Haatimasam RA's Words of Wisdom

Haatimasam RA was a famous saint and noble student of Shaqiq Balkhi RA.

Once his Sheikh - Shaqiq RA asked from him:

"Haatim, how long have you been with me?"

Haatim RA then replied:

"Thirty three years."

Shaqiq RA then inquired:

"How much have you learnt from me in this period?"

Haatim RA replied:

"I have learnt eight Mas'alaas (Islamic injunctions)."

Shaqiq RA was upset upon this response and replied:

"Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Raaji'un. My life has been wasted on you."

Haatim RA then replied:

"Sir, I have learnt eight Mas'alaas only. I cannot tell you a lie."

Shaqiq RA asked Haatim RA:

"Tell me what are these Mas'alaas?"

Haatim RA replied thus:

1. "I have seen everyone loves something or another - His wife, his children, his wealth, his friends, etc. but I have seen that when a person is lowered into the grave, then all the objects of his love are separated from him. Therefore, I started loving good deeds instead, so that when I am lowered into my grave, my beloved will accompany me, and not be separated from me even after death."

Shaqiq RA said:

"You have done well."

Haatimasam RA continued:

2. "I have read the words of Allah Ta'ala in the Holy Qur'an.

The Holy Qur'an states - "And as for him who fears to stand before his Lord (for the account) and restrained (held back) himself from low desires, verily the Garden (Jannah) that will be his home." (Surah 79 :Ayat 40~41)

I believe in the truth of Allah Ta'ala's words and therefore stopped my nafs from desires, so much so, that it became steadfast in the obedience of Allah Ta'ala."

Haatimasam RA continued in his explanation:

3. "I have seen that whosoever loves and values a thing of this world, keeps it safely. I have read the words of Allah Ta'ala. The Holy Qur’an says - "That which is with you passes away and that which is with Allah is lasting." (Surah16: Ayat 96)

Because of this verse anything of value that reached me I advanced it to Allah Ta'ala, so that it could be secured forever."

Haatimasam RA further continued:

4. "Viewing the world I have seen some people, turning towards their wealth as a manner of honour and greatness, others turning towards lineage (parentage) yet others do things that become a source of vanity and pride. In the view of the words of Allah Ta'ala, the Holy Qur'an says - "Verily the noblest amongst you in the sight of Allah is the one who is the most mindful of his duties." (Surah 49 : Ayat 13)

I became mindful of the commands of Allah Ta'ala so that I may be honoured in his sight."

Haatimasam RA continued to the next lesson he learnt:

5. "I have seen people taunting (insulting), finding fault and abusing each other. This is motivated (started) by jealousy which they have for one another. The Holy Qur'an says - "It's We who have apportioned (divided) among them their livelihood in the life of the world and we have raised some of them over others in rank, so that some of them may take others in service." (Surah 43: Ayat 32)

If all the people are of equal rank then why will one not work and why should one be employed. This will upset the order of the world. Due to this verse, I have left jelousy. I became independent of the entire creation. I became aware of the fact that the distribution of provision lies solely in the control of Allah Ta'ala. He gives any amount to whomsoever He wishes, therefore I had left animosity (envy). I have understood that man's prosperity is not relative solely to his effort, instead it is a gift from the Master of the Universe, hence I do not get angry."

Haatimasam RA adds on:

6. "I have observed that practicaIly everyone has quarrels and harbours enmity. Having pondered, I saw that Allah Ta'ala has commanded in the verse, (where) the Holy Qur'an says - "Surely, the Shaytaan is your enemy, so treat him as an enemy. (Do not make him your friend)." (Surah 35: Ayat 6)

Thus, I have chosen him as my enemy. I try my best to stay away from him, because Allah Ta'ala declared him as an enemy."

Haatimasam RA proceeds with the points that he has learnt:

7. "I have seen everyone striving for their daily bread, due to this they disgrace themselves infront of others and take unlawful things. Then I read the verseof Allah Ta'ala - "And there is is no moving creatures on earth but its sustenance dependant on Allah." (Surah 11: Ayat 6)

I saw that I am also amongst those walking on the earth whose provision is the responsibility of Allah Ta'ala. I have utilised my time in those activities which Allah Ta'ala has ordained, and gained time by not undertaking the responsibility of Allah."

