Monday, August 31, 2009

263 - old man's cautious opinion more than the valor of a young man

"I appreciate an old man's cautious opinion more than the valor of a young man."

Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 086)

262 - who imagines himself to be all-knowing

"One who imagines himself to be all-knowing will surely suffer on account of his ignorance."

Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 085)

261 - who have come alive out of a blood-bath

"Those who have come alive out of a blood-bath live longer and have more children."

Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)

260 - man hypocritically started praising Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)

A man hypocritically started praising Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s), though he had no faith in him and Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s) hearing these praises from him said:

"I am less than what you tell about me but more than what you think about me."

Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 083)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

259 = 112 - five of those things which deserve your greatest anxiety to acquire them

"I want to teach you five of those things which deserve your greatest anxiety to acquire them:
Have hope only in Allah. Be afraid of nothing but sins. If you do not know a thing never feel ashamed to admit ignorance. If you do not know a thing never hesitate or feel ashamed to learn it. Acquire patience and endurance because their relation with true faith is that of a head to a body, a body is of no use without a head, Similarly true faith can be of no use without attributes of resignation, endurance and patience."
- - - - - - -
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 082)

258 - Value of each man depends upon

"Value of each man depends upon the art and skill which he has attained."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 081)

257 - "Knowledge and wisdom are really the privilege of a faithful Muslim.

"Knowledge and wisdom are really the privilege of a faithful Muslim. If you have lost them, get them back even though you may have to get them from the apostates."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 080)

256 - Acquire wisdom and truth from whomever you can

"Acquire wisdom and truth from whomever you can because even an apostate can have them but unless they are passed over to a faithful Muslim and become part of wisdom and truth that he possesses, they have a confused existence in the minds of apostates."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 080)

255 - O vicious world!

"O vicious world! Be away from me, why do you come in front of me like this ? Do you want to allure me ? Allah forbid that I should be allured and tempted by you and your pleasures. It is not possible. Go and try your allurements on somebody else. I do not desire to own you and do not want to have you. I have forsaken you thrice. It is like divorcing a woman thrice after which act she cannot be taken back as a wife. The life of pleasures that you offer is of a very little duration. There is no real importance in what you offer, the desire of holding you is an insult and a humiliation to sober minds. Sad is the plight of those who want to acquire you. They do not provide for the Hereafter. They have to pass through a long journey over a very difficult road towards a sat destination."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 077)

254 - If matters get mixed up

"If matters get mixed up then scrutinize the cause and you will know what the effects will be."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 076)

253 - can be counted is finite and will come to...

"Anything which can be counted is finite and will come to an end."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 075)

252 - Every breath you take is...

"Every breath you take is a step towards death."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 074)

251 - Whoever wants to be a leader should ...

"Whoever wants to be a leader should educate himself before educating others. Before preaching to others he should first practice himself. Whoever educates himself and improves his own morals is superior to the man who tries to teach and train others."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 073)

250 - times wears out..., renews..., brings...nearer, take away...

"Time wears out bodies, renews hopes, brings death nearer and takes away aspirations. Whoever gets anything from the world lives in anxiety for holding it and whoever loses anything passes his days grieving over the loss."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 072)

249 - less talkative

"The wiser a man is, the less talkative will he be."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 071)

248 - An ignorant person will always...

"An ignorant person will always overdo a thing or neglect it totally."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 070)

247 - If you cannot get things as much as you desire

"If you cannot get things as much as you desire than be contented with what you have."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 069)

246 - ornament to the poor & adornment of wealth

"To refrain from unlawful and impious source of pleasures is an ornament to the poor and to be thankful for the riches granted is the adornment of wealth."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 068)

246 - ornament to the poor & adornment of wealth

"To refrain from unlawful and impious source of pleasures is an ornament to the poor and to be thankful for the riches granted is the adornment of wealth."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 068)

245 - Do not feel ashamed if the amount of charity is small

"Do not feel ashamed if the amount of charity is small because to refuse the needy is an act of greater shame."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 067)

244 - less humiliating than to beg it

"Not to have a thing is less humiliating than to beg it."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 066)

243 - Lack of friends means

"Lack of friends means, stranger in one's own country."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 065)

242 - journey is going on though they are asleep.

