Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Readiness And Preparation

Readiness and Preparation-الاِستعداد

1 . The best preparation is that by which one’s Hereafter is improved.

1 ـ خَيْـرُ الاِسْتِعْدادِ ما أُصْلِحَ بِهِ المَعادُ

2 . Lighten your burden, for indeed the goal is in front of you and time is behind you, driving you forward.

2 ـ تَخَفَّفُوا فَإنَّ الغايَةَ أمامَكُمْ، والسّاعَةَ مِنْ وَرائِكُمْ تَحْدُوكُمْ

3 . Lighten your burden so as to catch up [with those who are ahead you], for indeed the last among you are only being awaited by the first among you [who have preceded them].

3 ـ تَخَفَّفُوا تَلْحَقُوا، فَإنَّما يُنْتَظَرُ بِأوَّلِكُمْ آخِرُكُمْ

4 . Prepare for your journey, keep your gaze on the flash of salvation and travel on swift [and girded] mounts [of good deeds].

4 ـ تَيَسَّرْ لِسَفَرِكَ، وشِمْ بَرْقَ النَّجاةِ، وارْحَلْ مَطاياَ التَّشْمير

5 . Return from negligence, awake from slumber, prepare yourself for the move and gather provisions for the journey.

5 ـ ثُوبُوا (تُوبُوا) مِنَ الغَفْلَةِ، وتَنَبَّهُوا مِنَ الرَّقْدَةِ، وتَأهَّبُوا لِلنُّقْلَةِ، وَتَزَوَّدُوا لِلرِّحْلَةِ

6 . One who has prepared for his journey is delighted upon his arrival.

6 ـ مَنِ اسْتَعَدَّ لِسَفَرِهِ قَرَّ عَيْناً بِحَضَرِهِ

7 . Select your abode for yourself before the day of your landing and prepare your dwelling before your arrival.

7 ـ اِرْتَدْ لِنَفْسِكَ قَبْلَ يَوْمِ نُزُولِكَ ووَطِّ المَنْزِلَ قَبْلَ حُلُولِكَ

Justice And The Just

Justice and the just-العدل والعادل

1 . Justice is the better of the two policies.

1 ـ اَلعَدْلُ أفْضَلُ السِّياسَتَيْنِ

2 . Justice is the cornerstone of faith and the accumulator of benevolence.

2 ـ اَلعَدْلُ رَأسُ الإيمانِ، وجَمّاعُ الإحْسانِ

3 . Justice is the mainstay of the populace and the splendour of the rulers.

3 ـ اَلْعَدْلُ قِوامُ الرَّعِيَّةِ، وجَمالُ الوُلاةِ

4 . Justice means that you act equitably when you are oppressed, and kindness means that when you gain authority, you forgive.

4 ـ اَلعَدْلُ أنَّكَ إذا ظُلِمْتَ أنْصَفْتَ، والفَضْلُ أنَّكَ إذا قَدَرْتَ عَفَوْتَ

5 . Be just and you will rule.

5 ـ اِعْدِلْ تَحْكُمْ

6 . Be just and you will rule.

6 ـ اِعْدِلْ تَمْلِكَ

7 . Be just and your power will last.

7 ـ اِعْدِلْ تَدُمْ لَكَ القُدْرَةُ

8 . Have recourse to justice with good intention for the populace, reduced covetousness and increased piety.

8 ـ اِسْتَعِنْ عَلَى العَدْلِ بِحُسْنِ النِّيَّةِ فِي الرَّعيَّةِ، وقِلَّةِ الطَّمَعِ، وكَثْرَةِ الوَرَعِ

9 . The loftiest of endowments is justice.

9 ـ أسْنَى المَواهِبِ العَدْلُ

10 . The best [form of] justice is assisting the oppressed.

10 ـ أحْسَنُ العَدْلِ نُصْرَةُ المَظْلُومِ

11 . The most just of all people is he who is equitable to the one who has oppressed him.

