Part 12

War is breaking out and you are unarmed standing with those who are watching from a distance and if you are going to participate you will loose.

68 * AL-FAWA'ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

If you do not work hard and face difficulties along your way in seeking glory, you will never taste honor and relief when you attain victory.

It was said to one of the worshipers: You are tiring yourself so much! He said: | want to achieve comfort from it.

The human being was honored with blessings of faith and good health, but he misused them, so they were justly taken away from him.

The pleasures of life are similar to brides who are dressing for those who will prefer and choose: them or the brides (rewards) of the Hereafter, and whoever knows the significant difference between the two, will choose the best (the Hereafter).

The intentions of pious people are like planets that move in towers without any obstacle.

O you who have gone astray, make sure to catch the right way once again even from its end, as an Amir protects the end of his army.

It was said to Al-Hasan: people that did good deeds preceded us (likened to those who are riding good horses) while we are as if riding donkeys. He said, "If you are walking on the right way, you will catch up with them quickly."

A Precious Gem: Lessons

Whoever lacks amiability with people and finds it in seclusion, verily he is a truthful but feeble character and whoever finds it with people and lacks it in seclusion, surely he is an ailing one. Whoever lacks it both with people and in seclusion, surely, his character is dead.

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And whoever finds it both in seclusion and with people, surely he is an affectionate, truthful and strong character. He, who finds delight in seclusion, cannot have more delight except with seclusion, and he, who finds delight with people by advising and guiding them, cannot have more delight except in their company. Finally, whoever finds delight with whatever Allah has willed for him, more delight will be granted to him both in seclusion and in the company of people. Thus, the most honorable condition is to submit to the will of Allah. The same light exists in the pure hearts that is found in nature, as it brightens from the laws of Allah. Allah, the Exalted, says,

4B) GE Anes A) 5g toed GS 3. }

which means, "whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself), though no fire touched it." (An-Nar, 24:35)

e The prophecy of Musa (Moses) and the faithfulness of Asyah — the wife of Firawn (Pharaoh) - were predestined, he was put in the chest, and the chest was brought to her house. A tiny baby from a mother was given to a barren woman. Look! How many lessons can be derived from this story! And how many male infants were killed by Fir'awn (Pharaoh) in his attempt to reach Masa (Moses)! However it was predestined that Musa

'8 Qiss: He is Qiss bin Sa'idah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Ady bin Malik Al-Ayady, and he belongs to Banu Ayad. He was one of the Arab scholars and preachers in the pre-Islamic era. He was eloquent and well versed. The Prophet (PBUH) said that he will be resurrected alone as if he is a nation. He died in 23 A.H.

70 * AL-FAWA'ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

(Moses) would be brought up under the care of Firawn (Pharaoh) and would also be the means of his destruction.

¢ Dhul-Bijadain was an orphan boy, whose uncle took care of him. But he was obsessed by the idea of following the Messenger (peace be upon him). Upon his decision to follow the Messenger, his was afflicted with a disease, so he waited for his uncle.

When he was cured, he lost patience so he told his uncle, "O Uncle! | waited a long time hoping that you might embrace {slam but in vain." His uncle replied, "By Allah! If you embrace Islam, | shall deprive you of ail that which I granted you." He (Dhul-Bijadain) said, "Just one look at Muhammad is preferable to me than all this worldly life, and everything therein."

When Dhul-Bijadain decided to follow the Messenger

(peace be upon him), his uncle deprived him of everything even his clothes, so his mother gave hima piece of cloth. He cut it in two pieces, one of which he wrapped himself with, and the other he used as a garment.

When Jihad (fighting for the cause of Allah) was prescribed, he decided to join the believers, regardless of the long journey he would have to undertake.

When he passed away, the Messenger (peace be upon him) descended to prepare his grave by himself, and he used to say, “O Allah! | am satisfied with him, so | beg You to be satisfied with him." Upon that, lon Mas'td (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "l wish | were him (he meant Dhul-Bijadain)."

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e Once, some wise men saw a non-Arab horse used for watering, in which they said, "If it were tame, it would have been ridden.

e Afflictions are but trials by which the faithful are distinguished from the unfaithful, and if you were to succeed therein, they would be turned to supporters by which you could attain your objective.