People in this world are like travelers whose journey is going on though they are asleep. ( Life's journey is going on though men may not feel it )
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 064)

241 - The source of success of a claimant

"The source of success of a claimant is the mediator."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)!
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 063)

240 - If you are greeted

"If you are greeted then return the greetings more warmly. If you are favoured, then repay the obligation manifold; but he who takes the initiative will always excel in merit."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 062)

239 - Woman is..

"Woman is a scorpion whose grip is sweet."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 061)

238 - Tongue is a beast, if

"Tongue is a beast, if it is let loose, it devours."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 060)

237 - the one who gives you good tidings

"Whoever warns you against sins and vices is like the one who gives you good tidings."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 059)

236 - fountain head of passions

"Wealth is the fountain head of passions."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 058)

Friday, August 21, 2009

235 - capital which never diminish

"Contentment is the capital which will never diminish."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 057)

234 - Wealth converts a strange land into homeland

"Wealth converts a strange land into homeland, and poverty turns a native place into a strange land."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 056)

233 - Patience is of two kinds

"Patience is of two kinds: patience over what pains you, and patience against what you covet."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 055)

232 - wealth-poverty-heritage-support

"There is no greater wealth than wisdom, no greater poverty than ignorance; no greater heritage than culture and no greater support than consultation."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 054)

231 - generosity

"Generosity is to help a deserving person without his request, and if you help him after his request, then it is either out of self-respect or to avoid rebuke."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 053)

230 - power and pardon

"Only he who has the power to punish can pardon."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 052)

229 - defects will remain covered

So long as fortune is favouring you, your defects will remain covered."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 051)

228 - Hearts like wild beasts, attach to who love & train them

"Hearts of people are like wild beasts. They attach themselves to those who love and train them."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)!
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 050)

227 - Be afraid of a gentleman when he is hungry

"Be afraid of a gentleman when he is hungry, and of a mean person when his stomach is full."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 049)

226 - Success is the result of...

"Success is the result of foresight and resolution, foresight depends upon deep thinking and planning and the most important factor of planning is to keep your secrets to yourself."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 048)

225 - man's value,veracity, chastity depend on...

"Value of a man depends upon his courage; his veracity depends upon his self-respect and his chastity depends upon his sense of honor."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 047)

224 - sin which makes you sad, repentant is more liked by Allah

"The sin which makes you sad and repentant is more liked by Allah than the good deed which turns you arrogant."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 046)

223 - O Ali! No faithful will ever be your enemy ,and no hypocrite will ever be your friend

"If I cut a faithful Muslim into pieces to make him hate me, he will not turn into my enemy and if I give all the wealth of this world to a hypocrite to make him my friend he will not befriend me. It is so because the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w) has said: " O Ali (a.s)! No faithful Muslim will ever be your enemy and no hypocrite will ever be your friend."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)!
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 045)

222 - always kept the life after death in his view

"Blessed is the man who always kept the life after death in his view, who remembered the Day of Judgment through all his deeds, who led a contented life and who was happy with the lot that Allah had destined for him."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 044)

221 - illness a thing to atone your sins

"Be thankful to Allah. He has made this illness a thing to atone your sins because a disease in itself has nothing to bring reward to anyone, it merely expiates one's sins and so far as reward is concerned, one has to earn it with his good words and good deeds. The Almighty Lord grants Paradise to his creatures on account of their piety and noble thoughts."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 042)

220 - fool's mind is at the mercy of his tongue

"A fool's mind is at the mercy of his tongue and a wise man's tongue is under the control of his mind."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 040)

219 - thinks, speaks

"A wise man first thinks and then speaks and a fool speaks first and then thinks."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 040)

218 - Recommended & obligatory prayers

"Recommended prayers cannot attain the pleasures of Allah for you when obligatory prayers are left unattended."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 039)

217 - got down from horses, running in front of him.

When Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s), marching at the head of his army towards Syria, reached Ambaar, the landlords of the place came out to meet him in zeal of their love, faithfulness and respect, no sooner had they seen Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s) they got down from their horses and started running in front of him.

Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s) asked the reason of their strange actions. They replied that it was their custom to show their love and respect in that way. Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s) replied:

"By Allah, by your action you do no good whatsoever to your rulers but you tire yourself and put yourself in toils in this world and in trouble in the next. How unfortunate is that exertion, which brings harm here and in the Hereafter and how useful is that ease which keeps you in comfort in this world and away from the Hell in the next."

Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 037)

216 - hopes inordinately

"One who hopes inordinately, impairs his deeds."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 036)

215 - says unpleasant things about others

"One who says unpleasant things about others, will himself quickly become a target of their scandal."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 035)

214 - best kind of wealth

"The best kind of wealth is to give up inordinate desires."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 034)

213 - generous but not extravagan

"Be generous but not extravagant, be frugal but not miserly."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 033)

212 - person, virtue, vice

"A virtuous person is better then virtue and a vicious person is worse than vice."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 032)

211 - appears as if He has forgiven you (it may be that He has given you time to repent)

"Take warning ! He has not exposed so many of your sinful activities that it appears as if He has forgiven you (it may be that He has given you time to repent)."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 029)

210 - why wish delay (why feel nervous about death)

"When you have to depart from this world and have to meet death (eventually), then why wish delay (why feel nervous about death)."
Imam Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)!
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 028)

209 - best form of devotion to the service of Allah

"The best form of devotion to the service of Allah is not to make a show of it."
Imam Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 027)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

207 - utterances and expressions of your face leak out the secrets of your hidden thoughts

"Often your utterances and expressions of your face leak out the secrets of your hidden thoughts."
Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 025)

NAHJ AL-FASAHAH Ch. A page 11

HEIGHT OF RHETORIC

● المُؤْمِنُ الَّذِي يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ وَيَصْبِرُ عَلى أذاهُمْ، أفْضَلُ مِنَ المُؤْمِنِ الَّذي لا يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ، وَلا يَصْبِرُ عَلى أذاهُم.

A believer who associates with people and patiently tolerates their harms is better than the believer who does not do so.

● لا يُلْدَغُ المُؤْمِنُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ مَرَّتَينِ.

A believer will not be bitten twice from the same hole.

● لا يَفْتِكُ مُؤْمِنٌ.

A believer will not kill anybody in ambush warfare.

● المُؤْمِنُ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ في ظِلِّ صَدَقَتِهِ.

A believer will reside under the shade of his alms in the Day of Judgment.

● ما يُصِيْبُ المُؤْمِنَ وَصَبٌ وَلا نَصَبٌ وَلا سَقَمٌ وَلا أذى وَلا حُزْنٌ إلاّ كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهِ مِنْ خَطَايَاهُ.

A believer won't be exposed to any suffering, hardship, disease, harm and sorrow, unless God ignores some of his sins (in lieu of them).

● ما شَبَّهْتُ خُرُوْجَ المُؤْمِنِ مِنَ الدُّنْيا اِلاّ مِثْلُ خُرُوجِ الصَّبِيِّ مِنْ بَطْنِ أُمِّهِ مِنْ ذلِكَ الغَمِّ وَالظُلْمَةِ إلى رَوْحِ الدُّنْيَا.

A believer’s departure from this (secular)world is like unto an infant’s deliverance from his mother’s womb, leaving darkness and distress towards the world’s ease and expansion.

● شَرَفُ المُؤْمِنِ قِيَامُهُ بِاللَّيْلِ، وَعِزُّهُ اسْتِغْنَاؤُهُ عَنِ النَّاسِ.

A believer’s dignity lies in standing up to prayer at nights, and his greatness lies in needlessness from people.

● رُؤْيَا المُؤْمِنِ كَلامٌ يُكَلِّمُ بِهِ العَبْدُ رَبَّهُ في المَنَامِ.

A believer’s dream is a servant’s talk to his Lord in sleep.

● رُؤْيَا المُؤْمِنِ جُزْءٌ مِنْ سِتَّةٍ وَأرْبَعِيْنَ جُزْءً مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ.

A believer’s dream is one among the forty- six units of prophethood.