11 ـ أعْدَلُ النّاسِ مَنْ أنْصَفَ مَنْ ظَلَمَهُ

12 . Verily being fair in [your] ruling and eschewing oppression are part of justice.

12 ـ إنَّ مِنَ العَدْلِ أنْ تُنْصِفَ فِي الحُكْمِ، وتَجْتَنِبَ الظُّلْمَةَ

13 . Indeed justice is the scale of Allah, the Glorified, which He has placed among the creation and installed for the establishment of truth; so do not oppose Him in His scale and do not contradict Him in His authority.

13 ـ إنَّ العَدْلَ ميزانُ اللّهِ سُبْحانَهُ الَّذي وَضَعَهُ فِي الخَلْقِ، ونَصَبَهُ لإقامَةِ الحَقِّ، فَلا تُخالِفْهُ في ميزانِهِ، ولاتُعارِضْهُ في سُلْطانِهِ

14 . Verily Allah, the Glorified, has enjoined justice and benevolence and has forbidden indecency and injustice.

14 ـ إنَّ اللّهَ سُبْحانَهُ أمَرَ بِالعَدْلِ والإحْسانِ، ونَهى عَنِ الفَحْشاءِ والظُّلْمِ

15 . Justice is brings harmony while oppression causes deviation.

15 ـ اَلعَدْلُ مَأْلُوفٌ، اَلجَوْرُ عَسُوفٌ

16 . Justice is the soul of testimony.

16 ـ اَلقِسْطُ رُوحُ الشَّهادَةِ

17 . Justice is the life of decrees.

17 ـ اَلعَدْلُ حَياةُ الأحْكامِ

18 . Justice is the best testimony.

18 ـ اَلقِسْطُ خَيْـرُ الشَّهادَةِ

19 . Justice reforms the people.

19 ـ اَلْعَدْلُ يُصْلِحُ البَريَّةَ

20 . Justice is a merit for the ruler.

20 ـ اَلعَدْلُ فَضيلَةُ السُّلْطانِ

21 . Justice is the greatest of riches.

21 ـ اَلعَدْلُ أغْنَى الغَناءِ

22 . Justice is equity.

22 ـ اَلعَدْلُ إنْصافٌ

23 . Justice is a foundation [for a healthy society]; oppression is destruction.

23 ـ اَلعَدْلُ مِلاكٌ، اَلجَوْرُ هَلاكٌ

24 . The just [ruler] is a custodian who awaits one of the two rewards (or the better of the two rewards).

24 ـ اَلعادِلُ راع يَنْتَظِرُ أحَدَ الجَزائَيْنِ (أحْسَنَ الجزاعين ).

25 . The most just among the creation is one who judges best according to the truth.

25 ـ أعْدَلُ الخَلْقِ أقْصاهُمْ بِالحَقِّ

26 . The most just of all people is he who is equitable despite having power, and the one who has the greatest clemency is he who is clement despite having authority.

26 ـ أعْدَلُ النّاسِ مَنْ أنْصَفَ عَنْ قُوَّة، وأعْظَمُهُمْ حِلْماً مَنْ حَلُمَ عَنْ قُدْرَة

27 . Through justice, bounties are multiplied.

27 ـ بِالعَدْلِ تَتَضاعَفُ البَـرَكاتُ

28 . Through justice, the populace is reformed.

28 ـ بِالعَدْلِ تَصْلُحُ الرَّعِيَةُ

29 . Allah, the Glorified, made justice a mainstay for mankind, a purification from oppressions and vices, and as an opening for [the spreading of] Islam.

29 ـ جَعَلَ اللّهُ سُبْحانَهُ العَدْلَ قِواماً لِلأنامِ، وتَنْزيهاً مِنَ المَظالِمِ والآثامِ، وتَسْنِيَةً لِلإسْلامِ

30 . Virtuous justice is [the cause of] organization [and harmony] among the people.

30 ـ حُسْنُ العَدْلِ نِظامُ البَريَّةِ

31 . The best of policies is justice.

