..::
Golden Words of Wisdom ::..
by Sayyiduna Imam Jafar as-Sadiq
Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
- He would often make
the following dua : "O Allah bless me with respect which is in your
obedience and do not disgrace me due to my shortcomings. O Allah let me
assist him through your grace and Mercy, whose sustenance you have
decreased, for you have blessed me in abundance."
- There is not provision
greater than piety. There is nothing better than silence, and there is no
enemy more dangerous than ones ignorance and there is no disease worse than
lies.
- He who has attained
the closeness to Allah divorces himself from everything in the world.
- There is no Ibaadat
without repentance, since Allah has caused repentance to be above Ibaadat.
- He who sits in the
companionship of all types of people will not be safe.
- One who walks on the
wrong path will always arouse suspicion.
- Whoever attacks a
matter without knowledge cuts off his own nose.
- Intellect is the guide
of the believer.
- The perfection of
intellect is in three (things): Humbleness for Allah, Good certainty, and
silence except for good.
- Ignorance is in three
(things): Arrogance, the intensity of dispute, and the ignorance about
Allah.
- Certainly, knowledge
is a lock and its key is the question.
- When the believer
becomes angry, his anger should not take him out of the truth; and when he
becomes satisfied, his satisfaction should not bring him into falsehood.
- Some manners of the
ignorant are: the answer before he hears, the opposition before he
understands, and the judgment with what he does not know.
- One who cannot keep
his tongue in control will always be disgraced.
- Stay away from five
kinds of people: 1. A liar, as he will also betray you, 2. A witless person,
as he will try to benefit you, but will always cause you harm, 3. A miser,
for he will cause you intense loss in order to gain even the slightest
benefit, 4. A coward who will leave you in distress during a difficult
situation, 5. A man who is involved in illicit dealings, for he will sell
you for one morsel and will still be hopeful of even less than that.
- Dishonest and
untruthful people never find favor while jealous people never find content.
Rude and vulgar people never find acceptance and brotherhood in leadership
or amongst citizens.
- Whosoever holds
affection towards the creator then he is horribly frightened of the
creation.
- For the sake of the
creator save yourself so that you may become a true worshipper ('Aabid) and
that which fate had decreed, has occurred then accepts that as well.
- Do not keep the
company of an open sinful person since you would be overcome by sin and
disobedience. Consult and seek advise from only those who are constantly
obeying Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
- To seek forgiveness is
simple but to leave sin is difficult.
- The concealment of
sins is the direct consequences of mans destruction.
- Not to show greed to
somebody else’s wealth is also a form of charity.
- The eye of the heart
opens with ibadat (prayers) and its access is infinite (La Makan – up in the
'Arsh and beyond) and nothing in the entire World remains a secret to him.
- Man has also such
power that he can gaze into the future and it only awakens when the 5 other
senses are asleep and the mind is free from observations.
- Changing perceptions
in this World. Somewhere clouds are forming or pearls. At others tears are
changing the rays into darkness while still darkness is changing into light.
- A man has freedom of
deeds and actions but these are also restricted because according to his
comprehension he may be suspicious or doubtful of its might or force.
- Too much credence and
ecliance is destructful and excessive criticisms unfortunate.
- Holding the power of
revenge yet drinking up ones anger is an excellent form of Jihad.
- Strokes of misfortune
or temptation are a rank, therefore the specific of truth are involved with
it.
- Nafs (desires) are in
direct conflict with Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala therefore the best opposition
to you nafs is becoming friends with Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
- The reality of Taqwa
is this, that if you have expose what’s in your heart, place it on a tray
and take it to the market then you should not be ashamed of a single item
you have displayed.
- Jihad with ones wealth
is better than Jihad with a sword.
- Food is the sustenance
of the body while contentment comforts the soul.
- Fortunate is he whose
heart becomes knowledgeable, whose body becomes patient and he is content
with what he has present.
- Respect the young for
they have lesser sins to their name because of their age in comparison to
you.
- Revelation is not made
for destruction but as an examination.
- Kindness or favors is
incomplete without these 3 things – If you regard it as minor it becomes
great – or you keep it hidden or concealed this it becomes whole and
sufficient or by doing it quickly one finds pleasure in it.
- Sin is a sore; if it
is not stopped it spreads.
- To complain is to stop
being patient.
- The person who keeps
the company of all types of people is not safe. The person who traverses
upon the wrong path is accused and suspicion descends upon him. The person
who cannot control his tongue becomes disgraced.
- A criminal and a
remorseful sinner become submissive.
- Flatterers are the
origin of pride and arrogance.
- Someone once asked who
is better, a patient dervish or a grateful wealthy person? He said: The
patient dervish because the heart of the rich is stuck in his pocket while
the heart of the dervish is stuck on Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
- Prayers without
repentance are not appropriate for Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala has made
repentance the preamble upon prayers.
- Imam Abu Hanifa Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anhu was once asked who is an intelligent and wise person.
Imam Abu Hanifa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu answered: That person who can
differentiate between good and bad. Imam Ja‘afar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
said that the ability exists in animals as well because they can distinguish
between those that hit it and those that feed it. Imam Abu Hanifa Radi
Allahu Ta'ala Anhu requested to be told who it is. Imam Ja'afar Radi Allahu
Ta'ala Anhu said: A wise and intelligent person is he who can distinguish
between 2 good and 2 bad so that he may choose the better from the 2 good or
2 bad.
- One sin is one too
many and one thousand good is one thousand too few.
- Besides the fervor of
Sufism there is no other road to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah.
- The poverty of the
'Ulema is by choice while that of the ignorant is forced or uncontrolled.
- A mans fortunes are
also in his enemy being clever.
- A boastful worshipper
is a sinner and a sinner is he who finds every possible excuse not to
worship.
- It is happiness for
him who, though he sees a pleasurable thing yet he does not desire it with
his heart.
- Our religion is
completely respected. That person who does not consider this will be very
disappointed.
- A very great Zahid
(One who remembers Allah SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala excessively) is he who
withdraws from the people.
- Although there is
excellence in congregation there is safety in seclusion.
- Complete satisfaction
of the stomach and starving are both hindrances of worship.
- To openly display your
animosity is better than to hypocritically agree.
- In difficult times the
search for rest and peace enhances that difficulty.