A Precious Gem: This Life of Deception

This worldly life is like an unchaste woman, who is not satisfied with one husband. So, be satisfied with whatever Allah grants you from this worldy life.

Walking thereon is like walking in a land that is filled with beasts, and water that teams with crocodiles. That which causes delight, turns to be the source of grief. Pain is found in the midst of pleasures, and delights are derived from its sorrows. As a bird sees the wheat, so does one’s _ insight perceive polytheism, while vain desires render its holder blind.

Lusts were granted in abundance to humans, but those who believed in the unseen turned away from them, while those who follow their lusts were caused to regret.

The first category, are those, in which Allah says, hE gt oe Ey A oe Woe UE Hs!

which means, "They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful." (Al-Baqarah, 2:5)

However, the other category, are those to whom Allah says, Bib ye Ry WB 1 pL 18 }

which means, "(O you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the Mujriman

72 * AL-FAWA'ID: A Collection of Wise Sayings

(polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.)." (Al-Mursalat,

When the successful ones are aware of the reality of this worldly life being sure of the inferiority of its degree, they overcame their vain desires for the sake of the Hereafter. They have been awakened from their heedlessness to remember what their enemies took from them during their period of idleness. Whenever they perceive the distant journey they must undertake, they remember their aim, so it appears easy for them. Whenever life becomes bitter, they remember this verse, in which Allah says,

ot 4g A wep hby 7 ee oy lt gs shee cal wg Ma. B

which means, "This is your Day which you were promised." (Al-

Chapter: A Wondrous Reality

What a wonderful thing it is to know Him (i.e. Allah)! But how can one know Him and not love Him? How can one hear the caller but fail to respond? How can one know the profit that shall be gained in dealing with Him but still prefer others? How can one taste the bitterness of disobeying Him but still abstain from seeking the pleasure of obeying Him? How can one feel the severity of engaging in trivial speech, but fail to open your heart with His remembrance? How can one be tortured by being attached to others but not rush toward the bliss of turning to Him in repentance?

Perhaps it is most Surprising to know that while you are in need of Him, you are still reluctant to move toward Him because you seek others.

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A Precious Gem: Sources of Unlawfulness

No one can indulge in unlawfulness except for two reasons, the first of which is failing to trust in Allah, despite the fact that if one obeys Him, he will surely be granted the best of lawful gains. The second reason is knowing that whoever abandons anything for the sake of Allah, surely He will grant him something better than what he has abandoned. Unfortunately, his vain desires surpass his patience and his inclination overpowers his mind. The first one has poor knowledge, and the second one has poor insight.

A Precious Gem: Benefits

e When those, who are vigilant observe the influence of this worldly life upon those who seek it, the deceit of false hopes, the control of Satan, the domination of souls, and material fortune in the hands of evil ones, they resort to piety and submission, like a scared slave who seeks refuge in his master's house. The desires directed at this worldly life are simply deceptive enjoyment, and the insight of the ignorant is restricted to superficial matiers, while the wise man perceives that which is hidden from the others.

* Once, two foxes were caught. While trapped in the net, one of them asked the other where he could meet him afterwards, and the other one replied that they would meet after two days in the tannery.

18 He is called Yahya bin Mu'adh bin Ja'far Ar-Razy Abu Zakariyya, one of the ascetic preachers, who lived in Balakh and died in Nisapore in 258 A.H.

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By Allah! This worldly life is like a dream. After waking up, success may be one’s destiny.

Passing days are like dreams, the coming ones are wishes, and the time separating them is wasted.

How can one feel secure, who has an unmerciful wife, an unforgiving son, a distrusting neighbor, a friend who gives no advice, a partner who misjudges him, an enemy whose hostility never ceases, a soul that is inclined to evil, an adorned world, vain desires, influential lusts, furious anger, the deception of Satan, and controlling weakness? If Allah rescued and guided him, all these problems would be under control, and if Allah deserted and abandoned him, leaving him on his own, all these distresses would cause his destruction.