● رُؤْيَا المُؤْمِنِ جُزْءٌ مِنْ أربَعِيْنَ جُزءً مِنَ النُّبُوَّةِ، وَهِي عَلى رِجْلِ طَائِرٍ مَا لَمْ يُحَدِّثْ

A believer's dream is one among the forty units comprising prophethood. It is tied to the leg of a bird as long as not revealed, but it will fall

بِهَا. فَاِذا تَحَدَّثَ بِهزا سَقَطَتْ وَلا تُحَدِّثْ بِهَا إلاّ لَبِيْبَاً أوْ حَبِيْبَاً.

down if the reverse occurs. Thus, reveal not your dreams to anybody save the wise or intimate friends.




















NAHJ AL-FASAHAH Ch. A page 10

HEIGHT OF RHETORIC

● المُؤْمِنُ هَيِّنٌ لَيِّنٌ حَتَّى تَخَالَهُ مِنَ اللِّيْنِ أحْمَق.

A believer is so lenient and gentle that one might call him stupid.

● المُؤمِنُ أخُوُ المُؤْمِنِ لا يَدَعُ نَصِيْحَتَهُ عَلى كُلِّ حَالٍ.

A believer is the brother of another believer and never connives at wishing him good.

● المُؤْمِنُ مَنْ أمِنَهُ النَّاسُ عَلى أنْفُسِهِمْ وَأمْوَالِهِمْ وَدِمَائِهِمْ.

A believer is the one whom people consider honest as to their lives, wealth and blood.

● المُؤْمِنُ مَنْفَعَةٌ، إنْ مَاشَيْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ، وَإنْ شَاوَرْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ، وَإنْ شَارَكْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ، وَكُلُّ شَيْ‏ءٍ مِنْ أمْرِهِ مَنْفَعَةٌ.

A believer is the source of benefit. He will avail you, should you keep his company, counsel with him and become his partner. He is the cause of benefit in all affairs.

● المُؤْمِنُ يُغَارُ، وَاللَّهُ أشَدُّ غَيْرَاً.

A believer is zealous, but God is more zealous than him.

● المُؤْمِنُ يَأْلَفُ؛ وَلا خَيْرَ فِيمَنْ لا يَأْلَفُ وَلا يُؤْلَفُ.

A believer makes friends (with people), and there is no good in the one who does not make friends and is not subject of friendship.

● لا يَشْبَعُ المُؤْمِنُ دُونَ جَارِهِ.

A believer must not feel satiated, with his neighbor being hungry.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِن وَالإيمَانِ كَمَثَلِ الفَرَسِ يَجُولُ في أخِيَّتِهِ، ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ في أخِيَّتِةِ.

A believer to (his) faith is like unto a horse to its stable around which it moves about (for a while) and then returns to it.

● المُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُّ بَعْضُهُ بَعْضَاً.

A believer to a believer is like unto a building a part of which fortifies another.

● المُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ المَرْصُوْصِ؛ يَشُدُّ بَعضُهُ بَعْضَاً.

A believer to a believer is like unto a firm building, parts of which fortifying one another.

● المُؤْمِنُ مِنْ أهْلِ الإيْمانِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ الرَّأْسِ مِنَ الجَسَدِ؛ يَأْلَمُ المُؤْمِنُ لأهْلِ الإيْمانِ كَما يَأْلَمُ الجَسَدُ لِما في الرَّأْسِ.

A believer to other believers is like head to the body, suffering from their pains just as head suffers from the pains of the body.

NAHJ AL-FASAHAH Ch. A page 9

HEIGHT OF RHETORIC

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ المِنْخَلَةِ لا تأْكُلُ إلاّ طَيِّبَاً، وَلا تَضَعُ إلاّ طَيِّبَاً.

A believer is like unto a sieve, receiving nothing but clean and passing nothing but pure.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ خَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ؛ مِنْ حَيْثُ أتَتْهَا الرِّيْحُ كَفَتْهَا، فَاِذا سَكَنَتْ اِعْتَدَلَتْ، وَكَذلِكَ المُؤْمِنُ يُكْفَأُ بِالْبَلاءِ. وَمَثَلُ الفَاجِرِ كَالاُرْزَةِ صَمَّاءٌ مَعْتَدِلَةٌ حَتَّى يَقْصِمَهَا اللَّهُ تَعَالى اِذا شَاءَ.

