‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“O people, what destroyed those before you was that they committed sins, and the devoted scholars and rabbis did not stop them, thus they were seized by punishment. So enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil before there befalls you the like of what befell them, and remember that enjoining the good and forbidding the evil does not stop provision and does not bring one closer to death.” [Tafseer Ibn Abee Haatim, 3/15]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Consultation (shoorah) is the essence of guidance. The one who bases his actions on his own opinions without consulting others is in grave danger.” [Adab Ad-Dunyaa Wad-Deen, p. 89]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“What a great support when you seek consultation (shoorah), and what a bad preperation when you do not consult.” [Nihaayat Al-Arab, 6/69]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The view of the old man is better than what the young man sees with his own eyes.” [Nihaayat Al-Arab, 6/75]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Do not include among your advisers any miser, because he will advise you not to be generous and will make you fear poverty. Do not include any coward, because he will weaken your resolve. Do not include anyone who is covetous, because he will try to make you accumulate things by unjust means. Miserliness, cowardice and covetousness are different types of inclinations that are based on thinking badly of Allah (swt).” [Al-Idaarah Al-‘Askariyyah, 1/279]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Miserliness, cowardice and covetousness are different types of inclinations that are based on thinking badly of Allah (swt).” [Al-Idaarah Al-‘Askariyyah, 1/279]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“It is not justice to judge against the man of sound character on the basis of speculation.” [Nidhaam Al-Hukm Fee ‘Ahd Al-Khulafaa’ Ar-Raashideen, p. 165]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“What a bad provision for the hereafter to transgress against the people.” [Nidhaam Al-Hukm Fee ‘Ahd Al-Khulafaa’ Ar-Raashideen, p. 165]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“No on should place his hopes in anyone except his Lord.” [Al-Fataawaa, 8/99]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“No one should fear anything except his sin.” [Al-Fataawaa, 8/99]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Fear Allaah, O slaves of Allaah, and strive hard in seeking Him. Hasten to do good deeds before death, the destroyer of pleasures, approaches.” [Al-Hilyah, 1/78]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“If hardship befalls you, remember Allaah and combine that with hope in Him, for Allaah grants to the Muslim a goodly reward,but He gives more to those who give thanks.” [Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah, 7/309]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib once looked out over a graveyard and said:
“O people of the graves, tell us your news. As for our news, the women have gotten married, the wealth has been divided, and the houses are inhabited by people other than you.” Then he said: “If they could speak, they would say, ‘We do not think there is anything better than piety.’ ” [Al-Istidhkaar, 1/234]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The most evil of people are those who take graves as places of worship.” [Musannaf Abdur-Razzaaq, 1/405]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Faith begins as a small white spot in the heart, and the more a person increases in faith, the whiter his hear becomes. But the more a person increases in hypocrisy, the blacker his heart becomes until, when the person becomes a complete hypocrite, his heart becomes black. By Allaah, if you were to open the heart of the believer, you would find it to be white, and if you were to open the heart of the hypocrite and the disbeliever, you would find it to be black.” [Al-Fataawaa, 7/191]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The one who resents the evil doer and gets angry for the sake of Allaah, then Allaah will get angry for his sake and will make him content on the Day of Judgement.” [Nahj Al-Balaaghah, p. 667]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The one who forbids what is evil will annoy the hypocrites.” [Nahj Al-Balaaghah, p. 667]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Piety is fear of The Most Majestic (Allaah), acting in accordance with the revelation, being content with little and preparing for the day of departure (death).” [Faraa’id Al-Kalaam, p. 334]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib defined piety by saying:
“(It is) refraining from persisting in sin and refraining from relying too much on obedience.” [Tafseer Ar-Raazee, 2/21]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“No one knows true faith until he realises that what befalls him could never have missed him, and what misses him could never have befallen him.” [Faraa’id AlKalaam, p. 348]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib was asked: “How will Allaah bring His slaves to account despite their huge numbers?” So he said:
“Just as He provides for them despite their huge numbers.” [Adab Ad-Dunyaa Wad-Deen, p. 25]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“I have never seen anything like paradise whose seekers could sleep. And I have never seen anything like hell, those who fear which can sleep.” [Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah, 8/7]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“O people, do righteous deeds during your lifetime, and your offspring will be taken care of.” [Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah, 8/7]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Prayer a night brings radiance to the face during the day.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 276]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The light of the believer results from the optional prayer during the night.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 276]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The soundness of religious commitment comes from restraint, and corruption thereof results from greed.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 276]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Glad tidings to the one who acts upon what he knows.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 277]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Opportunity passes as quickly as a cloud.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 277]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Hard-heartedness comes from a full stomach.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 278]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Prominence stems from virtue and good manners, not from origin or lineage.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 226]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“A good attitude is more splendid than good looks” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 228]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“A good attitude brings ample provision.