Scholars العلماء
Umar on Servants: How can you prefer yourselves over your servants?
Ibn Abbas reported: Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, passed by some people one day who were eating while their servants were standing. Umar said, “Why do I not see your servants eating with you? Do you not desire them?” A man said, “No, by Allah, O leader of the faithful. Rather, […]
Ibn Sireen on Rulers: Your sins are worse for you than the ruler’s greatest crimes
‘Awf reported: I entered the home of Ibn Sireen, may Allah have mercy on him, and I began discussing the sins of the ruler Al-Hajjaj. Ibn Sireen said, “Verily, Allah Almighty is a just judge. Just as he passes judgment against Al-Hajjaj, he will pass judgment in favor of Al-Hajjaj. If you were to meet […]
Sufyan on Excellence: If public and private are equal, it is justice
Al-Mada’ini reported: Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “If one’s inner self is equal to one’s public self, that is justice. If one’s inner self is better than one’s public self, that is excellence. If one’s public self is better than one’s inner self, that is transgression.” Source: al-Murū’ah 34 عن […]
Dawud on Divorce: The worst men divorce their wives for trivial reasons
Raja’ reported: Dawud ibn Abi Hind, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “I sat with the learned jurists and I found my religion with them. I sat with the preachers and I found softness in my heart. I sat with the elders of people and I found manhood among them. I sat with the […]
Ayyub on Manhood: A real man forgives others and overlooks their faults
Abdullah ibn Shumait reported: Ayyub al-Sakhtiyani, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “A man will not hit the mark, nor fulfill his manhood, until he has two characteristics: Forgiving people and overlooking their faults.” Source: al-Murū’ah 106 عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ شُمَيْطِ قَالَ قَالَ أَيُّوب السَّخْتِيَانِي رحمه الله لَا يَنْبُلُ الْمَرْءُ وَلَا تَتِمُّ مُرُوءَتُهُ […]
Ahnaf on Manhood: True men are forbearing and forgiving
Al-Mada’ini reported: It was said to Ahnaf ibn Qais, may Allah have mercy on him, “What is manhood?” Ahnaf said, “Forbearance at a time of anger and forgiveness at a time of power.” Source: al-Murū’ah 64 عن الْمَدَائِنِي قَالَ قِيلَ لِلْأَحْنَفِ بْنِ قَيْسٍ رحمه الله مَا الْمُرُوءَةُ فَقَالَ الْحِلْمُ عِنْدَ الْغَضَبِ وَالْعَفْوُ عِنْدَ الْقُدْرَةِ 64 المروءة […]
Abdullah on Jihad: Start with the jihad against the soul
Hannan ibn Kharija reported: I said to Abdullah ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, “What do you say about jihad and military campaigns?” Abdullah said, “Begin with your soul and wage jihad against it. Begin with your soul and wage a military campaign against it.” Source: Muḥāsabat al-Nafs 62 عن حَنَّان بْن خَارِجَة […]
Ibn Nadr on Men: Real manliness is smiling, kindness, and caring for others
Ahmad ibn Jamil reported: Muhammad ibn al-Nadr, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “The first part of manhood is a cheerful face. The second part is loving kindness to people. The third part is fulfilling the needs of others.” Source: al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir al-‘Ilm 828 عن أَحْمَدُ بْنُ جَمِيلٍ قَالَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ […]
Sufyan on Patience: The believer needs patience like food and water
Al-Humaydi reported: Sufyan al-Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “The believer is in need of patience just as he is in need of food and drink.” Source: al-Ṣabr li-Ibn Abī Dunyā 84 عَنِ الْحُمَيْدِيِّ عَنْ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيَّ رحمه الله قَالَ يَحْتَاجُ الْمُؤْمِنُ إِلَى الصَّبْرِ كَمَا يَحْتَاجُ إِلَى الطَّعَامِ وَالشَّرَابِ 84 الصبر لابن أبي […]
Abu Ja’far on Gluttony: If the stomach is full, the body will sin
Ibn Abi Dunya reported: Abu Ja’far, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “When the belly is full, the body will transgress.” Source: al-Jū’ li-Ibn Abī Dunyā 23 عن ابن أبي دنيا عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ رحمه الله قَالَ إِذَا امْتَلأَ الْبَطْنُ طَغَى الْجَسَدُ 23 الجوع لابن أبي الدنيا