A believer is like unto a stalk bending to all sides by winds but staying calm and static when winds vanish. Blights make a believer bend in same manner. The wicked (on the contrary) is like unto a spruce- fir standing firm and straight till the Exalted God destroys it should He wish.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ مَثَلُ السُّنْبُلَةِ يُحَرِّكُهَا الرَّيحُ فَتَقُومُ مَرَّةً وَتَقَعُ أُخْرَى. وَمَثَلُ الكَافِرِ كَمَثَلِ الأُرْزَةِ لاتَزَالُ قَائِمَةً حَتَّى تَنْقَعِرَ.

A believer is like unto a stalk shaken by wind, standing and collapsing alternatively, and an unbeliever is like unto a pine standing all the time against the wind to be finally uprooted.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَالْبَيْتِ الخَرِبِ في الظَّاهِرِ، فَاِذا دَخَلْتَهُ وَجَدْتَهُ مُونِقَاً. وَمَثَلُ الفَاجِرِ كَمَثْلِ القَبْرِ المُشَرَّفِ الُمجَصَّصِ يُعْجِبُ مَنْ رَآهُ؛ وَجَوْفُهُ مُمْتَلِى‏ءٌ نَتِنَاً.

A believer is like unto an apparently ruined house, being neat and beautiful inside, and a wicked person is like unto a domed elevated tomb making visitors excited but being inwardly filled with infection.

● المُؤْمِنُ أكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَلائِكَتِهِ.

A believer is more favorite to God than some of His angels.

● أَعْظَمُ النَّاسِ هَمَّاً الْمُؤْمِنُ؛ يَهْتَمُّ بِأَمْرِ دُنْياهُ وَأَمْرِ آخِرَتِهِ.

A believer is more worried about the affairs of this and the next worlds than others.

● المُؤْمِنُ غُرٌّ كَرِيْمٌ؛ وَالفَاجِرُ خِبٌّ لَئِيْمٌ.

A believer is noble and generous, and an evildoer is ignoble and deceitful.

● المُؤْمِنُ يَسِيْرُ المَؤُنَةِ.

A believer is satisfied with little.

● المُؤْمِنُ كَيِّسٌ فَطِنٌ حَذِرٌ.

A believer is shrewd, careful and cautious.

NAHJ AL-FASAHAH Ch. A page 9

HEIGHT OF RHETORIC

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ المِنْخَلَةِ لا تأْكُلُ إلاّ طَيِّبَاً، وَلا تَضَعُ إلاّ طَيِّبَاً.

A believer is like unto a sieve, receiving nothing but clean and passing nothing but pure.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ خَامَةِ الزَّرْعِ؛ مِنْ حَيْثُ أتَتْهَا الرِّيْحُ كَفَتْهَا، فَاِذا سَكَنَتْ اِعْتَدَلَتْ، وَكَذلِكَ المُؤْمِنُ يُكْفَأُ بِالْبَلاءِ. وَمَثَلُ الفَاجِرِ كَالاُرْزَةِ صَمَّاءٌ مَعْتَدِلَةٌ حَتَّى يَقْصِمَهَا اللَّهُ تَعَالى اِذا شَاءَ.

A believer is like unto a stalk bending to all sides by winds but staying calm and static when winds vanish. Blights make a believer bend in same manner. The wicked (on the contrary) is like unto a spruce- fir standing firm and straight till the Exalted God destroys it should He wish.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ مَثَلُ السُّنْبُلَةِ يُحَرِّكُهَا الرَّيحُ فَتَقُومُ مَرَّةً وَتَقَعُ أُخْرَى. وَمَثَلُ الكَافِرِ كَمَثَلِ الأُرْزَةِ لاتَزَالُ قَائِمَةً حَتَّى تَنْقَعِرَ.

A believer is like unto a stalk shaken by wind, standing and collapsing alternatively, and an unbeliever is like unto a pine standing all the time against the wind to be finally uprooted.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَالْبَيْتِ الخَرِبِ في الظَّاهِرِ، فَاِذا دَخَلْتَهُ وَجَدْتَهُ مُونِقَاً. وَمَثَلُ الفَاجِرِ كَمَثْلِ القَبْرِ المُشَرَّفِ الُمجَصَّصِ يُعْجِبُ مَنْ رَآهُ؛ وَجَوْفُهُ مُمْتَلِى‏ءٌ نَتِنَاً.

