Words of Wisdom

Never rely upon what you believe to be inner experiences because it is only when you get beyond them that you will reach knowledge. They are there to deceive you.

[Counsels of Bahaudin, TE-187]

"Cooperation in seeking truth is inherent to religion, but sincerity in the pursuit of truth can be distinguished by certain conditions and signs.

A diligent seeker of truth may be compared to one who is looking for his lost camel.

It would be immaterial for him if he or another person should be the one to find it.

Likewise, a sincere truth-seeker would perceive his partner as a helper rather than an adversary, and would be grateful to him if he should guide him to truth."

- Al-Ghazali

"If you sit with scholars, my son, be more interested in listening than in speaking.

Learn good listening just as you learn good speaking.

Never interrupt a speaker, even if he takes long, until he comes to an end."

-Advice of Al-Hasan ibn Ali (radhiallahu `anhu) to his son.

Never do I argue with a man with a desire to hear him say what is wrong, or to expose him and win victory over him. Whenever I face an opponent in debate I silently pray - O Lord, help him so that truth may flow from his heart and on his tongue, and so that if truth is on my side, he may follow me; and if truth be on his side, I may follow him. [Imam Al-Shafi'i]

This is how our demeanour should be if we approach someone who holds different views from our own.

A wise man is one who listens when he could be talking
A fool is one who talks when he should be listening

Whoever struggles against the truth is soon cut down by it.

[Hadhrat Ali (R.A)]

Many of the faults you see in others, dear reader, are your own nature reflected in them.
As the Prophet said, 'The faithful are mirrors to one another'.

~Rumi

When you want to mention your companion's faults, remember your own faults.

-Ibn Abbas (R.A)

"I looked at all friends,
and did not find a better friend than safeguarding the tongue.

I thought about all dresses,
but did not find a better dress than piety.

I thought about all types of wealth,
but did not find a better wealth than contentment in little.

I thought of all types of sustenance,
but did not find a better sustenance than patience."

-Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (R.A)

"Truly in the heart there is a void that can not be removed except with the company of Allah.

And in it there is a sadness that can not be removed except with the happiness of knowing Allah and being true to Him.

And in it there is an emptiness that can not be filled except with love for Him and by turning to Him and always remembering Him.

And if a person were given all of the world and what is in it, it would not fill this emptiness."

-Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyya

"Allah has created you from dust, hence a bondsman,
Adopt an attitude of meekness and humility like dust."