.He who knoweth his own self, knoweth God.
· He will not enter hell who hath faith equal to a mustard seed in his heart, and he will not enter Paradise who hath a single grain of pride, equal to a mustard seed in his heart.
· Muhammad, p.b.u.h. said: “That person will not enter Paradise who hath one atom of pride in his heart.” And a man present said, “Verily, a man is fond of having good clothes and good shoes.” Muhammad p.b.u.h. said, “God is Beauty and delighteth in the beautiful; but pride is holding man in contempt.”
· God’s kindness towards His creatures is more than that of a mother towards her babe.
· Do not say that if people do good to us, we will do good to them, and if people oppress us, we will oppress them. Instead determine that if people do good to you, you will do good to them; and if they oppress you, you will not oppress them.
· No man is a true believer unless he desireth for his brother that which he desireth for himself.
· He who believeth in one God and the Hereafter, let him speak what is good or remain silent.
· Riches are not from abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.
· Whoever suppresseth his anger, when he hath in his power to show it, God will give him a great reward.
· The greatest crimes are to associate another with God, to vex your father and mother, to murder your own species, to commit suicide, and to swear a lie.
· Whoso openeth unto himself the door of begging, God will open unto him the door of poverty.
· A man asked, “Are there rewards for our doing good to animals and giving them water to drink?” Muhammad, p.b.u.h. said, “Verily there are heavenly rewards for any act of kindness to a live animal.”
· The best of alms is that which the right hand giveth and the left hand knoweth not of.
· There are seven people whom God will draw under His own shadow, on the day when there will be no shadow; one of them will be a man who hath given alms and concealed it, so that his left hand knew not what his right hand did.
· The best of almsgiving is that which springeth from the heart, and is uttered by the lips to soften the wounds of the injured.
· All actions are judged by the motives prompting them.
· The most excellent Jihad [trans.:striving] is that for the conquest of the self. [i.e., the carnal self or ego]
· The exercise of religious duties will not atone for the fault of an abusive tongue.
· Keep yourselves far from envy because it eateth up and taketh away good actions, like a fire eateth up and burneth wood.
· God is gentle and loveth gentleness.
· What is Paradise? Muhammad p.b.u.h. replied “It is what the eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, nor ever occurred to the mind of man.”
· He is not a perfect man of fortitude who hath not fallen into misfortunes; and there is no physician but the experienced.
· Every good act is charity; and verily it is a good act to meet your brother with an open countenance, and to pour water from your own water bag into his vessel.
· Guard yourselves from six things, and I am your security for Paradise. When you speak, speak the truth; perform when you promise; discharge your trust; be chaste in thought and action; and withhold your hand from striking, from taking that which is unlawful, and bad.
· Feed the hungry and visit the sick, and free the captive, if he be unjustly confined. Assist any person oppressed, whether Muslim or non-Muslim.
· Speak to men according to their mental capacities, for if you speak all things to all men, some cannot understand you, and so fall into errors. Abuse no-one, and if a man abuse thee, and lay open a vice which he knoweth in thee, then do not disclose one which thou knowest in him.
· Whoever doeth good to girls, it will be a curtain to him from hell-fire.
· Whoever hath a daughter, and doth not bury her alive, or scold her, or prefer his male children to her, may God bring him into Paradise. [Note: this refers to the practice of female infanticide which was common in those days. The Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h. abolished this practice]
· God enjoins you to treat women well, for they are your mothers, daughters and aunts.
· Do not prevent women from coming to the mosque.
P.B.U.H. is short for “peace be upon him” which is an expression used by Muslims to indicate reverence towards the holy Prophet Muhammad.