A believer is like unto an apparently ruined house, being neat and beautiful inside, and a wicked person is like unto a domed elevated tomb making visitors excited but being inwardly filled with infection.

● المُؤْمِنُ أكْرَمُ عَلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْضِ مَلائِكَتِهِ.

A believer is more favorite to God than some of His angels.

● أَعْظَمُ النَّاسِ هَمَّاً الْمُؤْمِنُ؛ يَهْتَمُّ بِأَمْرِ دُنْياهُ وَأَمْرِ آخِرَتِهِ.

A believer is more worried about the affairs of this and the next worlds than others.

● المُؤْمِنُ غُرٌّ كَرِيْمٌ؛ وَالفَاجِرُ خِبٌّ لَئِيْمٌ.

A believer is noble and generous, and an evildoer is ignoble and deceitful.

● المُؤْمِنُ يَسِيْرُ المَؤُنَةِ.

A believer is satisfied with little.

● المُؤْمِنُ كَيِّسٌ فَطِنٌ حَذِرٌ.

A believer is shrewd, careful and cautious.

NAHJ AL-FASAHAH Ch. A page 8

HEIGHT OF RHETORIC

● لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أرْبَعَةُ أعْدَاءٍ: مُؤْمِنٌ يَحْسُدُهُ؛ وَمُنَافِقٌ يُبْغِضُهُ؛ وَشَيْطَانٌ يُضِلُّهُ؛ وَكَافِرٌ يُقَاتِلُهُ.

A believer has four enemies: a jealous believer, a detesting hypocrite, a deviating Satan, and a hostile infidel.

● إنَّ المُؤْمِنَ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ لا يَحِيْفُ عَلى مَنْ يُبْغِضُ؛ وَلا يَأْثِمُ فِيمَنْ يُحِبُّ؛ وَلا يُضِيْعُ مَا اسْتُوْدِعَ؛ وَلا يَحْسُدُ وَلا يَطْعَنُ وَلا يَلْعَنُ؛ وَيَعْتَرِفُ بِالْحَقِّ وَإنْ لَمْ يُشهَدْ عَلَيْهِ؛ وَلا يَتَنَابَزُ بِالألْقَابِ؛ في الصَّلاةِ مُتَخَشِّعَاً؛ إلَى الزَّكاةِ مُسْرِعَاً؛ في الزَّلازِلِ وَقُورَاً؛ في الرَّخَاء شَكُورَاً؛ قَانِعَاً بِالَّذِي لَهُ؛ لا يَدَّعِي مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ؛ وَلا يَغْلِبُهُ الشُّحُّ عَنْ مَعْرُوْفٍ يُرِيْدُهُ، يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ كَيْ يَعْلَمَ، وَيُنَاطِقُ النَّاسَ كَيْ يَفْهَمَ، وَإنْ ظُلِمَ وَبُغِيَ عَلَيْهِ صَبَرَ حَتَّى يَكُونَ الرَّحْمنُ هُوَ الَّذي يَنْتَصِرُ لَهُ.

A believer is a servant of God who doesn’t oppress his enemies nor does he commit sins for the sake of his friends, who keeps trusts intact and refrains from jealousy, sarcasm and cursing others, who tells the truth though not called to bear witness and calls not people with bad names, who observes humility in prayers, hastes in paying his due alms, keeps patient in calamities and thanks (God) in affluence, who is content with what he has and claims not what he doesn’t, who doesn’t stop doing good deeds due to misery, who keeps company with people to learn and talks to them something to earn, and who forebears oppression and tyranny, awaiting the Merciful God to give him victory.

● المُؤْمِنُ بِخَيْرٍ عَلى كُلِّ حَالٍ، يَنْزِعُ نَفْسَهُ مِنْ بَيْنِ جَنْبَيْهِ؛ وَهُوَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ.

A believer is in a good state all the time; even when he is on the verge of death, he praises God.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ مِثْلُ سَبِيكَةِ الذَّهَبِ، إنْ نُفِخَتْ عَلَيْهَا احْمَرَّتْ؛ وَاِنْ وُزِنَتْ لَمْ تَنْقُصْ.

