Pieces of Advice from Imam Shaafi (RA)

 

“My heart is at ease knowing that what was meant for me will never miss me, and that what misses me was never meant for me.”

 

“All humans are dead except those who have knowledge; and all those who have knowledge are asleep, except those who do good deeds.

And those who do good deeds are deceived, except those who are sincere; and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry.”

 

“Knowledge is not what is memorized. Knowledge is what benefits.”

 

“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.”

 

“Be hard on yourself, easy on others.”

 

“How strange! You seek guidance, yet you do not tread its path, surely a boat does not sail on land.”

 

“You say that you are just a body, but inside of you is something greater than the Universe.”

 

“My sin burdened me heavily. But when I measured it against Your Grace, O Lord, Your forgiveness came out greater.”

 

“To be able to thank Allah for a blessing is a blessing within itself.”

 

“Wealth remains behind on earth while ibadaah accompanies you into the grave.”

 

“To admonish your brother in private is to advise him and improve him. But to admonish him publicly is to disgrace and shame him.”