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 228]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Kindness is one of the best treasures.” [Taareekh Al-Ya’qoobee, 2/210]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“You should not b discouraged from doing acts of kindness by the ingratitude of those who reject it and deny it.” [Tareekh Al-Ya’qoobi, 2/210]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Kindness cannot be complete except with three things; (a) thinking little of it, (b) concealing it; (c) and hastening it. If you think little of it, you will make it great. If you conceal it, you will perfect it. And if you hasten it, you will give people the chance to enjoy and appreciate it.” [Tareekh Al-Ya’qoobi, 2/210]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“There is no nobility with bad manners.” [Al-I’jaaz Wal-Eejaaz, p. 28]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“There is no rest for the envious.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 234]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The envier is angry with someone who has done nothing wrong.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 235]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Whoever unsheathes the sword of transgression will be killed by it.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib Fi-Da’wah Ila Allaah, p. 235]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The wrongdoer who started the trouble will look at his hand hand tomorrow and learn a lesson from it.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib Fi-Da’wah Ila Allaah, p. 236]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Concealing hardship is a sign of chivalry.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 245]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Be kind to the one who wrongs you and you will be safe from his wrongdoing.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 245]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Kindness puts an end to backbiting.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 246]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Whoever has a sweet tongue will have a lot of friends.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 247]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Whoever is lacking in sincerity will have few friends.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 247]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Your tongue will speak what you accustom it to say.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 248]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Whoever asks about that which does not concern him will miss out on that which does concern him.” [Manhaaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 249]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Keep company with righteous people, and you will be safe from the evildoers.” [Nathr Al-Aali Min Kalaam ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib Wa Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 249]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Having a good companion is a treasure.” [Nathr Al-Aali Min Kalaam ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib Wa Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 249]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Accompanying a foolish man is a loss in this world and a regret in the hereafter.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 249]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Do not examine the one who said it (e.g, advice or other good words); rather think of what he said.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 250]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The best of people is someone who benefits the people.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 251]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The tongue is an indication of either ignorance or wisdom.” [Adab Ad-Dunyaa Wad-Deen, p. 265]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Your brother is the one who supports you in the time of hardship.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib Fid-Da’wah Ila Allaah, p. 253]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The value of every person is connected to what he is good at.” [‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, His Life And Times, by ‘Alee Muhammad As-Sallabi, p. 438]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The ego is inclined to follow whims and desires and to take the easy option. It is inclined to idle pursuits, prone to evil and attracted to immorality. It prefers to avoid challenges and is reluctant to strive hard. If you force it, you will lead it to the right way, but if you neglect it, you will cause its doom.” [Al-Murtada, by An-Nadwi, p. 201]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Do not be a slave to anyone when Allaah has made you free.” [‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, His Life And Times, by ‘Alee Muhammad As-Sallabi, p. 439]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The people are sleeping, and when they die, they will wake up.” [‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, His Life And Times, by ‘Alee Muhammad As-Sallabi, p. 439]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“People are enemies of things they do not know.” [‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, His Life And Times, by ‘Alee Muhammad As-Sallabi, p. 439]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“One word can cause a loss of blessing.” [‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, His Life And Times, by ‘Alee Muhammad As-Sallabi, p. 439]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The one who has little money is a stranger in his own land.” [‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, His Life And Times, by ‘Alee Muhammad As-Sallabi, p. 439]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“When one acquires worldly blessings, people attribute to him qualities that are not his, but when all of that departs from him, then people cannot see his good qualities.” [Al-Murtada, by An-Nadwi, p. 202]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Exhort people, and be wise in doing so, for people’s hearts and mins get tired just as their bodies do. ” [Al-Murtada, by An-Nadwi, p. 201]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“A cheerful face is another gift.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abe Taalib, p. 238]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Repeating the apology is a reminder of the mistake.” [Al-I’jaz Wal-Eejaaz, p. 29]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The best exhortation is to look at the dead.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 148]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Remembering death gives clarity to the mind.” [Manhaj ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib, p. 149]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib was asked about the best of all people so he said:
“Those who, if they do righteous deeds, they become cheerful and hopeful, and if they do wrong deeds, they ask for forgiveness. If they are faced with trials, they are patient; and if they get angry, they forgive.” [Murooj Adh-Dhahab, 2/431]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Allaah (swt) has slaves, and it is as if they already saw the people of paradise who will be in paradise forever and the people of hell who are being punished there. People are safe from their evil, their hearts are filled with sorrow, their souls are pure and their wants are few. They are patient for a few days for the sake of a long rest.
