance and an experience in every advise.
¶
The best deed that shows
gratefulness to Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala gifts is to share it with
others.
¶
A sin committed deliberately is
not deserving of forgiveness.
¶
To lessen gratefulness
disinclines a benefactor to assist.
¶
If one does not know the answer
to a question it is better to be honest and say you do not know, for by saying
so one actually has half the knowledge to the question, but do not think great
of the fact that you do not know.
¶
Kill the desires of the heart
with education and knowledge and kill your anger with tolerance and
forbearance.
¶
How can a person be happy with
his age when every second added to it shortens it? Also how can a person be
proud of the wellbeing of his body when it is a lifelong sign of wretchedness?
¶
Very few wishes are fulfilled
and misfortunes are sometimes turned to fortunes.
¶
Sometimes you travel weapon less
and sometimes dreams come true.
¶
If the fear of death is close to
your heart then the pride of false hopes will never come near or overpower it.
¶
To agree on every word is a sign
of a hypocrite while to disagree on every word is open signs of hostility and
animosity.
¶
Silence is an adornment of
beauty for an 'Alim and a veil against ignorance for the ignorant.
¶
Save yourself from the betrayal
of a friend and the overpowering of an enemy.
¶
Do not put your trust in fake
promises for it is an investment of the foolish.
¶
Disobedience and debauchery are
the reasons that bring down punishment and the wrath of Allah SubHanuhu wa
Ta'ala, so steer clear of it.
¶
Shorten that speech which you
seem to draw pleasure from, for this is better on your behalf and is a sign of
excellence and marvel.
¶
Do not be ensnared by any talk
of a mischievous person and do not isolate yourself from an honourable person
because of his sternness or a minor fault.
¶
It is hard to fathom why we
require that which is always in the hands of a vile person.
¶
The person who has the power to
do the best deeds is that person who has complete control over his temper.
¶
The greatest lecture is when a
person looks at a graveyard and gains a lesson from it.
¶
The greatest sin is that sin
which looks minor in the eyes of the sinful.
¶
The rights exercised by mercy
rightfully belong to three people: a) An 'Alim on whom the ignorant rule. b)
The honourable and respectable person who is ruled by a vile and wicked ruler.
c) That pious person who is subdued by an evil person.
¶
The rarities of the World are
truth and trustworthiness while falsehood and untrustworthiness is in
abundance.
¶
The best speech is that speech
that is backed by sincere action.
¶
The greatest difficulties are on
that person whose expectations are extremely high, benevolence high and
abilities low.
¶
The most foolish person is he who
thinks ill of the meanness of another yet finds no qualms in emulating that
person.
¶
We are very thankful to the
gifts bestowed by Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala such that to commit an act of sin
arduous to the people.
¶
Very the dead are in the earth’s
stomach and the sick are on its back (i.e. The dead are buried while the living
are embraced with difficulties)
¶
Verily poverty is demeaning to
the soul, proper for the mind, and increases sorrow and anxiety.
¶
Verily big ideas cross the mind
from time to time yet sound wisdom keeps it in check.
¶
Verily the best example in
explaining the difference between this World and the hereafter is likened to a
man with 2 wives, when he pleases one the other gets upset.
¶
Verily this World is a house
full of difficulties. Whoever indulges quickly in it, and then difficulties
afflict his life. Whoever is granted a little respite then he thinks of
securing a livelihood or he is caught up in the separation of friends and
relatives, close and dear.
¶
When wisdom is complete then
speech becomes less.
¶
When you go away very far with
great expectations then remind yourself with the sudden arrival of death.
¶
When speech becomes less, then
man usually speaks the truth.
¶
When fear of Allah SubHanuhu wa
Ta'ala enters your heart then hurry towards him and seek repentance, and if the
fear of any creation enters your heart then run away from him.
¶
Everything of note gradually
becomes less and every happiness becomes insignificant one day.
¶
Whenever Almighty Allah
SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala loves a certain servant of his then he bestows upon him
that guidance to take a lesson from the periods most dangerous and admonitory
events.
¶
A respectable 'Alim adopts
humility, but when a wicked person adopts knowledge then he commits bad deeds.
¶
When a person has a good character
his speech becomes delicate and exquisite.
¶
If you cannot repay a favour,
then at least show gratitude by thanking the person.
¶
When an ascetic (Zahid) runs
away from the people then seek him out, but when an ascetic seeks the company
of people then stay away from him.
¶
When you cannot fathom the
wisdom of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala in certain things then do not add
your fancy notions to it.
¶
When you cannot give the weak
and oppressed anything then at least show mercy and kindness towards them.
¶
When you fear a command then
enroll yourself into its obedience for the longer you fear the command the more
difficult it becomes to execute or obey.
¶
When you identify certain good
character traits that are common between you and another person then expect to
find those qualities presenting itself.
¶
Those obligations which are
compulsory upon you to fulfill, the onus to fulfill its obligations rests
solely on you, and its obligations should not be shifted to others.
¶
The rewards bestowed upon a good
deed are measured by the amount of effort that was put into it.
¶
That person who has not shown
gratitude and thankfulness towards his fellow man, then he cannot be a person
who would also show thankfulness to Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
¶
The advice of the old is better
than the strength and power of the young.
¶
The beauty of a persons face is
truly an excellent gift of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala upon us.
¶
To become totally hopeless in
attaining something is better than facing dishonour and disgrace in obtaining
it.
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Flattering the praise is amongst
the greater performances of the Devil.
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The best speech and conversation
is that, which does not cause grief and burden upon the listener.
¶
Speak to a person according to
his intellect.
¶
The wealth of the wicked is a
burden upon all creation.
¶
The many conditions surrounding
the kindness shown to ones siblings are such that it is imperative that you
should never break those ties.
¶
Ilm (education) is that treasure
whose treasury remains always stocked and overflowing and its necessitude of
fortune does not cause it any damage.
¶
Wisdom is that tree that is
planted in the heart, grows in the mind and bears fruit on the tongue.
¶
The clear and apparent road is
the road of truth and charity.
¶
If one overcomes his enemy then
forgiving him is a way of showing gratitude to Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa
Ta'ala.
¶
Those who have supported
falsehood then it is as if they have oppressed the truth.
¶
To outwardly put on a character
of niceties and inwardly hold malice is bad for a person.
¶
The fire of conflict withers
away the saplings of justice.
¶
Those who don’t protect freedom
are soon imprisoned by slavery.
¶
The protectors of injustices
against freedom become imprisoned with slavery.
¶
When wisdom becomes complete
then speech is reduced.
¶
The counsel of the elderly is
more extensive than the show of strength of the young.
¶
People leave out certain
foodstuff for the fear of ill health but they never think of abstaining from
sin for the fear of Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
¶
Contentment is the biggest
wealth.
¶
The person who does not learn a
lesson from his experiences soon discovers his faculty of thought vanishes.
¶
The tolerance shown on the talks
of the ignorant is its Zakah.
¶
The greatest wealth is
intelligence and the greatest poverty is stupidity in the World.
¶
The greatest breach of trust in
the World is treachery against a nation.
¶
There is no greater honour and
dignity than absistence.
¶
Impatience does not change the
decisions of Almighty Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, but the reward for patience is
however forfeited.
¶
'Alim is that person who acts
upon what he preaches.
¶
Religion (Islam) is a treasure
and 'Ilm (knowledge) is the route to it.
¶ Knowledge is greater than wealth, because you take care and
protect your wealth, while knowledge takes care and protects you. Knowledge is
governing while wealth is governed. By dispersing it, wealth is lessened while
knowledge is increased.