31 ـ خَيْرُ السِّياساتِ العَدْلُ

32 . How can one who is unjust to himself be just with others?!

32 ـ كَيْفَ يَعْدِلُ في غَيْرِهِ مَنْ يَظْلِمُ نَفْسَهُ؟ !

33 . Justice suffices as a means of governance.

33 ـ كَفى بِالعَدْلِ سائِساً

34 . Let your riding mount be justice, for one who rides on it gains mastery.

34 ـ لِيَكُنْ مَرْكَبُكَ العَدْلَ فَمَنْ رَكِبَهُ مَلَكَ

35 . Justice can never be achieved until injustice falters [and comes to an end].

35 ـ لَنْ يُتَمَكَّنَ العَدْلُ حَتّى يَزِلَّ البَخْسُ

36 . It is not from justice to judge a reliable person by conjecture [instead of accepting his testimony].1

36 ـ لَيْسَ مِنَ العَدْلِ القَضاءُ عَلَى الثِّقَةِ بِالظَّنِّ

37 . One who is just gains [and strengthens his] power [and authority].

37 ـ مَنْ عَدَلَ تَمَكَّنَ

38 . The ruling of one who is just gets acted upon.

38 ـ مَنْ عَدَلَ نَفَذَ حُكْمُهُ

39 . The status of one who is just becomes great.

39 ـ مَنْ عَدَلَ عَظُمَ قَدْرُهُ

40 . One whose justice increases, his days are praised.

40 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ عَدْلُهُ حُمِدَتْ أيّامُهُ

41 . Allah unfolds His mercy upon one who acts justly in the lands.

41 ـ مَنْ عَدَلَ فِي البِلادِ نَشَرَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ الرَّحْمَةَ

42 . One whose deed done in private matches what he does openly and whose actions are consistent with his speech, then he is the one who has fulfilled the trust and whose justice has been established.

42 ـ مَنْ طابَقَ سِـرُّهُ عَلانِيَتَهُ، ووافَقَ فِعْلُهُ مَقالَتَهُ فَهُوَ الَّذي أدَّى الأمانَةَ، وتَحَقَّقَتْ عَدالَـتُهُ

43 . Whoever acts justly, Allah fortifies his kingdom.

43 ـ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِالعَدْلِ حَصَّنَ اللّهُ مُلْكَهُ

44 . Take with justice but give with munificence; you will possess two virtues.

44 ـ خُذْ بِالعَدْلِ وأعْطِ بِالفَضْلِ تَحُزِ المَنْقَبَتَيْنِ

45 . The policy of justice comprises of three things: judiciousness in leniency, fairness in investigation and moderation in munificence.

45 ـ سِياسَةُ العَدْلِ ثَلاثٌ: لينٌ في حَزْم، واسْتِقْصاءٌ في عَدْل، وإفْضالٌ في قَصْد

46 . Two things are such that their reward cannot be weighed: forgiveness and justice.

46 ـ شَيْئانِ لايُوزَنُ ثَوابُهُما: العَفْوُ، والعَدْلُ

47 . The uprightness [and betterment] of the populace is [achieved through] justice.

47 ـ صَلاحُ الرَّعِيَّةِ العَدْلُ

48 . You must be just with [both] friend and foe, and moderate in [both] poverty and wealth.

48 ـ عَليْكَ بِالعَدْلِ في الصَّديقِ، والعَدُوِّ،وَ القَصْدِ فِي الفَقْرِ وَالغِنى

49 . The pinnacle of justice is for a person to be just with himself.

49 ـ غايَةُ العَدْلِ أنْ يَعْدِلَ المَرْءُ في نَفْسِهِ

50 . In justice there is benevolence.

50 ـ فِي العَدْلِ الإحْسانُ

51 . In justice there is betterment of the people.