When you see them at night, you see them standing on their feet (in prayer) with tears flowing down their cheeks, praying to Allaah (swt) to ransom their necks. As for their days, they are virtuous, forbearing, righteous and pious.
One might look at them and think they are sick, but there is nothing wrong with them. They mix with people, but they are preoccupied with a very serious matter.” [Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah, 8/6]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“When the believer looks at something, it should be to learn a lesson. When he is silent, it should be because he is thinking about something. And when he speaks, he should speak words of wisdom.” [Murooj Adh-Dhahab, 2/434]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Glad tidings to every person who is not known or prominent; he knows people, but people do not now him; he knows Allaah (swt) and strives to please Him. Such people are beacons of guidance, and Allaah (swt) will save them from every dark trial and will admit them into mercy and grace from Himself. They do not disclose secrets or broadcast gossip, and they are not harsh natured or show-offs ” [Sifat As-Safwah, 1/325]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“By Allaah, I have seen the companions of Muhammad (saw), and I did not see anything like them today. In the morning, they would look yellow, unkempt and dusty, with a mark between their eyes that looked like a goat’s knee. They spent the night prostrating to Allaah (swt), standing and reciting the Book of Allaah, alternating between prostration and standing. Then in the morning when they mentioned the name of Allaah (swt), they would sway like trees on a windy day, and their eyes shed tears until their clothing got wet. By Allah, it is as if the people now are becoming negligent.”
The narrator (Aboo Araakah) said that ‘Alee was never seen smiling after that day until he was killed by Ibn Maljam. [Hilyat Al-Awliyaa’ 1/76]
A man came to ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib and praised him but ‘Alee had heard that the man had said something bad about him, so he said:
“I am not as you think, and I am better than you think.” [Taareekh Adh-Dhahabee, ‘Ahd Al-Khulafaa Ar-Raashideen, p. 646]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Beware of giving in to whims and desires because the immediate consequences are bad, and the long-term consequences are worse. If you cannot get control of your whims and desires by means of warning and punishment, then try to use the method of encouragement and thinking of reward, because if the deterrent and incentive come together, you will subject yourself to both, and you will be able to control your desires.” [Adab Ad-Dunyaa Wad-Deen, p. 26]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“One of the means of attaining forgiveness from Allaah is making your Muslim brother happy.” [Tanbeeh Al-Ghaafileen, p. 245]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Among the most difficult of actions are three: (a) allowing others to settle scores with you, (b) remembering Allaah (swt) in all situations, (c) and helping your brothers financially.” [Hilyat Al-Awliyaa’, 1/85]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“The consequence of sin are having no energy for worship, a reduced livelihood and reduced physical pleasure.” He was asked: “What is reduced physical pleasure?” He said: “He will not indulge in any permissible pleasure but something will come to spoil it.” [Taareekh Al-Khulafaa’, by As-Suyootee, p. 402]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Whoever wants glory without the support of a large family, offspring without having a lot of children, and independent means without wealth, then let him move from the humiliation of sin to the glory of obedience.” [Taareekh Al-Ya’qoobee, 2/602]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“If you want to attain a position of prominence, avoid what is haraam” [Saja Al-Hamaam Fee Hukm Al-Imaam, p. 57]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Do not do any good deed to show off, and do not refrain from doing it out of shyness.” [Adab Ad-Dunyaa Wad-Deen, p. 110]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“There are three signs of showing off; (a) he is lazy when he is alone and active when he is with other people, (b) he does more if he is praised because of it, (c) and he does less if he is criticised because of it.” [Al-Kabaa’ir of Adh-Dhahabee, p. 145]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“No words are good unless it be accompanied by action. And no action is good unless accompanied by intention. And no intention is good unless it is in accordance with the Sunnah.” [Ash-Sharee’ah, by Al-Aajurree, 2/638, and there is some weakness in its chain of narration]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“Self admiration is the most serious of problems.” [Jaami Bayaan Al-‘Ilm Wa Fadhlih, 1/571]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“O people of the market, fear Allaah (swt) and beware of swearing an oath, for an oath may cause an item to be sold, but it erases the blessing.” [As-Sunnah, p. 352]
‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib said:
“O date sellers, feed the poor, and your earnings will increase.” [Al-Bidaayah Wan-Nihaayah, 8/4]
The Authentic Base 