The Wise Sayings

1. Definition of Iman

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said when was asked 'what is Iman (faith)?':

"It is perseverance (al-sabr) from the things that are forbidden by Allah the Mighty and Majestic and acceptance. He was asked, "What is perseverance and acceptance?" He replied, ‘al-sabr is to persevere in holding back from what Allah has forbidden, and [acceptance is] acceptance of what Allah the Mighty and Majestic has commanded.’" [Reported by Abu Bakr Al-Daynuri, Al-Mujalasah wa Jawahir Al-'Ilm 3:535]

2. Doing deeds with Love, Hope and Fear of Allah

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"The believer does the best deeds yet is most fearful [that his deeds will not be accepted]. If he were to spend a mountain of wealth [in charity], he would not feel sure [of the reward] until he sees it. The more righteous and pious he becomes, the more he fears. But the hypocrite (munafiq) says: ‘There are so many people, I will be forgiven, no problem.' So he does wrong and evil deeds, yet holds foolish wishes about Allah.’" [Reported by Al-Dhahabi, SiyarA'lam Al-Nubakf 4:586.]

3. Knowledge must be seen in your Actions

Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"When a man sought knowledge, it would not be long before it could be seen in his humbleness, his sight, upon his tongue and his hands, in his prayer, in his speech and in his disinterest (zuhd) in worldly allurements. And a man would acquire a portion of knowledge and put it into practice, and it would be better for him than the world and all it contains - if he owned it he would give it in exchange for the hereafter."

4. Seek Hereafter; You will get both

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basri often used to say:

"O youth! Seek the hereafter, for we often see people pursuing the hereafter and finding it as well as the dunya (worldly wellbeing), but we have never seen anyone pursue the dunya and gain the hereafter as well as the dunya.' [Reported by Al-Bayhaqi, Al-Zuhd Al-Kabir, article 12]

5. Utilize your Health and free time before being called to account

It is reported that Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - once said during the funeral of a man:

"May Allah have mercy on the man who works for the likes of this day; for today you are able to do what these brothers of yours, the residents of these graves, cannot do. So make full use of your health and free time before the day of distress and accounts comes upon you."  [Reported in Ibn Abl Al-Dunya, Dhamm Al-Dunya article 53.]

6. Life of this world is prison for the believers

Al-Hasan al Basri - Allah have mercy on him – said:

"In this life, the believer is just like a prisoner who strives hard to free his neck; he never feels safe until he meets Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored." [Reported in Jami'ul-Ulum wal-Hikam, p. 269}

7. The righteous believers live just as Hasan Al-Basri described them

Hasan al Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"M ay Allah grant mercy to some people who used this life as if it was a loan; they gave it back to He who has entrusted it to them and went away with a light weight (of burden)." (Reported in Al-lhya, vol.3, p.221)

8. Wealth, Speech, Character

Al-Hasan al Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"He whose wealth increases, his sins increase, and he whose speech multiplies, his lies multiply. He whose conduct becomes harsher, torments his own self." (Kitab-us-Samt, p. 85)

9. Don't feel safe                                              

Al-Hasan al Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"By Allah! Anyone among mankind who earns abundance in his life but does not feel afraid that he is being tried and tested, then his deeds will decrease and his opinion will become obsolete. Whenever Allah withholds this life's splendor from Muslim slave, who thinks that he is allowed to excessively indulge in its delights, then know that he is being deprived because his good deeds have decreased and his opinion became obsolete." (Reported in Hilyatul-Awliya, vol.6, p.272)

10. Strange!

Al-Hasan al Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"Amazing is he who laughs, even though the Fire is in front of him, and feels elation, while death is awaiting him!" (Reported in Tanbihul-Ghafilin, vol.1, p.212)

11. Making tomorrow as your main concern

Al-Hasan Al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"Beware of entering upon a day having tomorrow or other future days as your main concern and worry. (If you do so), you will increase in anxiety and difficulty, and you will wish to collect during your day, what will suffice you for several days. How stupid! One ends up being preoccupied, one's grief gets worse and one's toil and labor becomes great. And the slave ends up neglecting doing (good) deeds as a result of these hopes (he has in tomorrow and the future days)."  [Reported by Al-Hilyah by Aboo Nu'aym, 2/139]

12. Sincerity is Must

Al-Hasan al-Basri - Allah have mercy on him - said:

"Whoever learns something in the name of Allah, seeking that which is with Him, he will win. And whoever learns something for other than Allah, he will not reach the goal, nor will his acquired knowledge bring him closer to Allah." [Related by Ibn ul Jawzee]