51 ـ فِي العَدْلِ صَلاحُ البَرِيَّةِ

52 . Following the way of Allah and the stability of nations lies in justice

52 ـ فِي العَدْلِ الاِقْتِداءُ بِسُنَّةِ اللّهِ وثَباتُ الدُّوَلِ

53 . In justice there is comfort; and one for whom justice is beleaguering, then oppression will be more beleaguering [and difficult] for him.

53 ـ فِي العَدْلِ سَعَةٌ، ومَنْ ضاقَ عَلَيْهِ العَدْلُ فَالجَوْرُ عَلَيْهِ أضْيَقُ

54 . From the exigencies of justice is the forbidding of oppression.

54 ـ مِنْ لَوازِمِ العَدْلِ اَلتَّناهي عَنِ الظُّلْمِ

55 . Nothing brings prosperity to the lands like justice.

55 ـ ما عُمِرَتِ البُلْدانُ بِمِثْلِ العَدْلِ

56 . Do not let the weak lose hope in your justice.

56 ـ لا تُؤْيِسِ الضُّعَفاءَ مِنْ عَدْلِكَ

57 . There is no justice better than returning the right of the oppressed.

57 ـ لاعَدْلَ أفْضَلُ مِنْ رَدِّ المَظالِمِ

58 . Justice is life.

58 ـ اَلعَدْلُ حَياةٌ

59 . Justice is the best judgment.

59 ـ اَلعَدْلُ خَيْـرُ الحُكْمِ

60 . Justice is [a means of attaining]) success and dignity.

60 ـ اَلعَدْلُ فَوْزٌ وكَرامَةٌ (مكانَةٌ ).

61 . Justice is the mainstay of the populace (or of the creation).

61 ـ اَلعَدْلُ قِوامُ الرَّعِيَّةِ (البَـرِيَّةِ ).

62 . Justice is a merit of the sultan.

62 ـ العَدْلُ فَضيلَةُ السُّلْطانِ

63 . Justice is the system of leadership.

63 ـ اَلعَدْلُ نِظامُ الإمْرَةِ

64 . Justice is the strongest foundation.

64 ـ اَلعَدْلُ أقْوى أساس

65 . Justice is the best trait.

65 ـ اَلعَدْلُ أفْضَلُ سَجِيَّة

66 . Justice relieves the one who acts upon it from being shackled by the rights of others.

66 ـ اَلعَدْلُ يُريحُ العامِلَ بِِهِ مِنْ تَقَلُّدِ المَظالِمِ

67 . The bane of justice is the powerful tyrant.

67 ـ آفَةُ العَدْلِ اَلظّالِمُ القادِرُ

68 . When your judgment is applied upon yourself [thereby showing your justice], the souls of [other] people summon each other towards your justice.

68 ـ إذا نَفَذَ حُكْمُكَ في نَفْسِكَ تَداعَتْ أنْفُسُ النّاسِ إلى عَدْلِكَ

69 . The bane of the just [ones] is lack of piety.

69 ـ آفَةُ العُدُولِ قِلَّةُ الوَرَعِ

70 . The coming to power of the just is from the necessities.

70 ـ دَوْلَةُ العادِلِ مِنَ الواجِباتِ

71 . Many a just person is an oppressor.

71 ـ رُبَّ عادِل جائِر

Notes

1. Or (according to Ibn Abi al-Ḥadīd’s explanation): It is not from justice to judge upon what is known [for certain] using [mere] conjecture.

The Middle Course

The middle course-الاِعتدال والنمط الأوسط

1 . The best affair (of this ummah) is [taking] the middle course; to it return those who have gone to the extreme and with it join those who have lagged behind.

1 ـ خَيْـرُ الأُمُورِ (هذِهِ الاُمَّةِ) النَّمَطُ الأوْسَطُ، إلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُ الغالي وبِهِ يَلْحَقُ التّالي

Enmity And The Enemy

Enmity and the Enemy-العدوّ والمعاداة

1 . Being bound by straps is better [and more preferable] than accompanying the adversary.