A believer is like unto a bar of gold, getting reddened when breathed upon and losing nothing when weighed.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ مِثْلُ النَّخْلَةِ، ما أخَذْتَ مِنْهَا مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ نَفَعَكَ.

A believer is like unto a date palm; whatever you take from it will be to your benefit.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ العَطَّارِ إنْ جالَسْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ، وَإنْ مَشَيْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ، وَإنْ شَارَكْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ.

A believer is like unto a perfumer who will benefit you, should you keep company with him, or move along with him, or be a partner to him.

NAHJ AL-FASAHAH Ch. A page 8

HEIGHT OF RHETORIC

● لِلْمُؤْمِنِ أرْبَعَةُ أعْدَاءٍ: مُؤْمِنٌ يَحْسُدُهُ؛ وَمُنَافِقٌ يُبْغِضُهُ؛ وَشَيْطَانٌ يُضِلُّهُ؛ وَكَافِرٌ يُقَاتِلُهُ.

A believer has four enemies: a jealous believer, a detesting hypocrite, a deviating Satan, and a hostile infidel.

● إنَّ المُؤْمِنَ مِنْ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ لا يَحِيْفُ عَلى مَنْ يُبْغِضُ؛ وَلا يَأْثِمُ فِيمَنْ يُحِبُّ؛ وَلا يُضِيْعُ مَا اسْتُوْدِعَ؛ وَلا يَحْسُدُ وَلا يَطْعَنُ وَلا يَلْعَنُ؛ وَيَعْتَرِفُ بِالْحَقِّ وَإنْ لَمْ يُشهَدْ عَلَيْهِ؛ وَلا يَتَنَابَزُ بِالألْقَابِ؛ في الصَّلاةِ مُتَخَشِّعَاً؛ إلَى الزَّكاةِ مُسْرِعَاً؛ في الزَّلازِلِ وَقُورَاً؛ في الرَّخَاء شَكُورَاً؛ قَانِعَاً بِالَّذِي لَهُ؛ لا يَدَّعِي مَا لَيْسَ لَهُ؛ وَلا يَغْلِبُهُ الشُّحُّ عَنْ مَعْرُوْفٍ يُرِيْدُهُ، يُخَالِطُ النَّاسَ كَيْ يَعْلَمَ، وَيُنَاطِقُ النَّاسَ كَيْ يَفْهَمَ، وَإنْ ظُلِمَ وَبُغِيَ عَلَيْهِ صَبَرَ حَتَّى يَكُونَ الرَّحْمنُ هُوَ الَّذي يَنْتَصِرُ لَهُ.

A believer is a servant of God who doesn’t oppress his enemies nor does he commit sins for the sake of his friends, who keeps trusts intact and refrains from jealousy, sarcasm and cursing others, who tells the truth though not called to bear witness and calls not people with bad names, who observes humility in prayers, hastes in paying his due alms, keeps patient in calamities and thanks (God) in affluence, who is content with what he has and claims not what he doesn’t, who doesn’t stop doing good deeds due to misery, who keeps company with people to learn and talks to them something to earn, and who forebears oppression and tyranny, awaiting the Merciful God to give him victory.

● المُؤْمِنُ بِخَيْرٍ عَلى كُلِّ حَالٍ، يَنْزِعُ نَفْسَهُ مِنْ بَيْنِ جَنْبَيْهِ؛ وَهُوَ يَحْمَدُ اللَّهَ.

A believer is in a good state all the time; even when he is on the verge of death, he praises God.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ مِثْلُ سَبِيكَةِ الذَّهَبِ، إنْ نُفِخَتْ عَلَيْهَا احْمَرَّتْ؛ وَاِنْ وُزِنَتْ لَمْ تَنْقُصْ.

A believer is like unto a bar of gold, getting reddened when breathed upon and losing nothing when weighed.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ مِثْلُ النَّخْلَةِ، ما أخَذْتَ مِنْهَا مِنْ شَيْ‏ءٍ نَفَعَكَ.

A believer is like unto a date palm; whatever you take from it will be to your benefit.