Finally, Haatimasam concluded together with his finishing point:

8. "I have seen the people depending on the creation, some on their properties others on their business, whereas others depend on their health and their strength. These people inspite of being part of the creation yet show total dependance on the creation. I have read the verse of Allah Ta'ala - "And whosoever trusts in Allah, He is sufficient for him." (Surah 65: Ayat 3)

Thus, I have put my reliance and confidence in Allah."

Shaqiq Balkhi RA said in conformance:

"I have found that all kinds of good actions fall within these eight Mas'alaas, therefore whoever practices these Mas'alaas has put into practice the contents of all four Divine Scriptures."

The Sayings of Saiyidina Ali RA

Saiyidina Ali RA was an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. Some of the sayings of Saiyidina Ali RA that breathe wisdom and have attained the dimensions of aphorisms have been preserved. Some of these are quoted hereunder:


"Fear Allah and you will have no cause to fear any one."


"Resignation to the Will of Allah is the cure of the disease of the heart."


"The word of Allah is the medicine of the heart."


"Lead such a life, that - when you die, the people may mourn you; and while you are alive - they long for your company."


"The days of life pass away like clouds, so do good while you are alive."


"Of all the follies the greatest is - to love the world."


"Opportunity is swift of flight but slow to return."


"Pride, cowardice, and miserliness are bad for me but good for women."


"The most happy is he to whom Allah has given a good wife."


"He who knows himself knows Allah."


"Do not soil your conscience for anything but Paradise."


"The disease of the heart is worse than the disease of the body."


"To fight against one's desires is the greatest of all fights."


"The strongest amongst you is he who subdues himself."


"Wealth and greed are the roots of all evils."


"Riches without faith are the greatest poverty."


"A man's worth depends upon the nobility of his aspirations."


"Knowledge enlivens the soul."


"The learned lives, although he dies."


"The sum total of excellence is knowledge."


"To respect the learned is to respect Allah."


"Generosity hides shortcomings."


"The wealth of a miser is as useless as a pebble."


"Desire is one's most inveterate enemy."


"Those who walk on the surface of the earth shall one day be interred in it."


"Every breath of man brings him nearer to death."


"People are asleep as long as they are alive, they are awakened when they die."


"Patience is the fruit of faith."


"Virtue never dies."


"A man's glory from his virtue is greater than the glory of his pedigree."


"No shelter is safer than piety."


"A man's behavior is the index of his mind."


"Courtesy costs nothing but buys everything."


"Clemency graces power."


"Jealousy devours virtue as fire devours fuel."


"He that lends a listening ear to reproach is one of those that deserve reproach."


"Forgiveness is the crown of greatness."


"Carnal appetites are nets spread by the devil."


"Every arrow does not hit the mark, nor every prayer granted."


"Ostentatiousness spoils prayers."


"Fear none but your sins."


"He who praises you murders you."


"A man who praises himself displays his deficiency of intellect."


"Honour your parents and your sons will honour you."


"A man is hid under his tongue."


"The tongue of a wise man lies behind his heart."


"The tongue pierces deeper than the spear."


"He who purifies his heart from doubt is a believer."


"The opinion of a wise man is an oracle."


"To seek counsel is to go to the fountain of guidance."


"Association with a fool is tyrannical to the soul."


"God hastens the fall of tyrants."


"Tyranny leads to moral cowardice."


"A tyrant's success is his moral defeat."


"It is better to die than to beg."


"When a man begs he loses his faith."


"Hajj is the Jihad of every believer in faith."


"A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend."


"Silence is the best reply to a fool."


"The best speech is one that is short and reasonable."


"Speech is like a medicine, a small dose of which cures but an excess of which kills."


"He that has no courage has no religion."


"His grief is long whose hope is short."


"The right of freedom of speech consists in speaking the truth."


"Repentance washes away sins."


"Folly is an incurable disease."


"To assist the wrong is to oppress the right."


"Sinning is a disease, repentance is its medicine, and abstinence from it a sure cure."


"Sorrow makes a man old before his time."


"Pride impedes progress and mars greatness."


"To forgive is the crown of greatness."


"He who understands humanity seeks solitude."


"Right is the best argument."