1 ـ اَلشَّدُّ بِالقِدِّ، وَلامُقارِنَةُ الضِّدِّ

2 . The cause of enmity is lack of empathy [and consideration for others].

2 ـ عِلَّةُ المُعاداةِ قِلَّةُ المُبالاتِ

3 . Enmity of near ones is more unpleasant than the sting of the scorpions.

3 ـ عَداوَةُ الأقارِبِ أمَرٌّ مِنْ لَسْعِ العَقارِبِ

4 . Too much enmity is disquieting for the hearts.

4 ـ كَثْرَةُ العَداوَةِ عَناءُ القُلُوبِ

5 . Whoever stubbornly opposes the people, they hate him.

5 ـ مَنْ عانَدَ النّاسَ مَقَتُوهُ

6 . Whoever manifests his enmity, his stratagems are reduced.

6 ـ مَنْ أظْهَرَ عَداوَتَهُ قَلَّ كَيْدُهُ

7 . One who tries to overcome his adversary has embarked on a struggle.

7 ـ مَنْ غالَبَ الضِّدَّ رَكِبَ الجِدَّ

8 . One who accompanies his adversary exhausts his body.

8 ـ مَنْ قارَنَ ضِدَّهُ ضَنِيَ جَسَدَهُ

9 . One who reforms [and reconciles with] his enemy increases in his number.

9 ـ مَنِ اسْتَصْلَحَ عَدُوَّهُ زادَ في عَدَدِهِ

10 . Whoever is unconcerned about you, then he is your enemy.

10 ـ مَنْ لا يُبالِكَ فَهُوَ عَدُوُّكَ

11 . Whoever accompanies his adversary, he will expose his flaw and torment his heart.

11 ـ مَنْ قارَنَ ضِدَّهُ كَشَفَ عَيْبَهُ وعَذَّبَ قَلْبَهُ

12 . One who is courteous with his adversaries is safe from battles.

12 ـ مَنْ دارى أضْدادَهُ أمِنَ المَحارِبَ

13 . One who sleeps, neglecting his enemy, is jolted awake by [his] crafty schemes.

13 ـ مَنْ نامَ عَنْ عَدُوِّهِ أنْبَهَتْهُ (نَبَّهَتْهُ) المَكائِدُ

14 . One who finds the enmity of men sweet tastes the bitterness of the hardships of war.

14 ـ مَنِ اسْتَحْلى مُعاداةَ الرِّجالِ اِسْتَمَرَّ مُعاناةَ القِتالِ

15 . One who shows enmity towards the people reaps the fruit of regret.

15 ـ مَنْ عادَي النّاسَ اِسْتَثْمَرَ النَّدامَةَ

16 . Whoever hides your fault from you and exposes your fault in your absence, then he is your [real] enemy, so be careful of him.

16 ـ مَنْ ساتَرَكَ عَيْبَكَ، وعابَكَ في غَيْبِكَ فَهُوَ العَدُوُّ فَاحْذَرْهُ

17 . Whoever shows enmity [with the people] his paths becomes rugged, his affair becomes difficult and his way out becomes narrow.

17 ـ مَنْ شاقَّ وعِرَتْ عَلَيْهِ طُرُقُهُ، وأعْضَلَ عَلَيْهِ أمْرُهُ، وضاقَ عَلَيْهِ مَخْرَجُهُ

18 . One who reforms his adversaries attains his goal.

18 ـ مَنْ أصْلَحَ الأضْدادَ بَلَغَ المُرادَ

19 . One who derives benefit from harming you will never be free from his enmity for you in every situation.

19 ـ مَنْ كانَ نَفْعُهُ في مَضَرَّتِكَ لَمْ يَخْلُ في كُلِّ حال مِنْ عَداوَتِكَ

20 . Never do two people [or groups] quarrel but that the more foolish of the two wins the argument.