● مَثَلُ المُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ العَطَّارِ إنْ جالَسْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ، وَإنْ مَشَيْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ، وَإنْ شَارَكْتَهُ نَفَعَكَ.

A believer is like unto a perfumer who will benefit you, should you keep company with him, or move along with him, or be a partner to him.

NAHJ AL-FASAHAH Ch. A page 7

HEIGHT OF RHETORIC

● لَيْسَ المُؤْمِنُ بِالطَّعَّانِ وَلا اللَّعَّانِ وَلا الفَاحِشِ وَلا البَذِي.

A (true) believer does not taunt, damn, slander and abuse people.

● لا تَجْتَمِعُ خَصْلَتانِ في مُؤْمِنٍ: البُخْلُ وَالكِذْبُ.

A (true) believer is bereft of two attributes: telling lie and stinginess.

● يَنْبَغِي أنْ يَكُونَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ ثَمانِيَةُ خِصالٍ: وَقارٌ عِنْدَ الهَزائِزِ؛ وَصَبْرٌ عِنْدَ البَلاءِ؛ وَشُكْرٌ عِنْدَ الرَّخاءِ؛ وَقُنُوعٌ بِما رَزَقَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلّ؛ لا يَظْلِمُ الأَعْداءَ؛ وَلا يَتَحامَلُ عَلَى الأصْدِقاءِ؛ بَدَنُهُ في تَعَبٍ وَالنّاسُ مِنْهُ في راحَةٍ.

A (true) believer should have the following eight characteristics: soberness at hard times, patience in calamities, gratefulness in reliefs, contentment for whatever the Great and Glorified God has given, avoidance from oppressing enemies and hurting friends, and toleration of physical sufferings to make people feel safe from him.

● المُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ المُسْلِمُوْنُ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ.

A (true) Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand, Muslims at rest stand.

● تَجِدُ المُؤْمِنُ مُجْتَهِدَاً فِيمَا يُطِيْقُ مُتَلَهِّفَاً عَلى ما لا يُطِيْقُ.

A believer does his best in what his ability demands, but craves for what beyond his power stands.

● لَيْسَ مِنْ أخْلاقِ المُؤْمِنِ التَّمَلُّقُ وَلا الحَسَدُ، إلاّ في طَلَبِ العِلْمِ.

A believer does not resort to jealousy or flattery, save in seeking knowledge.

● يُطْبَعُ المُؤْمِنُ عَلى كُلِّ خُلْقٍ؛ لَيْسَ الخِيَانَةُ وَالكِذْبُ.

A believer has all kinds of natures save treachery and telling lie.














205 - To render relief to the distressed and to help the oppressed

"To render relief to the distressed and to help the oppressed make amends for great sins."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 023)

203 - deeds lower his position, his pedigree cannot elevate it

"If someone's deeds lower his position, his pedigree cannot elevate it."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 022)

202 - If the right usurped from us

If the right usurped from us is given back to us we shall take it, otherwise we shall go on claiming it.
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 021)

201 - Failures; disappointment; don't waste opportunity of doing good

Failures are often the results of timidity and fears; disappointments are the results of bashfulness; hours of leisure pass away like summer clouds, therefore, do not waste opportunity of doing good
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 020)

200 - Overlook and forgive the weaknesses of the generous people

"Overlook and forgive the weaknesses of the generous people because if they fall down, Allah will help them."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 019)

Sunday, August 16, 2009

199 - One who rushes madly after inordinate desire

"One who rushes madly after inordinate desire, runs the risk of encountering destruction and death."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 018)

198 - who refused to side with any party

For those who refused to side with any party, Mola Imam Ali or his enemies:
"They have forsaken religion and are of no use to infidelity also."
Mola Ali (a.s) or his enemies, Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s) said:
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 017)

197 - Our affairs are attached to the destiny decreed by Allah

"Our affairs are attached to the destiny decreed by Allah, even our best plans may lead us to destruction."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)!
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 015)

196 - often find help & sympathy from strangers

"He who is deserted by friends and relatives will often find help and sympathy from strangers."
Mola Ali (a.s) Ibn e Abu Talib (a.s)!
Ref: Nahjul Balagha (Saying # 013)