"Misrepresentation spoils narration."


"As a man's wisdom increases, so his desire to speak decreases."


"He who seeks to do justice with men, let him desire for them what he desires for himself."


"The greatest sin is the sin that the sinner considers to be ordinary."


"Contentment is the asset which is never exhausted."


"Governments are a trial for men."


"He who fights against the truth, the truth will defeat him."


"Finding fault in others is one's greatest fault."


"Haste is a species of madness."


"Greed is perpetual enslavement."


"He who does not know his own worth is doomed to destruction."


"The best investment is one with which duties are performed."

"Anger is a fire kindled, he who restrains anger extinguishes the fire; he who gives vent to it is the first to be consumed by such fire."


"Jihad is the highway of prosperity."


"None is more solitary than a miser."


"Knowledge is the ornament of the rich, and the riches of the poor."


"Knowledge is the sum total of excellence."


"He who teaches you a letter binds you with a fetter of gratitude."


"As long as we do not hope, we do not fret."


"He who indulges in jokes and loose fall, loses a part of his wisdom."


"Truth is bitter, but its result is sweet; falsehood appears to be sweet but it is poisonous in its effect."


"Miserliness is the root of many evils."


"Knowledge and practice are twins, and both go together. There is no knowledge without practice, and no practice without knowledge."


"He who dissembles plays with his honour."


"When Allah wants to humiliate a person He deprives him of knowledge."


"When your power increases, decrease your desires accordingly."


"He who listens to a backbiter loses a friend."


"It is no justice to decide a case on mere conjecture."


"He who does not know his own worth is deemed to ignominy."


"He who practices thrift would never be in want."


"He who does not know should not be ashamed to learn."


"Patience is to faith, what head is to the body. When patience goes, faith goes, when head goes, the body goes."


"The grace of Allah is the best guide."


"A good disposition is the best companion."


"Wisdom is the best friend."


"Good breeding is the best inheritance."


"There is nothing more hateful than pride."


"Be among men like bee among birds."


"Mix with the people with your tongue, but be separate from them in your deeds."


"Be generous but do not be a spendthrift."


"Do not run after the world, let the world run after you."


"A wise man is he who does not despair of the bounty and mercy of Allah."


"He who is aware of his own faults is oblivious of the faults of others."


"What the eye sees the heart preserves."


"The vision of the eye is limited; the vision of the heart transcends all barriers of time and space."


"Do not be misled by appearances for these are apt to be deceptive."


"Do not have too many irons in the fire; concentrate on one thing at a time."


"What you do not like for yourself, do not like it for others."


"Contentment is the treasure which is never exhausted."


"The advice of old men is dearer than the bravery of young men."


"That knowledge is superficial which is merely on the tongue. That knowledge is real which demonstrates itself in your practice."


"Waste of time is one's greatest loss."


"He who knows to keep his secret knows the way to success."


"Foresight is the way to safety."


"No relationship is stronger than the relationship that exists between man and Allah."


"Enlighten the heart with prayers."


"Strengthen your heart with faith."


"Suppress all lust with piety."


"Do not sell the Hereafter for the world."


"Do not speak in a state of ignorance."


"Refrain from unnecessary talk."


"Do not tread the path from which you can apprehend the danger of running astray."


"In the affairs of Allah, do not be afraid of the accusations of the evil mongers."


"In all that you do seek the protection of Allah."


"Do not covet what is undesirable."


"If you seek the truth neither stray from the right path, nor be assailed by doubts."


"Do not become a slave of your desires."


"That wealth is no wealth which brings dishonour."


"Whatever harm accrues of silence can be remedied but whatever harm is done because of speech cannot be remedied."


"It is better to restrain your desires than to stretch your hand before others."


"A little that is earned because of honest labour is better than a larger amount gained through dishonest means."


"Guard well your secret."


"He who seeks more than what is necessary indulges in error."


"To oppress the weak is the worst tyranny."


"Do not bank on false hopes for that is the capital of the dead."


"A wise man takes a lesson even from a minor lapse."


"Overpower desires and suspicions by patience and faith."


"He who does not take the middle course strays."


"A stranger is he who has no friends."


"When hopes are frustrated, despair becomes the way of life."


"He who trusts the world, the world betrays him."