Shaikhul Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) said:
What is manifestly clear is that many of the affairs of the inner self are hidden from a person and he does not realise them. There are many people in whose souls is a love of leadership yet he does not realise it; rather it may be that he is one sincere in carrying out acts of worship but his faults are hidden from him. The speech of the people (i.e. the scholars) in this affair is numerous and well known. And because of this, this affair is called ‘the hidden love of fame.”
Ubaidullaah Ibn Mihsan Al-Khatmiy narrated from his father that the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “Whoever among you wakes up (in the morning) safe in his property, healthy in his body and has his daily nourishment, it is as if he has been granted the entire world.
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Reported by Imaam Al-Bukhaari in Al-Adabul Mufrad Number 300 and declared Hasan by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah Number: 2318
There are two (types) of strengths within the soul: The strength of abstinence and the strength of courage. The reality of patience is that one makes the strength of courageousness a means of action in what benefits him and the strength of abstinence a means of action in refraining from what is harmful to him.
Among the people, there is one whose patience in carrying out what benefits him and being firm upon it is stronger than his patience in refraining from what is harmful to him; so he exercises patience in facing difficulty whilst carrying out acts of obedience, but he does not exercise patience in refraining from urges towards what he is forbidden.
And among them, there is one whose patience in refraining from things that are in opposition to the religion is stronger than his patience in carrying out acts of obedience and among them there is one who does not exercise patience in both affairs. The best of people are those who fulfil both affairs.
Many people patiently bear the hardship of praying Tahajjud during hot and cold nights, and the difficulty in fasting; but they do not exercise patience in refraining from looking at forbidden things. Many people exercise patience in refraining from looking at the forbidden things and inclination towards images, but they do not exercise patience in commanding good and forbidding evil….
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[Abridged and slightly paraphrased. For further details, see Uddat As-Saabireen.page 37]
[وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ –And turn not your face away from men with pride]; Imaam as-Sa’di (rahimahullaah): Do not turn away and frowning at the people with your face, being arrogant towards them and exalting (yourself).
[ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ –Nor walk in insolence through the earth];That is: out of vanity, boasting about blessings, forgetful of the one who bestowed it upon you (i.e. Allaah) and being amazed with yourself.
[إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ- Verily, Allah likes not each arrogant boaster]; boastful about himself, his personality and significance, and in his speech.
Al-Allaamah Siddeeq Hasan Khan (rahimahullaah) said:
Indeed, the one who combines five characteristics will be acquainted with the truth and the greatest of them is (1) Sincerity, (2) (sound) understanding and (3) justice. (4)Fourthly-the scarcest to be found and (people) are mostly deprived of it–is eagerness in acquainting (oneself) with the truth and being keen in calling to it.
When you sit with the people, make humility the sign by which you are recognized. Fear of Allaah should be your shield and giving advice to the servants of Allaah as your constant habit. Be eager to (make) every gathering you in which you sit, to be of goodness- either research into affairs of knowledge or advice on religious matters; either directing (others) towards a general or a particular beneficial affair, or making a mention of the blessings of Allaah; either making a mention of the superior status of praiseworthy manners and good etiquettes or warning against that which is detrimental to the wellbeing of one’s religious or worldly (affairs). The least of this (i.e. your companionship and advice to those you sit with) is that the earnings from their occupations should be by way of permissible (means) and not what is forbidden.
Behave well towards the young, the old and your peers. Deal with each of them in a way they deserve and have respect for the one who deserves to be respected and honoured. Be eager to make your congregation relaxed by way of speech that is appropriate and good, even if that was in relation to the worldly (affairs).
The sensible and determined person achieves abundant goodness through the gatherings of the people and he becomes more beloved to them than all (beloved things). This is because he approaches the people with what they approve (i.e. good) and statements they desire, and the foundation in this is success in taking over control of all the affairs placed before them.
And these affairs (i.e. good advice and companionship) become more emphasized on a journey, because during a journey sitting together is prolonged and the travellers are in need of having someone who revives their hearts with good statements, the news of events and joke–if all of that is truth and not too much–and to assist them with the essential affairs of travel.
Allaah (Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections) is the one who caused the dissimilarities between His slaves with regards to their manners, their actions and in all of their affairs. Allaah (Alone) is the One Who grants success. [Abridged]
When it is the case that the original (place) of Taqwah is in the heart, then none can determine its reality except Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic), as he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: ‘’Indeed Allaah neither looks at your images nor your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your actions.’’ And in another narration, [he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] said: Indeed, Allaah neither looks at your bodies nor your images’’ [1]
Indeed, there may be many a person with a good looking image, or wealth, or prestige, or leadership in the worldly life, whilst his heart is deprived of Taqwah. And it may be that there is one with nothing (of the worldly life) but his heart is filled with Taqwah, so he becomes nobler in the Sight of Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic); rather this is mostly what happens. [2]
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[1] Reported by Imam Muslim (rahimahullaah) on the authority of Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu-anhu. Number: 2564.
[2]Source: Jaami-ul Uloom Wal-Hikam of Imaam Ibn Rajab. Hadeeth Number 35]
And say to My slaves that they should (only) say those words that are the best. (Because) Shaitan (Satan) verily, sows disagreements among them. Surely, Shaitan (Satan) is to man a plain enemy.
Imaam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) stated:
Allaah [The Blessed and Most High] command His slave and Messenger [i.e. Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)] to command Allaah’s believing slaves that they speak to one another in their conversations and discussions with what is better and good, for if they do not do that, shaytaan will sow a state of conflict between them and speech will lead to actions, and thus evil, (blameworthy) argumentation and fighting will arise; for indeed shaytaan is an enemy of Aadam and his children since (the time) he refused to prostrate to Aadam. His enmity is clear and manifest, so because of this, it prohibited for a man to point at his Muslim brother with an iron (instrument), for indeed shaytaan (can entice an evil action) in his hand and he may cause him to strike him (i.e. his Muslim brother) with it.
It was reported from Abu ‘Abdur-Rahman Al-Hubli, from As-SunãbihI, from Mu’ädh bin Jabal, that the Messenger of Allah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) held his hand and said: “0 Mu’adh! I swear by Allah, I love you. I swear by Allah, I love you. I advise you, 0 Mu’ãdh, that you never leave saying after every prayer,
[اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ – O Allah! Help me in remembering You, thanking You, and perfecting my worship of You (1)].” And Mu’ãdh advised As-Sunãbihi with that, and As-Sunabihi advised Abu ‘Abdur-RahmAn with that. [2]
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[1] According to Imaam Abdul-Azeez Bin Baaz (rahimahullaah), it is better to supplicate with this supplication after the Tasha’hud and before the Tasleem, but there is no harm in doing so after the Tasleem. For further details, refer to this link to find out why the Shaikh (rahimahullaah) says so. http://www.binbaz.org.sa/node/949
[2] Declared Saheeh (authentic) by Imaam Albaani (rahimahullaah) in his checking of Sunan Abee Dawud’ Hadeeth number: 1522
Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (may Allaah preserve him) said that some of the Salaf stated regarding a just person: ”The just (person) is the one who when angry is not entered into falsehood by his anger. And when he is pleased, being pleased does not removed him from the truth.”
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[Source: Al-Mahajjatul Baydaa Fee Himaayatis Sunnatil Gharraa’i Min Zallaati Ahlil Akh’taa Wa Zayghi Ahlil Ahwaa’ page 37′ by Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadi Al-Madkhali (may Allaah preserve him)]
