Remember Hell-Fire a Lot

 

‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab is reported to have said: “Remember the fire a great deal; for its heat is intense, its bottom is deep, and the stay therein is long.”

 

One of the Salaf said, “One of the punishments of bad deeds is more bad deeds, and one of the rewards of good deeds is more good deeds.“

 

Shurayh said: “If I am afflicted with a calamity, I praise Allaah for it four times: I praise Him because it wasn’t worse than it was, I praise Him when He gives me the patience to bear it, I praise Him for enabling me to say al-istirjâ’ (‘To Allaah we belong and to him we will return’; see Al-Baqarah: 154-156) in hope of a great reward, and I praise Him for not making it a calamity in my religion.”

 

Al-Qaasim Ibn Muhammad, the grandson of Aboo Bakr, said: “In my time the people were not impressed by speech, they were impressed by actions. Anyone can say whatever he wants.”

 

‘Umar ibn Abdil-’Aziz said: “Become a scholar if you are able. If you are not able, then be a student. If you can not, then show love for them. If you are unable to do that,then (at least) do not hate them.”

 

Fudail Ibn Iyyad was asked: “Until when one should seek knowledge?” He said: “Until the inkwell is emptied in his grave.“

 

Muhammad Ibn Sireen said: “I have never envied anyone over anything: if a person is going to be in the Fire, how could I envy him over some worldly matter when he is destined for the Fire?! And if he is going to Paradise, how could I be envious of a man of Paradise with whom Allâh tabâraka wa ta’âlâ is pleased?!”

 

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Mas’ûd (ra) said: One of the worst sins is when a man says to his brother, “Fear Allaah,” and he replies, “Worry about yourself.”

 

Sufyan Ath-Thawree mentioned: “We met a people who loved it when it was said to them “Fear Allah the most high!“. Today you find people become annoyed at this.”

 

Aboo Dharr Al-Ghafari said: “Make in the world two gatherings, a gathering in search for the Hereafter, and a gathering in search for the halaal. The third type of gathering will harm you and not benefit you, so do not desire it.”