20 ـ ما تَلاحى إثْنانِ فَظَهَرَ إلاّ أسْفَهُهُما

21 . Acting courteously with the enemies of Allah in their domains is a safeguard from the chastisement of Allah and a caution from the raging tribulations of this world.

21 ـ مُجامَلَةُ أعْداءِ اللّهِ في دَوْلَتِهِمْ تَقِيَّةٌ مِنْ عَذابِ اللّهِ، وحَذَرٌ مِنْ مَعارِكَ البَلاءِ فِي الدُّنيا

22 . Struggling against the enemies in their dominions and fighting against them despite their power is abandoning the command of Allah and exposing oneself to the tribulations of this world.

22 ـ مُجاهَدَةُ الأعْداءِ في دَوْلَتِهِمْ، ومُناضَلَتُهُمْ مَعَ قُدْرَتِهِمْ تَرْكٌ لأمْرِ اللّهِ وَتَعَرُّضٌ لِبَلاءِ الدُّنيا

23 . Do not be adversaries of the blessings of Allah upon you.1

23 ـ لاتَـكُونُوا لِنِعَمِ اللّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ أضْداداً

24 . Do not face your adversary before you are powerful enough [to defeat him].

24 ـ لاتُوقِعْ بِالعَدُوِّ قَبْلَ القُدْرَةِ

25 . Do not be fooled by the courteousness of the enemy for indeed he is like water, even if its heating by fire is prolonged, it is not prevented from extinguishing it.

25 ـ لاتَغْتَرَنَّ بِمُجامَلَةِ العَدُوِّ فَإنَّهُ كَالماءِ وإنْ أُطيلَ إسْخانُهُ بِالنّارِ لايَمْتَنِعُ مِنْ إطْفائِها

26 . Do not confront your enemy while he is charging towards you, for indeed his charge will aid him to overcome you and do not confront him when he is fleeing away from you, for indeed his flight is sufficient for you in dealing with him.

26 ـ لاتَعَرَّضْ لِعَدُوِّكَ وهُوَ مُقْبِلٌ، فَإنَّ إقْبالَهُ يُعْينُهُ عَلَيْكَ، ولاتَعَرَّضْ لَهُ وهُوَ مُدْبِرٌ، فَإنَّ إدْبارَهُ يَكْفيكَ أمْرُهُ

27 . Do not declare your enmity to your enemy and do not rebuke your friend; and accept the excuse [you are given] even if it is a lie, and do not give [a forceful] response despite having the power to do so, even if it be your right.

27 ـ لاتُنابِذْ عَدُوَّكَ، ولاتُقَرِّعْ صَديقَكَ، وأقْبَلِ العُذْرَ، وإنْ كانَ كِذْباً وَدَعِ الجَوابَ عَنْ قُدْرَة وإنْ كانَ لَكَ

28 . When you have hatred [for someone] then do not disassociate yourself [completely - and leave some room for possible future friendship].

28 ـ إذا أبْغَضْتَ فَلا تَهْجُرْ

29 . Let the most hated of people to you and the furthest of them from you be the one who always seeks out the faults of people.

29 ـ لِيَكُنْ أبْغَضُ النّاسِ إلَيْكَ وأبْعَدُهُمْ مِنْكَ أطْلَبَهُمْ لِمَعائِبِ النّاسِ

30 . One who hates you incites you [to wrongdoing].

30 ـ مَنْ أبْغَضَكَ أغْراكَ

31 . The enemy has been named ‘enemy’ because he wrongs you; so one who flatters you for your faults is in actually an enemy who is wronging you.

31 ـ إنَّما سُمِّيَ العَدُوُّ عَدُوّاً لأنَّهُ يَعْدُوعَلَيْكَ، فَمَنْ داهَنَكَ في مَعائِـبِكَ فَهُوَ العَدُوُّ العادي عَلَيْكَ

32 . Keep away from the enemies of Allah and maintain ties with the friends of Allah.

32 ـ زائِلُوا أعْداءَ اللّهِ وواصِلُوا أوْلِياءَ اللّهِ

33 . The worst of enemies is the one who goes to the greatest lengths and is most secretive in his plotting.

33 ـ شَـرُّ الأعْداءِ أبْعَدُهُمْ غَوْراً، وأخْفاهُمْ مَكيدَةً

34 . At times enemies may deceive [and pretend to be well-wishers].

34 ـ قَدْ يَخْدَعُ الأعْداءُ

35 . One who sows enmity [and aggression] reaps loss.

35 ـ مَنْ زَرَعَ العُدْوانَ حَصَدَ الخُسْرانَ

36 . Treating the enemy with kindness is one of the two victories.

36 ـ اَلأخْذُ عَلَى العَدُوِّ بِالفَضْلِ، أحَدُ الظَّفَرَيْنِ

37 . Being courteous when trying to accomplish something is more effective than other means.

37 ـ اَلتَّلَطُّفُ فِي الْحِيلَةِ أجدى مِنَ الوَسيلَةِ

38 . With regards to your enemy, be on the lookout for possibility [of defeating him] and seize opportunity, you will be [thus become] triumphant.

38 ـ اِسْتَعْمِلْ مَعَ عَدُوِّكَ مُراقِبَةَ الإمكانِ وَانْتِهاضَ الفُرْصَةِ، تَظْفَرْ

39 . The weakest of enemies in plotting is the one who manifests his enmity.

39 ـ أوْهَنُ الأعْداءِ كَيْداً مَنْ أظْهَرَ عَداوَتَهُ

40 . One enemy is plenty.

40 ـ اَلواحِدُ مِنَ الأعْداءِ كَثيرٌ

41 . Reforming [and reconciliation with] the enemies through good words and beautiful actions is easier than facing them and combating them with the torment of battle.

41 ـ اَلاِسْتِصْلاحُ لِلأعْداءِ بِحُسْنِ المَقالِ، وجَمِيلِ الأفْعالِ، أهْوَنُ مِنْ مُلاقاتِهِمْ ومُغالَبَتِهِمْ بِمَضِيْضِ القِتالِ،

42 . One who reforms [and reconciles with] his opponents attains his goal.

42 ـ مَنِ اسْتَصْلَحَ الأضْدادَ بَلَغَ المُرادَ

43 . Do not consider yourself safe from an enemy, even if he is grateful.

43 ـ لاتَأمَنْ عَدُوّاً وإنْ شَكَرَ

44 . Never underestimate an enemy, even if he is weak.

44 ـ لاتَسْتَصْغِرَنَّ عَدُوّاً وإنْ ضَعُفَ

45 . Showing enmity towards the people is a trait of the ignorant ones.

45 ـ مُعاداةُ الرِّجالِ مِنْ شِيَمِ الجُهّالِ

46 . One who unsheathes the sword of aggression is killed by it.

46 ـ مَنْ سَلَّ سَيْفَ العُدْوانِ قُتِلَ بِهِ

47 . Stances of [enmity and] hatred anger the Most Merciful, please Satan and disgrace man.

47 ـ مَواقِفُ الشَّنَئانِ تُسْخِطُ الرَّحْمنَ، وتَرْضِي الشَّيْطانَ، وتَشينُ الإنْسانَ

48 . One who exceeds in [his] animosity has sinned and one who falls short [and does not show enmity when it is required] is defeated.

48 ـ مَنْ بالَغَ فِي الخِصامِ أثِمَ، ومَنْ قَصَّرَ عَنْهُ خُصِمَ

49 . He who has animosity [towards others] is not capable of fearing Allah.

49 ـ لايَسْتَطيعُ أنْ يَتَّقِيَ اللّهَ مَنْ خاصَمَ

50 . Quarrels [and disputes] manifest the foolishness of a person and do not increase in his right.

50 ـ اَلمُخاصَمَةُ تُبْدي سَفَهَ الرَّجُلِ ولاتَزيدُ في حَقِّهِ

51 . One whose transgression (or antagonism) increases, his enemies increase.

51 ـ مَنْ كَثُرَ تَعَدِّيهِ (تَعاديهِ) كَثُرَتْ أعاديهِ

52 . Power is lost through aggression [and oppression].

52 ـ القُدْرَةُ يُزيلُهَا العُدْوانُ

Notes

1. Or: Do not be enemies [of each other] for the [sake of the] blessings of Allah upon you.

Apologizing And Offering Excuses

Apologizing and offering excuses-الأعذار والاِعتذار

1 . Being needless of offering an excuse is more honourable than truthfulness [in your excuse].1

1 ـ اَلاِسْتِغْناءُ عَنِ العُذْرِ أعَزُّ مِنَ الصِّدْقِ

2 . Apologizing necessitates pardoning.

2 ـ اَلإعْذارُ يُوجِبُ الاِعْتِذارُ

3 . Repeating the apology is a reminder of the sin.

3 ـ إعادَةُ الاِعْتِذارِ تَذْكِيرٌ بِالذَّنْبِ

4 . One who seeks pardon without having sinned has imposed the sin upon his soul.

4 ـ مَنِ اعْتَذَرَ مِنْ غَيْرِ ذَنْب فَقَدْ أوْجَبَ عَلى نَفْسهِ الذَّنْبَ

5 . One who admits his wrongdoing deserves forgiveness.

5 ـ مَنِ اعْتَرَفَ بِالجَريرَةِ اِسْتَحقَّ المَغْفِرَةَ

6 . One who apologizes in a befitting manner deserves to be forgiven.

6 ـ مَنْ أحْسَنَ الاِعْتِذارَ اِسْتَحَقَّ الاِغْتِفارَ

7 . One who apologizes has sought pardon.

7 ـ مَنِ اعْتَذَرَ فَقدِ اسْتَقالَ

8 . He who seeks pardon has not sinned.

8 ـ ما أذْنَبَ مَنِ اعْتَذَرَ

9 . How good an intercessor seeking pardon is!

9 ـ نِعْمَ الشَّفيعُ الاِعْتِذارُ

10 . Do not offer an excuse to the one who would like to find you without an excuse.

10 ـ لاتَعْتَذِرْ إلى مَنْ يُحِبُّ أنْ لايَجِدَلَكَ عُذْراً

11 . There is no intercessor more successful than apology.

11 ـ لاشافِعَ أنْجَحُ مِنَ الاِعْتِذارِ

12 . Repeating the apology is a reminder of the [past] sins.

12 ـ إعادَةُ الاِعْتِذارِ تَذْكِيرٌ بِالذُّنُوبِ

13 . Seeking pardon (or taking lesson) is a sincere warner.2

13 ـ اَلاِعْتِذارُ(الاِعْتِبارُ) مُنْذِرٌ ناصِحٌ

14 . When you do wrong, apologize.

14 ـ إذا جَنَيْتَ فَاعْتَذِرْ

15 . Sometimes the admission of guilt for having committed a sin dispenses with the need for seeking pardon.

15 ـ رُبَّ جُرْم أغْنى عَنِ الاِعْتِذارِ عَنْهُ اَلاِقْرارُ بِهِ

16 . Too much apology magnifies the sins.

16 ـ كَثْرَةُ الاِعْتِذارِ تُعَظِّمُ الذُّنُوبَ

17 . Keep away from that for which there is little denial, even if the excuses from you are many, for it is not such that everyone who speaks ill [of you] can be excused by you.

17 ـ إيّاكَ وما قَلَّ إنْكارُهُ، وإنْ كَثُرَ مِنْكَ اِعْتِذارُهُ، فَماكُلُّ قائِل نُكْراً يُمْكِنُكَ أنْ تُوسِعَهُ عُذْراً

Notes

1. Or: Not doing anything that would require apology is rarer than truthfulness.

2. It is a warner in the sense that the shame it causes acts as a warning for one not to do anything that would force him to seek pardon again.